This Ted talk always brings me a lot of emotion that can't easy to explain by my little English. Listening to these two women is not only to understand more about immigrants, but also to know how people inspire other people. I agree with Holly when she called these women are "remarkable” because they deserve to be called like that; furthermore, they actually were. They brought my heart moving in different tones of emotion. First, that was sadness about how immigrants had to suffer with their life in the past. It made me remember about the fact that life is not easy. Everybody has their own destiny that makes them have to choose. Choosing to stay with the old convention or choosing to escape to find something that people call “future”. Maybe that future is not easy to find, but it will be never found if people stop trying. Second, that was scary of how dangerous they had to overcome in their way to immigrate to other country. It totally likes watching an action movie that our women was chased and suffered with danger, with death at any time and in many cases. Immigration was the way to get a new life, but it included too much pressure to be faced with. I’m really relieved when I already knew none of our women, and none of their family members died because that was too much for them. I don’t want them to be suffered with anything worse than living alone, being chased, seeing people’s death. An injury can physically recover, but the scar will exist and come with us until our death. And it became the pain that couldn’t be treated, a nightmare that came every night for them and their families. Finally, that was inspiration that they brought to me. Even when they already immigrated to another country, there was too much difficulty to overcome to exist. Because the prejudice always occurs even in the past or nowadays with immigrants, they have to put a lot of effort to be successful in their lives, but nothing couldn’t prevent them from achieving it include famine, political problems, or prejudice of people. Giving up had no definition in their dictionary of being success. It also a meaningful story about how people help other people. They were received the help form others just like me. I’m being received their help, their inspiration to become a stronger girl. This is very thoughtful listening lecture. Thank you, Holy.
These are very striking stories of two amazing women. Both of them went through terrible childhood and used to struggle to live as immigrants at the beginning. Both used to be at the darkest points of their life. Having escaped by a boat from Vietnam, a four-year girl, together with her family, was frightened of the darkness of the night, the angry ocean waves, and brutal pirates, wondering when this nightmare could end. Another young girl, Hyeonseo Lee, who escaped from North Korea where she had thought a best place in the world, struggled with life in an unfamiliar country without her family. This little North Korean was tormented by the fear that someday her identity could be brought to light, and she would be sent back to her home country. Their immigrant stories both started with fear, uncertainty and hopelessness. Beginning at zero, however, these two brave women never gave up on their fates. The ridicule of her foreign friends didn’t depress Tan Le; instead, she told to herself that she would bypass them. Hyeeonseo Lee tried her best with constant efforts to help her family escape from the North and settle new life in a new country. She then found herself hopeless to get her family out of the jail due to the fact that she didn’t have enough money. Luckily, a very kind man agreed to help pay the fine, and her family eventually were released. These two admirable women are now successful women in society and their stories are two in many convincing examples of American Dream. Their beginning stages at two strange countries were full of adversities while my start here was much easier. They walked in uneven, gravel roads before reaching their current positions, whereas my path has been full of grass so far. My next roads are still secrets, and I wonder what destination I will go in future. The unknown and uncertain future does frighten me. Nevertheless, their stories give me the lesson about hope that exists, and we should take our fate into our hands no matter how uncertain and cruel the live might be.
This is really an outstanding response, Nhi, at near native fluency (or even better than most native speakers). Your writing shows a wonderful command of the grammar, the vocabulary, and the flow of the language.
Thankfully your journey is not the same as theirs. However, there is much to be learned from the struggles of others.
This is a very uplifting for me and for all migrants worldwide history, because with this difficil imagine what it means to be a different person in a country that is not like yours. why these two women has incredible merit to reconsider the minds and hearts of all of us to see that our lives have been almost easy compared to them. This is a problem not only happens in North Korea, in my country Venezuela many people are going through the same, both the Governor is destroying the country and people are adapting the concept of socialism, and so many people are leaving Venezuela. many countries in the world have to think about trying to help these countries that are so nice to have a peaceful world. But not only the countries have to think about helping the country where you were born, people also have to start changing your thinking and confront the government is making their lives so difficult, and trying to change, for a better country where alla employment, food, and prosperity. these two women have the gift of not giving up in these situations so difficult, that's something that gives them much merit, because for sure many people in the world are affected by the actions of these women and try to make their lives better.
