Comments on: Coming to America http://davethegrinch.net/2007/05/08/coming-to-america/ Strange mutterings from stranger people Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:27:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Aunt Cindy http://davethegrinch.net/2007/05/08/coming-to-america/#comment-570 Aunt Cindy Thu, 24 May 2007 23:25:10 +0000 http://davethegrinch.net/2007/05/08/coming-to-america/#comment-570 Hey David and Sarah...haven't kept up in here lately but have to say that what I've just read is so fasinating. You both write so well and it's wonderful to read about your experiences, both good and bad. I just cannot imagine doing what you're doing, but I'm also very proud of you and happy for you to visit so many places with so many different cultures. I've sure enjoyed reading about your adventures and appreciate you both taking the time to keep us all posted. Keep up the good work, stay safe, take care and good luck with the rest of your trip. Much love, Aunt Cindy Hey David and Sarah…haven’t kept up in here lately but have to say that what I’ve just read is so fasinating. You both write so well and it’s wonderful to read about your experiences, both good and bad. I just cannot imagine doing what you’re doing, but I’m also very proud of you and happy for you to visit so many places with so many different cultures. I’ve sure enjoyed reading about your adventures and appreciate you both taking the time to keep us all posted. Keep up the good work, stay safe, take care and good luck with the rest of your trip. Much love, Aunt Cindy

]]> By: DaveTheGrinch http://davethegrinch.net/2007/05/08/coming-to-america/#comment-554 DaveTheGrinch Sun, 20 May 2007 11:00:17 +0000 http://davethegrinch.net/2007/05/08/coming-to-america/#comment-554 I think the biggest problem for those coming from countries that are so different from America is how to find things that are familiar. Even for us, traveling temporailiy, we are drawn to a sign that says "chocolate cake" when all around us are strange food names in strange letters. Should Subash end up in rural America, even though he comes from rural Nepal, I think he would be more lonely than if he landed in Manhattan and found the only restaurant that served Dal-Bhat. Of course, I use food as a metaphore. Since writting the post I have discovered that the Nepali's are very much aware of the DV and, despite the odds, everyone seems to know someone who now lives in America. Considering everyone here is educated to almost the same level, I can only assume they adapt very well to their new lives. However, working in a 7-11 or washing dishes may seem to us to be a lowest forms of employment, Sarah and I have seen such poverity here that *any* job, for those willing to work, is a good one. Sarah and I discussed how we might help him if we were in the US right now. We could offer him a place to stay and help him with logistics but ultimatly Seattle is VERY expensive for Americans let alone Nepalis. And there's the irony, a big city with an albeit small Nepali community would be better than small town America but the big city is so expensive to live in. But, as I said, other DV winners from Nepal have made it so why can't Subash. I think the biggest problem for those coming from countries that are so different from America is how to find things that are familiar. Even for us, traveling temporailiy, we are drawn to a sign that says “chocolate cake” when all around us are strange food names in strange letters. Should Subash end up in rural America, even though he comes from rural Nepal, I think he would be more lonely than if he landed in Manhattan and found the only restaurant that served Dal-Bhat. Of course, I use food as a metaphore. Since writting the post I have discovered that the Nepali’s are very much aware of the DV and, despite the odds, everyone seems to know someone who now lives in America. Considering everyone here is educated to almost the same level, I can only assume they adapt very well to their new lives. However, working in a 7-11 or washing dishes may seem to us to be a lowest forms of employment, Sarah and I have seen such poverity here that *any* job, for those willing to work, is a good one.

Sarah and I discussed how we might help him if we were in the US right now. We could offer him a place to stay and help him with logistics but ultimatly Seattle is VERY expensive for Americans let alone Nepalis. And there’s the irony, a big city with an albeit small Nepali community would be better than small town America but the big city is so expensive to live in. But, as I said, other DV winners from Nepal have made it so why can’t Subash.

]]> By: Roz http://davethegrinch.net/2007/05/08/coming-to-america/#comment-536 Roz Wed, 09 May 2007 03:19:01 +0000 http://davethegrinch.net/2007/05/08/coming-to-america/#comment-536 Dave, sorry I haven't commented before, I've been avidly reading about your experiences and both incredibly proud of the two of you and incredibly jealous that I didn't have the guts to do what you are doing, 30 years ago! (proud wins out...but just barely!) But, I HAD to comment and to ask a question. If you were here in a America at the moment, would you help this young man, and if so, in what way would you help him? I guess I'm asking...is he teachable? I don't say that in a sarcastic tone, I hope you understand what I mean. Once he gets here, can he be made to understand and will he be able to accept the "REAL" America? Do you think he would do better in a small town, big city, etc...I know your busy schedule, but if you could email me your reply, I'd like to think about how I might help this young man, without enableing or hurting him, which I know is very easy to do, without meaning to. Again, I'm very proud of both of you and find your journey, both physically and emotionally amazing! Love, Roz, (the aunt wanna be!) Dave, sorry I haven’t commented before, I’ve been avidly reading about your experiences and both incredibly proud of the two of you and incredibly jealous that I didn’t have the guts to do what you are doing, 30 years ago! (proud wins out…but just barely!)

But, I HAD to comment and to ask a question. If you were here in a America at the moment, would you help this young man, and if so, in what way would you help him? I guess I’m asking…is he teachable? I don’t say that in a sarcastic tone, I hope you understand what I mean. Once he gets here, can he be made to understand and will he be able to accept the “REAL” America? Do you think he would do better in a small town, big city, etc…I know your busy schedule, but if you could email me your reply, I’d like to think about how I might help this young man, without enableing or hurting him, which I know is very easy to do, without meaning to.

Again, I’m very proud of both of you and find your journey, both physically and emotionally amazing!
Love,
Roz, (the aunt wanna be!)

]]> By: Mom/Nancy http://davethegrinch.net/2007/05/08/coming-to-america/#comment-534 Mom/Nancy Tue, 08 May 2007 16:32:17 +0000 http://davethegrinch.net/2007/05/08/coming-to-america/#comment-534 What a great entry, Dave. A completely new perspective for me, that's for sure. And the great immigration debate is heating up in America, as you know. While I understand those who are concerned about people coming to America who don't want to contribute, who we end up supporting.... they lose sight of the fact that most of them DO want to contribute, they simply aren't prepared, as we see with Subash. And we've lost our compassion. Immigrants aren't "real" to us, real humans who only want what we all want -- a better life. Ah, get me off my soap box, this isn't the forum for it! I have to say... I've still been thinking of you as British and it surprised me to read you referring to yourself as American! I don't know what I thought it meant when you passed that challenging citizenship test!! What a great entry, Dave. A completely new perspective for me, that’s for sure. And the great immigration debate is heating up in America, as you know. While I understand those who are concerned about people coming to America who don’t want to contribute, who we end up supporting…. they lose sight of the fact that most of them DO want to contribute, they simply aren’t prepared, as we see with Subash. And we’ve lost our compassion. Immigrants aren’t “real” to us, real humans who only want what we all want — a better life.

Ah, get me off my soap box, this isn’t the forum for it! I have to say… I’ve still been thinking of you as British and it surprised me to read you referring to yourself as American! I don’t know what I thought it meant when you passed that challenging citizenship test!!

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