Miko Kajiyama/Journal Entries & Notes

The following are the journal entries and notes that appear in Miko's locker in the Hidden Hallway in the Rockett games.

New School
[TBA]

Scene 1 (1m)
Main things to do this week: Decide on costume and make it! Finish every bit of homework early so I can concentrate on party Help Nakili finish decorations and do pumpkins (for our house and hers) today:  stake out the special library place for our meeting. vote Rockett in?

Scene 1 (1s)
( 9:20 a.m)  Sometimes the hardest thing to do is apologizing. Which I did to Rockett about the yearbook committee, pretty much right after it happened. (Mr. Rarebit does like to make it important sounding by calling it a staff. But Nakili says I'm right to call it a committee because it doesn't seem so big deal that way). So since I apologized and we talked about it, we've been getting along really good. That's why I think I'm going to vote yes today. When Nakili and I were at Rockett's house last Friday it was kind of like the pre-joining interview. (She didn't really know that though.) We saw that she had this early birthday card from a friend of hers where she used to live. It was kind of like the proof we needed to figure out that she'd really fit with us. We both feel like it's a really good thing to expand more now that we're in 8th grade. Not too much though. Just a little. Like one person only. The hard part was that because Dana couldn't come she didn't get to be in the interview so she doesn't feel as strongly as us that Rockett could easily be a CSG. So changing her mind is the hard part.

Scene 2 (2g)
I talked to Rockett about the party, and she DID promise to come! But then I overheard Ruben talking to Max in the hall, and they were talking about "the redhead." They better just FORGET IT! I know she'll have a totally great time at our party, anyhow...

Scene 5a (1u)
Only two months into the school year and already they are PILING on the homework! Fortunate that I have a brain! Hmmm...

1. Consider the exciting world of phrenology for extra credit in Science class! Compare head formations of Zeitbaum for socially weird genuis type vs. Wartella-D. for overdeveloped sensory abilities?

2. Bring camera with zoom lens to school.

3. Rent video on Robin Hood for tips on archery class.

3. Put final touches on costume (how long will paper mache take to dry?) [sic]

Scene 5a (1un)
Only two months into the school year and already they are PILING on the homework! Fortunate that I have a brain! Hmmm...

1. Consider the exciting world of phrenology for extra credit in Science class! Compare head formations of Zeitbaum for socially weird genuis type vs. Wartella-D. for overdeveloped sensory abilities?

2. Bring camera with zoom lens to school.

3. Rent video on Robin Hood for tips on archery class.

4. Put final touches on costume (how long will paper mache take to dry?)

Scene 6a (4c)
That does it! Last month it was the yearbook job, this time it's ditching out on our Halloween party. That was the rudest thing I ever heard of! Okay, I'll admit that once Rockett started really getting into the yearbook job, it was obviously the right thing for her to be doing. I never would've had enough time to do it, since all my other activities. And CSG weekly business. But still! Did she really have to go and do this? Was our party THAT BAD? Everyone else seemed to think it was really great. Myself included. But oh no, it wasn't good enough for her. And the worst part is, in between these things she does that get me so bugged, I really really like her. I mean who's been the one most pushing to maybe have her in our group? Wasn't I the one who first said maybe we could have room for 4 CSGs instead of just 3? And I stick up for her against Dana every time. I've got to think this through some more, that is for certain.

Scene 6a (2u)
(1:00) Only a few more hours until the party! My costume looks spectacular, and my special cheese-kelp dip is ichiban! Sometimes life just feels so TOTALLY perfect. I just know it's going to be a great Halloween!

Scene 2 (1m)
Possible costumes for Halloween (final list):

1.  Fortune Teller

Advantages:

a)  completely NOT me

b)  Saki will help with costume

Disadvantages:

a)  kind of dumb

b)  Saki is already going to DO fortune telling at the party and we'll look too much alike

Scene 3 (1o)
Agenda for CSG meeting:

¥ Discuss R's joining CSGs. (Discuss birthday stuff)

¥ Video afternoon. Menu? Ask J?

¥ Secret script for CSG skit in Drama class. Borrow percussion items from Viva.

Scene 3 (2g)
2.  Statue of Liberty

Advantages:

a)  cool and powerful female figure

b) easy to recognize

c) pretty easy to do costume

Disadvantage:  not a real person.

Advantages to the disadvantage:

Symbol of freedom, generosity, compassion. Being a power symbol is cool.

Scene 4 (2f)
3.  Sacajawea (native American guide who led Lewis and Clark all the way to Pacific Ocean!)

