Rainbird Denise Begay is my name.  I am 10 years old.

I live with my family in Scott's Bluff, Arizona.  I have a mother, a father, and a grandmother, who lives with us.  That's it.  No brothers and sisters: I'm an only child.

I don't mind it, but then again, I do: if I do something, then there's nobody else I can blame for my wrongdoing.  LOL

We also have a dog, an Akita, that I named Spirit.  She's an orange-y-red color, and she has big, brown eyes that don't miss a trick.  She is 4 years old; I've had her since she was a little puppy.

I am in the third grade.  I would have been in fifth, but I missed a lot of school last year: I had to help out when my dad (I call him "Father") got sick.  I'm happy to say that Father is doing a lot better.  He had heart surgery.  He is back at work, but he's doing a job that's much less stressful, and he's a lot happier.

So are we.  We were scared that we were going to lose Father.  The Great Spirit heard our innermost prayers.

I have a lot of good friends at school, among them being Chrissa Tanawaka, Ruby Jane Red Bird, Tamara Bear Claw, and Gabriella Montoya.  My teacher is Ms. Cabrillo; she is very nice, and she is very good at what she does.  I just love her!

When I grow up, I want to be a fancy dancer like Mother and also my cousins.  We go to powwows every summer and fall; we always have the best time.  (We are Dine'.)  I would also like to be a teacher like Ms. Cabrillo.

Well, I have to go.  I am going to help Mother with cooking.  We are having home-made meatloaf, fried potatoes, and spinach greens.  I will write in here another day; until then, this is Rainbird saying may the Great Spirit bless you!  So long for now!

~Rainbird Begay.  :)