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Ok, um, so can you please state your name? Helen Wo. And where you born? China. Uh, which city? Uh, Guangzhou. Okay. Uh, what was it like growing up there?

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In China? Meaning, like, uh, where did you live, like what was—like what was China like when you grew up there? Like the city. Yeah, and like your home and, like, your neighborhood. I lived in the old style house,

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and there’s two bedroom, one family room, one kitchen, a desk, hall, uh, and it opened up. What—what do you call? I forgot. It's called...

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A loft? No! It’s… a courtyard, is it right? Oh! Okay. It’s opened up, so if they because it’s a two story building so we live in the first floor; the second floor for—for someone else.

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Mhmm, and what kind of neighborhood did you grow up in? What did your parents do? Like what was your life like in China? Oh, okay. Well my neighborhood is in a nice neighborhood, and

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you know, compared people live there, we, like, uh, middle class because we—we had a bigger house and my dad was uh, architecture and my mom was

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accountant. Oh, okay. Yeah. And that time my grandma took care of us so. Oh, so was she living in the house with you?

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Mhm. Okay. Um, would you say that, um, nevermind. But did you ever move when you lived in China, like before you came to the United States? Nope, actually, you know at that time China is

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closed. Mhm, yes. You cannot go anywhere without the permission. Mhm, did that ever affect your family? Like did you guys ever try and go

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somewhere like while you were living in China? Yeah. Oh, can you give me an example? For example, you know I wanted to travel just inside the State you still need

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a permit. Mmm, was this when you were like in your twenties or when you were younger? Uhh… before twenty. Because China is not open at that time especially after Cultural Revolution.

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I don’t know whether you have heard of that? Yeah, I know—I know a bit about that. Yeah, at that time you know we couldn’t go to school. Wow, so how old—you— did you live in China during the

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Cultural Revolution? Mhm! Oh, so which years—like how old were you when you, like you said, you weren't able to go to school? Uh, that time, it’s eight or nine years old.

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Oh, so was it like for one year or two years...? Almost two years. Wow. And even though after that they still, they still had the small revolution, and

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because my mom and my dad were educated people so they sent to the ruler… they—like, farm to work and they cut their salary. Wow, so did you have to go with your parents then, during this?

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You know we worried about it because they probably—they take our house and send to the countryside but actually they did, but my oldest brother and sister they were excellent students, very smart, went to the really good, you know,

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the famous school. And uh, they had sent to the farm. Oh, wow. So were your—are your brother and sister older than you then? Yeah. Oh, so during, so how old were you when this was all happening?

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That time when the, whole, I was, um, ten. My young, uh, my sister only sixteen. Oh, wow. They collect them. Yeah, so um, can you like tell me a little bit more about your

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schooling? So after this all happened. Cause you said that you were an accountant in China. So did you like go to, uh, where did you go to school, like after all this? Ok, so you know, we—we had to go,

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we, attended public school. That time is no private school and also the government did not encourage the student to learn. And especially during the Cultural Revolution,

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that was 1966, the whole year the school shut down. Because all the teachers sent— Oh, where were the teachers—were the teachers sent to work, on the farms? To the, you know, the farm?

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Wow, I didn't know that. Yeah! And so, couldn’t go to school and also just the government did not want us to study. So they, my

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parents were educated people and they know, you know, the knowledge, education is important for us so they encouraged us to learn but we had to study underground, otherwise they sent you to

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the jail. Oh, wow! So did you—like was it you, did you have like other classmates that you kinda met on a regular—oh, wow. Yeah, so just, you know, my—that time my mom and dad

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still at home so they taught us. Oh, so they would teach you. And also as the oldest sibling, taught the youngest one and encouraged—even though the books, they all leave, because you know my dad was uh,

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capitalism. Your dad—capitalism? Uh huh. That means you know you own the factory, and. But before committee party took China and they—after

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that they couldn’t own their factory, they had to work for the government. So, the Cultural Revolution, they say they’re capitalism. That's what the Red Guard, they came to my house, and

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search. Really? Oh yeah, they took all the nice stuff and we couldn’t go out because we— they isolate us.

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Um, so after the Cultural Revolution, so when you were eleven—like, how did you go back, did you go back to public school? Oh, we only have public school. But even though we don't go to school 1 year

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and after you went back to school you learn nothing. Because they always talk about study Mao Zedong, the chairman Mao, because he wrote a lot of, you know,

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the, called poem, all kind of stuff and you had to go to all kinds of meetings. Actually, the kids didn't learn and the teachers didn't have power. Oh so how long did this last? Like two, three years?

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Until high school. Oh, through all of high school? Yeah! Wow. So I—I learned nothing. So all I learned is by myself. Oh wow, so was this at your house, like from your parents and your grandma?

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Yeah, you went to—you went to school, you learned nothing. Because, you know, you went to school, people just talked, played, they didn't learn. So how were you able to, um, become an accountant? Was that everything

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that you learned on your own? Yeah, because my mom taught me. Oh. Cause she was an accountant? Yeah. Yeah, okay, that’s good.

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Yeah, that time we didn’t have calculators, we only had abacus. Abacus? Abacus, you know, like you use wood and the beads. Oh, yeah, oh! So you used those, wow!

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Yeah, you used that one to calculate. Mhm. Interesting! But usually you use my mind. Oh, you do it all in your head.

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Mhm. Uh, did you do any college in China? Yeah, uh, but at that time because the, lemme see, 1975? 76? and they start to

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let the people take the test to attend college. Oh so you took a test in order to go to college? Yeah, and because you know, only few college in China, so you know how many people, so it’s very hard to get into China—the, the

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college, and I only attend—it’s called private. It’s in the evening class. Mhm. Um, two questions: did you have to pay for that

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test in order to take it, to go to college? Oh, yeah! Uh huh. And did you have to pay in order to go to college? Or was it like public college? No that, I took it, it’s like private, but actually it’s not.

00:09:09.520 - 00:09:20.450

It’s like um, but I had to pay it but it’s, well it should be only for the… It’s not for, actually, it’s not for the credit, it’s just for your education.

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Mm, I see. Um, so did you parents, um, did your parents have to pay for that, then, even though it wasn’t really for credit? Um, yeah, my parents paid for it. And by—you know like my sister, she...

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Your older sister? Yeah. She's six years older than me, and she's very smart she, she went to, sent to farm and later on after staying on the farm for six or seven years

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came back to the city, there’s no job for her so she had to work for the, uh, the factory. Make ice cream. Really? Wow! Yeah, even though you had knowledge you can’t use it.

00:10:02.930 - 00:10:18.090

But she just learn by herself and she took the test for the college, her major is English, and she took the 1st year, even though her grades were very good, but her age is only—that

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time she was twenty-eight. So was she too old? Yeah. She said she’s too old so couldn’t let her even though the grades— So the college only accepted, like, twenty-year-olds kind of you would say?

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It’s just, the politics. So, she did not give up and she took the test next time so she—she could…they had, she was not accept by the, you know the top

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college, but you know like uh, just a regular. Mhm. And she'd be for the teaching. Okay, to teach English. Yes, she—she studied, major is English.

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Interesting. Um, so what did, uh, when and why did you decide that you wanted to leave China? Uh, because freedom. Really? So did you know—did you know that you wanted to come to

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the United States only or were you considering other countries? No, you know, that time, China and the United States, they didn’t have a good relationship. So even though you cannot sponsor

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the family, even the wife of kids to the United States, that time— Oh so someone from the United States could sponsor a Chinese family? You can't. Oh you couldn’t, okay. Yeah, because they didn’t have the relationship.

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So after ’70, uh... Nixon, he visited China and opened the relationship and later they let people come, but that time a lot of people, they escaped to Hong Kong.

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Like my oldest brother, my youngest brother. Oh, they did? Yeah, they did they escaped to Hong Kong and then came to the United States. Like my husband, he escaped to Hong Kong, and his

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aunt support him and he came here as a refugee. Uh, did you say that his aunt supported him? Mhm. Oh, was that in Hong Kong or was she in the United States?

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No, his aunt is in Houston. Yeah—no, I mean, you said your aunt supported him, so was your aunt in Hong Kong or was she here? No, the—his aunt is in the United States, and he came as part—as the

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refugee. But you know, you need someone to sponsor him so that’s why his aunt sponsored him. Oh, interesting. Um, you said that you came alone? So did your parents want

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to stay behind? You said that your—your brothers left; did you leave with them or after them? No, because I came here, it’s that time I tried to escape to Hong Kong. You—you tried to? Yeah, and I—it was not success, so.

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Really? Uh, can you elaborate a little more? You know, I have—it’s very difficult to escape from China to Hong Kong. What did your—like, what did your brother have to go through? Like, I’m not—I don’t know what to imagine.

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Ok, um, that time my oldest brother sent into the countryside. Ok. And the place is very close to Hong Kong so he just—and also, he escaped earlier and that time is not very strict in Hong Kong.

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So he swam. He swam?! In the Pacific Ocean, cross the Pacific Ocean and went to China. Mm—uh, Hong Kong. Hong Kong. Wow! And is that what your younger brother had to do also?

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Ehh, my youngest brother, and he—because he was sent to the countryside it’s—and it’s very far way, he walked ten days. To get to Hong Kong? But couldn’t get it because they uh, they arrest—he was arrest by the, the

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Guards in Hong Kong. So sent him back to China. Oh, no! So what happened when you tried to escape to Hong Kong? Uh, I tried but I—I… I tried but couldn’t have the, you know, the

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friends to do, no one helped me. So that’s why I—I didn’t do it. Okay, I see. Yeah. Did anyone help your brother or was it just because he was in the countryside already?

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Oh, yeah, yeah, someone helped. Really? Do you know who helped him, do you remember? Oh, yeah you had to someone to help, not just support, you know, family support but you had someone to guide to—

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To take you? Wow, did you have to pay them? Cause I know nowadays they have things like that from Mexico to here. Ohh. But you have to pay them like $3000 or something.

