2. write a diary the main character might have kept before, during, or after a particular event. remember that a person's thoughts and feelings are very important in a diary.
forced out
Dear diary,
Today is December 29,1957. I was at school and all of a sudden, la migra came in my class. I was sweating and I knew that he had come for me. as la migra stepped closer to me I was sweating more and more and I started to cry a little because I was scared. I didn't know that this would happen and we went to the border patrol. we had to fill out a lot of papers and there were a lot of question asked. today was a very hard day and my family and I went back to Mexico. I was born in America so it didn't matter to me and Roberto, but for the rest of my family, they had to stay behind at Mexico until they renewed their visas. when Roberto and I were ready to go back America/Santa
Maria we rode the bus and I couldn't stop thinking of how much I was going to miss them. when I got to a barrack that I was going to live in with Roberto, I was disappointed and i couldn't sleep well.
Today is December 29,1957. I was at school and all of a sudden, la migra came in my class. I was sweating and I knew that he had come for me. as la migra stepped closer to me I was sweating more and more and I started to cry a little because I was scared. I didn't know that this would happen and we went to the border patrol. we had to fill out a lot of papers and there were a lot of question asked. today was a very hard day and my family and I went back to Mexico. I was born in America so it didn't matter to me and Roberto, but for the rest of my family, they had to stay behind at Mexico until they renewed their visas. when Roberto and I were ready to go back America/Santa
Maria we rode the bus and I couldn't stop thinking of how much I was going to miss them. when I got to a barrack that I was going to live in with Roberto, I was disappointed and i couldn't sleep well.
stepping out
Dear diary,
Today is January 25 ,1958. I am feeing lonely right now without my family. I miss everything about my family. I miss Papa's eyes getting watery while he listened to Mexican songs, the cooking of Mama's smell and taste of home cooking, and my brothers and sister laughing and bickering. I just miss everything. at school, I am mostly alone and lonely, but sometimes, I get some attention in math class when Mr. Milo moves me to the first row of seats, when I get good grades on math tests. to get friends at school, I listen to the conversations the kids talked about. boys talked about girls, sports, and cars, while girls talked about boys, dancing, and music.
Dear diary,
Today is December 26,1958. Miss Ehlis, my homeroom teacher, asked my class to
get into small groups and come up with skits. I thought it would be fun if my group did one of Elvis Presley's songs, so I told the class. The class started to laugh at me and I was so embarrassed! A girl named Robert Lindsay, an Elvis fan decided to help me on finding a song. when I presented the song, "treat me like a fool" everyone was cheering me on they were clapping to me. Now, I am starting to be an Elvis fan.
Today is January 25 ,1958. I am feeing lonely right now without my family. I miss everything about my family. I miss Papa's eyes getting watery while he listened to Mexican songs, the cooking of Mama's smell and taste of home cooking, and my brothers and sister laughing and bickering. I just miss everything. at school, I am mostly alone and lonely, but sometimes, I get some attention in math class when Mr. Milo moves me to the first row of seats, when I get good grades on math tests. to get friends at school, I listen to the conversations the kids talked about. boys talked about girls, sports, and cars, while girls talked about boys, dancing, and music.
Dear diary,
Today is December 26,1958. Miss Ehlis, my homeroom teacher, asked my class to
get into small groups and come up with skits. I thought it would be fun if my group did one of Elvis Presley's songs, so I told the class. The class started to laugh at me and I was so embarrassed! A girl named Robert Lindsay, an Elvis fan decided to help me on finding a song. when I presented the song, "treat me like a fool" everyone was cheering me on they were clapping to me. Now, I am starting to be an Elvis fan.
TOGETHER AGAIN
Dear diary,
Today is April 16, 1959. After a long time waiting for my whole family to join together, we finally did! I was so happy to meet my family and we hugged each other with joy. When they came into Roberto and my house they told us the what the life in Mexico was like and good and bad news happened. Papa's good news was that his back pain went away and Trampita's bad news was that he was hit by a bus while playing soccer, but he didn't get hurt so that was the good news. They were telling Roberto and me about how proud they were of us for sending money and that if it wasn't for us, they wouldn't have survived. Mama and Papa got us presents and they got me a new version of my chipped away bust of Jesus Christ I gave them a hug. They got Roberto a statue of Santo Nino de Atocha. It was a very fun day and I was so happy that my family was all together again.
