"LETTER TO MY NEW IMMIGRANTS BROTHERS AND SISTERS"

Welcome to the country of the opportunities...!!!


First at all, I would like to give you some advice and warnings, to avoid your

gettting into trouble in this country...


1.- I recommend as soon as you start looking for a job you also try to find an

English school, because without English you will have to many difficulties, because

this is the country where English is spoken.


2.- Also as soon as you have time, start study the driving liscence book. And

learn all the rules of the State do you are living at. Try to follow those rules

exactly the way did you learned, them, because tickets are very very expensive!!!.

And you might not be able to afford them. I will also recommend you to get very good

car insurance, because the more legally do you drive the more problems you will

avoid...


3.- Also at the time you are studying and working try to save some money to buy a

good car, it doesn't really matter if it is not brand new, but enough for you needs.

I also recommend you to buy a cell phone you might not need

it, but everyone has one.


4.- Try to make nice friends, and avoid the troublemakers, remember you are new in

this country and you don't know yet the consequences, when you do something wrong.


5.- I also recommend you, to help people such as new immigrants that way

you won't loose your mind and forget, that you are immigrant too.


6.- You will have struggle, to complete any goals that you promise your self, it will

be challenge to you to reach high, life is not easy... keep working on it...


7.- I know in fact, it is not easy, but whenever there are people around you, try to

keep very nice and beautiful smile!!!!... I mean all the time, even when they don't

return the favor. To any place do you go. In this country are "many many strange

people" too, but not like our home country. Also when they ask you anything in a

bad mood, don't really care about it and answer polite and nicely, they will be

grateful to hear that...

(you will probably make their day!)


8.- When you get invited to a any friend's house for party, try to speak politely,

and have a nice and an important conversation, about good things that do you have

been learning... And how happy do you feel, to have been in this country. (even

with all those difficuties) American people enjoy to talking to people, from other

countries, about good experiences; for example: culture about your country, or just

about the job do you are working at that moment. They also like to speak about

experiences in general life..., be very careful about the words you use to speak

with them.


In conclusion, I just want to say, try to take out all your good humans feelings do

you have and enjoy this beautiful country. Keep working hard with towards your

goals and I hope these tips can help you to have a succeesful life.


And again Welcom Welcome to the U. S. A.

Martha...!!!

"IN MY EXPERIENCE"

In my experience, immigrants help each other whenever we can!!!!!


I'm complete agree about this point, I am immigrant too, and I have very good

experiences more than bad ones.

I came to the U.S. 16 years ago for vacations and, to meet some of my family I didn't

see it for a long time. I was very surprise when my family came to airport to-

pick me up, my cousins, nieces some of them don't know me only by pictures.

Brought me some presents; like flowers, animal stuff and welcome cards, that made

turned on tears. So I was very happy and thinking that my stay in the U. S. will be

very good experience. (was UNFORGETTABLE day)

I have to be honest myself and said, all this time I have been living in the U. S.,

I did help immigrants and vice versa. For example: I remember the first time do I

have to aboard in the bus, but I didn't have idea how to do it and a very good

person, came to me and asked if I need any help?, and I told him yes; this is my

first time and I have no idea how? he told me don't worry I will teach you.

He explain me everything about routes I supposed to take. I couldn't forgot that

day. Been an immigrant is not barrier as long as we can help each other. We have to

help each other out, because sometimes we can't do it by our self.

I always willing to lend a helping hand to help each other succeed, I remember five

years ago I used to go to beauty school, but for some reason I never graduate.

I quit, but during those classes I met a very good girlfriend who followed her

dreams (graduate from beauty school). She is very positive person, I remember she

used to told me Martha; you have to be sure what exactly do you want for your

future don't expend your time for nothing, if you don't like this profession

look for something, that can be very interesting for your self. ( I think she was

right, because I quit) When were used to talk I told her, that she needs to learn

English too at the same time, because you will need it for your profession and,

because this is America; where English is spoken...

I want to say I am so proud about her, because after she got graduate she started

working for somebody else, but she was saving money to have her own place. Two

years later finally she opened her own business.

And now she has five different places; I still can't believed.

Now, when I talk to her, she say Martha you shouldn't quit, (I am thinking she was

right about me) that I didn't like her profession, but I'm follow her advice

too and, I'm sure I will be succeed like her, because now she is a good example for

me. We can work together to solve problems, find each other after drastic changes

in our lives, works here and the extent they're willing to whatever come.

We don't give up on each other. Making new friends, laughing, learning and creating

better forms of life.

