My Journey

A Collection of Florida’s Adult Learner’s Stories 2006

Copyright 2006 Florida Literacy Coalition

Established in 1985, the Florida Literacy Coalition promotes, supports, and advocates for the effective delivery of quality adult and family literacy services in the state of Florida. As statewide umbrella literacy organization and the host of Florida’s Adult and Family Literacy Resource Center, FLC provides a range of services to support more than 300 adult education, literacy and family literacy providers throughout Florida. Special emphasis is placed on assisting community- based literacy organizations with their training and program development needs.

934 North Magnolia Ave Suite 104 Orlando, FL 32803-3854 Phone: (407) 246-7110 Fax: (407) 246-7104

www.floridaliteracy.org

Florida Literacy Hotline (800) 237-5113

This book is dedicated to Florida’s Adult Learners and the teachers, tutors, managers, and programs that support them. Thanks to all the Adult Learners who contributed to this book.

Special Thanks to the Florida Literacy Coalition’s Adult Learner Committee:

Monica Baxley Erin Balleine Stanford Bowers Brian Jeffries Visinia Uhatese Patricia Williams Monica Yoder

Funding for this book was made possible through a generous grant from the Florida Department of Education, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education.

Printed in the United Sate of America by NextGeneration Printing.

Preface

This book was designed to give adult learners the opportunity to build confidence while also improving their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Adult learners enrolled in adult education, literacy, ESOL, and family literacy programs throughout Florida were encouraged to submit essays. The imagination and creativity of these students shines through in their writing, reflecting a range of perspectives and life experiences that are as diverse as the authors themselves. The editorial committee chose to minimize the editing of submissions and therefore entries in the book appear largely as they were received.

We congratulate the authors who contributed to this publication and hope you enjoy reading and learning about their journeys.

Contents

My Life Fanta Cissokho, Choices 1 Leroy Kearse, A Handicap that Did Not… 3 Traci Posey, Recovery 4 Debbie Puterio, Accomplishing My Goals… 5 Michael Perdue, The Three Lives of Michael 7 Roger Hodges, Childhood on Rewind 11 Sandra Navarro, Happy Woman 12 Tyler Bardes, Invisible 12 Christen Houck, My First Memory 14 Cesar Orozco, My Learning Process 15 Libia Espinoza, My Autobiography 17 Ella Valle, Life is Hard 18 Marcelo Morgado, Box of Memories 19 Ana Silvia Paez, Box of Memories 20 Alicia Leon, Autobiography 21 Marisol Casado, How a Trip Can Change Your Life… 22 Luz Bratt, My Life Growing Up in Colombia 23 Delorise Williams, Life Through the Eyes… 27 Anonymous, My Story 30 Marisela Sanchez Richter, The Biggest Treasure 32 Felicia Baxley, A Thank You to Gayle Mann 34 Samuel Jones, Learning to Read at the Age of 59 35 Lexine Curry, A Christmas to Remember 36 S. Bellomy and U. Williams, Learn and Study… 37 Rose Marie Maxwell, My Life in Long Island… 41 Wynelle Mincey, My Life 42 Linda Pummell, My Wasted School Years 44 Jerry Rosenzweig, My Exciting Life 46 Myrna Haughton, Children They are a Blessing 49 Anonymous, My Little World 50 Anonymous, Mi Vida/My Life 52 Elodia Perez, When I was a Child and Now 53 Raquel Roque, Then and Now 54 Marta Uribe, My Life 55 Anonymous, The Story of JJ 56 Kerty Reiterer-Crespo, The Power of Love 57 Susan Klinck, Life with Dyslexia 60 Monica Baxley, What Literacy Has Done for Me 64

My Family Orien Hall, Moving Mom at 92 68 Ruby Payne, A Birthday Surprise 70 Ana Sterling, My Hero is in the Sky 71 Leonardo Luchetta, The Way 72 Anonymous, My Teacher is My Father 73 Maria Da Rocha, My Mom is My Hero 75 Maria Del Socoro Izquierdo, My Loves 76 Angelina Gibbs, My Family 78 Daniela Altamirano, Just a Mother Can do This 79 Nidia Garcia, Happiness 81 Erika Sommerkamp, A Mother with a Moustache 82 Annie Hutchinson, to My Brothers in the Sky 84 Vanesa Villamiel, My Hero 85 Elvira Calderon, Untitled 87 Mayda Gonzalez, My Family and Me 88 Natasa Brnjos, Family 90

My Move to the United States/ My Home Country Elvira Garcia, My Town 93 Anonymous, The Mitch “Mudslide” 96 Luby Arias, My Country, Colombia 97 Amparo Ariza, My Purpose is to Learn… 98 Alejandrina Canil, Living in the USA 99 Qiang Chen, A Stitch in Time Saves Nine 100 Margarita De Jesus, The Importance… 101 Yat Lin De Cicco, What a Wonderful World 102 Marnelle Delucien, How Old is Too Old? 103 Donna Fiddemon, My Story 104 Olexiy Lisin, Be Proud 105 Teresa Milanova, My Reason to Come Here 106

Youngran Mullen, My Journey 108 Anonymous, My Experience… 109 Monica Mejia, My English 110 Eglys Guzman, Being and Immigrant 110 Porfirio Sanchez, Life in a Better Place 111 Amutha Srinivasan, The Most Important Thing… 112 Lourdes Garcia, Our Futures 114 Vilma Chappotin, My Far Away Family 115 Maria Brito, Thanks 117 Estebana de Cruz, The City and the Country 118 Jamila Imperial Gilbert, I Had a Great Weekend 119 Patricia Castrejon, My Life in the USA 120 Juliana Lopez, No Boundaries for the Heart 121

My Salute to My Literacy Program Michelle Albertson, How the Even Start Program… 124 Suzanne Judith Eustache, I was Miserable for Lack… 126 Amanda Lopez, My Life in America 127 Nathanial Pickett, Education 128 Ruth Roman, I Speak About My Life 129 Regina Umizaj, When I Write and Read… 130 Shawana Monique McCoy, Silent Tears 131 Clennon James, Learning to Read and Write 133 David Anzola, A Letter to South West Library 134 Mary Wheeler, A Tribute to My Program 135 David Rodriguez, My First Year 136 Damian Cruz, My First Steps 137 Mary Ann Spear, How the Literacy Program… 138 Thomas Lenor, My Testimony about the Help… 139 Maria Franco, Living in Bonita Springs Florida 140 Ethel Cannedy, My School 142 Ora Lee Brown, How Adult Literacy Has Helped… 144 Wilfrid Guerilus, Life in America 145

My Goals and Ambitions Emilia Sewerynska, My Three Goals 146 Robert Lee Scott, My Three Goals 147 Ji Sun Jan, Thinking About the Future 150 Anonymous, Success 152 Hosea Lewis, Life After Retirement 153 Classie Curtis, The Rugged Road I’ve Traveled 155 Emily Lippert, It’s Never too Late to Get a GED 157 Munira McBride, I am Munira McBride 160 Laura Grier, Why Do I Want My GED 161 Diana Paola Lineburgh, My English Goals 163 Dayami Tano, Reality and Dreams 164

My Hobbies Anna Molibog, The Universe 165 Jiae Lee, My Hobby; Cross-Stitching 167 Alfredo Espinoza, Tennis 168 Edgar La Madrid, Sailing 169 George Park, Dreams 170 Jose Junco, Flamenco is My Passion 171 Martha Cardenas, My Joy to Dance 172

My Thoughts and Opinions Noriko Baba, Spectacular Gold Gate Bridge 176 Marggi Bracamonte, Honor 177 Blanca Rosa Cordoves, My Favorite City, Orlando 179 Wilfrid Guerilus, Life in America 179 Stephanie Jackson, Beautiful 180 Nieves Noule, Let’s Rescue Our Family 181 Natalya Ordubadi, The Color of Friendship 182 Anonymous, Stress 184 Anonymous, The Color Blue 186 Eddie Betties, Will you Help Me to Read? 187 Carmen Kluh, To Be Nice 188 Jose Figuera, Time to Think Over 190 Nuria Perez, Like and Abstract Drawing 191 Hicham Moujahid, Immigration 192 Elenir Mesquita, I Love Miami 195 Raul Benitez, Hero 197 Vanhthavy Boby Oneinh, How I Can Improve… 198 Jillian Turko, Ways to Help Your Marriage Last 200 Dianna Walker, The Biggest Change… 202 Phan Truc May, The Most Important Thing… 204 Anonymous, I Would Recommend… 205 Bonnie Johnson, I Would Recommend… 207 Jessica Alessandrini, Life is Invigorating 209 Anonymous, Happiness in Our Lives 211 RJ Bond, Take That First Step 212 Stanford Bowers, The Most Important Thing… 214 Natasha Tase, Many Things 214 Maryana Rois, Becoming an Adult 216 Phaedra Klinedinst, Sadness in the World 218 Anonymous, Children and Daycare 219 Nely Carmona, From Darkness to Light 221 Barbara Darnell, Three Pieces of Advice 223 Pablo Aguero, Mind Changer 224 Gaby Baglietto, My Hero is John Paul II 226 Elizabeth Leon, Untitled 227 Maria Sweet, Untitled 228 Sandra Pino, Untitled 229

My Spiritual Journey Dea Allen, Free at Last 230 Alice Causseaux, The Cross 231 Merlyn Angel Laane, Jail 232 Evangelia Antoniou, God Father 233 Eleanor Taylor, Your Prayer… 234 Nordian Coombs, A New Believer 235

My Original Story Maria Bergua, Box of Memories 237 Fatos Beeck, Mike and the Lizard 239 Anonymous, A Boy Called Miguelito 242 Allie Roberts, Printella Defy Goodbody 243 Lucia O’Cuerva, The Leprechaun’s Pot O’Gold 246 Marie Vertus, Faith Makes the Day… 250 Sonya Hagan, Golf Course Alive! 253 Anonymous, Beware of the Toe Biter 254

My Poem Roger Ippolito, Working on a Rainbow 259 Anonymous, The Earth In All It’s Beauty 260 Deneyon Griffin, Growing Up in the NeighborHOOD 261 Shaday Campbell, Loving You Hurts 263 Jennifer Benvin, Surfs Up 264 Stephona Reese, Someday 265 Lindsey Kincaid, Hurt 266 Osmara Alvarez, A Poem to Sloppy Writing 267

Index

Pablo Aguero 224 Michelle Albertson 124 Jessica Alessandrini 209 Dea Allen 230 Daniela Altamirano 79 Osmara Alvarez 267 Evangelia Antoniou 233 David Anzola 134 Luby Arias 97 Amparo Ariza 98 Noriko Baba 176 Gaby Baglietto 226 Tyler Bardes 12 Felicia Baxley 34 Monica Baxley 64 Fatos Beeck 239 Shinko Bellomy 37 Raul Benitez 197 Maria Bergua 237 Eddie Betties 187 Jennifer Bevin 264 Vanhthavy Boby Oneinh 198 RJ Bond 212 Stanford Bowers 214 Marggi Bracamonte 177 Luz Bratt 23 Maria Brito 117 Natasa Brnjos 90 Ora Lee Brown 144 Elvira Calderon 87 Shaday Campbell 263 Alejandrina Canil 99 Ethel Cannedy 142 Martha Cardenas 172 Nely Carmona 221 Marisol Casado 22 Patricia Castrejon 120 Alice Causseaux 231 Vilma Chappotin 115 Qiang Chen 100 Fanta Cissokho 1 Nordian Coombs 235 Blanca Cordoves 179 Damian Cruz 137 Lexie Curry 36 Classie Curtis 155 Mariana Da Rocha 75 Barbara Darnell 223 Yat Lin De Cicco 102 Estebana de Cruz 118 Margarita De Jesus 101 Mariana Del Socoro Izquierdo 76 Marnelle Delucien 103 Libia Espinoza 17 Alfredo Espinoza 168 Suzanne Eustache 126 Donna Fiddemon 104 Jose Figuera 190 Maria Franco 140 Wilfrid Fuerilus 179 Nidia Garcia 81 Elvira Garcia 93 Lourdes Garcia 114 Angelina Gibbs 78 Mayda Gonzalez 88 Laura Grier 161 Deneyon Griffin 261 Wilfrid Guerilus 145 Eglys Guzman 110 Sonya Hagan 253 Orien Hall 68 Myrna Haughton 49 Roger Hodges 11 Christen Houck 14 Annie Hutchinson 84 Roger Ippolito 259 Stephanie Jackson 180 Clennon James 133 Bonnie Johnson 207 Samuel Jones 59 Jose Junco 171 Leroy Kearse 3 Lindsey Kincaid 266 Susan Klinck 60 Phaedra Klinedinsts 218 Carmen Kluh 188 Edgar La Madrid 169 Merlyn Laane 232 Jiae Lee 167 Thomas Lenor 139 Alicia Leon 21 Elizabeth Leon 227 Hosea Lewis 153 Emily Lippert 157 Olexiy Lisin 105 Juliana Lopez 121 Amanda Lopez 127 Leonardo Luchetta 72 Rose Marie Maxwell 41 Munira McBride 160 Shawana McCoy 131 Monica Mejia 110 Elenir Mesquita 195 Teresa Milanova 106 Wynelle Mincey 42 Anna Molibog 165 Marcelo Morgado 19 Hicham Moujahid 192 Youngran Mullen 108 Sandra Navarro 12 Nieves Noule 181 Lucia O'Cuerva 246 Natalya Ordubadi 182 Cesar Orozco 15 Diana Paola Lineburgh 163 George Park 170 Ruby Payne 70 Michael Perdue 7 Elodia Perez 53 Nuria Perez 191 Nathanial Pickett 128 Sandra Pino 229 Traci Posey 4 Linda Pummell 44 Debbie Puterio 5 Stephona Reese 265 Kerty Reiterer-Crespo 57 Allie Roberts 243 David Rodriguez 136 Maryana Rois 216 Ruth Roman 129 Raquel Roque 54 Jerry Rosenzweig 46 Porfirio Sanchez 111 Marisela Sanchez Richter 32 Robert Lee Scott 147 Emilia Sewerynska 146 Ana Silvia Paez 20 Erika Sommerkamp 82 Mary Ann Spear 138 Amutha Srinivasan 112 Ana Sterling 71 Ji Sun Jan 150 Maria Sweet 228 Dayami Tano 164 Natasha Tase 214 Eleanor Taylor 234 Phan Truc May 204 Jillian Turko 200 Regina Umizaj 130 Marta Uribe 55 Ella Valle 18 Marie Vertus 250 Vanesa Villamiel 85 Dianna Walker 202 Mary Wheeler 135 Delorise Williams 27 Ursula Williams 37 Jamila Imperial Gilbert 119

My Journey

My Life

Choices

I want to tell you about some life choices I have had to make.

My name is Fanta Cissokho. I am a Senegalese native. Senegal is a country in West Africa. We have many ethnical groups in my country. I am Malinke. I lived in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. My family came to Dakar from Kedogou.

A few years ago, I received my baccalaureate, which is equivalent to your high school diploma. I applied for and was accepted by a French university. I was very excited to be given this opportunity to continue my education at a good university. My friends were happy for me. Many in my country do not have this choice.

My excitement was short-lived. In the beginning, my parents were happy for me also. They reminded me of the great responsibility of attending a university in a foreign country far from home. I needed to pay for my studies and possibly get a loan from a bank. My father said I was a young girl and would have no support there, without family and friends. He explained he would be unable to care for me and send me money for my needs. He advised me to remain in Senegal even though he was delighted I had been accepted to the university. However, if I really wanted to go, he would

1 Florida Literacy Coalition agree with my choice, as it is my life decision. I decided to stay in Dakar.

I was very disappointed. This would be a wonderful opportunity for me to study. I also realized my parents fears. I accepted their advice to stay in Senegal, but it was not easy for me!

I returned to the university in Dakar. Some of my friends teased me about my decision. They said I made a poor choice to pass up this opportunity. I felt good in my heart and my mind for I knew my parents wanted me to be successful. They would not have objected if in their wisdom, they had not seen obstacles for me.

Later, that same year I met my husband. Three years later, I came to Canada and the United States in 2005. My son, Daouda, was born this past September. I did not speak the language when I arrived here. I was happy to find someone to help me improve my English.

I wanted to share this story because sometimes it is not easy to make choices. I now realize the advice my parents gave me was correct, even though I was disappointed at the time. I have no regrets. I made the best choice for me.

By Fanta Cissokho.

Fanta is 23 years old from Senegal, West Africa. Her native language is French. She is married with one son. She has lived in the United States for less than one year. She has learned many literacy skills, most

2 My Journey importantly confidence, while working with Michelle Hord at the Clay County Literacy Coalition. ______

A Handicap that Did Not Stop My Dreams from Coming True

My name is Leroy Kearse, age 55. Some say I’ve lived a very exciting life. I grew up in a small fishing village where, in my early years, I worked on shrimp docks and large fishing boats. I worked on the east coast and in Texas and Louisiana on the Gulf coast. Sometimes we stayed out on the water two to three weeks at a time.

In school I did not do well. My spelling, reading, and writing were very poor. This has been a handicap to me for many years.

I began a career with the City of Jacksonville, where I worked my way up to a position as a Journeyman Structural Welder. Some of my duties included making cages for the police cars, water tanks for the fire trucks, and repairs on bulldozers, cranes and other off road equipment.

I attended the Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) to train for my welding position. In addition to my performance tests, I had to study written material and take written tests. Occasionally, I took continuing education courses to update my welding skills. This tested my reading ability.

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I retired after 33 years with the city. During the same time I pursued a career in massage therapy. I had to learn all about the muscles, tissues, nerves, and the whole skeletal structure. You would have thought I was going to school to be a doctor. Because my reading was so poor, I started to drop out of the class. I didn’t think I could keep up with the others. But my determination kept me going. I completed the course and was licensed by the State of Florida’s Department of Professional Regulations.

I am glad that I did not give up on my dream to be a licensed massage therapist, which I am currently practicing and have been for the last 20 years.

Thanks to the Center for Adult Learning with the Jacksonville Public Library my reading skills have improved. The concepts they are using have been very helpful to me. In some way, with their patience and knowledge, the instructors are giving me what I didn’t get in grade school.

By Leroy Kearse

Leroy attends Jacksonville Public Library’s Center for Adult Learning. His teacher is Tammy Owens. ______

Recovery

For so many years I’ve been alone Alone in my sadness and alone in my tears Who am I and why am I here?

4 My Journey

And why do I hold on to all of this fear? Fear of love, fear of pain How will I ever break this chain? This chain that ties me down to this weary life that I lead Will I ever find peace within me? Will my soul ever be set free? For once I would like to be content Content with myself and content with this world in which I live So many questions left unanswered Ones that I will have to find And when I do maybe then I’ll see the beauty that’s hidden deep within me.

By Traci Posey

Traci’s teacher is Mr. Peacock. ______

Accomplishing My Goals Will Change My Life

When I dropped out of high school in my junior year, I never realized how important it was to have a diploma. After a series of dead end jobs and go nowhere romances, I learned that if I ever wanted to further my education and get a career I would love, I needed to get my GED. Accomplishing this goal would also allow me to help my son as he starts school and make me a better role model by showing him how important education really is to his future.

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First of all, a diploma is necessary for any job or career I might want to pursue and earning it will permit me to enter college or a technical vocational training program. I have always wanted to be a dental assistant.

Once in my chosen career, a diploma will also allow me to take further training for advancement. Careers that offer benefits, retirement plans, and health insurance would certainly require at least a high school diploma. Everyone agrees that the more education you have, the better chance you have at earning more money and gaining those big promotions.

Finally, the most important reason I want a diploma is to better myself and to be a good role model for my five year old son, Corey. When I walk across that stage to accept my diploma, I will have the personal satisfaction of knowing I accomplished my goal. My son will be proud of me and he will know that you don’t give up when something becomes too difficult.

I have tried to earn my diploma before, but gave up when I didn’t pass the first time. Now that my priorities are straight, and I have my son to raise, I realize how important the diploma is, what it will mean for me and my family. Finally earning my diploma after all these years will help me find a new career for life, make me a better parent for my son, and open up all sorts of new

6 My Journey opportunities. I am taking the test in May of 2006 and I know that I will be successful this time around.

By Debbie Puterio

Debbie is a single mother of a four year old son, Corey. She attends GED classes at Lealman Elementary in St. Petersburg, Florida and will be taking her GED exam in May of 2006. Her teacher is Anne Morgan. ______

The Three Lives of Michael

MICHAEL’S BIOLOGICAL FAMILY:

My mother was murdered when I was 7 years old. My father was mean-physically and mentally. That was the only way he knew how to be a parent. He also drank. I went to live with my maternal grandmother and grandfather along with my younger brother. My other siblings went to live with our paternal grandparents.

Life with my grandparents was like Disney World. I had everything. My grandparents were my world. I had a structured life and school was going well until my father came back into the picture to get all his kids back with him. I had to leave my grandparents in Alabama after three years to be with my father again in Detroit along with my three sisters and brother. My father had remarried so I had stepbrothers and stepsisters as well.

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I was nine years old at the time and missed my grandparents very much. My schoolwork began to suffer.

At 13, my little brother and I ran away from home and went to stay with our stepsister Carolyn and her boyfriend Edward in Detroit. After a couple days Edward felt it was best to call the authorities. The police showed up with our father. The police officer asked us if we wanted to go back with our father and we said no. He told us that if we didn’t, we would be placed in a juvenile detention center for three days after which time we would be placed in a boy’s home. We agreed and we were eventually placed in a boy’s home in Detroit called “Don Bosco Hall,” which was considered a “good” boys home. Once again, we felt we were in a good environment – going to school regularly, being well-fed and clothed and playing sports - almost like staying with our grandparents again. However, I was still trying to make my way back to my grandparents.

Mr. Ford, a school counselor, took good care of my little brother and me. I could go to him at any time for advice and help. My little brother was not doing well at school. He was acting up and getting in trouble. He eventually ended up in and out of prison.

In high school shop class one day, a fellow student noticed my neck was swollen. Mr. Ford set up a doctor’s appointment for me for the next day. Blood work revealed I had Hodgkin’s disease. I remained in the hospital for a month and a half.

8 My Journey

MICHAEL’S FOSTER FAMILY:

Counselors did not want me to return to the school after treatment and instead suggested a foster home. I was told about a potential family in Detroit, the Williams Family, but I was not too enthusiastic about it. In the end, however, I agreed to try living with them.

The Williams family had a son, Mark and a daughter, Beverly. After two weeks, I realized I liked it there and felt very welcome. At my request, they placed me in a strict boys school where I prospered as a student.

Mr. Williams was a minister and one day informed the family we were moving to Florida. I wanted to go with them but they needed permission from the State of Michigan Social Services as well as from my biological father to take me out of the state. My father agreed. But, in order to assume full responsibility of me, the State required that the Williams family adopt me. The Williams family agreed to do so and the adoption was finalized prior to the move.

MICHAEL’S ADOPTED FAMILY:

I finally had a real family and was living in St. Petersburg, Florida. I was fourteen at that time. While in high school, I worked as a cook. I graduated from high school in 1978 and enrolled in truck driving school.

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There were two things in life I always wanted to do – fly a plane and drive an 18-wheel truck. I accomplished one of them and continue driving a truck today. It may have taken me a long time, but after seven years and a lot of patience, the Lord blessed me in 2002 with a good job at FedEx Freight where I am very happy.

I still live in St. Petersburg. My father and brother are both deceased, but my mother is still living in St. Petersburg and I visit her regularly. I have three children and am especially fond of my six grandchildren. I attend church faithfully where I am a deacon as well as a musician.

My dream of bettering my reading skills has finally come true. I have been enrolled in the literacy program in Tampa for over 14 months and hope to one day become a minister.

By Michael R. Perdue

Michael is a truck driver who has been enrolled in the Tampa Florida Laubach Basic English program for over 2 years. He is the father of 3 and grandfather of 6. He hopes to improve his reading and computer skills and be a good role model for others. His teacher is Brenda Balla.

10 My Journey

______

Childhood on Rewind

I remember when I was young and the only thing I wanted to do was stay at home with my Mom and Dad. Being a Momma’s and Daddy’s baby wasn’t so bad at all. I would get treats every Friday, and cash to spend on Saturdays. On Sundays, I would get one week of lunch money. Being young made me feel great and I thank God for that, because he let me keep both of my parents.

The last day of school during my 5th grade year, one of my best friends lost his mom. That is when I knew I was one of the lucky ones. As I got older, it was time for me to give back. Mom can come to me to get what she needs, and Pops makes sure that I stay straight. Remembering things from the past is sometimes good. I continue to thank God for his blessings.

By Roger Hodges

Roger is single with no kids. He attends Adult and Community Education and is trying to better himself by getting his GED. He enjoys the class and his teacher, Susan Fowler.

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______

Happy Woman!

Hi, my name is Sandra Navarro. I have been living here for 3 years. I came to this country because I got married and my husband is working here. He is working for the fire department.

I like this country because it is organized and the people have the same rights.

I miss my family and my country but here I am learning about different cultures. It is very interesting. I like to know people from different countries and I love to try all kinds of foods. I prefer seafood.

Now I am pregnant and feel very happy with my expectations about my future baby. It is a girl and I will hope she is born healthy.

By Sandra Navarro

Sandra is from Colombia and has been married for 3 years. Her teacher is Pat Kilianski. ______

Invisible

Here it is, 10:00 PM, and my dad is finally getting home from work, or so he says. I am nine years old so, of course, I am in bed asleep. BOOM! The

12 My Journey door slams. I hear fighting and screaming. “Where have you been? What have you been doing?”

By this time, I am wide awake. By the time I make my way downstairs, Dad is storming out the door. I walked up to mom, and she was crying. I asked what was wrong. She didn’t answer, so I said, “Goodnight, Mom. I love you,” and went back to bed.

It has been like this for four years now. Everyday and every night; fighting and screaming. I am thirteen now. Mom is never home, and I am not quite sure where she is. Dad brings home a different woman every night. I am hurt and confused. No one ever pays any attention to me. It is either fight over money or who is right. Why can’t they just get along? How was I brought into this?

Everyday I am late or not at school. Being alone isn’t so bad. My friends never want to come and spend the night, and even if they did, their parents wouldn’t let them. They would say my parents don’t care, and they won’t pay attention.

This year, I am fifteen. Things have gotten harder. I am failing school and not caring about anything. My parents finally got divorced. It’s better, but harder. I never see my dad, and my mom mopes around, talking to herself, but being as nice as she can be. My dad has become an alcoholic and still has many different women. He is still cold hearted. He got a raise at work, so he sends me things to try to buy me back. I sit back

13 Florida Literacy Coalition and say “Wow, I brought myself up in a harsh world. I made it.” I won’t let it happen again.

By Tyler Bardes

Tyler is 18 and lives with his mom in Tallahassee, Florida. He is a student at Lively Adult and Community Education Center. His family hasn’t been one somebody would hope for, but he’s made it through. His interests are in cars and his job. His teacher is Susan Fowler. ______

My First Memory

I remember when I was three years old. My sisters, my mother, my father and I lived beside my grandparent’s house in a small trailer. My cousin, Tami, had come over to visit with my mom. Tami and my mom were sitting on the couch, talking. They weren’t really paying attention to us.

The next thing you know, I look over at my sister, Angela. She is two years older than me. She was lying on the floor with a screw in between her teeth, playing with it.

Being as curious as I was, I decided to do what my big sister was doing. I grabbed an old wood screw, lay on the floor, and popped it between my teeth. About that time, my mom realized what I was doing. She called my name and down my throat it went.

14 My Journey

The screw was lodged in my wind pipe. My face turned blue, my lips turned purple, and my mom freaked out. They rushed me to the hospital. When we got there, the doctor took me in the back immediately.

The doctor stuck some kind of long, magnetic object down my throat to try to get the screw. They tried two separate times, but it didn’t work. The doctor told my mom he would try one more time, but if it didn’t work that time, he would have to operate to get it out. My mother is a Christian woman, so she started praying. The last time, the magnet worked and the screw popped back out. The nurses gave me a sponge bath, the doctor checked me out, and I went home. That is one of my very first memories, and I don’t think I will ever forget it.

By Christen Houck

Christen is married with two children. She is a student in a GED program with adult and community education in Tallahassee. She is very close to taking the GED test and receiving her diploma. Her teacher is Susan Fowler. ______

My Learning Process

The learning process is better when you have a guide. A teacher is like a driver that conducts us through the big highway of knowledge and helps us choose our way in the intersections, the stops, and helps

15 Florida Literacy Coalition us to decide if the process ends or lasts for the rest of our lives. I have had many teachers in my life but some have conducted me in the specific way that has put me on the route I’m now on. I am a medical doctor. I graduated in Colombia 12 years ago. I am in the States learning English, studying to obtain my license as a physician here, and doing all the required steps to have the opportunity to study Anesthesiology.

The first teacher was my father. He taught me that knowledge is the best gift he could ever give me. He strongly influenced me to choose medicine as my career. Medicine has helped me to help others, and I’m grateful to my father for the little push at the right moment. He always will be my natural teacher.

In elementary school, I had a teacher that I remember in a special way. Mr. Luis Quintero, was a man in his sixties with a strong character and rough manners. He believed in my abilities, worked strongly with me; improving my skills and especially helped me to improve my self-esteem.

At the university, I had a professor, Dr. Hernando Gonzalez, a man in his seventies, calm, with a great knowledge of physiology. He has dedicated all his life to teaching and learning. From him, I have learned that you never end the process of learning.

In the last years I have had my wife. She is not a teacher in the strict meaning of the word. She has studied almost all her life and always is looking for new information to learn. I have learned from her that there

16 My Journey is always knowledge to learn. Actually, she gives me the fuel necessary to continue on this way. And now I have come back to Adult Education in Miami Beach and found Mr. Eddie Schiffer, a calm man, full of patience.

He has a particular way to teach “the spoon method.” The method is funny and really has helped me to learn English. I have learned from him that learning is a process that requires a lot of patience and that there are many different ways to learn.

Learning is a process that never ends. The trip through this highway has been easier with the drivers I have had. I hope that in the future I would find drivers as goods as those I have had until now.

By Cesar Orozco

Cesar is a married man and father of a infant baby boy, David. He decided to submit this essay because he wanted to honor some of his teachers. He attends ESOL 4 at Miami Beach Adult and Community Education Center. His teacher is Mr. Schiffer. ______

My Autobiography

I am Libia. I was born in Peru, in South America. I studied to be an elementary school teacher. I love children a lot. I am retired now.

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My native language is Spanish, but now I want and I need to learn English. This is a hard job for me I have four children: two male and two female. I am proud of my children, they are very good people. Five years ago I moved here, wishing to learn English. It is my wish that is coming true! I love this country, because I find security here. My children have the opportunity for their jobs.

By Libia Espinoza

Libia is married with 4 children, Rosario, Luis, Carlos and Rocio. She is attending the English Café with her husband. She likes to do crafts, read, watch TV, and learn English. Her teacher is Patricia Kilianski. ______

Life is Hard

I was born in Bogota, Colombia many, many years ago. My childhood was happy because I was the youngest child. For that reason I was a very lonely kid.

When I finished high school I got married. I had 3 children; 2 girls and 1 boy. After 10 years I got a divorce. So like all struggles, I had difficult times but I did my best and life continued.

I worked as a volunteer in the Red Cross for many years after that. I went on a vacation to L.A. where I have family. Then I met a relative who was a widower.

18 My Journey

In L.A. we began to date and a short time after that we got married. I have had a happy marriage for 20 years.

My children are married. I have 3 grandchildren. The problem is that they live in different states. Three years ago, my husband passed away and now I am thinking what will be my future.

By Ella Valle

Ella is a mother of 4 children, and living with her daughter. Her teacher is Patricia Kilianski. ______

Box of Memories

1. Letter 2. Passport 3. Personal business card 4. Ring 5. Photograph with my best friends

Dear grandchildren, I selected these items because I want to explain my life. The first item is a letter that my school gave me for dedication. This letter was very important to me. It was my motivation to continue to reach my dreams with valor.

The second item is my passport. There you can see a lot of travels that I made. So, I can tell you, there are no walls in life. Everything is possible.

19 Florida Literacy Coalition

The third item is my personal business card. I want to tell you that the dreams are possible if they are carried in your soul.

The fourth item is the ring, and I consider that the most important for me; there is a lot of success that hurts the heart but love has the strength to finish in glory.

The fifth item is the photograph. It gives to me the best equilibrium in the face of problems. Life is never unjust. I know that everyone comes to learn, and the mistakes are knowledge. Never renunciation.

