Read parts 1 and 2, here.
Well, as you can probably guess, my youngest gomo (aunt) decided to immigrate to America. I have never ever asked her about this and I don't think she even knows that I know this story so I don't know exactly why she decided to immigrate... but I have some educated guesses. My youngest gomo is pretty driven and she's also very smart. She probably would not have been able to go to college had she stayed in Korea because of the fact that she is a woman and that she is the youngest in the family.
My oldest uncle (kun appa) is the only person in my family that was educated. He was the first son so of course he was bestowed this privilege. Actually, he was educated to become a priest (see Roots part 1 re: my family's Catholic heritage). He's no longer a priest though but that's a different story for a different time. My father, I think, barely went to junior high school or maybe a bit of high school. (My mom didn't graduate from high school either.) My other uncle and other aunts also did not go to college. Education in Korea during those days, and even now, is very expensive. Especially college. So had my youngest aunt stayed in Korea, she would not have been able to pursue her studies... something that she wanted to do very much.
I have to guess that education and opportunity were the two biggest reasons why she decided to leave her family and immigrate to the US. I was told that she went to community college, fell in love and married my uncle and became a U.S. citizen. (My uncle is White.)
I was also told that she "fixed" all the the paperwork in Korea so that she was only registered with our family. After this was done, she was able to invite my grandma to the US. The process took a long time but eventually my grandma came to the US. The day after she landed in California, my youngest gomo took her to the immigration office so that she could file papers to invite the rest of the family. It took even longer for the rest of the family to come because the waiting periods were getting longer and longer during the 80's. Apparently, everyone was trying to immigrate to America, the land of opportunity.
I can remember being told when I was very young that we were going to move to America "soon." We waited for that dang visa to be approved for YEARS. Finally, when I was in the fifth grade, we got the green light to come to America. I kind of couldn't believe that we were actually gonna go.
The last day of my class in fifth grade, when I said goodbye to all my friends and teachers, is still vivid in my mind. I stood in front of the WHOLE class and the teacher announced that I was moving to America. All the kids were jealous. I got teary eyed and started to cry... mostly because this girl in my class started crying. I remember thinking, "We're not even that close, why is she crying?!"
A few days after that, I was on a plane headed for America, with my father and my unni (older sister). My mother did not come with us because my parents had actually gotten divorced when I was very young. The plan ride was so beautiful. I fought my sister for the window seat because we both wanted to look out the window at the cotton clouds. They looked like a quilt and I wanted to run on them.
The day I landed in America, my youngest gomo took us to get vaccinations so that we could go to school right away. I got three shots. THREE FREAKIN' SHOTS! I remember thinking, "I want to go back to Korea!" I hated getting shots and I still do.
Two days later, I started ABC Elementary school. I didn't know a lick of English, not even the alphabet or how to spell my name but I learned quickly.
I am really grateful to my youngest gomo for bringing our family to America. Because of her, most of my extended family on my dad's side now live in America. A total of 14 people were able to immigrate through her. If it wasn't for her, I probably would not have been able to go to a great college. I am also very thankful that I am able to raise my kids in America.
Thank you gomo. It's all because of you.
