adventure risk challenge a leadership and literacy program 2010 University of California Berkeley and Merced | Sagehen Creek Field Station

Instructors: Writings of Team Xing Xing Melissa Hoffman Cintya Lopez Peter Wright Cynthia Santana Shelley Gorin Edgar Medina Dylan Farnsworth Esperanza Toscano Colin Carpenter Gabriel Marquez www.arcprogram.org Gustavo Cabrera Hao Xian Xu Heidi Jimenez Ozie Lopez Sonia Blanco cintya lopez I Have Been Reborn

I am the thundering river Can handle me, They mean the world to me That rages along these granite mountains I can’t even handle myself I treasure them. I am just waiting for the time I lose control Sometimes when my mom I treasure them like diamond rocks When the waterfall comes Asks me to help her That lay beneath the sea I’m heading to When I become a part of I become a whirlpool Looking back at my imperfections The big sapphire sea an unrecognizable thing. I realized it was time for a change When I become Like the bible says The person I My mom and my dad are “There’s a time to die Expect to be The reason for my birth And a time to be born” They are my creators I started out as a creek My sea in life I have been through a renaissance Swiftly gliding through the peaks That’s why they deserve better In a short time of 40 days Gentle to the rocks beneath my body. They need a daughter From a raging river to I was the kind of creek They can depend on The sapphire sea of a new beginning Nature did not know about I have passed the luminous waterfall No problems, I have been reborn No arguments and, I have been reborn into a new person No anger A new daughter I was naïve to my world but A new sister In a snap of a finger, A new friend and My world changed A new individual. I changed. I came to appreciate what I have I am filled with problems, I have changed They make my heart stone, The love and support of everyone My father’s alcoholic problems I have been reborn into a new person Make my fury rise A new part of the sea Seeing my mom fight with him I have changed Shatters my heart into rocks. I can’t control myself I have fallen This rage makes me Down the crystalline waterfalls Silent, secretive, and immune Achieved what I want the most To be the person I want everybody to see Little by little, day by day, I am gliding into unknown doors of the sea Hour by hour, minute by minute, Following unknown labyrinths I keep getting filled to my rim The labyrinths that lead me to my Waiting for the time I spill Destiny Ruin what I cherish the most, Dreams will be accomplished My parents my friends my family They need a daughter who is grateful Accomplished to finish high school Ruin the special relationship we have For what they do High school that will lead me Arguments with my loved ones are difficult My sister is a small river To a better future There are incidents Who glides next to me A future with When I tell my mom When she needed help I would never Love, promise, health and going to college I would be better off alone than with here Be there for her This will lead me to the person I want to be Times when I talk back She has been growing up without I have been reborn into a new person When my parents need help The sister she needs Times when I raise my hand to them. This is why I have changed Now I am part of the sea I know people say I once dreamed of there are no if ands or buts in life, Imperfections can mean many things Doors and new paths are open to me But if I had a chance to take it all back It means that’s everyone has flaws Now the last thing I would in a heartbeat and And everyone have made mistakes To do is follow where I want to go Never think twice. Living in the moment is the best thing I have changed into a better person You can ever do I am no longer a raging river There are times when I now cherish what I love the most, I am part of the sapphire sea Not even the mountains I slither through My family and friends, I once dreamed

2 ARC Summer 2010 rules, it makes you follow the life you want, What I Was and What I Have Become and it makes your life a happier and cleaner place to live in. I’m still climbing to the top Beads of rain clashed against my face. As I in school I have never been suspended or I’m still learning the route which I’m going turned to my right I could see the smooth have had a referral, yes there were the times to take later on. Now I understand why glass surface of Gilmore Lake. I was ir- I would be told to be quiet or to move to my mom taught me order and neatness. It resistibly captured in that moment. I wasn’t another seat. For the most part I’m a good makes life easier. thinking about the mountain we were sup- teen. Here at A.R.C I finally understood posed to climb, but the beauty of the scene. why we need to work. At first I wouldn’t Were almost to the top of the talus, the I wasn’t physically or mentally ready to understand why I had a lot top to my understanding pursue the challenge that stood before me. of essays and projects, but of finishing what I start My group started to proceed slowly uphill now that time is ending. I without giving up. When and I became more nervous with each step realized that in the process I start something I usually I made. I wasn’t in the greatest moods but I of learning there comes don’t finish it. It’s because had to deal with it sooner or later. We were hard work. I will take ad- either it’s to hard or just a couple of feet up and I was already tired. vantage of school because plain boring to continue. “How am I supposed to do this?” I asked it will lead me in the right At first I can be excited myself trying to convince my mind into tell- direction that I’m head- and amused, but by the ing me that I could do it but failing for the ing to. I also learned that time I’m halfway through most part. I continued upward not thinking if you pursue what you I don’t bother finishing. In of what the future might bring to me but want the most you will be my fifteen years of living of the mistakes I have made. With every able to do anything else. I’ve accomplished about couple of feet the hike became harder, like At this point of the hike two things that made my my past, but as we reached the top, it made I have accomplished the parents proud. One was me realize that I could accomplish anything first three hundred feet of graduating from middle I set my mind to. My journey hiking up Tal- height without noticing it. I’m pleased for school and the other was passing both of lac became a metaphor for my life. I started what I am about to do with this mountain my Cahsee exams. That was it, nothing thinking about not putting my best effort and my life. more have I accomplished. Pathetic, yes I into school or not helping around the house do agree, and that’s why I came to A.R.C to or not finishing what I started, and I began Working as a team, hiking Mount Tal- make a change and try to finish what I start. to understand that these things are essential lac, supported me even more because you I also came to A.R.C to become more inde- for my future. always have someone to help you when you pendent, responsible, improve my English try to give up. Not only did they support skills, and mature. This has prepared me for If I were to just go a couple of feet up the me but I supported them too by not giving what the future might bring to me after this Mountain I would have been satisfied but I up and helping them carry the backpacks. program. At this point of the hike I could pushed hard and kept on going. Unlike how “Cintya do your room!” this are the exact see the top talus cover each corner, but they I was back at school I pushed myself to go words my mom repeats through out the won’t stop me until I reach the top of the further than I have before. If I would have day. Not once, not twice but at least ten mountain. done this hike in the past I would have just times. I never really got the idea of order or turned around, not neatness but I reached the top of Mount Tallac and the even halfway. For after being view was impeccable. I snapped out of my example, during away from reverie and realized that I had made it all school I usu- home for 40 the way to the top, one thing I could have ally didn’t finish days I learned never imagined doing. I couldn’t believe homework that I the value of my eyes and mind. I was literally on top didn’t think was it. Being the of a mountain and this is where I knew I important, but oldest child could do anything I set myself to. From that my perspective of two I knew moment on I knew that the mistakes I’ve of it has changed I had greater made have made me the person I am today. here at A.R.C. I responsibili- Doing my work has helped me improve the wouldn’t do my ties than my responsibility I have for my own education. homework or if I sister, but I Supporting others and not just thinking did, it meant that I lack in them. about myself is very rewarding at the end. copied. There was In the morn- The message that I have received through rarely the teacher who pushed me into do- ing I have to do chores, wash clothes, and this experience is to take in everything you ing better but not even they could overcome take care of my sister. It seems harmless but have learned and put it into practice back my stubbornness. I knew that I could do in reality it takes way more energy that you home. It will help lead you to the future you better in school and get good grades but might think. I thought that keeping a house want the most. Embrace what you have the I just wanted to ignore everything that in- clean is not important but I was definitely most and never let it go. I have changed for volved work. My demeanor in school wasn’t wrong. Order and neatness is a really good my own good and I am proud of what I the worst. For example my last ten years quality to have. It makes you follow the have accomplished.

ARC Summer 2010 3 cynthia santana

The Family I Wished For When I Was Little

I am a white cloud Thinking about Moving in the sky If he cares about me Traveling everywhere I feel that I don’t need my dad Sometimes I don’t know what’s next And not feeling anything for him Always being pushed by the wind Not seeing him as my father Of bad influences When I was three years old I disappear quickly My parents separated To hide my problems Since then I haven’t been close to my Dad My negative attitude I feel sad because Making fun of others at school I didn’t have a chance to know him, Always getting in trouble Sometimes I am upset with god because I don’t have my dad with me My mom expects me to be a better cloud To hug me Always trying to go the right way When I’m happy or sad But it is difficult There are many people Then I started a new life Who try to confuse me With a new family Blow me the wrong way The family I wished for when I was little I know that my mom I know it’s not perfect Will always be there for me But I feel amazing having a new father Who cares about me I am a white cloud moving in the sky Who gives me a home and a family Always moving to a different place And trying to forget my past Now I’m not the only cloud in the sky And I feel surrounded by other clouds I know my life isn’t easy That will help me I will try my best To make it easier This summer I have learned Along with what I want to be To not be shy That my negative attitude Many people assume Can get me in trouble I am a wispy cloud To be more confident Breaking apart easily To experiment with new things Because I don’t make good decisions And to never give up any breeze can push me around My life will get better Tired of listen to negative rain clouds There are many things I will do Saying I’m not going to accomplish my goals, The most important to me is That I should give up Helping my parents And let someone else do it for me The other clouds surrounding me Because I’m not good at it Or I’m not that strong The wind will never stop me From reaching my goals Facing a problem My life will not be easy That I can’t run from I will never give up Not seeing my dad My dreams

4 ARC Summer 2010 No one can stop me! Crystal clear water swayed beneath my I’m stronger now than I used to be. Be- of heights. Later when we had to jump red kayak. The blistering sun burned my fore starting ARC I was less confident. for someone that we love, I stopped skin making beads of sweat spill along I remember when I was going to try out thinking about my fear and just thought my forehead. Our destination, Eagle for softball, my friends made fun of me that I was doing it for my little sister Point, is where we would camp for two and said that I was not going to make it, who I missed. I had enough courage nights. I was afraid because it was my because I didn’t even know how to play. to jump. This experience has made me first time kayaking and one of my chal- In those days I didn’t feel confident a more confident and stronger person. lenges is not knowing how to swim. As that I was not going to make the team I have to fight for whatever I want and I sat with my partner in our red kayak I and was worried that my friends would never give up. was anxious. Seeing how im- mense and beautiful Lake Ta- Through all the support that hoe was, I felt secure. I con- my ARC family has given me, vinced myself that everything I have started to believe in was okay because I was with myself. I used to want give up my ARC family and I knew in everything. I used to think that everyone would support I was going to fail and that me, and wouldn’t let me give some things were not made for up. At the end of the kayak me. The day of rock climb- expedition I was sure that ing I first didn’t make it to the if I could accomplish this, I top of the cliff. I just didn’t could accomplish other chal- trust in myself, and I gave up. lenges. Now I know that if I But when I saw that everyone try I can do whatever I want was doing it and some of my to do, and be who I want to friends were there to support be. ARC has helped me to me, I started to believe in appreciate the support of my myself more I said to myself family at home, has made me that I can do it. I stood up stronger, and supported me and went to try again. It was a to believe in myself. hot morning, my hands were sweating, and I was tired and The forty-day ARC program wanted to give up again. I has helped me to appreciate heard my ARC family cheering all the things that my family for me that I can do it. I forgot has given me. Now I under- everything and I started to be- stand that my family cares lieve that I was going to make about me, and loves me more it to the top of the cliff. When than I can imagine. At home I got on the top I felt more I was always depending on confident that believing in my- my mom and my sister to self will help me to accomplish do my chores. I hated when my goals. Now I’m ready to go my mom used to nag me all the time to joke about me even more if I failed. back home and start a new life. I’m new clean my room and do my laundry. Now Even though I got selected for the JV person who believes in myself. I realize that all the things that my mom softball team I wasn’t confident that I used to say to me, she said because one would be a good team player because ARC has shown me to appreciate what day I would need to know how to be by I was the only Mexican, I didn’t speak I have in life, that I’m a strong person myself. In ARC I have learned how to English as well as the other girls, and I and I can do all the things that I want to be more responsible and to take care of had never played softball before. Half do in life. In ARC I have had experienc- myself and my chores. I know that I’m way through the season I almost quit. In es that I couldn’t have imagined before ready to go back home and help sup- ARC I have discovered that I’m stron- this summer. Hiking, rock climbing, port my family around the house. I’m ger than I thought. I have learned to not river rafting, a ropes course, and kayak- ready to show my mom that everything give up in anything. The day of the rope ing have shown me how to be confident that I did in ARC, like cooking my own course in our last obstacle, The Leap of and to not give up in anything. I’m meals, being a group leader of the day, Faith, I was afraid to jump of the high ready to go back to the real world, and and always helping everyone without platform to reach the trapeze. I wasn’t start my new life. No one can stop me being asked, that I‘m now independent. confident enough to overcome my fear now.

