Family By Andrew P.

My artifact was about my brother and sister. They are the most important thing to me and mean alot to me . Growing up we were spread apart because our parents are different . I don't talk to them alot but when I do talk to them I always let them know I love them. They are both in High School now , I havent seen them since they were in elementary school . I always told them I was going to come see them but I haven't got the chance to go yet. But I will see them very soon. My father always told me family comes first .I was raised up on family being a big part of growing up. My brother and sister are miles away and I try my best to keep in contact with them but it's hard.

Taking custody of my two cousins. Tyler Kristoff

My meainguful thing I've done is my parents and I took custody of two little cousins, Emrick and Lilly. My aunt a single a mother,her husband had died in a car accident in 2007. When this occurred it drastically changed her life. She always told me,"everything happens for a reason." When this happened my Aunt (a loving and caring mom) changed her ways. She started using drugs to cope with her pain. She losted her job as a nurse, stopped paying attention to her kid and turned into a drug addict. Wendi, once a mother that any kid would love to have, completely changed her ways. When i asked her 2009 why she turned to drugs, she said "thats the only thing makes her feel good and keeps her going in life." She compounded 3 Dui's in a matter of 8 months. Had her licensed taken away and had to serve 90 days in jail. During this time, my parents and I went to court and got full custody of her children. It was such a great feeling knowing that the kids were gonna live a better life. These days wendi went to rehab for 90 days and has been sober since Febuary 17, 2011. Wendi quoted, "After my kids were taken away for me, I finally realized that I had to change my ways. I grew up a lot and I'll never go back to my old ways." After seeing her change, It was such a beautiful thing. We now have joint custody until she serves her 60 days in jail for something else. Wendi, a now greatful mother, said " I'm so greatful of you guys and it was an eye opening experience. I've learned my lesson and so happy to be clean!"

My dreams, My Goals by sandra ivy

My dream is to own my own dance studio. But i have to accomplish some goals 1st to get my dance studio up and running. I plan to 1st go to school for business. Im going to school for business because i want to learn how to run a good business and keep it for many years to come. Dance was always apassion for me i love to dance, anytime i would hear music i would stop what i was doing and just start dancing. Or, sometimes i would sit and just listen to music and close my eyes and i could picture the whole dance in my head i could see what i was wearing and everything. Dance is my life its the one way i can express myself without worring whos looking or nothing. When i get my studio up and running it would its going to be for all ages. There will be all types of dances to learn from hip hop, jazz, ballet, even stepping. I just want this studio to be a place for kids to come and learn and feel safe and have fun. Thats my goal and dream.

Christmas at our House by, Ms. Sandra Stevenson

For years, at our house Christmas was a huge holiday.  Two weeks before the holiday, everyone
would put their name in a grab bag and then we would pick each other's name.  W e had a limit of
no more than ten dollar a present.  So, when the big day would come, everyone would receive a
gift.  It made me feel like we were all really part of a family, who loved one another.  Some of
us would do more and give presents to everyone.  We all would wear the color red and everyone
would wear their pajamas.  That was what was so special about it because, we would all come
to my grand mother's house around two a.m. on Christmas day with our gifts in our hand.  It
made us build unity together as we all grew up.  We tried to stay closer, but as years went by
love one's grew older and that bond grew weaker and our special day just slowly disappeared.

Eventful Night, by Adriane Moore :-)

                                                “Eventful Night”

 

The co-workers and I decided it was time for us to have some excitement. With some of us going to school and work, we barely have anytime to hangout. We decided to catch the train to Chicago, not having any plans. We all meet up at the train station. Brittney, Lee, and Tyiana and I all work together. Lee brought two friends with, Josh and Quinmay. The train leaves a 7:50, the time was now 7:45 and as I look around, I notice one person was missing, and it was time to aboard the train. Brittney says, “Wait”, as she catches her chest, from running up the ramp way, “Where’s Tyiana? We can’t leave without her,” Brittney said. With only 3 minutes left to board the train. Tyiana finally comes running up the ramp way, with her shoes in one hand, and her purse in the other. Yelling, “ Hold That train!” We hop on the train, as the conductor shouts out, “All aboard.”

            There I sit, dazing at the dark night, staring at the stars and moon. Thinking to myself, “What a beautiful night.” In my own little world, then all of a sudden, “Adriane, what are you over there thinking about,” Lee asked? “O nothing,” I replied. “Where are we going,” I asked. Lee answers, “Where ever the train takes us.”  Before I could get another work out, the train was at its last stop, Downtown Chicago.

            Getting off the train I see a rusk of people, walking enjoying their night. Parents taking their last scroll through the park. Hoping on the ride home, the kids will be fast asleep. Couples all cuddle upon the bench, keeping each other warm. Homeless man asleep on the bench with a sign that reads, “Can you spare some change, need money for train ticket.’’ My heart stops instantly, as I see the young man shivering with no place to go.  I couldn’t help but to stop and give him 5 dollars, as my friends continue to walk. He looks up at me and says, “May God bless you mam,’’ as he looks up and smile. I replied, “He did, and all I wanted in return was a smile. (Chicago Alliance to end homelessness stats states, there’s approximately 750,000 men, women, and children homeless in the U.S.)

