Spring/Summer 2022 Edition
The Stars newsletter contains unedited, original work written by and for Washtenaw Literacy learners. The opinions printed here do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or of Washtenaw Literacy
We hope you enjoy reading the Spring/Summer edition of Stars!
The following submissions were written
by learners during their semester.
We hope you had an excellent semester!
American experience
by: Irene Sidharta
Hi Friends,
I would like to share an amazing experience with you.
It was Saturday evening, I spent with a neighbor, celebrated her admission in the PhD program.

She invited me to Bobcat Bonnie at Ypsilanti. I thought the celebration party was in the restaurant, but I was wrong.
It was in the basement.
The place was like a bar or pub, with a lot of game machines, a pool table, a hockey table, and a bar. So we were there from 7 until 11 PM. She had more than 10 other friends also come. We play a guessing game, which was fun, and I could show you this Thursday.

This was my first time attendance at a celebration party. And my bad, I didn't do any research about it. Fortunately, I brought cash and card, so I could eat at the restaurant upstairs and also have some quarters to paid my games. All the machine games need to be fed up with the quarters.

I joined a pool game. I played pinball, the shooting arcade, and of course the hockey table!!!! The dart game seemed simple, but I didn't understand how to calculate the scoring of this game. The scoring rules sounded so complicated and also the music was too loud for me, so I couldn't listen clearly nor understand when the rules explained.

For the meal, I went to the restaurant upstairs. I ordered spinach dip. OMG that was so good! The waiter also so friendly. A bit heart pounding experience for me when ordering the food, although I actually speak a lot of English now. Because most of my conversation is in the conditioned group, like in a bubble, not to a stranger. Well, I could say I like Bobcat Bonnie for their food and the service. I ate alone at the bar stool, then back to the basement to join them again.

I considered this as one of American experience.
Celebration of Learning
Celebration of Learning is an annual event where we celebrate learners and what they have achieved. This year we will celebrate with a picnic. We would love to have you and your family join us!

Where? Montibeller Park, 4305 Ellsworth Rd, Ypsilanti
When? June 21, 6pm-8pm
My Children
by Shauna Taylor
I have children that are biologically mine, but has been adopted I wasn't ready at the time but the time has come for us to meet again, this is a dream come true for us to be together. laughing is what I want with my children for a start! it is always been a waiting period repeating over in my mind how much I love them and was young but always loved them I can't wait to see their character, how much they've grown, and how loving they are...
Ann Arbor and My Surprises
by Binh Nguyen
(Dedicated to Alison and tutors at The Washtenaw literacy)

I came to Ann Arbor for the first time in August 2017. The city itself became my second hometown in Feb 2018
This small and beautiful city has brought me a sense of peace and surprise over time.
My neighborhood is Ann Arbor hill, where people built brick houses nearly one hundred years ago, which are still intact, and located on the green yard without fences. One thing is each home has its unique architecture, but it's all in harmony. It is the greenest and friendliest city I have known. I can sometimes see deer walking in gardens, and squirrels, rabbits, and birds. Every evening while strolling in the quiet streets, when I say" hi "to a neighbor, It gives me a sense of peace; it seems that all the anxieties of life are far away from here.
Perhaps no place in the world has racial diversity here, and there are up to 60 different nationalities in a primary or secondary school. So, I can enjoy the dishes or learn much about other cultures without spending time and costs on expensive trips.
Ann Arbor ranks as a city with the best education in The United States. That's nothing weird when I visited a library in countless libraries here. What surprised me is the monumental architecture or abundance of information here, but it also allows people to access it regardless of who they are. Otherwise, you can choose a book in the bookcases on the street, voluntarily taking and returning the book.
Moreover, another great thing is that all children under 18 years old can go to public school freely regardless of where they come from and whether they come here legally or not. Ann Arbor citizens' taxes will pay for these costs. As a result, the property and income tax here is the highest in the US. As my friend said is "crazy," but every citizen is compliant, which speaks to the generosity of the people here,
The biggest surprise about Ann Arbor residents' helpful and generous character happened one month ago when I took two of my nieces to a pharmacy to get a vaccination at the start of the new school year. A pharmacist let me know the total cost was 3,200 USD since they have had no insurance ( because they've just arrived in the US), then he recommended to me another place where they could take it without charges at all.
I will indeed have more and more adorable surprises that will come to me later and make me love and be proud of being an Ann Arbor citizen