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But that time you had to do your own, but you know, at least you had the permit to go, to that, uh, the border. Oh, so did your brother have the permit or did the guide have the permit? Uh, he got the—you know, got the permit from someone else to pay for it.

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Oh, interesting. You know like my husband, he live in the place and someone helped him give him the permit and he went to the place and took—walked ten days and then

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swam across the, uh, Pacific Ocean. Wow. Ok. Interesting. Yeah. Um, so was it just your two brothers that came over to the United States before

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you? No, actually, I’m— Did any other siblings? My... I married my husband. In China, or in…?

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In China. Oh! You did. Ok. That's one of things I didn't know. Yes. That's why you know I immigrate here is because he—he marry me and

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you know he tried to sponsor me came—come to United States for the student, so he didn't go back to there to marry me and also that time still closed and war, you know, he went there, you know, the government will retain

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him. If he went back to China? Yeah, at that time. So, but end up this success so that’s why he... at that time... it's open and he went to China, marry me, and that was. Oh, okay.

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So what date did your husband come to China then and then when did you guys get married? How long was the gap? January... I think January 2,

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1982 he came to China. And we married January 10th. And I came to the United States April... 21st, 2008, no uh,

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1982. Okay, so how long was he in the United States with the student... er refugee status... before he came back to marry you? Oh, uh... lemme see… He came to the

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United States 1975. Oh wow. So he was there seven years before... Where did you guys meet? Did you meet in China? Yeah, no actually, our parents...

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they're friends. And his parents that time still lived in China. He came to my house and know I'm a good girl. And we should be, you know, matched to his son. But that time, you know, I didn't think

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about it because that time still... it's not closed and that's why his parents cannot come to the United States even though my mother you know.... her sister that lived here sponsored them.

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It still couldn’t work? No. Is that today or was that back then? At that time, until 1979, finally they approved, let him—let them

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immigrate to the United States. And that was your parents in 1979? Yeah. So you were left behind without your parents? No, I talk about my husband's parents.

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Oh, your husband’s parents. Okay. And my sister, she came is with the student visa. Because uh, my...

00:18:03.220 - 00:18:18.410

actually, it's her husband now. That time, you know, support her to be student cause she had... at that time she was a college student, so that's why easy to come to the United States and at that time she studied in...

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Columbia University. Is this, this is your—a different sister? Not the one who was English, or the same sister? Oh, yeah. No I only have one sister.

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Three brothers. Oh, ok. Ok. Um, okay so I—I kind of understand the process of your husband. So you met in China, and then he went to the United States. No, actually.

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We didn't know each other. Because, you know, that's why the kids talk about how we’re a ‘blind date.’ Ohh, it was a blind date!

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Okay. Blind date. And, but, we're lucky because we’re— parents know their parents and I know their, some friends and know, you know, he's a good guy, and.

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Oh, so did you get married without knowing each other? Umm, you know, after his parents immigrated to the United States and mentioned to him, and so, talked to him and he, you know, he listened to his

00:19:17.180 - 00:19:28.950

parents. So... Ohh, so he came back just to marry you and bring you over? Yeah. And he, we just write each other. Wrote each other. Do you still have the letters?

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Umm. Thirty years… Yes? I think he kept it but I don't know where he kept them. Really? Okay. We just, you know, write— wrote the letters because at that time, you know,

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so expensive to talk over the phone. Yeah. Wow, okay, that makes sense. After, you know, we... talked so much...

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and at that time China was open, and let people... So it was easier to come back? And that's why he came back, married me, and at that time because it just open. So, I'm lucky, doesn’t wait that long.

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In just two months I could... they let me leave. Now, you have to wait for two or three years because many people... Oh, is that the new law?

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Well, because many—at that time, you know, thirty years ago, because not many people were there. So they had, uh, the space. Oh, Mhm. Um, so...

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We've learned about these things called push factors and pull factors that like play into immigration. So like a push factor telling you to leave China would be like...

00:20:42.650 - 00:20:48.650

the freedom? Oh, yeah. And then a pull factor would be... your husband? So— No, actually just the freedom. So the pull factor was freedom?

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Okay, perfect. Yeah, I was— It’s called a… push? A push factor and a pull factor. Yeah, it’s push. Yeah. So you—it was just push?

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Would you say that there was any pull factors? ... Pull meaning, like, draw—what about the United States? Not pull. So it was only freedom? Okay, I see. Yeah.

00:21:07.030 - 00:21:18.710

Actually, you know, that time, some people, they married in Hong Kong. They married in Hong Kong? Uh-huh. Even though they separate you can't go to Hong Kong. Because the

00:21:18.830 - 00:21:32.060

life is better in Hong Kong than China... so that's why so many people, they... you know. People, especially the guy, live in Hong Kong. They only come to China with

00:21:32.180 - 00:21:45.330

the wife and family only once a year. They're separate for a long, long time. Wow, that's interesting. Um, uh, so when you were in China, not waiting,

00:21:45.760 - 00:21:59.120

but when you were in China before you immigrated, uh, what did you know about the immigration laws in the United States? Did you just know—you didn't know anything about them? No. Yeah, cause I know you said China was really closed,

00:21:59.120 - 00:22:09.340

It’s really closed. …so you knew about China's end. And then you had mentioned the sponsoring thing? Is that part of, um, immigration laws, too? If you get a sponsor in the United

00:22:09.340 - 00:22:24.370

States to sponsor you, then you can leave China and go to the United States? Yeah. Actually you had to either have the relative. A really close relative. Like... you know... the parents,

00:22:24.500 - 00:22:42.550

kids—kids’ parents and separated at that time. And, of course, you know, spouse. But that time, even though your parents live in the United States and you live China, they—you

00:22:43.150 - 00:22:52.930

cannot—even though you support ... they don't let you come. To the United States? Yeah. Because China and… America, they don't have the relationship.

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Mhm. Yeah. Um, while you were in China how did you view the United States? Like your host society? It just... you know, because the government, they...

00:23:03.770 - 00:23:21.010

very bad impression. They say, you know, the Americans, they always talk about is not good... and so... we don't know. We just, so afraid that time.

00:23:21.330 - 00:23:38.690

But you know, after my brother escaped to Hong Kong... you know Hong Kong that time was British colony. And…you know, our family was isolated cause they say your brother escaped to Hong

00:23:38.690 - 00:23:54.460

Kong. And, it’s um, what’s the word, cause you leave the Communist Party. That mean... Ohh, so they almost—they kind of punished your family because your brother left? Yeah! Mhm. You know, at that time, they still kind of—they’re enemies.

00:23:55.790 - 00:24:09.360

That’s why at that time we suffering, too. Oh, yeah. Mhm. So in China they made it seem like the United States was bad and you really thought that there was a lot of freedom there? Is that...? Because you know, that's why people escaped to Hong Kong because

00:24:09.610 - 00:24:19.040

Hong Kong had the freedom. Because that time we didn't think about that far, to the United States because... still closed. Yeah.

00:24:19.590 - 00:24:35.550

And this is a silly question, but can you kind of give a definition of ‘freedom?’ Like what— how you saw freedom? The freedom? That means, you know, speech of freedom , and travel freedom, and that's a lot of freedom.

00:24:36.740 - 00:24:48.140

You know, like uh, go to college, you know like me when I came, I went... I came to college when I was thirty-two. Oh, in the United States? Yeah.

00:24:48.680 - 00:25:02.000

Cause I know if you don't have the education, you cannot find a better job and you cannot, you know, support the kids, you know, communicate with the kids. So that's why I attend college.

00:25:02.720 - 00:25:16.900

You know, after I came here, you have work, you had to make a living, and after that, you know, everything settled down and then you think about you go to college. Yeah, and so in the United States you are actually able to go to college.

00:25:16.900 - 00:25:29.330

Yeah! Where in China thirty-two was too old. No, you know, even though you're not qualified to go to, you know, the top colleges, you can attend like community college, you can attend you know, city, like UH. Yeah.

00:25:30.290 - 00:25:45.450

Um, so where did you first move? Oh no, first, um, can you explain the migration process that you went through when you came to the United States? So you said that your husband came, and you got married here, or I think in

00:25:45.450 - 00:25:59.250

China, and so—and then did you like apply for like a…? Yeah, I applied for the visa. Okay. So like, it was like a marriage visa...? Yeah, you had... the visa at that time they only had the ‘visa’ because that

00:25:59.410 - 00:26:13.190

time he sponsored me, like a student visa, I already had the passport. But end up they didn't approve because here the college they didn't accept me because I don't have any degree like my sister.

00:26:14.190 - 00:26:30.490

She studied in a college, so, not a degree but she was... a college student. Student, so you she could get a student visa... Yeah, so she could come and I think so that's why my husband... went back, went to China because that time he was not citizen.

00:26:30.560 - 00:26:44.200

If he was a citizen, he can just... send the paperwork and... And bring you over? Yeah! Mhm. That, cause that time he was still ‘green card.’ So...

00:26:44.510 - 00:26:59.310

he had to, went to China, we went to the... the... called... the government place. To get married? To get married, to get the certificate and went to, and went back

00:26:59.310 - 00:27:13.080

my work place to get the permit because I had to get the permit from my workplace. Everything, you go anywhere, even though, just you—like you go to Austin, you still need a permit! Wow, interesting.

00:27:13.320 - 00:27:26.600

Yeah, mhm. Um, so did you, did you fly, like are flights from China to the United States? Uh, actually, I took the train to Hong Kong. I stay in Hong Kong for a week and stay in my brother's house.

00:27:27.500 - 00:27:34.360

You can... because that time they don't have direct flight from China to... The United States, yeah. The United States. You had to go through Hong Kong.

