Howdy from New York City!

This is your friend, Asidro Montalvan (aka "Sticky"), writing.  I hope this finds y'all well.

We went to the bodega (store) to stock up on food; they're calling for a massive winter storm up and along the Eastern Seaboard, a real nor'easter.  Some places could get upwards to over 30 INCHES of snow!  It's gonna be a real dozzy, from the way the weather forecasters are talkin' ...

So this weekend I'll probably be holed up in my room writing or trying to keep my nose out of trouble (provided the power stays on and doesn't go out).  If it does go out, we'll have to get out extra blankets and light a huge, roaring fire in the fireplace, so we don't freeze to death.

Life is pretty good; no real complaints, other than the gang kids still tryin' to recruit me to join their dumbass gang.  I still refuse to stoop to their level; as I said last time, I have my pride, and I am the man of the house, especially since Papi became disabled (he now gets disability pay every month).

And besides, Mami still works two jobs (a waitress at night and also a cleaning lady for rich folks during the day), so she don't have any time to watch over us kids.  She sleeps during the day when she does her waitress job if she's off her other job (usually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).  She has to: she's plumb wore out from cleaning or bustin' her azz, serving people!

Thank God for Abuela: she helps Mami out by watching us younger kids (me, Gio, and Octavia).  Valentina and Christina, who are both older than me, can, more or less, watch out for themselves with no problems.  It truly helps with Octavia, 'cause she needs total care.  She has cerebral palsy and cannot walk, talk, dress hesrself, or feed herself.  She's like a big baby.  It's really sad, 'cause she's not like other kids, and she will never be like them.

I still want to be a professional breakdancer, president of the United States (like Barack Obama), or a b-baller (baseball mainly, though I can manhandle a basketball quite well, too).  I also want to be a writer; I'm always writing stories, poems, or stuff like that.  I also read all the time when I'm not doing homework or doin' my chores or hangin' out with my homeboys.

Well, I hate to go, but it's bedtime; I've got school tomorrow.  I will write in here again another day; just pray we get through the bad weather okay without any problems whatsoever; it's gonna be real bad!  I would greatly appreciate y'all's prayers!  Thanks so much!  Take care and God bless!  This is Sticky Montalvan sayin' peace out!

~Sticky.

~To be continued!~