            Running to catch up with the crew, still debating on where we should go, as I stand in front of Walgreens. All I could smell was the sewer and cigarette smoke. First, we decided to catch a cab and head to the clubs. After arriving at the first club, we could hear the music on the outside of the club. It was a fast pace techno type music. We wanted to somewhere, where they played a variety of music, not just one type. Second, we went to the club called, V Live. It was a rusk of people, all different diversity. We dance and drink all night long. We had a blast; everyone was laughing, joking around, and partying. We dance till the club close about 5 a.m.  After all that drinking, it was time to eat. Catching another cab, back to the train station area and to get something to eat. Walking into the restaurant, the aroma of pancakes and eggs, trigger my nose instantly.  There I was sitting at the table booth, when I looked up to the right of me, it was Mel Jackson. The actor known for, “Soul Food” and “Living Single.’’  Thinking to myself, I can’t get out cause its two people blocking me in.” Quick I have to do something to get his attention,” I say to myself. I swiftly turn around, towards the glass and knock. You would have thought the glass was a drum as hard as I bang on it, as everyone looks up from their plate. Hat and shades on at 5:30 in the morning, slowly raises his shades down smiles and winks at me as he’s exiting the restaurant. Heart beating really fast, you could see it through my black lace top, smiling from ear to ear. Coming down from cloud nine, it was time to order.  Glancing over the menu, I realize everything was separate, nothing on the menu came as a meal. We sat and ate, and then we commuted.

            Rushing to the train station, train departing at 6:45, it was 6:35, leaving us ten minutes to get there. Finally we arrived, time was now exactly 6:48, and there was no train in sight! Fifteen minutes went by then another fifteen, still no train. At 7:30 the train arrives, as the passenger’s gets off and so does the conductor. ‘’Doesn’t this train departs at 6:45,’’ I asked. Picking up his briefcase and locking the train door, he looks at me and says, “Train departs at 9:45, that’s the weekday, you read the schedule wrong. Upset, looking over at Lee and screams, “LEE you read the schedule wrong!!! Looking at me laughing, as he takes a seat on the bench and reply’s, “You might as well take a sit down, we got a long way to go. Sitting  there thinking back to the train ride dark and beautiful night, dazing at the stars and moon out the window thinking to myself, “ This is going to be an eventful night.

By David Quinn

Narrative

 

            Every Christmas Eve my grandpa would always tell us the story of how his father escaped from prison back in Ireland.  He would start by clearing his throat at the head of the table and he would start by saying, “WAAAAYYY back in 1920 on a cold Christmas Eve my Father “Pops Quinn” was put into a VERY COLD jail cell!  He was under the order of the IRA that put Pops Quinn in this situation.  He was under the impression of the IRA that he was a an English SPY!  At the point he was arrested he was appalled that the Irish thought one of their own men was an ENGLISH SPY!  Pops tried to talk the police officers out of arresting him because he was a loyal man to the IRA and the fight against the English.  After Pops was put into his cell he saw a man he knew.”  My grandpa stops all the time at this point for dramatic pause. 

 

            After about a minute he starts again, “This man’s name was never given when Pops Quinn told me and my siblings this story when he would tell us this story.” He would go onto to say, “This man was a guard in the prison and all we know is that he was a friend of Pop Quinn and this man helped Pop Quinn escape from prison in Ireland.  About a month after Pop Quinn was in prison Pops friend like I said earlier who was a prison guard.  After he escaped from prison he found his wife and they both got on the next ship to Canada.  After they got to Canada they lived there for about a month and came to the USA illegally and they raised a family of five in the city of Detroit.” After that whole story my grandpa sat down and he said, “The rest is history, and that is how the Christmas of 1920 started.

Back in the game, by Mrs. Shelia Wims

Education is my goal for the next two years, this is my second time around for college. I talked with key family members about going back to school. (this is
part of my so called "bucket list".

My husband said; " I do not want to hold you back from completing your dream/visions, all my sister's said" We will support you 100% we got your back".

My youngest sister is a principal at a newly opened character school in North Lass Vegas, she said; " If you went back to school I will set it up where you and I

could do some networking" I would have to go to Vegas 2-3 times a year and get a comfortable paycheck monthly.Boy! " this is a great idea I thought to

myself". Didn't have to second guess myself. On top of that the President said; " go back to school if you don't have a job to better educate yourself

for an even better job".

After long thinking and planning, I decide to go back to school. The choice was city versus an university? Well I wanted to take it slow, I felt a city college would

definitely be a better choice for me. So here I am at Ivy Tech for the next two years.