Interview with (13.4-Year-Old) Emily and (11.66-Year-Old) Jessica

I was reading through the girls' last interview (Feb 2022) and while not much has changed as far as interests and personalities, I thought it'd be nice to hear firsthand how the girls are doing these days. All answers are their own, and for fairness, Jessi gets to go first this time!

Nathalieland: Hi Girls! How's it hanging? (I'm a cool mom).
Jessica: Good.
Emily: Life is good!

N: Are you happy to be back at school after the Winter Break?

J: Yes, but I do like all the free time of staying at home.

E: Even though the Winter Break was fun, I'm definitely glad to be back at school. I missed my friends and the kindergarteners.

N: That's nice. Anything new and exciting since your last interview?

J: I'm considering either going to Acadie or Challenge for grade 7.

E: I'm a teenager now! I am very excited to grow up.

N: Yes, very exciting! What's something you like about yourself?

J: I like that I'm easygoing, that I have an interest in bugs, and I am able to do well at school without really having to worry about it [yet!]. 

E: I like how I'm very organized and always on time. I enjoy school and I'm a kind person.

N: And a tougher question: what's something you don't like about yourself?

J: I don't like that I'm always late, as in it takes me a while to get ready to go somewhere. 

E: I don't like that I'm a bit of a perfectionist; things need to look right and if they don't I need to fix them. Another thing is, I don't regret much, but when I do I can't stop thinking about it.

N: Nobody's perfect! So I know you girls get a long well... But do you really?

J: Yeah. Especially when I see other siblings with each other.

E: Definitely! The only time we would ever be fighting is if it's pretend, like in a game.

N: Well that's nice! What are your nicknames for each other? Do you ever use these names in public?

J: I'm Choon and no, we don't really use them in public because they're so different from our real names.

E: I'm Boon. I know these names sound weird, but they evolved from a long line of other nicknames we used when we were younger. I've accidentally called Jessi Choon in public a couple of times but I don't think anyone heard.

Choon & Boon

N: You girls are sweet. What is something you'd like to accomplish this year?

J: I would like to at least get accepted to the Challenge program, even if I don't end up deciding to go. It'd be nice to know that I had the choice.

E: I am so excited to go to high school. I can't wait to start doing all the things, like going to class, doing volunteer hours, and having more responsibilities.

N: Any more thoughts on what job you'd like to have when you grow up?

J: I don't really know what I want to be right now. I'm hoping something to do with animals that's not a veterinarian or a butcher. 

E: I really want to be a secretary or some kind of office clerk. I just love the idea of organizing papers, answering emails, and keeping track of information.

N: Nice! Tell me about your dream home (because I know you think about it a lot).

J: My dream home would be something like our house now, because I really like it and even though people say that when you're a teenager you just want to move out, this is the only home I really know and love.

E: I would like to have a big house with lots of windows. I want light-gray brick with white trim and lots of light-gray and white furniture.

N: Do you think you'll have kids when you grow up?

J: I want kids, but when you think of having kids you only picture them at a mature age or cute little toddlers, but I'm kind of afraid of the other parts -- like screaming babies and mean teenagers.

E: I know this is very specific, but I've always wanted just one girl. I've always pictured her with blonde hair and freckles, but that's probably not going to happen.

N: That's sweet. Do you have names picked out?

J: Not really. Every name I think of doesn't seem to quite fit.

E: I definitely want her name to be Willow.

N: I know you're still a little young for questions about relationships, but what are some qualities you'd like to see in a partner?

J: Nice, funny, smart, not argumentative, and doesn't smoke or drink.

E: Pretty much the same as Jessi, but I also don't want someone who's awkward to talk to.

N: Sounds like a good match! Last question: do you like doing interviews like this?

J: I do, but I'm not very good at answering questions that require a lot of thought.

E: Yeah, I like answering questions, I just sometimes find it hard to word my answers.

N: Well maybe that'll get easier as you get older. Let's chat again next year!

J: Ok.

E: Ok!

N: Love ya, bye!

J: Love ya!

E: Love ya, bye!

Interview with (12.5-Year-Old) Emily and (10.75-Year-Old) Jessica

Wow, the last time I interviewed Emily and Jessi they were 9 and 7 years old! I think it's time I did an update with my two tween girls (all answers are their own).

Nathalieland: Hi girls! How are you?
Emily: I'm good!
Jessica: Good, but I'm really tired from skiing [yesterday].

N: Nice. So how do you like being a tween? Looking forward to the teenage years?

E: It's good, I feel like it's that age where you don't have too many responsibilities but you're still able to do a lot. I'm not really looking forward to being a teenager.

J: I feel like I don't really notice being 10 rather than 9 -- it feels the same. I'm not really excited for being a teenager because there's so many things you need to do, like go to high school and learn how to drive.

N: Haha, true. There are some bad (but also good!) things about being a teenager. Who are your closest friends and why?

E: Chloe and Serena, our neighbourhood friends, because we play together every day and get along well.

J: Same (Chloe and Serena), because we have a lot in common and I really enjoy playing with them.

N: That's nice! What do you like to do for entertainment? Tell me about your favourite books/movies/music/etc.

E: I like to play Adopt Me on Roblox, code on Scratch, and play with my friends and Jessi. I'm into Hunger Games right now and I like listening to Encanto music. I also love watching Survivor!

J: Same as Emily, basically! I also like watching football, doing puzzles, and anything related to animals/crafts.

N: How's school going? 

E: I like school but my class is very rowdy and they swear a lot (which bothers me), but I like my friends and my teacher.

