I was born in the United States, but I was raised in Southeast Asia. We moved to Connecticut when I was 10. My parents went to college in Connecticut and had me after they graduated, so they chose to move back to same town where I was born.

My family was upper middle class in our home country. My dad made $200,000 a year, and my mom stayed at home. They bought a beautiful new house. My mom and I painted my room pink. My siblings shared a room full of the latest toys. We had two nice cars in the driveway.

We left all of that abruptly to save our lives. My dad’s close friend was running against a corrupt politician. That politician instructed his henchmen to eliminate his opposition’s associates one by one. The gang followed my dad home. They threatened his life. They threatened our lives. My dad left our home country and got a small apartment for us, and we followed three months later with my uncle’s help. My parents couldn’t get all of their assets, so our life was hard for a few years. We had a beat up car, depended on the local food pantry for groceries, and got second-hand clothes. Our extended family back home stole our money and property from our house while we were gone. When my brother passed away, we barely had money to bury him. I cried a lot. My parents probably cried a lot too.

My parents are still tight-lipped about the circumstances that forced us to leave, but I heard some of the details when they were being interviewed by Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). My family was granted political asylum and eventually got their green cards. I’m a US citizen because I was born here. My sister became a naturalized citizen a few years ago, and my parents just applied for citizenship last month.

We were only going to stay here for 3 years, but it has been 21 years. We are happy here, and we don’t really want to go back to our home country. It took me a while to like it here. I had to learn English, learn how to dress, and get familiar with American customs. I was bullied in middle school because I didn’t have nice clothes, I couldn’t speak English, and I didn’t have friends. Now I’m just another Asian-American who speaks fluent English and living a typical “American life.”


Edit: I’m currently reading Expat by Christina Henry De Tessan . De Tessan collected essays from women who have lived abroad and put them together into this book. I highly recommend it.

I'm bored, apparently, so I did some searching around.

This one is slightly similar, a little smaller at 19" L, 15" W, and 15.50" H. All for under $25! IRIS Large Split-Hood Litter Box with Scoop and Grate, Blue

This one is a little closer to your dimensions at 22x18x18.5, still slightly smaller. Available on Amazon prime for <24$. Petmate 22026 Jumbo Hooded Litter Pan,Assorted Colors

This delightful little box is closer to your specified dimensions at 19.19 x 23.71 x 16.17. Not found on Amazon but you'll enjoy a retractable lid for easy cleaning that also deters dogs! $34.99

I've looked far and wide but I can't seem to find your specific litter box. I hope you find a suitable replacement!

Also please don't tell my girlfriend how I spent my afternoon.

Awwww shucks /u/turtledave, you're a swell fella. Thank you!

Here's a cheap guitar he can learn on and beat up before his next really good guitar. I mean, 4 year olds are pretty brutal on toys. If he enjoys it, for his 6th bday, he can have a better one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000S8CX7M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481047473&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=childs+guitar&dpPl=1&dpID=410dSBY76hL&ref=plSrch

Also prime approved.

I haven't tried the Sierra Mist Mandarin Orange, but have you tried Hansen's Mandarin Lime? I assume they'd taste the same. I really like the Hansen's one. I've gotten it from Trader Joe's, Target, and Safeway. I'm sure they're available elsewhere. If you cannot find it at a local store, you could try Amazon.

I would try Amazon instant video my friend. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003Q5GT2E?cache=2b1d02d3e829d6e24eec9a923484d958&pi=SX200_QL40&qid=1412206032&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1

cheap, too!

I could not find one under the budget of 50 but here is one for 77€ they offer used less than 50€, there is a like new for 50€

Something like this maybe? Or this?

Is it Roger Kamien: Music: An Appreciation? I have an ebook of the 10th edition and it has 5 CDs. The 8th came out in 2003 and it seems common enough to have been the book for you class.

The first two CDs of this are tracks from the 7th and 8th editions if that helps confirm one way or the other.

Can it be the horse head mask instead? I happen to have one of those lying around, and I can imagine it would be even more challening trying to eat a bowl of Captain Crunch* with that thing on. xD

Edit: Captain Crunch, not cereal.

Walmart and Amazon sell them:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fire-Lite-Alarms-Honeywell-BG-12-Dual-Action-Pull-Station/142269599 or https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-FireLite-BG-12S-Single-Station/dp/B0015QGH5U

Here’s one with a switch and lights: https://www.zoro.com/edwards-signaling-call-for-assistance-kit-buzzerstrobe-7008b-n5/i/G4694907/

https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Smoking-Coach-NDS-Nintendo-DS/dp/B001EJZ9MK

Also could be this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0032MMV1E/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/180-9319474-2807123

Drivers included in that one

This?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RMPABE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_XYJVDbZM2NHVW

https://www.amazon.com/Pokémon-Diamond-Pearl-Adventure-Pokemon/dp/1421534916

There’s volume 7.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1421536714/ref=pd_aw_fbt_14_img_2/140-2082962-2260918?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=H92G8DJC4G8JY1FRP0PM

There’s volume 8.

https://www.amazon.ca/Pokémon-Diamond-Pearl-Adventure-Box/dp/1421542412

There’s the box set.

Closest I see

$41
http://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Mens-Club-Sneaker-White/dp/B000OBYTIO/ref=sr_1_47?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1422740033&sr=1-47

$75
http://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Mens-Soyay-RB1920-Safety/dp/B009DZWA42/ref=sr_1_58?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1422740398&sr=1-58

$69
http://www.amazon.com/Skechers-Prodigy-Skate-Oxfords-Khaki/dp/B005IQWN5Q/ref=sr_1_66?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1422740398&sr=1-66

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Here's a pair... (Amazon, no thumb flap) $25

And here's another one (orchid lane, everything you wanted) $15

And some more. (Three cranes) $18