ARC Summer 2010 5 edgar medina How To Fly

I am a hummingbird Refusing to take their love. Useless and unable to open my wings to fly Not paying attention to them Always depending on my parents Trying to pretend that I don’t have feelings. To put food in my mouth So I can survive I realize now I hurt my family I am a hummingbird When they tried to give me their love Scared of the outer world By not telling them how much I love them Feeling lonely Depressed I don’t want to be a powerless hummingbird Waiting for a friend to come I don’t want to feel useless Hiding, closely watching I don’t want to be depressed Other birds open their wings With the dream that someday I can open my wings as well

Raised by my mother When my father was away from our nest Working with my brother in another place My mother was kind She never left my side

My father tried the best for us He wanted to take us with him so we could Live together, like a family I barely knew my brother He lived with my father and he came to visit us a few times I was happy My family would finally be together But I had to fly away from the place I was born The place I was raised I want to find birds that don’t feel sorry for me I had to get used to a new language Birds who help me when I fall A new family Not birds that try to ground me And a new life I need to put my trust in the right birds And start to share my feelings I decided to leave the nest and go outside And feel again the warm feathers I decided to come to the world and make friends Of the people who offer their love to me Meet new people But it wasn’t how I thought it would be I am becoming a mature a hummingbird Everyone made fun of me A small bird becoming stronger day by day Because I was short Trying to find true friendship I knew they would not stop laughing at me Realizing how important my family is to me I felt that my wings were cut off Opening my wings I decided to hide my feelings Ready to fly So no one could hurt them again And ready to give all my love to the birds that I buried them away Love me as well From my family and friends I am going to leave the nest again I am a hummingbird Fly as fast as I can Putting on a fake smile Fly as high as I can So people think that I am happy. Fly as far as I can Being mean to my family To reach all my goals

6 ARC Summer 2010 pleased with the results because I got to my showing them love. During this period of A New Person destination and I put in my mind how strong time in ARC I have learned a lot of things The day had come- the day of the solo. I was in hike. I also discovered how strong with my new family so I can show my family Everyone was scared or nervous about being my teammates were that day. I was happy how much I appreciate them. I learned to be alone by ourselves. When I got to my spot I because I wanted my family to know that I more patient by letting others work, by not was impressed with its beauty. I had a clear am a strong person like them. Now I know rushing them with their decisions, and giv- view with a green and brown mountain in I can do more in a day by not giving up. I ing them time to think about things before front of me. I could see the blue endless sky know that if I could walk seven miles in day, they do it. I learned to be a good listener, mixed with white clouds. Pine trees gave me set camp, go for water, cook, and do a bear to hear other people’s opinions, and to let perfect shade. I put my backpack down. I hang, I surely can do more for my family. other people tell me the things that I need saw a small waterfall and a big flat rock above to improve on. I learned to be more helpful it. I sat on the rock and tried to think about ARC helped me discover that I am an ambi- by working with my teammates to accom- my life, what I want to be, and what things I tious person who likes to try new things even plish our daily chores and by supporting will do when I get home. I relaxed with the though I don’t know how to do them. I was them more so they could push themselves sound of the water, trying to hear every drop a person who was scared to do things by to accomplish every goal. I learned to be that fell. I began to feel the cold breeze of myself. I stayed away from all the activities more understanding with my family here in the wind and the mist blowing in my face. I that I didn’t know. When I came to ARC they ARC. No one thinks as same as you and you jumped into the chilly water to concentrate. showed me that there is a whole world out have to understand and not judge them. I Then I started to think about how I was in there full of great experiences and that you will keep all the things that I have learned in the past and the mistakes that I made back in can take a risk to try new things. I was con- this program with me so I can share them Mexico. I saw the orange sunset disappear- tent with the hiking and did my best to help with my family and friends. I will be more ing slowly down the sky through the clouds lead the team. I began to support my team patient with my friends and listen to them in and past mountains. Over a period of time I by cheering them up, by walking at the same whatever they need. I will be a good listener decided to think about the positive decisions pace as my team, and by not whining about to my sister so we can become more united that I had made when I came to the United the heavy backpacks. When they mentioned and become friends. I will help my family States. I thought about the things that I have that we would do a sport called “kayaking” in all kind of things. I will help my mom do learned in ARC. Staying at ARC has been a that involved being in the water in Lake the chores so she can see the new person I wonderful experience because I have learned Tahoe my body froze. At that moment, I have become. I will help my sister with her that I am a strong person, that I am brave imagined myself falling from the kayak and English so she can become better at it, and and I want try new things, and how to ap- drowning and my body floating in the water help my father to understand things. I will be preciate my family and friends. of Lake Tahoe. I wanted to come to ARC understanding with my family and friends, and my fear would not stop me from accom- and even give them advice. I discovered that I am a strong person and plishing it. I took some swimming lessons so that no matter what challenge came to me I could overcome my fear of kayaking. When In ARC I have grown as a person, as a friend, I always faced it and I always won. I was we started the kayaking I was ready to grab and as a son. Being on the solo was a fantas- a child who always thought that he never my paddle and start pushing the water along tic idea and perfect timing to think about my could decide anything by himself and or do with all my fears of drown- life. I enjoyed the blue sky and a single thing alone. I wanted to be more like ing. When I started paddling, I the gorgeous view of the moun- my family, strong and independent with a lot thought that it would be really tain in the afternoon. I enjoyed to give to others. The opportunity of ARC easy but when we got further the cold water. It was the perfect came to me and I thought that it would be my arms started to hurt. I only thing to concentrate. Thanks a great chance to demonstrate how strong could see an endless lake with to this day I have learned new I am. I began to discover that I am strong dark blue water. I tried to push things during the time that I have since the second day of my first expedi- harder but I realized that I had been in ARC. Staying in ARC tion. I wasn’t in shape, and I wasn’t strong to work with my partner who with a new family has shown me enough to carry the big heavy backpack. was behind me. I was scared how you can enjoy every moment That day we had to walk seven miles. It was but I had this sensation that I in your life in a positive way. I a big challenge for me because I had never wanted to do it and not give up understand now how to put my walked that distance in my life in one day. I until the end. I saw all my teammates decide trust in the right person. I see how strong only saw big mountains far away from me, to go into the water and not let the fear people can be when they put something in with a lot of snow and without the trail. I paralyze them. I saw the motivation in their their minds and have decided to accomplish was exhausted all my body began to hurt for faces and I felt that I wanted to go with them it. Now I am a different person who will ac- carrying the heavy backpack. I thought that and have all the fun together. At the end I complish every goal that I have in my mind. I would fall and stay on the ground and rest. was proud of myself for not giving up until I will help my family and friends with all the My whole group supported me until the end. I reached my goal. Now I am a person who things that I have learned in ARC. I will listen I thought that I was the only one who was wants to try new things without knowing to them, I will understand them, and I will be not giving my best. I realized that I wasn’t the how to do it. helpful so they can count on me. I will take only one who was going through this. I could home all the knowledge that I grabbed from see the faces of exhaustion in all my group. Being in this program has helped me to all the people of ARC and put it into my I decided to push the pain away from my understand what I love and what appreciate, family. When I get home I will see the things mind and force myself to get to my destina- my family and my friends. I was I child who with new eyes and realize all the things that I tion along with my group. At the end I was was hiding feelings from my family and not need to appreciate.

ARC Summer 2010 7 esperanza toscano I Am A Young Shining Star

I am a young shining star, When I saw him my brightness burned out Lost between hundreds of other stars And my heart broke into a million pieces, In the enormous sky. My father has always been strong, Trying to make up for Happy and hard working, Mistakes I’ve made But this time he looked devastated, And start a new beginning. The night covered his sparkle and shine

I know it’s going to be hard I couldn’t understand why he looked like that Because I’ve waited too long to realize Only four months ago he was perfect. What I’ve been, I tried to find answers or reasons but everything What I am Seemed impossible, And what I want to be, Like a star without its shine. The North Star who everyone Admires and appreciates. Working hard, supporting each other and never giving up Our family’s brightness show as the storm clear. I am a young shining star Now, my dad’s good attitude and humor are back, Who grew up, He’s always dancing, singing The youngest And the most important thing And only girl He’s always shining With four older brothers He’s my example to follow, And two parents The star I want to become Who did anything for me They worked hard 40 days ago To give me everything I wanted I thought I was prepared No matter what they had to do, To start traveling around the world But unfortunately By myself and be independent, I was a selfish star But thanks to ARC, Who only cared about herself I realize that my family is my universe All the things I’ve achieve have been for them My life hasn’t been easy, Even though I have friends I’ve overcome challenges. And family In the wilderness walking Who support me in everything, Miles and miles, Clouds and rain Opening my self to people I didn’t know Have tried to cover me. But that now is my family, Going rafting and kayaking with the fear Of falling into the water, Five years ago an enormous storm Being independent, Rolled into my life, Never giving up and Trying to stop me from shining, Being without my family. I was still too innocent To understand my dad’s sickness I’ve become the North Star, My family tried to protect me The star that has made the right decisions From everything, To become stronger and brighter, I was only a tiny star To help guide my family Who thought everything was perfect Together we make a constellation And only wanted to play with her dolls And make the right choices. And teddy bears I am the North Star But when I moved to the US. Who is ready to make my family proud, I heard the worst news of my life Start a new beginning One of my dad’s kidneys had failed, Start shining and sparkling He needed a transplant or dialysis as soon as possible Like a diamond in the middle of the night.

8 ARC Summer 2010 The Sunrise, My New Beginning

When I saw the rocks we had to climb I thought the boy’s tent to wake them up too. I kept remind- I’ve learned to appreciate people who love me. it wasn’t going to be hard, even though they were ing them of the time so they could be on time to I used to think that if someday I didn’t have my gigantic. I never imagined that my knee was going the stretch circle. At 6:30 we all were stretching. So family it wouldn’t matter because I was almost to hurt again from an incident seven days ago. One far everything was going pretty well. Everyone was always in my room by myself or out with my part of me told me to be the first one to climb, but doing their job and each time I was feeling more friends. The challenges that ARC gave me to fight the other part told me to wait until other people and more confident about my job and myself. After through helped me realize what family really means tried so I could see how they did it. At the end I we ate breakfast, put down our tents, packed up to me. When I first got this opportunity to come to decided to wait. When finally my turn came, I felt all our equipment, and swept the area, we started ARC for forty days I was really excited. Back then confident about myself and our hike for the day. I had times I felt too much pressure from school and family. I about how I was going to climb. when I didn’t know what to do wanted to escape my life and forget about every- I started climbing, struggling but I never let it show. I just put thing that was going on around me. As the time and fighting through the rocks. my head up high and took the for me to leave got closer, I became more scared I didn’t want to stop but at that responsibility to guide the group and sad. However, I was still excited to live in a time the pain was stronger than for the entire day. When we got different world without my family, friends, school my soul. I decided to stop. When back to basecamp from the first and problems. I knew this experience was going to I got down I felt so angry and expedition my responsibilities in- help me in many ways including with my family life, disappointed about myself that I creased. I thought I wasn’t going but I never thought it was going to impact me this just wanted to disappear. I went to be able to accomplish these much. It had been thirty days already - thirty long, to sit down and calm myself. I duties. I knew I had to cook for challenging, sad, happy, excited, amazing and un- started thinking about all the the entire group and wash the forgettable days of my life during which I’ve been things I had accomplished in dishes and I thought that was away from my family and civilization. I thought my only seven days. I felt devastated too much. But to my surprise, family would always be by my side, helping me get and hopeless because I had felt even more responsibilities came up and showing me the right path and to not make again. The other ARC partici- into my schedule. I had to wash mistakes. To always have my head up high and pants, my second family, cheered clothes, wake up at 6:15 to do demonstrate to the world and to myself that I am a me all the time and never left me fitness, attend science, English, strong girl. Even though right now I don’t have my alone. I kept my head up high group reading and leadership family with me there is nothings that can push me and tried one more time. I had my family and my class. I had never had a schedule as busy as this, but down. I know I have made mistakes by not listening instructors cheering for me and I trusted in myself if I thought it was too much I was wrong because to my parents and brother, by not spending time more than ever before. What else could I ask for to while the days passed more and more tasks added with them, not helping them through challenges make it happen? With all the support and love they to my schedule. Now I have to read a book by and problems, leaving them alone when they most gave me, I had enough to get to the top of the cliff. myself, read a map, attend first aid class and clean needed me and by not showing them how much I I struggled through the pain but this time nothing the bathroom. At first I didn’t think I was going to love them and care about them. But thanks to all could stop me. Life is like rock climbing, there be able to keep up with this schedule but ARC has the challenges I’ve been through, I’ve accepted my are times where we are going to find easy ways to taught me to be responsible not only for myself, mistakes. I know it’s not too late to make up, so I’m continue, but we are going to find hard ways too. but for my group. ready to start my relationship with my family from We have to pass through the hardest things to real- zero and demonstrate to them that I can change, ize who we really are and appreciate what we have. My strength began to show as the days past. Forty I changed for myself but especially for them. I’m The challenges I’ve passed through these forty days days ago the word strong wasn’t in my dictionary. I going to be the amazing and perfect daughter and have taught me to be responsible, stronger and to tried to find it but the only word that came out was sister they always wanted by expressing myself appreciate my family. weak. Before coming to ARC, everybody told me I with them and telling them how much I love and was too weak to do dangerous and tough things. I appreciate them. I’ve taken on responsibilities that I never have always agreed with them because I was too scared before. I thought forty days would not make any to try new things. It’s amazing how during the first Forty days ago I didn’t have any idea of who I difference in my life, but I was wrong. ARC has expedition I could demonstrate to myself that I was and what I was doing in this world. I used to changed me more than I could have ever imagined. can do anything as long as I try. My first day hiking see myself in the mirror and I couldn’t recognize Since the first day I got to basecamp, ARC demon- was really hard, but I never thought it was going get myself. Thanks to ARC, I finally found my way. strated to me that this was going to be a summer harder each day. The second day was one of the Now I can reflect on myself in the clear and blue full of responsibilities. I thought the first day was most difficult of the whole program. Twenty min- water from Lake Tahoe. I know who I am and going to be a relaxing day because only two other utes after we started hiking I fell and hit my knee. It what am I doing in this world, and I’m proud of it. boys and I were going to be at basecamp. Again I started bleeding but I didn’t think it was going to be I am a totally different person, not the girl I used was wrong. I had to take a test that included some a big deal. I got up, put my backpack on, my head to be before. I’ve discovered how responsible and questions and an essay and right after that we had up high and stared walking. During that day I fell strong I’ve become and how important communi- to start cooking dinner. I wasn’t expecting this, five more times on the same knee. I felt like every cation, love, and support from my family, friends and even though I was somewhat familiar with the step I took the pain was increasing more and more and community can be and I am ready to go home kitchen I wasn’t full confidence at all. Back at home but I knew I still had a long way to go until we ar- and take on the responsibilities that I didn’t take I used to help my mom to cook but only rarely, and rived at our destination. I decided to stop thinking before. I am determined to help my parents and just to cut vegetables. I have never cooked an entire about the pain and concentrate about not giving brothers in everything they need, open myself and dinner. up and making my family and myself proud. Each tell them how much I love them, get more involved day I overcame a new challenge. The definition of in my community by doing community service and During the first expedition our instructors, Mel and the word strong started to come out word by word. help the people who most need it benefit from my Peter, introduced us to the different jobs we had to The last day of our first expedition we hiked down actions. I learned that life is like a mountain that do: the leader of the day, house mouse, great eye, the hill for forty minutes until we arrived at the rock has ups and downs but if you really fight and give aqua bear and journalist. During the first expedi- we were going to climb. In our second expedition everything you will get to the top and have the tion I got to be the first leader of the day. It was the we had to kayak across Lake Tahoe and then go most meaningful feeling you have ever had in your second day of hiking, but the first day that we all white water rafting. Even though we had life jackets life. During these past forty days I’ve failed, cried, were going to do our jobs. The night before when I was terrified because I didn’t know how to swim. laughed, learned, experimented and overcome Mel told me that I was going to be the first leader it I thought to myself about how I came here to over- challenges. The ARC program and my two families shocked me because I had never led a group of ten came fears and demonstrate to myself that I can do have taught me to never give up, no matter what teens by myself. I tried to calm myself down and be anything I want. With the help of my second family happens. “Failure is the key to success.” This saying positive about it. The second day came as the alarm and my instructors I just went for it and tried to has been my angel in my mind throughout the sum- beat at 6:15am. I woke up the girls and then went to give my best. mer. It made me unstoppable.

