It’s the night before the big day. I put my pencil in the sharpener and give it a good twist. Two freshly sharpened pencils for the test. I toss them in my backpack, as I prepare for the following day. I set my alarm for 7 a.m. I turn on my Fire Stick and watch a couple of TASC practice-for-math videos, until I doze off.
Category: Surprises
Shoes
When I was younger, my father and mother had to leave me and my sister in the care of my grandmother in Mexico, where we were born and raised. My parents left for the United States. My dad worked hard to try to get us to live with them. I used to believe the mountains I saw from my grandmother’s house were New York, where my parents were. They seemed close, but now I know that was far.
My Charming Old Lady
This is my family’s fun story about a lie. I often spent summer vacation at my grandparents’ house when I was child. Reversi was our favorite board game I remember playing with my grandmother.
The Desk Letters
I was a little girl in a small village. I left my village and moved to the city for high school. I was accepted into a famous school in the city after I had passed the exam with good results. The first year, I studied in the afternoon. I was seated at the first row of tables to see everything better because I was small and nearsighted. I liked this seat.
My First Christmas Tree
Usually, I don’t like buying into unreasonable consumption. Since my husband and I moved from Korea to the U.S., I have stopped buying any decorations for our homes because it doesn’t help make the weight of our carriers lighter. When Christmas was coming, Americans started looking for a tree. The culture sounded cool, but, as always, I wouldn’t follow the vibe.
The Rolling Calf
My name is Peter. I was 10 years old, living with my mom and dad in St. Catherine, Jamaica. We lived near the biggest butcher shop in the town. My mother used to tell me stories about what happened to dishonest butchers when they died. The butchers would turn into rolling calves.
Best Day Ever
The best day of my life was in July 2019. It was a sunny, beautiful day. I came back home from work. My son, who was 13 years old, said to me, “Happy Birthday,” and showed me a birthday cake. “I made it by myself.” Wow, I was so surprised and happy. The cake smelled so good, and it also was beautiful. It was a chocolate cake. Before, my son had never baked a cake. He learned it from YouTube.
Unlucky Day or Common Day?
I have to leave my home at 7 a.m.
I have a meeting with my boss at 8 a.m.
I can’t arrive late. It’s very important: It smells like a promotion.
Secret Identity
I guess it’s true,
What my life is like for now.
Just chilling, drinking coffee,
Thinking, and praising God.
Unexpected Moment
Due to the pandemic, most of the libraries had been closed since March 2020. The closest library would be open from July 1, 2021, which was the most exciting news we heard that summer. One sunny morning, my son and I happily went to this library, laughing all the way. But it was 9:45 a.m., too early; it would open at 10 a.m.
Dimes
Since I came to this country, flat and round copper angels have been following me around. I call them angel dimes; they have been my emotional support. I don’t remember exactly the first day that I had my first encounter with one of these beautiful pieces of copper. All I know is that every time I find one, it is always on the reverse side.