MY GRADUATION by Nicolas Sanchez

As I woke up for my high school graduation on June 30, 2004, I got up to eat some breakfast and, then, was watching T.V all morning. When time came for my graduation, I started getting dressed. As I finished, I was already on my way over to my graduation.  

After I graduated, the next morning, I was thinking if I was going to go to college or start to get a job. So, I took long time deciding, and I finally decided that it would be better to get a job. Then at the age of 21, I got my first job, so I started working in a company for a year making refrigerators doors. After working for a year, unfortunately, I got laid off from the company.  

So I started looking for a new job and applying in other places. I waited for 2 weeks to see if they would call me back, but they never called me back. So my dad and I started picking up cans, boxes, and metal things everyday.  So, after a while, I stopped picking up cans because I wasn’t getting enough money. I got lazy for 2 years because I saved up a lot of money from the company.

 I used to work, and then I was picking cans. So, in 2009, my sister’s school was having a summer jobs event. Then I got hired at MEND where you help give homeless people food, clothes and others things. So, my job was paring the good toys and the bad toys, separating which ones go to the trash cans. I liked my job working at MEND because I only worked Tuesday through Friday, and, my days off were Saturday through Monday. So, after working at MEND for 6 months, I got laid off from the job I loved.

So then I started looking for jobs and applying everywhere; it was hard to get hired because of the rough economy. So I decided to go back to school because it was hard looking for work. So I said to myself I want to get a better job, or a career, so that why I decided to go back to school. My family was very happy when I told them that I was going back to school to get my bachelor's degree. In October 25, 2010, I entered in Everest College to study Criminal Justice. I have decided that I want to be “corrections officer.” 

I MADE IT! by Brianda Islas

It was a hot, hot Tuesday morning and, as I walked into my first class, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated.  Then I felt even more agitated as I kept bumping into my peers. I wondered to myself, Would I ever miss this part of high school? 

Finally I got to my homeroom class; all I could hear inside was everyone talking and laughing. I head towards my seat, put my books on the table.  As I’m about to sit, I hear my name being called out by my teacher. GREAT!, I think. She would call me just as I’m about to sit down.  She waves a piece of paper in her hand, trying to rush me to go and pick it up.  “You have a summons from your counselor,” she says to me out loud so everyone could hear. I walk toward her and everyone in class says “OHHH Ohh.”  I realize once they said that I thought to myself, Could this be a bad thing? Am I in trouble? I begin thinking quietly as I grab my stuff and walk out of class.

Now, I’m walking towards my counselor’s office.  I notice the intense heat again, starting to feel agitated all over again. I keep thinking to myself if I’m in any trouble.  I’m trying to think if I have done anything I shouldn’t have this year, but all my thoughts are blank.  I pass by a hall and, as usual, see kids ‘ditching’.  I think back to my first few years of high school and how I used to ditch; I laugh thinking of some memories I had.  Right after reminiscing on memories, I begin to feel nervous.

Thoughts start running through my head; I keep trying to figure out why I was being called up.  I start to sweat, struck by the thought of being told I wasn’t going to graduate. I finally get to the office; I sit by a chair waiting for my turn.  I see a girl come out of my counselor’s office trying to hold in her tears.  Ugh, this is not a good thing. I stand up heading towards the office, my counselor looks stressed out with papers all scattered all over her desk.  

She looks up quickly, smiles at me, and gestures me to sit down. Once I sit she stops doing paperwork and looks at me. I feel my heart drop.  She tells me to take a deep breath.  She smiles deeply at me, tells me she’s proud of me.  Finally I take in a big breath and relax.  We begin to talk about my long journey, especially this year, my senior year; she tells me that even though I had many difficult obstacles but I managed to stay focused.  I sigh with relief knowing that I was going to graduate.  “I have two surprises for you,” my counselor tells me.  I look at her a bit skeptical.  She tells me, “Your GPA went up to a 3.0 and you’ve been nominated for the Career with Children’s Scholarship!”  I was so happy and excited; I wanted to jump for joy!  My hard work finally paid off.  I was proud of myself.  My counselor tells me she can’t wait to see me at the ceremony for the awards and scholarships.  She hugs me and sends me off to class.

Once again, I’m back outside in the heat, but, this time, I ignore it. I’m way too happy to let the heat bring me down.  I text my brother and tell him to meet me at the quad.  I sit by trees and I see my brother heading towards me.  I tell him about the news I had received and he gives a huge smile.  We talk about how I’m the first one in our family to graduate from high school. Then, my brother says, “Imagine what our mom is going to say, finally. We get to prove her wrong!”  I look at him and tell him we were better off leaving and being on our own.  “I just wish I could see her reactions when she finds out you are graduating,” my brother tells me.  I just look at him and we laugh.  I think about how I am going to be a good role model for my brother and my little 6 year-old sister.

