New Words
A Student Publication of Ethos Literacy
Travel Memories
Jamaica Vacation
went to Jamaica as a child on vacation. It was one of the best vacation I have had. When I saw the beaches, it was a dream come true. The water was blue and clean. I got to eat freshly cooked food. The local merchants caught fish and lobsters from the sea and cooked them for the tourists. My eyes were bigger than my stomach! I chose the biggest lobster that was in the container for sale. My mom told me if I don’t finish that big lobster, I’m going to swim with the rest of the creature’s in the sea! I sure didn’t finish it, but you can figure out the rest. I am still here! I got to play around all day with the animals and milked the goat’s. It was so much fun and I loved that vacation. Jamaica, here I come again.
Basic Literacy, Age 49
My Vacation with my Princess and niece
ast May, my daughter, my niece, and I went on a trip to Disney, California Adventures, and Universal Studios, they greatly enjoyed the experience of the parks. Something funny and at the same time scary was an attraction, we got on and I thought to myself, It's an elevator and we went down I didn't realize that there were floors and that they would let us fall from floor to floor and in the end we would go up to the seventh floor and let us fall to the first floor, it left me wondering whether to laugh or cry. As well as having gone by train, eating food in the parks, going to the beach one day, and being fortunate that a fair was there. Watching them enjoy, smile, have fun, and tell each other’s adventures was my greatest satisfaction, however, something I wanted to do was see my mothers only sister, who was already 23 years in California without me seeing her.
The whole walk was very pleasant, I am not a person who likes to leave my comfort zone, however, I think I would spend a vacation again, like this, or even better if my son was also accompanying us.
English Second Language, Age 47
A Phone Call
love getting calls from my daughter who lives back in Dallas. She makes me feel so special and shows me how much she misses me. I know at times I feel to be over there with her, but at the moment due to my health conditions I can’t right now. But I know one day I’ll be able to visit her and my grandkids. I do miss my family very much. But soon I’ll visit all of them.
Basic Literacy, Age 45
The Best Memories
ne of my memories is sharing beloved family events, Christmas and New Years. There are many of us in the family, although unfortunately many of them are no longer with us because they have moved on to a better life or because they live in different places. They were and continue to be fun every time they take place, remembering old but very old memories, fun occasions of laughing a lot until I couldn't contain the tears of joy, pain in my stomach and perhaps other surprises that I got. I don't mention it here. I have lived here in Albuquerque for many years, although I celebrate, remember and laugh a lot, the presence of your loved ones is always important. Also, during Holy Week, although they are in honor of the death and resurrection of Christ, I miss the food that is representative of this time, for example the romeritos de mole, the shrimp pancakes, the green poblano chiles with cheese, the tuna and much more... (I want to clarify that I no longer go to any church, but my faith still stands).
I appreciate the space for allowing me to share a little of myself, memories and family.
Thank you.
English Second Language, Age 60
Also, during Holy Week, although they are in honor of the death and resurrection of Christ, I miss the food that is representative of this time, for example the romeritos de mole...
My eyes were bigger than my stomach! I chose the biggest lobster...
Memory
n our memories, some are very beautiful and some are very sad. I will share something about my internship work in the ICU. I have a patient who is at the end stage of cancer. When he came to the ICU, he was not very stable. Therefore, he and his family members just decided to comfort care. This patient is very nice, and he shared something about himself with us. He told us that he has two grandsons. One’s name is Butter, and the other’s name is Burger. We smiled and had a great time with him. However, one week later, and I heard that he passed away. I know he went to heaven with his family’s love and best wishes.
English Second Language, Age 35
He told us that he has two grandsons. One’s name is Butter, and the other’s name is Burger.
Thanksgiving Dinner with Dad
hen I was seventeen years old I went to a Thanksgiving dinner with my Dad. I was newly married and my husband was with me. My mom and two sisters were there too. This was my first Thanksgiving Dinner as a married woman. My Dad was blind. He got schooling and help from the New Mexico School for the Blind. The New Mexico School for the Blind gave the Thanksgiving dinner for the families. My Dad smiled because his family was with him. He loved eating apple pie and pumbkin pie. The apple pie was his favorite. On the Thanksgiving dinner we had some turkey and mashed potatoes with brown gravy and some green beans and cranberry sauce and a dinner roll, and even some salad. We had some lemonade to drink. We all had pumbkin pie for the dessert. We had a great time. My Dad had a glorious precious time. He was so happy because all his family was with him. It was such a blessing to me and my family. It’s a lovely memory of my Dad.
