New Words
A Student Publication of Ethos Literacy
Family Support
Part 3
(For Parts 1 & 2, see the March 2024 and June 2024 editions of New Words.)
ow I graduated high school now I know everything about life. “NOT”. That’s what most of us think. Right after high school I went to massage therapy school and personal training. Once again my wonderful parents help with getting into massage therapy school. I did massage for a couple years. One day my uncle asked me if I wanted to be a plumber. So i be came a plumber playing in the mud as if i was a kid again. I really enjoyed being a plumber and I i got to work with my uncle for several year. Things were going good and made a good living with out education. One day working on my roof and fell off and hurt my back and my leg. The reason I got hurt is cause was making a lot of mistakes doing things I shouldn’t. I was partying as if I was a rockstar. That cost me my job and most of my friends. I woke up one day want wanted a change so I move to Denver. I Thought things would change being in a different state. I learned if you don’t change your self nothing changes. I Was out in Denver for about four years. Than I got a call from my family and that told me my mom is sick so I moved back and retired to take care of my mom. I am helping my amazing mom, but my family is helping me. Since I am always doing different things I thought I was changing. My family pointed out that I wasn’t changing enough. This is were education and going to college is important I just found out at 46 years old. College teaches you how to learn. If you know how to learn, then you can teacher yourself how to do anything. So now at 46 years old I have a wonderful tutor That has taught me a lot about creative writing. I am going back to college to learn artificial intelligence. I am Excited about my new adventure into college and artificial intelligence. I myself, is a little nerves since I haven’t been in school in a long time. I wasn’t very good in school to start and not good with computers. Although I am not good with computer. I will work as many hours it takes to be the top in my class. I have been Learning what you can learn and build with artificial intelligence and it is amazing. Going back to college and meet new friends and getting to start over at 46 years old is going to be a fun roller coasters.
I do want to say thank you to my family and all the teachers and coach that pushed me hard and that have help me and believed in me.
Basic Literacy, Age 46
My Life
would like to share a little of who I am and what is my history of life. I was born in Brazil on February 17, 1997 and my mother language is Portuguese. My family had 4 boys before me, so I am the only girl and the youngest. You may think I was spoiled, but to the contrary, I was not. I came from a simple family that always taught me the importance of studying and I followed this advice. I graduated and became the first of my entire family to earn a degree. Today I am very proud to be a Physical Therapist!
Basic Literacy, Age 27
I am going back to college to learn artificial intelligence.
A Very Busy Day
ast week I had a very busy days. Monday morning I went to the gym, At noon I went with a lawyer to find out how the pending case we have is going, at night we watched a movie on Netflix. On Tuesday morning I went running with my daughters in the park, after running we went to have breakfast at the Viva Mexico restaurant, during the rest of the day we spent cleaning the house. Wednesday morning I went to the gym again. At noon I had to study for an exam that I would have in the afternoon, at 7 pm I had my exam in my church class, I was finally free to rest.
English Second Language, Age 45
Monday morning I went to the gym Wednesday morning I went to the gym again.
I graduated and became the first of my entire family to earn a degree. Today I am very proud to be a Physical Therapist!
What Learning Math Means to Me
Travel
My Vacation in New York
ast month, I took a trip back to New York City, where I grew up. The reason this trip was so special was because I got to introduce my boyfriend, Andy, to my family and friends. Andy got the opportunity to be with me as this guide. I got to introduce him to so many places in the Bronx and Manhattan.
We went to many delightful restaurants in the Bronx. The one that got our attention the most was which is located in Little Italy. The food and service there was well worth the visit. Our server was very friendly and attentive. He introduced Andy and me to a new wine named “Sweet Bitch”. (Ha! Ha!) I didn’t consume any of the wine, but Andy took a few sips of it. I asked him, “How was the wine? Andy smiled and looked at the name of the wine again, then he took another sip and looked up at me before he replied. He described the wine taste as less alcoholic, sweet, fruity, light, and good quality like lady,” and he loved it. “Did he say lady” I said thought to myself. Wait! I really thought he was going to say that the wine was sweet, like “my “Bi@&$”. But no, he is such a gentleman. He said sweet and good quality like my lady (me). Andy kept me in suspense for a few minutes while my thoughts went down in the gutter. Oh, and the food was really good too!
We also went to the Bronx Zoo and saw the different animals there, such as gorillas, zebras, lions, elephants, and many more. The one that really captivated our attention was the red panda. It was running back and forth and flipping on its back with its four legs up in the air. The weather was 95 degrees and was very hot and dry.
