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The first thing coming to my head is this: in my country I used to pay nine roubles for my one bedroom, and that covered assessment, taxes etc. To give you a clue, my salary was about 450 roubles per month, which means that my household expenses constituted only 2% of my income. That means no matter what you can afford your apartment, so job security is quite insignificant. In other words, you can do crazy freaky things without worrying too much about losing your job (and you thought I was acting crazy HERE!)

The other thing is as long as you don’t piss on the government, you can say pretty much anything there. They don’t (or at least didn’t) have such thing as political correctness (or sexual harasasment, for that matter). That made my life a lot more liberating.

That being said, I drank hard every day for quite a few years. It can only mean one thing: the sense of hopelessness and lack of commitment to the future. Well, I am here now, aren’t I?

” how do you see yourself in 5 years ”

      first of all i would like to say there are so many plans in my head, i see many things in my future.  myself in 5 years i do not know exactly what i will do, where i’m going to be in the future .

well i am going to tell you a few plans that are in my head . i have been here in USA for a year and a half .  when the first time i got here i was like i want to stay here forever. they have everything i needed everything i wanted but right now i changed my mind i want to go back to my country  to stay with my parents, hang out with my friends, playing with my niece and nephews. to be honest i am so home sick,  even though  when i’m here my life is so much fun  but  i still feel home sick . my plan is this:  in the future i will go back to my country whenever i’m finished with my school (truman college ESL classes) because i want to bring  a certificate or degree  to show my mom that i made it , to show my dad  that i did not waste my time in USA. to tell him at least i  graduated from truman college. I will be so proud of myself at that time but i do not know exactly if there is any certificate for free classes( i just hope there are ) .  i will bring that cerificate for my career , i will apply for an airline or maybe hotel where i could use english to communicate. the other plan in my head  i will move to iceland to stay with someone that i dedicated my life for. i want to marry her and stay with her forever . wherever she go i will be there with her ………………..

well nobody knows the plan can change every second,every day. today you might see your future but tomorrow when you wake up you might change your plans

By visanou bounthavy

          How my life changed after coming to this country,I think my life has changed dramatically,In my native country ,Because I didn’t get enough points to go to college.so  I had to work,but in this country  I have a second chance, I can go to college.I can do anything I want to do , I can achieve my dream,because I believe that anything will come true if  you work hard to succeed , Chicago is a very liberal city,If you do strange things, Nobody will  pay attention to you.but in my country if you do something unusual or wear  strange clothes ,maybe the people will say something.

       There is a change in the friendship,In China ,I have a lot of friends we can get together do  some crazy things, play together, but in Chicago , I feel alone ,different language.As Victor said go to school to learn, not to make friends,I agree with his words.I really enjoy the time in class,In the free time I like to stay at home.so maybe this is a big change.   

       In this country,I can work while studying on the side,I like this way of life.I know this is only temporary,But I know that their efforts often become good,because i have a new life in this country ,in this city anything will come true,if you work hard!

I had never thought about the two people I really would like to invite for dinner. But maybe this is the opportunity to think very hard. Since it’s reality and the rest is just a dream.
First, Alejandro Ortega because he is an admirable person, cool, and looks good in life. He is a person who at dinner would give a spark of joy to laugh all night and to have an unforgettable dinner. Also, I’ll invite him because he is very polite and respectful to me. I’ll invite him to the best restaurant in Chicago. He is a great guy. Finally, because besides being one of my guests, he would be the person to help meforget my problems and enjoy dinner.
The second person would be David Bisbal because he is a person who I really admire since he began his career, a great singer that comes from Almeria, Spain. I love his music. In addition to being a wonderful singer, he is Spanish, friendly, cool and perfect father of a beautiful girl of only 2 years ago. Also he has a personality that brings spark to everything. It would be an unforgettable evening.
In conclusion, my two guests for dinner would be Alejandro Ortega and David Bisbal. They have personalities that bring joy to all sides. The sparks they create are wonderful. It would certainly be a very nice dinner.

