Re: Desi social circle
I cannot even really fathom how much of a difference it has made for me that my parents raised us in a desi community, with a circle of very close friends who have children around the same age as mine and my brothers'. These people were family for my parents when they first came to the US and other family members were not present. These people are like family for me, and I've never felt like I was missing out on certain things that my non-desi friends did, because I had other ways of socializing.
I would never limit my social circle to desis, but I think it's important to have a community of people whom you trust who can share your cultural and religious heritage.