Hey Mom, Pop what's new?
Sorry for the delay in writing, things kept getting in the way of me finding time to write. The school year here has finally started and the kids are so adorable. There are twins here but they're fraternal so it's easy to tell them apart (Unlike Paul and Ed). There's a girl here named Maria who's just so adorable. She's on the quiet side but I can tell she's not going to stay that way forever. Her father is a single parent and I've got to give him props for being able to take care of Maria in place like this. I know that you guys worry about me up here in Antarctica, but don't. I'm perfectly safe, I know how to take care of myself remember? By the time I'm writing this and you get it, I'll be here for almost two months and I have to tell you the people here are really nice. They're like one big extended family and they've been really welcoming. I've made a few friends here already; Lydia Winter, Crysta Santella, and Logan Cale. Last month Thursday us three plus eight others got together and watched 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy'. We had a great time. Alex, the chef here, brought cookies in the shape of Marvin as well as ones that said 'Don't Panic' and were the shape of the Guide. Marcus Lorne and Andera Brio brought the beer. Don't worry, I didn't have any because I had to look after the kids the next day and didn't want a hangover (I think we went through enough of those when I was a senior right?). I tell you I found the right group of people to work with, they're all a little crazy, but with everything that's been going on they deserve to be a little wacky. Blow off a little steam. Enough about the people; let me tell you about what I do. I teach the normal five day school week and then on weekends just look after the kids. So I'm mostly surrounded by little people all day, but I see Lydia and Logan during meals (when they're not working) and run into them in the hallways. There's only one kid who's really kindergarten age so I don't have to rush teaching things, we can take our time on stuff. I really love that as I don't have nineteen more kids the same age all clamoring for my attention at the same time and I don't have to deal with the other stuff that comes with working in the public school system. The others are just a year or so shy of kindergarten so they mainly play all day which is fine with them and me. I usually have to break up an argument once or twice a day (the same for stopping a flow of tears). Four of the kids have at least one military parent and only two of them have a mom and dad who are both civilians. Now pop, before you get bent out of shape about the whole military situation just let me say that I've met the parents and they're quite nice. There's a group of girls who get together every week for some poker and gossip and I've been joining them almost every week. Dr. Weir-McKay is my "boss" (so to speak; she's the "boss" of all us civilian's here) and is nice to talk to. She has two kids, Patrick and Kelly, who are adorable. Got a question for you ma; who are the Cales? The name seems really familiar to me but I can't place it for the life of me. Logan says that he's from Seattle and he looks like he's got money up the wazoo. I figure that you'd know since you follow all that celebrity gossip. Since there are kids here, Dr. Weir decided to embrace Halloween and have people dress up while the kids go around and get candy. I have a favor to ask; I was wondering if you guys could get my Halloween costume from two years ago and send it to me. It should be at Missy's apartment. And the lightsaber should be in my sock drawer at home. I might be able to come home for Christmas, but I don't know for sure. It all depends on how things are around here. Anyways, I have to get going. Love you guys and tell Hugh and Tori that I say hi and that I miss everyone.
Maxine
Dave,
What's up big guy? I miss you so much. Haven't gotten a letter from you in a while, they must have gotten lost or something. Never trust the postal service huh? Anyways, how's everything? I know that before I left your company had a bid on some big government project, did you get it? And how's the softball team? I know that they had to fill my spot since I was leaving and I hope that you guys didn't suck to much this season. And how's our crew doing? Been hanging with them a lot? Did Theo ever get that bike he was thinking about buying? Or were you guys able to convince him that the first time he rides it he'd end up road pizza? I think that's enough of the Spanish Inquisition (which no one expected). I'll ramble on a bit about this place. It's really nice, but it has it's problems. Last night there was a blackout in my section and I was in my room at the time. Since the power for the doors comes from generators I was stuck inside my place for a good six-seven hours. It was alright at the beginning, I was able to get some stuff done that I'd been putting off but then I started to get a bit claustrophobic so I escaped to the balcony that I have. The view from is breath taking, but then it started to rain not long after I got out there so I had to go back inside. By the time power was restored I was going stir crazy and could have kissed who ever did it (but I didn't. Amazed at my self restraint? I am). I've made a few friends here; Lydia Winter, Crysta Santella, and Logan Cale. Lydia, Crysta and I have a great time together. We've started an informal 'movie night' where we choose a different movie/TV series to watch. It's become quite popular with most of the people here. I usually have lunch with Logan and run into him around the city. A month ago we got together with eight others and watched 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy'. We had a great time; we sang along to 'Thanks for all the fish' and had a drinking game where every time Marvin said something depressing or Arthur worried about something we had to take a shot. Let's just say that by the end of the movie a lot of us were smashed. But don't worry I wasn't. I choose to have iced tea instead. There's also a weekly poker night where some of the girls get together to play and gossip. I've joined them and have become quite good at playing (I'll have to show you when I come back for a visit). The kids here a really cute and I love being with them. There's one girl in particular who's stolen my heart. Her name is Maria and she's an orphan. Her parents were killed around here and one of the guys (Major Marc Lorne) found her and sort of adopted her. She has the deepest brown eyes that you'll ever see and is just so adorable. Kind of makes me think about what the kids I'll have later in life will look like. Anyways, since there are kids here there's gonna be trick or treating and Dr. Weir wants people to dress up for the kids. Yes I'm going to and asked mom and pop to send over my Jedi costume (I have the boots I just need everything else). Are you going to go to Katie's annual Halloween's bash? You should go; it'll be fun as always. Why don't you take Missy with you? I know that she's always available on that day and it'll be fun for the both of you. Did I say that I miss you? I know that it's hard with me being away and all but think of this as a test to see how strong our relationship is. But there's good news; I might be able to come home for Christmas. It all depends on how things are over here, so nothing's set in stone. I'll write again soon and can't wait to get your letters.
Miss you tons,
Max
A/N: I something that I thought I'd never do. I forgot to credit an OC. -collective gasp- I know, I surprised myself as well. So here it is: Crysta Santella belongs to Nenya. Now go and read all her SGA stories after this one. I thought that it would be neat to do a chapter of Max writing home, so that's why I wrote the chapter. It skips the movie night, but you get the highlights. She wouldn't be able to talk to much about Atlantis and I figured that she'd tell them that she would be in Antartica since that was where everyone was before going to Atlantis. I have a confession to make: in a previous A/N I stated that I did Techie's "Lenny's favorite movie" challenge and that I would be posting it. Well...I've thought about it and decided that it shall never see the light of day that is ff dot net. I wrote it when I was sleep deprived and feel that I totally missed the characterization that is Lenny and that she wouldn't really watch that kind of movie so I'm going to keep it on Lappy where no one can read it (well except for me). As always I don't own Lorne or Wier; they belong to the big shots at MGM/Bridge Studios. Alex and Maria belong to Reefgirl. Lydia belongs to Techie. Logan belongs to to James Cameron. I own Max, Dave, Hugh, Tori, Patrick and Kelly. And last (but I didn't forget this time) but not least of all; Crysta belongs to Nenya. Having said that, please press the little blue button and tell me what you liked about the chapter. Oh, one more thing; I do have identical twins for cousins and everyone but me can tell them apart.