Personality and character

Hi Elif, it's me! I promised you a voice message about the new apartment. There are four of us.

Dan is bossy. On day one he made a chore chart for the fridge. Priya is easygoing. She never gets mad, even when somebody eats her yogurt. Marco is really generous. Yesterday he bought a giant cake for everybody, just because it was Tuesday! And Sam is moody. In the morning he says nothing at all, but after his coffee he's a totally different person.

Now the bad news. Dan says I'm stubborn, because I won't follow his chart. I'm not stubborn! I just like doing the dishes on my own day. Anyway, I gotta go. It's my turn, and Dan is watching. Talk soon!

Hi Emre, it's Ayşe! Mom says you started at the coffee shop. Your manager is a woman, right? What's she like? Does she get on your nerves yet? Mine did, at my first job. She loved to show off, always telling us how much money she made.

My best advice is to stay calm. Once a customer yelled at me about a cold latte. I wanted to yell back, but my manager said, "Never lose your temper, Ayşe. Smile and make a new one." It worked! The customer said sorry and left a huge tip.

So call me tonight, okay? I want to hear everything. And tell your manager your sister says hi. I'm kidding, don't do that!

My cousin Selin got married on Saturday, and the whole family flew into Houston. Everyone was eating, dancing and asking me the same question: "Who do you take after?"

My great-aunt looked at me for ten seconds. Then she said, "You take after your grandfather. You have the same sense of humor. He told terrible jokes too!" Everybody laughed, so I laughed too.

Then she said, "You're hard-working like your mom, but lazy like your dad." Across the room, Dad stood up. "Excuse me, I heard that!" he said. "I'm not lazy. I'm just resting before the next dance." Then he sat down and ate another cupcake.

Grandpa, guess what! Our new soccer coach is called Pete. In the morning he's grumpy, because he wants his coffee. But at practice he's cheerful, and he yells "Awesome!" after every pass.

Some of the guys pick on me because my cleats are bright orange. Pete heard them and said, "Orange cleats? I'd like a pair." Then they stopped.

Do you know why I look up to him? He played for a college team when he was young! He showed me a photo. Next week he's going to teach me how to take a free kick. Can you come and watch? Bring a thermos of coffee for Pete. Then he'll be cheerful all day!

Zoe, put your phone down for one minute. Yes, I know you have a new friend, Lena, from your pottery class. Fine, I'm a little jealous. Don't laugh!

But I'm not selfish. I want you to be happy. I just miss our Saturdays. We always went to the farmers market together. Now you're always busy.

Lena sounds great, actually. She's sensible, she has a good job, and you have a lot in common. Maybe I can meet her. Wait, her last name is Kaya? Tall, with a red coat? Zoe, that's my cousin! I meant to tell you about her last year, and I forgot!