What A Difference It Makes...

Well, I'm getting around to actually letting you know how things are going. Being the lazy individual I am, I just got my Christmas tree down last night. I spent hours sweeping and mopping, putting up decorations, and the work ended up flowing over into today. This evening, I was tired, and decided to do something for me. While the new clutch is being put in my Mustang, I'm having to rely on others for transportation. Is there anyone else out there who knows how BADLY that sucks? Well, it does. Anyway, my aunt took me to Johnson City to get my nails done.

Nancy and her husband, Timmy, opened a new nail salon in the Franklin Place Shopping Center. They have an absolutely beautiful salon, everything a nail tech dreams of having. Nancy and Timmy came to New York from Vietnam 13 years ago in search of a better life. I noticed how tired Nancy looked today. Bless her heart, she's so skinny. Timmy's not much bigger. I asked her how she'd been doing. She was worried. She's still trying to get everything moved from Bristol to Johnson City, and is absolutely worn out. She and Timmy own the salon in the Bristol Mall, and their new salon in Johnson City. They are the only two people working in Johnson City, so they only have one day a week off. It's not a wonder she's tired.

She's often told me about their lives in Vietnam. Her best day there, is far worse than our worst day here in the US could ever be. There is so much poverty. Most people have nothing. She told me she doesn't mind working hard. She appreciates everything she has, and the opportunities that she's been given. It made me really think. I've spent so many years bitching about my jobs, how we're treated unfairly *although sometimes were MORE than justified*, overall, as American's, we're spoiled. We have NO concept of what it's like to live in a country like Vietnam- having to leave everything you've ever known, just to be able to survive. Coming to a new country, means learning a new language, new customs, new laws- everything new and different from anything you've ever known.

Nancy and Timmy have worked so hard and complain so little. They don't rely on our government to support them, they don't rely on anyone but themselves. Even when they have customers who treat them horribly, and act as if they're stupid because they don't speak the best English, they keep on going. They don't quit. I admit. Years ago, it used to frustrate me to no end to go to the nail salons and hear all of the employees speaking a foreign language. Then one day it occurred to me, these people are having to learn the most difficult language in the world- English. They are speaking two languages, one of which they didn't come to until later in life. How remarkable is it, that they're making an effort? That they are learning a new language while holding onto their native tongue as well? It's amazing.

All in all, visiting the salon was so much more than getting a fill-in and a pedicure. I walked out realizing much more about how others live, and just how good I've had it. There is a lesson to be learned in everything. I'm glad my mind was open enough today to be able to see the one before me.