00:27:35.800 - 00:27:51.660

That's why... yeah. I went to Hong Kong, and since my brother's family there so I stay there for a week. The maximum is only seven days stay in Hong Kong. Oh, there's a limit! Mhm. Um, was it hard getting out of China?

00:27:51.660 - 00:28:02.710

Like on the train? Like did any, like, workers give you a hard time for leaving? Or, like? Oh, because, you know, you.... you had the permit, you bought the ticket,

00:28:02.850 - 00:28:13.100

and they check it! So they were… yeah. Was it hard to get, like did the people that gave you the permit, did any of them give you a hard time? A hard time meaning like were they, like, mean or like aggressive, or...?

00:28:13.740 - 00:28:22.510

You know, if I don't have the permit, I couldn't get the ticket. Mmm, I see I see. Because so many people wanted to escape. Yeah, um.

00:28:23.480 - 00:28:39.220

So I know there were like other citizens leaving China. Would you say when you left with your husband, was it before, after, or during, like the time when a lot of people were trying to leave China? Umm... after the Cultural Revolution, because you know,

00:28:39.950 - 00:28:52.700

especially young generation and they know, you know, China is no hope. No freedom, you know no food. Nothing. And so that's why a lot of people, they wanted to

00:28:53.330 - 00:29:03.050

get out of China but they couldn't do that and especially... we live in Canton. That's close to Hong Kong so that's why so many people— You lived in Canton?

00:29:03.320 - 00:29:16.890

Yeah. Actually called ‘Guangzhou.’ I lived in Guangzhou, but that time, they, you know, the English name is called Canton. Ohh, okay. Ok. So, and they tried to escape to Hong Kong. And sometimes they, a lot of

00:29:16.980 - 00:29:32.090

people they came to the United States, like my brother you know? He came here as a refugee. And my brother that time, he came, but end up his girlfriend… It's actually, that time later...

00:29:32.730 - 00:29:44.450

his wife and say, you know, he came here probably, he couldn't use his knowledge and so... cause he is a technician. And he work for

00:29:44.530 - 00:29:55.220

the factory and later on he move to Singapore, had better chance, he own his factory. You know, make the parts. Mhm. Ohh, interesting.

00:29:56.020 - 00:30:03.460

Um, what was it like emotionally? Like, leaving China and finally getting to the United States? Were you like, were you happy that you got

00:30:03.500 - 00:30:15.900

to leave, or were you? Oh yeah! Of course. Um, did you know anybody, were you, did you guys plan on going to Houston? Because your husband was in Houston? Oh yeah, because I marry him I had to follow.

00:30:16.180 - 00:30:25.390

Yeah, you had to go to Houston. Yeah, I had to come. Did you know anybody in Houston? Before this? No, no. Except, you know, him.

00:30:25.740 - 00:30:35.890

And of course his family. Ohh, so did he come... bef—? I can't remember. Did he come before or after his parents? He c— his um, actually…

00:30:36.140 - 00:30:46.090

Cause I know his aunt was there, but like... The aunt’s... What was the reason for Houston, though? Because his aunt's whole family in the Uni—uh, Houston. And they—and she sponsored him.

00:30:46.330 - 00:31:00.980

Yeah, she sponsored him and because he came was young, only eighteen years old. So... he—later on he went to Los Angeles, study, college. And... he study

00:31:01.060 - 00:31:13.110

and also there’s a lot of friend live there. In Los Angeles? Yeah, and that time he live with American, so he can, you know, help them to cook, clean, so... Ohh. So how did he meet Americans?

00:31:13.320 - 00:31:24.940

Was it through the school? I think school, and that time, you know, not many Chinese people and that way, he doesn't need pay for rent and... and he has place to stay.

00:31:25.730 - 00:31:39.320

And also he can learn English. And... he study in Glendale. And... I think that's in, like near... LA. And he study three

00:31:39.420 - 00:31:51.830

years. The third year... and that time his two sisters escape from China to Hong Kong and came to the United States and stay in Houston. And the

00:31:53.050 - 00:32:07.180

two sister marry. And so he live in California study and third year and the second sister... and husband went to Dallas and had a car accident.

00:32:07.930 - 00:32:22.210

Aww. And... her husband died right away and she was in coma and so that's why he came back to help. That's really sad, yeah. Yeah. He helped and his parents came

00:32:22.420 - 00:32:33.980

about two years later, two or three years. After this? Yeah. Three years later and that time, you know, he took the TOEFL.

00:32:34.830 - 00:32:44.180

I'm sorry, can you...? TOEFL. You know, for the, go to the school for study. For the foreign student usually take the TOEFL. Oh, is it a test? Yeah, for the English.

00:32:44.430 - 00:32:52.140

Okay. How do you, what's that word? The TOEFL. T-O-F-E-L . TOEFL. Ohh, so it's a test.

00:32:52.740 - 00:33:07.610

For English. And did he take—he took it in the United States? Ok, interesting. I've never heard of it. Yeah, you know, a lot of foreign students you had to take it. Okay. Was that—was that in order to continue his college education or was

00:33:07.610 - 00:33:18.400

that like after it? No, because he studied there, he study from, uh... community college and then to the University. In Los Angeles? Yeah.

00:33:18.450 - 00:33:33.060

And he did not need to take the TOEFL but when he came back after, you know, his parents moved here and he want to finish his degree... and so, in

00:33:33.190 - 00:33:44.510

Houston did not have to take TOEFL and then transfer his grade and to here, he can study... Oh, I see. I see. In Houston. But end up, his TOFEL.

00:33:44.580 - 00:33:51.230

I think that time its required five hundred fifty. Dollars? To pay it? No no no. Five hundred... the grade.

00:33:52.190 - 00:34:00.800

The score. It had to 550. Ohh, they had to score that? What was it out of? Yeah, you had to—The score, if you meet 550, you

00:34:01.890 - 00:34:10.680

can attend the college. Ohh, okay. Yeah, I want to look into that. Yeah! And so, he only got

00:34:11.390 - 00:34:22.450

530 on it. He took it twice, he didn't... still couldn't get it so finally he give up and he, and his friend told him 'You know, you just

00:34:22.510 - 00:34:31.640

come back to L. A. to study!' Cause you know, he, he's loyal to his family. He had to take care of the...

00:34:31.640 - 00:34:41.180

the parents. Because he was already in the United States? So, like, so his parents wanted him to? He took care of his parents because he was already there, kind of thing? No, that—his parents...

00:34:41.320 - 00:34:53.330

just came 3 years later. Mhm, and so because he was in the United States it was on him to take care of the parents? Yeah, mhm. He just, you know, he's the youngest boy but he take all the

00:34:53.330 - 00:35:08.250

responsibility. So he didn't leave Houston because he still need to take care of his sister and the parents, too. So that's why he just went to community college, study Mechanic— no, um...

00:35:08.490 - 00:35:21.010

called Mechanical. You know, the car... fix the car. That's why he just get the Associate degree. Study over there.

00:35:21.580 - 00:35:36.160

Yeah, mm. Um, ok so did you know English before you came to the United States? Me? Yeah, because I stu—yeah, that’s, I attend college... Part of school? No, I attend college, I study, I took English. Oh, okay. Interesting.

00:35:36.860 - 00:35:47.500

And I know... I don't know why... I just think about how I need to leave China so that's why I study English. And actually, my sister's major is English.

00:35:47.680 - 00:35:55.480

Mhm, oh so you said that she taught... she was, she taught you for a while? So did she start teaching you English? Or did you learn it in school?

00:35:55.580 - 00:36:09.760

Uh, I learned it in school because that time, high school, they offer English but you know people... didn't learn. They didn't want to learn. Mm, but you wanted to learn? I wanted to learn. So, after graduating and I still

00:36:10.300 - 00:36:23.660

learn by myself and my sister taught me a little bit and that time, she was in college so she stay in the college and later on they had the school, the called evening school. So I attend evening school.

00:36:23.660 - 00:36:33.990

Yeah. Um, so where did you first move when you came to Houston? Because I know you live in Sugar Land now. So did you move straight to Sugar Land when you first came to Houston, back—?

00:36:33.990 - 00:36:41.140

No, no. In Houston. Alief. Oh, in Alief. Ok, perfect. Yeah, in Hou—Houston. Because my husband, he lived here.

00:36:41.580 - 00:36:52.830

Um, what kind of neighborhood did you move into? Were there a lot of Chinese people there? No. Really? When we, when I move here, my husband hadn't bought a house yet cause,

00:36:52.950 - 00:37:04.960

you know, and we live in... his sister's house. It's nice, you know, neighborhood. Is it the sister that, uh, came to Houston after him?

00:37:05.890 - 00:37:19.500

Uh, that one is came before him. One is and that one had the tragedy. And, but the one... came after him, he marry and he had to be... here.

00:37:20.170 - 00:37:33.470

But his parents lived with their other sister because he needed to take care of the younger sister that had the car accident. Ok, are you saying ‘take care of the younger sister?’ Yeah. Actually, is older than him but the second sister.

00:37:33.900 - 00:37:49.990

Ohh, okay. I see I see. The one had the car accident. And cause, that time, have some... mental problem because you know, probably the accident caused that. So, their parents asked us to buy the house.

00:37:51.270 - 00:38:04.460

So that time we had , you know, because we came, we did not have enough savings, my husband didn’t have savings, but they loan us some saving for the house. And the house was in Alief?

00:38:04.530 - 00:38:14.920

Yeah, actually on the border. You know, just... it's close to their sister's house. Just two-three blocks. Okay. Yeah. So did you guys, how come you guys chose to move to Alief?

00:38:14.920 - 00:38:23.850

Just because you needed to buy a house and that was a cheaper one? Or because it was close to the sister? No, because their parents make a decision. It was close to their family.

