A Journal of Writings - SABES

A Journal of Writings
Authored by
Students of Adult Basic Education
Seventeenth Edition
2008
System for Adult Basic Education Support
The writings in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Federal Government.

This is a publication of Northeast SABES which is hosted by
Northern Essex Community College in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
SABES is funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
SABES VISION STATEMENT
We believe basic education is a fundamental right for all. We envision a society that
understands, supports, and celebrates the efforts of adult learners to improve their lives and
those of their families and their communities. The field of adult basic education will be a
well-supported and recognized professional system, unified by a common purpose and
passion to help adult learners to reach their goals. That system will be composed of
programs and practitioners well equipped to help learners develop their education and
leadership skills. It will be joined by agencies and institutions drawn to our field's mission
and eager to contribute to it. SABES will continue to connect the members of this broad
partnership in dynamic dialogue, to discover and share proven practices, promising
research, and innovative approaches for program and staff development; to promote deeper
reflection on and evaluation of practices and their impact; and to provide and foster
leadership for the continual improvement of the field.
SABES MISSION STATEMENT
SABES promotes high quality adult basic education services through training, support, and
resources that improve the skills and knowledge of practitioners and strengthen programs.
We achieve this mission by:
• providing staff development that stresses participation, reflection, and innovation
• discovering and sharing relevant research and effective practices
• collaborating with other organizations and agencies, and
• remaining responsive to the field and to adult learners.
Through this combination of partnership and leadership, we develop the field's capacity to
equip learners to succeed in the economy, contribute more fully to their families and
communities, develop leadership skills, and reach personal learning goals.
Cover Art
PEACOCK RELAXING
Selma Veeramani
Immigrant Learning Center
DEDICATION
The seventeenth edition of Four Winds is dedicated to the authors and artists in this edition
who had the courage to express their thoughts and ideas.
3

EDITORIAL BOARD
Dan Schauben-Fuerst
Andrea O’Brien
Sandra Chupkai
Kim Crowell
Deborah Gray
Four Winds receives many submissions of writing and art each year. Decisions about
which of these to include in the journal are made by the editorial team together with
numerous student editors from adult learning programs in the northeast SABES region.
When the editorial team meets for the first time, it divides the submissions equally among
its members. Each editor then brings the submissions to a group of students to review and
comment on. The feedback of the student editors is combined with that of the editorial
team to guide the final selection process. This is a unique approach that requires significant
time and care. The editorial team deeply values the opinions of the student editors and
considers them partners in the creation of this publication.
For seventeen years, Northeast SABES has been honored to publish Four Winds with its
heartfelt, often courageous, often amusing stories, poems, and pictures. The literacy levels
of the writers are diverse and that is part of the journal’s richness. No submission has been
altered or corrected for language, grammar, or punctuation. It is our hope that the works
presented in their current form will be useful for classroom discussion, instruction, and
inspiration.
We would like to thank the following students for participating in the editorial process:
Mirna Alvarez
Johanna Anziani
Rose Aylwin
Alice Azzi
Arelis Cabral
Leydy Calderon
Hector Castro
Rosa Cruz
Ricardo Cruz
Aysegul Erdemli Demirel
Isidra Dupuis
Fanny M. Feliz
Maria Fowlkes
Angela Germosen
Maria S. Gonzalez
Mark A. Gordon
Teresa Heredia
Mabel Hilton
Galindo Lopez
Eduardo Martinez
Jose Mercedes
Electra Mora
Gregoria Morrobel
Ly Nguyen
Sandra Paredes
Carmen Pena
Lucy Perez
Hugo Perla
Iris Perla
Dale Pham
Francisco Placido
Rosikarla Rivera Polanco
Sovathy Pum
Damaris Rosario
Diane Smith
Mirta Torres
Tai Trinh
Brenda Vasquez
4

Thanks to all the teachers and tutors who encourage students to share their thoughts. This
year’s participant teachers include;
Amesbury Adult Learning Center, Amesbury
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley, Inc., Lawrence
Everett Literacy Program, Everett
Lawrence Adult Learning Center, Lawrence
Methuen Adult Learning Center, Methuen
North Shore Community Action Program, Peabody
The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc., Malden, MA
North Shore Community College, Beverly
Northern Essex Community College, Lawrence
Notre Dame Education Center, Lawrence
Operation Bootstrap, Lynn
Susan Zielinski
Sr. Sheila Callaghan
Nicoleta Filomon
Deb McKernan
Kimberly Pampanin
Sandra Chupkai
Audrey Peck
Catherine O’Keefe
Susan Prior
Ruth Byrne
Marie Snow
Helen J. Venditti
Karen Oakley
Susan Rojas
Kathleen Klose
Claire McDonough
Michael Noonan
Audrey Kimball
Kathleen Clemmer
Dan Schauben-Fuerst
Roberta Rogers
Technical Assistance
Carol Bower, Director, NE SABES
Janet Piracha, Associate Coordinator, NE SABES
Patty Ball, Computer Field Technologist, NE SABES
Angela Buckley, Production Consultant
Jose Montanez, Reproduction Graphics, NECC
Charlene Woodard, Reproduction Graphics, NECC
Steve Dileo, Reproduction Graphics, NECC
5

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 11
Struggling How to Write Mamadou Diallo ................................................................ 13
II. COMING TO THE USA ...................................................................................................... 15
Autumn Friend Galindo Lopez ................................................................................... 16
I Love the United States Of America Lijun Qin ......................................................... 17
How I Got My Visa Rachid Ayoujil........................................................................... 18
A Better Feeling In My Life Gigi Hu ......................................................................... 19
Sad and Happy Andres Gil.......................................................................................... 19
My First Letter From The United States Leopold Njieptchi....................................... 20
Sharing Experience About Journey Of Survival Rose Lim......................................... 21
Coming To America Myunga Kim............................................................................. 22
Tropical Island Rosikarla Rivera Polanco.................................................................. 23
My First Day Coming To America Rong Lei ............................................................. 24
A Strange Place Yeonju Park..................................................................................... 25
First Halloween In The U.S.A. Anh Tran .................................................................... 26
Noodle Soup Thuy Trang T. Tran............................................................................... 27
My Trip To The USA Lisa........................................................................................... 28
III. FAMILY............................................................................................................................. 31
Special Admiration For My Mom Lover-Agaelle....................................................... 32
My Father’s Death Myrlande Israel ........................................................................... 33
My First Childbirth Sophia Pong................................................................................ 34
The Most Important Person In My Life Yanimar Torres ........................................... 35
Dancing Into Life As A Single Mother Diane Smith.................................................. 36
My Daughter Maria Paiz............................................................................................ 38
A New Baby Miriam Cruz.......................................................................................... 38
A Strong Rose Carla Emmanuele............................................................................. 39
A Strong Rose Carla Emmanuele................................................................................. 41
The Most Important Person In My Life Imam M'Hanedi........................................... 42
A Life Without Childhood Nerilise Michel ................................................................ 43
My Mother Lucy Perez ............................................................................................... 44
My Daughter Gregoria Morrobel.............................................................................. 45
My Mother Gleyan Acevedo ....................................................................................... 46
My First Baby Marineuza deJesus ............................................................................. 47
My Father’s Poems Peter Woo ................................................................................... 47
My Brother Stacey Negri ............................................................................................ 48
The One And Only Kermit Sonia Barbosa................................................................. 50
My Uncle Gyaltsen Wangmo...................................................................................... 51
My Husband…My Friend Sophia Pong ..................................................................... 51
My Ace Boon Coon Maria Fowlkes.......................................................................... 52
The Story Of My Son Elisabel Rentas........................................................................ 54
My Sister Anonymous ................................................................................................. 54
The Day My Father Died Francisco Rivera ............................................................... 55
My Mother Mabel Hilton............................................................................................ 55
Come Into The World Aysegul Erdemli Demirel ....................................................... 56
7

My Mother- In Law’s Garden Arelis Cabral.............................................................. 57
My Family Kimmai Mai.............................................................................................. 57
My Grandmother Marie Islande Belizaire.................................................................. 58
The Day My Uncle Passed Away Cheryl Marcoux.................................................... 58
My Best Friend Mirna Alvarez ................................................................................... 59
My Oldest Sister Electra Mora................................................................................... 59
IV. MEMORIES........................................................................................................................ 61
A Precious Bundle Ghyzlene Zawak........................................................................... 62
Growing Up Yeraldine Rodriguez .............................................................................. 63
My Education Francisco Landaverde ........................................................................ 64
Broken Windows Philip Houten................................................................................. 65
The Happy Ending Thuy Trang T. Tran ..................................................................... 66
My Story Sovath Voeun .............................................................................................. 67
My Childhood Memories Maria Rosario ................................................................... 67
Portrait of a Young Man Hector Castro ..................................................................... 68
Do You Think This Is A Feng Shui Problem Or A Heredity Problem? Amy Lin....... 69
Our Magnificent Honeymoon Abdou.......................................................................... 70
The Day The Earth Shook Quarda Adli ..................................................................... 71
Travel From Turkey To Kosovo Nalan Afacan.......................................................... 72
The Day I Met My Wife Maxime St. Surin................................................................. 73
My Bedroom Francisco Placido ................................................................................ 74
My Best Memories Rosa Arsenault ............................................................................ 74
My Graduation Heidy A. Mena................................................................................... 75
Laughter Qinghua Liu................................................................................................. 75
My First Day At School Harry ................................................................................... 77
V. MY NATIVE COUNTRY....................................................................................................... 79
Los Desaparecidos Elida Matul.................................................................................. 80
Celebrating New Year’s Day Yeonju Park ................................................................. 81
New Year’s In The Dominican Republic Saida Hilario............................................. 82
Vietnamese New Year Hahn Nguyen ......................................................................... 83
Into My Warm Memory Ye Yeon Hwang ................................................................... 84
New Year’s Eve Michael Faucher ............................................................................. 85
My Favorite Holiday Najat Bourasse......................................................................... 86
Memories Of My Town Reina Almonte...................................................................... 87
My Childhood In Thailand Ladda Lanouette ............................................................. 88
If You Could Visit Any Place In The World, Where Would You Go? Trudy Quale. 89
Lijun From China Lijun Qin ....................................................................................... 90
Mis Quince Carmen Rivera ........................................................................................ 91
Why Muslim Women Cover Their Heads Ghosoon El-Darwish ............................... 92
VI. TALES TO TELL .............................................................................................................. 93
One Wicked Good Night At Fenway Park Russell Spinney ....................................... 94
My Birthday Present Kwangse Lee............................................................................. 94
A Funny Story Trang Nguyen..................................................................................... 95
The Importance Of Volunteers Yasuko Kanno ........................................................... 95
This Was An Amusing Dream Anonymous ................................................................ 96
A Crossroads In My Life Marissa .............................................................................. 97
8

The Night Of The Loud Bang E-Man......................................................................... 98
My Church Mirta Torres ............................................................................................ 99
My Life In The USA Teresa Ross .............................................................................. 99
House Alsira Valderrama ........................................................................................... 100
In Search Of The Ideal Love Cristina Nunez............................................................ 101
Ghosts Younghee In .................................................................................................. 102
My Challenges Evelyn Rivera.................................................................................. 103
An Opportunity Lizandro Bonilla............................................................................ 103
One Of My Good Days Sonya Nash......................................................................... 105
A Cat And A Snowman Sonia Chacon..................................................................... 106
My Bedroom Stephanie Kelly.................................................................................. 107
I Met The Love of My Life Ana Rodrigues.............................................................. 107
ADHD/Rewarding Maria Fowlkes........................................................................... 108
VII. VISIONS ......................................................................................................................... 109
To Never Give Up Jemima Malloy........................................................................... 110
Time Flies Flor De Paz............................................................................................. 111
The Changes Motherhood Brings Jessica Mateo ..................................................... 112
Learning A New Job Lucio Barrios.......................................................................... 114
Learning To Drive Lucio Barrios ............................................................................. 115
Life Can Change In An Instant Bryan Lanouette ..................................................... 116
Quicksand Francisco Tejada .................................................................................... 117
Grapes Alsira Valderrama ........................................................................................ 118
Life Is Not Always Easy Gail Calabrese ................................................................. 119
Proud To Be Sandy Martineau ................................................................................. 120
Find Time Jose Almeida .......................................................................................... 121
The Life And The Wind Cidalia Almeida ................................................................ 122
I’m Not Okay Jaselyne Rivera.................................................................................. 123
Death Of A Young Man Matthew Ahearn................................................................ 124
We Place Too Much Value In Ourselves Kristina Andriotakis................................ 125
My Love Rose Aylwin............................................................................................... 126
Angel, This Is How Much I Love You Marleny De La Cruz................................... 127
This I Believe Anonymous ........................................................................................ 128
Regret Elizabeth Murphy ......................................................................................... 128
I Believe: Education Is The Key To Freedom Reginald Whittaker........................ 129
Trouble Gleyan Acevedo........................................................................................... 129
Seasons Never Never Stop Anonymous ................................................................... 130
Accomplishments Cheryl Marcoux .......................................................................... 130
VIII. FOLK TALES................................................................................................................ 131
Om Besisi - A Libyan Folktale Rania Gaafer .......................................................... 132
Gae-chun-jul - A Korean Folk tale Byungil Kim ...................................................... 133
Morocco Imilchil Wedding Festival - A Moroccan Folktale Ghyzlene Zawak ........ 134
The Guarana Legend - A Brazilian Story Maria Assis............................................. 135
General On-dal (A Korean Folktale) Ye Yeon Hwang.............................................. 136
9

I
Introduction
I. Introduction
11

STRUGGLING HOW TO WRITE MAMADOU DIALLO
Mamadou Diallo
Struggling how to write an essay makes me uneasy and confused. Each time my instructor
tells me to make a story; I gave him an excuse in order to avoid making it. Being fake sick,
playing with little light cell phone, picking the dirty fingernails and rubbing my forehead.
Also sometime I tell him I will write it at home. Therefore when I get in my house I drop it
on my little table. And I turn the TV on starting to watch news, but in the meantime I was
not feeling good about myself.
Therefore the side of mind is telling me to write instead of ignoring it. Then somehow I
start to question my morals, how writing could affect my journey of life. Such writing
letters, job resume, mails, complaining letters, and extra. Someday I was holding a thin
pen and white piece of paper, with blue lines and starting thinking what I am going to write
about. Then my mind became blank, empty with a fear of words. So I wondered what
should I do to improve my writing. If I stopped practicing writing then it will not help me
to move forward.
Operation Bootstrap
13

II
Coming to the USA
II. Coming to the USA
15

AUTUMN FRIEND GALINDO LOPEZ
Galindo Lopez
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
16

I LOVE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LIJUN QIN
Lijun Qin
I came to the United States in 2003 because my husband started at the University of
Massachusetts for his Doctor’s Degree. When I left my homeland, I said good bye to my
dad, mom, sister and friends. I was very sad. My daughter was only three and half years
old. I was so nervous because my mother helped me take care of her and now I would be
alone in a strange country.
On the plane my daughter was quiet. I held her and I didn’t close my eyes all night long. I
worried that I could not speak English what would I do when I got off the plane. I thought
and worried and cried. It took fourteen hours to travel.
My husband met me at the JFK airport in New York. When wee arrived at home I called
my mom. My mom said, “Are you okay? You were very tired. Did you get a good rest on
the plane?” I told her I was wonderful.
On the first week I had to get use to the time difference. When I walked the streets I saw
lots of squirrels. I went to the library with my daughter and saw many children’s books. It
was difficult to talk with others. I studied hard to learn English. Now I am glad I came to
the USA. I can smell fresh air, there are many nice people and I can speak English.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
17

HOW I GOT MY VISA
Rachid Ayoujil
RACHID AYOUJIL
In November 2006 I was in the second year of university. At that time I was talking with
my girl friend about my future job because a job would help us to live together. She
suggested to me to apply for the visa lottery to the United States. She said, “I have a friend
and she has a better life there.” Then I applied with all my information; it was my first
application.
In the meantime, I was busy with my program. I was waiting for my university diploma
and an answer from the US. After six months, my brother got my letter from the US at
home. I was accepted. At that time I was doing final exams. My brother called me in the
evening. I was sitting with my girl friend. He said, “You are lucky, you are going to get
your visa to a better country.” I felt happy in spite of being preoccupied with my exams. I
didn’t tell my girl friend about this. After one day I went home I made sure that every thing
was true, and then I came back to tell her all my information about that. She was surprised.
Because of all this, I had to study hard. I had to get my diploma. I couldn’t wait any
longer. After two weeks, I passed my exams with very good marks. My girlfriend and I
were happy, and we went to a big restaurant to celebrate together. It was a summer
holiday, so I left her to spend my holiday with my parents, but I was still waiting for a
second letter from the US.
In November 2007, I received the last letter which said when the interview would be. Then
I went with my brother to the consulate. I was afraid about the interview. When I entered in
consulate, a policeman accompanied me into the consular. She asked me in English about
my name and my job. I said I’m student and I didn’t get a job yet. I showed her my
diplomas and certificates from my schools. After that she told me to come back the next
day at 3pm. After 24 hours I finally got my visa. I returned home and I had a big party and
I enjoyed myself with all my relatives. This it was the best time in my life.
Now I’m here and I have a job and better benefits than in my country. I just have to
improve my life by studying hard. Then I will be able to graduate in the US.
Immigrant Learning Center
18

A BETTER FEELING IN MY LIFE GIGI HU
Gigi Hu
I came to America four years ago, and I still remember my mood at that time. I lived in
New York. Everything was strange at any moment. I worried I couldn’t find a good job. I
didn’t know how to talk to Americans. I felt sad. I cherished the memory of interesting
things in my life when I was in China. After several months, I discovered that people are
very nice and polite. They come from all over the world. They have different features and
special clothing. They are enterprising and hardworking. These things made me change my
downhearted ideas. I like it that here we have a lot of freedom and the environment is very
beautiful and the air is clean too. Sometimes I liked to take a walk in the park. I can see
different things there. There are all kinds of flowers and animals and many have special
markings. I would like to draw them. I want to keep that good time in my life.
After almost one year, my friend got a good job in Boston. She asked me, “Do you want to
work with me?” I said, “Yes, why not?” I knew that the salary in Boston is better than
New York. I was already used to living independently in China. My family supported me
very much. When I moved to Boston, if I missed them, I would go back to New York to
visit them. Sometimes I like to talk on the phone with my mother, and she always tells me
to take care of my health. I think my mother cares about me very much, and I love my
family too.
Now I just work two days in a week. I want to study full time and I want to talk to
everybody. Thanks to the school for giving me a chance to learn English and thanks to my
teacher for educating me. I will study hard. I think my life will get better and better in the
future.
Immigrant Learning Center
SAD AND HAPPY ANDRES GIL
Andres Gil
It was a very sad day and it was very hard to leave my country.
Leaving my country I had to say good bye to my mother, brothers, sisters and all my
friends. I was sad and in a way I was happy. I was alone on the plane. I traveled from
Santo Domingo to Boston. When I got to Boston my cousin Ricardo met me at the airport.
I went to live in my cousin Margarita’s house in Lawrence. I was surprised that the
country was so big and there were so many different people living here. In three days
I found a job and I was so happy. I am happy I came to the United States because I wanted
to see the country. But, I still miss my home and country, Santo Domingo.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
19

MY FIRST LETTER FROM THE UNITED STATES LEOPOLD NJIEPTCHI
Leopold Njieptchi
When I was in my country, I worked in a small store as a salesman and I was already
married. I had three children and the life wasn’t easy for us. Also my wife was out of work.
One day I went to a liquor store to get some things to drink because it was a holiday. I met
some of my friends there, and they invited me to enjoy some time with them. During that
time, they spoke about the DV lottery program. They asked me if I had some information
about it. It was very interesting to follow because it could change your life one time. Then I
decided to fill out an application. Six months later my older brother brought some letter
that he found in our family’s mail and gave it to me. I was afraid because I didn’t know
who had sent this letter to me, and I told him that it must be a mistake since I didn’t have
any relatives in the USA. He asked me some questions. Why have your names been printed
on it? Next I got back home and showed it to my wife. She also had no idea about it. After
that, I thought I was in trouble, so I decided to keep it far away from my house because I
thought it was a bad thing. A few weeks later one of my friends with whom I played this
lottery came to visit me and he spoke about other people who had also won. After that I
asked him a question: “What are you talking about?” I didn’t remember that I had also
played this lottery. Next he asked me if I didn’t get any letter from USA, and I thought to
the letter that troubled me when I received it, so I went to the kitchen looking for it. When I
found it I gave it to him. After that he told me, “Congratulations!” I didn’t know why he
told me that, and I asked him to go far away before opening this letter. He began to laugh
aloud and he said, “Don’t be afraid. It’s really for you, and it contains a lot of information
that you need to fill in because you and your family have won this lottery. That means
your family and you together will go to the USA and become permanent residents.”
Finally, my family and I were very happy to hear about that and we decided to fill in all
these forms and to keep the process going until we got the right answer. All that was
because this lottery had two parts: the first one was to inform us that we were chosen
among the winners, and the second one would be to let us know the date and the time that
we had to go for an interview at the embassy.
Immigrant Learning Center
20