Today is April 16, 1959. After a long time waiting for my whole family to join together, we finally did! I was so happy to meet my family and we hugged each other with joy. When they came into Roberto and my house they told us the what the life in Mexico was like and good and bad news happened. Papa's good news was that his back pain went away and Trampita's bad news was that he was hit by a bus while playing soccer, but he didn't get hurt so that was the good news. They were telling Roberto and me about how proud they were of us for sending money and that if it wasn't for us, they wouldn't have survived. Mama and Papa got us presents and they got me a new version of my chipped away bust of Jesus Christ I gave them a hug. They got Roberto a statue of Santo Nino de Atocha. It was a very fun day and I was so happy that my family was all together again.
SAINT CHRISTOPHER MEDAL
Dear diary,
Today is June 6, I959. Today is finally the day that I graduated from middle school and I will finally be a 9th grader! I had a graduation ceremony so I had to be clean, so Mama set up warm water for my bath, before I had to leave. Before I left for the graduation ceremony, Papa gave me something very special of his. He gave me his Saint Christopher Medal that he wore around his neck all the time for my graduation gift! Since he wears it around his neck all the time, I know it's very important to him, but he gave it to me. My parents didn't come to my graduation, but Roberto came to cheer for me. During the ceremony I kept on thinking about how it would've felt if Mama and Papa were here, and I imagined them so happy, with their faces glowing as they saw me graduate from middle school.
Today is June 6, I959. Today is finally the day that I graduated from middle school and I will finally be a 9th grader! I had a graduation ceremony so I had to be clean, so Mama set up warm water for my bath, before I had to leave. Before I left for the graduation ceremony, Papa gave me something very special of his. He gave me his Saint Christopher Medal that he wore around his neck all the time for my graduation gift! Since he wears it around his neck all the time, I know it's very important to him, but he gave it to me. My parents didn't come to my graduation, but Roberto came to cheer for me. During the ceremony I kept on thinking about how it would've felt if Mama and Papa were here, and I imagined them so happy, with their faces glowing as they saw me graduate from middle school.
behind the wheel
Dear diary,
Today is June 5, 1960. I was learning how to drive the Santa Maria Window Cleaners van on the weekends. Roberto taught me how to drive it at the gas company parking lot, those are the two places I work at. I wasn't really good and Roberto got frustrated because I was only good at my right turns. Every time I stepped on the brakes, all the mops and brooms that were in the van ended up being in the front seat. I needed a lot of practice. I had to take an exam for my license, I got a hundred percent but barely passed the driving test. I am able to drive now! I didn't want to rive the Desoto around because is was wrecked and it was just a mess. I wanted to drive the Buick, Roberto's car, so I threw a fit and ended up getting in big trouble. I had to apologized to my brother and I was not in a very good mood.
Today is June 5, 1960. I was learning how to drive the Santa Maria Window Cleaners van on the weekends. Roberto taught me how to drive it at the gas company parking lot, those are the two places I work at. I wasn't really good and Roberto got frustrated because I was only good at my right turns. Every time I stepped on the brakes, all the mops and brooms that were in the van ended up being in the front seat. I needed a lot of practice. I had to take an exam for my license, I got a hundred percent but barely passed the driving test. I am able to drive now! I didn't want to rive the Desoto around because is was wrecked and it was just a mess. I wanted to drive the Buick, Roberto's car, so I threw a fit and ended up getting in big trouble. I had to apologized to my brother and I was not in a very good mood.
running for office
Dear diary,
Today is February 16, 1961. I was at school when my best friend Paul asked me if I wanted to run for student body president. I thought it was going to be a waste of time because I had to work so I told him that I would think about it. Paul is running for student body treasurer, but I don't know if I should or not. I finally made up my mind and decided that I should run for student body president, even if it would be hard work. I had to make a speech and come up with a skit or performance and I decided to do "Cielito Lindo" and "When the Saints Go Marching In".
