Christmas

My sister Tanya and I have been in America for 2 years and almost 2 months. Today we are celebrating our 4th Christmas together. I am really happy that God had sent me this family.
This year I am playing basketball, and I really enjoy it. Our team consists of 12 girls. We have played 6 games total, and lost only 1 of them. We lost to Willamette High School. The score was 61-39. I enjoy riding the bus to away games, because I like to talk to my friends.
I enjoy going to school. Every morning at 6:57 Am, the bus is waiting for me by the drive way. Most of my time on the bus I spent talking to Delano or listening to music.
Today my family and I had an amazing Christmas. My sister Kim woke me up at 7:00 Am, just to tell me that the Santa had eaten all the cookies, drank most of the milk and left her a letter.
Merry Christmas to Everyone!!!

This week was really though for me because we had tryouts for a freshman basketball team. The tryouts were after school from 3:40, until 5:30. I enjoyed practicing. I can't believe that my coach Mr.Monger was Tanya's last year P.E. teacher. After 5 days of tryouts, I was sore. My legs were killing me, but I made a team . My friend Jenny made it also. We were on a basketball team together last year and this year. I met a new friend whose name is Mabinty and she is good at basketball also. We are becoming good friends. I enjoy having her as my friend, because she is kind, and she acts the way that a true friend should do. I'm doing great at school. I was seek the last week so I wasn't singing in choir. Everything is doing okay and I'm happy that I will play on a basketball team. My basketball practices are everyday from 3:45 until 5:30 at Cascades school. After school is over, my team and I would have to walk to Cascades school. It is close to High School. I'm really exited and looking forward to becoming a better basketball player than I already am.

High School

I really enjoy being in the High School, but I have to be able to take on more responsibilities. My dad allows me to drive to school in the morning, but not everyday because I want to be in the bus with my friends. I have really good teachers. Almost every Friday we have assemblies. Assemblies are my favorite things to do while the school is in session. I met a lot of new kids. On November 9th we are going to have tryouts for the basketball teams. I hope that I will make it. I can't believe that you have to tryout for a team! I enjoy my PE class because we have been playing badminton and now we are playing volleyball. Next semester I'm going to take guitar lessons. Every Wednesday at 7:45 I have voice lessons with Mr Wong. I used to have them on Friday's at 4:35-5:00, but during that time I will be practicing basketball.

It is Alexis she is 8 years old.

First day at school

It is Tanya she is 11 years old.



This is Kim she is 6 years old.


This is Declan he is 10 years old.

The first day at High School

Friday was my first day going to High School. My school starts at 8:15 and ends at 3:15. I have total of 7 classes. I have Algebra 1, LA-9, Life science, Warrior, a warrior it is when you can do your homework, Geography, Physical Education 1, which is PE, and Choir A. In all of these classes I have friends.
My lunch starts at 11:55 and ends at 12:10. Jenny my girlfriend from last years basketball team goes to my school and has lunch with me.
We had an assembly and it was fun. Kids that had chosen by their teachers, had to go in the field and use the watermelons as their shoes. The team that had 2 of their shoes safe by the time they would reach the finish line, they would win the competition. Oh my goodness, it was hilarious watching them. After the watermelon competition, each class had to sent to people to the track. One person had to sit on the others person's back and whoever gets to a finish line first would win. Teachers participated in it also. Everybody started laughing after the teachers started racing. They lost :]
After the school was over, I didn't want to live, because I had a great time with the other 9 graders.

Time with friends

Yesterday we went to Riley's, Vanessa's and Noah's house. We were on the road for 1:30 minutes. We came to their house and had lunch. After lunch Riley and I played basketball, then everybody else came and we played games that were called "Pig and Horse." I had fun playing basketball with him. Also we all kids had played soccer and had an opportunity to ride on the horses. Mom did ride on the horses also. It was fun watching her. We had stayed for supper and roasted the hot dogs on the fire and we also had marshmallows, of course, everybody was so tired after a busy day, so when we came home, we went straight to bed. On our way home, everybody kept asking to come again to their house because we had a lot of fun.

