Its time a I tell you a little story.
I came from Karachi, Pakistan in 1988 on a student visa, with $500 to my name. My dad passed away when I was 16 years old, in 1984. I am part German, my mom was adopted by a Pakistani family long time ago. Anyways...after I paid off first cemester of fees, and $500 to my name, I came to America to become an engineer, and take care of my mom and younger brothers. I got a job at a local grocery store, and started going to college (it was fall of 1988). As a foreign student, I had to pay tremendous amount of dollars per cemester, and I didn't know how, because the money I was making at a grocery store wasn't enough, plus the owner-a pakistani-knew I was young and naive and a foreigner, so he was taking advantage of the situation (sad but true), making me work long hours and not paying me enough, and to make my life more distressed, I got another job at a gas station, with only one thing in mind. Must pay off the tuition, so one day I may graduate, become a 'big' engineer, and everything will be alright than. (Smiles)...life is never perfect, and achieving goals could be next to impossible. Someone told me that I must transfer to a community college, where I can finish up my pre-reqs, and it is much cheaper than a State college. So I transferred to San Jacinto College in Clearlake City, Texas. All this time I am feeling alone, tired, hungry, sad...BUT, one thing kept me going. I am going to be an engineer soon. Hey, this is America, I can do this. The beauty and challenge of America is that one must pay the dues, one has to work hard to achieve the american dream. One must be strong and tough. So, I kept at it...
San Jacinto Community College was you everysday, typical college, high school graduates, filling the hallways, talking, joking, goiong to their classes. It seem like everyone know everyone there. I felt a bit out of place. Lot of cool things happened, but there is one that I would like to mention.
My first cemester, it was spring of 1989. Boy, I am feeling good. I figured out a bus route, from my apartment to college and back. And I have made some friends already. Yeah...I am going to be an engineer soon.
As usual, I go to the college cafeteria, where I got to know the cooks and the cashier pretty well. I would get my usual, a cookie, maybe a soup and a cup of coffee, all for under $3.00. Cool. Life is good. Although, I would never hit the buffett side of the cafeteria, that was some good food there, but I couldn't handle the cost. I knew that I would go home and cook me some hamburger meat with potatoes (its called Keema Aloo), and eat till I am full. So that kept me going.
This is what normally happened. I would go get a corner table, and as I am emptying my tray, Dr. Raffaetto (Dean Of Campus) would come and sit on my table, facing me. And he would start talking to me. We got to know each other pretty well. And this is what always remained in my mind of him and what he used to say to me.
First, he would look at me, and than lean back on his chair, put his arms on his head, and this is what he used to say: " Asif...just hang in there buddy, I can see you one day, riding in a convertible car with a beautiful woman next to you...you watch..." He also helped me with my tuition. And here is a doozy. I never asked him for help or anything.
Years passed by, experienced life with all its sadness, happiness, sorrow, lonliness, and all the ups and downs, and met all kinds of folks, mostly good, humble, decent, loving, caring, generous people...and guess what, they weren't pakistanis. They were you regular americans...Irish, Scottish, Germans, Italians, Spanish, Greeks, and being American, ofcourse, most of them were mix.
Dr Rafaetto to me is a persona of America. Good human being. America is still the most wonderful country in the world. It has given me everything I asked for and more. I thank Allah for everything ofcourse, but I don't think I would've achieved all this in Pakistan. I know that I would not have. So, my friends, I love America, and the people.
It is still the most understanding, forgiving and intellectual nation on this planet. And I tell you why, I have been openly practicing my religion of Islaam for the last 20 years. I have two little kids now, nice home, and all the luxuries in the world. But yes, I worked hard for it, oh yes...
I have earned the American Dream (Its not over yet), and now my wife and I do our best to give back to the country, always.
So, lets keep this beautiful country of variety (variety in races, religion, cultures, ideologies, goals...) going and be an example to the whole wide world...Ameen.
I'll put some more thought later.
Salaam, Peace, Love, Respect
