May 20, 2009, Nashville, TN., 7:25 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Howdy!  Stinko here, Michael Stinkowitz!  Hope this finds y'all well; sorry I haven't written in here for a while; been busy.  You know how that goes:  between working and school, plus doin' my own thang, I just don't have the time to write like I used to.  Hope you understand.

Well, I have a girlfriend now.  Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux and I are an item.  I finally summoned up the courage to ask her out; she accepted, miracle of miracles!  We've already been on a few dates; she is so easy to talk to, so easy to love!  It's like God's ordained us to be together, and I can't be any happier than I am at the current time!

I'm also friends with her brother, Johnny; however, he concerns me.  Seems that he's not putting on the needed weight: he's still pitifully skinny.  In fact, his doctor (Dr. Emmons) has suggested that he have a feeding tube of some sort put in, so he can get the needed nourishment.  Sad story!

I just wonder how much longer Johnny will be around; he's only sixteen, barely older than me, but he's already been through more with his health than what most people go in a lifetime, especially these past few years!  It just doesn't seem fair for one kid to go through so much heartache!

I love their family:  I see them, and I get blessed, every time!  I just wish more people took the time to care for others like the Sanduskys have!  They are truly earth angels!!

I'm doing good, as I said, but I am looking forward to the end of school.  I'm more than ready to veg out on summer vacation!  No, wait a minit, I can't do that:  I still work a few nights a week at that pizza place.  Darn it!  Oh, well, at least I have money coming in, and am putting a good chunk of it towards school!  Yeah, I plan on going to college when I'm older!

I want to be a meteorologist or maybe an MRI technician.  I think that would be so fascinating!!

The weather here in Tennessee has finally settled:  we've had a lot of rain/flooding/severe weather lately, and I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever see the sun shining again.  Now the sun is out, and the weather is truly lovely; I am really enjoying it!

Well, the bus is fixin' to come in a few minutes, so I'll go now.  I will write more later; don't want to miss the bus!  Take care and may God bless you as much as He's been blessing me!  Life is indeed sweet for the Stink-Man!

~As always, your friend in Tennessee, Michael Stinkowitz (aka "Stinko").  :)