00:38:23.850 - 00:38:38.750

And that time, when we bought the house, and oil is booming in Houston. That's why that time the property was expensive, the interest rate was high. And not

00:38:38.830 - 00:38:55.200

many house for sale and finally that one is on sale. And they bought, and so they... later on the one brother live with us. And suppose that time he live in, with the

00:38:55.280 - 00:39:09.620

parents, sister. And since we bought the house it was so he lived with us. Until he marry, he moved out. Uh, what were your neighbors like? That time was good. Yeah, there's a lot of engineer live in our neighborhood.

00:39:09.620 - 00:39:20.390

You know our neighborhood is very nice neighborhood. We did not need to lock the doors. Oh that’s good, yeah! It's very safety and the neighborhood is friendly and after, I think

00:39:20.930 - 00:39:33.570

1985, and the oil industry… The oil what? Oil industry. Yeah, it was down so many people, you know, the

00:39:33.950 - 00:39:46.750

especially engineer, they're laid off. So... a lot of houses they foreclosed. And so my neighborhood, the value is very bad.

00:39:46.990 - 00:40:03.870

Yeah, it went down, yeah. Yeah, it went down and so... we still lived there... until, you know, later. We lived there sixteen years, until the school, you know, because when the house

00:40:04.880 - 00:40:21.800

foreclose and the values went down... and you know, there's a lot of, the labor, you know the cheap labor they move in and so the—the neighborhood was not that nice

00:40:21.800 - 00:40:35.290

and also they built a lot of apartments. Cheap apartments around the neighborhood. So the schools went down. So when my son finished middle school,

00:40:35.520 - 00:40:52.070

Angela that time was early middle school because five years apart, our kids. So that's why we decided, you know, either send the kids to private school or either move the better neighborhood. And, so, cause you know you send both

00:40:52.140 - 00:41:03.540

kids to private school it's too expensive. Especially the transportation. Ohh, that's true because there are not—there aren't very many. Yeah, so we decided and also I did a lot of surveying.

00:41:05.090 - 00:41:13.730

You did a lot of what? Survey. Ohh, you tried to find the better schools around. Yeah, to find the school, which ones are better and... Mhm, my parents did the same thing.

00:41:13.730 - 00:41:29.300

Yeah, because you think, you send them to private school because they study in the small group, when you go to the college, they not easy to adapt to it. And also, if you go to public school and they have more

00:41:29.690 - 00:41:41.810

funds to support the kids, more activity. So that's why we found it out. We looked at houses and found ‘Oh, we'll move to Sugar Land.’

00:41:42.150 - 00:41:52.980

So yeah. That was your second and only Hou—like, location? Mhm! It’s the second location. We've lived there thirteen years. Oh, okay. Um, back to the first house, what were...

00:41:53.630 - 00:42:01.630

before, when you said you had the engineers living around you, what were your neighbors like, was it really diverse? Were they like a lot of whites or a lot of …? Oh, white. Mostly white.

00:42:01.860 - 00:42:10.720

So, white. At that time there's seldom Chinese. And after '85 so many people moved out, because the... And then who moved in?

00:42:10.720 - 00:42:21.980

Umm, the black. Black. Black families? Mhm, and Mexican. And some Chinese, because the house cheap.

00:42:22.260 - 00:42:35.880

They can afford that. Yeah, okay. Umm, uh, so I wanted to talk to you about your, um, your first job. So you said that in China you were, um, an accountant.

00:42:36.260 - 00:42:44.220

And then you moved to the United States. So, what kinds of jobs were you hoping to have in the United States before you came? Actually, that time…

00:42:44.220 - 00:42:53.310

Or did you know, did you have any idea of what you'd do? In—in China? Oh, no no no. But like, when you were still in China and you knew you were going to move to the United States, where did you hope to work?

00:42:54.040 - 00:43:04.750

Oh, you know, because that time... you had to think about for the living. Yes, that's what I—yeah. And, you know, I knew I don't have education.

00:43:06.570 - 00:43:20.540

And I know easy to work for, is to work, cause the language, you know. You don't speak very good English, you cannot work for the American, you cannot go to school, you can't do anything, so.

00:43:21.250 - 00:43:37.220

That’s the way, it’s easy to, especially just like a history: the new immigrant especially Chinese immigrant, they come to the United States and either they own restaurant, or either dry clean, or either washateria.

00:43:38.980 - 00:43:45.370

A—a washateria? A washateria… Is that kind of like another dry cleaning—? Like a laundromat type? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, okay.

00:43:45.930 - 00:43:59.320

Um, so you were basically, like, expecting, you just, you knew you needed to have a job somewhere. Yeah, so that’s, you know that's the easy way you find a job is work in the restaurant. Ok, so and you said you worked in a restaurant?

00:43:59.800 - 00:44:13.760

Yeah. And later on, probably two years, and you know, you know how to drive and... Oh, you had to learn how to drive, yeah that's true. Yeah. You had to learn how to drive and also you know a little English

00:44:15.680 - 00:44:26.590

and... so you can, that time, I worked ten hours. A day? A day. Six days. Wow, wow. Long hours. Um, was it easy to find work, like that first restaurant to work at?

00:44:26.590 - 00:44:40.110

Or was it hard? Uh, that time it's not hard. You know, first time if you can't find you know, because most of the time that time... the, uh, the restaurant, the customer,

00:44:41.090 - 00:44:57.230

they are American. Just like now they have Chinese. So usually you start probably work in the kitchen or either like busboy, busgirl. And later on you—you familiar with the

00:44:57.900 - 00:45:10.680

menus, know how to say some English and then you promoted to waitress. Yeah. Oh, ok. Um, how did you find your first job? Did, like, a friend tell you about it, or? Yeah. A friend told you about it?

00:45:10.680 - 00:45:25.070

Uh-huh, actually the restaurant I first worked at because my husband's oldest sister... they owned the restaurant. Ohh, so you went to work for them! Yeah, and they, they, you know, they had the family tie; you had to work

00:45:25.140 - 00:45:35.150

for the family. That's why I worked there. Mhm. Interesting. Um, so your first, so who was your boss then? Was it the older

00:45:35.150 - 00:45:48.690

sister? Yeah. Ok. Um, and you said that the restaurant was located in Old Chinatown? So does that mean that there was like a lot of Chinese? Uh, well— Actually even though Chinatown, but actually it’s not Chinese because...

00:45:49.770 - 00:45:58.770

that time, not many Chinese... . Were there yet? Yeah! Oh, okay, because you said a lot of the customers were American. Ye— All that come in were white Americans.

00:45:59.550 - 00:46:12.730

Mm, interesting. Um, so what was the uh, what were the other waitresses and workers in the restaurant like? Were they all like in your same position? Because that time it was a small restaurant, there's only two

00:46:12.780 - 00:46:24.410

waiters and... I just worked, first time I worked in the kitchen first, because you know I'm not familiar with the...

00:46:25.330 - 00:46:39.150

The menu yet. The menu and the words so two waiters worked there, and... Do you know if they were immigrants, like originally? Oh yeah. Really? Yeah, and like were, was the entire restaurant, would you say immigrants, really?

00:46:39.230 - 00:46:54.450

Like the workers and people in the kitchen, and? Yeah! Oh yeah. That time, they—isn’t like now there are so many Mexican. They all came as immigrants. Either they came by refugee, you know

00:46:54.690 - 00:47:09.080

especially that time from Vietnam. Cause after Vietnam corrupt and so many Vietnamese, they came to the United States and so that's why there's some

00:47:09.470 - 00:47:22.730

Vietnamese-Chinese were in the Chinatown. Mmm, so—so Alief wasn't, like your house wasn't near where you worked, was it? No. So you had to like commute there and things? Alief actually is in Houston.

00:47:22.730 - 00:47:32.290

I mean I know where Alief is but like I don't.... It actually is Houston. Yeah, isn't it kind of near Bellaire? No! Uh—yeah, Bellaire and

00:47:33.670 - 00:47:45.600

Hous—mmm... Yeah, Alief and then Sugar Land. Southwest area. It's not Bellaire City. Bellaire City, that's a very good city, it's

00:47:45.740 - 00:47:56.910

totally different! Yeah, um, so what, so your restaurant was in Old Chinatown, what does that mean? Like there's a lot of Chinese restaurants around there? Or there's a lot of Chinese who live there?

00:47:56.910 - 00:48:10.380

What did you—what did you mean by—I mean, I know ‘Old Chinatown’ is like a phrase… That time actually in the United States all Chinatown is close to Downtown. But since in Houston, back to 19...1995,

00:48:16.130 - 00:48:28.500

and they just moved to Bellaire. That's when new immigrants, they don't know Chinatown, they only know, everybody knows Chinatown is Bellaire. Yeah, I know that Chinatown, I didn't know the other—other one.

00:48:28.500 - 00:48:44.360

Actually, that’s called ‘Chinatown.’ Officially it's called Chinatown. But since they have more people... they own the Chinese restaurants and they have apartments, office, everything is on Bellaire.

00:48:45.270 - 00:48:59.540

They just expand expand expand. Before, only one center, now there's probably 10, or. So—so the Bellaire is really different than what Old Chinatown was like? It's very small. Yeah, were there a lot of Chinese there?

00:48:59.540 - 00:49:15.240

No. No. Or not really, it just happened to be called that. They just—they call is China because there's an association over there. And there's only two or three small stores over there, only gift shop over there and that

00:49:15.340 - 00:49:26.810

time, later on, 1980 they built a theater over there. Chinese theater and one Chinese grocery store over there. But it's nothing like Bellaire is now?

00:49:26.810 - 00:49:38.010

Oh, no no. It's very small. Center. Why do you think that is? Do you think it’s cause there weren't that many Chinese during the 80s and now there's a lot more? Oh, yeah.

00:49:38.070 - 00:49:49.390

That now you can tell. Probably hundred times. Yeah. Um, what other kinds of jobs did you have between the first waitress job and then now?

00:49:49.390 - 00:49:58.950

And then now as an interpreter. Ok, okay. And later on because of my husband's brother-in-law owned a fish market, and... Okay. Was that in Galveston?

