This is a very good reason why sometimes it is well worth it to take time from the present to remember events and people from the past.
On this day, imagine and remember John Lennon.

I would be happy to be wrong about this: As an expatriate from the Dominican Republic I am under the impression that back home we lack modern public libraries; I am referring to modern visualizing the relevance of the services and functionalities offered, considering the present and future needs of its citizen-clients.

As if by chance, nowadays I enjoy having access to a reasonable network of public libraries right where I stand. My favorite one –aside from its several collections— provides free access to wireless Internet and databases containing information relevant to my personal interests.

In a couple of hours I will be heading there, to my favorite library, which gives me another reason why to smile. After finishing some papers there, I might go to the language laboratory or who knows, even listen to some music.

Getting where I am took more than an airline ticket, two suitcases, one backpack, a couple hundreds in hard currency and saying farewell to people I love.

For the most part of my life, becoming an expatriate was never considered as a choice. It’s true that I once had the right to opt into a special immigration program allowing for my extended stay in foreign soil; however, even then I chose otherwise and went straight back to the Dominican Republic. Leaving behind my childhood dreams of growing, living and spending the remainders of my days in the Dominican Republic has not been easy, nor worthless.