An Event that Changed my Life

An Event that Changed my Life


My last Christmas in Mexico was unforgettable. After so many years it was the first time that all of my family was together since my grandparents died. I arrived in Mexico on December 15th, 2007, ten days before Christmas. When my family and I arrived at my aunt’s house, my whole family was waiting for our arrival. For Christmas as is the tradition in my family, we spent Christmas Eve at my aunt’s house. We prayed to the baby Jesus, broke the piñata, ate tamales for dinner, and when midnight arrived everybody gave hugs. We also exchanged gifts, and danced until dawn. For New Years, my mother cooked turkey and all the family and friends came to my house to wait the New Year together. It was so funny when midnight strikes, as in my family tradition we went outside to throw fireworks, after that we shared hugs and kisses with each other. I will never forget this special time in my life. These memories will always be in my mind because this special event has been never changed in my life.

An event changed my life

When I was first grade, I learned an important lesson about school and responsibility and more, this event fixed my bad habit. When I was little kid, I just liked to play with friends. I didn’t know how much school and homework were important. For me, school was just a new playground, and I was really excited to make new friends because my neighborhood didn’t have many children. Usually, the first grade teacher wrote homework on the board after all the classes were finished and the teacher made students write down homework in their notebook. I was not always writing my assignments, but I often didn’t write it down. I did it again and again, so I often couldn’t do homework frequency. One day, my teacher called my mother to come to school. I was scared and I just stayed at my room. But my mother didn’t tell me anything after she came back, so I went bed without worrying. However, it was not finished because after I went to bed, she told my father about my problem. After he listened, he was really angry and he woke me up and scolded me. When he woke me up, I was half sleeping and half awake so I didn’t know what was going on and I couldn’t understand why he was so angry with me. Until then, my father had never scolded or yelled at me. Finally, I was kicked out only wearing my underwear, and it was a cold winter night. I stood one hour in the hallway of my apartment. My apartment’s hallway was as cold as outside. Since then, I had never missed homework and my father checked it every day, so my bad habit was fixed. And I quickly realized that school and assignments are more important than other things, so I did well. Now my father and I have good relationship, but after that happened I was hard to be close with him.

Remember my trip and history

I will remember a bus trip on a beautiful day that I felt longer and brought me back to our history in Hawaii. I went there with my husband three years ago that was my first visit. I had been avoiding visiting typical resorts, because I had thought they would be boring. But my husband wanted to show me how it’s nice there, so I yielded to him and decided to go. Upon our arrival there, we went to a travel desk to book some activities. Because an agent strongly recommended Pearl Harbor Tour, we agreed to join that for forth day’s activity. The first three days, we enjoyed shopping, horseback riding and beautiful shores. I was beginning to realize that it was such a nice place. The morning of the Pearl Harbor Tour, we were waiting a bus very relaxed. That small bus which had picked up all other members for this tour stopped in front of us as final stop. I stepped inside, then I was shocked and had goose bumps because everyone else was white and old aged people. Once we had seated, the tour started. I had been very nervous and thinking about how to answer if some of them said something bad to us. When we were close to the destination, the guide started talking “ One Sunday morning, Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor unexpected…….” I wanted to get off the bus because I felt their expressionless faces seemed addressing a grudge to former enemy. I was scared from them. While we were there, we watched documentary films and many pictures and we visited a memorial by a small boat. Later, some people in the bus talked and smiled to us very friendly. I was relaxed and reflected on my thinking about the tour as sightseeing. This tour reminded me what did happen in our history in Hawaii and this had big significance for the both countries.