ARC Summer 2010 9 gabriel marquez I Will Never Stop Learning From My Mistakes

I am a growing oak tree Who was starting to sprout new leaves Always learning But not before saying how proud they were of me Always making new mistakes and learning from them For owning up to my mistakes without being told to do so As I continue through my life And continuing as a growing oak tree that is always learning Passing all the seasons Always changing I insisted on growing bigger than before Getting closer to being the tree I know I am destined to be When I was a seedling I was easily convinced and tricked to do bad things Unlike my so-called friends By my so-called friends. Who are still shriveling out and, dying slowly during the winter I was a growing oak tree always learning And not reviving again during the spring Like they always have I learned bad things They are so used to doing it , as small trees fighting for survival Thinking it would make me a bigger oak tree Trees that are not big enough to get their own sunlight and water I began to steal and ditch school When I changed and decided to be It made me feel like I belonged A growing oak tree that is always learning They chose not to follow To my surprise it actually kept me down, dry and apart from others Other trees were growing bigger and stronger I continue growing and learning As I shriveled into almost nothing Because I am still an oak tree who is not yet done I felt like I was no longer a growing oak tree And always learns from its mistakes But a pathetic excuse for a twig I die out during the winter, shedding my old leaves When the other trees were caught Along with my mistakes I realized that what I had done was not the right thing They teach me more about what I should not do For me, and my morality I start over in spring with a new beginning I remembered that I would always be And a chance to grow new leaves A growing oak tree always learning good and bad I had learned from the error of my mistakes I continue to learn and grow wiser And bigger as an oak tree I convinced myself that there had to be a remedy That will never stop learning and growing Because all the things I did only hurt me and no one else As the seasons change so do I I only did it hoping my roots would grow as deep in the ground As everyone else’s, because I felt that As I become I could be pulled out of the ground at any second The best tree I can be In this jungle of opportunities After realizing what I had done Just waiting for us I no longer felt like an oak tree To learn and move on But, like a pile of firewood waiting to be burned From all our mistakes I would find a way to fix what I had done As we place them in our past As a growing oak tree I could not give up I am a growing oak tree I wrote apology letters That is always learning I went to people who I hurt and read them the letters I know I will never be perfect And I offered to work off what I had done But that won’t stop me from trying to get as close as I can In order to let go of all my dead brown leaves And continue to grow through the seasons As an oak tree that will never stop learning As an oak tree that is always learning I will continue through life making a good future for my self By going to college and getting an education Everyone accepted my apologies Assuring a good future for my family and me And let me work off the bad leaves As spring arrived I will prove that I have learned from my mistakes I began to grow all new leaves, green and healthy And have worked hard to end them Continuing my life as a growing oak tree that is always learning For the benefit of my friends and family and myself I felt very happy and relieved knowing it was all behind me I will continue being Soon enough my parents heard what I had done A growing oak tree They talked to me and grounded me that is always learning. As a growing small tree

10 ARC Summer 2010 I Have No More Limitations

Life is full of surprising challenges that exhausted. On the other hand, when I was achieve it. If you do quit, you will regret it aren’t easily overcome. For example, when I distracted or thinking about other things, I for the rest of your life until you go back was rock climbing, it was a hot day and the could go for hours on end without as much and see it all the way through. If you stick sun was hitting my face as I reached for the as loosing my breath. The more I practiced to it through the end, you will be proud that next rock to pull myself up. Thoughts were and the less I focused on the distance the you had the opportunity of quitting, but rushing through further I got, telling my- you stuck to it. Care Bears say, “Were there’s my mind about me self that it was just a little a will there’s a way,” and to me this means slipping and falling further and that there that if you believe that you can do it you to my certain death. was no need to look up. will succeed. I learned this when I was rock I began to ask to When it came to writing, climbing and I wanted to quit but I knew come back down but I just focused on writing that I had to keep going. my belier would not the requirements for the hear of it. He kept paper, and not on the ARC showed me that a family has to sup- telling me to go a quality of it. I was work- port each other so that you can overcome little father. I wanted ing as little as possible on your mental limitations. We did everything to quit as sweat was them so I would not have together. Things like household chores rushing down my to work as long. With all should be divided up between every one face and with every the extra time we had to living there equally. When I get back home second that passed write the essays, I was en- I will help my mom with washing dishes I became more and couraged to revise it, so and clothes, along with cooking. These are more nervous. Soon I decided to do just that. responsibilities that don’t really do on a nor- I began to hear all In doing that, I caught mal basis that I will start doing on a regular my friends cheering myself in many small basis when I get home. I will help out more me on chanting my but vital mistakes, which with my little brother’s homework in order name. I knew that changed my thinking to help him improve his English the way I was not going to about my limitations in that I am in ARC. In my family’s restau- make it, but I did not want to disappoint my writing. They revolve simply around the rant I will use my newly acquired problem my friends. Putting a fake smile on my face time I had to work on it and nothing else, solving skills in order to accomplish things I continued through it thinking that I had thus teaching me that limitations are meant more quickly and efficiently. This will show to do it. I could not give up, I had to make to broken and improved. ARC also showed that I am a person who is willing to pull his it so I pushed myself and soon enough me the way to make own weight in I reached the top and I thought that the it happen. Now I am order to continue worst was over. I realized that I was wrong prepared to go through with our happy when the instructor told me to lay back off school and write as relationship as a the edge. I got a knot in my throat, and I many essays that come family. couldn’t stop thinking that I was going to my way. I will also go fall. The whole group began cheering again further in my athlet- ARC has taught and I looked back and gave them a quick ics, pushing myself as me many valu- grin as I slowly backed off the edge. Letting physically possible and able skills, which myself go little by little, soon I was jumping continuing through my I will never down faster and faster and before I knew it, life breaking all of my forget. Nothing I was on the ground at ease. It was impor- limitations. worth getting tant for me to come to ARC this summer. It will ever be easy. taught me how to become a better problem ARC has taught me As a person you solver, how to face up to my fears, and to that nothing worth must learn to power through any mental or physical chal- getting is ever easy, and overcome all lenge’s in my way. In ARC I learned that my you have to work for challenges that mind sets my limits for me mentally and the it in order to receive it. come your way, only one who can change them is me. Quitting might be the quitting is never easiest thing to do, but an option. I also My physical and mental limitations are set you must push yourself learned that in by my mind. When I was going through in order to reach your order to help various ARC challenges I realized that my goals. ARC also showed yourself you mind has a lot to do with my limitations. As me that the path in must learn to I hiked and did morning fitness, I realized your life will have a lot of up’s and down’s, help others. These experiences will help me that the more I thought about the distances but you should not stop no matter how in the future to become closer to my family the more tired I got. I would tell my self uncomfortable you are. If you’re going for and friends and to be more prepared to that I was too tired to continue any further something that is worthwhile you will have overcome my limits when needed, in order but I knew that my body was no where near to get out of your comfort zone in order to to move forward in life.

ARC Summer 2010 11 gustavo cabrera Slowly Making It to the Ocean

I am a raging river My water is dark, With a lot inside of me Filling fast That I am scared to show From stress at home My raging rapids hide the rocks Knowing I am hurting my mom That hurt me when they roll Regretting the time I told my dad I hated him I hide them deep inside I don’t know what happened to me Because they are easier to ignore I didn’t mean it Rocks that have been there since the beginning Thinking I am always right And some that are new Trying to make everyone proud My water is dark It’s a lot of pressure Darker than any of the rivers around But I never complain I want to hide I know it is my job The rocks that I can’t leave behind I just have to concentrate You might see me and see nothing wrong Leaving everyone behind But if you really take your time and look deeply I left myself too You will find old wounds My family and friends are in the past Formed by the rocks I want them to be my present I won’t let anyone see I’m scared because I don’t know when it happened And how they still haven’t healed And I don’t know how to stop it All I want is to make it to the ocean Wounds from my dad leaving for seven years So I can find who I am He came to the US to give my family and me A better life I am a raging river For half of my life he was gone That is desperate to calm down For half of my life I didn’t know what a father was My water is dark Now we try to make up for the lost time And I wish it would clear up By trying to spend more time together I wish some of the water would come out But the more we do So I won’t be full The more I figure out how different we are I will listen to my mom He feels like a stranger And tell her I love her I will to tell my dad that I am sorry I’m a raging river Acknowledge my mistakes and learn from them More mad at myself than anyone else Learn how to accept that I can’t be perfect I think I hate myself And hope my family understands that Because of my haunting past I will learn to share my feelings I have a wound so deep inside of me With my family I haven’t told my family They won’t worry about me anymore I was a river that didn’t I want them to be a big part of my life See the point in existing I want them to know my problems and concerns And wanted to dry out And now I am finally bringing it to the surface I am a mature river I thought it had vanished under the mud I will keep growing strong But it’s always in my mind With my family and mistakes I want to start over Coming together to form a wider, And learn how to forget Clearer and calm river Be strong enough to finally deal with it I will to go to college I know it will be hard to do this And live my life as it comes But I have people that love me And finally make everyone proud And will always be there I am a mature river I am a raging river Calm and clear That has been getting filled Finally letting my rocks come out Way too fast Having no fear I wait for the moment I know that with my family’s support In which my banks will overflow I will find the right path I know it’s getting closer To slowly make it to the ocean And I’m scared of whom I will hurt And find who I am