Nhi in five more years..i am  sure it will be different with Nhi now, but the first thing of course i look older.you know i’ve just been here for one year, everything new with me.When i stayed in VIETNAM.i just studied.hang out with my friends.do not worry about what happen in the future.i did not work.i spent money from my parents.But now i have to work..i have to learn something.i feel good when i spent money by myself.more experience from my jobs.maybe in 5 years .i speak English better.i will have a lot of friends from many countries…i want to become a nurse..but i do not know whether it will come true or not

I always promise myself to try to study well anyway

How I see myself in 5 years

Inteligent,smart,well educated, speaking  confident English and  a little bit Spanish and french well dressed with the fanciest brands, driving one of the last models of cars, in perfect shape ,having  a big, new  house in a suburb . I’ll have graduated from one of the biggest university of Chicago and start working at the largest company or hospital ( I still thinking about it…. Office or hospital…. ) . Just coming back from a vacation in Italy or France. Married to a gorgeous ,smart,eduacated guy with successful career,  who has quiet, simple nature inside and charming outside and just crazy about his wife. Having wonderful,amazing, healthy twin boys with nicest and kindest nanny ( that is very important). That happiest buzy lady rushing back from work to kiss her children and to hug her husband IS ME…. After 5 years)……..

In 5 years I will be approximately 25 or 26 years old.

In my life as a professional, I will have finished college and I will be proud of myself for completing and having made my professional career in cosmetology or journalism. Finally I’ll be ready to fulfill my career as a professional Cosmetologist. Working in the best beauty salons of the city. Doing hair and makeup. And also working as a professional in cosmetology for famous people as well as for actresses, actors and singers. In general for people of the show business. And after getting more experience in my work as a cosmetologist. I would like to open my own beauty salon. And not depend on anyone else for my work. Get my own employees and customers for my salon. Having the best references of the most respected and important customers. And become one of the best cosmetologists in the city and be recognized by many people who are dedicated to the same as me. On the other hand to focus on my profession as a reporter. Start working for newspapers and TV stations in Chicago. And become one of the best journalists in the city, be recognized by many people. Traveling all over the world ready to give any kind of features and entertainment for others. Always keeping abreast of what is happening around us and inform you of what happens.
In my personal life, I’ll be completely independent of my parents. Getting married by the church and in a civil ceremony with the person I love the most. Having my own apartment or house. very happy living with my husband and our baby. not having to depend on anything or anyone else in general. Being myself and taking care of my house, my family and my work. I would be a good loving family person, a good wife, good mother, but always happy and in agreement with my family. And working professionally. Also taking my spouse to visit my native country so he can meet the rest of my family who lives there. But also those who live in Houston and St. Anthony, Texas. And Las Vegas, Nevada. Taking him to know the most important person in my life, my dad.
In conclusion, my life would be a lifetime of fun and surprises. but being happy with my husband and especially with the support we give each other.

Well, in five years i’ll be back in my home country,i hope, i don’t know, maybe running my own business, with my family, my future wife, my kids, taking care of them, living for them enjoying every day of my life as i try every day, and if i can travel somewhere will be even better, but for now i am here, i am thinking about going back soon, but till that happens, i’ll keep studying, working  so i can take something good with me.

Yeah, so those are my plans and my wishes. i hope they all come true, i have to keep positive and  lastly i hope every one of my hopes will soon become reality. thanks…

I see a much skinnier guy living in a suburb with a devoted wife and three kids, driving a minivan and spending every Sunday morning in a church. That guy is not me.

I see myself with even longer whiter hair, slightly better dressed, living in a fancier place and driving a bit better car. I see myself traveling more especially overseas. I see a parade of pretty ladies, many of whom might be oriental. I see money, being spent not saved. I see myself running a private business… to a toilet. I see a permanent brand on my forehead, the way they brand cattle. It says “Truman”.

The three things I like about Chicago are Downtown, Shopping malls and the people.
First, Downtown because it has beautiful places that everyone can visit. Parks such as Millennium Park and Grant Park. Where everyone can visit with their families and have some fun.
Second, their malls are wonderful because they are there for all sorts of people. Many places offer more discounts than others. And they are always well attended.
Third, people who live here are very friendly. They offer their friendship with sincerity without trying to receive anything in return. They are friendly and cheerful. On the other hand, there are things I don’t like at all about Chicago. One of them is the racism that exists, and that throughout time that racism has come to violence among people. Second, gangs on the streets that lead young people to be on drugs and follow bad influence. Finally, assistance with hospitals as well as for low-income and the needy leaves much to be desired.
In conclusion, those were my reasons why I love Chicago but at the same time don’t.