An event that changed my life

An event that changed my life was preparing for the high school examination. During the first three years of high school ,we were very happy and free .But we often heard that Grade 4 would be a hell. After the final exam of Grade 3 in June, everything blew onto our faces: teachers’ changing, harder and harder tests, terrible pressure and of course the graduate exam .Where your position was on the list board became the most important thing in our life. But I must say that it’s really changed my life. Under the pressure we lived our life to the fullest, and enjoyed the true interesting things that we may have never cared before. Grade 4 in high school was a turning point in my life. My attitude to learning, my world outlook and my philosophy of life all changed. I turned to be positive and strong. I also gained many people’s true & pure friendship, both teachers’ and classmates’. In some way, I like that kind of life, as it taught me many things I’d never learned before.

An event that changed my life

I will never forget the day 2 years ago because my brother and i alost died. I have a brother

in my family. He is a good brother and he always helped my family and me. When my parents

went to work and they could't come home,my brother always manged our family,and drove me

to school. One day,he almost left me.After we finished breakfast,my brother drove me to

school. I said to my brother:"can i drive for a second because i already got a drivers license,I

want to try. Then my brother agreed to my request. Actually,my driving skills were bad,and i

was tensional. A lot of cars moving on the street. Our car look like a snake,as it wiggled on the

street. Because i could't control the car. After that, an accident happened,I drove on the wrong

side of the road,and a car crushed with our car. We both got hurt and it was very bad. Since

that day, I have been scared to drive,it seems like I have psychologic problem.

Event that changed my life

The event that changed my life forever was when I made the decision to move into the United States. I was getting ready that morning when my best friend picked me up. Then, in the airport he told me I wasn’t the only one with fears, thoughts, and lot of questions. He assured me that soon everything will be great. I completely agreed with him because at that time I knew I had needed to make a really big change in my life. I still remember my first day when I arrived. My parents had been already here, but for one reason I didn’t know were I was. The first person I saw in the airport waiting for me was my stepfather. While we were walking to get the suitcase, I was hearing the people around me speaking in many different languages. Everyone seemed happy to be in a Large city, such as Chicago. However, I still couldn’t understand why I felt the same as before when I left Mexico. How is it that other people, upon arrival to a new city, are able to change for the better and not feel like I had felt? On the highway, I saw people walking in a hurry back and forth. I was able to hear the rails of the train in the distance, and the noise of the world. In some way, I am still trying to overcome the solitude that I can say most immigrants feel during the beginning stages of staring a new life. These changes will always be present, and forever help me grow to become successful.

An Event that changed my life

An event that coming to the US changed my life radically. Before I came to the US, I was wayward child. My parents took care of me very well. In the morning , they called me to get up and prepared breakfast for me. Then, they drove me to school. At night, they prepared dinner and taught me to study.My parents were very busy, but still kept doing those things everyday. After I came to the US, my life changed. My everyday life was different from customary day. Now I have to get up by myself and cook breakfast, then I take bus and train to school. At night, I also cook dinner by myself and learn English. There is no one to remind me any more. And I can live alone, I can do many things by myself. Some people said I can mature and grown up. Although sometimes i feel alone, this exprience will be important in my life. I have already entered the era of youth. I need to decide the ambition by myself, my parents can't give me opinion, so I need independent thinking. I have to work hard, and I can't rely on my parents. It let me know what can I do and lets me grow up. Coming to th US has profoundly changed my life.

An Event that changed my life

An event that coming to the US changed my life radically. Before I came to the US, I was wayward child. My parents took care of me very well. In the morning , they called me to get up and prepared breakfast for me. Then, they drove me to school. At night, they prepared dinner and taught me to study.My parents were very busy, but still kept doing those things everyday. After I came to the US, my life changed. My everyday life was different from customary day. Now I have to get up by myself and cook breakfast, then I take bus and train to school. At night, I also cook dinner by myself and learn English. There is no one to remind me any more. And I can live alone, I can do many things by myself. Some people said I can mature and grown up. Although sometimes i feel alone, this exprience will be important in my life. I have already entered the era of youth. I need to decide the ambition by myself, my parents can't give me opinion, so I need independent thinking. I have to work hard, and I can't rely on my parents. It let me know what can I do and lets me grow up. Coming to th US has profoundly changed my life.