12 ARC Summer 2010 many things, and that I am capable of achieving anything I want. All I would do was thank them Finally Found Everything I Needed and walk away thinking they are crazy. I didn’t believe enough in myself to think I was capable I laid under a tall shady tree that divided into two and I was glad I had sun glasses that cover half of a lot but in the past forty days I have noticed strong brown trunks. Looking at the clear blue of my face. “Yes you can! I trust you!” she told that I am capable of reaching any of the goals I sky closing my eyes, feeling the breeze gently me looking straight at me. Finally, I managed to set for myself. The moment in which I had this rubbing my face, taking away the entire wall get the courage that I needed and kept going. realization was during the ropes course. During that had kept me from thinking about my life. When I was ahead of everyone else so they Pipe Dreams, I was scared in a way I’ve never Melting into my surrounding by listening to the couldn’t hear me I said to myself, “I want my been before. As soon as I got up there I wanted conversation of birds, thinking of my last week mom.” If she was there with me at that moment to get down and be safely on the ground. Stand- at home. “I can’t wait to get out of here!” I use she would hug me and told me that if I didn’t ing on a wire holding hands with my partner, to tell myself, “I can’t wait to leave everyone want to do it that I didn’t have to, that everything Santana, knowing I needed to get from pipe to for a long time so I won’t have to deal with my was going to be okay. At that moment I realized pipe keeping my balance. I took a deep breath, family anymore!” Now that I looked back at that how lucky I was to have the mother that I have took two steps and fell, but my team was not go- moment, I couldn’t comprehend how I could and the family anyone would want to have. ing to let me give up that easily, so they made me have had those thoughts. All I wanted to do at I began to notice things I never had noticed get back up on the wire and try again. With all that was to be with my family at home. As time before like, how they have always supported me the might I had left in me I got back up on the kept moving I later found myself swimming and have always tried to give me the best that rope and gave it my best try. When I finished the through an undiscovered place in my ocean of they can. Being alone for 24 hours made me challenge I felt something I had never felt before. thoughts. I opened my eyes and noticed it was notice that my family is the most important thing It was a rush that went through my entire body; slowly getting dark; the sky that was once blue I have. That I still need them now and that I it was happiness, accomplishment, and adrena- was now a soothing mixture of purple and pink. always will. line all at the same time. At that moment I made Thinking, I did not want this moment to end. a promise to myself that I would never give up As I kept thinking, I slowly started to realize that Now I am positive not only with the people on a challenge because I would miss out on a lot, for the past year I have been someone who is around me but also with myself. I have had quali- not only in ARC but also in life. I also noticed not me, that I slowly left myself behind without ties my entire life without knowing that they are that if I give up I would take people down with noticing it. Melancholy filled me at that moment the qualities for a good leader. Thanks to ARC me, like my partner, Santana, who was really and made a promise to myself that I would try I have been able to strengthen these qualities. excited about the activity. It wouldn’t have been my best to be me again. I am tired of hiding I have always thought I was a lazy person that fair for me to end that experience for her just by my feelings and always trying to fit in. This was too scared to be independent and always me giving up. I have given this a lot of thought experience has made my life take a 180 degree following everyone as long as I fit in because I’m and now I am determined to no matter how hard turn. Through ARC I have changed the way I too scared to try anything new. But for the time challenges in my life will get I won’t give up on think about myself and the way I see the people I have been here in ARC I’ve had to learn how any of them. around me. to be independent. I am doing my own laundry, washing dishes and sometimes even cooking my I always had the family I wanted I just had to The biggest change toward the perspective of own food. In the past 40 days I have noticed look deeper, I always had the ability to not be people around me was the way I look at my that I am a natural leader. Since here I don’t have scared and to be outgoing as well as the capac- family now. I’ve always heard the quote, “You anyone looking out for me, I had to become a lot ity of achieving anything I wanted. The ARC don’t know what you have until it’s gone,” but I more responsible with my own things. Having to program helped me realize these things before never understood the full meaning of it until I be organized in order to be everywhere I need it was too late and I couldn’t have changed them came to ARC. Back at home to be on time and to do everything anymore. Also for all the people here who helped I always thought I had the by myself to make it through a day. me have the most important realization I will worst family anyone could have Not being scared of trying new have in my life. Becoming aware of the facts that asked for. Even though deep things made me realize that I am I have the family I have always wanted, that I inside I knew that wasn’t true, more outgoing than I ever thought can be the person who I have always wanted and that’s how I felt about it. But I I was. When we were at the ropes that I am able of finishing anything that I start. I realized really fast how wrong course I wasn’t scared to try any of don’t know what I would have done without all I was. On the fifth day of the the challenges, I was up to trying of these experiences changing me to become the program we were in our first anything they would tell me to do. person I have always wanted to be. For the rest expedition, it started out as Being more outgoing with new of my life I know I will take every single thing I any other day that week, until people; I have realized that if I am have learned here and apply it to everything I do. we got to the top of Dicks shy no one will remember me. So, I will try to share all of it with as many people Pass. We began to slowly hike I try to talk more to people and as I can, so they can have at least a little part of our way down the very steep, overcome my shyness because that this huge recognition I have had in such a sort snow covered pass that lead has been holding me back for a amount of time. My goal is to teach them that to a beautiful, half frozen lake. The beginning long time. Now that I know I have these quali- family is the most important thing anyone could was easy, no problem at all and as we started ties I will use them in my everyday life, be more have, that they shouldn’t take them for granted, to get closer and closer to the lake I began to organized and responsible will help me be better and that they shouldn’t give up on anything grown more confident, until I became the head in school and get better grades. Now I know that because sooner or later they will regret it. I hope of the single file line we have always walked in. I am independent and that I can relay on myself that people notice the new me that I have been I thought I could do it, that it would be easy but and not my family to do my things. I am a natu- putting in so much effort to form, that people I was wrong. We got closer to the lake, the snow ral leader, this will help because people naturally will notice the way I act differently and how I got more steep and slippery, and I began to get see me as a leader and if I do something they will think of things from a completely new perspec- scared. Not wanting to fall, afraid of falling and follow my example. tive. I hope they notice how I respect my family not be able to stop; that I would fall into the ice a lot more, that I think about what I do twice, cold lake and drown with my 30 pound back- ARC made me notice that people have always and how I am not afraid to be noticed anymore. pack. “I can’t do it!” I told Esperanza, who was been right, and that I am the only person get- I have finally come out of my shell and I am behind me, “It’s too hard and I’m going to fall!” ting in my way to accomplish anything. Back at ready physically and mentally to face any of the I felt my eyes start to water out of frustration, home people have always told me that I can do challenges that come in the future.

ARC Summer 2010 13 hao xian xu

The Growth of a Warrior Tree

I am an inexperienced tree. I always stayed shorter than the other trees There is no reason for me to surrender Growing indoor since I was seed And every step seemed impossible Because it isn’t only my own fight any more Because my parents were afraid I couldn’t For me to arrive at the sky My parents, my friends, my teachers Survive in the open Homesickness became a tool for me to surrender And my teammates Getting light from a lamp-my father All of their minds are with me And water from a sprinkler-my mother I began to topple down from these challenges That helps me to fight I feel faint without any lamp or sprinkler My roots didn’t grow deep enough They want me to stand strong and tall, And not knowing how to get any nutrients I thought every little thing was Grow firm roots Except from my parents The end of the world I don’t want to disappoint Like not getting to top of the rock climb and Those who I care the most about When I was a small tree being late for a meeting Their hope and support changed me, My parents did everything for me I was fighting with myself in my mind The cold-hearted boy I used to be I became selfish and heartless I knew that if I lost the fight Escaping from responsibility I would lose everything They will see Like a tree that doesn’t release oxygen for people Crashing down to the ground Like a warrior tree And doesn’t make the earth fertile I stand until the end Through my strength I am an inexperienced tree I make a better day for my future My parents brought me to the U.S. Moving a tree from fertile ground Like graduating from high school To dry desert Going to college There were no friends for me in the U.S. Doing things that will As a tree living far away from the forest Make everybody take notice I thought Helping make a better world I didn’t deserve friendship Making all the people Because nobody can understand Who support me proud The young tree I know it isn’t too far to get to the sky Who speaks broken English I think I can almost touch it Like a redwood tree My parents thought I would do better By reading more English books and Someday I will become Making more friends by speaking English The mastermind But I went the opposite way Who can make the positive angels The tree is dying instead of living Scream how amazing I am Doing things in the wrong way And the negative devils Like reading Chinese books in class and But I realized I had many more important things Cry at their failure to bring me down Speaking Chinese all the time To accomplish Like English and science lessons The inexperienced tree Suddenly, I got a chance to participate in ARC Physical training, and being independent Will be dead The tree got a chance It wasn’t the end of the world The most powerful and useful tree To live in the forest I must win the fight Will be reborn It was hard to tell Brave enough to climb the rock If it would nourish me or not during that time I still hear the sounds of support Presenting my ideas and thoughts Because I haven’t known much From my teammates Confidently to people About being outside As a tree suddenly gets water from heavy rain Using English to help my family and community From that time, To have a better life At first, the ARC forest was hell I understand teamwork and support Helping new immigrants to adjust their life Almost nothing I could handle After the rock climbing The tree doesn’t know how I felt unbeatable That is me To get energy by photosynthesis The tallest tree standing in the forest The rock climbing was as hard as learning English. I am an inexperienced tree The boy who shall never surrender

14 ARC Summer 2010 A Warm Heart and Soul Can Change My Destiny

“No sacrifice no victory,” I kept thinking time than working by oneself. Hard things can was very puzzled when I spent the free time this quote in my mind when I stood at the be done successfully and smoothly even if to find out the answer. Finally, I figure out the top of the tree to get ready to jump off the some of them seem impossible. It also makes problem was my heart. If I have a warm heart, platform to grab the swing. I heard lots of me think a lot because I need to discuss and I will help everybody even people I don’t very support voice from my teammates. I took a give ideas to my teammates. Teamwork taught know. But if I have cold heart, I won’t help deep breath and told myself, “I will rock out me: “two is better than one.” anybody, even my family. ARC changed my this place.” Then I used all my strength and heart. I began to have a warm heart to help focus to jump off. I still remember the time Throughout the last forty days, my behav- others instead of the cold-hearted boy I used before I came to ARC when my relationship iors changed a lot by overcoming challenges. to be. My mother used to tell me, “People with my family wasn’t good. I argued with my Before I came to the ARC program, I often don’t realize how important things are until parents about doing housework a lot. I didn’t quit when I faced something difficult because they lose them.” At that time, I didn’t know trust my friends at all. I hid indoors because I I was afraid I would get hurt, mess up and get the meaning of the quote. Now I finally didn’t want to take time to recover when I got in trouble. For instance, I used a lawnmower recognize the meaning that my mother wanted hurt from outside. Fortunately, here at ARC I to cut grass around my to express to me. I have to try had an opportunity to be true to myself. After house, but too much my best to keep the important I grabbed the swing, I realized everything was grass got stuck in the things I have such as family changed: my life, my future and my destiny. I engine and it broke. My and friendship. Fortunately, it have discovered the true meaning of team- parents got mad and isn’t too late for me to keep work, the behaviors I want, and the impor- yelled at me. After that, I these important things. My tance of my family and my friends. never wanted to mow the family and friends still belong lawn anymore because I with me and trust that I can The ARC program has taught me how use- was afraid I would break be a better person. So why ful teamwork is. Working as a team was one it again and get in more don’t I make them proud of thing that I never did before I came to ARC. trouble. During the time me instead make them disap- I thought teamwork wasn’t very important I was in ARC, I had to pointed? I made a promise to because it would waste time to do silly things try many new things and myself that I will use all the like discuss other people’s ideas, decide what face lots of challenges. lessons that I have learned to do, and plan how to do it together. In the Namely, I had to hike to pay back my family when beginning of the ARC program, I had a lot with my teammates for I return. For instance, I will of challenges and I overcame most of them five miles through mil- teach my family how to speak on my own. I used my strength and my mind lions of mosquitoes. At first, I tried to do the English and how to protect the environment, to do it. Teamwork wasn’t as useful as the same thing as before - quit. But I realized there help my family to do housework, etc. Also, I instructors said. I even hated that sentence is no way for me to quit; I had to overcome will stand behind my family and friends when of support “come on, guys, you can do it, it. When I started to push myself to continue they get confused and troubled. No matter we’re almost there.” I thought this sentence hiking, I noticed how powerful my ability is. I how hard it will be. was just like trash; how can a little sentence felt happy and successful when I arrived at our affect people to overcome challenges. I kept destination. Now, although something may If you think my transform is incredible, then this thought until I had a very big challenge seem too hard to finish, it doesn’t mean I will ARC must be a fantastic program. All the posi- that changed my mind. “Let us help you,” give up. I will just take a rest and I will keep tive things I am doing I learned from my team- my teammates kept repeating when we were doing hard things to improve myself. Now, mates, instructors, and activities in these forty doing an activity at the Ropes Course. “NO, I I feel more brave and confident. I see my days. I got the knowledge about how to work can do it by myself,” I said, even after I failed challenges in front of me as a wall that I will as a team, be brave and confident to try hard several times. I felt tired and hopeless at that keep trying to climb over, even if I don’t make things, and trust and love my family and my time. I was trying to ignore everything my it the first time. Because of this, I trust the friends. I really appreciate that I am not too teammates told me. Finally, I had no idea how quote: “failure is the mother of success.” late to gain this knowledge. From teamwork I to overcome it, so I decided to work with my learned a person couldn’t live without commu- teammates. I wanted to let them know how I began to think about how could I pay back nity. I need their support to reach my goals in useless teamwork is so that they would close my family and friends when I return home. better and faster ways so that my future will be their mouths and wouldn’t have those noisy I still remembered my family and my friends more perfect. Also, my behaviors will change conversions planning how to deal with the and how they supported and helped me to my destiny. I will keep doing the hard things activity anymore. But I found out I was wrong fix the problem when I got in trouble. But because it will make me stronger. I am ready to when I put my hand on my teammate’s shoul- I just thanked them a few times and never start a new life with my family and my friends. der. The activity became much easier than I paid them back. When I was in ARC, my I will share all my feeling with them because before. We overcame the challenge faster than teammates and I always helped each other to they will encourage me throughout my life no I thought we could. After this experience, I do the hard things. This made me think a lot. matter what happens to me. Now, I realize realized teamwork is one of the most useful The students with me for forty days support how good a person I want to be with a warm and important things in the world. It doesn’t me in the same way my family and my friends heart and soul. This is the real me who is ready waste any time. Oppositely, it will save more did, so why couldn’t I do give back to them. I to jump for the next swing.

ARC Summer 2010 15 heidi jimenez Nothing Will Keep Me From Reaching the Top of the Trees!

I am a caterpillar, My cocoon I admire the smooth, chilly breeze has shown me the path Lake Tahoe has to offer. The path I want to follow and I relax on a beautiful Lupine The path I need to walk away from. As I wonder how I will reach my goals Here I recognize I have set for myself. team work and family are very important in my life. I felt like a useless and ungrateful caterpillar ARC has shown me it is okay to take everything step-by-step when it came to participating and agreeing like crawling up a stem reaching the lupine with my father. as long as I don’t give up I never helped out around the house and pursue my goals and dreams. Which caused problems for other caterpillars and the butterflies. Being in my cocoon helped me realize I was so ungrateful the world is big, beautiful to my family members; and there are many challenges. I would not commit to anything that involved I need time to conquer my fears. getting up and squirming around Time to depend on the strong, inspiring, and supportive butterflies to make every one else happy. I have around me. I ignored everyone I was once a caterpillar I wouldn’t help out my dad, now I am a butterfly, the father and mother I have found the path butterfly of the cocoon. I have been searching for He cooks, cleans, for sixteen years. and washes his own clothes My wings have burst My dad relies on himself. I am ready to experience the real world, Despite the fact that he has more I am ready to become the helpful, important things to do. amazing daughter my father has waited for. I am a caterpillar, Now I can fly away, Here in my cocoon I will be a leader At ARC Since day one I mature and realize I set a goal for myself family will never disappear To go through the whole program, I will have support pushing myself in every direction I turn. fighting for my team and my second family. However, No matter what challenge hits me I may take a wrong turn. I will wrestle through it. I still have my family behind me Nothing will keep me from reaching the top to push me back on track. of the trees! They strengthen me and show me right from wrong, I am a butterfly I struggle through my wall I will challenge myself at everything. until I am free. I can do anything I put my mind to. My family will help me Years and butterflies have flown by – pread my wings. Its time I fly too. Once I’m a butterfly I will be there for my family, friends, com- I can be strong and powerful. munity, and most importantly my father. I am a strong caterpillar I will help other caterpillars Ready to take the next step. break through their cocoons Ready to burst from my cocoon and succeed. Ready to become the most beautiful butterfly I know I am. I will reach my goals Nothing will keep me from reaching the top of the trees! I am ready to take on more challenges.

