If I could move back to Louisiana, I'd be a lot happier, a lot better off, than where I am.  I miss the joie de vivre of New Orleans, I miss the summertime heat, and perhaps, most of all, I miss my friends.

I was in Hurricane Katrina nearly five years ago (will be in August).  I was only six then, just a little kid.  I remember the people boarding up their windows and acting all scared-like; I also remember the wind blowing stronger and the rains falling harder and harder as the hurricane came closer to shore.  It was terrifying, especially when the power went out; I thought the whole wide world was coming to an end.

It is because of this hurricane that I no longer have my family.  I am now living with my aunt in Tennessee; I've had to start a brand new life.  My family died in Katrina; I miss them terribly:  I miss them each and every day.  There isn't a day where I don't think of them and miss them.  I had a mom, a dad, and three little brothers.  They were five, three, and almost two.  They were little-bitty.

I now live with my aunt, as I said.  She has two kids of her own, but they're older'n me.  It's like I have two sisters again, but it's not the same.  I am in the process of getting adopted by my aunt.  She's my guardian now.

I also remember the flood that happened after Katrina'd come through.  I thought all our troubles were over once Katrina passed, but then the waters started rising again:  dirty, stinky water full of junk and God knows what else.  That was when we who survived were forced to sit on rooftops and wait for someone to come rescue us.  I think I sat on that roof for two days, baking in the hot Louisiana sun; for a while, I thought nobody'd find us, but they did.  I was never so glad to see someone come to our helpl!!

Once I got into the helicopter, I was flown to a Red Cross station, where doctors and nurses checked us; those who were sick or hurt were sent to hospitals for treatment.  I wasn't sick or hurt:  I was just intensely hungry, not to mention, dirty, hot, and annoyed.  It was really bad!

After that mess, I was then flown to Nashville, Tennessee, to live with my aunt.  I've been here since.  I don't know if I like Nashville:  it's not like N'Awlins.  And it's too cold in the winter; I'd rather have hot weather!  The temperature gets below sixty, and I'm, like, freezin' my tail feathers off!!  :/

School is okay, I guess, but the kids aren't as friendly.  I do have some friends, but my good, best friends are back in Louisiana (I think; don't know where they are!).  I miss them so much I can't stand it!!!!

Oh, they have some Cajun music here, but nothing, nothing like New Orleans!  And they do have Cajun food here, but again, it's not Louisiana.  All they do is put cayenne peppers or some other hot, spicy seasoning and pass it off as "Cajun."  Buzz!!  NOT real Cajun!!!!  Real Cajun, to me, is Tipitina's!  Or Mulate's!!!

I guess some Cajun music (or food) is better than none at all, but it's NOT Louisiana!!!!

Well, I've done made myself cry again, so I will go.  Seems that ever since Katrina come, I have bad dreams all the time.  Or else I cry.  Dam' fool Katrina; why did she have to come??  I miss my old life in Louisiana!!!!

~Love, your friend, Kaycie Leillah Gautreaux.  :(  *tears!*

*To be continued.*