Although I have heard about many immigrants's stories, non sadly touched my heart as these tow did. These heart melting stories describe how tow brave,poor,and selfless women had been suffering in their lives and how miserable and hopeless their lives were before immigrating to other country. Also, despite of the fact that they have successfully got out of these countries, they were not selfish and said we done here but they sacrificed their lives, money, and freedom as well as they did whatever they could to get their families out of the inhuman life they used to have. In addition, these wonderful stories show how loyal they are because they start speaking up to tell the world why too many immigrants out there need their help.
When i was young, i heard many stories about vietnamese immigration. My grandmother told me that before 30 April, 1975 which is a time that many people escaped from my country to live another country such as U.S. Deciding to live another country was so difficult because you will have 2 choices: survive or dead. Therefore, i can imagine how can people scape from their country. After listening 2 stories from Tan Le who comes from Vietnam and Hyeonseo Lee who comes from North Korea, I was so sad. Both woman had a challenged childhood. They escape from their country with their family because of many reasons. Moreover, i was so proud of them. Even though they had many problems and challenging, they never gave up. I learnt some lessons from 2 stories that nothing impossible. We should retain our goal or target to be successful. Indeed, we don't know what happens in the future, however, we should keep our target. If we are failure, we won't regret because we do what we can do.
I do believe that everyone has his or her unique life and story, and their story is really touching and impressive. I couldn't stop thinking how tough their life were after watching these two videos.
The woman who is from North Korea and escaped to China was so tough and unbeatable, she used to face many hard situations and obstacles, but she overcome again and again. Especially, when her families caught by China police were in jail, she didn't give up and wasn't beaten, and she finally got her families out of prison. If I were her. I wouldn't be so tough like her. Many people might think she was lucky, otherwise, she wouldn't be able to rescues her families and escaped again and again from China police. In my view, undoubtedly, she was lucky indeed, but that's because of her unbelievable bravery and gritty.
The other woman who is from Vietnamese is such a great and amazing story teller, and I was totally obsessed by her voice and tone, which makes me calm and focus on her speech. However, When she said that her mother asked, "why is it that her hand is so warm and the rest of her is so cool?" The mock said that it's because her mother had been holding her grandmother's hand since the morning. I was paralyzed at the moment she cried. I can sense the love between her and her families is so intense because they used to face the hardest part in their life together. The story makes want to call me mom.
I am really glad to heard these two touching and meaningful story. I wanna applaud or them.
I wonder why the people who are from Vietnam are great story teller? like Nhi, Jade and the Vietnam woman who is in one of videos, they are all great story teller, Nhi and jade are also good at writing !! why ? I am really curious about that, I think mother tongue language might be a reason ?
Haha, thanks so much Adam for your praise. Our mother tongue language maybe one of the reasons, but it's not really the root reason. For English class in Vietnam, most of Vietnamese schools focus on grammar and reading; that's why we have to try so much to catch up with speaking and listening skills of foreign students from other countries. However, this focusing also help us to improve and maintain our basic grammar and writing skill also. Honestly, I think there are some grammar lessons that Nhi and I had to learn by heart since we're in high school and we even can't forget them until we get older I guess @.@ ^_^. One more thing, Nhi can a great story teller but I didn't see that at me @.@. Did I do it ???
I learned from these heroes that there is nothing impossible even though we may find some huge obstacles on our path to success. They were inspiring me while they were talking. They really deserve our admiration.
While listening to these stories it is impossible not to feel grateful and lucky about our own lives. Stories like these show how our daily complaints are so insignificant when compared to huge problems still existents in the world. Famine and dictatorships that make the citizens living in misery are just some of them. However, the idea that kindness and perseverance can prevails makes me still believe in humanity. I felt a huge sympathy to the stranger who helped the North Korean girl during her journey in Laos. Everybody can be the stranger man who goes to the closest ATM to help a person in need. Everybody should be. I also believe that when not doing is not an option, humans can go much farer. Perseverance is the key to succeed. As a woman immigrant, these stories inspired me because they are proves about what I have always said to myself: we born with an infinity possibilities and we can do whatever we want with them. It is all about to believe.
First of all, I'm so sorry for missing this homework :(.
