16. One More Vietnamese Family Arriving in Latrobe, PA I went along with the Tranquillas to Pittsburgh Airport To pick up another Vietnamese family of four. The family had just arrived from a refugee camp in Thailand. A couple with their young son, and Liên was his sister, The couple Trọng Nguyễn’s son was about…
15. Summer School at St. Vincent College The U.S. government had a plan to help students. Those who dropped out of school for whatever reason. Must satisfy this simple condition: Passing two remedial courses in the summer school. The GED exam I passed recently Was required for my admission. Saint Vincent College in Latrobe had…
14. The Ravages of a Civil War The most tragic fate we mourned for those young men Who were born only to die defending their leaders. Not knowing they were born North, only sent to South to die, Or losing limbs, eyesight, being handicapped for life. The saddest fate was for those Northern young men…
13. Recalling My High School Years in Vietnam My high school years in Vietnam were terrible, I was a reckless student bouncing from school to school. During my eighth grade in Bồ Đề High School, I felt bored and became a delinquent fool. I cajoled my classmates, Di and Thái, to play hooky with me….
12. Meeting My Second Benefactor – The Tranquilas Today there was an American couple Who came to the Tea Room looking for me. After my inquiries with him, He was a college professor with several degrees. They lived in a small town called Latrobe, About an hour’s drive from me. He visited his mother in…
11. Welcome to Our Country One night, a customer came near meWhile I was carving the meat, I didn’t hear him well.After he left the dinning area,Suddenly I said, “That’s it! Welcome to our country.” I ran after him to their car,“Thank you, sir, for your welcoming.”“Welcome to our country.” That’s what he said.I shook…
10. Learning to Drive I needed a car after moving in with the DePhillips, So I applied for a learner’s permit. My adoptive Mom taught me how to drive, Rural roads were always good places to try. The first time I took the driving test, I bumped the front wheels into the parking barrier. The…
09. The First Time Seeing Snow Oh no, I was late for work,The room was so bright as if it were noon time.I peeked through the window curtain to look outside,The entire ground was covered in a really thick snowy white. The clock showed it was only eight,So I took the time to marvel at…
08. The Time Working at Oakhurst Tea Room Today we make banana fries and onion rings,“Debbie! show Lay how to make it.”She giggled a lot while she was cutting the banana.“Mix with waffle batter, then fry them until they’re brown.” “Cut those big onions like thisSlice them straight down about this thick.Use only the big…
07. My First Day of Work in the U.S. (October 3, 1975) I was told to come for work at nine o’clock.A short distance across the road from the motel.My first task was to vacuum the dining room.Wanting to be a good worker, I asked for more. Jim DePhillips often observed me working, I noticed.When…