Yesterday we had to wake up at 5:30 to get ready for work and at 6:15 we left the house. It was so much easier to pick blueberries because we had a terrific row, that was fall with big blueberries, but it was hot...
Before supper, my family and I went to the garden to check on our blueberry plants. They were doing just fine. On our way back to the house, Job our dog, went to mom's garden and start to eat her peace, oh my goodness, it was hilarious. We watched him until mom came closer to him and gave him a lecture.
Today our dad and Jeremy are working outside, moving the wood.
Well I can't wait to go to Canada, we have just only one week left. YEAS...

Yesterday and today, my family and I were busy. We were working from 7:00 until 1:00.
Yesterday I stayed at work for 10 hours. It was fun for me. Also yesterday I bought an MP3 player, it was only $50. I can't wait to go to Canada, but we have 2 weeks left and we are going.
After picking blueberries, I wasn't tired, my back was just a little tired. I love sorting blueberries, it is fun.

About Me

I'm 15 years old. I like singing, playing basketball and draw. Also I like going to school. School it's a fun place for me. I like to hang out with my friends, it is fun. I love my family. Sometimes I think that if my family knew who I was in the orphanage, my character, I don't think that they would've adopted me, but I can't say anything, God had already planned a life for me, and I can't wait and see who I would be when I'll be a mother. I love my sisters and my brother. I'm happy that I have friends and it is easy for me to make new friends. My best friends from orphanage were Olga, Pasha and Lonya. Now I have new best friends who are Karina, Celia, Kristin R., and Ryan R. I can't believe that I can speak English now, not proper, but I can say important words like "hi and bye". When I grow up, my dream is to be a singer. My sisters Kim and Alexis always telling me that if I become a singer, I should buy a house for them or pay their rents. It is funny Hahaha.
My favorite country singer is Taylor Swift. My favorite author is Louis Sachar.
I love reading romance books, I don't like learning from books, I like to be taught.
What do I like about my family is that we are a family, we don't give up on each other, we help each other, and we looking after each other. That is what a real family.

June 29th. My birthday was awesome. I had two girlfriends over, Karina and Celia. We had a lot of fun. We played, sang, sliding down the water slide, and more. When we ate our cake, Kim and Alexis couldn't decide who will give me the present first. So we were waiting for them for about 10 minutes. Then my dad gave me the present. I just can't explain. Yesterday was the Best Birthday, I had ever had.!!!!
Today is my dad's Birthday. Isn't it interesting that the birthday is day after day. I hope that today it will be the best birthday ever for my DADDY too.

Two days ago, my family and my dad's friend went to pick the strawberries at the field. We were there for about an hour. We were all dirty and tired, but we got a lot of strawberries. When we came home, we haul some of them and froze them. We had fun. Today we went to our church, the church was outside, the weather was nice, and I was sitting in the sun. After the church was over, Pastor Tom had announced that there will be an ice cream. They had bought 4 big parer jars of ice cream. After church was over, we went home, and I started making a cake for my Birthday, I can believe that tomorrow I'm turning 15. I had invited two of my best friends, Celia and Karina. I don't know how I'm going to spent time with them, because Karina doesn't like playing basketball, neither singing. I think that I should spent half an hour with one of them and then switch. I hope that tomorrow will be a fun day.

My only brother that I have and will have. There is no other boy like him.

Last Day With Nana And Papa

Today like always, I had my basketball practice, after my basketball practice, I was tired, my muscles were hurt, but I survived. Today or friends the Richards suppose to come for supper. My sisters and I had done some school work so we can have a computer time. Today is the last day that Nana and Papa are her. The next time we would have a chance to see them is in July. I had a great time with Nana and Papa, I wish that they could stay longer until it is my birthday, but they can't. It is okay with me, I understand. Well my day hasn't finished yet, so I don't know what else to say.

Bill, you look adorable!!!

My sister Tanya isn't she cute?

