The alarm rings, it's 5am, still dark out and the
house is silent. I get up, get dressed look around my room, pick up my suitcase
and passport and head downstairs. My stomach is in knots, I am having second
thoughts, maybe I was too ambitious, and I should just go back to bed. The
house looked the same as any normal day, no obvious signs that I was about to
leave the country and my family behind. My mum and dad walk downstairs in
silence, my dad ties his shoes while my mother is still in her robe. The tears
begin to flow. The next few moments are an emotional blur of goodbyes and I
love yous. Now I really don't want to leave, I've made a stupid mistake. Before
I know it I'm at the airport terminal, hundreds of people bustling by me trying
to get to their flights, cars blaring horns for a parking spot. I hug my dad,
walk in the terminal and I'm on my own. People run around me, yelling on their cell
phones, no one even notices my tired, tearstained face. I check in and begin to
wait and contemplate heading back home, my parents will understand. 9 hours and
several alcoholic beverages later, I am face to face with a US Immigration
Officer.
"Purpose of visit?"
"School"
"Where?"
"UMBC"
Many stamping sounds followed by a grunt.
"Proceed"
I walk through the doors and finally a smile
emerges, I'm here, and I'm about to begin the biggest adventure of my life.
Bring it on America.
Point: Don't look back, only forward.
Word Count: 267
Your story definitely allowed me to create my own mental image and the idea of having a hard time leaving behind your family is something that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to. Maybe not to the extreme of moving to another country, but something similar nonetheless. Hopefully your video will provide more detail on where you call home and where you lived before you came to America because I am very curious about that.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you weren't from another country. I can't wait to see how your visuals intertwine with what you've written. I honestly feel like this story is fine the way it is, but for the sake of constructive criticism, all I'm going to say is that maybe you could change your title to something even more interesting. Perhaps it could be something random to leave the readers saying, "huh?" thus making the want to really read the rest of the story. Overall, great job.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't even imagine coming to a new country not knowing a soul. That was probably pretty hard for you to leave everything. I kinda did something like that too but not as crazy. I went to a high school an hour away from my house not knowing a soul there either. Well hope you love America!!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this! This shows how brave you were, and I'm really glad you shared it. You succeeded in showing your feelings, and you successfully showed the setting (rather than just telling us these things). I can't wait to see the final product!
ReplyDelete