My name is Ruth Anne Klondike.  I live in Juneau, Alaska, with my family (my mom, dad, and my two little brothers, plus my grandma and my older sister).  I am 10 years old.

I'm also visually impaired (am almost blind, even with my glasses, have a lot of trouble seeing) and have learning problems.  I have dyslexia and have problems reading or writing.  My parents and my oldest sister have to help me.  It's very annoying!

The kids at school tease me.  They tease me mostly about my eyes or my learning problems, but they also tease me because I am Native Alaskan.  I am Tlingit Indian.  I don't have very many friends, which makes me very sad.

When I am not at school, I am very happy.  When I am at school, I am sad.  The teachers are always telling me to try harder when I do try my best, and the kids make fun of me.  I always look forward to the end of the school day, and sometimes when the teasing has been really bad, I play sick, so I don't have to go.  I find all sorts of excuses so I don't have to go to school the next day.  It doesn't always work.

Weekends are the best time for me because I don't have to put up with the teachers or with the teasing.  I like to play my guitar and sing, watch television (I like "American Idol" and "America's Got Talent" the best), go to the mall, and play with my dolls and toys.  Mamma and pappa, they tell me to read more, but I don't like to.  Reading and writing are too much work for me.

I already know what I want for Christmas.  It's for the kids to stop teasing me and for the teachers to stop yelling at me.  I am so tired of it; it's all I can do to keep from crying!

I also want to see Faith Hill and Tim McGraw in concert.  They are coming here to Juneau for a Christmas show, and I really want to see them.  They are my very favorites!  If I could just see them it would be awesome; it would be even more awesome to meet them in person!!

I also love Keith Urban and Josh Thompson.  They are both very cute!

Well, I gotta go.  School is about to end; I can't wait to get on that bus!  I hate it when the kids call me "Goofy Ruthie" or "Four Eyes" or "Blindy Girl"!  I will write in here again; untli then, this is Ruthie Klondike saying bye!  Pray the kids stop teasing me and that I get to see Faith Hill/Tim McGraw in concert come December!  That would be really cool!

~Love, your new friend in Alaska, Ruthie.  :(

*To be continued.*