to keep you from wondering where I disappeared to

Last night, I went to see seven of my friends perform in a Christian Youth Theater production of Roger & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Hope, who played the ugly stepsister Portia, gave me a free ticket for my birthday, but I had no idea I would be sitting front row, right next to the orchestra... wow. It was a smashing performance.


I decorated this mug yesterday.

It has my favorite words on it.

Happy Birthday.

Here's Zeneida...



















we had a great time taking pictures yestereday...




















...as you can tell.














sometimes Lindsay popped in too...





























she was a little distracting sometimes.

I don't have time for ANYTHING!

• Except what's happening. *sigh* That's not a good feeling. I know it sound strange, but it's TRUE! Have you ever been so busy, doing stuff--even fun stuff that you enjoy, that you realise for a minute, "hey wait, I'm so busy, I don't have time for anything." It sounds strange, but for me, it's true. At least right now.
  
• Tuesday evening, I attended Inkslingers, a creative writing group at my library. I had a good time. Now I have to write a story about a thimble. oook. good thing that's easier than it sounds.
  
• Wednesday was filled with school, and girl's week excitement.
  
• Thursday, Z came over. Mom took us four kids & Z to the library, where I helped Z with a research project. The S's will be moving, and renting their house, so soon Z will be gone. She moved here about a year ago, and is ten years old. She shocks me sometimes. Her family life is very interesting, but a little...shall we say sad? Her parents are at work all the time, and she and L, her seven year old sister stay at home for hours alone after school, doing homework, watching TV, and listening to *deepbreath* rap music.

*ihatethestuffitgivesmeaheadache,butidontwantherto

growupanidiotsoigoovertohelpherwith

schoolandtrytoputupwiththestuffaslongas

possibleuntilmyheadfeelslikeitsgoingtoexPLODE*

Alone except for relatives. They probably have three other people not visiting, mind you, living with them at a time. Usually a jobless uncle, aunt, or cousin. It's depressing sometimes. Z and her sister see little or nothing of their parents, and it shows.

• Friday, mom took the 4ofus to the Richmond Science Museum. I...am tired.
  
  your friend, Mirta

(PS, very roughly Spanish for my name)