ESL 2018Voices Writings, Poems and Essays by Students of English as a Second Language
Cuyahoga Community College Contributors Background and Mission
Editors Sara Clark, West In 1991, Mara Hegedeous, Assistant Professor of English/English as a Second Shirin Dixon, West Language, collected ESL student essays college-wide and put them under one cover. Thus ESL Voices began. In 1997, Assistant Professor Janis Scalone assumed Judging Committee Lisa Friel, West the editorship, continuing the publication. Mary Hurst then became editor from Mary Lou Haag, Metro 1999-2003 and managed to keep the publication afloat while struggling for financial Jillian LaManna, Westshore support. We do appreciate Mary’s efforts and the current administration’s support of Susan Lohwater, West the endeavor! ESL Voices showcases the writing of our international students and recognizes Art Direction Seong-Ae Mun, West two important facts: the ability to write well is a gift, and the ability to write well in a second language is twice that. Through ESL Voices, Cuyahoga Community College Cover Art Chloe Burton, West acknowledges the achievements of its international students, celebrates their diversity and motivates continued writing improvement. Design and Layout Chloe Burton, West Acknowledgements Contributing Faculty Susan Bartch, West Thanks to the following amazing people whose support and encouragement Sara Clark, West helped make this year’s ESL Voices a reality: Dean Felisa Eafford, Associate Dean, Lisa Friel, East Liberal Arts, Western Campus, William Cunion, Associate Dean, Liberal Arts, Stephanie Kasuboski, East Eastern Campus, Gwen Hullman, Associate Dean, Liberal Arts, Metro Campus and Susan Lohwater, West Claire McMahon, Associate Dean, Learning, Engagement & Transitions, Westshore Rebecca Martin, Westshore Campus. Rosemary Palmer, Metro We would also like to give special thanks to Seong-Ae Mun for her patience, guidance, and cross-curriculum collaboration, and Chloe Burton, Tri-C graphic arts student at the Western Campus, for her beautiful artwork in designing the first digital edition of ESL Voices.
II III Cultures and Customs Different People...... 20 Oksana Chernykh, Level I African Summer BBQ ...... 20 Kouassi Goli, Level I Zeppelins ...... 21 Contents Darius Tuskenis, Level I
A New Life Special People The Best Day of My Life ...... 10 Kalunga Kalonda, Level II Israel Taregue ...... 22 Hortense Ahizi Level 1 Leave from Hometown...... 10 Elif Kayretli, Level II My Mom’s Personality ...... 22 Mechelee Torres, Level I Moments That Changed My Life Substantially...... 11 Jean-Marc Kouassi, Level III Shioko ...... 23 Wesley Gulley, Level 1 My Greatest Day ...... 12 Mina Youssef, Level II Dotcha ...... 23 Klo Kone Level I Living in the U .S ...... 13 Ruslan Mukhitov Level II My Daughter ...... 23 Hanan Lamdak, Level I The Day I Left Africa to Come to the United States...... 14 Abby Cynthia Epse Fofana, Level II Dong ...... 23 Jing Liu, Level I My Angel ...... 24 Identity Fatih Olgac, Level I My Personality...... 16 My Husband ...... 24 Nadiia Grygorieva, Level I Hongying Rong, Level I My Complex Personality ...... 16 My Soulmate ...... 24 Madina Umarova, Level I Elizaveta Shamailov, Level I My Personality...... 16 My Son ...... 25 Yolenny Vasquez Nigora Yulchieva, Level I My Actual and Ideal Selves ...... 17 My Husband ...... 25 Simona Petrut, Level III Rayyona Yusupova, Level I My Actual and Ideal Selves ...... 18 My Favorite People ...... 25 Ján Čižmár, Level III Kadiata A . Djigo, Level II My Actual and Ideal Selves ...... 19 My Father’s Example ...... 26 Yaryna Proniv, Level III Pwe So, Level II
6 ESL Voices 7 Special Times and Places Life’s Lessons House of Legends ...... 28 Experiences That Taught Me to Overcome a Fear ...... 44 Zoriana Stakhovych, Basic Level Mishael Almowayna, Level III The Dining Room in My Grandparents’ House ...... 28 What Scares Me ...... 45 Sergey Em, Level II Slavia Pantelejic Level II My Grandfather’s Grain Storage Building ...... 29 Hadia Fany, Level II High School Basketball Tournament ...... 30 Poetry Vahe Dervishyan, Level II If Only We Were Birds ...... 48 My Beautiful Back Yard ...... 31 Janine Wazni, Level III Saleh Abdulrahman, Level II Memorable Day of My Life ...... 32 Rabin Gurung, Level II Positive Aspects My Grandmother’s Garden House ...... 33 My Life is Beautiful ...... 50 Oksana Chernykh, Level II Valentyna Skulinets, Basic Level The Town River ...... 34 Positive Aspects of My Life ...... 50 Moussa Doumouya, Level II Dina Valko, Level III Vegh’s Mansion Garden and Park ...... 34 Renata Molnar, Level II Opinion Memorable Day ...... 35 Aram Ohanian, Level II Dogs Need Our Help ...... 52 Naomi Ulmenstine President`s Election in My Country ...... 37 Sergey Em, Level I My Special Place ...... 37 Iryna Perepelkina, Level, II My Special Day ...... 38 Aleksandra Sviridova Level II New Year 2017 ...... 39 Stanislau Yakubouski, Level II Unusual Christmas ...... 40 Ivon Zapata Manrique, Level II Tornado ...... 42 Yara Slaibi, Level II
8 9 this food and this, probably you cannot find the same food in America’ and our luggage was very heavy . My husband and I were ready for to go . The car was waiting outside at around 10:30 a .m . My husband put the bags in car . Then we needed to leave from home, but my mother-in-law said ‘I am going to came with you to Istanbul’ . We did not say anything to her because she was not going to leave us . While she was getting ready to go, we said goodbye to our neighbors . Some of our relatives waited with water to throw on the ground because we believe this means I hope you go quickly and you came back quickly . That was the very busy morning . In the afternoon, we continued to travel and were surprised . Our travel started, and we A New Life arrived 4 hours later to Istanbul . Normally, Sakarya (my hometown) to Istanbul is two and a half hours, but wintertime travel is not easy . All the way, I just slept . When we arrived at the airport, we learned our flight was delayed because the weather was very windy . My mother-in-law was not sad about the delay . We were sad because we had seven big pieces The Best Day of My Life of luggage . My mother-in-law called her sister . Her sister was living in Istanbul . Then, Kalunga Kalonda, Level II she invited us to her home, and we went to her house . She was very happy because she Democratic Republic of Congo had invited us to her house before . We said we did not have time . She prepared lunch for The day that I came to America was the best day in my life . That was a special day that us, and we ate lunch together . My mom called me and I said our flight was delayed until I will never forget . It is not easy . When you don’t have money, life in Africa is very hard, tomorrow . My mom and my father wanted to came in Istanbul because they wanted to see especially for people who are in refugee camps . There everybody’s dream is to come to us again . I said we are going to leave early the next day, and they did not come to Istanbul . America, Australia, Sweden, Canada, or some other European countries . It is such big luck After we had eaten lunch, we went for a little walk around her street . We talked about how when you see your name on the board or you receive a message that says your name is out Istanbul is a very nice and big city . While we walked, we saw a baklava store and bought to go to America . You feel like all the world is yours . You feel special because everyone in some baklava . We turned back home and I made Turkish tea . While we drank the tea, my Africa is dreaming to come . You know in America you may be somebody who hardly ever husband’s cousins came to their mom’s house . They brought a gift for us . The afternoon’s went to school but you can find work that is at your level . In America, school is free for delayed flight, lunch and walk in Istanbul made it a surprising afternoon . children, and you can work and have your own money to do whatever you want . So, the Lastly, the evening was sad and more exciting . My husband and her cousins talked best day in my life was the one I came to the USA because it was not easy for me to reach about their childhood . They were really happy in their childhood . While we were talking, here . my husband’s aunt prepared our room . We said thank you and we slept . We left from her home at 5:00 a .m . We slept quickly because we were very tired . After that, my mother-in- law came to our room and called us . While we were sleeping, they were not asleep . We Leave from Hometown woke up and ate breakfast quickly . We thanked my husband’s aunt for everything . After Elif Kayretli, Level II the taxi came, and we left her house . It was hard because they cried a lot . I was so sad but Turkey very excited . All in all, leaving from my hometown was super upsetting and very exciting . The first time I came to America, December 28, 2010 was an exciting and really sad day . In the morning, I woke up at around 6:30 a .m . I went to the bathroom and washed my face . I wanted to still be asleep because I had fallen asleep that same morning around Moments That Changed My Life Substantially 4:00 a .m . I prepared my luggage . I continued to prepare the bags, and then I took a Jean-Marc Kouassi, Level III shower . I keep going to our luggage . I smelled food, then I checked my husband . He was Ivory Coast not sleeping in his bed . I opened my bedroom door and I smelled the nice food smells People’s lives change constantly . We are born, grow up, and things happen in our lives more strongly . I called my husband but he did not hear me . After that, when I entered the in many circumstances in both bad or good ways . Our lives change as a result of these kitchen, I saw my husband and my mother-in-law . They prepared breakfast for us . My events . My life has been changed too in many ways . Two moments more than any others mother-in-law prepared all her nice food . I joined them, and we setup the breakfast table . have substantially changed the direction of my life . Everybody woke up at 7:00 a .m . We enjoyed eating breakfast, but everybody was sad . The first event that changed my life is when I left my country to come to the United When breakfast was done, we prepared some food because I am a picky about food . After States two years ago . I used to live with my parents and siblings . I am from a big family that, we checked the weight of our luggage again . My mother-in-law said ‘Elif you can take
10 ESL Voices A New Life 11 of seven kids, and I have a lot of friends . I was always surrounded by people . I loved my consecutive year I applied for emigration to America . After my workmate checked my life . I was very happy especially during feasts or any festive celebrations . I am the fifth number by website he said “You should give me one million dollars!” I knew what this child, so I could get anything I wanted from my parents or my older sisters or brothers . mean . I was shocked for a minute . After a while, I said “don’t kid me about this please ”. I did not have to work or pay for anything . I was just going to school . I left my entire “Come check . I am opening the immigration website now and is written ‘has been family, relatives and friends to go to an unknown destination, a different continent, and selected’” he said . When I went to his computer and looked at the website, I was like a a different country . In the U .S ., life was completely different . Nothing was the same like man who found treasure . For a few seconds, I was jumping happy . Soon my dream would in my home country . Everything was different: the language, culture, habits, manners, be true . Next, I called my mother to tell her . She was so happy for me . Later, I made a big people, life style, mentality, and climate . All these changes bewildered me . I was shocked party with my family . Now I am here in the greatest country in the world . Finally, I am a and was skeptical about fitting into my new life . Living on my own was a terrible free person in a free country . No one can describe the feelings of someone who was living experience because I had not experienced that before . I had to do and pay for everything oppressed in his own country then moved to a free country . God bless America . by myself . I was living a lonely life, had no friends, and had nobody to talk with . I was homesick . I missed my family and friends a lot . My first year in the USA was the most terrible part of the process of the transitioning to my new life . However, after a while life Living in the U.S. become easier . I started to make friends and to feel as a part of the society . Ruslan Mukhitov Level II Russia The second moment who transform my life is when I got married last year . At this moment I knew I became someone else . I was not the same person I used to be . I became There are several advantages to living in the U .S . The first of advantage is great a mature, responsible and respectable man . Being a husband means a lot . I cannot do opportunities . In this country, everyone has an equal chance to become who they want to what I used to do when I was younger and single . When I was single and living by myself be . Everyone can reach their goal in career or business by working hard and using their life was different . I was doing whatever I want . For example I could go out and come talents . For example, Sergey Brin is a founder of Google . He was born in another country home late, bring friends over my place to spend the night, throw little parties at my place . and emigrated to the U .S .A . with his parents . His family was ordinary people, but Sergey’s I drank a lot as well . My apartment was a mess because I