00:49:59.110 - 00:50:16.090

No! It's in, uh, 610 and Main. Oh, okay. And they bought the store and with a partner, so they want me to go there, help, and then work as a manager cause its small,

00:50:16.870 - 00:50:30.220

probably only three, four employee. And later on, because the business is not very good, and the other partner withdraw. Oh, was the other partner an immigrant?

00:50:30.890 - 00:50:39.140

Yeah! All is immigrant. That—at that time, all is immigrant. We did... illegal. Just like now.

00:50:39.140 - 00:50:52.690

Oh, no! Well, I mean like, we learned about, um, ethnic enclaves. Have you heard of that? So like Chinatown is an ethnic enclave so there’s a lot of Chinese people there. And we learned how like two immigrants will pool their money together and start a business together.

00:50:53.310 - 00:51:00.850

And then, like eventually they will... this is where it gets fuzzy, I didn't get it... and then eventually the other partner will take over and like start their own business, and so.

00:51:01.210 - 00:51:14.280

So it's kind of like two partners, two immigrant partners, started the fish market? Mhm. And later on, you know, that partner withdraw, so my brother, you know, the only one, so I had to help him to, to

00:51:15.170 - 00:51:31.730

manage. And later on... because my, my husband's sister-in-law's family came. So, you know sister's brother came, so, you know? Did they come from China?

00:51:32.110 - 00:51:44.910

Yeah. So they let them work there and so that's the reason I can't get with them. So, I found an office job, work for the Chinese newspaper as a secretary. Oh!

00:51:44.990 - 00:51:54.120

In—okay. Fun. How did you find that job? Uh, just, you know. The friends recommend it. So they...

00:51:55.810 - 00:52:06.070

they just, you know, interview and they hire me. Were there any Americans working at—for them? No, it was all Chinese but they from Taiwan. Only me speak Cantonese and

00:52:06.140 - 00:52:18.090

actually they want someone speak Cantonese. And I know some English— —Too, which helps, yeah. cause I study English in China and also, you know, lived here. I just, I didn't

00:52:18.090 - 00:52:27.340

have chance to attend college so everyday I’d just listen to the radio. Oh, to learn your English? That’s good. Yeah! And talk to the customer.

00:52:27.780 - 00:52:42.130

You know, everybody is my teacher! So I just learned all kinds of things. So after that I study—no I work for the Chinese newspaper because you know, office hours eight to five and...

00:52:44.220 - 00:52:56.010

two evening I still work for the family's restaurant and that time I already had my son, is two... three years old. And so I went to school

00:52:57.830 - 00:53:07.930

two evening to start to take a class. Wow! So you had your job from eight to five, you worked two nights a week, and you went to school. Okay. How long did you do that for?

00:53:08.130 - 00:53:24.260

Uh, I went to school, that time I just took some basic, you know like uh English ESL, and then, uh, typing cause that time you need to know typing and some business calculation, business, uh, English

00:53:26.550 - 00:53:39.310

and later on I had Angela, and stay home, and I think, you know, it's... I just like to learn. So, I just applied for the

00:53:39.310 - 00:53:52.960

college so I went to HCC, start over there and that time my husband didn't support me because, you know, he say you know you have family, you work, it's hard to, for you to go to college.

00:53:53.600 - 00:54:06.490

Especially you know the age is thirty-something. Yeah. So you paid for your college at HCC? Oh, yeah. So I insist cause I know you know you have to education, not only

00:54:06.490 - 00:54:19.600

you cannot communicate kids—with the kids. So I— So that was one of the main reasons you wanted to learn English? Mhm, so I went there and I study, major is Accounting.

00:54:20.010 - 00:54:33.300

Because I know— Because you knew that from home? Yeah, it's easy for me too because, uh, number is my favorite. I can use my d—pops up, that's why my kids especially my son,

00:54:34.240 - 00:54:47.370

he’s very good in science, math. So I study Associate Degree and then after that I find a job work for the Houston Community College and that's a, you know like a clerk. And they

00:54:47.370 - 00:54:59.500

give— A what? An office clerk. Part-time. Clerk, ok yes. And so because I need to take care of the kids so I just work part-time because my husband had the, you know, side jobs so I had to help him and take

00:54:59.550 - 00:55:16.640

care of the family, to take care of his family , so… and later on there's a comu—uh... Computer Science, they had job opening so I applied over there and that time the boss thinks about you know my English is not that good but

00:55:18.280 - 00:55:33.340

then another referral say 'Oh, she hardworking person, she can learn it later on.' So I worked there and just one month I did really good job and later on because I moved to Sugar Land,

00:55:34.880 - 00:55:50.200

and especially Angela that time swimming and sometimes I came home late and the coach give her hundred pushups and punish her even though I say it’s my fault and so that's why I quit the job there and find a job work for City of Sugar

00:55:50.200 - 00:56:04.560

Land Municipal Court. Oh, so it was closer? Yeah, it is probably two miles and the schedule is flexible so I can take care of the family so that's why I worked for Sugar Land Municipal Court for ten

00:56:04.560 - 00:56:20.210

years. Wow, what was your, uh, job title? At that time I was, uh, Court Clerk and later on... I was, uh, Administrative... Administrative

00:56:22.050 - 00:56:34.450

Assistant. So my boss is secretary. Um, would you say, because I know your first couple jobs you had a lot of, you interacted with a lot of Chinese people and your clients, were?

00:56:35.030 - 00:56:45.090

No, actually the client always American. Always American? So from-–from your first job till… oh, and now you have more Chinese clients. Yeah! Except for the, when I worked for the Chinese newspaper.

00:56:45.500 - 00:56:56.080

Okay, that’s true, yeah. And so when you had your… uh, your job with the Municipal Court, did you have—interact with a lot of Americans or a lot of Chinese? No, always American. Always Americans, okay.

00:56:56.080 - 00:57:09.130

Cause that time is not many Chinese, and later on had Chinese, so that’s why my boss want me to interpret at the window because I only handled... At the Municipal Court he wanted you to interpret?

00:57:09.660 - 00:57:23.290

Mhm, interpret, you know, and that’s why I think about probably that is my career. To do, to be an interpreter, ohh. So that’s why I study, I took the test for the, uh, the Municipal Clerk

00:57:23.840 - 00:57:37.380

certificate. In order to be an interpreter, or in order to be a clerk? No no no no, the clerk and so you know you can work advanced level so I, it’s the State test.

00:57:37.760 - 00:57:53.610

So I passed the third level, that’s for the management. Yeah so…it’s only probably thirty people in the whole state that certified as a Court Clerk at level three.

00:57:53.980 - 00:58:04.970

I’m the only one who’s a foreign student. Wow! Really? Yeah and later on, so that’s why I worked for another city, Jersey Village, as

00:58:04.970 - 00:58:15.550

a court— Oh, can you repeat that last one, for the? Jersey Village. The city of Jersey Village because they had the promoted, is… Court Administrator, it means manager.

00:58:16.090 - 00:58:26.210

Ok, where is Jersey City? Um, it’s 290 and Beltway 8. So how far away is it from Sugar Land? Oh, it’s far away. Oh, is it like five hours away?

00:58:26.390 - 00:58:39.610

No no no no, it’s only, uh… with no traffic, it’s a small city, no traffic it’s about half hour drive. Oh, ok, yeah, I’ve never heard of it. Um—what was I gonna say— so,

00:58:42.420 - 00:58:53.790

were you and are you—this is a completely—this is about your involvement in the community. So, um, when you first came and then now were you and are you involved in the Chinese community? Er, not Chinese, any, like, in the Community

00:58:53.790 - 00:59:03.460

at all. Um, well. Like, what kind of people did you interact with? Were your friends Chinese? Were you really—did you really like associate with your family members,

00:59:03.480 - 00:59:15.410

extended family members? Ok, uh, actually I had a lot of friends, they’re American. For example, a Court work, ex-Court worker, even though left Houston Community College

00:59:15.710 - 00:59:30.830

because you know that time I had a good relationship with my boss and employee, even though I left there long, and we still keep in touch, especially still meet once a year in Christmas time.

00:59:31.790 - 00:59:50.210

And I left Sugar Land even though my boss retired and there’s a couple people, judge, cause we have very good relationship so we still keep in touch. And my neighborhood, you know because I,

00:59:50.460 - 01:00:02.570

I’m not actually involved the neighborhood association, but you know the neighborhood we just take care of each other. Especially, you know… Is this is Sugar Land or was this in Alief?

01:00:03.170 - 01:00:17.290

Alief is the same, even though we left we still keep in touch and actually we still keep the house for lease. Oh, you still have that house? Really? Ohh, okay. For lease, you know because we bought expensive and when we move

01:00:17.660 - 01:00:32.980

out, that time, you know the value is down and so we keep. So you rent it? Mhm, we rent it and now the value is back, come back, and we …we still good. And even though we live in Sugar Land, we—all of

01:00:34.470 - 01:00:49.080

them there are white American. We have very good relationship so we help each other, it’s a surprise everybody give us the key cause we stay in town all the time. They give us the key in case

01:00:49.130 - 01:01:02.420

you know have something, we can come to help them. Open the door sometime, one time, you know they—the dog, and couldn’t make it home and ask me want me to come. Yeah. Um, did you

01:01:02.420 - 01:01:16.970

ever—I know on your, on the questionnaire I had you fill out. I can’t remember what it was called, you were involved in something Chinese. Yeah, Chinese, uh… called… Chinese Community Center. That is my kids

01:01:17.750 - 01:01:27.050

attend the Chinese school. Oh! What do you mean by Chinese school, like a? It’s Chinese school but they call—the name is called Chinese Community Center. Ohh, okay.

01:01:27.050 - 01:01:37.750

So was that like for elementary school they went there, or? No, it’s just Chinese school, they just go to school on weekends. To learn Chinese. Ok, like the language. Ok, I see. Mhm.

