Are Sweatshops Helping or Abusing the Rights of the Employer?

A sweatshop is a working environment with very difficult or dangerous conditions, usually where workers have few rights or no say in addressing their situation. This can include exposure to harmful materials, hazardous situations, extreme temperatures, or abuse from employers. Sweatshops workers are often forced to work long hours for little or no pay, regardless of any laws about overtime pay or a minimum wage. Child labor laws may also be violated. Many people believe that sweatshops are the cause for women and children exploitation; meanwhile, defenders of sweatshops, such as Paul Krugman and Johan Norberg, claim that people choose to work in sweatshops because the sweatshops offer them significantly higher wages and better working conditions compared to their previous jobs of “manual farm labor,” and that sweatshops are the beginning of a process of technological and economic development where a poor country turns itself into a rich country. In addition, sometimes when anti-sweatshop activists were successful in getting sweatshops to close, some of the employees who had been working in the sweatshops ended up starving to death, while others ended up turning to prostitution. Therefore, sometimes is not a good idea to intervene in foreign affairs. On the other hand, we can force companies from the US that are moving their factories ells were to pay workers a fair salary, but this idea will lead to an unintended consequences. A consequence such as an increase in price of clothing, toys and other products made in sweatshops can affect many American citizens in the US whom live a paycheck away from being consider poor. To sum my thoughts, I must say that for every action there are unintended consequences therefore we must reevaluate all our actions. Think twice before acting!

Environmental Issues-Where Does Recycling Go?

Even though many people recycle, some people do not know where or what can it be recycled into. Steel cans are separated out from other recyclables by using a magnet. The cans are then crushed, compressed into bales, re-melted and turned into new steel products such as new cans, car doors, bridges and refrigerators. Liquid paperboard cartons (milk and juice cartons, including "long-life" cartons) are recycled into high quality office paper. A one liter carton can be recycled back into 5 -7 sheets. Aluminum cans can be recycled over and over into new cans. Twenty recycled cans can be made using the same amount of energy as required to produce one can from raw materials. Newspapers, "glossies" and magazines are recycled into cardboard and packaging, insulation products, animal bedding, kitty litter, and fire logs. Cardboard and other paper products including writing paper, envelopes, cereal containers, novels and phone books are reprocessed to produce new cardboard. Two types of glass beverage bottles are made in South Australia “multi-fill” bottles are washed and refilled several times with the same product whereas beer, soft drink and wine single-fill bottles and jars are meant to be used only once and then returned to a recycler. These bottles are crushed and recycled into new bottles. Recycling generally prevents the waste of potentially useful materials, reduces the consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage. As with many other forms of recycling, the energy used in recycling materials is much less than that used in working with virgin materials. The total amount of energy used to recycle paper can be anywhere between 28 percent and 70 percent less, which represents significant environmental benefits. Recycled paper does not need re-bleaching, meaning that fewer harmful chemicals are released into the environment. Paper is made from parts of a tree that are unusable by other industries such as construction. Unlike other recycled products, some virgin wood needs to be included in recycled paper. My point is that many materials that people consider trash can be recycled and reused in a different way. Therefore, think twice before throwing an item in the trash!

Human Migration and the Crisis in Rwanda (1994)