J: School's really fun right now because we have 5 chicks and a fish. My teacher is very nice and I like my friends too.

N: What did you think of all the COVID restrictions/remote learning over the last two years?

E: It's annoying to wear masks but usually you don't notice it. Online learning was ok -- it kind of depended on what we were doing that day. I don't really like the vaccine mandate because I basically had to get vaccinated just so I could do anything.

J: I don't really care about the masks -- I never notice them much. I didn't like online learning because it's just too much screen time and you don't actually get to see your friends. I also don't really like the vaccine mandate because people are always so alarmed when I tell them I'm not vaccinated. 

N: I see. Before COVID we were going to travel as a family every year (we started with Vancouver in 2018 and Niagara Falls in 2019). How do you feel about travel now?

E: I like travelling, but I really don't like leaving Ludy and Lemmep. It makes me worry the whole time if they're ok.

J: I do like travelling because it's fun to see all the different things they have in different places, except I don't like going on a plane and leaving Ludy and Lemmep. I would like to go to Niagara Falls again because that was amazing and I got some cool bugs from the hike.

N: Maybe some day we'll go back! What is something you're afraid of?

E: I don't like the thought of all those horrible things that can happen (war, accidents, house fire, etc) even though they are unlikely.

J: Same as Emily. I also don't like being alone in the dark.

N: Have you learned anything new and exciting since we last spoke?

E: I learned how to code on Scratch (I code all the time now) and I got pretty good at rock climbing. I've also learned how to rollerblade, skate, ski, and use a hoverboard!

J: Basically all the same as Emily except I don't have a hoverboard. I also can do flips in the water and have learned some sewing stuff.

N: Very nice. What are some similarities you see between you and Daddy?

E: He and I are tall and skinny, smart, and have blue eyes. We both really like climbing! He was a picky eater when he was young, just like me.

J: Feebs and I like football, frisbee, puzzles, and don't mind staying up late. We're both smart and think animals are cool! We LOVE ketchup.

N: And what about similarities with me?

E: You and I are morning people and love to organize! We need everything to be neat and tidy. We both like math, have neat handwriting, and like to follow the rules. We're into design and love chocolate! 

J: You and I have similar hair colour, and also like to follow the rules. We both love arts, crafts, and sewing! We have a lot of similar favourite foods (especially Costco ice cream!).

N: So sweet. Any thoughts on what job(s) you'd like to have when you're older?

E: I want to be an interior designer and, for a high school job, I'd like to work at a post office so that I can peel labels and organize the packages.

J: I would like to be a zoologist so that I can watch and research animals.

N: Interesting! Almost done: how is your relationship with your sister?

E: Very good. We play all day and never fight. We also have a lot in common and like to do sillies together!

J: I agree with Emily! I also like that I get all the clothes that don't fit her anymore.

N: I think it's so sweet how well you two get along. Any final remarks? Things you'd like to say about yourself?

E: I love Ludy! My little poofy face.

J: I love Lemmep! My little softy face. I also miss Lil' Click since he died.

N: As usual, it was a pleasure talking to you girls. Thanks for sharing!

E: Bye!

J: Bye!

Interview with (9.5-Year-Old) Emily and (7.66-Year-Old) Jessica

Emily and Jessica are growing up fast! And here's what they have to say about it.

Nathalieland: Girls! Hello! How are you?
Emily: I'm good.
Jessica: Good.

(September 2018)

N: It's been a while (a year and a half!) since we last spoke. Any major changes since then?
E: I don't know, not much.
J: I don't think so.

N: Ok then! What are 5 words that best describe you?
E: Nice, cheerful, silly, quiet, and respectful.
J: Nice, silly, quiet, happy, and caring.

N: Those are pretty good words. Tell me about your hobbies.
E: I like writing, typing, reading, doing Legos, playing piano, doing stickers, and playing with Jessi.
J: I like drawing, reading, doing sillies, doing puzzles, watching football, and playing with Emily.

N: How's school going? What do you like/not like?
E: I love school! I have great friends and a good teacher. There's nothing I don't like (that I can think of).
J: School is great! I like my teachers and my friends. I also can't think of anything I don't like.

N: Awesome! Who is your best friend, and why?
E: Kassie because we've known each other since kindergarten and we play really well together.
J: Olivia because she's kind of like me and she's nice.

N: Do you two sisters get along well?
E: Of course! We play all kinds of games together and spend most of the day together.
J: Of course!

N: What are some of your favourite things? Colours, books, songs, etc.
E: My favourite colour is green, song is Youngblood, food is cake, book is Harry Potter, and animal is guinea pig.
J: My favourite colour is blue, song is Broken, animal is a snake, and football team is the Tampa Bay Bucs.

N: Here's a question I don't think I've ever asked before. What's your favourite holiday, and why?
E: I like Christmas because you get chocolate and presents.
J: I like Easter because I enjoy finding the eggs that are hidden.

N: Emily! You're almost in the double-digits. How do you feel about that?
E: I like it. I feel like I'll feel older once I'm 10.

N: Jessi, do you like having a big sister to look up to and learn from? You never have to do anything first!
J: Yeah I like it. It's pretty cool.

N: What do you want to be when you grow up?
E: I either want to be a writer, a chef, or a cashier.
J: I want to work at Little Ray's Reptile Zoo!

N: Cool. What is a special skill you've learned in the past year?
E: Piano and I'm working on typing.
J: Swimming! And piano.

N: That's great! Anything else you'd like to add?
E: I'm a sensitive person and I don't like trying new foods. I also don't like getting my hair wet!
J: I really like being myself.

N: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. À la prochaine!
E: So long!
J: Byyye!