did not really take care of it . talents and creative work allowed him to change the world . A second advantage is the Everything was everywhere! I did not wash dishes because I do not like to . I do not know respectful attitude people have to each other . Most people living in the United States are how to cook very well, so I was eating out a lot . Also I was extravagant and not mature very kind and friendly . You always get a smile from them . Furthermore, people always ask enough to save up some money . Now I am married, so everything has changed . I have you how are you doing . People in America have a tolerant attitude to other nationalities, responsibilities: taking care of my wife, making sure she has everything she wants, being to different points of view from each other or different beliefs . Nobody will chase you if there for her at any moment, paying bills . Everything I do is not about myself anymore you have a different belief or nationality . That’s why the character of Grandma in Lost but about my wife and me . I have stopped going out and coming home late, drinking a lot, in Yonkers moved to the U .S .A . from Germany . A third advantage to living in the U .S . is throwing parties at my place . I make sure my apartment is clean and neat . I vacuum, mop high standard of living . If you work hard, you can afford a lot of material goods, such as the kitchen floor and clean the bathroom every two weeks . My wife cooks for me, washes a house, an excellent car, and travel . In other words, anyone can have a quality life if he the dishes and does the laundry . We opened our saving account and try to be economical makes efforts for this . If we make a comparison with Russia, many things aren’t accessible to save more money . Furthermore, we have a baby on his way so life will be more different for people if you aren’t rich . In Russia, ordinary workers cannot afford a house or good car . and challenging . I am very excited about it! I will be a great father . The economy in the United States is very developed and the ratio of salaries to prices is adequate . Moreover, the United States has a developed infrastructure . There are excellent So as you can see, these two significant events have reorganized my life totally . I know roads, many shops and malls, and a developed service sector in the country . Last of all for sure my life will keep changing like everybody’s life . Life is continuously changing, the advantages to living in the U .S . is the beautiful and different natural environment . The so changes will happen in our lives no matter what . We just have to be prepared for any United States has a great variety of landscapes . America is a big country and each state changes and be strong enough to deal with them . has its own type of nature even if they are located near each other . When you travel by car across the U .S .A ., you enjoy this beautiful spectacle . The landscape between states changes My Greatest Day very significantly . Also, there are a lot of parks and nature preserves in the United States . People have created in this country great conditions for traveling and visiting great natural Mina Youssef, Level II places . These above advantages show us that the U .S .A . is great place for living . Egypt On the other hand, we have to consider a couple of disadvantages to living in the U .S . I always dreamed about immigration to America . I remember the day when I learned I First of all, there is high level of crime in the United States . Every day a lot of crimes was acceptable to come to America . First, I went to my work with my case number paper . happen in this country . You can’t feel safe in disadvantaged neighborhoods even in Then I asked my workmate if he could check my case number . This year it was the eight
12 ESL Voices A New Life 13 daylight . Many people don’t have a job for many reasons, so they resort to committing faces . It was very sad and hard for me to leave my loved ones . I hugged all my brothers . a crime to get money . There is a big amount of legal and illegal weapons in the hands I told them I love them . I heart on an airport speaker my flight numbers . My mom told of the population . And people use weapons not in purpose . Weapons often get into the me immediately to go . She was scared that I miss my plane . I took the departure door hands of bad people . Another disadvantage is expensive medical care . If you have a health with a pain in my heart . I stopped to look behind me . I saw my mom, and I started crying insurance, it doesn’t mean that you will get medical care when you get a serious disease slowly when suddenly a young lady interrupted me . She asked me if it was my first time because the health insurance system is unclear . Many people go bankrupt because they travelling . I told her that it was the first time for me to leave my family . And she asked me can’t pay big hospital bills . There are some negative things for living in the U .S . To sum up, where I was going . I told her Ohio in the United States . She told that she was also going to we have advantages living in the U .S . and some disadvantages living in the U .S . the United States . Her name was Rebecca . Rebecca and I discussed a lot during the flight . That made me comfortable and happy . The flight took me about 1 day . I finally reached Ohio on March 14th, 2015 . It was a much nicer trip than what I expected . The Day I Left Africa to Come to the United States Abby Cynthia Epse Fofana, Level II Ivory Coast The goodbye day, April 13, 2015 was a sad day and the happiest day for me . I planned my last day in Africa in three steps . In the morning, I woke up at 5:05 a .m ., early as usual, because it was my first time taking the plane and leaving my parents and loved ones . I was thinking too much . That made me nervous . I cleaned the house as usual at 7:00 a .m . with my sister . After cleaning, my sister, two brothers and my mom shared a breakfast with me . My mom cooked some eggs and sausage for breakfast . After we had eaten, I helped my sister with the dishes . My mom asked me about what she should cook for my last lunch with them . I told her to cook whatever everyone will appreciate and eat . She finally decided to cook some potatoes and fried chicken . My family and I ate the lunch at noon . When we were done with the lunch and dishes, I went for a small nap . My afternoon was full of stress and pressure . When I awoke at 1:45 p .m ., I started checking all my three suitcases to make sure that everything was okay . I took my hand bag which contained my passport and vaccination notebook and everything was okay . I took my second bag which contained some food, medicines and all I needed . This was okay too . Then I took my big suitcase with my clothes, jewelry, and some towels and linens . Everything was okay . After all my verifications, I called some of my closer friends and other family members to tell them about my going to America . I also asked for their prayers and blessings . My family members and close friends were very sad and also happy for me . Some of my friends and family members who had already travelled gave me a lot of advice . When I finished with all my calls, all my brothers and sisters said some prayers for me in my mom’s presence . My last evening at home with my parents was both a little bit sad and happy . After a prayer with all my brothers, my mum and I talked for a while . Then at 6:00 p .m ., my mom told me that it was time for me to leave because my plane was at 8:15 p .m . I did not want to miss my plane . My family and I left the family house around 6:30 p .m . to go to the airport . Our house was not far from the airport: about 14 minutes . When we arrived at the airport, I first went to check my ticket and passport . All my travelling papers were okay according to the teller who received me at the checkpoint . Then I went to check my suitcases . After I finished with my suitcases, it was a time for me to say goodbye to my parents . I couldn’t look at my mom’s face . She was crying . I give my mom a hug . I was in her arms for about 2 minutes . I was also crying when I saw my sister and my two brothers’
14 ESL Voices A New Life 15 all my effort into something . It depends on the situation because sometimes I think that I can’t do more, but then I feel confident again . I’m positive because I have the support of my family, and this is very important for me . In conclusion, I always
My Actual and Ideal Selves Simona Petrut, Level III Romania I have a wonderful family . My family is my balance in life, and I hope it will always be . Identity Also, it is the main factor that counts when I make a decision . I feel fulfilled from this point of view; however, my introspective thinking makes me realize that are several areas in my current situation that differ from my ideal future: education, finances and emotions . The first area in which my actual and ideal selves differ is education . My goal is to My Personality continue my studies in English and to be capable of expressing myself in this language Nadiia Grygorieva, Level I like in my native language . I want to play with words and their meaning, to enjoy a Belarus conversation, and to argue my opinions about a certain subject; moreover, I want to My personality is complex . In one day I can feel different emotions . I can be happy 20 have a job where the main instruments for realizing duties and obtaining results is the minutes, and after that I can be angry . Sometimes I am nervous especially when I give language and communication . For example, I am interested in communication and how somebody important documents or when my kids don’t feel good or when they are ill . I information is disseminated . It is very interesting to discover the power of the words in am nervous when I see that my situation or the situation of my family is bad or we must changing the meaning and perception about a certain action or news . go on vacation (because I am afraid to forget something) . Sometimes I cannot control Another area in which my actual and ideal selves differ is finances . Like words, money these emotions but I don’t feel good when I feel shy . All my emotions such as nervousness gives me power of decision and is a good instrument to realize my goals . Also, money is and shyness, but I feel positive . I always smile and people don’t know if I am nervous or important for me because it assures financial stability and comfort . When I am worried happy, but inside me I feel different emotionally . In conclusion, I feel more positive than about daily life, I cannot focus on important aspects, like having free time for my family, shy and nervous . learning something new, or offering my help for people who are in need . Furthermore, I dream of traveling and exploring places with sunny days, turquoise water, and white sand . My Complex Personality My plan is to live near the water because I want to see its beauty every day, to feel the breeze in my hair, and to smell the salty air . Madina Umarova, Level I Uzbekistan The third area in which my actual and ideal selves differ is emotions because I believe that these help me to be a better person . I like to let my feelings free and to use My personality is complex . I am very happy because I have a family and two wonderful my creativity; still, I want to control them for a confident self . I am concerned about kids . Sometimes, I am funny if I play with my kids . I can look some animals for my developing a positive behavior and a peaceful relation with people and working as a team; children . For example, I say, “Wuf, wuf” - this is a dog, “Moo, moo” - this is a cow . That’s as a result, I try to evaluate my thoughts and actions to find the way and to accomplish my funny . At the College, I am talkative . I like to talk with my classmates about everything . desire . Being a good example is like being a good leader; it has the same result, and it is Sometimes, I will stay angry when I hear bad news or my kids stay very noisy . In the way that I want to accomplish my ideal . conclusion, I am a complete person . In conclusion, education, finances, and emotions are several aspects which I would like to develop . My ideal self is to have a balance between these important aspects; however, My Personality they will become ideal some day . For that reason, I always try to learn and explore more in Yolenny Vasquez education and to be aware of my emotions and finances . Dominican Republic My personality is very confident . I feel very confident about myself . When I want something, I always go for it . A good example is my English . I know that I will learns English because I feel positive . That’s why I practice English because it is important put 16 ESL Voices Identity 17 My Actual and Ideal Selves My Actual and Ideal Selves Ján Čižmár, Level III Yaryna Proniv, Level III Slovakia Ukraine I would be mistaken if I said that I am perfect . Frankly, I could infinitely count my Sometimes real life differs from our dreams, from that ideal picture of our life we keep mistaken reactions or bad deeds . Not rarely I had to take a deep breath, but not because of in our minds . The health, the success, the comfort, and the maintenance of our minds at an actual situation, because of my own impatience, stubbornness and laziness . In spite of peace are the goals that people always strive to achieve . I have the same problem to deal that, I know that I am not desperate and I never give up . Why? I have a few strong pillars with . My actual and ideal selves differ in several areas: adventure, entertainment and that hold and support my life . Without those pillars, my life would have