Advantages:

a)  Totally cool, powerful female figure

b) I like native American costumes

Disadvantages:

a) costume slightly hard to make (maybe, unless mom helps--and fast!)

b) I'll have to carry a papoose (probably my gooseberry doll, since she's the biggest) on my back--which means extra weight to pack around--forget it!!!

c)  no one will know I'm her.  They'll just think I'm a native American (Japanese native American!!) and I'll have to go around explaining all night

Scene 5a (1u)
4.  Geisha girl

Advantages:

a) I've already got the costume

b) mom or Saki could do my makeup perfectly

c) robe is beautiful

Disadvantages:

a)  too predictable

b) I'd probably have to wear the wig since my hair will never look right

c)  tons of makeup (ick! Plus, really weird with glasses!)

d)  not a strong enough female figure

Scene 5b (1g)
5.  Amelia Earhart  (first most important woman aviator)

Advantages:

a) easy costume if I can find one of those leather hats with ear flaps

b) I can wear pants

c) cool, powerful female figure

Disadvantages:

a) same as Sacajawea: I'm SURE nobody will know who I'm supposed to be if I don't tell them

b) I'll be hot if I keep my hat and flight jacket on, but if I take them off I don't even look like I'm wearing any costume!

Scene 6a (3g)
The Statue of Liberty is totally alive and well! I think I made the right choice now that I got a chance to model for myself and see how I look in the mirror. Mom thinks I'm strange. But Dad understands why it's significant and also cool.

Scene 1 (su)
Dear Miss Kajiyama:

I just wanted to express my gratitude for your culinary appreciation in the cafeteria earlier this week. It is not often that you little school punks consider the amount of time and effort that goes into my menu-planning. It's not easy to come up with nutritious meals every day, you know! Anyways, I will take into consideration your suggestion that we leave motherwort plants out of the food -- although I personally feel they lends extra piquance, especially to my calves' liver meatloaf.

Sincerely,

William Richard Pill

Head Chef & Sustenance Engineer

Scene 2 (1m)
Miko:

Not that you ever forget anything, but remember to bring your mother's recipe for persimmon cake when you come over tomorrow. See you in Rare Bun's--I mean Rarebit's--class!

(Yow!)

Nakili

Scene 3 (1o)
Greetings, exotic one!

To stave off any possible feelings of wrath and revenge, I wish to share with you my thoughts for the upcoming autumn rituals -- to wit, All Hallow's Eve -- before you learn of it from less sensitive souls!

My desire to attend your glorious festivities enrobed as a Popillia Japonicus (Japanese Beetle, in case you haven't figured it out yet) is my personal tribute to your ethnic origins! I ADMIRE and RESPECT the insect world, and none more than the JAPANESE BEETLE. So as a BIG BLACK BUG shall I present myself. HAZZAH till Saturday night!!!

Yours in entymology---

(that means insect study, in case you haven't figured it out yet)

Arnold

Scene 3 (2g)
Notes to self:

¥ Write Raymond to discourage him from visiting during holidays

¥ Buy:

green socks

orange crepe paper

pumpkin peeler

can of insect spray

pencils

Scene 3 (3u)
Since you seem to be so chummy with a certain nameless newcomer, you may tell her I said "MYOB" -- instead of sticking her nose where she isn't wanted!

>  Some ONE

Scene 4 (2f)
NOTICE FROM THE PINE:

Looking for the best fun you've had all year? Got those October-leaves-turnin'-red blues? A well-known psychic source sez: check out today's soccer game for a VERY SPECIAL EVENT! ]

Scene 4 (3r)
KAJIYAMA PERSIMMON BREAD

2c flour

1c cornmeal

1/2 walnuts [sic]

1 T baking powder

2/3 c brown sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinammon

1/3 oil

2 eggs

1 c milk

3 ripe persimmons, peeled and mashed

Mix all dry ingredients in med. bowl. Mix oil, eggs and milk in small bowl. Add to dry ingred. and stir. Bake in 350¡ oven for 25 minutes or until done.

Scene 5b (1gl)
Hello!

This is to let you know (as a friend) that someone--(maybe it could be someone closer to you than before and maybe not)--Well, that person is probably close to being publicly embarrassed. In a way that they might not like too much since it's so public. And it could be at a social event, but that isn't lighted up in my head for sure. The person who it could happen to is doing what I call toggling on the brink of disaster. This is good information to pass on to a person you might think it could be about. Your friend,

Mavis

Scene 6a (1p)
MPK:

I wanted to phone you last night, but it was after nine and I know what a FUSS your parents put up if you get a call then! Sorry if I was obnoxious in our meeting. But when I see a good friend being sucked in by a phoney, I just have to speak up! The CSGs have had a lot of good times together, so I don't see why we need anyone else, much less that -- well, never mind. I know you think you like her, but believe me, looks aren't always the truth! Anyway, I didn't mean to take it out on you, Miko. See you at the party.

CSGs Rule!

< D.V.St.C.

Scene 6a (2u)
WPJH BULLETIN:

The field trip to the Landfill Project and Recycling Center has been indefinitely postponed due to a chemical reaction last night that generated noxious fumes. Although the fumes have all but disappeared, WPJH will take no chances with the health of its young students in exposing them to mysterious and possibly dangerous substances.

Officials are uncertain as to the cause of the chemical reaction, but one staff member described it as "a science project gone wrong." A spokesperson from the Environmental Reclamation Agency noted that there appeared to be "an abnormally large proportion of arachnids (spiders) and rutinalae (leaf chafer beetles)" present in the area.

