please welcome.......

our newest US citizen!!!

Congratulations, Maria!

My Real Sad Story

Dear friends, two weeks ago I read a book about four true stories of abuse. The four stories are very sad, they talk about their lifes when they were child and younguest. They talk too how they follow ahead and how try to live a good life far away from bad memories of violence and abuse.

When I read this book,sometimes I cried and I was sad, but at the time happy, because they improve themselves. It's hard for me to try tell this, because something like that happened to me when I was child. I'm ok now. I suffered abuse by a man too, this man is son's friend from my mom when she was young. He never raped me, but I try to remember what's wrong in that time, because my mind close that part.Sometimes I don't remember what more happened. I talked about that with the priest in the church, where I volunter. He told me to try and remember all together and maybe that would help me. All that thinking about that I remember just one part. He never raped me only touched me, but I can talk about that, I need it. Because when you are child and suffer abuse by anybody,you think it is your fault, but it isn't. I never told my mom and she didn't know now, because she is sick and I don't want her to feel it is her fault. My Dad abandoned to my mom when I was very child, my mom worked hard for us for that I love her. I never said anything because I had been afraid and wouldn't be believe. Now I think it's not my fault,because I was only 11 years old.

I think of the girls and woman who are sitting there hiding their own secret of sexual abuse or other kind of abuse, too ashamed to speak it aloud. When something horrible happens to you and you keep it buried, it's easy to start believing that your story is the worst, that you are uniquely horrible, and that no one would ever, ever be able to accept you.

If they knew the truth about you. My husband and my little brother know my story, they support me and give thanks to GOD that man didn't raped me. I have learned to accept myself and to see the good things that make me what I am.
Now I try live the present, the past is back.

goodbye

So this is it. The end of our journey. Here is your homework for the summer:

1. Read good books
2. Write in your journal
3. Post and comment on the blog

This year, your class has published a total of 92 posts on "The Beginning Writers"! This is totally AMAZING! I am so proud of you for your courage to take on something new, for sharing your stories so openly, and for being willing to share them with the world. I look forward to seeing some new posts during the summer. If you want to save them first as a draft, I will check them over for you before publishing. I will check the blog daily and hope to keep in touch with you this way. I'm going to take some pictures of our potluck today, and I will post them next week. So be sure to check in!

Thank you, everyone, for making it a joy for me to come to work every day.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

This day was so funny and interesting because I accompanied my 7-years-old son at Denver Museum of Nature & Science. It's very impressive all we can learn in a little field trip with our kids.

First, it's satisfactory to look the advance of my son in relation of living together with teacher and friends. Since, my biggest fear was my son would can't adapted whole at his school life.

The first area we visited was Gates Planetarium in that we know so much details about our planet, how it was formed, know stars and the most impressive was the movie we saw and all the children were astonished because in the theater all look like we are really in the space.

Then we visited the Egyptian Mummies Area and a curious thing was to prove the intelligent of the kids because they know so much about this time. The Museum is an incredible place. In the Museum, an adult can transform into a child for the whole time they are there.

All time was of learned, but the only bad thing was we didn't have time to watch all areas in the Museum. I can make a conclusion, "Is better to give quality of time than quantity of time to our children".

To my Mother...

Those littles lines are for somebody who is so special for me. She is the best example of women in the earth. Even though she is so far away from me I feel like she is with me all the time.

This person has been my strong since a was a kid. She pushes me to do things on my own. She gives good examples. She is always there to hold my hand when I am down. She is always there to give breath whenever I need it. With she I share my sads and my victories. I can count on her all the time because she is there for my and my syblings. She is simple and smart at the same time. She is a good sister and a good daugther. Whenever you want to do she is ther to support you.

I really Admire her, this women is mi Mother. Happy Mothers Day?.. and! Happy Mothers Day for everybody who is a Mother!...

My Best Friends

I have two best friends in Africa when I was five to twenty years old. The names of my friends are Lace and Lens. They are twins, both of them are male.

The three of us lived in the same neighborhood and were born the same year but different months and the same date.

We attented the same school in Africa, we had a common name that our neighbors, school mates, class mates,and other people called us with.

This name is called the big three because we have the same desires about becoming great and useful guys in the future, the same thinking about how to resolve problems.

We were motivated the same way, we were not just friends but a family, brothers, and beyond. Their parents and my parents were the same kind of friends and neighbors too. They were all happy with our friendship.

I worry about them and their future some times.I some times imagine us being together, talking about the future, how we wanted to have a successful life.

Imagining ourselves in America, Asia, Europe, and other part of the world.I miss them a lot and I wish for them to join me some day.

With All My Love

Mom:
I just want to tell you some important things
that I never told you before.
I want to let you know that:
You are the reason for my existence,
you gave me the life and your advice,
you are for me the biggest of all the women.
And from you beautiful interior,
you gave me all your love and care.
For all this, you are my adoration
and I just want to tell you,
Thank you for all your blessing.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

CINCO DE MAYO

When Emperor Napoleon III of France knew that Mexico suspended debt payment for a period of two years, Napoleon III decided to invade Mexico and establish a monarchy in favor of France. He wanted to dissolve the constitutional government of Mexico and send a Emperor to respect their authority thus choosing Maximiliano of Habsburgo.In April 1862 the French army arrived in Veracruz. Then on May 5, 1862, the Mexican forces defeated a foreign power better prepared. To this event we called Battle of Puebla (Batalla de Puebla). This battle was an important victory with global resonance as the Mexican army defeated the French army, which was more experienced, reputed, and considered the premier army in the world."Cinco de Mayo" is celebrated in the U.S.A. because the General Ignacio Zaragoza was born in Texas while it was part of Mexico. For this reason he is considered the first Chicano hero. It seems that even people not of Mexican decent may also have an indirect reason to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. In Mexico it's a very significant event, but not an obligatory federal holiday.

close to the end

We are getting close to the end of the school year. Our last day of class is Friday, May 16th. I have mixed emotions about this. Part of me is excited for summer vacation, and the other part of me will miss you. Creating this blog together has been an amazing experience as I have watched you grow as both as writers and computer users. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. Keep posting stories and comments over the summer, and we can keep in touch.

a little Dream....