been maybe family . ruined years ago . My actual and ideal selves differ in a several areas: family, religion and The first area in which my actual and ideal selves differ is adventure . Cleveland personality . downtown has a lot of good places to visit . Cleveland Public Library, the Museum of Arts, The first area in which my actual and ideal selves differ is family . My marriage was the the Museum of Natural History are the best places to spend time during the weekends . beginning of this way and having children the next step, but this is still just the beginning . Summer time gives my family more opportunity to travel . Last summer, almost every We would like to raise our children, not only to see them based, but also to see them base weekend we chose a different place to go in Cleveland area . We visited a lot of waterfalls, on a good path . For me to raise children does not mean only to feed or dress them but including Niagara Falls; we saw and walked a lot of parks; we visited Columbus and also to teach them the right way . This is to help them to develop the right attitude to life, Pittsburg . We did it to not stay at home, to not be bored . My ideal plan of adventure is to honor people and be respectful . As we cannot stand on the start line for the marathon travel to Europe every summer, to visit the capitals of all European countries, and to live unprepared for the run, so we cannot enter life without the important principals of faith, for a couple months in some of them; for example, I dream of renting an apartment in the love and honesty . Otherwise, life could be a disaster . Also to help our children to help attic of an old building in Paris, Oslo or Amsterdam . their own family is very important . Entertainment is the second area in which my actual and ideal selves differ . Four days The second and very important area in which my actual and ideal selves differ is a week my husband is not home because of his work, so my children have just me as a religion . This is the area where no one can be satisfied with his spiritual effort and level . parent . It is not easy to stay with two children . They need my help with everything: food, Maybe we could liken the spiritual life to school studying . If any student is fully satisfied homework, even games . In the mornings, they go to school and I go to college . In the with his knowledge and studying results, he can probably cease in his effort and stop in afternoons, I meet them after school and we study together, we eat together and we have progress . It is good if we have good results in our faith, but we must not cease in our effort . fun together . Our entertainment is defined by their age limits . Since I try to limit my Therefore, the faith or religion is an all-life sacrifice: prayers every day, spiritual effort, or children’s access to the electronic devices, the choice of their entertainment is divided fasting . These weapons are very powerful and can help us face life . I am far from an ideal between playing table games, reading books aloud, or watching films . Sometimes, when spiritual life, but this knowledge does not demotivate me . On the contrary, it inspires me all three of us do not have a lot of homework, we can go to the movie theatre; often, we to work harder . Very significant help and inspiration is the reading of spiritual books . The do this on Tuesdays, when the Cinemark of Strongsville Mall has a discount day . I like lives of saints and their advice are like a “manual guide” for life . The result of spiritual life spending time with my children, but my ideal entertainment image is a little bit different . is to become more humble . I would like to go to Play House or Severance Hall every Thursday with my husband, well dressed and with fancy hairstyle, and with no children; or to a night club every Saturday Another area that is connected to previous areas in which my actual and ideal selves night with my friends to dance and drink something other than milk . differ is personality . I could apply the same formula for personality as for religion or education . In my opinion, we should not be absolutely satisfied with our personality . I am The third area in which my actual and ideal selves differ is my family . As I mentioned not implying that people should be desperate about themselves or complain, but to say, in the previous paragraph, my husband is not home four days a week . This is the worst “I am doing great, and I do not need improvement,” could be counter-productive for us . fact of my real life . He works as a truck driver; he delivers loads to the east of the USA . He In my life, I have discovered that I need to work on my patience, my extroversion and my earns good money, so I do not have to work and can study . This is the best aspect of my humbleness . That means listening more than speaking . life . I am grateful to have such a good husband, but my ideal picture of family life includes my husband’s everyday presence . In conclusion my actual and ideal selves differ in several ideas: family, religion and personality . They all are connected with each other, and they all must cooperate together . To summarize, adventure, entertainment and family are the areas in which my actual I cannot improve my personality without religion; I also cannot lead good spiritual life and ideal selves differ . Once I read about an interesting mental technique according which without good family life . To improve my selves means to eagerly work on all of them we have to imagine our future life with the smallest details, and with the run of the time together . we will reach our dreams . I hope my dreams come true .
18 ESL Voices Identity 19 all native to various regions of Africa . Also some of our American friends were there . It was also the occasion for hangout . Everybody was happy to be there . In the schedule we had meeting, eating, and dance . For food there was the braised sheep, the braised chicken, the fried plantain, and the Ivoirian favorite meal cassava couscous . For drink we had fresh water, soda, and beer . We did not have wine because most people at the BBQ didn’t like wine . At 4pm we finished talking we started to eat, everybody at the BBQ agree in a hurry to eat because we were all very hungry and the food smelled good . Women were in charge of serving food . For all Africans at the BBQ, the food tasted very good but for our American friends it was real spicy, so they had problems eating it . But finally everybody Cultures agree satisfied and we started dancing to African music, but our American guest couldn’t dance well . They sat down and took pleasure in watching us dance . and Customs Zeppelins Darius Tuskenis, Level I Lithuania Different People Lithuanian people really like a dish from potatoes . That’s Zeppelins . Are Zeppelins the Oksana Chernykh, Level I Lithuanian national dish . Zeppelins are a meal usually from grated potatoes, sometimes Ukraine from boiled grated potatoes . Inside you can put some meat, some mushrooms or curd . I would like to tell you about the difference between American and Ukrainian people . It My family also like zeppelins, and we make them with joy and all our hearts . However, is not very easy to explain, but I will try . I came to the U .S . when I was 30 years old . I felt it’s not easy to make them . We often boil Zeppelins in the first week of summer, when that I was not like Americans . Of course, a big part of my life I lived in another culture . we celebrate my birthday party . A lot friends comes who help make this dish . This job The first thing that I noticed in the U .S is that people always smile . I don’t want to say that need a lot hands . One group of people peel potatoes, a second group of peoples grated it, it is bad, but it was not usual . It doesn’t matter where you can see people, on street, in a the next group off people make ingredients which need to fill the potatoes . Sometimes store, everybody smiles and says, “Have a good day” . You can’t often hear it in Ukraine, we make joke, and one zeppelin made without anything inside . Someone get it, and it’s a because people are more serious, and they don’t smile without a reason . I think it is really surprise . Then we put all zeppelins in big pots and begin to boil . While boiling zeppelins, sad . The second thing is that American people are more politely then my compatriots . people from babies to adults go to our swimming pool . That same day is the opening of My opinion is it is because Americans get used to wearing a mask . I mean it is not always swimming season . Other people cook shish kabab . When we finished boiling zeppelins, all good to show people you really think . Maybe it is right . But for Ukrainians to tell the the friends sit around tables in my backyard . We begin eating a delicious meal with sour truth is the most important, and it doesn’t matter what others think about you . I guess it cream, chopped bacon, and drink my beautiful home brewed beer . We enjoy our work . is because our people are more emotional, and they can’t hide their feelings . It is bad, but sometimes this is very useful . The third thing is welcoming guests . In my native country, you can go to visit your friends without an invitation any time, but in the U .S . you can’t do it . First you have to call before you are going to visit somebody . Of course I can enumerate endlessly what is different between Ukraine and USA, but I don’t think that it is really needed . I love them both . I understand that each country has its own culture; I’m sure that each of them can learn something from one another .
African Summer BBQ Kouassi Goli, Level I Ivory Coast Last year, our African community organized a little BBQ in summer . We wanted to enjoy the good weather for summer . Many Africans living in Cleveland were present,
20 ESL Voices Cultures and Customs 21 Shioko Wesley Gulley, Level 1 Japan Shioko is my special friend . Shioko is not his real name . It is his pen name . Long ago, Shioko had a pen name called “Zaemon” . But now, he is “Shioko” . First, Shioko is very kind . He always talks to everyone kindly . I never saw him not kind . Second, he does a lot of things on YouTube . For example, he makes music, makes original stories, and makes games live . He makes music a lot . He creates original stories with the music he makes . He Special People uploads these three things – stories, music and games . Finally, Shioko is a hard worker . Shioko always does a lot of things while he thinks, “What should I do to make good things?” I hope he becomes a famous worker . Shioko is a very good friend .
Israel Taregue Dotcha Hortense Ahizi Level 1 Klo Kone Level I Ivory Coast Ivory Coast Israel Taregue is a wonderful son . He always is a good person because he loves Dotcha Kone is a special person in my life . He loves my family . He participates to everybody . He is friendly with other children . My son is extremely good because he learns all ceremonies that we organize in my family . On every occasion he brings gifts . He is very quickly . He always has good grades . He also asks good questions all the time . For doing us great service . He is shopping for us . He is fixing my husband’s car for free . He example, “Mum, why are you sad today?” He likes to ask for something before he takes makes me laugh every day . He texts me ten jokes a day . He usually tells funny stories and it . “Please Mum, I want to drink this milk ”. He likes to study a long time .He often draws makes faces . He is an amusing friend . He likes celebrations . Always he invites us for the some animals and he asks me to give the names of them . He wants to learn everything . barbecue . Sometimes he puts on clown’s clothes and amuses my children and me . Dotcha His life is like an adult . Israel Taregue is my wonderful son . is an important man in my life .
My Mom’s Personality My Daughter Mechelee Torres, Level I Hanan Lamdak, Level I Puerto Rico Morocco My mom’s personality is complex . She is very serious, but it doesn’t mean that she My daughter is special . She is funny because she tells me funny stories and she makes is a bad person . My mom sometimes is strict with me . It’s really hard because I don’t me laugh . She is beautiful . She usually plays games and watches TV . She likes to go outside understand why but I love the way she is . Now that I grow up I know everything she and jump or walk in the park . Sometimes she makes trouble a lot at home and she cries a does for me and my sisters . She works very hard to give us what we need . Sometimes she lot After if she finds nothing wrong, she stops . She is friendly and she is my life, because I doesn’t eat to give us food . That time is now in the past, now she is a different person . do not have any family in Cleveland . I like her because she is my daughter . She is special Every day she supports me . She always worried about us, she is very protective . She is in my life . like a tiger if somebody tries to hurt me or my sisters, she comes to defend us . She has a gentle heart and sometimes when people talk to her, they need to be careful because they can hurt her . I love my mom the way she is . It’s doesn’t matter what people say about Dong her because they’re a lot of people who envy her . In conclusion, my mother is a complex Jing Liu, Level I person . China Dong is my husband who is a good man . He always has a smile face . He is not tall . I have known him since I studied in middle school . We got married 17 years ago . He loves our family very much . He found a building materials company after we got married . He always works hard . He is very kind and very honest with his employees . He likes sports .