Scene 6a (3g)
Dear Miko-San:

How are you? How are things in your school? I am doing well. My family has moved into a new apartment in Tokyo, one that has sunlight! It is true we pay extra for that, but it is worth being able to look out over the Ginza with all its lights, and not see only the walls of another building instead! School is hard work, but I have a tutor in the evenings to help me, so I have great hopes of doing well. We went to this temple in Kyoto last summer and my Dad took a picture of me and my brother Akira. I will send you a copy of it when I get one. Also, I hope to come to the U.S. next year for a visit! Let you know! Goodbye for now. Your penpal, Chibi

Scene 6a (4u)
Miko girl!

See, I TOLD you Rockett would groove on our party scene and not dip out! Who would want to go to Max's anyway, and get majorally SNUBBED by the Witless Wonders, Nicked Coal and Twitney? Guess Rockett's got class enough for the CSGs after all! Now we just have to soothe out sister Dana...

GREAT party! Thanks for your help!

Nakili  <

Scene 6b (1s)
"Why I Want To Be President"

An essay by Miko Kajiyama

Through the ages, women have always been the secret sources of power behind the thrones of kings and emperors. They have been the mothers of invention to great minds like Alexander Graham Bell and Albert Einstein. Without their courage and information on nutrition, these sons in science could not have reached their heights of inspiration. People would still be talking over fences and riding horses --instead of flying in space shuttles around the earth!

Even though there has never been a woman president, I think this is a job I could be good at.

(note to myself: list reasons, then talk about why it would be good to FINALLY have a woman PRESIDENT in the White House)

Scene 6b (2p)
Friday afternoon

Miko!

Omigosh! You would NOT believe this, but Ruben actually asked me if I wanted to meet him at that movie after school that I was telling you about (The Winds in Darkness). He even said he'd pay! NOT A DATE, at least to me. It's a free movie that I really want to see, that's ALL!

Will you be mad if I go and don't get to Nakili's to help till later? I promise I'll work extra hard to make everything great with the decorations and stuff when I get there.

Talk to me!

Dana

Scene 6b (3s)
Friday afternoon

Dear Miko:

I'm getting my costume thing together here, both me and Viva actually. Since Ginger's going to Nakili's party, she already told me you're really busy getting that all together. But if you could, would you stop by the cafeteria after school, where I'll be hanging out. I'm going to have some parts of my costume and since you're in art, I could use some opinions. Rockett is one person who (finally) gave both me and Viva great input. But I would REALLY like your ideas too. All the artists I can get, ya know?!

Thanks a mill,

Arrow

Scene 1 (1w)
Well, I guess this is it. Expansion of our unit, something no one would have ever expected. I wouldn't have thought this would happen, like if anyone had asked me a year or so ago. But you should always be prepared to be flexible, that's one thing I just figured out pretty recently from now. Or to be ready for unexpected changes. If you can just be open to eveything that happens to you, then it's pretty sure a good thing could happen to you--because you're not standing in its way.

Finding out that Rockett was a Sagittarius on the first day of school must have been an omen. That means a sign. Saki says it could be a sign. And even if she IS my sister, I have to say she's usually pretty right about stuff like this.

Scene 1 (2s)
Last night I dreamed I found our PRB, like just lying on this bridge-like thing. But when I picked it up, I lost my balance, slipped and fell off the bridge. I was totally freaking out, even after I woke up! I think my heart must have beat like a million times a minute! It was the first time ever I wished I was friends with Mavis, so maybe I could know what it was going to happen. (Even though I'm kind of crazy because what does she know REALLY?) We've GOT to get that book back though!

Scene 2 (1m)
A TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Even though it's gray and looks like it's going to snow again, I'm in a totally great mood! Last day of school, first day of the new foursome. Dana got Ginger to make a really beautiful special present for us to give Rockett today when we reveal the S- I-. Things are getting kind of official it seems like!

Did all my homework!--including some not even due till we get back from vacation. So I can have more fun than if I was home studying the whole time.

Mr. Rarebit said he thought my work was "improving tremendously" too. I am so glad, maybe even an A on my report card in Art (I HOPE!). I wanted to ask him if anyone had maybe dropped out of the yearbook committee, but I chickened out at the last minute. Maybe next time.

Scene 2 (2a)
My birthday was almost 3 weeks ago, which means that Sacajewea Earhart Benzaiten is over two months old already. AND TOTALLY ADORABLE! She was the best birthday present (from Saki). She's all golden brown with black spots on her like a little leopard. They're called Bengal cats. Even though it's kind of a huge name for a little (so far) kitten, I named her that after two American heroines and a Japanese goddess. I think names have a lot of power in them, so she should be a totally awesome cat when she grows up!

The funny thing is, I feel like I'm practically part of the Faux Fur Tribe, like with that Stephanie Hollis or something. Sometimes you just end up having things in common with the weirdest, most unexpected people.

