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My name is Ofelio Chen. I was born in Panama. I can speak Chinese and Spanish. People wonder why my Chinese is better than my Spanish. When I was about two years old, my father brought my sister and me to China for 15 years. |
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I worked in my brother's grocery until 1970. In the beginning, I had a hard time because I had to learn Spanish again as a foreigner. I could only remember that "vaca" means "ox". |
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I never thought I would emigrate to the United States of America. I knew about it when I was young, in Panama. I saw am American movie. It impressed me very much. From the movies and TV, I understood the U.S. A. Most impressive to me was the movie that told of a retired man who went to high school to finish his education. Before I came to live in the U.S., I visited the country several times. One time, I saw people who walked on the street and protested against the labor law. But all of them were very quiet and peaceful. I didn't see any police come to interfere with them. II think it is because America has the spirit of freedom that so many people come. People come to the U.S. for freedom, religion, safety, family reunion, opportunity, education, and better life. |
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In 1994, my father-in-law petitioned for my wife and my family to come to the U.S. In the beginning, I was not used to the new environment. I felt homesick and missed my friends in Panama. I couldn't speak any English; I couldn't talk with my neighbors who spoke English. I felt much inconvenienced and everything was strange. I didn't have any friends. I felt like a lost sheep, until one day when I met a friend who comes from Panama too. He introduced me to a community center so that I could learn English there. At the community center, I met a lot of new friends. Since then, I haven't felt lonely anymore. |
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Today, my English is still not good enough, but my English has improved. New I can communicate with my sisters, sons, friends, classmates, and computer teachers. I can also write some simple essays. I will try to do my best because I like English. It gives me confidence and convenience. It is also a useful language in the world. I am glad to have so great an opportunity to study it. I thank God for giving me such a beautiful opportunity. |
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