"Ma, don't worry I'll be fine!" I laughed at my mom as she continuously reminded me to be careful and don't leave anything behind. I really find it funny and annoying but I'm trying to hold back my tears.
Yes, my mom and I aren't really always on good terms. Typical mother and daughter relationship. We fight, we get annoyed, but at the end of the day we know how much we love each other. I know I'm going to be fine. I'm used to taking care of myself. I can say that among the four of us siblings, I'm the most independent. I can cook, clean, do the laundry and find ways to feed myself, in other words, get a job.
I hugged my family members one by one as we laughed and tears started to fall down my cheeks. I know I'm gonna miss them. I know how hard it will be without them. I love them so much.
"Take care! Introduce me to a handsome guy please!" My second older sister, Elyse, pushed me slightly and we all laughed.
"We might see you on TV dancing! Who knows if you actually really wanted to be a singer!" My oldest sister, Jianna, looked at me in sarcasm with a smile on her face as she teased me.
"No way. I'm too old to debut and I can't even dance properly. I won't even make the auditions"and we all burst out laughing.
"Okay that's enough. You'll be late. Go in now. Take care! Call us when you get there. Call us everyday. Pray always, okay?" My dad patted my shoulder and hugged me. "Okay I will. I'll miss you! Take care. Love you!"
I went towards the gate as the staff took my passport and my ticket. As I went in, I turned to my family and waved at them while walking backwards. I'm going to miss them so badly. I can't stop crying now. But if I don't do it now, I might never have the chance to do it in the future. I hope all the risks will be worth it. I think it will be. If I'm happy and content, I know it will be.
I sat down at the waiting area with my bag and pillow and stared at the window. This is really it. I thought to myself. I'm really going to New York. I want to become a filmmaker and producer. And I know New York is the perfect city to fulfil that dream.
I looked at my watch. Fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes left before I board that plane and completely fly off to neverland. There's no turning back once I get on the plane. I snapped back from my thoughts when I heard the announcement. We're now boarding.
......
It was a 16- hour flight to New York. I'm not really fond of plane rides, especially when I'm alone. What if the plane crashes? What do i do? I'm alone. Those are my thoughts whenever I board a plane. So throughout the flight, I just sleep and listen to music to calm myself.
I bowed my head in thanks to the crew as i took my first step in the land of my dreams. It wasn't an easy journey but i am finally here. I followed the other passengers towards the immigration and went towards the baggage claim area.
"Oh! Found ya." I said to myself as I eyed my luggage. I pushed my trolley towards the rotating machine. I stood there and waited for my luggage to come to me. As it neared me, i slowly bent down to take it when the man in front of me took it. I didn't know that New Yorkers can be really helpful even towards strangers.
"Thank you!"I said. When i looked up I saw him place my luggage into his own trolley. Wait a minute. Wait. I'm confused. That's my luggage, so why is he taking it? I stood there dumbfounded as I try to calculate things on my mind. Do we have the same luggage? Am i mistaken? Or is HE mistaken? I stood there for about a minute or two with a confused, stupid look on my face before I decided to go up to him to tell him that he took the wrong luggage, but, he was out of sight.
"Where did he go? Why was I staring in space for too long?" I hit my head as I tried to look around for him. Fortunately I was able to locate him. He was standing near the exit gate, waiting. Maybe for his friends. I went up to him. He was wearing a black pullover, a black bucket hat, and black boots. The only different color in his outfit is his white face mask. What is he? An agent? Men in Black? Is he a kpop idol? I laughed at that thought. If it was summer, i would really think of him as crazy, but since its winter, it's understandable to wear something that absorbs heat.
He was looking down at his phone while he stood beside his trolley.
"Excuse me" I said as I approached him. He looked at me for a moment and waved his hand as an act of no. What? I'm confused.
"I'm sorry, but I think you got the wrong luggage cause that's mine." I told him as I pointed out my luggage that's in the top of his luggage pile. He looked at me in confusion like a lost puppy.
"Uhmm, this luggage is mine."
"Huh" He answered. Ugh. This is so hard to do. I dont want to do this. I hate approaching people first. Why is this so embrassing?
"This luggage is mine." (Uhm this this. This is mine.)
"That can't be right. This is mine.” He answered.
"Look at this." I showed him my luggage receipt which matches the receipt taped into my luggage. “This and that are the same”.
He slowly nodded his head in agreement. Finally!
"Oh i'm so sorry. I'm really sorry.” He bowed to apologize and carefully took out my luggage from the pile and gave it to me.
"No, no, its okay.” I waved my hands at him indicating that it's okay. He bowed in return and I took my luggage and went towards the exit.
Whew! That was one stressful way of bidding me welcome in this country. I immediately looked at the information board to find out where I would ride the bus to my next destination: my dorm! And university.
"Okay found it!" I stood in line next to other passengers who were also waiting for the bus. Okay, Eunice. This is it! You're one step closer to your dreams.
As i sat on the bus, I stared out and observed the busy streets of New York. This is very much different from where I used to live. This is the city. Although I am excited, I can't help but feel scared. Deep down in my heart, I knew exactly what I was right now. In this place, I am a newbie. I am alone. I am foreign. I am an alien. I am different. And it is really difficult to be different. I miss my family. I hope they can be here with me.
The city is filled with office workers walking in the streets looking for a place to eat, students who chose the arcade over their teacher's lectures, people looking for jobs, tourists out on day tours, and here I am sitting on a bus filled with strangers. Will I survive this? Can I do this?