Scene 3a (1c)
Rockett has SUCH a Sag (Sagittarius) personality that I can't believe that Dana's even suspicious --- like she's totally direct and telling it like it is, even if that shocks certain stuck-up girls around here! So if she wasn't one, I'd be really surprised. But astrology is NOT a scientific thing and can sometimes mess up your thinking about a person. And even though I'd probably not just blurt it out to Dana or Nakili, I'm starting to think it's kind of stupid. I mean we might be outgrowing this thing completely.

Scene 3b (1m)
It's better to think about the future sometimes because that way you can plan your life exactly how you want it to turn out. For instance, besides what's going on with us and our expansion thing (my code phrase), now I'm thinking about trying to get more physically oriented in stuff. Like Dana is. Ever since she got into soccer, and then Ginger turned out to start liking it too, she has something to do that she thinks is really fun. (Which is probably why it seems like they're practically constantly together or something.)

So maybe I could be good at soccer also. I've never done it except in P.E. but I'm thinking that when the weather gets warmer and it's more like spring, I might go out with Dana and practice kicking the ball around and stuff like that. I know a bunch of girls are going to try out for the River County Comets, so maybe I'll even do that too. Maybe I could end up a total sports girl and no one will remember that I was once called a Brainiac by some totally obnoxious boys. Which is another reason why the future is better than the past.

Scene 3c (1g)
Weird conversation with Ruben after 4th period:

Me: Hello, snoop!

Ruben: Hey, what's that all about?

Me: You butting in where maybe you don't belong, that's what!

Ruben: Miko, you know I'm an honest guy, right? So then believe it when I say you should be celebrating a certain new girl's birthday next summer, NOT now.

Me: I'm sure! Ruben, what do you even know about anything?

Ruben: More than you, that's for sure! Later!

All I can say is, I hope not!

Scene 4 (2w)
Dana came back from computer lab and said a really terrible omen is happening. Which totally bummed me out! I'm sure I don't have one clue now how this day is going to turn out. But I'm pretty sure Dana's probably just mixed up, or exaggerating. As usual.

Scene 5 (1o)
Food for sleep-over:

1.  Japanese food to try (sushi) even though Nakili and especially Dana will probably still not get their nerve up to even try it. Wonder if Rockett will though.

ebi

unagi

avocado

gohan

2.  normal junk food stuff

popcorn

potato chips

root beer

hot chocolate

red licorice

Scene 5 (2h)
Duane Weevil called me a brainiac today and I could almost have melted into the floor. Especially when a lot of people laughed. Nakili says, don't listen to the Evil Weevil and that so what? I should be proud to be smart. She's right, I know. And I guess I am proud of being smart. But the boys in this school especially put you in a certain category when they think you're super-smart (ESPECIALLY if they think you might be obviously smarter than them, which in a lot of cases, I just am, I can't help it) and it's NOT a good category and I DON'T want to be in it!

But then what do I do? Like act like I'm stupid? Or dumber than them so they can answer a question in class before me? That seems totally backwards from how I would naturally be. But I DO NOT want to be called a brainiac. Especially in a public place! It's snowing again. Staring out the window made me almost have a daydream of being a girl in a hammock and nothing to think or worry about except if I was going to get sunburned or not!

Scene 6c (1c)
Je m'appelle Miko Kajiyama et j'ai une grosse mal de tete! Quel disaster avec une jeune fille Rockett! Which means in French--I'm pretty sure--that Rockett is just a disaster and is giving me, Miko, one big migraine headache! I guess I'll get over it, but how could she totally lead us on like that?

Scene 6c (2m)
Oh, fine! We were always planning on having this CSG sleepover (with Rockett, but forget that now!) this Saturday. Now, since the CSG expansion thing didn't happen, it's even more important--for the incredibly important reason of discussing this whole Rockett astrological double-cross and stuff like that. But now Dana comes rushing up to me about something to do with Pete having a party THE SAME NIGHT. I DON'T CARE!! We have to TALK! But oh no. Dana says she HAS TO GO to the party. Why, I'd just like to know, is a stupid Pete party more important than US?! This whole thing is just turning out in the most terrible way! Maybe N. and I should just stop talking to Dana too. After everything, it's like she practically deserves it!

Scene 1 (1w)
Fun things to do this vacation:

1.  Tobogganning (with Dana and her step-dad George)   (and step-sister Rachel >)

2.  Movies (lots)

3.  Read good books

4.  Build tiny model of Japanese house (with Dad)

Scene 2 (2a)
Main movies to see this vacation:

1.  Girls' Dare

2.  Wonderment

3.  Tale of the Genie

Scene 5 (2h)
Things I HAVE to do:

1.  Shop for New Year's Eve dress

2.  Overnight at Auntie K.'s with Saki

3.  sign up for ice skating

4.  Finish and send summer camp application!

Scene 6c (1c)
Private Report Book

Official Record of Things That Happen to Us

COOL SAGITTARIUS GIRLS UNITE!!

Mid-August Report

by N. L. A.

Well, okay, it's kind of amazing but we filled one whole book just in the spring of this year. And that is because 7th grade was a trip! But we all got out alive (and with decent grades, I might add).

Our personal sports fanatic D.V.S.C. was all over the county showing many a soccer team who's boss. The girl got all over those other teams and came home with some scuffed up knees--AND some big wins! (Her and her team, that is--collective effort!)