My Future Job

Suarez Maria Jose
Reading/writing
Level 5

My Future Job

When I finish E.S.L classes in Harold Washington will be a kindergarten teacher. I want to want to work with Spanish communities because ii will be easier for me as I speak Spanish. I love to work with children because they are very smart, funny, creative, and sensitive. My responsibilities will be a lot as to write educative activities in the lesson plan, prepare different activities (teaching numbers, the alphabet, etc). Others possible activities will be organizing fill trips, and I will take care the students. My salary will be $45.000 per year and I will have benefits as long vacations, sick days, and health insurance .If I work in Chicago publics schools all those benefit that I will have. I want to be a sweet but strict teacher because I like that my student will learn a lot. My goal is be an excellent kindergarten when I finish E.S.L classes.

Ying Szeto (Carol)
January-25-08 revision
Level-5
An event that changed my life
About three years ago, I received an important letter from the American Consulate and knew that my immigration application had been approved. Actually, I forgot I had applied for immigration to the U S .This happened ten years ago, and it caused me to have an enormous change in my life. At first, I had contradictory thoughts in my mind. Do I really need to immigrate to the U S in that present moment? Immigrate or stay? This tough decision made me confused. However, fresh air, blue sky, sweet tap water, mom and sisters, all made me happy and comfortable after arriving in Chicago. Eventually, I realized that immigration that was right for me. However, gradually I came across many difficult problems which I didn’t think about before. For example, language, food and friends, were things made me always not in a good mood. My English was not fluent enough, so it was a barrier for me to communicate with Americans. I wasn’t used to frozen food. The most important change was that I lost my friends. I felt so lonely, but three years have passed. Consequently, my current state is entirely different from the early stage of my migration. Studying in school has let me improve English and make a lot of friends. Day by day, I have become familiar with the places where I could buy fresh poultry and fish. Moreover, I got a driver’s license which is something I had never thought I could get it in my life. All in all, the letter I received from the American Consulate which made my life turn to a new chapter, though sometimes I miss what I left behind. Anyway, I hope to become part to the “American Salad Bowl “in the near future

My Daughter Change my Life

My life changed since I had my daughter. For many women getting pregnant is normal, but not for me. When my husband and I get married. We wished to have a baby. After a little fertility treatment, I still couldn't get pregnant. That was the first step of many treatments. After ten years of treatments, the Dr. said me "you are pregnant". That moment my life changed. First, my pregnancy was difficult. I had almost nine months in complete repose. After my little girl was born, we arrived at home, and everything great. But the first night we slept only two hours. The next night my little girl slept all night. When I saw her completly from top to bottom. I couldn't believe somebody so very tiny attract a lot of attention. Everyday at home people came and people left. I remember the first time. She needed to take a bath, I called my mom, sisters, mom-in-law, everybody. My husband said to me "relax, I can hepl you". He helped me to do. Fornunately life to continue and my girl grew up. She learned to walk and my life has gotten easly. The first day, she went to preschool was exciting. We got up ealy. I dressed her uniform, and she looked so pretty. When we arrived to school, I was so nervous. I almost stared to cry. It was the first time in our life that we separeted from each other. Now it's normal for us. My daughter is the best gift in my life, and has changed my life.

Graduation Day

Finally, it was time to graduate from high school. Therefore, I was very happy to attend my ceremony. After four years of hard work, it was time to say goodbye and go on to college and a better life. I graduated with a B average. However, I could have done better if I didn’t completely get bored of school and my teachers. Therefore, I was very excited to graduate. The next thing I realized that I was the first person in line to get my cap and gown. Couple of hours later I was all dressed and ready to go to the ceremony. When I arrived to the school with my family, I had to go to the gym where everyone tried to get organized. Obviously, I didn’t have hard time getting organized since my last name starts with the letter Z. The shorter the line got, the more I got nervous. The next thing I realized was my name got called. I looked up with a big smile and walked down the stage to receive my diploma. Overall, my parents were very happy to see me succeed in life and I was also proud of all the hard work I had done.