22 ESL Voices Special People 23 Some examples are golf and Taiji . Sometimes he and I like to take a walk in the park . My to me .He always stays with me . We really love each other and we want a big family .We husband is a wonderful man . are a very friendly couple and we talk a lot about everything and our future life . I love him to the moon and back . He is my soulmate . My Angel Fatih Olgac, Level I My Son Turkey (Kurdish) Nigora Yulchieva, Level I My mother is the important person in my life . She is a friendly person, because she Uzbekistan talks with everyone .She is a strong person, because she has 8 children and she raised Imran is a special child . Imran is my youngest baby . I had my youngest child ten us with the perfect traditions . She is helpful . She always helps people when she can . My years, after my daughter . That is why Imran is my lovely and sweetheart baby . Now he mother is special in my life and she always will hold us every time and I think she will is two years old . He has a lot of energy . He tries to speak and explain something in very help us all the time . My mother likes to cook traditional and special food . She cooks interesting ways . He is a funny baby . He does not sleep well . He loves to kick a ball . He Kaburga dolmasi .We eat kaburga when we have holidays . Also she helps my niece when likes to run and walk around . He is very friendly and always plays on the playground with she is crying because she is a baby . She always cleans our home and makes food . She other kids . Imran is a unique and important baby in my life . usually cooks very delicious food . My mother is very special to me . My Husband My Husband Rayyona Yusupova, Level I Hongying Rong, Level I Uzbekistan China Abdull is a lovely person . He is taking care of our family all the time He. teaches me with I admire my husband . He is an excellent person . He loves me from the bottom of his patience if I don’t know something . Sometimes he takes me to a coffee house and we enjoy heart . the trip . I love him so much . I want to make him happy . He is trying to make us happy and also always wants us to be friends . He is a truck driver . My children and I always wait for He always helps me to do my favorite things . He gave me a lot of good ideas . He is a very him to come home after long times . Abdul and I are growing our lovely kids and trying good son, because he respects his parents and takes care of them . His mom had cancer . He best to make them good people . He is a unique and important person in my life . I can live tried his best to help his mom . He gave her the best care and everyday he said hello to his without him . Abdull is a handsome special person . mom . He is a nice father . Because his business is in China, he is not with us in America . He cares about his son a lot . He calls every day . He does not only tell him to study hard, but also to become a better person . When he has free time, he always comes here to spend time with us . He is my son’s role model . He is a very kind person . When he started his My Favorite People Kadiata A. Djigo, Level II own business, he did not have lots of money . I remember that one employee was sick . He Senegal visited him at home . That employee’s mom was sick too . He gave them some money . These days, my husband helps a lot of poor people . I am very lucky . I have a good husband . I My favorite people are my mom and dad . I love my parents because they are hard admire him . We love him very much . workers . They have taught me so much about life . My parents have shown me how to be a decent person and a hard worker . They brought me to the U .S .A, put me in school, and supported me in many ways . They make sure I am doing the right things, making good My Soulmate decisions, and following the right path . They guide me and give advice . Not only did Elizaveta Shamailov, Level I they give me a life, they also love and care about me . They feed me and clothe me . They Russia taught me how to cook, clean, wash clothes with my hands, and take care of my siblings and myself . I am what I am today because of them . This is the greatest gift that God gave My husband Ben is the love of my life, because he is an important person in my life . me . I love them . They inspire me so much . One day I would like to be like them and Ben is very kind and helpful, because he loves to help people always . He is a hard worker, teach my children the same way they taught me about being a responsible, respected, and because he always works and he is busy from morning to evening every day . He does courageous person . construction . Ben is a genius and very smart . He designed beautiful buildings . He is a great person . Ben is a very handsome man, because he is tall and slim . He has beautiful eyes and hair . He looks like a famous actor Sylvester Stallone . Ben is a very special person 24 ESL Voices Special People 25 My Father’s Example Pwe So, Level II Burma My father provides a good example for his family through his strong work ethic and his moral leadership . He wakes up every morning to go to work on a farm an hour away from his house . When working, he gives everything he’s got . When he gets back home and sees my brothers are fighting, he tells them to make up . He will then tell them the right way to handle their problem . Fighting to solve a problem is not the right way . He feels sad if the boys fight all the time and not talk it out . He would always give us advice when we ask for it . Also, he helps out a lot in our community by giving advice to others . When some of his friends need help with something, he will give them a hand . In addition, my father is a man of God . He reads the Bible every day and shares with us almost every night . I admire him very much for the way he helps others .
26 ESL Voices Special People 27 for us . My grandfather always said that sitting on the floor is good for your health . All of my family members tried to get together twice a month at grandparents` house for some holiday . My aunts brought some delicious dishes and my uncles helped my grandfather to do some housework . My grandmother and my aunts and some children cooked different dishes in the kitchen than we together served the table for dinner in the dining room . After dinner the adults stayed over the table and discussed something . Children prepared some concert . We did some funny the shows and songs and tricks . One time we tried to do some trick . My older brother wanted me to sit down on him and he was sure that he could hold me . It was a mistake . I fell and broke my hand some time later I was fine . My Special Times grandfather preferred to listen to our songs . After the shows my family drank tea with delicious cake and different jams . We heard different funny stories which happened with our parents at work or old stories about my grandfather`s life . He always taught us that and Places we must be friendly and do everything together like the big family also we must help each other . I liked to watch when my grandfather scolded my father and my family relative, it looked funny for children like me it was absurd . My grandfather was the principal person in the family . Also I remember my grandmother, she was very smart woman . She always House of Legends pampered us . She didn’t scold us and her children . Sometimes kids and adults played Zoriana Stakhovych, Basic Level Korean cards in the dining room, I loved this game because it was easy game for children . Ukraine Sometimes my grandmother read book or sang Korean sing in the dining room . I think that I was very happy in this room because we were together, we joked and laughed In Lviv are many interesting restaurants and cafes . One of my favorite restaurants is together, we were friendly . I will never forget about my lovely place in my grandparents` restaurant called “House of Legends ”. This restaurant is located on the Staroievreyska, 48 house . Street . The façade of the house is decorated with a large dragon which produced a flame at 9:24 P .M every day . At the entrance to the restaurant you will meet a sorcerer dressed in a tuxedo and a hat . There is a legend that if you rub his button on a tuxedo then your desires My Grandfather’s Grain Storage Building will be fulfilled . He also tells the oldest legends of Lviv . The restaurant has seven floors . On Hadia Fany, Level II each floor there is a room that has its own legend . There is a room of Lviv cobblestones, a Ivory Coast Room of Sounds, a Room of Lions, a Book Room, a Room of Dragons, a room of Weather . The interior of the restaurant is in the old medieval style . The tables, chairs and benches I want to talk about one place that marked my childhood and is still very special for are wooden with a metal casing . The menu includes traditional Ukrainian and European me: It is my grandfather’s grain storage building . It is in my country, Ivory Coast . More cuisine cooked in the oven . After you visit all the rooms you can climb the roof . There is precisely it is in my village Boundiali, there was no electricity . To keep corn, millet, beans, open terrace where you can drink coffee and see the panorama of the city . Welcome! peanuts or yams after harvest, each family had to build a grain storage building . You can find only this model of storage building in the north of my country . It is specialty of the north in Ivory Coast . Like all the others, my grandfather built it with his own hands The Dining Room in My Grandparents’ House even before the birth of my father . The grain storage building had a cylindrical shape and Sergey Em, Level II included a small opening that was supposed to air the room . There is no door . To store or Kazakhstan remove the food, it was necessary to lift the roof so only adults could do it . My grandpa built it in from the ground and had straw on the roof . He did not paint, it is natural . The The dining room in my grandparents` house was my favorite place in my childhood . straw was not attached to the building so, to store the food, an adult could easily stand on It was the main room in the house . It was a small, dark, wood room which was the first a small stand, remove the straw and have access to the interior of the storage . When you room when you enter home . There were two big windows and the walls and floor of wood . open the storage you smell fresh grain . My grandfather is a farmer . He grows all kinds of The floor of the dining room was hot because the house had an old furnace . The furnace grain in his fields . He cultivates it just for personal consumption, so when he brings those was under the dining room . Also I remember a small round wood table with a white grains back home . My family members come to sort and remove the bad grain, and dry it table cloth . The table stood in the center of the room without chairs . The dining room in the sun, so the grain will keep for as long as possible . During my childhood at the age didn’t have any furniture expect the table . Everyone set on the clear floor . It looked like of 10, I was very curious . I remember an event that happened after the peanut harvest one Japanese style because Korean and Japanese cultures are similar . It was national tradition morning of a weekly market day in my village . That day, while the adults were busy selling 28 ESL Voices Special Times and Places 29 their produce at the market, I slipped through the window into the attic by curiosity but we preferred to order vegetable salads, rice, and organic orange juice . We spent one hour also to eat the peanut . I fell asleep in the attic . When I awoke, I heard my mother’s crying there, and after the lunch we went to the coach’s house . We were there around four o’clock . and the sound of drums announcing the disappearance of a child . Indeed, since the Their coach explained us the tactics we are going to play that night . Coach told the center morning, not having seen me, my mother helped by all the village, searched everywhere player to help me lot and set the screens when I’m going to pass someone because I was throughout the day . And they even though I left with the street vendors who came to the not the best dribbler . Then he told me that I probably will not to play almost whole 3rd market . My uncles even went to look for me in the neighboring villages . Nobody thought quarter because he wants to see me fresh in the 4th quarter . In the 4th quarter, he will I could be in the storage because it was closed . And when I awake, hearing the drums, I remove me from the point guard position to my real position as shooting guard . Our realized that something was happening in the village . Yet, prisoner in the storage, I did power forward was a really strong guy with big muscles, and he will cover the opponent’s not know how to come out . And I started crying and screaming but with all the noises, shooting guard because he was a great shooter . Then coach said our center player will no one heard me . I stayed all night . It was only in the morning when my grandfather had cover the opponent’s power forward . Because I was 6 feet tall, and he was 5 .11, I’m going come to get the food to give to the women for cooking that he saw me . He shouted with to cover the center player . It was a little bit of mixed tactics, but we were sure that’s going joy and the whole family found themselves around me, relieved that I was not lost . Since to work . We stayed in the coach’s house until one hour before the game . I have never been that day, I have not dare go to play in the storage building . Since that day in remembrance that much focused especially in that afternoon . at this event, my grandfather and the old men of the village call me “the daughter of the In the evening, before the game, we prayed together, and I was sure that will help us storage ”. My grandfather passed away last year while I was here in the United States, but to win the game . At 7:50 p .m ., two teams entered the court . There were almost 400 fans I remember that day when he was my hero, freeing me from his storage building prison . in the court . At 8:00 p .m ., referee threw the ball, and we started the game . The first and Whenever I have the opportunity to go to the village, I visit this storage as a special place second quarters were not so interesting, and it ended 47 to 49 in favor of our opponents . that marked my childhood . I felt really uncomfortable in the point guard position, but I took a couple jump shots and made 13 points . I made a one free throw, two threes, and three two point shots . Following coach’s tactics, in the third quarter, I played just for one minute . In the beginning of the High School Basketball Tournament fourth quarter, we were down 69 to 76, and coach moved me to my familiar shooting First Place Prizewinner guard position . It was my time, and I had to make a lot of three points . I made four three Vahe Dervishyan, Level II points in the fourth quarter . Score was 87:87 in the last 22 seconds of the game . We had Armenia to score in the last seconds for the win or go into overtime . In the last two seconds of the May 22, 2014 was the finals of the basketball tournament between high schools in game, my teammate gave me the ball for the last shot . I missed the shot, but fortunately capital of Armenia, Yerevan . Our team participated in that tournament, and we had during the jump shot, the opponent touched my hand . I had two free throws . If I made to work so hard for the triumph . That day, I tried to be focused and motivated . In the just one free throw of two, we will win . Pressure was big from the opponent’s fans . They morning, I awoke at about 6 a .m ., brushed my teeth, took a shower, had a small breakfast, started