On when Justin and Hannah REALLY started writing together...

Justin here:
Yes we did decide to start a blog after Hannah finished up my article for the notorious "The Paper" (the paper I used to write for, which had an incredibly dull title, AND which no one read) but Hannah has forgotten the REAL beginning, it happened along time ago... in James Griffin's Creative writing class. I started a short story about a boy who was only one inch tall and still tried to live a normal life. Then Hannah was supposed to finish it... but when I read the ending and thought it was lame, I insisted that she rewrite it, after very little squawking Hannah promised to make a very good ending that would top off the brilliantly creative story and make it something worth reading. Now don't ask me why, but for some noble reason Hannah ALWAYS keeps her promises, without fail. needless to say the second ending was much better, and the one inch mighty warrior fought and killed a spider... and lived happily ever after.
AND that is when our "writing togetherness" started, while we were sophomores in high school trying to make passing grades in James Griffin's Creative Writing class. The funny thing is I believe I still have that short story lying around somewhere, if I find it I will type it up and post it on the blog.

I thought it only appropriate as a first entry.

Below is the article Justin and I ended up writing together for his column (the one that got us started with this whole crazy thing in the first place):

" So this is the last "Humble Opinion," the last article before I leave the nest, before I kick the bucket (I don't think that last idiom works very well). It is a funny thing, all my high school "career" I have worked up to graduation, up to the moment where I get handed the diploma. There are a lot of things that seniors don't do, that they should have done before they leave Indonesia. For instance, I have never heard a senior say goodbye to a jaga, or start a food fight in the pavilion; I don't think Mountainview students have ever had a food fight (not that I'm suggesting it). Or gone fishing in the rice paddies, and then gone and gotten themselves bitten by an eel. Or eaten roti bakar at the pancasila in the middle of the night.

Other things seniors should do are eat at all their favorite local warungs before they leave, such as Bu Wati's, Soto Kesambi, and Es Kesambi, and buy a box of Indo Mie before they leave... and also get a class picture where everyone looks good (if that is even possible). It's sad when you realize a couple hours before your departur from this place, that though you may return, it won't ever be the same again. You will no longer be a resident, only a stranger visiting. It's sad knowing that your wish-list of things you've said "we have to do," or "that would be fun to do," never got done, and you're graduating with less accomplishments than you'd hoped for.

So learn to write those silly little wishes and wants down, and as ridiculous as it sounds, keep a check list (besides the one in your brain). Set out realistic goals if necessary, but don't forget to have fun! Don't turn your high school career into a job; don't grow up too quickly. Always remember that at the end of it all, you are going to remember that each relationship and event is going to hold more meaning than what you got on your english vocabulary quiz or that chapter 12 math test. So go out now, and get some batagor and es kelapa muda with your friends because it will be too late all too soon. Then what are you going to have left to remember? Go bounce on a bed, or pick a dandelion and blow a wish into the wind and remember what it feels like to be a kid and to live in magic before it's too late."