I still remember my fist thunderstorm in Ohio in 2004 summer. I have never experienced a thunderstorm like this: constantly thunder so loudly along with scary wind sound. At that time I was living in an apartment in Findlay all by myself. I crowded at the corner of my bed and covered my ears with my hands every time when I heard thunder. My heart beat was so fast and I felt I was living in a horror movie. I was so frightened. I had just been to the US for a couple of weeks and I had no elsewhere to go. So I looked up my poor contact book trying to see if I can find any help, and I saw a phone number of my classmate, Ning, who is from Thailand and living with an American family. I have been to her house and met her host-mother for only one time, and I was not sure whether she would answer my call since I have just known her for a few days. Surprisely, she answered my call. I explained that I was so frightened by the thunderstorm and I felt so alone. I asked if she could just stay on the phone with me and don't hang up. I think at that moment my voice sounded terrified. She immediately said of course and she tried to calm me down. Then, all the sudden there was another man took over the phone from Ning, and he gently said to me: “Hi Fanny. My name is Chuck. Can I be your American Dad?” I was very surprised but appreciated. I said yes, and then he told me just to stay at where I was and don’t go outside. “The storm will pass soon, and you are safe as long as you just don’t go outside,” he said.
The next day, before I headed to class, they came to my apartment with a bag of supplies: pillows, blanket, snacks, and so on. My relationship with this American family has formally started. Later on, whenever there was a storm prediction, they would pick me up in ahead so that I could stay overnight in their house, and I had never been alone since.
It was the most beautiful memory I have for America.
When I was living in Lima, Ohio in 2008-2014, I had been working in several places: Learning Castle, Law Office, Lima News, Panera Bread, and The Inn at ONU. I have to say that most people were very nice to me. I had the most wonderful time and working experience with all of these colleagues. We had so much fun together and I have learned so much from them. They have never made me feel uncomfortable with my skin color or my language barrier. They always said hello to me, smiled at me, and some would even spent their time chatting with me or encouraging me on my life issues. A lot of time I didn’t even feel much difference within the group.
I have to say I am blessed.
I still believe that most people are kind. They love to help, and they have big hearts. They respect others and they work as hard as they can to support their families. This is how I remembered towards my American family and friends, and I still believe so. The darkness will pass, and the sun light will come out. You will be safe as long as you stay at where you are. Prayers for America.
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