ROBIN HOOD OR PINOCCHIO

Anyone who has read “A Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez knows the history of the civil wars in Colombia since the nineteen century. As a result of many years of social conflicts in Colombia, an organization called the National Liberation Army (ELN) was founded in 1987. The ELN was inspired by the Cuban Revolution, and it was relied on the strategies of Che Guevara. This group was an expression of resistance against the government and the unequal society. The ELN wanted to be Colombian’s Robin Hood. Their vision was to protect the poor people, fight against the oligarchy, and develop an equal society. Unfortunately, as the years passed, their dream of a socialist country become just a mask to hide their dirty purposes of richness and power. They started dealing drugs, kidnapping and killing people for money. The ELN became the image of our country in the world. Everywhere, Colombia was synonymous with guerrillas and drugs. They painted the history of Colombia with red and black and with blood and death, affecting my family in several ways.

The ELN caused a massive movement of farmers and indigenous from the land to the cities. They needed a big army to fight, so they forced young people to join them. As a result, families started moving to the cities afraid of losing their members and their lives. They also needed places to stay and food to eat, so they used violence to make people leave their farms. Around the cities you could see Indians barely dressed asking for money, and breast feeding their babies, with three or four children by their side. On their lands, they used to have everything to live, sown fields and animals. In contrast, they were lost and hungry in the city. This situation created a lot of poverty and insecurity in the cities. Some members of my family were victims of this. For example, my grandfather used to have a very rich coffee farm in Armenia, a coffee city of Colombia. Ten years ago, the guerrilla group forced him to leave his land and his cattle, so they could set up a drug laboratory. Last year, he turned 98 years old. He always talks all about everything he left behind. He feels nostalgia and sadness. He was a very hard worker all his life, and suddenly he couldn’t work on his land anymore. He was lost. In his heart he always keeps the hope of living there again, the only place he can call home.

The ELN, also had an economic impact in my family. I belong to a trader family. Some members of my family work trading fruits and vegetables and others trade with cattle. The guerrilla group used to charge a fee to farmers in order to protect them; if people resisted to pay, they would kill their cattle, burn their farms, or in the worse case, kill them. Basically, they wanted to protect people against the same guerrillas. It can be very confusing to understand, but basically the rule was “if you give me money, you are safe”. Sometimes the fees were so expensive that most of the businesses worked to pay those fees. Consequently, some members of my family lost their businesses.

Finally, the ELN had an impact in the way my family lived, spent time and took vacation. They were the owners of the roads in Colombia. My cousins and I used to spend every vacation on our farm, climbing trees, helping grandpa to select the coffee, giving food to the animals, chasing squirrels, drinking fresh milk every morning and taking showers in the river. We were there in complete happiness and freedom. When the guerrilla group appeared in that region we weren’t able to travel there anymore. We took pains to give up our vacation. We were trapped in a cage. We were forced to spend every vacation in the city. People weren’t able to travel by car anymore because of the risk of being kidnapped or killed. In fact, when I was nineteen years old, my best friend was killed by the guerrilla group. He and his uncle were traveling by car from one city to another when suddenly, they saw the guerrillas. The guerillas asked them to stop, but they didn’t. They knew they would be kidnapped. Subsequently, the guerilla started shooting at them; thus, my friend died at the age of seventeen. After that, his family decided to move to United States, and they have been living here ever since.

Although the ELN is still part of my country, in Colombia the situation is quite different now. We have a strong president named Alvaro Uribe Velez. He took the power in a moment when the guerrilla group was the king of Colombia. The ELN was the owner of towns in Colombia. The Colombian army could never enter on those places; thus, they became the most dangerous places of the country. The president returned the sovereignty of our country to the people above every place of Colombia. In addition, he is motivating guerrilla members to leave that life and go back home. Also, he is working on programs to help them to adjust to a new civil life. Colombian citizens are trying to keep him in the power since he has been the only one who returned the faith to our country. Now we can travel everywhere, other countries are investing in Colombia, more people are traveling to our country, and this year for the first time, my grandfather was able to go back to the place he loves the most, his home.

Who Am I ?

Who Am I?

No torture, no shot, no illegal arrival, I’m just but a daughter of a very smart admiral. In fact, my dad was promoted to admiral and led the Indian Ocean based fleet in 1987. At the same time, the Iran-Iraq war broke out and gave the French navy, a significant role. The French president at the time, Francois Mitterrand, visited the French forces several times, and my dad had the opportunity of being highly exposed. From that time, my dad made an impressive take off, and he ended up being Joint Chief of Staff for four years. As my father had become of the most prominent military leader in France, it had created a fantastic environment for my whole family, but on the other hand, I have felt that my personality and my identity have been weakened.



During those ten years, which my father served as a top member of the French government and military, I had numerous opportunities to mingle with very prominent people in fantastic places. I lived with my family at “ecole militaire” which is a tremendous public mansion in the seventh district in the heart of Paris. It was a dream. There was a large staff with a few cooks ready to please us, and several servants, and a very efficient laundry women who were there just to serve us. There was a big difference between my family’s life before that time. Besides, at this time, we had a lot of private dinners with Mitterrand, and I never felt shy. I felt very comfortable speaking with him like a common person. I had a strong interest in all he said and I enjoyed mingling with many famous secretaries. By the way, I also remember a great cocktail at the Elysee palace where my father gave a high French reward to Colin Powel, and I had a great time chatting with him. As a result, I loved this new life in this new world because it was fun and exciting.

The second effect of being in this new world was that it allowed me to be very well at ease in those kinds of environments, and this helped me to develop an open-minded approach too. Therefore, I’m like a fish in the sea in every new situation. I feel no fear, no apprehension when I walk into a party and I don’t know anyone. I usually introduce myself with pleasure, and I love to be interested in people’s lives. I’m an easygoing person, and it helps me in many situations. Moreover, it has created a strong desire to discover new people in different contexts. When my husband was sent to work in the USA, I was delighted. It was a good opportunity to discover a new world. I was not afraid at all, and I was so happy to share this experience with my kids. Also, I didn’t want them to be stuck in a comfortable Parisian life and standing in our cocoon forever. In fact, I think I have this kind of attitude due to my father’s career, which has allowed us to be open with everyone, and I also want my kids to benefit from this lucky advantage.

