During my flight to America,I reminisced about the luxurious lifestyle I had: food, freedom, toys and asked myself if everything was going to change.I came from a middle income family to a low income family.My life changed when I got the news from my mother that were moving to America.I was nine years old when she announced the news to my brother and I. I was anxious and happy about the news because going to America mean I get to see my father.I only had a glimpse of my father as a child.Ecstatic to see my father for the first time, my face filled with excitement and joy,but my heart was aching as I abandoned my loved ones behind. Everything seemed to be hazy at the moment as my childhood,friends,and family members fades. Growing up,I had always wanted to know what it's like to have the presence of my father in my life. At the age of 7 I asked my mother if I could write a letter to him. Thrilled at the gesture, my mother agreed to my proposition. I began writing my letter with the help of mother. I included stories about how great of a father he is and the time when he traveled from America back to Vietnam to see us. At the end of the …show more content…
I remember walking home from my elementary school,Lasselle,with soda cans and water bottles in a bag.Witnessing how my mother and father struggled to provide for our family, I wanted to help.Subsequently, there were better days than others, some days of recyclables I picked up 3 soda cans and a few water bottle.I would get teased by junior high students as I walked home from school with recycling materials in my bag. My friends,Briana,and Luis often saw me carrying a bag after school,and began to question the reason of why I had it.I did not answer because I was afraid of the embarrassment, but I think somehow they knew about my cans picking routine.They never intentionally tried to donate those cans, regardless I knew their intention.Their generosity always reminded me that everyone need
I remember the first time I came to America; I was 10 years old. Everything was exciting! From getting into an airplane, to viewing magnificent, huge buildings from a bird’s eye view in the plane. It was truly memorable. After staying few days at my mother’s house, my father and I wanted to see what Dallas looks like. But because my mother was working the whole day, it wasn’t convenient for her to show us the area except only on Sundays. Finally, we went out to the nearby mall with my mother. My father and I were astonished after looking at a variety of stores. But after looking at different stores, we were finally tired and hungry, so we went into McDonald’s. Not being familiar with fast food restaurants, we were curious to try American
I walked around unsteadily all day like a lost baby, far away from its pack. Surrounded by unfamiliar territory and uncomfortable weather, I tried to search for any signs of similarities with my previous country. I roamed around from place to place and moved along with the day, wanting to just get away and go back home. This was my first day in the United States of America.
As I boarded the plane to move to the United States, the beginning of September 2005, I couldn’t help but think about all that I left behind; My family, my friends, my school, my clothes, and all of the awesome cultural food. Then again, I looked forward to this new life, a new beginning. I imagined it being like life in the movies, where everything seemed easy and life was just beautiful. After all, I was going to the States; the place where most people only dreamt of. I felt very blessed to have this opportunity because I knew that it wasn’t given to everyone. Coming to America marked my coming of age because I left behind my old life, I started life afresh, and I became a much grateful person.
This was back in November 2007, in India. I was 12 years old. I was enjoying my normal life. But I didn’t know that my life will change surprisingly. One day I came home from the school and my parents made decision of moving to the United States. I was totally amazed at that moment. My parents wanted move so that me and my sister can have a better life, education, and opportunity.
In the beginning of September 2005, disappointment and excitement revealed on my face when I boarded the plane to move to the United States of America. The feeling of leaving my families, friends, school, clothes, and culture in Cameroon presented a hardship for me on this journey. Of course, I anticipated this new life because it indicated a fresh start. I envisioned it resembling life in movies, where everything appeared to be simple and life was simply excellent. All things considered, I was heading off to the United States, known for the American dream. To me it meant that everyone is given equal opportunity to prosper, achieve a family, and attain a successful job as long as they are hardworking and determined. I felt exceptionally honored and blessed to have this open door since I realized that it was not provided to everybody. Coming to America denoted my transitioning on the grounds that I deserted my previous lifestyle in Cameroon, began a new chapter in my life once again, and finally became a much grateful individual.
At first, the idea of my family and me moving to the United States was fun and exciting. I couldn’t wait for the time for my family and me to leave, get to ride an airplane, eat stateside food such as spam, corned beef, apples, and oranges, and experience the different seasons, especially winter. Because of the excitement of coming to America, I didn’t have the time to think and realize the effects of moving away from home such as missing everything, adopting a different culture, and being independent.