Never say never
by Binh Nguyen
A group of guests from Korea visited my company. They were new suppliers for our business. We happily finished the business meeting. Many contracts were signed.
At the end of the meeting they said, “We’d like to invite you to a Korean restaurant for dinner”. I hadn’t eaten Korean food before. I was very excited to try it.
I said, “ I never eat Korean food”. 
Everyone was quiet and stared at me.
I realized my mistakes and explained,“ I’ve never eaten Korean food. I’d be happy to dine with you”
   After that I’m more careful with everything I say!
Should Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) Be Grown?
by Makiah Bee Upleger
There are two types of GMOs, one is selective breeding and the other one is bioengineering. Bioengineering is taking a gene out of a strand of DNA to put in another organism. Corn is a bioengineered food. They want to make the corn more insect resistant. They took a gene from the soil. That naturally produces insecticide. Selective breeding, taking the best plants and animals and reproducing them, is used to alter the genetic make-up of plants and animals. Farmers have been doing this for thousands of years.

Pro 1 says that the GM is safe and has been tested. Nearly all the foods we eat are genetically modified. The con 1 says they haven’t been tested enough and it is harmful for human consumption. The Center for Food Safety has stated that there is potentially a risk from genetically modified organisms due to possible toxins. We have had GMOs for a while, but there are a lot of misunderstandings about GMOs. 

Pro 2 says GMO foods address food shortages caused by population growth, climate change, over farming, and water shortages through genetic engineering. They say it will lower food prices and feed more people. Con 2 says that food science and human welfare articles said there were three major health risks associated with GM foods that are toxicity, allergenicity and genetic hazards. They think it could change the metabolic toxin levels from a plant's genetic integrity. 

Pro 3 says there are benefits for the environment such as reduced pesticide use, lower carbon emissions and less water waste. Con 3 says it will harm the environment, with increased use of toxic herbicides, and pesticides. Pro 3 says there are two types of GM crops in use. They are bioengineered to produce their own pesticides, or be herbicide-tolerant. Con 3 says that GM crops have been using weed killer glyphosate to kill weeds and crops that have to do with pollinating insects like bees and butterflies. That also creates health risks for humans. 

GMOs should be okay to eat. GMOs are not harmful to consume because most everybody eats GMO foods everyday and there have been no problems with it. People have eaten GMOs since they were young and once they get older their health has been fine. 
Free Trial and Autopay
by Hanjin Lim
I've often been hit by things like automatic Internet payments, free trial, or automatic payments after a certain period of time. I don't think I can check it more properly because it is written in English and I think it's because I am mainly looking for free. Every time, my husband has advised me to buy as much as I need, even if it was expensive. I was just trying to make reasonable consumption in consideration of the family economy, but I have nothing to say when I see more bills later.

I downloaded the Instacart app to use it for free because I thought it would be necessary for the pregnancy and childbirth period. Even when I was heavy, my husband liked to go grocery shopping himself, so I used it only once. The end of April was the last free period, so I should have canceled the app. But I forgot it even though I circled it on my calendar. On May 2nd, my husband suddenly asked me what $105 was paid. It's ridiculous. It's $9.99 a month, but it's been paid a year in advance. I know you shouldn't like free stuff, but I really just had to cancel it in advance. I'm really mad at myself. And the payment amount was more embarrassing, not a small amount. I searched the internet carefully and found out that I could get a refund if I cancel it 15 days in advance, so I called Instacart service center immediately and asked for a refund. I was freed from having to be nagged by my husband for a long time.
Freedom of Speech
by Levi Gardner
What is freedom of speech?
Is it freedom to speak on how we feel
Or freedom to speak how others believe we should feel
If you ask me, freedom of speech doesn't seem so free
In fact, say how you really feel and it will come with a fee

What is fairness?
To treat everyone the same
Or to give a selected few privileges and treat the others like shit
There's not much in this world fair now is it