On the other hand, when I was in France there were some disadvantages to be the daughter of my well-known father. I always was viewed by my father’s name, and I never knew if someone was interested in meeting me or getting closer to my father. This has been a deep frustration for many years and maybe the most important motivation to leave my country. I remember when I was twenty-two, I had some young navy officers who invited me for a cruise in Greece, but I didn’t know if it was for me or for getting closer from my dad. I was in love with one of them, but even with him, I was not sure if he was a suitor for my name or for me. Moreover, being uncertain about who am I for others has helped develop a dangerous lack of self-confidence. I have always been proud of my father, but at times I need to know who I am, and I remember that every so often I felt stupid living with a smart guy who has a very strong desire to succeed in his life. I deeply love him, but I had never felt that I am not good enough to be close to him.

To conclude, my dad is the fifth generation of naval officers in my father’s side, and most likely the smartest one and most aware of the political and strategic stakes. As a result, he had taken a career, which gave us a fantastic opportunity to belong to a powerful society with a comfortable life style. However, I have always wondered who I really am, and It helps explain why I had been so keen to leave that environment and experience a brand new country where I would be totally free of his legacy. Starting from scratch might be a good solution to answer my question, and I have already found relief through this thought process.

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The Chinese American Railroad

The Chinese American Railroad
When you are on an American railroad today, do you ever think about who built it? Most laborers came from my hometown, which is well known as being “China’s First Homeland for Overseas Chinese.” One hundred years ago, my hometown was affected by war and natural disaster, so it was hard for people to live in that situation; at the same time, America was a developing country, which needed a lot of cheap workers for the railroad construction. As a result, many strong young men signed a long-term labor contract for the American railroad. They couldn’t write a letter back home because they lacked education, and there was no telephone in the past; thus, most of them left and lost communication with their Chinese families. My great-grandfather was one of the people who kept away from his family by the American railroad for good. My great-grandfather’s choice has had a deep influence on my family throughout the generations.

At the beginning, his choice let my great-grandmother become a strong and lonely single mother. After her husband left, my great-grandmother became the head of the household. My great-grandfather didn’t send back any money, so she had to work very hard. Even though she was pregnant at that time, she worked day and night. If she stopped working, her children and old parents would have nothing to eat. Also, this change made my great-grandmother feel lonely. At that time, women wouldn’t remarry even if their husband died. It is traditional woman’s thinking. Although my great- grandmother knew that it was hopeless for her husband to come back, she would live lone the remainder of her life; thus, sometimes my great-grandmother glanced at the window at night and wept in silence.

In addition, my grandfather had a hard time during his childhood and adulthood without his father. My grandfather began to help family when he was eight, and he escaped from school twice a week. When his classmates were learning with their fathers, he was going to catch fish and sell them. As a result of this, he had bad grades in primary school and didn’t finish it. It was hard to find a job without education. And he has worked as a fisherman until now. In addition, it was hard to find a woman to marry. In our small village, everybody knew that he was bought up in a single family. Even in an arranged meeting with a woman from another village, she also knew it by investigating. It was an honor to have a father in America, but it was not an honor to have an American father that didn’t come back. Finally, my grandfather met my grandmother who has also never seen her father’ face. There have been many children in single families because their fathers left for the American railroad at that time.

Finally, this history lets me cherish my new life in America and my family in China. It was not easy for the early Chinese who lived in America. The railroad workers like my great- grandfather were called “Small Pig”, which means they sold themselves to the signed contract. Compared to my great grandfather’s life in America, I feel lucky now. I have a better life to be an American Chinese. I have a chance to have a good education; thus, I cherish my life and work hard for my dream. Moreover, because of my great- grandfather’s influence, my family is afraid that I will do the same thing as my great- grandfather. They call me every week to make sure that I don’t suddenly disappear, and remind me that I am a Chinese girl who has family that misses me in China. Learning from my great-grandfather’s story, I have never lost myself in a big city. In my heart; I have always lived in a small town with my big family.

Today, when I am on the American railroad, I think of my great-grandfather and his effects on my great-grandmother, grandfather and me. It may be not have been a good choice, but my family has never blamed him. In my great-grandmother’s heart, he will always be a gentleman, and in my grandfather’s heart, he will always believe that he is a good father. Although I don’t know where he is now, he is always in my heart.

Being Muslim in America

Being Muslim in America:

Life in the United States is wonderful, but when it comes to practicing another religion it is not wonderful as it sound and not easy like being Buddhism, Judaism, or Muslim is hard because when you move to another country you need to keep your culture and religion. Practicing the Muslim religion is not easy as it sound especially when you are somewhere where the majority of people are not Muslim. One of the problems is praying and reading the Qur’an which needs at least at least three hours everyday. Second is Ramadan which you have to fast for forgiveness and other things. Third will be the celebration after fasting.

Praying and reading the Qur’an is part of the Muslim religion the most important part where we have to read the Qur’an all our life until we finish it, but sometimes even if we were done, we can still read it as many times we want. Prayer means, addressing, making a request, asking for help. In the Qur'an, prayer is also described as turning to Allah with all one's soul or the acknowledgement of one's weaknesses and limited power before Allah's infinite might, and asking for help from Him. In the Islamic religion, we have to pray five times a day. But in the United States you can’t do all that because most of the people don’t read the Qur’an, and it’s hard to find a time to seat and read it. Praying you can do it but you do it while you at home because you don’t really see a lot of Mosques here and you can’t really pray five times a day when you are in the United States because you have other things to do. When you come home you have to pay what you didn’t pray because that what is recommended by the Qur’an.

Ramadan is a part of the Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calender, in which participant Muslims do not eat or drink anything from Dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility. During Ramadan Muslims ask forgiveness for past, pray for guidance into the future. Its is so hard to practice Ramadan in the U.S.A because everywhere you go people eat and when you fast you not suppose to see food or even think about it and imagine in the train or a public place you can’t tell people to stop eating just because you fasting. It is also hard because when the sun set and it’s time to eat, some people are working at that time and can’t come home to eat with their families because it’s in the Qur’an that at that time we need to share our food with friends and family.

