![]() |
Anniversary - Printable Version +- Punaweb Forum (http://punaweb.org/forum) +-- Forum: Punaweb Forums (http://punaweb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=3) +--- Forum: Punatalk (http://punaweb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=10) +--- Thread: Anniversary (/showthread.php?tid=8363) |
Anniversary - John S. Rabi - 01-13-2011 Well, 31 years ago to this day, on a snowy cold day, I boarded a TAROM (Romanian) flight in Hungary and headed to New York to start a new life. I didn't speak English at all, except "yes" and "no" and "I love you!" (Nobody cared about the latter at that time!) Regardless, I was confident leaving the "Communist Paradise" behind will change my life for a better. Lots of things happened during those 31 years, certainly lots of struggles at the beginning, but I sure am more "American" now than probably most of the people who actually were born here. I have an American flag in my office, in my kitchen, and most importantly, on my nightstand next to my bed in my bedroom. I always will be grateful to this country for giving me a new home and a chance at a new life! Aloha, John S. Rabi, GM,PB,ABR,CRB,CM,FHS 888.819.9669 johnrabi@johnrabi.com http://www.JohnRabi.com Typically Tropical Properties "The Next Level of Service!" (This is what I think of the Kona Board of Realtors http://KonaBoardOfRealtors.info) RE: Anniversary - mdd7000 - 01-13-2011 Congratulations! RE: Anniversary - David M - 01-13-2011 Congrats on a great decision. David Ninole Resident RE: Anniversary - dmbwest - 01-13-2011 Eh John, Congrats man .... Don't have to know you to be proud of you on this one. Glad you came down to this other country too : ) aloha, pog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqpevshcdww&feature=related RE: Anniversary - Bill - 01-14-2011 Happy anniversary, John! Our country is a better place with you here. And, also, thanks for all your help. Bill and Jeanie RE: Anniversary - birdmove - 01-14-2011 That's a great story, John. Must have taken a lot of nerve to leave your home country and not even speak the new contries language. Good for you! Jon in Puyallup, Wa. Jon in Puyallup, Wa. RE: Anniversary - konadave - 01-14-2011 Congrats John!!!!! The Ka'u Web http://www.kauweb.com The Kona Forum http://www.konaforum.com Da Kine Web Hosting http://www.DaKineHosting.com RE: Anniversary - Greg - 01-14-2011 Congratulations John! My sister in law escaped Romania (Petkov) with her parents about the same era and have thrived here as well. RE: Anniversary - JerryCarr - 01-14-2011 Whenever I get disappointed with the USA and how we manage or mismanage our affairs, I think about people like John and how they "voted with their feet" to be here. As a graduate student in the 70's, I assisted with a summer history research project that involved going briefly into East Berlin and interviewing World War II survivors. (This was outside my field, but I speak German and got the job and free trip to Europe.) Just the border crossing and about eight days of observing life on the other side was enough to change my perspective forever. So when I get ready to criticize our government and history, I always stop and think. People like me who speak their minds get put into prison in places like Cuba, China, North Korea, Syria, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, Iran . . . well, y'all get the idea. The list goes on and on and on. RE: Anniversary - dmbwest - 01-14-2011 Thanks John and Jerry + all the other folks who have stories like this to tell ... I'm listening : ) Lucky we live !!! most sincerely, pog |