Mortal - We all are God's Children

Life After Peace Corps

In Virginia and DC, there are lots of young Spanish immigrants.  They are usually employed by the cleaning, construction and food service sectors.  Most of them are uneducated; speak very little English but they are pleasant, polite and hard working.  Some of the young workers still have the baby fat, rosy cheeks, innocent look and playful attitude.          

Every day, I go to McDonald for a cup of coffee.  (The only treat I can afford nowadays for being a Federal employee) The girl who greets me daily is a young shy Spanish immigrant.  At first she avoided eye contact with me, just took my order and said “thank you”, with a heavy Spanish accent and a bashful manner.  After a while, seeing me every day, she began to relax a little bit. One day, I took the initiative to break the ice, used my broken “Spanish” to say hello and made her laugh.   After that day, she became much friendlier, had the coffee ready for me as soon as I arrived.      

Yesterday, I went to McDonald again.  My young friend was helping another customer, an old African lady.  While I was waiting for my coffee, I overheard what the old lady said to her.

“Why didn’t you do as I said?”, “What is wrong with you?” “Do you know how to take order?”, “Do you understand English?”, “Go back to where you come from!”

My friend’s face was all red. Her eyes glued to the cash register with a blank stare.  She did not move, did not look at the old lady, did not say a word and did not attempt to defend herself.  The old lady went on and on with her complaints. 

Her insensitivity and rudeness toward the young girl brought back unpleasant memory of my past.  Years ago when I was still a foreign student, I was harassed by a young black girl in the NYC subway.  For no apparent reason, she approached me and hit me on the head, “Chin!” mocking me with her racial slurs.  For many years, that event haunted me and I lost my self-esteem.  It was when I finally graduated with honor, became a CPA and had a successful career that I finally realized that I was no less than they were.  But to this day, I still have a hard time understanding why “they” could be so unkind to “Others” when they are the ones complaining how badly they have been treated.   Maybe they are just a few bad apples, I surely hope so.

Next day, I saw my young friend again.  She seemed to forget what had happened to her yesterday, and gave me the brightest smile.   She is a hard worker and I picture her getting married, having babies and a lovely home in American.  I know she will make it, just like ME! 

It Is Not The Path We Choose

Life After Peace Corps

A man reaches a fork and does not know which path to follow,

“Where do you want to go?” a stranger tries to help

“I do not know” he says

“Then it does not matter which road you choose, does it?”   

One year ago today, I was in Azerbaijan. It is hard to believe that it has been nine months since I moved back to the US.  Unlike most of my Azeri 7 teammates, I already started a new life with a new job at a new place.  Most of the Azeri 7 are still trying to define their lives after Peace Corps; looking for a job, moving in and out of their parents’ home, being a “couch potato” or continuing to travel endlessly.  The most dispiriting reality is, some of them truly have no clue as what they are going to do next.

They are the one at the cross road, trying to pick a path, but whatever path they choose, it still lead them to nowhere.  The mistake is:  before we choose a path, we must have a goal.  Once we know where we are heading, take the right path and it will eventually lead us to our destinations.

While we are on the path, we will encounter obstacles, detours, roadblocks and sometimes rock falls.  I had been there, made countless detours when the path disappeared, got lost many times in darkness, fell down to a ditch, and suffered bruises by rock falls, but I never lost sight of my goal.  To be what I am today is not luck.

For the AZ8 who are coming home soon.  Take a moment to define your goal; then a path will appear. 

AZ 8, Welcome home!  

War, the Unpardonable Sin

Another devastating war scene of Syria was broadcasted on TV this morning.  An old man with tearing eyes stood in the midst of a crumbling wall, the place was once his home.  The erupted dust nearly swallowed him.  Ironically, behind him was a line of laundries still hanging, and fluttering in the dry desert wind.    

The sight saddens me.  Shouldn’t the old man be home surrounded by grandchildren and enjoying his retirement?  His country’s ancient culture demands that the old man should be well respected for his wisdom and old age.   Why didn’t his “king” honor that admirable tradition?  Why did the old man have to suffer? 

An antique poem written by a Chinese poet vividly depicted the sorrow of war:   

“Withered vines, aging pines and crying crows”

“A broken bridge, drying stream and desolate village”

“Ancient pass, blowing wind, and a stray war horse”

“A brokenheart ghost lost in the horizon”

War, since the dawn of human history has been employed as the quickest and easiest avenue to resolve conflicts; even it is the most destructive event to mankind.  War solved NOTHING!  It deepened problems;  Men suffered, lives were wasted, civilizations were destroyed, and every creature in the universe was attacked. 

Perhaps we should all refrain from praising soldiers and glorifying their bravery.  They are, after all, killers…..

My Life in Virigina

Wake up early in the morning and feel the chilliness in the air.  I cannot help but realize that the zenith of summer is slipping away.  Before long, it will be fall and the winter snow will soon be flying by my bedroom window. 

I love summer, in spite of the unbearable heat this year.   I enjoy wearing a sleeveless casual shirt with a pair of scandals or even bare foot, sauntering on grass, riverbank and seashore.  Summer has certain allures that attract even the most un-outdoor people to go outside.  Another charming feature that I love about summer is the thunder storms it brings.  The storm usually departs as quickly as it comes, but the effects that it has on plants, trees, flowers, wildlife and the earth are unmistakable, although it may cause some inconveniences to us, human.  (Deal with it HUMAN!)  Rain from the storm revitalizes, rejuvenates and energizes every living and nonliving thing on earth.  Birds sing louder, their songs are sweeter.  Trees are happier, their leaves with dripping raindrops turn greener, like a tall handsome healthy man just gets out of shower, smells and looks wonderful!  Shrubs and flowers are invigorated by the rain, new sprouts and flower buds appear in thousands shortly after the rain.  They cannot wait to show off how merry they are as well.   I take great pleasure to visit them in my walk.  

But now, most of the flowering plants have gone to seed and in the morning, I hear less and less birds chirping.  This morning, I even switched on the light in order to perform my morning chores.   Nevertheless, end of summer brings other delights I fancy.   It is the magic it creates at night.

Last night, I decided to put my air conditioner to rest.  I opened all the windows and let the fresh air fill my apartment.  Instantaneously, I was greeted by the nicest breeze, cool but not cold, inviting and soothing, just the right temperature.   Outside, the sound of my neighbors’ air conditioners were suppressed by the chirping sound of crickets and the rustling sound of leaves.  Then, I looked up; it was a full moon.  This orange ball shone through tree branches, peeking down at me with the brightest smile. Now living in Virginia, I have the comfort of having trees surrounding my apartment.  My bedroom window faces a wooded area.  Giant sugar maple and oak loom over the building, providing a cool canopy and allowing hot air to transform into a much cooler temperature.    Even in the peak of summer, my apartment is much cooler than outside.  Now at night, I need a light blanket to keep warm.   

I do not know whether it is safe to take walk after dark, but the magic of the night emboldens me to go out.  I think I will do just that tonight.