Being human is helping other people, for our own richness; share our sadness, in

this way, we can hope to see as many people as possible together and overcome.

However, focusing on helping others feel good is actually a wonderful way!!!!

When you help other people get better, you naturally and automatically learn the way

to enrich your spiritual health, growth and development our sensibility of feelings.

"HACHI THE DOG TAIL"

SONY PICTURES
DIRECTED BY: LASSE HALLSTROM
EDITING BY: KRISTINA BODEN
PRODUCED BY: RICHARD GERE, BILL JOHNSON, VICKI SHIGEKUNI WONG
WRITTEN BY: STEPHEN P. LINDSEY
MUSIC BY: JAN A. P. KACZMAREK
STARRING:
RICHARD GERE,JOAN ALLEN, SARAH ROEMER, JASON ALEXANDER.



"HACHIKO THE DOG HISTORY"



A college professor takes in a dog he finds abandoned, and both find their lives changed forever as they form an unbreakable loyalty to his master.


The true history of friendship between the dog Hachiko and his owner is a legend
among Japanese, a pet-loving nation that honors self-sacrificing loyalty.
Hatchiko used to wait every single day at the train station for its owner, a professor at the University of Tokyo.
Even for decade after the professor died. People were so moved they built a statue of Hachiko, at the station train.
Now a popular spot the history of Hachiko, who himself died in 1935, was made into a 1987 Japanese movie.


As soon as I started watching the movie I fell in love with Hachi.
What a faithful and loyalty dog. This miraculous history made me a big impression about, how much love you can have from dogs or any kind of animals. If you like to have a pet in your house and adopt as your family you will be blessed to enjoy a beautiful company in your heart and in your house too.
I have to be honest, I may not have the right word to describe this wonderful dog history. I can say loyalty, faithfulness and unconditional love, I have to admit that any human couldn't give that kind of unconditional love and be loyalty like Hachi. Those qualities that have earned dogs the title "MANS BEST FRIEND".

Hachi was inseparable friend right away from the start, each day; for example Hachi, used to accompanied his owner to the train station, when his owner have to left for work, was a happiness routine for Hachi who return at the same time every single day and wait for his owner patiently, with tail waging.
The routine continued until one tragic day his owner died before, he couldn't return home. At that time Hachi was less than 2 years old, but the big love between Hachi and his owner was strong. Hachi was continued waiting for his owner each single day at the train station. That is unbelievable love.


Now I have to say, after I watched the movie I became a dog lover!!!!
I promise myself I will be more friendly, compassionate and patient too, with dogs, cats and any pet in the world. The movie taught me a lesson about life: how much love you can have from dogs or any animal.
Finally Hachi died at the same spot he last saw his best friend alive.
( what a sad momentit was for Hachi)

I feel very honor about Hachi and I admire him who was a warm and wonderful canine!!!

I still crying when I remembering Hachi's experience how painful was for him, I can feel his pain...

My heart is broken in many pieces...

"MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON"

I am consider myself a night person, but I think I am a combination of both.

For example: in the mornings; I like to wake up early, if the day is bright and sunny, make feel I will have a wonderful and productive day.
I can walk for a while to get some energy and start my long day. Come back home and drink cup of coffee and eat light breakfast. After that start working in my garden doing some weeding and mow the lawn I really like to do that.

After finishing I go back in the house and do some cleaning too, for example: laundry, vacuum, wash the dishes and cook too.
After all that, I can plan my next day schedule and my goals, because I don't know if I will be able to get off early the next day.

In the mornings I also enjoy visit friends, and going to the mall to look for a good deals. But sometimes I hate the mornings, because there is so much noise, you can't even read a book or watch TV, because too many activities everywhere I know it is morning what do I expect?. This is what everyone is supposed to do.

Nighttime: as soon as it gets dark I feel like I going to my "real world". Its peaceful, and quiet, all the houses, buildings, parks are beautiful looking! With all the lights on, I feel it is Christmas, I really enjoy looking at the lights all over the place.
I also enjoy driving at night. All the roads clear, you noted how big, and how many lanes the freeway has, which is something you can't see in the morning.

I also like to see the moon in the sky, when there is a full moon, what a romantic view I love it!. It really impresses me.
Nighttime it is very special for me, because the darkness make me feel strong and full a happiness. I feel very relaxed and calm ready to enjoy my activities.
Sometimes I go out with my friends to dance or just go to see a movie. I also spend night times with my husband, watching TV or going out to dance and dinner too. I think nighttime has better TV programs for adults, for example: action movies, FBI series.

