Son Chau and Annie Chau

00:03 Hi, my name is Annie Chau. I am 30 years old. Today's date is January 11th, 2019. We are in Orlando Florida and I am interviewing my dad.

00:16 My name is the doctor son Chau. I am 63 year old I am in Orlando Florida today days to January 11th 2019.

00:27 I am the father of the interviewer.

00:31 I'm excited to hear your story. Well, let's try let's get started. So what was it like growing up in Vietnam? What was your family? Like? What were your parents? Like? What was what was life like in Vietnam growing up?

00:48 Wow, yeah, you know, I I wasn't great at the central part of Vietnam.

00:55 I came from a family pool family. I want to chat with you that fact.

01:03 My parents not to go to school.

01:07 Admire me and my father. Are he working very hard to take care of the family.

01:14 My mother looking at 2.

01:17 However, she have a good reason for the egg for the churn.

01:22 She all the way you want us trying to make it to the school.

01:28 We have seven children in the family.

01:32 My oldest sister not didn't have changed to go to school.

01:39 Howling, my brother my oldest brother who he's in Texas now, he the one listen to Mom.

01:51 Even the Hot Chip on the family be trying to make it through school and it made it here Eddie ate at the Nursing degree and he working many years before he come over here.

02:04 My next sister

02:07 Not have a chance to go to school and she was Raising everyone taking care of the house. Take care of Mom take care of the house and tried to walk to make some money to support the family.

02:19 And I have another brother.

02:22 Who make it?

02:24 The school

02:26 And he had his style.

02:30 Education and he joined the military.

02:42 And then my older sister.

02:45 Who here with us now, She make it down to school.

02:50 And she got her degree in nursing degree at Waukee manager before he came over here a couple years ago at you know.

02:57 And then me.

03:00 I try hard my brother my sister push me to school.

03:04 And I was one of the very good student in my class. Well, I'm not sure about that. However, I was one of them student in my class. So what did your parents do for work?

03:21 My father

03:23 Working s the janitor in the hospital

03:28 They have, you know to clean the hospital one of the big heart so in red.

03:35 My mother just small business, you know Trading salling.

03:41 Yeah, it's the one thing I want to share with yous even the pool family.

03:48 However, we hold hands Gavin and grow Ashley. You know, I believe we did very well what my mother has tried to push us through the school and you see, you know 7.

04:02 Fire up 7 go to school and we are all doing. Well. The youngest brother is your uncle he came here now. He's previously and engineering high in Vietnam. The war time was it was it hard to get food? And

04:35 Take care of each other or have the house taking care of the Vietnam Vietnam War because we come from the pool family. We don't have the fancy thing to buy to do for entertainment. Whoever food is not used to but we we grow together but you know before 75 ring that what time is stuck there was X very difficult for especially test of pain. I don't know. I don't know you a fancy test event. I don't know you heard about that, you know at the time of the common is try to come down to the whole city in the battle right around my house and we have to escape the house and come to another area to escape the TV fighting a very very scary at a time.

05:33 Day-to-day, how did you manage to live Not In Fear And if you were in fear, how did how did you go about your day as you know, because of weed growing in the environment fighting a war and you heard the shooting ammo everyday so giving you to it as I do you think that's that's that's it normal to your life. Now when I grow up I'm going to win I recognized you are well when I'm with the meatles, maybe a me do I was in Middle School? You know, why you too young and you don't pay taxes when the Beatles. Recognize the world hardship. The people are very sad experience. I've been through when I was in the way and bring the my middle school in there almost everyday.

06:25 I see the Cascade from the military official pass by my house because I living in the area close to the military community. So whenever they have two people died from the community, they have to have to pass by me to bring the casket to the funeral probably, you know so often.

06:52 Initially, you see you feel bad. You're so sad. But you know after you were supposed to so often and then you think that's normal that I was as if it's V we we we numb and now it's so often we will become number on that AC.

07:15 Yeah, and then his offensive 1968 we you got the problem, you know the whole battle with fighting, you know, the American B-52 bombing to face the city and then we got the find from the on the jungle after I see the people died around us.

07:45 But I move on you know, we still make it to school.

07:51 Annapolis Tessa parents growing up

07:55 And I getting to high school years and I still was one of the best student in my class even kashyap.

08:09 Working at the family are working and going to school at the same time. Yes. I'm glad you asked me that.

08:17 When I was a sophomore.

08:22 I don't work, but they have a very difficult exam before you pass them pass more to see their eye in Vietnam. I passed you very high-ranking and then Ryan the city.

