America

Hi, everyone!

I have been so busy and I had never got any chance to update my blog!!

I am at the lounge of JFK right now and I decided to update finally.

 

Since I am leaving right before July 4th, I was just thinking of my life in America in this morning,

My first visiting to America was when I was 14 years old when I came as my family trip to NYC.

I was frighten when I was in NYC. I thought the city was tremendous huge and dangerous for 14 years old who was growing up in very peaceful hometown.

All people passing by me looked very much scary and I don’t remember anything which made me to enjoy….I was absolutely overwhelmed and no capacity for accepting this big city.

When I was 17 years old, I stayed in Colorado Springs with American family for 3 weeks. My parents believed that it was going to be a very special experience for me.

I was nervous but I was so excited about living with American way with the family.

When I saw my host mother with 2 boys (10 years old, 7 years old) & 1 girl (5 years old), I started smiling because they looked very nice people.

During this homestay, I enjoyed every single thing with them. I really didn’t know how to speak English but I  always love studying English at my schools and I was so excited to try and error with using all my knowledges I learned at schools in my everyday life there.

I remember I was always having my dictionary in my left hand  and I  made boys to wait while I had to find words which I was trying to say. ( They were very patient!!)

It was absolutely so much fun and I still appreciate this very kind American family who accepted me for 3 weeks as their volunteering.

I would like to share my favorite part of this stay.

It was the last night with this family before I was leaving this house, these 2 boys invited me to their “special base camp” which was covered with a small tent in their big backyard. ( their house was located in the beautiful forest.) They said they had never invited any girls even their mom. So I was so honored to be their first “female” guest!

They showed me their treasure box with lighting it up with flash light with explaining how special each thing was.

Then they said, “Yuko, we have a special gift for you. Close your eyes.” so I closed my eyes.

I got a really sweet kiss on my both cheeks at the same time from them:)

I was almost tearing up..

I always remember this sweetest moment when I think of my first America, which I just started loving when I was 17.

 

Now I have my family with 2 boys. I have been raising my boys in this country for 18 years and my older boy is already older than I was when I was in Colorado.

I never imagined I was going to live in this country that long with my own family.

 

Thank you, America for accepting us with always big warm heart. Living in here, it was sometimes tough with being  away from my county and my family. But this country has been always showing many opportunities which I could challenge. They have never closed the door for me. Once I opened the door, there was always another door.

I have been also amazed by American people, their positive energy, their brave, their toughness, their fairness, their strength, their friendship, their love and etc…etc…especially when they were going through very difficult time.

America, you are absolutely the leader and great friend. Please keep showing your wonderful sprit to the people in the world as you always have been. The teamwork you provides to the world will really encourage other friends in all other countries.

This country really thinks about their future with providing high education to the young people. ( not to all, though.) these young people are so mature and hard worker. These young people will lead the world in their future, I really believe.

Just like my first door I opened when I was 17, you have a door right in the front of you always. Don’t hesitate to open it. Get excited to open that door. I tell you there is a long path you never imagine what would be in the behind of the door.

When you open the door, just take a deep breath, be brave and tell yourself, you can do it!

Independence, freedom and love,

You can always go forward with them like America, we love..

Happy July 4th!

Love & Peace

 

Yuko