Sowing Pearls ofWisdom Sowing Pearls ofWisdom - Literacy Suffolk

Two Days and Two Nights in 24 Hours
By Santos Monroy
A
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It was noon and the sky was clear,
but for a few minutes it became
night. I could see some stars.”
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bout sixteen years age there was a beautiful and spectacular event in
Central America’s sky. A total eclipse of the sun took place.
There are many superstitions in regard to these kinds of events. Many
people believed (and there are many that still believe) that when an eclipse takes
place people may get sick; especially pregnant women and their unborn children if
they went outdoors or saw the eclipse while it is occurring. My mother was one
who believed in these things.
It was a beautiful day and around noon the sky began to
darken. I was young and was forbidden to go outside. I had to
see it through television. I was able to see through the window
when the street lights turned on. I knew nobody was able to
see without protection towards the sun, because you could get
blind, but I also knew that, when the eclipse was total you
could see it with your naked eyes for a few seconds. The lapse
of time that the sun was covered was eight minutes.
My mother was keeping an eye on me (and the other on the TV). When the
moon completely covered the sun, I managed to slip away outside. I crawled and
evaded the guard (my mother). What I saw was a lifetime event; the most spectacular
phenomenon that I have ever seen. It was noon and the sky was clear, but for
a few minutes it became night. I could see some stars. Nothing compares with this
scene. Then the “dawn” began and the street lights gradually turned off. I had to
go back inside my house in the same way that I got out. My mother did not realize
that I had gone to do some errands outside. Better yet, I did not get sick.
“My name is Santos Monroy. I come from Guatemala. I have been studying English
for two years in the Riverhead Public Library. Thanks to my tutor, Margie, who has
helped me a lot, I am now able to speak and understand English even better, and I
also can write in English.”
20 READING FOR LIFE 2OO8 • Student Writing
Coming to the USA
By Nataliya Sova
I
am from Ukraine. I came to the USA in 1999. I settled in Long Island, New York.
I never thought of staying here. I thought I would go back after three years but I
stayed on. The first three years here my life was very hard. I had a big problem getting
a driver’s license. I couldn’t find a job because I couldn’t speak English. I went to Suffolk
County Community College, bought a car, got a driver’s license and started to clean houses.
My life changed. I still want to improve my English and change this job for a better one. I
continue to learn English every week. I have lessons with my Literacy Suffolk tutor, Mrs. Mary
Bloom. She helps me very much as does Mrs. Marylou Krzeski, another Literacy Suffolk tutor
whose sessions I also attend. I want to say thank you to Literacy Suffolk and to my tutors.
THANK YOU!
Nataliya has been here since 1999. She works full time cleaning houses and most recently being a
health care companion for an invalid man. She is very conscientious. She has family in Ukraine and
hopes to visit them soon. Nataliya is gifted, with a delightful sense of humor and an obvious love of
life. In addition to Literacy Suffolk sessions she has completed the third level ESL at Suffolk County
Community College. (Mary Bloom, tutor)
Like a Dream
By YoungHee Chong
y husband and I went to New York
M City to see the Radio City
Christmas Spectacular. I was very
excited. We sat down in the middle of the first
floor. The hall was very large and beautiful. I
was excited from start to finish. I have never
before seen such a wonderful show. The show
has a variety of beautiful songs, art, and
dances…like a dream. The dancers, the
Rockettes, were on a double-decker bus on the
stage. The scenery was photos of New York
City and they kept changing. I was almost
crying over the beauty of the show.
After the show we went to the Lower East Side.
I wanted to go to Katz’s Deli. It is a famous
restaurant. It was in a scene in the movie
“When Harry Met Sally.” They are famous
for pastrami sandwiches. I ate one. Its taste
was as good as a Lone Star’s Philly cheesesteak
sandwich. It was a very good day.
YoungHee lived in Seoul, Korea, St. Louis,
Missouri, and Germany before moving to Long
Island a year and a half ago. At every chance she
visits New York City theatres, museums, landmarks,
stores, and restaurants. (Carol Link, tutor)
LITERACY SUFFOLK, INC. • Sowing Pearls of Wisdom 21