booing and screaming loudly to distract me, so I missed the first free throw . Then I and then I went to our high school basketball court . At 7 a .m ., I was the first man who took a deep breath and made a second free throw . Our team won . I was the most valuable entered the court, even before the coach . I took a ball and tried to practice my dribbling . player in the final game with 26 points, 5 assists, and 11 rebounds . At the end of the day, Then I tried to make long shots for three points because I played on a shooting guard I remembered that I prayed, and that really helped me to make the second free throw . position . At 8 a .m ., all my teammates and coach were on the basketball court . Following Every year on May 22, I always remember how our team won the finals of the basketball our coach, we tried to play against each other . During the training time, one of our tournament . players, who was a point guard of our team, got injured . He injured his ankle after landing . It was a big loss for us, and the coach didn’t know who is going to play in that position that night . Because the point guard is the most important player in the game, he didn’t want My Beautiful Back Yard to add someone from our bench . Then coach determined to switch me from the shooting Saleh Abdulrahman, Level II guard position to the point guard position . I told my teammates that I cannot play in Yemen point guard position, and I’m not the best dribbler . I didn’t say that to the coach because My back yard is wonderful place to stay and relax . I love to spend a lot of time there . I respected his decision . We finished our training at 11:30 a .m . That was one of the most There are trees all around it . The yard is wide and very large . It has a really big tree in motivating mornings in my sports career . the middle and under the tree there is a small swing with two chairs . Next to that there In the afternoon, coach preferred keep us together and be more focused . At 1:30 p .m ., is a white table with four chairs . It is nice to sit there because it is shaded even if the sun we had a lunch in one of the best restaurants in Yerevan . Coach told us do not to order shines . Also, we have a small shed in the back of the yard that we put all the tools of the meat, dessert, or something that hard to digest . That kind of food can affect our play, so yard there, such as trimmer or mower . There are also plants in the yard such as flowers, a
30 ESL Voices Special Times and Places 31 peach tree, tomatoes, apples and green tea plants . I like the green tea because sometime but I didn’t get any serious injuries on my body . This happened to me several times while I carry my cup outside and put the green tea in . I like the taste because it is fresh . In fact, walking down the mountain and to my brother, too . Finally, we crossed the mountain and I go there almost every day . I like to talk to my family, especially my wife, and play with stepped on the land . We still had to walk almost 10 km to get to home . In that duration, my kids . My daughter who is two years old likes to play with the swing . Sometimes she we still had to face more difficult situations . It was still raining, and we had to cross several takes me to push her on the swing . And my son who is one year I just hold him and walk rivers and hills . First of all, it was hard for us to cross the sandy river . The river was full of around the yard . Also, if we have a party or birthday, we usually have it there . In addition, sand, but on rainy days, the sand didn’t let our bicycle tires move . After struggling a half there are some beautiful animals come to the yard, such as rabbits, deer and pretty birds . hour, we made it out of there . Walking through the mountain and crossing rivers in the I love when they come . I like to watch them . Sometimes my wife and I put food leftovers afternoon was difficult . in a special place in the yard that the animals or birds can reach . These days, I take care of The evening was cold and exhausting . At around 6:00 p .m ., we were stuck at the side of the yard by myself because my wife and kids have been travelling . When they come back another river . The running water in the river was really huge, and we couldn’t cross it, so in a few months, my wife and I are going to make the yard more and more beautiful . We we had to stay on the side of the river . It was still raining, and our clothes were totally wet . have already planned for it . The hard work is going to be next summer . We are going to The day was getting darker, and we were freezing . I was thinking, if nobody came to us for get more plants, and we are going to buy good soil for them . The most interesting thing help, we should stay all night there under cover of the tree . Finally, I saw my father and his is we are going to make pretty shapes with different color flowers . One of the shapes I am friend coming toward us . By seeing them, I was so excited and my brother too . We crossed going to make is my wife’s name without telling her I did this until the flowers grow . I the river and headed home . It was approximately 10:00 p .m . when we reached home . For want to make her surprised, and I am going to give them to her as a gift . To conclude, my dinner, we ate fried noodles and went to sleep because we were so tired . All in all, the day terrific back yard is the most important place for me because I can spend my free time in a was unforgettable to me . comfortable way . My Grandmother’s Garden House Memorable Day of My Life Oksana Chernykh, Level II Rabin Gurung, Level II Ukraine Nepal My favorite place in childhood was my grandmother’s garden house . I spent a lot of The day of June 10, 2013 was one of the most memorable days that I ever had . The day time there when I was a little girl, especially in the summer . I called it the “magic garden began with a busy morning . In the morning, I woke up at approximately 4 a m. . and then house” . The place was magic, because I could do there whatever I wanted . This place was went to my brother’s bedroom to see whether he was awake or not . He was already awake outside and had a big table and wide benches on both sides, where our family could have and was taking a shower in bathroom . I headed towards the kitchen, and there I saw my lunch or dinner . Above the table grew grapes which shaded this place from the sunlight . mom was cooking breakfast for me and my brother . Because we were running out of Next to the garden house was a big apple tree . My grandfather planted it . I remember wood, my brother and I had to go to the mountain to collect some wood to cook food . how my cousins and I plucked apples and ate without washing them first . On the left Our grandfather lived on the side of a mountain, so we had to go there and bring some side from the table was my grandmother’s chicken house . There were no more than ten wood to our home . While I was taking a shower, my father awoke and after that my sister chickens . It was a small chicken coop with access to outside and a fence around it . I liked awoke . I headed towards the kitchen to help mom to make breakfast . After I helped mom to feed chickens and collect eggs . But most of all, I loved when my Bubby made the best in the kitchen, I started to collect some bags and rope to tie pieces of wood . When we toast with the fresh eggs for me . I sat on the old bench in the garden house and couldn’t finished eating breakfast, we took our bikes and started riding toward the mountain . We wait to taste my grandmother’s dish . The smell was incredible . Even the neighbors could rode our bikes for twenty minutes and after that we walked . It took approximately three smell it . They were good people . Between the neighbors’ and my grandmother’s houses hours to get to the destination . That was a lot of work I had to in the morning . was a fence which had a door . My grandma and her neighbors could visit each other any My afternoon was complicated . We got to my grandfather’s house at 11:30 a m. . Nobody time without an invitation, even if someone just needed salt . I liked when my family sat at was home when we got there, so we decided to collect some wood in the nearby forest . It the huge wooden table in the garden house . This table could accommodate more than 15 was raining a little and the wood was pretty heavy . We chopped the wood and made pieces people . My grandfather made it by himself . The garden house was really nice place with of firewood that were three feet long . Then we put the wood in a pile and tied the wood a few flaws . First was that this magic place didn’t have a roof . If the weather was bad we with rope . After we were done with packing, we ate lunch while it was raining . We rested had to move to my grandmother’s main house . The second one was mosquitoes . It wasn’t there for a half hour, and we returned to home . We had to carry that bag of wood on our comfortable when they bit us . There were many mosquitoes because near grandmother’s shoulders or on our heads . During the return home, the walkway are rough as well as house was a river . The best thing about garden house were the flowers . They grew in front slippery, which was dangerous for us . Sometimes my foot slipped, and I fell on the ground, of the table . There were many kind of flowers . It was excited . I could look at this flower
32 ESL Voices Special Times and Places 33 patch forever . I miss for the days when I could come to my grandmother’s garden house . park from the main road . The dirt road has a tiny stone bridge that goes across a swampy All and all, the garden house was a wonderful place where I spent a lot of time of my little creek . The creek has water lilies, numerous loud frogs and lots of hungry mosquitos . childhood and which I still keep in my heart . The park entrance is an unfinished soccer field that became a meadow with many wild flowers and mushrooms . In the summer it looks like a colorful bouquet . Around the unfinished soccer field are acacia trees . When they bloom, sweet smell is everywhere . On The Town River the left side is a swampy creek that smells like dirt . On the right side is the bushy, thick Moussa Doumouya, Level II woods . Through the woods are many trails . Some of them are wider, some of them are Ivory Coast really narrow . The old park is on a hill . Therefore, the woods seem like a huge, gigantic In my town the river is the most busy place . It is at the entrance of the town . Everyday a forest . The park has four old, large trees . Four or five people holding hands are not lot of people, men, women and children go to the river for different reasons . Some people enough to embrace them . I can feel the history from these giant trees . As a child, I got go there to laundry, others go fishing and others go to swim . A lot of kids go there to have goosebumps when I saw them . Plenty of birds and animals live in the woods . The air is fun . filled with birdsong and crickets chirping . This place relaxed me every time . There was a fallen tree trunk in the middle of the park . It was like a couch . That was my favorite There is a lot noise, the cries of children, the songs of adults and the cries of pets . I sitting place . I could sit on my trunk couch for hours . Deep in the woods, far from the went every Sunday with my grandmother from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm . She did laundry and mansion, is an old solitary school building . My family is connected in many ways to this I had fun . My grandmother was fifty years old, but she did not look like an old woman . old park . My mother started her first school year there as a student . My great grandfather On Sunday I woke up very early at 5 am . I awoke my sisters and brothers . We helped our was the gardener and landscaper for the whole park . I saw old pictures of his gardening grandmother to carry the bowl . I always went with my fishing rod and my soccer ball . work . The landscaping was an amazingly gorgeous masterpiece . I am very proud of him . When we arrived there I found my friends and we started fishing . We standing in the When I was a child, my father, brother, and I often herded our sheep on the unfinished water to fish . The river was not deep and the adults could cross . There was a lot of rice soccer field . My father told many interesting stories about this place that he heard from his fields around the river . When there are a lot of people, we stopped fishing . My friends grandfather . This place was my favorite escape place . I knew every secret part of it . I will and I went into the water to swim alongside the adults . The river was very long, but always remember this forgotten and unique place in my old country where I spent a big not deep . The water flowed slowly . When it was raining the water ran very fast and the part of my life . children could not go . We were between six and twelve years old . When we were tired of swimming, we went out of the water to eat something . After eating, we had a rest . Then my friends and I went to play soccer . There is different smells, sometimes good, sometime Memorable Day bad . There is anything in the river . Animals go there to drink . Sometime the water got Aram Ohanian, Level II very dirty but we continue to use this water . Our river is the only place of our town Armenia where we can see things and a lot of people together . The landscape is very beautiful and The last day of my vacation in Batumi, Georgia in August 2017 was a very adventurous peaceful . The elderly and young people go there . The women and kids also go there . The day . The day begun approximately at 1:00 p .m . because it was a vacation, and my best pets also go there . The farmers go to their fields next to the river . In conclusion, the town friend, Narek, and I had been sleeping as long as we could . We woke up, looked at each river is most busy because there are anything and a lot of people every day . Everybody other, thought about how wonderful our vacation had been during the last week, and goes there for various reasons . I learned a lot about the river . It’s a place that really marks decided to walk to the beach for the last time . Unexpectedly, we met some of our friends, me . Rob, Mayis and Raz, at the beach . They had come to Batumi for a fencing tournament, and that was their last day, too . After swimming and a lot of fun conversations, we felt that Vegh’s Mansion Garden and Park we were so hungry, so we went to eat something together . We ate traditional Georgian Renata Molnar, Level II food called Khinkali, which is delicious . Then we all decided to drive back to Armenia at Hungary 7:00 p .m ., so we went back to our hotel and packed our clothes . That was what happened at the beginning of this day . In my old village Vereb, I spent a lot of time in a place called Vegh’s Mansion Garden and Park . This place will always be a special and memorable place in my heart . Until The evening continued to be nice . The weather was perfect for a very long ride, and the 1945, every village in Hungary had a mansion with a rich family who owned the land . mood also was great . We had to drive almost 500 miles . Narek and I were in my car and At the end of World War II, the Vegh’s mansion was destroyed by a bomb . When I was a the other guys in the other car . Of course, the hardest part for this homecoming trip was child, the garden and park became overgrown and transformed into woods . It became a the drivers’ job . I was driving my car because Narek is not the best driver, and Rob was mysterious sight . The park is located in the middle of Vereb . A little dirt road goes to the driving the other car . We drove almost 70 miles, and then I got a phone call . It was Rob .