01:01:38.410 - 01:01:52.510

Um, what traditions do you keep from home from China? Oh, we’re Buddhist. You’re Buddhist? Yeah, and we cook Chinese food. I cook Cantonese food.

01:01:52.990 - 01:02:07.050

Yeah! Um, how do you maintain your sense of culture? Or like, what do you… I guess, um, well first I’ll ask you how do you identify? Are you Chinese? Are you Chinese American?

01:02:07.450 - 01:02:24.500

Are you American? Oh, you know, actually I’m both now. You’re both now? Because I’ve lived here longer than in China and especially with the kids, you have to adapt to the, this environment. So, I celebrate Chinese holiday, you

01:02:24.500 - 01:02:37.370

know like uh… Chinese holiday you know its Chinese traditional, I need to give money to the parents… The, with the red… red lacy?

01:02:37.840 - 01:02:48.690

Yeah! You know that! Well actually the young generation we not give the lacy to the old generation we just give money to them. Oh, okay, I didn’t know that.

01:02:48.920 - 01:03:03.030

I just knew that like until you were married your parents will give you… er… parents? No no no. You’re not married even though you’re single, no matter how old you are the old generation still gives money to the

01:03:03.030 - 01:03:14.170

next generation. Just like um— even though my son’s not married, my in-laws and me still need to give the money to the

01:03:14.240 - 01:03:27.110

kids. Okay, okay. And then but you also give it to the older generation? Yeah. But, uh, after you marry you have to give the money to the young generation. But the old people you have to give the

01:03:28.410 - 01:03:41.880

money, no matter new or— actually they are the married ones. And we cook the, you know certain kinds of food to celebrate. Different holidays have different kinds of food just like here.

01:03:42.150 - 01:03:52.800

Yeah, so like you’re—so would you say that the holidays are really important to you then? The Chinese holidays? Yeah, cause you know that’s a way to get together. Mhm, yeah, with your family members.

01:03:52.800 - 01:04:09.150

And you know even though my—that time my family lives in different states, we still send the letter and send the… to—to celebrate. Yeah, um, did you ever feel pressure to speak English or Cantonese? One or

01:04:09.150 - 01:04:22.790

the other, like in certain situations? Oh, yeah when I came especially I learned is British English. You learned British English? Uh huh, because in China that time… Oh, cause Hong Kong was a British colony?

01:04:23.330 - 01:04:40.360

Yeah! Yeah, so that’s why I had trouble when I came here and I remember when I that time worked you know like… cashier and the Americans just talk and you know they are really friendly!

01:04:41.020 - 01:04:53.970

And they talk and, and I couldn’t understand what they said. They couldn’t understand what I said. So, but, so I asked them to write down, I can read cause you know I learned

01:04:54.940 - 01:05:08.670

English I can read. But you know the pronunciation so and that’s the way communicate and then later on I know, you know, you live here and you have to learn American English.

01:05:08.930 - 01:05:24.550

So I start to learn American English and get bit better. Especially when I attend college I took the test and then cause my English level is not English so I had to took, uh,

01:05:25.130 - 01:05:41.650

ESL Conversation. And I remember the teachers, you know even though I just wrote the, uh, the essay, I used British style. My grammar, the grammar, I didn’t

01:05:41.650 - 01:05:55.780

have problem. But uh, you know the writing, the teacher say ‘Your English is awful.’ I’m so scared because I don’t want to fail you know and so I say,

01:05:56.140 - 01:06:08.260

‘what’s wrong?’ and say, ‘you know, because that’s the way I learned,’ and even though I had the Chinese-English dictionary and sometimes just copy the whole thing and.. he’d say no I don’t understand what you said.

01:06:08.960 - 01:06:26.750

So I asked her and she recommend me, you had to—you live in United States, you have to buy the American dictionary. So that’s why I bought that one and also

01:06:26.850 - 01:06:40.480

I learned the vowels and the consonants is British. Ohh, so it’s different. It is sort of different, so, and I know it so now, you know from that time I know

01:06:40.480 - 01:06:53.200

my accent was very bad even though now it’s bad too. That’s okay! It’s much better. But I know you know when I say it and if people doesn’t

01:06:53.200 - 01:07:05.850

understand, that means I pronounced it incorrect. So I just try to, you know, to learn every day and so I went to college and took the speech too and found ‘Oh the

01:07:05.980 - 01:07:21.980

vowels caused it’s—pronunciation different.’ Um, when you were speaking with family members did they ever like really, like did you ever feel pressure to only use Cantonese? Oh yeah! Oh! Is it because you want to or just because they…

01:07:21.980 - 01:07:32.730

No no no, you had to speak—they don’t speak English. And that’s why I ask—even though they ask the kids to speak Cantonese at home. They ask the kids to speak Cantonese at home? Mhm. Because that’s the way they can practice.

01:07:33.460 - 01:07:45.770

That’s why Angela can speak Cantonese. Oh, because she speaks it with you? Yeah. Because in the family… And you know especially at the grandparents and you practice at home so they can get it.

01:07:45.900 - 01:08:01.670

But they, you know, talk to the cousins they speak English. Mhm, I see, yeah. Um, what is your citizenship status and can you explain that process? Uh, um, usually you came

01:08:02.280 - 01:08:15.920

to the United—you immigrate to the United States, legal… With your visa? N—uh, visa, and they—after you come the United States they give the green card, it’s called Permanent Alien Residence.

01:08:16.460 - 01:08:25.550

Permanent Alien Residence? Yeah. They—they call green card. So… Is that what you have? Yeah at that time because after you live here you had to apply for

01:08:25.550 - 01:08:39.180

citizenship. You had to take, take the test. You know, the citizen test and some kind of like uh… history, American, you had to study hist—American History and

01:08:39.250 - 01:08:46.810

American government. And after you passed it then you can take the oath and become citizen. When did you go through this process?

01:08:46.860 - 01:08:58.560

Was it right when you came or like a year or? No, uh, usually you have to live in the United States five years. You can take the test and take the oath and become citizen and because that time

01:08:58.560 - 01:09:17.510

because my husband after I came 2nd year he was citizen and so… He was and you weren’t? When we married he was not citizen so after I came…uh, one year probably and he was citizen.

01:09:18.170 - 01:09:38.260

So if you marry the citizen only three years you can take the test and so that’s why after the time so I applied for the citizenship, I took the test, I took the oath, uh… I became citizen. How old were you?

01:09:38.260 - 01:09:53.620

19… 1986. So only I came here four years. Citizen. Ok, um, did you ever feel any influence to assimilate?

01:09:54.260 - 01:10:05.730

Like what are your thoughts on like assimilation and do you know what assimilation is? Mhm. Yeah. So what are your thoughts on it? Depends on you know who you talk to because you know I interpret two

01:10:05.890 - 01:10:21.030

kinds of Chinese. Um, you know my native language is Cantonese but now… China is so—it’s booming, it’s open. It’s open so so many Chinese come to the United States

01:10:22.020 - 01:10:32.300

and they come here it’s not just from Guangzhou, Hong Kong, they all them from Northern China. So they speak Mandarin.

01:10:33.660 - 01:10:48.140

So now I have to practice Mandarin. So… 95% they speak Mandarin. So, so that’s why I now have to speak Mandarin and at home I speak Cantonese.

01:10:48.470 - 01:11:03.300

And of course it’s… talk to the neighbor and work I speak English. Ohh, yeah. Um, what institutions are you embedded in?

01:11:03.300 - 01:11:15.450

So like government institutions, political parties, or schools, like were you involved in your kids’ schools? So like what institutions would you say you were involved

01:11:15.540 - 01:11:30.520

in, in the United States? Uh... I know it’s like uh, an awkward sounding question, but… No, say, like you know because my job I work for the Municipal Court so I was the member for the Texas Municipal Court

01:11:31.310 - 01:11:45.670

Association and since I work as a translator so I’m the member of the Houston… HITA, it’s Houston Interpretation Translation Association.

01:11:48.490 - 01:12:01.100

And now I study paralegal so I’m the member of the, uh… the Bar Association. Oh! I didn’t know that, interesting. Yeah, I just finished my degree.

01:12:01.800 - 01:12:13.440

paralegal. In December. So now, you know, since still work—translate. Do you think you’re going to like transition into being a paralegal then, or are

01:12:13.440 - 01:12:25.470

you going to still be a translator? No I want to be a paralegal. Ohh, okay. Wow. Yeah, so that’s why I went to school the last two years. I went to school in

01:12:25.470 - 01:12:37.860

the evening and daytime I just go translate. Mhm. Oh, okay wow that’s really exciting. Congratulations. Thank you. Um, so uh, they like—I have to interview

01:12:37.860 - 01:12:49.120

you about your experiences but then I have to write an assignment. And one of the focuses we really—I really, um, want to talk about is your integration into the American society. Do you understand what

01:12:49.120 - 01:13:03.240

I’m saying that? So basically like, did you come in and feel really isolated from Americans, or did? How did you feel? What was it like coming in and like becoming American? Like, with interacting with people like at the grocery

01:13:03.530 - 01:13:15.900

and making, you know you said you made a lot of friends from work, and so… Yeah, because you know… I know—I understand you go to another country.

01:13:16.720 - 01:13:26.560

You go to a what country? You—you live in another country. Oh live, okay. You had to follow their law, you had to follow their rule, and… and also

01:13:26.720 - 01:13:40.800

America is like a melting pot. And they’re very friendly and they, I don’t feel like they have any kind of discrimination. When you came here you didn’t feel any?

01:13:40.800 - 01:13:52.110

No. Can you give me an example? Cause you said earlier that Americans were really friendly. Can you think of a specific example? You know like the neighbor, the first I was there with the

01:13:52.170 - 01:14:03.780

neighbor cause they know I came here, you know, and I couldn’t speak very good English and they just say hi and they just ask and come to greeting,

01:14:05.260 - 01:14:18.560

you know, and need—need anything help and they help you and so when I worked in the restaurant and they…. The customer they all American

01:14:19.820 - 01:14:32.660

and some time they talk, you know they see I didn’t respond. See like uh, you know, they say that time, I remember, ‘you look like an actress?’ They said that you looked like an actress?

