A year ago, Lindsay and Alex Garcia lived only the two of them in their home near Buda Austin. Since then, a baby has arrived (Tessa, ten months) and they welcomed the Colombian girl of Alex (Alejandra, 16 years from his first marriage) under their roof. Alejandra makes her first steps in an American high school since two months. For the girl, whose English is still shy, the fight to join her father was long. Many times, a tourist visa was refused to her.



Adapt to a new country is not easy. "The English language, spelling especially is difficult for me," says the girl. At home, her stepmother, a Spanish teacher speaks to her in English, but she still answers for now in Spanish. "We are very proud of her. It's really hard for her," adds Alex. In Texas, 34.2% of residents speak a language other than English at home.



Born in Bogota, Alex left his country in 1999 when "the situation was really hard with all the stories of drugs." At first, he plans to go to Spain but his sister living in Texas advises him to join her. When Alex meets Lindsay in a bar in Dallas, she studies political science and Spanish. Both enjoy life and have fun. Alex, a former physics student, has become a professional guitarist in the United States. Upon his arrival, he does not speak English. "The only thing I had at that time was my guitar. So I decided to become a musician."













































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The Garcia family is part of the six million Mormons in the United States. Alex converted when he was 12. But it is only when he decides to have a family that the couple decided to go back assiduously to the Mormon church. "I played music and I was partying all the time. But it was too much and I needed more spirituality," says Alex.

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The Colombian has just finished a Master in start-up in Arlington with the encouragement of his wife. He is a commercial director of a start-up that monetizes social networks. Professor of physics in Colombia to future entrepreneur in the United States, Alex does not regret his choice. "You have more opportunities in the United States, but to have a decent standard of living I just could not stay four years and then go back to Colombia. So I decided to make my life here."



Go live to Colombia, the couple married for nine years doe not think about it. "We have debts and obligations here. There it would be difficult to find a well-paid job," says Lindsay. In fact, The Garcia still have to reimburse $ 90,000 in student loans. In six months, Alex will apply for U.S. citizenship. Until now he did not do the papers because it cost him $ 800 but he admits with a smile: "I ​​really want to have that blue passport."



































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Spanish teacher at high school, Lyndsay regrets that language teaching is "a national joke in the United States. Here you only have two years compulsory school." The Texan is also passionate about news and politics. Big fan of NPR, she will "probably" vote for Obama tomorrow.



"In 2008, I was very excited to vote for him. It was refreshing. But I was disappointed. He has done good things at the international level, but within our borders we had high expectations. And instead of being great, he was average or poor."



As for the Republican candidate, Lindsay assures: "Romney is correct. But the fact that he is Mormon does not mean he should be president. I do not like the policies of the Republicans. I'm less liberal than in my youth, that's for sure, but I still am." Alex agrees: "Mitt Romney is one of ours. But we should not mix church and politics."



A DEMOCRAT VOTE USELESS ?



At the University, Lindsay had never missed an opportunity to vote. She was part of campaign teams at the local level. Last week, she went twice to the polls to make her voice heard in advance. But the wait discouraged her. "In addition, Romney will win anyway in Texas. My vote will not make any difference."



Lindsay has very bad memories of the Bush years. "He was a nice guy, but a real idiot. He was accompanied only by old councilors who had surrounded his father. He has embarked us on two wars. I see them, those kids who commit after their graduation. They come from poor families and join the army, because it is a chance for them. Of course, you also have those who are well informed and are proud of their country they want to defend. But we are not putting them in the front line to the front."



For Alejandra, far from these political considerations, who wish to work in the field of augmented reality, university laboratories in the United States are a chance. Her mother remained in Colombia pushed her to leave her country for the best opportunities of America. Her father explains "In the United States, we are looking for people like her, gifted in math and science." But Alejandra, proud to be a Colombian, expect only a thing after her studies, make her life in Colombia.