geographical hodgepodge. . .if that's even a phrase

i work with a large team of people. recently i began to take notice of how many different nationalities/cultures are represented at my work-place.

there is N. who is from Ethiopia

there is M. who is from Africa.

there is another M. who is from Iran.

there is K and her two sons who are Turkish but from Russia.

there is B and her one son who are also Turkish but from Russia.

there is also F who is from Turkey.

and then there is Y. who is from Egypt.

of these, each is in a different place in their role as immigrants in our country trying to learn the language.

M from Africa is fluent in French.

M from Iran speaks Farsi.

K and B speak Russian and Turkish.

And I actually am not quite sure what language Y speaks? So far we mainly nod at each other and smile but it goes a long way.

I am slowly trying to get to know each of my team members. The language barrier is rocky at times but the conversation is extremely rewarding. K from Russia for example is the mother of two grown boys and recently shared that she met her husband (of 23 years) on their wedding day. I am fascinated by this. There are so many questions I want to ask! K is shy though so the going is slow. In her former life back in Russia she lived in a rural area with chickens and cows and lots of space. Now she lives with her family in a little apartment close to my work place. I asked her what she likes most about the United States and she said that Americans treat her and her family well. I am not exactly sure what this means in comparison with how she has been treated formerly and I hope to learn more eventually.

Needless to say I am getting a whole new education in geography as well as in advanced hand motions as I communicate with and learn about my new team members. I am continually amazed by how much they love this crazy country and how often I take my birth place for granted. Sometimes is it good (and humbling) to see your surroundings through someone else's eyes.

All this to say, what an amazing country we live in. To realize that for so many people, to be in America is their life's dream actualized.