Both of ladies in these videos are very strong women. They created their own lives. Step by step, they are fulfilling their dreams in dreamland like the U.S. Vietnam and the North Korea are the countries suffering a lot from the wars. There are many sad stories behind the wars for both nations. No matter who is wrong or who is right, wars are always nightmares for people. I'm so happy that these strong women finally get a better life as they dreamed. However, the stories in their past are the part of their lives and through those stories, they will be stronger. I'm very lucky to be born and to grow up when my country is peaceful. Certainly, as a Vietnamese, I know a little about the war nightmare. A lot of people lost their husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and etc. They lost their opportunities to grow up and live in their motherlands. However, this loss became the motivation for them to study harder and work harder to save their family and themselves. Happiness and suffering go together in this life. Nobody living in this world has to suffer forever. In contrast, no one can live with happiness always. Suffering sometimes makes people deeply understand the value of happiness and make them stronger. In short, no matter what happens, we just need to be ourselves and trust ourselves, we can find our own happy life. Be yourself, be happy !
I feel so bad for not having listened to these videos early. They are just soooo sooo amazing. I'm always inspired by immigrant stories, especially the stories of Vietnamese people that left Vietnam after 1975. When I was in Vietnam, and even when I am here in America, I try to collect stories from the people. Because the feeling that these stories will disappear one day makes me feel so sad. It is so great that TED talk has videos like this about immigrants. Those are great stories to teach people how to be strong, how to be brave, and how to be responsible to their life. Those stories also help me to overcome many difficulties in life. Because after listening to their stories, i feel ashamed to give up so easy. Those stories also make me feel proud to be a women, because I believe that even though women are not as physically strong as men, but they can be so amazing when they are put into the situation that they have to be strong. Just like these ladies, they came to America since they were little girl. Their family had nothing, and they had to face with a lot of difficulties. Their parent taught them to be strong, to fight, not to give up, and they tried their best, and now they are successful. I'm sure these women will have wonderful kids, they will teach them the value of life, and how to live their life to the fullest.
This Ted talk always brings me a lot of emotion that can't easy to explain by my little English. Listening to these two women is not only to understand more about immigrants, but also to know how people inspire other people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Holly when she called these women are "remarkable” because they deserve to be called like that; furthermore, they actually were.
They brought my heart moving in different tones of emotion.
First, that was sadness about how immigrants had to suffer with their life in the past. It made me remember about the fact that life is not easy. Everybody has their own destiny that makes them have to choose. Choosing to stay with the old convention or choosing to escape to find something that people call “future”. Maybe that future is not easy to find, but it will be never found if people stop trying.
Second, that was scary of how dangerous they had to overcome in their way to immigrate to other country. It totally likes watching an action movie that our women was chased and suffered with danger, with death at any time and in many cases. Immigration was the way to get a new life, but it included too much pressure to be faced with. I’m really relieved when I already knew none of our women, and none of their family members died because that was too much for them. I don’t want them to be suffered with anything worse than living alone, being chased, seeing people’s death. An injury can physically recover, but the scar will exist and come with us until our death. And it became the pain that couldn’t be treated, a nightmare that came every night for them and their families.
Finally, that was inspiration that they brought to me. Even when they already immigrated to another country, there was too much difficulty to overcome to exist. Because the prejudice always occurs even in the past or nowadays with immigrants, they have to put a lot of effort to be successful in their lives, but nothing couldn’t prevent them from achieving it include famine, political problems, or prejudice of people. Giving up had no definition in their dictionary of being success. It also a meaningful story about how people help other people. They were received the help form others just like me. I’m being received their help, their inspiration to become a stronger girl.
This is very thoughtful listening lecture. Thank you, Holy.
"They brought my heart moving."
DeleteInstead: They moved my heart.
"It made me remember about the fact that life isn't easy."
Instead: It reminded me that life isn't easy.
You wrote:
"An injury can physically recover, but the scar will exist and come with us until our death."
NICE!
I'm so happy that you got so much out of this lecture, Thao. Thank you very much for this very thoughtful reflection and response.