       

Its lunch and I meet up with my friends.  We are all excited, talking about what our plans for the last couple of days we have in school.  I tell them about my nomination for the scholarship and they are elated with joy.  They joke around, asking me how it’s possible that I went from being a “troublemaker” to a “nerd.”  I smile and shake my head, not knowing exactly what to say.  I go see my teacher from the Career with Children’s class. She tells me she’s proud of me and that I deserve this because I put a lot of effort into the pre-school and the children.  I tell her that my senior year has to be the best ever!!

MY STORY by Debbie Basulto

  Tears came out of my eyes when I heard her cry as she entered the world. It was July 24, 2006 when my beautiful baby girl was born. Being able to hold Destiny for the first time was the most amazing feeling I have ever felt throughout my whole life. I was finally able to experience what it was like to be a mother. I felt a lot of joy and happiness coming my way although I was only fifteen at the time, Destiny was a beautiful gift to my world and I know I had to give everything I could to her. Two days after giving birth, I was finally able to go home. Leaving the hospital and walking out with my new born felt as if I was a completely different person and couldn’t wait to go home and introduce Destiny to what she could and would call home.

As I arrived home with Destiny for the first time, it was an unforgettable moment because my whole family was waiting for us to arrive and welcome our baby home. From that day on I knew that was the beginning to my new start. I have to say that staying up all night, changing dippers, and feeding the baby was the most difficult part of being a mother. Two months after bonding with Destiny I realized how strong a mother has to be - not only physically, but also emotionally, because having a child is a huge responsibility.

After three months of being home with Destiny, it was finally time for me to get back into school. Going back to school was very exciting because I would be able to see my friends. Yet, I didn’t know how hard it was going to be without my daughter next to me. As the days, weeks, and months went by, I know the sacrifice I was doing would soon pay off. Being a fifteen year old, having a baby and going to school was very difficult and, as the time went by, it was even harder. When I reached the age of seventeen, I began working part-time to be able to support my daughter. A few months after, I graduated high school and my parents and family felt very happy and proud of me for accomplishing that first goal on my list.

About one month after graduating from high school I continued working but I knew that I had to look for a good career to be able to provide a good future for my daughter. I then decided to attend college and go for a fast career as a Medical Assistant in where I would be able to work in the medical field. Eight months after sacrifices I managed to graduate college and was quickly hired in a medical office. Throughout that time I also joined a very good program that is called L.A.P.D Explorers in where, I also graduated from a three month academy training that they offer and became one of their members.

I am currently twenty one years of age and have a beautiful, smart, amazing five-year old who I love with all my heart. I thank god every day for sending me this wonderful gift that changed my entire life by making me who I am right now: a strong, hard working women and an excellent mother. I have been working as a Medical Assistant for two years know. Concurrently, I am enrolled in college to soon be able to obtain my Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and, hopefully accomplish my career goal and become a Law Enforcement Officer one day.

JUDGEMENT DAY by Jose Galeano

With many perceptions, comes only one conclusion

I still remember the day like it was yesterday. The smell, taste, sounds and even the weather outside embedded in me forever. It was a hasty and foggy morning outside; I nervously walked into the building, walked towards the elevators and waited until I got off the 6th floor, which was the very top floor. I could hardly hear myself think in the elevator from all the employees greeting each other and the ladies gossiping about last night’s soap opera, there was also the smell of the ladies that had sprayed one spray too many of perfume and the fact that we were side by side all packed in one small elevator like sardines. Yet, I do remember saying to myself “what was I thinking accepting this type of job”. Once I arrived at the sixth floor, I went through some double doors and slowly walked down the hallway. I walked by each room, which had small windows on each corner of the door for the purpose of viewing inside the room, without making noise from the squeaky and rusted doors and prevent myself from waking up the clients.

 As I passed each room one by one the reflection of the sunrise, from the small window would strike my face. For a near second, it felt like one of those action western movies where everyone could hear the new guy walking in the bar from the sound of his cowboy boots. He would be chewing on a tooth pick with his cowboy hat slanted down to one side of his face and chucking down a glass of ice cold draft beer. The only difference with me and that cowboy was that I didn’t have cowboy boots or the hat or the tooth pick in my mouth, I was actually there to help people and not hurt them.  There was not a sound of any type of movement, quiet enough to hear a pin drop from the other side of the hallway.