Today I'm going to write about a dream and immigrations. As you know I'm a Citizen already. I took and passed the test on April 2006. In the middle of 2007 I did claim for my mother's residence, so she will be able to come to stay with me here in Colorado Springs. We wanted to finish all the paper work by April 08 then she would be coming in May, around my kids' birthday. However, I've sent and paid all the fees and done all the requirements they were asking for, but we couldn't finish on time. So far my Mom is in Peru searching for more documents that they want. Hopefully, we would be finished to send them more paper work this month then she will be able to come in the next few months.

Indeed, I've been waiting for this to happen since 2002. Bringing my family here is my dream, my Mom is the second person because I have my brother already here. I only have one more sister and my Dad in Lima, Peru. The lesson is when you really want something to happen you should wish it with all your mind and your heart and everything will come true no matter what. Everything that I have visualized in my mind it has been realized so far. It is nice to dream, but it is nicer to make they come true.

Puberty and Adolescence

Puberty and Adolescence are two important stages of physical development in our body. As parents, we need to talk about that our kids, because it is the time when they start to have physical and emotional changes.

I have a teenager girl. My daughter is in 5th grade, she is a quiet student girl and I expect she continue same. The last week in her school, the 5th graders had a conference with a professional assistance that explained this stage. In that conference they explained what happen with them at this age.

One day after that I asked her if she liked that conference. She answered a little confused and said, "That's fine, but I don't want to be growing up. I want to be a girl." When she said that I believe she start to feel confusion about herself. We don't know what happens in their minds. I think the best thing that we can do is be close to them and give more time counsels and comprehension and help them to have this happy stage with their self.

If we could keep a good relationship with them and we talking about sex, drugs, goals, values, friends, no violence. If we might mix that, with a quality and quantity of time with them I think they can to be a better person.
It is hard for us talking about this with our kids, but I think it is important, they are in a hard age when they start to change in all their feelings, thoughts and physically.

If we could have a good relationship with them, they can have a good experiences in their own life, keep free of drugs, without problems. Because it is at this age when they start to have many confusions and they need friendly parents who help to understand.

If they can trust in us as parents we need give our patience and love they can live better this age.

The Best Gift I Ever Received Was.....

When I was 8 years old, I remember always walking with my mom to the market,but before we came to the market, we walked in front of a toy store, and it was there: a plush boy doll (muneco de peluche), color blue, for me it was huge, and I always said to my mom, "Let me look at the toy for a while." The toy was behind a big glass. My mom noticed that I wanted the toy, and then she asked me if I wanted it like a present for Reyes' Day. I told her "Yes."

I was very happy, but my mom bought me the toy before Reyes' Day, almost one month earlier. I don't remember why. She put the toy in front of my bed, my first idea was to grab it and play with it, but I preferred to wait until the big day. So it was a long, long month.

The Reyes' Day came and I played with my toy the whole day. Luckily, I took care of my toy and many years later my son and my daughter played with it. Now they are 16 and 14 years old. My mom still has my toy.

The best friend I ever had.

My little sister was my best friend, but how about my older sisters
and my brother, they spend time with us too.
sometimes I felt that the most important and precious thing that my mom
gave us was ''LOVE''.

Because she had not had the time to spend with us, but when she had
some she gave ''love and love'' to all her children.

We still talked and remembered, that we had a beautiful
family as children.

Now, all of us are married and have children, but we loved each other.
And I think my children and their children get along and love.
because we have done it too.

Things that happen

Weeks ago, my daughter and I woke up to go to school. This day I didn't have classes, but my daughter did.

I watched through the window, and it was snowing. I decided not to go to school. My daughter loves to play in the snow. W e put on warm clothes and went out side to play. We made snowballs, and we threw them at each another.

Then I felt weak, and I rest in a fence. I couldn't see and hear anything. I felt that I was falling down into a dark hole; I was suffering a fainting spell.

I opened my eyes when my daughter said to me, "Mama did you fall?" She wasn't scared; on the contrary, she thought that I was doing something funny.

Nobody was around me, nobody could see me, and nobody could help me. I just woke up by myself and came back to my apartment with my daughter.

I had never felt something so strange and horrible in my life. I think fainting is like being dead, but I woke up. It was very difficult to me because I am pregnant.

'MY BEST FRIENDS'

I have two "best friends", their names are Dora and Arely, they have been my friends since 1989. We was together in kindergarden, elementary school and high school. We lived in the same neighborhood, always they came to my home to play with the barbies, or do the homework for school. We loved to play in the park with other friends, but we were always together.

When we started the High school our lives changed because were young and now we are adults. In my city the people have the habit to go every weekend to the "La Calzada". It's very long street, and Dora, Arely and me loved walking at the "La Calzada".

I miss the old days and my friends. Now Dora has a daughter and Arely has a son. I hope when I go to Mexico I will see my friends.

How is the city where I'm living

Colorado Springs, CO is a quiet and beautiful city. I say that because I like it. I have lived here this last eight years with my family. Colorado Spring is a quieter city than another cities.

