LITERACY VENTURES IN TUCSON ~ A magazine by and about LVT Students ~

Issue 12: April 2015 Page 1

STORIES, etc.

My Trip to California by Brianna Wagner

Last year In June, on Friday morning, I attended a youth rally with members of different churches. It is called the Arizona-California District, but there were members from Nevada. It all began here in Arizona, where I and the rest of youth (teens) from my church all packed up and headed on our 8 hour car drive to California.

The drive seemed to never end. Everyone was getting tired of being in the car; I was running out of things to keep my mind from being bored. I did not want to fall back asleep, so I took one last look in my bag. I pulled out my Rubies cube to see if I could get more than two sides done. Behold, the person next to me, (his name is James), said that he would be able to figure it out. I gave him the cube, and he pulled out his cell phone, downloaded an app, and finished the cube. At long last, we are in California. With excitement, we were going into the city and seeing all new sites and places. ~ continued inside ~

Literacy Ventures needs your best stuff! Find online issues andlearn how you can submit your best stuff at http://literacyconnects.org/literacy-

volunteers-of-tucson/basic-literacy/bl-students/literacy-ventures/ .

GOOD NEWS! Literacy Connects has a new home, and it just keeps

getting better and better!

The reception area has a brand new look!

Many thanks go to the students of the UA College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture and AIAS Freedom By Design - University of Arizona.

IN OTHER NEWS: BL student Marty Calanche used his reading and math skills to buy a new truck, and BL student Uwe Keilitz is now an ELAA tutor.

Congratulations, guys! Keep up the good work!

LITERACY VENTURES IN TUCSON ~ A magazine by and about LVT Students ~

Issue 12: April 2015 Page 2

My Trip to California, by Brianna Wagner (continued from front page) It was not too much longer till we would get to the hotel and unwind from the long car ride. At the hotel there was still some more time to wait for the rest of the different churches to arrive, so we could get everything started. Finally, everyone was there, but I still had one problem. Dinner was pizza, and I can't eat it unless it is gluten free, which it was not. I had to wait just a little longer for my food, but it was worth it. After dinner we had devotion and a new game, which I had never played before, but I love learning new things.

On Saturday after breakfast we were on our way to the beach. It was a day of fun at the beach! I could not remember how long it had been since I was at the beach. Time goes by too fast when you're having fun. Dinner time, hotdogs and burgers, yum. You always learn something new; for me it was soccer. You follow the ball here and there and don't let the other team get it. Tiring but fun.

Sunday was Father's day. Yes, I did want to celebrate it with my dad, but there was no way of me getting back home. The rally was almost over, and then it would be down to me being the only girl of my age in my group of seven. Everyone went their own ways.

At noon I was on my way to one of my dream places, which is Sea World. Sea World was a blast, with all different kinds of shows and not enough time in one day to see them all. All on the first day we saw killer whales, dolphins, sharks, sting rays, and sea lions.

There were some rides there. One of them was where you are on a sky line that takes you over a little bit of the ocean, and the funny thing about this ride was that there's a certain weight limit on it. All seven of us wanted to go on it. When it can time to get on, the employees only let me and James on the one cart. They must have thought that we were together, but we are only friends.

Days go by too fast when you're having too much fun. On Monday we went back to Sea World, for the ticket said it was for two days. This was the last day before we all went home. All things must come to an end at some point in time, but I made a good promise to all the sea life there that I will one day return to them in triumph of maybe working at Sea World one day.

We all went home from there to be back with our families.

Brianna says: Hello to whoever is reading my story, of the time that I went to California. Here is a little bit about myself. My

name is Brianna, I live on a farm where the animal that we raise are used for more than one purpose. I milk the goats almost

daily; we also have pigs, sheep and chickens, which help provide meat. I hope you like reading it as much as I liked being there.

LITERACY VENTURES IN TUCSON ~ A magazine by and about LVT Students ~

Issue 12: April 2015 Page 3

My Perspective on Food by Simran

My life is beautiful when it comes to cooking. It can be nice to put different colors in food, and it has that delicate fusion of foods which makes a lot of people's mouth water over the sweet, salty and delicious taste you get from different foods and their different regions! Many people enjoy Indian and Thai, which are different in their cooking and spices but similar in the food they use.

Food is used for survival purposes. It is a part of you and part of where you come from. The delicious food is flavored with all sorts of spices and elegant garnish to help complement the tremendous outlook on things. All people are animals, and they need food for survival by eating proteins.

Food can be made with unique, creative, and interesting structure to make the plate look more appealing to others. An example is putting Indian food with tiny pieces of garnish and arranging it with edible, delightful tidbits of food. Another example is making English scones with beautiful mint on top and taking thin, small pieces of citrus to top it off. Food is a work of art because it is as gentle as a baby or a plant.

