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READING LEVEL 4
Why Not?
Jazmin Jara
Sometimes we say, “I don’t have time. I can’t do it. My life is too busy.” But if we are honest, we know we need to do something for ourselves. And why not?
When I came to the U.S., I was just focused on getting a job and making money. When the years passed by and my family started to grow, I looked around and started to think what am I doing for me? Am I really happy? Can I do something else for me? I said to myself, “Now is the time to change.”
Of course, I was afraid. But change was necessary. I got a new job where I needed to speak English. It was a challenge for me and also a risk! I felt so nervous when I decided to work as a Bank Teller. But, if I didn’t do it, what would happen? More years of my life would pass, and maybe I wouldn’t do anything to grow as a professional.
It’s hard to be a mother, worker, wife, and student when you don’t have any family close to you who can support you. So I decided to let other people support me, including strangers! My teachers and fellow students care about me and help me achieve my goals.
My day is really tiring. It starts early in the morning when I get my son ready for school. Then I go to work full time, and I study until late at night while also preparing everything for the next day. Now I am starting to see the results. I have more confidence and it shows. I have a possibility to get a better position at the bank and have a career.
Nobody said it would be easy to do, but you can do it. Why not?
Jazmin Jara is a student in the ESOL for Immigrant Parents Program at the Center for Immigrant Education and Training at LaGuardia Community College. She earned an undergraduate degree in her country, Ecuador, and she has two children.