It was April 1st, 2011, I stepped my feet for the first time in the United States. A cold air swiftly brushed my face and instantly I realized that I’m not in Indonesia. It was the hardest decision that I have ever made in my life. I left my family, friends, job and my home country for a new beginning. I knew it would not be easy, but I have to be supportive to my husband and be grateful for this opportunity. “It might a worthy start for my little family”, I whispered. I still remember clearly how cold it was. The weather was colder than I expected. All I ever wanted that night was to have a good sleep. Being in an airplane for 24 hours was not exciting at all. However, it was the unforgettable moment in my life. I also believed this is a golden …show more content…
I’m really gratified and blissful that my brothers are doing great and have decent jobs. At least I have the security that they are taking a good care of my mother when I’m not there. Thanks to my compassionate husband for the opportunity that he has given to me. Even though living far away from many family members is not easy, this circumstance has taught me to be more independent and appreciate every little thing in my life. In addition, I’ve learned many new skills and gain more experiences from this journey. Throughout these years, I have attempted to balance my agitated school schedule, my social life, and most significantly, my responsibilities to my family. I love involving myself at my daughter’s school PTO organization. Furthermore, recently I applied for volunteering at the hospital in my area. The experience has stirred a sense of liability that I never knew was present inside of me. My migration to the United States has transformed me to be a new person in a positive way. Moreover, I’ve met numerous wonderful people in this country. I’m thrilled to say a few of them have become my best friends, and more like family to me. Clearly, my migration to the United States brings profound impact in my
There are different types of parent and child relationships. There are relationships based on structure, rules, and family hierarchy. While others are based on understanding, communication, trust, and support. Both may be full of love and good intentions but, it is unmistakable to see the impact each distinct relationship plays in the transformation of a person. In Chang’s story, “The Unforgetting”, and Lagerkvist’s story, “Father and I”, two different father and son relationships are portrayed. “The Unforgetting” interprets Ming and Charles Hwangs’ exchange as very apathetic, detached, and a disinterested. In contrast, the relationship illustrated in the “Father and I” is one of trust, guidance, and security. In comparing and contrasting the two stories, there are distinct differences as well as similarities of their portrayal of a father and son relationship in addition to a tie that influences a child’s rebellion or path in life.
I was carrying my whole life with me, as I walked towards the aircraft. I was carrying two suitcases, filled mainly with clothes and books. I know they were less than 20 kilograms because that was the permissible weight. I could not feel their weight as they were on the trolley. I had a backpack on my shoulders. It contained some eatables, some clothes, a novel, some magazines, a portable CD player, some CDS, a deck of cards, and an inflatable pillow. I was well prepared for my long flight. In my hand I carried as brown leather case containing my passport, visa, and all other personal documents and papers. If I were to lose that case, technically I would cease to exist. Other than that, I had a tennis racket slung over my left shoulder. In short, I was carrying almost all my belongings with me. But that was not all I was taking with me. I was carrying with me memories of 18 years. Things and incidents, long forgotten, resurfaced in my mind, with incredible detail. Every face around me reminded me of uncountable incidents. I was carrying with me a sense of tremendous loss. But, at the same time, I was also carrying with me hope and excitement. A new world called me, and I was looking forward to go there. To protect me in this new place, I had a holy red thread tied on my wrist. That was the explanation my Mom had given me when she was tying it. Though I did not necessarily agree with her, looking at the thread did bring a warm feeling in my heart. It symbolized the love and blessings of my parents which I carried with me, wherever I went.
It was a very cold morning on November 7th, 2000; my family and I walked into the big busy building not knowing what to expect, it was my first time ever being in an airport. It was also the first time for all of us to fly on an airplane. I was a curious six year old and the youngest of all my siblings. I would ask a lot of questions to my mom like “When will I go to school? What language do they speak in America? Will we have a big house in America?” We were all very nervous but, excited not knowing what to expect when we arrive in America. My parents took a big chance
I stepped of the plane at McCarren Airport with a huge grin on my face. I walked to the baggage claim like a little kid walks into Disneyland, with a look of excitement and a pep in my step. With a suitcase in hand and a foot out the door I could feel the lick of the dry desert air on my skin. I saw my mother waiting for me at passenger pickup with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face and that’s when I knew I was home. Being so far from home for college was taking a toll on me, I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t know anyone at Texas State, and I was being suffocated by the swamp like humidity that enveloped San Marcos.
