Well, this is one of my more sentimental articles, and since Christmas has just ended and New Year's is just around the corner, I believe being sentimental is appropriate. This article is a review of my happy citizenship as a member of Whyville.

I was introduced to Whyville in the 7th grade, around November 1999. When I first joined, I didn't have the SLIGHTEST clue as to what the heck Whyville was. I didn't understand what the Spin Lab was, what "clams" were, who the stupid bird was on my screen everytime I went to Whyville Square, and I didn't understand the gross sounding "Pick Your Nose." There were only about 100 or so people on Whyville at that time, and things were usually pretty quiet. You would see the same people on there every day: amanda, Karra, Blizzard, spazchick and Pearberry. There were a few more that I can't remember now, but those were the usual people on Whyville.

You automatically got clams for registering, voting on faces, voting on houses and rooms, and picking a plot and getting a house built. Everyone had only slightly different faces, because only Akbar made new face parts. No one was criticized for the way they looked, because everyone had basically the same look.

As for the present: Whyville has come a long way. I'm so happy with the way it has turned out so far. There are thousands of members on Whyville, and there is ALWAYS someone in the Square. You can design your own face parts, make ornaments on a tree, race cars, fly balloons, go on Solstice Safaris, use new stylish furniture, drive a taxi to your friend's house, share a house with a friend, get married, dance, send friendship cards, and so many things that I couldn't do a year ago.

I am SO proud of Whyville, and of all of the people that have helped make Whyville. Also, I would also like to thank City Hall for making such a wonderful place, along with all of the other city workers, such as cyranojoe, mark, and the Times Editor.

I'm happy with my accomplishments on Whyville. It may sound corny, but I really love Whyville. It's a great place to hang out and meet new friends. I truly believe that I am part of a community with wonderful, wonderful people. I love serving the Whyvillians, writing articles for the Times, and most of all, being a friend to all Whyvillians. Whyville has given me so much, (another corny statement), and I look forward to coming on Whyville every day.

To conclude my sappy article, thank you so much Whyville for all you have given me. I look forward to writing many more articles for the Times, and to serve Whyvillians as a part of the WCA in the New Year. Happy Holidays.

Your Most Devoted Reporter/Columnist,

Vanilla