Basic Literacy, Age 61
On the Thanksgiving dinner we had some turkey and mashed potatoes with brown
Family Memories
My Family
came from a family of thirteen children. I had five brothers and seven sisters, and with me we made eight sisters. My mother was a stay at home mother. My father was a house mover by trade. My brothers were older than the girls except for our little brother. He was just a baby when he died of crib death. He was only 3 months old. I was the oldest of eight girls. We lived in a four bedroom house. There were two bathrooms. We had a rental property we rented to people who needed a place to stay. We had chickens, rabbits and pigs. My mom was sick for a long time so my sisters and I had to learn how to cook and clean. I made my younger sisters dresses for church. I loved growing up in a big family. We all had a lot of fun with each other as well as the neighbors.
Basic Literacy, Age 81
I made my younger sisters dresses for church.
gravy and some green beans and cranberry sauce...
Travel Memories
Independence Day
Last year on USA Independence Day my whole family went to Tahlequah, Oklahoma. There we rented a house so we could all be together. We drove about ten hours.
Arriving at the house, we left our luggage, we changed into clothes for the water and then grabbed takeaway food and we all went to the river. When we got to the river, it was super pretty. The river did not have much water but it did have enough. We swam for a couple of hours and then prepared some meat on the grill.
They were very pleasant moments to spend time with the whole family, talk, laugh at funny things that happened, but without a doubt they are unforgettable moments for the whole family.
The day after we arrived at the Tahlequah River, we rented some boats that had capacity for 5 people each, and we rented 3 boats. We had to wear a life jacket. They took us up the river in a bus and from there we went down the river in the boats. It was a very nice experience because we were able to contemplate the beauty of the trees and nature. We were able to swim there. We all ate together, It was a great day.
The last day we were on the Tahlequah River we looked for somewhere to eat near the river. There were many people camping and it was difficult to find a place near the river. My brother got stuck in the stones and sand. We were a little scared but we decided to push the truck so that it would be free. A couple of young people offered to help us and it was easier.
It was a fun moment to share because the women and children looked funny pushing a big truck and it was heavy.
Finally we were able to enjoy the fresh water of the river and a good meal. But the best thing is to be together with the whole family.
English Second Language, Age 45
Memory of Camping
I went camping in North Carolina with my friends. We went swimming in the lake. We went to see a waterfall. We cooked over the fire. We slept in the tent. It was fun!
Basic Literacy, Age 42
Keep your happiest memories
Family is the most important part of everyone’s lives. They are the biggest support for us to grow up and build our own identity. There are many configurations for what could be.
My family consists of my husband Flavio, my son Rodrigo, our two lovely cats Brava, and me. But family can be your friends, uncles, grandparents, or those choose to be part of your life. Family is a group that shares love, care, support, loyalty, the beautiful memories of everyday life.
I wish I could record every second of my moments with my family; from seeing growing up as the most loving and happy baby that I know, to Flavio being a wonderful band and a father way better that I could ever wish for to Rodrigo. One memory keep is when Rodrigo observes us doing some gests, like a weird dance just to laugh, and then he starts to do the same thing, with a smile on his face. Then Flavio at each other with a face that says “could you believe that he did that? He is sponge” and we all laugh together. In these little moments I have a deep feeling and I can assure you that recording these moments I can experience the same feeling
To conclude, all that I want is to keep making family memories every day, and it always to remember what really matters in life, so at the end of our journey we do it and have the certainty that we did our best.
I’m so grateful to have the family of my dreams.
English Second Language, 27
memories and return to it always! support system what a family cats Linda and those whom you loyalty, and all seeing Rodrigo wonderful husthat want to to make him Flavio and I look a little baby of gratitude, feeling again. returning to do not regret
ALWAYS AND FOREVER
From the moment I first held you, I immediately felt a connection, A bond between you and I that no one will understand.
As I got to hear you cry for the first time, tears slowly fell down my cheeks
With excitement and happiness.
From that day I knew that I have unconditional love and Will always protect you and keep you safe.
As the days and time pass by, I will forever be by your side and pick you up
When you scrape your knees, and wipe the tears from your eyes.
