Adult Learner Essay Book, "Living Your Dreams"

197 Pages·2007·25.28 MB·English

ving Our Pros

Living My Dreams
A collection of Rssays by Florida's Adult Learners

Copyright 2007
Florida Literacy Coalition,
ving Our Prsanes

Established ‘n 1985, the Movida Literacy Coalition promotes,
Supports nd advocates for effective delivery of quality adult and
family iterazy services in tae state of Flondz. As the statewide
‘umbrella literacy orzanization and the host of Florida's Adult and
Family Literacy Resource Center, FLC arovides a range of
servizes to support more than 300 adult education, literacy and
family fieracy provider throughout Florida. Special emphasis is
placed ow assisting community-based Titetacy organiza. ious with
their traning aad program development necds.

Florida's Adult and Family Literaey Resource Center
984 N. Magnolia Ave, Suite 104
Orlando, Fl 32803-3834
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

eww loridalitersey.org,

Flotida Literacy Hotline
[phone]
ving Our Prsanes

This book is dedicated to Florida’s adult learners and the teachers,
tutors, managers and programs that suppor. tem, Thanks ta all the
adult learners who contributed to this book,

‘Special ‘Thanks tothe Florida Liesacy Coalition's
Atul Learner Commies:

Monica Basley
Joses DeMoranville
Yves Joseph
Carmen Volpetti

‘Thanks to die Corporation for National and Comauaity
Service and our Americorps VISTA volan:eers
Alyssa Bzer and Tom Pattison

TThis book was made possible though a grant fiom the Florida
Department of Education, Division o2 Workforce Education,
ving Our Prsanes

Preface

This book was designe to give adult learners the opportunity
to build confidence while also improving their reading, writing,
and critical thinking skill, Au: learners enrolled in adu't
education, literacy, SOL, and family literacy programs
Uuowghout Fhuida weie encouraged to subunit essays. The
imagination and eveativity ofthese students shines through in their
‘writing, reflecting a range of perspectives and life experiences that
are as diverse es the authors themselves. The ecitorial committe
hse to minimize the editing a submissions and therefore entries
in the book appear largely as they were received.

We congratulate tke authors who contributed to the publication
ani! hope you enjoy reading and learning about their journeys.
ving Our Pesan
Table of Contents

Atal, Rosa: My Amsenean Dream
‘Sbermaihy, Sarah: Yur Cae Do What

You Think You Cannor
A Loving Family by Anonymous Author
Almada, Ana MM When F Was Ente I Used To
4 Poitsh Experience in the US

bby Anonymous Author
Autionn Leaves 59 Aronmyroes Authce
Aalos, Miriam: The Hoypest Sage of 2 ie
Relieve in Yourself by Anonymous Author
Bien-Aime Jr, Andre: Obstacles o Baghdad
Buon, Josh Skykae Lvigg Mp Drews
Bratt, Luz: A je of Pulled Opportunies
Brown, Jordan: Jordan‘ Siory
Brown, Teves. Ange! Tove
ryan Amanda: erpthing is Note Dre
‘Burnley, Tonjua: Listy $4-Drecns
Campbell, Belinda Who I as Before

‘rd ter 1 Git Saved
Campbell, Larence: The Story af Me ond

‘My Grama ona the Times We Ha)
Cardee, ris V.2 Mh Perspective of 911 Tragedy
Carrell, Jenin: AH Grown Up
Castolaneo, Haury: A Jeurnanist Journey
Cesar: Ant Orphan Cat Orphie}
Cervantes, Johana: The Hurricane
Chaver, Guadalupe: 4 Ravarite Day
(Chen, Lingping: Leompling Lite
Chiame, Eeuene: Mp Life Story
Cho, Aeryon Learning Hnglsh
Clark, Angele: Changes
‘Ceoper, Ronnignn: A New Beginning
Dall Agnese, Wauror I's Rang
Daniel, Chala: Mission Zr w Jamaiser
Darabar, Viviana: Sungtasres Found
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David: Conquering Lion
Dadication 10 My Daughter, Mackiia

Washongion Gormeasby Snnytnons
De Gonealves, Elsa: Whar Prec Means to Me
De Jesus, Margerita: in Unforgettable Experionce
DeMoranville, Jose: Living My Dreams
Desstlines, san Jacques; ip Con's Hestary
Di, Isabel: Mi Lie
Dine, Sanaa, The Stary
Dyer, Mist: Meher Love
Expertoace i he US, by Anonymous Author
Fallon, Shiroy: My Father, My Morr, Msetf
Feds, Jacqueline: Yon" ive (pom te
Freeman, Shigeko M.: Liviag Mr Dreams
Gabrlla, Vietaria: Pop Moves bn
Garcia, Edvard: Feperiences in he US.
Garrison, Michael: i Soucy, Funny Story
Gay, Timothy M,: Whar isa Faror?
Goncalves, Elizabeth: i Mew Yeu’ Goede
Goliseblic, Hans: Mp Journey Through Lae
Groen, Winited DM Mom
Grunig, Arolé: Jn Memory af
Hiberer, Crystal My New fe
Hal, Kimberly: My Son did the Curse Thing
Hatten, Weihong: Toe Experiences in she USA
Fernand, Judy: fn Remembrance of Me
Hiss, Linda Kay: Hom the Sires ta sus
Hill, Stella My ued
Hiliepeter, Larry Deen: Rest m Peace
Hose, Torya J sha 1 Sas Most Abou My Frees
Hurlbut, Anchana: Fie Gave to Heaven on Hel

Whar Jani Can Mea
Irina: Untied
evel, Viinia: A Walk Through she Park
‘ohnson, Bonnie G. The Importance of

Gaal or Drecms
Johmon, Magnulia: Hero
‘ones, Latoshin: Motheritood 's Forever

Ute Sim
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Jones, Travis: What i a Father?

