米国欢迎尔？Welcome to America!?!...

So, I’m fresh off the boat, well, actually off the plane. But whatever I’m off from, I am a freshman to America. And that is for sure.

Even before I left Egypt, friends in the US had already written to me and the subject of their emails was unsurprisingly all the same—Welcome to America! The only difference is that some used one exclamation mark, others used three and still another used up to six! I knew the “legendary” America is not all about exclamation marks, but I didn’t really know what other punctuations I may use to describe it.

On my flight to DC, the girl sitting next to me gave me an exclamation mark. I learned from her that when it comes to dealing with America, I first need to have the right attitude, i.e. be positive, open-minded and perseverant.

However, once I’ve landed on America, the landlady on whom I originally hoped to practice the right attitude gave me a big question mark, actually many question marks. No matter how polite and considerate I was to her, she simply threw my food out of the fridge. And once I told her I wanted to leave, she threw more at me— hysteria, mean language, lawsuit threat, you name it. The only thing she didn’t throw at me was my deposit money, even after I left.

Then as I wandered on the streets, feeling completely homeless, some other people extended a helping hand. Now I’ve found a new place. So, America is back to exclamation mark again.

I don’t really like this roller-coaster way of life. My personal favorite is ellipsis—the three tiny, little dots that carry big, gigantic meanings. It’s serene. It’s soothing and it’s everlasting. It’s without boundaries, but it’s full of imaginations.

Therefore, I made a wish. I hope my journey in America can be just as simple as the three little dots…