Catherine Hook
Eth125
July 11, 2010
Tina Luzzi
It seems like just yesterday Mom was telling me to pack my bags. We were living in a small farming town just outside Catarina, Mexico. Times were really tough and Dad had lost his job. My family knew of people moving to the United States for work, but my family never considered it. Our entire family resides in Mexico; the thought of moving was unbearable.
When we crossed the United States border into Texas, things seemed surreal. It did not feel like this was really happening. I remember staring at the road behind us, watching everything I knew disappear. We only stopped a few times on the drive. We did not eat at any restaurants; we ate chicken tacos Mom cooked at the rest stops. It took us almost two whole days.
We arrived in a town in Illinois called Rantoul. Dad said the business he was now working for found a place for us to live. We pulled into a parking spot in front of the apartment building. I got out of the car and looked around. Fancy condos and townhomes stood across the street. I turned and looked at where my family and I would be living. The building seemed dark and dingy. At least the lawn looked like it was taken care of.
When Dad opened the door to the building, I smelt the familiar scents from home. I could not help but smile. The hallways were painted in bright yellows, reds, greens, and purples. I was so happy to see we had our own little community in the building. Everyone greeted us and introduced themselves. I was pleased to meet several teenagers my age in which I could interact with. They said they have lived there for several years and enjoy the town.
I found out Dad had a job at a pork processing plant. He cuts the meat for packaging. I was really excited to hear that he would be getting a steady paycheck every week. Mom has also applied for work. She has applied at several places in town, and is very optimistic of the
References: Merchant Circle [no author]. (2010). Mi Pueblo Mexican Store. July 11, 2010 from http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Mi.Pueblo.Mexican.Store.Rantoul.IL.217-892-5000 Urbanspoon [no author]. (2010). Sol Azteca. July 11, 2010 from http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/106/849414/restaurant/Champaign/Sol-Azteca-Rantoul K12jobspot [no author]. (June 6, 2010). Certified Teacher – Grade 1 Bilingual – Beginning 2010-2011 School Year. July 11, 2010 from http://k12jobspot.com/Jobs/?ID=127998 Chicago Press Release [no author]. (December 31, 2009). New Year Means New Laws in Illinois as of Jan. 1, 2010. July 11, 2010 from http://chicagopressrelease.com/press-releases/new-year-means-new-laws-in-illinois-as-of-jan-1-2010