Phoenix: A Vietnamese immigrant's memoir, by Thuc Cong
Date: 1985 to 2004
The phoenix is the ancient myth of a magical bird that had a miraculous power to help itself regenerate and rebirth from its ashes.
I called myself that magical bird -- phoenix. In 2005 I will celebrate my 20 th birthday. It has been 20 years since the day I arrived to Edmonton and turned my ashes into a splendid phoenix. Time flies!
In 1982, a high school science teacher escaped a communist country in Southeast Asia called Vietnam for freedom. With a thorough sense of direction, but no navigating knowledge, he led a small boat with 15 hungry and thirsty people safely to Malaysia. The teacher stayed in Pulau Bidong camp for 2 months then came to Edmonton through the sponsorship of a church in Barrhead, a small town West of Edmonton. Right after his arrival, he worked as a janitor at the International Airport. With very little English, he tried his best to survive. His sole companion was a pocket English dictionary. Moving up from a janitor to a chef in the restaurant industry, he finally quit his job and went back to school. He now is a certified engineering technologist whose skills are popular in the glass industry.
That boat person is my husband.
Through my husband's sponsorship, I came to Edmonton in 1985. It was an amazing experience. I felt like the blind who just came out of the dark. Having been exposed to the magnificent Canada and friendly Canadians, I found everything in this free country worth escaping. I admired the boatpeople and the decisions they made. They risked their lives for a good cause. For that cause, they worked hard despite the language barrier.
The cold weather in Edmonton was a serious challenge for me.
While I was shivering in the cold weather I saw the image of the phoenix shaking off its ashes and turning into a gorgeous bird. I was reborn at that moment. That meant that my life started from the beginning. A new language to learn. A new career to take. New friends to make. A new mortgage to carry. Since I made the decision to immigrate, I had to accept all the changes. It was not easy but it was possible and patience was the first requirement. Working as a daycare worker and all kinds of odd jobs, I supported myself through school. It took me six years to climb from the bottom of the ladder to the middle. The job I currently hold is the result of my hard work and patience. Leaving the dream of being a teacher again, I started a new career. I was pleased with my new career although once in a while I missed my teaching job in a rural high school in South Vietnam.
In 1988, a beautiful girl came to my life. Her name is Tu. This gifted child brought lots of hope for me. Being born in a free country, my daughter has a bright future. I work hard toward that future. My husband and I put our heads together to bring up that beautiful princess in decent living conditions. She is worth every minute of my life. I trust that God's plan was for me to have this wonderful child.
In 1991 we bought our first condo for the family's privacy. After several years living in an apartment, we decided it was the time to buy a place called home, a place with a fenced yard for my daughter to play and a place for her to cry when she was ill and nobody would complain about the disturbing noise.
In the same year, I got a decent job at Alberta College where I met many immigrants struggling with the new language. I can see each of them a phoenix in its changing status. In the near future, they will be doctors, dentists, lawyers, or pharmacists. In the near future, I can see these phoenixes adding their bright colors to Canada, our beloved country.
It seemed like every 3 years, an exciting event occurred. Obviously it did not occur by itself. I put effort in making it happen. I am pleased that my life goes on the planned tracks. Although I am not a wealthy person, I am happy with what I have.
On my 20 th birthday I will spread my wings thanking Canada and its people for accepting me, a strange bird, as a family member. I am proud to be Canadian and will do whatever it takes to improve our country. I have been a guest speaker at many special occasions such as ESL graduations and Canadian Citizenship Ceremonies. While I am well received by my audience, I've believed that the honor comes from my being an honest Canadian.
After living in Canada for 20 years, I realized that the country is so wonderful and it is a paradise for people who want to live a peaceful life. The happiness I have makes me believe more in Buddha. As a Buddhist, I try to be more giving, to be a good citizen and try my best to make everybody happy. I also tried to pay back bit by bit the debt that I owed my beloved Canada. I get more involved in many volunteer work and the most practical way is donating my blood on a regular basis. God made me a giving person when he created me with the O positive blood type. I have to use that type of blood wisely and effectively. Every time I watch my blood filling the bag I cannot help thinking: Blood has one color - red. That concept is clearly expressed in our multiculturalism country, Canada.
For twenty years of being a phoenix I appreciate Canada more than ever. When I become a grandma, I will tell my grandchildren the story of this phoenix and this story will be passed on to many generations. Of course before I tell them the story, I will sing with my grandchildren clear and proud: "Oh Canada, our home and native land ... "