-
My Birthday
On August 6th, my mother and father had their first child. That child was me. I was born in Oslo, Norway, 17 years ago. I can't remember the first thing I did when I was new to the world, but my first word was "Fjord!" I don't know how I knew that word at such an early age. The earliest day I can remember was when my mother took me out on the fjord near our house.
I'm writing this because I want to keep track of what I thought when I was younger and not forget all these wonderful times. -
Setting Sail
A war was arising in 1900. My parents wanted to be away from it when it set in, so we began the process of immigration shortly after the adoption of my sister Adela (she was nine years old then). We set sail from the Port of Oslo that day.
I feel like America will be a bit of a culture shock. For me, Norway has always been quiet and peaceful, as opposed to the constantly growing, stretching America that I've heard about so much in the papers. -
Ellis Island
We made it to Ellis Island. Adela is practically bouncing off the walls. My parents are so relieved to have made it without incident. Now, however, I am nervous for the tests that the Americans will perform on us. I heard about them from a young Englishman a few years older than me. He is travelling alone and we have spent a lot of time together for the last six months. At any rate, I am happy to be away from the ominous signs of war in my home country. -
House Hunting
Two days ago, we made it through the immigration process on Ellis Island. I didn't see the point in using a buttonhook on my eyelids, but I'd assume it's a custom.
Now, we are going "house hunting", as they say here, in a place called "Manhattan, New York". My parents aren't usually very indecisive on such things as these, so it shouldn't take very long. As long as we have a place to stay, I will be happy. Hopefully I will be able to get a job soon. -
Work to Do
I recently found a job as a construction worker. I heard from some talk on the streets that a decent worker can get a job pretty easily by offering to work for less money than the average American worker. I asked the foreman for a local construction agency and he readily signed me.
I face dangerous conditions every day, but it's the only way to support my family. The narrow beams I walk on each day remind me of the tightropes I saw at the circus once. It's very frightening, really. -
Epilogue
Now, I am still living in the same house in Manhattan with my mother, father and sister. Unfortunately, I lost my job for "endangering a co-worker", when all I did was nudge him gently to get his attention on a skyscraper. I don't think it helped that the co-worker in question was American.
My sister Adela found a job and is currently working with my mother in the basket-weaving business. I sincerely hope that my life will not end in poverty.