34 ESL Voices Special Times and Places 35 He said that the gas gauge in his car was broken, and that they had run out of gas . Narek President`s Election in My Country and I looked each other and completely together said, “This is not good!” Then we drove Sergey Em, Level I back and gave them the extra gas that I had in my car for this kind of situation . After that, Kazakhstan we continued on our way, but the weather was not good anymore . It was dark already, and it started to rain but not so hard . We were on the 200th mile when I got another phone My country, Kazakhstan, received independence on August 31, 1991 and the first call from Rob . My friend who was sitting shotgun next to me, Narek, was already asleep, President`s election was the 1st of December that year . It was the fastest election; so I said to myself, “Not again!” I picked up the phone, and Rob said to drive back because people couldn`t decide which President they needed . It was a heavy time . People didn`t the belt of engine was broken and that they could not drive without fixing it . But none of know about democracy . They didn`t know how to live next . They always lived under us could not fix it, so Narek, who woke up after this call, and I started to ask people on communism . They never saw another life . The temporary government moved to power . the streets if they knew somewhere that we could fix a car . Almost nobody answered to People didn`t have choices . They knew only one leader, Nazarbayev, because all the our questions because it was 2 a .m ., and we were speaking a foreign language to people . media had spoken only about him . After the President`s election, our President offered Finally, we found someone who could normally speak to us, and he showed us where to change the Constitution . He offered to bring in new sections about Presidential we could find a mechanic . The mechanic worked 30 miles away from us but in a totally elections, such as the President can participate in elections many times and the President different direction . Then we had to find out how to pull Rob’s car because we did not have can hold the post for 7 years . After the first post, people didn`t have another candidate . rope to pull it . Rob and I cut the seat belts out of his car and connected them together . They again selected our President . People didn`t go to the election, but their vote was After producing this strange rope, we started to pull . During this adventure, we did not counted . They lived poor, they didn`t have a job, they were angry . People didn`t believe notice that the rain had started coming down hard . I had never seen such hard rain in my the government . After 14 years, people came to understand the word “democracy” . Some life . When finally we reached the repair shop, we found out that the mechanic was drunk . people gave their opinions about our president and government . We had some opposition He said that he was not going to fix the car in his condition . While we were discussing parties which didn`t agree with the President’s politics . The 3rd election was like a circus about what we should do, the police came . They gave me and Rob tickets costing almost because people understood that their opinion is nothing and their choice is nothing too . 200 dollars for each car for parking in a wrong place, but we didn’t have another choice After 20 years, people didn`t want to change anything, they are used to living thus . Now because it was the only way to park when the one car was pulling the other . For almost people of Kazakhstan don`t want to change the President because we think if we change one hour, the police was creating our tickets, and I spent all of that hour in the police car . the President, we will begin to live again from the first step . We are tired . This is our The police couldn’t create the tickets because our passports were not Georgian, and at democracy; this is our choice . 3 a .m . nobody was answering to their calls . I had no idea what was going on outside of that police car . When the police officers were done with the tickets and let me and Rob to go, we surprisingly found out that the car was fixed . Narek helped the mechanic to do My Special Place that, promising that he would give him another bottle of vodka after fixing the car . After Second Place Prizewinner making sure that everything was okay with my friend’s car, we started to move on, hoping Iryna Perepelkina, Level, II that nothing wouldn’t stop us after all of these problems, even the weather, which was just Ukraine the worst weather for driving . When we stopped at a gas station, Mayis and Raz came to The backyard of my son’s house is my favorite place now . When I visited my son at us laughing and said, “You can’t imagine what else just broke in Rob’s car ”. It was the turn first six years ago, it was an empty yard with a single magnolia tree near the house . The signal switch . Fortunately, at almost 6 a .m ., we reached to Armenian border, and our scary magnolia was beautiful . The old huge tree had roots on the surface of the earth . The tree but the same time extremely interesting night was over . was especially nice in the spring when the gorgeous white-pink flowers cover its branches . But these flowers pleased the eyes not too long . Instead of the flowers, the magnolia’s light In the morning, we were already in Armenia, and I was still driving . We all were very green leaves make a shade tent over the yard for most of growing season . I wanted to make tired and hungry . When we stopped at another gas station, we discussed and decided that a flower bed in his yard, but my visits were not so long to do it . Two years ago, I came to after all of these adventures, we had to have one more day to rest . My grandma’s house is live with my son in his house . Last summer, I made a little flower bed near the house, but in a very small and peaceful village, and no one was living in that house at that time, so my dream was to make a big flower bed on the roots of the old magnolia . I had no seeds of we all decided to go there and stay just one day . This village is perfectly suitable for passive my favorite kinds of marigold because it is impossible to bring any seeds to the U .S .A . At vacation, but we all knew that when all five of us were together, it couldn’t passively rest . the end of the last summer and in the fall, I collected seeds of different sorts of marigolds . However, after one week of a super active vacation, we started our driving for one day I took them from different places: from the flower beds of the Cleveland Botanical of “passive” rest . Overall, for me, it was a perfect vacation with a not perfect, but very Garden, from the neighborhood, even from beautiful parks in Chicago, where we were on memorable last day of vacation despite all of the problems and adventures . Labor Day last year . And now I have a big collection of seeds . In June this year, I began to make a big flower bed on the roots of the old tree . I got soil with compost and made a little
36 ESL Voices Special Times and Places 37 fence around the bed . Then I planted the seeds of wild flowers and my favorite marigolds . put me in a shopping cart and began to roll around the grocery store . People around us I didn’t have any garden in Ukraine because I lived in the center of big town . My mini did not understand what was happening, but everyone was smiling . My father rolled me garden was in flower boxes on my balcony . I cultivated different flowers there, but most in the shopping cart, took food and piled it on me . After approximately forty minutes of all I loved marigolds . Now I have opportunity to make a really big flower garden in the of shopping, we went to the cashier . I was buried in delicious, sweet foods, ice-cream, almost empty backyard . In July, the first yellow, orange, red and even dark brown flowers candies and fish for mom . After we paid for the products, we were approached by the of the marigolds blossomed . Their specific tart odor is especially strong and pleasant after store manager . The manager explained to us that we cannot behave this way in grocery the rain . Marigolds have petals that are velvety to touch and our cats like to touch and stores . It is not safe . We apologized and said that, in fact, we had never done that, just smell them . There are a lot of different birds in our backyard . Their voices sound from today, because we have a special day . When we came home, my mother did not know the the morning to night . Every evening, a family of deer comes to our backyard, but they good news yet . But when we went into the apartment, she saw our faces and understood don’t eat my flowers . The marigolds smell unpleasant to them . Our neighbors try to grow everything without words . She just came up to me, hugged me and cried . She said she was organic vegetables, but “guests,” rabbits and deer, eat tomatoes and zucchini . I told the crying with happiness, and she also did not know how to live without me and will miss neighbors about Ukrainian farmers, who plant marigolds among the vegetables to defend me . My afternoon was filled with laughter and happiness . I really enjoyed it . them from different insects . I advised my neighbors to take seeds from me and to do as Our evening continued with a pleasant dinner with close friends of our family . We the real farmers do . Now our nice neighbor likes to come over our backyard to admire the invited our friends to consult with them, and celebrate the receipt of a visa to America . On colors of the flowers . She is an artist and her evaluation of my work is especially pleasant this important evening, my mother and I cooked a delicious dinner . On our festive table for me . Now our backyard is a nice place not only for me . Every evening after his job, was traditional Russian food . I baked a pie with apples by myself . Our guests came on my son remains there and relaxes . On the weekend, if the weather is good, we sit under time, and we sat at the table . That night we all laughed a lot . Everyone congratulated me the magnolia, near the flowers, have tea or coffee, read and enjoy the birds’ voices . We and said that I am very lucky . Our friends shared their experiences with me and gave me remember our flowers on the balcony in Ukraine . My son usually says, “Mom, you have a lot of good advice . It helped me a lot because they had lived in America, and they knew made here a piece of Ukraine” . how to behave and how to start life in America . Our dinner with friends was very friendly . We all were a little tired, but very happy . This day I will remember forever my life turned My Special Day around 360 degrees . Aleksandra Sviridova Level II Russia New Year 2017 The day I had my interview at the American Embassy, May 21, 2015, changed my life . Stanislau Yakubouski, Level II The day began early in the morning . It was a pleasant, warm spring day . I woke up at 6 Belarus a .m . and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for me and my father . I fried for us eggs New Year 2017 was the one of many beautiful days that I have spent together with my with chicken sausages and made a delicious strong coffee . When breakfast was ready, I wife . This New Year day began with a nice morning . This day was a first day of my wife’s went and awoke my father quietly so that my mother would not wake up . Dad and I had and my vacation in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic . We woke up at about 7 a .m . a good breakfast . A little later, we started to leave . However, my mother woke up, and we and started doing our regular things . We put on our clothes and went to have breakfast decided to sit together and talk about what will happen that day . My mother calmed me in the restaurant in Grand Bahia Principe Resort . My wife and I were so excited because and asked me not to worry . She always says behave as usual because you are a wonderful we wanted to see the sea as soon as possible . After breakfast, we took our towels from our girl . Then we left the house and went to the downtown for an interview for immigration room, and we went to the beach . Soon, the beautiful view with big green palms and bright to America . I was very worried, but when I saw the smiling American man opposite me, I blue water appeared before our eyes . I had waited for this moment for such a long time felt a little lighter . The interview was very quick and easy . At the end of the conversation, because I had not seen the sea since my early childhood . There were chaise lounges and he said that I was given a visa, and everything was good . I could hardly restrain my palms on the beach and the white fine sand everywhere . We put our towels and my bag emotions so as not to scream with happiness . Finally, when I left the Embassy, I saw my on chaise lounge . Then I ran quickly from the beach and jumped into the sea water, and dad was sitting nervously on the bench . I quickly ran to him and shouted, ”I am moving I tasted the salt in the water . My wife went into the water after me . There were very big to live in America!” The morning of this day changed my life forever . waves on the sea, so the water lifted us up and down . In that moment, my wife and I were The afternoon continued even better than the morning . In a great mood, I went with laughing like children . Our New Year’s morning that day was excellent and impressive . my father to grocery store to buy some delicious food for lunch . We went to our favorite The afternoon came so quickly and was a good continuation of the morning for us . After store near the house . My father and I were in such a good mood that I wanted to buy our active morning, we were very hungry, so we had to have lunch . We went to our room, everything . I wanted to sing and dance with happiness . My father acted like a child . He changed our wet clothes to more formal ones, and dropped our belongings in the room .