We were so proud of her we took her out to get ice cream at Dairy Dee-Lishus and bought hot fudge sundaes for all of us. While we were sitting there discussing the rest of our summer plans, who should walk in but a most gorgeous guy who looked like practically a movie star or something.

Miko and Dana went into an instant giggling fit talking about him and looking over to where he was sitting, slurping up some slush or whatever. I of course had to be the one to calm them down. It was almost a tragedy how good-looking he was and me sitting there with them giggling out of control--really! I declare right on this page that I was so feeling the oh-so-real pangs of deep embarrassment.

(They're sitting here reading over my shoulder RIGHT NOW and saying I have to cross out what I just wrote, but since our rule is that anyone can write EXACTLY what she wants in her report, I am NOT listening!)

Well, no sooner had I (I thought!) gotten the two bug-eyed fanatics to stop staring and whispering than the worst thing happened. The boy actually stood up, dumped his cup, and walked straight over to our booth. Like I did not want to slide under the table and DIE! Miko's face got so red it looked like she might be prepping up to explode and Dana just put on her bored look, that thing she does when she wants to hide what it really is going on.

I was, to use a word of Mama's, MORTIFIED!! Then the fine thing actually spoke. "You girls signed up for camp at all this summer?" I look around at our poor little CSG segment and see directly that we are NOT cool.

"What camp?" goes Dana. But she had like this silly little mouse voice, not hers at all.

"Camp Pine-Away, of course," says the man (guy, older kid, whatever). "I'm a counselor there. Totally cool. I'm surprised you never heard of it."

"We heard plenty about it!" I say to him. I mean, we don't want to go sitting there looking like know-nothing little kids, do we? NO! Girls have got to stay proud and sure of themselves even when they might feel not too sure. As everyone who owns this book will agree, part of being a CSG is believing in yourself, even in totally embarrassing situations. And this WAS one.

Miko then goes, "Oh, Nakili, you don't--" But (I'm sorry to say) I had to kind of kick her under the table so she wouldn't say another word. Except OUCHHH! Which she did.

The thing is, if you act confident, people respect you and treat you better. Plus, you can always go and find out what you need to know. Which later on we did. And found out it's definitely true, what the Babe-Face said. That camp is an overnight place and it's a circus camp (among other things!). Miko says she's definitely going there next summer and learn the art of trapeze and such things. We shall see. But I do kind of believe the girl. If anyone is determined to make their dreams come true, she's the one. And if there are more counselors there like Josh (which we found out is his name) then that's all the better.

Scene 6c (2m)
Private Report Book

Official Record of Things That Happen to Us

COOL SAGITTARIUS GIRLS UNITE!!

End-of-August Report

by M.P.K.

Because summer is now officially over, we are putting in some new records of things. Hopefully, this year (8th grade) will mean everything is better. Our threesome is really working good and we probably don't want to expand. Here are some typical happenings to keep in our whole historic record:

Smelly Shelley wartboy asked N. to go have a pop with him at Monty's. She said of course she would and acted really excited. But she ditched him and never went there. Then pretended like she didn't know what he was talking about! Hee hee!! We are going to get Chaz and HOPEFULLY (since he's one of the coolest guys in our whole school) ask him if he'd (please, please, PLEASE!) just pretend he likes Nakili and tell Shelley that. Then maybe Shelley and other undesirable type guys will just stop liking her because they'll know they just don't have a chance. Because it's kind of a nuisance to have someone like that like you. For all of us, I might add.

But of course, Nakili is TOTALLY against this idea. The first reason is, she says she feels really bad about what she did to Shelley. Because it WAS kind of a mean thing to do, even if he's pretty awful.

The second reason is, she'll be MORTIFIED (she says) to ask Chaz to pretend ANYTHING about liking her. This is because (as we all agree) a guy should just like you TRULY for who you are, and if they don't that just proves they're totally ignorant for not seeing how wonderful you are. Which means you should not EVER waste any of your time on them. The important thing is not trying to get them to like you but to UNDERSTAND that you deserve the best and that means a guy who naturally thinks you're that. Instead of trying to change yourself so he'll like you.

Nakili said this is a MAJOR POINT that her mom taught her (and I think I pretty much understand it and that it makes a lot of sense): You are fine just as you are. No matter what some silly boy may think about you. Do NOT wait around for a guy who has to take a long time to figure that out. Keep on and just be a totally great person till a quality type guy recognizes that that's what you are. Then it'll be worth liking him.

As long as they're not Smelly Shelley or Duane Weevil, of course.

Scene 1 (1w)
Miko, Girl, that Shocked Faces CD is some serious music, you know that? You are the coolest for making it a birthday/Christmas/Kwanza thing! Just wanted to say thanks again. I been playing it till it's ingrained in my brain! Kili

Scene 1 (2s)
Miko Sister-San  >

My new green pen is missing, the one that looks like a snake with rhinestone eyes. Have you seen it? Could you maybe have picked it up and put it in one of those trillions of little boxes of stuff in your closet? I mean, do you have a list of your total contents or something? You're amazing, even if you are slightly strange, but look at me! I can't even find my shoes from last night, never mind the little stuff!

