It was a dream. Just completed my H.S.C from Notre Dame College.  I was one of the few lucky ones who had the opportunity to come to United States.  I come from a middle class family, living in the city of Dhaka.  My father, a government official, who had just the money to pay for my air fare and couple of semesters tuitions.

That I was the year of 1985. As a fresh young man I arrived in the Seattle, USA.  Everything is totally unknown and new for me.  But I managed to handle everything and started my higher education in Seattle, Washington state.  Everything is so expensive here that after year and a half of school I ran out of money.  I came to an situation that I had to borrow money for my greyhound bus fare. 

That was the year 1987, I came to Los Angeles with an empty pocket, looking for a job.  I knew a man from Bangladesh who was gracious enough to allow me to stay in his place for few days until I get job.  I remember those days.  The lowest point of my life.  No money, don't know what will happen to my future.  It was a time that a minimum salary job was hard to get in LA.  Each day past by without a job, was a day of serious anxiety. Many nights I spent sleepless. I could not ask my father for any more money, 'cause I knew that he did not have any. 

Time went by, things got better.  Finally, I found a job with minimum salary.  I was so happy to get my first pay check.  I did not mind to work all night in a mini market in the valley of Los Angeles.  I even sent some money before Eid time and felt very proud.  I made friends and meet people from all over the world.

Life has changed since then.  Thought I share a little bit of memory of those years - especially Los Angeles 1987.

Shafique M Abbas 
Still in LA