After a few minutes went by, I started to see people coming out of their rooms and, after an hour or so, most of them were out walking the hallways. The sound quickly changed from quiet to loud; the smell from the housekeeper’s air freshener to the horrific order of dirty unwashed clothes and people that had not showered in weeks. The taste went from breathing normal air through your nose to having to breathe through your mouth to prevent from throwing up. That is when it hit me that I had left a perfectly fine nine to five to come work with clients that I did not care much about.  I might have view them as being dirty, disrespectful, gruesome, and down right nasty. At this point, I had really regretted accepting my new job at a mental institute. I had always learned to deal and adjust to different types of work environment but felt, with this new job, I would have to adjust drastically.

I was always taught to not judge a book by its cover, but I just couldn’t help it. I viewed everyone in that room as being crazy to the point of no return. I had always wondered where all the crazy ex-girlfriends went after the break up, and now I know. Once I saw the amount of young people that was there, I was in a state of shock. I knew that there were crazy people in this world, again from all the ex-girlfriends - those that threatened and warned me to watch my back if I were ever to walk down a dark alley by myself. I guess I just didn’t realize there were so many of them. As the day went by, I started to feel more comfortable. I was interacting with clients and getting to know the reason for their admission to the hospital. Just as I was getting in the grove and letting my shoulders relax, after initially walking around with my chest popped up like I had just killed a bear with my own hands and skinned its fur, the worst of the day was about to take place.

 According to this six-foot-five, 275-pound man covered in tattoos from his neck to wrist, he was certain that he had known me from his past and was accusing me of trying to steal his wife from him. I was shocked and scared; scared, I don’t know why, maybe because I wasn’t sure if it was true. I quickly started to recollect my thoughts of all the recent relationships I was involved in and wondered if one of them was married and failed to tell me. After looking at him with a blank and confused stare, I slowly saw a smile forming on his face. That is when I knew he was just trying to scare me senseless. 

It was three o’clock and I was ready to run out of there. I was unsure if I was going to return the next day or call it quits. Walking down the hallway, aiming towards the exit doors, I gave the place one last long look. As I looked around, seeing all those mentally ill clients that I once considered scary and labeled as dirty, loud, obnoxious, smelly and even disgusting, now seemed more like people in need of severe medical attention. I knew then that this job was going to change the way I had viewed many different things in my life, especially people. 

THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED FOR THE BEST By Elias Briano

It was on a Saturday afternoon and I had just gotten home from dropping off one of my sisters at work. I walked into my house and I went into my parents room to tell my mom I was home already. To my surprise, my uncle was there and asked me “Do you want a job?” My immediate response, of course, was 'yes.' After I told him that he said, “Ok. Come to where I work on Thursday, so we can talk to the supervisor and see what we can make happen.” He gave me the address and I went from there. It was at that point that I realized that life can change dramatically in an instant.

Once I went to talk to the supervisor, he took me to human resources and I filled out the application. I actually started working that day and I was very happy because of the fact that I had gotten my first job. At this point, a lot was going through my mind and I came up with a plan that I was going to start saving money and move out of my parents house. Then, I could be independent, not only financially but independent from them. I soon came to realize that this wasn’t as easy I thought it would be and, although I do want to move out, it will take some time. I just have to deal with it for the time being.

Though I am happy that I am working, I do not expect to stay in this job my whole life; the type of job I have is only temporary. The line of work that I want to be doing is in criminal justice, and I am currently working on getting my associates degree at Everest College while I work full time. This is not such an easy thing to do because I sometimes do not have time for studying. Plus, it is difficult to keep up with the work I have to turn in. Despite the fact that it is difficult, I try my best to do everything so that I won’t fall behind.

Overall, I am happy with my life the way it’s going at this point; the only thing I want to get better at is learning how to manage my money. Aside from that, I wouldn’t change a thing because everything that I am doing at this point is to better myself. And, not only for myself, but I am also setting an example for my little sister and my niece and nephew. I want them to see that anything is possible if you have your mind set on it and that there can be a better life for them. They just have to strive for something better; they don’t have to settle for the life that we have right now.

THE WORD By Clemente Soriano

It was another day in the Philippines and its getting hotter and hotter.  I’m sitting by the table waiting for everyone to wake up when my grandmother sit down beside me. She tells me” You will be the only one that I know who will watch over your older sister and younger brother because I know someday I will not be able to watch over you guys. I want you to start being responsible in every decision you will make.” After listening to what my grandmother told me I ask myself am I old enough to that if I am just twelve years of age and how can I do that if we still have our parents and relatives can watch over us. Those words got stuck in my head and I will never ever forget that day because a week after my grandmother was rushed in the hospital during my grandfather and grandmother vacation back to their province. Before I received this message it was early in the morning I am not really feeling good, I feel like something bad is going on but I still went to school and attend my classes. During our lunch break my phone is vibrating and its very unusual because I never received any call during school hours, I answered my phone and I received a very disturbing news about my grandmother while listening to my aunt over the phone my tears fall from my eyes and my friends just stared at me and get shocked because they hardly see me cry like that and they asked me what happened and if I’m alright.