By Marcelo Morgado

Marcelo is from Argentina where he completed high school. He came to Miami to further study high security systems. He would like to open his own business in the future. His teacher is Judith Titus. ______

Box of Memories

1. A picture when I was young. 2. Newspaper or something that showed what happened in my country when I was born. 3. A picture with my parents. 4. A necklace that I used when I was 15 years old. 5. The lyrics of the song I used when I got married.

20 My Journey

I want my grandchildren to know how my parents and I looked, what we wore and how we had parties in our time.

I left a newspaper article which said something about the history in my country in the year I was born.

I would like one of my grandchildren to use my necklace again on her 15th birthday.

I want them to know how I fell in love with my husband, how and where their parents were born.

My husband gave me a song with lyrics before we got married and I want my grandchildren to have it.

By Ana Silvia Paez

Ana came to Miami from Colombia. She and her husband have been here for 6 years. She is studying at Miami Beach Adult to improve her reading and writing skills. Her tutor is Judith Titus. ______

Autobiography

My name is Alice. I am a single woman. I live with my niece, my nephew and my nephew’s wife and her children, one boy and one girl. I work with my niece and nephew cleaning offices and as a baby sitter. I like listening to classical music. I like also to watch movies on T.V. In the summer, I like to go to the beach and also like to swim. In autumn I like walking.

21 Florida Literacy Coalition

I would like to improve my English by attending English Café Classes, due to the fact that I need a lot of practice. I am originally from Peru which is a beautiful country located in South America. I miss Peru so much because most of my family lives over there, however I like it very much here.

By Alicia Leon

Alicia is a single woman who likes to help children who have been abandoned. Her teacher is Patricia Kilianski. ______

How a Trip Can Change Your Life Forever?

Everything started when a friend of mine, indeed my best girlfriend, invited me to visit her for my holidays. She had been living in the USA for some years so I accepted and decided to stay with her and her husband for one week in Miami.

During my vacation my friend and her husband introduced me to a very nice man. We went out a couple of times and we had a wonderful time.

Unfortunately, I had to go back to my country because I had to work. But after that, we started a nice relationship through phone calls, e-mails and mutual visits to our homes.

22 My Journey

The most exciting moment was when we decided to go to Disney and spend a weekend together before Christmas. Everything was just amazing and magical! After that, we fell in love and we decided to get married soon in my country, Mexico. We are very happy and we enjoy every moment together.

It’s amazing to think about how a trip that was just for one week with the main purpose to visit my friend and rest, turned out to be the best moment of my life.

By Marisol Casado

Marisol is a Mexican student at the library. She is married to a Canadian man and she is starting a new life in the United States. She used to work in Mexico for ING. She studied Business-Administration and she loves sports. He teacher is Pat K. ______

My Life Growing Up in Colombia

I am Luz Myriam Peralta Aragonez, born 41 years ago, in Garzon Huila, a small town in Colombia. I am the youngest of 9 children. I have five half-sisters and three half-brothers. For them I was just their younger sister. I have always felt I was born with an angel on my shoulder.

My mother, who passed away eight months ago, was a remarkable woman and the greatest mom in the whole world. Uneducated and unskilled, she had a very

23 Florida Literacy Coalition hard life. Her husband died when she was about 40 years old leaving her with eight children between the ages of fifteen and two. My mother was very lonely so when she met a man, she thought she could love again. Even though he was much younger, she began an affair. In a short time, she became pregnant and when she told her lover, he deserted her immediately and to this day, no one knows where he is. All her family was against her, especially her two oldest sons. But she had the courage to have the baby (me) without any support.

In my country, it is important to have two last names. A person with just one last name will be called a bastard and will face much discrimination. On the advice and help of a friend, my mother registered me as an authentic daughter of her deceased husband and so my name became Peralta Aragonez instead of just Aragonez.

Many women wanted my mom to give me to them but she always said “No,” very firmly. It was as though she knew I would become a great support for her in her old age.

Apparently, I had a joyful infancy. When I was about 4, I became a dreamer. Being poor for me was loathsome, so in my games I always pretended I was a business girl with a lot of power. I loved new and fancy dresses. I only liked shoes with heels and leather boots, so my sisters always had to look for a shoe maker to be able to please their ill-bred little sister. My two oldest

24 My Journey

brothers made a bike and a nice wrought iron car for me. I had a lot of fun riding them on the side walk with all my friends.

When I was 6 years old I started to go to school. I went directly to first grade. Going to school wasn’t much fun for me. I was very frustrated most of the time; I just didn’t like to study. But still I was able to finish my elementary school. When I was eleven, I started high school but I was more interested in having fun than concentrating on my studies. So I had to repeat several grades.

After I was 12, I decided to work every Saturday in a granary store which was located in a big grocery plaza. I enjoyed those days weighing, packing, and selling the grains to people in the town and also to the farmers who bought 25 pounds bags.

Soon, I became very ambitious, and I started to think about the possibility of studying at night and working full time during the day. I told my family my idea, but it was met with a flat denial. It was my misfortune that we moved from the city to a house with three acres of cocoa land. Even though the school where I wanted to go at night was only five minutes from the new house, we had to cross a river by walking over a very long and unsafe bridge. Then we had to cross a pasture where there were cows. Because there was no electricity, it was completely dark. So it was really scary and very dangerous for me to go by myself.

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As I said before, I think I was born with a special angel on my shoulder. Two years later, two elderly ladies came to my house looking for my next youngest sister to offer her a job. They were looking for a person that would be able to administer a religious store located in their own beautiful house in the downtown part of the city. They offered my sister only a quarter of the minimum salary, but they would provide meals, and she would be welcome to live there with her own bedroom and comforts. I was so excited just listening about the big opportunity for my sister. But she told the ladies that she wasn’t interested. The ladies left very disappointed and nervous about going back over the unsafe bridge. The next day I visited those ladies and I told them I was interested in working for them. At the beginning, they were very stubborn because they thought I was too young (I was only fourteen) and I wouldn’t be able to manage their business. But it didn’t take me too long to convince them I was mature, responsible and honest. So I got the job!!!

From that moment my life changed completely. Thanks to that job, my dreams became true. I started to work full time, going to school at night, and to have new friends. After I had been there one year, I again became very excited when I overheard two of my friends talking. One was offering a job to the other. This time the job was in Bogota, the capital of my country. After a few days, this girl said to her friend that she wasn’t interested in moving to that big, cold, and far away city. I saw another big opportunity in my life! So I told her I would go with her. At first, it was very hard to convince her. She thought I was too young

26 My Journey and also that I didn’t know much about hard work. But I didn’t give up! I started to beg her every day to give me the opportunity and I wouldn’t disappoint her. I got the job! Bravo Luz!!

After many years in Bogota, I felt the angel on my shoulder again when I was given the opportunity to travel to the United States. I came and I stayed but that is Part II of my life.

By Luz Bratt

Luz Bratt has studied English for the past three years with Linda Wilson and Virginia Hash through the Clay County Literacy Coalition. She especially likes to write. ______

Life Through the Eyes of a Migrant Child

Growing up in the 60’s wasn’t easy. Mom and Dad and I were migrant workers traveling from state to state just to work. Back then you were paid 5¢ a basket for picking tomatoes, cucumbers, and blueberries. When it came time to work in the fields picking tomatoes, I carried salt and pepper with me to put on the tomatoes. I ate the nice, hot, and juicy tomatoes every day. What I didn’t eat I squashed up with my feet. I would work all day and pick just two baskets.

When we traveled from state to state the living conditions were terrible. There was no inside plumbing; you had to get your water from an outside

27 Florida Literacy Coalition well. You had no bathroom inside, so you had to use the outhouse. Living as a migrant in VA was like living on a plantation. You had no rights; you had to do whatever the boss man told you to do.

Dad was in charge of the crew. I hated the way Dad had to kiss up to the white men; he had to do everything he was told without any questioning. Some people were trying to run away from labor camps because the living conditions were horrible and the foremen were terrible and mean. Some would try to make it to my father’s camp to hide out. If they got caught hiding on your camp, they would get the whipping of their lives.

Once, Mom and Dad lived on a labor camp in Hastings, FL. I stayed with them until I was five years old. When they outlawed children from working in the fields we had to be in school, but dad found ways around the system. He would pick us up after school was out, and we had to work the rest of the day in the fields. When I had to start school, I had to live with my sister, and I only got to see my parents on the weekends. When school got out in June, it was time to travel to VA. We stayed in VA until the end of August. We had to start school late. It was hard trying catch up with your work when you didn’t know what the heck they were talking about. I got farther and farther behind in my work.

I remember one day, when I was about six, we were getting ready to go to work in the fields. My cousin-in- law was the boss of the camp. One migrant worker didn’t want to go to work. My cousin-in-law beat this

28 My Journey man with a whip, cursed him out, and just started hitting him over and over until the man got tired of the beatings then got on the bus. Wow! It blew my mind! Back then blacks were being mistreated by their own race. I couldn’t understand why.

I also remember when I was about 7 or 8 years old. Blacks weren’t allowed to go into all white neighborhoods. You’d get arrested or beat up by the whites. Eating out was impossible; waitresses would wait on the whites before they waited on you. You had to receive your order out back from a black person who was working there, especially at local diners and at the movies. Blacks had to sit up in the top of the balcony, while whites sat at the bottom. If you got caught sitting in the white section you would get thrown out of the movies.

When I was younger, I didn’t mind working in the fields. That’s all I knew. When I got older I became embarrassed about being a migrant worker. I felt degraded working in the fields from sun up to sun down. I always knew things were going to get better. When I was in my early twenties I told Mom and Dad I was tired of traveling from state to state working in the fields picking cucumbers and tomatoes in that hot sun. By my late twenties, I was back in school.

After someone read this autobiography of mine, a question was asked of me. Is there still racism today? Yes, there is because, for some reason, some whites will not sit by blacks in a doctor’s office or in a restaurant. I‘ve seen them stand rather than sit down by

29 Florida Literacy Coalition a black person. Even in the grocery stores, if you pass them, white people “squenches” up like you’re going to rob them or something. Here it is 2006 and it seems like whites are more afraid of us then ever.

By Delorise Williams

Delorise is a single mother of two children: Lasheka and Katrina. Delorise completed the Adult Basic Education program at SJRCC. Currently she is a GED student at SJRCC. Delorise never knew she loved writing and the GED program has inspired her to write autobiographical stories and journals about life in the south. Her teacher is Julie Zimmerman-Kelly. ______

My Story

When I lived in Mexico, everything was so far away we couldn’t go nowhere. I lived with my grandpa and grandma, who were my dad’s parents. My mother lived in the United States. I learned from my grandpa how to plant crops, corn and sugar cane, and feed the chickens and the pigs. We cleaned up the hay where the horses were. I worked very hard. I didn’t go to school because it was too far away.

I was doing all of that, every day, over and over and over, until I left home with a friend. She was going to the United States. We call it “up north.” So I came with her to Texas. We swam across the river and then we walked through the desert for five days. We ran out of food and water. I was ten years old.

30 My Journey

We finally got to Fort Worth and I met the lady’s daughter. We stayed there for awhile, and we worked picking crops in the fields. Then the woman that brought me to the United States died. Then me and her daughter sent her body back home.

After awhile I met another family that was coming to Florida. So I asked, “Can I go with y’all to find my Mom?” I had a piece of paper with my mom’s address on it. The man said “yes,” but he also charged me 250 dollars to come with them for gas and food.

I rode in the back of the truck with him and his family from Texas to Florida. When we all got there, the man went in this house. A few minutes later he came out with a woman. He introduced me to her. She was my mother. I asked her questions about my grandpa and grandma, their names and the place I was from. She answered them correctly, so I knew she was my mother. So the man left with his family and I stayed with my mother at her house and waited for my half-sisters to come home from school. I was fourteen years old then.

My mother taught me how to pick crops. We picked citrus in Florida from October to July, then moved to Georgia and on to North Carolina to pick cucumbers and tobacco. Then we went to Michigan to pick apples and cherries. We did this every year. Some of the farmers were good to me. One of them made a special room for me in his barn and I stayed there when I was picking around there.

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I had a really hard life and lots of bad things happened to me and I really don’t like to talk about it. Now I have a pretty good job working at a place that makes roof trusses. I have been working there for seventeen years. I started to learn to read and now I just want to keep on learning more. Sometimes at my tutoring lesson I forget the time and all of a sudden three hours have gone by!

I want to learn to read better so I can pass the test to be certified to drive a fork-lift truck because I already know how to do it but have to be certified. The same with electricity. I already know how to wire anything but can’t get a paying job doing it unless I can pass the test. That seems crazy to me, but that’s just the way it is here.

Anonymous ______

The Biggest Treasure

Family is the greatest treasure you can have and therefore it is the most important thing to take care of. When I was a teenager I used to dream about living on my own and becoming a successful person. I felt like I had the world under my feet until I had an auto accident. I had to go back to my city, staying at my mother, father and sister’s homes. All my family, including my aunts financed my more than one year of rehabilitation and they helped me to take care of my little daughter.

32 My Journey

Years after, my husband decided to immigrate to the U.S.A., but I was having a good time at my job. We stayed separate for three years until I lost that job. That experience made me understand that the most important thing was, again, my family. We moved to this country and reunited our family.

Two months later, I was pregnant with my third daughter. It is difficult working here with three children, so I’ve stayed at home for five years and will probably have to for a few more years. Although I want to be fulfilled as a professional I know that this is the time to dedicate to my family, and I know that I will have time to do this in the future. Anyway, if I would die tomorrow I wouldn’t complain. After all, as a child of divorced parents I got what I really wanted—my own family.

By Marisela Sanchez Richter

Marisela was born in Merido, Venezuela in 1969. She is married to Hans Richter. She has three daughters, Leslie, Andrea and Melissa. Her hobbies include reading, writing, singing, and nature. She attends Wellington Community High School’s Community program and her teacher is Maureen Bergquest.

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______

A Thank You to Gayle Mann

Hi, my name is Felicia Baxley. I’m writing this story to tell you about my education. In the first grade I was tested and put in ESE classes. After that school was no longer fun. The other students made fun of me, and that was very hard on me so I started telling my mom I was sick just so I wouldn’t have to go to school. When I did go to school I would hide in the bathroom so I would not have to listen to them call me names.

In the sixth grade I had a wonderful teacher. Her name was Gayle Mann. She helped me with all of my problems. She worked with me a lot for three years. I learned a lot from her and through her. She helped me get in regular classes when I went to high school. It was still hard on me but I had friends and people didn’t look down on me anymore.

When I was in tenth grade Ms. Mann passed away with cancer. That was a sad day for the school system. She was a wonderful ESE teacher. I miss her so much and feel bad for all of the ESE students who won’t have her. She attended all of her former students graduations.

I was told half-way through the 11th grade I would not get a regular high school diploma if I didn’t pass or show improvement on the FCAT. I didn’t show enough improvement, so I quit and now I am going for my GED and learning more now than I ever did in school. The one on one attention is helping me so much.

34 My Journey

I would like to thank the Florida Literacy Coalition and the Department of Education for this opportunity to tell my story.

By Felicia Baxley

Felicia is a former ESE student who has struggled through school. She is a student at County Oaks Learning Center. ______

Learning to Read at the Age of 59

My name is Samuel Jones. I am 59 years old. I never learned to read until one day I was listening to TV and I heard about the adult reading class. It was sponsored by Wal-Mart. I copied the number down and I called the number. I immediately got a call back from the Boca Raton Library. Joan Mueller appointed Theresa Cacace as a tutor for me. Now I have been here for three years. I am reading pretty good. I am reading about people that I never met, places that I have never been to before, places that I would like to go and places I have been to. It is like my life is starting all over again.

By Samuel Jones

Samuel Jones was born in Arkansas and now lives in Deerfield. He attends Boca Raton Public Library’s Literacy Program, and his teacher is Thersea Cacace.

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______

A Christmas to Remember

On Christmas morning at around 6:00 a.m., I was suddenly awakened from my sleep by a loud noise coming from the downstairs living room.

I reached for the small iron pipe kept under my pillow, placed there for such unexpected situations. Slowly, I crawled out of bed and tip-toed down the stairs. As I entered the living room, I immediately noticed that all of my kid’s Christmas gifts were gone from underneath the tree! I was very upset and angry. The thieves even took the new book bag my children bought for me to take to my GED class that was to start on Monday. Realizing that I needed to call 911 for police assistance, I made my way to the kitchen and reported the theft.

After what seemed to be at least a half hour of waiting for law enforcement to arrive, I went outside to look around. Once outside, I began asking my neighbors if anyone had seen or heard anything at all that could help catch the thieves who broke into our house and stole our Christmas presents. No one saw anything. I began walking back towards the house and all I could do was pray—believing that God was going to make a way for me and my kids to have a merry Christmas.

As I stood in my living room, I tried to calm myself before going upstairs to talk to my children. Holding

36 My Journey back tears, I walked upstairs to their bedrooms and gave each of them a hug. I told them about everything that had happened and that there was no need to worry because I had a back-up plan and a little money in the bank too!

I never imagined that someone would break into our house on Christmas and steal our presents. However, throughout all that happened, I sincerely believed that things would somehow fall into place and some good would come out of that terrible situation. All I wanted was to have a good holiday with my kids, and although we didn’t have much, everything worked out—I survived that ordeal and my kids were happy on Christmas day.

By Lexine Curry

Lexine is currently a student with Community Connections Adult Education Program (ABE) located at the AL Lewis Center in Jacksonville, Florida. Lexine has a heart for learning and doesn’t hesitate to admit that she has something to prove in obtaining her GED. She says that school means everything to her, because it means having a better life for herself and her children. ______

Learn and Study at Any Age

Our names are Ulla Williams and Shinko Bellomy. We have both been learning English on our own for many years, but began studying in the same English as a Second Language class last semester. We are older

37 Florida Literacy Coalition now and have more free time to study. We would like to share our stories and how we came to need English in our everyday lives.

I, Ulla, was born on December 5, 1941 in Hochheim, Germany. The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan happened only two days after I was born. I do not remember much about the war, but I do remember American soldiers marching into my small town. I remember a soldier writing on the doorframe of my grandmother’s house, “Must Be Out In 24 Hours.” We did not have much back then. We needed tickets to buy things like coffee, butter, rice and shoes. Oftentimes we had to run to the underground bunkers when the alarms sounded. I lived in a two-story house with my grandparents, my mother, my aunt and uncle and my great-grandmother for the better part of my childhood. Life, of course, went on after the war. I worked in the fields and went to school. I helped harvest the potatoes and the grapes in the fall. I began beautician school when I was just fourteen. I graduated three years later and began work as a beautician.

I did meet a lot of American women at the beauty shop, and I learned a bit of English from them. I admired their way of living and their way of thinking. It was very foreign from my own experience. I never dreamed I would marry an American man. Little did I know that I was to meet my future husband at a carnival party on a cold February day. It was love at first sight. He was in the United States Airforce at the time. Six months later in the spring of 1972, I flew with my son to the United States for the first time. I soon married

38 My Journey my husband, Garfield. We have been married for 33 years this past February. We have now settled in Florida. As a wife and mother, I needed to understand and communicate well in English. It was difficult at first. My husband would take a few extra moments to answer me. He was trying to unscramble my tangled sentences. Slowly, with time and work, my English improved. Things got easier. I could understand jokes, television shows and the front page of the newspaper. I, along with Shinko, continue to persevere with English especially in my writing. Do not get discouraged! Continue to learn no matter how old you are.

My story is very similar to the one told above by Ulla. I, too, lived much of my youth in a war-torn era. I was born on November 23, 1932 in Fukuoka, Japan. I am Japanese. My mother passed away when I was six years old. I had four brothers and one sister. At the time of her death, the oldest of my siblings was only sixteen, and the youngest was three. My father was devoted to keeping us together. Unfortunately, World War II started and continued for four long years. My family like other families did not have very much. Stores were closed, and food was rationed. American planes circled often overhead. The sirens screamed one day, and we all ran to the bunker. I could feel the earth shaking as the bombs hit the ground. We all gathered toward the center of the room and covered our heads with our futons. We were all very scared. The war ended shortly there after in 1945. I was forced to drop out of school at age fifteen so I could help take care of my family. I then got a job as a waitress on an airforce

39 Florida Literacy Coalition base that was set up nearby my home. I picked up English from the radio and conversation books. I met my husband at a bus station when I was twenty years old. It, too, was love at first sight. We married and had seven children. We moved to Florida and have lived here since 1964.

All my children went to American schools. I had to understand and communicate in English so that I could speak with my husband, help my children with their homework and participate in my children’s school activities. I will be seventy-four years old next November, and I still study English to keep my mind fresh. Here in Niceville, Florida, both Ulla and I have been given a great opportunity to study English for free. All you need to bring to the classroom is determination, enthusiasm and perhaps a dictionary. If you choose to go to school and study, you will learn not only about English and yourself but also about students of other cultures. Good luck!

By Shinko Bellomy and Ursula Williams

Shinko and her husband, John William Bellomy had seven children together. Sandra, Garry, Terry, Carol, Lisa, Mark and Reuben. She has been a student of Okaloosa Walton College’s Adult Basic Education program since 2001. Ursula and her husband, Garfield have been married for over thirty years. She has been a student of Okaloosa Walton College since 2005.

40 My Journey

______

My Life in Long Island New York

Hi, my name is Rosemarie Maxwell. I was born in Hempstead Long Island New York on July 7, 1945. Later on we moved to Hillside Avenue in Long Island. My mama was French and English. My father was part Italian and German. He came to the United States from Bern Switzerland when he was 24 years old. He and my mother met 2 years later. Together they had six children, including 3 girls and 3 boys. My mother worked in the coat factory. My father was a welder and also flew a small plane. He also was a male intern. When that job ended, he got another job in the city, and being it was so hard to commute back and forth, we moved in with my aunt Ada and uncle Tony.

They had a big fire escape and I remember playing on it with my dolls. I didn’t have a clue how dangerous that was. We were so poor that we all had to sleep six people in one big bed. Daddy finally found a place in Long Island and got a job as a welder. We were pretty happy.

I missed living in queens with my aunt Ada, riding on the subway and going to the block parties. They were selling slurps, that is what it is called today. They were called P-aquas back then it was a fruit juice in a bottle sprinkled over the top of ice cones. There were tacos too. All of this was sold on the street. Those were the days. My father passed away in 1965 and my mother in 1994. I miss them dearly.

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By Rose Marie Maxwell

Rose Marie is a part of Country Oaks Learning Center. Her teacher is Monica Baxley ______

My Life

I was born Wynelle Mincey, on September 1, 1971 to the late Eugene and Qunelle Mincey. I’m a country girl, raised in a small town in Georgia. In our household, only daddy worked. He was a logger. My momma couldn’t work because she couldn’t hear and talk like other people.

Back then, times were hard. Because my daddy had to find loggin’ work whenever and wherever he could, we lived on a month-to-month income. Momma was always penny-pinching to make do, and sometimes, we simply had to go without things that people often take for granted like indoor plumbing, running water, and electricity.

Although we didn’t get many things at Christmas time or for birthdays, we were a happy family. Momma and Daddy’s greatest legacy to me was faith in God. I always knew even during the most difficult of times that no matter what, God was always with our family working things out.

I was thirteen years old when we moved into a small house in the town of Milan. We always had

42 My Journey something to do whether it was chopping wood to heat the furnace, filling plastic jugs for water or helping momma around the house. I liked living in Milan and growing up in that house, because for the first time, we had an inside bathroom and a fan to keep us cool.

Throughout my youth, things began to happen in my life that I now realize I could not have changed—I got pregnant at an early age, delivered prematurely at eight months and the baby died. If there is one thing in my life that I wouldn’t wish for anyone to go through, it would be to never have to suffer the loss of a child, especially a newborn.

At age 16, I started going out at night with my sisters and cousins. At the time, I was still in school. Eventually, I stopped all of the partying and got involved in the church. It was there that I began dating a boy whom I later married. My first husband and I stayed married for five years. We had two boys whom I am very proud of—they’re in the tenth-grade! It was during this marriage that I stopped going to school. I thought I would go back one day, but time passed, and I never went back to school.

After the divorce, I remained a single parent caring for my boys for two years. Eventually, I met my second husband. We dated for about five years and later married. We’ve been together for 19 years and have a daughter who’s in the fifth-grade and growing into a very intelligent little lady.

43 Florida Literacy Coalition

After two marriages, the death of my first-born and numerous hardships and life struggles, I decided that it was time for me to come back to school. In February, I took the Language Arts Reading and Writing sections of the General Education Development test…I passed! My confidence has soared since I began working towards my GED, and my future is looking brighter every day!

By Wynelle Mincey

Wynelle is currently a student with Community Connections General Education Program GED at the Sabal Palms Community Center in Jacksonville, Florida. She is the mother of three children – James, Antonio, and Leslie. She believes strongly that education is key in gaining her access to greater career opportunities. ______

My Wasted School Years

I started school in Brooklyn, New York. I went to St. Martin’s Catholic School. I did well in Catholic school from kindergarten to grade three. The nuns were very good teachers. When I transferred to public school, it was downhill from then on.

In the 1950s they didn’t know about learning disabilities. Due to things happening to me at this time, it may have caused my learning to stop here. One summer night I was sleeping on the living room couch with my very large doll. The doll was close

44 My Journey and was facing me. I was making funny noises because I could not breathe. My mother picked me up and placed me by the window to wake me up. I was suffocating from the doll that faced me. I also had a bad habit of biting on the window sills which had a lead base paint, possibly causing lead poisoning.

Later we moved to Jamaica, New York. I went to P.S. 95. It was a struggle from 3rd to 5th grades. I was learning nothing. They did not help me at all. We moved again to Centereach, Long Island, New York. I went to Oxhead Road School. I was placed in a Special Education class for one year. The classroom was a book storage closet. There was room for only two rows of desks. We wanted the new school, Dawnwood Junior High School, to open where we could have more room. There were three classes in one and job education in that room. I was in the class for two years, and my teacher decided to put me in 7th grade because I wasn’t mentally challenged like the other students.

The 7th grade was too hard for me. The students made fun of me because I was in a special class before. It was such a struggle for me. They put me back into the special class.

I lasted one quarter in the 7th grade before my teacher sent me to a psychologist to be tested to see why I could not learn. His report was that I could do anything I set my mind to do but I was just lazy! This was in the 1960s and they didn’t know too much about learning disabilities. My teacher called up my father to tell him about the report from the psychologist. He told my

45 Florida Literacy Coalition farther that I didn’t want to learn. The teacher was going to put me in the job education part of the classes. He told my father if it works for one year, I will get her a diploma.

My teacher found me a job at the dry cleaner and I worked in the afternoon. During the morning I attended class. It came time for my diploma and I thought it was a High School Diploma. It was a Junior High School diploma. I asked him what was I going to do with this diploma, so I just quit! Those were wasted years for me.

I read an article two years ago about suffocation and lead poisoning. It does cause learning disabilities. It made me think about what happened to me. It took me thirty years to seek help form the Adult Literacy Project. They got me tutors. I’ve been in the program for about ten years. I’ve come a long way!

By Linda Pummell

Linda is a student at Palm Beach County Library System’s Adult Literacy Project. Her tutor is Marge Stramiello. ______

My Exciting Life

My name is Jerry. I was born in Brooklyn, New York in the city of Canarcie. I lived there until I was twelve years old. There weren’t that many inspirational people in my life in New York, except my mom, dad and other family members.

46 My Journey

I was surrounded by thugs, drug dealers, murderers, people who started Organized Crime and plain old criminals. These people taught me a few things that helped me survive in the streets. Most of them are in jail or dead now, but I still contact some of them.

At the age of twelve and a half, we packed up and moved to Port Saint Lucie, Florida. We moved along with both of my grandparents. We moved into a huge neighborhood. As soon as we moved in, I became “king of the neighborhood.” I had the most friends. I knew everybody, and we became known as the young Mafia.

After a few years of fun living and no problems, a few houses were robbed, and I was blamed for it. Detectives were all over me until they found out I had nothing to do with the robberies. I knew who was responsible, but I wouldn’t tell them. I am not a snitch.

They arrested me for obstructing justice and tampering with a witness. I hired a lawyer, and the charges were dropped. My friends who committed the crimes were later arrested on robbery and gun charges.

From kindergarten through eighth grade, I never failed in school. When I got into high school, I failed twice. I was not used to waking up at 5:00 in the morning!

I dropped out and became a student at IRCC in

47 Florida Literacy Coalition

Saint Lucie West. Both of my parents are deaf, so I figured that after I get my GED, I can become a sign language interpreter. I have known sign language since I was two years old, and I am great at it.

I am also great at working on automobiles. My dad taught me a few things when I was eight or nine years old and ever since then, I have been working on cars. There are several things in my life that I want to do, like getting my real estate license so I can sell commercial property. Really I just want to make money, support my family, and live comfortably. I want to drive fast cars and wear expensive clothes and jewelry.

Now that I have told you about my life, I’m going to tell you about me. I am a very outgoing person and a very understanding person. I like relaxing, hanging out, and doing crazy stuff. I try to stay away from fighting, but I will fight if I have to. I am also a very open minded person and a good listener. I have lived a good life, and I am very pleased about the way it is going. I love Florida, and I love New York!

By Jerry Rosenzweig

Jerry is a student at St. Lucie West studying for his GED. His teachers are Slavin, Duran, Brovero, and Councillor.

______

48 My Journey

Children, They are a Blessing

To have a child is a great blessing, and to have more than one is a greater blessing. That’s what happened to me. I was told there was a chance I might not be able to have children.

I was just 16 years old when I received the news that I may not be able to ever have children. You can imagine how I felt. I started to cry and think the worst. No 16 year old girl wants to hear that kind of news from anyone, much less a doctor.

The years passed. I met a young man and got married. We wanted to start our family right away. It took some time before I could conceive a child, but I did! It was the happiest time of my life.

The next 9 months were very hard, but I got through it with God’s help. My baby girl, Jessica, was born 25 years ago. That was, and is, a blessing from God. Now I have a lot to be thankful for. God has blessed me with 3 more children: Ryan 19, Olivia 14, and Joseph 7. Do you see what can happen if you only believe and have faith? The impossible!

When someone gives you bad news or tells you that you can’t do it, don’t give up. Believe in yourself and

49 Florida Literacy Coalition what God can do. Always keep the faith, and you will come out on top.

By Myrna Haughton

Myrna is a mother of four children and one grandchild: Jessica, Ryan, Oliva, Joseph, and Tatiana. She is a student at Hallandale Adult Community Center for the past year. Myrna is a hard worker and looks forward to going to school. She is looking forward to getting her GED. ______

My Little World

My name is Ivette. I am from Cuba. I traveled to the United States in 1994 and started to work in a factory. I worked for four years with that company. In those same years, I gave birth to a baby boy. His name is Ismael. He is now eight years old. He studies in an elementary school. My boy is smart. He is a good son.

In 2001, I gave birth to my daughter. Her name is Rashel. She is now five years old. She is in a pre- kindergarten program in a private school. In September, she will start in the elementary school that her bother attends.

My husband works as a handyman in construction. His work is hard. In Cuba he worked as a driver for seven years. He loved doing that. In this country he needs to revalidate his certificate to return to his driving job.

50 My Journey

My house has two large bedrooms, one bathroom, a large living room and a kitchen which is small. The cabinets in the kitchen are wood and the appliances are stainless steel. I love my kitchen. I have a Florida room also. We spend much time in this room. My children play, we watch TV, and they do their homework. My house is painted yellow. The garden is big and the patio too. In my house, I do not have a laundry room. It is outside. It is very difficult for me to do the laundry, but my house is a very good place.

I like to cook. My favorite recipe is chicken with rice. I start by frying the chicken. When it has been braised, I add onion, garlic, pepper, and saffron. I cook it for twenty minutes. I like to serve this chicken dish with a salad of tomatoes and mixed vegetables. For a beverage, I serve soda, water, or juice.

In Cuba, I studied Programming Technology for computers; however, I did not finish that course. Then I took another technical course in Industrial Metallurgy. I received a diploma when I finished twelfth grade. I took another course in administration. I worked in day care administration for four years, and then I came to this country.

In this country I am learning English. When I pass level six in the ESOL program, I will take a course for a medical assistant or a course in ultrasound

51 Florida Literacy Coalition technology. I want to get the best job possible with a good salary. This is my idea of the best future for my family and me.