Kirehen, Selina > Mj Future

rox, Rersh: Mf Fife she 018A

Keopata, Kedude: Katrina

Kowais, Sarit: Alabama Games

Tera, Roxana: Untad

Latif, Medora; ! am Almas Livnig 4p Dream

Lee, Maguie: Living dn she United Seares

Tee, Rishawdo, The Father Want Be

Lind, Rose: Fates and tramps of
‘Maroy Moe

‘Ling, Antanig (Tony): Whor 1 0 Faer?

Llorente, Maris fe

Logs, Felicia: Living My Dreane

Leper, Maria: MY Life inthe U8

Loper-Cesillo, Adriana Human Rehavior
Sinee Infancy

Lovera, Alma: How / Mer fy Hastand

Lake, Cynthia: The Preain Inside of Me

Mack Joyce: Retwn of Micfo

Magra, Fizaketh: fy Mistakes

Makboul, Sarah: Goren Home

Mactines, Beattie: Who 1 Was i Nes Pho Fim

MeMahion, Roso: My GID Degree

‘Melvin, Julian: iver Racing

Mincsy, Nathan: The Kes

Mitchell Shitley: faring My Dream

Moon, Nancy. Csoived Mowery

Morsli-Maineli, Mina) Laring Drea

Mosely, Melinda: ivi Ay drama

Noel Nieves I: Food for Our Soul

Nato, Jamis: fing ty Orzom

Obando, Gisela eas sang with my shad

Omerdin, Motel: Leaving Evtraa

O’Neil, Marsha: 4 Slo

Ores,
A Nev Beguoning

Anthony’: My Granofanher
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Palorsare, Felicias: United

Perdue, Michack Mp Dream Come True

esa. Lia: Mp Sony

Philips, Susan: Bonding

Dickett, Nathaniel : Summer & dorm

Pinkney, Laucen: Te Ol Me and the New Me

Polek, Yen "ChoChe": My Experience the
The Stes

Powell Justin Matthew, Ove ofthe Priveipes
tha Ges my Dae

ugh, Faguita: Mf Aion Dottar Trp

uni, Kamala: Livi she Dream

amiren, Mary L: Gann! Hsperience a de OS.

Resenti Rost: The Rosa Reson: Story

Richardson, Jacquelyn: 4 Journey

Rivera, Carman: My Fsperience tml Literacy

Rivers, Jery: Living My Dreams

Regina, Marsa: Why Came 15.4

Resa, Lciane; United

Resales, Gustavo: Child Memors

Ruiz, Mariela Unniod

Salter, Kens emg Ceding

Sander, Jamie: Wha she CD. Meco to Me

Schindler, Mindy: Wrapped amd Pvased

Sears, Christina: Ths Js My Story

Seleson, Ester: The Child of My Neighbor

Shahid, Muhamed; Truth of he

Slower Than the Reo by Aaonyiaous Aulor

‘Smith, Lashanda: Ling My Dream

‘Smort, Dave: 4 Second Chan

Slchoruchkina, Olga: Koots

Surtae, Kirstie: A Confession

‘Tesfaye, Aboch: How Dow I Feel Reing Unlove

Thanispiriny Dimer by Anonyrious Sur
Phe lob That’ Meant for Me
bby Anonymous Author
‘Thomas. Ms, Palccia: Cir» Out
Wales, Tonya: Living Mv Dream
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Walker, Veatice: The Rest Pern of Mt Life 1
Washington, Kim: Dreams Foiled

‘aed Unf’ Isl
Wnat Have seiteved by Anonymous Author Tat
‘Whigum, Linda: Mom's Dear’ Iss
White, Besta: Livny My Dram Iss
Wlson, Michelle: hurd ime tsa Charme st
Welson, Roncitha: !m 188
Vileher, Yudelyhys. My Duftowties 189

Volpe, Carmen: Hiding the Key

thar Unlocked My Dysieta: 2-year Srugate ot
‘York, Charles: Seory ory 19s
armors, Pera: Canyping and tishing 19s
Zhang, Cateen: Experience inthe lot
ving Our Prsanes

My American Dream

Six years ago wien Iwas in Ecuador I had an American dream.
I thoygit only ofa good fiuure for my children. [never imagined
what impact the radical change would be on my life. At that
moment I didn't think of my husband and myself. My children
‘were growing and my country did't offer oppertunites for young.
people, My country had political corsuption and was going
Dankrupt. Ecuador was among the poorest counties in the world
Politicians worked only for their benefit, At this time my busbard
‘was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome. He was depressed and.
We mace the decision Jhat warany 0 this count y wats dhe best
‘option we had, Tt was the mast important decision we ever made,

Now six years later, | thinks about the difficulties of living here
and wonder #1 made the right dscision Thad a good! edhcation
‘my country but fel ignorant in this country because T ovuld not
understand or speak Eaglish. In Ceusdor i isn’t important wo speak
Erglish, Asa doctor in Ecuador I was respected, I considered
myself part of the high middle-class of society. Now Ihave a
Tower midlle-class life. take care of mary people but not as &
doctor, Tdon’t have many friends or family near me and it makes
ae feel lonely. As for my family, my husband is happy and his
health is stable, My soa is 20; so happy because he works a3 a
‘00k and wishes to a0 back to Ecuador. Both of my deughters are
happy ene going io the university. I feel sad because my American
dream isn’( what T thought it would be for me, Téreamed T would
have the same kind of life Here as I had in Ecuador, but les

By Rasa Adadic

Rosa 18 a student at the Eseracy Couset of Manatee Conary in
Brademon, Florida, Her teacher ts Shariya Geld.

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