This city has some interesting places to visit, we know some, but I hope to know more. My family and I have many favorite places like The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, North Pole, and Garden of the Gods.

When it is Spring or Summer and the Weather is warm we like to go to the Bear Creek Park. That is a big Recreation Park where it is nice to relax and enjoy with my family. It is near by the mountain. I like this city because it has many programs to protect the environment.

In Summer with a little luck you can drive down the mountains and look in some people's yards and see deer, bears or any other animals. One day when we drove near the mountain in a home some cars were parked and the people looked something. We parked too and saw a bear mom with her cubs. That was a big surprise because she was at only few yards.

This City has many historical places and every year is visited by many tourists. This city has improved the sports and the Culture.

I love Colorado Springs because I have many beautiful memories with my family. If somebody wants to take a vacation in Colorado and would like to know Colorado Springs I think it is a good idea.

My Real Dream

The past tenth of March, I went to Denver to take the citizenship test. Before that day I was very nervous, I studied the questions, but when I'm nervous I forget all things. Days before I dreamed that the test was hard or my arrival was late. All those details of my dream did not come true. I was on time and the test was easy. I passed the test and now I'm waiting to go to Pledge of Allegiance. This is one of many dreams I had when I came to this Country. My other dream I have is to get my GED Diploma, but it will be when I am sure to speak and read very well English. I hope!

Excellent Times

Now, I will write some about my last weekend. It was a magnificent time with my family and friends. First on Friday I didn't have school, but the class of Head Start worked this day then my son needed to go alone to school. He was so expecting by this day and when Friday arrived, he looked nervous and frightened because never went some place alone.

He cried some tears at the moment of separation, but all was good after this time.I am so happy because now my son think and said me, "Mom, I am a big boy and went to school alone, yuhooo". Next, on Saturday I would have a party (baby-shower). This day I woke up early and went to the store and bought a little present for Liboria. She is pregnant and some ladies made a party in honour of the closely newborn. The party was so funny and all the ladies enjoyed the games, food, many conversation and so much good wishes for the new baby and family. Finally, on Sunday I enjoyed with my husband and children all day together.

HOME, SWEET HOME , MY DAD

I'm so deep in this book NEW DAWN ON ROCKY RIDGE. It is the sixth book in on ROSE YEARS. This story brings me back to when I was a little girl who lived on a farm with my parents and my sisters. When I read one of the chapters, it touched my heart, I was sobbing. I couldn't stop my ache tears that flowed down my cheeks.

So long ago we had hardship on our farm with mother nature. Many years of drought like your skin falling off your body. Nothing but dust to dust. Fierce wind struck the barley fields. Sometime rain fell down on the earth, swollen like an ALLIGATOR that swallowed a human with no chance to survive. The Harvest was destroyed.

But I also have so many wonderful memories of my chilhood. When I grew up........ now my parents both passed away a long time ago. I still have a heart ache to thinking about them, especially my dad. My dad and I had a special bond. When I am thinking of him , I'm a child again. The beautiful blue sky has puffy white cotton sailing away a like yacht . His big brown eyes looked down on me, "Child , everything is alright!!'' His eyes twinkled. All my fears ran away.

The illusion of my son.

In December I went to the post office to process the passport for my sons. This is so exciting because my older son Jonathan yearns to go Mexico. He asked many questions to the lady who attended us. For example..."Who will carry this papers to give me my passport back? How long time it is needed? Where it will arrive? " The lady answered all very pleasantly.

Days later when I came to pick up Jonathan at school his teacher asked me, "Are you moving to Mexico? " I was surprised about it, but I supposed why she asked this and I explained what was happening.

When we were at home I tried to explain to Jonathan when he will able to go to Mexico, it is hard for me because I didn't want to damage his illusion. Fortunate when I gave to him an explanation of the reason why we are here in the United States and what we need to go to Mexico, he understood our situation.

In the future we are going to Mexico and my sons will be able to know the beauty of my region.

A Funny Moment

I remember when my brother and I were kids, always we were together for everywhere.He never went to school without me and all the time he waited for me to leave together. I did the same thing.

When we lived on a small ranch in Escuinapa, Sinaloa, our father took to us to fish in a saltwater lake. This water was part of the sea. My brother and I only caught crabs and some fish at the meantime that my father entered into the lake to catch shrimps.

Once when we finished and we were ready to leave, my brother let go all what we had caught in the day. Although my father was very angry we couldn't stop laughing. When I remember this time, I am still laughing. I miss a lot of my childhood, maybe because I don't have anybody of my family here with me. But same day. I hope.

Elecctions again!...2008

The race already started. The competition is getting tie. It is very exciting to watch TV and see how they try to get more votes. Yes, I'm taking about the Election 2008. I'm a democrat and my vote is of course for Ms. Hillary Clinton. Not only because she is a women like me. It is also because I believe in her. She is a very clever woman that has studied a lot to be a Senator and she is prepared now to be a President. I also believe in her capacity to solve internal and external problems in our country. I also like the strong personality she has. She is a good Democrat as I am. Many people say that she will continue with the same style of government as her husband. In my opinion she would be the same with Mr. Clinton or without him.


On the other hand, we have another good candidate Mr. Barac Obama. He is a young and very intelligent man. However, he has some little things that I don't like, for example; his ears and his wife. He also may has the capacity to do things for our country, specially for color people. I'm not racist, but it is something that you can see. He won in Georgia and it was something we were expecting to happen.

Even though both candidates are well-known, somebody has to win. I wonder if our country is ready for a female president or a black president?. Lets wait to see what happen because there are also Republicans in the race.

