Dear American Family, 

Hello! My name is Ilim, and I'm really excited to introduce myself to you. I live in Kyrgyzstan with my parents and younger sibling. We're a pretty close family and often spend our weekends together-whether it's hiking in the nearby parks, cooking meals together, or simply watching movies in the evenings. I love how we find joy in small things, like family game nights or just chatting after dinner.

I've always been drawn to creativity, especially in art. I'm a self-taught artist, and drawing has become my way of expressing myself. I started drawing when I was 10 years old. Whether it's sketching or experimenting with different art styles, I find a lot of peace and joy in it. I'm also really interested in speed cubing, it is a sport where people solve Rubik's cube and other popular puzzles in just seconds. Now my personal record in solving Rubik's cube is 37 seconds. It's not a world record yet, but I will do my best in the future. Which is why I'm excited to learn more about life in the U.S. and maybe even discover some new hobbies or passions.

At home, I have my share of responsibilities, like helping with chores and occasionally taking care of my sibling.

Additionally, I love animals, especially insects. I don't understand why most people hate insects. My love for insects started when I watched a film about Spiderman for the first time. I started learning about spiders, and tried to become a real spider man. Later, my favourite insect became - Mantis. I'm fascinated how they behave and hunt. I remember time when I catched mantis and put him in my handmade terrarium. Also I had cats and dogs before. Now I don't have any pets.

As for my friends, we're a pretty active bunch. We enjoy sports, like calisthenics, armrestling, going for long walks, and watching movies together. Sometimes we simply hang out and talk about everything from the latest shows to what's going on at school. They've always been supportive of me, and we share some great moments together.

My city is a beautiful place that is three thousand years old. We have lovely parks and cultural spots that I enjoy visiting when I have free time. It's small enough to feel cozy, but big enough to always offer something new to explore.

When I think about the future, I imagine myself blending my love for art with technology-maybe pursuing something in digital design or animation. I'm excited to see how my experiences in the U.S. might influence these plans and give me a fresh perspective.

I'm really looking forward to becoming part of your family, learning about your daily life, and sharing mine with you. I hope to bring a piece of my culture with me and, in return, gain a deeper understanding of American life. I believe this exchange will be an incredible adventure, full of new friends, experiences, and growth.

Thank you for reading my letter. I can't wait to meet you!

Ilim

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