Their Story
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(Their story is written by me but from their perspective. Their story has been recited back to them to ensure authenticity)
Maa and De
'KOTO Sushi & Sea Bar' in Laredo, TX (Oct, 1999)
Maa₁
- mom; mother
De₁
- dad; father
The red envelope is typically a monetary gift given during special occasions. This is my red envelope to my parents only it's filled with love instead of money.
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Foreword
Maa and De. It's what I call the two people who inspire me most. They're the ones who taught me to always aim higher. They're the ones who made sure my siblings and I were never hungry, always bringing us a tray of fruit or a bowl of fried rice at the perfect time. They're the ones who would stay up late helping me finish a school project or homework. They're the ones who would volunteer to sleep on the hotel room floor if there weren't enough beds. They're the ones who support everything I do. The word "love" isn't really a word my family used, but love manifests in nearly everything my parents do. I love you Maa and De as much as De loves Heineken.
This website is dedicated not just to my two amazing parents, but two immigrants who courageously left everything behind in search of better opportunities. Immigrants like my parents shouldn't be demonized as criminals or freeloaders. They are the hard-working, ambitious, and good people that truly embody the American dream. From escaping communism in Vietnam and the authoritarian regime in China, my parent's journey to America was not without hardship and uncertainty. I wanted to document their story and honor their sacrifice.
I found my parent's story extremely moving and captivating, so I had it translated to reach a wider audience (simply click on the bottom right icon to change languages).
Near Swan River in Perth, Australia (Sept, 1996)