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.