It is a very tough time for me and my family because nobody is expecting this to happen. My father called me just to say that he is flying back to Philippines and I need to pick him up to the airport so he can see what my grandmother’s situation is. As were waiting for my father’s arrival we cannot do anything because my father said don’t do anything and wait for me so we can plan everything but my grandmother’s life is in danger because the long time she wait there is possibility that she might die because all her blood are already in her head and her brain is getting affected. During our tough time I can’t concentrate in school so I decided not to go to school for a week and my school is starting to call my house but my other aunt explains everything to our dean and our school director so I can be excused for a week and give me a special work so I can catch up to whatever I miss and for my attendance I have to stay at least one hour for a week to make up those hours that I missed. When my father arrives the first thing that I do is to let him know what the update about my grandmother is. I feel bad to my father because that is the only time that I saw my father crying and cannot that my grandmother is on the hospital. After picking up father from the airport we went straight and headed to the hospital where grandmother is staying, we have to travel for more than twelve hours just to see her because she was at the place where they used to live. While we are parking the car, my big sister started crying and she told us,” I do not want to see Lola [1]because just hearing she is in the hospital is already breaking my heart apart now I’m going to see her is much worst.” When Lolo[2] notice that we are in the parking lot he goes down pick us up and bring us to the room where Lola is.      

Before we step inside the room there is something held me back that I don’t feel like to see Lola, my tears fall into my face without doing anything and during that time my heart is beating fast and I can feel the numbest throughout my body due of the crying inside the room and sadness because to what happen.  Since that day I give importance to everyone that is important for me and I realized that life is too short and we should cherish it. Remembering all the words that my Lola told me is the best gift that I will always remember and no one else can take that away from me even when I get older and have my own grandchildren. Lola’s word is the most inspiring word that I ever heard and I want to share that to my future family.

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[1] Lola-means grandmother in the Philippines

[2] Lolo-means grandfather in the Philippines

NOT ABOUT ME, By Thomas Bergh

I lay on the ground in a back alley in Iraq. Just moments before I was a young, eager nineteen year old boy, here to fight for his country. Now, a frightened- bloodied, child. Ash and debris fell from the sky around me… it was serene- slow motion- like snow fall, but gray and dead. The screams muffled and my tears fell in slow motion. I lay in the alley waiting to die.

The air is hot, the sulfur is strong; the streets are empty. I decide it’s time to move. I drag myself around the corner and call for my friend Guerrero who was just behind me before the blast. I see him, in the middle of the road, curled up like a new borne infant. He looked peacefully dead. My team leader Lameyer lay only a few feet from me- screaming for help, “I’m bleeding out!” he screamed. Anger came over me, my hand gripped the trigger and I began looking for someone to kill. Anything would have sufficed… even a child spectating would feed my hunger. My anger replaced the tears.  

Greg, a Jim Carrey look-a-like, ran out to Guerrero’s aid, While Arentz dragged Lameyer into a back yard. My immediate anger gone, I then worried on extracting our wounded and dead off the street. I ran to Guerrero's new position; a wall around the corner out of the alley and clear of sniper fire, each bound I took was limped but direct. I grew with each lunge, became wiser, older, ageing with every glance. It was not about me anymore, it was not about my hate. It was about the marines around me.

I ran between two wounded collection points, Getting wound information and relaying it to our command over the radio. Back and forth I ran- no regard to any weary sniper. Once everything was passed over the radio I turned my attention to Guerrero, who was alive to my amazement. He was leaned up against a wall, head drooped down, shaking. I leaned down and gripped his hand. “I’m here”, I told him. “I’m scared”, he replied. He lifted his head, His nasal cavity was free to the worlds view, He left eye was gone. He looked as though a butcher took a meat clever to his face, but Guerrero was in no pain. He looked at me with the one eye he had left and his grip got weak, I knew we had to get him and Lameyer out of the city. I popped flairs into the sky to let them know our exact position. They lit up the sky like the fourth of July. We knew the flairs would attract unwanted attention so we position the wounded to quickly be moved when our rescue trucks arrived.

Waiting for our rescue, still gripping Guerrero’s hand- you wouldn’t think I was a child. Blood stained my faded clothes. Dirt and sweat caked my face- My full-baby like cheeks now sunken and shaded, my eyes always forward and weary. It was clear I aged, I aged in the alley. In that alley I became aware of a greater cause. It wasn’t about me, it wasn’t about my country, it was about the Marine to the right and left of me.

"Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."
- Anton Chekhov, Russian short-story writer and dramatist (1860-1904)