I was standing in line to get my Pickup Truck registered in the Houston Tax Assessor office today. Don't ask me why a Truck for Software Professional?! The office opens at 7:45am and I got there at 8am. I was hoping to see a short line but inspite it was a big line with more than 20 people ahead of me. I was like, how come these many people in just 15 mins?
While was waiting in line, I started looking around especially the people in the line. I saw the TRUE AMERICA right there. There was few Mexicans standing in line to get his registration renewed, Chinese guy talking to his wife about his new vehicle, Americans who are in line for some other business, Indians like me to register they cars, African Americans, Koreans, Italians and lot more different people in that line which I can't guess.
I even saw a COP standing in line for his own vehicle. Can you imagine a police standing in line in any of our government offices in India?!
That's the TRUE COLOR of AMERICA!! That's America all about.
A multi-race(Americans, Mexicans, Spanish, French, Britain's, Indians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Pakistan's, Bangladeshi, Japanese, Korean, African Americans, Italians, Israeli's, Palestinians, Germans, Russians), multi-cultural, multi-cuisine,multi-lingual,multi-religious(Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindu, Sikhs, Buddhist) diversified in all ways, different color people living happily together in this wonderful land especially following rules and looking out for each others. You can only see this real scene in this country.
Lets take a real example from my work place. My boss is a American(Jew), coworkers are from (Christian)German, Taiwan(Buddhist), India(Hindu), (Muslim)Russia, African Americans. Where else you can see this combination of people from different countries working together, not even in many europe countries except UK?!
"WHAT A COUNTRY ?!"
Its a land of opportunities. Its the heaven for so many people. Every day, people come to this country with loads of dreams in their hearts from all over world, hoping this country has lot to offer. And it never ever failed to surprise with all it has to give to them.
Some come as refuges asking for asylum, some for their higher studies, some like me come to work and make a living, some come to endeavour various business opportunities, some come to start their life, sadly some get imported and sold for their survival and lot more come in different ways. For all of us who enters legally, this country opens its hands wide and welcome all whole heartily giving them faith, hope and courage by all means.
Do you know,
1. There is no fee or donations for schooling from kinder garden to 12th grade including bus service from home. Private school do exist but not necessary to use them.
2. Libraries has lot to offer. They have free access to any kind of books, dvd's, cd's in any language you want. Its all over America, not just in one city.
3. Atleast 2-3 Playgrounds and Parks for each county, maintained well and its all over cities all across America.
4. Roadways is one of major commuting system in America. Roads, Bridges and Highways are well built and maintained periodically.
5. High importance to Safety and Security. You can call 911 any time of the day and there will be a cop/police standing in your door step just in 2 mins.
6. Special attention to extra curricular activities and sports. Well equipped training facilities to create sport people of all time.
These are some simple things. But these are all the essential things. All coming out from the Tax dollars. The money very well spent.
In American, you can fight for your own Justice for anything whether its big or silly. System is so easy and reachable to an ordinary individual. You can fight for increase in your home property tax, you can fight for being treated rationally or you can even fight for stolen Pair of Pants.
America is not just a land of luxury as outside world know. America is all about people who find their home away from home. Its the people who look out for each other making this wonderful nation strong and thriving. That's the sole reason lot more aspire to come here. That's what I like the most about this country.
This country is all about FREEDOM. Freedom of choice. Freedom of speech. Freedom of Marriage, to marry and share your life with anybody, even same sex. Freedom of one self. Freedom to be who you are and do what you want to do. That's what I love about this country. You do whatever you like to do with your own free will and people support you whole heartily.
This country has offered me more than I ever think of. I should say "I was reborn and rediscovered" here. I am living the "All American Dream". I put my hands on whatever I can and try to make marks. I had the WILL to do things. I found my WAY's to do it here. I learned how to Swim like a boy. I enjoyed nature by taking hiking and trekking trips. I never knew that I can run 45kms and can do marathons.
I learnt to do snow skiing and Ice Skating. Dancing was never my passion until I came to America. I learned Ballroom and Western dances like Waltz, Swing, Rumbha, Mambo etc., I earned hordes of good American friends who consider me as part of their family which I never imagined in my life. Life has changed a lot for all good reasons. I can vouch that every immigrant hasa story of his own like this one. The main essence from all these, America has everything to offer and American people makes a true difference standing behind this great nation.
Fourth of July is not just another day for people of America. Its a Great American 4th of July. A day to celebrate the country and the people who makes the country. People participate in parades with great enthusiasm, have barbecue parties in their backyard with their friends, take trip to beaches, celebrate watching fireworks all across the country and enjoy with proud and pride of being an American or living in America.
Fourth of July has always been a special day for me. Not just because I am in America, its also my birthday. I always celebrated it. After getting here, I am celebrating with everybody in here. I never missed a July 4th without Fireworks. I have saved some great memories of watching fireworks all across America. I have seen Fireworks on top of Niagara falls(classy one), Big Parade and mother of all fireworks in Washington DC(USA Capital), fireworks on Charles River Boston embedded with live music, Columbus City Fireworks, Fireworks in Austin,Texas Capital. This 4th of July, I am planning be celebrate by watch Symphony in the open theatre with fireworks at the end.
I am a proud INDIAN and a passionate AMERICA resident to breath the air of this wonderful free nation, AMERICA.
Happy Birthday America !!!