2008 Is a Leap Year

In 1987 my big sister was pregnant, when I heard about it I felt happy for her. She said her baby was born at the ending of February or in the beginning of March. The family was very happy and excited because we will to have a first baby in the family.

One day, I was talking with my sister and I mentioned her baby probably will be born in February 29Th, which is Leap Year, she she laughed. Finally my sister's baby was born on February 29Th, 1988,at 3:00am. All were really happy for them.

I wrote this in that day, on my Nephew's Birthday, but my question now is: How old is he?, He is 20 years old? or He is 5 years old?. He is a good young good son and a good student. I wishing that better things to him. Happy Birthday Josue !

My Husband.

Ever we write about our sons, moms, dads, country, or childhood. I ask to myself what about the husbands? Now I'm going to write about my husband. He is very important and special to me. I have the same feelings about my mom and sons.

I found this poem and I like it, because it describes my feelings about my husband. This poem was written by Nini Estrada. Here is the poem in its original form in Spanish:

Hoy quiero decirte tantas cosas, que brotan de mi corazon. Como el agua cristalina
del manantial. Te amo, te amare siempre hasta que la ultima hoja del calendario de
mi vida se desprenda. Hasta que el ultimo rayo de esperanza ilumine mi alma triste
y solitaria. Hoy quiero tocar tu piel, en este precioso momento en que acaba de llover.
Necesito encontrarte en todas esas cosas, que me hablen de ti. Dejame decirte en tres
palabras la cinseridad que encierra mi corazon, esas tres palabras son "Gracias Mi Amor".


Here is my own traslation into English:

Now I want to tell you a lot of things, that flow of my heart, how water
cristalline of source springs. I love you, I love you forever until the last
page of the calendar of my life falls. Until the last sunlight of hope shines
in my soul sorrowful and lonely. Now I want to touch your skin, in this
precious moment until it begins to rain. I need to find you in all those
things, that speak to me of you. Let me tell you in three words, the sincerity
that closed it my heart. Those three words are "Thanks My Love".

Well, this poem is little, but it is beautifull for me. I think that the husbands are important too in our lives. For them we have our children you know. Now why not talk about them?

Guadalajara

Have you ever been in Guadalajara?
I was born in Guadalajara City the second largest city in the Country the population of 3.5 millions.
It's most typically Mexican culture such as the sombrero hat, mariachi music and tequila.Also known as "La Perla de Occidente" (Pearl of the West).
The city is beautiful and spacious.The Cathedral is surrounded by four beautiful plazas, Cathedral finished in 1618. The Cathedral is an emblem of Guadalajara .When you go in to the Cathedral you can feel the silence all quiet kind of scary, with monks walking in the hallways. Also they have enormous beautiful pictures up on the ceiling.
If some day you are going to Guadalajara city I suggest these food: birria de chivo, tortas ahogadas, jericallas and tequila. Places: Teatro Degollado, La Cathedral, La Basilica de Zapopan, Tonala and Tlaquepaque.

updated photo!

Our class has changed a a bit over the past few months since we started this blog. Some students have left. Others have arrived. It's just part of the process. Here is an updated photo of our class:



Front: Gloria, Marian, Maria P., Chung, Julieta, Alejandro
Back: Daysi, Karina, Ofelia, Claudia H., Araceli, Karla
Not pictured: Lucia, Maria H., Eric, John, Aurora, Veronica, Claudia M., Steven, Koren

NICARAGUA

Nicaragua is a beautiful country with amazing places, people, and traditions. Many people have a negative image of Nicaragua. It is because of the news. All the time, we can hear about the economic and the political situation.

Nicaragua has a president who is a leftist, and he is good friend of Chavez who is president of Venezuela. It is not the best impression to Nicaragua.

In contrast, Nicaragua is a country that is visited by many tourists around the world. Nicaragua offers to the tourists a safe visit and relatively low prices.

There are a lot of amazing beaches, colony cities, virgin jungles, and many little islands. All of them with hundreds of years of history. The most exciting attraction is climbing and exploring the Cerro Negro that is part of the Maribios Volcanic Range. At the summit, you can see this range.

It is one of many amazing experiencies that you can have in Nicaragua. Nicaraguans make you feel that you are at home.

Computer Lab

Here we are in the computer lab, where we do most of our blogging. A few students have computers and internet access in their homes, but most of them simply use the one hour a week we have in the computer lab to read, write, and communicate with each other.

Julieta, Marian, and Araceli

Alejandro

Chung

My Best Books of My Chilhood

When I was ten years old I loved to read. My father bought us the book of Tom Sawyer, and I read it three or four times. In my home we had a bookshelf. My father kept a lot of books, but they didn't have pictures, just letters.

When the time passed I liked to read more and I chose other books like: Little Women, Edad Prohibida, La Conquista del Exito, Hombres Triunfadores, Beauty and Beast, and another more in Spanish. My sister called me a, " library mouse," because I was reading the books in a few days. Now I want to read, but I don't have enough time, but I enjoy when I'm reading because I love it so much.

VALENTINE'S DAY!

This is an exciting day for me and my daughter. She likes to dress up in red clothes with hearts. Paola likes to buy decorations for the house and candies to share at school in the little party they do before dismiss. All day long is fun for us.
She is six and she is experiencing this day like no one in her life. This sweet day it is more special than any other.
I do enjoy her happiness by my side and I do wish she can find her heart in the future like I did.

My secret place

" The sun is shining! ". When I was 12 years old, I liked go to the roof top of my house in Mexico. This was a place where I went when I needed to think, study, or only to have a moment alone.

