About myself

I'll start by introducing myself. My name is Liza. Born in Moscow, lived there since my parents got a divorce 9 years after my birth. Always the same expression on teachers' faces when they call my name in the beginning of the year. Most don't know how to pronounce it then I have to deal with my name being butchered. Usually I just help them out by saying "here" when it's toward the end of the alphabet since my last name starts with "Y" and the "I don't know how to say this name" look, usually gives me a big sign that the teacher needs some guidance. Funny, you'd think out of all the teachers, English teachers would  be the closest in pronouncing it right, but even they have trouble.
I really was not much of a reader on my own time, only reading was required for school. Since I've started my Etymology class I decided to give a little more effort in my reading life. Feels like as each generation goes by, the interest in reading decreases due to all the technology provided for us but even those shouldn't be excuses. My excuse was I never had time to read, too busy with my life. But as I started to really think and realize.. I just didn't want to put the effort in finding time when I could be reading on my way to volleyball practice instead of sleeping. I remember in 5th grade when I moved to Indiana from Tennessee, we were assigned to write a book. I always thought the stories we learned in class of slavery and their struggle to become free was so interesting. So I decided to write a nonfictional book about Peg Leg Joe and his journey using the stars and drinking gourd to guide him along with the slaves to freedom. It was a competition in the class to which book would go to some meeting and my story with Peg Leg Joe won! I was shocked that out of all the great stories, mine was picked. First grade was a rough year for me, transitioning from a new country, new people, new culture, new house. Even though I knew both Russian and English, coming to America I was not enforced in my household to read. My teacher had story time where she would read all the Junie B. Jones series. One day my mother and I went to Barnes & Noble and I remember finding all those book series that we read in class and I ended up getting four of the Junie B. Jones series. Telling myself I would read them over and over again but to be honest, I don't even think I finished the first one. Over the years, never took reading seriously, and now its catching up. I have a hard time choosing the correct answers for comprehending questions in tests because I always seem to find two that seem so similar to me I just can't choose. 

Currently, I discovered I am interested in the books that are about people who are overcoming or in very deep struggles. I saw the movie Precious a while ago which is based off of the Novel Push by Sapphire I am reading right now. Great book, the author really connects and has an unbelievable way of telling the story and just everything about it I can't describe. I can feel the pain and the hardships this girl deals with in her life and home, just sad and I can't stop reading. Also, I went to our local library and checked out a book that was recommended to me, Go Ask Alice and Tweaked which I will be starting as soon as I finish Push. Overall I am really hoping my reading life does turn around not only for my Etymology class, but so I can find a book of my enjoyment and read just because I want to.