My First Day in the United States

by Jacqueline Rivera

I lived near the border of Texas and Mexico. The border was only 20 minutes from my house. My first home in the US was in MacAllen, Texas.
My first day here I went shopping with my friend. I shopped for three hours. I only understood a little English for the bus. I could only look around. I buy everything with no English. I was very excited.

My First Day in the United States

by Manjeet Kaur, India

My first day here I felt bad because my relatives were in India. I felt bad because I could not speak English but my children helped to understand English. My family was happy because they liked it here. Now I like it here because my family is happy.

My First Day in the United States

by Jana Moiseev, Moldova

My first day here was the last day in the fall, November 30, 2009. I was happy because I could be together with my sister. I was in Portugal for 3 years and my sister was in Moldova.
I felt very bad because I couldn't understand English. Little by little I will like it here. I am a student at Renton Technical College (RTC).
My first teacher was Audrey. She was very good for students. My second teacher is Marcia. I like her. Thank you, teachers, for your help.

My First Day in the United States

by Sanh Nguyen, Vietnam

My first day here I felt worried because it was the first time I went so far. But I was really enchanted with this country. Everything was beautiful and everybody was friendly. Sometimes I was sad and remembered my country where my mom and brothers and sisters were living. My daughter was married and lived here for eight years. She had a cute baby. I felt happy so much because I could have my family together, my wife, daughter, son-in-law, grandson and I.
The first days I couldn't understand anything and didn't drive. But little by little I will understand and drive. Now I like it here. I feel so very happy.

My First Day in the United States

by Ivan Moiseev, Moldova

My first day here I felt happy and tired. Happy because I see people in my family, and the opportunity for my family to live in the United States. Tired because a long time on the plane.

My First Day in the United States

by Hanh Nguyen, Vietnam

I came to Seattle on the day of summer. Everything was beautiful. I felt very happy because I met my husband after 4 years apart. My husband was happy, too. Then after that, I felt sad because I missed my father, my mom , and my sisters. I also felt sad when I heard the people speaking English because I didn't understand. Now I like it here. I am very happy because my family loves it here.

My First Day in the United States

by Fatoumata Diallo, Guinea

My first day here I felt sad because I was apart from my family. The next day my husband told me, "Don't be sad. I am here with you, my love."

My First Day in the United States

by Kesete Berhane, Eritriya

When I came here, I was very confused because the people were talking English. I felt very bad because I couldn't understand anything. But my family met me in the airport. When I saw my wife, I was very happy. They picked me up by car and we went to their home. I was very glad and my family was, too.

My First Day in the United States

by Valentina Sirbu, Moldova

My first day here I felt good because I saw my parents, sisters, and grandchildren. When I came here, I was impressed by so much greenery. I'm happy because I am together with my husband and my daughter.

MY FIRST DAY IN THE UNITED STATES

by Felisa Gonzalez, Mexico

My first day here I felt very excited because after 2 years I saw my husband again. He had 2 years living in the United States. The first day we came here I was really happy, but the second day everything changed. My husband had to go to work and I felt real sad because I had to stay home alone. I didn't know where to go. I didn't know anyone and every day I spend in my house. I couldn't go to stores or parks because the people who speak English I wouldn't understand them. After that a month went by and it was the time we needed to get comfortable in our new home.

My first day in the United States

by Oscar Munoz, Mexico

When I came here I felt happy because my family was here. The first day I saw my father very happy because I was here. I remember my father told me, "Son, thanks to God you are here with me because it's very hard to come here in this country."
The next day, we went shopping in the market. I heard the people talking English. I felt a little nervous because I don't speak English. I remember my first day on the job was very difficult for me. My boss said something but I couldn't understand everything. I felt a little sad. I thought about going back to Mexico again but my father told me, "Don't worry about it, Oscar. Little by little you will like it here."

We are at the museum!

The Renton History Museum will be opening an exhibit of work by ESL students from Renton Technical College. Visitors will learn about the countries ESL students came from, the traditions they are bringing with them, and their experience since they have come to the U.S.