01:14:32.930 - 01:14:46.950

Aww! Yeah, the Chinese actress. And at that time I thought it’s address. You know? Now I can distinguish but that time you can’t distinguish. You know, looks like… Sometimes they talk some things,

01:14:48.260 - 01:15:01.320

I… I cannot respond. So, but they understand, they really friendly, and some customer when sometimes not busy you know like especially you know like uh, afternoon, it’s very quiet

01:15:02.150 - 01:15:16.110

so they just… come and I’m, I’m just not shy. I was not shy and just ask them, you know, talk to them and sometimes I—they don’t understand, just write down and they say ‘Oh you should

01:15:16.270 - 01:15:29.520

say this way,’ and something like that. Wow, that’s really interesting! Um, have you been back to China since you left? And how do you think it is? Umm, I went back China after I came here 4

01:15:29.630 - 01:15:43.060

years because that time my family still, my parents and one brother lived there. So I went there and we went to Singapore, Hong Kong, visit my, you know, brother, sisters and then,

01:15:44.550 - 01:15:54.780

uh, 10 years ago, and I took the kids. With you? Ohh! Yeah, and my husband. The whole family came. We tour China, went to

01:15:54.890 - 01:16:06.700

Beijing all of them and then we stopped, stopped at my hometown, let the kids see. Ohh, that’s fun! Um, from what you’ve seen here, how do you think things are going in China compared to when you left?

01:16:06.700 - 01:16:28.390

Oh, totally different. Even though after, at that time when I left, that time is… scary and we didn’t have clothes to—to dress, we didn’t have food to

01:16:28.450 - 01:16:45.430

eat, and the environment is… is very, was poor. Yeah and later on, four years later when I came back it’s much better, because you know a lot of

01:16:45.530 - 01:16:58.530

people escape, uh, to Hong Kong. They send money just like my brother. Oh, your brother sent money? He send the money to us so we can get more material, and get some

01:16:58.610 - 01:17:12.230

more food. And some people they went to escape to Hong Kong and came to United States, they send the money there so people you know. And also they opened and

01:17:12.230 - 01:17:29.590

let the Hong Kong leave, uh, foreigner go over to China to bring the uh material food there. So it’s much better and now of course it’s much better. Um, lastly I wanted to ask you about raising your children in the

01:17:29.590 - 01:17:46.960

United States. Ok! Um, what are their names and how old are they? Uh, my son’s name is Allen, A-l-l-e-n last name W-o and he was born March 4, 1983 and my daughter Angela Wo and

01:17:47.920 - 01:17:56.610

she was born March 1st. So close together! Yeah, in 1988. Actually they all March.

01:17:56.800 - 01:18:07.530

My husband is March 4. Oh! Same day as the son—as your son! Yeah it’s weird at that time his friend, his classmate from LA with us, that time was pregnant.

01:18:07.680 - 01:18:22.810

And he stayed in our house because that time he quit job he just travel around the United States. Drove. And so he stayed in my house for almost a month and he took us to, you know, whenever you know had

01:18:22.880 - 01:18:36.890

check-ups when you have, uh, pregnancy. Yeah he came with us and he bought the name book. And his birthday was…his birthday is

01:18:37.080 - 01:18:47.700

March 8 and he say you know that time I only know a little English and then say, he say…. Oh, probably at that time we didn’t have ultrasound, we don’t know boy or girl.

01:18:47.990 - 01:18:59.650

And he say ‘Oh your baby maybe born March 4.’ I say no, maybe March 8! You know cause that’s his birthday and its 10 days early that’s why born March 1st….

01:19:00.610 - 01:19:14.580

er 4th. And Angela ten days early so March 1st. That’s funny so many March’s! Um, so how well do you think your kids speak Cantonese?

01:19:16.060 - 01:19:31.730

Um, very good. Especially my son is better than my daughter Angela. But Angela Mandarin is better than my son. Oh, so they speak both Cantonese and Mandarin? Yeah, Angela because she finish, she attend Chinese school

01:19:31.730 - 01:19:43.430

longer than my son. Oh, and they learn both Cantonese and Mandarin at Chinese School? Cantonese… is just learn it at home but Mandarin, learn it in school.

01:19:43.430 - 01:19:58.200

And, so that’s why when you write they speak… and the character, they speak Mandarin. Okay. Um, how well would you say that you speak English? Me? Mhm. Um, I still have accent.

01:20:00.000 - 01:20:12.500

Especially you know some words I don’t speak a lot and so sometimes you don’t know how to say it. And you think it’s that way

01:20:12.540 - 01:20:29.980

but end up you know it’s… you know especially sometimes I’m still confused with the British vowel. Because you know when I look at the dictionary, try to find the pronunciation, I use British English and it was

01:20:30.770 - 01:20:45.310

weird. I talk to my neighbor who works, uh, schoolteacher. She was an English teacher so I asked her to teach me, she say ‘Oh, we—we don’t teach vowel and consonant!’

01:20:45.960 - 01:20:57.650

I say ‘Are you kidding?’ She say yes. So I ask the kids and find out, oh yeah. They just tell you how to say it. Interesting. So what’s, like what’s an example of something that’s different in

01:20:57.650 - 01:21:10.750

British English? If you can think of one off the top of your head? … Like what’s, what is different about British English vowels and consonants with ours? … Is it how they say them or…?

01:21:11.000 - 01:21:26.390

No, it’s just totally different. For example I remember when I came to the United States I work for the restaurant and you know British English is ‘hawt wawt-uh.’ ‘Waw-tuh’ is British English.

01:21:27.110 - 01:21:40.210

Ohhh, instead of wah-ter! Ohh, I see. Yeah so that’s why ‘hawt,’ you know ‘a’, the consonant. The British—‘aw.’ So it’s totally different.

01:21:41.130 - 01:21:55.350

And so when they talk first time I didn’t know what they talk on and later on, oh, okay, they always call ‘hat water.’ ‘Hawt wawt-uh.’ And especially we call, you know, toilet.

01:21:56.540 - 01:22:07.980

But here they say restroom or either ladies’ room, men’s room. Oh, mhm, things like that. Yeah, it’s like the little subtle things that are different. Interesting. Yeah, you know there’s a lot of them that are a little

01:22:08.100 - 01:22:21.200

different. And also British English, they speak, it’s very elegant, slow, clear. Americans sometimes they speak really fast. Especially Texan.

01:22:22.130 - 01:22:31.830

Oh, I remember when I worked for the Houston Community College my boss... The Houston which one? Oh, Community College. My boss, he very heavy accent.

01:22:32.920 - 01:22:43.200

Texas accent. Oh my goodness. That’s funny. Um, what language do you speak at home with your kids? Cantonese.

01:22:44.250 - 01:22:59.880

Sometimes English because sometimes you know, but seldom try to speak Cantonese so you have chance to practice. Yeah that’s true. Um, culturally, how did you want to raise your children? American or Chinese?

01:23:00.560 - 01:23:15.600

Uh, both. Really? Yeah, I’m—I’m open because I know they live here. They have to adapt to the American. So I’m not, like Chinese, just, you had to just good

01:23:15.750 - 01:23:29.390

on your academics. Can you repeat, what was the first thing you said? You know the Chinese people, ancient people, they like kids focus on the academics.

01:23:29.540 - 01:23:39.480

Not involved in sports and the, you know, like the so-so, and the... Yeah, so what was your take on it? You just let them choose? Or?

01:23:40.490 - 01:23:49.940

Uh, yeah. I let them choose, even their religion. I let them choose because I know if they don’t learn the bad stuff, I support them.

01:23:50.380 - 01:24:03.130

100% support them. That’s why you know at that time Angela swim. You know, spend so much time, cost so much money, and my in-laws just say you know, ‘Why don’t you spend

01:24:03.170 - 01:24:14.450

time to study well?’ And but I know in the United States it’s different. If they, they like to do it, they can handle both.

01:24:15.170 - 01:24:28.800

Like my son, he study very well on academic, he played, uh, tennis, he was the captain, and he was involved, you know, community service. Was this is high school or school or college?

01:24:28.920 - 01:24:44.300

High school, but he was not professional player that time is like Angela you know compete swimming. But he, he just played but he… he’s very good

01:24:44.550 - 01:24:56.460

in science. That’s why he got scholarship study, Stan—Stanford. Um so how did you feel about them, like—what like— did you encourage them to do sports or did they find it on their own? Or, and like the community s—

01:24:56.460 - 01:25:08.540

and like other community involvements? No, I actually you know we want them to you know have some sport because not just for physical, for the mental.

01:25:08.690 - 01:25:24.750

Mmm, interesting. Yeah! Yeah. We want them to do well around it not just not. Yeah. Um, so I don’t know how else to phrase this but would you say that you played a big role in encouraging your students to achieve?

01:25:25.800 - 01:25:40.490

Like did you really want them… Because I know like, like you said a lot of Chinese and Asian parents really want their students to do well in school. Like how do you think you fit into that typical mold? Yeah, I encouraged them to study and encouraged them involved in the

01:25:40.690 - 01:25:56.560

school activity and for example at that time you know… my son he actually, actually everything he did by himself. Especially you know, I’m still new here and my…

01:25:56.750 - 01:26:12.990

What do you mean everything he did by himself? For example he attend, you know, involved in the school activities and… and he I think the teacher… Encouraged…? Encouraged him and know he have some kind of talent.

01:26:13.310 - 01:26:25.150

For example his drawing is good so submit his art to the, you know, and his math is good and his grades good so promote, you know, to the Gifted Program.

