Isha Sharma Mrs.

ONeil English-1 7-June-2013 First Time America

Authors Note: My inspirations for this memoir were my memories, which feel like yesterday. When I turn back, Boston meets eye to eye with me and reminds me of my childhood. I want my readers to realize; to feel the love that is alive in my family just like it was years ago. I want the reader to sense the heartbeat of my life today.

Airport: United States 176, please report to gate 12 for departure, the announcement was made for the flight that my mom, my brother, and I had to take. We were finally coming to America! I would be able to see my dad. My life was imperfectly, perfect. The only thing that I missed or didnt have was my dads love, my dad. Wishing I could be beside himwithout worries. Excited and fully charged, I was ready to sit on the eighteen hour flight. Plane, for the first time! I was super thrilled and nervous at the same time. Though, everything was happening for the first time, it felt like I have been here before. Everything sweeter than chocolate cake, filled with vanilla icing was ready to melt in my mouth. The feeling of adrenaline rushed through my veins, as we walked through the gat e. Welcome, the attendant of the flight received us genuinely. My mom placed our luggage in the mini-cabinets as my brother and I took our seats. I sat along the perfect view of the lights in the pitch-dark black sky, where I was also able to see the Indian Ocean when the plane took off. 18 hours later; Meeting my dad: Wosshhh!!!! We had landed. All of a sudden my body felt so sore, and tired. I felt like I had no mass in my body. But the excitement of meeting my dad was still awake inside of me, like the only bird you see at night. Tears rolled down my cheeks like raindrops, when I saw his face. Mom and Shashank (my brother who never gets emotional) gave him a hug, as he welcomed us. Standing still, I just looked at the reunion of our family. I was surprised! I ran across the hall right into his arms as he picked me up and gave me the sweetest kiss on my red tomato checks. Thrilled again, I couldnt wait to see the house that my dad had been talking

about anxiously. On the ride, I saw the snowflakes falling from the bright-white sky for the first time. They looked like diamonds, but melted right away, when they hit the car window. I couldnt wait to get home! Couldnt wait to play in the snow. Couldnt wait to visit my new neighborhood. Through all the talking the driver drove the taxi perpetually. As always Mom and Dad were chatting. Talking about how they got through the three months without each other. Acting as if it was the hardest task in the world! Shashank and I (like always) listened conscientiously and then rolled our eyes. I giggled looking at him and then his expressions, to what my parents were saying to each other. This happy banter was the typical thing of my family. Even when we were all together in India, Mom and Dad would talk so formally yet warmly to each other. They always thought that my brother and I didnt understand them. It was apparently a different language, as they say it. But one thing I did notice was that the U.S seemed so different than India. No beeping of cars- everything was calmer. No stores lined up along the sides of roads. The streets neat and cleandust invisible! The fresh breeze of air was slapping my face like a soccer ball slamming against my legs. It was as if I am in a totally new world! Even the people looked extremely unique and charming. The sense of fashion was so stylish and refreshing. House: Were here, the driver announced as he exited the car to get our luggage. I opened the door and stepped out. The first thing I was a house, bigger than a mansion. We are at the correct address, right dad? Yes honey, this is your new house! he replied. I couldnt believe my eyes. The house was the greatest thing I have ever witnessed or seen. For the first time in history I felt as if my eyes were lying to me! Snow covering the roof like a cozy blanket on a cold-winter day. And the bluish, greenish color of the house sidings. I was so eager to get the keys and open the crystal glass door right away. But, before all of that, my dad reminded me that we still had to pay the taxi driver. My dad gave the driver his payment and a $10.00 tip. Later, we started walking towards the house. My legs shivering, my eye amused, my body was getting buried with snow. Click, Clack! the door opened. Shashank pushed through me to enter the best dream in the world, me right behind him. Mom and Dad were following us as we went inside. The first thing I saw was the living room, decorated so perfectly, all colors matching compatibly. Red curtains, black sofa, red cushions, etc. For a second, I thought I was just dreaming. I had to pinch myself! I realized that it was actually the reality this is MY new house. Second Day in America (Going to Zoo.): Wake up Isha! my dad demanded. But... Dad I am so sleepy! I have jet lag!!!! I whined covering my face with my new cozy blanket.

Fine you have ten minutes, and if you dont get up by then we will leave you here when we go to the zoo. he replied back in a clever voice. ZOO?! I jumped right out of my bed. Yes zoo, now go and get ready. We have to leave in thirty minutes, he warned. As I woke up, I smelled coffee (my favorite)! The aroma of black coffee wafted heavily through the house, piercing through the foggy veil of sleep with the smooth, rich scent of roasted beans. The invigorating odor, bridging the gap of time between childhood memory and present day indulgence, drew me to the kitchen. 30 Minutes later: My whole family was ready to leave on a great family trip to the zoo. At The Zoo: Monkeys, gorillas, lions! All types of animals everywhere. From fishes to elephants. Lions to tigers. And even gorillas to pigs. Walking around with my family I noticed an unknown smell smell of food. The smell is just not explainable. The mixture of all types of food; Mexican food, Chinese food, Italian food, and even Indian food! But being bored of India I wanted to try something new. Dad! Dad! Can we please go over there to get some food? I whined. Dad responded, Umm... Yeah sure, lets go and I am getting hungry too, his stomach growled. And the rest of the day was spent observing and looking at new types of animals from all over the world. The fun is just unexplainable! Visiting Neighborhood: Library! School! Football field! Store! Mall! So much to see and so much anxiety filled inside every nerve of my body. As I walked out the door I noticed wind blowing through the trees.Wind blowing the snow around. Wind throwing the leaves. Wind brushing the grass. I realized that America is a very windy place afterall! Walking around with my brother and mom, I also sensed the snow crawling down my face as if it was trying to welcome me. First, we went to the library. I entered the library from its huge doors that I have not seen before. I took my first step in and looked around to see what does this place have? I could see all different kind of students with different ethnicities sitting with their friends studying. The huge windows at the back of the library gave a magnificent and outstanding look. I went around and I felt all the books lined up so perfectly along the shelves. School. After the library I went to the school, which was right next to my house. Colorful swing set, kids playing around gave me a wonderful feeling. I wanted to join all the kids and

students and enjoy my time with them. But again I wasnt ready to go to school just yet. I had to wait for the paper works to be submitted. The football field right behind the school had caught my eye. I could see myself going there with my friends. I had this vision of the future... that never really happened. My brother took me to the field, and guess what we found?! There was money just lying there on the grass. I felt as if I had won the lottery! One by one I picked up all the quarters and put them in my pocket. That day I had collected around $5.00!!!! Memories: Boston was a very exciting place for me. Today when I think back I feel like maybe I shouldnt have been so upset on the airport. Maybe I shouldnt have picked up the money on the field. But you know what really matters? All the valuable lessons that I carry on my back from Boston. Every day comes and goes... but there is not one day that can take me back there! Take me back to all of my childhood. Take me back to my incredible house. Today if I was told to dream something... it would be being back in those days in Boston...