Around the world and in our own communities, people move in and out of places every day, and they have done so throughout human history. Their patterns of movement reflect the conditions of the changing world and, in turn, impact the cultural landscapes of the places they leave and the places they settle in ways that often last for many centuries. These marks on a area include new ethnic births, new spoken languages, new traditions, new food, music, clothes, and among other. According to the dictionary, human migration is any movement by humans from one location to another, sometimes over long distances or in large groups. The movement of people in modern times is composed of voluntary and involuntary migration which includes slave trade, trafficking, natural disasters, economic reasons or war. People who migrate are called migrants, or to be more specific, settlers. Sometimes forced migration has been means of social control under regimes for example in 1994 the fighting in Rwanda led to the massacre of at least half a million Tutsis by the Hutus. For two years Hutu militants, fearful of act of vengeance for the massacres, kept the refugees in exile. During December and November of 1996, it became a crisis as the civil war in Zaire cut off of more than half a million Hutu refugees from food and medical supplies. Faced with this situation they became desperate and began to turn for help to the UN. This desperate cry for help followed by Tanzania giving its Hutu refugees orders to return to Rwanda but, many fled to other countries instead. Rwanda is a perfect example of involuntary migration. Even though the reasons were different for the Tutsis and the Hutus, they both were forced to move because of a war.
***From the view point of the Tutsis -They were forced to move or stay in Rwanda and die.
***From the view point of the Hutus- Stay and watch family, friends, and neighbors be killed and have no food or move to a safe location and not have your children see all the horrors.

Diseases- What is HIV/AIDS?

Before reading Global Issues, Local Arguments by June Johnson I did not know much about diseases. Up to this point I am able to distinguish the difference between HIV and AIDS. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus that attacks the immune system. HIV uses healthy white blood cells to replicate itself, breaking down the immune system and leaving the body more vulnerable to illness. Without treatment, most people infected with HIV become less able to fight off germs that we are exposed to every day. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a late stage of HIV infection. An HIV positive person is diagnosed with AIDS when their immune system is so weakened that it is no longer able to fight off illness. People with immune deficiency are much more vulnerable to infections such as pneumonia and various forms of cancer. Ultimately, people do not die from AIDS itself, they die from different infections such as pneumonia or cancer. There is no known cure or vaccine for AIDS. On the other hand there is medication that patients can take in order to fight HIV. It can take several years before HIV breaks down a person's immune system and causes AIDS, and people may show few symptoms for several years after they are infected. People who appear perfectly healthy may not know they have the virus and can pass it on to others. Therefore, testing oneself after having sexual intercourse with a partner can prevent the spread of this disease or before having a final commitment one can have their partner and themselves checked.

My Second Year- How do I feel about this Semester?

This semester (Fall 2008) I feel that I am more focused than the first year. Even though I was able to accomplish being in Honor Roll for two semesters, my biggest wish is to be on Dean’s List. This Semester I am more involved with school activities such as The Business Club, I’m working as a student -part time, I am attending Alfa meetings, and pledging for Theta Alpha Sigma, therefore it is hard to maintain all my grades. So far I have not received a letter of academic difficulty. The only two classes that I truly need to spend more time studying are Accounting Principles I and Microeconomics. Even though I read the chapters I find myself re-reading because I was not able to understand the concepts the first time. This semester I am learning to develop my time management skills by setting a time schedule everyday for studying, eating, working, attending classes and even sleeping. Other than further developing my time management skills I also have to face trade-offs. Sometimes I have to decide whether I want to study one extra hour for a class or if I want to sleep one extra hour. My biggest fears for this semester are not being able to allocate my time wisely and not being able to obtain the grades that I desire. Even though I am scoring high on my exams if I do not pass one exam, that one exam can change my grade drastically. This semester I also find myself spending more time in the Mount St. Mary’s library. After work my body tends to gravitate towards the quiet, peaceful library. There I am able to work on all my school assignments, projects and homework without being distracted by music, pictures or other distractions.

Alexandria’s House- What problems have I encountered?

I have attended zero times to Alexandria’s House. On December the 12 at 8:00am – 10: 00 am and Saturday the 13 from 9:00-12:00PM I will be going to Alexandria’s House. My biggest fears from attending Alexandria’s House are not being able to communicate with the other people well. I am also fearful of not being a great tutor.Other than that I am happy to have the opportunity to help and tutor or take care of kids.Getting to Alexandria’s house will be a challenge for me because I need to car pool with other students, but other than that I am looking forward to attending Alexandria’s house.