Anonymous ______

Mi Vida/My Life

I want to tell the story of my life…. My life was the same as a flower born, bud, bloom, bearing fruit open and closed of eyes I was a bird flying in the gray sky

I come from a family with no hugs, good words, or encouragement – only bad words and hitting. I remember much about the older man. I was 14 years old, a virgin. I was scared. He said it was because of something my father did to someone in his family.

I didn’t have somebody to tell or to give me advice. I was very very scared of my father too, so I said nothing. I didn’t understand why my stomach was getting big. My mother came to me and asked if I had been with someone. I didn’t understand. I only knew my stomach was getting big. When my father found out, he told me to get out.

Where could I go? In a few months my daughter was born. A friend asked if I want to go to school. I said yes. My mother cared for my daughter.

52 My Journey

I left my home with only the clothes I wore – no money, no nothing. I was given a room to sleep in and meals while I went to school. I finished high school and stayed four more years in this place. My daughter still lived with my mom. I only saw her when there were school breaks.

Because I didn’t understand what happened, I felt no connection, no love then. Now I feel really bad because I know different, but I can’t go back and fix this.

Maybe one day God fixes everything.

Anonymous ______

When I was a Child and Now

When I was a child I wore dresses, shorts and shirts with spaghetti straps. Now I wear long dresses and high-heeled shoes with skinny heels. When I was a child I ate salsa with tortillas, beans and cooked vegetables. Now I eat steak, scrambled eggs, apple juice, pizza and french toast. When I was a child I was afraid of snakes. Now I am still afraid of snakes! I saw one yesterday and screamed. When I was a child, I was angry when I had to wake up early to go to work. I had to turn a wheel for three hours. I got tired.

53 Florida Literacy Coalition

Now I am angry when my children make messes and don’t clean up. When I was a child I was proud that my team won a dancing contest. Today, I am proud of my two sons. They are intelligent and do well in school.

By Elodia Perez

Elodia is the mother of two children. She goes to the Community Learning Center to learn English and to help her children. She loves to dance. Her tutor is Elyse Van Breemen.

______

Then and Now

When I was a child, I liked to play with dolls. Now I like to go dancing. When I was a child, I was happy when my mom took me downtown. Now I am happy when I have candy and cookies. When I was a child, I was sad when I got into trouble with my mom. Now I am sad when my children get sick.

54 My Journey

When I was a child, I wished I had toys. Now I wish I had a car.

By Raquel Roque

Raquel goes the Community Learning Center. She is learning English. She and her husband have four children. Her teacher is Elyse Van Breeman. ______

My Life

When we arrived in the United States eight years ago, it was a little difficult for me and my husband, because we were here many times but only for vacation and work.

The first time that I took my sons to school it was very difficult for them because they wanted to stay at their old school. They wanted to return to their school, and they said the city here is only for vacation. We don’t like the people here. They asked every day “Mom, when are we going to return?” Now they are more happy, and they don’t want to return now; they say we will to stay here, because we want to study here. We have here more opportunities.

By Marta Uribe

Marta is a mother of two sons, Juan and Alejandro. They are students of Cypress Bay high school. They

55 Florida Literacy Coalition have lived in the United States since 1999 and are very happy here. Her teacher is Patricia Kilianski. ______

The Story of JJ

I’m 20 years old; I’m from Haiti. It’s been 2 years since I left my country, my girl friend and I agreed to keep in touch with each other in anyway we could. I came to Florida with the motivation to go to college and be somebody in the future.

Right now I’m taking my GED and I’m working at the Dollar store and at Subway restaurants. After I get my GED I’m going to go to college and be a walk on for the track team; I love running. When I’m running I feel free; I feel that nobody can hear me or see me. I feel completely like another person.

I have a lot of dreams, and I don’t want to mess up my chance by making mistakes or wasting my time, acting foolish or stupid. I want to be someone in the future, but how? Its so difficult and tiresome, so many bad things come to your mind, that it could cause you to leave everything behind and go after those bad things. I’m trying to stay strong and be motivated, life is not easy as I thought 8 years ago. When you were young, you never worried about anything or really want anything, it’s because you were a kid and nothing important really worried you. That was then, this is now. Now life is complicated. Too many worries.

56 My Journey

I never grew up with my Dad and my Mom. I used to live with my grandmother for about 18 years; that’s when my Dad decided to bring me to Florida to live with him and my brothers and sister. I had not seen them in 10 years. It was hard for me to accept the life that I was living back then, and to forget about everything. My life was miserable, and I had anger for a long time. I hated myself, and I was a selfish boy, thinking that it was the only way to survive the pain that I was going through in my life. I got scared all the time, cried a lot and thought about a lot of things, things that would drive me crazy. I was so depressed and lonely, crying to be loved by people. My life was upside down back then. Now I’m happy or trying to be.

I do love my dad, and I do love my stepmother, my mother, and my brothers and sister. The only thing that keeps me back is my past, my anger, and my jealousy. Life is not easy; you have to fight for it, not only physically, but mentally too. It’s really hard growing up without having your parents or having your life depend on something that you will never get or be. With all my heart, I will never give up on my dreams, and I will be somebody.

Anonymous ______

The Power of Love

Few people have had the fortune that my brother and my sisters and I have had to have parents like ours.

57 Florida Literacy Coalition

When we were just children, my parents died in a terrible accident. My mother’s parents Pedro and Eugenia at that moment were enjoying their retirement. They had a family with two daughters very well married and six grandchildren.

Everything was perfect for them. They were happy to know they had done a good work as parents.

Suddenly that world changed totally. When they woke up to that nightmare, they saw themselves starting again with four children, who didn’t even go to school yet. From that moment, they weren’t our grandparents any more: they were our Mom and Dad.

I don’t remember how hard it was for them, but I remember I was a very happy child, the same as my sisters Silvia and Mercedes and my brother Marcos.

We grew up beside extraordinary persons, who taught us that we can not surrender in front of adversity. They taught us a high sense of moral.

There are things that mark my life very much, like the words of my mother when she said “Don’t make danger to others but don’t let others make danger to you” or “He who perseveres wins” or “Responsibility in your work and everything you do is the way to the success.”

I would have to write a book with the knowledge my mother transmitted to us.

58 My Journey

I remember the last time I saw my father. We were at the airport. I would travel to the United States. He called me to one side and told me, “Daughter, get a job for me in the United States; I want to know that country.” He was an old man.

Now I understand that nothing was impossible for them. They made a second family with children to whom they never felt that they were not their biological parents. We are married now. We are a strong family. We are not perfect, but I know from my parents that love is more powerful than tragedy.

Thanks to Katie Verna for giving me the opportunity to write these words to say a little of a lot that I can tell about my parents. Now that I work at Literacy Council, I have the opportunity to transmit what my parents taught to me to other persons.

I have had a wonderful experience with this organization, and I can see how persons are afraid when they can not communicate in English, but with constancy and discipline they learn to do it. Life changes for them and their family.

-Everything is possible when you wish it and you do it with love and the conviction that you will get it-

By Kerty Reiterer-Crespo

Kerty works at the Literacy Council of Bonita Springs as the office manager. Kery is also a student working to improve her English. She is really involved

59 Florida Literacy Coalition with the program. Her first tutor was Mrs. Pat Geiser and now she is studying with the teachers Bob Sorenson an Islay Hedges. ______

Life with Dyslexia

I remember when I was young people called me stupid and dumb or “you dummy”. My parents also said to think before you talk, but its how it came out. I could picture saying something different in my mind but when I opened my mouth it came out all wrong.

So remembering when I was growing up I was very shy. I rarely said anything. I could think in my head and see the words I wanted to say but it never turned out like that. I would say something backwards. I learned that if I did not say anything then I could not get in trouble. I would try to make friends but it was hard for me because kids were very mean. I was called ‘retard’.

I remember when I was in 5th grade at Lederel School my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Campbell, came over to our house and talked to my mom and dad about me. They wanted to hold me back 1 year, but they decided against it so they put me in a class with 4th and 5th graders. Because my brother Brad was a genius and taking classes 2 grades ahead of himself, and they wanted to move him above me. But Mrs. Campbell and Brad’s teacher decided against it. But my brother had all the words anyways and was making friends in my

60 My Journey grade – but I knew of the people but they were not friends of mine.

I was noticing that I had a hard time listening and writing down what the teacher said. People would have 3 or 4 pages of notes hand written, and I had 1 page because I could not keep up. It would take me like 2-3 hours to read 1 chapter because I had to read it over several times to remember 1 article. My friends and especially my brother would finish it in 15 minutes. Teachers thought I had a speech problem or a hearing problem or I just wasn’t listening.

If we had to read something out loud or stand up in front of the class – I had to get out of it some way. I only hung out with a few people all through the many schools I went to. I also remember I went home with tummy aches or something if kids and teachers picked on me.

I could never take a language because I couldn’t even talk or pronounce English words. So in high school I decided that I could be a “Chef” – because I was good with my hands. My mom and dad both wanted me to go to secretary school and work with my dad. But I couldn’t write or type well.

Also, I want to say about being a kid, I heard my parents and teachers yelling at me from the sidelines “try harder, you must be lazy or slow.” I remember when I was in 1st grade my neighbor was teaching me and his daughter how to ride a 2-wheeler and I didn’t get it on the first time, but my brother who is 2 years

61 Florida Literacy Coalition younger went right out and did it on his first try. My emotional life started there with what I can remember about the bike and my brother doing everything before me.

I also remember in school how I have a lot of trouble with writing complete sentences and having them make sense. But, I am 100% better since I have been working with it and working with the Adult Literacy League. I do and did get frustrated with my school work, and not having enough friends because I couldn’t say what I felt. It was an emotional life especially being a teenager. I still have the trouble and it looks like it won’t go away. From writing to trying to spell out a word and having no idea what letter is next or how to spell it. But now I just think of another word instead. It’s discouraging and frustrating and feels terrible.

Words came out wrong. I wrote p for b or d and “see” was for “saw,” “left” for “felt” and many others. But it’s been better since I have been working with the Adult Literacy League and Scottish Rite. Am I keeping my mind more alert?

I know why I have trouble organizing and managing life, and this is why I’m not married. I feel that with having dyslexia it makes it very hard. I have just tried to master it the best way I can. I am always trying to learn and wish I could meet someone like me. My most difficult thing is reading out loud. But with working with Gina Berko I am doing much better with that.

62 My Journey

I was told over 15 years ago that I got into the worst job possible for a dyslexic person. I can not write/type/listen and converse back. After being a chef for thirteen years I was burnt out and wanted a life. But I have proven everyone wrong until I got to the job I am in now. I have the paper work to tell them about my learning disability and they do not care. Everyday I hear the same thing, but I can’t change it – only work with it.

With my writing and talking I still have the problem of spelling reversal, substituting, adding letters or not. I still can not sound out speech like adverbs, adjectives, remembering to put commas in. My self-esteem and wanting to die and wish I was smarter also came to thought especially when I am hurt or being picked on. It’s because of my difficulty speaking I have low self- esteem. I also have difficulty remembering words especially under stress. I don’t always say what I meant to say. I still mix up the order of letters and numbers, but I am getting better. But I feel that there is a big improvement since I have been working with Gina.

I also play Scrabble now. I am getting better every time I play – improving my words and scan the board for the best move to make. Gina doesn’t like it, but I beat her every time! I am still having a hard time looking at words and then nothing comes out and then I stutter now. I think it’s when I am stressed.

My mom used to tell me all the time “you listen like a man”. I only hear some things, some times especially

63 Florida Literacy Coalition when I am in a conversation. But I have been better after working with Gina at the Adult Literacy League.

By Susan N. Klinck

Susan is a 43 year old woman, originally from Canada, but who has been living in the US from 27 years. She works as an examiner in the collections department of a major corporation. She owns her own home and is an avid tennis player. She attends the Adult Literacy League, and her tutor is Gina Berko. ______

What Literacy Has Done for Me?

Hi, my name is Monica Baxley and I’m writing this to tell you what literacy has done for me. I quit school in the ninth grade. That was my second time in that class. I just couldn’t get what they where trying to teach me. I’m not blaming anyone for this, because over the years I learned that I didn’t learn like others. So I just stopped going to school at the age of fifteen. I tried going back to school when I was in my 20’s but I still just didn’t get it, so I quit again. I did this a lot of different times over the years, but it always turned out the same. After so many tries I just said to myself that I was born to be stupid. I learned that people like me aren’t stupid, we are some of the smartest people on this planet and we have learned how to get by in a reading world, without being able to read or not read very well, which is where I was. I could read some, but was on a low reading level. I could read something, but

64 My Journey guessed at the rest. I never let anyone know about my reading trouble. I kept it hidden for many years.

I always had dead end jobs. I worked real hard not to let anyone know about my reading trouble. I went on like this for several years. I was a cook or waitress for most of my life. This was real hard, but I had one friend who helped me learn to take orders and read the orders. I made a lot of mistakes, but always managed to get around them some how. I also worked in factory, but that was harder to me so I always went back to what I knew. When I was 27, I got pregnant and knew this couldn’t go on, but it did. I didn’t want my child to go through this, but I just couldn’t get the learning down. I felt bad that I couldn’t read to my daughter or help her with her home work, but I didn’t know where to turn for help.

My daughter became a Special Ed student in first grade. I didn’t know how to help her. Then she got in trouble at school and had to go through a teen court program. I was real upset about this so I talked to the lady at this program, and she put me in touch with the greatest person I have ever known. Her name is Debbie Waugh and she was the director of the literacy program in my county. She told me about her program and said they could help me and helped me they did. She told me there was a lot of people like me…I just couldn’t believe it. I felt so alone with my reading trouble, but I still didn’t want anyone to know, so I went to the program after hours.

65 Florida Literacy Coalition

Then one day she asked me to go to a conference in Tampa. It was a VALUE conference, and she needed someone to look after a couple of students who were going, so I said I would go. It was one of the best things I ever did. I met a lot of other students there and found out I wasn’t alone. That is when I came out, so to speak. Then she asked me to attend an ambassador training that the Florida Literacy Coalition was having. I met a lot of other students there that made me come out even more. Because of the literacy programs I’m completely out now, by telling others my story so they can come and get the help they need.

Now all I want to do is help others that are afraid to get out of that closet. I want to give back to literacy, because they gave me my life back. My life has changed so much. It’s a complete turn around. I am no longer afraid to let people know that I have and had a reading trouble, through I have my GED. Now I still have trouble with my reading and spelling but I’m not ashamed anymore. I want everyone to know we are out there and we don’t want to be silenced any longer. So I am saying, don’t be afraid speak up and let your voice be heard. I don’t want anyone left behind. There is help out there, all you have to do is ask. I am very active in literacy now and will be until it’s my time to go home.

By Monica Baxley

Monica is a ninth grade drop out, who went back to school at 41 and got her GED in 2003. She is now very active in literacy, and sits on the board of many literacy

66 My Journey organizations, including the Florida Literacy Coalition and VALUE USA.

67 Florida Literacy Coalition

My Family

Moving Mom at 92

My mom is 92 and the doctor said it was time for Mom to have more care. She has lived alone for thirty years and made all the decisions of when she wanted to do something or buy something. She still has a good mind but she can’t get around or do things for herself because of arthritis.

So the day came for us to move her into assisted living. It was not feasible to move her into our house because we both work and she still would not have anyone to care for her. Our house also is small. So we looked at a nice, new place a few minutes away from our home. Then we took Mom to the assisted living apartments and they showed her all the conveniences: dining room fitness room, library, the beautiful garden, and most important to Mom, the beauty shop. We left the place to think about it over night. We decided it would be a good thing to do. So that meant a lot of work on us packing up, selling and giving away a lot of things. After a few hours of this, Mom was getting very discouraged and depressed because she wanted to keep everything but she couldn’t. But we finally agreed on most things. She kept the most important things or we stored them. It took about four days work, even with the help of our son and grandson. Then my wife went over and set up her new apartment.

The day came to move Mom in, fill out the paper work and take her to her room. Right away she didn’t

68 My Journey like her room because everything was on the wrong side but she said she would get used to it. After a week, a lot of upsetting things had happened. They forgot to take her to breakfast the first morning. Then they left her sitting in her wheelchair an hour after all others had left. They wanted to take charge of her medicine but she said, “Absolutely not.” She had always taken her medicine on a set schedule but now she has to figure out a new schedule. This seems to be a big problem fitting her medicine with an early breakfast and the other meals.

Mom is not very tolerant when they tell her one time and always seem to run much later such as waiting two hours to have her hair done. After two weeks she is adjusting a little bit. I think she will do better when she makes more friends and gets used to their ways.

I am Mom’s only child so this was a lot of responsibility and stress on me. I have lots of prayers and my wife and son to thank for getting me through this big change in my mother’s life.

By Orien Hall

Orien Hall has led a successful life in the army and his profession but has long desired to learn to read better. He has overcome hindrances including dyslexia that has long prevented him from reading and spelling better. He is part of the Hillsborough Literacy Council and his teacher is Wanda Hodges.

69 Florida Literacy Coalition

______

A Birthday Surprise

March 5, 2006 will be my mother’s birthday, she will be 82 years old. My husband and I are planning a trip to Jacksonville. It’s going to be a surprise party, therefore we can’t arrive early. All the children will meet at church. There we will wish her a happy birthday. Afterward we will have dinner, at my brother’s house.

All my mother wants for her birthday is her children to be in church with her, therefore that is what my brother planned. However some of them couldn’t make the trip. Tomorrow will be such a wonderful day for my mother. She will have most of her children at a very special celebration. In addition, she will be surprised.

We will meet at my brother’s house. There will be all kinds of foods to eat and enjoy. Furthermore, we will get to visit and have fellowship. Plus we still have cake and ice cream to eat.

In conclusion, we all wish our mother a happy birthday. Thanks to our brother for planning her a surprise party. Say our good-byes, and plan to meet again next year, and celebrate our mother’s birthday with her again at her church.

By Ruby Payne

70 My Journey

Ruby is a student at Seminole Community College’s Adult Basic Education. Her teacher is Cindy Godby. ______

My Hero is in the Sky

My father is my hero. He lived for 52 years, and his life was an example for your family and others. He always taught about the important things of life; principles and values. He taught me to respect others; to respect their lives and their feelings. He loved his daughters but his principal love was for my mother. I’m lucky because I had a great father. My father never spoke badly about others. He liked to help poor, lacking, and needy people. He never gave me a lot of money but he taught me how I could get it; work and work and work. Today I’m a good woman because of him and his education. People loved my father; in his company, on his farm, in church. He was a strong believer and practitioner of the Catholic religion.

Now he is in the sky, and I can feel his presence. He’s always with me. He helps me and he shows me the right way. I learned to know when he makes my way. I always feel safe because he’s my angel. He’s with me all my moments, good and bad. He keeps teaching me about my life and about people. I’m really

71 Florida Literacy Coalition a lucky woman. “I’m the luckiest woman in the world”. Thank God.

By Ana Sterling

Ana is Colombian. She’s an English student in Miami Beach and she’s learning to write in English. She really likes to learn about it. She chose this essay, “My Hero is in the Sky” because she’s one of the few people in life with an angel. She’s proud of him, and she thinks this is a good written work. Her teachers are Mr. Schiffer and Susan Rosver. ______

The Way

My father is my hero. He taught me how to survive in this modern jungle, where too many people continue to turn around the problems without finding any solution. We are distracted by a lot of unnecessary things, so it’s easy to lose the right way. But I learned from my father how to follow my way without any conditions.

I remember what he did when my mother passed away. Without any complaint he started to do what he never did before that difficult moment.

It was fun to observe his fighting spirit in the kitchen when he was cooking for me and my brother, or when he was helping us do our home work early in the morning before school. Maybe from that particular moment of my life he became my hero. I was a

72 My Journey teenager but his perseverance helped me grow older and we became dear friends along the way.

He was a hero when I decided to leave the family business in order to find my way. He never interfered with my plans, on the contrary he said: “Doors are opened, come back whenever you want.”

He is still my hero. This old man is strong like a candlelight but he continues to show me what a real man is.

By LeonardoLucchetta

Leonardo comes from Italy. He is an ESOL 4 student at the Miami Beach Adult and Community Center. He feels good with his piece because he’s talking about his father. Leonardo states: “This great man helped me to believe in my ideas and go straight on my way without any conditions.” His teacher is Edward Schiffer.

______

My Teacher Is My Father

My father is my inspiration and my pride because he is very honest and loving. I never met a person like him in my whole life. I have great memories about him.

I remember a beautiful and warm day when I was at home with my father and I watched him prepare a

73 Florida Literacy Coalition salad. He washed the vegetables very thoroughly and he cut the lettuce carefully and slowly. Then, we started to eat and when I tasted it, I said “Wow, it is so good!” and I asked him, “What makes the salad so good?” And he said, “It is because I made it with love.”

Another memorable day, I found a wallet with a lot of money and I asked him. “What do I have to do?” and he said: “Hijita, if you find something that is not yours, you have to give it back to the owner. If you do that, everything is going to be good in your life because what goes around comes around.” And you know what? He was right because I lost my phone three times and it came back to my hands.

I know some people don’t care about others. They care about themselves but anyway, I will continue to return things that I find and help other people.

“Be honest with others” is my father’s philosophy. He didn’t study; he just learned through the years. This is what I learned from him. I can’t change. It is my personality and I’m very proud of it.

Now when I prepare a salad, I remember those beautiful times that we shared together.

Anonymous

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______

My Mom is My Hero

My Mom had to live in three different countries and she always had a beautiful smile on her mouth, even in different circumstances.

For example, in Venezuela she had to do some hard duties at home like washing heavy pots for milking cows, about 15 gallons each one, and she used to boil water to sterilize them. That’s hard work, but she was always smiling, maybe with her eyes covered with tears.

She was my Don Quixote because, like him, she endured her fights bravely with real problems such as different cultures and customs.

She never protested to strangers. However, all her experiences were recorded for posterity through letters to her family.

She was my good shepherd who led me to the safe road, teaching me to do things in the right way. She taught me with her actions to pay attention to other people, to be thankful when somebody helps us and to respect everybody, especially the elderly.

She was my sunrise. Everyday my Mom looked like the beautiful sunrise. I remember her getting up early in the morning at the same time as the orange

75 Florida Literacy Coalition colors of sunrise appeared. She was ready to call us, and she softly said: “Hey! You have to go to school, take your bath, brush your teeth and comb your hair. Breakfast is ready. When I got up, she was radiant, smiling and a hot breakfast was waiting.

My Mom was and she’ll be my Hero forever, for many good things, good examples and nice behavior.

By Maria Da Rocha

Maria is from Portugal. She lived many years in Venezuela. She is now retired and living in Miami. She’s in ESOL, learning writing, reading, speaking and listening to the English language for better communication. She attends Miami Beach Adult and Community Education Center. Her teachers are Mr. Schiffer and Susan Rosler. ______

My Loves

I have four loves. They are my daughter and my three sons. They have been light on my road and music in my space.

My daughter is the oldest, she is my best friend. We have been very close our whole life. She is soft like cotton, but strong like dynamite in a diamond mine. She is little like me, an easygoing person, but she has a strong character. I remember when her father was very sick; she was an emotional and spiritual support for everybody. At that time our family had economic

76 My Journey problems. She became the best student at the university in order to get free tuition and help me with the family budget. We enjoy good times, and share bad times too. I know that I have the most special person close to me, and she can count on me all the time.

My oldest son is my hero because he is like light in a dark night with a clear mind to make fast decisions. He is like an eagle going higher and higher, even if the wind is against him. I remember years ago when his father had a stroke, he carried him in his arms down the stairs and ran two more blocks before taking a car to the hospital. Six months ago, when guerrillas attacked him and his friends, he was in the middle of the fighting, carrying out his friends because they were shot and he brought them to safety.

My son is my hero because he is clear minded enough to make vital decisions faster than other people. He is strong enough to move somebody physically and has the leadership necessary to move other people spiritually.

The twin boys are marvelous. They are like energy or power in a treasure chest. They are like stars in a dark sky. They were born twelve weeks before their time. They were little and delicate. Now twenty years later they are tall and strong, with a big and noble hearts. I remember when they were children they gave all their new toys to a poor child. Now they are the same. They share their books, cameras, computers, everything with their friends and sometimes with

77 Florida Literacy Coalition people that they don’t know. They are young but I can talk with them as if they were old people.

My four loves are my life. They are like angels helping each other grow and be the greatest. We know that going together is the best way to go safely and correctly.

By Maria Del Socorro Izquierdo

Maria is a retired medical doctor from Colombia. She is a mother too. She attends the Miami Beach Adult and Community Education Center. Maria knows that writing is one of the most important ways to improve her English learning. She chose this writing because it expresses her inner feelings. Her teacher is Edward Schiffer and Susan Rosler. ______

My Family

I’m going to talk about my family.

My husband and I were born in Mexico City. We got married there and we have two kids. He was working in an American company and we moved to the USA and we started our adventure to live in another country and learned every thing even the language. My husband’s father was born in Cleveland, Ohio, so we didn’t have a problem to get our citizenship.

After one year, I got pregnant and that was a very nice surprise for the family. This baby is now 12 years

78 My Journey old. He is in seventh grade. My other kids were raised here and learned about this culture. From the beginning they missed too much of Mexican culture especially the family. That was not easy on everybody because we lived too far from them. It was like you lost a part of you. But now they are doing very well. My oldest just finished his college and he is working for a good company. My girl is studying at FIU and she is going to finish next year. I think that we did a very good job! It wasn’t easy, but to have the opportunity to learn about other cultures is a gift for everybody.

By Angelina Gibbs

Angelina is from Mexico City. She likes art and volunteers at the Make A Wish Foundation. Her teacher is Patricia Killianski. ______

Just a Mother Can Do This

Since the day I was born, my mom has been like a light in the dark for me. She is strong, she is humble, she is good, and she is the most honest person that I know. She never shows her suffering. Instead, she is like a police station where everybody feels safe. My mom is the person who always is there for me. I remember many times when she gave me her support but I would like to write about a specific day when, once again, she showed me her unconditional love.

When I was in high school, I had to travel to Guatemala on a school trip. We traveled by bus.

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Everything was going well until we arrived at the Honduran border. I had a problem with my passport there and I couldn’t continue the trip with the rest of my classmates. I had to go back alone to the capital city, Managua, to resolve the problem with it. Afterwards, I would be continuing the trip by myself. I was seventeen years old and I was afraid. I didn’t have any experience traveling by bus to another country and I didn’t know the way to go back to Managua. However, I took the challenge.

I arrived at the capital after almost five hours of traveling and what a big surprise when I went to Immigration. My mom was there waiting for me. I was in shock when I saw her in front of the immigration door. She had left her job when the principal of my school told her about my problem. I was on my way to Managua and my mother was already there. That day my mom once again proved to be my hero. I was so nervous that day but at the moment I saw her, everything was calm. The problems seemed to disappear and I felt so confident. I only needed her presence to make me feel good and forget how terrible that day was.

During my life time, I have learned about heroes and how they have changed the world. Now I know that they are heroes because their beliefs were imprinted through actions. That is the reason why I choose my mom. She is the person who has been protecting me

80 My Journey through my life. She is brave and noble. She has determination and courage. I know she is my angel now and she will be it forever.

By Daniela Altamirano

Daniela is on ESOL 4 student at Miami Beach Adult and Community Education Center. She is from Nicaragua. She chose this essay because it really shows her feelings. This essay expresses how much her mother loves her and she would like to share it with other people. Daniela decided that this essay is going to be a gift to her mom. Her teacher is Mr. Schiffer. ______

Happiness

Last December our family went together to Daytona Beach to celebrate a new year. Usually we come together twice a year. For me it’s a great opportunity to visit with my family and share different experiences, jokes and talk about different topics. When we are together we enjoy each other and laugh a lot. It is very funny. I love to be with my children, my grandchildren and my daughters in law. I had six children, four boys, two girls and nine grandchildren. I

81 Florida Literacy Coalition feel very proud of them. I hope to have this opportunity to be with them for a long time.

God bless us always!

By Nidia Garcia

Nidia is a mother of six children and nine grandchildren. Her teacher is Patricia Kilinski. ______

A Mother with a Moustache

My father was my hero and the most important person in my life. Since I was a child I always saw my father working hard to provide us with everything that we needed.

I lost my mother when I was three, and my sister was two years old. I think it was really hard for my dad to try to raise two girls on his own. He also didn’t have the approval of my entire family because they thought that it would be impossible for him to do it; but he did it. He became the fraternal and maternal figure for us. My father learned how to run a house, cook, wash our clothes and take care of us like a real mother, but with a moustache. He was like a blanket that kept us warm on a cold night.

I remember when my sister and I got chickenpox, it was a nightmare for us. We had an itchy rash and we were scratching our little bodies, making it worse. I saw my father day and night by our side like the sound of

82 My Journey the ocean splashing on the shores. Just with his presence we felt much better and with his care and dedication the rash was gone after two weeks.

He was an excellent father, a good man, kind, funny and intelligent. We learned from his examples and good values to be honest and always tell the truth. I remember how I learned how to talk and write, how to ride a bike, swim and dance. In every single process he was there.

My father was my hero and now that he is not here I don’t need to close my eyes to remember him. He was my father, my friend and in every aspect of my life I feel his presence. I grew up as a happy child and I have the most amazing memories. Now as an adult, I will never forget anything that he taught me and I hope some day I will be the hero of my son.

By Erika Sommerkamp

Erika has been married for one year and four months and is expecting her first child! She chose this essay because she can express her feelings toward her father and how he found his way to make her life possible. Erika is Peruvian and she studies at the Miami Beach Adult and Community Education Center. Her teacher is Edward Schipper.

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______

To My Brothers in the Sky

To my brothers in the sky, If I was a bird, I would fly with my head up high. I’d be rejoicing in the clouds, Shouting out loud.

I listen to the thunder roar, as I fly far. I’ll spread my wings, as I sing my theme. My love is like sunshine. It shines in the morning and at noon. It also shines at night, like the moon.

So listen my brothers, The sunlight that touches your souls, Shines within my heart, Even when the light turns to dark. My love is never far.

Sunshine to my brothers in the sky. My love is there, morning, noon or night. So sleep with the light, And know everything will be all right.

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I give the light, As I fly to the angels of the south, east and west. Please watch over them as they rest.

By Annie Hutchinson This poem is dedicated to her brothers, both of whom recently passed away.

Annie is a single mother of three children and grandmother of six. She worked for 18 years as a Quality Control Inspector for a medical company. After the company closed last year, Annie decided to go back to school to otain her GED and attends class at Lealman Elementary school, St. Petersburg, Florida. Her teacher is Anne Morgan. ______

My Hero

We are so used to seeing heroes on TV that when we think about real heroes, it is kind of difficult. But there are real heroes out there. Perhaps they don’t have superpowers, but they do things everyday that make the world a better place to live in. My hero is my mother for three reasons: because I can count on her, because she sacrifices everything for her children, and because she is a fighter.

The first reason that makes my mother my hero is that I can count on her. She is always there to help me. When I am sad, she tries to improve my mood. When I have problems, she helps me to solve them. She also supports me during my bad mood, or when I am

85 Florida Literacy Coalition nervous, or when I have problems, and believe me, that is not easy.

The next thing that proves that my mother is a hero is the sacrifice. She has sacrificed a lot of things in her life to raise her children (and now, to raise her grandson.) She sacrificed her professional life, because she abandoned it to raise us properly. She could just have sent us to a boarding school and made her life easier, like a lot of parents do. But she wanted to be there and to be sure we received the best things she could afford. Perhaps it is because of that, I cannot understand when a mother says that she is spending the holidays just with her husband, that she doesn’t want to spend the holidays with her children. Maybe my mother has passed to me her love, and I cannot imagine having holidays without my children (when I have them.)

The last thing that makes my mother deserve the title of hero is the fact that she is a fighter. She is not a physical fighter like Hulk or Daredevil, but she has been fighting all her life. She has been fighting to make our lives better. Just the fact of successfully raising three children is reason enough. She had to cope with problems like a daughter in her early-teens flirting with cigarettes (that’s me) or a daughter who had a boyfriend too soon (that’s me again.) And finally, one by one, she saw how her children grew and left the house, and how some of them forgot about her, like my brother. But she continues counseling us to make sure our lives are good, and what is harder, fighting against herself to make sure she didn’t stay too much inside our lives, because we have our own families now.

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Dependability, sacrifice, and perseverance are qualities that should be present in all heroes. Some economic theorists say that the work that mothers do raising their children has a lot of value, although it doesn’t have a monetary value. Mothers make children understand the world, and teach them the basic things for life. My mother is the person who has taught me more things about life, and even though I am reluctant to admit it, I have a part of my mother in me. And I am proud of having a part of a hero in me.