Events of Ramadan are the must fun part of being Muslim, one of them is the Islamic holiday the one that marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month. It happens after twenty-nine to thirty days of fasting. It is the Festival of Breaking the Fast, a special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor, everyone puts on their best, preferably new clothes, it is actually the best day because you can get three to four new outfits, and people prays in the morning, followed by visiting relatives and friends, give and receive money from others. It’s a day you can get free money without doing anything; it’s like Halloween to Americans but with money not candy. In America, we don’t celebrate the Islamic holiday anymore because you have to go to school, and it’s not a big holiday because the majority of people are not Muslims; however in Guinea it’s a holiday people don’t go to work and school; as a result we don’t have anymore free money and more new outfits and can’t visit friends and family.

Muslim individuals and families live around the world in many different countries and practice their faith in similar ways. Cultural variations such as type of dress may vary, but fundamentally Muslims are governed by the same principles found in the Qur'an. In America it’s hard to practice it but everywhere you go; you have to find a way to respect and keep practicing your religion but not only your religion but also your culture. So that is even if America is not a perfect place to practice the Muslim religion we still have to keep practicing it and don’t lose our ancestors cultures.

Struggling in the new culture

Struggling in the new culture

Every country has its own culture, so the cultural differences must exist between any two countries. When I studied foreign cultures and local customs from the book in Jimei University for the first time, I was very unfamiliar with them and I couldn’t adjust to the ideas. If you immigrate or transfer to a new country, maybe you will spend one month or more getting used to the daily life of the country or local customs. When I touched American life for the first time, I also struggled in the difficulties to conform to the different cultures in this new environment

When my family first came to America, we had some difficulties with eating habits because American people usually like eating meat such as chicken, beef, and some other food which has a lot of fat and calories. While the food of our country is lighter. We often eat vegetables, seafood and fruit. American fast food is often fried and cooked without a lot of taste. And Americans like different kinds of sauce which is made of tomato and onion. When they eat food, they mix sauce toghter and then put it on the food, but ours is not. We don’t have so much sauce. We just have some simple seasoning like salt, low sodium. Then we put them inside and eat directly. At the beginning, I nearly had nothing to eat because the meat was so greasy. Also I didn’t like the sauce very much because it was so sweet. And I didn’t like the food style or the taste.
My family also had a hard time getting used to paying taxes and the tips when my family first came to America. One day, my uncle took me to the restaurant to have dinner. When we finished, my uncle paid the bill. And then I took the receipt to have a look. I found that the first line was subtotal—the price of food, the second line was tax, the third line was tips—for the server and the last one was total. I didn’t know why consumers have to pay the tax and tips at that moment. Then my uncle told me that we must pay the tax here when we buy anything. In addition, every year we may pay some tax for the federal statetaxer because it is an American law. As for the tips, it is a kind of local customs in America. On the contrary, we don't need to pay taxes and tips in China. At the beginning, I could’t accept to pay them. Every time I bought something, I only saw the original price. And when I paid the bill, I just found that it was very expensive to buy one thing. So I would spend some time considering to buy it or not.
We also had some difficulties in accepting that there were not so many activities here. And I found that American people don't have a lot of activities in the spare time. They only have some big dinner with their family members and have some parties with their best friends or barbecue. However, in China we have a lot of activities. We usually go to KTV to sing songs and dance crazily. Every day when Americans go home from work, maybe they will stay at home and they will not go outside, but we like to go shopping at night, and we can go to the house of our friends or neighbour. We know of our neighbour and get on well with each other. Maybe in America, some neighbors don't know each other. Maybe I was in a new environment and I was very unfamiliar with it, and I have been in America just three months, and I haven't had many friends here. So I have felt that American life was a little boring and uncomfortable because I didn’t have a lot of entertainment, and I couldn’t relax myslf through taking part in the activities.
Despite all these challenges, I have slowly begun to adapt to American life style more and more. And I have overcome some of the difficulties about the cultural differences individually, especially when one person touch the culture of a new country for the first time, it will take he or she more time to struggle or conform to it. In my opinion, new immigrantes should try their best to adapt to the differences in a short time instead of complaining about it because every country has its own history and origions. . No matter which country we live in or visit, we should study how to respect it’s culture and customs.

Soul Visit

One of many holy days that are commemorated in Mexico is The Day of Dead, “El Dia de los Muertos.” Mexico is recognized for its unique tribute to the dead people world wide. Mexico has specific places which are typically recognized for its celebrations that usually last three to four days. During these days the city of Mexico and other states are visited by people from other countries. This is a celebration that not only happens in Mexico, but it’s also celebrated in other countries for catholic people. This day, The Day of the Dead, has a special meaning for my family and me, which is a tradition that had been passed through the generations.

The commemoration to our dead starts with a celebration. One of the first things we do on The Day of Dead is go to church. Usually, my family and I go to church early in the morning. We listen to the mass where the priest name people from our family that had have already died. After the mass is done, we pray. This ritual is usually followed from the oldest member of the family; in this occasion my grandmother will guide us. The cemetery is also important. On this special day, my family and I go to decorate our relative’s graves with flowers and candles. All this is part of the celebration. This is a tradition that I definitely want to keep; if I abandon this part of the culture, I will miss the most important part of it.


Decoration is also fundamental for The Day of the Dead celebration. A traditional altar would have seven steps in white, and each step represents levels of the soul that they must pass to reach their final destination. We place a photograph of each of our relatives that have already passed away. We also, adorner the altar with flowers that have a particular meaning. White represents the sky, yellow represents the earth, purple represents mourning, and finally the official flower that represents the custom the most, marigolds. Usually, the boys and girls from the family contribute to make the banners, which are made in different colors and styles, for example, angels, birds, and chalice. They all hang up on the ceiling around the walls. Candles and food are also part of the decoration; we light a candle for each photograph on the altar. It’s so important for me to maintain this celebration in order to pass on to my children, this way it will be worth my grandmother hopes to continuo the custom.

Finally, food is an indispensable part of this custom, which is the most colorful and enjoyable part of this celebration. Next to the photograph on the altar we put the favorite food of the person who has died. Includes enchiladas, tamales, fruit, vegetables and sweets. In addition, beverage beer, coffee, tequila and water are also placed on the altar. Water purifies the soul, and would make the path for the soul more clearly to his or her destination. That’s what my grandmother believes. Moreover, “Pan de Muerto” bread of dead is always place on the altar and not removed until the ritual is totally done. The most common shapes of bread are round. They also have colors that represent the bones of a body. In my family is a tradition to give visitors who came home during the celebration a loaf. In this case my grandmother gives a loaf to each of the visitors. It will maintain the hope of maintaining our family together as it should be even after death.