People are so quick to scream out equality
When they really don't understand the meaning
"Treat us how you treat them", they say
While we have a look of disgust as we look at other beings

Their appearance and actions contrast how you act
But we aren't the same, you need to relax
Go to a stranger and commit a good deed
We may be different, but don't be defeated by being concieted
Stars story
by Makiah Bee Upleger
I am Makiah from Arizona. I have a friend named Keen. He is tall and I am short. I have 2 cats. I have 4 dogs. My dogs like to run around the backyard on my rock landscape. They also like to lay in the sun.
My cats like to lounge in the house on the couches, chairs and on the outside patio. We have small bushes in our backyard and a couple flower trees. My backyard is sunny during the morning and day. It is shaded in the evening time. On the side of my house I have small cactuses. Inside my house I have a big living room and a kitchen.
Keen came over to play video games. At the moment he was eating my watermelon that I just cut up. I was standing there drinking some water.
“Keen, do you want to go to the pool right now?” I asked him.
“Yes, let's go.” He said.
We got our bathing suits. I couldn’t find my sandals. But then Keen found them as we left the house. They were underneath a towel in the living room. I kissed my cats and my dogs on the head and walked through the door with Keen to the community pool.
On the way Keen and I saw an elephant. He was big. I went over to pet him. He put his trunk up and made a noise. 
“Oh my gosh look at that tiger. He is big. Let’s go pet him.” I told him.
“Okay he looks friendly. Look at his teeth.” He said as the tiger was yawning.
We pet the tiger. He rolled in the sand. I dropped my bathing suit top from underneath my towel. We had to walk back and find it. We were getting closer. 
Keen spotted a coyote. He was small and gray. He howled in the street. We just walked away from him and made our way to the pool. We saw little kids and parents playing in the water together. I jumped in the pool. Keen was wearing red bathing suit shorts. Keen and I raced one another in the pool. I won 2 times and he won 2 times.
When we got out we went to the cafeteria.
“Yummy, this looks good Keen.” I told him.
“Wow, they got a lot of fruit and some good kinds of ice cream. What do you want?” Keen asked.
I kept looking at the menu. 
“I want a vanilla ice cream sundae with caramel syrup.” I told him.
“Okay I will have an apple.” He said.
We got our food and sat at the tables in the cafeteria since we can’t bring our snacks to the pool. After we ate I bought a camera. We decided to rent bikes. We rode on the road and then on the sidewalk.
We had a good time. When we took the bikes back we walked back to my house. There was a kid and his dad eating ice cream on a bench in the park. We walked through the community park on the way back to feed the ducks. We spotted a lion on the artificial grass. He was drinking water.
We made it back to my place and the neighbor saw us and gave me flowers. I pulled out my camera and had my neighbor take a picture of Keen and I holding the flowers.
“Thanks neighbor you are the best.” I told my neighbor. Keen and I walked inside.
My cats ran around the house excited and my dogs barked out of joy that I was home. Keen got dressed and I put on my dress. We got ready to go out to eat at a Mexican restaurant. One of our favorite places to eat.
After getting ready we hopped into his Lincoln and rode to our favorite restaurant Pablo's Tacos.
Keen and I looked at the menu.
“Keen, I want to order bean and cheese burritos. It’s my favorite. What about you?” I told him.
“Well, I want a couple tacos and refried beans. That’s my favorite. Look there on the floor, a penny.” he said.
“Oh wow.” I said and got up and picked it up underneath the chair.
“This is so cool. It says here it's from 1805.” I told him.
“1805 is a long time ago. Wow.” He said astounded.
The waiter came by and took our orders. It took 15 minutes and they brought the food. It smelled delicious. I ate slowly.
Keen and I split the bill. I left a tip and went back to Lincoln with him. A red cat ran across the road. And an orange fox chased him. There was a park nearby.
“It is so nice out. Look at all the birds. They all are eating nuts and seeds. Let's go over to see them.” I said.
I saw a bag of seeds near the bench and threw some to the birds and the bears came by to see what we’re doing. I hugged the baby bear and headed off with Keen for a car ride to the mall. On the way to the mall we saw a big pterodactyl. He landed on a mountain.
It was time to find me a new dress. Keen and I went to the H&M store and got some new clothes and shoes. I also bought myself a brand new chain bracelet. We left and went to the water fountain. I was crying. Keen comforted me. I had lost my phone.
He called it and someone answered it. I left it in the fitting rooms of H&M. 
“Thank you Keen so much you are a lifesaver.” I told him.
“No problem Makiah.” He told me.
“Let’s go home now. I'm tired.” I told him.
“Me too. We had a wonderful day today.” He said.
“It was. Come on.” I told him.
We raced each other to the car. We were laughing and out of breath. On the ride home I listened to the band Plug In Stereo. We sang all the way home. My house was near.
Out the window we saw big bees flying. When they flew away I opened my window then I saw a green snake in the sand. He hissed and said hi. I waved and we drove away from the green light.
“Keen, let's go to your house.” I suggested.
“Sure we can watch a movie to end our day.” He said happily.
“Okay but you pick the movie.” I told him.
We made it to his house where he lived with his two dogs and one cat. When we got in there Keen and I took off our shoes and watched the movie Superman. It was a good one. I layed there as the movie had almost ended and I fell asleep on the couch.
I woke up in the morning at his house. He was preparing coffee. I love coffee. He made me a Starbucks toffee nut coffee from the keurig. I pulled orange juice from the fridge and drank a glass. I pulled out milk for a bowl of toasted oats cereal.
I thought what a great morning this was. After we finished breakfast we headed back to my place. I opened the front door of my house and found my cats sleeping and my dogs just waking up. I hugged my best friend Keen goodbye and told him I’ll text him and call him later.
I went inside and took a long shower. My cats and dogs wanted to eat breakfast. I picked up their dishes and filled their bowls. They had a good time eating. I called my mom and told her I love her. She has done so much for me. I decided to take her out to eat.
I finished up doing a wordsearch. My mom called and said she would be there to pick me up soon. She had to pick some things up at the store nearby, at target. 10 minutes later she showed up and I ran outside to greet her. I hugged her. She and I went to Sonic. We got a burger, french fries and a chocolate shake.
We went to the mall. I bought her a gift at Icing in the mall. It was a brand new black and white checkered purse backpack. She got me a butterfly mood ring and a matching mood butterfly necklace. I was happy to see my mom today. She took me home. I took a nap with my pets and thought wow I have a wonderful friend and a loving mom.
How could we change the world?
by Binh Nguyen
There are still inequalities worldwide these days, such as the inequality between males and females, racial discrimination, and the destruction of the environment for commercial purposes. If I could change three things in the world, I would first do the three things listed above. I believe that those changes would bring the world a big step forward. 