By Vanesa Villamiel

Vanessa worked as an accountant in Madrid, Spain before coming to the United States. Now she is enrolled in the GED program in order to improve her English and obtain and equivalency diploma. Her teacher is Judith Titus. ______

Untitled

The most important thing I’ve learned about life is to love my family and all the people. I’ve learned to appreciate deaf, blind and all people with disabilities because they have a lot of courage to achieve whatever they wish. I know this because I have a deaf daughter. She is sweet and very smart. When she was born it was so difficult for me to understand what happened, but little by little I learned who she is. She is the most wonderful gift that God gave me.

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I am proud of her because she always gets good notes in school. That is why I learned to appreciate all the special people. They are very clever. Unfortunately, most of the people think they are useless, but they are wrong. The special people can be professionals in spite of everything. I learned sign language to have good communication with my daughter. It is difficult, but not impossible. I need to learn more because it is the only way to let her know that she is very important in my life. I’ve learned to love my family and all the people and live a happy life.

By Elvira Calderon

Elvira is from Mexico and has lived in the United States for ten years. She is married and has two daughters. She has been Studying English at the Glades Family Education program. Her teacher is Sally Langley. ______

My Family and Me

My name is Mayda. I am married. My husband’s name is Lazaro. He is 38 years old. Lazaro is special for me. He is a good husband, an excellent father, and a hardworking provider for our family. He is an electrician. He has worked for the same company for three years. Lazaro, my husband, is taller than me. He needs to lose a little weight by doing some exercise, but he says, “I have no time.” We have been married for eight years, so far, and have a very good relationship.

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We have two sons: Lazaro Javier and Brian. Lazaro Javier is eight years old and Brian is two years old. Lazaro Javier was born in Cuba. He is very intelligent and a good boy. He likes video games and cartoons. He has very good grades. He is an adorable kid. Brian is the opposite. He is into everything. He is also very intelligent, but he never stops moving. My children look like my husband, but Lazaro Javier’s body is tall and thin. Brian’s body is shaped more like his father.

My mom lives with me. She is sixty-five years old. She is very important to me and to my family. Brian is always with my mom. She loves my sons and they love her. My husband and I love her too. My mom is short. She has dark hair and is a little “rellenita.” I see her as beautiful. She does not like to cook. The kitchen for her is a weakness, but not for me. My mom likes to clean the house and play with the children. I do homework with my Lazaro every day, because my mom cannot do that. The help she gives me is emotional and physical.

I am not working now because I need to study English. I want to be re-certified in my nursing profession and then I can have more opportunities for employment.

I need my family and their support. I would describe my small family as being very strong. My family is together all the time, in good or in the bad times.

By Mayda Gonzalez

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Mayda has been in the United States for five years. She is a Level four ESOL student at Miami Dade College. Her teachers is Virginia Perwin. ______

Family I am afraid of living in the world where the meaning of the word family is so insignificant. My family: my husband and my children are my identity. Without them, I would not be the same person. The choice to be single, or creating an incomplete family, nowadays more than ever, is way of living for many people. We know that our society looked quite different decades ago. Why did we change our beliefs? I have been thinking about this problem for a long time, despite the fact that I do not have many years of life experience. However, I have collected experiences from the people who have been the great part of my life. I am thanking God for giving me my parents and my grandparents as role models in my life. Now, I am more than sure that a family, where you were raised, has taught you more than any school in your life. We do not have to be experts to conclude this, just watch and learn from the ones who surround us. A child does not learn much, by listening to what his parents are saying, but he learns by watching and feeling the interaction between the members of his own family.

Can anyone imagine his/her life without giving love and receiving the same? I put the word giving in front of the word receiving, on purpose. In a particular

90 My Journey family, and in any kind of relationship, it is much important what we can give, than what we can take, and we do know that we can take a lot. This is something that all of us have almost lost: thinking about others before thinking of ourselves. What can I get? This is the question for which I do not want to find space in my thoughts. This question comes to me, from time to time, trying to ruin everything that I am fighting for. What can I offer? This one is a much better question for creating a strong bond between the people. It really hurts when the other person does not respond the same way. Nevertheless, it should not make us stop from trying to teach our children, and ourselves that more we give the happier we are. Unfortunately, I am not a saint, and everything that I have just written is done to help me realize what I want to be and what I certainly do not want to be.

Therefore, let us not be afraid of giving love, making commitments, and taking responsibility. Just having fun, all the time, is not fun at all. We are forgetting that a person is not just his/her appearance nor acting. Actually, our inner being, our soul, our personality, have been made for the strongest emotions, for the greatest feelings. We cannot feed our soul with low-value food when it deserves the best one. Nobody else, but you, can give you what your inner being desires. We should care, nurture and choose love over liking, family over what-ever-relationship, husband/wife over partner, children and grandchildren over their surrogates in pets. We all deserve the best, the genuine not it’s pale fake.

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I believe in a person! Everyone can get what is the best, because he/she is capable to give the most valuable gift, which is his/her heart, and love. My family taught me this. It does not matter where, and in what kind of conditions your family and you live, as long as you are trying your best, and not giving up, you will be happy!

By Natasa Brnjos Natasa is a mother of three and lives with her husband and children in Orlando.

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My Move to the United States My Home Country

My Town

My town is a little place in Mexico. I was born there. I lived there for 19 years. It is a wonderful place in the middle of big mountains. I started school there when I was 6 years old. I was a student for only 6 years. I lived with my grandparents in the same town. I liked to live with my great-grandmother, the mother of my grandfather. I liked to go with her when she milked the cows and got the honey from the bee hives. She prepared the honey by putting it into jars for sale. She used the wax and made candles to sell too. I like to help her with all the processes.

My grandpa and my uncle worked together. They make cages for birds with bamboo. I liked to help with it. These were for sale too. They made some furniture: tables, chairs, and beds. My grandpa and uncle made and designed their own caskets. My grandpa died first. One year later, my uncle died too. He had cancer. He died 13 years ago, but I still miss him (a lot). I miss my great-grandmother too, even though she died 20 years ago. They will live in my memories forever. I really loved the time I spent with them.

Talco is the name of the town where I was born. It is a very strange name. The old people say it was the name of the man who lived there first, long, long, ago. He was the man who built up Tilaco. Tilaco is in the

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Queretaro States. The little town is a group of houses on the mountain side. In front of the town you can see a big valley surrounded by wonderful mountains. On one side of the valley a stream of water runs through the town and disappears into a hole in the ground. This is the reason the valley does not flood in the time of the rains.

Tilaco has a beautiful, old church with a big tower in the middle of the village. The style of the church is Spanish. In front of the church there are wonderful pre- Spanish art sculptures and reliefs. Here Mexican and Spanish cultures mix. The architect who designed the church was a missionary Fray Junipero Serra. He built other churches in the Queretaro States. He gave the name of a saint to every church. Saint San Francisco is the name of the church in Tilaco. October 4th is the day for the big saints. Fray Junipero Sera was an artistic architect. He and most of the missionaries came from Spain. They built a monastery. If you visit Mexico, do not forget to visit the churches in Queretaro and the Monastery to catch an eyeful of what these missionaries did.

In Tilaco town the people are very religious. Every day in the morning and the afternoon, when the bells in the tower sound, the people go to the church for services. The sound of the bells is really strong. You can hear the sound for many miles away. For a long time the church had only one priest. He came from Spain. He did many things for the town. He helped to make the road. He helped put electricity in the town. He helped many people. He arrived in the town in

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1960, and he died in Tilaco in 2005. His body is resting in peace in the ground under the church where he lived for more than four decades.

On the top of the biggest mountain are three crosses. One represents the cross on which Jesus died. The other two represent the people who died with him. Most of the people hike to the top every year on May 3rd. One man brings a cross to the church, where it remains for a month. After the month it is returned to the top of the mountain again. It is now a holiday for the town. The people spend all day at the mountain top. Some people camp until the next day.

I remember that the first of November is the day for the angels to call to the babies spirits who have died. The second of November is the day for the spirits of all the other dead people. Most of the people build altars with yellow flowers and light candles. People visit the cemetery and put flowers on the tombs and pray for dead relatives. My great-grandmother would make the food that our ancestors loved. We would take it to the altars and my great-grandma said, “This night is the only night that G-d lets our dead ancestors visit us.” She really believed it.

I always remember the scenery, the celebrations, the simple ways, and the amazing sound of the bells. I

never heard a sound like that. It is really incredible. I live in the USA now, but I never forget my little town.

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By Elvira Garcia

Elvira is from Mexico. She has been in the United States for 24 years and is a Level 4 ESOL student at Miami Dade College. Her teacher is Virginia Perwin. ______

The Mitch “Mudslide”

October, 1998 was a very bad time, because I had never seen something like the Mitch mudslide. I used to live in the capital of my country, Nicaragua. That day I got up at 8 am. Because it was raining and I looked out the window and the sun hadn’t risen yet, I thought, “It’s early; I will keep sleeping,” but I felt a little scared because the rain never stopped.

That day I had to work like any another day, but I was late. When finally I was ready to go to work, it was hard to get a taxi because of the weather. When I was waiting for the taxi I saw a lot of people like me waiting for a taxi. I really didn’t know what was happening.

In the south of my country in Chinandega, three hours by car from the capital, the situation was terrible because of the heavy rainfall; a little town named Casitas suffered the worst. Since the hill covered the whole town, many people died covered under the landslide. I knew everything that happened because of the news, but my father was nearest because he had a house close to the disaster. My father’s house was flooded and he told me that he had to help the people

96 My Journey under the landslide. He helped to find a lot of dead bodies. He said that whole families died.

The survivors couldn’t believe that tragedy. My father told me that it was the most terrible thing that he had seen in his life.

Mitch was the worst disaster that ever hit my country; many lost their families.

The whole town disappeared in a flash.

Anonymous ______

My Country, Colombia

It is a beautiful country. We have the best weather that you have ever seen in your life. It is not too hot and not too cold.

In our country you can get all kinds of fruits and vegetables at any month of the year because the weather and the soil is really wonderful. If you want to feel the weather like Summer you just have to travel one hour or if you want to feel cold in 45 minutes you can feel that! Just go to the top of the mountain, but the normal weather is Spring.

The people are very nice. They are friendly and we like to be a big family. Maybe it is important to write here that we have a big city, a big country, a big bridge, buildings, malls, etc. I write this because Colombia is

97 Florida Literacy Coalition an Industrial Country, and few people know that. It is amazing and wonderful.

I have to write that our only problem in my country is the security. It is terrible and it is at the point that I am here. I miss my people. I miss my country, but I love the United States too.

By Luby Arias

Luby is the married mother of two children – her oldest daughter is a student at UCF and her youngest is still in school. She is originally from Colombia. She is the student of Vince Scalise at the Adult Literacy League. ______

My Purpose is to Learn English

One of the purposes in my life is to learn how to write, read and speak English.

Every day I try to listen to the radio, read the news and watch TV only in English. But it is too hard to find somebody to talk with.

I am working with Spanish people, of course it is easy for me to talk in my native language.

My biggest concern is to find the way to practice – practice what I am learning. I am here looking for help to accomplish one of the purposes in my life.

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By Amparo Ariza

Amparo is originally from Colombia. She is a student of the Adult Literacy League’s ESOL conversation workshops. She lives with her family in Oviedo. Her teacher is Vince Scalise. ______

Living in the USA

I have been living in the USA for 5 years. I like it here because of the opportunity to study everything. My dream is to improve my English so I may get a better job. I know it’s not too late.

I like the class at A.L.L. The teacher is good and I enjoy the other students. Thank you very much to this program adult literacy.

By Alejandrina Canil

Alejandrina is originally from Guatemala. She has been in the United States from approximately 5 years. She wishes to improve her English language literacy so that she might obtain a better job. She is a student at the Adult Literacy League and her teacher is Vince Scalise.

______

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

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“A stitch in time saves nine.” This means that if there is a little hole you fix it. It doesn’t get bigger. This is for the literal meaning. The abstract meaning is: stop a problem before it gets worse.

There are many old idioms that explain this phases in China. A long time ago, there was an old man who lived in a village. He had a very big pasture. There were many strong fences around the pasture to protect sheep from wolves. One day, he found a small hole in the fence when he went to feed the sheep. However, he didn’t take it seriously. So he just walked away after he finished feeding the sheep.

Day after day, he took these sheep to the mountain. He found out he had lost several sheep. Then he counted again and again, “How come?” he said to himself. So he decided to hide in the trees to find out what was going on. A wolf came through the small hole. He caught the sheep and ran away. Now the man realized the reasons for losing sheep. He felt regretful and upset. “If I did patch the fence in the first place, I wouldn’t have lost so many sheep.” The next day, he quickly fixed the hole in the railing, there were no more sheep lost since then, and he lived happily ever after.

This story tells us of some life experiences and advice. It’s never too late to do something you think is worthwhile, as long as you have the energy and spirit to do it!

By Qiang Chen

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Qiang has been in the United States for four years. She is from China. She and her family owns a Chinese Restaurant. She often translates English to Chinese for her parents and helps them with the business. She is a cook, waitress, cashier and business woman. She is 25, and hopes to someday go to college. She is currently in the advanced ESOL class and studying ABE at Palm Harbor Community School. Her teacher is Mrs. Cook. ______

The Importance to Learn English

It’s very important to me to learn to speak and understand English well.

I feel something is missing in myself because I can not participate in the different activities in the community and other places I go. I would like to discuss the daily news and some events taking place in the country, such as sports, how are things going in political themes and others.

I feel strange also in my family when we are all watching some films on the television. Everybody knows well what is happening, except me. It is not comfortable for me and I lose interest in continuing to

share with them. I hope I can satisfy my wish assisting the “Adult Literacy League”.

By Margarita De Jesus

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Margarita is the mother of grown children. She is originally from Puerto Rico. She wishes to improve her English so that she is better able to participate in the community. Her teacher is Vince Scalise at the Adult Literacy League. ______

What a Wonderful World

I came from Hong Kong thirty years ago. English is my second language. I wish Mrs. Godby was my English teacher then. I could have passed my GED test; only two points were what I had missed years ago. Fortunately, Mrs. Godby works with me very well, encourages me to read, and write to be successful. Thanks for Mrs. Godby! You are the best teacher I ever had. Learning is a lifelong theory. I’m never too old to learn.

The sun shines, the moonlight glows. The stars twinkle on the window of the soul. The running rivers, the waving oceans flow As blood through the body. A frog croaks at the moonlight as the heart beats. A wind storm blows, lightning strikes, thunder shouts. After a shower of rain, birds sing with the bright sight of light. A profusion of flowers bloom, smiling sweetly at the sun. What a wonderful world! I cherish it all.

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By Yat Lin DeCicco

Yat Lin is a student at Seminole Community College’s Adult Basic Education Program. Her teacher is Cindy Godby. ______

How Old is Too Old?

I was pretty young But I thought I was too old to go to school. How old is too old?

I left my country for the United States, I lived in a big city which was very cold. For an Islander, it didn’t have good taste. Yet back home I had my family still to hold.

Everybody knows that in America life is better. Years ago it was Mom, Dad, and my sister. Now Mom and Dad are gone forever.

My sister needs my help to raise six children. If I must help them, I should have more knowledge. So I don’t have time to get old, Now I need to achieve my goal.

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By Marnelle Delucien

Marnelle is from Haiti, born April 4, 1951. She has two children, a son who is thirty-two and a daughter who is twenty-four. She also has two grandchildren. She is attending Seminole Community College Adult Education; she is in Pre-GED class. ______

My Story

I was born in Jamaica. I am the second child of eleven. My mother could not give us the education that I needed. So as a young girl, I left the district where I lived with my grandmother to get a job as a baby sitter in Kingston with a wonderful family. After that family migrated to the United States, I was on my own again.

I went to Dornids School of Beauty Culture where I did a course in cosmetology. I was successful with the help of my teachers. I was seventh in my class. I received my certificate with pride and joy. I got a job working in a beauty shop. I worked very hard.

On the other hand, I went to the United States embassy in Jamaica where I received a ten year visa to enter the United States. There I met a wonderful family who took me under their wings. I became a part of their family with love and joy. I attend Seminole Community College where I enrolled in the GED program and with the help of my teachers and by the grace of God I will become a graduate.

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By Donna Fiddemon

Donna attends Seminole Community College’s Adult Basic Education. Her teacher is Cindy Godby. ______

Be Proud

My name is Olexiy Lisin. I am actually from Ukraine. I had been living in Germany for a year and a half before I came to the U.S. When I came to Germany, I was impressed with that country, with its beautiful buildings and rich history. But it was nothing compared to the U.S. The people here are very friendly and the nature is just breathtaking. When I first saw the Kennedy Airport in New York, I couldn’t utter a word, so great was my astonishment. It is really hard to describe how much I like this place. There is really no other country like this. For this state is not only about beauty, it is also about freedom. That great thing we all hold so dear. The United States of America brings democracy and freedom to those who have none. It gives other countries opportunities to build new and better societies without slavery, child labor, and discrimination. It is really an enormous task, but if there is a country that can stand up to this challenge, it is the United States of America. It is really a country of which to be proud.

By Olexiy Lisin

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Olexiy is 19 years old. She attended university in her native country but didn’t finish because she went to Germany where she had been living for one and a half years before moving to the United States. She hopes to stay in this country and attend college. She attends Palm Harbor Community School, Adult English Literacy Program. Her teacher is Mrs. Cook. ______

My Reason to Come Here

I could have chosen a myriad of countries to have lived in. I could have stayed in my home country, or had gone to another if I wanted.

The life is full of changes. Something that doesn’t look so important happened and you change all of your plans.

My decision to come here was like a twister. He came into my life unexpectedly and we fell in love.

Thanks to a friend of mine who introduced us and thanks to the 20th century that brought the Internet, I met him. He is Brazilian-American and I had lived in Brazil 10 years ago. I’m a Bulgarian girl and he lived in Bulgaria for some time, too. I know his world and he knows mine. Now I’m here to understand his American world.

He has lived here since his early teen’s years. I decided to move here and share my life with him. My

106 My Journey decision to come to Miami Beach was just because he lives here.

My decision to come here was like leaving a house unfinished back home and starting building another one here. You prepare your life, looking for security, trying to establish yourself financially. You think that you are almost ready, so that your plans are almost done for your future. You like things in this way.

Then you decide to leave this way and to start your new project of life. You begin to build your new house from the ground again.

Many people from my country think that my visit here was like a Cinderella fairytale, but they are a little far from the reality. It’s true that I’m here with a person who I love, who gives me protection. However, for me, everything here is new and unknown and this is very scary. I make an effort for everything and I’m trying to understand this way of living. I make this effort, because I know that when you’ve got the information you make the right decision.

My decision to come here was the right decision. I’m happy with the life I have. If I wasn’t happy, we would have opted to live in Bulgaria for sure.

By Teresa Milanova

Teresa has been involved in ESOL classes at Miami Beach Adult and Community Education Center since January of 2006. She meets a lot of people and she

107 Florida Literacy Coalition practices her English making friends in the class. Her teacher is Mr. Schiffer. ______

My Journey

In the middle of my journey in life, I encountered a big turning point: living in another country as a foreigner. First, it started as a two year trip exploring the world to see the world. On that journey, I met my soul mate and decided to marry him. It was not an easy decision.

Although a lot of people think the United State is a dream country, living in the United States as an alien is not easy. Language barriers always make me frustrated. My English gets better every day and my confidence about myself keeps growing. I have my great husband and another family here. I might apply for citizenship later. There are also things I like about this country including, lots of parks, beautiful lakes and beaches, wonderful skies are the things I really appreciate.

I am wishing for a baby and a new job. That will make my life busy for awhile. I know as my English gets better, my life gets more prosperous. I don’t know

where my journey will finish, but I know that it will be a saga for my children.

By Youngran Mullen

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Youngran is a Korean married to an American. She goes to English Café and really enjoys English conversation with others. Her teacher is Patricia Kilianski. ______

My Experience Coming to the U.S.A.

I would like to educate my ears to understand and feel confidence, because I do not know how do this. I hope that some day I will not have difficulty understanding English.

I want to tell you something funny that happened to me when I arrived in this country. I went to church and I listened in English. When the people said: “Peace be with you” I understood them to say: piss, piss, piss, piss!

I am making an effort to learn!

Anonymous

______

My English

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Today I’m so excited about my English because I want to improve. For me it has been amazing experience to learn English because I can learn about the culture of my adorable American friends. Now my world is wider because I can communicate with many different cultures. I have learned so many things. I like to encourage people to come to the library because it has been so spectacular to come here.

I’m going to travel to Boston with my sister and children. It will make me happy because I love vacations. I like to learn about new places that help me to learn about many things. These experiences give me a lot of knowledge.

By Monica Mejia

Monica is from Colombia and has been in the United States for five years. She has two children. Her teacher is Patricia Kilianski. ______

Being an Immigrant

I could not believe it! I am an immigrant, something that in my mind never was a possibility. Now here I am….hoping that every day turns in a positive way.

Learning to live in a new culture is very interesting and so different, but in some way so special… Feeling so excited about every new little thing that I need to

110 My Journey learn, and starting to realize how different it is going to be to accept that my life has changed forever.

Changing my little world, leaving my country behind is so sad. Despite all the hard things it is a fantastic adventure….and I wish for the best and one day I will feel part of this country.

By Eglys Guzman

Eglys is a Venezuelan that came to the United States a few years ago and has been trying to learn how to be a part of American culture. Her teacher is Patricia Mary. ______

Life in a Better Place

I immigrated to the United States six years ago when I was 17 years old. I arrived speaking only Spanish, from the poorest state in Mexico, Chiapas. I am the youngest of three children and until now no one in my family has achieved a higher level of education than the eighth grade.

I have learned that if I want to succeed in life I have to continue my education. Receiving the GED is the most important thing in my life. Five years ago, I started realizing that living in this country, speaking only Spanish, I would not be able to go anywhere and find a decent job. I must be able to read, write and speak the English language. At the encouragement of my American friend I started in the ESOL classes.

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At the beginning it was difficult learning a new language. Many times I thought about quitting, but thank God, my friends kept encouraging me to complete the course. I completed the ESOL course, and now I feel more confident in myself. This has given me the thirst and the desire to complete the GED course and I may even continue on to college. In conclusion, having a very good education is very important to me.

By Porfirio Sanchez

Porfirio is from Mexico, born in Chispas. She likes working with flowers and is a student at Welling Adult Community High School‘s Educational Program. Her teacher is Laura Ruchti. ______

The Most Important Thing I’ve Learned…

My name is Amutha. I have learned many important things in life, but this event made me learn the most important lesson in my life the hard way. Me, my husband, and my daughter came from India. We have been here (United States) for four years. We had planned to buy a house two years ago.

One day my mother called me from India and said, “Your father is sick, he wants to see you and your daughter so you should come to visit immediately.” I knew my daughter and my father were very close but I

112 My Journey said, “No, Mother, we are planning to buy a house. The house prices are going up so we will come next year.”

I thought he had only a mild sickness. After two weeks my father died. It was summertime and we couldn’t get a ticket to go immediately. I didn’t see my father for four years. I wanted to see his face before he was buried. I went to India on the fourth day after my father had died. Before we reached India, they buried his corpse. When I entered my mother’s home I realized my mistaken decision. I would never see my father again. I didn’t even fulfill his last wishes. If I came to India one week before I would have seen my dear father’s face.

Oh, Dad, please forgive me. I am living with my guilty feelings every day. I’ve learned many important things in life, but the most important lesson I’ve learned is, “Don’t give more importance to money than your parents love.”

By Amutha Srinivasan

Amutha has one beautiful daughter. She lives the United States because the people are very friendly. She is currently a social worker. She is a student at Wellington Adult Education. Her teacher is Ronaldo Perez.

______

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Our Futures

I want a family, but I want a career too. I look at my female friends. If they are married, they don’t continue to study. I do not want this. My priority is first to study and then to look for a job. My last paid job was as a corporate trainer. I liked this work because I taught many different positions in different places. I also worked with another facilitator to create a Training Manual of Sales.

I met my husband, Rafael, in Mexico. He was born in Cuba. We now live in Homestead, Florida. The beginning of our life in the United States was very hard, because all was new. The country, the language and no family near us. We have two children. Mariana is four years old and Ariel is three years old. We are older parents. We wanted to have time for ourselves to study, work and travel. Now it is time for the children. We enjoy playing with them and going to the birthday parties that our friends have for their children.

The education of our children is very special. My husband was a Spanish teacher and he wants our children to speak Spanish very well. In public school they learn English. When they grow up, they need to speak more than one language.

I do all the other teaching, counting cars or houses, singing children’s songs, identifying colors, etc. When we have an opportunity to go to the museum, park, or theater, we go with our children to encourage an

114 My Journey interest in these places. We try to teach them all they can learn.

At the present time, I study English when the children go to kindergarten and Rafael goes to work. Rafael would like to have his own talent agency. He is working toward that goal and I am helping him. I hope in a short time we can do this.

By Lourdes Garcia

Lourdes has been in the United States for six years. She is from Mexico and is a Level four ESOL student at Miami Dade College. Her teacher is Virginia Perwin. ______

My Far Away Family

My family is living in Cuba. I have one brother and one sister. My brother has eight year old twins: a boy and a girl. My brother has a new house. He is a hard worker. He likes auto mechanics and is very good at fixing cars. My sister works very hard also. She has an eight-year old daughter. My sister likes to dance and sing.

My parents are seventy-one years old. They are strong and they still work. My mother is very sweet. She is in good health. She is a good helper for my brother. My father is strong, but also caring and very nice. My daughter and her husband live next door to my mother. They have a four-month old baby and a six

115 Florida Literacy Coalition year old daughter. My daughter and my son-in-law are hardworking and happy. I need to be here.

Every year in Cuba it is necessary to make an application for the raffle to come to the U.S.A. In 1998, my husband and I made an application. Five years later I won the raffle. I came to the U.S.A., April 20, 2004. I am alone now. I am waiting for my husband. My husband and I have expectations to receive health care for the melanoma cancer that he has. We would like to travel to the Caribbean and around the world. In Cuba there is no possibility of those dreams becoming a reality because of the political system.

My husband and I like to read and watch TV. We watch movies in our house. We also like to exercise in the morning. My husband practices Tai-Chi. He is in very good health. I practice Yoga. These activities help us in our jobs, by reducing tension and giving us strength each day. I try to do exercise now, but my concentration is poor. Once I start to remember how my husband and I worked together, I stop exercising and I am still.

My husband’s family is living in Cuba. My mother- in-law, her oldest daughter, her husband and their children are there. Our two families like meeting the end of the year with dancing and singing. Each December we gather for an end of the year meeting. This is a festive meeting. We all dance and my sister sings.

116 My Journey

The time I am here, I am helping in my life. It has grown difficult, but I need to help my family. It is the right course for my life now. I will not return to Cuba. I expect my life to change after I study, do my job and practice each day. Maybe one day we will be together again.

By Vilma Chappotin

Vilma arrived in the United States about two years ago from Cuba and is a Level four ESOL student at Miami Dade College. Her teacher is Virginia Perwin. ______

Thanks

Hi! My name is Maria Brito. When I had less than a month of pregnancy, I had an opportunity to learn English.

When I was a teenager I was studying in a middle school. In the school I had some English teachers and they wanted me to learn the ABC’s, but I did not want to learn the ABC’s because I thought I wasn’t coming to the United States. But when I got married, my husband brought me over here.

I guess my teacher was right when he told me to learn English “but God gave an opportunity to come to school.” Thanks to my teacher I learn English really well and thanks for helping my son and my daughter to learn English too!

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I hope my teacher can still help us because, if you don’t learn English, your life is going to be hard.

By Maria Brito

Maria has been in the United States for six years. She has two children, Martin and Scarlet. She is a student with the Literacy Council of Bonita Springs and her teacher is Katie Verna. ______

The City and the Country

When I was little I lived in a house. It was brown, like farm country that has animals. It had mountains around it. I liked it because it was very quiet. I didn’t like it because we didn’t have sufficient electric, water, etc.

Where I lived you could hear birds singing. At night you could hear crickets.

Today I live in an apartment. I like it because it is the city. I don’t like lots of noise. Where I live now you can hear lots of cars--the police, the ambulance, the helicopter, all the time "eeeeeeeeee." At night you can also hear lots of cars--the police, the ambulance, the helicopter, all the time "eeeeeeeee."

I wish I could live in my country. I would live in joy in my country. It’s a different life, quieter, very friendly. It’s a very small country.

118 My Journey

I would have my whole family — my mom, father, brother and sister, uncles, cousins. We are a very big family.

By Estebana de Cruz

Estebana is a single mother of three children, Brenda, Daisy and Efrain. She has attended Community Learning Center for 3 years, and enjoys attending the Community Learning Center because the program is very supportive of her family. ______

I Had a Great Weekend

It is very important to share my wonderful weekend with my husband. We went to be a member of the Phil- Am Association here in Milton. We met a lot of new American men and women. We also met Filipino and Filipina friends. They are from different towns in the Philippines with different languages. In the Philippines we have 700 Islands with 700 different languages. I met some of my co- Filipino and Filipina that speaks Visaya, Tagalog Aklanon. I can only speak 5 Languages which are Aklanon, Visaya, Ilo-Ilo, Tagalog, and English. We enjoyed our new friendships. We sang karaoke with our new friends and we also enjoyed sharing different foods. That was very good for my husband to taste a lot of different food. That was a good quality time that my husband and I shared together. I enjoyed my great weekend.

By Jamila Imperial Gilbert

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Jamila is 50 years old and a mother of two, a boy and a girl. She would like to get her US High School Diploma so she can go to college to have a better job with better pay. ______

My Life in the USA

My name is Patricia. I was born in Mexico City which is a big city with a lot of problems, but it is also very beautiful.

I came to the United States because my husband was transferred to this country. I have two children: my daughter is 19 years old and my son is 14 years old.

I would like to say that in the beginning it was very hard for me to live here because my life was so different. Although for my children it was so easy to adjust. My life changed completely.

I arrived in Pennsylvania which is a beautiful state, but it is very cold, which I was not used to .It was also very far from my native country, but finally I felt a part of this country.

Even when my husband told me that we were going to move to Florida, I did not want to move here at the beginning. But now I feel very comfortable. I would

120 My Journey like to let you know that sometimes I miss that kind of life I had in Pennsylvania and obviously my native country.

By Patricia Castrejon

Patrica is a Mexican that came to the USA a few years ago. Her teacher is Patricia Kilianski. ______

No Boundaries for the Heart

Being an immigrant is a complex way to live. Immigrants cross the frontiers of the Unites States looking for jobs, education and a better life for themselves and their children. More than one million immigrants come to America each year, and some of them die trying. Some Americans think that immigrants are bad people, and these thoughts turn real when discrimination shows up in daily life. But sometimes you have to be in the immigrant’s shoes to understand what it means to leave your home and run away to a foreign country where you don’t even know the language.

Hispanic immigrants constitute a multi-faceted part of the mosaic that is America; you just can’t take away some tiles of the mosaic because you will destroy its unity. That mosaic is a piece of art where all the parts have been set for a special reason and Hispanic immigrants are the tile right in the middle of it – you will notice immediately if it is not there anymore. Hispanic immigrants have the highest workforce

121 Florida Literacy Coalition participation of any statistical category. They work hard and well, with painstaking thoroughness and devotion to duty. They play a major role in enhancing American society and culture.

I respect all the parents in the world but I truly admire parents who leave their country and take so many risks just to find a better future for their children. In my country, there is a war knocking on our door and sometimes it is better to leave without thinking of what you left behind.

Someone told me once that you can never understand a war until you live it. On that day, I understood the war in my country and I realize what immigrants look for. They are not afraid to loose their property or their money, but they are afraid to loose their lives and their families – that is why they leave. They are just looking for peace; they look for a place where their children can grow up normally and where they can play without jump on a landmine.

Now that I have been far away from home and I see so many immigrants surviving every single day in this country, trying to rebuild a life, I think it is unfair that racists in America deny them the opportunity to believe they can have a real future. But I also look back to Colombia and I still believe there are a lot of men there with great hearts. I really appreciate what The United States gave me and my family but I love my country and it is time to be proud of it.

122 My Journey

Today, I have the opportunity to choose what I want to do with my life and I have decided to go back to Colombia and, somehow, find the way to figure out its problems and provide a small brick in the wall of peace.