It is November 28, 2008 and I still have not attended Alexandria’s house. I was not able to attend because I did not reseved an e-mail confirming my scheduled hours. Due to the fact that Alexandria’s personal was not responding to my e-mails I had to go to Alexandria’s house and redo my schedule. I will be attending Alexandria’s house December 4, 2009 and December 6, 2009 from 8:00am to 2:00pm. At the beginning, I had no clue with whom I was going to car pool, but now I know that I will be car-pooling with Yanet. Even though I still have the same fear of not being able to communicate with other people I have developed another concern, on December 6, 2008 Yanet will be leaving early home and I would have to take public transportation to retune to my house.

Human Rights- What is Human Trafficking?

After reading a few articles in the book Global Issues, Local Arguments by June Johnson I was able to truly understand what human trafficking meant and how victims of human trafficking are trafficked. Many victims of trafficking are forced to work in prostitution or sex entertainment. However, trafficking also takes place as labor exploitation, such as domestic servitude, sweatshop factories, or migrant agricultural work. Traffickers use force, fraud and intimidation to force women, men and children to engage in these activities. Force involves the use of rape, beatings and confinement to control victims. Forceful violence is used especially during the early stages of victimization, known as the ‘seasoning process’, which is used to break victim’s resistance to make them easier to control. Fraud often involves false offers of employment. For example, women and children will reply to advertisements promising jobs as waitresses, maids and dancers in other countries and are then forced into prostitution once they arrive at their destinations. Intimidation involves threats of serious harm to, or physical restraint of, victims of trafficking; any method, plan or pattern intended to cause victims to believe that failure to perform an act would result in restraint against them; or the abusers family. Victims of trafficking are often subjected to “debt-bondage,” usually in the context of paying off transportation fees into the destination countries. Traffickers often threaten victims with injury or death, or the safety of the victim’s family back home. Traffickers commonly take away the victims’ travel documents and isolate them to make escape more difficult. I am also aware that there is a huge difference between human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Migrant smuggling consist of migrants consent to being smuggled and smuggling is always transnational.

Stock Market- Is the Stock Market Connected to the Presidential Election?

I strongly believe that the stock market and the American election are connected to each other. Even though the stock market has an effect on the global economy which always leads to – How people vote for the next president, it’s not the only issue that causes people to choose between both potential presidents. Home mortgages, unemployment and other issues also have a vital impact in this election.
Facts: The real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annualized rate of only 1.6% in the first quarter of this year. Workers are paying a heavy price for the capitalist downturn: over 2.4 million jobs have been lost since employment levels bumped up in March 2001.
“Unemployment rose half-a-million in the first quarter of this year, taking the official total to 8.8 million, a figure which substantially under-estimates the true numbers”. Faced with this, Bush appears to have only one economic policy, which is really no policy at all, an example, tax cuts for the super-rich.
The Mortgage Bankers Association, a national industry group, reported today that almost 5% of home mortgages were delinquent at the end of 2006, meaning the homeowner was at least 30 days behind in making payments. A record 0.54% of mortgages entered foreclosure during the fourth quarter.
Fortunately, jobs have continued to increase, albeit modestly, and unemployment has remained low. Inflation in the US has stayed remarkably steady, so that those high energy costs don't seem to have worked their way into prices of other goods and services. Growth is continuing in Europe and among our other major trading partners.
Going back to the stock market- Millions of households invest money in stocks, bond, and CD. As investors they are expecting their Portfolios to mature (Future pensions) and when a firm collapses the investor loses his Assets. (This can have a great impact in the upcoming election) For the most par people are going to expect both candidates to speak on this topic.
Predict the future: I’m not sure what is going to happened but, I do believe that Obama is an OK candidate: all I know is that we are going to be in debt…good luck with our taxes!

Speaking Globalization-Is Globalization Hurting or Helping Nations?

