Personal Narrative: How America Changed My Life

I spend half of my life here and spend the other half there. The plane is going down, I’m here. Here to explore my new life in a new country called the United States, and a new language to master. It has been a long plane ride from China to America, but I’m finally here, here to stay with my parents. The plane had landed.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the world was completely submerged in water today? How would you feel if your racial background dictated whether or not you were rescued? Even worse, what would you do if it dictated if you lived or died today? These are some questions that are present when hurricane season comes around every year. In todays society these are things that we should not have to consider since this is a forward moving generation.

When the roll is called up yonder is being chanted by thousands of mouths all packed into a stadium like building. Some people raise their hands in the air swaying back and forth. One man in the audience is playing a saxophone and he bumps into several people as he honks out a sweet simple tune. But few people take notice of the saxophonist because they are fixed on the man leading the ceremony.

This elder man told me today "how this world is I may only be alive for 2 more days". That's sad! I wish more people were leaders than they are followers. In today's world a lot of things and people are getting worse and worse which is going to lead to another war. America vs America!

Awoke from a brave man who sailed the sea. An idea, a chance of hope, was born. Battled for an identity of prosperity for all, consequently we rose up to become America the land of inalienable liberties straight from our maker. Growing despite dividing America has always overcame division growing smarter and tougher through her conflicts. We truly became America when all of America got equality and so America gave down rights to all her people.

America’s Gift to My Generation There isn’t just one gift that America has given my generation, America has given us multiple gifts and I couldn’t imagine a better place to live. America has given us freedom, individuality, and safety. I can come out of my house and play whenever I want because if you live in America you aren’t being denied to do activities just because of who you are, what you look like, or who you are related to. A long time ago immigrants from other countries came to America to escape their country.

In 2006 I moved to California with my parents, to pursue the American Dream that was dreamed by every foreigner It was seen as a great way to escape the danger and poverty we faced everyday in Peru. When we finally got here, the american dream was a myth, and working hard barely got you anywhere. Since day 1 both my parents have worked more than 40 hours a week to get food on the table, and the table back in Peru. They both support their parents and siblings financially, meaning there is no aid for me here. I wake up to do everything by myself, cook, clean, go to school, and especially homework.

Growing up in America and having a parent from another country comes with many perks and stories. In case you haven't read the title or wondering which parent is from another country; My father is from a small island in Central America named Belize. To give you the brief history about Belize, Belize first inhabitants were the Mayans from the beginning of time until the fourteenth century due to them mysteriously declining in population. The Mayans had a huge roll in the Central American countries. This due to the fact that they developed the idea of hieroglyphics, which back then was the only fully known writing system of the pre-Columbian Americas-as well as for its mathematics, astronomical system, art, calendar, and architecture.

Growing up in America as a Chinese immigrant, I was puzzled about my identity for quite some time. Was I Chinese, Chinese American, or a Chinese in America? Never had I thought the arrangements between two or three words can be so controversial and disconcert. My life was an empty canvas, depressed and uncommitted. It was tough to not have the same type of name as most of my peers, it was tough to learn English, and it was tough to live with an absence of a true identity.

At the age of 7, I remember calling my parents in America through a crackling phone reception. I was born in America, but I spent the first 9 years of my life, living in India with my grandparents. It was a typical experience for most kids, but I believe growing up as a women in India and America has positively shaped the person I am today. My experience of growing up in both worlds has given me experience in facing adversity, opening up to new cultures and a passion to pursue my education. My first day of school in America was confusing, because in India we stayed in the same class all day but in America students changed classes.