Anyway, could you come right home after school so we can plan out how to sneak the presents into the house without the darling parents watching us? I promise I'll come straight home if you do.

See ya! Saki

Scene 2 (1m)
Miko,

Hey there. Well, I asked around and there IS a Future Woman's CEO organization. They not only have meetings, but a mentoring program too. That's where you learn how to be a cutthroat (just kidding) business woman, by hanging out with one. Actually, it sounds pretty cool, AND they have an office in town. I hope that's a help to you, MS. K!

Later, Chaz Franklin

(Future Leader)

Scene 2 (2a)
Miko Kajiyama,

I read a thing once in a book, and it said a thing like this: Beware the turning of the tide. Sometimes it looks like a wave is going to smash you against rocks, but instead it lifts you up and washes you to a good spot of the beach. It came into my head in the morning today when I had a thought about you. It could mean something. I think pretty sure it does. Like about a certain girl, maybe pushing her way around like some wave of destruction type thing, but in real life maybe she could turn out to be a current which will take you to some new and beautiful places. Do not worry, that's a good thing to know. Have warm holidays, however you make your celebrations.

Your friend,  Mavis Wartella-Depew

Scene 3a (1c)
Happy Birthday, Monkeybrains! I bet I can beat you at chess again this winter, so why don't you just get on the internet and try it? How's Uncle Suzuki and all you other Kajiyamas? Is your sister still a babe? If she goes for younger men, she can give me a call, even if we ARE cousins! Email me! Bunto

Scene 3b (1m)
Miko,

Thank you for your lovely Christmas card! Both you and Nakili have increased my holiday cheer with your thoughtfulness! You are a butterfly that floats above the mire of human indifference. I am excited at your progress in Art class and hope that you intend to continue to create new and unusual works of art. Remember, young women cannot live by academics alone! You must nurture the bud of inspiration within you!

Thank you again, Mr. Rarebit

Scene 3c (1g)
Hey, I don't normally do this, but I saw your Haiku poem, and you know, I just wanted to say that it was really cool. You're all right. Sharla.

Scene 4 (2w)
Hi Miko, I wanted to wish you a merry christmas before I go off to sunny California! I know we don't talk as much as we did when we had more classes together, but I still think of you as one of my good friends. Anyway, I hope you relax over vacation and don't do one bit of work. I'm sure your report card will prove you don't have to study even for a single hour! Bye-bye till the new year, Jess

Scene 4 (2w)
Yeah, okay my little CSG sister, I confess! You caught me! I did indeed give dear Mr. Rarebit a Christmas greeting. I don't know why I didn't tell you, no. And I was NOT trying to sneak around or whatever you are calling it in that sassy little note you sent me. But sorry about that, maybe it was kind of weird of me, I guess. But so you discovered it anyway, so there it is. I KNOW you're not having some kind of loony jealousy attack, right?! Okay then, see you next period! Kili

Scene 5 (1o)
Hello again little sister! Hope you're finding all these notes I'm hiding in your stuff before you go off to class! Listen, don't forget that you have to send an O-Seibo gift to Uncle Kenji in Tokyo. It's nearly the close of the year-end gift-giving season, you know, and you haven't even bought anything yet. I agree that it seems strange to follow some of these old traditions, but you know how Dad is about us understanding and appreciating our Japanese heritage. Maybe you could find something at the mall after school, when you're with your friends. And remember--Food gifts are considered the most appropriate! It'll make Dad real happy. And when you get home I'll tell your fortune, especially about what's next with your secret Rockett thing! Love ya. Sis

Scene 6c (1c)
Meek, Okay, I hear ya. The Pete Party Monster sprung a corkscrew on us, huh? (My own saying, which I just made up, meaning he messed up the works just when we didn't need him to!) I don't know....but I was thinking....maybe we could go by his place for like about an hour or something, and then go back to your house and get on with the business. Can you get behind that? Tell me true now... Neek

Scene 6c (2m)
Miko, Okay, here it is in writing. (Sorry for interrupting you earlier. I was just kind of excited, you know?)      I just found out that Pete Olderman and his brother are throwing a big party this Saturday night. I mean the same night we're supposed to have our CSG sleepover! Let's go, okay? I mean, we could do a slumber party any night this whole vacation. And anyway, I really want to go. Don't you? What do you think? Write back! I'd say we need some FUN thing to do so we don't have to think about some certain other junk, wouldn't you? MEET ME AT MY LOCKER!

Scene 6c (2m)
Scholastic Report

Fall Semester

for Miko Peony Kajiyama

8th Grade, Mrs. Tinydahl

Language Arts..................A

Math...................................A

Science...............................A-

Art......................................B+

Physical Education..........B-

Social Studies................. A-

French...............................A

Scene 3a (1c)
Listen, I'm totally sorry but if you want to find the glasses you'll have to look for a girl who's always looking in a mirror that has a bird on it.

