My Family Experience

After we immigrated to America, my elder brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a mental disorder that affects a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. My parents were in shock because my brother went through years of treatment that was wrong for his condition. New challenges arrived as we found ourselves in a foreign country, trying to overcome the struggles that we never faced before. My parents were forced to work minimum wage jobs, and I took on the responsibility of taking care of Imran because we were always very close. I scheduled

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The difference between my sister and I were our age, but that was not a big deal, we were really close. When mom and dad were at work, she had responsibility as the eldest sister to take care of me and my brother. We were always watching my 3 years old brother’s favorite movie, Tarzan. It was nice spending time together with my brother and sister. Days later, I heard my parent’s conversation about going to America. My mind was in shock and I was scared. My mother told me that we were moving because, “America is a country of a new beginnings; better education and job opportunities”. I came to America when I was eleven years old from Mexico. Leaving behind family, friends, traditions, culture and our country was a hard decision for everyone to make. I remember saying good-bye to my family and friends; it was one of the hardest situations from the process of a new beginning. I had a question, Will I see them again? It was a question with no answer. I did not know when I would see my family and friends again, but there was hope inside me. What really affected me the most was saying good-bye to my sister Miriam. She did not like the idea of coming to the United States, because she had a life in Rio Bravo, I think everyone did, but I had no choice.

At the age of four I had to move from Southern California to Bend Oregon. At the time I did not know what bend was going to be like. When I got to bend I started kindergarten and felt better as time flew by. My brother and sister also went through the same thing but they had to start middle school when we moved. I remember vividly how hard it was for my brother to get by. As a person he changed and he had to go through counseling and get a shrink. Sadly none of these really helped him and he struggled to get through school and at one point he attempted suicide. Luckily he made it through high school before we moved once again. What I saw him go through really opened my eyes to not be like that. Sadly a few years later my parents found out that my mom’s dad had died. So at the age of nine I packed up once again and moved back to Southern California which was where my grandma lived. I had to go to a new school where I didn't know anyone. At this point my sister was finishing high school and my brother was in college. It was hard on me at first but I got myself through it as I knew I couldn't dwell on what was already done. I started to become more flexible and

One night in the middle of December, 2014, something unexpected and monumental happened to our family. My dad and I were in a car accident. The collision wasn’t major; no one seemed seriously hurt at the time, and both vehicles were still operational. Fully expecting to move on as a family, we continued normally with life for a couple of weeks. Little did we know that my dad sustained a hidden, possibly permanent injury that took almost two years to diagnose. Although this accident changed the way our family operates, we cling to our faith in God and press on.

It’s not easy to experience the loss of a loved one. It’s a time of deep sadness and sorrow that brings family and friends together to say their last good byes. I was fortunate to be able to witness a family during the passing of their loved one. It might seem insensitive to do an observation during such an intimate event. But, when I explain the reasons why I chose this particular event it will all make sense.

Lonely. Sad. Scary. I was a different kind of person compared to my family. I didn’t know what I wanted to do in my life. I was the one person in my family that didn’t go to college. I liked playing many sports, so I did a lot. Sports helped me clear my head and think. I played volleyball, swim, water polo, track, and field. School was important to me, but I didn’t like it because I thought it was a waste of time. I wanted to be in the Olympics for track and field, it was my dream.I had no father figure in my life, he left when I was a baby. It was just my mom, my boyfriend and I. Obviously I had other family members, but they were the main ones. My mom and I live in a little apartment right next to a grocery store.

For many, there is nothing more important than to have the acceptance and unconditional love from your mother, sadly this was not my experience. I remember the day that changed my life forever as if it were yesterday. I was 18 years old and I did not feel well. I smoked a cigarette to calm my frantic nerves before I walked into the clinic. I sat in the old and dreary waiting room and awaited my fate. The nurse called my name and I stood up as if I just won an award. As instructed, I took a urine test and sat with disbelief as I waited for the results that would determine my future. The Dr. entered the cold and sterile room and looked at me with disappointment as he questioned my sexual activity. “Ms. Fuentes, are you sexually active? “ “Yes, I am”. “Do you only have one partner? “Yes, I do. “Have you missed your period “? Yes

Before I migrated to the U.S. I had a lot of friends and family. I used to live in the Philippines with my grandparents, my grandpa is 62 years young, he is a retired policeman, my grandma is a housewife. I lived with them when my parents were abroad. Moving into a foreign country can be difficult, I didn’t know much English. I had to get my grades up so that I can enter middle school in the U.S. I was a troublemaker in elementary and I needed to redeem myself so I can go to school in the U.S. We had a whole summer to get our visa, but before that we had to say our goodbyes to my relatives and friends. We had a party before we went to Manila. I felt sad when I said my goodbyes, I also was happy at the same time.

My parents have been separated for a couple years now. My mother wasn’t happy with our family so, she went away. She isn’t there that much for my family and I. I have three siblings which, all happen to be younger than I am. I’m only 11 years old. So everything is very hard without a mother figure. One day, we got to see her but, not in the way I’d want to.

1:00 AM - I had another dream after sleep beckoned me. There weren't nightmares this time, but my last dream had family drama in it. Why do I keep dreaming about my family when I have nothing playing on my computer? I must have deep-rooted family issues I haven't dealt with yet. My memory of my dream is starting to fade now, so here I go.

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York I had many friends from different cultural backgrounds, and the neighborhood I lived in was a melting pot of families from all over the globe. Among them Kimmie Chang, Gabby Martinez, Bella D'Amato, and Logan O'Neill. The air always smelt of delicious ethnic cuisines, and all of the languages were interesting to listen to. The best part was that each family had children close to my age so I was always experiencing a different lifestyle. Feeling so popular among the community, I was invited to dinner at all of my friend's houses at a certain time of the year. Fascinated by different dialect I found myself analyzing conversation at the dinner table, observing the way each family's lifestyle was so different than mine in every way. During my younger years, my brain was able to process a lot from my friends and their families that I could write a book.

I’ve never thought of myself as a hero. I never will. However, I must admit that what happened one summer day changed my life forever. When people ask me, “What was going through your mind” or, ”How did it feel” I can't give them a simple answer. Saving someone’s life, while putting your own in jeopardy, is an experience, not a story.

I’m a young woman who’s trying to get her life together and the process of being successful isn’t easy. I currently attend Nassau community colleges, every day, from Monday-Saturday, and it’s no joke, between waking up in the morning, trying to walk to take the bus terminal, is honestly too much for me to handle; I honestly hate it. Sometimes I honestly get depressed and say to myself “why me “I usually wake up in the morning around 6am and get myself ready then star walking toward the terminal, as a I walk seeing the cars pass by, and some drivers would pass by me and stare and I would get so furious because I have to walk while they’re driving and what truly annoys me is that their taking their time to stare at me walking. I hate public transportation. Driving a car is way better then riding on the bus

I belong to a family of seven, me being the second oldest. It can be extremely challenging to be an older and younger sibling, especially with so many things to do. My siblings and I have been through alot together. Even though we fight, they are my closest friends. One incident that brought us really close took place about four years ago in June.