We are very proud of our students and happy to share their voices with everyone in Renton.

Exhibit Opening Celebration:
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave S
Renton, WA 98057

Bring your friends and families to visit the museum during the summer!
The ESL exhibit will be on display until fall.
www.rentonhistory.org

Independence Day

Did you enjoy the Fourth of July?

Americans celebrate their Independence Day every year on July 4th. Traditional celebrations include picnics, barbecues, parades, and fireworks. How did you celebrate this year?

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is an American holiday to honor soldiers who died serving their country. It is celebrated in the United States on the last Monday in May.
Friends and relatives visit cemeteries to put wreaths, flags, and flowers on the graves of soldiers. Some cities have parades or special services at local cemeteries. Politicians give speeches and bands play patriotic music.
Memorial Day is also the start of the American recreational season. Many families have picnics or backyard barbeques. Some Americans watch the Indianapolis 500 car race. Most schools close for summer vacation before or shortly after Memorial Day.

This information form:
http://www.elcivics.com/memorial_day_lesson_1.html

This post prepared by:
Ming Chi, ESL 2

12610 SE 168th St.

Renton, WA 98058

May 17, 2010

Dear United States of America,

I love to live in America because it is clean and beautiful.

It is also free of worry. America teaches people English and helps people make more money.

Thank you America for helping us.

Sincerely,

Kim Nguyen

A message from Victor Popescu:

Please be careful not to discriminate against people.

Let's stop developing nuclear arms.

Stop killing animals. Be careful about using chemicals in on food, in your yard, and in your home.

Thank you.

Letter Writing

Students in ESL Level 2 practiced writing letters. After listening to a speaker talk about how to protect water quality in Washington, and after seeing the horrible oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, they decided to write letters to Washington citizens to ask for your help. Their letters are posted here.

3224 sunset BLVD
Renton WA 98056
04/23/2010

Dear citizens of Washington,

Please helps us save the environment.
Please don’t smoke inside.
Please don’t wash cars in the street.
Please take the used oil to the store.
Please put the plastic bags in the special garbage.
Please don’t cut flowers and trees.

Sincerely,
Popescu

12610 SE 168.th St.
Renton, WA 98058
April 23, 2010

Dear Citizen of Washington,

Please help us save the environment.
Please don’t wash your car near your house
And don’t put trash in the steet.

Sincerely
Kim Phuong Nguyen

405 Monroe Ave. NE # 301
Renton, WA 98056-7428
May 6, 2010

Dear citizens of Washington

Please help us save the environment.
Don’t use plastic bags.
Don’t wash your car in a street.
Don’t smoke inside.

Sincerely

Hanh Nguyen

1064 Kirkland AVE NE
Renton, WA 98056 #201
04/23/2010

Dear citizens of Washington,

Please help us save the environment.
Please don’t wash car in the street.
Please don’t smoke inside .
Please take the used oil to the store.

Sincerely,
Natalia

1064 Kirkland AVE NE
Renton, WA
04/23/2010

Dear citizens of Washington,

Please help us save the environment.
Please don’t wash car in the street.
Please don’t smoke inside.
Please take the used oil to the store.
I want to save earth together.

Sincerely,

Adrian

What I like about living in america

I like many things about living in America. There is so much do do, and so many places to go. Anyone can have a happy life in America. The things I like most about living here are:

I can do what I want to do with my free time. I enjoy playing guitar and other instruments with my friends. So being able to play outside for people is a nice thing to be able to do. I enjoy the outdoors and there are many parks and places to go to or even camp at. Hiking and camping out in the mountains is very fun.

On this day

Today is "Tax Day" - everyone must complete their tax forms today! It is the deadline, or due date, for tax forms.

A lot of people feel panic on April 15. They rush to finish their tax forms. It is a good idea to finish your tax forms early. You can do them January 1 - April 15. Next year start working on your tax forms as soon as you receive your W-2 forms from your employer. Also remember that you can find free help (usually in March and April).