Dear diary,
Today is February 22, 1961. It was the day of the results of the elections for student body president, student body treasurer, and more. When Paul and I looked at the results, we saw our names on the paper and were so happy we were elected. Another friend of ours got elected for vice president, and after school, instead of going to the library, Paul and I went to Leo's Drive-in and celebrated in my car. We drank coke and talked about how fun the assembly for our elections were. After I dropped off Paul at his house, I went home to tell everyone the news but when I got home, I heard that Papa was cut badly on his finger and went to the Santa Maria County hospital to see Papa. When I got there I ran to Papa and he told me that he had lost a part of his body, his finger, and I told him some good news to cheer him up. When I was at work, I felt happy and sad at the same time and I felt very exhausted. I hoped that Papa would be okay.
Today is February 16, 1961. I was at school when my best friend Paul asked me if I wanted to run for student body president. I thought it was going to be a waste of time because I had to work so I told him that I would think about it. Paul is running for student body treasurer, but I don't know if I should or not. I finally made up my mind and decided that I should run for student body president, even if it would be hard work. I had to make a speech and come up with a skit or performance and I decided to do "Cielito Lindo" and "When the Saints Go Marching In".
Dear diary,
Today is February 22, 1961. It was the day of the results of the elections for student body president, student body treasurer, and more. When Paul and I looked at the results, we saw our names on the paper and were so happy we were elected. Another friend of ours got elected for vice president, and after school, instead of going to the library, Paul and I went to Leo's Drive-in and celebrated in my car. We drank coke and talked about how fun the assembly for our elections were. After I dropped off Paul at his house, I went home to tell everyone the news but when I got home, I heard that Papa was cut badly on his finger and went to the Santa Maria County hospital to see Papa. When I got there I ran to Papa and he told me that he had lost a part of his body, his finger, and I told him some good news to cheer him up. When I was at work, I felt happy and sad at the same time and I felt very exhausted. I hoped that Papa would be okay.
graduation day
Dear diary,
Today is June 7, 1962. I finally graduated from high school! I felt the same way I felt for my middle school graduation, proud, encouraged, happy to move on, etc. Mama and Papa will finally be coming to my graduation. After work, I went home and got ready to go to the ceremony and Papa was making excuses that he couldn't go to the ceremony. He didn't have anything to wear to the ceremony so I let him wear my white shirt and tie I wore for the Rotary Club. When I was ready to go, Mama and Papa weren't ready so I rushed them. They told me to go without them and I thought they weren't going to come, but as the school were reciting the "Pledge of Allegiance" they came in. I felt so special and happy that they finally came to one of my graduations.
Today is June 7, 1962. I finally graduated from high school! I felt the same way I felt for my middle school graduation, proud, encouraged, happy to move on, etc. Mama and Papa will finally be coming to my graduation. After work, I went home and got ready to go to the ceremony and Papa was making excuses that he couldn't go to the ceremony. He didn't have anything to wear to the ceremony so I let him wear my white shirt and tie I wore for the Rotary Club. When I was ready to go, Mama and Papa weren't ready so I rushed them. They told me to go without them and I thought they weren't going to come, but as the school were reciting the "Pledge of Allegiance" they came in. I felt so special and happy that they finally came to one of my graduations.
still moving
Dear diary,
Today is September 5, 1963. I went to college. At home my mom packed all my things for me and I said my final goodbyes to my family. Roberto visited my house and said his goodbyes to me and we had a silent brother moment. I was feeling sad to leave my family. Mama bought me a ton of new clothing and undergarments to wear at college. I felt so thankful and I felt thankful for Trampita for helping me clean the Western Union and Pat's Pets. When I drove to Santa Clara with my family, I felt sort of angry because everyone was sleeping while I was driving so I hit the accelerator and the car jerked. Papa woke up sort of mad and then everyone else woke up. When I finally arrived to Santa Clara, I went into my house and dropped all my things there, my family left home and I was finally in college, where I dreamed of being.
Today is September 5, 1963. I went to college. At home my mom packed all my things for me and I said my final goodbyes to my family. Roberto visited my house and said his goodbyes to me and we had a silent brother moment. I was feeling sad to leave my family. Mama bought me a ton of new clothing and undergarments to wear at college. I felt so thankful and I felt thankful for Trampita for helping me clean the Western Union and Pat's Pets. When I drove to Santa Clara with my family, I felt sort of angry because everyone was sleeping while I was driving so I hit the accelerator and the car jerked. Papa woke up sort of mad and then everyone else woke up. When I finally arrived to Santa Clara, I went into my house and dropped all my things there, my family left home and I was finally in college, where I dreamed of being.