When people speak of globalization the American people think of change. But, instead of concentrating on a broad word like change we should be think progress in technology, cultural enrichment and economic growth. The rise of technology and trade allows for modernization in the improvement of non-mainstream perspectives. Rather than weakening cultural and national identity within societies, globalization actually strengthens traditional cultural forms. Globalization builds and supports nations to develop and allows for more fair competition. Progress in technology is known through out the world. Technology is one of the vital key factors in improving a person’s self-esteem and can sometimes be the only form of receiving information. According to the article, Behind the Digital Divide located in The Economist magazine, women feel that their lives are improving and because of technology they feel empowered.
Globalization is not a threat to cultural diversity. One is able to say this because a culture will not fundamentally change just because a local McDonald's store opens up in the area. A culture is based on the values, traditions, and unique aspects of the way they act with others. Globalization is actually helping spread each unique culture out there, whether it is though the Internet, through the economy, or by the lowering of barriers between parts of the world. Lets face it; even though globalization has some advantages and disadvantages the greater outcome is economic growth. By allowing globalization to take place enables nations to develop and allows people to trade freely around the world.
Essentially, I am arguing that the rise of globalization, technology and trade allows for modernization in the improvement of non-mainstream perspectives.

~*Abby's Proust Questionairre*~

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Sending time with the people that I love the most

What is your greatest fear? Not finding what I am working towards

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Cleopatra

Which living person do you most admire? Catherine Wayman

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Not being patient

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Jealousy

What is your greatest extravagance? I save most of my$

What is your favorite journey? The one taken with loved ones

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? N/A

On what occasion do you lie? When I try not to hurt others

What do you most dislike of your appearance? My thin hair

Which living person do you most despise? Despise is a strong word

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Take for example

What is your greatest regret? Not regretting anything

What or who is the greatest love of your life? Strength

When and where you the happiest? Outdoors/ camping

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? Nothing

What do you consider your greatest achievement? College

If I could choose what to come back as, what would it be? A Rabbit

What is your most treasured possession? My life

What do you regard as the lowest depth of mystery? Life

Where would you like o live? Where no man has ever been

What is your favorite occupation? Walking on the beach

What’s your most marked characteristics? My eyes

What is the quality you most like in a man? Honor /intelligent

What is the quality you most like in a woman? Carring /intelligent

What do you most value in your friends? Their time

Who are your favorite writers? N/A Still trying to look for one

Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Pocahontas

What is it that you most dislike? Hypocrite people

How would you like to die? Laying on the beach at a beautiful sunset

What is your motto? Give light and the darkness will disappear…oh! and fake it , till you make it!

Never just Pictures - Right?

The essay “Never Just Pictures” by Susan Bordo captures my attention because I also believe that eating disorders and the idea of being fat is equal to evil are linked to the images and thoughts that the media bombard us with. This essay made me reflect on how I truly see myself. I use to see images of beautiful, tall, skinny models walking down the runway, with dirty blond, long hair wearing baggy black clothing and I use to admire them for looking different and skinny. But know that I am able to see the true reality of their anorexia; I refuse to acknowledge beauty in a woman who shapes her body in order to look like a, “Heroin Chic”.

The idea of, Susan Bordo that “eating disorders are also linked to the contradictions of consumer culture, which is continually encouraging us to binge on our desires at the same time as it glamorizes self –discipline and scorns fat as a symbol of laziness and lack of willpower”, is important to me because if I had known this push-pull relationship that the media was bombarding me with I would had been satisfied with my body. I still remember sitting with my friends in a lunch bench and I remember how hungry I was but, I didn’t say anything because all of my friends where confessing how fat they felt and none of them wanted to walk to the lunch line with me. I clearly remember that day; I did not eat because I didn’t want to be fat. I was slim. I didn’t need to be on a diet.

The essay that Susan Bordo wrote is a reminder to me of what I did not know and true reality that many girls still refuse to acknowledge. She is absolutely right when she said that media is trying to depict “Fat [as] the devil, and we are continually beating him,” but the true question is how long is our body going to allow it?