When my family and I got in the plane that would take us to the U.S., I was very excited. It was as if I had butterflies in my stomach. I was also nervous because I had heard of people that were turned away when they got to America because the government was not letting as many immigrants into the U.S as they had in the past. Therefore, my whole family was a little anxious. Two things could happen when we arrived at the Washington, D.C., airport. We could either come to the United States to chase after “the American dream”, or we could be turned away which meant that we would have to return to our country of origin.
At first, my very first experience in the United States is so bored, depressed, and hopeless. It was a new journey for me, I learn a language that I had never learned before, I get bullied just because I am the only one Asian who do not speak English. However, my life has become better when I realized that the “American Dream” is possible. Well, for me, the term “American Dream” is fitting for the one who attends at school, who has confidence and hard work. It might be a dream for my generation but not my parents. I saw my parents struggle to keep my brother and I fed. They worked more than two jobs, just to help us finish our education, paying our rent, and everything. I saw them suffer in tears, to sacrificed their future to let my brother and me to get a better education and opportunities to
My parents journey from Vietnam to America has impacted me emotionally through out the years by the stories they tell me. For them to say their aspiration was to come to America to have greater opportunities, for there family is breath taking. Without my parent’s journey and stories, my identity would be so plain and incomplete.
I can remember leaving my home in Haiti with only my favorite stuffed bunny in hand as we drove to the airport. As I sat next to my sister I could see the plane leaving the only place I’ve ever known, take off across the Caribbean Sea. My dad brought his family to the United States to give us a better chance at succeeding in life. My parents have always instilled that we could not take this opportunity for granted and that no one in this country would give you handouts. As I grew up, I’ve seen my parents struggle and face many hardships that I work hard to not have to deal with in the future.
I had never seen such affection and care as I did from my family. After all the goodbyes, we made our way into the airport. I held on tight to my rolling suitcase as I walked to my future and I will never forget the love and support that stood there weeping. After waiting in the airport for over two hours, the plane finally arrived. I was sitting in my airplane seat slowly anticipating to see my mom that I hadn’t seen for six years. I remember the first day that I came to America. Getting out of that airplane exhausted and not being able t o walk because I had been sitting in the plane for 24 hours. I was in the Phoenix airport, looking around nervously in a peculiar place filled with strange people. But, the moment I saw my Mom and my family, I was serene once again.
When I was 9 years old,I have been told I gonna come to the US soon.At bengging I was very happy, because that means I will see my mom soon. My mom came to US since when I was 6 years old. I did not know my mom was leaving me. I only remember I took a picture with my parent. After that, my grandparents took me homw and my dad was disappered. After a day, only my dad come back to my grandparent’s house, but I did not ask my dad where is my mom. Few months after, Someone in my family told me, my mom is at United States now. I did not say anything or react anything.
My family was finally granted a visa to move to the United States and reunite with my father. When my mother broke the news I didn’t understand what was going on. I was told that we were going to move to the United States and live with my dad. It was a bitter-sweet moment because I was moving to the new country with more opportunity, but I was going to leave my family and friends behind. When we finally landed I finally saw my dad for the first time since he left. It was so weird seeing him because I don’t remember his face and only recognize his voice. I would always talk to my dad on the phone, so it was cool finally seeing who was at the end of the line face to face. My family and I traveled 7,182 miles to reunite with my
It is through the events in the journey of life that shapes and molds who we are as people. As for me, immigrating to America was one of those milestones that have shaped who I am. Those who have had the opportunity of moving from a different country to America know what a privilege it is. I felt the same honor to know that I would be journeying to the land of opportunity. Without hesitance, I spent the last two months packing and making the final preparations before moving to a new continent. Although it was a bittersweet time, leaving my beloved family behind, I knew that I couldn’t resist the treasure that waited for me in the new land. Coming from a developing nation the high level of sophistication that greeted me on arrival to America made feel like I was in paradise.
The pain in my legs, the sweat running down my face, hard breathing while trying to grasp air, people yelling spontaneously at me “GO Maddy GO!” hundreds of spectators all around watching and yelling, breathtaking mountain views in the background, dirt flying up in the air from pounding feet hitting the soft dirt is something I wish I could go back to. Running at USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico the year of 2012 is a special day I wish I could go back to. It was December 8th, very hot and muggy in the state of New Mexico, but very cold and snowy back at home in Indiana. With thousands of runners from all over the state warming up, jogging around, stretching and getting ready for their big day, I was