When tuition raises which is almost every year, cries and complains come from those who have to work a couple more hours to make up the difference. But what citizens of this great nation fail to realize is how privileged they are to have the opportunity to receive an education.
People that live right on the other side of the boarder (of all boarders) are not so lucky. Recall the book Three Cups of Tea. What a young girl would give just to have a chance to attend a school.
As I walked into the adult education class at Our Lady of Guadalupe church last Thursday night, I saw the passion to learn on the faces of eight men and women attending the class. These men and women barely speak English. You can see the confusion written all over their face as they turn the pages of their History, Math and Language Arts book, but they are eager to learn.
All they want is a chance. All they want is what so many take for granted. All they want is an education.
I sat back and watched the teacher who devotes his time and resources to educate these eight students. He receives no compensation for his work. His only pay is the happiness he feels when one of his students passes the GED exam. For him, no amount of money could compare to that feeling.
Being second generation Mexican American, I could not help but to relate to these students. Many of them work long hours at jobs that pay less than minimum wage, yet, they do not miss a class. Their devoation is surreal.
As I assisted the teacher in helping the students with their Math and Language Arts lessons, I felt a mixture of emotions. I felt sad for these students that just because they are not citizens of this country, they are treated unfair and they do not have the same opportunities as we do. I felt happy because they are getting an education. And more importantly, they want the education. And then I felt a sense of what more can I do.
The students were very appreciative to me for helping them practice their English and working on Math problems with them.
I went home and gathered all of the books that I could find that I did not need anymore and I donated them to the students of the class. Again, nothing but sincere gratitude came from the students of the class. It was amazing what a simple book that collects dust on our shelves means to someone who wants to learn.
I realized these eight students are very fortunate to have this program offered to them. Then I realized how big this problem is in this nation. My personal difference was rewarding, but it left me aware that there are so many of MY people in this country without the opportunity of an education.
I feel like I need to do more.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Bumper Cars at Walmart
The woman grabbed a shopping cart and took off into the store like a bat out of hell.
She looked like she was a contestant in a marathon trying to win the race.
She bobbed and weaved her way through the isles trying to get everything on her list.
Every time she turned the corner she had to slow down a bit before she bumped into the other shoppers cramming the isles.
She maneuvered her cart like a professional race car driver.
The aggravation was showing on her face from inconsiderate people that cut in her way.
She bit her tongue when other shoppers acted like they had all the time in the world.
She will never wait until the day before Thanksgiving to go grocery shopping again.
She looked like she was a contestant in a marathon trying to win the race.
She bobbed and weaved her way through the isles trying to get everything on her list.
Every time she turned the corner she had to slow down a bit before she bumped into the other shoppers cramming the isles.
She maneuvered her cart like a professional race car driver.
The aggravation was showing on her face from inconsiderate people that cut in her way.
She bit her tongue when other shoppers acted like they had all the time in the world.
She will never wait until the day before Thanksgiving to go grocery shopping again.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Cyberspace
He sits for hours in front of the computer. He often laughs to himself and sometimes says outloud, "Gee, this is great."
He gets up for a second to use the restroom and then takes his seat in front of the computer again.
His whole life is centered around the computer. His days and nights are lost in cyberspace.
Technology is supposed to be a good thing, but what happens when someone like this takes it to the extreme?
He never leaves the house anymore, but why should he when he can get anything he ever needs at the push of a button and at the click of a mouse.
How isolated he must be. Or would he feel even more isolated if he stepped out into the real world? Or is he starring at the real world?
One that he imagines as his real world.
He gets up for a second to use the restroom and then takes his seat in front of the computer again.
His whole life is centered around the computer. His days and nights are lost in cyberspace.
Technology is supposed to be a good thing, but what happens when someone like this takes it to the extreme?
He never leaves the house anymore, but why should he when he can get anything he ever needs at the push of a button and at the click of a mouse.
How isolated he must be. Or would he feel even more isolated if he stepped out into the real world? Or is he starring at the real world?
One that he imagines as his real world.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Elevator vs. Stairs
She pushes the up arrow button on the elevator panel.
Her face has a frustrated look on it. She sighs heavily and then looks down at her watch. She looks up at the elevator again to see if the doors are going to come open. She looks behind her and sees another women waiting as well.
The women behind her looks down at her watch too. She sees that it is two minutes before her class begins, thinking that her class is on the third floor. She decides to take the stairs, dreading the long hike to her classroom.
Meanwhile, the women is still hopefully waiting that the elevator doors will open so she can save her energy by not using the stairs.
She sighs more heavily in frustration. She looks at her watch again, at that moment she hears the doors to the elevator open.
She jumps on and pushes the button that will take her to the third floor.
Soon the elevator stops and lets her off. She rushes to her classroom and she glances at the clock and sees that she is five minutes late. She notices the women that has behind her waiting for the elevator. She said out loud, "Next time, I am using the stairs."
Her face has a frustrated look on it. She sighs heavily and then looks down at her watch. She looks up at the elevator again to see if the doors are going to come open. She looks behind her and sees another women waiting as well.
