Having a Good Memories with buddies

                Since I have been living in USA, I missed craziest moments with my childhood friends and classmates back of my country. I remebered some of my funniest moments. When I was in 6th grade me and my friends used to go out in break time. One day we went out on streets and bother neighbourhood. We rang door bells of the houses and runaway. Anotherday when electricity has gone we sticked tape on the button of bell then whenever electricity came every door rang same time. We also used to play cricket in break time

She was a couple of decades older than I was, but I knew—as kids understand these things without being told—that she was the perfect friend for me.

Oh, the hours we spent in my grandparents' house playing together!

They had a long hall and we devised this game with a ball where we rolled it down the long rug—"Be careful," Grandmama would warn us—and the other had to catch. While the adults chatted in the living room, I'd rush off to play with my pal aunt Ellen.

We stretched our feet out and rolled that ball back and forth until Popee said we were going to wear out the rug. But he and Grandmama, loved to see us play together.

Ellen had a small electric organ in her bedroom and she would play and sing hymns and patriotic songs. "America, the Beautiful" and "Stars and Stripes Forever" were particular favorites. I could play too, and we sat on that bench together.

She was a couple of decades older than I was, but I knew—as kids understand these things without being told—that she was the perfect friend for me.

Oh, the hours we spent in my grandparents' house playing together!

They had a long hall and we devised this game with a ball where we rolled it down the long rug—"Be careful," Grandmama would warn us—and the other had to catch. While the adults chatted in the living room, I'd rush off to play with my pal aunt Ellen.

We stretched our feet out and rolled that ball back and forth until Popee said we were going to wear out the rug. But he and Grandmama, loved to see us play together.

Ellen had a small electric organ in her bedroom and she would play and sing hymns and patriotic songs. "America, the Beautiful" and "Stars and Stripes Forever" were particular favorites. I could play too, and we sat on that bench together.

Autumn and Winter in Connecticut.

               When I moved from Texas to Connecticut, it was Autumn. I could see colorful trees all around the place that I hadn't seen before. My country doesn't have Autumn.  I reached to  my aunt and uncle's house who lived in Westport, CT. They have four kids, all of them younger than me. I met them and saw my cousins after a long time. They were glad after seeing me in Connecticut. We had dinner together.

              The next morning, I woke up my aunt said " Get ready for pictures, the weather is so gorgeous and colorful outside - let's capture of Autumn". I got ready to go out. She took my pictures with colorful trees and beautiful views and I loved it.

            My aunt cooked food for me which I liked. We had dinner together. We were sitting in the dining room and talking. My aunt asked " Do you want to see Manhattan NY". I replied quick" Yes!!! sure I would like to see because it was one of my dreams". She said " OK !  we will take you tomorrow ". I was so excited. I couldn't imagine I was going to see Manhattan that I always watched in the movies and heard from other people about it.

            Next day we were on the way to NY. In the route I saw scenic views which were so beautiful. By the time we arrived at Manhattan, It was getting dark, but there was a lot of lighting . I saw huge tall buildings. I started to feel pain in my neck because I kept looking at these huge buildings.Dozens of people were walking and there was a lot of traffic on the streets. It looked like one of the craziest cities. We were trying to find  parking over there. Finally, after 30 minutes we found a parking space which was close by Times Square. We walked towards Times Square stairs and looked at the view from the stairs. I saw a famous clock on the Tower.  I've never thought that I'd be in such a place until I got there. We visited some big stores like M & M's, Jurassic park and Hershey's. After visiting everyplace, we were starving  then we stopped at a famous GYRO place in Manhattan. It was so delicious. I really liked it. It was a wonderful trip for me. I was so glad.







            I was staying at my aunt's house. After a couple of weeks, one morning my aunt woke me up and said look outside. When I looked out it was so unbelievable. I rubbed my eyes twice then I saw the outside  which covered by a white layer and that was snow . I was feeling like I was in heaven because It was my first time I saw snow in my entire life. I was going so crazy. I went out without wearing a coat. Outside the temperature was damn cold then I ran back inside and put my jacket on.
I wore a hat, gloves and boots then I went out again. I was playing with my younger cousin in the snow. We were throwing the snow to each other and making snowballs. We made a snowman.
These were the craziest moments of my life. I never thought one day I would be seeing Autumn and Winter like this.

Memorable Unexpected Surprise for My Mother

            More than a year has passed that I have lived in the USA. I was too tired of working hard and I wanted to go for vacation. I missed my mom a lot so I decided to visit her. I made a plan to give her a surprise on her birthday without telling her that I was coming. I planned to fly on November because it was the month of my mom's birthday . I had started to look for tickets. I spoke with one of my cousins and told him my plan. He was excited to hear it because we were like brothers. He is four years older than me. He agreed to come pick me up at the Airport.