As Mommy was going through hard times and struggling, Mommy would stop and think of her beautiful daughter and her handsome twin boys.
Seeing pictures of you and your brothers was my motivation To keep going and head on with my struggles.
Keeping my head up and being positive is what I'll keep doing.
Because of my sweet angels, my motivation is that I will stand strong, And face the struggles, and make it in life.
I Love You My Perfect Little Sweet Angels!! ALWAYS AND FOREVER.
Math, Age 33
When I Was Young
When I was young my mother was a single mother. She have seven children. She have four boys and three girls. I am the fifth of seven children. I never get the chance to go to school. I started to work at the age of 9. I cut sugar cane, I plant cane and also dig yam hill. When I was a young man.
English Second Language, Age 53
I started to work at the age of 9. I cut sugar cane...
One memory that want to keep is when Rodrigo observes us doing some gests, like a weird dance just to make him laugh, and then he starts to do the same thing, with a smile on his face.
Memories
he happy moments in life have to be valued. We should not change important people who have accompanied us with sincere affection. Because when this time is passed only emptiness remains. The time will no longer return nor will the people who passed through your life giving you love.
English Second Language, Age 53
...when this time is passed only emptiness remains.
In March, we were honored to have Angie Trudell host a Poetry Workshop for our students. They worked as a group, everyone contributing a line, to create this amazing poem, entitled We are so proud to share it
Family Support Part 2
y next journey was going to middle school. So my family moved to a different part of Albuquerque. My first day of a new middle school I got into a fight with the bully in the school and got suspended for 3 days. Good way to start off in a new school right! At least no one messed with me again. I got into playing football but I was a skater and rock kid also. My teammates where not fond of me because I was a skater rocker kid. I worked hard and always started on the football team which made them spite me even more. In middle school is when I also had one of my best teachers. That taught me how to read better. She brought me from a 3rd grade reading level to a 8th grade reading level. My wonderful parents got me a reading tutor and a speech therapist. I had a bad stuttering problem. I still stutter when I get to excited. My Next journey in to high school. Once again my family changed school districts. So I had to start over and make all new friends. I joined high school football. I Made a few new good friends. Once you get into high school football you talk about going pro. I decided that my goal was to play pro football. I worked out year round before and after school for 4 years. Got injury and lost my scholarship. From play football and working so hard I learned a amazing work ethic. While in high school I didn’t care about the education part as much because I was so focus on football. My parents always said to get good grades. My grade were good because they were giving to me. I didn’t earn them. I never had homework and not very much school work because I played football and the teach wanted me to pass. At the time I thought it was cool. At the time I didn’t know how much it was hurting me until tell I got in the real world. My advise is to focus on education and become that bookworm! Don’t worry about what other people think about you. I know it is easier said than done. During the summers I would fly out to California to help my uncle and learn carpentry. At home my dad taught me how to fix cars and work on houses like Tim the tool man.
Basic Literacy, Age 46
(For Part 1, see the March 2024 edition of New Words.)
Memories
ne of my many memories is when I became a grandmother for the first time. I was so happy and filled with so much joy to be having my first grandson. The day my granddaughter was born was a beautiful blessing because I got to see her birth and I will cherish it for life. Seeing my grandson playing with his Leapfrog guitar his mom got him for Christmas was real cool. The best memories from my childhood are when I would play with my big doll house and lay outside with my family and watch the stars in the sky, and even watch my siblings play on their green machine, also called a big wheel. I also enjoyed fishing and swinging by the lake and going to Six Flags.
Basic Literacy, Age 51
My Happy Summer
am from Afghanistan. Let me tell you about my childhood. I want to start from my happy summer. I used to live by a river with my family when I was young. Only five families lived there. They were very happy. The forest belong to my Dad. My dad planted a lot of fruit trees. There were green onions, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and chili peppers. Also my family had sheeps, goats and chickens. My mom gathered the eggs from the chickens and used milk, butter and cheese from the sheep. We used the meat also. My mom dried the meat, fruits and also vegetables. And in the winter my mom made delicious food. People came to visit Khojal Wail every summer. They butchered the sheep and cooked food for themselves and enjoyed the fresh pistachios and caught fish from the river.
English Second Language, Age 55
My family had sheeps, goats and chickens.