I liked to feel the hot sunlight on my body. It calmed and relaxed me.
How do you think about this? Maybe you say, are you crazy?, but I can answer one thing I like the intensity of the sun.

My Son's Birthday

"I am winning you Leonardo!" Miguel howled.

This past Monday it was my middle son Miguel's birthday.
On Sunday night his brothers and I went to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate his birthday.

Miguel turned seven years old. They really loved the place,the games,and the pizza.
My three kids and I had lots of diversion.

Miguel didn't have a big party, but he sure had an amusing time playing the machines,and had a terrific time with his two brothers, Leonardo and Gerardo.

MY BEST VACATION

The best, memorable,and joyful vacation I ever took was.When my mom took me to see my grandparents after many yesrs.I was highly welcome and treated like a king by my grandparents and other family members in the little village called Tuzon, that belonged to my grandparents. this village is in Liberia, West Africa.I was given all legal rights to do any thing that I wished and requested for any food that I wished to eat. I enjoyed going with my grandfather to fish and to hunt for animals like deer, elephant, lion, and monkey. I also enjoyed the unity of the people in that little village. I really enjoyed swimming with my grandfather and other guys in the dirty lake that was near the village. I also enjoyed walking with my grandfather and other diffrent guys in the cool green forest. I really enjoyed every moment of my vacation with my grandparents.

The Best Vacation I Ever Took

The best vacation I ever took was for the birthday of my four year old and eight year old of my children, we went to Disney World. "What a wonderful journey!", to be in so many different places, a "dream come true" for the whole week.

Like when we were in the show of "The Lion King". The important message that they give about their worries for taking care of the earth. Because there are humans that need to live in an agreeable place.

I also remember when we were with winnie the Pooh, Eyore, Pigglet, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. My children got autographs of each one. This was a very exciting part for both my sons and daughter.

This delightful experience made me think about the goodness of our life. All the fantastic things of each day to be with the people that you most love. The joyful moments to see your children's faces with a big smile. We will never forget that.

It was the best vacation my husband, my children, and I ever took.

Obama

I think if I had the right to vote my vote would be for Obama. United States needs a good change. He could be the first African American President of the United States.

Obama wants to give rights and opportunities to the minority Black and Hispanics.

I feel Republicans and Hillary have the same thought since the History of United States. For example long time ago in England the governor was the King. When the king was dead the next governor was his son. The same thing is happening here in United States, George Bush father, George Bush son, Clinton husband, Clinton wife, the Kennedys.

We need somebody different and I hope Obama will be the person to take control of the economy, war, immigration and education.

Here is one of Obama's quotes; "It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to where we are today, but we have just begun. Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today".

HOW THE GOVERNMENT IS UNFAIR

Some day I heard in the news something about the proposal to get an extra bonus from the IRS. For everybody to apply with the requirements, they said they don't care if the people have a S.S. or ITIN number,"if the people report tax, they can take the bonus".

After that the proposal was approved, but just for the people who had a S.S. and not for everybody.

I know many people who don't have a S.S., but they report tax. My opinion is everytime the government leaves the immigrants who work hard and report tax out, they should receive a refund. The government does bad things with the immigrant people.

It's why many immigrant people who came to work hard don't report tax because the government is very unfair.

It's why I don't care who wins the presidency, because everybody is the same.

Best Vacation

My best vacation I took was when I went to Oklahoma to visit family and friends. My family really doesn't go on a lot of trips, but we do go to Oklahoma every now and then. Going to my home town is exciting because I get to see all the people I grew up with. I enjoy all the stories I share with my friends and family. Since we see each other every couple of years there is always so much to tell. Just seeing my family is the best vacation for me!

THE RIGHT TO VOTE

On February 4th, I went to Denver for my citizenship interview, and I passed the test. I decided to be a Citizen of the USA, because I want the most important right for the US citizens, the right to vote. We have elections in November for the US President. I'm sooooo excited for this moment, it is the first time I will vote. I like Hillary Clinton and I hope a woman will be a President for the most important country of the world. This is amazing, but she needs delegates to be a candidate of Democratic Party. I'm waiting my Oath Ceremony for to obtain my Certificate of Naturalizacion, and later register to vote. I like to be a Citizen of the USA.

Beautful Snowy Day

What a wonderful feeling to be overwhelmed with my favorite book to read. I sat at the dining table facing out of the back window. I looked up from my book. "AWE SNOW!" I shouted.

White flakes were flowing around. The earthy garden was covered with a sheet of white blanket. My trees stood by with naked hollow branches and fierce winter wind, an aching child who has an unfed body like a skeleton.

Later an awesome blossom flowery, How the mother nature brings such a delightful season to our joy. I thank the mother nature and this day given to me, so QUIET AND SWEET.

A NEW WORLD

"Why not go to the U.S.A?" My husband said. I knew he would say that someday, but I didn't think it would be so soon. My son Daniel was 1 year old when we travelled, filled with dreams and goals to realize in this country. We didn't look back only to the future.

We didn't have an idea how difficult it would be. How surpriseing! A totally diferent world. I miss the food, my house, relatives, etc. for one year and half, but one day, I decided to follow my dreams and make my goals true. Now everything is clear and different, but I still remember my past world whenever I close my eyes. I know one day, I will go back there, for now my memories keep close to my heart and for everywhere that I go my treasured memories will come with me.