16 ARC Summer 2010 The Courage to be Myself It hit me when we sat down for our eve- to do things on my own. I have been more confidence the second time than I ning meeting and Peter and Mel told us through many challenges during ARC did the first. I yelled down to my belay- that our solo was tomorrow. I was scared where I learned this lesson. When we ers and said, “I’m doing this for you!” I and nervous about this experience be- completed the ropes course I realized took a big jump and when I opened my cause I was afraid to be by myself. Peter how much I needed people to support eyes I was holding onto the bar. I had the asked us if we had any questions. I didn’t me. I got up on the ropes and I was sup- biggest smile on my face. I felt proud of know where to start. I was speechless. ported by the sound of my ARC family. myself for getting up and trying it again. We were about to spend the night in the They were motivating me and cheering I could not have done it with out the woods by ourselves with no shelter and me on, encouraging me not to give up. support I had around me. a limited amount of food. My spot had The “Leap of Faith” was our next chal- a stunning view of the mountains and lenge in the ropes course. As I climbed If I give support to others I will eventu- I could hear the sound of the waterfall up to the top I yelled down, “this is for ally get it back. My team becomes part streaming down to a lake. Even though it my family and I am going to grab this bar of my soul and I cannot live with out it. was peaceful, I had hardly slept that night for them.” I then jumped. Then I missed My ARC family opened my eyes to this. because there was fear streaming through it. I was so hurt I had let them down. My All the support my ARC family has given my body. I was so worried about how I ARC friends belayed me down and when me, transformed me from a young selfish would live for a whole twenty-four hours I reached the bottom it was in complete and ungrateful child to this intelligent, by myself with no one to talk to. In my silence. I was very upset for failing. I took risk taking young woman. I used to think spot I thought about how I transformed support meant to stay behind someone, myself into a new person. I love the new give them a shoulder to cry on, and help me because now I have the courage to sit them up from a fall. I was right in a way, down and listen to what others have to but throughout ARC I learned that sup- say and I am more energetic, proud, and port is much more than that. It means surprised in myself from overcoming being mature, kind and open minded. I these challenges. Little did I know, ARC have learned that there is a time when would transform me into a woman who messing around can be okay to support is capable of being comfortable with people, but when it is not that time it is myself, relying upon others and giving important to sit down and listen to them. my support to friends. I am good at giving advice. I choose not to leave anyone behind no matter the ARC has allowed me to be more com- situation. Running early in the morn- fortable with myself and who I really ings is a challenge for many of the ARC want to be. Before my experience at participants. If I am able to run, I will ARC, I was selfish, often moody and run beside those who need support to angry with everyone who tried to help get through the morning. I know if I was me with decisions. ARC has helped hurt and I could not run I would really me experience my fears and helped me appreciate someone on my side. fight through them. If it was not for ARC, I would not have had the chance Winston Churchill once said, “courage is to prove to myself that failure leads to what it takes to stand up and speak, and success. For the past month I faced many it takes courage to sit down and listen.” obstacles, yet I have not given up. I have off my harness and said I had to go to This quote means if you talk without learned much form the expeditions. I am the bathroom. That was just an excuse listening to others you do not have the fine with failure because I have learned to go cry in shame. I knew that walk- courage. It’s important to give others a that when I fail, I can learn from my mis- ing away from my problems was not the chance to break through their shell and takes. Without facing an obstacle I would right way to go, but at the time I felt it speak up. It’s also important to speak up not get the chance to see what is in front was the right solution. When I returned because if you have an idea someone of me. They have helped me be myself. my ARC family came up to me and who is listening will be glad hear you. I I can walk around with no makeup and cheered me up. They told me others have plan to take my experiences home and talk the way I want to talk with out being also missed the bar and they were also help my younger cousins and the neigh- judged. I now can do things I have always upset, however, that has not kept them borhood kids see how meaningful family wanted to do but never thought I could. from getting back up and trying again. I is. I plan to start a club or a mini ARC realized it all made sense. I can fail but if to help kids enjoy their childhoods. All ARC has shown me that dependence is I keep trying I will reach the bar. Then, people are welcome. Activities we would not always a bad thing. Working with my our instructor, Mike, had me put the do are: prom, “a-what” game, kayaking, team can be more powerful than trying harness back on and I tried again. I had rafting, ropes course, and rock climbing.

ARC Summer 2010 17 ozie lopez The Heavy Load

I am an ant Working hard every day of my life Sometimes knowing the right from wrong And what the consequences May lead to.

I feel like an ant balancing on a leaf next to a river Balancing on the edge I never know What way the wind will push me I hope it will blow me the right way And open my eyes to the sun that has always kept them shut.

My parents remind me daily to think twice Leaving my colony About what I do before I do it I carry a big load on my back Once I made a very bad decision My dad is working alone It made my parents heart drop With no one to help him All the way to their feet And I am having fun with new friends Like an ant dropping into the strong current Sometimes I want to go back home. Hard for them to know If they made a mistake raising me But my family keeps me going Waking every day last summer It makes me sad Going to work with my dad Seeing them suffer And knowing how to do the job right Not getting paid Now that I am far from him What they deserve for their valuable job I feel like an ant who is lost Because they don’t have an education Far from its colony Or professional training. I just want to go back home and hug him And say that I love him That has been the biggest load on my back Like an ant Everything a know till this point is thanks to him Carrying a massive leaf across the forest I don’t even want to think Seeing them suffer Or dream And feeling I can’t help in anyway. Of him leaving my side I am growing up That would be like a big raging river They are hoping for me to have a good education Washing me away with its So I can go further in life Strong curent. Like an ant Working its way to build a new colony Working with my dad I realize that pain and sweat I want to make a difference Will get me where I need to be in life In my family Like an ant working hard Knowing that education is my path to my future Day and night Going to college can open doors for me To move on I am an ant I can, I will and I am becoming a stronger ant Sometimes feeling one step behind The load that once was very heavy for me Going way for the summer Just got lighter.

18 ARC Summer 2010 The Real World

I shivered as we hiked up the side of done in the backcountry, I have hiked up I have also learned that making new friends Mount Tallac on a chilly morning. When we and down mountains and experienced so and a new family sometimes may be chal- got to the top the fog started to surround many great views that I would never have lenging. But knowing new people is always us and I felt like I was dreaming. It began seen in my life. Now I know the meaning good because I can learn how to communi- to rain and all of our stuff got wet, but I of the mountains outside my house. When cate with them and understand the way they still enjoyed being up so high and having I go back home I will see things and people think or see things in the world. I might see a great view of Lake Tahoe and all of the that surround me differently. I will respect things differently from other people, but mountains overlapping people in my life more and have more open I know now how they feel and think. This each other. During ARC I had many mo- conversations with them. When I have ARC experience has also made me recog- ments like this where I saw new things that struggles in life I will always picture myself nize errors I have made in my past. Now I didn’t even know existed. Being away for on a mountain and remember all the hard I will fix them for the future so I don’t this summer, I have realized how mean- things I have done in ARC in the past. The commit the same errors as before. For ingful my family is, recognized the beauty most challenging thing for me was rock instance this summer there was a separation around me, and I have discovered how climbing because I was a little bit scared of in our group, but then we all gathered up important it is to express my ideas. heights and I thought that I could not do it. and we fixed our problem by talking about I said to myself, “I am going to fall halfway it. History does not lie, if you don’t fix your I have learned how to value my family and I am going to die” because I did not problems they come back at you. more because they are the only ones who trust the person that was belaying me. But will be there for me whenever I need them in a blink of an eye I was on top of the big As Ronnie, the person I interviewed this by my side. My dad always told me that he rock, and I could not believe the great view. summer said, “When you stop learning, would support me and be there for me. At that time I valued the world a little more you stop living.” That is true because Those strong words that my dad told me then I used to. I can now say to myself, if you never get too old to learn new many times I will keep in my mind. During I have done hard things before in my life, things; you stop learning because you my solo I was by myself without anything then I can go through it one more time and give up on yourself. What I have learned around me so I could think about every- I will make it through. throughout thing I have done in my life. I thought this summer about all the things that my dad had said to When I was back at is that my me about how he would always be there. home living my normal parents don’t My dad’s words got bigger for me and now life I did not let other say things to I appreciate them lots more. I used to al- people know how I felt bother me, ways talk back to my parents and brothers. about things, and I did but for my My parents would tell me to help around not ask many questions. own good, the house because they would not always be Back at home I was the and no one there for me. Now that I am away I recog- type of person who else is going nize why they told me to help around the stays quiet and didn’t to tell me house. ARC has helped me open my eyes talk about my feelings. those things. a little bit more than they were. If I look But in ARC these past Now I value in my future I will never know when I will 30 days being surround- them much be moving out of my parents house and ed by other people who more. Making then I will not have anybody to depend on: express themselves the new friends someone to do my laundry, cook food for same way I do has made has been a me, and clean my room or make my bed. I me feel comfortable good thing will have to do this all by myself. All of the enough to do be more to do. It has things that I have learned throughout these open. I have been asking taught me 32 days I will always keep in mind every- more questions about what types where I go. But the most important thing everything and I tell of people are I have learned is to appreciate all of your people what I think, to in the real loved ones because you never know when make things different or world. The they are going to leave your side at any even better. I think that I have done a good more I learn about others, the more I time. Once something or someone leaves job at that because not too many people learn about myself. It is okay to make your side it will be too late to value them. like to ask questions, and I think that if I mistakes at some point in life if I learn set the example of asking questions and from them. Now I will try to relate all of Before ARC every time I walked out of giving suggestions to the group, they will these things that I have learned through- my house I saw mountains 360 degrees feel comfortable doing the same. Putting out these 40 days in my life, and share around me, and they were just ordinary out my ideas and suggestions has made my ideas and my dreams and the way I mountains for me. But during these 40 days me feel comfortable and proud, because I see the world so that I can change things I have participated in the ARC program know that my new family is paying atten- for the better in my life and become a and during all of the expeditions we have tion to me and supporting me in what I say. different person.

ARC Summer 2010 19 sonia blanco

The Wind Taking Me to My Path

I am the sky Then a hurricane came Changing every day, That lasted for many years Passing through darker days, My parents were unhappy with each other Remembering We weren’t a normal family The bad storms I weathered to get to the shining sunny day The time had come That I am now For everything to change in my life. No more mom or dad together. My first storm This depressed me and my older brother, I had to walk for days and nights, My two sisters were too little to understand. Hiding in the rocks My life went upside down. So we could get to my new home. I felt like dying Moving from one place to another When I knew I wasn’t going to have a normal family. Without knowing what the future might bring I felt Letting the wind blow me to my path. Embarrassed because the people who knew Asked me why they separated. Another storm came. Every time someone asked that I was here with no friends I felt like they were taking my energy No one to support my family. We worried because we didn’t have enough money To pay the bills. As days passed I started to feel better. I could see the rain coming out of my parents’ eyes I realized that God had caused these storms I wished that I was older and could work to help them. Because he wanted to challenge me, I hoped time would pass as quickly as a thunder clap. He wanted me to be stronger. I finally understood The storms stabilized. Everything was sunny for a while I was happy with my life Nine years of storms have passed I am starting to settle down. Even though they’re separated My two wonderful parents encourage me to go far in life To fight for what I want To never give up That the stars are always by my side Protecting me and guiding me all the time.

I am a bright new blue sky These past forty days I haven’t cared How I look what I wear All I care about is being true to me, Expressing what I’m thinking Excited and proud Of what I have accomplished Controlling my mood and not getting angry, To value the people that love me and care about me.