I work with gardening and use those same foods to cook with. I usually make meals by grilling vegetables or sauteing meat dishes with basil, mint,and ginger to give it that kick of spicing it up to a person's taste. Food plants give us the nutritional aspect that cooking needs to be divine and infused with flavors.

I would still love to work with things I can see, touch. When it comes to wildlife and animals, I love them, but no cats and snakes. They make me queasy and I am allergic to cats. Plants are my forte because they are supposed to be taken care of like a new born baby. Plants need that attention, and I have a green thumb. Water is needed for them to have a strong root for plants to flourish; without that there is no growth from your plants or garden.

I am an organic gardener. I don't use pesticides to hurt the earth we live on. We damage more of the ozone layer by throwing more chemicals into the air. I am passionate about plants to grow and help people, animals to breathe fresh air and drink clean water that hasn't been filthy. If people water plants too much or not give them enough,it can kill the beautiful green resources. That affects our energy and breathing.

Simran says: My name is Simran,I am here to learn how to write and read in English to get ahead. It has been a joy to see how far I

have succeeded.

LITERACY VENTURES IN TUCSON ~ A magazine by and about LVT Students ~

Issue 12: April 2015 Page 4

What literacy means to me

by Sergio

Before I started literacy classes and working with my tutor it was very hard for other people to understand what I was trying to say. Also, my co-workers would laugh at me. Because I couldn’t read most of the words, they would say that I was dumb. But since my tutor and I started working together, I have noticed much improvement in my reading and my writing. Also, my confidence and my communication skills have improved greatly. Now my co-workers no longer call me stupid or dumb. Even my supervisors have now noticed that my writing has improved. When reading, I recognize more words. Many words that I couldn’t pronounce now I can. The more you practice the better you get.

I’m so grateful that Literacy Connects people want to improve other people’s literacy.

Also, I’m grateful to have my tutor who has worked very hard with me to get me where I’m at now. Also, I would like to thank everybody that is supporting Literacy Connects.

About Sergio: Sergio has been a

faithful student at Literacy

Connects since January 2012. He

works regularly with his tutor,

Candy Egan, and attends reading

and writing classes at the center

as much as his work schedule will

allow. All the tutors love working

with him, and the students enjoy

his warm smile and willingness to

share and help.

At age 78, Easlyn Williams knows it’s never too late to learn! Here she is celebrating her birthday in our Tutoring Center with tutor Vicki Kalen and fellow student Omar Cunningham.

Adol Luol came to Tucson from south Sudan in 2006 with six children and no

English. A disciplined student at our English language classes at the Pima

County Public Library, she passed her citizenship exam last year and voted for the first time. Being a U.S. citizen

means “I am free,” Adol says. “Free to vote. Free to help.”

LITERACY VENTURES IN TUCSON ~ A magazine by and about LVT Students ~

Issue 12: April 2015 Page 5

Going Home

by Anita

About an hour before our friend Albert, was going to pick my boyfriend, Jim and I up to take me to the Phoenix airport he calls and says, “I’m having car trouble and I don’t think I will make it.” I had been planning this trip for months. My daughter was graduating from high school and I hadn’t seen her or my family for 9 years. Jim was upset. He didn’t know what to do. He was trying to figure out how he could get me to Phoenix. Fortunately, Albert called back and said he got the car running and was on his way. Whew!!! This was my first flight and when we arrived at the airport to check in we found out the flight was going to be delayed. Three hours later the plane took off.

All the people – flight attendants and passengers were really nice and helped me the whole way. When we arrived in Buffalo I sat inside the airplane until everyone else left. An airplane employee brought me a wheelchair. He said, “Anita, your parents are waiting.” I saw my mother and stepdad. I tried to get out of the wheelchair so quickly to hug my mother that I fell forward.

As soon as we got home to Arkport, we went over to see my grandparents. I could hardly wait to see my grandpa so I hid in the living room while my grandma called him into the house. He came in and saw me and gave me the biggest hug. When we left my grandparents, we saw my brother Eric at the place he works and he was glad to see me. Next we went to my brother Aaron’s house, but he wasn’t home so we went back to my mother’s house. My daughter, Dena Anne, called and then came over to see me. When she walked in the door I couldn’t believe I was actually seeing her. She’s all grown up and beautiful. I cried when I saw her like I did when I saw all my relatives. Three hours later after trying to catch up Dena Anne went home.

The next morning Dena Anne came to get me and we went to see friends and family. For lunch my stepdad fixed tacos and my mother made strawberry shortcake. Yum! We loved that. Dena Anne had to work that afternoon and the rest of us relaxed for tomorrow.