A DISAPPEARED DREAM

"The more she watched the beginning pilots learn to fly, the more she wanted to fly an airplane". This is a real history about a woman who disappeared in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

since she was a child her parent gave the doughters footballs, rifles, even her father took the girls on fishing trips. She was always a daredevil. Amelia served as a Red Cross nurses aide during War Word I. In that time she found sometime that really excited her. Flying. So Amelia took a job to earn money for flying lessons, and be the greatest flier of all. Her dream was realized in 1928. Amelia was the official log keeper on her first transatlantic flight. In 1937, Amelia and her navigator and husband Fred Noonan, were going to fly around the world at the equator. But in somewhere in the South Pacific she disappeared. No wreckage of airplane, and no bodies were found. There are a lot of versios of her disappearance. One is that the Jappanese army shot the airplane and fell into the ocean. Another said she was found and returnedto the United State and still living under a different name. Two more people have said, she was shot and buried. And one more person said that she was a U.S. spy. But in reality, nobody knows what happened to her. Some people continue to search for Amelia Earthart.

Special Weekends

Weekends are special, these days enjoyed with family. My sons are looking forward to Sundays because they love to go to the park when the weather is good. All the time my bigger son prefers to go to the "Memorial Park" and walk or ride a bike around the lake, while my other son prefers to give bread to the ducks.

Sometimes we know what to do, when we arrived at the park, my bigger son and I went to walk around the lake (only one time). My husband hates to walks. Then he and my other son gave bread to the ducks. After that my two kids play together in the playground with our help for hours.

When the weather isn't good, we go to covered places. Last weekend my bigger son said, "Mom, I want to go to the Mall". We enjoy going to the Mall because my kids like playing in the gamesplace. In this store they can spend hours and hours, but we permitted only a short time. After the games, we walk and look in others stores. Finally they play in the playground.

I remember a special thing about last Sunday when we walked by the sidewalk. My bigger son was hugging with my husband and a man saw them and it made an impression on him "wao, so cute", he said.

beaches and blogging

Sometimes I read what you all write about your vacations to the beaches in Mexico and other Central American countries, and I find myself daydreaming about a little cabana somewhere down south. Some place where the sun shines, the water is warm, and you can forget about your worries for awhile. Maybe I'll get there someday.

Until then, I want to teach you how to post an image from the Internet onto one of your stories. Follow the directions I'm going to give you carefully, and you'll be amazed at how easy it is to "illustrate" your stories. Good luck, and as always, ask questions!

The best vacation I ever took.

It was on December 2007. My friends visited us from Mexico, and they had never seen snow before, they had just watched it on the t.v.They wanted to go to Aspen so We did.

We left from Colorado Springs on December 27 around 5:00 p.m.We drove for four hours, we arrived there at 9:00pm. We drove in three cars, one for each family.

We had made reservations in a nice hotel in Glenwwood Spings wich is like 20 minutes from Aspen.
The hotel had nice rooms, a pretty inside pool, and every morning we could eat hot breakfast, because they served it every morning.
We rented sliding skis, so the first mornig that we stayed there,after we ate breakfast we went to ski well, we were falling intead of skiing because ,we did not know how to do it.
We were glad nobody was hurt, because when you don't know how to ski it's dangerous. But,we had a lot of fun,
we were laughing at each other.We built a snow man each family and one of the family won the first place, well it wasn't mine.
After that when we got to the hotel all were wet,and cold. We went to swim and we had a lot of fun too.
We took so many pictures, We stayed there for five days.The most important thing was that we shared time with our friends and had a lot of fun together.It was unforgettable for everybody.

The hardest decision of my Life

Recently my mother died, that was so hard for me and my family. She was sick the two last weeks, and she was in the hospital. All the family stayed with my father, sister and my brother; and they helped to watch and care for her. They took turns to watch her. All her sisters and brothers helped to care.

She was in Mexico, but I was in the US. I wanted to be with her, but I made the decision to stay here for my legal situation. Every day when I was talking with my father or my big sister, I was asking if she was better, but she wasn't better.

Four days after the first problem from my mom, the doctors said my mom had pneumonia and that's not good for my mom. After twelve days, she died.

Two days before she died my daughters and me talked to her by the phone, and she was sleeping because her brain didn't work, but when my Uncle Pedro (her brother) put the cellphone near her ears, she opened her eyes and my daughters and I talked to her. I don't know if she believed all what we promised and said, but when we finished, she closed her eyes and she slept again.

We together gave to my mother a beautiful Memorial, (all of them together, but not me). I was making that decision with the support and by support of them, that was so hard for me. We don't know if that's fine. I'm thinking when we have to make what's the best decision, it is the decision where you can put all your love.

I wish with all my heart she is better now, because she was so sick not only the last days, but also her last years.

Memories

When I came from Mexico my country, I brought some pictures of my family. In the pictures are every party that we had. Those pictures are very important to me because when I see those, is to remember old times when I was a child. I remember the faces and the clothes that we wore. Those pictures make me feel almost to cry and sad, but I like to see it. Every time when I go to Mexico, I would like to bring every thing that I see, but it is hard to do it. Finally, here where I live I am glad that at least I have my pictures that make me feel happy.

WHEN MY SON WAS BORN

One of my happiest moments in my life was when my son was born. I was 18 years old. It was a happy moment for Agustin, my husband, too. That morning in Fresnillo Zacatecas was very beautiful hot day when my son decided to come at this world. "Be calm," my husband said, and at 9:30 my son was born. Everybody heard his first crying. That day my life changed. That moment I knew one of reasons for coming into my life. Before that I felt so scared, but after my son was born, all changed. Now I'm a brave and better woman. I don't know how my husband felt, but he looks like a new father. Agustin changed his son's diaper, than held and rocked him. He looked like entirely the happiest man. When this memory comes to my mind, I feel so happy. Now we will go for the third child. We can't wait to feel all that moment again. I'm sure a special moment will pass again.