20 ARC Summer 2010 The Diamond Shining Day and Night

My ARC family and all my experiences games got harder, we played games like work as a team, not one person dictat- this summer have helped me face my the octopus and climbing and swinging ing the others. ARC has helped me to problems. I came here not to face my up high that was like living our lives. get along with a new group of people. problems, but to forget the past and We had to work as a team to accom- I have enjoyed the time I spent with begin a new life. I didn’t know what I plish them. When I saw that people the other members here since they see was getting into. Now I can say that wanted to give up, I cheered them and me like one of their family. I started to ARC is a great program we finished all the challenges understand the importance of my fam- and it has helped me to like winners. Through ARC, ily and my friends back home. be a stronger positive I have learned that sup- person and to believe port is a big part of life and In our final expedition our group had a in myself. I learned you can’t do everything by big challenge. We were lost; it was hot that it’s not good to yourself. When you need with a lot of mosquitoes. The group run away from prob- help you need to ask for it. I was going crazy and they were getting lems like homework at also learned that when you mad at each other. Some people were school or climbing ba- fall down like in rock climb- giving up, but I felt strong and I helped sin peak. At the begin- ing you can climb up until the group. At base camp, the instruc- ning of this course it you make it to the top feeling tors and the group nominated me to be was really hard for me. strong. By the end of the the guardian angel. I felt honored, but I thought I wasn’t go- ropes course I felt amaz- at the same time I felt pressured. The ing to make it through ing. When I jumped into the guardian angel is a special person who the 4o days. I felt that I air to get the trapeze, I felt takes care of the group. When we were was a weak person that couldn’t do any- the bar in my hands and felt proud of lost, I told the group to look at the thing. I have seen a huge change in my- myself. I never thought that I could be map and that they should follow me. I self. I learned that working together in a positive person that shows the best reassured them we were going to get a group of people is good because they of me. I feel that I am strong each day there, but that they needed to relax and support you when you think you can’t by learning and doing different activi- think positively. I felt great that people do it; they make you want to do it. This ties, like camping in the woods, living listened to my advice and we made it! summer we have been through many forty days with a group of people, and Before I came to ARC I never thought things together that I never thought I running for thirty minutes in the morn- I could be a leader, but now I know would do. My ARC family supports me ing. This summer I have challenged that I am one. Now I know I can help and encouragers me to go higher than I myself a lot and I am proud of coming others get to our destination. expect. This has shown me good things to ARC. Now I can see that am going like how to support others when they to try my best all the time and always I am a new person that is ready to are about to give up. I came here think- encourage myself to stay strong like I shine, ready to start from the beginning. ing nothing was going to change now I am now. Today I am the shining, sunny person am here supporting my ARC family to that I always wanted to be. Finally, I face new challenges like hiking uphill. “My next game” is when I leave know I have the support and trust of I opened myself to them to show they Sagehen. This time I am going to others that allows me to go through can count on me. Now I see myself as start strong with a lot of energy with obstacles in life with my family next to a strong, positive leader that can learn positive and helpful people, but mostly me. This experience has changed the new things each day. I am going to believe in myself that I way I view life. I appreciate and will want to start at a flat area and go up continue to appreciate what I have. I I wasn’t feeling the support from my the rocky, pointy hill. In the future, am ready to start my new life with my teammates the first two weeks, but no matter how tired I am or how bad family and friends and share with them when we went to the ropes course ev- I am feeling I will always remember how I feel because they will always be erything changed. The ups and downs this great experience that I had and I’ll there for me. I have woken up ready to of the ropes course were like living remember everything I went though. chase the sunrise of tomorrow. I care our lives. Life is just like a game, you ARC has changed my life. I see that more about others and their feelings. have to play it right, be focused and everyone is different but equal and it’s I hope people see how much I have try your best to get to the finish line. up to each of us if we want to make transformed in such little time, just as The first game of the ropes course we a good choice. Everyone has a voice I see it in myself. Now I, Sonia Blanco, played was a piece of cake. All we did and has the right to put out what they am a leader that can do anything I put was walk, lined up on a log. Then the believe in. ARC is about being able to my mind to.

ARC Summer 2010 21 community Interviews On July 10th, halfway through our summer course, ten community members volunteered their time to be mentors for our participants. These are excerpts from the narrative biographies students wrote about their partners.

The Day Finally Came I Can Do Anything I Want Overwhelming nervous- Teresa’s goals are to help people, to create more opportuni- ness invaded my head ties for everyone so they have equal access and can succeed since the early morning. in life. She does not have fancy goals, she just want to finish As I sat on the green what she started and make her community better. She never stool listening to the birds gave up thanks to the support that she received from her serenading me into a calm family, friends, state, I watched mule ears people that edu- sway in the breezy morning. I became more anxious as the cated her, and minutes ticked by. Then I saw her walk into our circle. She especially her had on a denim skirt and soft green blouse. Dark sunglasses husband. hid her blue eyes, but as she uncovered them she had a strong - Cynthia Santana and confident gaze. Vicki sat a couple of stools down from where I did. I hoped that I would be her interviewer and when Jen said my name and hers I was relieved. - Cintya Lopez Time Changes And So Do I We introduced ourselves and Jen started calling out the partners. A Person Who I Admire At that moment my heart wanted to jump out of my chest be- I see Joani as the cause I didn’t know what to expect. After waiting for a while, Jen most simple and said my name. I felt like every second she took to say my partner’s understanding name was an eternity. All the work and time we put into prepar- person because ing was worth it because I got to interview an amazing woman. she doesn’t judge During our one hour interview we got to know each other and them, and she had an unforgettable time. Danielle’s challenges and accomplish- is also a woman ments have made with a lot of her an amazing, experience and with amazing advice. She said to me, “Always brave woman and do your best, don’t give up, believe in yourself and don’t be passionate about scared to ask for help.” I think that my problem of trust in the community people can change by finding people like Joani. and youth. - Edgar Medina - Esperanza Toscano

Following The Right Path Nicole’s life as a child was a happy one because she was a very active child. Her main hobbies were collecting things like rocks, and shells; she also liked to swim. Nicole had a lot of family interactions as a child, since her parents believed in families being together outdoors. They went on family road trips all throughout her childhood. Our childhoods are simi- lar in many ways. As a child I too collected things for fun, and I also like swimming. - Gabriel Marquez

22 ARC Summer 2010 An Inspiration Be True to Yourself After I talked with Jeff, I found out we had some challenges and goals in common. I realized that Jeff ’s childhood, his challenges, and his career have shaped him to be a success- ful person today. I appreciate him for taking some time to share his life with me. In brief, the most important lessons I learned from Jeff are being the person that I want to be, Everyone dreams about finding the perfect job, and Lindsay being happy is living that dream. She works in a foundation that helps everyday, and a lot of programs like ARC, and also gives scholarships to enjoying every- people who want to go to college. She loves this job, because thing I do.. she loves to help people and enjoys knowing that she makes a - Hao Xian Xu difference in people’s lives. Lindsay loves to help because she likes to see the “before and after” of the project to which she contributes. -Gustavo Cabrera Deep in Life Ronnie’s biggest challenge in life was going to college. His The True Life of Nicole Sayegh family could not support him economically, so by the age As I walked towards the meeting area, butterflies in my stom- of 15 he started to work at a golf course. That is how he ach fluttered around. I noticed a group of adults walking to- paid for two years of college. For eight years he worked and wards us. I saw a woman who shined like the stars in the sky; went to school. During that time, he had to read two to three her hair was as bouncy books a week and write essays about them. All of his hard as a bouncy ball and work paid off because now he is succeeding in life and he is curly as if she had just proud of it. - Ozie Lopez got it done at a saloon. As I waited for Jen to call our names I was thinking in my head, “I can do this, I know Nicole is my partner, I know it”. My heart started ticking like a clock when my name was called. Then Jen called out “Nicole Sayegh…you’re partners with Heidi.” We were both relieved. - Heidi Jimenez

The Strong Shiny Star Goals have been a big part of Jamie’s life. Jamie’s goals were to finish high school and also to go to college. She worked hard to make her dreams come true, and that is why I admire her. Jamie is a brave wom- en who goes for what she wants and there is nothing that can stop her. She is also an experienced woman who knows how to give supportive ideas. Jamie taught me a good lesson that I will never forget: to always be positive. More advice that she gave me is to take many opportuni- ties because they are not that many in life. Jamie helps ARC and many others organizations through her job at the S.H. Cowell Foundation. It is awesome to hear that people like her love to help us experience new things that I never thought I would do. - Sonia Blanco

ARC Summer 2010 23 las poemas

He Vuelto a Nacer por Cintya Lopez Soy el río estruendoso Sé que dicen que no existe el quizas o los He pasado por un renacimiento Que ruge por estas montañas de granito peros en la vida, En un corto tiempo de 40 días de un río Solo espero la hora en que pierda el control Pero si tuviera la oportunidad de hacerlo estruendoso a Al llegar a la cascada de nuevo El mar zafiro para comenzar de nuevo Cuando formo parte de Lo haría en un momento He pasado por cascadas luminosas El gran mar zafiro Y nunca lo pensaría dos veces. He vuelto a nacer Cuando me vuelva Soy una nueva persona La persona que espero ser Hay ocasiones en que ni las montañas por Una nueva hija las que me deslizo me soportan, Nueva hermana Comencé como un arroyo No puedo manejarme a mi misma Nueva amiga Deslizandome ligero por las cumbres A veces, cuando mi mamá me pide ayuda Y una nueva persona. Delicadamente con las rocas bajo mi cuerpo. Me vuelvo un remolino Yo era el tipo de arroyo que la naturaleza Algo irreconocible. Aprendí a apreciar lo que tengo no conocía He cambiado No tenía problemas Mi mamá y mi papá El amor y apoyo de todos No había discusiones, Son la razón de mi nacimiento He nacido y soy una persona nueva Ni tampoco enojos Ellos me crearon Una parte nueva del mar Era ingenuo en mi mundo pero Mi mar en la vida He cambiado En un tronar de dedos, Es por eso que merecen algo mejor Mi mundo cambió Necesitan una hija en quien puedan He caído Yo cambié depender Por las cascadas cristalinas Necesitan una hija que agradezca Logré lo que más quería Tengo muchos problemas, lo que hacen Ser la persona que quiero que otros vean Estos vuelven mi corazón de piedra, Mi hermana es un pequeño río Me deslizo por las puertas Los problemas de alcohol de mi padre Que corre junto a mí desconocidas del mar Hacen que aumente mi furia Cuando necesitaba ayuda yo no la auxiliaba Siguiendo laberintos desconocidos Ver a mi madre pelear con él Ha crecido sin la hermana que necesita Laberintos que me llevarán a mi Hace que mi corazón se vuelva rocas. Es por eso que he cambiado Destino No me puedo controlar Mis sueños se realizarán Esta rabia me vuelve Las imperfecciones significan Llegaré a terminar la preparatoria Silencioso, secretivo e inmune muchas cosas Preparatoria que me llevará Significa que todos tenemos defectos a un mejor futuro Poco a poco, día a día, Y todos hemos cometido errores Un futuro con Hora por hora, minuto a minuto, Vivir el momento es lo mejor Amor, promesas, salud e ir a la universidad Me lleno hasta el borde que puedes hacer Esto me llevará a ser la persona Esperando la hora en que me derrame Ahora lo que más aprecio que quiero ser Arruinando lo que más quiero, es lo que más quiero, He vuelto a nacer, soy otra persona Mis padres, mis amigos, mi familia Mi familia y amigos, Arruinar la relación tan especial que tenemos Son lo mejor del mundo para mí Ahora soy parte del mar Las discusiones con mis seres queridos Son mi tesoro. Que un día soñé son difíciles Como un tesoro de diamantes Puertas y caminos se abren para mí Hay incidentes bajo el mar al que me dirijo Ahora lo último Cuando le digo a mi mamá Viendo mis defectos Que debo hacer es seguir a donde quiero ir Que estaría mejor sola que con ella Me dí cuenta que era tiempo de cambiar He cambiado, soy una persona mejor Ocasiones en que contesto cuando mis Como dice la Biblia Ya no soy un río estruendoso padres necesitan ayuda “Existe la hora para nacer y la hora para Soy parte del mar zafiro Ocasiones en que les levanto la mano, morir” Lo que un día soñé

24 ARC Summer 2010 La Familia que Deseaba Cuando Era Pequeña por Cynthia Santana Soy una nube blanca Mucha gente asume Cuanto estoy contenta o triste Me muevo en el cielo Que soy una nube tenue Viajo a todas partes Que me deshago fácilmente Después comencé una vida nueva A veces no sé que pasará Porque no tomo buenas decisiones Con otra familia Siempre empujada por el viento Cualquier brisa me puede empujar La familia que deseaba cuando era pequeña De las malas influencias Se que no es perfecta Cansada de escuchar a las nubes negativas Pero me siento increíble con mi nuevo papá Desaparezco rápido de lluvia Quien me quiere Para esconder mis problemas Diciéndome que no llegaré a mi meta, Quien me dá un hogar y una familia Mi actitud negativa Que me debo dar por vencida Ahora no soy la única nube en el cielo Burlándome de otros en la escuela Y que alguien lo haga por mí Y estoy rodeada por otras nubes Siempre metiéndome en problemas Porque yo no soy buena para eso Que me ayudarán O no soy lo suficientemente fuerte Mi mamá espera que sea una nube mejor Este verano he aprendido Siempre yendo por el buen camino Enfrentando un problema A no ser tímida Pero es difícil Del que no me puedo alejar Que mi actitud negativa me trae problemas Hay mucha gente Sin ver a mi papá A tener más confianza Que trata de confundirme Pensando A experimentar con cosas nuevas Me llevan por el camino erróneo Si le importo Y nunca darme por vencida Sé que mamá Siento que no necesito a mi papá Siempre estará a mi lado Y no siento nada por él Mi vida mejorará No lo veo como un padre Haré muchas cosas Soy una nube blanca moviéndome Lo mas importante para mí en el cielo Cuando tenía tres años Es ayudar a mis padres Siempre yendo a diferentes partes Mis padres se separaron Las otras nubes que me rodean Tratando de olvidar mi pasado Desde entonces no estoy cerca de mi papá Me siento triste porque El viento no me detendrá Sé que mi vida no ha sido fácil No tuve la oportunidad de conocerlo, De llegar a mis metas Trataré lo mejor posible A veces me enojo con Dios porque Mi vida no será fácil De que sea más fácil No tengo a mi papá Nunca daré por vencidos Con lo que quiero ser Para que me abrace A mis sueños

