The Jamaican Student: Welcome To America

Getting Ready

Jeminye 

"Alright Jem, this is it you hit the jackpot thank you Jesus", my mom began to rant. She's always been the dramatic type then again all Jamaican moms are like that, but I wouldn't change her for the world.

"Yes mommy I hear you, I'm going to the land of Oppurtunity where anything is possible the big bad America". I began to mock her as she looked at me disapprovingly. So here's the thing I finally got approved for a 10 year visa, I've never been to America hell I've never left Jamaica. For 20 years of my life I've just been living how my mom wanted me to live, I go to school, get good grades, go to church, you know the typical good girl act.

I graduated high school early at the age of 16 with several distinctions, then I went to college on a student loan because my mom didn't have it financially. Then I graduated college with a degree in business finance, I got a good job, bought my first car and moved my mom and I out of the ghetto stuff like that.

But outside of education, I haven't experienced what it means to live a life as a 20 year old woman who's doing well for herself. Never went to a party, never had a boyfriend life was just dull and depressing . Can you imagine a grown, smart and attractive woman like myself is still a virgin? Even though I must admit I've never found anyone who peaked my interest, but how could I? When doing what my mother wants is all I've ever known. So when my mother suggested I try for a visa at the U.S Embassy I jumped at the idea. The thing is in Jamaica even though you spend years of your life attending school, our country is so small that there is hardly any opportunities. So my mom wanted me to extend my horizon and see what America has to offer, I mean they do call it the land of opportunity for a reason.

So today is the day of my flight, my first time going on a plane Christ I'm nervous. So the plan is to work and travel and the goal is, well my goal is to potentially open my very own business one day and to own my own properties.

"Alright we reach a the airport, how you feel". My mom asked me as we were in the car, "I'm okay mommy a little nervous but the excitement outweighs the nervousness".

"You'll be fine my daughter pray and have faith, do not lose focus remember what you're going to foreign for, you're going to work, save and make something of yourself don't go there go look no man". Here she goes again trying to control my life, I know she wants what's best for me but don't I get any say? I never really talk back because I know I'm her only child and my dad died when I was 3 so it's only us. I try so hard to make her happy because I know raising a child as a widow couldn't be easy.

But man the feeling of not having any type of control over my life is depressing. "Yes mommy I hear you, no man until the work is done".

"Good, love you go and check in call me when you reach on the plane so I can tell your uncle to expect you".

"Alright mommy bye, love you", I bid her farewell as she develops me into a bone crushing hug. So I'm staying with my uncle that's my mom's favorite brother to be honest I'm not really fond of him maybe it's because I haven't seen him since I was 6 but my mom always say don't bite the hands that feed you. So I'm just giving God thanks he was kind enough to agree to take me in.

Okay, America here I come.

*****
Brayden

"Bloody hell man, I'm going to be late". I forgot my dear friend asked me to pick his niece up from the airport. I don't know why I agreed to this but I know how important this is to him and his job is 'time consuming', what are best friends for I guess.

Rushing through my penthouse, I grab the keys for my Benz truck and head out. While driving, I wonder what this kid's like. Hope she's not one of those rock and roll nonsense of a teenager, I like to drive in peace.