A few key thoughts struck me as I listened to these two Hmong-Americans talk about their time in Laos and their time in America; their "if you want it work for it attitude" and their deep sense of pride in their accomplishments.
First, Choua was very funny and on top of her humor she was a strong woman. She could only have been about 5 foot even, but her voice was that of a 6 1/2 foot woman. Her hospital stories and social work stories were fascinating to hear. I would have been fine listening to her talk for another hour in her bold, almost overwhelming voice.
Long was much more calm and talked with thoughtful enthusiasm. When he was asked questions about how he got his jobs he would quickly move from the job itself to the accomplishments. Choua did the same thing. It hit me as they quickly moved to telling stories about their individual accomlishments they had a deep sense of pride in their work. They came from Laos and have made a life for themselves in a foreign land. I was moved by their down to earth perspective on working and service to others. Then in a similar way I was moved by their stand out, against the grain, way of living.
As I do research for Russian Immigration I would love to find a few stories with people like Choua and Long. The type of strong personalities who have braved and seen many things, yet have made a life for themselves despite many daunting obstacles.
First, Choua was very funny and on top of her humor she was a strong woman. She could only have been about 5 foot even, but her voice was that of a 6 1/2 foot woman. Her hospital stories and social work stories were fascinating to hear. I would have been fine listening to her talk for another hour in her bold, almost overwhelming voice.
Long was much more calm and talked with thoughtful enthusiasm. When he was asked questions about how he got his jobs he would quickly move from the job itself to the accomplishments. Choua did the same thing. It hit me as they quickly moved to telling stories about their individual accomlishments they had a deep sense of pride in their work. They came from Laos and have made a life for themselves in a foreign land. I was moved by their down to earth perspective on working and service to others. Then in a similar way I was moved by their stand out, against the grain, way of living.
As I do research for Russian Immigration I would love to find a few stories with people like Choua and Long. The type of strong personalities who have braved and seen many things, yet have made a life for themselves despite many daunting obstacles.
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