"Crossing Flatbush Avenue" by Felix Herby Bien- Amen

My name is Felix Herby Bien- Amen it is different just like many other things about me .I am from Haiti and my story starts here, when I went to the airport .There was a storm raging and as a result I could not come to America . My cousins and relatives who came to say good bye to me at the airport were joking America does not want you .You are good here with us. What was supposed to be a sad farewell turned in to one of the best memories of my life .I am so glad there was storm and I got to spent one more night with my family and relatives. I came to America on February seventeenth 2008.This farewell was much more painful and different from the other night .The hug my mom gave me explained everything she did not have to say more .When he was saying this his eyes filled with tears . When I came to the American airport I remembered what my cousins jokes and in the mist of feeling sorrow I smiled at that memory.
I came to America to mainly study so all the stories I heard about money and riches did not affect me nor influence me .My sole purpose of coming to America was education .Before coming to America I thought it would be a place full of rich and clean people who spoke good English .When I use to watch movies and T.V shows it showed beautiful cities filled with tall buildings and modern architecture but when I came here some streets from Haiti looked better than some of the streets of Brooklyn .The buildings in America are cooped up and small in my country houses are bigger more spacious .In America the tall buildings were not as pretty as the ones in the movies .To me the streets and homes of my country have more charm and grace than here . I had a big back yard in Haiti , my house was surrounded by trees of many fruits mangoes ,guava ,nectar and much more .While on the subjects of fruits let me just say they are ten times better than the ones here .The food over there was much more fresh and tastier than the ones here . Or maybe it’s the fact that my mother use to cook it with love.
Another thing I noticed about people in America they just worked and worked trying to make money. They led very busy lives with no time to appreciate the little things in life. Americans just cared for themselves no cousins or uncles or aunts seem very important to them no one helps another relative in need in Haiti everyone in your relatives is counted as your family. We grow up as one big family there are of course ups and downs but the fun is also great. They did not care for parents when they got old I learned what a nursing home was and it applauded. Back home parents were taken care of by their children when they got old not put away in a nursing home. I do not mean to criticize Americans it’s just that it is very different then my culture. I miss my home and culture very greatly.
Enough about home back to America I expected that the school system would be very advanced but the things I learned in junior high back home kids over her were learning in high school this surprised me. Also the kids here were so disrespectful I was shocked in Haiti you were very respectful towards your teacher. In America the students cursed shouted and fought with their teachers. If I have children I will not raise them here I will go back to Haiti and raise them there. I might keep them in America up to the age five but after that I am taking them back to Haiti to raise them, after seeing kids here no way. When I got to college I felt allot better. The kids were much calmer and I was learning stuff at my level. My interest was not in biology or physics these things bored me I wanted to do something I liked. So I decided to go for computer sciences I liked math and computers. I enrolled in KBCC and am proud to say I have a 3.9 average .I also joined the soccer team and played for the college because I use to play soccer back home too. This gave me some comfort and a good way to spend my time .So while studied and played I also worked in school I work in the C.I department of course .I enjoy working in that department it is a great place to work in I would like to graduate and go for a higher position . All this kept me occupied until I got home that’s when I needed something else to do to keep me busy. So I did my second most favorite thing I hung out in my room and played or I should say made beats on my computer .I loved to dance and it gave me a sense of satisfaction to make beats that I could enjoy dancing or listening to .
I liked college life it was tolerable unlike the cold weather here. Which was un bearable the first time I saw snow I thought how beautiful but as soon as I stepped outside I changes my mind .because I came inside with a bruised back side . Before my story goes much longer I have a few more things to share .I have not yet told the things I like about this country one this country has to offer is that if you mess up in life there is always a second chance waiting for you . If you want to make yourself something or become someone America offers that dream to you just have to make it come true. There are many opportunities in America that Haiti does not offer like very good colleges, health care, financial assistance in school and much more. Also in Haiti I would have partied much more than in America but being here I party less and focus more on my studies.
I have responsibilities towards my younger brother who will look up to me for guidance. So if I mess up what will he follow also my mom is spending so much money on me I have to reach my goal and dream for her also .I miss my mom her food her cooking her motherly love . I come home to an empty house and I remember my house filled with so much laughter so much love but then I tell myself it’s not for long. I will go back to Haiti once my goal and dream is complete .One day I see myself as the head chairman of the computer department I work for. I am living in America with allot of responsibilities and it has made grow up and be more mature it has also changed me somewhat characteristically but over all I still long to be home and I will one day for now I am still pursuing my dream.