I am fanatic about watching the Discovery channel about cold cases. And of course computer time, I enjoy to chat with my friends, check my e-mails, play on face book, which is something new for me, but I really enjoy it, I also do my homework at night.

So I can say I am a night person!!!

"BE A MAN OR BE A WOMAN"

I am so happy to be a women, but there are so many things to do I am disappointed.
For example: men have to work hard, but we have to work hard too, but unlike them,
our work doesn't stop when we get home.
We have to cook, clean and also take care of children.
Most of the times women have do everything. And when the men get home, they are "tired, and hungry", they don't even ask, "How are you honey?, and how my children doing?", it is anything do I can help you with"?. For instance they ask what do you do all day?. That's no fair; they not even noticed our house is clean, dinner ready, children and mom waiting for him with a beautiful smile. But daddy is not happy!!!, and he doesn't want anyone to "disturb him", he wants to rest and relax, and of course he needs the TV control.

And I ask myself, "Who thinks about mom?", is she tired?, who cares about her?.
Will somebody help her?, or is she a superhuman!, whoever gets tired?.
I wish one day men could stay home, and do all mommy's job, at least one day, and see if it is simple, and easy to do it by themselves.
And after that they may value mommy's effort.
In fact man don't like to do that kind of things, they hate to do it, I can say most of them hate it.

I have been asking to my family man, what do they like?. And what do they hate? to be a men, and they said; First they like we cook for them, we clean too. Their so proud to be a men because; we were been doing everything for them for many many years.
And they said it is not enough, we should work for them too, and pay everything.
(I prefer not to do any "comments") They made me got really angry!!!
But, however I love to be a women even with all those negatives "things and reasons".(If we can call that) Most of my life I have been admired, all women in the world.
In particular, those women who were suffered domestic violence.
They are strongest, and they faith for our rights. Also they protect them children, and give battle to bad things can happen to them.

I am so proud to be a woman, even when a men think, we born to serve them. I love cook, clean, and take care of anything about my house and, to my husband too. Because he is with different thoughts. He grew up with single MOM.
Who had feed 7 children by herself, so he knows how hard women work, and he really appreciates, and admire his MOM.
So in fact, my husband know women is the "best in the world", he respects every single women, and values the effort from his mom. That's right I love my husband he has beautiful feelings about "WOMEN".
It is the result of having of wonderful MOM.
I ask myself why it is only one day to celebrate "Mothers day"?, we should celebrate and to thank every single day....

"MY FUTURE"

"PERSONAL"

First of all, I will be probably less overweight than today, I am on a diet right now, and I also doing more exercise. Because I know it will be better for my health.
My reason number one, to loose weight is to be pregnant.
I am very interested in having a baby.
At least one, especially because life right now, is too expensive and difficult,
and you need to spend time and give a lot love.
I am almost forty years old, but I think it is the perfect time to be a "MOM".
I feel ready for that. And we also planning to going back to Mexico, to visit and spend some time with my parents and my mother- in- law.
And have time for myself and for my husband too. We are in the process to buy our own house, so probably it will be a perfect time for that.
But, we don't want to stay that much long, just enough time.
Because we will back to the U S A and continuing with our normal life.


"OCCUPATIONAL"


I may be working so hard, to pay my school, and maybe for a while.
And my other reason is, as soon as I get a degree, I am going to open my own business.
It is my goal number two, I hope it comes true.
I know it will be hard to save that much money and keep it, for my dream;
to "have my own restaurant" .
I know it is not going to be easy, but I am going to be focused.
It will be near the beach.
I am going to add in the menu " Mexican food " but my main idea is to sell seafood.
I know in fact it will be a very big investment ( about money )
and probably a lot time too.
But, I will be very happy when my restaurant gets ready.



"EDUCATIONAL"


Well right now, I am studying ESL and I am in level six;
my goal is to get a degree or graduate.
However, I think the best level of education you have, it will be good for future; "including personal and occupational". I wish to one day become a professional chef, but for the moment I want to keep with the ESL classes.
Also I am interested in studying " Culinary Arts", and " Baking Arts" too.
I choose this degree because, I love to be in the kitchen all day long,
and I didn't get tired or born.
That's right I would like to study about "Food Arts".
But, I didn't want to drop my ESL classes; it is very important to me to
learn the language, it is my "personal challenge": To speak fluent English.
In general it is my biggets reason.
Wherever I want to do in this country, now or in the future, I have to speak English.
And I want to do it very well.