The women behind her looks down at her watch too. She sees that it is two minutes before her class begins, thinking that her class is on the third floor. She decides to take the stairs, dreading the long hike to her classroom.
Meanwhile, the women is still hopefully waiting that the elevator doors will open so she can save her energy by not using the stairs.
She sighs more heavily in frustration. She looks at her watch again, at that moment she hears the doors to the elevator open.
She jumps on and pushes the button that will take her to the third floor.
Soon the elevator stops and lets her off. She rushes to her classroom and she glances at the clock and sees that she is five minutes late. She notices the women that has behind her waiting for the elevator. She said out loud, "Next time, I am using the stairs."
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A train ride in Gage Park
For as long as anyone can remember, the train at Gage Park has been making numerous rounds a day picking up anxious children and their parents to take them aboard.
Children line up along the red rails eagerly to pick the best seat available.
The conductor takes the shiny gold token that admits the children the ride they had been waiting all afternoon to be a part of.
It takes off at speeds no more than two miles per hour, chugging and chugging along.
People stop what they are doing and look at the train and wave as the train goes by.
The conductor announces his name, he is a little old man, probably retired and you can see the highlight of his life is seeing the sparkle in the eyes of the children when he takes the shiny gold token from their hands.
The conductor blows the whistle, as the children take in every moment of the five mile per hour ride.
The children lean over and look out of their seat at the moving ground beneath them, their curious minds just racing away.
Smiles come upon their face as they look up at their mother as she knows the dollar was well spent.
The train comes upon the tunnel, who can forget the tunnel? It is the best part of the ride.
Screams from the children can be heard a mile away and giggles soon follow.
The train slowly approches the platform and the ride soon comes to an end.
The conductor stops and the children get off.
The next group of anxious children hurry on the train in anticipation for their turn to ride the train at Gage Park.
Children line up along the red rails eagerly to pick the best seat available.
The conductor takes the shiny gold token that admits the children the ride they had been waiting all afternoon to be a part of.
It takes off at speeds no more than two miles per hour, chugging and chugging along.
People stop what they are doing and look at the train and wave as the train goes by.
The conductor announces his name, he is a little old man, probably retired and you can see the highlight of his life is seeing the sparkle in the eyes of the children when he takes the shiny gold token from their hands.
The conductor blows the whistle, as the children take in every moment of the five mile per hour ride.
The children lean over and look out of their seat at the moving ground beneath them, their curious minds just racing away.
Smiles come upon their face as they look up at their mother as she knows the dollar was well spent.
The train comes upon the tunnel, who can forget the tunnel? It is the best part of the ride.
Screams from the children can be heard a mile away and giggles soon follow.
The train slowly approches the platform and the ride soon comes to an end.
The conductor stops and the children get off.
The next group of anxious children hurry on the train in anticipation for their turn to ride the train at Gage Park.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Computer Lab
One would think that the computer lab is somewhere where you can go to think and study in peace and work on the computer.
That is far from how it is perceived.
Some students do not know the meaning of quiet. There is chit chat, loud noises, and someone is almost always on a cell phone or receives a call and they don't even have the common courtesy to step into the hall to take the call.
The computer lab is not a "hang out" place. Isn't that what the union is for?
It should be a students privilege to have access to a computer lab, so why be loud and obnoxious when using it?
Stop all the chit chat, the gum smacking, the pen tapping, the loud I pods, and please turn your cell phones on vibrate.
One last thing, just because the printing is "free" does not mean take advantage of it and waste paper. Print out what you need and clean up after yourself.
Common courtesy!
Maybe the library is more peaceful.
That is far from how it is perceived.
Some students do not know the meaning of quiet. There is chit chat, loud noises, and someone is almost always on a cell phone or receives a call and they don't even have the common courtesy to step into the hall to take the call.
The computer lab is not a "hang out" place. Isn't that what the union is for?
It should be a students privilege to have access to a computer lab, so why be loud and obnoxious when using it?
Stop all the chit chat, the gum smacking, the pen tapping, the loud I pods, and please turn your cell phones on vibrate.
One last thing, just because the printing is "free" does not mean take advantage of it and waste paper. Print out what you need and clean up after yourself.
Common courtesy!
Maybe the library is more peaceful.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Change of Seasons
When school started in late August it was humid and the grass was green. Mosquitos and flies were buzzing in the air. The walk from the campus parking lot to Henderson seemed peaceful and refreshing. People wearing shorts and short sleeve shirts to stay cool.
As the weeks fly by in the semester a change of weather can be sensed in the atmosphere.
Not as many people are seen exercising outdoors around campus as the weather changes.
The once peaceful and refreshing walk to get to class seems dreadful to hurry in the cold air as a warm classroom awaits you.
Long sleeves, pants and jackets seems to be the appropriate attire to avoid catching a cold.
Less daylight and long nights represents the time of year.
Leaves falling and brown grass marks the end of summer.
The campus just doesn't look as pretty in the fall as it did in summer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)