As a result, a day that should be sad for others because it is full of memories of our dead relatives, for my family is a moment to share feelings. Although most people question why is a there a celebration for a person who just passed away? For us, is a celebration for the souls that come to visit us and stay with us only for a day. A vast celebration that has been in hour family for decades must continue to go on to the generations. As an alder daughter I feel more pressure to follow the costume as closes as possible because my family believes that if I do it, my siblings will too. However, this is significant for me even though my siblings have decided not to follow it. A celebration for The Day of Dead is gratitude, a commemoration for them to be with us. After all, we will all die, which is an
irrevocable truth.

Old Wisdow is at Home

Old Wisdom is at Home

It is hard to imagine when you have to separate from your family simply because they can not take care of you anymore or you do not have any relatives. A few days ago, I watched the news which announced that every year the number of seniors that live in nursing homes increased in this country. In America, sometimes it is normal that seniors live there because their family does not have time to take care of them. Also, the seniors may find more affection in those places. However, the Mexican people believe in the familiar union, so most of Mexican families try to remain together. When I was young I met my four grandparents and I learned many things from them. One of the things was dealing with and respecting the family. Mexicans have the tradition to look after the older members of family. My grandparents taught me how it is important live with seniors, and it is one of the most important, Mexican traditions.

Mexican seniors are respected a lot of because they know many things and they can teach their descendants. Sharing experiences is one of the reasons the grandmother and grandfather lives with their sons or daughters. Before my grandmother died, she lived with us for several years. She taught my mother and me how to make traditional handcrafts. This knowledge helped my mother open a store where she sold many items that she made herself. I also remember when my sister was sick and the doctor’s prescription did not cure her. My Mama Grande that was how we called her, made herb tea and my sister got better. Moreover, she was the best cook. She was always in the kitchen helping my mother to prepare the meals. How I could forget the chicken soup which she prepared on those rainy days. The seniors often have a lot of experience and wisdom which make the life easier.

Often, the seniors need to love of their family when they grow old which is another reason they should receive attention of their progeny. Experts in psychology say that people who stay alone even though they are younger, they are more prone to depression or suicide. Mexican people prefer to live with their grandparents than take them to a nursing home. Frequently, if one of both dies, the other would live with one of the descendants. Because they need talk with someone else, they should not live alone. In my country, if somebody takes their seniors nursing home, it appears they do not care about them. In these cases, the old people think that they are nuisance to their family. My Mama Grande shared many things with me before her die. One of the things was that she did not like to be alone because she always wanted to talk with someone. She remembered my grandfather which made her sad.

In addition, the most important reasons for grandparents should be stay with their children because they always will be part of the family, but not only when they are able to help. Sometimes old people are a good support to their son or daughter and they always will take care of them. However, when a grandfather become unable to do many things like walk, clean or eat themselves, they become a nuisance to family members. Consequently, the relatives or progeny do not care about them. I know some seniors at nursing home are happy because they have created a family with others. Nevertheless, my family thinks that every member of the family deserves love, attention and care until her death. These customs unit the family more, and I believe that these thoughts are common among Mexican families.

I know that family is one of the most important issues in all countries, but it is hard to follow you own customs in another country which is not yours. However, some Mexican families try to forget the traditions and customs. My family has grown a through our grandparents’ experience, and I learned that the wisdom is at home. Moreover, it does not matter if the seniors do not have kinship with you because they can teach you a lot of things. Nevertheless, the immigrant people often assimilate customs of the countries they live; after all, every person is free to keep or give up his own background, but his custom of watching over our elders will always be a part of my new American life.

How to adapt to different culture

How to adapt to different culture

Many people aspire to come to America because America is the developed country in the world. But if you are really living in America, you will find that it’s not easy for a foreigner to live. I think language, food and festival are the key that need time to adapt to the different culture.

The language is important obstacle if you live in the new country. When I first came to the United States, I couldn’t understand people saying as if I went to the new world. I went everywhere with my electronic dictionary like everyday, when I want to say something, I use it to translate from Chinese to English. But sometimes it made me awkward because some words you can’t translate. I remembered one day in class teacher let us to make a topic, and my classmate tell me a topic, I think it’s not good and a little laughable. I translated into English and tell her “this topic is stupid.” She suddenly got angry. I don’t know what happened because in China, it’s just like joke means not good. But in America, it’s more serious. So I apologized to her and I feel so embarrassed. Sometimes your language can’t say by translation in different country; you have to know their culture and said their language.

The food is the part of culture and can reflect food culture of a country. When you ask someone about culture of country, they will think about the food of this country first. I was living America for sometimes I have to eat American food though I like Chinese food. There are many restaurants in America, but I still can’t find a traditional Chinese restaurant. If you really want to eat traditional Chinese food, I think there is only one way and that means going to China. But I ate the traditional food one time in America, because my mother cooked for me last mouth when she toured in America. When I ate my mother’s cooking as if returned to my hometown. It reminded me a lot of interesting things at the time of my childhood.

The festival is also important part of culture. People who come from different country have different ways to celebrate festivals. It’s like some Chinese festival American do not celebrate. Last year, I had to go school on the Spring Festival in America because Americans doesn’t celebrate it. That day made me feel lonely and yearn for family. And in china we do a lot of things for preparing Spring Festival such as hanging up couplets and lanterns, and making dumplings and fireworks. I live in America now, I also celebrate American Festival. Last Christmas day, my friend who is American took me to his grandparents’ house and celebrated Christmas. It was a big party and a lot of people got together eating just like Chinese Spring Festival.

Adapting to a new culture can be difficult, maybe need time to fix the culture. The culture is the symbolizing of a country or a nation, so it reflects history of a country. It’s like I am Chinese, so I eat Chinese food, I speak Chinese and I celebrate Chinese festivals. If you want to adapt new culture, you need more time to know the culture and solve the obstacles what are hard parts of cultures for you to fit.