Most Americans remember April 15th is Tax Day, but most Americans don't remember that April 15th is also the day that Abraham Lincoln died in 1865.

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States. He is one of the most important presidents, because he successfully led the country through the American Civil War, when the South and the North fought each other. It was a very difficult time and over 600,000 people died. But the country stayed united. Also, during the war President Lincoln put an end to slavery - he made all people free in the United States. Many people respect him for ending slavery and freeing black slaves.

Career Training at RTC

Renton Technical College has many classes and programs to prepare students for professional or technical jobs. To learn more, you can watch these interesting videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/RentonTechCollege
Each video is about one minute.

Start planning now for your future!

What is your favorite video?
What program is most interesting to you?

On this date...

On this date (April 5) in the year 1792, U.S. President George Washington used the first veto. A veto is when the President says no to a new law that the Congress wants.

Free help to do your taxes!

Do you need help to do your taxes before April 15th?
There is free tax preparation assistance.

Please bring a copy of your 2008 tax return, photo ID, and Social Security Card to your appointment.

Walk-Ins Only (No appointments):
Salvation Army Renton Food Bank and Service Center -
206 S. Tobin, Renton.
Tuesdays: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Chinese translators available)
Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Spanish translators available)
Sundays: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Spanish translators available)

Call for Appointments:
Renton Highlands Library, 2902 NE 12th Street, Renton
425-430-6790
Thursdays - 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Saturdays - 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Avenue S., Renton
425-430-6633
Only help for adults 50 and over
Thursdays - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave. S.E., Renton
425-226-0522
Mondays - 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fridays - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturdays - 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Skyway Library, 7614 S. 126th St., Seattle
206-772-5541
Tuesdays - 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturdays - 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Renton Community Center, 1715 SE Maple Valley Highway, Renton
425-430-6700
Saturdays - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For more information, click here: http://rentonwa.gov/uploadedFiles/Living/CS/HUMSERV/tax%20prep%20classes.pdf

What is America?

What is Ameria?

USA for my is the best country.

I like America, because America have a good oportunites...

live your life because the life it's beautiful.

-Delia Salas M.

My trip to Olympia

Mohamed Maalim
Level 1
Somalia

My name is Mohamed. I liked the buildings. I saw people I know but forgot their names. There were many people from Somalia.

My trip to Olympia

Ibrahim Enow
Level 1
Somalia

I went to Olympia with my ESL class. We took a bus at 9:00 a.m. Many people went. There were ten students from my class. When we got there, we went in the Capitol Building. Some people spoke the whole group. They were from other countries.
I liked the buildings. We saw many people. I saw many pictures. I saw people holding signs.

My trip to Olympia

Madina Jimale
Level 1
Somalia

I went to Olympia with my ESL class. We took a bus at 9:15 am. Many students from my class went. There were ten and a teacher. When we got there, we went to the Capitol Building.

My trip to Olympia

Issack Ibrahim
Level 2
Somalia

On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, we went to Olympia with my ESL class. We took a bus at 9:15 a.m. Many people went there. We were ten students and one teacher from my class. A lot of people came there. There were a lot of busses coming. People came from Renton, Kent, Des Moines, Seattle, Lake Washington Technical College, Highline Community College, and SeaTac.

My trip to Olympia

Nimco Obsiye
Level 1
Somalia

I went to Olympia with my ESL Class. I was walking. I liked the Capitol building. We had lunch in the cafeteria then we visited the office of Rep. Reuven Carlyle. I liked the lunch, it was FREE. I saw Somalis coming. I saw statues.

My trip to Olympia

Saadio Ali
Level 2
Somalia

I liked to see Olympia. I saw big buildings. Then I saw statues and people form different countries. I ate lunch in the cafeteria. My teacher took us to another building to see a man named Reuven Carlyle. I talked to him. I have a small class, I want more English, and I don’t have any bus pass.

My trip to Olympia

Maria Perez
Level 2

My name is Maria Perez. I liked talking to Reuven Carlyle. He was a nice person. I told him about my problem of no bus pass. I liked the capital. I liked the speeches and the free lunch!

