STREETSIDE STORY OF THE MONTH

The First Time I Came to a New Place
Anntin Wen

         A change in my life was when I moved from China to North America. It was November, 25^th, 2005. I saw people talking, cars, trees, and large bodies of water. I heard birds, cars, and wind. I touched the house, school, and bread. The weather was dry and hot, sometimes cold. I tasted all the food, water, and fruit.

         When I was in China I lived with my grandmother. We lived in a small place. I played with my brothers, sisters, and friends. We played Chinese jump rope and Chinese games. I have 10 brothers and 9 sisters. And I help my grandmother. We could do everything we wanted. There were no rules. It is very fun.

But when I moved to North America, my life changed. It was so different. I came to San Francisco and there are rules and so many things we can’t do. Like I can’t go out by myself. Like you can’t go to a friends’ house. It is not fun at all and I do not know English.  It was very scary at first because I don’t understand everything. In San Francisco people think I’m stupid just because I don’t speak English. I miss my friends, brothers, sisters, and grandmother so much. I wanted to go back to China.

Then my mother said, you can learn English so when you grow up you will have a better life. My mother is very nice. She always gives me what I need. She always cares about me. She always worries about my sister and me. My mother wants me to understand English and write English and be a good person. Then I thought I should stay and go to school and learn English. At school I am good at talking.

In one year I was able to speak English better. I feel good about myself. I have friends in school and they are very nice. We play ball and Chinese jump rope to have fun. I think I like America more than the first day I came here. It is all thanks to my mother because she made me understand why she wants me to stay.