Como Volar por Edgar Medina Soy un Colibrí El lugar en el que crecí No quiero ser un Colibrí sin poder No sirvo y no puedo abrir mis alas para volar Me tuve que acostumbrar No quiero ser inservible Siempre dependiendo de mis padres a un nuevo idioma No quiero estar deprimido A que me alimenten Una familia nueva Para poder sobrevivir Y una nueva vida Quiero encontrar aves que no sientan lás- tima por mí Soy un Colibrí, temeroso del mundo Decidí dejar el nido y salir Aves que me ayuden cuando caigo Me siento solo Decidí salir al mundo y hacer amistades No las que tratan de tirarme Deprimido Conocer gente nueva Debo confiar en las aves buenas Espero que llegue un amigo Pero no fue como pensé que sería Y compartir mis sentimientos Me escondo, observando de cerca Todos se burlaban de mí Y sentir de nuevo las alas tibias A otras aves abrir sus alas Porque era pequeño De la gente que me ofrece su amor Con el sueño de que algún día Yo sabía que no dejarían de reirse de mi Yo también pueda extender mis alas Sentí que me cortaban las alas Me estoy volviendo un Colibrí maduro Y decidí esconder mis sentimientos Una pequeña ave mas fuerte día a día Educado por mi mamá Para que nadie me lastimara otra vez Tratando de encontrar amistades verdaderas Cuando mi padre estaba lejos de nuestro nido Los enterré Dándome cuenta lo importante que es mi Trabajando con mi hermano en otro lugar De mi familia y amigos familia Mi madre era buena Abriendo mis alas Nunca se fue de mi lado Soy un Colibrí Listo para volar Con mi sonrisa simulada Y listo para dar mi amor a las aves que Mi padre hizo lo mejor que pudo por Para que piensen que soy feliz. También me aman nosotros Soy malo con mi familia Nos quería llevar con él para que pudieramos Me rehuso a aceptar su amor. Dejaré el nido otra vez Vivir juntos, como una familia No les pongo atención Volaré lo más rápido que pueda Apenas si conocí a mi hermano Pretendo no tener sentimientos. Lo más alto posible El vivía con mi padre y vino a visitar algu- Lo más lejos que pueda nas veces Ahora me doy cuenta Para llegar a mis metas Yo era feliz Que lastimo a mi familia Porque ahora sé Finalmente mi familia estaría junta Cuanto tratan de darme amor Cómo volar Pero tuve que volar del lugar en donde nací Al no decirles lo mucho que los quiero

ARC Summer 2010 25 Soy Una Joven Estrella Brillante Por Esperanza Toscano Soy una jóven estrella brillante, Tratando de impedir que brillara, Que siempre brilla Perdida entre cientos de otras estrellas Yo era aún muy inocente El es mi ejemplo a seguir, En el cielo enorme, Para comprender la enfermedad de mi papá La estrella que quiero llegar a ser Tratando de corregir Mi familia trató de protegerme Los errores que he cometido De todo, Hace cuarenta días Y comenzar de Nuevo. Yo solo era una pequeña estrellita Pensé que estaba lista Que pensaba que todo era perfecto Para viajar por el mundo Sé que será difícil Y solo quería jugar con sus muñecas y Yo sola y ser independiente, Porque esperé demasiado Ositos de peluche Pero gracias a ARC, para darme cuenta Me doy cuenta que mi familia De lo que he sido, Pero cuando llegué a Estados Unidos es mi universo Lo que soy Recibí la peor noticia de mi vida Y lo que he logrado Y lo que deseo ser, Un riñón de mi papá habia fallado, es gracias a ellos La Estrella del Norte que todos Necesitaba un transplante o diálisis lo más Admiran y aprecian. pronto posible He superado obstáculos, Caminando por el monte Soy una jóven estrella brillante Al verlo, mi brillantez se apagó Millas y millas, Que creció, Y mi corazón se rompió en mil pedazos, Abriéndome a gente que no conozco La más jóven Mi padre siempre fué fuerte, Pero que ahora son mi familia, Y única mujer Feliz y trabajador, Flotando en balsas y kayaks con miedo Con cuatro hermanos mayores Pero ahora se veía devastado, De caer en el agua, Y dos padres La noche cubría su chispa y brillo Era independiente, Que hacían lo que fuera por mí No me dí por vencida y Trabajaron mucho Yo no entendía por qué se veía así Estuve sin mi familia. Para darme todo lo que quería Solo hacía cuatro meses estaba bien. No importa lo que tuvieran que hacer, Yo trataba de encontrar respuestas Me volví la Estrella del Norte, Desafortunadamente o razones pero todo La estrella que toma buenas decisiones Yo era una estrella egoísta Parecía imposible, Para ser más fuerte y más brillante, Que solo se preocupaba por ella misma Como una estrella sin brillo. Para ayudar a guiar a mi familia Juntos somos una constelación Mi vida no ha sido fácil, Trabajando mucho, apoyándose mutua- Y tomamos buenas decisiones Aunque tengo familia y amigos mente y sin darse por vencidos Que me apoyan en todo, El brillo de nuestra familia regresó cuando Soy la Estrella del Norte Nubes y lluvia se fue la tormenta. Lista para que mi familia Han tratado de taparme. Ahora, mi papá está bien se sienta orgullosa de mí, y regresó su buen humor, Comanzar de nuevo Hace cinco años una enorme tormenta Siempre bailando, cantando Comenzar a brillar y destellar Llegó a mi vida, Y lo más importante Como un diamante a la media noche.

26 ARC Summer 2010 Nunca Dejaré de Aprender de Mis Errores por Gabriel Marquez Estoy creciendo y soy un Roble esperando a ser quemada grandes para recibir sol y agua Siempre aprendiendo Encontraría la forma de arreglarlo todo Cuando cambié y decidí ser Siempre cometiendo nuevos errores Siendo un Roble que crece no podía Un Roble que crece y siempre aprender Y aprendiendo de ellos darme por vencido Prefirieron no seguirme Mientras continúo en la vida Pasan las estaciones Escribí cartas para pedir perdón Yo continúo creciendo y aprendiendo Y iempre cambiando Fui a ver a aquellos que había lastimado Porque soy un Roble que no ha terminado Les leí las cartas Y siempre aprende de sus errores Cuando era una semilla Y ofrecí trabajar para pagar Era fácil de convencerme y engañarme lo que había hecho Yo muero en el invierno para hacer cosas malas Para poder dejar ir mis hojas marchitas Me deshago de mis viejas hojas Por aquellos que se decían mis amigos Y continuar creciendo a través Se van con mis errores de las estaciones Me enseñan lo que no debo hacer Era un árbol que crecía un Roble Como un Roble que siempre Y comienzo de nuevo en la primavera siempre aprendiendo está aprendiendo Con esperanzas nuevas Y la oportunidad de tener hojas nuevas Aprendí cosas malas Todos aceptadon mis disculpas Pensando que me haría Y me permitieron trabajar Continúo aprendiendo un Roble más grande por las hojas muertas Y adquiriendo sabiduría Comencé a robar y faltar a la escuela Al llegar la primavera Y grande como un Roble Sentía que pertenecía al grupo Comencé a tener hojas nuevas, Que nunca dejará de aprender y crecer verdes y sanas Mientras las estaciones cambian yo también Para mi sorpresa, esto me hizo daño, Continuando mi vida como un árbol que Seco y aparte de los demás crece, un Roble que continúa aprendiendo Mientras me vuelvo el mejor árbol Otros árboles crecían más fuertes Me sentí feliz y aliviado de saber que pueda ser y más grandes que todo quedó atrás En esta selva de oportunidades Y yo me volví casi nada Esperando que aprendamos y avancemos Me sentí como un Roble que ya no crecía Muy pronto mis padres supieron lo que hice De nuestros errores Una patética exscusa para una ramita Hablaron conmigo Mientras los dejamos en el pasado Me castigaron Cuando los otros árboles fueron atrapados Como un pequeño árbol que crece Soy un árbol que crece, Me dí cuenta que lo que hice no estaba bien Y que tenía nuevas hojas un Roble siempre aprendiendo Para mi Pero no sin antes decirme lo orgullosos Sé que nunca seré perfecto Y mi moral que estaban de mí Pero eso no dejará que continúe tratando Yo recordé que siempre sería Por aceptar mis errores sin que alguien Y acercarme lo más que pueda Un árbol que crecía, un Roble siempre me lo tuviera que decir aprendiendo lo bueno y lo malo Y continuar creciendo como un Roble Como un Roble que nunca dejará Aprendí de mis errores que siempre está aprendiendo de aprender Continuaré por la vida Me convencí de que debía haber un remedio Insistí en crecer más grande que antes Creándome un buen futuro Porque lo que hice solo me hirió Más cerca de llegar a ser el árbol Iré a la Universidad a mi y a nadie más Que estoy destinado a ser Y obtendré una educación Solo lo hice deseando Asegurando un buen futuro Que mis raíces crecieran hondo No como los que se decían mis amigos Para mí y mi familia en la tierra como los demás Que aún se deshojan, y mueren despacio Porque yo sentía durante el invierno Probaré que he aprendido de mis errores Que podía ser arrancado en cualquier Y no pueden revivir de nuevo Y que he trabajado duro para terminarlos momento en la primavera Para el beneficio de mis amigos, Como siempre lo han hecho mi familia y el mío Después de darme cuenta Están acostumbrados de lo que había hecho Como pequeños árboles, Continuaré siendo Ya no me sentí como un Roble luchando por sobrevivir Un árbol que crece, un Roble Pero, como un montón de leña Arboles que no son lo suficientemente Que siempre continúa aprendiendo

ARC Summer 2010 27 Despacio llegando al Océano Por Gustavo Cabrera Soy un río estruendoso Vió para que existía Todo lo que quiero es llegar al océano Hay demasiado dentro de mí Y quería secarme Para saber quien soy Lo cual me da miedo mostrar Ahora finalmente lo llevo a la superficie Mi estruendosa fuerza esconde las rocas Pensé que se había desaparecido Soy un rio estruendoso Que me lastiman al rodar bajo el lodo Desesperado por calmarme Las escondo muy adentro Pero siempre está en mi mente Mi agua es obscura Porque es más fácil ignorarlas Quiero comenzar de nuevo Y deseo que se aclare Rocas que han estado ahí desde el principio Y aprender a olvidar Deseo que un poco Y algunas que son nuevas Tener la fuerza suficiente para hacerle frente de mi agua se derrame Mi agua es obscura Sé que será difícil Para no estar tan lleno Más obscura que la de otros ríos cercanos Pero hay gente que me ama Escucharé a mi mamá Quiero esconder Y siempre estará a mi lado Y le diré que la amo Las rocas que no puedo dejar atrás Le diré a mi papá que lo siento Soy un río estruendoso Aceptaré mis errores Al verme no ves nada malo Que se ha ido llenando y aprenderé de ellos Pero si tomas tu tiempo y ves muy adentro Demasiado rápido Aprenderé a aceptar que Encontrarás viejas heridas Espero el momento no puedo ser perfecto Formadas por las rocas En que me derrame Y espero que mi familia lo entienda Que no dejo que nadie vea Sé que está por llegar Aprenderé a compartir mis sentimientos Y como aún no han sanado Y tengo miedo a quien voy a lastimar Con mi familia No se preocuparán más de mí Heridas de mi papá al irse durante siete años Mi agua es obscura, Deseo que sean una gran parte en mi vida Vino a EU para dar a mi familia y a mí Llenándose rápido Quiero que sepan mis problemas Una vida mejor De problemas en el hogar y mis preocupaciones Durante la mitad de mi vida se fue Sabiendo que lastimo a mi mamá La mitad de mi vida no supe Lamentando cuando le dije Soy un río maduro lo que era un padre a mi papá que lo odiaba Continuaré creciendo fuerte Ahora tratamos de recuperar No sé lo que me pasó Con mi familia y mis errores el tiempo perdido No lo quise decir Iremos juntos a formar Pasando más tiempo juntos Pensando que siempre tengo la razón un río más ancho y calmado Pero mientras más lo hacemos Tratando de que todos estén orgullosos Iré a la universidad Más cuenta me doy Es demasiada presión Y viviré mi vida como llegue de lo diferente que somos Pero nunca me quejo Y al final todos estarán orgullosos de mí Parece un extraño Yo sé que es mi trabajo Solamente me debo concentrar Soy un río maduro Soy un río estruendoso Sereno y claro Más enojado conmigo que con nadie más Dejando a todos atrás Finalmente dejando que salgan las rocas Creo que me aborrezco También me quedé yo No tengo miedo Por mi inolvidable pasado Mi familia y amigos están en el pasado Sé que con el apoyo de mi familia Tengo una gran herida muy dentro de mi Deseo que sean mi presente Encontraré el buen camino No lo he dicho a mi familia Tengo miedo porque no sé cuando sucedió Para llegar lentamente al océano Yo era un río que nunca Y no sé como detenerme Y saber quien soy

