Observation

Audience: Americans; age 15-30

Vicenta walked leisurely through a park in suburbia; this was probably the first time since she arrived in the United States that she felt somewhat at peace. The bustling of the city often had her uneasy and it did not do anything beneficial for her current state of mind. Of late, she had been feeling somewhat sick; she attributed it to the lack of sleep and homesickness.

It did not help that she didn’t know English very well and she had trouble connecting with others. She had been somewhat quiet when she lived in the Philippines, but her lack of proficiency with English only increased her awkwardness. Vicenta was awkward in mannerisms; she didn’t like to dance, partake in social events, or even swim. She did not like water in general; she had a near death experience while swimming when she was a child. She did not even like kiddie pools.

I still don’t understand why she accepted her current position. She never really liked people and she could make the same money being a waitress, but here she is babysitting this child in suburbia. I suppose children are different than adults; they are pure and innocent, untouched by the evils of society. I usually sit in the park, watching my own children play and wonder about her. Most of the things I have told you are assumptions. I don’t even know her real name or anything really substantial about her. She just strolls in the park with the child in one of those strollers and sits on the bench on the other side of the sidewalk.

It’s kind of funny the things you notice about a person you don’t really know. I do know several facts from observation; the only person she speaks to is the child she is nanny to; of late, she has said some phrases in passing like she has been learning English slowly; and she is very protective of the child she watches. She observes everything like I do. She learns by watching and listening to the people around her. I think sometime soon I will gather up enough courage and speak to her. Maybe I will find out if the story that I have made up for her is true.