SHARING EXPERIENCE ABOUT JOURNEY OF SURVIVAL ROSE LIM
Rose Lim
I was a teenager in 1979 when my family left Cambodia. It was the raining season. Five of
us had to walk from Cambodia to Thailand. My older brother had to carry all the
belongings while my mom and I took turns carrying my five month old baby sister. My
little brother was five years old. Everyday we would start walking early morning until the
sun went down and then we just rested on the side of the road for the night. The next
morning when the sun rose we started walking again. We didn’t have enough food to eat. I
remember my older brother was so skinny that his head and his knees were very big. My
little brother also had small legs and a big belly.
It took us about two weeks to cross from Cambodia to the Thailand border. Now we had
to cross. There were about twenty people crossing with us. I remember this one night when
we stopped to rest in the jungle. We had to separate ourselves so as not to make any noise.
If the soldiers or Khmer Rouge heard us, they would come kill us or take us away. One of
the leaders told my mom to stay a little distance from the group. He was afraid the baby
would cry and make noise.
There were a lot of mosquitoes when we slept in the jungle. I remember watching my mom
sitting, using a scarf to fan the mosquitoes away from my little sister and brother. The next
morning we woke and continued our journey.
We had to walk behind each other because there were a lot of land mines. At one time
there was a little girl who was walking quickly past my mom. My mother noticed this fresh
leaf planted in the middle of the road. There was a mine. My mom grabbed hold of the little
girl’s arm as her foot was two inches away from the mine. We were all so scared she would
step on it. If she did, we would all be dead. More walking lay ahead. Then my exhausted
feet finally reached the Thailand Camp. When I finally reached the Thailand camp I felt at
that moment so invigorated with freedom.
It was called Chumrom Thmaeh, which means New Camp. We settled down there under a
big tree. At one time there was a big rainstorm. We tried to move our stuff onto dry ground
but it kept raining harder. Everything we had was floating and my poor mom was very sick.
She was sleeping on the ground. I said to my mom, “Wake up! The water is coming up to
you,” but she was too sick to move. So she just lay there in the water.
About four months later we heard that the Red Cross was taking people by box truck to
another camp called Kowee Dan Camp. We had to sit on the floor for one and a half hours.
We reached the Camp. They dropped us off there and divided people into groups of twenty
families. They gave us a tarp to put as a roof, in case it rained. That night my mom tried to
tighten the tarp on the stick; there was strong wind. We all slept on tall sharp grass but it
was hard to get to sleep. I was happy because now we had somewhere to go for assistance.
They later built a shelter for the refugees where we stayed for three years. My mother then
found out about the sponsor program and she applied for our family. In the third year, we
were sent to Oklahoma in the U.S.A. Kyle Herbert was our sponsor.
21

I appreciated everything my mother had done for me and our family. Everyday as I live my
life in America, I remember back when I was a lost little girl in Cambodia. When I think
through all those years till now, my eyes well up with tears as I find myself still alive with
a roof over my head and a loving family beside me.
Operation Bootstrap
COMING TO AMERICA
Myunga Kim
MYUNGA KIM
I came to the United States of America to support my husband who was studying. We
came in the fall of 2000. When I left my home in Korea I felt a little bit afraid. At the
airport I said good bye to my brother, sister and my parents. It was very hard. The flight
took about 24 hours to Boston from Korea. When we arrived at Logan Airport we met my
husband’s friend. He drove us to our apartment. The first week we slept a lot because of
the jet lag. It was very difficult for me because of English. I am planning to return to
Korea after ten years.
It will be a happy time to visit my country and meet my relatives.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
22

TROPICAL ISLAND
Rosikarla Rivera Polanco
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
TROPICAL ISLAND ROSIKARLA RIVERA POLANCO
23

MY FIRST DAY COMING TO AMERICA RONG LEI
Rong Lei
In China, I was a student in high school. I had never worked in China, not even doing the
dishes. I was lazy and only cared about played games. I had never thought about my future.
I spoke Chinese all the time. Now I am still a student and looking for my part time job in
America, but I’m trying to speak English as much as I can. I am planning my future. I hope
to have a good life. I know that knowledge is the door to a good job, so I study hard.
When my parents told me, “We are going to go America,” I was very excited, and I was
hoping to get there soon. The first day I came here, I felt that America is very different
from China. The streets look different. The people sound different. I felt a little scared
because my English wasn’t good enough to understand what people meant. It was snowing
that day. I felt extremely cold, so I putted on as many clothes as I could, but I still felt cold.
Even though I felt cold, I felt it was most beautiful thing I ever saw. I thought I could
make a snowman. I was excited because when I was child I hoped someday I could see
snow and make a snowman.
On our first day here, my uncle dropped my family off at his house, and we had sushi for
dinner. It was so delicious. When I went to bed, I felt all the things were new in my new
life. I missed my friends. I felt homesick. But now I have many friends, and I got a part
time job as a busboy. I feel very good about my life.
Immigrant Learning Center
24

A STRANGE PLACE
Yeonju Park
YEONJU PARK
I came to the United States with my husband and two sons in January, 2005. My husband
was transferred from the Korean branch to the USA headquarters. I had trouble with my
husband about coming to the USA. He wanted to work in the United States, make money
and learn English, but I did not want to go to the United States. After I did agree with his
decision.
My parents were very sad at the news. I felt nervous and sad because I did not know the
language, culture or people. On the last day my parents, my brother and sister took me out
to diner. They told me that they worried about me, the new language, the food, the
weather, my health and my children’s education. My parents-in-law and my parents shed
tears at the airport. My mother said to me, “Take care of your children and husband, be
careful of your health and often call me. I will miss you.” I saw tears roll out of her eyes.
I didn’t speak because I thought I would cry. My mother worries about me now.
I was sad and tired on the airplane. My son, In Jun had a cold so my husband and I could
not rest. Before transferring airplanes my husband and I slept in LA airport. Someone
woke us up, we had been in the airport for six hours. We finally arrived at Boston on
January 5 th 2005. I was tired after the 20 hour air trip. The weather was cold and snowy. I
never had seen so much snow.
The area was strange to me and I became worried about my new life in the USA. I had to
adjust to the time difference for a week. My kids were very adjustable to every thing, the
problem was me. At that time my mind was not open. We stayed at a hotel for one month.
We choose an apartment and I got very busy. I bought important items for our new home
and things got better. I found the food very salty, sweet and oily. Now I am use to the
different foods.
I went to Korea last summer with my family. I felt strange in Korea. Unbeknown to me I
had adjusted to the USA. My kids wanted to go home after one month. Of course, I was
glad to see my parents and friends but Korea is no longer the place I live. My children
speak English, they have adjusted to a new culture, they breathe fresh air, and they love
school. I know if I learn more English life will be better for me. My life in USA is very
busy, simple and sometimes strange.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
25

FIRST HALLOWEEN IN THE U.S.A. ANH TRAN
Anh Tran
This is my friend’s story.
Last year, at a wedding party, I met my old friend. We had been friends when we studied
in high school. After we graduated, we didn’t meet together. Now, after almost 45 years, I
met her. We were really surprised and happy! We talked a lot about everything that
happened in the past, about her family, etc.
She said she came to the United States, on October 20, 1987, with her husband and four
children. By that time, the oldest child was only 16 and the youngest, just ten. At first, her
family lived in the sponsor’s house, while her sponsor was looking for another apartment
for her family.
One day, my friend’s husband and the sponsor went to visit their friend. Only her husband
went because the sponsor’s car didn’t have enough seats for her family. The sponsor didn’t
remember that day was Halloween Day.
When everybody had gone, my friend and her children were ready for dinner. At that
moment, the doorbell rang. Her oldest child went to the window and looked outside. She
was scared, she called “Mami!” Her brothers and sisters and my friend went to the
window. My friend and her children were very scared.
My friend opened the door and saw someone dressed in black with white bones. The
person didn’t have a face – only the bones of the face. She slammed the door shut. But
someone knocked and knocked.
She saw many people going by in groups. There were many adults and kids. Adults wore
black over their full body, and on their faces, they wore scary-looking masks. The kids
looked strange, but better, not scary as much as the adults. They went group by group and
pushed her doorbell. This group was not gone, and the other group came and pushed her
doorbell. My friend and her children were afraid a lot. She turned off the lights and
stopped eating, and all of them went to bed. They took blankets and covered their whole
bodies. Mother and children hugged together and they fell to sleep.
Later, her husband and the sponsor’s family came back home. They looked around the
house. They felt something was wrong. They didn’t see anyone, but the dinner was on the
table. They found my friend and her kids on the bed asleep.
My friend talked to her sponsor about the things she saw. Her friend was laughing and said,
“Sorry. I forgot today is Halloween Day. I forgot to tell you about it.”
Finally, my friend said to me, “This was a funny story in my life and now, when Halloween
Day comes, I always remember it. Me and my kids are always laughing when we talk
about this memory.”
Notre Dame Education Center
26

“NOODLE SOUP”
Thuy Trang T. Tran
NOODLE SOUP THUY TRANG T. TRAN
I still remember my first day in America. It was a winter morning and it was really cold. I
had just arrived the night before. I was tired and felt sleepy, because it was a different time
from my country: here it was day time and in my country it was still night time. Everything
was new for me.
My uncle wanted to show me how America was. That’s why he woke me up at 7a.m and
drove me around the areas where we lived. We stopped by Dunkin Donuts to have
breakfast, which was very a strange coffee shop for me. In my country, we always have
some kind of soup with breakfast, such as roasted rice or something which is heavy. On the
other hand, Americans eat cereal, sandwiches, some kinds of cookies or breads, and drink
milk or coffee with their breakfast. We are very different. Then I heard my uncle ask me,
“What would you like for breakfast, Lemon Pie?” That word “Lemon Pie” in English
sounds like the word meaning “noodle soup” in Vietnamese. In my mind I thought, “Oh,
It’s really nice that they can cook noodle soup in an American coffee shop.” I answered
him immediately: “Yes, can I have one bowl?” My uncle’s eyes were wide. He looked at
me for one second and said: “What did you hear? That food couldn’t made by Americans.”
At that time, I knew that I had gotten confused. I laughed and my uncle laughed, too.
When I told everyone my story they all laughed, too. Even now they always ask me if I
would like a bowl of noodle soup when they stop by Dunkin Donuts.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
27

MY TRIP TO THE USA LISA
Lisa
When I came to the U.S.A., my husband came with me by airplane. We arrived on March
23, 2000, at the beginning of the spring season. I was a little scared; it was my first trip out
of my home country and I would have to speak English, fit into a different culture, and
recognize different people, but at the same time I was excited. While I was living in my
country I enjoyed watching movies about life here in the USA, especially the scenes where
it was snowing. I just watched the people wearing winter clothes and everybody looked so
different. At last I would wear a coat, scarf and gloves, get to see falling snow, and walk
on top of it.
I brought my best clothes with me and also all my pictures and my memories. I didn’t have
a lot of clothes, so everything fit inside my suitcase.
Before the airplane arrived, three friends were in the airport waiting area waiting for me
with a big black coat. The weather was not too cold for them, but as for me, I was frozen!
When I went outside I felt the cold inside of my bones; while I was inside though, I felt hot.
I found the road home so long. I was really tired after the stopover in Puerto Rico. I
remember that we arrived there at night and we couldn’t continue to Boston on the same
day. They didn’t have any more flights for that night, so we had to stay in a hotel. The
next day we were waiting for another flight so we couldn’t do it early; they had
reservations for some German people and they were waiting for them to know how many
seats would be available for the waiting list people. They had a long waiting list and my
husband and I were almost at the end of the list, but some people before us chose to stay
one more night, fortunately for us. One more problem was that just one seat was available
on the flight. My husband told me, “You go first – I can stay until tomorrow. Don’t worry
– everything will be alright and I will call our friends to pick you up.”
Finally we arrived home and they served me some very good food, just what they said they
would do. I felt more tired than hungry, but I tasted a little. I couldn’t continue though; the
food didn’t taste bad, but it didn’t have much taste. It was like something defrosted and
without flavor compared to the food in my home country. After trying to eat the flavorless
food, I went to sleep. How can I forget my first bed in the USA? It was a sofa, but my
body was exhausted and it was the best bed for me that night.
The next day, one of our friends went back to Logan Airport to pick my husband up. Later,
he went with us to buy a bed and he paid for it for us. It was a very good present from a
very good friend, for which I will never forget him.
We stayed living with friends for three months. The second week my husband started to
work and I started in the fourth week. On June 25, 2000 we moved to our own apartment
and we stayed living there for six years. Both of us were working very hard so we could
have a house in our home country. I worked two different jobs at the same time and this
way we could cover our expenses.
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The place where I live is a dream city for me; I like everything here and I plan to settle in
this place.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
29

III
Family
III. Family
31

SPECIAL ADMIRATION FOR MY MOM LOVER-AGAELLE
Lover-Agaelle
My admiration goes to my mother because she is a part of my life. And she is always here
for me since I was born until now. She never says no.
I admire my mother because she sacrificed her life to take care of all my 3 sisters and my 4
brothers. She never married after the death of my father. This death is very dramatic for us
because three people tried to kill my mother and my father, but thank God, my mother still
is alive. After this day everything changed. My mother has to surpass that and take care of
eight children. I remember at this time all things were very difficult but always she said,
“I have to take care of my children first, before I think of me”.
I never saw a mother like that. She is very, very good mother. She is the best mother some
body can have in the world. All of that makes her famous.
I can give my life for my mother because I love her so much. And, I will always love her. I
don` t no if I can do the same if I lost my husband, and I have to take care of my children
like my mother.
I have a lot of respect for what she doing.
The Immigrant Learning Center
32

MY FATHER’S DEATH MYRLANDE ISRAEL
Myrlande Israel
I never thought one day I would see myself fall into the darkness, I never imagined one
time, one day “this thing” would open my door and take the person who represented my
center. I used to see bitterness, rage, and tears, fear on people’s faces, but now I
understand it’s because it’s not so easy to think you’ll never, ever see this person again.
I’ve explored this pain deeply, and I know what it is.
We were four in this family: my mother, my sister, my father and me. He was a hard
worker, and he sacrificed himself and his dream to give us a better life. Ludovic was his
name.
I was at work when my cell phone rang. It was my mom, and her voice trembled as she
said, “Your dad fell down this morning after you left. I’m at the hospital. I...I...oh honey,
the doctor said he needs surgery immediately! He’s cancerous.” Come on! Not my dad!
He goes every day to the hospital, he takes his medicine all the time, he does everything
they say, but now, why couldn’t they see that before? Why? Why? A few days ago we
played together, and he was so happy! I ran to the hospital, and my mom was completely
devastated. She had no place to stand. She was praying and crying at the same time, but
we could understand that because my father was everything to her. He was her first love,
and they knew happiness and they shared their bad moments, he always had something to
whisper in her ear, and they joked all the time. When I saw my mom then, and I saw that
picture in my head, tears rolled down on my face.
Five hours later, the doctor came and said that my dad didn’t make it, his heart just
stopped. My mom fell on the ground, and suddenly I felt my blood just boiling. Every part
of my body exploded, and I kicked the door violently. I saw my father’s body lying on the
bed, and at first I thought he was sleeping and the doctor had lied, so I ran to him I touched
his hand -- that hand which every morning gently woke me up -- and I realized definitely
he was gone. We were never going to hear his voice or feel his presence, his passion for
life and his love, because he was gone. Our life was so empty.
If I knew it would the last time I was going to see him, I’d hug him more than every day,
I’d take the year to enjoy every moment, every minute, every second with him. If I say I
love my father, I make a little mistake because “love” isn’t strong enough to describe what
my dad meant to me. He was my heart, the best part of me and everything.
Sometimes when I need comfort, when my pain is too much, I just feel this breeze envelop
my soul, and at this time I know he’s here, and he’s alive inside of me. I can smile and I’m
ready to keep going in life.
Immigrant Learning Center
33

MY FIRST CHILDBIRTH SOPHIA PONG
Sophia Pong
In Korea there are two special topics. One is for women a story about one’s childbirth, and
the other is for men a story about one’s army life. If you are a mother, you can never forget
the first childbirth. I can never forget it, too.
After the fifth month of pregnancy my body had started to become swollen. In the ninth
month of pregnancy I had gained too much weight. I weighed about 185 pounds. I had
weighed 110 pounds before the pregnancy. It was terrible. I could not get up out of my
bed and could not wear my clothes and shoes.
My husband said I did not exercise, I became fat and my doctor said, “Don’t worry. You
are all right.” Before the 10th day of the expected date of delivery my blood pressure was
high. My doctor moved me to a university hospital for emergency. I had toxemia. During
the night I had many interns and nurses around me. They were shocked at me and pressed
my belly and legs. After eight hours from the start of the pains of childbirth I had a
Cesarean section. I had my first daughter. I was still bad so I was given a blood
transfusion.
When I met my newborn baby I was surprised and did not feel good, because she was red
and her head was triangular and big. She was ugly and a big baby. She was 9 pounds 7
ounces. Later, when I recovered and returned to my home, my mother in law told me she
did not know me when she visited me in the hospital my physical condition was so bad.
My condition had been very dangerous for me and for my baby.
After one month with medicine my swollen body recovered.
Now the past is a precious memory. I talk about my childbirth with a smile now. My first
daughter has been growing up very healthy, pretty and smart. She loves to learn something
new and enjoys her school. She makes me so happy and moves me deeply sometimes. She
is so precious. I hope she will be a person who will be loved by everyone. She is a gift to
me and my husband.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
34

THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN MY LIFE YANIMAR TORRES
Yanimar Torres
My niece is the person I love the most in the world. Her name is Daniela. She is 2 years old
and 8 months. She is very intelligent. She surprises everyone. When I came to America, she
was 1 year old and didn’t remember me but as the time went by she started to love me and
trust me so much that now she doesn’t want to leave me alone. Every time I go out or to my
work, or to school she starts to cry and scream. She is always asking questions. It surprises
me in the car every time the sun is facing her. She asks for her sunglasses then she puts
them on and then she asks me for music because she loves music. Daniela doesn’t go to
school yet but her babysitter takes good care of her and she teaches her a lot. Daniela lives
to dance and to model. She poses for the camera. She is very scared of doctor and mice if
you mention it to her she will run away. Daniela is precious. If you meet her you will fall in
love with her. I haven’t spent too much time with her but I will give my life for her. I love
her and she is the biggest reason for me being here and also my motivation to move on in
my life because I want to be a good example for her so she can learn that everything is for a
reason.
I thank God and my sister for giving me the best niece. I love her with all my heart.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
35

DANCING INTO LIFE AS A SINGLE MOTHER DIANE SMITH
Diane Smith
I woke up one Saturday morning to the loud music playing in the kitchen. The bass of the
drum woke me up. I opened my eyes; the sun was beaming in my face. I looked around
but my eyes were trying to focus. I heard water running, dishes rattling and smelled bacon
frying. I pulled back the covers, lay there for a minute. Then, I got up, sat on the edge of
the bed with my feet dangling, and felt for my slippers. I stared at my robe, wondering if I
was going to get it.
The sound of the drum outside my door was moving my body from side to side. I danced
my way to my robe to put it on, and then I danced my way to the door. I cracked my door
a little to see my kids happily making breakfast. I could see Diana at the stove cooking
bacon, and D’amonté taking the orange juice from the refrigerator, singing while he was
pouring it into the cups on the table. I smiled seeing them enjoy themselves. I closed the
door quietly so the kids would not hear that I was awake. I finally opened the door dancing
to the kitchen and flashed a cheesy smile to Diana on the way to the bathroom. I washed
my face, brushed my teeth and while I was combing my hair, I was looking in the mirror
singing “I’m so pretty, so so pretty.”
I came out the bathroom still singing and my daughter asked me “Would you like some
breakfast.” I replied “Sure I would love some. “What are you cooking?” Diana answered
“I’m cooking pancakes, bacon, toast, sweet Italian sausage and eggs.” I said “Bring it.” I
walked to the table and sat down to wait anxiously for the food like a little girl waiting for a
piece of cake.
D’Amonte’ set the table so we sat around the table to eat. Diana prepared the plates. The
aroma of the pancakes was getting to me along with the sweet smell of maple syrup on it. I
felt like I was in heaven. Boy, was it smelling good! The sausage looked delicious, nice
and golden brown. Diana put my plate down. My nose was all in the plate like a dog in his
bowl. I hurried up and grabbed my fork and dived into those pancakes. I put the first piece
in my mouth. I closed my eyes, leaned backed into the chair. I was slowly chewing the
pancakes to keep the flavor. While my eyes were closed I heard my son laughing at me
because I looked funny to him I guess. My eyes were still closed and D’Amonté nudge me
saying “Mom open your eyes so we can say grace.” I said, “Oh yeah! Sorry about that but
I’m hungry boy.” We put our heads down for Diana to say grace. Once she finished
saying grace. I got up from the table to get on another table and started singing “I’M A
MANIAC, MANIAC ON THE FLOOR I’M DANCING LIKE I NEVER DANCED
BEFORE”.
My hands went up to the ceiling snapping my fingers. My feet were moving as if I was in a
dance contest. I was having fun dancing and acting like a plum fool. D’Amonté got up
from the table dancing, skipping and flipping around in the kitchen. Then, Diana got up
from the table started dancing like she was a cowgirl. I saw that and I said, “Ride ‘em
cowgirl.” I sat back down because I felt like an old lady. I went back to eating my
breakfast. The kids were still acting crazy as if they were at the park jumping on the
36

monkey bars. You should have seen them swinging around. I was laughing at them
hysterically until I heard the door bell ring. I told D’Amonté to get the door. When
D’Amonté opened the door he got the shock of his life. He said in a loud voice, “Mom I
can’t believe you have Spiderman at my house!” He was so excited; he called his Dad and
told him about Spiderman. D’Amonté even called all his friends to tell them that
Spiderman was in the neighborhood. I was laughing at D’Amonté while Diana and I were
stuffing our faces. D’Amonté didn’t know what to do with himself because he was
overwhelmed with joy, as if someone gave him a surprise party.
Diane and I finished our breakfast while D’Amonté was playing with his friends. Diana
got up from the table took the plates with her to wash the dishes. She left D’Amonté’s
plate on the table so he could finish his breakfast.
My kids are like an amusement park and I do love the ride the kids put me on. I know
sometimes it can get a little rocky. Diana is the oldest in the house and she is a big help to
me. She’ll come to me like I’m her boss and ask me, “Is there any thing you want me to
do, mom?”
I want to say being a single mother to my kids is the best blessing that the Lord gave me. I
wouldn’t change anything.
Operation Bootstrap
37

MY DAUGHTER MARIA PAIZ
Maria Paiz
On Friday, February 15, 2008, my daughter will have a surgery at the Children’s Hospital
in Boston. I am very nervous because it is the first time she has a surgery. She is my
princess. I am very sad and I cry sometimes.
My heart is broken. I pray that God will guide the hand of the doctor. The surgery is not
very complicated but I don’t like the general anesthesia.
All my family from Guatemala is waiting and praying that everything is going to be fine. I
will be fine when the doctor says everything is o.k. Amen.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
A NEW BABY MIRIAM CRUZ
Miriam Cruz
I want to tell you a story about when someone had a baby.
The father was coming home from his job, the wife called him and told him her water had
broken. It was in the middle of the night, 3:30 A.M.
He was driving fast, he didn’t look at the speedometer, and it said 85 m.p.h., he thought he
was going 25 m.p.h.! A police cruiser stopped him. The police man asked, what was going
on, the driver told him my wife is having a baby, please escort us to the hospital.
A short time later the baby was born in the hospital. He was a healthy and very happy.
The young father forgot about the policeman stopping him. A few days later when he went
to his house, there was a speeding ticket in the mail!
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
38