08:40 Itutor

08:42 I tooted do the student Bill Jaime. You have to get some make some money to have the family and I could see the do that when I get into first you're calling.

08:52 Until I got into Medical School each year to make some money to bring it back to 2 for family social support myself and have my my pattern. Wow. Wow, that's amazing. I can't imagine to do that while all in the middle of the war going on in the background as well to still go about the day-to-day life.

09:18 It's difficult.

09:20 But we get used to it.

09:22 And we thought that you now when I come you for lots of with you if I can imagine how we survive with that.

09:33 I can't I can't imagine I can't imagine going to school and going to work with a war going on and then just trying to do that everyday life.

09:43 I did it we made it. So then you were you were in medical school when you when you escaped Vietnam. What was what was that? Like what preparing for that? Did you did you get a warning that you knew you were going to be able to leave and then how did that happen? How are you able to escape? I know you enjoy my it should be something, you know, you can't I can full frame party, but actually it's not, you know after the fall of 75.

10:15 When I get here to medical school, it was 74. That's the one year before the fall about. I will Southside gone. So I have pussy and medical student in Vietnam.

10:31 When I get to the second to you when the company took over their country everything changed very sad, very frustrated.

10:43 Every single class including my test.

10:47 The communist government set the students working with them and they look after all my every single student in the class. What you do what you they want to control control what you learned control what you doing, you know because this that new regime in the Conte they like to protect the machine and they they they put the student eat the same class, but you know what they pick the student and working with them, you know, and then they expire on the student in the class to report somebody do something wrong and you know, all the university they had a service every single university medical school and I was at

11:38 And then do you know it affect the way of the student thinking all Moe everybody including me I don't like to go to school at the time. I don't like to be in this task. I used to be very good student going to win after 75 when the homeless that took over the clock change and I not I exist and I don't study. I was not the same son Chau before before I learn how to pass the test, but I'm not good like I was before it's how much we learning and studying. I have it seems like you took it with a grain of salt you did what you needed to do, but you are not forget over with to get it over with

12:30 We don't want to be there at the time, you know, I learned people try to get out of the country.

12:41 Is Ed the time is a 78 80 81 82 the very high high tide be high time by time for the escape from Vietnam to

12:56 Especially when I met your mom you met her and I messed I met your mom when I was in pre-med year. I hate her, but I don't you know officially dating until I get into medical school together. You have to tell me your story about how you met mom.

13:20 Beautiful starting

13:22 When I was when I was in pre-med year.

13:28 She come from Saigon.

13:31 She's her family is wealthy.

13:40 You know, I was I still was a good student on my my female student and I like I was Hoe by her why you pick me?

13:52 And then she said she said we are going to share with you and I popular girl that she's one of the popular going to leave the class and she said hello, but you know when I get to first year as we're together we go to school together and that's just your second year 30 and 40 year because she came from from a wealthy family and your from a poor family. Was there any were her parents aren't sure family. I sure did they like you from the beginning of class. The thing I feel low self-esteem about that, but you know what, they see the kids, you know, you got your phone because I love with you love me, you know, but we we don't pay attention for that until

14:40 VG after that

14:43 But fortunately, you know her family very understanding especially her father.

14:49 Her father. I met her father. I met her mother her mother is very quiet lady, but her father is outgoing. He welcome me. You know, he he made me feel comfortable when I talk to him. Yes, you know that actually at the time you need you need to have the money to escape the country.

15:10 One one day

15:13 His father let me and her know we need to leave here to cycle.

15:19 How did he know that he had a friend in Saigon Vietnamese family in from Saigon? He's going to eat his family still with the people in there and they pain to set up the big boat to get out of the country and he he thought he can get me and and his daughter in there to get outfit.

15:45 You need money.

15:48 I don't have money mom your mom had money because if he did, you know father is a very wealthy and then they can support however he offered to me yo her father offered to me.

16:03 Go with her comes and he will take out. How long have you been with her at that time when that happen? I know hosting I was you know, officially to be dating her when I was supposed to have left Medical School 1958. I know her for five years before we get out and come to Saigon.

16:25 But unfortunately, you know, I have to wait until I go on the whole year before I can get out right now. I don't know, you know, that's what happened if the the Big Bolt Hope Family prepare for it doesn't work out. Well, why not for some reason we're not able to allow that boat yet how you know a lot of things going on with a communist, you know the corruption in money inthe. Do you know you had left before and then escaped to go to Saigon? I don't need to escape from Pho Saigon. I just left the school. You just left. Yeah, you know when they know me and your mom before your mom, I'm probably these different way but, you know, mom your mom be popular to you know, that if they all know because she she new student.