Scene 5 (1o)
I am so totally sorry about this but guess who I gave the glasses to? A member of the Faux Fur Tribe!

Scene 1 (1f)
Every day I am SO totally relieved that we finally have our Private Report Book back! No thanks to DANA, though. Geez. (Safe in N.'s locker, NOT Dana's ever again!) Like, I don't think Nakili or I will ever trust her with that thing again. Not unless we want our private lives scattered all over the school or something! I don't THINK so! Rockett promised me like a million times she'd forget every word she might've read in there and that she would NEVER tell anyone about it ever. I want to trust her. I think I can, except sometimes I just get worried.

It's my turn to bring munchies to our next meeting. I have to figure out what I want to eat... And then I have to talk Mom or Dad into a little extra on my allowance this week.

Scene 2 (2y)
Even though I really like thinking about what I'm going to wear to the dance, and planning it out, I'm so glad I'm not caught up as much as everyone else seems to be in all this "dance fever," as Nakili calls it. Boys are behaving in totally weird ways, rumors are flying, people seem like they're freaking out or something, and bands are angsting... What is WRONG with everyone?? Hey, maybe I should write some haiku poetry about all this!(???) Could be fun. Not to mention, it would further my budding reputation as an artiste! Then Mr. Rarebit would maybe just finally understand why he should pay more attention to me in art class.

Scene 2 (3d)
Wow. The pressure's really starting to get to everyone. GET A GRIP, people! It's only a dumb old dance.

All I know is that I'm going to put MY vote in for Nakili for Queen of Hearts. In my opinion, she should definitely win Queen over everyone. Plus, stupid Dana's hanging out with Ginger all the time now, it seems like. It's like she's completely forgotten about me and Nakili and everything. Whatever! We've only been through, like, our whole lives together practically!

Scene 4c (2f)
So it turns out that Dana wasn't even planning on riding to the dance with me and 'Kili! I couldn't believe that! She told us totally late on Friday at school that she was giving Ginger a ride, and that they couldn't come with us because they had to get there early, because of the Explorers having to set up and everything. RRRRRRRR!!! First the secret notebook and now THIS! Dana is so totally trying to push me, I'm sure of it!

Sometimes I just think about how things with Dana are so hard to figure out. Like what if she just decides she doesn't want to be with us anymore. Or if she wants Ginger to be one of the CSGs? Now wouldn't that be choice. Then the shoe would be on the OTHER foot for a change, for Miss I-Don't-Want-Rockett-in-the-Club. But I'm pretty sure Ginger's birthday is in the summer - so she COULDN'T be a CSG in the first place and I do NOT want to make that mistake again! And also, we've totally had enough disorganization about all of this. It's like I can't tell what we're going to be from one day to the other lately, so sometimes I don't even feel like thinking about it.

Scene 3 (1e)
Stuff To Do


 * Get cookie recipe from Mom-What's yummy & easy?


 * Beg Dad for an increase in my allowance


 * Tape "Women Who Shaped Our Nation" on Girl-Power Network

Scene 4a (2f)
Valentine's Dance Haiku

Zitbomb on the prowl;

King or Queen - who really cares?

Get me out of here!

Scene 1 (1f)
Dear Ms. Kajiyama, I wanted to congratulate you on your recent award. To think that we have a budding poet in our midst! I am quite proud of you. Haiku is one of the most timeless and sublime poetic forms - and the most difficult. Congratulations! If you can humor one request from a supporter... Please, (if you have the time), pen me a sample of your fabulous writings for my Esteemed Student Scrapbook. That way I can better say "I knew her when." Cheers, Mr. Rarebit

P.S. We will miss your brilliance in art class as you become Ms. Tinydahl's new literary protégé!

Scene 2 (2y)
TO: M.P.K FROM: D.St.C.

Yes, Nakili did tell me about her visit to Stephanie's. But no, I do NOT think she's going to bail on the CSGs. (If she did, everything would be HORRIBLE and I think she knows better!) I'm going to tell you something, but don't like GO NUTS on me or anything, okay? Here's what it is ... Nakili was worried about telling you herself because she was sure you'd maybe flip out or something. (And I agreed!) So she didn't say anything. As for what we should do, I don't know yet. I'm still thinking. I'll try to find out more about what this thing with S. is all about. (I mean I'm totally OVER The Ones and I still can't BELIEVE that N. would even give them the time of DAY!!! But whatever...) I'm eating with Ginger today, but let's DEFINITELY talk during gym class! D.

P.S. IMPORTANT!!! What did you say to N. in the library this morning?!?! It sounds bad! Write back and tell me everything!

Scene 2 (2y)
Miko! Really quick note from my math class, and I do NOT have time to be fooling around, but I just wanted to ask you. Did you know Mr. Rarebit is going to be out for the next few days? Where do you think he's going? I mean, it's no big deal, I was just curious. Just because of the way he said it to me, it made me think he was going off on some mysterious Valentine-like occasion, or something in that category, you know? (For real!)