A Woman Named Abigail

My name is Abigail Ruiz. I am Hispanic, a sister, a role model, a girlfriend, and a good friend. Some how I was able to discover my self through other people and by questioning myself. There are many categories I fall under but I can only name a few.

I am proud to say that I am Hispanic. I speak both languages fluently. If you were to ask me, which language I would prefer, my answer would be that I enjoy speaking Spanish more than English. The simple fact is that Spanish reminds me of my mother and my rich Mexican culture. Speaking Spanish has opened many doors for me and has made me a more driven individual. For example, I am now able to help and translate for people that need my help. I can recall the time when an older, Hispanic woman was on the verge of being arrested for digging inside a public trashcan in search of aluminum cans. At that time, it just so happened that I was at the right place at the right time. I asked the police man if he needed any help translating from Spanish to English and he agreed. The woman was released with a warning and later that evening she thanked me for advocating for her.

I am a big sister in desperate need of my own space. Even though I enjoy reading diary books to my little sister and enjoy taking long walks with her. I know that I am not like other sisters. I understand that being an older sister takes a lot of responsibility. Just the simple fact that I have no father makes my mother’s job and mine more difficult. I sometimes have to explain and comfort my sister when she is sad. I still feel obligated to explain to her why some nights I do not feel like hanging out with her. Sometimes she does not understand why her big sister, that she looks up to, doesn’t want to take her everywhere. I am a big sister in desperate need of my own space.

In addition to that, I am “the girlfriend.” Somehow I am able to manage having a guy in my life and do well in school. I have to be flexible and my life has to be spontaneous. So far I am, “fun to be around, laid back but at the same time determined”. Quote en quote, according to my boyfriend, I am mature and open-minded. Around my boyfriend I am a talkative, sociable girl who smiles and waves at anyone. I am also a person that does not understand why there is a boundary between being in a relationship and having lots of male acquaintances. For example my boyfriend, Alejandro believes that only male friends want to be around me because they would like to date me but, what he does not understand is that having lots of male/ female friends with no attachments takes part in who I am today. Today, I am not shy, I’m sociable, opened minded, and self-ruled.

I am a young woman who likes but at times dislikes the companion of a friend. From other people I have heard that they enjoy spending time with me. I am certain that I am a true friend, one that hopes the best for a friend and true companion until the end. Sometimes people ask me, “How do you manage to stay in touch with all your friends?” And my simple answer to that question is I don’t try. I understand that most of my friends are busy and have their own life to take care of therefore, I check in once in a blue moon to let them know that even though many years will pass us by, each of them have all taken part in the young woman that I am today.

Even though I am able to answer, who am I? I am still learning new words that I can identify myself with. I know that day-by-day I am still adjusting and learning new things about me. For the most part, I know that the people I meet take part in my life. I know I am Hispanic, a sister, a role model, a girlfriend, and a good friend but tomorrow who knows what I’ll be! Today, I am certain that I take part in other peoples lives and that I am still in my journey of self-discovery.

Adversaries-Growing Up Themes

Frankie Lennon, the author of the novel, The Mee Street Chronicles, identifies two major Growing Up themes in the story, "Adversaries" that most people are able to relate. The main Character, Frankie is faced with religion and death.

Frankie is faced with contradiction of religion when her Auntie catches her holding an opaque blue marble in her hand. Frankie did not want to show her because, “Auntie didn’t hold with playing games. She said they were sinful idleness and a waste of time.” On the contrary Frankie’s dad believed it was ok for her to play with marbles. One more time her aunt asked her, “You been playing with marbles have ya?” And in spite of the fear, Frankie responds, “Daddy lets me”. Wrong answer, her aunt begins to scream, “I ain’t yo Daddy and I ain’t having any sass from you!” Then she proceeds,” An them marbles you playin with! Sinful idleness! That’s why you didn’t come when I called you. Too busy playing with marbles! Just cause yo daddy lets you play them games, you think it’s fine and dandy…I’m warning ya. Menfolk’ll set yo feet on the path of sin, and then, Lord! Lord! They up and leave ya.” Her auntie obviously has different views on religion. She believes that games make children sassy, ignorant and to disobey the adults. But, on the other hand she believes that men also put women in the path of sin. This way of thinking was not practiced in Frankie’s family. Therefore, it was an eye opener.