A STRONG ROSE CARLA EMMANUELE
Carla Emmanuele
“Mom, are you ok?”
No response.
“Mom, Mom.” Nothing.
The ambulance came to take her to the hospital, she was having a heart attack but we didn’t
know at the time. I was standing lost in shock wondering if I wound ever see her again. I
couldn’t not stop praying, nothing mattered at this time but my mom.
It was the end of the summer. The sun was hot the grass was green and looking out of my
window, I took a long deep breath of air. It felt nice.
{Ring, ring, ring} “Hello, Carla”
“Yes”
“Come down stairs now~!”
“Why?”
“Mom has fallen down. I think her sugar is low”.
I called the ambulance at 911……………………………………………..
“Oh GOD! Please save my mom. She’s too young. I need her more than ever.
She’s my best friend. She needs to be here for my daughter and our family.
This can’t be her time.
One more chance, 10 more years I will take care of her. PLEASE.”
Time passed 1 hour, 2 hours, waiting wondering if I had my mom with me.
“Ms Emmanuele.”
“Yes.”
“Your mom is in a coma.”
”NOOO, NOOOO.”
“Ms Emmanuele.”
“Yes.”
“You can see her now if you like.”
“Ok.”
“Mom, hang in there. Please fight with everything you got.”
Time passed. Hours and days went by. Finally a miracle.
I was at home trying to make sense of all this in my life. One minute I was getting ready to
let her go, and the next minute I was holding on with all my might.
{Ring, ring, ring}………
“Hello, Ms Emmanuele.”
“Yes.”
“Your mom is out of her coma.”
“OOOOH my GOD! .Thank you for calling. Yes she came back!”
I was feeling good and thanking God for answering my prayer.
I rushed to the hospital and went to my mom’s room. There she was, all tired and in some
kind of pain, looking at me…
“Carla? “
“Yes mom”…
“Ah…. I’m back.”
“Yes mom, you are. Are you ok, mom?”
39

“Yes.”
This experience was scary. It took time for her to heal and adjust to life again. It was hard
for me to take care of her, but all this is worth everything to me and my family. She is a
very strong happy person and very optimistic.
I learned so much about life and am thankful for this opportunity to be with my mom till
this day.
{Ring, ring, ring} “Hello.”
“Carla.”
“Yes.”
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing,just watching TV “
So we are chatting away……..
“OK mom I’ll talk to you soon.”
“’OK, Carla, love you”
“Bye mom, love you too.”
I smile every time she speaks to me.
Operation Bootstrap
40

A STRONG ROSE CARLA EMMANUELE
Carla Emmanuele
Operation Bootstrap
41

THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN MY LIFE IMAM M'HANEDI
Imam M'Hanedi
My childhood wasn't the same as other children's because, first of all, my parents got
divorced when I was only eight years old so I went back to Algeria with my daddy. His
life wasn't easy either. He lost his parents when he was very young, his wife didn't want to
stay with him, and after all that he had to bring me up alone – his daughter who used to cry
every day to see her mom, and who didn't understand why she wasn't like other kids.
But my daddy stayed brave and his objective was to give me the best education ever, in the
best school. He made a lot of sacrifices for me. In my country, it's unusual to find a man
who brings up his kids alone; it's very difficult. I used to cry all the time. I didn't brush my
hair and I didn't know how to do a lot of things without my mom. My dad is a
businessman so he was always busy. But even with all his work, he tried his best to make
me happy and to spend his time with me when he could.
At school it was harder, because I didn't know how to speak Arabic, and just a little French.
Kids my age used to make fun of me and asked me, "how does it feel not to have a mom?"
It wasn't really nice, but they were only kids. As my dad would say, "What does not
destroy you makes you stronger." Even if it hurt me sometimes, I knew that there were
those worse off than me.
So all this is to say that my dad is, and will always be, the most important person in my
life; I'll never forget what he did for me, and I miss him a lot.
The Immigrant Learning Center
42

A LIFE WITHOUT CHILDHOOD NERILISE MICHEL
Nerilise Michel
When I was a child, about five years old, my mother was very sick. I went to live with my
grandmother. I was very sad because I couldn't see my brother and sister. My brother
went to live with my father and my sister went to live with my aunt.
My grandmother made me work very hard. Every morning I got up at 5:00 to get water
from the well. I was so scared because it was so dark. I had to carry a bucket full of water
on my head. Then I had to water the tobacco plants very early in the morning. I cooked all
the meals. I cleaned the house. I washed the clothes by hand. I took care of the chickens
and I worked in the garden.
My uncle and cousins lived next to my grandmother. But my grandmother didn't let me go
to their house. I only saw them in the garden. If I tried to play with my cousins, she beat
me with a belt or a whip. Sometimes my grandmother didn't give me food for two days.
My uncle was kind and he always saved some food for me. He gave me food when I was
hungry.
I lived with my grandmother for five years. I had no friends and I couldn't go to school.
When I was ten years old I ran away, and I never went back. I hid behind a tree all night.
Then I walked for a long time to the house of some relatives. I worked for them until my
father found me. I begged him not to take me back to my grandmother. I went to work for
my stepmother, and later I worked for my aunt. I had no childhood.
I was 52 years old when I went to school for the first time. Now I am learning to read and
write.
The Immigrant Learning Center
43

My mom is the white color because she is pure.
She is comfortable like my sofa.
My mom is transparent like the water.
Every morning she smells like orchids.
She is a delicious and juicy melon.
MY MOTHER LUCY PEREZ
Lucy Perez
When I listen to romantic music, I remember her all the time.
She is a fabric of love and tenderness.
My mom is like a white dove. She is full of the peace and comprehension.
My mom is a tricycle because she is slow.
She is full of the many things very good like the forest.
She is fresh like spring.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
44

MY DAUGHTER GREGORIA MORROBEL
Gregoria Morrobel
My daughter is sweet like yellow bananas.
Her bed is the best when she is tired.
She helps me same the water a boat.
She is like a sunflower when it begins to open.
Orange and tomatoes are her favorite fruit.
She like to dances to all music.
My daughter is a jacket in winter for me.
She is comfortable like a bear skin.
She smells of tasty strawberry.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
45

MY MOTHER GLEYAN ACEVEDO
Gleyan Acevedo
My mother is the queen of my life.
She is a strong, loving mother that struggled with five children from our own houses to
shelters, from the shelters to other family member’s homes.
It was not what I chose, but it was the life I lived, the life I grew up with.
My mother worked and fought her whole life to provide us with food on the table and some
nice warm clothes.
One day came. There was a medical emergency and I thought I lost her. I made one
promise to myself, and it was to help my mother out in everything and anyway that I could
because of her sudden stroke.
I hated every second of it, but that made me believe that as long as my queen, my
inspiration is alive by me, I will prove to her that I care. Just like she protected and cared
for all of us when we were younger. She is the wind of my success.
She is a one of a kind.
Mom, you are a blessing from God that you are still here. I love every second now that I
spend with you. So someday, on the day you are not here, I’ll be able to say, I have no
regrets. You did it for me and I did it for you.
I love you Mom!
Methuen Adult Learning Center
46

MY FIRST BABY MARINEUZA DEJESUS
Marineuza deJesus
There are many important days in my life, but the most important for me was when I
brought new life into the world. I felt I had completed the cycle the life. Five years ago, I
was pregnant, but I lost my baby. After six months, I was pregnant again, but I was very
worried and afraid to lose my baby again. One day when I was pregnant for 36 weeks, I
woke up feeling back pain. I got up and began walking inside the house. I wait for one
hour, but the pain didn't stop, and on the contrary become more powerful. My husband
called for emergency at the Cambridge Hospital, and they told him, “She can come.” We
arrived at the hospital at 2:00 Am, and after an examination, my doctor said, “You’re ready
for normal delivery any time your baby comes.” The pain came frequently, and they
applied anesthesia in my back. My labor began at 10:00 AM and finished at 4:00 PM. It
was very difficult for me because he was a big baby. He weighed 9.250 lbs. The first time
that I saw my baby, I checked to see that everything was normal. My baby is big boy. His
name is Gabriel, an angel’s name because he’s an angel in my life. I believe that the love of
children is pure and sincere. When he kisses my face and says, “I love you, Mom,” I forget
everything bad, and it all seems worthwhile. Gabriel is four years old, and his hair is light
brown and curly like an angel’s hair. And now I’m waiting for my second baby.
MY FATHER’S POEMS PETER WOO
Peter Woo
Immigrant Learning Center
My greatest treasure is a notebook of poems written by my father. My father gave me his
notebook of poems before he died.
I can understand why he gave his notebook to me because my father and I loved to write
poems together. He knew that I was good at it. My father was a good educator and
principal of a school in Korea so all of his poems are good and impressive.
This notebook is very important to me because every time I read one of my father’s poems,
it reminds me of him and I can feel him in my heart. I can never see my father again, but
his poems bring him to life in my memory.
I enjoy reading my father’s poems and I am proud of him and his work as well. I would
neither sell this note book nor give it away because it’s my father’s life and I want to keep
it for the whole of my life.
I am also thinking that my son will inherit the notebook from me. The other thought about
my father’s poems is to publish the notebook, so that many people can read my father’s
wonderful words.
North Shore Community Action Program
47

MY BROTHER STACEY NEGRI
Stacey Negri
Families are apart of everyone’s lives. Problems within a family are common. One of the
problems in a family can be siblings. The way they fight and argue. When siblings fight
they may get in trouble and if there are a lot of problems it may result in getting taking
away. My brother caused conflict in my family. He would fight with siblings, other kids at
school and my mother until he was taken away.
It was like my brother had a rage inside of him that he couldn’t control. When my brother
got older he went to school. He would get into fights with the other children. He would not
do his school work. It got so bad that he got send home. My mother didn’t know what to
do. When the next child came along things got worse. I was the next child. My older
brother used to hit me and takes things from me. He got really out of control at the age of
10. The school called DSS and said my mother wasn’t a good mother. So they had to come
to our home and check things out. D.S.S decided that my mom and my brother should be in
therapy. My mom just wanted to have my brother go but they wouldn’t let that happen they
said it had to be both of them so they both went.
My brother got taken away. He would just pretend things were ok in front of the doctors
but as soon as they left the doctor office he would act out. My mother would tell the
doctors but they didn’t believe her they thought that it was my mothers fault the way he
was acting. DSS decided to take my brother away from our family and put him into foster
care. We didn’t see him for a while. Then when he was 13 they let him visit for the day. He
was very different he seemed more messed up. He was very distant. When his visit was
over he was screaming “please don’t let them take me” but it was time for him to go. It was
very sad.
When he came the next time for a visit he got into a fight with my mother and he broke her
back. My mother was very sad. She had to learn all over again how to walk. She had to
have us help her with easy tasks such as doing dishes or sweeping floors. It was very hard
for her. My uncle came to check up on us and to take us to school. I think it was the hardest
thing my mom had to do. Let my brother go. Learning how to walk was easy compared to
letting go of your own child.
I never saw my brother again until he was 18. It was a sad thing he was hooked on drugs
and alcohol. My mother let him stay with us for a while. When he would sleep he would
make a moaning sound. It would wake us up. He would fight with all of us kids. It was like
he hated us because we got to stay with my mother and he didn’t. When things got to much
because of the drugs my mother had to ask him to leave. He got mad and said that my
mother didn’t love him and then he left.
The next time we saw him he was thirty-three. He was living with a girl in Maine. They
were planning to get married and he asked my sister and me to be a part of the wedding.
My sister didn’t want to but I decided to be part of it. He had a hard life and was still
hooked on drugs. He was an alcoholic. He was very emotional when he drank. He just
48

would cry because he missed being with his family. His whole life all he ever wanted was
to be with family. We all went to his wedding and he couldn’t stop telling us he loved us.
After the wedding he would come to visit but he would always be drinking. I got into a
fight with him about coming to visit and drinking all the time. I couldn’t understand how he
had to drink to see us but I did tell him no drugs in my house. He went out on to the porch
with his wife and they were talking but when I went out there to spend time with him, to
my surprise I found that they were smoking weed. We got into a big fight because he
knows I don’t like drugs. He got really mad and said he was leaving. I never saw him
again.
It was two weeks later and I was working when I got a call from my mother. She told me
my brother was shot and killed. I was in shock. The investigator said that he was in the
wrong place at the wrong time. His friend took him over to the next town. They were
drinking when his friend called a guy to come drink with them. This guy did not get along
with my brother. He showed up and my brother’s friend decided to leave so he gave him a
key to a hotel room. They went to get something to eat then back to the hotel. My brother
was high on cocaine and he was drunk. So the story goes that the guy and my brother got
into a fight at the hotel and my brother beat him up. Then my brother drove him to the
hospital. They say my brother then drove the guy home. When they got there they said my
brother didn’t have a way back to the hotel. My brother and the guy got into a fight again.
The guy said he was in fear for his life and he got his gun and shot my brother two times,
once on the side of the face and the second to his forehead.
The guy got away with killing my brother because my brother was on his property. In New
Hampshire when a person is on your property and you are in fear of your life then you can
protect your property. That’s the law.
The funny thing about the story is things don’t add up. The first thing is why would his
friend take him to another town and rent him a hotel room for the night, call a guy that my
brother didn’t get along with and invite him out to drink? Why then leave as soon as the
guy shows up? I think it was a set up. His friend planned to let this guy kill him. When he
left my brother with that guy I think that he was so high and drunk that he couldn’t drive. I
think that the guy drove my brother to his property on purpose just to shoot and kill him. I
don’t know why and I don’t think we will ever know what really happened. The truth died
with my brother.
Even as a young boy my brother had major issues. He couldn’t handle the fact that he
wasn’t my mother’s only child. I don’t think that it should have resulted in death. It wasn’t
his fault he had issues. It doesn’t mean you should lose your life over them. Most people
have problems. You just have to be strong enough to face them.
In Loving Memory of my Brother
Stanley Negri
Nov. 1970 to Dec. 2003
Operation Bootstrap
49

THE ONE AND ONLY KERMIT SONIA BARBOSA
dictated to the Author
Sonia Barbosa
“Ma!...Go, Kermit.” You’re probably wondering what‘s the point of all this. Well, I’ve got
this stupid mother at home who thinks she is the queen of, world. My ma thinks I have to
talk to her friends, when they come to the house, they are so annoying. My mom’s friends
don’t understand that I don’t like them poking me, asking me to talk or to repeat what they
are saying. I’m Kermit. And I don’t like my mother’s friends, especially my mom’s
boyfriends. They don’t understand that she’s my mom. My mom’s friends have to realize
that I am the only parrot for my mom.
I‘m a very handsome fellow. My mom friends aren’t the only one I do not like. I have a
sister named ninja, and she’s the family dog. I don’t like her because every time my mom
takes her out she wants to eat me, and chase me back into the cage. I’m afraid of her
because she might eat me. Or I will pop her eyes out, so mom keeps us apart. My mom
sometime use ninja to scare me, so when she brings the dog out I start saying heeelp, I will
start repeating all the words I know ,because I really afraid of that ugly dog.
By the way, you may not know this but I value my freedom. I remember the first time the
gate was closed. I can tell you that it didn’t last very long. I made such a racket that mom
had to open it up. From that point on, it has stayed open, if not I have my own skill to open
the gate all on my own. That’s a secret that my mom thinks I don’t know. There are many
things I do that my mom doesn’t know. She does not know that when she leaves home I
climb down the cage and walk all around the house, and also peck the furniture. But when I
see her coming I run up the cage like nothing has happened. When I am ready to go to bed
my pretty mom gives me lots of kisses and she whispers softly in my ear, “I love you,
Kermit.”
Well, when I wake up in the morning and my mom is still sleeping I start yelling heeeelp,
mom, what, go Kermit, go, go. Sometimes they get so upset at me in the morning that they
start calling me names, like stupid, idiot, donkey head, and stupid bird. That is one of the
reasons that I come down from the cage and I eat the furniture. My mom and my sisters
could be very mean to me. But all in all they are the best. Now they have a new mean way
to run me in the cage when I let myself out. Their new way of teaching me is to get the
water bottle and squirt me with it , I really don’t like it when my mom and my ugly sisters
threaten me with that stupid water bottle. That’s the reason I let myself out of my cage
and hang off the corner of my cage, so when my mom or my sisters walk by I try to get
them with my beak. It’s funny because when I try to get them and they don’t see me, they
get so scared. I start laughing the same way my mom does. She hears me laughing and gets
upset. My mom is a sour puss so she decides to put the cover on my cage. They can’t take
jokes, but I have to hang off my cage and take their abuse.
All in all we fight like parrot and humans. We can’t be with out each other.
Operation Bootstrap
50

MY UNCLE GYALTSEN WANGMO
Gyaltsen Wangmo
I admire my uncle .His name is Namang Lobsang Gyalsay Rinpche.
He was a Tibetan High Lama. In 1959 China started a war.
The Chinese occupied Tibet and took over. The Tibetan people tried to stop the occupation.
But they couldn’t. Many people escaped to India but my uncle stayed in Tibet. He
struggled in Tibet to free Tibet. Then after a few days the Chinese army took him to the
jail. He was 21 years in Jail. After 21 years they released him. He did again demonstrations
for Tibet. In 2000, he was killed in Chinese Hospital. Same Chinese leader went to his
house. They said you need a checkup your body. Then after few hours he was dead. In
Hospital they cut the nerves and there was no blood left in body.1985 I escaped to India. I
never saw my uncle again. I never saw my family too. But yesterday I got letter from
Immigration. I got a green card.
The Immigrant Learning Center
MY HUSBAND…MY FRIEND SOPHIA PONG
Sophia Pong
Who is SW? SW is my husband and my best friend. We went to elementary school and to
church together. When I was a high school student my family moved far away. When we
were adults SW and I met again. After a hundred days we were married.
He played billiard and bowling very well, like a professional player. He loves to play
soccer, golf and other sports. A few months ago he won five hundred dollars at Foxwood.
He goes there several times a year, but it is a rare thing for him to win so much money. He
wanted to buy a new laptop computer with the money for me. Now I can use my own
laptop.
He is a good father for my daughters. He plays with them often and teaches math and the
Korean alphabet to them. He is patient and understands them. Because of his job he goes
abroad on business trips for one or two months about four time a year. He has a special
love for his family.
Sometimes I don’t like his bad habits. He is laid back and a hard shell conservative. But
he has so many good points that I don’t have. I respect him. He is a good husband and a
wonderful father. I love him very much. I am sure he will always stand by me as my
husband and my friend forever.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
51

MY ACE BOON COON
Maria Fowlkes
MARIA FOWLKES
Karen was one in a million, my ace boon coon. Some may know this slang word from the
past, and others may not. The terminology means my best friend. I could go and talk to
Karen about anything and trust it was our secret. On the other hand if she asked me to do
something and I became stubborn about it, the look she gave me was quite serious, one of
those looks such as, if looks could kill you would be dead, so you dared not disobey her.
Karen was a very jolly person; when she laughed she laughed hard to the point when tears
would come out of her eyes streaming down her flushed cheeks. She in turn would make
others around her laugh even if what was said was not so funny to them. Karen had just that
kind of personality.
Reminiscing the past just like it was yesterday. Karen would take me roller-skating in this
huge beautiful park downtown, called the Boston Commons in Massachusetts. During the
summer it was fun time for roller skating and during the winter for ice-skating. Well on this
particular summer day I took a bad fall coming down a hill. Karen had warned me ahead of
time not to go up any hills. Just the same, I went. I struggled holding on to the benches
going up with the weight of the skates on my little feet holding me back with each step I
took. Karen was sitting on the bench at the bottom of the hill. Finally, I reached the top. I
let go of the bench that I was holding to keep my balance. I thought? Well so much in
listening to Karen, just when I was going to say “wee!! Here I go!” A big gush of wind hit
my small frame from behind and all of a sudden I went flying down the hill. Before I could
scream “Karen!” Out of fright, I came down like gangbusters collapsing to my knees at the
bottom of the hill. My falling, like that, was hilarious to Karen. She laughed so hard I
thought she was going to have a heart attack.
Quite naturally, I had a big hole on the knee section and another hole on the elbow section
of my two-piece summer suit. When Karen finally got control of herself she got off the
bench and hurried to my rescue, helping me up with both of her hands. She said, “Little
Rye, are you okay?” I gasped for air, from crying so hard. I replied “yeth” for my English
was not perfect; I had lost some of my baby teeth in growing up.
Grasping more memories from the past, Karen was a great cook. Some of her delights
would make your mouth water. I could hardly wait to sit down for dinner. For once again
I knew I would leave the kitchen table satisfied, stuffed and in agony from her scrumptious
cooked meal.
There was one thing I did not relish, and that was getting my hair groomed. Karen was
heavy handed and to make matters worse I was tender-headed. Every stroke of the comb
combing through my long thick black hair made my scalp feel like it was on fire. I would
cry every time. But once Karen finished my hair she would kiss me on the forehead and
say, “I hope I did not cause you too much misery little one,” and then she would pause and
say. “You can go and play now.” And off I went running, so glad to be out of that seat.
52

Now Christmas time was a blast of the past. Presents galore, is what I was expecting in the
morning. I could hardly wait. I jumped out of bed in the wee morning bright eyed and
bushy tail. I scurried down the reception hall to our living room. I came to a halt… I was
mesmerized. There standing before me was this beautiful mountain size pine tree, full of
large multi color light bulbs and all the trimmings. And under the tree, just like I had
imagined, were lots of gifts with my name on it. They read, “to little Rye from your big
Sister Karen.” Ripping and tearing piece by piece of Christmas wrapping paper, flying
everywhere in the air from my excitement, trying to see what lay beneath them. To mention
a few, one of the presents was a kitchen set that came with a sink and stove built together,
which stood as tall as I did. Another was a hair salon. And another, a microwave oven that
actually made cookies that were mmm good! I especially remember this 3 to 4 feet tall
walking doll that appeared to be a little bigger than me, that had curly black hair and big
brown eyes that blinked open and shut even when she was standing still. I named her
Spooky because at night her eyes glowed. It seemed just about every night, out of fear, I
would jump out of my bed into Karen’s, not too far from mine. We shared the same
bedroom, and I would squirm my little body under her healthy arm for Karen was warm
and meaty. Then, I would fall asleep feeling safe and secure.
Nourishing my mind with more great memories, I recall, when Karen would come home in
the morning after standing on her feet all night. She worked on a machine that made coat
liners at this factory. Before she could get both feet into the front door, I would be all over
her like a puppy that was waiting impatiently to see its master after a long period of time.
Karen would gently pick me up with one hand and put her belongings down with the other.
Approaching our large oak wood rocking chair, designed with oriental flowers on the top
headrest in our living room, Karen would sit and rest, rocking gently at the same time with
me on her knee. Little me, motor mouth, just jabbing away for the mere fact of just being
with her. Karen would converse with me, till finally I would see her dozing off to sleep.
Karen was almost seventeen years my senior. The loss of my sister was devastating. She
was truly my all and all. We shared so many wonderful times together, laughing and
playing. I also learned a lot from my big sister Karen. And she always reminded me to say
my nightly prayer mother taught me, and when I forgot the words she would recite them to
me, saying. “Now lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die
before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take.”
Karen will always have a special place in my heart, my Big Sister, my Ace Boon Coon.
Operation Bootstrap
53