            I bought a ticket for the last week of October because it wasn't too expensive . My flight was on October 25,2012. I was extremely excited because I was going to give my mom a surprise and it was my first visit back to my country. I couldn't believe that I made this decision. I was wondering how my mom's reaction was going to be at that moment. I was afraid of her health because it was going to give her a shock. Then I had an idea , I called her and made a fake story. I said to her "one of my friends was going to visit Pakistan. I wanted to send some presents for you".She said " No, you don't need to send anything". but I told her I would send something.

            I went to the mall to buy presents for her. but I was confused to make a selection... what should I buy? Then I asked my aunt to help me to find a present for mom, I bought a necklace, purse, perfume & some cosmetics for her. Also I bought some gift items for my cousins and friends.

          The night before leaving, I couldn't get sleep. My eyes were on the clock. At that moment clock wasn't ticking for me. Minutes seemed to be an hours. Finally, that night passed. Now OCT 25, the sun was finally rising. I got out of my bed to get ready to leave home. I called my friend who was going to give me ride to the Airport. He came then I put baggage in the car then we left.




            I reached the JFK Airport. I said good bye to my friend then I walked through security and customs. I was waiting in the lounge for flight. I called my cousin, we made a plan how I was going to surprise her. He told his parents also (my uncle and aunt) but they didn't tell my mom.He told me "They were going to bring my mom to their home". I talked to my mom and said " My phone has broken. I was going to fix it, you might not be able to reach me ". I had to tell her this because she called me everyday so when I was going to be in the plane and cellphone was going to be switch off, She was going to worried.


               My plane took off from JFK to Dubai. My flight was 22 hours long. It was a connecting flight so I had 2 hours stay in Dubai then from Dubai to Karachi. In the plane my time went through so fast I couldn't imagine when I saw my city on map in the plane. I couldn't wait anymore. I wanted to get out from plane.

               I arrived at Karachi Airport. I got off from the plane and got my baggage then I ran towards the exit. I couldn't hold my excitement. My cousin and uncle came to pick me up at the airport. They were waiting outside. I came out, I saw my cousin. He was coming towards me then I gave him a huge hug and also my uncle. We got in a car and headed to home.

              At my cousin's house, my aunt and other cousins were waiting for me. My mom also was there but she didn't have any idea what was going to happen. They made a setup how I was going to surprise her.

                 I reached the house. I ran away crazy to the door. My aunt opened the door. I met her and gave her a hug then she said very quietly " Your mom is seated in that room on the bed".I walked to that room. My mom was talking with my cousins, her face was on other side so I was behind her. I walked slowly slowly then put my hands on her eyes, First she said my cousin's name ... she thought it was him. Then she turned and shocked, her expression was crying, laughing and saying my name loudly " IMRAN!!!!, How did you reach here?" .I never seen her expression before like this. I could see her eyes with tears because of happiness. My hand was on her hand,She was kept kissing me. That was the memorable moment of my life. I won't forget ever.

After Longtime met Dad.

  


      Finally I arrived at my destination, the plane landed in  Dallas, Texas Airport on June 01,2011. I got off from the plane, and I was feeling drowsy because it  was my first time I traveled that long  by flight. It took me 22 hours to get on the land of  USA.

        I walked towards the custom, and everyone there were strangers for me. I was waiting in a queue  for my turn to give an interview to  an immigrantion officer but I was kind of nervous that moment. I worried I couldn't speak English well and what questions he was going to ask me. Then an officer called me for an interview. He asked me a couple of questions and looked at my documents then let me go.
   

















    Then I was waiting for my baggage. I was so happy, I couldn't believe myself that I was going to meet my dad and his new family. My Brother was 15 years old & my sister who was 17 years old. Another emotion I was feeling was grief. Since I left my country, I missed my mom a lot. After my baggage came out, I  put it on the cart. I turned to walk towards the exit .
 




 


     I saw my dad with my half brother. They were standing outside of the exit gate waiting. My dad couldn't recognize my face. He hadn't seen me since I was 6  he saw me. I remembered their faces because I used to talk with them on social network, and they had pictures on their profile. Then my half brother looked at me and waved his hand. My dad and bro gave me hug and welcomed me in the USA. We went to the parking lot because there my step-mom & sister were waiting in the car. I met them and  they were happy after they saw me, then we moved our car on the way to home.

       I was looking at the view outside of the car. There were huge buildings and bridges around and  everything was new for me like I was feeling I was in another world. Then we reached at the house. I freshened up. We sat together at the dining table for dinner. We were talking to each other. I was telling them how everything was  back in Pakistan. After that I went to sleep.