These are very striking stories of two amazing women. Both of them went through terrible childhood and used to struggle to live as immigrants at the beginning. Both used to be at the darkest points of their life. Having escaped by a boat from Vietnam, a four-year girl, together with her family, was frightened of the darkness of the night, the angry ocean waves, and brutal pirates, wondering when this nightmare could end. Another young girl, Hyeonseo Lee, who escaped from North Korea where she had thought a best place in the world, struggled with life in an unfamiliar country without her family. This little North Korean was tormented by the fear that someday her identity could be brought to light, and she would be sent back to her home country. Their immigrant stories both started with fear, uncertainty and hopelessness. Beginning at zero, however, these two brave women never gave up on their fates. The ridicule of her foreign friends didn’t depress Tan Le; instead, she told to herself that she would bypass them. Hyeeonseo Lee tried her best with constant efforts to help her family escape from the North and settle new life in a new country. She then found herself hopeless to get her family out of the jail due to the fact that she didn’t have enough money. Luckily, a very kind man agreed to help pay the fine, and her family eventually were released. These two admirable women are now successful women in society and their stories are two in many convincing examples of American Dream. Their beginning stages at two strange countries were full of adversities while my start here was much easier. They walked in uneven, gravel roads before reaching their current positions, whereas my path has been full of grass so far. My next roads are still secrets, and I wonder what destination I will go in future. The unknown and uncertain future does frighten me. Nevertheless, their stories give me the lesson about hope that exists, and we should take our fate into our hands no matter how uncertain and cruel the live might be.
ReplyDeleteThis is really an outstanding response, Nhi, at near native fluency (or even better than most native speakers). Your writing shows a wonderful command of the grammar, the vocabulary, and the flow of the language.
DeleteThankfully your journey is not the same as theirs. However, there is much to be learned from the struggles of others.
Thank you for your comment, Holly! that let me know that I didn't waste time reviewing grammar book and looking up dictionary for the words :)
DeleteIt sounds like you have the tools you need for academic writing!
DeleteThis is a very uplifting for me and for all migrants worldwide history, because with this difficil imagine what it means to be a different person in a country that is not like yours. why these two women has incredible merit to reconsider the minds and hearts of all of us to see that our lives have been almost easy compared to them. This is a problem not only happens in North Korea, in my country Venezuela many people are going through the same, both the Governor is destroying the country and people are adapting the concept of socialism, and so many people are leaving Venezuela. many countries in the world have to think about trying to help these countries that are so nice to have a peaceful world. But not only the countries have to think about helping the country where you were born, people also have to start changing your thinking and confront the government is making their lives so difficult, and trying to change, for a better country where alla employment, food, and prosperity. these two women have the gift of not giving up in these situations so difficult, that's something that gives them much merit, because for sure many people in the world are affected by the actions of these women and try to make their lives better.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jose! I'm impressed by your thoughtfulness! VERY NICE!
DeleteAlthough I have heard about many immigrants's stories, non sadly touched my heart as these tow did. These heart melting stories describe how tow brave,poor,and selfless women had been suffering in their lives and how miserable and hopeless their lives were before immigrating to other country. Also, despite of the fact that they have successfully got out of these countries, they were not selfish and said we done here but they sacrificed their lives, money, and freedom as well as they did whatever they could to get their families out of the inhuman life they used to have. In addition, these wonderful stories show how loyal they are because they start speaking up to tell the world why too many immigrants out there need their help.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this thoughtful and well-written response. Very perceptive.
DeleteWhen i was young, i heard many stories about vietnamese immigration. My grandmother told me that before 30 April, 1975 which is a time that many people escaped from my country to live another country such as U.S. Deciding to live another country was so difficult because you will have 2 choices: survive or dead. Therefore, i can imagine how can people scape from their country. After listening 2 stories from Tan Le who comes from Vietnam and Hyeonseo Lee who comes from North Korea, I was so sad. Both woman had a challenged childhood. They escape from their country with their family because of many reasons. Moreover, i was so proud of them. Even though they had many problems and challenging, they never gave up. I learnt some lessons from 2 stories that nothing impossible. We should retain our goal or target to be successful. Indeed, we don't know what happens in the future, however, we should keep our target. If we are failure, we won't regret because we do what we can do.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that everyone has his or her unique life and story, and their story is really touching and impressive. I couldn't stop thinking how tough their life were after watching these two videos.
ReplyDeleteThe woman who is from North Korea and escaped to China was so tough and unbeatable, she used to face many hard situations and obstacles, but she overcome again and again. Especially, when her families caught by China police were in jail, she didn't give up and wasn't beaten, and she finally got her families out of prison. If I were her. I wouldn't be so tough like her. Many people might think she was lucky, otherwise, she wouldn't be able to rescues her families and escaped again and again from China police. In my view, undoubtedly, she was lucky indeed, but that's because of her unbelievable bravery and gritty.