01:26:26.560 - 01:26:40.470

And I remember he study middle school and I had this Open House and that time he was only 6th grade but I had to go to the classroom, was 8th grade!

01:26:40.900 - 01:26:51.140

You know, that time he was skinny, you know, still not that big. I say, ‘are you scared?’ because you know most of them, they’re big kids.

01:26:51.140 - 01:27:09.540

You know Americans they’re really big and I say you know because um, I come there and they at least… the study and the teacher know, you know, it’s better for him to go the

01:27:09.540 - 01:27:20.780

skip 2 grades. Did he do that for—Which subjects did he go from 6th to 8th? Was it like, he skipped two whole years or was it like cer—was it like math or science? No, no, just math, science.

01:27:20.860 - 01:27:33.190

Even though the English because at that time the teacher want him promote, skip one grade but I don’t think that it’s good for him. You didn’t think it was good for him? Yeah, but I discussed with the kid’s, uh, the teacher. And, uh—

01:27:33.190 - 01:27:48.090

You what? I discussed it with the teacher so, you know, because he that time was not big—skinny. And so I say you know just they but they had to call Gifted Program

01:27:48.720 - 01:28:01.050

so only probably whole school, whole grade only 10 students had the certified teacher teach them so this kind of like advanced class. I think that’s better for

01:28:01.130 - 01:28:15.480

him so that’s why I let him join it instead you know promote. Uh-huh. And so he attends a kind of you know math competition and science and he want to play sport, and.

01:28:15.750 - 01:28:35.000

And you let him do that? I just let him do it because I know it’s good for him and he did a lot of community service and so I let him do it. And of

01:28:35.900 - 01:28:54.260

course I supported, you know, the transportation. I just do my best to support them. No, how do you feel about them saying that? Oh! Yeah, it’s fine. I know they, they’re ‘ABC’, means American-born

01:28:54.260 - 01:29:11.430

Chinese. They know both of them. At least they can survive in American society. Yeah. And uh, I only have two more questions and it’s just for the very end. Um, if you’re comfortable what is your family’s average annual income?

01:29:12.410 - 01:29:23.240

Uhh. You can give a range if you want. Yeah, it’s about… the total? Yeah. My husband and me right? About 100. Ok, perfect.

01:29:23.520 - 01:29:38.400

And how many people are supported by that income? That time you know, two kids and my, my parents. Also? Eh—no, just give them little bit of money.

01:29:38.550 - 01:29:55.060

And my husband’s parents. You know that’s the Chinese people, the way you have to give money, support the old… people. Mhm, yeah. And um I don’t have any more questions but is there anything that

01:29:55.060 - 01:30:10.360

I haven’t asked you that you want to add? I don’t know. Depends on what question you ask, I just answer. Yeah! Well, that’s all the questions I really had to ask but, yeah. If there’s like, something that you think would be impor—like, interesting for me to

01:30:10.360 - 01:30:24.560

know or, important to add, like a, an experience you had, or? Okay, you can ask what kind experience… Yeah, I don’t have any more questions, so… so perfect, thank you so much! Okay! Think it’s—help you? What?

01:30:24.920 - 01:30:34.880

Yes! You know a lot of people is from downtown. The office people they come from downtown for the lunch. That’s why lunchtime is very very busy.

01:30:35.250 - 01:30:48.430

And they had the bus too from Chinatown—uh, from downtown to Chinatown just for the lunch. So that’s why you know lunchtime we had to run. Very busy, we had to

01:30:48.430 - 01:31:05.280

prepare when we open because you know lunchtime’s really short. And I did just remember a question, where do you go grocery shopping? Uh, Chinese groceries or American?

01:31:05.810 - 01:31:20.240

Uh no I’m saying like—oh do you go to Chinese grocery stores? Yeah! Okay. Would you say its half American half Chinese grocery stores? Or? Yeah, because I go to, there’s a lot of Chinese grocery store anywhere.

01:31:21.210 - 01:31:35.290

Like in Sugar Land now they has it, Bellaire, and one on Beltway 8 and Beechnut. That is Vietnamese-Chinese owned. But I know the one on Bellaire, they’re called

01:31:36.610 - 01:31:54.410

Welcome. They have very good fresh food and the price is reasonable that’s why very crowded and usually I go there on weekends. Usually Saturday cause my

01:31:54.410 - 01:32:12.500

husband like to eat Chinese food and so I had to buy fresh. For example they have nice shrimp, nice fish, nice crab. Oh and the pork is, is fresh and sometimes I go to the, um, the farm.

01:32:12.960 - 01:32:24.460

Where the chicken is live chicken too. And you know Chinese that’s the way. Um, and you celebrate Chinese holiday you had to buy the chicken,

01:32:24.460 - 01:32:40.910

the whole chicken. Of course you cook it so you have to including the head, the feet, everything. And to pray. Oh, wow. Interesting. And a second thing that I remembered, so um, when

01:32:40.910 - 01:32:55.570

you first came to Houston you said that you lived in Alief where there weren’t a lot of, like—there weren’t that many Chinese people around? No no. Chinese—everywhere. Oh, so did you ever look, like seek out finding Chinese, other Chinese

01:32:55.570 - 01:33:11.970

people, or did you try to stay isolated, or really just weren’t very many? No, that time because my husband whole family just live two or three blocks to—and you know we eat together and of course we work in the restaurant.

01:33:12.070 - 01:33:25.090

But the neighbor, they all American. Only one next door they’re from Indian. Oh, ok yeah. So were all the Chinese that you knew your family members, basically?

01:33:25.110 - 01:33:36.750

Not many because that time that’s the relative, actually. I’m sorry can you repeat that? Only it’s the, you know, my husband’s relative. Oh yeah, so, I mean were they— Later on it’s all Chinese, but.

01:33:37.240 - 01:33:56.070

Ok, so most of them were your husband’s relatives, of the Chinese people that you knew. Yeah, cause you know that time there’s not many Chinese people live in Houston. And so— so all the are Chinese and later on of course, later on

01:33:56.360 - 01:34:08.460

booming, you go to the Chinese store and you see more, yeah. Yeah, did you ever, I guess, I mean did you ever seek out having more Chinese friends as more Chinese people came?

01:34:09.190 - 01:34:24.780

Or did you wanna…? And later on I work for the Chinese, um— Newspaper. Newspaper, yeah. You know— all is American—no—all is Chinese. Oh, okay I see. So, and the Chinese… and then go,

01:34:26.830 - 01:34:42.780

when my son five and Angela one. Um, my—and I sent kids to Chinese school so you know, two hours Chinese school. So sometimes I dropped them I had to go home but sometimes I just drop them I

01:34:42.900 - 01:34:52.800

just stay in the library. So you talk to the other parents. And sometimes you have to involved the school, help like the room mother and field

01:34:53.310 - 01:35:05.110

trips. So that’s why you know the… the friends. Yeah, definitely. All right, that’s all I thought of!

01:35:05.520 - 01:35:19.800

Do you want to tell me about what it was like, what the interview was like? You know that time you apply for citizenship, you had to study for the test, the questions probably almost a hundred questions and that time, you know

01:35:19.800 - 01:35:39.390

I didn’t have time to go to school and I bought the tape and you know when I drove, when I did the housework I put the tape and listen, listen, listen and when I read

01:35:39.390 - 01:35:53.270

II, you know, I understand but you know when you—it’s oral test. Only wrote is 1 sentence, it’s very simple. So I remember the officer asked me,

01:35:56.210 - 01:36:07.810

um, a lot of, not many questions, but the picky questions. So after that and he say ‘You speak very good English, where did you learn it?’ And I say I learn from everybody!

01:36:07.890 - 01:36:22.840

I learn from you, and customer and TV. I didn’t have time watch TV, just once a while. Especially that time had Channel 8, Discovery.

01:36:25.860 - 01:36:32.840

In Houston it’s called Channel 8, it’s for the kids. Ohh, you watched that? Yeah because you know, simple. And they talk slower!

01:36:33.160 - 01:36:47.670

Slow! Yeah. The neighborhood, they call neighborhood, you know always simple communication for the little kids. English, so I learned from… Oh, that’s smart! Yeah, easy, and listen to the tape, and so

01:36:47.850 - 01:37:01.740

took the test, and they ask me the questions, ‘what’s the President, first President?’ you know. And then, uh… Abraham Lincoln, and what’s the

01:37:02.190 - 01:37:14.250

President of, which year was that I forgot. They ask you a year? Wow that’s hard. Yeah and asked… I can’t remember, there’s a—they say, ‘do you know there’s

01:37:14.310 - 01:37:25.420

the coin and a penny,’ you know. Oh, the money? Yeah, and I say ‘oh yeah!’ and Liberty, um, Lincoln.

01:37:25.480 - 01:37:39.110

It’s, ‘oh yeah!’ and just answer some picky questions. And there’s of course a lot, like the flag. What color, what represents for, three colors and you know fifty

01:37:39.730 - 01:37:53.090

stars and what’s the Amendment you know for, there’s ten Amendments, ten bills. Oh yeah, the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights.

01:37:53.600 - 01:38:04.610

Wow, I didn’t know they asked that on there. Yeah. Just asked to pick one but you had to prepare. And then after that he still say ‘Oh you speak really good English!’ and just write down one sentence,

01:38:06.480 - 01:38:19.700

‘Today is sunny day.’ And just write down and that’s all. Yeah. That’s fun. Yeah but I studied very hard and very long, is because you don’t know what questions they ask, especially you know my English was not that

01:38:19.800 - 01:38:32.260

good. Yeah, mmh. I mean obviously it went well because you’re a citizen. So it worked. Oh yeah, I know. More than twenty years and especially you know the kids and sometimes you talk to them, and say ‘Mom!

01:38:33.810 - 01:38:43.230

You have to speak like that,’ and I say ‘Okay,’ so that’s the way I learn, I learn every day! It’s good. Yeah! Perfect.