My trip to Olympia

Mercedes Ramirez
Level 2

I saw the capitol. It’s beautiful. I saw many people. I liked the speech the Korean man gave about no speaking English. I liked the free lunch. My teacher Samantha talked to a Representative for us and we talked. I said I need work and more class, and I don’t have a bus pass.

Our class in Olympia

On Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, our ESL Class from the Puget Sound Training Center participated in the Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day, which was organized by REWA, the Refugee Woman’s Alliance. Our day started at about 9:00 a.m., when we boarded a coach bus provided by REWA. We shared the ride to Olympia with people from the Somali Community Services, and a few students were excited to meet their friends on the bus. We arrived in Olympia, and took some photos outside a monument, which impressed the students. The students then chose some signs provided by REWA with various messages on them relating to refugee and immigrant rights, education, health care, etc. and we walked to the steps of the legislative building where many people were gathered. It was too early for the rally, so we went into the building. The student had to leave their signs outside for security reasons. The students admired the grandeur of the Legislative Building, and rushed up to something I could not see. They were huddled around the guest book, eager to write their names, address, and comments. We explored the building. We wandered through the rotunda and upstairs to the Senate and House. We were able to see into the senate floor, which was not in session. Then we headed outside and participated in the demonstration. There were people from many different countries participating, and some of the students saw their friends. One student was surprised to see her first ESL teacher. There were some speeches given by immigrants, including a legislator from Korea who only knew one word when he came to the U.S.—“apple pie.” Then we had lunch in the cafeteria. Each student had $5 to spend. After lunch, we rushed over to another building for a meeting with Representative Reuven Carlyle. We filled his office and the students spoke with him. They told him about the challenges in their lives, which we had rehearsed the day before. Then we rushed back to the bus, and headed back to Renton.

Samantha Nelson, ESL Instructor, RTC

Citizen of the Week

Zhimin Cai came from China almost 8 years ago. She moved to Renton with her family.

She lives here with her husband and 13-year-old son. She likes to take walks in the park with family. Zhimin is busy studying and working. She is a student in ESL 3 in the morning. Her teacher is Lilian Egbejimba. Zhimin also works part-time as a waitress.

Zhimin became a citizen about 2 years ago. She said the citizenship test is not too hard - she passed the test the first time she tried. Congratulations Zhimin!

America is a place of freedom

Students have a voice!

RTC students went to Olympia last week to talk to legislators and learn about government. They asked the state government to support services for immigrants and refugees.

Read more about it. Click on this link:

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/83588102.html

Great job everyone!

Letter from a Student

Dear America,

Thank you for having me here!

I consider being a part of you as an

blessing. I have being in many countries, but

you are the only one that excepted me as

her own. Been a part of you is a honor.

Thank you again.

-P.H. Sep. 23, 2009

Citizen of the Week

Javier Hernandez is a new citizen of the United States.

Javier is from West Caliente, Mexico. He came to the U.S. when he was 13 years old, so he has been here a long time. Javier lives in Renton with his wife and his two children. His daughter is 13 years old and his son is 7 years old. He likes to cook with his family.

Javier is a student in ESL 2 in the afternoon. His teacher is Marcia Arthur. In the past, Javier worked in construction. He hopes to work in the construction industry again in the future.

Javier will celebrate his citizenship in February.

Congratulations Javier!

What is Civics?

"Civics" (pronounced SI-viks) is very important!

It is important to learn about the rights and responsibilities of living in the United States. In ESL class, we study English and we learn about life in the U.S. When we learn about life in the U.S., we are learning about Civics. Civics also includes learning about U.S. government and becoming U.S. citizens.

Here are three examples:

1. I drive a car. (I need to know the rules of driving. The government takes care of the roads.)
2. I rent an apartment. (I pay my rent and keep my apartment clean. The landlord keeps the apartment building safe.)
3. I am a U.S. citizen. I vote in elections to give my opinion.

Can you think of more examples of Civics in your life?
There are many more examples! Please click on "comments" to add your ideas.