My American Dream

If we ever must move back to the US, this is my American Dream.

I want to work or volunteer for the Hospitality Center for Chinese (HCC), an organization which serves international students from China and their families. It's located on the U of M -- St. Paul campus. They have a building with rooms for big parties, classrooms and offices. They offer friendship, lots of events and outings, English classes, language exchange, special studies, a place to hang out, free furniture, and help with living in America.

For example, through HCC, Drew met a Chinese guy who wants to get his driver's license. Drew's been teaching him how to drive.

Just recently we went to the HCC's Welcome Picnic for new and returning international students from China. There were 400 students at the picnic. Drew was the emcee for relays. Titus jumped in the kids' hopper. Probably the funnest thing was speaking Chinese with people fresh from China.

So that's my American dream. Throw my life into Chinese international students. Live down the street from the Hospitality Center, on Doswell Avenue, in this 1920s cedar-sided house that has ginkgo leaves cut out of sage green shutters. I will ride bike everywhere, since it's easy walking distance from Chinese Ch., the post office, a small grocery store, U of M campus, the MN State Fair, Como Park & Zoo and a Finnish bakery.

Maybe someday if we have enough time and money, I can complete a master's degree in education or anthropology.

Rachel