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.