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Arriving to Angel Island
I arrived to Angel Island with my parent and siblings in 1910. It is a warm and breezy day in California.
When we got off the boat, the Angel Island Immigration Station was very packed. Everybody kept on bumping into each other because the space that they provided was very small. My parents and I didn't know where we were going because we never been to America before. When we got here we never spoke the native language. So we just kept on going to where ever they pointed. -
Working (continued)
Sometimes I just wish that I could just be a regular teenager. -
Working
I had to work in the agriculture industry with my mom. In this industry there were days when I was sweating to death because of the scorching sun beaming down in my face. Also there were some days that my back was hurting like crazy from bending over such a long time. Everyday was the same. I would have to plant crops and then pick some vegetables or fruits off the plants that they belonged to. Everyday I dread going to work because all of this hard labor is killing me. -
Deciding on moving
After about 4 years in California, my dad wanted to move to New York because he heard that there was more job choices that were provided. Before we could move, we had to save up a lot of money because there were about five of us going to New York. My dad says that when he gets the next pay we can start packing up and leave for New York. Also, my dad has a friend at work, so my dad asked him if he knew a place that we could stay in New York, and he said yes. -
Arriving to New York City (continued)
One time I saw a 2 year old girl playing in the filth. When I saw that, it gave me the chills. All I remembered was me saying "EWWWW.." -
Arriving to New York City
It's May of 1915 we finally made it to New York! Experiencing New York is very different from California. California was much nicer and warmer, but when I got to New York everything was so loud and annoying. All you can hear is the honking and beeping from cars outside. The first thing we did was to find the house that was addressed to us. When we finally reached the road, I was shocked. The road was all covered with flys and human waste. I was so grossed out. -
Shirtwaist factory
It's November 2nd, 1917 and its my birthday. Today I am turning 21. For my birthday, I am working at a factory that makes shirts. This factory was just rebuilt because there was a fire that occurred about 6 years ago. The fire that occurred was called The Triangle Shirtwaist fire. Everyday at the factory we make about 500 t- shirts. This job was better than the agriculture job because there was no hard labor. The bad thing that kept the same was the pay.
