Return-Path: <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id hBMGcYm11663; Mon, 22 Dec 2003 11:38:34 -0500 (EST) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 11:38:34 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <000701c3c8a6$f1026c20$130101c8@workstation1> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "George Demetrion" <george.demetrion@lvgh.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FOBASICS:910] A newcomer's plight X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 1757 Lines: 39 A while back, one of our local newspapers included the following essay. We had shared it in one of our classes and our students wrote their own suggestions as to what the writer could do in response to her problem. Perhaps some of your students would appreciate reading and reflecting on this essay, too. George Demetrion ______________________________________________________ Starting a New Life With No Friends I come from a country called Malasia. I am here because my husband's job required him to be based here for a few years. However, after being here for two months, sad to say I have not made a single friend. I do not know who my neighbors are. All I have seen is total indifference to the existence of another human being in the neighborhood. I go for walks every day with my child in order to meet people and to make friends. Sadly, no one is interested in speaking more than a word, or even give me a chance to speak more than that. They either look away when I pass, or just say "hello," and off they go! I understand everyone has their own stuff to do or their niche where they belong. But, please don't forget that it can be lonely when you are in a new place without family or friends. What makes it worse when people look at you without any sort of friendly interest. To the residents of my town, let me just say this: "I speak English, thus, I can converse with you. I am just a woman whom fate has sent to a new place to start a new life. So, please come on out and help me feel that the barrier between us can be brought down." I have very high expectations for this country and its people. However, I am beginning to wonder whether it has been misplaced. >From the Reminder East Hartford Edition April 24, 2002
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Mar 11 2004 - 12:17:01 EST