 
  Next day morning when I woke up, my dad said to get ready we were going out for breakfast. Dad, younger brother & I went to breakfast. I saw many strangers who were jogging on theside walk and doing exercises in the park. We came to Dunkin donuts which I had never seen it in my country. That was my first time I saw it. I ordered donuts with coffee. It was very yummy, I liked it. Then we brought some donuts for my sister & step mom.
      In the evening my brother took me to meet his friends. My brother and his friends started to play basket ball. I was watching them because I didn't know how to play this game. After watching them, I tried to play. Then we came back home.
      At night we were all sitting in a lounge to watch T.V. and we were planing to go  somewhere for a week. Then we decided to visit seven falls in Colorado. My dad said " we are going to leave the day after tomorrow." We were so excited.
     That day came.We started to pack  our bags and put stuff in a car. Then we left at 10AM to Colorado. It took 11 hours to drive to Colorado. On the way, I was seeing small beautiful villages & rivers.  At night I saw amazing views of lighting all over the place.
      Finally, we arrived at Colorado at 10:45PM. We stayed in the motel which was the nearest to Seven Falls. We decided to see seven falls at night time because it's more beautiful view at night .            
      Next day, we went out early because we had to visit too many places over here. First we went to Downtown Aquarium of Colarado. There I saw most elegant and colorful kinds of Fish.

                                                        

      Then we went to visit  Royal George Scenic Railway. There we took a ride in a roller coaster. It was so amazing and fun.

                                                                        
       After that we arrived at Seven falls. We had to walk 181 feet, 224 Steps on the stair to watch views of waterfalls. There was very admirable and colorful vision which I never seen before. Water was falling down from the mountains and different colors of light shadow on the water.

 

      One the way back to home. We stopped by Oklahoma Casino because he liked to gamble. That was the first time I saw a Casino. My dad taught me how to play slot machines. I played and won a couple of dollars.
       Finally, we came back home at night, and I was too tired. It was really marvelous tour, and I had a lot of fun in just the couple of weeks.    

First time away from native Land.

                                         
               The day  was Monday, April 25, 2011. I was playing a game on the computer at home, and my mom was at work. Around 5 pm my cellphone rang, I looked at the number, it was a business number so I answered the call.

"Can I talk to Syed Ali?"
 I heard a man's voice on the line.
 “Yes, I am speaking” I replied.
“I am calling from American express (AMEX) regarding your immigrant visa.
"Congratulations!!!" You got your visa to the U.S. You can come to collect your passport Mon to Fri between 9am-3pm” the man said.
"Really!!!", I said.

              That moment I  was surprisingly shocked for few seconds and forgot I was on the line, because I wasn’t expecting this. It took over 2 years to get the visa.
   "Hello!! are you there?" the man said.
    "Yeah, I am here.Tomorrow I'll come. Thanks for giving me this wonderful news" I replied to him then hung up.
                     After that I thanked God for this opportunity. Now I waited for mom to give her the news. I had to wait because she didn't get home until 10pm from work. Between waiting time, I couldn't control my excitement because getting the visa meant by alot. I am going to see my dad because I hadn't seen him for a longtime - over15 years,   I  also wanted to visit & study in the USA.
   I was feeling a bombshell because I never went far away from mom, and I had to leave all my buddies, families. It was really a difficult situation for me I was thinking “Is she going to be happy or sad after hearing this news” . But soon she would be home. I ran towards the door, opened it before she knockes then she entered in the room I gave her a hug and said I got my visa.
   "Seriously!!! No, are you just kidding like you always do?”.She responded .
   “Yes, I got a call by AMEX to come get a passport” I said.
   She gave me a huge hug.
   “ I always said: You'll get visa”.She said.
               After she heard this news her expression was excited, but I could see tears in her eyes, and I knew that she was not happy in her heart.
   “Why do you have tears in your eyes?" I asked her.
   “It's  bcause of happiness.” She answered.
             Then She asked me to give this news to dad, then I called him and told him. He was also excited to hear this then he told me to get started to find a ticket and pack the luggage. My mom was trying to motivate me. She was saying "You don't need to worry, feel alone because your father is there and your aunt is also there. Just think it's your future, and you have to be successful in your life."
                     Next day I went to get my passport then I booked ticket. My flight was on May 31, 2011 at 10:30pm from Pakistan to Texas. I went to meet family member's to say goodbye with my mom and went shopping. At night I went to hang out with my buddies and had dinner out.
                    So, Time was flying and days were coming closer so fast. I was getting depressed instead of excited. It was my first time to travel far away from home without mom. I was thinking alot like, I am going to another part of world and everything is dissimilar, What will be happen next ? Finally the last day came I woke up around 11am.

 

         My mom made breakfast  for me then after finishing break fast I went out to buy some stuff. When I came back, I started to pack luggage.My aunt, who lived near my home, cooked fried rice for my lunch because it's one of my favorite dish. After I ate lunch. I got ready to go.



                       Now time came to leave home. I went out to the airport with family & friends. We reached at Airport . Everybody's faces were sad because they were going to see me off, and I was also heavy hearted that moment. They announced boarding of my flight then last time I said to everyone “GOODBYE”.

 and walked away towards the terminal when I had finished check-in then I looked outside, waived my hand in the air to mom, family and friends. I walked away to get on the plane feeling very lonely.