Lost in Translation

Lost in Translation

I received My Visa for The United States and bought the ticket come to America. America is huge and it has different culture and language. I wasn’t worried at first until I came here. I was confused. I found many different problems when I lived here. I have to bring my own language, culture and custom to America. I have many friends come from many countries. I learned how to communicate with other people. I’m not confident when I talk with American people. In the same time, I have encountered many problems with communication, culture and respect in America.

Being respectful is an important thing for Thai people. In Thailand we have to respect people who older than us. When we go to school every morning, we have to “Wai”. This means we have to put two hands together and bow our head to the teacher. We have “Wai Khru Ceremony” on the first semester in school. At on that day all of students at my school have to go to the hall and do an activity together. The students bring flowers to teachers and pay our respect to them and say “thank you”. In America, I think it is difficult to do this kind of activity because we have many students that are from different countries.

Thailand Festival and New Year Thai style is what I miss most. When I was in Thailand, I worked in Bangkok. I had to come back to my home town every New Year to celebrate it with my family. I have a party with my family in New Year Eve. We cook dinner and eat together before New Year comes. In the early hours of the morning is when we celebrate the first day of New Year. Hundreds people in my hometown present food and flowers to the monks. On opposite side of the road we have to stand behind the table. We start at 6.00 am. Everybody prepare food for the monks. Each monk has a person to help them prepare for the festival at the temple. After the monks finished eating their food, they have to bring food to poor people. I think this activity makes people in our community join together. When I came to the US, I didn’t celebrate New Year Thai style anymore because New Year is celebrated differently.

The last important thing is communicating with other people. Before I came here, I learned English language at school. When I came here, I found it very different. I started working at a Thai restaurant. There are many times when the customer wants me to explain the food on the menu but when I tried to explain they were still confused. I was very upset that day. Thai language is not the same language anywhere else in the world. Often times people think Asian speak the same language. It’s hard for me to explain to people that we speak different languages.

Many times when a person wants me to explain something about my country and I try to explain but sometimes it doesn’t work. It’s hard for them to understand me. When I work at the Thai restaurant, I find many grammar mistakes with my co-worker. All of those problems are happen when you move to another country. I have to learn more how to improve myself in different ways and adopt to my new life.

CHAMPAING SHOWER

Imagine a group of people throwing champaign at each other’s bodies, eating grapes with complete focus and concentration, and running around the neighborhood with their luggage. It may sound a little crazy or weird, but that is the way some Colombian’s people celebrate the New Year. If you are Colombian and you live in another country, you may have to sacrifice the most part of your New Year traditions. We called these traditions “Agueros”. When I just came to Chicago three years ago, I decided to forget about my traditions for the New Year. I was in America, and I wanted to enjoy an American New Year’s celebration. I didn’t have any family here, so I went to my friend’s house. I was waiting for that day with excitement. When we got there, I was completely surprised to see everybody doing different things but celebrating, at least not the way I thought. I still have the picture in my mind. Most of the people were playing video games, talking on the phone or watching TV. They didn’t have any music at all. It was just one word to describe it “BORING”. That was the most boring night of my life, and at that point I wished I could be at home celebrating with my crazy family and doing weird things. Last year, for New Year’s, I decided to take the plunge. I was in Chicago celebrating with my husband and some friends at home. I decided I was going to have fun and keep my traditions for good luck during the holiday.

The first tradition says that you should eat twelve grapes, and with each grape you eat you make a wish for the New Year; it can be about money, health or love. Before twelve o’clock, I separated the twelve grapes for each person. I also packed my luggage and I put a champaign bottle on the table ready for the toast. At twelve o’clock, I explained to everybody about the grapes, and I thought everybody would be really excited about the idea of making wishes. They just had to eat a grape and make a wish, easy. When everybody had their own grapes, I was really surprised when some of the guests told me they didn’t know what to ask for. They basically had everything they need. I couldn’t believe my ears. In my country, people spend most of the time praying to God in order to get things and wishing they could have everything they don’t have. I was really confused; I didn’t know if think that these people were so happy about their lives that they just couldn’t ask for more, or if they were so selfish that they couldn’t think of the rest of the impoverished world. That day I felt really bad. Everybody was looking at me like “why are you so dissatisfied with your life that you need to eat grapes and make wishes”?

After my first failure I decided to keep going with my plan. The second tradition says that if you pack a bag and run around your neighborhood with your bag, you will travel a lot during the next year. So I put some clothes inside my bag, I took it and I went out alone. I knew nobody was going to follow me. I did it while my husband was trying to find a place to hide, so he didn’t have to give explanations of my behavior to anybody. When I went out I saw everybody staring at the window looking at me and maybe thinking “this girl is really weird”. But the hardest part wasn’t the public embarrassment; it was all the snow outside that made it hard to walk. It was also so cold that after ten steps, I went back home. I wonder why I didn’t travel anywhere this year!

The third omen says that if you get some champaign on your head or body after the toast the next year you are going to have a lot of money. I decided to give everybody a glass of champaign for the toast. At that moment I wasn’t going to do anything different than drink my champaign, wish a happy New Year to everybody and go to bed. Everything was fine until I decided that it would be so much fun if we could get some champaign on our body for prosperity. So I took my glass and I dropped the Champaign on one of my friend’s head. You don’t want to know what happened that night.

If you think those things are not weird enough, let me tell you that we also hide coins in plants for prosperity, fill our pockets with coins and bills, wear yellow underwear inside out, hide potatoes under our beds, boil aromatic plants and we clean our houses with that water. We also mop our house from inside to outside while we pray, and if you want to find your soul mate the next year, the first person you have to kiss on the New Year has to be the opposite sex. After my experiment I learned that “when in Rome do as the Roman’s”. I have decided to keep my traditions just for my family celebrations in Colombia. I also decided to ask for less and feel more thankful for all the good things I have in my life. I feel so lucky just thinking about the people who love me and the ones I love and care about. I can’t ask for more love, health and wealth in my life.

My Decision

When I decided to move to another country my intentions were never to abandon my roots I just open a new page in my life that would help me become stronger to achieve my dreams. The fact that I would be another resident in the new city made me ask myself all kind of questions. How I would be able to interact with people in my own language? How could Christmas be from now on? Being in a different place, would I be able to find the typical food? Therefore, I will have to force my self and learn the new language. In addition, I will have to understand that I would be celebrating every 25th of December far from home. And, that I would have to adapt my self with the new cooking styles different from mine. As a result from my decision I am still adapting into several situations, the new language, the Christmas event and the topic food are still hard situations to put in practice in the new country.

