Nayab Bolbolan
ESL 100
February, 11 2014
Cool Memories
The United States is one of the most diverse countries in
the world. Each state and city has diverse community, race and people from
different beliefs. I came to United
States when I was eighteen years old with my two sisters and parents from
Pakistan. It feels great to be an
American but I think the struggle here is more than other countries. America is
known all around the world for its education. Men and women have equal rights
and freedom generally for everything. In the beginning my experience in the
United States was not good or relaxing. I was not accustomed to the tradition,
relationship with friends and closeness with my neighbors and I will try to
have these parts of my life in this new country.
Even coming to the U.S., which is 7671 miles away from
Pakistan, I have been able to maintain my friendships. I always used to share
secrets, talk freely, have fun and spend time with my friends. My most
important memorable moment of my life is spending time with my friends in
school and celebrating birthday parties. We were part of a family. We shared
thoughts, secrets, and ideas. Most of the time we used to enjoy water fighting
and playing badminton in school. We knew
each other’s likes and dislikes. We could not go for shopping or have dinner at
hotels without parents, because Pakistani culture does not allow girls to go out,
so we usually spent time at home cooking, eating and spending time together. We
had kept turns to go to each other’s home. My two best friends are my childhood
friends. We had very close family terms. My parents also have good relation
with their parents. Coming to United States, however, did not change our
friendship. We still have regular contact with each other. I tell them
everything about life here and they give me back home news. In these situations,
technology is a blessing because we talk on Skype and other social websites when
we see each other and feel close to one another. I miss them a lot because
still in U.S. I don’t have so close friend to whom I could share my feelings.
In Pakistan my family
had friendly, helpful and lovable neighbors. My younger sister was always at
their home playing and eating it was like her second home. Twice a week, I also
used to go to their home, helping them cook and talking with them. Sometimes we
also used to go out together. They were Muslim and we were Baha’i, but our
background never brought any misunderstanding or issues into friendship. In holy
days we used to go at their home to spend the day with them. What I really lost
coming to America are really those neighbors and my relationship with them. In
America, life is so busy that new immigrants don’t have time for their family
members. Trust, sharing and believing in one another feels limited her because
they don’t have the time to spend more, to know and understand each other.
Hi Nayab,I like the part you talked about the relationship with your friends and neighbors. It sounds really great. You know people lack communicate with other people at present. Especially with their neighbors. You are so lucky that many nice people around you.
ReplyDeleteHi Nayab, I like your essay, it is easy to read and follow the ideas. It is interesting that we have similar experiences with our friends and neighbors. In our language there is a saying "Dont buy a house, buy a neighbor" it means that your neighbor is really important for you to live well.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you have the same situation of "two kind". It's really hard live in a bioculture. But it's lucky too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for liking my essay
ReplyDelete