if I wanted to, I could've gotten any guy that I wanted. I could've got the responsible, intelligent, attractive business man if I wanted to. But I didn't and I ended up falling for what you call a 'barrio tigre.'
With all due respect Neicey, at 15 you shouldn't be 'getting' anyone
The way I wrote that made it seem as if a successful business man would fall for a teenager. I meant to say that, I am and have alot of the qualities that a successful business man WOULD end up with. I am intelligent, and well-rounded, come from a wonderful family, and I actually have morals unlike most of the people I know.
but I understand that is not the norm these days.
You couldn't be more right! I feel left out most of the time within my peers because practically everyone has a boyfriend/girlfriend, hang out alot with friends, go to alot of parties, etc etc. I do not have those priveleges. My parents are strict on that issue; they don't allow me to have a boyfriend, and they rarely allow me to go out with friends or to parties. Yes, I do get upset sometimes, because I'd want to go out with my friends and not feel left out like I always do. But eventually I've realized that it
is for my benefit. Now, instead of being bitter, I thank them. I thank them for raising me with right morals, teaching me to have goals, to believe in my dreams and myself. They've always told me that if I wanted to become someone, that I'd actually have a decent shot at it through my school work. And that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to work my butt off during these highschool years, because this is what can determine my future. I'm going to work as hard as I can to make sure that I earn a scholarship, because if not I might just have to kiss my DR dreams goodbye. But I really am going to put all my effort. I'm going to make my parents proud.
Take it from someone who didn't plan their life: complete college in the US but don't stop dreaming about the DR. Use your time there to prepare and plan as though you will move here after graduation (college, not high school). Make connections in the US, focus on global companies, stay connected to DR1, study job opportunities now and as they change over the years in the DR, save money. Think outside the barrio here and never, ever put your trust, money or heart in the hands of a tiguere. Check out the many sides of the DR because you may decide to live in an area here you hadn't previously considered. But don't put your life on hold over there either. You don't know NOW how you will feel THEN. If you still feel the same way after graduation then you'll be as fully prepared as you can be to jump in and make the move. And if you don't make the move you will have learned a valuable lesson about the practical side of dreaming: the planning and mobilization part.
In either case, you appear to an intelligent young lady and I wish you the very best in whatever you decide to do. Above all be safe-good luck!
I appreciate your advice. Very wise words, thank you. With help from scholarships and loans, I can have a pretty good career. Reading back on all of this, though, I've realized that I have been very selfish. Instead of moving right away like I wanted to, I would rather stick it out a little longer and try to help out my family. My parents deserve the best, and one of my goals in life is to try and give them as much as they've given me. With the money I save, I want to build them a comfortable house. Hopefully, by that time, I'd already have a high-paying job and living in an apartment in this beautiful country. But those are just my longterm goals. (BTW: I'm extremely sorry for making my posts extremely lengthy, it just actually feels good to speak to people that understand) I would also love to own a steady business there to be able to support myself and my family, and I know that it requires alot of money and hardwork. I'm setting my goal and working my very hardest to achieve them. I probably won't be coming on DR1 as often as I'd liked anymore, because school's starting and I have to keep my head in the game.
But, I just wanted to thank everyone on DR1 for opening my eyes.
About the tiguere, this was some boy I met around the neighborhood where my family lives (Note: my family is very poor, so it was definetely not in a rich neighborhood in Santiago or SD). He was just someone I enjoyed spending time. He would constantly send me kisses and feed me sweet lines while I was there. We never exchanged emails or phone numbers on my time there, but when I return, I would have done so. While I was there, he and his friends would always ask for me, and would always send me messages with my cousins. When I left, all of it stopped. No one even remembered me, life was back to the way it was. The guy, though, continues to send me messages through my cousins. Now, I laugh about it and don't even think twice. I guess moreover, I would spend time with him because somehow I felt deprived. My parents were always very strict on that, and I guess I retaliated in a very immature way. I felt that I deserved to have fun once in a while. I
was interested, but decided not to talk to him anymore, decided that he wasn't right for me, or my future. My point though, I want to thank not only everyone who's helped, but also the people that work to put this site together and the people that contribute to the articles. I have found some very, VERY helpful information. Boy, am I glad that I found this site now. I know that I am not speaking for myself when I say that what is advised on this site has changed many lives.
I bid you all adieu (atleast for a while) Besides, I'm sure you guys wouldn't want a "no-idea-what-to-do-with-my-life" teenager annoying everyone. This post was mostly meant for successful people that have already experienced life and are finally enjoying in paridise. But I am very glad that I have stumbled upon you all. Once again, I thank you all for everything that you've done, and everything that you continue to do. As for now, looks like I've got to go hit the books ....
Neicey
