266 NC (El Salvador, Age 15): English

  N.C

                                 15 ,age  El Salvador.

Hello my name is NC,  I am from El Salvador. I lived with my grandparents in El Salvador, in a large house it  made of mud with large courtyard. House  of my grandmother was large but where she lived was a land where he had three houses and many sticks fruit and animals. Lived where it was warm weather because it was a mountainous, area at times was hot but very nice.

My grandparents had cows, are animals they were extracting some food and money.

I lived with my grandparents, my uncle and little time with my dad.

My mom and dad immigrated to the United States, when I was 4 years old, I wanted to grow with my parents because I felt that my grandparents would be different that, they would not give me the same appreciation that my parents. Was one of my greatest desires to live with the two together.

Also from girl I have really enjoyed the cows but I had an accident with one of them and I stop loving them so much, that accident was also one of the reasons why my parents emigrated because they had no money to buy everything I needed to survive. It was really sad and painful because my parents separated from me for that and also because they wanted a better life for me and my family.

Time passed and I found a lot with my grandparents, after my grandmother when I grew she sent me to school where I met many friends. My school was very close to the house, I only walking one block. Had grass, trees and many rooms. Around also had many shops where they sold "pupusas" one of my favorite foods. Almost all the areas necessary for me had them close, like the clinic, school, a sports court and a support program for children. All my time in El Salvador with my grandparents was very nice.

My mom got married in the US with my stepfather and brought legal United States. My mom gave us news that we would travel. I felt happy but sad to see because going to leave my grandmother alone. I went to the capital of El Salvador is San Salvador, to take the first papers to travel.

My aunt out my passport, my birth certificate and other documents necessary for travel.

When I had my first appointment to the Embassy of El Salvador they did to me exams and took a lot of data and photos, I felt very nervous and yet a little scary because I felt that something bad could happen, as if I was going to say no could travel or something. But thank God everything went well that day.

They will told  my aunt that I had to have another appointment for a visa and come to the United States. The second date was much nerves but I got the visa. I felt very excited, then my aunt took me to buy clothes and suitcases to bring them to the United States.

Arrive at my aunt's house and gave them the news to my cousins, they felt sad because I was doing badly needed. Then I went where my grandparents and see my grandmother first, when I look out my tears,  because it gave me leave feeling after a long time that she spent with me not want to leave it was like my mom was my mom. My grandfather had and continues with a disease in the heart and when I gave him the news will affect much, I felt very sad about it.

Everything happened so fast that time until the day came traveling on March 01, 2014. My cousins ​​of San Salvador and my family by my grandmother was accompanied me to the airport. They took me in the car, It was a longish trip but arrived well at the airport. Ate  also pupusas last time that smell  rich and coconut water also had a sweet taste, the airport was a big place with flags, was called Comalapa. Also had many planes brands.

My flight out in El Salvador to new york was at 7:30, had everything ready, very sadly said goodbye to my grandparents but rather because she was happy to see my mom. My grandmother told me, "Daughter not cry that's bad, and ask always prays to God to watch over you." It was something he obeyed her.

Then a stewardess took me to my and my sister also to pass through which reviewed all cases and examine ourselves to us that since, we were going then. I live for a very large plane. Was Avianca plane. By first in my life journey in a plane, then look inside and was very nice then, when traveling was very night to see down and watch the other countries. We was afraid because she felt that the plane would fall down.

I slept a lot during the trip from El Salvador to New York. When I woke up one stewardess was giving away food, and gift then I ate little because I had a lot emotion had not even hungry.

It was almost 2:00 morning here in New York when the pilot said we had to ensure our belts because we would land. Wooow was very beautiful, when I left I realized it was very cold when I get to New York, then a people said welcome to Kennedy Airport. Where arrived Kennedy Airport.

My mom and other family was out because, they are illegal and could not get inside the airport.

My stepfather and my cousin picked up, we inside. My stepfather said "Hi I'm Jason" because we did not know him. We cried a lot because my cousin first because we had not much time to look at ourselves and we grew up together too.

Then we went outside where my mama, first we saw from afar, then we ran to her crying with emotion I  felt happy to be with her, and I felt that I was very fortunate to travel from 14 years old to United States.

It was amazing how I got here but thank God we can be together with my mother. After that they went up all our bags in the car and headed to the house where he was breast.

We arrived at the house where my mother lived there were two separate because there was also where the parents of the husband of my mom lived. We had prepared our very nice rooms lived. Accompanied by a soft plush sleeping a little more comfortable. Although also was the first day of sleep over at our mom, we decided to sleep with her. It was a wonderful day. At that time I was also snowing here, it was almost one of the last snowfall of the year winter.

When it was morning I got up and looked out the window and see snow, I also left surprised because I had never seen it, then start to cry and call my mom saying "mom,mom snowing" and she said yes and that was normal here.

Well the next step that but my mom asked if we wanted to go and we accept and spend time mom wanted together. Lost time, the time had not passed along to us when we were small. After that trip together, the three days we went to Manhattan together and also took many pictures with it and many animes.

My mom decided to take us to Manhattan because she thought it was the perfect city to begin to know this country. I felt really happy but scared again because there is no very high buildings which had never seen in my life. Another thing that was why I felt a little uncomfortable was because everyone spoke English and I did not understand anything and I felt a little bad. I thought that everyone spoke Spanish but also I was confused. Then returned home to rest. My mom the next day took us to other stores where I buy my first shoes Jordan and many clothes. Then my mom start talking about school. Always thought that we had to go, rest a few more days to start looking for a school and to attend and learn English.

I arrived when I was 14 years old, but it was almost April and I was turning 15 when my mom took us to a department of education where those people seeking school children, were told it the two we had to attend a 'high school "and I was completely disoriented because everyone spoke English and I did not understand anything. But my mom and my stepdad translated us. Also we had two options to study, because we arrived almost to finish the school year, then, the schools were full as well and only had two schools to which we could attend. The "International" school or a school like for nursing.

It was our option to choose which school we wanted, but before they will told my stepfather in the "International" school had many Latinos and other school no. Then we decided to go to the "International” Then they gave some documents to fill, people from there told  us "good luck"

We left the department of education for our house. I felt happy and nervous because I going to know  new people and have many friends.

My school was called and is called "International High School at Lafayette" is located on the 86th street in Boston Avenue.

When it first school we went to the principal address where Mr. Carlos who first showed us the school and classrooms where we were going to take our classes was. The next day we usually return to school, we were very  shy  and nervous because we did not know to nobody. Then spend time and we were gaining confidence in school, now we have many friends and we feel good to be there.

With my grandparents in El Salvador, to us not hurt us anything because my mom and dad sent money. But now have a better future because this is a country of opportunities and not much violence. In change in our country there is violence by gang members and universities do not find work professional. And here if you can find.

I feel this is a good country to progress, although the weather is not very good.