Creeping to the Torch of Liberty

 Life is a mysterious and fairy dream. I cannot believe myself that it is true.

When I first set foot in San Francisco Airport, I was only an immigrant who spoke a little English. However, eight years later, I earned a Bachelor of Arts in English degree and became an educator at a public school. Now I am a self-published author with two books written in English. What kudos and privilege I have received from the beneficial nature of the United States. The United States is a gracious fairy who uses a magical wand to transform my doom into radiance. I would like to spread around the world the beauty of the United States and the benevolence of this country.  Uncle Sam provided me with knowledge to empower a timid, female immigrant to become an independent and confident Vietnamese-American woman.

  “Life is not a rose”; the American life is toilsome and severe for any newcomer. However, I believe that the United States is the paradise of opportunity for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness from Alpha to Omega. The Founding Fathers always find the best ways and solutions to provide the residents contingency and freedom to reach their dreams in their own ways.

Under the control of the Vietnamese communist government, my creativity hyphenated under deep down ground. When I came to the United States, in this rich, knowledgeable, fertile soil and free atmosphere, my artistic seeds started with sprouts, grew up, and bloomed. 

Choosing the English major was a lonely path and a great challenge. However, the passion of writing urged me to overcome tons of hardships. Writing and reading are parts of my daily activities. Writing calms my anxiety and releases my adversity. Writing is also the way I learn English.  Each self-published book is a significant milestone in my life to measure my improvement in learning English, and an expedition to the torch of liberty. The undertaking of this adventure is risky, dangerous, and exciting to test my endurance and to prove my hypothesis about the United States: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

June 16, 2013

 Happy Father’s Day to the Founding Fathers of the United States!

 Pay tribute to the Fourth of July

Happy Birthday to the United States of America!

"Sí, se Puede”

Most non-Spanish speakers do not know the meaning of the phrase “Sí, se puede,” but most people who live in the United States are familiar with President Obama’s first presidential campaign slogan, “Yes, We Can,” which led President Obama to become the first African American President of the United States. Not many people know that President Obama’s slogan, “Yes, We Can” is not original with him. His campaign team borrowed “Yes, We Can” (“Sí, se puede” in Spanish) from the slogan of the great Latino-American farm worker, Cesar Chavez,  who, when he was in jail, became the founding father of the national farm workers alliance. Similar to African Americans who are rightly proud of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Latino-Americans consider Cesar Chavez their greatest hero of the late twentieth Century.

“Sí, se puede,” or “Yes, we can” is also the motivational phrase that educators use to encourage students to keep trying. Thus, in San Jose, California, first and second graders from Cesar Chavez Elementary School, wear a crown on their heads with the words, “Sí, se puede” as they walk to the Mexican Heritage center to celebrate the great man’s birthday. This walk commemorates Cesar Chavez, a poor Latino American farmer who worked hard to help organize Latino American fruit pickers. The students’ crowns remind them that they should not deny their heritage or culture, nor do they need to do big things to make their actions meaningful. At their age, all they can do is work hard to fulfill their duties as students.

Although San Antonio and FUCHA schools are located next to this cultural heritage landmark, Cesar Chavez Elementary School’s students are the first to enter the Plaza. Shortly after they arrive, other students from the Alum Rock School District come and begin to fill the empty spaces. When the last students arrive, there are no empty spaces remaining in the Plaza. The Principal of Cesar Chavez School, Mr. Sanchez, opens the ceremony with a few words about Cesar Chavez, the great man whose non-violent strategy was instrumental in dealing successfully with different people holding different points of view. “Non violence” and “Yes We Can” are also the mottos in Cesar Chavez Elementary School. Teachers help students learn to control their anger, learn to express disagreement with gentle words, and learn to walk away when conflict seems imminent. These skills allow problems to be solved peacefully. Practicing non-violence helps individuals control themselves, and remembering the words “Yes We Can,” gives students and teacher a sense of power over their own destinies as they learn.  

Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s famous lines from his 1963 speech, “I have a dream...” are known around the world, and his words encouraged people in this country and around the world to share his vision of ethnic equality, pride, and peaceful coexistence. Unfortunately, not so many people know about Cesar Chavez’s leadership in forming the United Farm Workers’ Union.  Cesar Chavez’s UFWU demanded respect and benefits for farm workers laboring in California, but at its core was, like Dr. King’s message of racial equality, it was an idea with unstoppable momentum with benefit for all agricultural laborers: Europeans, Asians, Africans, and white Americans. While Dr. King’s Civil Rights leadership was a volcano shaking the world, Cesar Chavez’s championing of farm workers was an effective groundswell coming from deep in the fertile ground of California’s central valley. Though Chavez’s movement benefitted workers everywhere, only California, Texas, and Arizona celebrate Cesar Chavez’s birthday. Cesar Chavez is a role model for all ethnic immigrants and working people; his life’s story is motivation for them to pursue their dreams with the phrase, “Yes We Can,” in their hearts.



Sympathy

Breakfast of Soul

“ “Education is the backbone of any country in the world.” – Anhthao Bui

 “Education is fundamental to any state in the United States.” –Anhthao Bui

 In California, almost all the schools are starting a new school year. Educators and students go back to school and are ready to launch a challenging new school year, with fresh minds that are full of energy after a long summer vacation.

                On August 25, 2012, at the Campbell Community Center in northern California, educators and others concerned about education gathered from all over California: California Superintendent Tom Torlakson, California Assembly Member Jim Beall, administrators, school district board members, educators, parents, and students. Carrying enthusiastic and positive attitude about the sunshine of California’s educational atmosphere, together they shared their concerns and strategies on how to use the budget wisely; in order to serve and to provide students the best educational opportunities under the threat of a shrinking budget.

               Mr. Torlakson supports Preposition 30 and 38, because they are the best way to get more money for education and to save school employees from being laid off. Mr. Torlakson highlighted ways to save electricity and water, such as turning off electronic devices during recess, and recycling paperwork. The administrators of educational organizations should work together to devise simple money-saving acts.

               Mr. Torlakson’s brilliant smiles, friendly speech, and enthusiastic energy spread over the hall and inspired each individual audience member. This was a breakfast of soul for a new school year. The audience carried this positive attitude to their daily educational routines; as a battery to recharge their energy when their strength and passion are no more, and to overcome procrastination. The breakfast of soul helped educators, students, and others surpass our state’s tremendous hardships.

                   Thank you so much for the pancake breakfast, Assembly Member Jim Beall!

               Thank you for giving us the opportunity to meet the head of California’s educational community!

Instant Thoughts

• Living in the United States, my soul is always towards Vietnam. This morning I listen to “Douce Nuit” and “Đêm Thánh Vô Cùng.” My heart is as wet as dews in the early morning. I invite you to enjoy “Silent Night,” in French and Vietnamese. Thank you for your participation. I will take you to Vietnam in 2012. Soft Smile!

• I go home and close the door; my world exposes; I go back to a traditional Vietnamese woman.
• I am addicted FaceBook, but it is the good addiction; I eagerly read my friends’ posts everyday to learn about their world—to learn multi-cultures and faces that satisfy my greedy mind. When I share my ideas on Facebook, I exercise my brain. Writing is not easy; if I do not practice it, words cannot go smoothly.

• In a chilly early morning, a cold crazy laughter quakes the Bay and wakes up San Jose’s residents; they dash out off their house with their night gowns.

• Happiness is a luxurious mood that I hardly get it; happiness looks like bubbles that quickly broke into many tiny pieces and promptly disappears in the air.

•  I am afraid of the Mother’s Day because I am not a good child. I know I am wrong, but I have the right reason to do the wrong act.

Personal Quote

“Talent is a mixture of ingredients of qualification: passion, practice, and patience.”

Valentine