At the beginning of Adversaries Frankie experienced the feeling of a loved one’s death. She did not understand why her grandmother was leaving her. With agony she screamed, No! Come back!” But the sad reality that she did not understand was that her grandmother was dead. She later remembered that Evelyne told her that she overheard her mother telling her grandmother that Frankie’s Grandmother had passed away. For the first time she was introduced to the sad reality of life. This time she sensed that she couldn’t use magic spells to make her return. This drastic change and pain made her transition from a child to a young girl.

In my opinion, I do not believe it was fair for her auntie to not let her enjoy her childhood and play with the rest of the children in her neighborhood. On the other hand I am able to understand that her auntie had lots of responsibility to take care of her therefore she had to scare Frankie and tell her that it was a sin to play with marbles. I believe that at the age of four child should not be told that her loved one is dead because he she will probably suffer. I think that her mother made the right choice telling her that she would never come back. Even though the transition was a bit crucial she was able to experience reality and truth.

Pocha is My Name

I am bilingual or at least that’s what everyone thinks. I am a Hispanic American. I can’t remember the language that I first spoke, English or Spanish, Spanish or English. Even though many people believe that I can only speak two languages I think that I am able to speak more than just two. Tex- Mex, Pocho, Standard Spanish (Castellano), Standard English, and Slang English or as other people like to call it, “Ghetto English”. This languages are apart of my heritage and my roots.
I began to learn Spanish because my mother and father are both Mexican. Pocho was always in my blood because my father and cousins use to speak it all the time. A Pocha is an anglicized Mexican or American of Mexican origin who speaks Spanish with an accent characteristic of Northern American. Even though my mother never wanted me to speak Pocho, my father always encouraged me. He would say, “Andale mija, so you could know were the rasa came from.” My cousins laughed at the fact that my mother got mad and placed me in a bilingual school. This was, “my castigo”, my punishment as she would say. It was so hard attending school at Patrick Henry; I could not understand the basics of writing English or Spanish. I was always placed in extra courses because I was not proficient. I hated the fact that teachers always corrected me and said, “Ay! Muchacha (little girl) what are we going to do with you”.
English was always taught in middle school and in high school. Therefore, I was able to develop my Standard English writing skills further. I learned to speak Tex-Mex and slang English by hanging around my friends. Tex- Mex is a mixture of English with Spanish, always changing from Spanish to English or English to Spanish. Slang English is a mixture not following the rules of Standard English or Spanish. Some examples include, “Hey! What’s cracking or I aint got none.” I always found comfort in speaking these two languages because I felt that know one judged me or corrected me. I felt free. No rules, no bounders.
Even though many people only classify me as a bilingual, I identify me as a multi- bilingual woman. I am a woman who has been twisted and bend to speak the way I truly do not speak and I have learned to speak different in front of different people. But, this is not who I truly am. I am a woman that is not afraid to say, “Hey I am able to be who I wanna be y a ti que, que te valga this are my roots. I am proud to be a daughter of a Mexican and a Chicano.”

No Escape- Brave and Imaginative

In the story, "No Escape" from The Mee Street Chronicles by Frankie Lennon, the narrator, Frankie, finds herself in a frightening situation but she is able overcome her fear by imagining a fairy godmother. Frankie Lennon is able to capture the readers’ attention by leaving the reader with the impression that the Frankie is frightened because her parents are no were in site and when her fairy godmother gives her advise she feels secure and safe. In no escape I am able to identify two strong character traits that Frankie demonstrates. This two character traits are brave and imaginative.

