What is The Life? by Tian Ming Chen

Everyone has his home. Home is the most comfortable place of everyone. I was born in China in 1989. My family lived here for 20 years. When I was 7 years old, I came to the school near my home. In 2001, I went to middle school. Here I learn many things about life. When I graduated from here, I was only 15 years old. Then I went into the high school and my hard life was coming. In China, the 3 years of high school are the hardest time in one’s school life. After high school’s time, I succeeded to go to a college in 2007. But after only two years, I had to leave my college because my family took me to the USA. Then a new life was waiting for me

I had a comfortable childhood. When I was a child, my family was rich. My father was a worker in the biggest company in my hometown. And my mother also worked in the office of the same company. We lived in an old house which my grandpa bought for my family. We lived there about 15 years. And then we moved to a new house. We spent a lot of time there. At the same time, my grandpa and grandma went to American to find new life. Soon my family went to America, too.

The new life begins. Now I live in San Francisco with my family. Many of my relatives are living here now. Though I am new here, I have many friends. They are very kind and help me a lot. I study at City College of San Francisco and want to find a job here. On the weekends, I often go to the park with my sisters and also play tennis here. I like the city because it’s beautiful. Three sides of the city are seas. The air here is very clear and people are friendly.

My dream is to be a soldier. So I must improve my English in City College. I want to graduate from here in one year. And then I will go to take the test to be a soldier. If I can go through the test, my dream will come true. For the test, I am going to learn many things in the school, but the language is the first. Because I am new to American, my English is not good. Writing and reading is worse. And I am also going to learn other subject like math. I believe I can do the best. In the future, I will work in San Francisco. I will get married here. I will have a new live here.

A New Beginning, by Mark Mai

I felt happiness when I had my grandmother. I was born in China, in 1985. I moved to San Francisco when my Grandmother died at that time I was very sad, because my grandmother loved me a lot. When I turned 5 years old, I just said: “I want a toy train” and my grandmother bought it for me right away. I was very happy to have this grandmother. I had my first salary in 2008. I didn’t work in China, but when I moved to San Francisco, I decided to work because when I go to work I can learn more English and have to get more experience, and I didn’t have to ask my mother when I needed money .

The most important thing I learned as a child was never give up. My family was not rich, so my father and my mother had to work. My brother and I were left at home all the time. I was old, so I had to take care of my brother, but I was just 7 years old. I liked to eat chocolate and play with my toys, but my family was poor, so there was not too much money to buy things. My family and I lived in China. My hobbies were painting and playing basketball. I had many friends. I knew them in school, but Jian Huang was different. He was my best friend. We played together from when we were small. We lived in the same place, so our feelings were the best. I still remember one time. I learned how to ride a bicycle. I fell down all the time and hurt my body. I wanted to give up, but Jian Huang told me: “you wanted to do something, but you just failed two times or three times. If you say: “I want to give up”, you will never do these things. In the end I learned to ride a bicycle and I never forget I have this friend.

My life in San Francisco has begun. Now I live in San Francisco. I have been here for 4 years. My family includes my father, mother, brother and me for four people. We live together. If we have difficulties, we can help each other. I have many friends. They usually call me to play basketball or go ice skating, but sometimes they are very busy, so there isn’t any time to play with me. I have a part-time job in a restaurant. I’m a waiter. My job is taking orders and serving guests. I have to go to school every day because my English is not too good, so I have to learn more English or get a better job for me. My hobbies are playing basketball, listening to music and using the computer, so I usually play basketball and use the computer online with my friends. I like to eat good food and watch NBA basketball, but I don’t know how to cook. I don’t like to do housework because it is so hard for me.

What things will I do? I am very happy I came to the USA because here people all speak English, and there are many good English teachers to teach, but the best is it still free. My short-term goals are to take my driver’s license and citizenship test this year. My main goals are to learn English well and get a good job. My wishes are family health and happiness. I hope I will be a basketball player and buy a house. I will be getting practice basketball player and earn more money. I will get married in 5 years. I will go on a honeymoon to Japan. It is very beautiful. I will be educated well for my children at home in 10 years. I will build a house in my hometown in 20~30 years because I love my hometown. If my wife and I retire, I can go back my hometown. My dream is to travel around the world. Now I am earning more money, so my dream will come true.

A Crooked Life, by Xian Jin Zeng

My life now is very different from in China. My name is Xian Jin Zeng. You can call me JIN .I was born in the small village . Of Canton ,China . In 1963 I graduated from university with a medical degree .After that I had to obey the government .The government gave me a work assignment .I work in a hospital more than 20 years .In 1967 I got married with my classmate Mei .In 1968 I had my first child a son name Rong In 1970 I had my second child name Zeng Mei .I immigrated to the U S in 1992 with my wife.

When I was a child, I was very happy and carefree . I lived in small village .It was a quiet and peaceful town .I liked to play soccer with my partner’s team and

go swimming in a river in the country .My brother and neighbor’s children were my best friends We played and studied together all the time .

Now my life is very busy with many changes. I immigrated to U S in 1992. I have been living in San Francisco for 17 years .It’s a very convenient place .I like it here very much. I have two grown children .They are living other place .Now I have live with my wife only. My neighbors are reliable and friendly. I feel very safe and amenities I have been working as a health worker since 1994. At the same time I have been studying English at CCSF/C N B. I think learning English and Computer skills are very important for me because I have to speak and write English. At work every day .I like to drink tea I don’t like drink coffee .I like to eat Chinese foot .I don’t like American food.

I have many goals for my future. One of my short –term goals is a birthday party .I’ll have a big birthday party and travel to Lake –Tahoe .I‘ll continue to come to school to learn English. My main goal is to work until I can retire . I worry about my health and want to keep my body strong my whole life .So I must do exercise and healthy food every day . I hope to learn more English and computer skills. I want to work and live better and better .

A Full and Happy Life, by Sara Yum

I was always heading for a good way. I was born in Hong Kong on December 8, 1944. and started school when I was nine. After I graduated from high school, I got married. When I turned twenty, in 1966 and 1967 I had my fist daughter and second daughter. I was worried at that time, I didn’t know how to take care of the new born baby. Fortunately, my mother gave me a hand.

I immigrated to the U.S in 1998 and started learning English at City College. Also took a Citizenship class, I am very proud I became a U.S Citizen in 2004, I am still attending a English class , I hope I can speak fluently in English and hope to live a long and healthy life, can help people who need help.

Now I have a full and happy life. I live in a house with my older daughter ,son-law and granddaughter, in the Mission, The younger daughter, lives in England, and also my husband lives with them, I went there three times, It s a good place to lives, Mostly I spend times with my family go to Seattle to visit my sister family, I have to take care of my older daughter ,s, family, I think this is my job, I take an English class on weekdays, some of my hobbies are exercising, shopping ,and, traveling, I like San Francisco, the transportation is very convenient and the weather is gorgeous, I don’t like do yard work especially in summer I hate it!

I have many hope and dreams in future. I am in Denise `s class, she always drives the class and it is interesting, I enjoy being in her class, but I stupid to on the computer. I hope I will get more intelligent to learn it this year. Also I already applied for a senior house. Because I want Independence from my daughter, I will live in San Francisco forever of course I won’t forget Hong Kong. That’s my birthplace. I will continue to learn English. I hope I can speak fluently in English one day, and I wish world peace, no war, and no hunger. If I’m still alive 30 years in the future, I will help save people who need help. I will go to save more money and hope to travel around the world with my family. That’s my dream.