THE STORY OF MY SON ELISABEL RENTAS
Elisabel Rentas
I have a son name Luis who is truly loved by me, his mother and his family. Yeah you
could say his life is good but it wasn’t always that way. His life started in agony in 2002.
At the age of six Luis had a change of life. At such an early age, Luis was taken way from
me by D.S.S. and then placed in foster care.
Three months after the incident, they were going to return Luis to me but within those
three months, his attitude changed dramatically. A mixture of threatening himself, and
hurting others including the ones who love him was the outcome of this new attitude. Luis
was then placed in a residential facility.
In the residential home they provided counseling, therapy, and good discipline. Still his
attitude worsened. In the year 2007, Luis was still not allowed to live with me, but they did
place him in a setting nearby. It took everyone including myself a lot of patience to work
with him. As a mother, I never gave up hope. I knew that someday he would come back
home with me.
Due to the helpful staff and my efforts, Luis’s attitude changed immensely. Noticing that
he was doing well, they gave him back after a year. On August 15, 2007 he officially came
back home. Since then, he’s been doing more than well, both at home and at school. I
prayed to God that he continues to do well and that he may only do better and grow from
this point on. Everyone has a story, and this is his.
Operation Bootstrap
MY SISTER ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
My favorite family member is my little sister, Ciara . When Ciara was four years old in the
late nineties I realized that my sister was very special to me. I would get up early in the
morning to iron her school clothes and cook her a good breakfast. In the afternoon I would
go over home work with her in the living room. When her home work was done I would
play with her so she wouldn’t feel alone or not have any fun. Then I made a bad decision, I
didn’t walk away from a bad situation. It cost me three and a half years of my life. I
received a lot of letters from my sister and that’s how I became strong enough to complete
my three and a half years. I said to my self that this was a bad decision on my behalf and
that I can learn from this mistake. I realized my wrong doings and from that day on I’ve
been supporting my sister in every way possible and it feels good to be the only family
member to support my favorite sister. In return she sends me all her report cards with A’s
B’s and honors. Now I’m a student working on my GED.
North Shore Community College
54

THE DAY MY FATHER DIED FRANCISCO RIVERA
Francisco Rivera
I want to tell everybody the story when my father died. I was in the United States for long
time. I didn’t see my father for many years. He wrote me a letter every year. He told me to
save money for my future. Sometimes I listened to him, sometimes I didn’t. He sent me a
lot of food and photographs from my family in Guatemala. He was a good father.
One day, when I went to the beach with my friends, one person called me to tell me that my
father died. I was very sad and I started crying. I hope my father is in heaven.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
MY MOTHER MABEL HILTON
Mabel Hilton
My mother is a bright white cover for me
A comfortable chair where I rest
She is always calm like a lake
A bushel of carnations
A bowl of sweet chocolate
The soothing strings of a violin
A smooth silk
She is like an old car that knows the route
She is like a big fountain
A smell like a sweet spring
She is like sunshine on a gloomy day
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
55

COME INTO THE WORLD AYSEGUL ERDEMLI DEMIREL
Aysegul Erdemli Demirel
Before I was born, my mother had two boy children. There were two and a half years
between my big brothers. I was the third of three children.
My mother told a memory about me. It was interesting memory for me.
Thirty eight years ago, I hadn’t come into the world yet. In childhood my big brothers were
so naughty. They damaged themselves and their home. Sometimes they broke the
chandelier and sometimes painted wicker chair with a red lipstick too. My mother was busy
with them whole day. Also she was so tired.
One day, my mother got pregnant again. She was so sad that. She thought to herself how
can I take care of one more boy child. She was depressed, so she decided to get a D and C
(her baby). She made this decision known to her husband and her husband’s sister.
According to the religion of Islam, this decision was a big sin. That time my mother was a
young and an ignorant woman. She felt to have no choice.
Her husband’s sister (my aunt) had a good heart. When she saw a dream, she could
interpret it good or bad. This was her character. Also her dreams became a reality. That
night my aunt had seen her grandmother and then her grandmother had given her a fig in
her dream. She was so happy. She told my mother her dream, and interpreted it. To see a
fig in the dream meant have a girl baby. My mother believed my aunt’s dream, and she
gave up her decision. She waited for her baby to come into the world. Finally a little girl
baby was born. It is me. My aunt and father’s grandmother name was Ayse. When I was
born, my parents gave me their grandmother’s name. Also they added gull my name’s side.
My name is Ayse + gul. Aysegul
Really! While no ultrasound, Come into the world was so difficult. We have such chances
now.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
56

MY MOTHER- IN LAW’S GARDEN ARELIS CABRAL
Arelis Cabral
My favorite place is my mother- in law’s garden, in Santiago, Dominican Republic. I like
this place because when I stay there I feel relaxed, and I enjoy so much when I see the
sunset from the garden. It is wonderful to see the blue sky and the sun going down. Also I
like to see the flowers; there are many beautiful flowers, like white calla lily, purple orchid,
pink, yellow and red roses, and in the middle of the garden, there is a big tree, and it is
called ‘’Juan I. ‘’ This has a beautiful color green. Finally, I love this place because there I
smell fresh and clean air. Also it is wonderful to hear the different kind of birds, the colors
and how they sing and fly. For this reasons I love this place.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
MY FAMILY KIMMAI MAI
Kimmai Mai
I give thanks for my wonderful family, especially my husband. He lets me stay at home to
take care of my children and allows me to go back to school to get my G.E.D. He always
tells me education is very important for our lives.
My daughter, Monique, is my first child. She is very strong at math. She is in a class called
“Advanced Math”. When she started there, she was so nervous. If she didn’t do a good job,
she would have to leave that program. But thank God, she does well in that class.
Recently her class took a test in “Advanced Math “. She had the highest score.
My second child’s name is Marcie. She is very good at writing. When she writes her
stories, she usually reads it to me after she is done. I am impressed. She is also a special
child to me. She always helps me do the chores and hugs me a lot and says to me, “I am
lucky to have you for my mom “.
My third child is Melanie. She is a little fresh girl and likes to argue with me. She is like
my husband inside and outside. When she does something wrong, she says “At least I can
fix it.”
They are all very different, but each is special to me. Right now they take all of my time,
but I think it is worth it. When they grow up, I expect them to be very good and successful
women. I love my family!
Methuen Adult Learning Center
57

MY GRANDMOTHER MARIE ISLANDE BELIZAIRE
Marie Islande Belizaire
I have a photograph of my grandmother, Vangilis Cazimir.
She was born in 1925. The photograph was taken when she was 65 years old in 1990.
She’s sitting in the photo studio on the day of her birthday, the same day of mother day’s.
In the back of this photograph you can see the big tableau showing the beach. In 2006 she’s
died at 81 years old, but now I can still see her when I look this picture.
So, I like this photograph because she was a very nice person, and when I miss her I can
look. I have only this souvenir of her.
Operation Bootstrap
THE DAY MY UNCLE PASSED AWAY CHERYL MARCOUX
Cheryl Marcoux
He was more than just an uncle to me. He was a brother, a father and a friend. Being an
only child, there were many of times I had no one to play with. But my uncle always
seemed to find time to play with me, tell me jokes or just sit and watch a movie with me.
He was a jokester. He was my clown, my entertainer. He loved to travel. It seemed like
he could not stay in one place for very long. We called him the wanderer. If only I had
known that the last time I saw him was going to be the last. So many things still unsaid. I
thank God for letting me know him as I did. He was a great man and I miss him. He died
on October12, 1999. On that day, I remember joking and laughing with him just as we
always did. There was one moment when his mind seemed to be a million miles away. He
was lost in deep thought. I wish that I had asked him what was on his mind, but I had said
nothing. Reflecting back on that day, I truly was blessed to have spent the last day with my
best friend, my Uncle Richard.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
58

MY BEST FRIEND MIRNA ALVAREZ
Mirna Alvarez
A soft and warm comforter in the cold nights.
Refreshing as dew on the Ampoule’s petals in the mornings.
Like the seemingly fragile growing seed of the strong Flamboyant tree
That survives the terrible winds of the seasonal hurricane.
Like the lighthouse of my ship.
The frame for my pictures.
The foundation of my fortress and the harmony of my song.
Like my Toyota Corolla, dependable and convenient with wisdom as impressive
Like the width of the horizon on the ocean.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
MY OLDEST SISTER ELECTRA MORA
Electra Mora
My sister is a transparent color for me because she doesn’t keep secrets from me.
My sister is a big door because her arms are always opened for me.
She is an ample river where I anchor my sadness and happiness.
My sister is an exceptional and bright blue rose.
She is a basket of fruits, sweet like a grape, strong like a coconut and sensible like a
strawberry.
She is a soft song when she advises me.
My sister is my best dress in all seasons.
She is a dog because she is my faithful friend.
She is a van ready to protect all her family.
My sister is a beautiful sundown into the Ocean because I feel peace when I speak with her.
She smells like a rose garden.
She is a hot summer.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
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IV
Memories
IV. Memories
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A PRECIOUS BUNDLE GHYZLENE ZAWAK
Ghyzlene Zawak
My mother has told me a story so often that I feel as if it were my own. The year, 1976,
was a memorable year for my mother. She was pregnant with me, her first and only child.
She had been warned by many doctors to never become pregnant. However, she desired to
have a baby so much that she decided to continue her pregnancy instead of following her
doctor’s advice. It was a very bad time for her because she had to stay in bed for nine
months. She was so sick that she couldn’t eat, so the doctor gave her some vitamins to
survive. Can you imagine her patience and strong determination?
All the family and neighbors were very kind and helpful, especially my father because he
let her feel as if she had a normal pregnancy. He took care of her and even cleaned her up
in bed, but to take care of her hair was very difficult because my mother had long,
beautiful, brown hair. Eventually, she decided to cut her hair and said, “I want my baby not
my hair.” She is a strong person and so is my father because he supports her a lot.
The funny part is that after my delivery, the doctor gave me to my mother and after she
took me in her arms she never released me. She refused to give me back to the doctor or the
nurse and she told them with a strong voice, “What if you make a mistake and loose my
baby! “The doctor knew how stubborn and determined my mother was, so he “threw in the
towel “and let me stay with her in her room. The nurse dressed me up in her arms and I
never left her hospital room.
Moreover, my mother wouldn’t let any body see me, she was afraid they would jinx me.
Thanks God, after some days she let others see her baby, but only after they had cleaned
their hands with alcohol. I know that my mother’s behavior was a little extreme but I really
think that all mothers are protective of their children. How blessed we are if our past brings
to mind precious memories of our family: mothers and fathers.
“God Bless all the parents!”
North Shore Community Action Program
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GROWING UP YERALDINE RODRIGUEZ
Yeraldine Rodriguez
Life as a child was tough growing up. The reason why I say it was tough is because I had
to grow up without a mother and a father. My mother gave me, my sister and my brother
up when we were very young. There was a reason because she was very much addicted to
drugs and was into prostitution. So that left us with my father. But my father did not want
anything to do with any of us. In the meantime, my aunt, who I still thank her till this day,
took all three of us in at her young age of seventeen. She was only supposed to take us in
temporarily, but ended up raising and providing for us. So growing up, my aunt ended up
being both my mother and my father.
I say everything happens for a reason because it seems like everything has to get tough
before it gets better. Growing up with my aunt was, in my opinion, better than having both
of my parents there for me. I feel that way because she gave me all the support that even
both my parents couldn’t give me till this day. I can’t seem to thank my Aunt Carmen
enough for taking me and my siblings. If it wasn’t for her, who knows where I would be
this day and age? My aunt saved my siblings and me.
Now, at the age of nineteen, I have really grown to be a very good person. People always
say to me, how is it that you are such a good person with the type of parents that you had?
I answer like this. I had a very good teacher, my loving Aunt Carmen.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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MY EDUCATION FRANCISCO LANDAVERDE
Francisco Landaverde
I remember when I was a child the day that my parents put me in school for the first time.
There was only one school from preschool to sixth grade, and I was very small. My
parents reminded me that my big brother and Elizabeth, my sister would take me to school
because I was just a little boy. I was afraid to go because the neighbors had dogs on the
street. That was the reason that I didn’t go to school by myself.
My parents also reminded me that once I was inside the school, I didn’t want to go back
home. I made it to the sixth grade in that school, but after that grade I went to a different
school. I took the bus there because it was very far from home and I couldn’t walk. But
the cost of the bus was very expensive, and my parents couldn’t afford to pay it. My
grandmother and grandfather lived close to this new school, so they decided to have me
live with my grandparents. Vacation time was spent with my parents. I did this for four
years.
After that, I decided to live my own life by traveling, eventually coming to the United
States to find a better life and better opportunities to make a living. I thought it would be
easy, but without knowledge of English, it was very difficult to find a good-paying job
without a school diploma.
I was learning street English which helped me somewhat to better talk to people and opend
some opportunities to find better work, but I need to do better. I started to look for parttime
schooling to better my English reading, writing and speaking. After much searching, I
discovered an opportunity in Methuen, MA to work and find time to attend classes in
English as well as study for my high school equivalency or GED. To further my studies, I
found a tutor at the Methuen library program to help me with English. This has been very
successful in improving my skills with the English language.
The schedule is difficult with work and classes but I am succeeding to meet my goal to
speak, read and write English to live successfully in this county.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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BROKEN WINDOWS PHILIP HOUTEN
Philip Houten
My father used to yell at me. I remember one time I broke my neighbors’ windows
because their daughter, Debby, was not home to play with my sister and I. I was so angry I
broke their front window and cut my hand when doing this foolish act. When I got home
my parents asked me what happened. I told them that I fell on a rock. My father
questioned me but terrified, I lied once again. He knew by the type of wound that it was no
rock. So that night after dinner we were all comfortable except my father. He kept looking
at me as if he knew I was lying. Then the door bell rang. It was Debby’s father, Billy. He
was all upset, yelling at my father, “Somebody broke all my front windows.” My father
yelled out my name and ordered me to come to the front door. I was shaking like a leaf as I
walked up to them. My father asked me again. I still lied. Then my father said, if you tell
me the truth I promise nothing will happen to you, but if you lie to me you will be punished
for the rest of the summer starting out with a strapping. I came clean and told the truth.
Well my father kept his bargain. This story taught me a lot about my father and I never had
to lie to him again.
Operation Bootstrap
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THE HAPPY ENDING THUY TRANG T. TRAN
Thuy Trang T. Tran
Fourteen years back, my older sister and I were in fifth grade. We went to school in a small
village. At that time, we, in a poor country, didn’t have too many vehicles. Even the
bicycle, we had to share together. And that was the best vehicle which helped us everyday.
One day, after the class finished, we realized that our bike keys were lost. While we were
upset, two of our friends asked us to take a walk to get home. That was the usual road
which they always used to go and back home everyday. My sister was scared, but we had
no choice and had to decide: stay or go. After thinking carefully, we left our bicycle at
school and went with them.
The road home wasn’t too far, only two miles, but for us, the little kids, it was really long.
We walked across the rice paddy under the bright sun on a hot March day. Everything
seemed burnt and the road was longer than usual. I was too tired and couldn’t go on
anymore. We had to stop so we took a break in the shadow of a big, strange tree. While we
were sitting down, I figured out that the tree had fruit and that they were okay to eat.
Because they were boys, my dutiful friends, were to climb up the tree and pick all the
fruits, as much as they could, for us ladies. My sister and I just caught the fruit and threw
them into our school bags. I didn’t know what it was called, but it was really delicious. We
caught and ate until the tree was almost empty.
Although we were all tired, we were happy. We ate a lot and brought some on the way
home. We had fun and a nice memory. When I think about our journey, it’s always in my
mind as a happy memory.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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MY STORY SOVATH VOEUN
Sovath Voeun
I went to live in the Temple in Cambodia 1981 when I was age 13 years. I learned the laws
of Buddhism from the monks for one year, and I became a monk in 1982 until the present. I
finished college in 2004 and I came to the United States on May 24, 2004, so I have lived
in the United States about 4 years. I started to study English in the Cambodian Temple
where I lived, and after that, I came to my present school and I took a test to begin ESL
Level 3, so I learned English here until now.
I was born in Cambodia in the countryside and I lived with my parents. At age 12 years,
my parents took me to live with monks for studying Buddhism because they like
Buddhism. In my country, we have two education systems. My family lived in the middle
of Cambodia. They were farmers and didn’t have many riches such as people who have
business or work in the government. Because of this, my parents decided to take me to
study in the Buddhist system. Students do not pay for school there. I didn’t go to study in
another education system because my parents don’t have money to pay for school and I
couldn’t go to study in college. Afterwards, I decided to choose studying Buddhism, and I
finished college in Buddhist philosophy.
Now I live in the United States at a Cambodian Temple in Massachusetts. I teach
meditation to Cambodian people there, and sometimes I go to teach in other states, too. I
teach people for free because I don’t need money, but people can give money as a
donation.
Immigrant Learning Center
MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES MARIA ROSARIO
Maria Rosario
I have five brothers and three sisters. When I was a kid we always played, and sometimes
we fought like brothers and sisters do.
We liked to walk with our friends to their grandmother’s house. At grandmother’s there
were different fresh fruit trees. We climbed up to get to the top of the trees and eat
delicious fruits such as mango, quenepa, guayaba, guanabana, and tamarind, and
sometimes we stayed in the mango tree and looked at the beautiful view.
We loved her house. We usually went to the back of the house, where there was a small
river. Every time we came to swim, we played games in the water. We took some tires up
and then we went down so fast! But the hard part was when we stopped.
We got some bruises and cuts, but we still did it again. I will never forget those days at our
friends’ grandmother’s. I still remember them like it was yesterday.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG MAN HECTOR CASTRO
Hector Castro
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
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DO YOU THINK THIS IS A FENG SHUI PROBLEM OR A HEREDITY PROBLEM? AMY LIN
Amy Lin
After her husband died, their family had a lot of problems. The Feng Shui expert said the
grave position was not good and needed to be moved out and she had to find a good
location.
I want to tell you something about what happened. Three years after her husband died, the
oldest son got diabetes disease, and the youngest one got a kidney problem. Two years
later, the middle child had died suffering from lung cancer. The oldest daughter had a
stomach cancer, and I couldn’t believe that! When the children’s father was alive,
everyone was healthy. My friend was so sad about that. She said she hoped she could die
anytime if it meant that her children could be healthy. I couldn’t understand why. I’m in
great fear of it. Every time that problem always appears in front of my eyes, and I always
feel a headache.
I couldn’t concentrate my learning. I’m very sad about that. I told my doctor about my
problem, and the doctor said this. I worry too much, and I need to find out what problem is
causing me headaches. The doctors helped me and made an appointment to get a C. T. scan
to check it out.
After that, the nutritionists came to our school to talk about nutrition and stress. Then I got
some lessons from them. I thought, life always has many unhappy things. It happens, but
everything will pass, and I have to deal with this problem. I don’t want to write a sad story
on my face. So I have decided to spend some time on learning how to deal with this. I use
the computers and type. I try to read articles from the newspaper, do some exercises, watch
comedy movies on T.V. and find some friends to talk with. These activities make me feel
better because I am not focusing on my headaches. I am not concentrating on my friend’s
problems.
So, is it Feng Shui or is it a heredity problem? What do you think?
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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OUR MAGNIFICENT HONEYMOON ABDOU
Abdou
Before I came to the US, I decided with my wife that our wedding would be on May 19,
2007. My wife told me that American people prepare for one year for the wedding and
they celebrate with a “bridal shower.” It’s a small party before the wedding, and the wife
invites all her friends and the women from her family and the husband’s too. But I didn’t
celebrate it with her because I was in Morocco and I didn’t get my visa in time.
On April 7th, I arrived in the US at 4:30 pm, and I found my wife waiting for me at the
airport with her sister. After that, we went to her house, and I met her parents. They were
exited to see me, and they were very happy and kind to me. They sat with us for a while
and then they left because they live in Norfolk in southern Massachusetts, about one hour
driving from Malden to there. My wife was very happy that I came and we will be together
forever because we met each other on the internet. She is American, and she is very nice
and lovely. I’m very lucky because she is social worker, and we can understand each other
easily because she is very patient.
On May 19th, we had a big wedding in the Holiday Inn near her parents’ house, and we
invited all her family, her friends and some Moroccan friends she had know before I met
her. I brought a computer and a webcam to the wedding in order for my family to watch
my wedding from Morocco online. The wedding started at 6pm and lasted until 12pm. It
was an amazing night.
The next morning, after we woke up, we had our breakfast with some of her friends, and
after that we left the hotel to say goodbye to her parents before traveling to Bar Harbor,
Maine. We arrived at the bed and breakfast at 8pm.
On the first day in this beautiful town, we went to visit a wonderful place called Acadia.
It’s a big area, and there are a lot of trees, lakes, beaches, and mountains. If you get to the
top of the highest mountain, you can see Canada. Around the this town there’s just water,
and it’s an amazing a view to see from the mountain top, On the second day, we went to
visit a zoo about two miles away, and we saw a lot of animals there and took many pictures
with them. Then we went to have a lunch in a restaurant close to the beach in town and we
went shopping too. There are a lot of stores in Bar Harbor, so we went to buy some gifts
for her parents and some friends. On the last day, we woke up and had our breakfast in the
hotel, and then we left Bar Harbor at 10:30 to come back to Malden because my wife has a
job and she got just one week for vacation. We arrived in Malden about 3 or 4 in the
afternoon. It was a long day of driving, more than 4 hours.
I will never forget this honeymoon. Even if it was just a short five days, it felt like one
year. I hope when we have time we’ll visit Bar Harbor again in the summer or in the
spring in order to remember our honeymoon.
Immigrant Learning Center
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THE DAY THE EARTH SHOOK QUARDA ADLI
Quarda Adli
May 21, 2003
It was 3:30pm, I was in the office at work, the weather was fine, the sun was shinning,
everything was going all right, but I couldn’t be happy since the beginning of the day and I
didn’t know why. My colleague noticed that and said to me, “You look sad today, what
happened?” I said, “I don’t know, I feel like an earthquake is coming.” “Don’t scare me!”
she said. I replied, “No, but I think I’m going for a walk and maybe after that, I’ll feel
better.”
It was 6:40p.m., and we had just finished having dinner, had taken the plates back to the
kitchen, and I was wiping down the table with a towel, when the earth started shaking. I
heard a lot of noise of things falling, people running wild, crying and shouting. For about
forty seconds, I thought that death had finally come. I could reach the window and thought
about throwing myself out, but thanks God, my brother saw me and pulled me back and
pushed me under the table. When the shaking stopped, I went with the rest of my family
outside, and the most terrifying thing was the blackout. It took me two hours to realize that
it was an earthquake and Algiers was sitting on the earthquake center. The funniest thing
was that the towel I was wiping down the table with was still in my hand.
When the lights came back on, I could see all the buildings had cracked. After that we
heard about a town, seventy kilometers away from our town, that was completely destroyed
and many people were under debris. My aunt with her husband and children lived close to
that town in a building of fifteen levels. We heard gossip about the building that it had
fallen down. We couldn’t reach my aunt by car not even by phone because all the phones
lines were down. Finally the building fell down two days later after being evacuated. My
childhood friend lost her son a four year old child. My family spent the night outside in the
cold waiting for our destiny.
May 22, 2003
We came back home, evaluated the damage, and were frightened and very disappointed.
Some people saw an interesting phenomenon, the waves of the sea went backwards for
about three kilometers and then came back. Spain also felt the earthquake because the
shock wave went into the sea and reached Spain. Some boats in the harbor turned upsidedown
but there was no damage and no lives lost. In Algiers two thousands people were
killed, and many people were still alive under the debris. Firefighters with dogs and
volunteers went there and tried to find the survivors. Algiers got help from other countries
by planes and boats; they brought equipment, medicine and tents for the homeless.
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May 23, 2003
I tried to gather friends and neighbors to make a donation for people who couldn’t return
back to their homes because it was dangerous. We collected money, clothes, blankets,
foods and medicines
Now it’s been five years since the earthquake, I wish that we could prevent these natural
disasters.
North Shore Community Action Program
TRAVEL FROM TURKEY TO KOSOVO NALAN AFACAN
Nalan Afacan
I had to go to Kosovo because my husband was working there. I took my vacation time
from my job and then I got on the airplane with my son.
This was my first experience riding on an airplane and also for my son. It made me very
nervous because I didn’t know how the plane was hanging up in the air But this was not
the hardest part. The hardest part was that I felt I should hide my fears from my son since
he was nervous too. I told him many stories to make him feel better.
The airplane landed at the airport and the hostess allowed us to go out of the plane. I was
shocked by many uniformed people coming toward me. They looked so serious. They
were taller, stronger and bigger than average people. I thought that they were war soldiers.
Actually, they were police officers from many different countries working for the UN.
They were all wearing different colors of uniforms.
I remember thinking that I wished nobody’s country was at war; because then you need
protection from people other than your own. My son started to cry. I thought he was
afraid, too. We went into a very small airport and he was still crying when we got inside.
A Turkish police officer approached us. He asked my son, “Why are you crying?” He
answered, “I want to go back to the airplane. I like airplanes.” That was why.
My son and I were both upset that day, but we had different reasons. But after that, we had
some good memories of staying in Kosovo.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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THE DAY I MET MY WIFE MAXIME ST. SURIN
Maxime St. Surin
When I was a university student, I worked at a bank from 8:00 to 4:30 pm because I started
my course at 5:00 pm. One day there was a holiday; it’s a great day for the Haitian people:
“Carnival Day.” It’s a day where everyone shares each other’s happiness, and they enjoy
drinking and expressing their feelings. I had been following a “Microeconomics” course,
when I saw a beautiful girl outside drinking a bottle of water, and I decided to go outside to
talk to her. This day was the last day for the final exam. I said to myself, “For the first
exam I got 95%, so I think if I want to talk to her I can go outside, because I need 40% to
pass the course.” I went outside and I said, “Please, could you give me some of your
water?” She was shocked and she said, “I could buy you a bottle if you want.” I told her
my answer was no. “I would like to have yours,” I said, but she ignored me. After that I
introduced myself to her and asked her for her phone number. She gave it to me, and the
same day, I invited her to the Carnival parade and she accepted to go with me. When we
got to the Carnival, after a long conversation I thought she was mine because she was
attractive, funny, friendly, and I found myself in her. After that day we communicated
everyday and we became friends. I remember the first day I met her, I said “I want to be a
part of your life.” She said, “Are you out of your mind?” I didn’t give up because I loved
her and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I remember when she gave me her
first picture, I was so very happy I put it under my pillow. I discovered inside her a serious
woman with a very kind heart. My mother was happy because I had too many girlfriends;
she was always worried about my decisions. She wanted to know all about this girl and I
told her, “You know what, Mom? I love her so much, she is the Queen of my heart. I don’t
want anyone else in my life but her. Finally, after two years we got engaged, and my
parents went to Cap Haitian for the engagement. We are married now and we have a happy
life together. We have shared this relationship for eleven years. I won’t let anything
change my love for her.
Immigrant Learning Center
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MY BEDROOM FRANCISCO PLACIDO
Francisco Placido
I like my bedroom because I can rest and listen to romantic music there. In my bedroom I
feel comfortable, in my bedroom I have two small night tables, one small radio and one
TV. My bedroom smells like fresh flowers. It is clean and there are two windows. In my
bedroom I have two big pictures. One of then is part of my family and the other one is
some part of my country. In the picture of my country I can see different places, small
villages, part of the ocean, museum, and different buildings of culture. The other picture
has part of my family, my mother, my wife, my daughters, my son, and some brothers and
sister and friends. The family picture is when I got married. I have in my bedroom a big
bed. I love my bedroom it is my holy place.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
MY BEST MEMORIES ROSA ARSENAULT
Rosa Arsenault
When I was a child I used to live in the countryside. I was the sixth in a family of eight
children. My father was a farmer, but his farm was far away from our house. My mother
was working really hard raising eight kids, and she was a homemaker. One day she decided
to move to the farm ranch because it was inconvenient to bring my father food every day to
his farm. It was a good decision and everybody was happy about it.
We used to have some pets and mine was a chicken. I remember on the day of the trip to
move to the ranch, we walked a long way to the farm. I was tired and I tried to ride my
chicken to make the trip go faster. It was very funny because the chicken ran away from
me, and I had to keep walking. It took us at least one hour to get there. We just took the
most important stuff to go such as clothes, dishes blankets, and our pets.
As soon as we set up, we began to enjoy the farm: the river, the fruits, and the animals. I
learned to grow and pick some fruits and vegetables, to milk a cow and to swim in the
river. We didn’t have any services or toys but we didn’t care about anything, because we
were in paradise.
I have beautiful experiences from my childhood memories such as climbing a tree, raising a
horse, hunting frogs and alligators, and catching butterflies.
I will never forget my child memories: they are like the roots of my life.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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MY GRADUATION HEIDY A. MENA
Heidy A. Mena
When I graduated from high school I was 17 years old. The school was Liceo Estados
Unido de America. This was two years ago in my country Dominican Republic. I was
very happy because this was a special day in my life. I remember this day was not a
beautiful day because it was raining. Before the ceremony, my family, my friends, and I
went to celebrate in the Disco. We were very happy.
In a photo, I was wearing a black hat and a black and yellow dress. In my hand I had a
paper. Behind me was a flag of the Dominican Republic. I love this photograph because it
was a special day and I will never forget this day. Now I live in the United States of
America. I study English now. Next I will go to college.
Operation Bootstrap
LAUGHTER QINGHUA LIU
Qinghua Liu
I am a girl who likes to laugh. In China, we have old expression about laughing. It says,
“Laugh a lot, hold on to youth.” And I believe it at all times.
I think laughter is so amazing. It lets people feel happy and forget other unhappy things or
aches in the body. Anyway, laughing is great for all people, healthy or unhealthy, young or
old, muscular or slight. Everybody, everything will be changed by laughter. Flowers are
more beautiful, families are happier, and the world is more blessed.
I remember, when I was a little girl, I had a friend named Bing Xu (and he was my
elementary school classmate too.) He was so cherubic and yet miserable because he had
facial cancer. I have an image of this little boy in my mind, and I hope more people know
Bing. Actually, we were friends for a long time because his uncle and aunt were my
family’s neighbors, and he often lived in his uncle’s home since he was in infancy. So,
from our childhood, we used to play together. Then, when we were old enough to go to
school, we also became classmates. In my memory, Bing was a cute and lively boy. He
liked animals, games, picture books, water pistols, mini-cars, and many kinds of balls. He
hoped to fly freely, to travel around the world. Look, he had wonderful ideas although he
was just a little boy. If his life continued, how wonderful! But Bing never had a chance. His
life finished too quickly, like a flash. The little light leaves only memory. We just caught
the little light while there was still time.
I remember the day forever when I visited him with my parents in the hospital. He lay in
the sickbed quietly. When we came in, he gave us a smile like an angel, and began talking
excitedly with me because he was so lonely. I was just a little girl, and I still didn’t know
what was wrong, what happened, why our family was so distressed. Why? Why? Why?
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But I didn’t want to think why. I was very joyful after I saw him, and my friend Bing was
laughing all along. We talked ceaselessly and afterward he felt very tired, and then he had
no choice but to silently listen to me. I told him a lot of things: what lessons we studied,
what the news was in our class, what games we played (when he was not in school.) And
how everybody wants him back, we want to play with him, etc. Bing got more and more
excited. In the end, we promised that in another time and place we would take other friends
to play together. Oh, God, I swear that was a wonderful day! We were laughing all the
time. He told me especially to share more funny, happy things with him when he got out of
the hospital. But we didn’t know that was our last meeting. Forty-eight days later, Bing left
us forever. I would never play and tell funny things with him again.
It has been fifteen years since then. During these years, I have missed Bing many times.
His image is still very distinct: warm eyes, quiet smile, his face a pallid color and lying in
the sickroom alone. But now, when I think of him, I can’t stop feeling sorrowful. Maybe I
am grown up, and I can understand “the rubs and worries of life.”
Sometimes I have thought that if I knew the state of Bing’s illness at that time, I would
have spent more time with him. But more often, I’m so glad I didn’t know. I’m so grateful
to our families because they kept the cancer in the dark for us before he left. They let us
have a great day, no death, no loss, no fear, and we had happiness and hope. Now I have
the most wonderful memory.
I believe Bing is not far away. He is a lovely angel that can fly freely in the world. Maybe
after many years, when I am an old woman, when I wake up from a dream, I’ll see him
again in front of me. When he comes the last time, I think I will not feel fear. Because of
my loss of him, I know death is not fearful, that blessedness and happiness are the most
important in my life.
Immigrant Learning Center
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MY FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL HARRY
Harry
Four months ago, I received a notice from my school’s office to begin an English class in
Malden Square. I was very glad because I wanted to learn English. That was a dream for a
long time for me. I first came to school on Monday, June 18th. It was a nice day, a
beautiful day, and I was so happy. I live about 20 minutes from the school, so I came to
school on foot. When I was coming to school, my heart rate was a little stressed. Then I
arrived at school at 9:00 and I met the counselor there. She explained to me the rules of the
school. She was very friendly, she smiled, and I felt good. I understood she was doing her
job. She said, “Wait 5 minutes.” After that, I met my teacher. She had blue eyes, yellow
hair, and a white face, and I understood she had a kind heart. She spoke to me slowly and
politely, and she smiled at me and I felt good. Finally, I went to the class together with my
teacher. While I was coming in the class, I greeted my classmates and they greeted me too.
They were immigrants coming from many parts of world, for example from Asia, China,
Africa, and Brazil. Most of them were young, but very important was that they were very
polite. At last, I took a seat and was relaxed. I was very happy! I’ll always remember my
first day of school. I am a very old man, I am the oldest in my classroom, but among the
younger people I feel young in spirit.
Immigrant Learning Center
77