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.
We got off from plane and headed towards the exit. My cousins and my family case worker were already their waiting for us. I was so shocked and the same time I was so happy to meet with my cousins after 6 years. This days too when I went to airport reminds me of that day. We collect bags and headed towards my cousin’s house, I was so hungry and I asked my cousin “what kind of food you made” she knew that we love Nepali cosine so she had made Nepali cosine. We ate food after that I went upstairs to rest. I was so excited and little bit scared to be here and start my new life in USA because I knew that USA life is different than Nepalese life style, however that day was my best day ever in my life. I felt like my dream came true. I had a lot of things going through my mind. Like what am I going to do, what is best for me things like
Seven years ago, I moved to United States. Like anyone who had welcomed changes in their life, I had a hard time dealing with my new situation. It’s very difficult to fit in. In my homeland, life is harsh with the great gap of poor and rich, but my family got everything. Our lives were plentiful. We were not prepared to face the changes and challenges in the United States. My mother didn’t know how to get a job or how my two older sisters would get into college. It was not the same life we had in the Philippines. We left our homeland while my two older sisters were college students. My parents didn’t know how to help them to pursue their future here so my parents decided to let my sisters return home to finish their education. As they graduated with degrees and awards, the truth is, I sincerely respect and admire my sisters dearly, but I don’t want to end up like my sisters who finished college with so numerous awards and can’t get the job she wants because her degree is from another country.
It was time for us to leave and board the plane to America. I was very excited to get to America, I was also anxious to see my Dad who I haven’t seen in months. The flight was long, I can remember in the air was my first time feeling turbulence, whoa let me tell you it was a scary one it felt like the plane was about to crash. I was anxious for the plane to land. When we arrived we exited out the plane and head out to the train inside the airport in order to go to U.S. customs and border protection, to get our documents sorted out, so that we could enter the country.
In 2012, I moved to San Francisco nervous but excited. I knew that as an immigrant in a new and strange place, I would face many obstacles, but those obstacles were no match for what my parents endured being away from me for so many years in order to work and ensure I had a better life than they did. When I moved in with my parents in San Francisco, I appreciated catching up on lost time. However, I also often found myself upset when my parents recounted their day and how hard they worked. It hurts me to see the pain and exhaustion in their eyes when they came home after working two full-time jobs. I felt compelled to lighten
It was early July of 1992, just four days right after the United States Independence Day, my arrival to the “land of opportunities” was a mixture of excitements and worries. After fifteen long years of not seeing my family, I was reunited with them and the long wait was finally over. After three days and two long nights of traveling, the plane finally arrived to the Los Angeles airport; I was feeling so nervous but at the same time, I was very happy to see them. As I approached the arrival station, I immediately saw my family and I started running towards them and gave each other warm, big, and very tight hugs. Warm tears started pouring down both my cheeks without me realizing that this was even happening. Suddenly,
“Dear passengers, our plane has landed in the John F. Kennedy airport” - announced pilot. Finally, after 17 hours of sitting on a plane, I could walk. While I was waiting for passport control I thought about my future plans, like getting my diploma and going to top college. And everything seemed to be easily achievable. I know, that I was quite
me wear a cheongsam on the first day of the lunar New year. As usual,
Wednesday, October 13, 2013 is a date I will never forget. On that day, time stopped for a moment. I was sixteen and only had my license for a month. I was so excited about having so much freedom, that I was driving every day, with no hesitation. I was invincible,or so I thought. This day changed my thinking completely. What started out as a normal day, quickly turned into one that was very different from any other. I had just gotten out of cheer practice and was on my way home. On the way, I realized that I needed gas, so I decided to go through South Carolina, since they have the lowest gas prices. It was not out of the way, so to say. It was just another rout home. It was not the first time I had taken this way, but, it was definitely the last.
Everyone has a memorable unforgettable moment in their life time and will charish that momement as long as they live. I am one of those many with a memorable loving moment. I will never forget it and happy to share it with others. It has been one of many favorite moment in my life. That it even open my heart to be happy and always thankful.