MY FAMILY TRADITION

When I was a child, I learned so many things about my family tradition. I was told about many things that I could not do. My parents and grandparents told me not to eat fish and animals and not to worship idols instead of GOD who created the universe. But, when I grew bigger I noticed that my family tradition / some other tradition was killing me slowly, but I proved everything to be false. Now that I know that I am supposed to eat fish, some animals for meat and worship GOD who made me instead of idols. And also proved that tradition is not a good thing; it is a man's opinion to confuse mankind.

Unforgettable Moments

My son and I came to USA from Mexico and brought a special blanket. This was a beautiful gift from his grandmother. Then it was very important that I brought it because helped my son feeling better in the time of journey. At that moment my son was eight months old.

Now I have other son who uses the blanket. Sometimes he said me, "Mom, this blanket was Obed's but now it's mine". Before the blanket was new, with radiant colors and a little thick. Today it's of light colors and thin. Nowadays my children sometimes fight to use it.

Some things that apparently are simple things finally are the best things and make better moments.

THE FIRST BOYFRIEND KISS.

DO you remember that?
HO HO HO! you don't want too.

I believe it, at the same time it is funny, gross, excited, sad; I felt the same.

I wish to remember the pretty moments,because a kiss good or bad is a "great memory".


Maybe the other person could remember you, but perhaps not! It's not important to me if the other person remembers or not. I do. I'm laughing trying to figure out, What I did wrong or normal?

Don't get lost! Let me explain.When I had my first boyfriend twenty years in the past.We didn't kiss,just talked, walked, listened music, got together.

When the time came, he asked me for a kiss, I said, "Tomorrow". The next day I called my cousin Any. She was older then me. In a hurry I asked her, "How do it?"

This girl was laughing at me, but finally she showed me how, with an ice pop.
It was very easy and funny.


I can not forget it!

The Most Important Person

The most important person I miss from my country is my mom. Her name is Martha. When I was in Mexico, we slept together until I was 20 years old.

After that I got married and came to the United states. Although my husband Marcos is a good man an every time he is helping me to be good, the transition was so difficult.

My mom and I were very close, she never did anything without me and I never did anything without her.

every time she supports me in all my plans. I don't see the moment, I will be again with her a give a big hug.

She is one of most important people in my life. That is why I miss a lot my beautiful mommy.

WHAT IMMIGRANTS HAVE TO SUFFER

On December of 2007 my family and I had an awful time. My uncle Jacinto had to go to Mexico. His grandmother, which for him was his mother because she raised him, was in critical conditions.

After spending twenty two days with her, she got better so he decided to come back to his family that stayed at Colorado Springs,Colorado. Jacinto had to come like other immigrants. When he arrived at the border of Nogales, Arizona Jacinto contacted His wife Hortencia and told her he was OK. Jacinto told her that he will be calling her before he tried to cross the border.

The days passed by and he didn't call. Hortencia and the rest of the family started to get worried and despairs. It was already five days we didn't know anything about my uncle Jacinto. On the sixth day most of the family was at Hortensia's house when the phone rang.

Every body stayed quiet. Hortencia answered. It was this guy saying he was the coyote that he had kidnapped Jacinto and he wanted six thousand dollars and if we didn't pay the money he was going to torture him and then he was going to kill him. The guy was calling two to three times a day. At first we thought it was the truth so we asked the coyote we wanted to talk to Jacinto, but he always refused to let us talk to him.

After talking to the kidnapper we started getting clues. Every time this guy called he said something different.

We decided I was going to fly to Nogales, Arizona to see If I could get any information about Jacinto. There we were when the phone rang. It was Jacinto saying he was ok. He was already at Phoenix, Arizona. We all started crying of happiness because he was alive.

At the end when he arrived to Colorado we had to give him the bad news that his grandmother passed away.

After living this experience I think life is too short. We need to appreciate what we have and always live the days like it's the last one...

The Christmas with Family

Christmas always is pleasant for me when I am with my family, my children and my husband. They are the reason for my life. I am so lofty and happy to have them.

Not only at Christmas, but every day of this time of the year, we procure some fun. Especially when my daughter and my son, nine and five years old respectively, are on school break.

Always we are busy doing things like: Making decorations for our house. Also a pinata, cookies, cake, tamales, presents and write the list for Santa. We talk about if may be Santa will pick only one of the things from the list. And if we don't have a chimney, how will Santa come into our house? Besides we have time to take a rest and watch T.V. Similarly we eat, play, cheer and just joyous the time that we spend together.

The most important thing of this time is to be together with family all the time.

My Great Name.

I never thought about changing my name. But at this moment, I can think in a compound name for the names of my mom and dad.

I would like to have the name " Manely ". My mom's name is Manuela and my dad's name is Eliseo. That is the reason.

When I was first a mom, I thought, if I have a daughter I will give her a name original and special. It is why I like a compound name. But at this moment, I have two sons and I can't do this. I think this sounds good only in girls.

In the future if I have a daughter maybe I will give her the name "Manely". Because my name is Claudia and my husband's name is Pedro and these names can not be united so good.

THE HAPPIEST MOMENT

When my oldest daughter Christina,was three years old. That summer I took her to the swimming pool every day. She was so tiny and precious, entertaining herself in the water. There were groups of children in the water, all taking swimming lessons.

I decided to put her in swimming lessons also, because she was afraid of deep water.
In the very beginning she was terrified with fear. Little by little each day, her fear went a way. She had more confidence in herself and more interest in swimming,and how to float around the water. She was through with all the swim classes.

Many years later, she was the youngest lifeguard to graduate her red cross training. She was very dedicated to her swimming. In later years, she joined her high school swim team. After that she swam for the NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY swim team, swimming all four years.