17:13 So did you tell people you were leaving like your classmates your teachers?

17:17 That is a tiny very dangerous to let it before know you live in the country. So we're even laughed at night and you told your parents that your family was still in what my parents.

17:34 My family support me to to to to get out but you know, how how can get out, you know, if Costas die, I didn't tell my family about the whole family will support me to get out with my sister. You know, my oldest is be happy too because you're not at the time if people want to get out they have the Tulip the people people can get out when they said that the boat and get out by themselves without much money, but do you want like me like her and her family we know nothing about bolinho nothing and I we have to pay you know, she repaid much money, but I don't have it my sister support me and her family's apartment.

18:21 This is a beautiful thing about me and and your mom now at a time. We're not you just a dating but we're not nothing yet. She have to finally we by the way to get out of the country whole family found the the connection to get out and she have to get out with her family and I stay in Saigon Pho.

18:47 I wake up one month after she left before me with her family.

18:55 However, you know her father nice enough to set up for me to come after him after he's to his brow. What did you doing inside on while you were waiting?

19:07 Me and your your mom waiting in Saigon the whole year we get out somewhere together, but we come to Saigon. We're not able to make it out and I will stay there the whole year and what did you do there? Who did you stay with? I stay with my brother, you know, that's why he wasn't educated by the time I come to stay with her. And what did you do? Did you work? What do I need to pass by and mom stay with her parents the big house inside long has nothing to do except you're not in the house is suing and she do. You know, she threw the coyote woman were at home and take care of alterations and take care of your aunt be back.

20:07 Well, you probably heard about the story. She got out before me I get out the country one month after that.

20:15 The surprising you know when she

20:19 She come to the same. I came to the KFC in Thailand where she was at a time to eat her family took a boat. Was it a boat to do you know, they had the organization they they they they get the money and then set up 50 at the people out to help family pay for that route heading over for us and they have me to go to the next round.

20:43 So where you just waiting until they said oh today is the day you can go so you didn't know each day. You didn't know you when you're being a little nosy be caught the time invited anxious. If your people know you plan to escape did anyone from were you scared that anyone from where I could contact you and ask you? Where are you? Where did you go? Did you live in fear? Like, I don't know but I don't think they care what I doing inside on a note. I don't I was not bothered by anything from her medical school at all.

21:31 You know I get out and when I landed in Thailand, you know, you know at the time, you know, you get out, you know, so you will come you will write you know, and people get out Vietnam at the time.

21:46 Down in the ocean. Do you remember that day that you left your mom left before me about yet private are private, you know the year they bother you know that but she she okay my boat one later how many days and two months. Two days later tonight today and I get into the land of Thailand.

22:21 And I stay there a couple days and then they transferred me to the camp the name of the camel called Lampson.

22:33 I came there.

22:36 And your mom was in the camera today.

22:40 She heard the announcement on announcement the bow hundred and ten from Vietnam, and they call the name. Wow. That's my name.

23:01 She had my name she crying and she's come out to welcome.

23:08 Did she didn't know she didn't know nobody can predict nobody can plan where you go when you get home.

23:16 But I was so lucky. You know now I

23:20 I come out usually know even now I make my my sweetheart again at the refugee camp. Who is that like seeing her when you didn't know that feeling in the time this so happy, you know, you know, that's somebody up there set me up for that.

23:40 Do you think yeah, you do 50% people were down in the ocean when they get out 50 left. Come on over.

23:48 And then now I come to the same cam way. She that would have brought about the 50% that your boat wouldn't make it but then also you may not have gone to that same camp. Nobody can predict that happened at all.

24:09 But that's why I told you and I I told my enjoy your shipment. Do you know somebody up there set me up? Me and Mom have to be together and have you have you got to be so that's that's an amazing story. I want to share with you. You know, that's why me and Mom been with we've been together almost 30 what how many years are 38 years. Now with three beautiful children. Wow. Wow, we have more things to talk about your mom later. They finally I get out. How long were you at the camp in Thailand? I was only 4 months to Thailand in March and I left her time to land in California in

25:00 In in August only 5 minutes. What was it? Like in the refugee camp? I'm so interested to hear the day-to-day life difficult, you know because he's very limited thing to do and then food that they provide food for you. If you have the money from somebody gave it to you that you can get food we can do a lot of things by browsing. I have nothing did they have classes or they do they have at least because of everybody and plan to come to try to get to the country. You need to learn French language. Do they have a cervix be called the Kim there many years before weekend. Okay still pull up heater and vitamin is not lie at home, but freedom.

