From our evening class, Xuan has written a wonderful essay about her decision to come to the US from Vietnam. This essay aired on The Public's Radio Mosaic series and you can hear the author read her impressive story here: One Step
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Monday, December 5, 2022
With Praise for Me
I want to write about something that I kept to myself for a long time, thinking that it was a bad thing, but now it is one of my favorite jokes.
Writing is an art, anyone who has that gift should thank God. When you can write, people everywhere have the ability to know you without seeing you. Especially if you are a captive writer. I would love to write , but words don’t come easily.
Not too long ago, I was watching a musician, artist, singer, conductor, composer, song writer, etc.. He was asked how he was able to compose so easily the same song, different words, but same meaning. His response was, “I used to read 3 books a month.” Meaning besides the inspiration, his vocabulary was rich. There, I found the answer for my lacking.
Years ago, when I first came to the United States. Family and friends took me to a graduation. I was excited to see that many people. But on our way in, they had already started calling students. I heard So and So Cum Laude, So and So Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude, Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude.
I did not say a word, but in my heart I said, “Wow, the whole family is graduating!”
After a few minutes, the program was handed to me, and I started reading and saw the meaning of cum laude. I felt relieved for two reasons: 1st I kept it to myself, and 2nd, to know that these words were not last names, but honorary words. I can grade myself with a B+ for being a great observer not talker.
Rose Marie Simon - Haiti
Writing is an art, anyone who has that gift should thank God. When you can write, people everywhere have the ability to know you without seeing you. Especially if you are a captive writer. I would love to write , but words don’t come easily.
Not too long ago, I was watching a musician, artist, singer, conductor, composer, song writer, etc.. He was asked how he was able to compose so easily the same song, different words, but same meaning. His response was, “I used to read 3 books a month.” Meaning besides the inspiration, his vocabulary was rich. There, I found the answer for my lacking.
Years ago, when I first came to the United States. Family and friends took me to a graduation. I was excited to see that many people. But on our way in, they had already started calling students. I heard So and So Cum Laude, So and So Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude, Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude.
I did not say a word, but in my heart I said, “Wow, the whole family is graduating!”
After a few minutes, the program was handed to me, and I started reading and saw the meaning of cum laude. I felt relieved for two reasons: 1st I kept it to myself, and 2nd, to know that these words were not last names, but honorary words. I can grade myself with a B+ for being a great observer not talker.
~
Rose Marie Simon - Haiti
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