First, the new language I was facing has put me through very different moments. It has been very hard to communicate with others. At first, I could not understand what the new world was offering me. Wherever I go, everyone I tried to talk with and every thought I wanted to express was an inability to communicate. It is a slow mental-process in which I still have to absorb as much as information I can in order to exercise my brain. So then soon I will be speaking fluent the language and I’ll be closer to my goals that would send me towards new opportunities.

Another matter I have been facing every year is the classic Christmas Holiday, and that it should be spending with the whole family. It is hard sometimes to find this perfect time, because it is frustrating not be able to get together with my relatives. Despite the remoteness, I decided that I would be helpful to create unusual activities. Thus along all the decorations, my family and I we try to adapt this excitement day in our annual event playing board games and putting up the lights. Even more so, this holiday makes people realize what we all have, and makes me feel thankful to have my brother and mother by my side.

Before moving, food was also something I thought about. Where I ever would find the elements, flavors and dishes that I find back home? The preparations of the new cooking styles were very different mainly because I still cannot find the exact flavor of the typical food. Evidently another effect that emerged was the income I have to spend in order to find the exact topics. For instance, vegetables are much more expensive than in my country. Nowadays it is just the matter to grasp the procedure of every plate so I can feel the original and natural taste from back home.


The fact to move into another country was the best decision I could have done, because I am learning new things of how to handle life no matter the place. In fact what surprise me more was how people appreciate more life when they are far away. Gradually, I am still assimilating the result of my decision, even though I have been living in the country for about two years. However it may be, I am still learning the language, I will always yearn for the day I can reunite with my family and celebrate Christmas, and I am going to look forward for the day I can taste my traditional dishes again.

My Family Traditions

Having moved to the United States in the beginning, I didn’t realize how different my life would be. I had been living in Russia for twenty years before I decided to change my life completely. For me moving to the United States was equal to moving to a new planet. I had to go through a lot of adjustments in cultural differences. I have made new friends, changed jobs and schools and found new stores to shop in. However, there is one thing, which I will never find a replacement. It is my family. Both of my parents and my elder brother are living in Russia. Though we constantly communicate with each other, there is something we are unable to carry through phone or Internet, something valuable and irreplaceable - our family traditions. There are a few of these traditions and habits that I have lost or changed since I came to United States.

The first thing that I started to miss was the food. When I was little my parents used to take my brother and me to our summerhouse where we had a big garden. We went there almost every other day. At the time when we didn’t have a car, we had to take a bus there, which was crowded, loud and hot. By the time we got to the summerhouse, everyone was already tired, but there was the garden where there was always a lot of work to do. Our garden always provided us with fresh organic fruit and vegetables. That was the only type of food I was used to eating. When I came to the United States I had a lot of problems with grocery shopping. In the beginning I could hardly buy any fruit and vegetables because they seemed fake and tasteless for me. It took me a year to find stores and food that I like. Then I realized that nothing tastes like the food at home.

Another of our family traditions that I miss is the celebration of holidays when the whole family gathers together. One of the most remarkable is Easter. Normally it is in the end of April when the weather is warm enough to go for a picnic. According to Orthodox religion we color eggs, bake a special kind of bread and cook a sweet dish made from curd. And with these items and some other food we would go out of town for a picnic. On our way we always stopped by the monastery, where we prayed and swam in a saint stream with the extreme cold water. Then we went to a forest to have the first picnic of the year. There was something unique on Easter day. It was all about what we did and with whom. Now being away from my family and friends I realized that there was something spiritual about those days, something that I cannot find living in this country.

The most significant family custom was when we had a meal together. At the table no one could start eating his or her meal before our father sat down. If he was busy, we waited for him and he was always the one to have the first bite. It is a tradition that has lasted for generations in our family. And now living away from it, I still share the idea that everybody should start meal all together. I tried to bring in this tradition when I ate with my roommates or friends. However, I was never insistent. Unfortunately, it did not work out because as I have noticed, a lot of people become more self-concerned in the United States and they do not always care about waiting for everybody else.

These are a few of my family traditions that are very precious and impossible to replace. I am very proud of them because they help us to appreciate and respect each other and to be more united as a family. I am glad that I had those traditions because they made me the way I am right now. I am planning following our customs in the future as much as I can. Though I understand that it is impossible to maintain them a hundred percent, there are some that I won’t be able to forget. They are my connection with my family. And these days being away from home I miss my family and those things we used to do. But I truly believe that we will get together soon again. I am also looking forward to the time when I will have my own family so that we will cherish our own traditions no matter on which side of the world we live.

change

Jim
Level 6
Sept13, 2008
Change

Stability is the most valuable thing in my country. I always thought my family was stable. Although I knew my life would change when I moved to America, I actually wasn’t aware that it would be so radical. Immigration would affect my three generations, and it would make me lose many things. It would not only change my employment, my home and my relationships, but also would change my language, traditional holidays and cultural values.
Language is the symbol of national status, but a changing language has made any transition to the U.S difficult. I’m from China and I have always spoken Chinese. When I moved to Chicago, I found I was surrounded by English; I immediately became a deaf and dumb person. For example, in my ESL classes, it was hard for me to understand the American language and it was difficult for me to make Americans understand me. English was our only form of communication, my teachers often said“Don’t speak Chinese, it is impolite.” In addition, without knowing English, I can’t find a good job and I can only live in Chinatown. My family’s language has changed; my mother still speaks Chinese, even though she is an American citizen. My daughter speaks English at school, and she doesn’t know Chinese well. I often need to use English to explain things to her; I have to change my language in order to communicate with her. I study English most of the time and sometimes I even forget my own national language, Chinese.
Another important symbol of national tradition is holidays. Everybody knows holidays can give joy and benefits and every holiday has different meanings and history. Chinese holidays are very different from American holidays, such as the Chinese New year and Mid-August Festival; these are the most important holidays for Chinese people. Every family member will come together during the holiday; it is a way of reinforcing family ties. However, in this country sometimes we have to go to school and work during the Chinese New year and Mid-August Festival. We can’t take a break and celebrate the holiday because it isn’t an American holiday, and No Chinese person can’t take off school or work to celebrate it. My family hasn’t gotten together since I moved to the U.S. We have begun to lose our holiday which used to bring us together.
Cultural values are probably the most important part of my life, but they have changed since I came to America. In China, a successful family is three generations living together. People treat seniors with respect and take care of they until them die. In addition, children always obey their parents. So, one day when I heard my mother say that “she will move to shield senior apartment” I was surprised. My mother explained “every senior-citizen likes to move to shield senior apartment in America, I need more space to spend my golden age.” What surprised us than more my mother’s statement was my daughter’s statement. One day, she said to my wife“my teacher tells me you can’t beat me. If you do, I will call the police.” After this statement, my wife and I found our family link has beginning to break.
My family and I have recognized that immigration has changed the status of my family. My family and I have heard many stories about immigrants from my sister, my mother and the last generation. We also get information from other relatives and friends about foreign life in America. The Chinese nation is a hardworking nation. Most Chinese people can adapt to any situation. According to American values, change is a good thing and change is linked to improvement, progress and growth. We don’t need to fear change. Like Chicago history, if there had never been the great Chicago fire, it wouldn’t be the third largest city of The US. We believe, my teacher said, “there is great rebuilding after a large fall. You should build a heaven and earth in a new world”.

