My name is Bethany Ann Rios.  I am 15 years old.  I live with my family in Yonkers, New York.  Lived in New York all my life: I was born here.

I have two brothers (Diego and Dominico; they're 16 and 19) and three sisters (all younger: Estrella, Rosalia, and Gabriella; they're 13, 10, and six), as well as my mami y papi.  Our abuela Hortenzia lives with us as well.  As you can probably tell, we're Spanish: we're Mexican-American.  (Our abuela and our papi were both born in Mexico.)

I am in the tenth grade at the local high school not far from where we live.  I walk to school, it's that close.  I usually walk with my best friend Ethelda Munoz and my big brother Diego, so I am not alone.  Safer that way.  I do well in all my classes, but math gives me fits sometimes; I HATE math with a purple passion!!

I wish people would accept me for who I am.  I am not exactly skinny: I am built like my mami: she's a regular pudgeball.  I hate wearing shorts or short skirts; it shows off my thunder thighs, and I also have a belly that pooches out; it's rather embarrassing, especially during gym class, which I also hate.  Other than that, I'm not that bad looking.  I have very long black hair that falls past my waist in thick, blue-black ringlets and curls, and I have dark, dark eyes.  I look a lot like my beautiful mami.

I get teased by the pops (the popular kids) 'cause I don't have a boyfriend or engage in sex.  I have no interest in that; I'm only fifteen years old.  Why can't people get it through their head that I am not ready for sex or to fool around with a boyfriend?? I enjoy the freedoms I have, and besides, if my papi or mami knew I had a boy or was fooling around with sex, they'd both skin me alive!!  I say no thanks!!

I'm more interested in church (I go to a Baptist church; I accepted Jesus when I was twelve, three years ago), hanging out with my best friends, being with family, dancing (I do ballet folklorico; have done it since I was very small; I really enjoy it!), singing, reading, playing on the computer (Facebook or YouTube), cooking, and going to the mall (again with my friends).  I also enjoy talking on the phone (NO texting; I think it's stupid!). 

I'm a typical teenage girl except for the fact that I happen to be a Christian.  And I am proud of it! :)

Well, I have to go: Abuela is calling me.  She has Alzheimer's; her memory is getting worse.  (I'm home from school today because I have a doctor's appointment at one; it's just a normal checkup, so I'm not worried.)  I will write in here again soon; until next time, this is Bethany Ann Rios saying adios! Hasta luego, amigos!

~Bethany Ann. :)

~To be continued.~