A little bit of happiness from me to you.

I came from a very poor family, with wonderful parents, who always worked very hard to give us (me and my 2 brothers) a good education in all meanings, also, I come from a very poor country, with lots of people who really need assistance in all meanings. My grandpa died at age 33 and my grandma raised 6 children washing clothes by hands for people... One of them was always close to us and even gave my mom opportunity of going to nice school, etc... time passed and one of this lady’s daughters turned out to marry an English man and they set up an important English school in my city, International House of Recife and that’s where comes from my English.... When I turned 17, this lady gave me the opportunity of work at the school as what they call “monitor” which is a kind of assistant in the library. I was always a good student and even if I didn’t have real English class, I knew some English already, just studying the glossary of the books from my normal school, but nothing special. So one fine day, just a few weeks after starting working there, her husband asked me to type on a computer, thing that I had never used before, a letter, in English... under shouting, when ever I would type something wrong...... Ohhh Gosh.. you have no idea how it was and how I felt... and this became a routine for days and almost a torture.... after I started hating this man and I would be so polite and dry with him that I could not recognize myself, but in the other hand, I started feeling challenged and I would give my blood to do as perfect as possible with him.... After a few weeks, when everything that he told me to do was finally ready, he looked at me and, in a very strong accent, told me “brilliant Adriana” and I thought.. OMG!! I don’t need a salary!! I kept working there every day after school, from 4 to 8pm and after 3 months he called me in his office and told me: Adriana, I am enchanted with your dedication. I want you to know that I want you to do an important course and the school will pay for everything....... And that was how I was introduced to the computers area.... I did the basic, then a few more different courses, became assistant of the IT area and by the time I turned 18, he made me IT manager of the schools... When I turned 25, they sent me to London to improve my English and I spent 45 days studying at International House of London. They also helped my brothers, who started working there with the same dedication, one got married to an English teacher and today is doing so well, thanks God, He works for a huge company in London as IT manager and have 3 boys. The other married a Swedish teacher and moved there and today works for Malmo University and has a girl and a boy. I worked with them more then 10 years of my life and I learned so much as no money would never pay. They became friends and they respect me and trust me for anything... After a while, I felt like an obligation having degree in computers and that’s what I have done... But as drawing was always a passion, I was always involved with the marketing area of the school and other businesses they they own... they would ask me to develop art design and folders and even logos for new branches... stores... (right now this family have a lot in Brazil... International House doesn’t even exist, they turned it into Britanic School, independent of International House in England but still the same level, quality, services.....) Unfortunately or fortunately I felt like trying other things and as I was invited to work for a Spanish bank, I just decided to try and I worked at the bank for 2 years.... my salary was ok and I think it was a good experience work for a bigger company, even if comparing, I don’t believe I have learned as much as with Britanic... After 2 years, the bank was sold... and everybody of my area was fired... at this time I was 32.. lonely, single, no boyfriend, no fun or nothing because my life was really study and work... and I was not very happy... At the same time, my grandma died and I got really depressed...... At this time, my brother had moved to England because his wife wanted to raise the children there, so they invited me to spend some time there, and that’s what I did... I spent 1 year in England, Cambridge, studying and helping my brother and sister in law, who at this time was contracted by Cambridge University (she still works for them) Then I came back to Brazil and still worked with Britanic for a while... at this time I met Ron, who was trying to do business with a bank there and I had the opportunity to do some translation for him and got involved.... I guess by then I was just way too lonely.... He told me all about his life.. sick wife.... 2 children... he was also very unhappy and we became friends. With time, he decided to move on so he would be able to run his business better and also take a better care of the children... We emailed frequently and I was sorry for him... Joshua was 6 and Maria 4. I can’t say I am religious because I don’t go much in churches, but there is no step in my life, no thought before turn my head to God and make a deep pray.... (this is another story and I sure can tell you in another opportunity, so I wont loose the point now) In 2005, he proposed me and even if I thought that was crazy because I didn’t really know him, I said yes and in November of 2006, we got married in Brazil. Took me 2 years to come to US because of the visa issue.. When I finally was able to come to US as resident (because even a tourist visa they didn’t give me since I was married) 2008, Maria was 8 years old and Joshua 10...... Karen, I moved to a new country, to take care of 2 children, who had a sick mother and met a strange as a husband... Ron was another person and not even close of the man who emailed me so wonderfully.... and after 3 months I was sure of the divorce when I found out I was pregnant of Victoria.... I went back to Brazil, spent some time, and he asked me to come back...... Anyway.... a long deep river passed, with adjustments.. financial problems.. the children.... Ron biting me... It was very hard... It was hard adjust to this country, where I don’t feel welcome.. where I don’t have friends... where I became a shadow... Still God knows how, time passed and some problems I believed are gone.. I believe I finally have Ron’s respect.. I also have the children respect and maybe love.... I can say I do love them and do anything for them even if I don’t feel very close of Joshua.... I try my best to be there for them.... I feel sick after writing all of this... I feel sick today and maybe will regret terribly for telling you all of this, but I NEED to change the way I feel every single morning when I go there and look to people, specially you.. I feel weak and in fact I am not.....

/r/sydney Thread