V
My Native
Country
V. My Native Country
79

LOS DESAPARECIDOS ELIDA MATUL
Elida Matul
I remember it well although I wasn’t even there. They told me the soldiers knocked on the
door at 3:00 a.m.
“Marcos.” My uncle opened the door. They flung him to the floor.
My aunt was still in her bedroom. She yelled, “Who is it?”
Nobody answered. My cousin walked to the door. A bunch of men glanced at him,
grabbed him and threw him to the floor. They put masking tape on his mouth and tied his
hands behind him and took him outside. After a few years on a broadcast radio somebody
says that they saw him alive. They asked for money but my uncle never heard anything
again. My cousin wasn’t the only one who disappeared. So many families suffered the
same thing. From the town I come from so many children were orphans. We didn’t have
the courage and the will to stand. It was a silent country. We were the downtrodden.
I was nine years old. One early morning we woke up to the sound of helicopters in the next
town, Las Barrancas. The helicopters were bombing the whole town. I can still hear the
sound of the helicopters swinging back and forth like crazy. Next thing I remember was
smoke coming from the hole. People said pieces of bodies were hanging from the tree
branches. But one thing I remember from the massacre is for months we smelled the stinky
smoke and saw the black smoke rise to the blue sky. Just a few people survived
I never understood the reason why they were fighting. Still, to this day. I have the same
question. People just disappeared. When it was time to go to bed, you just prayed that
when you woke up your father or your brothers were still with you. Most of the time their
targets were men. When the peace agreement was signed in Guatemala, I still wonder what
happened with the guerrillas. The violence never stops. A lot of corruption still exists in
these days.
Operation Bootstrap
80

CELEBRATING NEW YEAR’S DAY YEONJU PARK
Yeonju Park
In Korea there is a New Year’s Day that we call “Seol”. This year it is celebrated on
February 7th according to the Lunar calendar. The day before New Year’s Day all families
get together to make a dumpling that has vegetables and grinded pork. Many special foods
are made. New Year’s Day all families give a big bow and pray for our ancestors. Special
foods are prepared. One of the special foods is rice cake soup. It is a custom to eat this
soup on the holiday. Children bow to the adults for their good health and luck. In return
the adults give lucky money to the children.
We go to the cemetery with flowers to pay our respect to the ancestors. Later we have
lunch with our families and play Korean traditional games, Korean cards or Yutnoli.
Yutnoli is the game using four sticks with a mark. Each stick represents an animal, Pig,
Dog, Chicken, Cow and Horse.
This year I invited friends to come to my home for New Years. We ate dumpling soup,
received a bow from the children, and gave them lucky money. All five families played the
Yutnoli game. The penalty for losing the game was that the next gathering would be in that
house. Everyone tried to win, we laughed and giggled. We had fun and a wonderful time.
We remembered our families in Korea and wished for them good health and luck.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
81

NEW YEAR’S IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SAIDA HILARIO
Saida Hilario
In my country, the Dominican Republic, we celebrate New Year’s on January, first. We
celebrate in many ways, for example, we wear new clothes, visit our relatives and go to
parties. We clean the house, redecorate and make a big meal on New Year’s Eve. On New
Year’s Day the children gather in the back yard and play different games, and enjoy the
company of family members and neighbors. Adults usually play dominoes, cards and
board games. they make jokes, tell stories and drink. We have a special song it is called
“Ano Nuevo”. This song is about happiness for the New Year. We don’t give presents to
our family on New Year’s Day.
My favorite memory of New Year’s Day is when I was 7 years old. My mother bought me
a pink dress and I felt like a princess. MY favorite New Year’s Day in my country was
when my mom came back during the Christmas and waited for the New Year with me and
my siblings. She had been out of the country for two years. It was a wonderful New
Year’s Day.
I was a child I celebrated New Year’s Day playing with my brother and sisters, my cousins
and friends. I don’t really celebrate New Year’s Day here in the United States. I just sleep
until late, call friends and relative to wish them a Happy New Year and watch television.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
82

VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR HAHN NGUYEN
Hahn Nguyen
In my country people celebrate New Year’s Eve on December thirtieth and New Year’s
Day on January first of the lunar calendar. Vietnamese New Year is at the end of January;
if on a leap year of a lunar year, it’s in the middle of February of the calendar year.
One week before New Year’s Day, we paint the walls, clean up the house, and change to
new curtains. We buy everything, such as clothes, shoes, hats, etc. and buy a lot of fruits,
flowers, and some foods. Everyone is very busy this week. From house to house we make
cookies and cook special foods like “Banh Chung”. It is made of sweet rice outside and
pork chop mixed with green beans inside, and it’s covered by banana leaves. We always
eat “Banh Chung” with pickled onions, carrots, turnips, hot peppers and cucumbers.
Another special food is Spring Roll – it is called “Cha Gio”. Fruits are very important to
our tradition, for example, watermelons and grapefruits. We often choose the biggest
watermelon and put it on the altar.
On New Year’s Eve, we go to parties and pray for our ancestors. We see the Old Year out
and the New Year in. At midnight we make fireworks for the coming New Year’s Day,
and we are always thinking that our forefathers will be coming too.
The next day, January first, is New Year’s Day. We wake up early in the morning and we
wear national dress and new shoes. Then we make fireworks again for all of the family,
and we pray to the ancestors, and everyone wishes happy New Year together.
After breakfast, we bring flowers, fruits and some foods to the Temple. We pray to the
Lord Buddha, then we offer the foods to the monks, and all the monks wish blessings for
us. Most people do that because they believe that it will get good luck for them all day.
For all people, the New Year is an opportunity to change old habits or begin something
new. Some people try to stop gambling, smoking, or drinking alcohol, or they go back to
school, learn to drive, or improve their diet.
Some people believe superstitions on New Year’s Day, January first. For example, they do
not sweep the floor of the house, because if they do that all of their money will go away. If
the glass, dish, or bowl breaks on this day, they will get bad luck all year; if the dog outside
runs inside, it brings them good luck,
On the New Year on January second, we go from house to house to wish blessings for our
relatives and friends. Some people go to the casino or to the movies. On the third day of
January we go to parties. All of the family enjoys the New Year’s Day. Someone
discusses all of the plans for the family. Someone invites relatives and friends to partake of
food all day.
83

A long time ago, people celebrated the Vietnamese New Year for seven days. After the
Civil War II, Vietnam’s politics and Vietnam’s economy was poor, so people now
celebrate the New Year for three days.
Everett Literacy Program
INTO MY WARM MEMORY YE YEON HWANG
Ye Yeon Hwang
“Noel Noel~”, “Joy to the world~”, when I hear these Christmas Carols, it brings back to
my mind my hometown church.
My hometown was a small village, so we didn’t have a church until I was a college student.
Not many people lived there because young people left my hometown to get jobs. So, a few
children and mostly elderly people lived in our village.
When I was a college student, my father became paralyzed on his right side, so every
weekend I went to my hometown to take care of him. At that time, I saw a newly married
couple who were building a first church in my village.
They looked after all the village’s elderly people even more than the children of the elderly
did. So, most of the village people liked them and when they needed some help, they ran to
the pastor’s house. Their house was always open to all the people. The pastor and his
wife’s sacrificial life made a deep impression on me and touched my heart. They showed
God’s love not by word but by doing.
On Christmas Eve, not only church members, but also most of the village people gathered
at the church even though they were not Christians. We enacted a biblical drama and sang
songs. All children played instruments and danced in worship. After service, we shared
traditional Korean foods.
At dawn on Christmas Day, about 4:00 a.m., children and young adults together visited all
church members’ houses. In the front yard of the house, we sang a song and shared the
good news about Jesus’ birth.
The weather was so cold on our bodies, but our hearts were filled full of love, peace and
joy. Because of the early time, maybe it would be impossible to do this in the city, but no
one complained about this noise even though they were not Christians.
Almost ten years has passed since I have visited my hometown. I wish I could go there
even in a dream.
North Shore Community Action Program
84

NEW YEAR’S EVE MICHAEL FAUCHER
Michael Faucher
It was 4 o’clock and I just picked up my last paycheck. Five o’clock and I’m cashing it
back home. Six o’clock and I’m packing for my trip to New York City. Seven o’clock and
I’m driving to catch the bus to New York. Seven forty-five and I missed it! I was
devastated. I’ve been planning this trip all year, and it all blew up on me. The next bus
wasn’t until nine and I wouldn’t have made it to N.Y.C. on time for the ball to drop. It
seemed pointless to even go. Nine o’clock, I make it to my brother’s house. He was
having another New Year’s Eve party. This one was really big though, unlike any of his
others.
As soon as I pulled onto his street, there were 15 to 20 cars parked on it and all for his
party. There were probably 60 to 80 people at his house. I knew most of them, but there
were a lot of people I had never seen before. I couldn’t stop thinking of New York and
how bad I wanted to go and how much I didn’t want to see the ball drop on TV. I started to
sing and make the best of it to get my mind off it. Ten o’clock, there was a Karioke
contest. My two brothers, one of my brother’s girlfriend and me were the judges. Eleven
o’clock, we decided the winner. The winner got 100 dollars, and an unopened bottle of
whatever they wanted. Eleven fifty-eight, and I’m outside on the back porch thinking of
the past year and how it affected me. Eleven fifty-nine and I go in real quick to find a
favorite drink, Jack Daniels. I walk back outside to get some privacy. Seconds later, I hear
everyone counting down. As they count from ten to one, I chug this bottle in my hand till
they stop with Happy New Year. Twelve o’clock, and it’s New Year’s Day. I feel woozie.
I walk back in and everyone is giving me hugs and kisses.
All I could think of was all my failures to my family, my friends, my girlfriends, and my
goals. I was surrounded by all happy people who came up to me hugging me. I could hear
them talking to me like maybe our lives are similar or common. With everything and
failure on my mind, I was simply not there.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
85

MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY NAJAT BOURASSE
Najat Bourasse
Once a year all Muslim people celebrate Eid al Adha, which is the biggest religious holiday
at home. Every single family celebrates this day from morning to night. The blood of a
sheep is very important thing for this holiday, and also all equipment that can help to obtain
what we need for the holiday. In the morning when the sun comes up, all families take
their breakfast, and afterward everybody dresses up in traditional clothes and goes to the
mosque to pray. Then everyone comes back and the holiday really begins. The father and
brother help each other by slitting each of the sheep's throats. Then they send the sheep to
the women so that we can cook all different kinds of meals for them. In the afternoon and
at night, a whole new celebration starts with all the family and neighborhood friends.
Everyone dresses up in costumes, tells stories, takes pictures and taste each others' food.
This year I spent Eid al Adha in the United States with my friends and we tried to do the
same traditions, like going to the farm and buying a sheep. But unfortunately it did not feel
the same as at home.
The Immigrant Learning Center
86

MEMORIES OF MY TOWN REINA ALMONTE
Reina Almonte
My town is called Janico, located in the north of the Dominican Republic. It has more than 500
years of history. In March of 1494, Spanish colonizers came to build the fortress Saint Tomas. This
was the first fortification on the island and the second in the New World. In the present, Janico has
a population of 17,773. But when I was a girl, the population was small. Everybody knew
everybody else.
Going back to my childhood years, I can’t stop thinking how we amused ourselves in healthy ways.
Monday to Friday, we played different games until 8:00 P.M. in front of our house. On Saturday,
we went to church and, afterwards, we used to walk around the park until 9:00 P.M.
Janico still celebrates a fair for the town saint, Virgin Mercedes, from September 15 th to September
24 th . During these nine days, the people do many activities for the children, like racing while
holding an egg in a spoon, sack races and “Musical Chairs”.
The adults also have their games, including a special horse race. Ten or twelve young women are
there, each one holding a prize. The prizes may be bottles of alcohol, clothes, or other things. The
names of the young women are on ribbons hanging on a streamer across the street. Each ribbon
holds a small ring. The horsemen ride down the street and use a pencil to try to hook the rings from
the ribbons. When he hooks a ring, the horseman wins the prize that the young woman is holding,
and she gives him a kiss.
Christmas also comes to my memories. Without being expected, people showed up at our house,
singing Christmas tunes – every weekend at a different house. The house owners would offer
ginger tea and crackers. But with the passing of time, this tradition has been lost, because other
cultures have come to Janico and the people of my town have immigrated within the Dominican
Republic and internationally.
During the summer, we children spent most of the time in the countryside, picking fruits like
mangoes, oranges and guavas with the adults. I miss those years so much when having fun was so
clean and innocent, without fear of being attacked by some predator. I would want my
grandchildren to know these traditions, even though some of the traditions are already lost.
Notre Dame Education Center
87

MY CHILDHOOD IN THAILAND LADDA LANOUETTE
Ladda Lanouette
My name is Ladda Lanouette and I was born in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, which is the town
where the 'The Bridge On the River Kwai' was filmed. My mother, Ginn, had four children,
my twin brother and myself, my older sister and a younger brother. My mother had to take
care of all of us by herself without a husband. We were very poor and lived in a thatch
house in the middle of the jungle. I had to quit school after the third grade and go to work
in the fields picking hot peppers to help support my family. We had no running water so I
had to go to the well for water every day and bring it back to the house and put it in what
they called Klong jars. These were also used outdoors to catch the rain water.
One day there were a lot of ants in the house so I got some gas and poured it on the them
and lit them on fire to try and kill them. That probably wasn't the smartest thing I ever did
because I also set fire to the thatch house. I got the water from the klong jars to try to put it
out but it was no use. The house burnt down to the ground. I was so upset and scared
because now we had no place to live. We had lost everything. We had to stay with a
neighbor for three weeks until my aunt let us move in with her in Pattaya. That's how I
ended up in Pattaya Beach where we eventually all grew up.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
88

IF YOU COULD VISIT ANY PLACE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? TRUDY QUALE
Trudy Quale
If someone asked me, “If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?” I
would have to say to Ireland. I am interested in seeing and learning about a place where my
family comes from.
My family on my mother’s side lived in Ireland. I have an aunt who has traveled there and
met my Irish relatives. When she got back from her trip, my aunt told me that our relatives
owned pubs. They worked very hard for their families. I thought it was interesting because
one of my mother’s uncles on the same side of the family supported his 13 children in
Revere, Mass. by owning his own Pub in Boston, Mass.
From what I have seen in books and pictures, the land is beautiful. They have green
pastures, rolling green hills, and picturesque views. The land goes on to cliffs, and the cliffs
go on to the ocean.
I now know why my family loves to eat potatoes, and why most of us love to drink, and
have large crowds around. We love to have a good time. We all got together one time for
my great uncles 80th birthday party, and all you listened to was Irish music. It was a blast.
There is a town named Londonderry that is supposed to have the biggest Halloween
Festival in the world. The other place I would like to visit is the Belfast Festival at Queens;
it is the Irelands biggest international Festival, with music, talks, comedy, and exhibitions.
I think it would be so exciting to go and meet these family members and see where my
family history comes from.
Northern Essex Community College
89

LIJUN FROM CHINA LIJUN QIN
Lijun Qin
I am Lijun from China. I never felt lonely in China. People are everywhere. China is a big
country. Bejing and Shanghai are the biggest cities. Beijing is the capital and Shanghai is
a metropolitan city. The population is number one in the world. There are 1.5 billion
people in China. When the people in East China start to work the people in West China are
still in a dream. When the people in South China wear T-shirts the people in North China
are wearing jackets.
I lived in Zhengzhou City which is located in the middle of China. If you visit my country
I would want you to see Shaolin Temple which is located in my hometown. I would want
you to see the Great Wall, Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. And I would want
you to eat our pears and peaches. They are more delicious than in any other country. I
miss them very much.
My family is big. There are thirteen people in my family including my parents. There are
my sister, her husband and their son, my brother, his wife and their son, my husband and
my three children.
When I was a small child I went to school and I did lots of homework. My school’s name
was the Weiwu Road Elementary School.
If I did not go to college I would not get a good job. In high school I learned Chinese,
math, physics, chemistry, history, geography and music. It prepared me for college.
In college my major was accounting. I liked it very much. I am still going to school. Now
I go to school at the Asian Center in Lawrence, Massachusetts. I am learning English and I
like it very much. I am Lijun from China living in Lawrence.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
90

MIS QUINCE CARMEN RIVERA
Carmen Rivera
I never had a sweet 15 birthday party, so I decided to go all out and do one for my
daughter. Let me tell you, I was going crazy with the preparation. I wanted everything to be
so perfect. She had a beautiful white and pink dress, and she looked like the Sleeping
Beauty that she wanted to be. I arranged for her Prince and the five soldiers, and she also
had a Best Girl and Miniquinceanera. The rest of her entourage was all boys. I rented the
limousine and we all went to church in it. She got blessed by the Padre. When the church
ceremony was over, we all went to the club. She danced with her Prince, which was her
first dance, then her father changed her shoes. We made a drink to toast. After that we all
ate. She finished eating and she changed to a beautiful blue dress. She made her special
night dance. The dance is called the dollar dance. She made $600 dancing with everyone.
Finally it was time to cut the cake, so everybody ate and talked until it was time to all go
home at last.
The Sleeping Beauty had the best night ever.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
91

WHY MUSLIM WOMEN COVER THEIR HEADS GHOSOON EL-DARWISH
Ghosoon El-Darwish
The answer simply is that she is following the commands of GOD”ALLAH” as GOD
stated it in the Holy Qura’an:
“O prophet tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their garments
around them (when they go out or among men); that is better in order that may be known
(to be Muslim) and not annoyed.” (Qura’an 33:59)
And the question that might follow is what kind of head cover is required on Muslim
women according to the above command. The head cover is called “hijab” in Arabic, and
the root of this word is “hajaba”. The understood meaning in Islam of “hijab” is the
modest covering of the Muslim woman.
Every Muslim woman follows Islam according to her level of conviction. Some Muslim
women do not follow the above command of GOD and they do not use a head cover, while
others would insist on covering every inch of their body, including the face, the hands and
the feet. Family standards and culture affect the kind of head covering practiced in a
family or a country/region.
The majority of the Muslim scholars define the head cover required by GOD’s command
for Muslim woman to cover her whole body except the face and the hands. And the
clothing must be loose and not transparent. Also part of the modesty for Muslim men and
women is for both not to stare at the other gender. In terms of physical contact with the
other gender, it is not permitted to touch, or not even to shake hands with the exception of
husband/wife relationship.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
92

VI
Tales
To
Tell
VI. Tales To Tell
93

ONE WICKED GOOD NIGHT AT FENWAY PARK RUSSELL SPINNEY
Russell Spinney
When I was younger I remember going to my first trip to Fenway Park. I thought my
mother was taking me to the movies, but she said she had to run a few errands, first in
Boston. So we took the ride to town. I was so bored. After about an hour of running
around, my mother said she had something to tell me. In my head I thought something was
wrong, when out of nowhere she pulled out two Red Sox tickets. I was beside myself. She
said I had a choice of a movie or a game so it was a pretty easy choice to make.” Next thing
I know we were pulling up to the park. It was the biggest place I have ever seen! I was lost
with excitement; we were walking up to the ramp. I remember this being best thing of my
12yrs of being alive. That park was unbelievable. My idol was pitching that night. I
couldn’t believe I was going to see Roger Clemens pitch. And it just happened to be the
night he set the record for strikeouts. Joe Shoe was the first batter he stuck out and he
mowed them down like he was on fire.
Every time there was a foul ball, I tried to grab it with my glove. Unfortunately, the guys
around me were like giants. I was too small.
I was so close to third base I could almost see Boggs spit when he crossed the line to his
position. I looked to the left and I saw it, what I had been seeing on TV. and hearing about
for years, the Green Monster. We had a great outfield. The whole place was amazing, the
lights, noise, even the smell of hotdogs in the air. I couldn’t believe how fast the night went
by! It was the ninth inning before I knew it. People were standing up clapping and cheering
like I had never seen before. So I joined in myself. I felt like I was on top of the world that
night, by far the best night of my life, besides the night the Sox won the World Series.
Operation Bootstrap
MY BIRTHDAY PRESENT KWANGSE LEE
Kwangse Lee
This is my birthday story. In the morning my wife boiled seaweed soup for me. It was
very delicious. In the evening my daughter gave me a box of chocolates and candies. It is
my favorite snack. And then my son gave me something that was packed in pretty
wrapping paper. There was a painting that he drew by himself packed in the box. I was
very impressed by his present. It was very special. At that moment I was greatly happy. I
was the happiest man in the world. It was a wonderful birthday.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
94

A FUNNY STORY TRANG NGUYEN
Trang Nguyen
I work at Nails Salon. Everyday I have to work with customers who speak English. My
English is not good. One day I had a customer who wanted to get a manicure and a
pedicure for her wedding. While working with her I tried to talk to her in English about her
wedding. I asked her how many people she invited to the wedding. I asked her when and
where she would go for her honeymoon.
When she left the salon I said to her, “Happy Halloween”.
Everyone in the Salon laughed. I said, “What are you laughing at?”
They said, “Trang, you wished her a Happy Halloween instead of Happy Honeymoon.” I
guess I need to keep practicing my English.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERS YASUKO KANNO
Yasuko Kanno
In the United States, there is an excellent volunteer system. We see volunteers at the
library, schools, and at adult education programs, etc. I was surprised how so many people
help other people. I had a volunteer tutor when I came here from Japan. I didn’t know
anything about living here and I couldn’t understand English, so I couldn’t make friends or
talk to anybody. My tutor was a seventy-two year old woman. She taught me English and
about life in New England. I worried about the winter because I lived in Japan which has
less snow, and it only snows one or two times a year. My tutor taught me how to drive in
the snow. What I learned from her was helpful for me to use in my life. If I didn’t meet
her, I would be lonely. Volunteers are very important. I learned about helping people. I
think the United States is quite admirable. I’m Japanese and I take a free English class
now. If I go back to Japan, I want to help people from other countries because I
experienced this kindness while staying in America.
North Shore Community Action Program
95

THIS WAS AN AMUSING DREAM ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
I went to my brother’s restaurant a few months ago in Concord, New Hampshire. At that
time, I went to the gas station to pump the gas, and I also bought some lottery tickets. Then
I made some wishes before I scratched them. First of all, I wished I would win a
$1,000,000. If I won, I would contribute some money for the Methuen Adult Learning
Center. I hoped I could help build more classes, buy new computers, and let more adults
have an opportunity to come to school to learn more English and reach their goals. Then I
wanted to donate some of the money for cancer research because nowadays lots of young
people die and suffer from the cancers. Then I began to scratch the tickets. Finally I
scratched out a star. The prize was $1,000,000! At the time, I was very nervous. I said my
dream came true! Then I went to the lottery store to ask the cashier about that. The cashier
told me that I have to fill out the back of the ticket and mail it to the New Hampshire
Lottery Center. He said the lottery center will receive a lot of people’s tickets, but will not
exceed 1 in 22, 800. Then he said, “Good luck!” I said, “Thank you.” I just filled out the
back and mailed it. Until now, I still haven’t received any information about that. So I
thought that was an amusing dream. Too bad it wasn’t real.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
96

A CROSSROADS IN MY LIFE MARISSA
Marissa
Almost seven years ago, my family and I had to make a hard decision in our life. We had to
live through a very dreadful experience in our country El Salvador. We lost our dear
nephew who was only 21 years old; he was a wonderful young man, an exemplary son and
great brother. I remember him as a wonderful nephew, a brilliant student and also an
unconditional friend. In short, he was a blessing for everybody who knew him.
He was kidnapped and killed because of criminality and delinquency in our country. That
horrendous and dark crime changed our lives completely. We were depressed and so afraid
about our children that we needed to make a fast decision in order to protect them.
When The Police caught the kidnappers and put them in prison, relatives and friends of
these people started to threaten us to harm somebody else in our family if we didn’t do
anything to get them out of jail; and we didn’t do that, because they were guilty of my
nephew’s death.
One month after that everything had happened, we sent our children to California, and my
older sister took care of them for about 3 months, after that, we made the most important
decision in our lives; we thought we must move to another country for our children and our
own security. We called them to explain our point of view, they understood everything and
they were in agreement with us.
I think it was the hardest decision we made; because we had to renounce and see no more
part of our family, we left our good jobs, many good friends, our own comfortable house,
our privacy and much more. At the beginning it wasn’t easy for everybody. It was awkward
to start a new life in this country; but now everything is more heartening.
Even now, I still have poignant memories of my nephew’s death. I always pray to God help
us to accept his will; I thank Him for letting us being together as a family; but mainly,
because he guided us to take the right decision in order to protect our children.
Northern Essex Community College
97

THE NIGHT OF THE LOUD BANG E-MAN
E-Man
In a dark alley on the corner of Summer and Cross Streets, two best friends walk nervously.
The two young ladies are terrified because a murder had taken place in the same dark alley
just several hours before. The murderer was still on the loose. People reported that the
suspect may still be lurking around looking for female victims.
As the young ladies hearts pound rapidly, they see a dark shadow up ahead. They try to
run, but as they run, they see the shadow of a hand with a 45 caliber Smith and Wesson
pistol. They scream for their lives, but the murderer quickly silences them with the threat
of the gun.
Night becomes day, and at about 6:00am the corpses were discovered. Detective Madison
arrives first on the scene. Standing at six feet, one of the tallest, corrupted cops was
wearing a shield in the city. He was irritated because today was his birthday. “Being 56
and working a murder investigation, puts a lot of stress on person,” said Madison to a
uniformed cop. A cool breeze filled the air giving the detective goose bumps, staring at the
lifeless eyes of the two college girls. This gave Madison a eerie feeling, for he was
imaging that they were his daughters. He quickly snapped out the dream state.
The detective noticed the girls received blunt traumas to the forehead indicating that the
teens were pistol whipped before being shot. Fingerprints around the neck stated that they
were strangled after they were deceased.
Two hours passed, and Madison had all the notes and evidence he needed.
“MADISON!” the chief called. What do you have so far? We have two college girls who
were beaten, shot and strangled. It seems like the same killer who brutally killed the
others. These guys never change their routine. I know how to catch him. “How?” asked
the chief. Watch and Learn, replied Madison.
The day of the sting called The Night of the Loud Bang, a 6 foot tall woman walked
stumbling down the alley of Summer and Cross Streets in her high heeled shoes and
muscular frame popping out of her floral dress. She lit a cigarette, jammed her lungs with
smoke, then exhaled and slipped the lighter back into her purse.
After walking the alley up and down several times that night, the officers could not catch
the assassin. Madison said, “This ain’t over. This is just the beginning of the murderer’s
end. We might not have solved the crime tonight, but the law will prevail in the long run.”
Methuen Adult Learning Center
98

MY CHURCH MIRTA TORRES
Mirta Torres
In my life my favorite place is the church because I can see and speak with my God, and
feel very happy. It is where I can find peace all the time. I enjoy when I listen to the organ,
guitar and piano music with that chorus of voices in unison. I like to read stories about the
life of Jesus and learn the books of the Bible. I feel a happy emotion when I smell incense.
I can help with the decoration in the church. Last Christmas I did the decoration for
December 24. I am affected by emotion when I saw that what I made was fantastic for my
life. Now only I say thanks to my God for giving instruction and being my guide.
I enjoy my church, and my God gives me knowledge every day.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
MY LIFE IN THE USA TERESA ROSS
Teresa Ross
Not that long ago I was drowning. I didn’t know the language, I couldn’t speak English. I
was scared to go outside because somebody might speak to me and I wouldn’t understand.
When I went to the store, my husband always went with me because he could speak
English. He paid the cashier. I knew some words, for example, thank you, I’m sorry, and
some numbers.
One day my son’s teacher told me about a program to study English. I couldn’t go because
I have twin daughters and I had no one to take care of them. Finally, when my daughters
started Head Start I went to the program. I had an appointment and was tested. My teacher
told me, “You start Monday in my class.” I felt happy because I wanted to learn to read,
write and speak English. I started to study English in the Even Start Program.
After, I moved to the ABE program where I am, today I am in the Pre GED class. Now I
can speak, read, and write English and I don’t have to be scared to go to the store.
I’m the president of the student council. We help students come together and we offer
support to the community. Last year, I was honored by being named the MCAE Student of
the Year. I never would have thought this could happen to me.
Operation Bootstrap
99

HOUSE
Alsira Valderrama
Methuen Adult Learning Center
HOUSE ALSIRA VALDERRAMA
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IN SEARCH OF THE IDEAL LOVE CRISTINA NUNEZ
Cristina Nunez
With perseverance and optimism, it is possible to achieve everything that one proposes in
life. Always, I dreamed to fine real love, to have my own home and my own family. Until
I was forty years old, my dreams didn’t materialize. My life was boring with the same
routine, and I was feeling tired of the same thing. I needed to make some major change in
my life. Everybody in my family was calling me the “solterona,” the word that means that
I was never going to leave and get married. Sometimes, I said to myself, “I know that in
some place in the world there is a wonderful man waiting for me.” That filled me with
optimism to keep on dreaming of the ideal love.
Everything began from the moment I won a Caribbean Cruise. I started imagining what I
would do on the trip. I materialized the idea by making a collage of photos of an ideal
couple. I placed this collage in my room so I could see it daily.
For one reason or another, the cruise liner did not give me the trip. I felt a bit sad and
disappointed, but I said to myself, “For a reason, it happened this way.” So after this, my
friend, Beatriz who was going to accompany me on the trip, invited me to stay a few days
at her house in Miami. She sent me the airplane ticket because at this time in my life, my
economic conditions were not very good.
In May 2005, I came to Miami and I felt very happy, but also very strange because this
country is very different than Venezuela where I am from. Miami seemed to me very
beautiful and my one and a half months at Beatriz’s house were unforgettable, but it was
time to return to my country. Before returning, Beatriz insisted that I had to go to visit my
brother in Massachusetts. I had not seen him for twelve years. After that, my brother called
me and invited me to his house. He sent me some money to buy a ticket to go to Boston to
meet him. Beatriz said to me, “You should buy a one way ticket because you do not know
when you are going to return, and maybe you will find new opportunities and you may
remain there.”
I arrived in Boston on July third, and my brother was there to meet me. I felt very happy to
see him. But after a while, I was feeling alone and depressed. I was missing my family in
Venezuela and I wanted to go back to my country, until the day I met Chris. He was my
brother’s friend. As soon as we met, we liked each other and we started dating. We went
out to dinner, to the mall, the movies, the theater, and the beach, etc. He treated me like a
queen and gave me beautiful flowers. He was the man who I so much had hoped to find.
He is a wonderful man! All his attention made me feel like I was dreaming again, and I
was afraid of waking up because I could not believe it was true. But it was true.
At first I did not understand him very much because I didn’t speak English, but he spoke a
little Spanish. This way we were communicating with the language of love. Finally, my
life changed 180 degrees and I had to adapt to my new life as a happily married woman.
We will soon be celebrating our first wedding anniversary. The changes in our lives are not
easy at all, but with love, determination and optimism, everything is possible.
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Now, I am attending English classes and my English has much improved and I also have a
part-time job. My new goals are to learn to drive a car and to get my driver’s license, find
a better full-time job and to be fluent in English. I know that it is not easy at all, but I know
that I can do it.
I have always remembered the words of a famous writer, Pablo Coelho, in his book, The
Alchemist, “When you want something with all your heart all the universe conspires
in helping you to achieve it.”
In this country, I have known wonderful people who helped me unselfishly. I am grateful to
all the people who intervened so that my hopes for a better life were made a reality.
Never forget this: If a window closes, a door is opened towards a better future.
North Shore Community Action Program
GHOSTS YOUNGHEE IN
Younghee In
From when I was young, I have been afraid of ghosts. About 25 years ago, our family
lived in a two-floor house with a garden. There was a family living on the first floor. The
old lady who was living there went to church early every morning. One day she told my
mother that she saw a girl ghost in the garden and she couldn't live in our house anymore.
Finally she moved to another house.
My mother didn't tell us this story until we moved to another house. Even though I didn't
hear that ghost story, I had nightmares so often while I was living in that house.
Sometimes I still suffer from the nightmare. In fact, it is not a nightmare. I am not
sleeping. My body seems to sleep, but my mental state is clear and awake. I try to wake
up, but I can't. I can even open my eyes and see the wall in front of me. But I can't move
or wake up! During that time I hear some other people chattering. When I was in my
country, the chattering was in my language. But now, it is English.
A few days ago, I experienced it again. I saw a bright light in my room, and there were so
many people doing something and walking around the whole house. I tried to wake up, but
it was very hard.
I don't know why I suffer from that kind of bad experience. I hope I don't suffer from that
again.
The Immigrant Learning Center
102

