Overcoming Hardship, Building a Future
In the beginning, the long hours of standing and the demanding manual labor felt like an insurmountable hurdle. Yet, fueled by a singular, powerful goal – to reunite our family and bring our children to the US –
we pressed on. Every ache and every moment of exhaustion was a step forward.
There was no turning back, especially with the promise I had made to my daughter of her own room and a television to watch cartoons. Through scorching heat and bitter cold, through long nights and early mornings, we rose courageously to tackle day to day issues
This wasn't just a job; it was our journey from what felt like hell to the heaven of having our family together. We embraced the opportunity to learn, diligently completing the Food preparation and safety course and mastering the intricacies of running a Dairy Queen franchise.
Our education in an English medium convent school proved to be an unexpected advantage, breaking down any communication barriers. Gradually, we conquered the fast food industry. I still recall the countless ice cream cones sacrificed in my struggle to perfect the swirl, and the watery blizzards that tested my patience.
But we were on a mission, quick to learn and adapt. Soon, we were confidently managing both the drive-through and the restaurant, often single-handedly. Our initial hardship transformed into a testament to our strength, our unwavering goal, and the profound love that drove us forward every single day.
LIFE IN DELAND
As the proverb goes, "Nothing Stays the Same, Life is all about Changes." The fast-food industry didn't feel like the correct choice of work and raise two kids. We continued working and waited for a chance to jump on the next offer that came our way. It was about moving to Florida and managing a convenience store and gas station.
Working in a convenience store in Deland, this was an eye opening experience, but it taught me valuable lessons about hard work and gratitude. It was a world apart from the career I had envisioned for myself, but it provided for my children and taught me the value of honest labor and customer service.
We settled in a row house with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a front yard. We got our kids admitted into a private school. Life was busy: wake up at 5 am and retire for the night at 11 pm. We were just floating through each day, making money, paying bills, and surviving with two kids. It was all about staying afloat in this crusade of life.
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FRIENDS,FITNESS AND SOCIETY
Life in DeLand marked a significant and positive change for me. I formed many friendships and experienced a period where life felt truly "awesome." I dedicated myself to exercise, successfully lost weight, and felt exceptionally good about my appearance.
Despite the struggles, DeLand also brought moments of joy and discovery. I became fascinated by computers, a passion that would stay with me. I also rediscovered my love for music, finding comfort and inspiration in its melodies.
These passions became my refuge, a source of comfort and strength in a world that often felt overwhelming. And dancing instilled confidence within me.
Psoriasis was history. It randomly recurred in some areas but nothing like in the past. That was one part of my life I had gained victory and it felt good.
The experience of having children in private school introduced new difficulties and responsibilities. Socializing with the elite families in the school was very culturally demanding, especially as I was trying to adjust to unfamiliar American norms, customs and traditions.
Maintaining a polished appearance was essential in this environment.
The school fostered a vibrant community and held numerous events, complemented by the parents' group organizing delightful high tea parties, women's gatherings, picnics, historical excursions, birthday celebrations, and sleepovers, which significantly enriched our kid’s social lives.
Understanding this social culture was indeed important, yet it didn't overwhelm me. I made a conscious effort to research and dress appropriately for each occasion. With both my children excelling academically, we were mindful of adhering to social etiquette. I remained true to myself, valuing my individuality throughout this experience.
Around that time, assembled computers became popular, and a thoughtful gift from my brother introduced me to this new technology, which quickly became a prized possession. While I enjoyed the initial experience of online chatting, I observed that some women seemed to create idealized online personas, perhaps stemming from loneliness.
As someone who valued authenticity and preferred real-time interactions, I soon decided to discontinue my online interactions. Though I was lonely longing for friends, I was not desperate.
The only constant in life is Change. The more flexible you are, the easier it is to adapt.
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