The next day my mother, Dena Anne and I went shopping for shoes. My mother bought me shoes and Dena Anne saw a pair she really liked. Then we all went to my Aunt Kristie’s hair salon. She fixed my hair really nice and my mother and Dena Anne looked at me in amazement. After Dena Anne went to work, my mother and I went back to the shoe store to get the shoes Dena Anne liked for her to wear for graduation.

Graduation Day! We all got dressed up and were one of the first to arrive at graduation. We sat in the middle of the front row. There were lots of speeches and finally they gave out the diplomas. When they called Dena Anne’s name, I clapped and yelled “yeah Dena Anne.” I was so proud of her for working hard and making it on her own. After graduation we had planned to go to a party at Dena Anne’s house, but she called and said that her boyfriend had made other plans.

The next day was my nephew’s birthday. We all went to my brother’s for his party. Dena Anne came and I had asked her to bring her cap and gown so I could have a picture taken with her. She said she forgot. This made me feel sad because that would have been something I could have kept. All of my brothers and their families were there except for my oldest brother. The kids all played on the trampoline and water slip and slide. One of my friends came to the party to see me and brought me a pearl necklace.

The last day, I got up early. Dena Anne called and said she was coming over to say goodbye and a few minutes later my father called to say he wanted to come to see me and bring my sister, Kelsey. I was happy to see them and hugged them both. We talked for awhile in the back yard and then my father took us out to eat. When he brought us back we said our goodbyes. As I hugged my daughter I thought, “I’m having to leave her again.”

My mother and stepdad took me to the airport in Buffalo and helped me check in. I arrived in Phoenix at 11:30 p.m. It was a wonderful trip!

LITERACY VENTURES IN TUCSON ~ A magazine by and about LVT Students ~

Issue 12: April 2015 Page 6

My Metamorphosis by Uwe Keiltz

I never thought my life could be like this. Before I came to Literacy Connects, my life was really mixed up; I didn’t know where I was going. The truth was I was not going anywhere. Then, four years ago, I worked up the courage to walk through the doors of Literacy Connects. Now I am a reader and guitar player, an active community volunteer, and a passionate lifelong learner and teacher.

My metamorphosis began with a Reading and Understanding class, where I learned that I could read. At the age of 53 I read my first and still favorite book, Tuesdays with Morrie. When I met my tutor, I almost had a heart attack when she asked me to write something. The next week, she told me to hold the pencil: just hold it. I told

people my tutor was “tough,” but what I really meant was that she wasn’t going to baby me through this. We were two adults working together with trust and without shame. Weeks later I had to choose: I could work on flashcards while sitting in giraffe chairs next to the picture books or I could walk out of the library. I chose to stay. I chose what mattered most to me instead of false pride. I stayed, and I’m glad. Because of Literacy Connects, now I know that there is no shame in learning anything at any

time, and that learning is up to me. Learning to read gave me the confidence to take lessons and achieve my lifelong dream of being a guitar player. Literacy Connects invited me to participate in two special programs: digital storytelling and Stories That Transform, where I found a voice to tell my story: you don’t have to give up your dreams if you go as far as you can and then just keep going.

Before Literacy Connects, one of my major goals in life was to be invisible. I was too ashamed for people to see all the things I could not do. Hiding out was the most important thing I learned at school. Unlearning those

lessons was hard, but Literacy Connects was the “missing piece” that I needed.

About six months after I started to read, I surprised myself when I stepped up to help an old lady in a grocery store. Things started going really well after that. I started asking questions! I didn’t have to hide anymore, and people noticed. I was invited to be a Student Ambassador and have gone to the Arizona Capitol several times to talk with our representatives and their staffs. I am hard to miss at the Tucson Festival of Books. I’m all over the place, telling my story and signing up volunteers and students.

At Literacy Connects I learned I didn’t have to stay the same person I was. I could choose metamorphosis and become the person I want to be. Now I choose to be visible and unashamed.

Becoming a lifelong learner was the most important lesson I learned at Literacy Connects. It began in the Reading and Understanding class when I made it my goal to help new students and share what I had learned with others. Then I started a Student Book Club to create a place where students could read out loud together.

LITERACY VENTURES IN TUCSON ~ A magazine by and about LVT Students ~

Issue 12: April 2015 Page 7

Eventually I was drafted to help with tutor orientation and training classes. Last year I applied to be an ELAA tutor and successfully made it through the training. I was confident I could do it and that the students and I would learn together. In fact, I didn’t just apply, I was driven to take this next step and share my passion for learning.

I never thought my life could be like this, that I would be doing what I am doing. I came in those doors to learn to read and write. That was it! Instead, my whole life got better. A LOT BETTER. I am confident and visible in the world. I am motivated and achieving my goals. I am living my life, instead of just going through the motions. I broke out of my comfortable box and got rid of it. I am exploring the world, and my journey has not ended. I still don’t know where I am going, but the trip is exciting and taking me to great places.

