Mawi's homeland of Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a deadly civil war from 1961-1991. Eritrea became an independent nation in 1993.

The Sudanese refugee camp in Umsagata, became home to Selamawi and his family from 1980-1983. (Page 5)

Nov 17, 1980

1982 they were about to leave for America, then Mulu, his half-sister found them. They left a year later so that Mulu could join them. Haileab(father) late forties, Tsege(mother) mid twenties, Mulu(half-sister) late teens, Tewolde 9, Mehret 5, Selamawi 7

Nov 17, 1983

Mawi and Tewolde were told they must stop fighting by their father, which they felt was the worst betrayal from him. They feared their father (Haileab) far more than anyone else so, they quit fighting. (Page 40)

Nov 18, 1985

Mawi and Tewolde heard of this strange holiday known as Halloween, which was like the American version of Hoyo Hoyo. It soon became their favorite holiday and a somewhat big part of growing up. (Page 48)

Nov 18, 1986

Mawi and Tewolde had a run-in with a cop when they were trying to get the change from the meter head. This was an influential event for them to stop their mischief. (Page 58)

Nov 18, 1987

"[Tewolde and Mawi] graduated from the ESL (English as a Second Language) program at Longfellow Elementary and entered regular classes full-time." (P. 63)

Nov 27, 1988

Tewolde went through Libee Migbar, he developed a heart. (p. 63)

Nov 28, 1988

M & T were tested by their angels and gave their Aldi ham sandwiches to the address-book brother. (p.64)

Nov 29, 1988

Tewolde was killed by a drunk driver half-way through his senior year. (p. 69)

Nov 30, 1988

Term, Boona means coffee. (p. 76)

Dec 1, 1988

Ethiopian dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam, was leader of the Dergue regime who raged war against the Woyane rebel group and the Jebha rebel group. (p 78

Dec 2, 1988

Haileab fled to Sudan alone. After some time passed, Haileab sent messages for his family to come. (p 79)

Dec 3, 1988

Haileab and Tsege finally met and the year of separation ended. (p 82)

Dec 4, 1988

Haileab's children learned his childhood story. (p. 85-86)

Dec 5, 1988

Haileab turned into a beetle after many years of being in America, going from an important community position where people looked up to him to a poor welfare refugee who isn't physically capable to do much. (p. 95)

Dec 6, 1988

Haileab's physical health went into rapid decline. Losing his eyesight,teeth, and being diagnosed with diabetes. (p.96-97)

Dec 7, 1988

Tewolde was killed when he was on Christmas break in ND when he was hit by a drunk driver. (p. 112)

Dec 9, 1988

Mawi's grades dropped because of Tewolde's death. It was a big turning point for Mawi, instead of giving up he worked harder. (p.111)

Dec 8, 2016

Mawi has completed the family dream to complete college. (p. 134)

Dec 9, 2016