More on M, Episode 6: Part 1

Nearly two years have passed since our last check-in with the younger Rising Daughter, the mighty M., who recently entered her teens. Teens develop profoundly over the course of two years, and that can be stressful. In this latest Q&A, we delve into the changes in the life of this spirited young lady. For more on her thoughts, trials, and triumphs, read on.

Marina's elementary school graduation ceremony

How have you changed in the last two years?

I want to grow my hair longer. I had it cut short two times; it's short again, which is good when it's hot weather. I like it the way it is, but I also want it longer.
I am now in middle school. That means I had to stop playing basketball for the local team, but I am now on the school's track and field team for distance running. I wanted to try a new thing, and it's fun and healthy.
My school subjects are a lot harder now and I need to study more. Plus, I have some different friends I hang out with at my new school. I also have a new morning routine because the time when I need to leave home for school and classes and stuff is later.

What are your favorite clothes these days?

I like big, oversized clothes. And I also like overalls with longer jeans.
I really want Nike Dunks but they're really expensive. So I think I'm gonna save up for it.

Why do you like the word "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"? How did you learn it?
I like it because it's very long and it's the song from Mary Poppins. No--I just I saw it on TikTok…not TikTok. I just like, I don't know where I saw it first, but I really like that word.

Any new hobbies or sports?
Like I said before, I am doing long runs during track practice. I wanted to try something new. And I like it. But I think I might go back to basketball when I get to high school.

What's your favorite ice cream/or candy?
I like Super Cup Banana Chocolate. And I still like Green Tea flavored ice cream. And then for candy--chocolate. Small chocolates. And gum.

Who is more fun to hang out with, boys or girls?
Really, Dad? This question again? Okay…it's still girls.

What's your average day like?

I study.
[Editor's remark: I think that's bull****.]
OK, it depends on the day. Yesterday, I studied for four hours. And I didn't do anything else because I had a test today.

Okay, so you're studying. If you have big tests, you study a lot, but if you don't have big tests, what is your opinion about studying?
I don't think you really need to study. Why do it? Because most of the stuff you learn at school you're not going to use in the future.

Tell us about the new middle school experience. What have you learned?
The first big tests were really hard. I didn't get good grades because I didn't know how to study the right way. In elementary school, it wasn't that hard. So I studied hard for the recent tests, but the way I studied didn't work well and I got bad grades. Not "bad", but not good, either. It was harder than I expected, and that's the tough thing. One good thing is I joined track, and I got to try something new and it's fun.

What books are you reading lately?
I'm re-reading Geronimo Stilton. But I want to get more new books because that one was boring.

Classic "self-care" pose in springtime

What’s your favorite thing to do these days?

I am into self-care time. And I like to FaceTime with my friends on the Line app.

What would you like to say to your future self when you’re 21?
Learn how to study, then study hard to get into a good college.

In what place are you happiest?

In my room in my bed, because it's where I sleep, and I like sleeping.

What is your greatest challenge now?
Finding a new way to study for tests.

-- Stay tuned for Part 2 --