When I got a little older, the mean nicknames started to fly. In the third grade, I got called chicken legs a lot. I don't know why. Chickens don't have long legs like mine, the last time I checked. Every time I'd walk through the hallways, someone would shout, "There goes chicken legs." I would remind them, "My name is not chicken legs. It's Winter." kwa the time spring came, I was so tired of being called chicken legs. One day, one of my classmates said, "Hey, chicken legs!" I said, "That's better than what wewe are." He said, "Oh, really? What am I?" I said, "You're a horse's ass." He didn't know how to respond to that, so he didn't say anything else. I never got called chicken legs again. I thought, "Man, I should have opened with that!" Thankfully, I didn't get in trouble. People swear all the time in Illinois. I later told my aunt about it. She said, "You remind me of your dad." I said, "Really?" She said, "Oh, yes. He was so witty. wewe get your looks from your mom and your sense of humor from your dad." I thought, "Those are good traits to get from both parents." About a mwaka later, I began to notice that I was having trouble seeing. I could see up close okay, but distant objects looked blurry to me. As a result, I got glasses. Having glasses at my age wasn't all that common. One girl called me four eyes. I alisema in a creepy voice, "The better to see wewe with, my dear." She got scared and never bothered me again. Being able to outwit the bullies helped, but I still didn't gain friends, even when I was in the school band. At least I had a dog, Scribbles. I would often smile when I looked at him, remembering the siku I got him. I was always getting bullied, and I was really lonely. My aunt decided to get me a puppy to lift my spirits. She found a breeder who was selling Siberian Husky pups. I tried to pick one out, but I never got to choose one, because one chose me. His fur, manyoya was a rust red with white markings. He had piercing ice blue eyes. He was a beautiful boy. Even when he grew into adulthood, he was still my puppy. Many days, he was one of the few things that kept me going. Still, I wished that I had a human friend.
September 8, 2011
I am feeling much better today. I don't feel great, but I feel much better than I did a few days ago. I was able to go to school today. Michael, Sabrina, and Bridget helped me get caught up in my classes. I'm lucky to have such good friends. Of course, I did feel a bit tired after finishing my homework. I took a nap for a while. When I woke up, it was almost 6:00 pm. I didn't realize I had slept that long. When chajio, chakula cha jioni time came, I ate really well. I didn't feel like eating much for the past couple of days. My appetite has returned. I think I will go to kitanda early tonight. I'm feeling pretty tired right now. I'm not completely better, but I'm close to it.
I am feeling much better today. I don't feel great, but I feel much better than I did a few days ago. I was able to go to school today. Michael, Sabrina, and Bridget helped me get caught up in my classes. I'm lucky to have such good friends. Of course, I did feel a bit tired after finishing my homework. I took a nap for a while. When I woke up, it was almost 6:00 pm. I didn't realize I had slept that long. When chajio, chakula cha jioni time came, I ate really well. I didn't feel like eating much for the past couple of days. My appetite has returned. I think I will go to kitanda early tonight. I'm feeling pretty tired right now. I'm not completely better, but I'm close to it.
June 11, 2011
Summer Vacation has been great so far. While I've been enjoying school zaidi since I've gained a couple of friends, it's nice to have a break from it. I also received some exciting news. On July 9, I am going to be in Chicago to see The Devil Wants Peace in concert! I was so excited when my uncle told me he was able to afford the tickets. I later told my friend, Michael, "You should have seen me when my uncle told me the good news. I was jumping up and down, crying tears of joy." Normally, I'm not that excitable, but The Devil Wants Peace is one of my inayopendelewa bands. Since I was six, I dreamed of seeing them live, and now, I can stop dreaming. This dream is becoming a reality. I don't know if I'll be lucky enough to meet them, but the fact that I'm lucky enough to see them is great.
Summer Vacation has been great so far. While I've been enjoying school zaidi since I've gained a couple of friends, it's nice to have a break from it. I also received some exciting news. On July 9, I am going to be in Chicago to see The Devil Wants Peace in concert! I was so excited when my uncle told me he was able to afford the tickets. I later told my friend, Michael, "You should have seen me when my uncle told me the good news. I was jumping up and down, crying tears of joy." Normally, I'm not that excitable, but The Devil Wants Peace is one of my inayopendelewa bands. Since I was six, I dreamed of seeing them live, and now, I can stop dreaming. This dream is becoming a reality. I don't know if I'll be lucky enough to meet them, but the fact that I'm lucky enough to see them is great.