Barrow, Alaska, September 28, 2011, 1:45 A.M., Alaska Time~

Dear Book-of-Words~

Cannot sleep.  Don't know why.  Maybe it's due to the auroras being so bright outside.  At times it reminds me of daylight.  Know I am having a hard time trying to connect to the Internet, but at least I am able to write in my journal.  I will do so as long as the computer doesn't go out ...

I have been very busy with schoolwork.  School is still very difficult for me.  I am dyslexic and spelling and/or reading is very hard.  My grades are a little better, but not much.  I know Father and Mother must both be terribly disappointed in me.  I try my best, yet what I do isn't good enough for them.

It is extremely frustrating!

Why can't I be more like Qisik and Sorqaq (my older brothers) or my younger sisters Mikisaq or Maki?  They are all so smart they make ME look stupid!!  School for them is a breeze!  I hate it!!

I don't hate them: I hate the fact that they are all so much smarter than I am!!

Summer has come and gone:  it won't be long before the first snowflakes start flying; then we'll stay bitterly cold until at least April or May.  The birds are already winging their way southward and we have to bundle up in our warm sweaters, thick pants/socks, mukluks, and parkas once again.  Now is also the time to put our mittens or gloves.  

It makes me sad that summer has gone.  The winter only reminds me of my grandparents, who now dance among the northern lights.  I still miss Grandfather Elk and Grandmother Bird Woman more than you will ever know!  I loved them so much!  I was extremely close to them.

The last time I had written, my friend Pammaliq had to go to the hospital because she had the flu.  Well, I am happy to say she recovered in a few days once the hospital gave her stronger, more powerful medicines, but it scared me for a while.  I honestly thought she was gong to die, she was that sick, but happily, she got better.

Pammaliq and I have been spending a lot of time together, playing and taking care of the littler kids.  I just love Pammy so much!  She and I have been friends ever since we were both in elementary school; in fact, we met in kindergarten and have remained close all these years.  

I am also friends with Aquluqarq, who is my other best friend.  Her last name is Joe.  Easy, huh?  LOL  She is half Tlingit Indian (on her mom's side) and Inuit (on her father's).  She speaks both Inuit and Tlingit Indian.  Sometimes when she gets mad she'll cuss in Tlingit; she taught me some of the best cuss words!  LOL  I know 'em all! LOL

I hope we can get through this winter without getting sick or not having enough food!  Father and my older brothers have left for food; they will be gone for several weeks.  I pray to the spirits that they stay safe and have plenty of game before they get back.  I don't want to starve this winter!

 Winters up here in this part of Alaska can be brutal and unforgiving!

It only takes the heartiest of souls (like we Inuit) to be able to get through winter!  We can get down to nearly 100 degrees below zero during the coldest months with no daylight for nearly three months (excepting for the auroras lighting your path), and we get howling blizzards complete with hurricane force winds (or even higher) and blinding snows.

 To get lost in such weather conditions can only mean one thing: certain death.

This is why I worry so much about Father, Sorqaq and Qisik when they go hunting for food.  If anything were to happen to them, I think I shall go mad from grief!!  I've already lost Grandmother Bird Woman and Grandfather Elk; I don't want to lose any more members of my family!!

Well, I'm going to try to get some sleep before we get up for school.  I usually get up before six.  I will write in here again soon; sorry it's been so long since I last wrote!  I am terible about keeping journals!  Forgive me?  Take care and may the good spirits bless you!

~Love, your Inuk friend, Aama.  :)