MY CHALLENGES
Evelyn Rivera
EVELYN RIVERA
I thought that trying to obtain my GED would be hard now that I am dealing with many of
life’s challenges. Coming to school and being a single mom is also a full time job. Learning
to have mental balance in life is very important to be able to succeed. I have a time set for
my children and a time set for me, as well as a time set for the chores in the house.
The way I keep my mind focused in school is studying hard with math and reading. I love
to read. It also takes a lot of dedication and determination. I know that by the end of the
school year, I will have obtained my G.E.D and I will further my education to college.
Life is full of challenges. But going to school is one challenge that I enjoy working with,
even though it’s not easy. My education will get me out of my hole. I try to teach my
children to be good, treat others with respect, and stay with school. It’s a great way to pull
yourself up and feel good about yourself because you feel so proud of your
accomplishments.
Yes, life is full of challenges. We can’t escape them. We just need to know how to deal
with them in a positive way.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
AN OPPORTUNITY
Lizandro Bonilla
LIZANDRO BONILLA
Since I was a little boy back in the Dominica Republic, I wanted to come to this great
country, the United stated of America. I remember looking at the sky and seeing the air
planes flying by my little house that I used to live in. I would dream that one day I would
be a passenger sitting in one of those planes.
Here is my story.
I didn’t want this to happen, but it happened. One day, on Easter week, my mother, my
sister and I were going to the beach. On the way to the beach, we encountered one of my
uncles from my father’s side and he gave a message for my mother. My father told my
uncle to tell my mother that he didn’t want her to go to the beach. My mother didn’t listen
to what my uncle had told her, so she grabbed my sister’s hand on one side and my hand
from the other side, and we kept walking toward the beach. We walked for about two
hours, and then it happened.
My mother found my father with another woman on the beach. My mother was so sad
when she saw him with his arms wrapped around the waist of the lady that he was with on
the beach. My mother told my father that their relationship was over, and then we turned
around and left the beach. I remember when we were walking back to the house that we
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used to live in with my father. I recall of us were crying. My mother said we were going to
the house to pick up our belongings and that we were going to move to a new place.
We understood my mother decision to end her relationship with my father, but at the same
time we loved our father and we didn’t want her to get separated from him. My mother
found a place to live. My mother struggled to get money to support my sister and me. She
used to sell lottery tickets and other things to get money to support us.
About a year after we moved my mother fond a new boyfriend. He acted like a nice person
in the beginning but he wasn’t. He was married. So my mother left him. Although my
mother struggled to support us, we always had food on the table.
I’ll never forget the day she told us that she was going to leave her native country to go to
Puerto Rico on a wooden boat and that we had to go live with my grandmother. We were
in tears. I was only eight years old and my sister was eleven. We were so scared that she
would be eaten by sharks as so many others were who left the Dominican Republic. We
walked for four hours to get to my grandmother’s house. My grandmother was very angry
with my mother but said that we could stay with her until my mother came back for us.
Everyday my sister would help cook and I would help my grandfather milk the cows. Two
weeks passed and we got a letter from my mother saying that she made it to Puerto Rico
even though many lost their lives at sea because of the bad storms. The happiest day of my
life was when my mother returned three years later to bring us back with her. We went to
immigration to get the papers we needed to travel. Our passports came through and my
dream came true to fly on a plane. I was so excited to sit next to the window and look at
the blue sky.
I was happy in Puerto Rico because it was very much like the Dominican Republic. But
one day instead of a good morning, it was a nightmare. Two men came to our house
pointing at us with guns. They tied us up and said to stop crying or something bad will
happen. They took my mother into the bedroom to steal her money and jewelry. She
hesitated and they hit her in the head. After they got what they wanted, the thieves left, but
my mother was covered in blood. My mother immediately called the police. The thieves
found out that my mother reported them and they said that they would come back to kill the
whole family.
So my mother decided to start a new life. She sold everything and we moved on August
17, 1995 to the United States to live with my uncle. I had no friends, my sister got a job at
a factory and my mother started working at a Laundromat. I wanted to go to high school,
but I had to find work too to help my family get a place of our own. I got a job helping out
at the Charter School. I only spoke Spanish, but I would listen to the kindergarten teacher
speak English to the kids so I could learn to speak English. I don’t regret having to walk in
the dark and in snowstorms because this was the beginning of my new life in the United
States, the land of the free and opportunity.
Opportunity, yes! There was a lot of opportunity in this great country. For example, if you
never finished high school, you can go to school like the one I’m attending now to get your
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GED. Also, if you don’t speak English, you can find free classes if you don’t have money
to pay for them.
I decided to write my story because I hear so many people speak badly about this country.
In my opinion, this is the best country in the whole world. If you work hard toward what
you want, you can get it. What you have to do is pursue your goals. It is not going to be
easy. But if you want it, you can get it. You have to leave whatever happened in your past.
Look toward your goals.
I consider myself so lucky to live in this great country of opportunity. You can build
something out of nothing if you work hard enough for it. I am so happy for the
opportunities that this country has given me. You can have it too!
Methuen Adult Learning Center
ONE OF MY GOOD DAYS SONYA NASH
Sonya Nash
I’m a strong believer if you really want something in life you have to give your all to get it.
One of my goals is to complete my G.E.D. I’m just so tired of negative feedback that I get
from people when I ask for help to prepare for my test in February.
I went to the Career Center to job search and get extra help for math. At about 10:30 am, I
went to the smoking area for my break. There were a group people. I was having a
conversation with this older woman. Our conversation started out great until I told her that
I was going to school for my GED. She said, “Don’t you think you’re too old to be going to
school?” Oh my! I really had to gain composure immediately. I really wanted to forget my
home training at this point.
I said, “How dare you say some thing like that?” At this point she had my blood pressure
so high I could feel it bubbling. “Do you know how disrespectful that is?” I said to her.
Education doesn’t have a limit. Everyday you learn something new. “ She‘s standing there
with a shocked expression on her face as if I was not going to say something about her
being so negative. “Just for your information it’s people like you that make us women
strive harder for what we want.” At this point she tried her hardest to apologize for
insulting me.
I replied back to her, “It’s never too late to learn.” I was so upset I smoked another
cigarette to calm my nerves. At this point the woman saw how upset I was. She
immediately went back inside. I didn’t say another word to her. Finally I went back inside,
sat at the cubicle where I was assigned waiting patiently for assistance for my math.
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I heard my name called, “Sonya, please come to the front desk.” I was ready to conquer my
math lesson for the day. We all know how much I look forward to doing math. I reached
the front desk, and said, “Yes I’m Sonya.” The nice lady asked me for my card and sent me
to a little office area I said, “Hello I’m here its Sonya.” From the back room I heard a small
voice say, “I’ll be right with you.” My heart dropped when I saw who was giving me extra
help. It sure was the lady I had an altercation with.
The only thing that came out of my mouth was,” You can’t be serious.” I needed at
moment. The woman kept apologizing over and over again. My only words to her were,
”Never judge a book by its cover.”
Operation Bootstrap
A CAT AND A SNOWMAN SONIA CHACON
Sonia Chacon
I have a photo of my little son Jose Luis Najera and his pet. Jose was born in 1999 in
Guatemala he is eight years old; he likes to take photos with his cat. The cat is two years
old and his name is CAT. This photo was taken outside in the parking lot of my house the
first day of snow this year. That afternoon we were very happy because we had a good
time. We played for two hours and made a big snowman. I like this picture because it is a
beautiful memory for me.
Operation Bootstrap
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MY BEDROOM STEPHANIE KELLY
Stephanie Kelly
My name is Stephanie Kelly. I am 33 years old, I have two children, one girl and one boy.
My favorite place is my bedroom. Inside it I can be in peace, without noise, nobody can
talk to me. After I close my door, nobody disturbs me. I can pray, talk to God, and very
special I can talk to my grandmother. I knew my grandmother after she died.
In my bedroom when my children do not have good behavior and I feel something wrong, I
talk to them in my bedroom. When something happened with my mom, I talk to her inside
my bedroom.
My bedroom is very special for me, and it is my favorite place, because I feel some special
peace. I can concentrate to talk with God and my grandmother too, and after I can reflect,
and I can resolve whatever problem. They bring me resolution and beautiful mind. Both
of them are my good guides.
Lawrence Adult Learning Center
I MET THE LOVE OF MY LIFE ANA RODRIGUES
Ana Rodrigues
Two years ago on February 14, 2006 I was going to a party with my cousin and my aunt.
This date I didn’t think my life would change. I was sitting with my cousin and some man
that I didn’t know, asked me if I wanted to dance with him. I said, NO!
My cousin pushed me up and he took my hand, so we went to dance the “bachata”.
My cousin gave him my telephone number, and he called me. Now we have been together
for 2 years. We remember that special day we met. He told me that this day changed his
life because now he knows true love.
Asian Center of Merrimack Valley
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ADHD/REWARDING MARIA FOWLKES
Maria Fowlkes
Growing up in Boston Massachusetts was an experience. My mother had me doing all
sorts of entertaining because I liked being on camera, “so she says.” Maybe she was right
in a way, but that wasn’t the only reason why she kept me active. You see I was also very
hyper.
Back in the day they called you hyperactive if you couldn’t sit still for long. Now they call
it ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Isn’t that something? Oh boy I tell you,
Mother was always coming up with a brainstorm when it came to me. I remember my
mother complaining all the time about my hyperactivity. Mother use to take me for long
walks before bed time and then too, she would have to take me after work, which meant
she was already tired beforehand; especially because she would constantly be on her feet
day and night dressing hair. For mother was a beautician. Then having to take me for
walks after, just so I would sleep all night and not bounce off the walls, so to speak, just so
she could get some sleep. Then mother would get up early the next morning, make
breakfast for us, get us off to school, and then go to work. “God bless my mother for she
did it all.”
My mother’s next plan to solve my hyperactivity was dancing school, where I took up
Ballet, Jazz, and Tap dancing. Then receiving a scholarship to go to Boston Conservatory
of Music was a blessing in disguise. I liked singing and it gave my puny little legs a rest.
When I graduated, I was truly singing like a lark. I had a recital at Symphony Hall which is
huge. It appeared to me as though it could seat a million people. It had rows and rows of
seats arranged from low level to high in the shape of a cone, and the balcony up top went
from one side to another, surrounding the whole auditorium. Just to look at the crowd
would give any entertainer stage fright, especially me, a 10 year old. There I sang and
received a standing ovation. My Mother always said, “No matter what happens do not stop
singing,” and so I didn’t. What a wise thing to say. I would say that is one of the first
things to remember in becoming a famous singer. It was not just because I was a beautiful
singer, but because even though the power shut down and there were no music or lights, I
continued to sing. The audience was surprised. Finally it all paid off. All the hard work my
mother put into helping me overcome being hyper turned out to be very rewarding for both
of us.
Operation Bootstrap
108

VII
Visions
VII. Visions
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TO NEVER GIVE UP JEMIMA MALLOY
Jemima Malloy
When I came to the U.S.A
I was 18 years old.
I came to visit my twin brother.
He came when he was 15 years old.
I didn’t care too much about English when I was in Brazil.
“Why do I need English?
I’m never going to need it”, I told myself.
I was here for 6 months, and then it was time to come back to my country.
I said to my mother, “I want to stay.”
Even with my no English at all.
The first thing I did was to start going to English classes.
I was saying to myself,
“I guess I can never say never in life.”
Look where I am.
In English classes!
After one year, I met a North American.
With my broken English.
It was hard to communicate.
Day by day I was trying hard to learn just to talk to him.
After two years, we got married.
I didn’t know how it was going to be.
Living with a North American felt like I was in kindergarten again.
I didn’t have to learn just his language but his traditions too.
My mother-in-law used to talk to me like I was deaf.
It was hard in the beginning to be around his family and not speak English.
The days passed, and we are together for 8 years.
We have 2 boys.
The best thing I did all those years was to never give up on my English classes.
Today I’m very happy and proud of myself to be able to read books to my kids and write in
English.
And never give up.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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TIME FLIES FLOR DE PAZ
Flor De Paz
I think time is the most important thing in our life. It just depends how you use it. You
know, life is a mystery full of surprises, and in these moments we have to take the time to
understand what we have to do. Some things are hard to take. Every day you discover new
things, some good and some bad. There are hard moments that nobody can understand, but
time shows us how to handle them; we have to choose what to do if we are facing sad or
bad things. Time is always there; just be careful what you are going to do with it.
I went through a difficult time and foe awhile, I didn’t want to live anymore. I thought that
nothing was more important than my painful life. Time showed me that I have a reason to
go on, thanks to my parents and my brothers, my husband’s love, and my friends that care
about me. I learned to appreciate many things that I didn’t before, and now I feel more sure
of myself. Life is short, so enjoy it when you have the time. Just think about today,
because tomorrow can be too late. Remember that after bad times, things can get better. I
didn’t believe it until now. It’s amazing how time heals all.
Life gives us time to become better people after bad experiences. It all depends on you.
Time will give you the answer one day about everything you have done’ it is part of your
life. Make it fun and enjoyable, but above all, productive. Share every moment with the
special people in your life.
Treasure every moment that you live and more if it is with someone you love. Remember,
time doesn’t wait for anyone. The reality is that time is always there, but we will not
always be here. Before the universe existed, there was time – before the cavemen, the
Romans, Christopher Columbus, America, and so on. Time is the common thing. What
I’m trying to say is that, throughout all the years, these are examples of what is
remembered after a lot of time has passed. Even though they are gone, they made valuable
use of their time.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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THE CHANGES MOTHERHOOD BRINGS JESSICA MATEO
Jessica Mateo
Molly and I were at her house chilling in her bedroom. “Are you still going to the party
tonight at Nicole’s house with me?”
“I don’t know yet. It’s going to be fun. They’re going to have liquor there and I’m copping
a bottle before we go.” Molly looked at me with disappointment. “I need to take a
pregnancy test,” she said with a sigh. I asked her why and she exclaimed, “The condom
broke last week while my boyfriend and I were well you know.” She took a box out of her
top drawer. ”Damn, girl. Do you keep them stocked?” She laughed. She had bought the
tests with two in a package. She asked me if I wanted to take one. I thought for a second. I
had been sleeping unprotected with my boyfriend so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to take a
pregnancy test.
Molly went in the bathroom first. While she was in there, I sat in her room a little anxious
to find out if I was pregnant. A lot of thoughts ran through my head. I went in the bathroom
as soon as she came out. I took the test and waited for my results when I heard Molly
yelling from the other room “I’m not pregnant.” A few seconds later I looked at my test.
My stomach dropped. “Oh my God.” When I came out of the bathroom Molly could tell I
was pregnant by the expression on my face. Molly said, “Good luck. Having a baby is a lot
of work.” But I knew I was ready to be a mother no matter how hard it would be.
I told my mother and father first. They were happy. While being pregnant I began to think
about being the best role model for my child. By doing so I would have to make a lot of
changes in my life. When I was four and a half months pregnant I found out I was having a
girl. I was so excited considering I have four brothers and I’m the only girl. I’d be able to
do her hair, dress her up all cute and teach her everything she would need to know about
life. I spent the rest of my pregnancy buying her clothes, setting up her room, and reading
magazines about parenting.
On may.13, 2004 at 4:01 a.m. my daughter was born. I named her Aliana Ruth Mateo. She
was so adorable. For the first year I didn’t work or do anything. I wanted Aliana to bond
with me more than anyone else and I didn’t want to miss when she did something new. She
started rolling over at 4 months. Believe it or not she said her first words at 6 months. She
said “what’s that?” She said it so cute I was surprised though because she was so young.
When she turned a year old I decided to seek employment. I worked at Wal-Mart for about
a year. I had a few different jobs after that. I figured though if I really wanted to change my
life, and be a good role model for my daughter I should have some type of education and
by getting my G.E.D I could pursue my career.
I procrastinated for about a year before I actually came to sign up for classes at an adult
learning center in Lynn. I was nervous when I started because I hadn’t been in school for
about five years and had forgotten a lot of things about it, but after a few weeks I felt
comfortable thanks to my teacher, and some of the other students. I thought to myself if I
had teachers like him in high school I would never have dropped out. He helped me
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emember how to do a lot of math & other things I had forgotten or didn’t know how to do.
I’ve been taking classes for about 8 months now. I think in a few more months I’ll be ready
to take the test. I plan on going to college after I get my G.E.D. I want to be an assistant
nurse.
Change is a necessary part of life. For many reasons mine happened to be having a child.
As we grow older we have more responsibilities whether it’s working, taking care of our
children, or going to school. Throughout our lives we have many lessons to learn and the
best way to learn is through our experiences.
Operation Bootstrap
113

LEARNING A NEW JOB LUCIO BARRIOS
Lucio Barrios
I know I was good in what I did and I never thought that I would be able to be successful in
my life. Because of my education level I knew it was hard for me to even think of a
different job. So one day when I got to work the director of our department said, “Sir would
you come to my office?” I said ho man what I did now. I thought I was in a problem so I
went into his office and he said, “Have a seat.” I was so nervous. I started getting red on
my face. Then he said, “Well sir I think it’s time to move on. I have a great opportunity for
you to step up.” I felt a little relieved. He continued, “I am looking for someone like you
that knows what he’s doing.”
Learning a new job had been one of the best experiences of my life. Even though I have the
knowledge on what I do, as far as on the floors, but my fears were to be able to deal with
people. It was very hard for me because I thought that I would never handle it. I was
convinced that it wasn’t for me. When he called me to the office I thought that I had done
something wrong. I went in and he started to tell me the reason he had called me at his
office was to offer me a new position. I told him that I was happy with what I was doing
and that I wouldn’t be interested in that job. That was when I told him that I knew what I
was doing in my job as a project person and that I was able to do better somewhere else but
not in the position that he wants to put me in. I told him what my problem was; that my
education was none. He said, “What? I thought you were educated because you’re the right
person for this job. You speak two languages!”
So I asked, “What kind of job is it anyway?” He said, “A supervisor.” I said, “No thank
you.” So he kept me in the office for two hours convincing me that if he hadn’t thought that
I could do it, he wouldn’t have asked me. So I said let me think about, and I will let you
know as soon as I can. A week went by. I hadn’t said anything so he called me again and
said not to worry about it, “I know you will be able to do it. All you need to do is to fill out
an application and your resume. I push it so that you will get the job. I told him that I didn’t
have one and that I didn’t know how to make one out. He said I let you have mine so you
can see how it is done. So I asked one of my friends to help me put one together and she
said no problem.
When I went for the interview I was shaking. Everything changed. I began on January 1-06
the first few weeks I came home with headaches. I don’t know if it was the stress or
nervousness. Because not just that I was new but we had a manager who was a jerk so it
made things difficult for me? Now I feel more comfortable with my new job, and yes,
indeed, I know if I only have more education, I’ll be a lot better. Sometimes we as human
beings don’t value when we have the opportunity for success. Things have changed I have
overcome my fears of being able to talk with people, employees, nurses, Doctors, and so
on. When you are in this position you have to be a little politic. Even though I’m still
getting used to it my expectations are to be able to do good job, and be successful. So far
my experience has been extremely good, and I hope that learning new things in life always
are good. Even though when you are not sure of it things will work out well for you. Over
the time I learn more new ways of dealing with people although I have been in different
kinds of training to know how to recognize the differences between people, some people
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are more into title and some are more into the facts like just tell me what you want and so
on.
Two years ago I didn’t know what I know. Today I can talk with people. I interview new
employees. I train them. I even have asked to go for a better job in a different hospital.
Over all this has been an outstanding experience.
Operation Bootstrap
LEARNING TO DRIVE LUCIO BARRIOS
Lucio Barrios
I have a lot of things to be proud of. However, something that I’m very proud of is
learning how to drive. This was something that I never thought I would be able to do. To
accomplish this, I had to have a car. My friend and I bought an old car so I could practice
whenever I had a chance. My friend already knew how to drive so that made it easier for
me. He would pick me up almost every day. Finally, I learned how to drive, but I was
driving without a license. I could drive now but the hard part was passing my learner’s
permit, and obtaining my driver’s license.
To pass my learners permit was hard because I didn’t know how to read or write. One day
I drove to work and an American friend who worked with me was excited to see me
driving. “Congratulations, can I see your license?” he asked. I told him I didn’t have one.
He said, “Do you want me to take you to the Registry to get your learner’s permit?” I said
“okay.” I thought it was easy, a piece of cake. My big surprise was when I had to fill out
the paperwork. I couldn’t do it. My friend did it for me. I thought, “That’s all set now.”
When the lady called me to read in the little machine, I just stood there for a long time.
Then she asked, “What’s up? Can’t you see anything?” “No” I answered. She suggested I
needed to see an eye doctor. I knew what I needed. I went right out and bought a small
book just to learn my alphabet. Just then, I really realized that I needed to learn more than
just my alphabet.
Here I was, twenty years old, and I didn’t know how to read or write, not even in Spanish.
I knew my alphabet, but it was not enough for me. I knew I could learn more so I
continued with my little book. Not only can I now read, but as you guessed, I finally earned
my license. I can say that I have learned a lot on my own. I had the opportunity to come to
my program where I started from the beginning. My student level was so low because of a
lack of education. And from there everything has been a big success. I have accomplished
a lot of things. So from here on I’m looking forward to continue learning.
Operation Bootstrap
115

