Let's talk about English!

Our last stint in the US was back in '96-'98, and one big change we've both noticed since coming back is the influx of different language speakers. Of course Spanish has always been ubiquitous, and in San Francisco, some 20 years ago, we worked with native Mandarin and Tagalog speakers. Still, we were quite surprised on buses (again in SFO) a few summers ago on vacation, at how many people were speaking Russian. Talking to people in stores and coffee shops, we realized there were also plenty of Polish speakers now living in the US, too.

Another change that we've noticed is how Spanish speakers are moving further north. Growing up in the US in the '70s, Spanish was only used in the states bordering Mexico, and my family, raised on the very excellent New Mexican cuisine, was afraid to try Mexican food outside that region. However, a friend lives in southern Nebraska now, which is generally known for the good quality of its corn and not much else, but there's a very good Mexican restaurant in her small town with tamales that are authentic and yummy.

These changes mean we in the US need to constantly update how we think of ourselves and our nation. Though that may be a scary thought for some, I look at it as an opportunity to change and grow. Though I'm not exactly a fan of Madonna, her ability to redefine herself yet again has kept her going...let's hope that same flexibility keeps the US a great destination for visitors and immigrants alike.

p.s. Coffee maker arrived! Life is good! ;-))