I have a mom and a dad (I call them ""Mami" and "Papi"); I also have twin brothers named Oscar and Omar (they're twelve), as well as a little brother (Louie; he's eight) and two older sisters Magdalina and Miracle (Mira); they are fifteen and eighteen.  I also have a dog, a beige-colored weiner dog that I named "Homer" (after Homer Simpson, of course).

My family is okay.  I don't really get along with Mira or Magda too well (they're very bossy!), and I also have problems with Louie (he's into everything; he's autistic and can act like a wild little Indian at times!), but I get along with my twin brothers real good.  We are very close; we are always doing things together, like tossing the pigskin or baseball around and playing video games.

I just finished up with ninth grade.  In September, I will be a sophomore.  Frankly, I am ready to be a senior:  school can be a real drag.  I don't have too many friends; I guess it's 'cause of my autistic brother.  He's alwys ruining things for me.  People make fun of him, and they think that because he's special needs, then I must be too, when I am perfectly normal.  It's a pain!

For now, though, I am enjoying summer vacay:  it's finally gotten hot here and this afternoon, after I do my chores and have my lunch, I plan on runnin' around in the backyard, through the sprinklers or taking a dip in the pool ... anything to keep cool.  It's supposed to creep up into the upper nineties by Saturday and next week, according to the NOAA weather guys, temps might be approaching 100 degrees. 

Just in time for the Fourth of July, which is a week from this coming Sunday.  It's gonna be hot as a Fourth of July firecracker (with a chance of storms by nightfall).  I just hope the fireworks don't get rained out; I love the fireworks display!  Baltimore throws this huge celebration with parades, continuous music, contests for all ages, carnival rides for the kiddies, and food out the wazoo.   It's great!!

In fact, the festivities are so huge it takes three days just to get the entire celebration in.  This year the parade's on Friday, and there will be fireworks on Saturday AND Sunday night!  And there will be some big time stars there:  Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Jon Bon Jovi, and Ludicrous, to name a few.  It's gonna be big, big, BIG!!

I will be fifteen in December.  I was born on Christmas Day, which was a huge rip off.  I don't like it because I get cheated out of extra presents, and besides, my birthday is lost in the Christmas celebrations anyway.  I would have liked to have been born in June, or maybe even on the Fourth of July.  That way, I could have more of a chance of getting something mega-huge, something I want!!  (I usually get clothes.)

Well, I gotta go.  Louie is screaming again; something has gotten him mighty upset.  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Sojo saying adios!  God bless and talk to y'all again later!

~Sojo Talavares.

*to be continued.*