38 ESL Voices Special Times and Places 39 After that, we went to the Mexican restaurant to have some lunch . There were a few cacti but my mom asked the priest if we could take both of them with us, so they could be with thriving in the front of restaurant, and young men in traditional clothes met the visitors each other . The he priest was okay with that . We were so happy that we could bring the of this place . In Belarus, Mexican food isn’t a popular type of food, so in the restaurant two kids to our house . On our way back to my house, we introduced ourselves to them . we tried to find courses familiar for us . Our choice of a course was random and definitely We talked to Alejandra and Fabian about how they were feeling . They were so happy that good, so I think that it was the luck of the wonderful day . When we finished our lunch, we they had the opportunity to have a real Christmas with us . My mom and my dad had decided to leave the hotel property . It was interesting to see the nature of the Dominican already met Alejandra, but my sister and I didn’t know her . My sister and I started to get Republic . We went along the beach away from hotel . Our walk took about two and half to know them while we were still on our way to my house . We told them that we couldn’t hours . There were many interesting things on the beach such as colorful wild birds, wait to get home so we could show them some games that we had and all the Christmas coconuts on the sand and different types of trees . After about forty minutes of walking, decorations . They were really excited to see all of that . It was such a beautiful day . my wife and I stopped for a rest and to take pictures of the nature around us . The view Everything was going perfect, and we were excited . The morning was really interesting . in that moment was amazing . The sound of the sea was very relaxing for us . On the way In the nice afternoon, once we got home, my sister and I played with the kids for almost back to the hotel, we met other people . They walked along the beach, and they maybe also 3 hours . We just were having so much fun, and they looked so happy . My mom went out were interested in the Dominican nature almost like us . When we came back to the hotel by herself to get more presents because she originally wasn’t planning on having Fabian room, we decided to take a nap . Our afternoon was full of new impressions . over for Christmas because she didn’t know that Fabian was Alejandra’s brother . After Later, the New Year celebration party started at night . There was a special banquet in a playing for a while, we had a little break, so the kids could rest . Then Alejandra and Fabian restaurant of the main building in the hotel resort . The restaurant was decorated in a New came to my sister’s bedroom and told her that they wanted to play again with us . We took Year’s theme . The staff of the restaurant gave glasses of champagne to people who came in, them outside, and they got to meet all our neighbors . We played with all of them . We had so we took some and waited for the food to be served . There was a lot of cooked seafood, fun, and I loved how nice all of the other kids treated them . Everything was so perfect . such as lobsters and crabs, and French and Italian food, so the dinner was great . After We felt blessed that we could share our house and time with those kids . We went back to dinner, the time for dancing and fun began in the main hall . We had bright New Year my house and had some lunch . After lunch, Fabian, Alejandra, my sister, and I sang along lady and gentlemen style hats and danced together this night with other people . In 12:00 really loudly my favorite Christmas music . My dad came along with my favorite dessert a .m ., New Year, 2017 had come, and the holiday fireworks started at this moment . We that he always remembers to get for me . Alejandra and Fabian were wondering what it were captured by this sight . Our party ended after the fireworks, so we came back to our was, so I showed them, and they were so impressed because they never saw anything like room very tired and happy . Our New Year’s party night was filled with good feelings and it . It was a big heart figure covered it by sprinkles . After having some dessert at my house, memories . To conclude, New Year, 2017 was one of the many good days of my life . we went to my grandparents’ house because is a tradition to wish them happy Christmas before dinner . We stayed at my grandparents’ house for a little while talking, playing, and watching TV . After all of that, my parents took us back to my house . It was a really good Unusual Christmas afternoon . Ivon Zapata Manrique, Level II The night arrived, and we went back to my house . My parents were planning on taking Colombia Fabian and Alejandra to the rest of the neighborhood in the Novena . The word Novena Christmas day, December 24,1995 was a different Christmas . Christmas morning was literally means “ninth,” and it is used to describe a certain type of Christmas meeting that fascinating . The day began with the news that we were going to share our Christmas happens over nine nights before Christmas . At 7:00 p .m ., the Novena started at the house night with another special person whom our mom told us would be kind of like our next door . My sister and I were exciting to introduce our new siblings to all the families at sister for one week . For some people, Christmas is an exclusive family affair, but for my the Novena . My mom said a special prayer because she always prays very beautifully, but parents Christmas is about sharing, helping, and giving thanks to God for everything . In on that day, she said the most beautiful prayer I had ever heard . As soon as the Novena Barrancabermeja, Santander, a Catholic church had a program where families could adopt finished, we went home to change our clothes . For dinner, we dressed up in fancy clothes . a child who has no family to spend Christmas and New Year in their homes . My parents Alejandra and Fabian didn’t know that my mom had new clothes for them, too . When decided to enter into the program and they adopted a girl for one week . Her name was they saw them, they were so happy . They really liked the clothes, so they couldn’t even wait Alejandra . In the morning, we were told by my parents about having that girl in our house to put them on . Finally, the night came around 9:00 p .m . My dad took us around the town for Christmas, and my sister and I got excited about the news . Then my mom made this to see the Christmas lights . At 10:30 p .m ., we sat down for our dinner . At 12:00 midnight, amazing Colombian breakfast for us . After our breakfast, we went on a long drive to pick we receive our presents from el Niño Dios (the God child) . I will never forget the faces up Alejandra . We drove to a church, where the kids were waiting to be picked up by the of Alejandro and Fabian . When they opened the gifts, they cried with happiness . One families . My dad went to talk to a lady . He asked for Alejandra . This lady took us to see of Fabian’s gifts was a football . He said that he never had a new football . He ran to play Alejandra . She was sitting next to her brother . He was supposed to go with another family,
40 ESL Voices Special Times and Places 41 with my dad and Alejandra . My mom, my sister and I were watching them . I think that Christmas was unique, happy, and the best day ever . It was unusual and such a fun day .
Tornado Yara Slaibi, Level II Syria I went through on unforgettable experience when I saw a huge tornado for the first time . It happened on vacation when my parents and I traveled by car . At first, we were traveling from Kuwait to my country Syria . We were having a nice time together . Suddenly, we felt something strange, and the sunny weather seemed to change . Then we looked out windows and saw a dark huge tornado . It was far away from us by miles, but it was still evident . Soon, the tornado moved by strong spinning movement . It destroyed the trees and the farmlands . After that, we felt afraid, so my little brother began screaming and crying . Meanwhile, my father stayed away from the tornado . It was a terrible moment . After a while, the tornado started to go away . Then we could see the devastation caused by it . Next, we stooped for a while . We checked the place if they are someone hurt . Finally, we went back to the car and prayed to God we were in life . Nothing terrible happened to us before like moving beside a tornado, so we will never forget .
ESL Voices 43 42 something my therapist called “repeated exposure ”. I needed to be in operating room frequently, but when I feel the overwhelming fear I leave the room for ten minutes to calm down and breathe, then I go back in again . As a result of this repeated exposure I got control of my unexplained OR fear, but I knew that becoming a surgeon is not for me . In conclusion, there are many different ways to overcome fear . I sought help from friend and a specialist, learned special techniques (deep breathing, repeated exposure), and used a medication to overcome my fears . Sometimes fear has a negative impact on our lives . We can overcome our fears by acknowledging them first then be willing to make a change . It Life’s Lessons is important to not let our fears control our life or dictate it . What Scares Me Slavia Pantelejic Level II Experiences That Taught Me to Overcome a Fear Serbia Mishael Almowayna, Level III Fear is an integral part of our life . What scares me the most is the thought that Saudi Arabia something bad happens to my family . I think everybody has that kind of fear . Thank God Fear is a natural feeling when we perceive the danger of any kind . It is normal as long I have both parents, three sisters and brother . I worry a lot about them . My brother is the as it does not affect our daily life . I always considered myself as a strong woman with no youngest one, and I think my biggest fear starts with him . When my mother gave birth to fear other than a minor fear of certain kinds of insects . When I was a medical student I my brother, immediately after that she had a clinical death . Thank God the third electro discovered my first true debilitating fear . I discovered a second irrational fear when I was shock returned my mother to life . In beginning, we didn’t know anything about that even an intern . Fortunately, I had two experiences that caused me to overcome both of these my father . We were at home and had guests over celebrating the birth of my brother, not fears . knowing that my mother was struggling for her life . My father found out a day later . My oldest sister and I found out when my mother and brother came home from the hospital My first fear was speaking in public, a specific social anxiety . I had to do medical both healthy . It scares me a lot to just even think we could lost our mother that day . research, then present it in front of my classmates . The first time I had to do this after I Fortunately, we didn’t . God has preserved her for us . started speaking, I felt something strange . For the first time, I could feel my heart beating . It was going so fast like it was going to explode, I lost my voice, and most importantly I Two and a half years after my brother was born, my father came up with idea that my forgot what to say . Obviously, I did not complete my presentation, so I did not have a good mother can come to America . She could because her parents were in America, and she grade, although I worked hard for it . Since that moment I knew that it was not right to finished her high school here in America . She applied for visa, and of course she got it . feel that way, and in my career, I will often be presenting or speaking in public . In order to We kids were not happy about that . Our parents told us it will be temporary, and my mom solve this problem, I started practicing in front of a mirror, or I presenting to my earnest will apply for a family reunion visa . They tried to convince us that we’re going to have a friends . Also, I was taught a relaxation technique called “deep breathing” which helped better opportunity in America . The Day at airport when she left was the worst day in my me a lot . Not only that but I also started using metoprolol, a medication that slows the life at that time . I still remember we were crying, and she was trying to calm us down . She heartbeat . Eventually, on my final presentation that year, I was confident and satisfied to kept saying “Just think what happens when I give a birth to your brother . If I had died overcome my fear of public speaking . that day, I wouldn’t have a chance to help you guys at all . But now I know I can give you a better life ”. Saying that she tried to encourage herself and us to . The worst part was when The second awkward fear I used to have but finally overcame was from the operating she really needed to take the flight . My brother was just two and a half years old, he didn’t room (OR) . I remember when I had a privilege entering the OR, I was excited and want to let her go . Neither did we, but we had to . That day I had mixed feelings . I felt thrilled . Nevertheless, the moment I stepped in I frantically tried to catch my breath, yet terrifying fear . I had the feeling I was losing her, and I had a feeling my older sister and I I assured myself that the shortness of breath is just from the mask . But when I removed grew up that day . I wasn’t any longer a child of twelve years old and neither was my older the mask I knew that I was deceiving myself . I did not want to believe that I do fear the sister . She was thirteen then . We started to be responsible for our youngest sisters and operating room, nor did I want to feel humiliated . This time it is not just the feeling of my brother . While my friends played with dolls when they come back from school, we had a heartbeat racing, in fact, I fainted once during surgery . What I did to conquer my fear of real baby at home to take care of . I was always worried about him when I wasn’t at home . public speaking did not help much in this situation . I sought help from a psychotherapist . It scares me a lot if something happens to him, and I’m not there . It was very hard for us . I I tried different ways but the only method that helped me to overcome my fear was tried not to cry in front of the younger kids because I had to be strong for them . My father
44 ESL Voices Life’s Lessons 45 was very strict, and we couldn’t change his decision . He kept saying it won’t take much to complete the papers for us . It turned out that it took more time then we could possibly think . It took us ten years to come here . My mother was going back and forth . She tried to stay in our country as long as she could . Usually she stayed for two or three months . Since the first time my mother left, I become very responsible for my sisters and brother . Sometimes I think I tried to be like a mom for them . Silly, right? But it doesn’t matter what I did, making cake for birthdays or staying awake when they were sick, nobody can take mother’s place . No one can make up for my lost time with my mother . I’ll always have the feeling that I didn’t have her when I needed her the most . That feeling is terrifying . I’m very close with my sisters and brother . I would like it if I could protect them from anything bad on this earth . But I’m aware that a lot of things are not in my hands . It is not good to be scared, but sometimes that pushes us to improve ourselves to be better and to be strong, if not for ourselves then for someone who is precious for us .