I believe there are no immigrants in the world anymore because no matter how many limits are between countries, I know there are no boundaries for the heart.

By Juliana Lopez

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My Salute to Literacy Program

How the Even Start Program Made a Difference in My Life

Being a single parent can be a difficult task and that is why I joined the Even Start Family Literacy Program this year. Not only have they helped me get ready to take my GED exam, but the program has affected the relationship that I have with my daughter in significant and positive ways. By participating in literacy activities, home visits, and parenting skills sessions, I have found many ways to improve our lives and gain academic success for both of us. Family literacy activities, or ILAs as they are called, are sessions that my child and I can do together. We also call it Parent and Child Together time. One of the activities we recently attended was a trip to Lowry Park Zoo. Parents made up questions to ask the children as we toured the zoo, and my daughter and I both learned many new facts about the animals. Our favorite activity was at Christmas time. We read, “A Snowy Day”, and then made snowmen and snowflakes from confetti, shaving cream, and glue. We also made placemats with winter scenes on them. This was so special, since my daughter had never seen snow before.

Home visits are another special part of Even Start. A parent educator visits with a book and an activity to help get my child ready for kindergarten. As a result of these visits, my daughter, Destiny, is leaning to recognize letters and words that go together, rhyming

124 My Journey skills, and print awareness. These are all skills that focus on getting her ready to read. We love to share books and learn new things together; these sessions also showed me how to find special time just for my child and me. Probably the most useful information I have gotten through my participation in Even Start though, has been during the parenting skill lessons. As a first time Mom, I wanted to learn everything I could to give my daughter a head start in life and to make things easier for her than they were for me. One recent series of workshops I attended was called Survival Skills for Women. This included nine different sessions including ones on budgeting, legal rights, being assertive, community resources, and child management. I learned many things I didn’t know, and was able to gain important knowledge for my future.

The first lesson you learn being a new parent is that you have so much to learn. The wonderful experiences I have gained through the Even Start Program have had an amazing and positive effect on my daughter and me. They have helped me be more aware of my daughter’s needs, and given me tools to help her be a successful student when she starts school. As I go to take my GED exam next month, I know I will reach my goals and pass the test thanks to the help Even Start has given me and my family. After I earn my diploma, I plan to go to college to be a teacher, and give back some of the wonderful lessons I have learned in this program.

By Michelle Albertson

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Michelle is a single mother of a five year old daughter, Destiny. She plans to take her GED exam in April and want to go to college to get a degree in Education. Michelle attends Adult Education classes at Lealman Elementary in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her teacher is Anne Morgan. ______

I Was Miserable for Lack of Reading

My name is Suzanne Judith Eustache. I have been in the United States since 1980. I have had a hard time for a long time, but I try to do the best I can. This is my story. I was denied from school when I was a child. That is why it was hard for me when I came here, because I don’t know how to read and I like to read. Now I feel better. I thank God who has given me a lot through the people of the Adult Literacy League, Inc. I am telling you the truth. I cannot make it without you. I really appreciate what you have done for me. I ask God to bless all of you more and more. Now I want to continue my education, because it’s never too late to learn. Please, I still need your help because I have a long way to go.

Yours, Suzanne Judith Eustache

Suzanne is originally from Haiti. She had no formal education there – she speaks Creole and Patois. She hopes to one day earn her GED and maybe even go on to college. She is a student at the Adult Literacy League, and her teacher is Vince Scalise.

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______

My Life in America

My family and I have been looking for a better life for us, especially for my sons. Sometimes is it difficult for my husband and me because we have to learn English and live with other customs, but at the same time we are grateful. We are seeing that slowly we are reaching our goals. My oldest son is in the top ten in his college and for this reason we are feeling so happy.

I am 45 years old and all the time think that if I could have learned English younger it would be different but it is the price that I have to pay.

Now I am learning at Adult Literacy League and think that they are my support for straight ahead.

Thanks, I love them.

By Amanda Lopez

Amanda is the married mother of two children – one of whom is a student at Rollins College, the other is still in high school. She and her husband own a local restaurant, “Athens Café”. She is originally from Colombia, but lived in Chile, Peru and Venezuela as well. She is a student at the Adult Literacy League and her teacher is Vince Scalise.

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______

Education

Good education begins at the administrative level. Elementary education is the key to the foundation for how well we will do in high school, college, and also in life.

One thing I like about education is you’re never too old to learn. One of the keys to learning is being able to put our social life on hold and involve ourselves in homework and extracurricular activities that supplement our studies. Decide what we want to participate in, and stick with it. We can teach ourselves, but it is better to learn in an institution of learning.

When it comes to bettering ourselves with education and other things in our lives, it is important to think about what other people around us are doing. Think about what is going to benefit you in the future. My education will help me have a better social life and a better future.

I was pushed through school without learning to read or spell very well. Thanks to the Jacksonville Public Library’s Center for Adult Learning I have learned a lot, and I still continue to learn to read and spell past my wildest dreams.

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I am seventy-two years of age and retired from two jobs. The Army National Guard and a civilian job – and I am still learning!

Thanks again for a place of learning. I feel so good about myself for my reading and spelling and thanks to the teachers at the Center for Adult Learning for their time and patience with us.

By Nathanial J. Pickett

Nathanial is a student at Jacksonville Public Library – Center for Adult Learning. His teacher is Tammy Owens.

______

I Speak About My Life

I speak about my life.

After living 10 years U.S., I’m very happy today because at this moment I understand more English when I read, and hear this language. When I was living in Miami my first 5 years I didn’t speak, and much less understand anything, but it now is different.

I enjoy the classes at the Adult Literacy Center. My world is open to me and is the same when we open a door and believe more doors open. At this moment, I have a lot of expectations and I am very excited and happy.

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This is my opportunity of my life to learn in this center and I invite you to come and join us.

Thank at teacher, people and organization to support us.

By Ruth Roman

Ruth is the mom of one child. She is originally from Colombia, but has been in the United States for eight years. She is diligently working on her English so that she might be able to pass her cosmetology licensing exam for the State of Florida. She is a student at the Adult Literacy League, and her teacher is Vince Scalise. ______

When I Write and Read I Feel Good. My dream is to write a story and have it published in the magazine.

I have been in the United States for a few months now and I am glad to be here close to my dear daughter. I like the culture and I like the foods, like the language and I am trying to learn how to speak it better. I miss Europe and especially my daughter and my husband. I have many friends and relatives in Albania that I miss talking to, but I am also making new friends here. Some of the things I like here the best are the laws. I like how people are polite and nice. And thank you Adult Literacy League for everything. I want to thank you all very much.

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By Regina Umizaj

Regina is brand new to the United States from Albania. She joined her grown daughter, Mirena, who was already living in Orlando. She hopes to be able to one day bring the rest of her family (her husband and daughter) to the United States to be with her. She is a student at the Adult Literacy League and her teacher is Vince Scalise. ______

Silent Tears

The silent suffering of our elderly; the closed ears of our queens; the blind eyes of our kings; the silent tears of our youth. When the doors to the street are closed, why are we not allowing our youth to rise up at the sound of birds?

What happened to the link of Education? What kind of gifts are we giving to our children? The silent tears of illiteracy have affected the link of many generations – and many more to come; if we do not stand together, firm in our faith, we will not stand at all.

My tears were silent. My illiteracy I wore like a coat for 29 years. My prayer: I dream to hear the sounds, to count the beats, to just make the words and the sentences complete. So wanting to hear, “You’re doing a great job!” but, instead silence from my teachers, joking from my classmates. The silent tears in the classroom became my best friend. My coat read,

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“You’re nothing. You will never be anything in this world. You can’t take a test; you will not go to college; you will always be nothing.” That’s what the enemy wanted me to think. So many years were stolen from me that I became my illiteracy. The battle cries that were in my mind flooded my heart.

So my years of testing still left me with the same answer: my illiteracy was my life. As years passed away, it was just my Silent Secret. No one could look at me and see my illiteracy. My speaking and writing were very clear. No one would know – that is what I would tell myself. I became a medical assistant with only a third grade reading level.

The world is grey. Illiteracy is not black or white. Illiteracy is a battle of the mind. Please help pick up the link to literacy.

I give all my thanks to God for making me over and letting me know that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. I thank God for blessing me with my son; and with super teachers, Ms. Tammy and Ms. Sharon, from the Center for Adult Learning with the Jacksonville Public Library. Thank you.

In order to change you have to be willing to change.

By Shawana Monique McCoy

Shawanna is a single mother of child, Darell. She is a student at the Jacksonville Public Library Center for Adult Learning. The program has helped her in

132 My Journey many ways, and she is on her way to college. Her teacher is Tammy Owens.

______

Learning to Read and Write

I used to be ashamed that I couldn't read or write, but now I am learning how to read and write. I feel good about that. Learning to read and write makes me feel like a new person. I am enjoying reading the sports section of the newspaper.

Another positive thing is that I can now fill out my log book when at work. The log book is a daily record of maintenance problems. Management calls it a 15- minute maintenance check. If I couldn't fill out the log, I wouldn't be able to run the machine. In fact, there's a person in my crew who can't read or write and I fill out his log for him. If the log book is not filled out properly, a worker could get fired. I turn my log book in every day.

Learning to read also helps me while driving. I can read and understand road signs and direction signs. I can also read road maps now.

I appreciate my tutor and the opportunity that the Literacy Council has given me.

By Clennon James

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Clennon is 47 years old and married. He is a big NFL fan. He studies with the Hillsborough Literacy Council with Mrs. Flo Stein.

______

A Letter to South West Library

Since I was transferred to the U.S.A. by the company I was working with in 2001, my primary idea was to improve my English as a second language. Consequently, I began to attend English classes in different schools. As a matter of fact, when I was living in Weston, I attended the school named Tequesta. Then, since I moved down to Miramar and had more free time, I went to other schools, where I was able to improve my vocabulary, writing and grammar.

One day, when I was reading the local newspaper, I found out about the English Café held in South West Library among others. I registered to participate in English Café Classes at S.W., since it was the nearest to my home. Generally speaking, I would say so far so good! To be honest, I was not expecting to have such a good time during English Café Classes. But the truth is that I have met very nice people such as my professors Mary and Patricia. On top of this, I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of classmates from different countries. This has all been a good experience.

Finally, I found out that I was able to participate as a library volunteer, which I believe is a good way to collaborate with my community.

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I hope that English Café Classes continue as they are now, since I am getting a lot out of it.

Sincerely, David Anzola

David is married and father of four children: Karlor, David, Alice and Adriana. David and his wife Daisy are from Venezuela, but both enjoy living in the United States. His teacher is Patricia Kilianski. ______

A Tribute to My Program

Hi, my name is Mary Wheeler. In my childhood I had an accident that made it hard for me to learn and do everyday things. My struggle was very hard at times, but through the help of my literacy program, it helped me so much. People have told me that my speech is much better. I feel that my understanding is better. My progress is slow at times, but I am coming along. I have been in my program for four years now. I am now having the one on one tutoring that I’ve always had, but I am also able to go on the computer to get my GED.

My program has helped me be able to help my children with there homework and to be able to read to them. It has given me confidence to know that I am able to read better, write better, and understand better.

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My tutor, Ms. Maryann Pelletier, has been a wonderful teacher and has helped me come this far. I don’t know where I would be without her help. I would also like to thank my friend and fellow student Monica Baxley for all of her help and support. And last but not least, I would like to thank my husband Norman for his love and support. Without his support, it would have been much harder to get this far.

This has helped me to be more active in my community and in literacy. I have been able to attend all kinds of workshops to teach me how to tell my story so that I will be able to help others. One of my goals is to be able to help others anyway I can. I want to tell others about my experience so that they know there not alone out there.

By Mary Wheeler

Mary is a student at Country Oaks Learning Center in Chipley, Florida. Her teacher is Maryann Pellatier. ______

My First Year

I have been living in Bonita Springs for one year. I like Bonita Springs and the people that I know here. I work in landscaping and I have been saving money so someday I can go back to Mexico.

I would like to stay for six years and open my own business, and keep studying to become a doctor. I like studying in the Literacy Council because sometimes it

136 My Journey is fun and I forget about the work. I miss my family and I can’t wait to someday see them.

Thanks to the people who work in the Literacy Council.

David Rodriguez

David is a student at the Literacy Council of Bonita Springs. His teacher is Shannon Puopolo. ______

My First Steps

When I arrived in the USA, I couldn’t speak English. I didn’t know about the Literacy Council. I had been living in Bonita Springs for five years and I spent many years doing nothing. One day my friend told me about the program, and I came to fill out the application. The next week I got my tutor. Mr. Don Miller. I have been studying English for one year and I feel more confident because I speak, write, and read. All that I can say is thanks to the Literacy Council of Bonita Springs.

By Damian Cruz

Damian is a student at the Literacy Council of Bonita Springs. His teacher is Don Miller.

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______

How the Literacy Program has Helped Me

My name is Mary Ann Spear. I am a student of Literacy Volunteers of Washington County, Inc. I would like to share with you my story and how the Literacy Program has enriched my life.

I came from a large family, fifteen siblings in all. I grew up on a farm and was mostly home schooled. Educational opportunities did not come easy for me. We moved around a lot and stayed busy. I dreamed about, one day obtaining my G.E.D. I learned about Literacy Volunteers through the library in Vernon, Florida and found out that they had a program just for me.

The Literacy program has helped me in so many ways. I don’t know where I would be today without the encouragements of all the tutors that have reached out their hands to help me become better established in my life.

My tutors hand I have worked steadily to fulfill my life’s dreams of becoming more educated. As an adult learner, I have achieved so much in the past year.

In the past year I have participated in VALUE (Voices for Adult Literacy United for Education), a conference held in Washington, D.C. I enjoyed all the workshops, and learned a lot about the government’s

138 My Journey input in our educational programs, and about all the people who work so hard to make a way for adult learners to reach their goals.

Words cannot express my gratitude for our Literacy program. I am reading better, my math is better, and I’m learning more about basic computer technology. I feel better now about myself than I ever have before, and I can’t thank Literacy Volunteers and my tutors enough.

I would recommend this program to anyone because it will make you realize how valuable life really is.

By Mary Ann Spear

Mary Ann is a student in the Literacy Program at WHTC. Mary Ann is working toward achieving her GED. She is working on Math, Reading, and taking Basic Computer. Mary Ann became a Literacy Ambassador in January of 2006, and really enjoys the program. Her tutor is Rose Marie Maxwell. ______

My Testimony About the Help I Get From ALL

I would like to thank Adult Literacy League for the help I am getting in reading and writing.

I will be the one my family wants me to become. This means that I will be proud of myself and proud of my family. This is the time for me to think more

139 Florida Literacy Coalition seriously about my future. Now that I can write and I can read by myself, I believe my life will be better. I wish this will be the testimony to other people, telling them not to give up and just continue to learn and study.

When I see there is progress in my education, then it helps me to be determined, keep on working hard on my task. The people in my class make me feel comfortable. My teacher helps me and I enjoy coming to class. I thank God for the opportunity. He has given me to get placed in this class. I thank Adult Literacy and its wonderful staff for all the help.

By Thomas Lenor

Thomas is from West Africa. He came to Orlando two years ago and he lives with his parents and older brother. He attends the Adult Literacy League and his tutor is Biljana Scepanovic. ______

Living in Bonita Springs Florida

I am very happy to live in Bonita Springs with my brother Fabio. We live in a wonderful neighborhood. The landlords are very nice to us; they keep the place in good condition; bring in the utilities that we don’t have to pay for. We do not live in a house or in an apartment. We are living in a trailer. Around it are many trees and many birds too. Usually they sing very early to us. It is the better way to start day to do many things.

140 My Journey

Since I live here I am very, very happy because thanks to the Literacy Council family, I understand more about English as second language. It is very important to me because I can have some nice conversations with some people, and can understand when I am reading a newspaper, some books, watching TV, listening to radio, and writing something, etc.

When I came to live here, immediately my brother told me about of the Literacy Council. He studied here, but he had to stop studying English because of his work. I think that Literacy Council is the best school to learn English in Bonita Springs, because it has wonderful programs by computers, excellent tutors, and good books. Moreover, all the staff is helping me and all people that want to learn English to get our dreams.

Unfortunately, I have to move to live in New York because my mother is sick and needs my help; but I will never forget “The Great Family of Literacy Council”. I will promise to continue to study English in New York, I will talk to you by email and I will come back in a few years. I am thankful to Literacy Council for giving me a good opportunity to learn English.

God bless you all the time. I will miss you every day and I will think to you too.

Thanks very much.

By Maria Franco

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Maria is from Colombia. She has many dreams. She is learning English in hopes of having a career in Agroindustrial Technology. ______

My School T Tackle each task with determination and a willingness to succeed. O Open the door when Opportunity knocks. M Motivation paves the road to success. L Learn to lean and depend on yourself. I Invest in yourself; get an education. N Never give up on yourself. S Start with the basics first, then work your way up. O Online classes are not for everyone. N Never be hesitant to ask your teacher for help.

A Always do your best. D Determination is a virtue that runs deep. U Understand all of your options. L Learn all you can, knowledge is a valuable asset. T Trust builds independence and self worth.

L Learn to love; love to learn. E Each student is evaluated on an individual basis. A Adults need education too. R Remember the road to success has many stumbling blocks along the way. I Instead of regressing in life, show progress.

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N No mountain at Tomlinson is too high to climb. G Graduation is the day when you enjoy all the fruits of your labor. C Confidence in yourself will help you climb the ladder of success. E Every class has been tailored to meet each individual’s need. N No one can do it better than you. T Take Education as a valuable tool for your future. E Every student’s prescription will show both strengths and weaknesses. R Reach for the stars; the sky is unlimited.

By Ethel Cannedy

Ethel is the mother of three children: Keith, Labacia, and Tiffany. Presently she is a student at Tomlinson Adult Learning Center (TALC). TALC has helped her to brush up on Algebra and English skills. She is dedicated and determined to succeed in life and hopes to obtain a Masters degree in the future. ______

How Adult Literacy Has Helped Me

The Literacy Program has opened many doors for me. It has given me reading skills to where I can read my medicine bottles, parts of the newspaper, notices, advertisements, announcements, menus, and just a very large variety of materials that I would not have been able to read if I had not taken interest in the program. I

143 Florida Literacy Coalition can now go places where everybody has books and newspapers in their hands and it gives me joy and confidence in myself. I even read scripture at church. The program taught me how to fill out forms at the doctor’s office and to get my food stamps. It has helped me to be able to read and comprehend what I am reading or have read. I also can write out checks to pay my bills and use my ATM card which I could not do before.

I would advise anyone that is interested in the program to contact the Marion County Literacy Program. You can’t lose anything but you can gain a lot of good knowledge and understanding.

By Ora Lee Brown

Ora is 50 years old and is the mother of four, grandmother of ten, and great grandmother of two. She started with adult literacy education in Tennessee and joined the Marion County program in 2000. Her goal is to write her autobiography and teach others to read. ______

Life in America

I am happy with this program. I wish this program could be different places because a lot of people that need to learn English. I want God to bless this program. There are special people working here.

By Wilfrid Guerilus

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Wilfrid is the married father of four children. He is originally from Haiti and he speaks Spanish, Creole and is learning to speak English too. He is a student at the Adult Literacy League and his teacher is Vince Scalise.

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My Goals and Ambitions

My Three Goals

My three goals that I have planned for my life are to obtain a GED diploma, attend a college, get a good job and have a happy family. These are my three goals that are very important to me because they will change my life.

By obtaining a GED diploma, I will continue my education in college. I will attend Manatee Community College in Venice because it is the nearest college to where I live. It will take me a couple of years to graduate and obtain a college degree, but I will work hard to improve myself.

When I finally get the degree, I will be a lawyer. This is the career that I always wanted to have. I will open my private office to help people with their legal problems. If I improve myself as a lawyer, I will have a lot of money, and I will get married. After that I will have three children, and I will be proud to be a good mom and wife. My family and I will live happily ever after.

These are the three goals I have planned for my life. I would be so happy if everything would work out as I have planned.

By Emilia Sewerynska

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Emilia is a Polish immigrant who came to Florida via Keykjavik, Iceland. She moved to Iceland at the age of 14 and stayed for five years. She is currently working towards her GED. Her teacher is Alan Ackerman. ______

My Three Goals

I would like to start by saying that for these last few weeks this essay has been the farthest subject from my mind. To tell the truth, in fact, I have thought of every possible reason not to do it. I know, I know, bad showmanship, right? Well, I’ve never been much of a showman, but when I first came here, I was more than just a little discouraged by my math scores. I’ve entered contests before with very little results. In fact, I don’t think I ever won a thing in my life. But the last contest I entered was a GED math contest, which, I have to say, was the last thing I every believed I could win. Yet I did. That one, I believe, I owe to Al.

Throughout life I’ve had ambitions of being many things, but a mathematician was not one of them. I realize that winning a simple math contest doesn’t make me a mathematician, but I have decided that writing, or not writing, this essay was not about winning or giving someone else the chance to win. It was about proving, not to myself, but to the people reading this, of my abilities. Without the caring guidance from people like my tutor, Alan Ackerman, and the people who make classes, it would not be possible. Others like myself

147 Florida Literacy Coalition would never have had the chance to do the things we so readily believed we had the ability to do.

Goal #1 I am ashamed to admit that the better years of my life were spent as a senseless drug addict with no real direction, and I remained blissfully so, I’m afraid, for some time. A story as old as time, I’m sure, but in my early years things like work and schooling were the last on my mind. When I think back on all the time I spent talking about the things I was going to do, it becomes painfully apparent that I never had the ambition to do them.

I have realized just recently that ambition stems from responsibility and vice-versa. Having a job or a family, no matter how large or small, is a big responsibility, and when you don’t have the ambition to accomplish even the most menial tasks in life, then you are without a doubt an irresponsible person.

Goal #2 Be Patient with Life I believe that one of the largest keystones in life is patience. Throughout history, I’m sure you will find that no matter what culture you may focus on, each one has their own views and moral stories about being the one true virtue. The Chinese believe that you can learn things like patience and even responsibility through interactions with nature. Hence, we learn that without being responsible, the mockingbird’s eggs would never make it through the winter. Or without overall patience, the lion would never catch its prey.

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These last few months I have been haunted by a recurring dream which I believe I had only recently defined. The dream takes place on my father’s ranch where I am surrounded by family and friends. I’m sitting in the grass with my legs stretched out in front of me. Between my legs sits one of the largest, most beautiful animals I have ever seen, a rattlesnake. The rattlesnake is coiled and ready to strike, yet my family and friends keep smiling and talking as though they are certain I am in no serious danger.

I realize through both instinct and experience that if I sit still and am merely patient enough, the snake may very well see me as no real threat and leave me alone. As frightened as I am, though, my impatience gets the better of me, and I eventually try to move faster than the rattlesnake, which often happens to me in life situations. Well, you may have guessed what happens next, but rest assured that my family is there to pick me up and reassure me that everything will be “OK”.

Goal #3 Be Grateful for what I Have The last goal and lesson I did not learn from any animal or foreign culture, but from two people – my mother and father. I have learned many things from these two people, the least of which is to be my own person.

Still there is one thing I learned through mere observation. Things happen throughout life that may cause both happiness and grief, no matter how useless

149 Florida Literacy Coalition or tired one may feel. There is also a sense of gratefulness and love you get through an inner sense of accomplishment. Though your family may sometimes make you feel hopeless, though your friends may often make you feel as though you don’t need them, always rest assured that the life you have been given is beyond reason or doubt, precious, and so are those you choose to share it with.

By Robert Lee Scott

Robert is currently working on achieving his GED at Manatee Community College. He is employed by RLS Contracting, a family business in Sarasota. After getting his GED he plans on obtaining his class C water license which will enable his own business. His teacher is Alan Ackerman. ______

Thinking about the Future

I am happy that I could come to America and meet many friends from different countries. Moreover, I met my boyfriend in the U.S. He is from Taiwan. Now we are classmates. My boyfriend, who is really a kind person, loves me very much and he always takes care of me, like a mom. For instance he cooks very well, so I can eat many kinds of dishes, which are not just Chinese food, but also: Italian, Japanese and others. The dishes he prepares are so delicious and tasty. At the same time, he gives me treasured memories and important gifts. Therefore, I thank God for giving me the chance to meet this boy and become his girlfriend.

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However, I am worried about our future which is not clear. We are not sure about it, because some day, my boyfriend will have to go back to his country to get a job. My desire is to stay here and get a job in the U.S. On some occasions we have talked about our future and about what we are going to do and what will happen to us. We don’t seem to find a good solution for both of us.

I wanted to become a Physical Education teacher since I entered elementary school, because I liked to exercise and I could be a leader in the PE class as a teacher. As a high school student, I started preparing for a P.E. teacher test. If someone wants to become a P.E. teacher, he/she has to take two tests: one written test and one practical training test. At that time I was practicing gymnastics. At the beginning, it was difficult for me because it needed high skills. One day, before the test, when I was practicing alone, I had an accident. My left knee twisted. I couldn’t take the test. I had to change my major and give up my dream. My father didn’t want me to take the Physical Education test. He chose the major for me and it was Tourism Management. I didn’t have any interest in my new major. However this major led me to getting a job, so I could find out more about my other abilities.

Now, I just want to cherish beautiful memories with my boyfriend. Also, we will study very hard for our future. I think we can change our future, if we attend school. It can make it easier for us to get a job.

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I hope that we achieve our goals.

By Ji Sun Jang

Ji Sun is from Korea. She has been in the United States for 8 months. Her teacher is Biljana Scepanovic. ______

Success

I knew a man who had success in his life. In this case, success meant money and power. He was an immigrant in Brazil. He was born in a very poor village in Portugal.

He arrived in Brazil when he was seventeen years old, with a suitcase filled with worn clothes and two old pairs of shoes. As soon as he arrived in Brazil, he began working in a grocery store as a helper to the owner. Since he had no family there, he used to sleep in the back of the store, in an improvised bed over some sacks of grain.

This guy had no education at all. Some time later, he met a woman with whom he fell in love and got married. This woman helped him learn how to read, write and taught him a little bit of mathematics. These three little things were the trigger for his future success.

I believe he was born an entrepreneur. Only he didn’t have the chance to develop his talent where he was born. He had diversified businesses. He began to make money building houses. Little by little, one by

152 My Journey one, he made money to invest in greater businesses. I don’t know how, but he made friends with important people of Brazilian society. He even made friends with a president. These people worked like a rocket for his success: he owned an important construction firm, and he built roads in the countryside of Brazil. Besides that, he owned a farm where he planted fruits and sold them to markets, and he also had some gas stations.

It’s amazing how this uneducated guy succeeded in his life. He arrived in Brazil with a suitcase filled with worn things, but his head was filled with gold and precious gems. His head was filled with only one dream – the dream that someday and somehow he would be rich. And he succeeded!

Anonymous ______

Life After Retirement

I work to earn a living, to do and get the things I want. Now I am also working to retire. If I retire today I can’t sit with my hands in my lap. If I retire at 62 I can sit down for a minute when I want to. That would be good but sitting down too much usually causes health problems so I need to think about what else I will do. When I retire from my job in St. Petersburg, Florida, I would like to move to Thomasville, Georgia, and build a house in the country. I know about Thomasville because my wife’s family lives there. We visit every Thanksgiving and family reunion.

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Thomasville offers property that I can afford and a good farmers market. It is a city that is growing, but not too fast and it has convenient shopping and medical service close by. Tallahassee, Florida, is close enough to visit when you miss the city. Thomasville is pretty and the people are friendly. They smile and speak to you on the street. Another reason to choose Thomasville is that it is quiet. With a house in the country there, people won’t live up under you and you can’t hear your neighbors sneeze.

After we get settled I would like to go to the fields and pick vegetables in season to eat, to sell and to freeze. I might plant a garden with watermelon, peas, collard greens and corn.

When I have time, I will make trips to Atlanta to visit family and trips back to Tampa and St. Petersburg. I would like to travel to New York to see snow and the lights of Times Square and Broadway. I want to see what New York looks like and spend some time in Atlanta, but I most want to spend time in the country.

My parents moved from Waynesboro, Georgia, to St. Petersburg, Florida, when I was 6 years old. St. Petersburg is a good place to live because of palm trees and the beaches. The most important reason I like St. Petersburg is because I met my wife here. Living in St. Petersburg has been good, but when I retire, I will be

154 My Journey ready to leave. You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy. I will be glad to go home.

By Hosea Lewis

Hosea Lewis has been working for the City of St. Petersburg for a number of years and is near retirement. He attends the Literacy Council of St. Petersburg, Inc, and Janet Hampton is his teacher. ______

The Rugged Road I’ve Traveled

I was born a share croppers daughter and although it may sound somewhat cliché, that was my life in the early forties. My father and mother worked hard at growing their own food and tending to the farm. Looking back at those times, we kids didn’t realize the financial struggles and hardships our parents endured to keep a roof over our heads. I guess by today’s standards, we would have been considered poor, but one thing’s for certain, my family was, and still is today, rich in love for one another.

Growing up, I was known by all as “Little Classie Walker,” the youngest of ten girls and three boys. If you included my mother and father in that number, I had fifteen people bossing me around everyday and telling me what to do! Everybody considered me their “baby” especially my siblings. Would you believe they still try to baby me to this day— a woman who has lived through six decades? Well, it didn’t take very

155 Florida Literacy Coalition long for little Miss Classie Walker to decide it was time to do things her way. So, for the first time in my young life, I set out on my own, determined to do things my way—it was a tragic mistake.

The choices I made during my time of self discovery led me to marry a serviceman in the army, who was twelve years my senior. I later dropped out of school and had three children. One day, reality suddenly hit me…I was living in a fantasy world! How was I going to raise three children—educate them, and give them the opportunities they deserved—considering mine were so limited? I didn’t know what to do and my immediate reaction to rectify the situation was to go back home. It was the oddest thing; I longed to be the baby girl again. But, it was too late. I had three little lives depending on me to do the right thing.

I can still recall the events of that day, and how I convinced myself to put my best foot forward. I remember telling myself that I would do my best at being a mother for my children and that’s exactly what I started doing. Throughout those growing up years for me and my kids, life was good. I made certain that each of my children attended school. Although I was not able to help them as much as I wanted while they were in high school, I helped with their schooling when they were in elementary school as much as I could.

It’s years later, but I’m finally enrolled in a GED course. It was my children who convinced me to come back to school, and although I’ve stopped and started a few times with the program, I’m determined to get my

156 My Journey diploma. So, whenever I’m tempted to forget the circumstances of my past life experiences, I say to myself, “Classie, the grass may look greener on the other side, but you just STAY IN SCHOOL— DON’T BE A FOOL!”

By Classie Curtis

Classis is currently a student with CAEP at the AL Lewis Center. She is the parent of three children. Classie is now a citizen who wants to get her GED. ______

It’s Never too Late to Get a GED

This story is all about my life, my family history, and the circumstances that led me to enroll in the GED courses at Indian River Community College in Ft. Pierce, Florida. During my high school years I was not able to get my diploma but I am now trying to catch up.

I was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 20, 1924. When still a young child, my mother took me to Europe to live with her in Poland. We lived with my aunt and uncle in a small village near my grandparents. I grew up in Poland and went to school there for all of my pre- teen years. While in school I had to study two primary languages, Polish and Ukrainian. My life in Europe, as far as I can remember, was ordinary but not glamorous.

In the late thirties, Germany started to occupy some of the countries in Europe, and there were rumors about an upcoming war. So my father and my uncle made

157 Florida Literacy Coalition arrangements for me to return to America to live with my father and stepmother. My father sent me to school immediately. It became a real challenge for me.

I had a difficult time at school because I could not read, write, or speak one word of English. I had to learn all my new A, B, C’s and learn the correct pronunciations. The other children in school were very mean and cruel when my words did not come out right. This was very discouraging and was a big problem for me. Because my father and most of my relatives spoke very little English, my father had to hire a tutor to help me with English. That was a big expense for him. We saw many movies so that I could learn the dialogue. My father became very sick and lost his job, so all the fun things had to stop. I was having a hard time at school and falling behind in my studies, so I decided to drop out of school. That was a big mistake.

I married at the age of twenty-two and had two children. My husband graduated from a college in England and got a job in the United States. I had many different jobs. I was an office worker, bank teller, and much more. For several years, I was an office manager for an income tax preparation company. To prepare myself for those jobs, I spent many years attending night school taking many different courses such as typing, shorthand, math, history, and of course, English. I never gave up on that last subject, and I’m still learning!