LIFE CAN CHANGE IN AN INSTANT BRYAN LANOUETTE
Bryan Lanouette
One day in August, I went to work. The job I had was changing big truck tires. I also had
to go out on the road to change or fix flat tires.
When I got to work that morning, I had to go out for a road call. The job I had was to
change a flat tire on a Pepsi trailer truck. I had a hard time with the tire, but I finally got it
changed. When I was done, the driver gave me some free soda from the boxes that were
damaged. We talked for a few minutes. Then I said, “Have a nice day.”
I got back to the shop and began to help my coworkers who were having a hard time
changing tires. Then, all of a sudden, a piece of the rim hit me in the head. It really didn’t
hurt at the time. But then I had a seizure. My boss called 911. I woke up in the
ambulance. It took me awhile to realize what had happened.
When I arrived at the hospital, the nurses were putting IV’s in me, cutting my pants and
shirt. The doctor ordered some blood tests, X-rays and a Cat scan. When the results were
in, the doctor came to speak with me. I had a brain tumor. The doctors ordered an M.R.I.
and told me to stay the night. The next day I went home, but it was just the beginning of
my life changing in a whole new direction.
I had to have surgery, but the doctor said there were risks because it was a growing tumor.
When the day of the surgery came, I was so scared. Ten hours later, I woke up. Since
then, I have monthly M.R.I’s and blood work to be sure the medication is right to control
my seizures. About a year and a half later, the tumor started to grow again. I needed to get
radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
Now it’s been some time since all those bad things happened to me. Now I went back to
school so I can get my GED. I hope to get a good job or go to college after I get my GED.
There are two things that keep me fighting and that is the Man upstairs and my daughter. I
am living proof how your life can change in an instant.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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QUICKSAND FRANCISCO TEJADA
Francisco Tejada
My life was almost like being in quicksand. No matter what step I took, it felt like I as
sinking. Maybe this began in my past from losing friends and family. I felt like I was
simply moving back and forth, not getting ahead. My parents were separated for most of
my childhood. Half of my childhood was spent living with my grandfather. Maybe some
of my past is what was holding me down. It’s almost like you call but nobody listens.
You’re thinking one thing but somebody doubts whatever you say. Quicksand. You try
but you can’t get up. Sinking, sinking. Deeper and deeper.
An event in my life changed my feet from quicksand to concrete. Now I’m looking
forward to what matters. I listen to my own instincts, not allowing others to judge me. I’m
attending classes now to get my GED. I’m moving forward. I’m moving fast. I’m not in
quicksand. I’m on solid ground making a difference in my life so I can make a difference
for my family. Quicksand…no more!
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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GRAPES ALSIRA VALDERRAMA
Alsira Valderrama
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS EASY GAIL CALABRESE
Gail Calabrese
In the year 2003, my older and only brother was on his way to work at 7 am to support his
family. Unfortunately, he was in a fatal car crash. He was only forty-nine years old. We
buried him with sadness but there was more to come.
We all went to court and it just seemed to drag out into years. Do you want to know
something? We paid more for the funeral than the guy who killed my brother did for his
bail! The guy only got a 5 month sentence and we got a life sentence without my brother.
Shortly after that event in my life, another thing happened. My mother was diagnosed with
A.L.S., or if you prefer, Lou Gehrig’s disease, which is a very awful disease. This disease
goes after all your muscles. You really can’t imagine how many muscles you have between
walking and swallowing or simply just reaching for different things. Even your eyes have
muscles in them!
I chose to take care of her at home and she was grateful for what I did for her. One of my
sisters wanted to put her in a nursing home, but I refused to do that. She wouldn’t have
done very well there. One time, my mother was put in the hospital for a few days and she
was the worst patient I ever met in my life time. But you know, I loved her and so I did
what I could for her while she was ill. I really do miss her, especially around the holidays.
Those are the pits.
Whatever days or months or even years you may have with your family, treat them as if
they were your last. Make them special because, in the end, all you have is memories and
pictures.
I still miss my mother, but yet another event has taken place in my life. A few years ago, I
was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ve had a radical mastectomy. Now I am dealing with
nerve damage in my arms from an accident I had.
Boy, life is not always easy. But if you have the right attitude, you can get through it with
a smile.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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PROUD TO BE SANDY MARTINEAU
Sandy Martineau
To finally feel good inside makes me feel like a new person. Even though I don’t have my
GED, I know it will come in time with hard work and effort on my part. I feel good
because of all the accomplishments I’ve made since the beginning of school.
The first step was taking the time to go back to school, and with determination, show up for
classes everyday to learn. The second step was trying to understand what I was taught.
Now I can see the difference in my learning. I’m remembering what I’ve learned.
After that, the next step I took forward was becoming a member of the student leadership
team to help other students. I noticed I was more open with myself because it made me feel
real good.
Then later on, I was at a meeting at Northern Essex Community College for a student
leadership forum meeting. While I was attending the program, I was asked to become a
board member of the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Literacy. All of a sudden, I was
going here and there and feeling like people appreciated for me for who I am.
To have an empty feeling at one time, I know some day it will not be like that for me.
Knowing my mind will grow into a whole new world for me and expanding my learning as
much I can makes me so PROUD TO BE the person I am now. School has made all the
difference to find my true self.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
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FIND TIME
Jose Almeida
JOSE ALMEIDA
Find time to think;
This is a fountain of power.
Find time to read;
This is a fountain of your intelligence.
Find time to watch the sea;
This is the strongest of power on the earth.
Find time to serve;
This is the road to love and prayer.
Find time to laugh;
This is music from your spirit.
Find time to give;
Just one day is too short to be selfish.
Find time to work;
This is the price of success.
Find time for your life;
This is since you’re born and you die.
Keep finding
Time.
Notre Dame Education Center
121

Life is a shadow running away.
Is like a cloud flying in the sky.
A light dream.
A precious moment.
Life is like smoke staying for a moment,
And afterwards disappears.
“The wind takes your life.”
Life is a soft breeze.
A big star in the sky.
The flight from the birds.
The waves created by ocean winds.
Life is everything we can think:
Love, peace dreams, beautiful nature.
“Don’t let the wind take your life.”
Please have a…LIFE.
THE LIFE AND THE WIND CIDALIA ALMEIDA
Cidalia Almeida
Notre Dame Education Center
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I’M NOT OKAY JASELYNE RIVERA
Jaselyne Rivera
I dream about you when I’m sleeping
Pictures of you haunt me through my days
I’m not okay.
Until I see you, feel you, touch you,
I need you
I’m not okay.
I would do anything, anything for you
Give my life for you, and hold you twice if you want me to
Until then…
I’m not okay.
I’m willing to give everything that I have
All the love I give my girl
I’m devoted but do you understand?
I’m willing to sacrifice a lot
The feelings I have for you are so strong
Whether it’s right or whether it’s wrong
Plain and simple… I love you so much that
I would do anything.
Until then…
I’m not okay.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
123

DEATH OF A YOUNG MAN MATTHEW AHEARN
Matthew Ahearn
There was a smash in the kitchen
The family ran in, he’s on the floor
They don’t know what to do
They don’t react quickly enough
He can’t be saved, lost his life over somebody else’s mistake
Lost my father because they didn’t react quick enough.
Drama has been my story most of my life
It’s been so hard to cope
Don’t know what to do, don’t know how to act
Life is hard, it’s an everyday struggle to live in this head of mine
My mind has a lot of different realities on how life should have been
But life is strange
It comes and goes so quick
It was his time
Should have never done those drugs
Gone now
Gone forever
Will be missed
Missed by me always
Your son, Matthew
Operation Bootstrap
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WE PLACE TOO MUCH VALUE IN OURSELVES KRISTINA ANDRIOTAKIS
Kristina Andriotakis
We put too much value in ourselves as individual people. We think that our ideas and
actions are purely our own. Yes, our ideas, some of them, are important but not always
essential. It’s like building a house, you can’t use just one support beam, and many are
needed. It took more than one person to build the world to what it is today. Great inventors,
thinkers and leaders were needed to build a world so large, with or without the problems
that we undoubtedly have.
If only one person had influenced the way the world is today, then we would still be in the
dark ages, of caves and stone. The first great ideas were created when we were still
dwelling in caves; fire, clothing and stone tools were the first great inventions of the Homo
sapiens. The wheel and the domestication of wild animals come next in line for the great
ideas of the age. Now, one person didn’t invent all these things because if they did they
would have to be well into their hundreds and even now, with all the technology and
science we have, that’s impossible. So that leads me to conclude on the subject of inventors
that it took more than one individual to come up with all of these great ideas. It took men
like Leonardo DeVinci, Thomas Edison and Mark Twain to make the world as high tech as
it is today.
Philosophers and thinkers like Aristotle, Democritus and Plato were thinkers of the earth,
air and sky. They were the first scientist of their age. Thinking about cause and effect, the
way the sky turned dark at night and how life began were some of the things they discussed
with other philosophers of their times. They are responsible for building up the ideas and
thoughts of the amazing men before them. They turned thought into truth and ideas into
facts.
Then, there are the great leaders that have brought humans through some very tough times,
war, famine and plague to name a few of the things that have tormented us trough the
millennia. There are the men and women like the Pharaohs of Egypt and the Emperors of
Rome, Kings and Queens of Europe, Tribal leaders around the world and others that have
made their marks on the pages of time in many different ways. Leading an army to victory
against all odds or building a towering pyramid has brought some people we never would
have heard about into the history books. Many of these people we wouldn’t have heard
about if they hadn’t done something extraordinary.
So in conclusion, we do put to much importance in ourselves. There will always be
someone who thinks that are more important and others that think that they are worthless.
But if they opened their eyes and glanced around they would see that to get this far as a
community, country or species it took many great ideas, thousands of amazing people and
millions of the smallest actions to get us this far in the universe.
Northern Essex Community College
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MY LOVE ROSE AYLWIN
Rose Aylwin
Cherished friend and lover
My friend my lover
Carrying me away with promises of
Love and desires
Surroundings so powerfully peaceful sending
Spirits of presence, passions so fulfilling
Rescuing desperately your warm soothing lips
Restoring glorious desires
Overwhelming sense of awe and wonder
Resting in shadows of passion
Incredible love,
compassion without Deceit
creating fulfillment of freedom
A creation so enjoyable our love
A thimble shielded thimblesly
From the eye of a needle
Our love so founded
Only in the Bible of love
Operation Bootstrap
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I love you enough to fight for you,
compromise for you
and sacrifice my self for you.
Enough to miss you,
incredibly when we’re apart,
no matter what length of time.
Enough to believe in our relationship,
to stand by it through the good and bad times,
to have faith in our strength as a couple.
To never give up on us,
enough to spend the rest of my life with you,
be there for you,
when you need me or want me,
and never ever want to leave you,
or live with out you.
ANGEL, THIS IS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU MARLENY DE LA CRUZ
Marleny De La Cruz
I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH
North Shore Community College
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THIS I BELIEVE ANONYMOUS
Anonymous
I believe everyone must follow their own path. I feel this is true because every single
person is different from one another. I think parents are there to guide their children and not
to control them. For instance, teaching them your own values and your own rendition of
right and wrong. These are good qualities to instill in them. I believe that you should let
them make decisions for themselves within reason. This is how people learn and retain. It
will also be a benefactor in their becoming responsible. In my experience freedom will
ultimately result in caring, understanding human beings. I discourage parents from forcing
anything on their kid. If a child says that they want to be a rock star, encourage them. Treat
their dreams as if they were your own. Help them achieve that goal in any and everyway
possible. Despite personal opinion, try and be enthusiastic because they found something
they love and enjoy. I believe support is the key. If you are against what they like or you
disagree with their activities or whatever it may be; do not discourage them because you
could waste a beautiful talent. Everybody can be extraordinary at something they are
passionate about. Keep an open mind because everyone sees the world in a different way
and in the end you’re never right or wrong. There is always another opinion. In society
there will be two sides to everything and you’ve got to consider the justification for both of
these standpoints and realize both feel they are right. So listen and appreciate. Show
respect, live and love. Follow your path.
Amesbury Adult Learning Center
REGRET
Elizabeth Murphy
ELIZABETH MURPHY
It is a lonely walk down memory lane
Sifting through the hardships and pain
Oh happiest life I used to sustain
You only think that it is a trick of the brain
When you’re wanting for something so does it come
When your memories thrusting nothing’s undone
Wanting a clean slate to begin again
Wanting for something and nothing’s your best friend
So smoke your cigarette and try to forget
But is life worth living without all that regret?
Operation Bootstrap
128

I BELIEVE: EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO FREEDOM
Reginald Whittaker
REGINALD WHITTAKER
Do you have freedom? I believe freedom is the one thing that helps me to be all I can be.
Education is the key to freedom, it will unlock the door to the prison of illiteracy that I have
lived in for a long part of my life until one day I said “no more”. That day I started on my
quest for knowledge. With some help, I started to read and write more.I went back to
school to my G.E.D. I know it will be a long and hard road, but I am willing to go down it
so my mind can have the freedom to grow the seed to the tree of knowledge and soar high
into the sky of literacy.
So, are you free? I know I am…..
Amesbury Adult Learning Center
TROUBLE GLEYAN ACEVEDO
Gleyan Acevedo
Big brother I love you, so I can’t let you go.
Although we are separated physically but not mentally,
You don’t feel safe breathing.
I don’t feel good living without you
I wish I didn’t have to miss you so
I wish I could have see you when I want
I wish I could close my eyes and dream away the future for you and me
Justice can’t hold you forever
If only everyone knew what was best
Maybe if we all listened to our guardians
Maybe we won’t be stuck like glue
But I sure know that I miss you boo.
Methuen Adult Learning Center
129

SEASONS NEVER NEVER STOP
Anonymous
ANONYMOUS
Summer is coming, all so glad
We’re ready to go ahead.
Spring will raining make so wet
We won’t be happiest like that
Fall is going, blowing leaves off left
Makes us busy, no time to rest
Winter coming, how so sad
Snow falling, don’t feel bad
Although the time won’t come back
It won’t feel nonstop
Please don’t think too much about that
You will feel, happy to come back
Methuen Adult Learning Center
ACCOMPLISHMENTS CHERYL MARCOUX
Cheryl Marcoux
No matter how
big or small the task,
set your mind to it.
Get it done.
Feel good about it.
There’s nothing better than
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Methuen Adult Learning Center
130

VIII
Folk Tales
VIII. Folk Tales
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OM BESISI - A LIBYAN FOLKTALE RANIA GAAFER
Rania Gaafer
There was an old woman and her name was Om Besisiwhich means Besisi’s mother. She
was netting (making wool by spinning) in the yard, when a mouse came to her and asked
her to give him a sieve for his mother. Om Besis told him to go and take it from the
kitchen where it was covering the milk. But she warned him to be careful and not to drink
any of the milk. The mouse went to the kitchen, took the sieve and drank from the milk.
He wiped off one of his moustache hair but forgot to wipe off the other. When he got out of
the kitchen, Om Besisi saw him, and she saw the milk mark on his moustache.
She took a stick and started running after him to beat him and beat him until cutting off his
tail. He ran away from her, but in a few days the mouse went back to Om Besisi and asked
her to return his tail because he wanted to dance with his tail on at the festival. She told
him; “I won’t give you your tail until you give me back my milk which you drank.”
The mouse went to the cow and asked her to give him some milk to give to Om Besisi, so
she would give him back his tail so he could dance at the festival. The cow said to him; “I
won’t give you milk until you bring me grass.”
He went to the farm and asked her to give him some grass to give to the cow, to give him
milk, so he could give it to Om Besi, so she would give him back his tail so he could dance
at the festival.
The farm said to him; “I won’t give you grass until you bring me water.”
The mouse went to the valley and asked him to give him some water, to give to the farm, to
give him grass, to give to the cow, to give him milk, to give to Om Besisi, so she would
give him back his tail so could dance at the festival. The valley said to the mouse; “I won’t
give you water until you bring me singers to sing to me.”
The mouse went to the singers and asked them to come and sing to the valley, to give him
water, to give to the farm, to give to the grass, to give to the cow, to give him milk, to give
to Om Besisi, so she would give him back his tail so he could dance at the festival. The
singers said to him, “We are hungry and we will not sing for you until you bring to us a
grilled sheep to eat.”
The mouse went to the shepherd and asked him to give him a grilled sheep, to give to the
singers to eat, to sing to the valley, to give him water, to give to the farm, to give to the
grass, to give to the cow, to give him milk, to give to Om Besisi, so she would give him
back his tail so he could dance at the festival. The shepherd said to him, “I will not give
you a grilled sheep until you bring me firewood.”
The mouse went to the forest and started cutting wood by using an ax. He collected some
firewood which he gave to the shepherd. The shepherd gave the mouse the grilled sheep,
which he gave to the singers, who sang to the valley, which gave him water, to give to the
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farm, to give him grass, to give to the cow, to give him milk, to give to Om Besisi, so she
would give him back his tail so he could dance at the festival.
Finally, Om Besisi gave back his tail. He tied on his tail and started dancing at the festival.
He danced so much that his tail fell off, and his friends started laughing at him.
North Shore Community Action Program
GAE-CHUN-JUL - A KOREAN FOLK TALE BYUNGIL KIM
Byungil Kim
Once upon a time, there were two animals, a bear and a tiger, who wanted to be human.
They prayed together to God for a long time. Finally, God answered them, “Do you really
want to be human?” “Yes, we do,” said the animals. God replied, “OK, if you go to a cave
and eat only garlic and mugwort for 100days, I will allow that.” “Thank you God, we can
do that,” said the animals.
The bear and tiger went into the cave with that food. However, the fact that they could only
eat garlic and mugwort was very difficult, especially for the tiger. Eventually, the tiger
escaped from the cave 50 days later. In spite of the difficulty, however, the bear overcame
it and became human as a beautiful woman.
After that, she got married and gave birth to a healthy boy. The boy grew up as a strong
man and he made a nation, Korea. His name was Dan-goon.
To celebrate that day, Korean people have a national holiday on October 3. We call it Gaechun-jul.
It means “The day of the open sky.”
North Shore Community Action Program
133

MOROCCO IMILCHIL WEDDING FESTIVAL - A MOROCCAN FOLKTALE GHYZLENE ZAWAK
Ghyzlene Zawak
In the past, there were two young people who fell deeply in love in Morocco.
Unfortunately, they were from different tribes that were enemies. Their families didn’t
allow them to marry. They continued their crying day and night until they created two
lakes made of their tears. They committed suicide by drowning in those two lakes.
The Imilchil fiancés festival has been created to pay homage to those two young lovers. So
all the families grant total freedom to their children to marry whomever they choose. The
engagement festival takes place every September in a large Souk in Morocco in the Ait
Hddidou tribe. The neighborhood tribes come together near these lakes so 25,000 people
from the mountains assemble under tents for 3 days with their flocks, their horses and
camel, and the women choose their husbands. There is a great feasting after the ceremony.
A legend says they are always happy!!!!!
North Shore Community Action Program
134

THE GUARANA LEGEND - A BRAZILIAN STORY MARIA ASSIS
Maria Assis
Brazil is a large country divided into five regions. Each region has its own customs and
culture. There are many folktales, myths, legends and fables associated with each region.
There is a plant that is very popular in Brazil and from it they produce soda similar to
Coca-Cola. This drink is Guarana.
Long before Guarana became a soft drink, the Indian tribes of the Amazon gathered seeds
from the Guarana plant. The Indians say this powder can cure many diseases .and because
the Guarana powder became such a powerful medicine for them; they have a myth about its
origin.
A long time ago in a Brazilian jungle there lived an Indian couple. They belonged to the
Maues Tribe. They had no children thus they had great unhappiness. One day they asked
the Indian god Tupa to give them children as a present to complete their happiness. Tupa
brought them a beautiful boy. Their son grew up and became one of the best young men in
the tribe. The boy soon learned almost everything about the Amazon jungle. However,
there was just one thing he had never learned. He never learned about Jurupari, the evil
spirit who lurks in the heart of the jungle. One day the boy went to gather fruits in the
forest and Jurupari decided that his time for vengeance had arrived. He transformed
himself into a snake and bit the boy; killing him instantly. The whole tribe and the
neighboring tribes were very sad. The great Indian god Tupa was deeply saddened, too. At
this moment, thunder echoed in the sky. Only the boy’s mother was able to understand the
message. She said that the god Tupa has sent a message that he wants to comfort us for the
loss of such a wonderful son. He says we should plant my son’s eyes in the jungle soil and
there they well grow and become a miraculous plant which will heal many of our ills.
The Indians obeyed the mother’s voice and planted the boy’s eyes. There grew the
Guarana, whose seeds are black with a white area around them, which reminds one of a
human eye.
The Amazon people still use the powder of the guarana plant as a medicine. It is considered
one of the best plants in the Amazon jungle.
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GENERAL ON-DAL (A KOREAN FOLKTALE) YE YEON HWANG
Ye Yeon Hwang
About one thousand and five hundred years ago, there was a kind beggar boy in Ko-Ku-
Ryu kingdom. His name was On-dal. Whenever children saw him, they made fun of him
and called him foolish. When they teased him; he just smiled. He was never angry with
children.
One day an urchin kicked On-dal’s hip, so he fell down on the ground and laughed
foolishly. The urchin boy felt sorry and said to him, “Didn’t you feel pain?” But On-dal
said, “Now I am ok. Is your foot ok?” Instead of his pain, he was concerned about the
urchin boy. At that time, many children saw the scene and they promised. “The foolish Ondal
has so kind a heart, that from this moment we will never beat him again.” After that,
children sometimes teased him, but they never beat him again.
Another day when On-dal was on the way to get food, he saw a starving fallen down dog.
On-dal said, “You are a pitiful dog; please eat this rice.” He gave all the cooked rice to the
dog. After eating the rice the dog had strength. From that day the dog followed him. Many
people praised him and they gave him cooked rice willingly. On-dal lived with his single
mom and he was a good son.
At that time, the king, Pyoung-won, had a crybaby princess. She very often cried, so from
childhood, the king said to the princess, “If you cry, I will make you marry with On-dal.”
This princess was called Pyoung-gang. When she became of marriage age, the king said to
her, “There is a good man for your husband, get married.” But the princess didn’t listen to
her father and said firmly. “I want to marry with On-dal.” The king was so angry and made
her leave the palace.
The princess walked on a long journey and at last found On-dal’s house. She asked Ondal’s
mom to permit the marriage. When the mom heard this, she said, “Everybody calls my son
foolish. You can’t marry with my son. It’s foolish behavior.” But the princess asked several
times so On-dal’s mom gave up and permitted the marriage.
After the marriage the princess taught On-dal how to read, write, and military arts. At last
he became a good general. He fought against China and had a great victory. The king was
so surprised and gave him a good position.
The princess and On-dal loved each other very much. But when he fought with Sin-Ra
kingdom, he was struck by an arrow and died. In order to bury him, many soldiers tried to
lift up his casket, but it never moved. When the princess arrived and touched her husband’s
cask; at last it moved.
His grave still remains on A-cha Mountain in Seoul. Whenever we visit there, we can see
his grave.
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