ESL Voices 47 46 Loyalty is being patient, forbearing, enduring, long-suffering and forgiving; Loyalty is caving everything you have and surrendering yourself to the unknown . Loyalty is being able to live in pain so the other can be happy . Loyalty is living in pain and hurt and soreness and agony; thinking it’s cheer and happiness and joy . Loyalty is staying, for as hard as you may fight it . Loyalty is, without any expectations, considering their presence “enough” . Poetry For as beautiful as that word might sound, Loyalty is cruel and brutal and heartbreaking . For as charming as that word might sound, If Only We Were Birds Loyalty is frightening and offensive and terrifying . Janine Wazni, Level III Lebanon Yet, at some point, it becomes a way of living, and more; it becomes a part of you, a part of who you truly are . We, human beings, were all born and grew up with the ability of leaving people behind us; However, comes a day where every loyal person decides to leave . yet, just some of us learn how to hide that natural skill; still, everything end up coming See, it’s not out of cowardice or fear; but why suffer when there’s nothing to win? back to its peel . A wise man named Harun Yahya once said: “I always wonder why birds choose to stay Comes a day where every loyal person wakes up and notices how unwise that word is in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth, then I ask myself the same and how senseless it is to be loyal . question ”. It’s like drowning in the middle of the blue ocean, helplessly . See birds’ spirit symbolizes freedom, wisdom, perspective and many other things . Or even falling into a black hole . However, by reading a text, a poem or even a quote, we are free to understand it, explain So maybe now you understand why the strongest ones end up leaving the ones they it and define it the way we want to . One of the greatest powers of thoughts is that no one love, can take them from you; nor impose to you what they think to be true . Your thoughts are yours and yours only . and why the weak ones end up leaving the ones that love them . Two years ago, when I read that quote, the first thing that came to my mind was the Maybe now you understand why being Loyal takes from you everything, word Loyalty . and leaves you with nothing… What a small and easy word to say, yet so big . I asked some of my friends to define it for If only we were birds . . me, and they gave me so many different definitions; and all of these definitions that were given to me were, in my eyes, meaningless . And my question remained unanswered . After all, we all speak and define things out of our own experiences . “What does Loyalty mean?” Loyalty isn’t just being faithful to the one you love or remaining firm in your beliefs in the one you love or being honest with the one you love or even being completely devoted to that one, and only one; whoever that “one” might be . Loyalty is much deeper than all of that . Loyalty is coming back home after a long burned-out day, Loyalty is giving deeply and everything you have – blindly; yet, receiving so little .
48 ESL Voices Poetry 49 free . What is even worse is that a lot of people choose to be captive . Freedom is one of the greatest commodities in the life . Freedom gives us wings, so we can fly, dream, be inspired, and be creative . A lot of people do not really realize how lucky they are simply because they have freedom to become anyone they could ever imagine; they have an abilities and rights to express themselves in any possible way . I value freedom that much because where I came from freedom is a luxury . Thus, only brave and strong-minded individuals can afford to be free . Many people voluntarily choose to fasten themselves, gave up their dreams for a quiet, unnoticeable, and conformable life . For that reason, when I was living in Russia, I felt as if I was tightened down with ropes . At that time, I could not understand Positive Aspects what bothered me . Later, when I moved to the United States, I figured out that I was suffocating because of the lack of freedom . I am very grateful that I have an opportunity to be a free person . Another positive aspect of my life is welfare . I am very grateful for all I have: for a house, My Life is Beautiful where I live comfortable with my family; for food and clean water that we have access Valentyna Skulinets, Basic Level to; for job opportunities, so we can earn enough money to support our family . When I Ukraine was a child and the USSR collapsed, I remember how my parents struggled to provide I thank you God for the wonderful life that he gave me . I can enjoy life . I have a essentials like food and winter clothes for me and my sister . There simply were no jobs wonderful family . We love God . Also, God created a beautiful nature, and we also enjoy it . anywhere in the country, but the cost of living was extremely high . My family, along A wonderful life is very important for me . It is for me as an air without which we cannot with millions of others, was desperate and abandoned by the government . I am the most live . I thank god for my life because it is beautiful . grateful that I have access to medical care . Being healthy, I never thought that it was that important . When my daughter was only four months old, she was diagnosed with a life- threatening disease . Only because we have access to one of the world’s best medical care, Positive Aspects of My Life now my daughter is not only alive but also thriving . Where I come from, in order to save Third Place Prizewinner their child, people have to sell everything they have, raise money, ask for donations, and Dina Valko, Level III very often give up everything they love and travel to other countries to get the necessary Russia medical care . Though we work very hard for everything we have, gladly we have decent healthcare, safety, and other aspects of a sufficient lifestyle . How much does it take to be a happy person? How many people actually consider themselves happy? What makes our lives joyful, bright, and positive; thus, what makes us In conclusion, without my family my life would be meaningless and empty; freedom happy? Many people ask themselves those questions every day . Some people find answers keeps me alive and cheerful; because of life circumstances I am able to live comfortably . while many do not . I was fortunate enough to find answers to all of those questions . My Those aspects make my life complete . I consider myself a very happy person . Is it always family, freedom, and welfare are aspects that make my life delightful, bright, and full . easy to be happy? Although I must admit that I am a lucky person, because all the opportunities I have gotten during my life, it is not always easy to be happy . Sometimes it My family is the most positive aspect in my life . Having a family is the biggest blessing takes a lot of effort and strength to be or become a happy person . My key to happiness is and the hardest labor at the same time . It takes a lot of mental effort to be a wife and appreciating everything you have, working hard work, and catching all opportunities that a mother . I am a very strong person, so sometimes it is difficult to postpone my own life gives me . interests . However, I strongly believe that compromising is one of the important keys to strong relationships . Sometimes, it gets overwhelming because just realizing that someone’s life depends on me and my decisions makes me anxious . From time to time, I straggle to cope with everything, but at the end it is worth all the effort . I feel that my life would be empty and meaningless without my husband and my children . The moments we spend together are priceless . It is great to feel loved and needed . Sometimes it takes a lot to be a good wife and a mother, but I would not trade it for anything in the world . Another positive aspect of my life is freedom . By freedom, I mean rights, opportunities, and the ability to be or become anyone . Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury to be
50 ESL Voices Positive Aspects 51 dogs . People are misled by pet stores and breeders that purebreds are a better choice . Research shows that mixed-breed dogs are better in health and have longer lives . Some people might say there are already enough rules and regulations about shelters killing dogs and dog breeding . This point may be true . However, people who breed dogs profit at the dogs’ expense . People need to know that most breeders are not responsible . It is extremely important to limit the breeding of dogs to give all dogs an equal chance to have good lives . In conclusion, humans should think and take more action to solve the many issues with Opinion the out-of-control dog population . All dogs have rights, just like humans, and deserve long and happy lives . Without a doubt, stronger laws about dog breeding will help to stop the negative business cycle and the unfair treatment of killing dogs at shelters .
Dogs Need Our Help Naomi Ulmenstine Japan Right now, close to 90 million dogs live in households in the United States as pets . Humans and dogs have been living together as far back as 13,000 years . We have helped each other for many years . For example, dogs help humans with hunting and home protection while humans feed and take care of them . The relationship between humans and dogs has been developed to give and take . However, humans should be more concerned and active about the overpopulation of dogs right now . First of all, people need to think seriously about dog shelters . In the U .S . every year, just over 1 million dogs are put down at shelters . Do they need to be killed? Many people drop them off at shelters for selfish reasons . For instance, if dog owners are moving, their landlord doesn’t allow pets, or if a dog barks too much, they might take them to shelters . Also, people should think about an animal’s rights . Dogs feel pain, kindness, and love, just like humans . Stronger laws and regulations are needed for dog shelters and their patrons . The federal government or state governments should check and record the names of people who drop dogs off at shelters . A person who dropped a dog off for a selfish reason could do it again with their next dog . People shouldn’t be allowed to “dump” dogs at shelters so easily . Second, the federal government should check dog breeders more strictly . Besides good breeders, there are many bad and illegal breeders in the United States . Bad breeders have rough environments . For example, dogs are kept in small cages all day due to breeders not wanting to give more space for the dogs . Also, some breeders don’t give enough food, take them for walks, or even play with them . In addition, the female breeding dogs are often treated the worst . The female dogs’ health is always terrible because they are badly nourished or develop skin diseases due to repetitive pregnancies . They are also stressed greatly with separation anxiety from their puppies being taken away so many times . Finally, people should research and understand how to get a dog . People do not need to get a young puppy . They should go to a shelter to get a dog to stop the current business cycle, which will help with the overpopulation of dogs . Also, people do not need purebred
52 ESL Voices Opinion 53