The Other World

The Other World

I heard from the old generation that America was a place that can let your dreams come true. In my opinion, The United States was just a flourishing country. When I came to Chicago, there was a terrible snowstorm, and that was my first impression of cruel winter. My dear family, my lovely friends or my desired life were not here. I have already been in Chicago for over three years, and I felt I have lost the time and happiness with the people and the life I love.

My parents are growing older, and I did not get a change to accompany them over these past three years. I miss the times spent with my parents even though we used to argue a lot. I even disliked how my parents pressured me in China. They are limited my time to get home at night. Nevertheless, I miss them and love them even more now that I have been living in Chicago. There is a saying in China, “On festive occasions more one than thinks of parents far away.” I really miss my dear parents and my little brother. Coincidently, this week was the Chinese Luna New Year. Luna New Year is the most important festival for Chinese people. Our family would have a reunion dinner in the last day of the year, and parents would give me a couple of red money envelope on New Year’s day. That meant parents gave the best wishes to their children. However in past three years, I haven’t even shared a meal with my parents. those time have gone.

In addition to that, I have lost the closeness of my friendships. Yan Mei, my best friend since my childhood whom I use to share many happy memories. We were in the same schools, and we would celebrate all the festivals in China together. However, my busy life has changed all that. I can not contact my best friend frequently. Now, we sometimes send messages to each other to keep in touch, and we talk or share our lives less. In addition, there was one thing that I still regret until right now. I can’t take part in and share my best friend’s wedding party. She got married a couple of months ago. I was so surprise when I heard the news. Because of time urgency and I was living in the US, I could not go back to China at that time.

I was once a cheerful girl. However, I have gained more sadness and less happiness since I came to Chicago. I have had a desired job in China where I worked at the graphic design studio. The job made my life colorful. However, I can’t have the same kind of job in Chicago because of the language barrier. As an immigrant, I have faced many hardships. I need to learn English in order to get a better future living in the US. I never thought I would work at a restaurant before I came to America, but that’s what I do. Right now, my life only consists of three parts: school, home, and work. The happiness I used to have got replaced with anguish and pressure

We lose many things when we immigrate to a new place, and some things we will not gain back. Family and friends are the most important parts of our lives, but I lost my happiness from family and friends when I moved to Chicago. Although coming to the United State was not an option, it is what was best for me. Within the three years in Chicago, I learned to face many difficult situations by myself. I wish I will soon be on the right way to my bright future where all my dreams will come true.