Although we live in the century of XXI, we still have heartbreak stories somewhere in Asian, Middle East countries where the girls do not have the chance to go to school or are abused by those supposed to be their guardians. Half of the world's population is female. If women are empowered, they will devote their abilities to developing human civilization up to at least one hundred percent.

Otherwise, racial discrimination still is a persistent problem even in some developing countries. The minority community always gets a little benefit from countries' achievements. We are not surprised that crime, illiteracy, and poverty are very high in these communities. According to history, people of different colors have been contributing a large part to human civilization; neglecting minority communities will deprive them of a significant resource in the progress of humanity.

 On the other hand, the overuse of fossil fuels, deforestation, or the construction of hydroelectric dams causes climate change, global warming, and continents shrinking. It would be a catastrophe hanging over humanity. The entire human civilization would collapse if we didn't take action to protect the environment right away.
Finally, promoting gender and racial equality and protecting the environment will help human civilization develop quickly and sustainably. The leaders worldwide still have a lot of things to do for these goals to keep our globe forever green.
We hope that you enjoyed this edition of the
STARS newsletter! If you have any articles that
you would like to be included for the next edition,
please send them to kim@washtenawliteracy.org.
Washtenaw Literacy's Mission

Believing that literacy is the foundation for a sustainable community,
Washtenaw Literacy provides literacy support, free of charge,
to adults through a network of trained tutors.

It is our Vision to eliminate illiteracy in Washtenaw County.
Washtenaw Literacy, 5577 Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, 734-337-3338, washtenawliteracy.org