I was raised in my native Packistan to be a vegetarian. I ate meat only once when I first came to the United States. I simply did not like it so I never tried it again. I guess it was something like when a person has a caughing spell with their first puff of smoke from a cigarette and then figure smoking just isn't worth it.
So, I can't really say there was any one time in my life that I suddenly became a vegetarian. It's just been a part of my life all along. I will say that living here in the United States has made me much more aware of my food choices. I have my own routine, separate from the bulk of society. I stick with my family, who are all vegetarian. We shop at the local Packistani store, which provides everything we need and then eat at home most of the time. I love to cook, so everyone is happy.
My father is an importer and an exporter of household items in and out of my native country. I am in the store that we also have quite a bit. I love being in America, especially New York City. I am not a typical person in this country, but in New York, I've noticed, you don't have to be typical. You can be from anywere and feel that you belong.