An event that changed my life

My family’s immigration to the U.S. has changed my life, which made me feel lost, sad and exciting. Before I came to the U.S., I was a student at an architecture university, and I lived with my classmates on campus; we ate together, studied together and slept together. In fact, we did everything together. With the wish to become an architect, I had never stopped studying. I improved my skills of design and drawing everyday, and I had never thought I would move to another country. However, one day, I received a call from my mother while I was working on my design. She told me that our application to the U.S. had been approved. I was so shocked that I dropped my pen. I looked down at my uncompleted design, I realized that my life was about to change. I dropped my classed at school, and left my friends, my classmates and all my other relatives. It seemed that I lost everything in an instant, and I felt myself as isolated. After saying goodbye to my past life, I got aboard the plane to the U.S. with an uneasy mood and fear of the strange world. When I stepped on the land of the United States, I knew I would start a new life right here. Now I have been living in America for one year. I have already attended a new school and made a lot of new friends. I’ m still learning the American culture, and I hope I’ll fit in soon.

A Horrific Swimming Experience

　　It was a terrible swimming experience of my childhood. When I was a child, I used to swim in the river which was near to the village where my friends lived. One day, we went to the river as usual. We were all excited about the water games, and we really had fun at that time. A few minutes later, one of my friends advised that we should play a new game. First, we played a finger-guessing game. Then the loser would stay on the bank of the river and close his eyes. The rest of us hid ourselves separately. After that, he needed to find one person and get hold of him. When we were done, the loser began to search. Later, he found a kid hiding beside the river. So he ran fast to catch him. The hiding kid hurried to jump into the river. Unfortunately, his leg muscle went into spasm. He held out his hands for help, but the others were too far away from him and didn’t know what was happening. The loser tried to help our friend and they struggled in the water for a few minutes. When we realized something was wrong, it was too late. We grabbed our friends’ bodies out of the water. They were dead. At that moment, we were all scared and didn’t know what to do. Finally, someone ran back home and explained what happened to the adults. However, they couldn’t change anything. Since that, I have never dared swim in the river. The pale faces of my friends are still in my mind. It was the worst thing that ever happened in my life.

Two kinds life

Jim
ESL 099
2001 year was an important year for me, this year, my life happened evident change. This year, I met a beautiful lady and recently, she became my wife. I was born in a big family. I have one brother and four sisters. I lived with my father and brother and they always took care of my life, I didn’t need to cook dinner or wash clothes, I didn’t need to support my family. I finished a college education and worked in a hospital, I often took park in other famous hospital training, I only had a little time at home, I was a free person. I enjoyed this life until I met Ling, my wife. I remembered we met each otherTwo kinds of life for first time in a restaurant, she was special, awesome and attractive, and her behavior and speech were elegant. Suddenly! I wanted to live with her. So I continued to meet her and we soon fell in love. Then we got married in this year, but I didn’t know my life was about to change. First, I didn’t live with my father and brother; I lived with my wife and her family. Second, I needed to support my family and do many things, like little washing clothes, cleaning house and cooking dinner,etc.Finally, I needed to walk with my wife after my work, I was busy every day, I fought I hadn’t free time. My wife often asked me ‘Do you like this life?’ I said “Of course. this life is rewarding and I’ m becoming a self-sufficient person kinds of lifends of life

