MY SPECIAL TOMAR

Well I wanted to tell you about a Tomar I have. It means everything to me. It's nothing big really, just something small, but worth a lot to me. It is a picture of a little saint my mom gave me. She gave it to me before I left Mexico and came to came to Colorado. I was only 16 years old. She told me to carry it with me while I was on the bus and everything would be ok.

So I did as I was told. I prayed to make it here and I did. I remembered what my mom told me and it made me happpy. I now keep it inside one of my purses, the same purse I was wearing the day I said bye to my mom and dad. I can still remember I was crying when I was getting the tickets until I got to Denver. I really felt as if the world was ending right then and there.

All I was thinking was what did I do? I had left my family when they needed me more than ever. Who was I going to lean on when I needed a shoulder? Who was ever going to give me advice like mom and dad? Who was going to love me more than them? Million of questions ran through my mind and the answers... where? So I got the image out, and cried in the bathroom of the bus station like a child. Then I remembered my mom again. She wouldn't be next to me, but I would have great memories and they would always be in my heart.

I realized, that if you want something in life you have to let go of those you truly love, because that's life and nothing is ever fair. So my Tomar means the world to me because I have memories of my family when I look at the image. It also has a prayer in the back. Only Catholic people belive in Saints and my mom is one of them, but thats good I guess because she cares about me religion or no religion.

everyone has a story to tell....

what's yours?

Check out this website about the Six-Word Memoir project. Make sure you watch the short video it's on the right side of the page.

There's even a book by teens.

Now: write as many six-word-memoirs as you can or want in your composition book.

Then choose your favorite, and post it in the comments.

(bonus points if you can find the run-on sentence in my post!)

Getting the Spirit of Learning

It happened fifteen years ago. When I decided to leave the last grade of high school; because, according to me, I didn't need it.
I had a great job; therefore, I had two cars, lot of "friends", lot of parties: I was popular! My Dad always said to me: "Son you should save some money for the your future"; nevertheless, I didn't pay attention to his words.
Few time after that, something happened. My work contract was over, and the money began to decrease; therefore, my "friends" flew away, and I had to return the cars because they were illegally owned, then I had nothing, except by my self. After the deception, frustration or depression, I was walking around when I saw a school, and some rare force pushed me to enroll in the classes to finish my high school, and I did it.
At this school I met the love of my life; my wife, and she gave me the strength to keep outstanding about everything. Now I got the joy to learn anything; however, I realized there is no wasted time, instead; there is a chance to learn about the mistakes, and do the things in a better way.
Currently I'm a professional with a spirit of learning; however, looking for the success in this great Nation, but first of all, I need to upgrade my knowledge about this wonderful language.

How did I got my tomar?

When I was 10 years old my mom gave me a bracelet. I call this bracelet my "lucky charm".My mom lives in Mexico.That's why she gave the bracelet to remember her everywhere I go.She
gave it so I won't so lonely,sad and to keep up with everything I wanted to do.

Now that I came to Colorado Springs alone without my family when I was 17, it makes me unhappy.I'm trying not to feel like that because I think about my family a lot.I came to the U.S.A. to help my family by working really hard so I could send them some money to Mexico.

Also, the reason that I came here is to finish high school and graduate.The bracelet(lucky charm)that my mom gave me I carry it with me always.I never take it away because it makes me feel like my mom is by my side telling me what's good and what's bad.

Eventually, I feel her hugging me whenever I feel really bad.So my bracelet(lucky charm), it really means something special to me that I can't even explain.That's how I got my tomar.

HIS FIRST GRADUATION

Yeah! He did it!!! I'd be moved for one of the greatest feelings a mom can feel: PROUD. I felt like a peacock with widespread feathers. My son did it! He had his first graduation in his little life: "his graduation from the kindergarten".

This year at school that has passed, was full of challenges for him. It was hard because we had only a few days in Colorado when he started the school with no English for him and I only knew the fundamentals of English, just to communicate simple things to others.

Through the year my son and I were learning together the language with so much effort for both. But when the days passed, then the weeks and months, he felt a little more confident and secure, because he understood the teacher. And of course, I began to see a big change in him and in me, too.

Together, we undertook "The trip to the school life". Now, I look backward and see my child like a brave little person, because he did it great. Nevertheless my child didn't know the language; except "yes" and "thank you", he learned so fast the idioms. That's why I'm so proud of him.

Things that happen when you don't think twice

When I was 19 years old I decided that I needed a vacation, and I went to Mexico.
I left my family behind in the USA.
I spent one month just partying, and drinking with friends. That is all I really wanted to do. I just wanted a get away pass.

On my way back to the USA I got stopped by immigration. They questioned me, took my visa away, and I got sent back to Mexico. When I was back I noticed that I didn't have anything. I didn't leave just my family behind. I left my life. I felt lost and all could think about was my family, because all I have in Mexico is my Grandmother.

It was really hard to think about not seeing my parents for a while. I never realized or appreciated how much I needed my family until that day. Also I thought about how to get back to the USA. I wait in Mexico for two more months, and I came back to the USA. On my way back I dealt with lots of obstacles. I wasn't a citizen, and I lost my visa, so the only way in was illegal. I tried different ways until I was finally with my family.

I used to be a brat and complain about everything. But now I understand that my behavior, and my way to see life wasn't going to take me anywhere.
Until now that same bad decision is getting in my way, because I got married with a USA citizen and I can't get the famous green card.

Wow!

While searching the Internet, I found some amazing videos!

Try this one!

And this one!

There's even a music video!

Chapter 6 - Hard Way Home

In order to practice the art of FLUENCY while reading, I gave you all a section from Chapter 6 in Three Cups of Tea to practice, and then read aloud to the class. I was so absolutely impressed with your expression and pronunciation! I enjoyed listening to you, instead of you listening to me! :)

Let me know if you would like to do this activity again. This also looks interesting. Hmmm....what do you think?

In addition to FLUENCY, we also practiced VOCABULARY. Before reading Chapter 6, each group discovered the words they did not know in their text, and then had to figure out a way to teach them to the class. Here are some photos from that day!

Three Cups of Tea

We have been reading Three Cups of Tea in our class. Here is a picture of one of the schools that is being built, thanks to Greg Mortenson. Click on the photo to see it even bigger!

If you would like some more information about the book, you can go to Greg Mortenson's website and look around. There are also some great photos!

He even has a blog!

When browsing through a blog or a website, make sure you take time to really look and read.

I was wondering what your feelings were about the book so far, or about any thoughts you have from looking at the links above.

Leave your thoughts or feelings in the comments!