change

Jim
Level 6
Sept13, 2008
Change

Stability is the most valuable thing in my country. I always thought my family was stable. Although I knew my life would change when I moved to America, I actually wasn’t aware that it would be so radical. Immigration would affect my three generations, and it would make me lose many things. It would not only change my employment, my home and my relationships, but also would change my language, traditional holidays and cultural values.
Language is the symbol of national status, but a changing language has made any transition to the U.S difficult. I’m from China and I have always spoken Chinese. When I moved to Chicago, I found I was surrounded by English; I immediately became a deaf and dumb person. For example, in my ESL classes, it was hard for me to understand the American language and it was difficult for me to make Americans understand me. English was our only form of communication, my teachers often said“Don’t speak Chinese, it is impolite.” In addition, without knowing English, I can’t find a good job and I can only live in Chinatown. My family’s language has changed; my mother still speaks Chinese, even though she is an American citizen. My daughter speaks English at school, and she doesn’t know Chinese well. I often need to use English to explain things to her; I have to change my language in order to communicate with her. I study English most of the time and sometimes I even forget my own national language, Chinese.
Another important symbol of national tradition is holidays. Everybody knows holidays can give joy and benefits and every holiday has different meanings and history. Chinese holidays are very different from American holidays, such as the Chinese New year and Mid-August Festival; these are the most important holidays for Chinese people. Every family member will come together during the holiday; it is a way of reinforcing family ties. However, in this country sometimes we have to go to school and work during the Chinese New year and Mid-August Festival. We can’t take a break and celebrate the holiday because it isn’t an American holiday, and No Chinese person can’t take off school or work to celebrate it. My family hasn’t gotten together since I moved to the U.S. We have begun to lose our holiday which used to bring us together.
Cultural values are probably the most important part of my life, but they have changed since I came to America. In China, a successful family is three generations living together. People treat seniors with respect and take care of they until them die. In addition, children always obey their parents. So, one day when I heard my mother say that “she will move to shield senior apartment” I was surprised. My mother explained “every senior-citizen likes to move to shield senior apartment in America, I need more space to spend my golden age.” What surprised us than more my mother’s statement was my daughter’s statement. One day, she said to my wife“my teacher tells me you can’t beat me. If you do, I will call the police.” After this statement, my wife and I found our family link has beginning to break.
My family and I have recognized that immigration has changed the status of my family. My family and I have heard many stories about immigrants from my sister, my mother and the last generation. We also get information from other relatives and friends about foreign life in America. The Chinese nation is a hardworking nation. Most Chinese people can adapt to any situation. According to American values, change is a good thing and change is linked to improvement, progress and growth. We don’t need to fear change. Like Chicago history, if there had never been the great Chicago fire, it wouldn’t be the third largest city of The US. We believe, my teacher said, “there is great rebuilding after a large fall. You should build a heaven and earth in a new world”.

Meaning of Silence

Most Japanese people are interested in how Judo has become similar to western style wrestling recently. Japanese and other martial arts enthusiasts love its thrilling competition when a player throws the opponent to the ground. In order to win by these dynamic techniques, the player holds his breath and waits a short period to grab his opponent’s collar. This is the typical style of Judo in Japan. New international rules in the Beijing 2008 Olympics viewed this short period as negative. Japanese people add value to a short pause and silence. Before I moved to the US, I did not expect that only Japanese people can understand importance of pausing and silence. Silence is meaningful in Japan because it is a symbol of respect; however, this custom has not been easy to carry out me over to this new country.First, Japanese people express politeness by a short period of silence. It is only for a half second. For example, if you have a phone call with an elder person, we wait a moment so that he can hang up the phone. We pause for a second before hanging up even with friends. When I moved here, I was afraid to answer the phones. American people always hung up the phone right away at the end of the conversation. I always worried whether I said something bad in the conversation. For example, in Japanese culture if your friend hangs up the phone like people in this country, it means that she is angry at you about something. It may mean the end of your relationship.

Second, the classrooms are quiet in Japan. A student only speaks when she gets her turn. The classroom should be calm, not disturbing or noisy. Japanese students usually solve their answers in their minds. American people say Japanese people are shy. In some point, it is correct. We are educated that we should think for a moment well before saying something. Students always sit at their desks with blank faces for a short second before they answer the question. If I follow that way in this country, a teacher might think I am not participating in the class. However, the students admit that they are participating in the class in Japan as long as their hands are raised.

Finally, in spite of the two above examples, Japanese women are afraid of silence in the washroom. To absorb that natural noise, Japanese women flush away right after sitting on the toilet. In most public washrooms in Japan, the recorded flushing sound comes automatically, like turning on the music when you get inside of the separated door. The Japanese government used to spend a lot of money on advertisements to convince women to discontinue this habit due to waste. However, they have not had any other choice but to install speakers in every separate lavatory throughout the country. They could not change the women’s principles even though they are conscious about green-friendly lifestyle. When I finally stopped flushing the toilets here, I thought that I had finally adapted to this country.