1.

Adult student/tutor Uwe Keilitz volunteered (again) at the Tucson Festival of Books, but this time he met Mitch Albom, the author of the first book Uwe ever read!

Uwe got the chance to tell Albom just how much the book meant to him. “It changed my world completely.”

LITERACY VENTURES IN TUCSON ~ A magazine by and about LVT Students ~

Issue 12: April 2015 Page 8

Uwe’s Metamorphosis

by Uwe Keiltz’s tutor

“Metamorphosis” is one of the first big words Uwe learned and remains one of his favorites, because he lives it every day. Metamorphosis means a noticeable change or transformation, for example the way a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. It’s no surprise that Uwe likes this word.

It was a surprise, though, when we learned the butterfly’s secret. Exactly how does a caterpillar become a butterfly? For many years scientists wrongly believed that, within the cocoon, the caterpillar completely disintegrated into a goo that magically reassembled itself in the form of the butterfly. Now we know the secret truth: the caterpillar always had wings and was just waiting for its time to fly.*

So, what are the secrets of Uwe’s metamorphosis? As his tutor, I can share a few, and they all pretty much boil down to “keeping it real.”

First, Uwe and I always told the truth – to ourselves and each other. Hiding and pretending had already kept Uwe in his cocoon for too many years, and even little lies violated the mutual trust we needed to succeed. Uwe didn’t need to be enabled in his mistaken beliefs about himself, and he didn’t want to be babied, because that would have told him the world had been right about him all along. Uwe wanted and needed honesty, acceptance, kindness and someone who believed in his secret dreams of who he could “grow up” to be. And, as he recently reminded me, he needed someone to tell him to suck it up and try again when he felt defeat. He needed someone who wouldn’t let him think about quitting. Being open about what we knew and didn’t know, what worked and what didn’t – and about our doubts and mistakes – kept us rooted in reality and able to move forward.

Secondly, Uwe had realistic expectations. He wasn’t looking for some Wizard of Oz to hand him a gift-wrapped brain. He was looking for the Yellow Brick Road and some friendly guides along the path to literacy. He didn’t expect a miracle cure or overnight success: he knew he had a long way to go. He knew and celebrated that every step moved him closer to his goals, even when we went in circles or took the “scenic” route. Uwe also began with one realistic goal: to be better than he had been. Despite his love and admiration for his brother, who has a PhD, Uwe never aspired to his brother’s academic achievements. He has always had his own ideas about what his life, in this moment, could be, and he works every day, as he says, to “go as far as he can and then just keep going.” He is open to opportunities, to making his own opportunities, and to hard work. Uwe is successful each and every day in ways that his brother likely cannot be, because Uwe defines his own success. For Uwe it was always about his journey, not some distant and external goal. He did not expect magic or miracles: he expected to work hard and consistently for a long time –as he did and continues to do. As Uwe has grown, so have his ideas and dreams, and at every point along his path, Uwe reveled in using his brain in new, exciting and powerful ways. Uwe’s miracle transformation occurred one step, one moment, and one small, hard-won miracle at a time.

And finally, Uwe was truly committed to changing his life: he willingly took on the hard work and sacrifices his metamorphosis required, and he stayed the course. He wasn’t going to waste his time – or mine. He showed up, and he worked. He worked during our sessions, in other classes, at home and while at his job. He changed his schedules; he said no to friends and sometimes family. At a time of personal crisis, Uwe embraced change, despite the very human inclination to cling to old habits, and he owned this process. When Uwe decided he needed flashcards or some other learning aid, he bought them. He “learned out loud” and made his learning a

LITERACY VENTURES IN TUCSON ~ A magazine by and about LVT Students ~

Issue 12: April 2015 Page 9

very public fact of his life. He changed the way he lived his life so he could change his life. Uwe clearly now believes that his journey, on this new path, is his life, that his life’s purpose is to learn and share the joy he finds with others. “It’s hard at first, and you will want to quit,” he will tell you. “But stay,” he says. “Give it your all, and you will be glad you stayed with it.”

Uwe is proud now to share the truth about himself: about who he was and who he became, and about how hard and joyous his journey continues to be.

And the truth about Uwe is that he has learned he can fly.

* (http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/10/caterpillars-melt-almost-completely-before-growing-into-butterflies-in-the-chrysalis/)

Congratulations to each of the contributors to this, the ninth issue of Literacy VENTURES of Tucson.

Our goals are, as these authors have written:

to venture beyond the world we know,

to treasure our lives – and food! – as works of art we create,

to feel grateful for all we have accomplished and those who helped us,

to share the joy of family and achievements,

and to reach greater and more wonderful possibilities than we can now imagine.