Memoir
By: Huanhua Chen
Since I came to the United States, everything changed in my life. Obviously, the living
environment around me changed; the language I spoke and the culture all had changed.
Most importantly, my personality changed.
Before I came to the United States, I was a happy, friendly and optimistic boy who
lived with my parents in a big house. I was a good student in school, I got respect
from the teachers and students, and I went to school with the boys and girls in my
village. They were very close to me; they spent time with me and they faced problems
with me. Actually they were not just my best friends, they were my brothers and sisters.
In the harvest season, I helped my parents harvest the crops that we planted in the
spring. During the new year, I spent the happiest time with my relatives, friends
and parents. I never thought of coming to the United States, although my parents had
mentioned this to me several times. But I didn't care; maybe I just didn't want to
lose the happy life I already had.
Finally, I came to the United States in May 2000, which was the time I was in 8th
grade in my junior high school. After I moved in to live with my uncle in Queens,
NY, I felt like I was living in the cage. The house was so small compared to the house
I used to live in and everybody closed their door all the time. I lost all of my friends
and relatives; I also lost my happiness and optimism. I became irascible when things
were not going my way. And I became lonely; the loneliness came at night and that
especially killed me. Then every time I thought about the happy moments that I had
in my village, my tears came out slowly from my eyes. When I started attending Newcomer
High School in Queens, I felt isolated, because I didn't know how to speak English
to the teachers and students. Many students hung around the hallways and the classrooms
during the free time, but none of them were my friends. Finally, I felt better in
school when I became close with a couple of boys that came from my village.
My loneliness came again after school and during the weekend. I wanted to hang out
with my new friends, but my parents wouldn't let me, because they were afraid that
I might get lost in this big, busy city. A year later, I moved in to an apartment
in Brooklyn and I attended a new school. Things became a lot worse than I thought.
I missed my new friends and I didn't have a friend in my new school. Everyday, I came
to school like a walking mummy. Right now, I have a few friends in the school, but
we don't hang out often. We just hang around in the school and talk on the phone.
If I ever had a chance to choose whether or not to come to the United States, I definitely
would choose to stay in my own country. Reality was cruel and I did come to the United
States. The only hope that I have now is to go to a good college and get a good job.
|
|
|
|
|