I'm so proud to be her mom. She has achieved many goals through out her life.I'm sure there are many more to come.

My Last Two Weeks That I Didn't Go To School.

This new year, my family and I started a new year's resolution. My husband has a new job in Colorado Springs.In his new job, he needs to take his own car, and I didn't have a car to come to school.

These past two weeks that I wasn't able to come to school, I missed my friends,the teacher, and the computers too. I was sad, but whe I called mi friend Araceli I was happy and said,"Don't worry, soon I will be back at school".

When I stayed home, I read the scary books of my son's school. As I sat alone in my home during a quit time, I thought there were noises and shadows, but it was only in my mind. I prefer reading stories in the Reader's Digest magazine and read about an important hispanic journalist, who has lost her husband to cancer.

So there you have it. This is what happened during my two weeks when I didn't come to school.I read and read, and mi imagination went wild!.

Now I'm happy! I'm staying here again, so that I can be with my friends and teacher. I'm excited to learn more, set new goals, and to finish my GED.

My Favorite Place

When I was a child I just had a favorite place where I enjoyed to hide myself. That special place was under the sink in the laundry room.

We lived in the 3rd floor in a creepy old building in Lima, Peru. The 3rd floor was the top of the building. It only had 2 bedrooms, a small living room, a bathroom, a little kitchen, but a large laundry room with no ceiling on it. Only old people were living in there, my siblings and I were there only kids in the whole building. We were not supposed to make too much noise. Then nobody complains.

One day, when I was 5 years old, I got in trouble with Mom, because I didn't want to get dress change. I was supposed to take a shower and wear another dress. However, it was something that I didn't want to do. I was very obstinate, when I didn't want something and I still am. At that time, I was so upset and I just wanted to disappear. I ran out to the laundry room. Then I saw that under the sink was a good place to stay in for a while. Everything there had the clorox odor. Nevertheless, that place was so special for me. I just went there anytime, especially when I was in trouble with Mom or Dad. I enjoyed being there playing with my puzzles all the time.

Later on my brother saw me what I was doing under the sink and he wanted to stay with me. However, the place wasn't big enough for both. Besides that, he made too much noise.

Finally, I got discontented because I felt that it wasn't my place anymore.

Happy Day

Since I came to Nicaragua, I felt a strong desire to eat something sour. It is something very normal for me because I love to eat sour food. I ate 3 lemons with salt everyday, and I was eating a lot of food.

All of these things made me think that I was pregnant. My sister said to me, "You have to do a pregnancy test immediately!" I didn't want to have false hope.

The next morning, my sister and I visited a medical laboratory, and a nurse took a sample of blood in order to know if I was pregnant. It was at 8:30 am, and the result would not be ready until 2:00 pm. It was a long time for me.

At 2:00 pm, I picked up the result. Inside my sister's car, I opened the envelope. I could see the word: POSITIVE. My sister and I began to cry and laugh; we were very happy.

I couldn't believe it because I had been waiting for this moment for almost 2 years. My husband, my daughter, and my whole family were very happy for me. Now I am full of grace and love.

Touching The Paradise

I want to tell you the most thing that I miss about my country. I miss the tradition, the weather, the food, and the people. However, the thing that I miss most is the beach. My family house was very close to it. And every year in the summers, my families, friends, and I went to the beach. The second reason I miss the beach is because when I saw it, I felt part of it. I like the sound of the tide, the mist in the evening, the dew in the morning. I can remember the sand massaging my feet, the sunrise in the morning and the sunset reflected in the water. There is my favorite place where I had a lot of fun and beautiful moments.

Tattoos

After I got my first tattoo on my birthday I fell in love with them. My first and favorite is my mom's name. I decided to get her name because it was the only thing worth getting on my body for the rest of my life. I just love her so much. I don't know where I would be right now if I didn't have her in my life throughout all these years. With all the love, care, confidence, and advice she has been giving me all my life is the best thing I could ask for. To me tattoos are very creative and an admirable way to show people how much you really love them!

"MY DAD"

My Dad was the best father of the world, but now he's dead. When my father deceased, I was 15 years old. I remember the day when he died, my dad was in his bed, he was good. I said , "I'm going to school Dad, see you in the afternoon!", and he told me, "God bless you daughter." These are the last words may father told me. In the school my teacher said my name, "Ofelia you need to go outside." In this moment, I felt something in my heart. Again she told me, "You have to be strong." When I listened, to these words, I started to cry and cry. We went to my home, where I found my father in his bed, but now he was sleeping for all time. He never opened his eyes. I love you Dad, and I miss you soo much.

My Bike

When I was five years old I got a fantastic blue bike for Christmas. It was the first bike of my life so I needed to learn how to ride it. I was so happy, and in a few hours I was riding my bike because I learned so fast.

My friend Gilberto and I rode our bikes all over the clamorus neighborhood. One time I was racing and I fell. I hit my fore head and my mama took me to the hospital because I had blood all over my face. I had to rest for two months, but I was not scared to ride my bike again.

After that we rode everywhere and it was time to go back home. The first thing I did was clean my bike like in the car wash and it was ready for the next day. I had my bike for four years.

Here is one of the millions of memories of my life.

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone, and a special welcome to the new students who will be making their first posts very soon. I look forward to reading all of your personal narratives here. It took an enormous amount of work for you to get your stories ready to publish-you should be very proud of them. Write On!

Also, take a look on the side of your blog at the new "recent comments" section. Here is where you can see if anyone has left you a comment recently. Click on the person's name or the title of the post, and you will be taken there!