My name is Chichi Hernandez.  I am ten years old.  I live in Yonkers, New York, with my mami, papi,  and two little sisters Yacinthia (5) and Valencia (3).  I'm the oldest.

I am in fifth grade, but not for much longer: school will be over in less than a month.  I can't wait; I am more than ready for summer vacation!!  

My best friend is Tyler Taughman, but I call him The Taug.  He is much bigger than me, but we love to do many things together, be it playing with our laser lights that we got for Christmas this past year, hanging out in the tree house that Papi made for me (as a way to get away from my baby sisters), swimming,  playing football, basketball, soccer, or baseball, going to the movies, or playing video games.

I have known The Taug since first grade.  I met him when he beat up a kid that had been picking on me because of my being Mexican.  I was born in Mexico, but my parents wanted a better life, so we came to the U.S.A. when I was a little baby.  I think I was a few months old.  Don't remember that, but my parents still do.  They came so they could get a better job and learn English.  

Mami and Papi both speak English quite well now, thanks to ESL (English as a Second Language) clases at a local college, and they are both working.  Mami works by cleaning houses for rich people, and Papi, he works as a sanitation worker (garbage man).  When they are at work, Abuela Carmen comes to watch over me, Valencia, and Yacinthia.  

We have a good life.

Mami and Papi have since become citizens of the United States; they were naturalized last year.  I was so proud of them when they said the oath and got their flags and citizenship papers!  I felt ten feet tall!

Anyway, back to me and The Taug.  I owe him so much.  He defends me against any bullies and he won't stand for their teasing.  He and I get along like brothers; in fact, I wish The Taug WAS my brother, 'cause I don't have any: just two little baby sisters who drive me crazy sometimes!  I just wish The Taug had been around when I first started school, like in kindergarten, but since he's entered the picture, school is much better now!

I don't know why people have to make such a big deal because of my being Mexican.  I happen to put my pants on the same way as they do, and I don't appreciate them calling me (or my parents) nasty names or laughing in my face!  Billy Hanneman's the worst: he will do anything to torment me, and whenever The Taug ain't around to defend me, I'm at his mercy!

 I don't make fun of Billy or the other kids: why, then, should they pick on ME????

Well, I am gonna go.  Way too early for me to be up; the alarm isn't set for four thirty!  I will try to get some more sleep before it goes off at 6:30. It will go off before I even know it.  UGH! I hate school mornings!! Again, I will be sooo glad when school ends for the summer!!  And I also have Memorial Day to look forward to; we have a long holiday weekend!  YAY!!

Take care; this is Chee Hearnandez signing off!  Bye for now!

Chee (Chichi).  :)

~To be continued.~