Have you heard if Ms. Chen's going to be out too? HEE HEE HEE!!! Since everyone's always talking about how he's probably dating her, it can make a girl curious to hear him say he's going off to pursue a long-lost love or something like that. And YES that IS what he said! Looks like the ol' rumor mill around here has sucked me in, huh?!

See you in the library and we'll talk! --'Kili

Scene 2 (3d)
Miko -

Okay, what's the deal with you, today? I'm still steaming about what you said to me last period in the library. That was NOT cool!

For your 4-1-1, I really do NOT think I'm a type of person that usually gets overlooked for being invisible, you know??? I mean, I'm usually calling at least SOME kind of basically positive attention. And ALSO for your in-for-mation, I don't think it's so weird if -- well, YOU-KNOW-WHO were to notice me. I mean, WHY NOT?!!!

Anyway, what kind of sista-friend ARE you?!?! It felt like all you did was diss on me practically the whole time (and plenty of other times), and I for one am O-V-E-R  I-T!

I bet it's because I knew some things about Mr. R. that you did not know, isn't it? Believe me, I would NOT be surprised if that was it!

You gotta please take a chill pill, okay? 'Nuf said. I'm out.

Nakili

P.S. And DON'T go blathering to DANA about this, either. If you want to talk to me, well then, come talk to me, straight up.

Scene 3 (1e)
Hello from a concerned citizen -

Last night, I had a VERY important dream, or vision, in other words. And YOU were in it. I do not want to unveil too much of what it was, in case this note drops into the clumsy hands of some oaf-person at this school, but I WILL tell you this:

Be careful of your friends. Also, an especially important thing, be careful about how you act to your friends. Sometimes it's a not-so-easy thing to do, even I know that, and it's even worse hard to do when they're not being nice back. But you have to. This is some advice you could use right now of all times. A person's feelings is an easy thing to hurt, even if they don't act like it. Remember what it feels like when someone is mean to you and then remember it when you are around other people.

Right now in my dream it said (last night) that you should be careful, and nice especially, because of you could lose ONE friend to another new person with red hair. And you might lose the OTHER friend to an even more humiliating fate (maybe to do with person who loves animals).

I cannot tell you more or else I'm pretty sure it could be a risk to you and me both.

Goodbye for now, Mavis D., "ORACLE"

Scene 3 (1e)
Hello Miko!

Since Valentine's Day is coming up I just wanted to wish you a nice one! Hope it's great and that you have a fantastic time at the dance. (I'm sure you're going, right?)

Also, I hope we've cleared the air between us enough so that we can really have a friendly relationship. It was kind of hard for me the first half of this school year, but I kind of feel like I'm finally starting to get into it and find my way around without major problems. And I'm really sorry (as you know) about what happened last semester. I admire you in a lot of ways and hope we can be friends without that messing things up in our future. Thanks, Miko!

Sincerely,  Rockett

Scene 4a (2f)
TO: M.P.K.

FROM: D.St.C.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

TOP SECRET!!!

This is TOTALLY between you and me (I MEAN IT!!!), but I think I'm going to STRANGLE someone with the initials "RM"!!! AARRRRRRRRRR!!!

Why did I ever sign UP for her dumb decorations committee?!?! Wait - I can answer that ... I heard that a certain boy was going to be on the committee, so I thought it would maybe be FUN to work with him. BUT NOW I'M BEING DRIVEN CRAZY!!! (And not by HIM, either!  As it turned out, he never even signed up.)

Anyway, don't you think that it'd make more sense (in the gym) to have a Valentine's Day theme instead of mostly just palm trees and parrots or toucans or whatever? I mean there aren't even any hearts, except a couple here and there!

Okay, Miko, maybe YOU know the answer to this:  What do BIRDS have to do with Valentine's Day? I asked Ro-Mo this before, but she just said I needed to get more IMAGINATION. Which got me really steamed. I mean excuse me but I have enough imagination for the whole committee, okay? But what are we supposed to be dancing in, a tangled up BLUE and GREEN palm tree forest or something?? That's not exactly romantic, but WHAT-EVER !!!

If nobody ever wants to listen to me then fine! NO. They're all too busy trying to get on RO-MO's good side (EVEN YOU-KNOW-WHO!!!)

I CAN'T STAND THIS!!!

D.

(And can I just say that I am sooooo glad we didn't let her become a CSG!!  She would NOT have worked out. AT ALL!!!)

Scene 4c (2f)
Oh Fairest Brainy Person,

Valentine Greetings, from your fellow tribe members! Hazzah! Because you are one of the smartest humans attending this schooling establishment, the Knights of the Purple Orchid would like to honor you with this special communication.

Do not hide behind your poetry, there is ZERO logic in it! We must STICK TOGETHER!!! There are many infiltrators and enemies to the realm stalking these halls. DO NOT FALL PREY TO THEIR FEEBLE INTELLECTS! Remember, you are surrounded by foul foe! But WE SUPPORT YOU!

With honor,

A.Z. and The Knights of the Purple Orchid

Scene 3 (1e)
Hi! You can probably get the glasses if you go to the locker of the girl who's doing all those cool dance decorations!