28 ARC Summer 2010 El Crecimiento de un Arbol Guerrero Por Hao Xian Xu Soy un árbol sin experiencia Al principio la selva de ARC fue Eso me ayuda a luchar Creciendo en el interior desde que como un infierno Ellos quieren verme firme y alto, era una semilla No podía manejar nada crecer raíces firmes Mis padres tenían miedo de que El árbol no recibe energía por fotosíntesis No quiero desilusionar a aquellos no sobreviviera al aire libre Escalar las rocas era tan difícil a quienes más quiero Recibiendo luz de una lámpara –mi padre como aprender Inglés. Su esperanza y apoyo me hicieron cambiar, Y agua de una regadera – mi madre Siempre me quedé más abajo Del muchacho de corazón frío Me siento débil sin lámpara o regadera que los otros árboles Que antes fui Y no sé como obtener nutrición Y cada paso parecía imposible Excepto de mis padres para mi de llegar al cielo Ellos me verán La nostalgia por mi hogar fue un arma Como un árbol guerrero Cuando era un árbol pequeño para darme por vencido Me levantaré hasta el final Mis padres hicieron todo por mí Con mi fuerza Me volví egoísta y descorazonado Comencé a ser derrocado de estos desafíos Haré un mejor día para mi futuro Escapando de mis responsabilidades Mis raíces no crecieron Como un árbol que no dá oxígeno a la gente suficientemente profundas Como graduarme de la preparatoria Y no hace a la tierra fértil Cualquier cosa pequeña era el fin del mundo Ir a la universidad Como no llegar a la cima de la roca Haciendo cosas que todos notarán Soy un árbol sin esperiencia o llegar tarde a una junta Ayudando a hacer un mundo mejor Mis padres me trajeron a Estados Unidos Yo peleaba conmigo mismo en mi mente Haciendo que aquellos que me apoyan Moviendo un árbol de tierra fértil Sabía que si perdía la lucha se sientan orgullosos al seco desierto Perdería todo Sé que llegar al cielo no es muy lejos No había amigos para mí en E.U. Callendo en la tierra Creo que ya casi lo toco Como un árbol viviendo Como un árbol Secoya Lejos de la selva Pero me dí cuenta que tenía muchas otras Yo pensé cosas importantes que lograr Algún día seré el cerebro Que no merecía amistades Como lecciones de Inglés y Ciencia, Que puede hacer ángeles positivos Porque nadie entiende a un árbol jóven educación física y ser independiente Gritar lo increíble que soy Que habla mal Inglés No era el fin del mundo Y los diablos negativos Debo ganar la lucha Llorar porque no me pudieron derribar Mis padres pensaron que sería mejor Si leía más libros en Inglés y que tuviera más Aún oigo los sonidos de apoyo El árbol inexperto amigos hablando Inglés de mis compañeros Estará muerto Pero fue lo contrario Como un árbol de repente recibe agua El árbol más poderoso y útil El árbol se muere en vez de vivir de la fuerte lluvia Renacerá Haciendo mal las cosas Desde entonces, comprendo lo que Suficientemente valiente para escalar la roca Como leer libros en Chino durante la clase y es trabajar juntos y el apoyo Presentando mis ideas hablando Chino todo el tiempo Despés de escalar la roca y pensamientos con confianza a la gente Me siento insuperable Utilizando Inglés para ayudar a mi familia De pronto, tengo la oportunidad y comunidad a tener una vida mejor de participar en ARC Soy un árbol inexperto Ayudando a nuevos inmigrantes El árbol tiene una oportunidad No hay razón para darme por vencido a ajustar su vida De vivir en la selva Porque ya no es solamente mi lucha Fue difícil decir Mis padres, mis amigos, Ese soy yo Si me nutriría o no durante ese tiempo mi maestra y mis compañeros El árbol más alto en la selva Porque no sé como vivir afuera Todas sus mentes están conmigo El muchacho que nunca se dará por vencido

ARC Summer 2010 29 Nada me Impedirá que llegue a la Copa de los Arboles!! Por Heidi Jimenez Soy una oruga Sin embargo, Tiempo para depender de las mariposas Admiro la brisa suave, fría Puedo dar una vuelta mal. fuertes, que me inspiran. que me apoyan Que el Lago Tahoe ofrece. Aún tengo a mi familia atrás de mí A mi alrededor. Me relajo en un hermoso Lupino Para mostrarme el buen camino Mientras me pregunto como Ellos me dan fuerza Una vez fui una oruga llegaré a las metas Y me enseñan el bien y el mal Ahora soy mariposa, Que me he puesto. Lucho adentro de mi pared He encontrado el camino Hasta que me libere. Que he estado buscando Me sentí como una oruga Mi familia me ayudará a volar Durante dieciseis años. inservible e ingrata Una vez que sea una mariposa Mis alas se han extendido Cuando tenía que participar Podré ser fuerte y poderosa. Estoy lista para experimentar el mundo, y estar de acuerdo Estoy lista para ser la ayudante, Con mi padre. Soy una fuerte oruga Increible hija que mi padre desea. Nunca ayudaba en la casa Lista para el siguiente paso. Lo cual causaba problemas Lista para salir de mi capullo Ahora puedo volar, seré líder para otras orugas Lista para ser una hermosa mariposa Desde el día uno Y las mariposas, Se que lo soy. Me puse una meta Era tan ingrata Nada me impedirá llegar Terminar el programa, Hacia los miembros de mi familia; a la copa de los árboles! Empujarme a mí misma No me comprometía en nada que implicara Pelear por mi equipo y mi segunda familia. Levantarme y retorcerme Mi capullo No importa cual sea el desafío Para hacer feliz a los demás. Me ha enseñado el camino Lucharé por él El camino que quiero seguir y Nada me impedirá llegar a la copa de los Ignoraba a todo el mundo El camino del que necesito alejarme. árboles! No ayudaba a mi papá, Aquí reconozco El padre y madre El trabajo en equipo y la familia Soy una mariposa Mariposas del capullo. Son muy importantes en mi vida. Será un desafío todo lo que encuentre, El cocina, limpia y lava su propia ropa ARC me ha mostrado que está bien Puedo hacer cualquier cosa Mi papá depende de él mismo. ir paso a paso que tenga en mente. Aparte del hecho de que tiene otras cosas Como trepar por el tallo de un Lupino Años y mariposas han volado – más importantes que hacer Mientras no me dé por vencida Es hora de que yo lo haga también. Y persiga mis metas y mis sueños. Estaré al lado de mi familia, Soy una oruga, amigos, comunidad, Aquí en mi capullo Estar en mi capullo me ayudó Pero mas importante, al lado de mi padre. En ARC a darme cuenta Ayudaré a otras orugas a que rompan sus Maduro y me doy cuenta Que el mundo es grande, hermoso capullos Que mi familia nunca desaparecerá Y hay muchos desafíos, Y a que tengan éxito. Tendré apoyo en cualquier dirección Necesito tiempo para conquistar Lograré mis metas a la que vaya. mis miedos. Estoy lista para más desafíos

30 ARC Summer 2010 La Carga Pesada Por Oziel Lopez Soy una hormiga Lejos de su colonia Verlos sufrir Trabajando duro todos los días de mi vida Solamente quiero regresar a casa Sin que les paguen lo A veces sé lo que es bueno y malo y abrazarlo Que merecen por su buen trabajo Y cuales son las consecuencias Y decirle que lo amo Porque no tienen educación Que puedo tener. O entrenamiento profesional. Todo lo que sé hasta ahora es gracias a él Me siento como una hormiga balanceán- Ni siquiera quiero pensar Ese es el mayor peso en mi espalda dome en una hoja junto a un río O soñar Como una hormiga Balancéandome en la orilla De que se vaya de mi lado Llevando una gran hoja a través de la selva Nunca sé Eso sería como un gran río furioso Viendolos sufrir En que sentido me empujará el viento Llevandome lejos con su Y sintiendo que no los puedo ayudar. Espero me mande por el buen camino Fuerte corriente. Estoy creciendo Y abrir mis ojos al sol que siempre Ellos desean que yo tenga los ha mantenido cerrados. Trabajando con mi papá una buena educación Me dí cuenta que el dolor y sudor Para que vaya más lejos en mi vida Mis padres me recuerdan Me llevará a donde necesito estar en la vida Como una hormiga diariamente a que piense dos veces Como una hormiga trabajando duro Trabajando para crear Lo que quiero hacer, antes de hacerlo Dia y noche Una nueva colonia Una vez tomé una decisión muy mala Hice que el corazón de mis padres cayera Soy una hormiga Quiero ser diferente Hasta sus pies A veces siento que voy lento En mi familia Como una hormiga que cae en la corriente Alejándome durante el verano Sabiendo que la educación es el camino Difícil para ellos saber Dejando mi colonia a mi futuro Si cometieron un error al educarme Llevo una carga pesada en mi espalda Ir a la universidad puede abrir puertas Mi papá trabaja solo para mí Despertando todos los días Sin nadie que le ayude Para seguir adelante el verano pasado Y yo me divierto con nuevos amigos Yo puedo, lo haré y me estoy volviendo Yendo a trabajar con mi papá A veces quiero regresar a casa. una hormiga más fuerte Y sabiendo como hacer un buen trabajo La carga que antes era muy pesada para mí Ahora que estoy lejos de él Pero mi familia me ayuda a continuar Ahora es más ligera. Me siento como una hormiga perdida Me pone triste

El Viento Llevándome Hacia Mi Camino Por Sonia Blanco Soy el cielo Las tormentas se estabilizaron. Porque me quería desafiar, Cambiando todos los días, Todo era soleado por un tiempo Quería que fuera más fuerte. Pasando por días obscuros, recordando Era feliz en mi vida Finalmente lo comprendí Las tormentas que soporté para encontrar el día brillante y soleado Entonces llegó un huracán Nueve años de tormentas han pasado Que ahora soy Que duró muchos años He comenzado a calmarme. Mis padres no eran felices juntos Aunque están separados Mi primera tormenta No eramos una familia normal Mis dos padres maravillosos me alientan Tuve que caminar durante días y noches, La hora llegó a ir lejos en la vida Escondiéndome entre las rocas De que todo cambiara en mi vida. Pelear por lo que deseo Para poder llegar a mi nuevo hogar. No más mamá y papá juntos. Nunca darme por vencida Cambiando de un lugar a otro Esto me deprimió a mí y Que las estrellas estan a mi lado Sin saber lo que el futuro traería a mi hermano mayor, Protegiéndome y guiándome Dejando que el viento me llevara Mis dos hermanas eran muy pequeñas Todo el tiempo. hacia mi camino. para comprender. Mi vida se fue boca abajo. Soy un cielo brillante, azul y nuevo Llegó otra tormenta, Tenía ganas de morir Estos últimos cuarenta días Aquí estaba sin amigos Cuando supe que no tendría no me ha importado Nadie que apoyara a mi familia una familia normal, Como me veo o lo que me pongo Preocupados porque no teníamos Me sentí Solo me importa ser la verdadera yo, suficiente dinero Apenada porque la gente que lo sabía Expresar lo que pienso Para pagar las cuentas. Me preguntaba por qué se separaron. Animada y orgullosa Yo podía ver la lluvia en los ojos Cada vez que alguien preguntaba De lo que he logrado de mis padres Sentía que perdía mi energía Controlando mi humor, sin enojarme, Yo deseaba ser más grande para trabajar Valorar a la gente que me quiere y poder ayudarlos. Mientras pasaban los días me sentí mejor, y se preocupa por mí. Yo deseaba que el tiempo pasara rápido Me dí cuenta que Dios causó como un rayo. estas tormentas

ARC Summer 2010 31 For our loving parents, In hard times you stand beside us no matter what happens, cheering us up and making us happy. We appreciate your hard- working jobs and the way you have always taken care of us. You are patient when it’s needed and firm when we do bad or when things go wrong. Loving us is the greatest thing you can give us. We are sorry for the way we treated you in the past. We’ve changed and we promise you from the bottom of our hearts that we will try harder to make you proud, giving our best in school, sports, and pursuing our dreams. We have learned the value of family, of love, and of appreciation. You, our parents, have always been protecting us and have always been there to listen and understand what we say or do. During these 40 days we have learend to support each other and have also promised to take what we have learned back to our homes. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. We love you. Team Xing Xing, ARC 2010

Para nuestros queridos padres, En tiempos duros siempre estan juntos a nosotros. No importa que pase. Dandanos animos y alegria. Nosotros apreciamos lo duro que trabajan para quidarnos. Nos tratan con paciencia cuando es necesario, y son firmes cuando hacemos mal or las cosas estem mal. Amor es la mejor cosa que nos pueden dar. Les pedimos disculpas por la forma en que los hemos tratado en el pasado. Hemos cambiado y prometemos del fondo de nuestras corozones que vamos a respectarles y hacer lo mejor que podemos, y hacerles orgullosos por el resto de nuestra vida. Esforzarnos en la escuela deportes y perseguir nuestros sueños. Hemos aprendido a valorar nuestra familia y apreciarlos. Usteded, nuestros padres, siempre estan protejiendonos y siempre estan escuchandonos y comprendiendonos en lo que decimos y hacemos. Durante estos cuarenta dias hemos aprendido a apollarnos a los unos a los otros y hemos prometido llevar lo que hemos aprendido a nuestra casa. Muchisimas gracias para darnos esta opportunidad. Les amamos mucho. Equipo Xing Xing, ARC 2010

The Sagehen Creek ARC Summer Leadership & Literacy Program would like to thank the following foundations, organiza- tions, businesses, and individuals for their generous support: S.H. Cowell Foundation, Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation, Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation, Teichert Foundation, North Tahoe Public Utility District, Summer Search, Placer County Health & Human Services, Soroptimist International of Truckee, Tahoe League of Charity, Northstar Firefighters Association, Truckee Rotary, North Tahoe Family Resource Center, Truckee Family Resource Center, Project Discovery, Nevada Health and Human Services, Tahoe Women’s Services, Project Mana, Planned Parenthood, North Tahoe High School, Truckee High School, California State Parks, North Tahoe Boys & Girls Club, Cedar House, TIP Printing, Atomic Printing, IRIE Rafting, Northstar at Tahoe, Kayak Tahoe, Clif Bar, Fireside Pizza, UC Berkeley, George & Susan Fesus, Ka- tie Zanto, Lindsay Lessman, Joanna Mitchell,Sylvia Doignon, Devin Bradley, Krissy McCart, Nancy Evans, Rachel Falk, Val- erie Fletcher, Tom LeFevers, Amy Valdivia, Megan Rosenblatt, Chris Engelhart, Brian Barton, Mai Dalton, Jasmine Marquez, Eve Giovenco, Susi Lippuner, and all of the Community Interview Day participants.

Without all this local support, this extraordinary program would not be possible!