As a reader, I am able to understand that at the beginning of the story Frankie is frightened because her parents are not home. This causes her to imagine a wicked voice whispering to her. She is terrified because the wicked voice keeps telling her that she is, “locked in…[reminding her that] the shadow-things will get [her] soon because there’s no escape!”(pg.20) At this stage her fairy godmother steps in and gives he courage to cross the imaginary forest (her kitchen) in the dark. Her god fairy mother whispers, “No, not trapped, whispers my god fairy mother. What about the kitchen door?” (pg.19) At this point her Fairy Godmother is trying to comfort her.

I identify Frankie as a brave and imaginative girl because she had courage to walk around her home, in the dark, by her self instead of hiding under her covers and waiting for her parents to come home. I am able to see her courage at the beginning of the story when she said, “a shiver runs across my shoulder, and I want to go back and put my head under the covers, but I don’t…” (pg.16). I also identify Frankie as imaginative because she was able to imagine two people talking to her and following her trough the night. I believe Frankie to be a smart girl because she tricked her mined into thinking that she had a fairy godmother and a wicked voice talking to her. I also feel that she has an excellent memory because in a situation like hers I wouldn’t be able to remember Hansel and Gretel story. I would have been to scared to even think about walking around my house in the night time.

This frighten situation is something that I am able to identify my self with because as a child I always shared my room with my little sister and we always had two night lights. I always felt scared waking up in the middle of the night wanting to use the restroom. I would tip-toed into the hallway and would run into the restroom quickly trying to turn the light on. A shiver would always run up my spine. I would quickly pee and try to turn the light off. Turning the light off was the hardest thing for me to do because I would feel that as soon as I turned the light off a ghost would try to get me. I would touch the light switch with the intention of turning it off but, it wouldn’t fully go down so the light would still be on. I would then have to return back to the bathroom, cross the dark hallway and try to turn the light off. I would hate the fact that I knew that their was no such thing as ghost but my mind would play tricks on me. I imagined that their were eyes looking at me. Even though, as a child I was able to identify myself with Frankie I never had the courage that she had.

Her Announcement

“Every step that I took I felt fear for my life, I did not know if I was making the right choice. At one moment I remember closing my eyes for a second and thanking God for letting me have a wonderful innocence.” These were the words my mother expressed to me wile she crossed the desert to America. Learning about my mother’s immigration to America has been both pleasurable and painful to me because as a child I was naïve and did not understand the huge sacrifice that my mother had to go through in order to have a better life.
As soon as my mother informed me about her journey to America I began to feel that my future was more valuable than I had thought. Her story gave me a reason to take school work more seriously and apply self discipline to my daily routine. When I was in the 6th grade I knew that in order to live a happy life and in order to take care of my mother I had to focus in school and not slack off . Just the simple fact that she crossed the desert to live a better life encouraged me to always strive for the best. Her history gave me a sense of who I am and where I came from. In addition to that, her cruel journey motivated me to never find an excuse for fear, “Just get it done!” she would say. I don’t feel a sense of embarrassment, rather on the contrary I feel pride and pleasure for having a mother that exchanged her fear for her child’s happiness. Now I’m able to understand why she emphasizes the importance of an education and of being a citizen. She knew that voting equaled having a voice in society therefore, she encouraged my brothers and I to register when we were eighteen.
On the other hand, her unforgettable story brings pain and tears to my eyes. The thought of my patient, loving mother crossing a disgusting sewer makes me realize that nothing can be taken for granted. Her past is an eye opener for me because I no longer see the world as pink as I thought it was. I feel pain for not being able to understand my mother when she quietly cried and wanted a couple of minutes to herself. I have discovered the true reality that everyone thought was a simple conversation. I feel pain when I watch the news and hear people arguing that, “It was the immigrants decision to cross, there is no one to blame but themselves.” I feel shame for not being able to do anything about her citizenship. My mother has applied and still has not received her citizenship papers. Her case is open, but the process is long and tedious. I feel pain because I know the struggle that she went threw to come to the United States and still be rejected and looked upon as a burden.
I strongly believe that her past made me the person that I am today. I feel fortunate to have a strong motivation in my life, but on the other hand it was painful to know the truth. It was and still is hard to understand her strength. She is a wonderful mother and friend.