An event that change my life

Graduating from high school opened my world. I came to the US as an exchange student from Thailand. I spent about ten months in Gilbert, Arizona. I lived with an American family that hosted me. My first month was quite tough. Adapting to new culture was not as easy as I has expected. There were so many problems happened. However, everything got better after we talked. Understanding the differences was the clue. It took me a few months to get used to the American’s life. However, I felt great after all. Life at school was fun, I had a few friends who like to know about Thai’s culture, and I taught them. Exchanging experiences was much valuated. After I graduated from Desert Hills High School, and my life was totally changed. I came to Chicago right after the last day of school, and I was so excited to start my new life as a pre-adult in Chicago. A few weeks after I got here, I decided to work at a Thai restaurant in downtown Chicago. I wanted to save money for college. Life at work was so different from school. Working as a waitress was a hard job. I had to work about ten hours a day. Starting at 10 am. - 9 pm. at night. At lunch time the restaurant was so crowded. At first, I didn’t know how to handle the crowd, I was scared. It took me a while to get used to it. Working with people was very hard, especially working with new people every day. When I worked, I had to split between life and work. I can’t bring problems to work. I won’t be able to work if I had to carry the problem with me all the time. As time passed by, I have learned how to manage problems. I appreciate my life more. Everything in the past was a very great lesson, but life goes on. There is tomorrow waiting to be discovered. I wouldn’t stop myself from learning. Life is not easy as we know, but it not too tough either if I give it a try.

An event that changed my life

Tirayah Fouch
ESL 99
21/02/08
An event that changed my life
Travelling from Israel to America was an event that changed my life. A year after I got married I received a letter saying in another two months I was leaving the country traveling to Chicago. I knew nothing of the place besides what I was talt at home, and that was how dangerous America is. Well I prepared my self to travel thinking it will bee such a happy vacation although I knew it was no vacation I still planed it as if it was. I saw my family before I left and gave everyone my full good by’s they told me no it’s not good by it’s see you latter so I said fine see you latter. The night I traveled I was nervous it was my second time on an airplane but my first time traveling to Chicago as we were landing I saw the view which was so beautiful up in the sky all the lights were on shining all over to me it was like being in the movies it was amazing but in short time the plane landed I was very happy the because the trip was just to long for me. The next day I wake up thinking I was home looked it was no place like home, I smiled got my self together and went out with my sister in-law while we were walking I asked her how is it living in Chicago and she responded it’s ok just make sure you are with someone at all times so my mind went back to what my parents told me about America I got a little scared but I got over it. Two weeks later I started working and making new friends I was introduced to a new life, a life I have never experienced before it took a while for me to actually adapt to new things so I took everything slowly and slowly but surely my life was taking a turn I began to change the way I look naturally thinking I was cute but my face was not the same, make up wore my face out and this was at the age of 25 so my body was already use to it’s natural look if that wasn’t enough I’ve changed the way I dress I use to wear cloths that covered the body now I wear cloths that cover only half of my body. I took pictures and sent them to my sister and my mom saw them I felt so embraced but then I felt fine because it was my life and I felt that I was grown enough to do what I want to do not knowing I was hurting my self by changing my life style from what I was talt my mom wouldn’t speak to me my father wouldn’t speak to me and my sisters thought I’ve really lost my mind so I had to make a decision I chose me because America has really changed my life.

An Event That Changed My Life

I used to be fond of skating, but now things have changed because of a horrible accident. I have never forgotten that day I was twelve years old. One winter, the weather was so cold that water turned into ice. One day on my way home, when seeing a frozen lake, I thought that the ice must be thick enough to support me. Being so interested in skating, I could help doing down and sliding on the ice. Suddenly I heard a cracking sound. Looking down, I saw the crack on the ice surface. I was frightened out for my life and didn’t dare to move. It seemed that I was going to into the cold water. But nobody could help me, so I had to move toward the bank carefully. As soon as I got onto the bank, the ice broke and fell. How horrible it was! Even though it has been a long time since then, I can still feel the fear. And I no longer like skating anymore. After this experience, I realized that how short and precious is our life. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow or how much time we have left, but we do know is that we still have the chance to appreciate, forgive and make up what we have done in the past with one another. So do cherish it and cherish each moment that you are still alive.