Today I had my basketball practice. I had fun with the kids that were my age.
My family except dad and I went shopping to Albany. After my basketball practice, my dad took me to DMV office to ask if I had any questions before I will take a knowledge test on my birthday so I would be aloud to practice drawing and get my licence permanent. While I was waiting for my turn, my dad went to the store to bye some stuff for his car. When it was finally my turn, dad was standing beside me. We asked some questions, and then we left home. On our way home, dad bought a chicken sandwich, which he knows that I like, but he said to me. Will you wash my car? I was thinking Uhhh... for the yummy sandwich I will. So when we came home I washed daddy's car and then I asked dad if I could help him to change the oil in his car. He said yes, so I spent time with my grandpa helping me. When I finished changing the oil, I went to shower, because we had to go to VBB, Vacation Bible Study. We had our supper, and then my mom took us girls to VBB. Some of us had fun, but some of us didn't. The songs that we were learning were AWESOME. Well today is a great day. I'm glad that my dad spent his time with me.
Thanks' daddy!!! You are a great teacher.

That is my dog " JOB."

A Family Day

Today my family and I had a late breakfast, it was between 11:00-11:30. After we had our breakfast, we went to Eugene for a Black Sheep Gathering. When we went inside of the building, I really liked one of the shirts, but you can't even imagine what the price was. The kit was $92. I was shocked.
There was a lot of sheep. I was amazed how much stuff they had with them.
We were there for about 2 hours, then we had to leave, because my brother and sisters were hungry. On our way home, dad had called as and asked if we could pick some stuff at the store, so we had to go to the store. When we were on the rode, there was an ambulance behind us, but my mom didn't know where it was, so when she figured out, she had 2 choices, to turn right or to turn left, so she finally turned left, and it was the right choice.
When we were passing Brownsville, we had stopped at the park because they had a Pioneer Day's. We bought some cotton candy and I went to do my own stuff. I was sitting by the basketball court watching boys teams playing for the trophy. Oh my gosh, I couldn't believe that they didn't play by the rules. Some of them were shooting with both hands from the chest. I told my mom afterwards, but she told me maybe that's how their coach taught them how to play. Soon I forgot about it, because it wasn't that important to me.

We are undefeated. Thanks coaches!!!

Champions are kids.

My basketball coaches.

We are the champions of 2009 Basketball league.

Kimberly, isn't she so sweet?

My sister Alexis. She looks brilliant

Making Strawberry Jam

Today I woke up at 7:30, and I didn't know what to do, so I went down to our garden and pick the strawberries. I was in the garden for about 30 minutes. Everybody else except my mom were asleep. I finished 4 boxes, and I was going to a different box, and the sprinkler turned on, it had scared me a lot, and I got WET. After I got wet a little,I went to the house. My dog Job and I were at the garden together, he is like my guard. When I was going up the hill, my mom was going out of the garage. So when I came into the house, my sister Alexis was awake too, and she was eating a banana. She asked me if I could play a game with her, so I did. After the game was finished, I helped my mom the peel the strawberries. By the time that mom and I finished, everybody was awake, so we had our breakfast, and my mom, Declan and I went to the store to by leads for the cans to make a strawberry jam. When we came home, we went to our garden to pick the cherries. While I was picking the cherries, I put 3-4 into the ball and 1 in my mouth. Then we went up to the house and started to work on the strawberry jam. I had the opportunity to help my mom. I enjoyed it, and the jam turned out great. I wasn't helping my mom for the whole time because I was working to slow, and there was a lot more strawberries to go. We started making the strawberry jam at 11:30 and my mom and Nana still working on it, and it is 3:22. When I finished helping my mom and Nana, I did the word problems worksheet and worked on my English.

Fun Day

Today I had my basketball practice from 9:00 to 12:00. We've played a lot of games and earn a lot of coupons to spent at Seven Eleven store. I had total of 10 coupons. It was the last day for the girls basketball camp, so we could chose to have a basketball or a tea shirt. I chose a tea shirt. Also we've been playing basketball games and my team had only 3 people, while the other teams had 4-5. My team was the best, we had 0 losses and 3 wins. We were the champions, so we got prizes like a water bottle, a pan, a bracelet, and another coupon. When it was 12:00, my mom came to pick me up, and asked me if I got a ball, I said no, I got a tea shirt. Then she told me, you should go and trade it for a ball. So I went to my coach, and asked him to trade my tea shirt that he had given me for a ball. He said he could if there any balls left. So we went to his locker room, and he couldn't find any, so he gave me his ball that he got from Canada, and we had a talk. He said that I had improved since Monday and he asked me to go and play with the team in November. I was so proud of my self.
When I came home, my family and I ate quickly and we went to the Library. We've spent there more then an hour. When we came home, we started the supper, then Daddy came home with a huge amount of strawberries. So my family and I sat and peel the strawberries before the supper. We had fun and we worked as a family, and it was quick. I don't know what else to tell except" Dad thanks for the strawberries."

