Friday, October 27, 2006, 10:16 a.m., C.D.T.~

Dear Journal~

I know it has been a while since I last wrote in here, but lately I haven't had the desire to write. I have too much going on in my life, and it's leaving me overwhelmed.

Not everything has been bad, but I am still coping with my friend's little sister's death. She was only five. Some creeps kidnapped her and later murdered  her. It was a very shocking event; it still brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it.

I have been writing to Rebekkah Rachel (Daniella's sister), trying to be a good friend, and to let her know that I care. She is understandably devastated, and I join her in her grief. I met Daniella a few times, but she made a huge impact on me. She was full of life; it seemed that she had a promising future. Now all of that is gone forever; it makes me sick inside. I tell you, there are some rotten people in the world today!

I did go on my second Alaskan cruise in September. My entire family went; we were gone for two wonderful weeks! We went to Seward, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, and Haines. We went to Anchorage for a few days (to see Jenna, Michael, and their baby boy); it was a wonderful time, and they looked great! Mattaq is so cute; he is beyond adorable! :)

I added to my porcelain Inuit doll collection, got some cool Alaskan shirts (including some that had the northern lights on it), and got some more books about Alaska.

The weather was chilly, but once I got used to it, it didn't bother me all that much. I wore warmer clothes, a heavier jacket, gloves, and I was fine! :)

I hope one day to return to Alaska: Alaska has some sights you cannot imagine unless you are fortunate to go. The scenery is nothing short of breathtaking, and I saw lots of animals, including black bear, grizzly bears, moose, elk, caribou, eagles, hawks, snowy owls, and musk ox, wolves, whales (boy, those things are gigundo HUGE!!), and scads of salmon. I took lots of pictures of the animals, and I have one of Johnny siting on the deck of the ship, a huge bald eagle sitting behind him on the railing. Johnny never even saw it until we got the pictures developed. When he saw the picture, he aked, "When did you take that?" I told him it was while we were on the ship. I saw the eagle, and I had to snap a photo. (Johnny got mad because he missed seeing it!) He now has evidence that an eagle was behind him, even though he missed it! LOL)

We are getting ready for our church's annual "Fall Harvest Festival". It is a big time for everyone, and I end up enjoying myself, too. This year I will be working it: I'll be helping with the popcorn machine, which is something I've never done before. I hope I do okay; I don't want to scorch the popcorn. *PHEW* There is nothing worse than burnt (or scorched) popcorn; that is the worst! LOL

The festival will be held on Tuesday, October 31, 2006, and there will be games/rides for the big (and little) kids, hayrides, fellowship, lots of food, gospel music, and much more.

Well, this is all for nwo. I will write in here again . Take care, dear Journal, and God bless!

~Love, your friend, Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux, aged 13 and one half. :)