All these stories are just a few examples. I have faced a lot of misunderstanding because I kept American people waiting for me to act or respond. Japanese people are energetic even if they do not voice their opinions loudly. We understand a meaning if someone is silent briefly, and silence is not always a good meaning. To avoid pausing for a short period in Judo means losing part of the original Judo – 柔道 to alphabetical Judo. Consequently, this change tells us a short period of silence is significant only for Japanese people who are accustomed to its cultural behavior. Pausing and silence have been input into my brain and body, like always stepping into a room with left foot. For now, I keep these clock timing silences tucked away somewhere in my body as I recreate my US lifestyle.

Lost in the U.S

As an immigrant, have you ever found that you have lost something after you moved to a new country? I left my country for the U.S. with misgivings in 2006, but fortunately, I live in Chinatown. I have felt comfortable staying in the Chinese community because everything looks almost like it did in China. I have lived in Chinatown for two years. Most parts of my life look not too much different from China, but I still feel strongly that I have lost something as a complete Chinese.

Food is the first thing that tells me that I have lost something in my daily life in the U.S.. I never tried any frozen food in my country. The first dinner that I had in the U.S. was on the first day I got to Chicago. The dinner was held in my parents- in-law’s house. I was so happy to meet my new family members and everything that I never saw before, except the new taste of the Chinese food. In fact, the food looked as nice as the traditional Chinese food, but the taste was really strange for me. I ate very less than usual at dinner that night, but I didn’t say anything about the food because I have good manners. My mother-in-law seemed to know that was going on. She explained to me that almost all food in the U.S. is frozen even though this is Chinatown. She agreed that the taste of the food is never as good as them in China. I realized that we all felt exactly the same. Anyway, I have to adapt to the new taste of the Chinese food in the future. However, even now, I still can’t adapt to the new taste of the food. I missed my home town’s food very much.

Language is another thing that makes my feeling lost in this country. I understand people’s talking if I stay in Chinatown. However, language becomes difficult for me if I left the Chinese Community. I have been a college student for tow years in the U.S., but I still feel nervous when I talked to the native people in English. I don’t like to talk with others even Chinese people. I clearly know that the main problem is my bad English. I hate to spend a lot of time to express a simple thing. I just want to escape out this situation and go back to my home. I realized that I have lost my confidence for the language in this new country.

The Chinese festivals are the most important thing that effects me feeling lost in my new immigrant life. Mid-autumn festival, Chinese New Year and Tomb-sweeping Day are the days that bring the Chinese family members gather together. I always remember those special days, even though my sisters were very busy, they always came back to celebrate for the festival days. My mother would be very busy preparing the big dinner, and we would have a lot of fun during the festivals. We liked to play cards, we singed, or we went to visit relatives. We had a lot of different ways to celebrate the festivals in China. However, I have nothing here now. I need to go to work even on Holidays. I just can say “Happy Festival Days” to my family and friends by phone in the special days. Living in the U.S. makes me really realized that how important the Chinese Festival Days are for me, and it also makes me feel lost in the new country.

I have found that my immigrant’s lives have taken something from me, and I am no longer a complete Chinese person as before. In the future, my children will be completely Chinese-Americans. Maybe they will never understand how my life is, but I will show them where they are from, so that they will know who they are. I think that at least they should know they have one part that belongs to the country of China.

Foreign Life

Moving to another country can be the opportunity of a lifetime. It can be very intimidating to live among people who speak a foreign language,who have very different customs from your native country and who have a special way of life.When you immigate to a strange country,you just like a baby and you lost your parents.You need to do everything by yourself ,nobody can help you .As a consequence,when I immgrated to America,I had special foreign life.I tried something new and did something which I never do it before.
Language is one of special things in my foreign life.When I arrived to Chicago,I was surrounded with English.This city was very different from mine.I only saw all the foreigners and foreign language.Although I learned English many years ago,now I felt I am a dumb.I didn't know how to express myself.I felt I am drown in the sea, and I couldn't find a rope.Many adults find it different to learn a new language and prefer to find friends who speak their native tongue.But for me,I don't like this way of life.So I tried to speak to the foreigners and bought things by myself.I did everything by myself.Although I am already twenty-three years old,I still go to collegethat I can learn more English.Until now, I still speak broken English,but I can communicate with others.

Custom of foreign life is another special thing for me.When people move to another country as an adult,their home country's customs are already deeply engrained in their personality,sometimes making a transition very difficult.There is a small example in my foreign life.One day,I saw a big store beside Walgreens.I entered the store,and I found there were many old things.You know,I never saw a second-hand store before.To my suprise,so many old things were sold in the second-hand store,like clothes,shoes, furniture and toys.As a chinese people,I couldn't accept to buy used things.Because I always thought it's so dirty,and you never know who used this item before.When I throught the used things,I felt so many touch my body .But I couldn't know who they are!After this time,I talked to a American friend and told her what I thought about the second-hand store.My friend told me that the second-hand stores were very simple and popular in America.Because it's very environmenta that you use the used things.I very agree with my friend.Now,Unique is one of my favorite stores.On the one hand,I maintain the custom of my own country.On the other hand,I would like to learn and follow some foreign custom which I think it are useful.

living style is the most special things in my new life.Becauce my father has a new family in theU.S.I need to live by myself in America.It's very specical for chinese people that the children liveby themselves befor they marry. Because in chinese people opinion,children should live withtheir parents until they marry.Family is the most important parts in their lifetime.They always hope the whole family can live together and never separate.So before I immgrated to America,I never thought I will live without my family.Everyting is very difficult to do at the beginning.When I lived alone,I always felt lonely.And more and more questions were appeared.I
must cook wash clothes and clear up the room.I must do everything by myself.I never know how many work need to do when you live alone.But I really felt more and more strong after I live alone.I can handld many knotty problem by myself.



I had face many special problem in my foreign life,not only language.custom and way of life,but also so many things.It's really hard for a chinese who grew up in China.If I had never immgrated to America,I wouldn't have these special experiences.I wouldn't know how to talk with foreigners.I would't shopping at a second-hand store comfortable.I wouldn't have a chance to live alone.If I never like that.Those difficulty were really useful in my lifetime. I believe moving to a new country presents a greatopportunity to learn and improve yourself.