There was the fun part of my life also. Our family did lots of things together including travel, the arts, and

158 My Journey music. As for my personal hobbies, I love to cook, bake, and work in the garden. I like music and I like to play the piano. I also love to paint. Sometimes, I think I do too much, but it all seems to work.

My husband and I knew the importance of education so we both worked hard to make sure our children stayed in school. My two sons graduated from universities and have good jobs. Two of my six grandchildren have completed college, two are in college, and two will be entering college this year. I feel that they have inherited some of their brains from me!

With all that emphasis on education in my family I have often regretted not finishing high school. However, it remained just a regret until about three years ago when I read an article in a local newspaper about George, a GED student at IRCC. At that time, George was eighty-eight years young. He was awarded his diploma at age ninety-one. I was several years younger than George and felt that if he could do it, then I could, too.

At this time of my life, I am finished with jobs and raising children. My husband and I are retired and taking life easy. However, I still want to get that diploma! I am now attending GED classes at the IRCC St. Lucie West campus. It is nearby and the hours are convenient. Books are provided and tuition is free. But, most of all, the teachers are excellent. They are very patient and supportive, and help students with any difficult subject. The student has to study and work very hard, and I am willing to do that. All my life I

159 Florida Literacy Coalition have worked to achieve my goals and for the most part have reached them all. Adding a GED to the list will be a source of great personal satisfaction. I also know that my family will be extremely proud.

By Emily Lippert

Emily is a senior citizen who put her family before her own education. Now that her grandchildren have graduated from universities, she is attending GED classes at the Indian River Community College is St. Lucie West. Her teacher is Betty Smith. ______

I Am Munira McBride

I am hoping to lose weight. I am dreaming of having a Mercedes. I am caring for my children. I am believing my mother. I didn’t at first, but now I see that she is right. I am trying to learn to swim, but I am afraid. My cousin dove into the river, banged his head and he is dead. I am waiting for a residence card for my mother. I am wishing to win the lottery. I am starting my English class. I am continuing my classes. I am completing my curtains in my house. I am learning English and about this country. I like everything here. I am a woman, very crazy, happy, short, fat and very smart.

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By Munira McBride

Munira is from Colombia she met her husband Michael. She has two sons, Matthew and Andrews. She likes her new job making motherboards for computers. She is learning English at the Community Learning Center. Elyse Van Breemen is her tutor. ______

Why Do I Want My G.E.D.?

When I was in school, I did not take my education seriously. When I was a teenager everything else seemed more important. I was twenty-five before I seriously thought about my education. I’ve learned over the last couple of years, that a good job requires a good education. Now, that I’m twenty-seven, I realize I could do more with a good education than I could without one.

I understand now that a diploma is important! An education shouldn’t be taken lightly. For the past three years, my husband and I have been youth pastors. Several young people have expressed to me that school is more of a bother than a blessing. One of the reasons I would like to get my G.E.D. is to be able to encourage young people to take school seriously. I want to be able to tell them that their education is an important key to their future.

I want to encourage others to get educated and I can’t think of a better way to do that, than by being an

161 Florida Literacy Coalition example myself. I want to show others and myself, that a G.E.D. is not too difficult to achieve. Actions speak louder than words. It’s hard to encourage others to do something I haven’t done myself. I want my G.E.D. not only to be an encouragement, but an example also.

There are so many things I’ve considered doing with my life. I’d like to accomplish more than one thing. Without a diploma the careers I’d like to pursue, are not available to me. Not having a G.E.D. has been a hindrance. I’m motivated to get my G.E.D. because I know with it my career choices are limitless. Now that I’ve given my education some thought, I’m ready to get my G.E.D. I’m taking G.E.D. classes and I’m excited about the future.

I hope to get my G.E.D. within a six month period, and go into real estate. I also plan on going to college. I want my G.E.D. because I’m ready to do something with my life.

By Laura Grier

Laura Grier is a student at Washington-Holmes Technical Center with Literacy Volunteers of Washington County, Inc. Laura is preparing for her GED. Laura feels that the literacy program has helped to prepare her for higher education and is looking forward to better employment status. Laura became a Literacy Ambassador in January of 2006 and would like to become a facilitator in Adult Education to enable her to help other adult students meet their goals academically.

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______

My English Goals

Living here for almost 5 years is a little frustrating when I see how time is gone and I do not reach my goals. I know very well that for being successful in this country I need to have patience and do my best gradually. However, it is hard for somebody as impatiente.

For this year, I just want to improve my English enough to make me comfortable and secure to study something. Maybe for my despair to do not waste my time sometime I am far away from my prior career.

It is nice to have Kenneth as my husband because he supports me and tries to make me feel well, but in reality I know most of his time he can’t understand what I said. And just because my pronunciation for that reason I have to make more effort on that. Thanks to you Terry I remember how pronounce such words as “You”.

The worst part of my goals if that I know what I can do to get better but I don’t do anything because I am a lazy person. Reading is one tool as important in this process as Writing. If I do everyday maybe for 30

163 Florida Literacy Coalition minutes it will help me so much. So, I will try to do it from now on.

By Diana Paola Lineburgh

Diana arrived in the United States five years ago. She and her husband, ken live in Altamonte Springs, FL Diana has a Masters Degree in Accounting from the University of Cariagena in Colombia. She anticipates that language improvement through ALL will help her achieve CPA accreditation in Florida. Her tutor is Terry Keichner. ______

Reality and Dreams

My name is Dayami. I live with my son and my husband. My son’s name is Kevin. He is six years old. I have many things to do during the day. I go to school, drive to the market, go to my home, do the cooking, do the laundry, clean the floor, and more. My son is a good child, but all the time, I have to stay with him and spend time with him. I have these responsibilities because I am the support of my family. I need more time for myself. My parents do not live here. Maybe this year, we will go to Las Vegas, Nevada to visit them.

At present, I am attending an ESOL class because I need to learn more English. I want to be a Flight Attendant. I have been dreaming of that for a long time. I like flying and I like to travel. My son likes to travel also. I like to work with people who are friendly

164 My Journey and funny. In this job I will be able to earn much money and do the things I dream about.

By Dayami Tano

Dayami has been in the United States for nine years. She is an Level four ESOL student at Miami Dade College. Her teacher is Virginia Perwin.

My Hobbies

The Universe

The Universe. What is it? From where does it originate? What is there besides what we know about it? Sometimes I reflect on it. The Universe is a huge endless space: enigmatic and mysteriously attracting scientists’ and inhabitants’ attention. I would be interested to find myself in outer space and I envy a little bit astronauts who can get there and see a lot of things. I think being an astronaut is an exciting profession. I believe astronauts have adventures; they face the unknown and experience a lot. They tell much about space and planets. According to their opinion, the most beautiful planet is the Earth. It looks like a wonderful globe emitting light into the Universe. The astronauts watched several other planets and even walked on the Moon. But according to their words and pictures, there is no life on those planets. There are no plants, no water, no animals, not any beings, not any signs of life; only mountains. But in spite of that, it would be interesting to have been in

165 Florida Literacy Coalition space on a spacecraft, see planets and maybe even walk on them. It would be exciting to feel how a spacecraft takes off from the Earth and speeds away into infinity. I assume I would experience anxiety and at the same time a wild delight. But I don’t imagine absolutely a state of weightlessness when there isn’t any gravitational pull and all things around me and even people can fly. How can astronauts eat, wash themselves and sleep? I think that is an uncomfortable state but amusing. Moreover, space is the only place where there is a possibility to fly and feel like a bird and there is a chance to meet representatives of other civilizations. In reality, I would make sure aliens are in existence. I would be stunned to see them. That would be a marvelous event. We still know little about space. It hasn’t been investigated yet. We even know less than the astronauts know because they don’t tell us everything they see. So I would like to be in space personally in order to see everything with my eyes, to try to realize it, to feel the endlessness of the Universe and draw near to eternity.

By Anna Molibog

Anna came to the United States with her husband and daughter four years ago. She is a housewife and has been with the literacy program for about three years. She attends Palm Harbor Community School, Adult English Literacy Program and her tutor is Mr. Cook.

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______

My Hobby; Cross-Stitching

I am in love with cross-stitch. Six years ago I had no interest in cross-stitch. At that time my younger sister stitched many kinds of things- key chains, pillows, cushions, and even bed-clothes. I thought it was time-wasting and such a boring activity.

One day in September, I had an abdominal pain and went to the hospital. The doctor diagnosed me with acute appendicitis. So I had to have an operation. After the operation, I spent a lot of time in bed. I had time to read magazines, cartoons and listen to the radio. The doctor said I would have no meals if gas was not passed. I walked the hallway frequently, but there was no sign of gas. My sister sat by me, doing cross- stitching. After a long time, I decided to do cross- stitching. At first, I started easy things, even key chains. Time passed very quickly and I felt satisfaction to see what I did. I gave my cross-stitch projects to the doctor and nurse. They liked them. I tried more complicated ones- pillows and cushions. The more they liked, the more I made. Just before I came here, I made a Dalma- do project. A Dalma is a kind of monk who is believed to protect people from ghosts. I gave it to my mother-

167 Florida Literacy Coalition in-law, because she is a Buddhist. Nowadays I stitch a scenery- two birds, cherry blossoms. I’m very happy doing cross-stitching now!

By Jiae Lee

Jiae hails from Korea. Her husband works at the hospital. Jiae takes ESOL classes at the Southwest Regional Library, which she thinks is a fantastic place. Her teacher is Mary and Patricia Kilianski. ______

Tennis

I like sports. I always look at tennis on TV especially the championships in different places of the world. The Open Tennis Tournament of Australia started last January 2006. That championship had as winner, Roger Federer, player number 1 of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals). He is Swiss.

I hope to watch the championships of France, England and the U.S.A. Open. I will continue my daily practice of tennis with my friends.

By Alfredo Espinoza

Alfredo is a tennis player. He practices with his friends every day. His teacher is Patricia Kilanski.

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______

Sailing

Sailing is one of the sports that I like. Even though, I don’t know how to navigate a boat, I still like SAILING. I am always interested in that sport and if you ask me, “Why do you like this sport?” I answered because it is a part of my nature to be open on the blue water or sea water, rocking on the boat, seeing how the water can sparkle in the sunset, seeing the blue sky with white clouds moving around the earth. I love to feel the wind against my face and body. Sailing makes me feel great, emerging my soul and creating a peaceful state of mind. Sailing can take you around the world, meeting interesting people who talk about their countries, traditions, and ideas. You could be learn a lot on the beach. You can feel the sand on your feet, smooth and free walking on the little waves in the wet sand, feeling the wet breath of the summer breeze, pure and clean air.

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For me it is amazing to appreciate this part of life. I really enjoy sailing! It makes me the happiest man on the Earth.

By Edgar La Madrid

Edgar comes from Peru. The ocean is his life. His teacher is Patricia Kilianski. ______

Dreams

I have dreams, one day in my lifetime I will have my own small sailing yacht. I will visit beautiful coasts all around the world by myself with my yacht. I want to visit the coast of Venice, the Persian Gulf, New Zealand, Australia, Greece, Hawaii, the Norwegian cold coast, Cape Town in Africa, and Sarasota in Florida.

I heard about the beautiful Coast of the Mexican Gulf but after I visited Sarasota, I have changed my mind. Sarasota has beautiful coasts and a lot of wonderful marinas. I saw a lot of fantastic fancy yachts. On every coast I could see people enjoying yachting.

I really want to enjoy the Sarasota Gulf one day! When I visited Las Olas, I saw a lot of houses with private decks, and now understand what I want to find.

I want to enjoy life with nature, stars, winds and a great big ocean. Water surrounds all people and oceans connect all the countries!

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By George Park

George is a university student in Korea. He visit’s Miami for winter vacation. His teacher is Patricia Kilionski. ______

Flamenco is My Passion

In my experience, every time that I’m on stage, it is like a transformation.

When I feel the heat of the lights and the people so quiet waiting to see me dance, all my fears and problems go away.

When my body starts to dance, it takes control of my mind. I’m like a giant touching the stars. My fingers are like pens making circles all around. My arms are like birds wings going up and down and never touching the ground. My body follows the music and the direction of my feet, which make the sound of a train when it starts. You can hear the pum, pum, pum of the wheels going from slow to faster and faster and faster.

My mind, my body and my soul are in control of the guitar and the singer. They follow every movement, every step that I make. With only one move of my arm or a look, they know when to stop or continue, and all this tension makes flamenco and my job so passionate and so powerful.

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Every time is a new experience. I have been all over the world; India, Japan , Morocco , Turkey , South Africa. I’m so lucky to meet all these people with different cultures and they share with me their lives; so in appreciation, I give them my art: ‘FLAMENCO.’

By Jose Junco

Jose was born in Spain. He lived there for 25 years and worked as a Flamenco dancer. After that he decided to move to the United States and continued with his career. He decided to talk about his job because for him. It is now one of the most important parts of his life and it makes him happy and makes all his dreams come true. His teacher is Mr. Edward Schiffer. ______

My Joy to Dance

I started to dance when I was two years old. I got my training in “Las Cabales” dance school and I learned the Spanish dance, Ballet and Mexican folklore.

I am working for a company in the United States named “Boston Flamenco Ballet.” We have a tour twice a year for all of the east of the country starting in Miami up to Boston.

I love dance, almost any dance in the world, because the dance shows us the various aspects of the culture, history, expression, character, feelings as well as the different costumes.

172 My Journey

The Dance from Spain has three categories:

Spanish Classic Flamenco Regional

The Spanish classic is the dance, which came from the ballet and it is danced accompanied by the orchestra music, some of these performances are opera-like.

Dance has always been part of my life. I think in some way or another I am going to be connected to this form of art.

As a dancer, I enjoy to do class of technique, because it makes me work on each one of the Spanish dance characteristics, such as: castanets technique, pordebra, zapateado, spins technique, ballet and contemporary dance. We have to practice in all of these areas in order to be ready for the choreography. To have a good technique helps a lot in accomplishing the performance.

The different choreography works I took place in, have been accompanied by recorded music, guitar, singer and live palm-claps, or by orchestra and chorus such us opera.

I have participated in the following performances: Carmen, Amor Brujo, Don Quixote, Vida Breve, La Traviata, Luis Alonso, Concierto de Aranjuez, Bolero de Ravel, Suite Flamenca.

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There are always ways to dance, each one has it’s enchantment, because when the dance is accompanied by recorded music, I follow the music; when I dance accompanied by a guitar, percussion named “cajon” and singer, then they follow me; but when the dance is accompanied by an orchestra, the success depends of the number of rehearsals, because the players of the orchestra are under the stage and the director is the only one who can see the stage. To dance with the orchestra is the most fascinating and the hardest way I have experienced.

Everything is happening around rehearsals, costumes, makeup, stage lights, backdrops, curtains, etc. Although the Flamenco dance is an original individual dance performed on a place called “tablao”, which is a little stage, I did dance on stages in theaters.

Every year the school presents an annual festival and all of the students participate in the show, which helps them to get experience on the stage. The Company of the schools has many more performances in the city and out of the city. I would enjoy to be a dance teacher, create choreography, and dance.

174 My Journey

The dance involves a lot. A lot of dedication. A lot of creativity. A lot of love to dance.

By Martha Cardenas

Martha is from Mexico She lives with her son in Orlando.

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My Thoughts and Opinions

Spectacular Golden Gate Bridge

Have you ever seen Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco?

It’s one of the most impressive world-renowned bridges in the world. Construction was started in January, 1933 and completed four years later in May, 1937.

The color of the bridge is called international orange, not gold. I had been having doubts about that until I went there last July. It had been puzzling but when I saw the bridge, it became completely clear for me why it’s not gold. Do you know why not? Because the bridge spans Golden Gate, it is not meant to be a golden bridge. Does that make sense? Then why was the color, international orange, chosen for it? That’s so the bridge can be seen clearly, even in dense fog, and also because it makes a magnificent contrast with the surrounding colors.

The length is a little less than two miles and it’s often windy on the bridge. When we arrived at the end of the bridge, my husband suggested, out of the blue, that we could walk across it to the other end and come back by bus or taxi. I accepted his proposal and we started walking through the bridge. In the meanwhile, we noticed it was a hard task for us because there was a gale blowing making it frigid to walk across, even in July. However, the views from the bridge were so

176 My Journey marvelous that we felt refreshed after the forty minute walk just like some other satisfactory exercise. But we were lost for words when we arrived at the end of the bridge and couldn’t find any buses or taxis to take us back. There were no coffee shops to take a rest and no shops to purchase something to drink.

Nevertheless, we enjoyed the view fully from there and after we had rested sufficiently, we walked back across the entire bridge. Therefore, we have a vivid and fabulous memory of Golden Gate Bridge. How would you like to take a trip to San Francisco and walk though this spectacular bridge? I’m sure you’ll enjoy it to your heart’s content!

By Noriko Baba

Noriko has been with the Clay County Literacy Coalition program for almost 2 years. Her teacher for advanced class is Virginia Hash and her tutor is Suna Hall. She is most grateful to both to them for their great classes. ______

Honor

Honor is the integrity of each person. It is great respect given or received. When we talk about Honor, we are talking about principles. Today, keeping honor is a difficult task because society lets people do anything in the name of “freedom”. They forget the rules.

In the same train of thought, some people manipulate

177 Florida Literacy Coalition our system in order to get more benefits for themselves no matter what is going to happen with the rest of the world. For example: It is hard to believe some teenagers experiment with sex without thinking about the responsibility of getting pregnant because they could apply for the government’s help.

Another example: In politics when candidates are campaigning they promise everything, real or unreal, with the only purpose of winning. After that, reality is different. Promises are not to be kept.

As a member of this society and mother of two children, I realize every day, how competitive life is. Parents do not have time to share with their children, they need to earn more money. They are trying to meet society expectations, such as buying a new television or a new CD player. They need to involve children much more in extra activities besides the school, but nobody stops to analyze their priorities. What is the message that we send to our children? Where are our values?

Even though society changes, we have the responsibility to teach our children and our communities the importance of keeping our principles. We must promise to create a great honorable society. We will make the difference. If we don’t, we must be prepared to accept the consequences.

By Marggi Bracamonte

Marggi is a housewife and mother of two children. She is happy to be in ESOL class, especially because

178 My Journey she has found a wonderful teacher, Mrs. Jean Cook, who gave her the opportunity to acquire confidence in her life in the United States. ______

My Favorite City, Orlando

The liberty is the most important. The public safety is good. I love the people. The country has the Blessings of God.

By Blanca Rosa Cordoves

Blanca is retired and lives in Orlando. She is originally from Cuba and she wishes to improve her English so that she can communicate more freely. She is a student at the Adult Literacy League, and her teacher is Vince Scalise.

______

Life in America

I am happy with this program. I wish this program could be different places because a lot of people need to learn English. I want God to bless this program. Special people working here.

By Wilfrid Guerilus

Wilfrid is the married father of four children. He is originally from Haiti and he speaks Spanish, Creole

179 Florida Literacy Coalition and is learning to speak English too. He is a student at the Adult Literacy League and his teacher is Vince Scalise. ______

Beautiful

The best and beautiful thing of life is the warm and beautiful breeze. The best and beautiful thing of life is the green earth. The best and beautiful thing of life is two people sitting on the beach dipping their feet in the sea and agreeing that sometimes they can disagree, you see. The best and beautiful thing of life is gazing out the window as blue jays and sparrows fly by. The best and beautiful things of life are being with your family, and fearing less and loving more…and to believe in one another. There’s nothing more beautiful than that. Beauty is something you have to fill your heart with.

Beautiful, isn’t it?

By Stephanie Jackson

Stephanie is 28 years old and was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She has one brother and a sister-in-law. She lives with her mother, and has no children. She is happy to be a student of Ms. Tammy at the Jacksonville Public Library’s Center for Adult Literacy

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______

Let's Rescue Our Family

"Mom" is a short word, but gigantic in essence. A sacred word.

We should be immensely grateful to our Lord for selecting us to give us this particular "title", that many times some women don't know what to do with.

The most extensive dictionary falls short in defining this distinction that our God gave us as women.

How much I enjoyed raising my children! The cry of a child would catch my attention, and as I would turn to look, I would think of my children.

I would feel so happy when I would walk past a school and hear the children laughing as they played. I would begin to feel nostalgic and would wish I could go back in time, but this is not possible. I can only do so in my thoughts.

Is it difficult to guide naughty children? Yes, but God gives us the Wisdom to control them with love and patience. He gave us this gift for graduating us "Architects of Life". We graduated as doctors, nurses, teachers, cooks, guides, drivers, athletes, bakers and seamstresses. How marvelous Lord is your Grace.

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We live in a world that is continuously changing. Each day technology advances more, it's marvelous, science as well. But be careful not to throw in the trash the greatest thing of all, so you don't end up crying tears of blood in the future. We should cherish it as the most marvelous treasure (the Family). Let's rescue it while we still have the time.

Remember that God gives us strength! Let's go back to the old days when we respected and valued our family, which is the most sacred God has given us.

Let's walk hand-in-hand with our Lord and let's be life's engineers to our Angels because He selected us very carefully so we can raise them to grow up to be good men and women that contribute to society.

By Nieves Noule

Nieves came to Florida after leaving Puerto Rico and Venezuela. She wants to learn English because it will help her communicate better. She wrote her story because she wants to create consciousness for motherhood. She has three children. She is part of the ESOL Boca Raton Public Library Literacy Program, and her teacher is Peggy Siloa. ______

The Color of Friendship

Friendship, week, strong, like a mountain, like a river, ocean, blue sky, like a small button of a flower, small button of a tree, very kind, rough, tough, bold,

182 My Journey fearless, stressful, when everything is against, like a precious diamond, flawless, immaculate, tender, windy, gentle flower, rainbow, the rainbow is kind of symbol of the purity after the storm, each color represents different sides of friendship, scent of rain, smell of the grass in the rain.

If somebody would ask me about the color of friendship, I would say that it has all colors of the rainbow. Friendship cannot be one single color. It is always colorful. It is always like a rainbow. Sometimes it has sparkles, sometimes it is foggy, hardly visible, but it is always desirable, always wanted.

A Rainbow brings hope and says to you:” Life is going on, don’t worry”. There is some kind of purity in the air after the rain and the colors of the rainbow are especially clear... Each color represents different side of friendship: hope, joy, tenderness, fondness, intelligence, kindness, and forgiveness. It teaches us to keep this purity of the color in our friendship, to live with joy, fondness, kindness, not to frame friends, not to lie, but to love them and forgive them.

In common life, we often don’t pay attention to the purity of our friendship, and only a very harsh storm

183 Florida Literacy Coalition helps us to understand this, but... after the storm, we will always see the rainbow, the symbol of purification and hope.

By Natalya Ordubadi

Natalya came to the United States in 2000. She learned English by herself, but in January of 2006 she began attending Harbor Community School to improve her reading and writing skills. She is married and has a son. She loves her family, friend, and people. Her teacher is Mrs. Jean Cook. ______

Stress

It is a physical and emotional condition in our body as a result of the strain of pressure that everyone has in his life.

Stress is a natural biological condition among all animals. It is like feeding, reproducing and dying.

Stress is the defense of our body from outside attack. It is like the fighter that is prepared to fight against the enemy.

Different things or situations make you feel stressed, such as: fears, worries, chores and responsibilities.

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Stress, when it is too much, causes anxiety, discord or pain n our body. It makes a nervous person, impatient and sick.

Stress exists in the just moment when you awake up to the alarm clock. Stress is watching television, listening to the radio or reading the newspaper about the political problems or maybe war, everyday or when you take the things as your own. Sometimes it is necessary to resolve the problems each moment.

In conclusion, stress is a part of our behavior. Since the first day that we were born, the delivery was stressful for both mother and baby. The first cry from the baby is the first demonstration of stress. It is a fight for adaptation from separation mother and newborn. Therefore from this moment human beings always suffer stress until our last days when we are out of breath.

For these reasons, it’s necessary to do a good diet, walk, dance, and do good physical and mental exercises as gym and yoga. We have to learn to relax our bodies with serious techniques and we must have clear goals so that we will be able to pace ourselves and that is how we get the peace and to became a better person.

We must be patient, generous, and realistic. Always smile and laugh at our mistakes. It is also

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necessary to have a good balanced diet, good sex and sleep well!

Sweet dreams everybody!

Anonymous ______

The Color Blue

The color blue is a primary color and is used by children in their first drawings. Babies learn to say the name of primary colors and among them, the color blue. When blue is mixed with yellow, you get the color green. It’s a beautiful color for me too. I chose the color blue because I see nature through this color, for example the sky and the sea. Also many flowers, butterflies and birds are color blue. One of the seven colors of the rainbow is blue. I like to see when the sun flashes its rays on the water drops. I enjoy looking at the heavy rain on the sea and at that moment I see an immense blue curtain. The impressionist painters used a lot of blue to paint the sky and clear water in their paintings; and they are beautiful and famous. Picasso had a period named after the color blue when he used it as an expression. Some people see blue in figurative form for expressing a sad feeling. I don’t agree with this idea because the color blue makes me happy. The color blue

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reminds me of the Jacarandas flowers of my country. When it fills the streets of Buenos Aires in springtime. It also reminds me of my grandfather’s blue eyes when he looked at me with love. I like the color blue a lot.

Anonymous ______

Will You Help Me to Read?

Reading is very important. So many people today can not read and have no education. Part of this problem is a lack of good spelling, pronouncing words, understanding what they are reading, and knowing the meaning of words.

We offer literacy programs to help people to read. This is a slow process for many people. In order to help them to read, we need to start with spelling and to teach them how to pronounce words. If we can't pronounce the words in a sentence, it's making reading a long process, and people get tired of doing it.

The next thing we need to do is help them to understand what they are reading. Many people will not tell you that they don't understand what they are reading. By the way they read a sentence or two, we should know something is wrong.

Once we learn to spell, pronounce words, and understand the meaning of words, we will be able to read better. This will enable us to get a better job. This

187 Florida Literacy Coalition will make you feel really good about yourself. Going back to school is the best thing I've done in a long time.

By Eddie Betties

Eddie was born in Phoenix City, Alabama. In 1963, his family moved to Panama City, Florida. He attended Rosenwald Junior and Senior High Schools until he dropped out of school in the 12th grade and went to work to help his family. In 1977, he was called into the ministry. He was the pastor of a church in Mississippi and the assistant pastor of a church in Panama City, Florida. Years later he realized that in this world, in order to compete, he needed to get an education, so he has gone back to school to get his GED. His teacher is Carol Bruni. ______

To Be Nice

I was in the U.S, New York in 1990 for the first time. I can never forget the first word that I heard, the word “nice.” At the airport, passing by Immigration, the police officer said “have a nice day.” I was really surprised and told myself “what a friendly person.” By taxi we drove to the hotel. The taxi driver discharged us with a broad smile and “have a nice holiday.” The concierge at the front desk told us welcome and said “did you have a nice trip?” Later we went out to go shopping. At the first shop we went to, the saleswomen said “your shoes are so nice.” A few hours later we decided to go to eat something. We discovered a great restaurant. It was busy. The hostess asked us to wait a

188 My Journey moment while she mumbled “it is a nice day isn’t it.” As the time passed I found myself smiling about this little nice word.

Today, 16 years later, I am back to the U.S. I am visiting a nice school in Miami studying English and nothing has changed. The most used word is nice. Students from around the world use it for every occasion, of course with different pronunciations. Leo from Italy says “nizze”, Itcham from Marroco “niesse”, Elenir from Brazil “nahice”, Danielle from France “niice” and Raul from Columbia “naiche.”

In the middle of all this mix, the teacher tries to explain to us “don’t use the word nice.” It doesn’t mean anything but at the same time it means everything. I know it is often better to be more specific: a delicious meal, a comfortable hotel, a spacious room, a beautiful place, a pretty boy, a funny woman, a wonderful home. In context the word nice has been overused as a vague term of approval. It has become meaningless but a specific word might reveal my opinion too much and perhaps it will not be so nice.

Nice is also the best word to start communication. At the bus station, I can say to the women next to me “your hat is so nice.” It will make her certainly happy.

Or to a mother, “your kids are so nice” would make her proud of her children.

For a car driver is it nice to hear “you have a nice car.” A dog is going to wag his tail hearing “you are a

189 Florida Literacy Coalition nice dog.” And sincerely who doesn’t like to hear “you are a nice person.” It puts you in a good mood. This word is all that is needed for paying a compliment.

We have to see things as they are and feel. If this word didn’t exist in America, it would have to be invented.

By Carmen Kluh

Carmen is a French woman. She lived in Germany 20 years and has a 19 year old daughter. After her divorce, she met her future husband who lived in Miami. Recently she started studying English at the Miami Beach Adult and Community Education Center. She is always in a good mood and loves to laugh. ______

Time to Think Over

Now is the moment to think about our life. What we have done in the past and what we are going to do in the future. It is time to think about it without regret. We have to learn about every experience, to be a better person and to have a better world, is like a goal that everybody must have! Just imagine, every person in the world did five things every day to help another person, just imagine for a moment, maybe it’s going to be difficult, but not impossible. Just try for a while, I’m sure you’re going to feel better with yourself and if we try at the same time, the dream to have a better world could come true and what better moment to begin than now. It doesn’t matter where you are living, the world

190 My Journey is only one and it is our world, we are world citizens, so we have to fight against the war, human misery. Remember the time is now, time to think these things over!

By Jose A Figuera HAVE GOOD LUCK

Jose is from Venezuela where he was a lawyer. He is now training in the United States to be an Immigration lawyer. His teacher is Pat Kilianski. ______

Like an Abstract Drawing

Wilma was a strong hurricane. She arrived in Florida after crossing the Gulf of Mexico. She was a category three when she entered Miami. Her strong winds started to break the trees at six o’clock in the morning.

The wind blew very high for six hours. During this time, I could say that for me the situation was like a fight. I could see the trees fighting with the wind. First they lost their leaves. After that they lost their branches and in some cases they fell on the street.

Between nine o’clock and ten o’clock were the worst moments. Everything outside the houses and apartments looked like a heavy metal concert. Objects like rocks, branches, cups, wood, and pieces of plastic or garbage were dancing through the air. Sometimes

191 Florida Literacy Coalition when two objects collided the sound was strong and the windows vibrated.

When everything passed and the winds slowed down the streets looked like an abstract drawing. I could see gardens and street in complete disorder. Colors, forms, object… It was difficult to understand what happened there

By Nuria Perez

Nuria studies English 4 at Miami Beach Adult and Community Education Center. She wants to publish her writing because she wants to share with everyone what she has learned in her class. Her teachers are Mr. Schiffer and Susan Rosler. ______

Immigration

After reading many books about prophets and historical leaders, I realized that a magic key exists that let them succeed; a superior piece of advice that illuminated their way of fulfillment.

As an immigrant who loves his country, I believe that Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, and all the historical leaders had a reason to move to far away places, leaving behind countries, nations, and families who loved them a lot. This reason represented a goal, a feast for their eyes that came true by making a worthy and mysterious decision.

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Following these great ideologies was a dream, a choice based on personal beliefs and advice.

Living in Miami Beach has been a dream that I have enjoyed for many reasons. Building a new family, living in a beautiful place, and also getting pleasure from the opportunities in this country are the motives that make this dream a wonderful reality.

Like a penguin, I came to this place to meet my wife and build our family little by little. I knew that this experience would have moments of success, accomplishment, and also echoes that would make this dream harder than what I expected. Having no family in the United States, missing my family in Morocco, and confronting different habits and customs were examples of difficult moments that made me feel like an inexperienced employee surrounded by professionals in a big factory. These hard moments pushed me to improve and succeed in my goals, goals that in my country, I could not realize because the opportunities were so limited.

Like the zebra in the movie “ Madagascar,” I liked the idea of living in another place, a place where everybody goes to enjoy his vacation, a beautiful place with unique weather, a wonderful city of marvelous landscapes, golden and magic beaches that make Miami Beach a paradise of nature.

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Like a student who won a free scholarship, I came to this country with a dream, a dream of reaching my goals and getting a second chance at an education. This experience was like changing light bulbs in a room that was in darkness for a long time. It was also an accomplishment to find a job with a better salary and good conditions. These opportunities are things that I appreciate a lot because they are like a dream that became real.

Each situation and experience was like a lesson that kept me safe, strong, and more dedicated. Every class or shift was like oxygen that helped me to design my dream, a dream of reality that began with a first step named “Immigration,” a huge concept that has for me, one meaning; something to enjoy.