"COMPARE MY CULTURE TO THE AMERICAN CULTURE"

"MY LIFE IN THE U S A"



It has been: Hard difficult sad, fun, interesting, and very happy.
I came to this country long long time ago, ("16 years") my first impression was, fantastic!. Because I was travel at night time, and everywhere it was bright and beautiful, especially in Los Angeles downtown.
Compared to my town I came from it was "Unforgettable". My little town is small, and most of the streets have no lights. And very ugly downtown.
But as soon as I turned back to the normal life was, way different than I thought.

My first year living here was very hard, difficult, and sad.
I was frustrated, because my "English" was very poor. I remember I used to speak, for example; the window, the apple, the door, and thank you! That's it. Which it was nothing.
I wasn't thinking or having idea what, was waiting for me. Now my first impression was change.
First because, different culture and at that moment I didn't have any friends to who I could talk to.
I remember my first week was alone, everyone went back to work, and I stayed at home by myself.
I cried almost every single day. I couldn't went outside by myself, because I didn't
know the city. I fell that for about 6 months.
After a while I talk to one, of my aunt and told her I want to work or study English. She said "if you fell ready to be yourself outside go ahead".

I said yes and I started looking for a job. I thought it would be a problem because of the "Lang barrier", so I decided of take care kids was probably easiest, plus I can learned English. After a while I found a job, I started work as a housekeeper and babysitter, taking care of two children. That became pretty much my family, they made me feel that way.
Kids used to sleep in my bed while parents were on vacation or an single dinner.
They also took me anywhere were children want to go.
I was living in, five days per week. But when the whole family used to travel, I have to take care of the children pets they were had.

Eventually came very often for me, to stay in the house by myself for a long time.
Years later, children grew up and my progress was obvious; my English was way way better than before. I was still missing my family in Mexico but felt more comfortable about it.
I made a lot of friends, my life was 100% different. I learned a lot about culture in this country. At that time I was ready to start my own "family; husband, children". The kids I was taking care of grew up, so my job was pretty much done.
Their parents gave me an opportunity to keep working for them 2 days a week just for cleaning. And they referred me to another family, to work again as a babysitter.

During that time we were thinking to make "big change in our lives".
( I was met my husband at that time). We were planing to married and moved to another
state. ( we were living in California at that time) But it was very hard and difficult for me to decided what to do. On one hand my children on the other hand my husband and my new life.
Finally, the big day came. ( about our decision ) I had to say "Good bye" to my children. It was very very painful for me, half of my heart stayed with them for a while.

I can say many things about this experience. For example, I learned kids have to keep studying no matter if they want or not, in particular if you want to be somebody
"important" and, very "significant". During 6 longs years I had very good experiences I will never forget. ( was the time I worked for that family )
Now I have been married for about 11 years, but I still in touch with this beautiful family, especially with the girl, her name is Lindsay.
At that time, it was so hard to start my new life with out my children.
However, I can say now I have been very grateful for those "wonder fulls and unforgettable years".

Now I am more familiar with this country, I love most of the Holidays and also the traditions. For example; one of my favorite is: "Thanksgiving day".
Whole family gets together, which is the most important for everybody.
I still disagree with a few things about laws in this country. For example, the new law in Phoenix Arizona State. But beside that I am happy; "I agree we have to follow all rules the U S A have.
About food it is one of my best and important things, from this country.
You have hundreds of choices of different kinds of food, from many many countries.

The other important thing is I really liked the Education from this country.
Compared to my country, the U S A is one the best in the world about education.
You have many opportunities to study, and most of the schools have very good forms and courses for example: Computer programs, Culinary Arts, Business Administration,
Dental Assistant, Engineering, Medical Assisting, and too many more.
You can choose the most convenient school for your needs.
The other good thing I like from this country is you are free, more secure, compared to our countries. For example about mine; right now "Juarez City from Mexico is the
most dangerous in the world".
That is very scary, I can't imagine myself living with my family; husband, children, in that city.
It is scary at the moment, I didn't have any plan to travel to Mexico.

I am still having issues with people who don't like, Spanish people or any other
race beside "American White People". But I can handle if they don't bother me or affect me in my normal life.
I feel bad for them because, how sad and difficult life can be for this kind of people. Be a racist I didn't think is healthy or fun for anybody that all.
But above all those "small matters" I think, I do have beautiful and very normal life.
Finally, I can say one very good thing, I am so happy because I had been living
in this beautiful and rich country of opportunities. I promise myself 16 years ago;
"I will speak very fluent English". And I think it will be happen if I keep focused.
I am so proud to be in this country, the U S A!!!