Journeys An Anthology of Adult Student Writings Freed Spirit Donald Egge, Duluth Journeys 2008 An Anthology of Adult Student Writings Journeys is a project of the Minnesota Literacy Council, a nonprofi t organization dedicated to improving literacy statewide. Our mission is to share the power of learning through education, community building and advocacy. Special thanks to our editors: Elissa Cottle, Katie McMillen and Christopher Pommier, and to Minnesota Literacy Council staff members Guy Haglund, Jane Cagle-Kemp, Cathy Grady and Allison Runchey for their work on this year’s Journeys. Th is is our 19th year of publishing writing by adults enrolled in reading, English as a Second Language, GED, and other adult basic education classes in Minnesota. Please also see Journeys online at www.theMLC.org/Journeys. Submit writing for Journeys by contacting www.theMLC.org, 651-645-2277 or 800-225-READ. Join the journey of the Minnesota Literacy Council by: - Referring adults in need of literacy assistance to the Adult Literacy Hotline at 800-222-1990 or www.theMLC.org/hotline. - Tutoring adults in reading, ESL, citizenship or GED. Contact [email protected]. - Distributing fl iers and emails or hosting events. Call 651-645-2277 for materials. - Making tax deductible contributions. Send donations to the Minnesota Literacy Council, 756 Transfer Road, St. Paul, MN 55114. For other giving options, contact 651-645-2277, 800-225-READ or www.theMLC.org/donate. TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 i remember 19 america the foreign 27 it’s so different from home 37 my successes 39 for my mother 42 in my country we celebrate 47 the animals we love 49 i survived war & danger 61 in america we celebrate 63 for love 71 my family back home 76 i hope & plan 83 lessons for living 96 things are getting better 100 winter 106 i’m thankful 113 i miss home 117 who i am 142 my struggle 148 learning English 157 my journey 170 fables 175 where i was born 188 special friends 193 poems 199 so much depends 202 happiness 203 writers’ index The Countryside 1 and 2 Khoai Huynh, Mankato Th e Minnesota Literacy Council i remember The Oldest Man Yong Yang, Saint Paul As the sun set, all the animals looked for a place to sleep. Th e people on the farm were coming home, and I was coming home from school. On my way, I saw a man about 80 years old. He looked tired and lost under the tree at the street corner. I rode my motorcycle to where he was, and asked him “May I help you?” He answered with a soft, tired voice, “I was on my way home, but I have been walking a very long time.” I off ered to take him home, but he could not get up on my motorcycle, so I had to call somebody to help us. On our way to his home, I asked him “How old are you, grandpa?” I had to ask him several times to make him understand. His answer made it seem like I was older than him, because he said, “I was born in the winter,” but I was born in the fall. I had to ask him again, “Do you know what year you were born?” Th en he said, “I don’t know, but my mother told me that I was born during the time the Japanese came to my country.” I guessed that he might be 80 years old. Ten minutes later, we arrived at the small house that was his. It was near the street that I used every day in the west side of the city. He invited me to his house and told me that he had two sons and one daughter, but they did not live with him. Th ey lived out of state. His wife passed away three years ago with heart disease. His house was very small, but the inside was full of antiques. He had a picture of the city from when he was a little boy, and he also had a bicycle about 100 years old made by the French. He had many old valuables because he was so poor. He never used anything new in his life. He took the old valuables that nobody wanted to reuse. I really liked his house, because it looked like an art museum. I stayed with him in the house about thirty minutes before I went back home. Since that time I have never seen him again. I think he is the oldest man I will ever see. Yong Yang is 22 years old and is originally from Laos. Something Was Stolen Jason Liao, Saint Louis Park I had never locked the door of my car until this thing happened. I lived in a university apartment. Th is district was secure and quiet. One day, three weeks ago, I parked my car in the parking lot. When I had checked my mailbox just as usual, I walked back to my home. Th is was a wonderful night, TV was interesting, the dinner was delicious, and sleep was sweet. Th e next morning, I got up early to drive my car to school. When I walked to my car, I found the car door was opened. To my surprise, my car was messed up inside. Th e glove compartment had been opened. After I had checked, I found that I lost about ten dollars in quarters. Th ese quarters were ready for the parking meters. I was very angry and bitter. Maybe this district would not be secure hereafter. It was lucky that I didn’t leave the key in the car. I only lost ten dollars. 3 Journeys 2008 Lost and Found Ken Rudi, Minneapolis I have lost more than my share of things in the past, but nine out of 10 times I fi nd what I have lost, only because it was misplaced or where I couldn’t fi nd it. Sometimes I have to retrace my steps and go all the way back to where I was that day, looking for, but not always fi nding, the lost article or misplaced item. I remember one day back in 1990, when I lived in the high rise at 2728 E. Franklin Ave.; my family and I were getting ready to go to Target and everyone was in a big rush telling me to come on. On the way out of the building, I stopped in the lobby bathroom to wash my hands, taking off all of my gold rings. I washed my hands and ran out the door. When we got to the Target store on Lake Street, I realized what had just happened to me. I ran all the way home only to get there too late. I was way beyond frustrated and upset, when the reality of having just lost over four grand in gold jewelry hit me like a ton of bricks. It took me a long time to get over the loss. Now, whenever I lose something and I can’t fi nd it and have looked up and down for it, I get frustrated for a day or so. Th en it just becomes a past tense, and I get over it and move on. Even so, I can’t believe how careless I was that day I lost my rings. My Name is Navy Thann My Story about School Navy Thann, Woodbury Viktoria, Eagan I am from Cambodia. I lived in Kompongcham for 20 When I was a teenager, we were not allowed to years. My village is near a steam and lake. Th e weather is wear watches. Our principal and our math teacher sometimes cold, sometimes hot. From November until made this rule. One day, after explaining the new February it is cold, but not so much, about 50 degrees, material, while our minds were still busy, he said and from March until October it’s very hot. very quickly, “And now, everybody, look at your When I was nine years old, I climbed high in a tree and watch.” He bent his arm and looked at his watch. fell. I hurt my arm very much, but it was not broken. So did we (those who had them). At that time My dad worried and said, “You fell because you were not I was wearing my watch. Th e teacher took it, of being careful.” When I was 15 years old, I got a sinus course. I was really mad at myself, and, at the same infection. I couldn’t walk. I stayed in bed about seven time, I was laughing. days. I come from a large family. I have one sister and three brothers, and I have two kids, a boy and a girl. When my son was one year old, he fell and cut his nose. A doctor My First Month in the United States connected the skin by some kind of glue. When my Anonymous, Savage daughter was two years old, she couldn’t breath and her eyes turned around to the back of her head. She had a I remember the fi rst month I came to the U.S. It was high fever of 103 degrees. My sister-in-law, my husband snowing, and when I went out, I fell down and broke and I took my daughter to the hospital. my nose. My nose hurt and I felt very sad. I was in the hospital for two days. I didn’t want to leave the house because my nose was big and red.