Living with “Soledad”

I hate the idea of living with someone else. I know that it sounds outrageous, but it is the truth. Ever since I can remember I have enjoyed laying on my bed on a quiet afternoon in my room. The empty space gives me satisfaction.

I do not mined having a person contemplating my quiet, white walls, but on some occasions, the enjoyment gets lost in a random, awkward conversation. Many people might conclude that as a child I probably had a bad experience while sharing a room with a family member, but I never did. My simple explanation is that I enjoy spending time by myself. The idea of living with someone else gives me the sense of a time bomb waiting to explode or a feeling of a never-ending show. I cannot be myself when someone else is present. It makes me feel like I am a part of a play. I have to put my mask on and pretend that everything is great, but the reality is that they are just getting between “Soledad” and me. “Soledad” means loneliness, solitude, peace and my pleasure in life.

I hate the simple fact that at home I had to share a room and that even while dorming I have to share my personal space with someone else. I cannot wake up on a random day and be mad or sad without having the other person wondering and asking why. I cannot explore the endless boundaries of relaxation. I can’t let go - mind, body and soul. I sometimes close my eyes and picture myself ten years from now. How would it be? Who would I live with? Would I be able to enjoy and be satisfied with my space?

Today, I am required to set a code of conduct and act proper in front of the person with whom I share my living space. I wake up, look away and try not to spark a long conversation.
I brush my teeth; make sure I don’t bump into her. I fold my clothes, clean my space, throw my trash away, do my bed, smile and make sure I don’t get her upset. Today, I have no options because I live one hour away from Mount St. Mary’s College. Therefore, I have to dorm and cannot enjoy or contemplate the quietness of a room.

I hate the fact that I have to ask for permission or opinion from the person I live with in order to do something, giving me the feeling of enslavement. I do not want to be restrained from the pleasure of “Soledad”.

The Component of Reality

Holidays are special days to celebrate happy events, but in many cases they also bring disappointment. Many things disappointed me during the holidays but only two disillusioned me the most: The simple fact that my family was torn apart and the idea that there are many lonely elderly people roaming the streets during the holidays.

Ever since I can remember my family has always been on bad terms therefore, this past holiday my relatives did not gather with us. My grandmother dislikes me and wishes the most resentful things for me. My cousin on the other hand enjoys bringing up a bitter past. Her mother, my aunt, is a jealous, possessive woman who always ends up fighting with her husband. My relatives not visiting during the holidays is important to me because every year I blame myself for not surrounding my mother with enough joy and love. This year, my mother, brothers and I have spent the holidays by ourselves. Seeing my mother’s face on Christmas brings tears to my eyes. The way she expressed, “Well, another year!” made me feel as if she was waiting for something good to occur. Even though she believes that no one notices her empty, vacant heart I am able to see right through her. Her gloomy eyes bring pain and sorrow to my holidays. Her smile is like a broken Mona Lisa painting on the corner of a busy street. Everyone notices the painting, but they act as if the painting is not there.

The second disappointment I experienced was walking on the streets and noticing all the lonely, elderly people. I fear the reality that one day I may be like one of them, wandering the street, anticipating the holidays to end fast, and yearning to have a decent conversation with anyone who is willing to spare a minute. I begin to question myself if they are happy being by themselves. I often believe that they have no one to spend a nice warm meal with or have the satisfaction to open a small present.

Even though holidays are meant to bring joy and happiness it is evident to me that some times they can bring disappointment. From holidays I have learned that disappointment is a component of reality and reality is a significant part of life.