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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)
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Congrats on a great decision.
David
Ninole Resident
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Happy anniversary, John!
Our country is a better place with you here.
And, also, thanks for all your help.
Bill and Jeanie
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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.
Jon in Keaau/HPP
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Congratulations John! My sister in law escaped Romania (Petkov) with her parents about the same era and have thrived here as well.
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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.
Thanks John and Jerry + all the other folks who have stories like this to tell ... I'm listening : )
Lucky we live !!!
most sincerely,
pog