By Hicham Moujahid

Hicham is a Moroccan who came to this country to join his wife two years ago. Without any knowledge of English, Hicham began his classes in English in July of 2004. He passed through all the ESOL levels and now he studying and working for the same school as a clerk at the office. He is attending Miami Beach Adult Community Education Center and his teacher is Mr. Schiffer.

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______

I Love Miami!

When I was living in Brazil my family and I chose to live in a condominium that was 23km from Sao Paulo. It’s like a little city there we have all things that a big city has, like shops, supermarkets, theaters, doctors, hospitals, schools, clubs and restaurants.

I thought that it was a good place to raise children because I couldn’t stay in Sao Paulo living with violence and insecurity . In Sao Paulo we couldn’t have a calm life, like walking on the street peacefully or enjoying a city in public places like parks, theaters, shops. And home that was worse.

You couldn’t use good shoes, clothes, and watches when we walked on the street. We also needed to hold on to our handbags. But I was wrong to choose that place because I saw kids and teenagers that were oppressed, living a small place. Then began another problem. Teenagers wanted to go to Sao Paulo to enjoy and have more options. And some parents needed to take their children.

But this situation is difficult because some parents also need to stay in hotels or sometimes they have another apartment in Sao Paulo they’re waiting until their children finish their things. I didn’t want this situation for my life and for my children. I thought about a future, lighter and easier.

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But the worst thing was when my husband was kidnapped in his company. It occurred 11:00 at night and the robbers took over the building that had 22 floors. That situation contributed to our making a decision to move to Miami. We made a decision, to have a calm life with freedom and to enjoy places. We thought that we’d have all these things in Miami because it’s a beautiful city. Here our children can enjoy their lives and grow with a good education. I knew that for me it would be difficult because I didn’t speak English and Spanish but for my family I would try. Here in Miami my family enjoys more time together , my husband can expand his business and I’m learning English and Spanish I never thought I would learn two languages. We realize more things than we thought. Our children speak English well . They have a good friends and they’re happy to live here.

My teacher said that he hates Miami and he explains his thoughts but I don’t agree with him . I chose Miami because I knew Miami before. I love the climate, the city and the good freedom that we find here. In Miami we see people that come from different countries. We also see beautiful trees, places and we can see some animals, like dolphins and manatees when we walk next to the canal.

I think Miami is my home because it’s in my heart. When I am in Brazil I miss Miami a lot. Miami is a dream that many people in the world have.

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Even though we have problems with hurricanes and other things, I’ll never change Miami for another city in the U.S.

I LOVE MIAMI!

By Elenir Mesquita

Elenir is an ESOL student from Brazil. Her love for Miami is very strong. Her teacher is Mr. Schiffer. ______

Hero

The dancers at my job are my heroes. My job is at a gentlemen’s club. Dancers make striptease. Different kinds of men come in the club: businessmen, lawyers, doctors, accountants, young and old men. Everybody is in a very good economic situation. The dancers perform similar movements. They start with a sensual dance on the stage for ten minutes while the customers give them money.

Afterwards, off the stage, the feature continues. The dancers make contact with the customers and normally, convince them to pay for a personal show at the saloon, of course. In this second show the dancers take off their clothes again and dance without clothes around the customers. The same scene repeats over and over throughout the club.

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Beauty, grace, sensuality are some of the arms that the strippers have in order to hold the customers in their hands.

Briefly we can say that the dancers give their effort, dedication and concentration to get the customers to live some minutes of happiness that they can’t live in other places. For the customers, it is in one way, a real and amazing dream.

The dancers in my job are my heroes because everything at the gentlemen’s club revolves around them. The customers, definitively, come for them. The strippers allow us to earn money and live well.

By Raul Benitez

Raul was born in Buenas Aires, Republic of Argentina. He graduated as a lawyer in 1986. In 2002 his immigrated to the United States. He attends ESOL classes at the Miami Adult and Community Center. Heroes – Sellers of Dreams is a brief introduction to a world that many people visit, but actually few know. ______

How I Can Improve the Quality of Life in My Neighborhood

I was born in Thailand of Laotian parents and came to the United States as a small child. I am a single mother of three and have learned that in order to live in the United States, one must adapt to a society that has crime and drugs in the neighborhood. People don’t

198 My Journey seem to care much about one another, either. You can improve the quality of life in your community, however, if you choose to get involved. I have lived in the same area in St. Petersburg, Florida, since 1987. I have seen people steal laundry from someone else’s yard, woken up in the morning and found the car missing, and have had my home broken into twice. All of this would change if I could accomplish three goals: reduce crime, beautify the neighborhood, and help the elderly in my community.

First, I could form a neighborhood crime watch. Everyone could help organize it and decide who is going to be responsible for keeping an eye out for crime. Community meetings could be held each month to discuss common problems. Another way to stop crime, would be to build and staff a recreation center for the young kids and teens to go. If they are involved there, they won’t be getting into trouble.

In addition to preventing and reporting crimes, you can also get the neighbors together and beautify the neighborhood. We could start by planting trees and helping clean up each other’s yards. Painting and restoring houses for people, who can’t afford it, will help the area look more modern and updated. Cleaning up the parks, streets, and run down areas will also make the neighborhood nicer to live in.

In my Laotian culture, older people are honored and respected, while here, the elderly are often forgotten. During community meetings, we can enlist volunteers for the Meals on Wheels program, which will be sure

199 Florida Literacy Coalition they get good meals. Others can take elders to their doctor’s appointments, run errands, and pick up their prescriptions. Of course, we can all always be respectful, positive, and friendly when dealing with all our neighbors.

All in all, if I can help others by becoming more involved with the youth and the elderly, by working hard to improve the neighborhood appearance, and by watching out for one another the quality of life for everyone is improved.

By Vanhthavy Boby Oneinh

Vanhthavey Boby is a single mother of three beautiful children; two girls and a boy. Boby was born in Thailand of Laotian parents and has lived in the United States since she was a child. She currently attends Adult Education classes at Lealman Elementary School in St. Petersburg, Florida planning to obtain her GED. Boby feels that this will enable her to have a successful future for herself and children. Her teacher is Anne Morgan. ______

Ways to Help Your Marriage Last

There are ways that you can help a marriage last forever. Never marry someone if you want them to change. You should always have communication. Never go to bed mad. Keep your marriage alive. These are the most important things you will need to know to help a marriage.

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You should never marry someone you want to change. Most likely a person is not going to change. My sister married a man who she loved for his smile. She thought she could change him. Unfortunately she found out the hard way you can not change someone.

You definitely need communication. You need to know how your spouse is feeling. Help them through their hard stressful days. Being there for you spouse can help a marriage last forever. Also without communication it is hard to trust.

Never go to bed mad or never leave mad. You should always work things out. You will never know if something will happen to your spouse. You never want them leaving without hearing the words “I love you.”

Keep you marriage alive. Go out and have fun. Forget about the stressful day at work or home with the kids. Flirting is a must. It might be tickling, cuddling, or even just a smile or wink. Those are reminders of why you fell in love and got married.

There are ways to help a marriage. Know that you can not change a person. Always have communication it helps with trust.

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Never go to bed mad. Your last three words before bed should be I love you. Keep you marriage alive by flirting or having fun.

By Jillian Turko

Jillian is a mother of five. She is a student of Okaloosa-Walton Event Start Project. Jillian recently took the GED test and is looking forward to finding out her score. Her teacher is Pam Willard. ______

The Biggest Change in My Life was Having Kids

Since I was a little girl I’ve always dreamed of the day I would have kids. Having kids is one of the most important decisions in my life. The first thing I had to do was find the right person to have my kids with, so I did. I thought that I found the one person to have all of my kids with, but I was sadly mistaken. I thought it was going to be so easy to find the right person to have kids with, but as the years have grown, I have found it’s not as easy as I thought. You have to be very patient and understanding in so many different ways. When I met my boyfriend, I was up front with him about already having a kid and I told him that one-day I would like to have more kids. So we dated for a few months and decided we would like to have a family together, so we did.

The first time you hear your baby cry, your heart melts into a million little pieces. There are so many

202 My Journey feelings you have for your children. The love you feel when you have kids is unexplainable. There are no words that could explain how it feels to have so much love for a person that is so small. Just holding your baby in your arms for the very first time knowing that this little person will always depend on you for the rest of your life. To keep them safe and warm from all things. To watch them day-by-day growing up, the first time they hold their head up, the first time they look into your eyes smiling at you it feels like you could stay in that moment forever. Their first bath, their first coo and now as they get bigger it feels like it was just yesterday they were born.

Every day is a new day, there is always something your child does or says that makes each day special. How ever that first word never fades away. Their words get bigger each day. I’ll never forget the first time my babies said momma or daddy. I just got so happy that my child, the child I gave birth to could say my name. It’s so amazing that this little person has come so far and I’m the reason that they are here. Being a mother is the most important thing in my life. I would never give up being a parent.

It’s hard to explain the joy I have gotten from watching my kids throughout the years. When you have to leave your child for the first time at school it’s very hard at first but it gets easier as time goes by and it goes by so fast, so treasure each day you have. Make each day a special memory. Your love never goes away; it always is growing stronger each day every time your child learns something new or says the littlest

203 Florida Literacy Coalition things like, I love you. It just seems to take you right back to the first day laid your eyes on them. The whole experience of being a parent has changed my life so much that I would never trade being a mother for anything.

By Dianna Walker

Dianna is a mother of three kids and a loved wife. Her teacher is Tonia Wells. ______

The Most Important Thing I’ve Learned About Life is…

The most important thing I’ve learned about life is happiness. No matter how much money we have earned, our life will not be satisfied. Only happiness will make people live more confidently and with more vitality.

Imagine the people who are very famous. Are they really happy because they have what they have right now or are they always worrying that someday their property and their glory will vanish for some unexpected reason?

The real happiness will make people forget all the suffering that our busy lives sometimes bring us. Money helps people live a happy, comfy life, but no one can guarantee that it will last forever.

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On the contrary, some people even live in a cottage. Their lives seem very simple, but yet they are happy because they’re satisfied and appreciate what they have.

There is one thing that I’ve heard many American people say to each other, “Life is too short, so live, love and laugh.” Therefore, happiness is the most important thing in our lives.

By Phan Truc May

Phan Truc was born in Vietnam, but grew up in the Philippines because of the political problems. She left the Philippines after 16 years to come to the United States two years ago. She is a student at Wellington Community High School, Wellington, Florida and her teacher is Shirley Bratt. ______

I Would Recommend the Even Start Program

I would recommend the Even Start program to a friend because the learning is focused on adults, the teaching style is so wonderful, and my children love the monthly family events. My experience in this classroom has been very positive. My favorite learning activity is mathematics.

First of all, I would recommend the Even Start program because the learning is focused on adults. We learn how to teach our children everything from reading to family chores. We are able to find out how we learn

205 Florida Literacy Coalition best by taking learning style assessments. We spend time every day on GED instruction. There is a lot of review for the GED test.

Secondly, I would like to talk about the wonderful teaching style. My teacher really cares about us. She always treats us with respect. She teaches us as a group and so we all learn together and give a lot of support to each other.

Finally, I would like to express how much my children love family night. They get so excited when we come to an event their mom helped plan. Every activity helps them learn and they are a lot of fun. My family also enjoys the free books.

In conclusion, I would recommend Even Start to a friend because of all of the things they offer. They are focused on adult learning, and the teaching style works well for me. Lastly, my children love the monthly family nights so much. The Even Start program has changed my life and I hope others will give it a try.

Anonymous

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______

I Would Recommend the William F. Goodling Even Start Program to a Friend

Yes, I would recommend the William F. Goodling Even Start Program to a friend. The reasons are many but I will focus on a few that are most important to me. The first reason I would recommend this impressive program is because of our teacher Mrs. Cheryl Shaver. The second reason is because of the parenting classes and availability of the program. The third reason is the great learning experience that is focused on the GED. This program would be great for any one with difficulty focusing or struggling readers. I would be proud to recommend this program to one of my friends. I think more people should take advantage of what the Even Start Program offers. They would be really glad they did, I know I am.

First of all, Mrs. Shaver is the teacher that teaches you everything you need to know to pass the GED. She works hard pushing us to be better readers. She says, “the GED is a reading test”, so having good reading skills is very important. I can be completely confused about some math we are doing and she explains it so clearly that I totally get it. I really do understand. She is a very amendable person who dedicates her time to all her students who need of extra help in many different subjects. She’s very patient with the students making sure they know exactly what they’re doing. She also teaches evening classes for those who can’t come during the day.

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Secondly, the availability and parenting classes are very accommodating. Classes are Monday trough Friday from nine to three for daytime and evening time is six through nine. The class is free for single parents or families. Child care is provided if needed in order to attend. We use a weekly syllabus in class so everyone knows what to do daily. This helps the students concentrate on their work and stay focused on getting their GED. The parenting classes are excellent. I know I will be a better parent and be able to help my children more because of all the great parenting we work on. I always feel like my children’s first and most important teacher.

Finally, we must stay focused on getting our GED. The learning environment is very respectful. No one ever puts you down. We all work together to help each other out. The number class room rule is to “treat everyone the way we would want to be treated. So first, we all take the TABE test to see what level we are on. Then we work on our subjects, to improve our scores. You also take the PRE GED to help you get ready for testing for GED. Being autonomous is helpful to stay focused on getting your GED and hopefully after you graduate you will take it to another level and get enrolled into college. I know I will get my GED, because for the first time that I can remember I feel successful in school.

Therefore, I would recommend the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Program to a friend. If you want your GED and want to be the best

208 My Journey parent you can be, then this is the place for you. You can not lose with a teacher that is extraordinarily flexible, the parenting and availability of the program are right on target and the learning experience is so positive. All you have to do is come and dedicate yourself to the program and yourself. The rest will fall into place. When you get your GED, be proud to say that the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Program was a great experience and helped make that a possibility.

By Bonnie Johnson

Bonnie is a 23 year old mother of two. She attends William F Goodling Even Start Program. Her teacher is Cheryl Shaver. ______

Life is Invigorating

There are so many things in life and yet when it all falls down, there are only three things that matter: who you are, what life means to you and your outlook for the future. These three entities are the building blocks of my existence.

Right now, I’m the type of person who lives for the moment but still looks to the future for answers. I love to laugh and just have fun. I think everybody has at least one thing in common. With some people you just have to dig deeper to find it rather than see it right there on the surface. I also try my best to be myself and look for the good in people. I guess you could say I’m a free-

209 Florida Literacy Coalition spirited, outgoing, up-for-anything kind of gal. I do have a serious side, but lately nothing is ever too serious to stop me from smiling.

Life, to me, is the best thing. I love life, and even when you hit a bump in the road, there’s bound to be a bright side to it. Life is probably the only thing that when it comes to my mind, a smile appears. Everything in life is just so amazing to me, and it is something I will never be able to get over. I’m such a strong believer in karma because what goes around does come around and that’s life. Everything in life is a lesson and to me, every time is a lesson well learned.

The future is always planned out. Everybody writes about it, but nobody knows what exactly is going to happen. For me, I do have most of my future planned. For starters, I’ve got college and my career ahead of me. But nothing is set in stone, so I’m not too positive everything I want in life is going to come my way. What I do know is whatever life throws at me, whether it is in my near future or twenty years from now, I’m going to take it and run because you only live once.

In conclusion, the three major things that mean something in life, I think I’ve got figured out. Who I am, what I think about life and my outlook for the future, are three important categories. Everything else in life is a sub-category. Everyone should get a chance

210 My Journey to answer those three questions, and once they do they should feel pretty good about themselves.

By Jessica Alessandrini

Jessica attends GED classes at the St. Lucie West campus of Indian River Community College. Her teachers are Slavin, Councillor, Brovero and Duran. ______

Happiness in Our Lives

We all strive for happiness in our lives. I believe that a life full of happiness makes it worth living and should include a successful career and a good marriage. It should also involve family relationships.

A successful career brings self-satisfaction. In addition, a profession provides a worthy compensation that reaps the benefits of a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle.

Secondly, a good marriage provides companionship. Being able to have mutual trust and respect gives one confidence. Having an individual supportive of your goals in life also gives peace of mind.

Lastly, a family structure should be created so that strong bonds are developed. This not only works well for children, but for adults also. Extended family and friends can be a part of this structure.

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There are a variety of events in life that contribute to happiness. As I get older, my priorities may change. However, those listed above are the most important to me now.

Anonymous ______

Take that First Step

In life, people sometimes have a goal they would like to achieve. It’s harder when you are raised in a family where you have to speak a foreign language. When I go to school, I have to try to focus on the English language rather than my native language of French. Many people don’t realize how hard bilingual student have to work.

As a bilingual student, when ever I am in school I have to tell my mind that I want to focus on English in order for me to concentrate on the subject I am doing. That’s why life means so much to me. I know where I came from and I also know that I have to work harder in order to achieve a goal.

Some of my American classmates always complain about how hard English is. Imagine it is even harder for me because I have to learn it. I have to struggle to learn a second language, and it gets tough sometimes. People wonder when ever I am having a conversation with them, they say, “Where are you from? You sound like you have an accent.”

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I used to feel a little embarrassed when people would notice my accent, but as I grew older I realized that anybody who has a second language is smart and blessed. They should not be ashamed of their nationalities. It should not matter if you are French, Mexican, American, Asian, Haitian or African. You need to realize that you can accomplish anything you want as long as you put your mind to it.

Right now, I go to school every day. I love the office skills class where I learn how to do different tasks in a general office. I hope one day to become a Legal Assistant, where I will be able to use my bilingual skills to help others.

To conclude, I can say you need to start telling yourself you can do it and make a step. If you don’t speak or write English well, you can take an English as a Second Language class. You will be surprised how your dream will start flashing in your mind. Remember to always set a short term and long term goal. Life can be fun if you make it that way.

You can be successful if you take the first step.

By R.J.Bond

R.J. Bond is completing her GED program at St. Lucie West. Her teachers are Duran, Slavin, Brovero, and Councillor.

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______

The Most Important Thing I’ve Learned About Life is . . .

To be open and honest is to know someone can trust you. This will take you a long way in life and in everyday living. Honesty begins with you. I have learned to treat others with love and respect.

Honesty, with hard work and being sincere, will open many opportunities in life. Never give up on your hopes and dreams. If you are honest, people will be there for you. If you give respect, you will get respect.

Be honest to your spouse. Success in life is a journey, but with honest hard work, you will see your dreams come true. Find out what gives meaning to your life, and once you know what it is and decide to go for it, you will become excited when you think about what you will be able to accomplish.

By Stanford Bower ______

Many Things

There are many things to be happy about. I am happy when my kids are doing well at school. Last week my daughter was a model student and was invited to speak to the tenth grade class.

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There are many things in which to find joy. I find joy at work. Every day we have a target. When I meet my target, I feel joy.

There are many things to learn. I want to learn more about English, because I want a better understanding of the American culture.

There are many things and people that need help. I helped many Albanians to get started with a new life in America.

There are many things to improve in the world. The world would be better if there was no poverty and the government was more caring about people’s lives — better health care and education.

There are many things to love. I love freedom, helping others and being in the U.S.A.

There are many things to wish for. I wish to see people happy and that my kids have higher education.

By Natasha Tase

Natasha is married and has 3 children. They are from Albania. Natasha studies English at the Community Learning Center. She was a teacher of Philosophy in Albania. Her teacher is Elyse Van Breemen.

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______

Becoming an Adult

My name is Maryana and I am only eighteen years old. Perhaps you and most other adults think that I do not have any responsibilities or things to worry about. Also, you might think that I am still too young and that I have to grow up and be more mature. But you cannot deny that sometimes you wish you were my age again. One reason you may wish this is because I always see how hard most adults work and how stressed and exhausted working people like you are. I am not saying that you do not have to work, because that would be senseless since we all know that in order to survive we have to earn money. But I do not agree that life is only about work.

I can tell you for my own experience that you should not concentrate only on making money. My father who was only 35 years old, died last year because of a heart attack. That was a surprise for all. We never expected this could happen, but that is how life works – you never know what is going to happen. I never had the opportunity to say goodbye to him. The last time that I saw my father well was in the street talking with his boss – about work of course. I remember that once he went to a doctor who said that my father should not work as hard as he was used to doing. But, my father always said to me that he was doing all of this for me, to make me feel happy and give me things that I needed. But, I did not want this. I would rather have spent more time with my father

216 My Journey because I did not live with him and the only day I was sure that I would see him was on my birthday.

I do not want to live - or die – like that. I know that I have to work, which is what I am doing. But, I do not want to get old or die at any moment without trying to be happy and doing crazy things sometimes. I do not want to be the kind of person that only thinks about making money because, then, what are you going to do with it if you are old or dead? I prefer to spend quality time with the people that I love, so that when I get old I will have many memories about all the things that I did instead of all the things I did not do.

If you ask me if I would prefer to be a young kid – immature and without any responsibilities – or a serious woman – earning a good salary and working hard every day – I would say that I prefer the former. However, the best choice would be to combine these two alternatives: be responsible, successful, but at the same time, do not be afraid to be young the we used to be.

You may not take my words seriously as adults often because I am only eighteen. After all, what do I know about life? But I am certain that I always want to be a child at heart.

By Maryana Rois

Maryana is a young lady who came from Venezuela four years ago. Since then, she has been studying English at the Walter C Young Community Center’s ESOL program. She has learned grammar and

217 Florida Literacy Coalition conversation skills that have helped her immensely. Her teacher is Mr. Pierre Dunani. ______

Sadness in the World

There is a lot of sadness in our world today. There are a non-existent number of subjects I could say that I am sad about. But the one that stabs my heart more than any other is child abuse. Because their pain and suffering usually comes from their own flesh and blood and can leave serious damage that can ruin their lives or end them before they get a chance to even see what life is really about. I know I can’t change these abusive parents minds, but maybe by telling them what can happen to their children in the long run. Maybe they will realize they are causing so much pain to an innocent being and eventually they won’t be innocent anymore.

The reason I know this is because I once was an innocent child, until my parents destroyed my idea of life and my future. Seeing my father beat on my mother scared me. Seeing my mother beat on my older sister scared me. These were two people in my life, who were supposed to love me. Supposed to keep me safe, and they never did. They only neglected and abused me.

Things that you do and things you do to your children really do affect whom they grow up to be. By abusing children they might not make it that far. When I saw my parents try to commit suicide, I thought that

218 My Journey was the only answer to end all of these tragic memories that my parents had stuffed in my head. When you’re a child and your parents or someone abuses you, it’s not just something you can forget. It will stay with you forever.

I have kind of figured out why abusive parents are abusive. It’s because they were abused physically, putdown, neglected, or their parents were also drug addicts. It is a long sad cycle. If you grow up around something or someone, good or bad. Truth is most of the time you end up doing whatever it is you’ve been around. Simply because that’s what you are used to. It’s very hard to change your past. I followed my past until one year ago and I finally realized, this is my life not my parents.

So parents, change this, break the cycle of ongoing abuse towards your children. Don’t follow the cycle. Realize this is your life. Live it happily and make it present, not the past.

By Phaedra Klinedinst

Phaedra is 17 and has a 2 month old. She is trying to earn her GED. Ms. Tonia is her tutor. ______

Children and Daycare

Children going to daycare because parents working can have many possible negative effects on them. Things like bad child care workers, sickness, and not

219 Florida Literacy Coalition learning life experiences that can only be taught by parents cause these negative effects, along with other things as well.

Many daycare centers and homes don’t have good child care workers. These bad workers do things like not watch the children properly, which causes children to get hurt or be abused by other children. There have also been many cases where children have been disciplined physically or sexually abused by these workers, and this should most defiantly never happen. Children also need lots of individual attention and these bad workers just don’t care to give it; you’re lucky if your child gets one diaper change throughout the day sometimes.

There are so many sicknesses that come into the daycare, because parents send their children to no matter if they are sick or not. Kids get sent to daycare with bad flu’s and viruses when they should be home and in bed being pampered by parents. Many other kids get sick from this. Other times, it may just be a cold being spread. Things like lice also come into the daycare and most of the time goes home with the majority of the other children. My point is these sicknesses shouldn’t be able to be spread so easily; some kids can get much sicker than others, and sometimes even be hospitalized over this.

When children go to daycare, most parents who may get a day off from work during the week to run errands and what not, send their children to daycare anyways. By doing this many children don’t get to

220 My Journey learn anything about life experiences of their parents. There are the simple things like going to the bank and making deposits or withdrawals, also paying bills and sending mail. Then there is even shopping, whether it’s for groceries, other household needs, or even just clothes shopping. I believe that these things are important to experience all through childhood and many parents use daycare to avoid taking their children on these life long errands.

In conclusion, I believe that’s these are some of the many possible negative effects of daycare on children. Children need to have good daily parenting and you can’t give them that by putting them in daycare.

Anonymous ______

From Darkness to Light

The story you are about to read could help you to take the most important decision in your life.

Many people went through the same experiences as I did, I am sure. It is hard for us, who are coming from another country to take such a decision and leave our loved ones behind. It is a challenge to come to this country, because we don’t know what we are going to face.

This is my story . When I first decided to come to the US, I was seventeen years old. The very first obstacle for me was the language. When I arrived in

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Seattle, the following day I went to work with my brother in his shop. The first customer came and I was by myself. He started asking questions and I panicked at that moment because I couldn’t understand anything he was saying.

I went back to my country. Years later I got married and gave birth to my children. My husband and I had decided to move to Orlando, hoping for a better life. Here we go again! What about the language? Only that at this time, it was not just me. The first years were very hard, especially when I had to help my children with their homework. It was sacrifice for me.

My lucky day came, I met a lady who told me about Adult Literacy League and how it helps people to write, read, and speak English. I decided to take a step forward and join the class. After several months, here I am improving my skills in English. I would like to thank this program for allowing me to come and be part of it.

So, let me encourage you as well and invite you to come and join us. I would be more than happy to help and reach my Spanish speaking community. And , guess what? It is free. I am sure, if you come and learn

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more English, you will become better citizens in this country. Together we can make a difference. Shalom!

By Nely Carmona

Nely is from Mexico City. She is a married mother of four, and lives in Orlando with her family. ______

Three Pieces of Advice

If my grandchildren were to ask me for advice about life, and they told me that they only wanted three pieces of advice, then I would give them advice about money, moral values, and work ethics.

Money can either make you or break you. First, always pay yourself. Second, pay your bills on time. Third, open a savings account. Make sure you make a deposit every chance you get.

Work ethics are a necessary part to any job. To be on time is always very important. Go the extra mile in everything you do. Smile and be cooperative in all you do.

Moral values consist of many different values. Cleanliness is a given. To be organized is also important. Chose your friends wisely and do not hang out with the wrong crowd.

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Now is the time to tell you that I firmly believe I can make a good impression on my grandchildren just by setting a good example. Seeing is believing. How can I expect my grandchildren to take my advice if I am not practicing it myself. I hope in my life, I have set a good example for my grandchildren because I really love them and want the best for them. Every one of these three pieces of advice about money, moral values, and work ethics are achievable.

During my grandchildren’s adult lives, they are going to have difficult situations, but if they have a goal in mind that alone will encourage them to carry on and be the best they can be in any job that they chose in life.

By Barbara J. Darnell

Barbara is a grandmother and a great grandmother. She started the GED program in January of 2004.

______

Mind Changer

He is a writer, and he is the author of one of the most controversial novels that has been written until now: The Da Vinci Code.

I never was much related with Christian history before. When I was a child I learned the things that religion wanted you to know. And religion takes its

224 My Journey point of view of history and shows it to you like facts. But are these really facts?

When I read his book my facts become opinions about what really happened the last two thousand years. He is like taking a vitamin of history, because when you read his novels you discover an awesome way to want to know more about history and art.

He involves you in one of the most controversial questions that humanity has had since Christianity began and he presents these questions including art history, real places and real people in a fantastic police suspense novel. He is like a universal key that opens all the doors to discover the biggest secrets when you start to find out how everything is related.

He is like a candle in a cavern, because he takes from the darkest history and shows to you those topics very clearly. This is awesome when you read something that could change the way you see the past events. For example when I read who the real person is sitting next to Jesus in Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” I looked in art books and found that this is not fiction.

I love the way he shows his point of view of history with an excellent combination of real history, fiction, mystery, suspense and action. He is like a map in a labyrinth when he drives you through his novels mixing all the genres.

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Dan Brown is the writer of The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. When I read his books, the way I see some topics in Christian history change completely.

By Pablo Aguero

Pablo is from Argentina and he has been living in Miami for three years. He grew up in a Catholic Family and studied in Catholic school. He is a student of ESOL 4 at Miami Beach Adult and Community Education Center. His teacher is Mr. Schiffer. ______

My Hero is John Paul II

There are many heroes in the world, maybe a good mother, a good father, a good citizen, a good teacher or a good leader. Everybody could be a hero. It depends on what kind of good person you are. My best hero is John Paul II because he had many excellent characteristics. He had an admirable personality, he worked for peace, and he was an exceptional leader.

John Paul II had a wonderful personality. He was enthusiastic, especially when he worked with younger people. He had a happy face when speaking to people, and he looked strong even though his health was broken.

All his life, my hero John Paul II worked for peace. He made many encyclicals and announcements about peace in the world. He condemned all wars.

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Finally, John Paul II was an exceptional leader in the world. He received many different and friendly greetings of respect from the other leaders in the world. He could meet different and opposing leathers in the same meeting.

I believe John Paul II was one of the best heroes in the world for his personality, his work for peace and his exceptional leadership. God bless him.

By Gaby Baglietto

Gaby is a grandmother of two. She and her husband came to Miami from Peru five years ago. Now she is studying for her GED. She would like to work as a social workers, her profession in Peru. ______

Untitled

The most important thing that I have learned in my life is to have faith and to trust in God. I am still learning about him. There is a difference between knowing him and feeling his impact in my life. Once I started to understand him I realized that material things are less important and did not fill the void in my heart. When I accepted God in my life I started to have a sense of purpose. I feel a relief when I go to him with my troubles and burdens because I know he will take

227 Florida Literacy Coalition care of them. My faith is not as strong as I would like it to be, but I am striving for it.

By Elizabeth Leon

Elizabeth is a student at DePorres P.L.A.C.E., Riviera Beach, Florida. ______

Untitled

The most important thing I’ve learned about life is to live in the silence. When I was young, I spent time to look for one special place where I could feel completely at peace. This spiritual search started in my life when I was ten years old and I found it very soon. For this, I have walked many countries, studied different sciences, had gone to natural places below the trees, and finally, I’ve found it in the most hidden place in my life, in the silence. When I live in the silence, my relationship with God has been stronger, and he gave me support and inspiration, and then, it made my life very easy and happy.

By Maria T. Sweet

Maria is a student at DePorres P.L.A.C.E., Riviera Beach, Florida.

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______

Untitled

The most important thing I’ve learned about life is to listen. According to the dictionary, “listen” is to pay attention; give attention with the ear. All people know this, but in truth, do we listen? To listen seems easy, but when you analyze the word it really means to pay attention to the person speaking to you. Do you hear the person? When I listen to other people: my spouse, my parents, children and friends I learn about them and the many things they are. I can help them with problems or to understand a different situation. I feel good. I also want to feel that people listen to me. What I say is important and how I feel is important. I also need to listen to myself and to my heart. I need to stop and hear what my heart and body say. I need to be quiet to find a solution. When I find the solution, I am at peace. In my new country, the United States, I need to learn the language. It is very interesting when I can talk in my new language and I am very happy when the people understand me. One day when I speak good English I can stop listening to the language and listen to the person instead. I can then help and understand a different situation.

By Sandra Pino

Sandra is a student at DePorres P.L.A.C.E., Riviera Beach, Florida.

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My Spiritual Journey

Free at Last

As I walk down life’s road, I feel all alone. Where are you, Lord? He whispers, “I am right here”, But I can’t hear Him Because I am consumed of this world. Lord, open my ears, mind, Heart, and eyes to You, So I can hear. . . You, Lord So I can feel. . . You, Lord So I can want . . . You, Lord. Deliver me from wanting the things of this world, So I can see, hear, want, and feel You. Thank You, for it took the Physical chains to free me. It took being behind the walls To set me free. I can see, hear, and feel You now, Lord. Thank You, for I am free; I am free at last.

By Dea Allen

Dea’s teacher is Katherine Mac Aden.

