My Best Friend :)

In seventh grade I met my best friend, Vala. She came here with her mother from Russia when she was seven years old when her mother married her step-dad. 

It was somewhat different having a Russian best friend. I mean, the biggest difference was her family dynamics and adjustment to the American lifestyle. 

As her best friend, I got to experience some differences as well.

• I got to try Russian foods when I went to her house 

• The conversations between her and her mother were always in Russian, so I would have no clue what they were saying

• Some holidays are really important in Russia, so sometimes instead of spending time with her friends (like most Americans would do) she would take time to be with her family

• I got used to her families mannerisms and beliefs

There was some adjusting on my part... but just think about her family!

This week in my Family Relations class, we had the opportunity to discuss culture within families. Usually we think of culture pertaining to different nationality, this isn't always the case, though it was the case for Vala. In class we also got to look at a family from Mexico who decided to leave their family behind, cross the border, and try to make their way in the American society. I've never really thought about how hard it would be on each family member for their father to leave Mexico in attempt to establish a more secure future for his kids.

I couldn't help but think of Vala and her mom coming over from Russia. Family is really important in the Russian culture. Every one in the family works together and works really hard to help each other. Vala's mom has a twin sister and other family there that she left. She misses them and though she is able to talk to them on the phone, emotionally it is hard. Vala's mother used to be work with children as kind of a pediatrician. Now, she can't get a job like that without going to college for many years. Her husband is financially secure since he's been working for Boeing for many years but still, she has expressed her concern for wanting a job like she used to have in Russia. Everything here is better like her living conditions. But, it is extremely hard to make American friends. Since Vala's mother is very stressed and sometimes unhappy living here, and Vala has made her adjustments to living in America, there are disagreements that come along.

Now that I see how much the family can be affected with moving into a different country (culture), I have gained a better appreciation for not having to move at all.

Maybe if we all could take a look at the lives of the immigrants we are neighbors with and tried to have compassion on their families, their lives could be a bit happier :)