The Circuit

I read The Circuit written by Francisco Jimenez. It was about a family that moved to California from Mexico. As the father was pulling out of the driveway to leave the house, Francisco took a last look at the house before they drove off. The tone of his voice was depressed and sad. He was sad to leave his "home" where he is comfortable.

That reminded me when I was growing up I moved in 6 different houses while growing up, but those 6 different houses were within 6 blocks away from each other. Yes, it was ridiculous. We moved right across the street, then a few years later my parents wanted to move in a different house 3 blocks away, then move again 2 blocks back to where we were in another house. I can't imagine all the boxes they had to take in the car. They were poor so they probably couldn't afford a U HAUL to bring all their stuff. All I had to do was walk back and forth within 2 blocks to move my stuff to another house while growing up.

But I can relate to his experience by when I left home for High school at Model Secondary School for the Deaf. My mother cried and cried the morning before I left for my plane from Nebraska to Washington, D.C. I knew I was going to miss home, and when I arrived to DC I missed home already. I missed my family and everything. I got homesick.

The family worked in the field for grape season. They worked outside in the hot temperature where it was about 100 degrees. I hate to work outside especially when it's that hot. I can't imagine- everyday~ And, it is important to drink your water when you work outside. Anyways, the family spoke Spanish with each other.

When the grape season was over, Francisco went back to school. When he entered the principal's office, he heard a woman say "May I help you?" He was shocked, he didn't say a word. He hasn't heard English for a long time. He forgot how to speak back in English, he hasn't used it since. He always used Spanish with the family.

I can relate to this because when I am at Gallaudet I use ASL. I refuse to speak here. ASL is the language that is used on Gallaudet's campus. I use ASL all the way, but after months when I go home to visit my family. I forget how to voice. It happens during the summer and semester break. It's crazy, but I have fun going back and forth from my languages.

I also used to know a lot of Spanish. One of my best friend who is 4 years younger than me, she has a Mexican family. I always went to her house, and I was so fascinated in learning Spanish. I learned so much from going to her house- and learning Spanish from her family. She had older brother my age and she had a baby sister. One day- her family decided to move to Oklahoma from Nebraska because her father needed a job there. I just went into tears, I had noone else to speak Spanish with. My motivation of learning Spanish went down, and because of my sadness of my best friend gone, I forgot most of my Spanish I've learned. I regret it, but I was too sad- I had noone to speak spanish to. I felt there was no point in knowing Spanish anymore, but I know if I see her parents in the future- they will be shocked that I can't communicate with them in Spanish. So, when this boy went into the classroom- the teacher asked the boy to read the book. He couldn't read it, he forgot. I hate to think about this, I hate the fact that he knew English before, but forgot. He can't help it- he had noone to continue speaking English with.

I felt inspired when the teacher was willing to sit down with him during their lunch period so he can improve his reading in English. I wish I had someone to sit with me to learn Spanish. It just made me think about I've lost one of my life dreams. I do regret it very much. I can't believe how much memories come in my mind just by analyzing a story. It brings so much sadness to me. Wow, while reading the story I didn't feel any sadness- but I realized after analyzing it- it just brings so much feelings to me. Wow!