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______

The Cross

I looked at this cross and what did I see, to my surprise I saw me I look at the lies I told, some I’d forgotten were soo old I saw all the things I’d taken that weren’t mine I was sure these things were lost in time I saw all the times I’d left for the streets Only to come back with blistered feet I saw all the faces of the different men And all that degrading sin I saw all the drugs I sniffed, snorted, and toked Watching my life go up in smoke Beyond the cross I saw a door I ran to the door I could look no more Again I banged I had to get in I heard a voice call from above He says to me “First you must review your sin” Exhausted and drained I thought forgiveness was an impossible task and then the voice from above says “My child all you had to do was ask.”

By Alice Causseaux

Alice is from Tallahassee. She has been in the system since she was 17 years old. She has three children, and is currently in drug rehab trying to get her life in order. Her teacher is Mr. Peacock.

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______

Jail

This life is crazy in wicked ways, Committing a crime, then counting up my days. Not much you can do while sitting in jail. Some people keep sliding on bail. They took away all my equipment, all the bongs. I admit it, it’s time to pay for my wrongs. I was a fool, playing the game; Now what I do, I’m sitting in jail, doing my time, Put my face up and let it shine. No more nickels, no more dimes, No more wrong turns, but straight lines. This is my life, He is my God; got to make it right. Put on the armor of God and put up a fight. Streets will always be streets, Blood of anger that stands under my feet. Devil will follow you wherever you go, But God comes first, that’s what you should know. He never left me, I left Him; Now I’m back, God, forgive me my sins. I give myself to God, my Father, Then my soul the Devil can’t bother. I wanna be free, a friend indeed, To help a friend in need, from prison to be freed And in front of God I will kneel. He was, He is, and He will be back... A-men

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Be strong and of a good courage, God will never leave nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

By Merlyn Angel Laane

Merlyn’s teacher is Katherine MacAdam ______

God Father

God Father Father, what a wonderful world You have made. When I look around me, My eyes are touching YOU!!!

Father, you gave me peace, So I can sleep at night. When I close my eyes, My dreams come true.

Father, you gave me hope, And now I have reason to live. I have no fears an I am stronger, Like never before.

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Father, you have been giving me love, From the day I was born in this world. And I know that I am very lucky, Because your LOVE is ETERNAL-PURE and NEVERENDING.

By Evangelia Antoniou

Evangelia is an attorney from Greece. She has been in the United States since 1997. She is married with a wonderful husband, Ilias. Together they have two children, Nikolas and Herstos. She as attended Palm Harbor Community School, Adult English Literacy Program since October 2005, and hopes to go to college to be in the medical field. ______

Your Prayer Is Being Answered

God knows you are praying and understands and cares He’s with you every moment and your burden He shares; When you are depressed and trials seem heavy, take God’s word. Keep trusting and hold steady your prayer is being answered.

If you are trying hard and become tired when night falls, stop and pray to hear your most blessed Savior’s calls;

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Then He’ll give you new faith, courage, and hope for the morrow, so don’t think of the past and what bro’t you sorrow. Keep praying, press forward to your mark because – your prayer is being answered!

By Eleanor Taylor

Eleanor is an astounding student. At the age of 85, she goes to class twice a week for four to five hours. She was born with cerebral palsy. She smiles often and wants the other students cared for first. ______

A New Believer

From my understanding. . . We are all new creations in Christ. . . . God’s people are to love one another justly, not ridicule or offer bad advice . . . sisters think twice. For the gospel reveals how God’s power saves all who believe; It is through faith from beginning to end. Why are so many quick to point a finger when Romans 3:23 states That no one is perfect; we all have sinned. Martin Luther King stated before his death, We are all free at last, free at last. Don’t enslave me with your assumptions It’s so much easier to ask.

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. . . I had to recognize, confess and repent; so, therefore, I’ll be saved by His grace. . . . Righteous people weren’t focused on destruction Their hearts and tongues wouldn’t produce poison like a snake. . . .There will be chaos and those who we least expect will be in that number When the great trumpet will sound. Rather than focusing on me, fix your eyes on Jesus To ensure that when the gates of Heaven open, you’ll be around. In John 14:26 it states that the Holy Spirit of God Will be my personal trainer. The devil is a liar, so with God’s help I’ll have strength to avoid his snares And ignore the many evils leading to danger. I admit, I’m nowhere near perfect, But in my life, God’s no stranger. We have to walk by faith, not by sight, so prayer is mandatory. So watch your lips, watch your lips what they say, Don’t let gossip stand in the way of your glory. . . .I have to pray for my friends and foes, so there is no love lost. I can’t afford to let Satan steal my joy at any cost! A-men

By Nordian Coombs

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My Original Story

Box of Memories

When I left this world my soul saw my grandchildren looking for something among my personal things.

“What are they looking for?” I thought. I knew the answer quickly.

One object was found among my old clothes. It was a treasured object and I recognized it immediately. It was a box that contained the essence of my life. The person who I had been when I was alive. The most important things that I had.

My grandchildren were excited, I could see it in their eyes.

The first object that they took out was a rosary. They knew that it was a very sentimental thing because it was a wedding gift of Benedictus XVI, the Catholic Pope in the first years of the twentieth century. He had given it to my husband and me on our honeymoon trip.

The second object was the wedding ring. This object meant my union with their grandfather. I never separated from him.

The third object was my diary. I used to write about the most important events that happened to me when I was alive.

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That book was interesting for my grandchildren because they could read about themselves being born or about their parents lives when they were children, too.

The fourth object was an album of old pictures. Thousands of them. My grandchildren knew that the family was very important to me and I loved the family pictures when I was alive.

The last object was curious for my grandchildren.

“What is it?” asked my little granddaughter.

“This is grandmother’s favorite pair of shoes. She loved clothes, don’t you remember?” asked Carolina. Carolina was 20 years old and she knew more about me.

I am very happy.

I hope these children never forget the important things in life. I hope they learn that through little things it’s possible to live a big life. I hope they enjoy life like I did, that they always find a song that takes their sadness away, a light in the darkness or a friend when they are lonely. I hope that they find peace in their lives, that they are beings of peace, like I am now.

By María Bergua

Maria is from Spain where she studied marking in the university. She worked in TV production in Madrid.

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She is currently studying at Miami Beach Adult Literacy Program to improve her English skills. ______

Mike and the Lizard

Little Mike lived with his mother, Amy, and his grumpy old grandfather in a hut surrounded by wonderful, huge, old trees. Mike loved to be around his mom and his grandpa, even though his grandpa was very unkind. After some time, Mike’s grandfather died and left behind his favorite rocking chair that he had been sitting on day after day. Since then, Mike lived alone with his unhappy mom, and he felt very responsible for everything.

Wintertime arrived. It was a very strong winter. Every branch was covered with white, fluffy snow. It was quiet and peaceful, with a scent of chimney-smoke filling the air.

One day Mike was outside chopping wood while his mom was inside darning old socks. Suddenly, she screamed for Mike to come into the house. As he went inside, he saw his fearful mom hidden behind drawn curtains. She pointed to a small animal looking at her. It was a little lizard, but she didn’t like it. She told Mike to kill it. He bent forward to take the lizard in his hand, without hurting him, because he didn’t have the heart to kill him. The lizard said, “Please don’t hurt me. If you let me go, I have three wishes for you.” The boy stood silently for a couple of minutes and then set him free.

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That same night, Mike was in his bedroom, and he couldn’t sleep. He thought about the lizard’s words again and again. It was mysterious. Who was he? Why could the lizard talk, and why three wishes? All those questions didn’t let him sleep. Mike decided to find the lizard again. He thought maybe it could still make Mike’s one wish come true.

He closed his eyes very tight. He knew the only wish that he had was to make his mom happy---to give her the love that she had never received from her dad. Mike stood up and went outside in order to call the lizard very quietly. Nobody answered. He called again. After his third call, the lizard finally appeared in front of him. The lizard said, “You called me, and here I am,” and then he asked Mike calmly if he believed in his magic, and if he was ready to make a wish.

Mike said, “Before I ask you for a wish, you have to tell me who you are and why you can make wishes come true.”

The lizard answered him very sadly, “Don’t be afraid, Mike. I am your bewitched grandpa.”

Mike was scared and surprised at the same time. He asked, “Grandpa? Why are you bewitched?”

The lizard responded, “Because I couldn’t show my love to your mom, which she deserved. That is why I am bewitched to be an animal she doesn’t like.” He continued, “However, I want to give all my love and my power to you to make her happy because love is the

240 My Journey most wonderful gift in the whole world.” Mike felt very affected by the lizard’s words. The lizard said, “Before I go, remember: use this power for you and your mom, to have a life free of worry and full of love. You will see-- she’ll never hate lizards again.” The lizard thanked Mike with a pleasant smile on his face, and he disappeared.

Mike did not tell his mother what had happened, but from then on he and his mom both had very warm feelings in their hearts for his grandpa and her father. Mike always smiled as he remembered his grandpa’s words while looking at his rocking chair.

By Fatos Beeck

Fatos Beeck was born in Turkey and grew up in Munich, Germany, where she once lead a circus project for international children. She later lived in Switzerland for a few years and visited different countries. She graduated from the Graphic Academy of Art and Photography and worked in advertising agencies for several years. She loves to write children’s stories, as well as to paint porcelain and glass of every description. Fatos is married to Alex. She moved to the United States in 2001 and lives in Orlando, Florida with her family including two children, Yasmin and Benyamin and three dogs. Her teacher is Melissa Derr.

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______

A Boy Called Miguelito

Many years ago, in an old town, lived a boy whose name was Miguelito. He was a lonely boy and happy all the time. Every person in his town loved him.

His parents were so sad about his health, because Miguelito didn’t want to eat, he was so thin that almost all the time he was on the floor. Every afternoon when he was outside playing with his friends, he was crying, because he fell down many times.

Every day when he woke up, he thought, “Today I’m going to eat,” but he never tried to eat and he continued to get thinner. The wind could easily push him over and he was very sad all the time.

One day finally he understood that he needed to eat food, and began to eat fruit, vegetables and meat. He began to feel healthier and happier. He grew to be a very strong boy and his parents helped him to improve in a healthy way with his food. Miguelito and his parents and all his friends were very happy to see how he was now.

Anonymous

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______

Printella Defy Goodbody

“She stood on the sidewalk crying like a hungry baby with no food, thinking about her life and how it got to this awful point…”

Twenty-two year old Printella Defy Goodbody was born and raised in Trinidad. At 5ft. 9in. tall with caramel skin and hazel eyes, she was a strikingly beautiful young woman. Printella always knew she was a fine looking girl and growing up she took care of her body to ensure it stayed that way. Although, somewhat sassy at times, she always maintained a pleasant and respectable attitude which made her seem even more beautiful. As long as she could remember, Printella knew exactly what she wanted out of life—to move to California and pursue career in dancing and modeling. At age twenty-one, she got her chance. She left her home in Trinidad headed for California.

Prior to graduating from high school, Printella was a promising honor student. She was well respected among her peers and in her community. It didn’t take long before Printella’s looks and personality got her career off to a good start in California. One day while shopping for shoes on the strip, she met this handsome, dark-skinned brother with soft curly hair, “boy was he fine!” His name was Chambers and he had eyes so bright they seemed golden. Printella was mesmerized

243 Florida Literacy Coalition by him and couldn’t resist introducing herself and inviting him out to dinner.

That night, Chambers met Printella for dinner at one of the hottest spots on the strip, Suga’ Walls—a top scale, five-star restaurant & bar. He and Printella ended up hanging-out at the restaurant until the bar closed. They talked throughout the night about their lives and where they wanted it to take them. However, little did Printella know that Chambers was a “charmer” destined to charm his way right into her heart. She found out a lot about Chambers that night. He told her that he was a dance promoter and photographer. He offered to help get her some big gigs with the "playas" and "ballers" around the city. Although Printella didn’t know it then, she was headed for a world of trouble and disappointment.

After their initial meeting, the two of them continued seeing one another. Chambers kept his word to a certain extent, helping Printella get gigs to boost her career. However, only he knew the road that he was about take her down—a road leading to ruin, ultimately damaging yet another beautiful young girl’s life. But, Chambers didn’t care about Printella or anyone for that matter. As for him, she was just another pretty young thing able to get him what he wanted.

As Printella and Chamber’s relationship progressed, he gradually began introducing her to different types of drugs. Printella was still quite young and naïve when she moved to California. Because she didn’t have the

244 My Journey family support that she had back home in Trinidad, she simply wasn’t strong enough to say “no” to a man like Chambers. So she began using crack, weed, cocaine, and even tried ecstasy. Within months, Printella ended- up strung-out on drugs. She eventually stopped taking care of herself completely. She became preoccupied with the drug lifestyle. All she could think about was getting her next hit—where it was coming from, and how she was going to get the money to pay for it. As for her dreams of modeling and dancing, she pushed those thoughts to the side. Her new priority in life was to stay high. Chambers had Printella exactly where he intended her to be; vulnerable, available and willing to do whatever he asked to make him the big bucks—the type of money that he knew he could get for a fine girl like Printella Goodbody.

Once hooked on drugs, Chambers began pimping Printella out. He had her sleeping with any and every man willing to pay his asking price. Before she knew it, he had her performing in X-rated films. Since her last name was Goodbody, Chambers titled the movies and videos as “Nasty, but Tasty Miss Goodbody.” Printella couldn’t take the stress of the videos nor could she endure the emotional pain and shame she felt. To take the edge off, she started using needles and soon became ill.

As weeks passed, Printella’s condition worsened. She knew she needed to seek medical attention. During her physical examination, the doctor informed her about two things concerning her health—she was pregnant and she had full blown AIDs. He told Pintella that if

245 Florida Literacy Coalition she and the baby survived the pregnancy, the child would be HIV positive. Printella couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She bolted out of the doctor’s office mad and upset, wondering about what she was going to do. She kept replaying the doctor’s words over and over in her head—she was carrying a child, didn’t know who the father was and she had AIDs.

In a daze, Printella stood on the sidewalk crying like a hungry baby with no food, thinking about her life and how it got to this awful point. Flashbacks of the doctor’s visit were running in her mind like a machine gun going off. She couldn’t take it! In the distance, she heard a loud horn. She looked up and saw an eighteen- wheeler steadily approaching, going about 70mph. Without giving much thought to the rest of her life, Printella stepped directly in front of the truck and died instantly.

By Allie Roberts

Allie Roberts is the single mother of three children: Alaysha, Ariyah, and Elijah. She is a student at AL Lewis Center studying for the GED. She enjoys writing and hopes one day her children will enjoy the same. ______

The Leprechaun’s Pot O’Gold

TRAPPING THE LEPRECHAUN

I couldn't believe my eyes. There was a leprechaun picking shamrocks in the field next to my house.

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Everybody knows that the leprechauns will tell you where a pot of gold is if you catch them and let them go. So all I had to do was to catch this leprechaun and then I'd be rich! So here is how I trapped the leprechaun.

It was a great day, for this time of the year. So, I lay down on my hammock and tried to figure out how I could trap the leprechaun.

Without him realizing how close he was to me, we looked at each other, but I didn't move from my hammock to go after him.

Surprised, he said to me. "Do you know who I am"?

"Yes," I said "you are a leprechaun."

"Well, well," he replied, "Are you not going to try to catch me"?

"What for? I am resting here until super time. I have a delicious corn beef and cabbage cooking on the stove, and I will have a nice cold beer or maybe two."

When the leprechaun heard all this, his belly started grumbling. The food sounded excellent, but the beer even more.

When he saw that I was not moving from my place, he become confident.

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"Listen," I said, "if you want to have dinner with me, it will be OK. I don't mind company, and there is enough for two and plenty of beer also."

Thinking of the beer, the leprechaun said, "I'm a little thirsty and a beer will be good just now."

"Then, go to the house and bring another one for me."

"Oh no," he replied, "you will lock me in your house, and I have to tell you where the pot of O'Gold is."

"Suit yourself. I told you, I don't care about your gold, so don't bring the beers."

Hearing this, the leprechaun thought. “I think I'm safe with this fellow, the only thing he has in his mind is beer and food.”

The leprechaun brought two beers for each of us, and he sat by the hammock and we started to have a nice conversation. Any time he talked about the gold, I told him that I didn't want to know anything about it.

Dinner time arrived, and I said, "You know that you are invited, so if you want to eat follow me."

The leprechaun thinking he was safe, followed me. We had a wonderful meal and I made sure that he drank plenty of beer.

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Soon, he fell asleep and that was the moment when I took him to a closet and locked him in.

Next morning when the leprechaun opened his eyes, everything was dark. Thinking that the morning would be here soon, he closed his eyes again.

He heard noises near by, and he realized that he was locked in a closet.

Knocking on the door he said, "Who is there and where am I?"

"You are in my closet, and I will not let you free, until you tell me were the pot of gold is."

"You tricked me," the leprechaun said. "Let me free and I will tell you where it is."

"No, no," I replied, "first you tell me, and then I will let you go."

"What are you going to do with the gold?" The leprechaun asked.

"To start, I will buy cows and sheep, for the folks in town, and then I will build a bigger school, and every person in town will have enough work, and very good pay.

"That seems fair to me," said the leprechaun. "I think you deserve it." "The gold is in ...”

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I found the gold in the exact place where he told me. I brought it home and freed him.

We celebrated the occasion with a nice cold beer.

OF COURSE.

By Lucia O’Cuerva

Born in Toledo Spain, Lucia came to the United States in 1971. Three years later she became a widow. She raised two daughters alone making it difficult to learn English. The Bonita Literacy Council has made it possible for her to accomplish her goals. Her tutor is Trudi Perjetto. ______

Faith Makes the Day and Paves the Way

Today is Raima’s birthday, but it’s not only hers because everyone else is enjoying it. Sitting in the backyard, I was watching each person who came to the party.

Normally the house was very quiet, but today it’s filled with laughter, conversation, music, children playing, and neighbors and relatives intermingling. While my eyes were running places I could see, sitting on the opposite stairs, was Miss Farah Jean-Batiste, who we all call “AUNTY”. We’ve known her since we were born, which makes her part of the family and one of our mother’s closest friends.

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In her white and baby-blue dress, her shoulder- length wavy hair glowed in the soft glimmer of light. As she sat there with the south breeze blowing on her face, eyes closed, all kinds of memories seemed to come to her mind. She was probably dreaming about a better life than the one she has now. Thoughts flitted through her mind of the love she had lost so many years ago, the missed opportunities thrown away because of her sadness, and her listless life causing. Miss Jean- Batiste never tried to move on, not even once.

All of a sudden, Tamara, her niece came up to the door and shouted, “Aunty Farah, someone is asking for you over the phone.”

Miss Jean-Baptiste doesn’t answer, too far in her revelations to pay attention to what the little girl was talking about. At that moment, Tamara came to her shoulder and said, “Excuse me, Aunty, but someone is on the phone for you.”

Oh goodness! What’s wrong with kids these days to wake her up from a dream! She would have given everything to never leave her dream, and now the girl had broken through that sweet dream she cherished so tenderly. She opened her eyes and answered in a quick whispering voice, “I’m coming, thanks”. All she could think was that it was another person calling to know what’s going on in her life.

Once she got to the phone, it was the complete opposite smiling all through the conversation, everyone could see this was really good news. Miss Jean-Baptiste

251 Florida Literacy Coalition glanced every few moments to see if anyone was looking her way; they rarely saw her smiling or happy. I was standing at the door, watching more closely than ever, for some reason it was sad to see her depressed, but wonderful to see her smiling.

Aunty Farah came and pulled my mother to the side, hesitated at first, and then crying with joy, she said, “I’m going to North Carolina. They called me to go to work for the biggest law firms there. Imagine I will be an attorney again”.

My mom said to her, “Farah, since you’re leaving keep looking for a man. I know girl it’s all about your work and how important it is to you, but if you choose to rebuild your family it might not be so bad also to look for someone. Please think before you get any older and…”

Suddenly Farah laughed and hugged my mom tight. Marie trusts me you don’t have to worry. She touched my mom’s hair. It’s all in the hands of the Creator of the world. Faith makes the day, it paves the way.

By Marie Vertus

Marie is a student at Hallandale Adult Community School. She came from Haiti a year and a half ago. Marie is working very hard to accomplish her goals. Her main objective for this year is to graduate by August 2006. Her teacher is Ms. Pressle

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______

Golf Course Alive! A true story

On some Saturday and Sundays my dad and I go to Inverarry Golf Course. We get a golfing cart and ride to the first tee.

Inverarry is a nice, big course with eighteen holes to hit a little white ball into. I know it might sound like I just hit the lowest part of boredom, but once you’ve been out there riding along in the golf cart, you begin to look at the landscape close up. Maybe it’s the sun wearing you down, but I, yes the person telling the story, I say to you, I see faces in the trees.

One day I saw a tree smiling at me! I think it’s the Lord’s way of telling my dad and I that everything is going to be all right and He is just saying ”Hi” to me and to remain feeling good. It made me feel real good and I told my dad about what I just experienced. I was a real nice feeling.

Imagine a face carved in a giant pine tree, smiling right at you! It was surprising to see. Surprising in the best way possible! Not scary, but an actual smiling heavenly face. He actually showed me what He looks like! I think it’s astounding that He would actually let someone like me see His face.

And then He took other forms, such as a person’s torso, reaching arms, and other forms of the human

253 Florida Literacy Coalition body. Well, it was really an enlightening day; one I’ll never forget!!!

By Sonya Hagan

This short story was previously published in “Fun and Whimsical Short Stories”. Sonya is a 40 year old woman who attends Adults with Disabilities classes and works as a teacher’s aide four hours a week. Being physically challenged herself helps her identify well with students who have limited physical abilities. She loves learning. She considers books and writing her two best friends. She likes to write stories and lets her imagination run wild. She credits Adult Education with her ability to continue learning and overcome her disabilities. ______

Beware the Toe Biter

He released the towel from around his waist, and it fell slowly onto the cool deck of the pool leaving him standing naked in the fading light of a warm summer’s eve. Gazing towards the night sky, he was aware of the surrounding trees, the woodland of his backyard, and the small creek that he could hear in the near distance. It often seemed as though the wild creatures were close by and watching as he “took exercise,” swimming his laps slowly through a variety of strokes.

Albert loved the natural setting of his home. He caught sight of a fox crossing the drive while coming home one night from work on his bicycle. His wife

254 My Journey called his attention to a wild turkey coming up from the woods below and foraging through the lawn. Janie, an amateur naturalist of sorts, shared his interest and observations, and she reported the latest sightings such as owls flying at dusk, or fireflies blinking among the trees.

There was, in fact, a family joke referring to “wiener owl” and Albert presenting himself in an especially vulnerable position while swimming the backstroke “au natural.” After all, those flying carnivores do, in fact, hunt small mammals at night and might easily swoop down from a nearby tree limb in search of prey. Although, swimming in the backyard pool without a screen enclosure was a bit of an adventure, the gentleman professor adored his nightly ritual.

Stepping slowly into the warm waters, he surveyed their clean and sparkling condition; he was proud of the care that he took to maintain his pool, keeping its salty waters in proper balance. The pool light shined as he continued down the steps into the shallow end, but, “Wait!”

“What was that?” He caught a glimpse of something seemingly rather small and black out of the corner of his eye. It appeared to be floating on the water’s surface, along the wall above the top step.

Quickly now, as his foot touched pool bottom, he turned to get a better look. He spied a bug-like creature swimming rapidly towards him; three inches long with

255 Florida Literacy Coalition a shiny black, leathery body, it seemed to be moving with aggressive purpose.

Instinctively, the gentleman reacted, stepping backwards while making sweeping motions with his arms, pushing the water, making a current to carry his assailant away. The bug swam efficiently, its very large front legs stretched out before it as in a position to seize its prey. This was no ordinary insect!

The assault continued, there was no mistake about it now, the aggressive creature was determined to prevail. Albert, now fully aware that he was under attack, continued moving backwards flailing wildly at the waters in his efforts to keep the bug at bay. He looked for an opportunity to ascend the steps and achieve safety on dry land.

With a final blast of water, he made his escape. He pushed past the bug and climbed the stairs.

Unbelievable as the experience had been, now his curiosity was peaked. “What was that? What on earth was that mysterious beast doing lurking in my pool?” he asked himself.

Who would have ever dreamed that there might be a vicious “monster bug” lying in wait for an unsuspecting swimmer? It seemed so aggressive, as though on a mission, and its appearance was so menacing!

He raced over to the edge of the pool deck and retrieved a long handled pool skimmer tool, a net

256 My Journey attached to a lightweight aluminum pole approximately seven feet long. He would catch this bug, show it to his wife and hopefully solve the mystery.

After some time spent sweeping the water’s surface, he at last was victorious. Capture made, he retrieved the beast, and proudly showed it to his wife as he retold his tale of terror.

Had she ever seen such a thing? “No?” He wanted to know more, to understand what had just happened, and ever the professor, he turned to his computer for explanation.

There he found his suspicions confirmed. His fears were realized; this winged bug was identified as the “electric light bug”. “The largest known of all bugs, it is drawn to light, as in pool light, and it often inhabits ponds and streams.” The bug was indeed laying in wait, in the shadows, in search of prey which normally are small fish and frogs.

Hmm… Naked man at “water line,” I think the bug spotted something interesting and was on a mission to kill.

Further research revealed another name making the situation seem all the more dire: “Toe biter”. But this bug was not after Albert’s toe. The encyclopedia reference stated that, “On occasion the bug will attack and inflict an extremely painful bite to an unsuspecting persons toe.” Well, that did not make him comfortable at all.

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“The electric light bug, or toe biter, attacks its prey by swimming with outstretched arms, seizing the object of desire, and then spearing it with a tubular projection from its mouth, piercing the skin of the victim, injecting a gelatinous substance that dissolves and liquefies the internal organs of its prey and allows it to suck the contents out.” Albert thought to himself, what a gruesome way to go.

The gentleman professor continues to enjoy an evening lap swim au natural in his backyard pool, but now he is a bit more vigilant in his routine. Now, he must be on the lookout not only for “wiener owl” but also the new and very scary bug, the largest known bug of all: “Toe Biter”.

Anonymous

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My Poem

Working on a Rainbow

I’ve been working on a rainbow Searching for a pot of gold Found an orchid and overlooked the rose I saw the clouds above And wished for more rain Then I seen your face You were wearing a smile Then the rain of love came down And washed my tears away And no one knew that I’ve been crying in the rain of love. I’ve been working on a rainbow Searching for a pot of gold Found an orchid and overlooked the rose. The rose I overlooked was for you.

By Roger Ippolito

Mr. Ippolito is young at 73 years old. He has been writing poetry for 10 years and has had 3 poems published. He enjoys reading poetry and fiction. His hobby is collecting coins. Hi is working hard at finishing his GED.

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The Earth in all its Beauty

I stand amazed as I wonder the multiplicity of things that make up the Earth. Deep down inside of me there is a gratitude of joy that overwhelms me as I see the Earth express Herself.

The rain descends from the heavens and waters the Earth. The sun rises to give vitamins to the plants. The plants receive the sun’s rays, to give fresh air and produce fruits of all kinds. I stand amazed at the Earth in all its beauty.

Winter brings a coldness that expresses reasons for a new birth. Summer rekindles warmness that points to a new beginning, which brings forth Spring. Spring, yes, I say Spring!

Flowers of all kinds express themselves. Their fragrances catch my attention and I cry out, “O’ Earth, O’Earth, in all its Beauty.”

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The birds fly throughout the Earth with melodious sounds that bring a hush to a happy soul. “O’Earth, o’how I love you. I need you everyday by my side. Never go away.” O’Earth, O’Earth, in all its beauty.

Anonymous ______

Growing Up In the NeighborHOOD

At age 15, I started doing all the wrong things, playing the wrong games, got lost in the streets. Dropped out of school. Introduced to the dope game— Came back years later to get my GED, cause back then, school wasn’t for me, it just wasn’t my thing.

Driven by money, had to have that bling-bling. Started making mo’ money and bought me a big chain! My momma kept on wondering how I got these things—I believe she knew I wasn’t doing the right thing.

My Homeboy—my Dawg kept telling me to keep chasing that paper! At age 16, I caught me a hater. Told myself, “Day – Day, you’ve gotta get yourself some heat, cause the enemy is coming for me.”

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Standing on my block with my Homeboy—my Dawg concealing my wrongs—got a gun now, but I’m always on the lookout for the cops. Searching for a place to stash this heat—can’t take it to my momma’s house, cause somebody may see me.

A car pulls up. Somebody starts to shoot at will! Got to have somewhere to run, but there’s nowhere to hide— My only option is to shoot back, cause I don’t want to get killed.

Got shot in my hand by one of the shooter’s bullets. Screaming to my Homeboy—my Dawg, “come get my gun! Call for help! Go home and don’t tell my momma!”

But, a real friend was he, my Homeboy—my Dawg. He told my mom all about how her son got gunned-down while at the mall.

By Demeyon Griffin

Demeyon Griffin is currently a student with Community Connections Adult Education Program (ABE) located at the AL Lewis Center in Jacksonville, Florida. Demeyon’s life is mirrored in his poetic lyrics of rhyme and rhythm. His infusion of real-life prose and instinctive use of poetry is having a positive impact on his writing skills and his rap music.

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Loving You Hurts

Everyday I wake up with you on my mind. Hoping the hurt and pain will go away and be put behind.

I cry at night wishing the love wasn’t there. But I guess you really don’t know how much I do care.

It’s a painful thing to know that all I want is to be with you. I also know deep down inside that you’re not going to be true.

Do you believe me when I say I love you or do you think it’s a dream? Do you love be back or just like to hurt me? Because that’s the way your love seems.

I know that “love you” are some strong words to say. But the way I feel about you gets stronger each and everyday.

How can I stop my love from flowing the way it does. When all on my mind constantly are thoughts of you.

If loving someone is going to be as painful as loving you. I never want to be in love again. I’ll keep boys as company and only my friend.

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True love is hard to find. But to have a love like you again won’t pass my mind. If it was meant to be, then I’ll love you soon. But until then our love is gone far away to the moon.

By Shaday Campbell

Shaday is an ABE/GED student at Hallandale Adult Community Center. Shaday works diligently to earn her GED. She enjoys the program. Her teacher is Ms. Pressley. ______

Surfs Up

Here I stand with My feet in the sand Watching the waves Crash on the sand I take my board and Dive right in.

By Jennifer Benvin

Jennifer started with the GED program at IKCC in November of 2005. Prior to that, she was home- schooled. She has moved up from our first lab and is in the second of four labs. She intends to have her GED this year. Jennifer has also been nominated to serve on the student council. Her teacher is Anne Ross.

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Someday

I knew someday I would see Exactly what you mean to me I knew I’d come around somehow But I didn’t know that time would be now You mean a whole lot more to me Than just a regular friend These feelings were so strong at first They were hard to comprehend You are the one who’s always on my mind At any place, at any time So finally I’ve found my feelings for you But now what am I going to do? I know that I could make the first move Because you’ve liked me once before But now I like you even more So, I go to shut my door to think I know you are my missing link Now, finally, after all this time I will be yours and you will be mine.

By Stephona J Reese

Stephona is 17 years old and she loves to write. She is going to school at Santa Rosa Adult school to get her GED. Her teacher is Sherri Mims.

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Hurt

What is to hurt? The hurt is a pain… A pain that runs through my tough veins. Sometimes hard, to sleep Often I weep To think that he left after seven years, and Two kids. To hear his little image asking me where he is? Or why he doesn’t call? To think that he is doing nothing at all The lies that were told He’s a piece of mold He once told me he’ll always be there I don’t see him anywhere I’m all by myself My kids have no one else I’m getting the picture that he doesn’t care But in the end I go my little snuggle bears I might hurt right now but in the end, he is the one who is going to be ashamed Hurt

By Lindsey Kincaid

Lindsay is a single mother of two girls. She is at OWC’s Even Start Program. She enjoys music and her children.

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A Poem to Sloppy Writing

Many people write very well. Some people write fairly well. All of us know how good it is to write very well.

Writing is having inspiration; writing is love. Yes, we can compare writing with love because, writing and loving are primitive arts. They date back to our earliest ancestor.

Tell me who does not want to feel love? Who does not want to lovingly write; yet a sloppy writing makes you feel cold. I am guessing people who write very well can feel the warm blessing of God's hands.

I am feeling the coldness of a sloppy writing now, but I will gain the warm blessing of God's hands when I learn to write as well as the one who writes very well.

By Osmara Alvarez

Osmara is the mother of one son, ten years old. She came to the United States five years ago from Hondures and spoke no English. Osmara attends Clewiston Adult School’s ESOL program and is making great progress towards her GED. She is a very hard working student who is doing a great job.

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