The Talent Show Day

The Talent Show day was on June 5th in the morning. It had started at 9:00 and ended at 12:00. There were 24 acts total. People had a lot of tallent. Some of them played an instrument, some dance, sing or tell jokes.I was the 8th act. I had sang a song called " Hey Now" by Hilary Duff. I was dancing and singing with the music. I did my best, because I really love singing. I had the most applause, the gym was screaming for me. Then when I came back to school on Monday, people were following me and telling me how good I was. I'm happy that I have a lot of frinds, and I'm sad because most of my friends will be in High School next year, so I'm going to miss them. Before the Talent Show had started, people had asked me if I'm going to sing, I told them yes, but after a week,there were a lot of people asking me if I'm going to sing, so I told them no. So when the Talent Show day had finally ended, I didn't have to tell them " yes or no."
On Thursdy, June 11th, we had our yearbook singing. A lot of people wrote to me that I'm a rock at singing and playing basketball during the lunch time. Teachers wrote to me to stay the way I'm now, because I'm a good person inside. I had never lied to my friends neither teachers, so they trust me.
I'm looking forward to next year. I'm already missing school. I really woanna go, but I keep telling my self it is SUMMER!!!

The Week With The Richards

On June 5th, when my Talent Show day was, my family went to Montana to Caitlin's graduation. I decided to stay at home to participate in the Talent Show, because I have waited for it from the beginning of the year. I had stayed with my parents' friends Shawnna, Bill, Ryan, and Kristen Richards. While my family was in Montana, I still had to go to school and do my chores, but that wasn't a problem for me, because I love school, and I enjoy doing my chores. Most of my time I spent with my pets. Which were "chickens, pigs and my dog "Job."
One day I came from school and saw a rooster on the pigs side, where he wasn't suppose to be, so I tried to catch him, but I couldn't. I thought I know what I'm doing, but I wasn't. I called Bill to come and help me. Bill lives in Sweet Home, so everyday, Shawna would bring me to my school, then my bus would bring me home, I would do my chores, and Bill would come and pick me up. So when Bill came, he quickly grabbed the rooster, it seemed for me that it wasn't even a problem for him.
I just had one more chore to do is water the dirt for pigs, so I unhooked the hose, but the problem was, I couldn't. So I was all socking wet. Then Bill came to help me. That wasn't a problem for him neither. When we were driving on Highway 20, I started laughing about the pigs, because again, I thought I know what I'm doing, but I didn't.

Finally I Have A Blog

I'm so happy that my mom let me to have a blog!!!!
This morning from 9:00 until 12:00 I had my basketball practice. I had a great time. We played a couple of games, that I did not know, but I know that my family knows those games. My mom and my sisters, came to pick me up and while we played, they watched me. Then we went to drop my sister Tanya to her friends house. After dropping my sister, we went to Riverview school to see my sisters' teacher who just had a baby boy. I'm so happy for her.
When we came home, we went to finish picking up strawberries. Then my brother made me all wet. So when he went to get the mail, I used his water gun and made him wet. We had a great time.
When I asked my mom to make a website, she said you would be better of making a blog, but there is no point making it for you, because it will be fun for a while, then you will forget about it. I wasn't really mad at my mom for not letting me to create a blog, I was just a little disappointed. I went to my room, closed the door, lay on my bed and start reading, then suddenly, there was a note under my door so I picked it up and it was from Declan saying " I can help you to make a website" I'm so glad that I have a brother like him. He had never said that he can help me on something, plus I did not asked him for it. I love my brother and my sister. My family is the Best Family.