After having such a wonderful time at the zoo and the restaurant, we returned to our hotel. The room was nicely clean, with fresh towels. But it dawned on me to check in my bag where I left all my expensive gold jewelry (earrings, bracelets, and necklaces), and to my dismay, they were missing from my bag! I mentioned it to Andy, and he said no one would have the audacity to take my belongings. I must have misplaced it in another bag, so I didn't report it to the hotel's front desk. When I returned home, I emptied all my bags, including my carry-on from the plane, and they were nowhere to be found. I’m still upset about not reporting it to the hotel management. Overall, even though “sticky fingers” got a hold of my expensive jewelry, I still enjoyed my vacation with Andy. It was a wonderful experience!
Basic Literacy, Age 48
Christmas in New York
very year we go to New York. We like to go to time square during Christmas. My favorite place is time square. I saw fire works and a lot of people. I go to my friend house. We go to Niagara falls. Someone stole my friend's wallet at times square. It created a big problem for my friend. He lost all his credit and debit cards and his driver license.
English Second Language, Age 44
n the past math was something I really hated I found no interest in even bothering with it. That all changed when I started hiset, a program to earn my diploma. I was told I'd need tutoring. With my past of unhelpful and often times rude teachers, I was nervous and not looking forward to the classes. Eventually I was paired with my tutor Yvonne who showed me I could and would learn math. In a month I found myself learning things I'd thought I'd never understand and I even learned things I had no idea even existed in math. I had went from once avoiding asking questions, to feeling comfortable enough to ask as many questions I'd like. present day I've learned more than I have in all my school years, thanks to my tutor. So what learning math means to me? it means knowing I'm capable and that I am smart. it means that all it really takes is two people to make what you once thought as impossible- possible. Yourself and somebody to push you into believing you can.
Math, Age 18
In a month I found myself learning things I'd thought I'd never understand and I even learned things I had no idea even existed in math.
To the Moon
his is my story about the moon! In 1969 (NASA) sent the Apollo to the moon. I was about 9 years old at that time. I was going to public school at the time. I saw it take off on my T.V. it was so exciting to watch. When I went back to school the teacher ask about it. A Lot of us Raised our hands. I always like it-to see two men go up in space. We had Black-nWhite T.V. at the time.
Math, Age 64
In 1969 (NASA) sent the Apollo to the moon. I was about 9 years old at that time.
Flower's Story
Miss Flower the cat lived in a regular house. She was not rich in fact she was poor. Miss Flower is from the United States. She met a cat named Mr. Raymundo. He was an immigrant at one time.
Mr Raymundo is married to Miss Flower. He was poor too. He came to work here in the States. The Statue of Liberty was able to give him freedom to work here in the States.
He takes care of his family.
Mr Raymundo has grown old. Twelve cat years have gone by. Mr Raymundo and Miss Flower are living in a happy home together cuddling in their cat bed. They are rich in their life of being cats.
Basic Literacy, Age 61
A Scary Story
et me tell you about my dangerous story that recently happened to me. One night during the ramadan I came from the mosque by myself. I stopped at the red light. Every where was dark. There was a man who wanted to attack me. I was so scared. Then I looked for my phone because my car door was unlocked. I wanted to use my phone light to lock the door. He was trying to open the car door. I screamed! I said go away fortunately I found my phone then I locked my car door and I went home. Then I told my children. They said why did came this way? Central is dangerous at the middle of the night Because a lot of homeless people live there now. I will not go that way anymore in the middle of the night. I told all of my friend my story and tell them don't used Central at the middle of the night because It's dangerous.
Basic Literacy, Age 55
Travel
Summer Vacation
had a wonderful vacation with my family in California this July. Since I had been in nursing school for the past three years, I hadn't had any opportunities to spend quality time with them. We took my kids to SeaWorld and spent three days in San Diego. After that, we drove to Las Vegas and toured several famous hotels. The vacation was a much-needed break, and I felt truly relaxed. Now, I’m looking forward to our next vacation during the New Year break.
Basic Literacy, Age 35
A Trip
I want to go to Florida. I want to go to the beach and go swimming. I want to go to Seaworld.
Basic Literacy, Age 42
...we drove to Las Vegas and toured several famous hotels.
I want to go to Florida.
Ice Cream
I see creamy vanilla. The sight is really good. I hear the little spoon in the bowl. The sound of the spoon in the bowl makes me happy. I smell sweet vanilla. The smell is very good. I taste a very good flavor. The taste is excellent. I touch white frozen ice cream. The touch is creamy.
Basic Literacy, Age 54
Outdoors
I see pine trees that look sticky. I hear a red robbin chirping like a song. I smell pine sap like the cleanser that I use at home. I taste jug water it like cold water. I touch slimy fish ew!
Basic Literacy, Age 52
NEW WORDS is written by students of Ethos Literacy.