Alejandra Prego

Thing 3
I had a very privileged childhood. I lived in Managua, Nicaragua in a secluded suburban
area. My mother and Iather were happily married, I was blessed with an adorable younger sister,
and we lived in a beautiIul house. My liIe drastically changed when I was nine years old. My
mother told my sister and I that we were coming to the United States Ior vacation, however; our
two week vacation to Louisville, Kentucky turned into a permanent stay.
I was devastated and angry. I couldn`t believe my parents would do this behind my back
and make me leave everything behind. All I had brought with me was a Iew sets oI clothes,
leaving behind my journal, my home, my Iriendships; all I ever knew. I Ielt so crushed, I didn`t
want to eat, watch TV, play, or even get out oI my bed. My mother noticed my distress and it
was at this point that I was introduced to one oI my Iavorite hobbies; writing. One day, she
handed me a journal and told me she wrote in her journal whenever she wanted to express her
Ieelings and suggested Ior me to try it. I began writing about my anger, sadness, and discontent.
BeIore I knew it, I was on page three and the words kept Ilowing. When I was Iinally done, I Ielt
a rush oI relieve. I realized my mother was right and Irom that point on, I constantly kept a
journal.
I entered school in Kentucky when I was in Iourth grade. The language barrier made
school extremely diIIicult Ior me. For the Iirst time in my liIe I did not understand the lessons
being taught in school. One day, the teacher called on me to read a passage and answer a
question. I stared down at the letters in Iront me oI me and they looked like alphabet soup to me,
just a bunch oI random letters. I attempted to read but my peers soon interrupted with a burst oI
laughter. I Ielt the tears starting to build up, so I asked to go the bathroom and then I balled my
eyes out. I was extremely Irustrated with myselI and it was obvious in the classroom. ThereIore,
my teachers recommended me Ior the ESL program. My mother was not open to this idea
because she has always been an over achiever and to her, that was taking the easy route. She
knew I could learn English in a regular classroom by talking to my peers and constantly
studying. She would always bring me books and made sure I read every day. I was determined to
learn this new language as quickly as possible. I would read Ior hours, and then I would write in
my journal. It was a constant eIIort but I was not going to give up on myselI.
Another struggle that came about our move was making Iriends. The language barrier
between my peers and I made it diIIicult to understand each other. It was a small southern town
and the majority oI the students were Caucasian. My peers weren`t tolerant oI other cultures and
instead oI embracing a new culture; they constantly put me down about my accent. Every time I
opened my mouth to speak, I would hear chuckles in the background. II I tried to ask a question,
they would stare at me like I was an alien. I only made one Iriend that year.
I was committed to learning this new language because I was tired oI Ieeling conIused
and lonely. I began by reading my little cousins Dr. Seuss` books, even though I was in Iourth
grade. Their parents loved reading and they showered their kids with books. I took Iull advantage
oI this. I loved everything about them; the pictures, the colors, the characters, and the rhymes. I
would sit in a corner in their room and read those books Ior hours. I have to thank thing 1, thing
2, Sam I am, and every other Dr. Seuss` character Ior teaching me basic nouns, verbs, colors, and
numbers. At this point, I was Ieeling more optimistic. My English vocabulary was improving, I
could have conversations, and I could comprehend most oI what I was reading.
When I became more Iamiliar with the English language I started reading more advanced
books, I enjoyed them because I always Iound new words to learn. One oI the Iirst advanced
books I remember reading was 'Holes. BeIore I was done with chapter 1, it had become my
Iavorite book. I was so interested by it; I could not wait to Iind out what happened next. I also
kept Iinding new words I liked; perseverance, obstacle, torment, despicable. Once I was Iluent in
English, I realized I still enjoyed reading just as much. Now that I look back on it, I realize that I
didn`t just enjoy reading to learn English, but I enjoyed reading to learn in general. This stuck
with me throughout my liIe. I love books and I read them as oIten as I can.
Once I could speak and understand English well, I Iound that my peers still didn`t accept
me due to my accent. I became very selI-conscious oI this and I hated reading out loud. But at
home, I would watch Saved by the Bell and try to imitate their accents. I worked on this on my
own Ior a long time until my accent slowly diIIused. It took me a while to overcome my Iear oI
reading out loud until I learned to accept myselI. In sixth grade, my theatre teacher was all about
diversity. She made me realize that my accent is unique to me and it is nothing to be ashamed oI.
It is part oI who I am and I should have never let my peers get to me. I stopped worrying about
their opinions and this actually made reading out loud much easier. There are still words I can`t
pronounce correctly but I don`t Ieel embarrassed about it anymore. I have accepted there will
always be room Ior me to learn new words and pronunciations. Now, I enjoy learning the proper
way to say a word.
My experience as an immigrant had a huge impact on my personal literacy and I am
proud to say it has shaped into a strong writer, reader, and person. My mother was a huge
motivation and I am very lucky to her. She has always encouraged me to try my best and never
give up on my dreams. I have learned that diIIerent is not always bad, and that I should embrace
my heritage. My personal literacy journey has strengthened me and made me who I am today.
Reading and writing has always been around me in a positive, important manner and I will
continue to cherish them both.