I am American

Ever since I was in high school in Peru and I came back from my awesome trip to New York for my 15th birthday, I have always wanted to be American.

Since I came here, I have felt American, and I have been true to the American flag. I learned English because my dream was to come here and get married and stay here forever. I don't know if it'll happen but it's my dream. Which doesn't mean that I don't care about Peru. I do. But I guess the US gave me everything Peru couldn't give me and that's why it has a very special place in my Peruvian heart.

The following picture was taken at my high school graduation. See the red circle, that's a necklace I wore every day and for which my nickname was alienada, but I didn't mind it. It pretty much meant that I really wanted to be American, so much that I even acted like one. I don't think I was that extreme, but o whatever. Anyway, the necklace I used to wear I bought in NY and it has the Statue of Liberty in the middle. I loved it. I don't know where I left it.



And there you go, behold the mighty powerful book. It brings me good luck. Not really, but I like having it close to me. It's good stuff. And it keeps something alive.



Now, I have something else to say. So today I picked up the phone and it was yet another Spanish call. I hate Spanish calls. They're very long, and people at the other side of the line can hardly understand me. But today something made me happy.

Me: Gracias por llamar al Centro de Servicio. Me llamo Nadia, puedo tener su nombre?
Brother: Hola, es Elder some last name I don't remember. Que dijo? (What did you say?)
Background noise: Ahi esta un gringo hablando espanol a otro gringo. (There you have an American speaking Spanish to another American)
Brother: Ok, it's good to talk to a native.

It didn't last me long. I had to send a test message and they saw my last name. Not American at all.

Brother #2: Oh! You're Bishop Reategui's daughter!
Me: Yeah...

But I felt American for a couple minutes. Even if I'm not, part of my heart is. And as long as they don't ask, I don't have to say I wasn't born here My parents are from Peru will do.

Congratulations to Sam! He has re-won his place as my first favorite person. Maybe because he's the only who understands all the sides of me, including the evil one, Get off your calls, people, they're not that hard! Maybe everybody would hate me after hearing that. But not Sam. At least I don't think so. You rock, Stewart!


I love my nickname. And maybe Remy and I are not so different. We are both short, cute and dark. And we're good cooks! And we don't settle for the trash can and the normal rats.


I left my little mark at work... it helps being this short sometimes.