Believing That You Can Believing That You Can
started to study at the university. I was studying to become a
lawyer. It is a good career and I like it. While at the
university, I knew my daughter’s mother. She is a good
person. At that moment, we loved each other very much.
Then she had plans to come to United States. She asked me
to come with her, so of course I did. In 2005 I made a
sacrifice and left my country. I did not complete my studies.
She flew to America first and I came a little bit later. As
time passed by our relationship broke. Though I was broken
hearted, I pressed on because we had a baby girl. Her name
is Isabella. She is 6 years old. She is my life and I love her
dearly. I hope to realize my dream to be a lawyer in the
future. I cannot turn the clock back and I wish I had
completed my studies. Anyway, I must move on and make
the best of this time for my daughter and me.
Alexei Rodriguez is a student at the Adult and Alternative Education
Center in Key West. His teacher is Ms. Josephson.
The Haitian Earthquake
My name is Jean-Francois Junior. I’d like to share with
you my experience in the Haitian earthquake. It was a calm
Tuesday, January 12, 2010. I was getting ready for a week
of exams at school. The day before was a good first day of
exams. I mention this because on Monday night, I dreamt
that I lost one of my legs, but I didn’t say anything to
anybody. On Tuesday, I left home early without eating to go
study before my exam. I even forgot to pray before I left the
house. I went to class to take my exam. I heard a voice
whisper in my ears to leave that classroom. I left and went
to another classroom. Suddenly I heard a loud and scary
noise come from the ground. In less than a few seconds all
the walls cracked and fell on us. The whole school
collapsed, many of us died right away. All I heard was,
“Jesus, Jesus! It’s the end of the world!” I was surrounded
by dead bodies. Three-quarters of my body was okay, but
my left arm was stuck between the walls. I couldn’t go
anywhere and the earth wouldn’t stop shaking. I thought
that life just ended; my face was covered in tears because
nobody could help me out.