"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!!!