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Everyone goes through changes as they grow up, and the Cowsills are no different. Only thing is - they've changed right before your eyes! Didn't you notice? Beginning right here - this month with Barry and John - each of the Cowsill kids is going to confess just how much he's changed over the last year. Come along and see how many things you may not have been aware of - and learn what the Cowsills are like now!
Barry:
Well, to begin with - I'm a year older than I was last year. Before you laugh and say, "Well, isn't everyone?" - let me explain just how important this past year has been for me. I'll be 15 years old this coming September 14th, and the 14th year in a boy's life is filled with many very important changes. That's the year when a boy really begins to grow up!
The change I'm most happy about is that I've gotten taller. Last year I was a five-foot tall butterball, and I must admit that it bothered me quite a bit. Let's face it - I was short and fat! At the moment, I'm five feet and five and one-half inches tall - and I'm still growing! Although I didn't lose weight, I finally caught up to my weight of 110 pounds by getting taller and slimming out. I've also let my hair grow longer, and - although no one believes me - my eyes have changed color. They used to be hazel, but they're greener now - honest!
I just completed my first year of high school. I'll be in the tenth grade (sophomore year) next term. And I don't know why, but I worked much harder on my studies this past year. It paid off too - cos my grades were much better! So I guess you could say I've become a more serious student this year. I've also become more creative musically. Up until last year, I just did what I was told - but now I produce my own bass part and work out my own arrangements. And I'm on the verge of writing songs (with Bob) too! I'm also really interested in the business end of our family's career now as well as in the entertaining end. While before all I cared about was having fun now there's so much I want to learn and do!
Last year, I spent a lot of time building models - you know, cars airplanes and so on. Now I read more - usually books about W. C. Fields, my favorite comedian, or biographies about other famous people. I don't like sad books or depressing movies. I've also become more active in sports. I really love playing basketball, and I think I'm water-logged - cos I swim in our pool every day! I now spend a lot of time thinking about college and planning for my future. And I've discovered real cars! I'm learning to drive (although I can't get my license until I'm 16), and I've decided that I want three cars - a MG for college; a Corvette for dates; and a Rolls Royce - cos they're really groovy-looking!
Oh yes - I've discovered girls too! Well, not really discovered them - I always knew they were around and I was glad of it - but during the last year girls have become extra-special to me, cos I have just started dating! Usually, I double-date with Bob and - depending on our moods - we ago to the movies, parties and other places where there are lots of people. And you know what? I've noticed that girls don't giggle quite so much anymore!
I think I've learned to understand Susie and John much more than I did before. I don't lose my patience or get annoyed with them now, cos I realize that they are going through growing pains too! And last but not least - I'm not as weird as I used to be! You see, I used to go off on my own to daydream - all the time. And I went through this terrible, clumsy stage of doing crazy things - like walking into walls, dropping or spilling things, tripping over my own feet and sort of being off somewhere in a world all my own - like I was up in the trees, instead of down on the ground! I thought I was pretty messed up in my mind until I understood that I was just going through a normal phase every boy of 13 and 14 goes through. In fact, John is going through that "weird" stage now - although he denies it. I know the symptoms - after all, I've been through them myself!
John:
I think that, of all us Cowsills, I've changed the most in appearance! When I look at some of the pictures taken of me only a year ago - I can't believe they are me! I was a little freckled-faced kid - and did I look like a baby! I don't know how or why it happened all of a sudden - but boy did I change!
No sooner had I turned 13 (my birthday was March 2nd) than I noticed I had grown six and one-half inches in the last year (I'm now five feet eight and one-half inches tall), my voice had changed (it's gotten much deeper), and I also discovered that I have to shave about once a week now! This is all part of the normal process of growing up - but I feel as though it happened to me all at once!
My style of drumming has changed too. It's gotten more intricate and I spend more time practicing. I really love rehearsing, and I think I'd like to be a drum teacher someday. I really like singing now, whereas before I used to feel self-conscious when I had to get up front to sing a lead or a solo part I've also started to think about acting. I'd like very much to be an actor, but I feel that I'm still too young to really get into it. Secretly, I'd love to play a role like "Romeo" in Romeo and Juliet. (Boy, did I love that movie!) But right now, I'd have too many hang-ups about getting down on my knees or kissing a girl on screen - so I'll have to wait until I'm over this "embarrassed" age to pursue my acting career!
Remember how I used to love to watch TV? Well, not anymore! I still enjoy seeing Laurel and Hardy, W. C. Fields and cartoons - and I won't miss Dark Shadows each day - but other than that I hardly every watch television. My latest kick is listening to pretty, meaningful songs, and my two favorite singers are Dionne Warwick and Donovan. Boy, can they put me in a trance! Just listen to the lyrics to the tunes they sing. I also love the theme song from the film Romeo and Juliet. Wow - can I listen to that for hours at a time!
I used to hate to get dressed up. I always wore blue jeans, sneakers and a tee shirt, but now I don't think just of comfort - I'm more concerned with my appearance. I love English-style clothes, brightly colored shirts, and I even wear suits now! My grades in school have improved too. I find it hard to believe - but I'm the math wizard in my class! In September, I'll be in the eighth grade and I don't dislike school the way I once did! I guess I've taken on a more mature outlook toward life in general - now that I've finally become a teenager!
My personality has definitely changed. I'm much more talkative now and I can express myself better. And most important of all - I'm not afraid to say that I think girls are the greatest! Last year, like most 12-year-old boys - I wouldn't admit that I noticed girls and thought they were pretty groovy. Boy am I glad I got over that shyness! Although I'm still too young to start dating - I certainly hang around girls a lot! And I seem to get a crush on every girl I meet. I used to laugh at the way Barry was constantly falling in love with every girl in his class. I thought he was weird! But now - I'm going through the same things - and I'm enjoying every minute of it!
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