The other woman who is from Vietnamese is such a great and amazing story teller, and I was totally obsessed by her voice and tone, which makes me calm and focus on her speech. However, When she said that her mother asked, "why is it that her hand is so warm and the rest of her is so cool?" The mock said that it's because her mother had been holding her grandmother's hand since the morning. I was paralyzed at the moment she cried. I can sense the love between her and her families is so intense because they used to face the hardest part in their life together. The story makes want to call me mom.
I am really glad to heard these two touching and meaningful story. I wanna applaud or them.
I wonder why the people who are from Vietnam are great story teller? like Nhi, Jade and the Vietnam woman who is in one of videos, they are all great story teller, Nhi and jade are also good at writing !! why ? I am really curious about that, I think mother tongue language might be a reason ?
DeleteHaha, thanks so much Adam for your praise. Our mother tongue language maybe one of the reasons, but it's not really the root reason. For English class in Vietnam, most of Vietnamese schools focus on grammar and reading; that's why we have to try so much to catch up with speaking and listening skills of foreign students from other countries. However, this focusing also help us to improve and maintain our basic grammar and writing skill also. Honestly, I think there are some grammar lessons that Nhi and I had to learn by heart since we're in high school and we even can't forget them until we get older I guess @.@ ^_^.
DeleteOne more thing, Nhi can a great story teller but I didn't see that at me @.@. Did I do it ???
I learned from these heroes that there is nothing impossible even though we may find some huge obstacles on our path to success. They were inspiring me while they were talking. They really deserve our admiration.
ReplyDeleteWhile listening to these stories it is impossible not to feel grateful and lucky about our own lives. Stories like these show how our daily complaints are so insignificant when compared to huge problems still existents in the world. Famine and dictatorships that make the citizens living in misery are just some of them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the idea that kindness and perseverance can prevails makes me still believe in humanity. I felt a huge sympathy to the stranger who helped the North Korean girl during her journey in Laos. Everybody can be the stranger man who goes to the closest ATM to help a person in need. Everybody should be.
I also believe that when not doing is not an option, humans can go much farer. Perseverance is the key to succeed. As a woman immigrant, these stories inspired me because they are proves about what I have always said to myself: we born with an infinity possibilities and we can do whatever we want with them. It is all about to believe.
First of all, I'm so sorry for missing this homework :(.
ReplyDeleteBoth of ladies in these videos are very strong women. They created their own lives. Step by step, they are fulfilling their dreams in dreamland like the U.S. Vietnam and the North Korea are the countries suffering a lot from the wars. There are many sad stories behind the wars for both nations. No matter who is wrong or who is right, wars are always nightmares for people. I'm so happy that these strong women finally get a better life as they dreamed. However, the stories in their past are the part of their lives and through those stories, they will be stronger. I'm very lucky to be born and to grow up when my country is peaceful. Certainly, as a Vietnamese, I know a little about the war nightmare. A lot of people lost their husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and etc. They lost their opportunities to grow up and live in their motherlands. However, this loss became the motivation for them to study harder and work harder to save their family and themselves. Happiness and suffering go together in this life. Nobody living in this world has to suffer forever. In contrast, no one can live with happiness always. Suffering sometimes makes people deeply understand the value of happiness and make them stronger. In short, no matter what happens, we just need to be ourselves and trust ourselves, we can find our own happy life. Be yourself, be happy !
I feel so bad for not having listened to these videos early. They are just soooo sooo amazing. I'm always inspired by immigrant stories, especially the stories of Vietnamese people that left Vietnam after 1975. When I was in Vietnam, and even when I am here in America, I try to collect stories from the people. Because the feeling that these stories will disappear one day makes me feel so sad. It is so great that TED talk has videos like this about immigrants. Those are great stories to teach people how to be strong, how to be brave, and how to be responsible to their life. Those stories also help me to overcome many difficulties in life. Because after listening to their stories, i feel ashamed to give up so easy. Those stories also make me feel proud to be a women, because I believe that even though women are not as physically strong as men, but they can be so amazing when they are put into the situation that they have to be strong. Just like these ladies, they came to America since they were little girl. Their family had nothing, and they had to face with a lot of difficulties. Their parent taught them to be strong, to fight, not to give up, and they tried their best, and now they are successful. I'm sure these women will have wonderful kids, they will teach them the value of life, and how to live their life to the fullest.
ReplyDelete