26:00 Bye Universe pilot student, you know, it's a great feeling worth it.

26:06 Whole family with me and I come there. I tell you they started.

26:12 I was very good looking at a time when I come to try the family. I was the one trying to cook for fall for your mom is not used to be good. Now she is by the time, you know, I wouldn't want take care of your entire family with her parents were not all whole family, but you know about her father passed away over there trying to come over later. But you know, we can make a cake with made it I see she had breast cancer if you passed that why we all here. Oh well here.

27:03 And why we

27:06 In August I came to California your mom came to Texas we separate again. How did you get it? He wasn't she wasn't packages phone. So your mom and my cousin can sponsor me.

27:29 And I was there since August until Christmas time. I remember your story of your first day your first meal in America the big that you had the Big Mac and it was stuff that I want to repeat that start a fire.

27:47 Yes, that's the All-American meal amazing feeling when you first come to America and Big Mac. I know what is the best food you come to stay in that way. You can just stay nice and Big Mac. Actually I said I started with the wedding up one of my nephew in California. That's best. Yes, and I stay there for three months and

28:17 The first job I got in California you can guess.

28:23 I working in that list the Denny's restaurant. That's how did you get that job and try to get it for me, you know the time is easy. You know, she commented that he find a job for me. That's what you need now, but I will call you one week to English. How old are you? Everything scanning? How old are you when you came?

28:52 Attorney for you. Oh my gosh why I always with 24u 55 + 85 you do you have any idea of what to expect it that someone tell you what America would be like, what did you think it would be and what did it live up to what you were thinking? Everybody want to come to United States? You know that you had changed just had too many other country at the time.

29:23 However, we want to come in and you know this she's the Wonderland Freedom apartment. He's

29:32 I appreciate to be here now so you can meet do you have time to do as your potential go to phone?

29:46 Mijnheer back to school. Yeah check if the product is working.

29:54 You know, so

29:57 I left California in context it with my sweetheart.

30:07 Did you call each other or how did you know that she was over there? But we know we communicate.

30:15 A minute

30:17 10 minutes left

30:19 Okay, so, you know when when I come to the stage, and I have to go back to school, you know, I don't know what I'm doing your mom and your grandfather the father support me and let me try to ask me to try back to medical school. I went back to college after one year working to get money and then we got married at a time.

30:46 And then went back to school right after wedding. No, I went back to school and I was looking up for years in college. Do I make it back to medical school near San Antonio?

31:00 And then come over here for Verizon to see.

31:06 Kind of difficult but I made it in at the time we get married and I have you know, I have your brother. We have your brother when I was in the second year medical school. We have you when I was finished Medical School. You still see the picture your mom hold you in the ocean?

31:32 Yeah, and then Mom at the end of residency, you know, it's difficult, but I make it through. I've worked very hard with the support of the family and I make it to school now. I come here for residency and I share with her earlier. You know, you follow my step my food stamp.

31:52 I've been at the residency here 4 or 3 years to come out of pocket full of several years except for here. And that's what I want to know if you have always worked so much.

32:04 Every day, how are you able to work so hard but like you're still so happy positive.

32:13 I heard that coming from my college.

32:17 But I need to pay attention to find the answer why until you ask me?

32:24 I think about it. I'll talk to you in a pretty big factor affect the way I leave now. I grow up from the Buddhist family.

32:35 And

32:37 When I come over here, I practice Buddhism and you know can everyday

32:44 Hi practice meditation, I go to the temple. I'm glad we have the master pick them to you in to set up the whites and Buddhist and I wish you up and I come almost every every Sunday when I'm in town.

33:02 So spiritual

33:07 Practice is one big factor meditation Patty Buddhism.

33:17 But that's the second week factor is a family's support a family your mom.

33:23 All the way be my manager my support my CFO my everything.

33:32 Without her I don't know. You know how if my life would be like this.

33:36 And I have three beautiful children you your brother you all come together. The family is a big factor to support you to keep you happy.

33:49 But I have my old philosophy how to be happy.

33:53 I'm anytime I share with you, you know leaving you don't lose anything right giving you gain back. You don't know when you don't know how but if there is there for you. So I

34:07 Hi, I believe giving music CD we should do happy people and

34:15 I believe strongly believe if you made the people happy you happy few. Although happy that happiness will return to you. That's why you see how I work long hours.

34:30 Right. Yes, however

34:32 I've been helping the people.

34:35 The happiest for my patient my college my student in everything bounce back to me makes you happy my baby happy.

34:45 I long I was working but I go to the nursing home. I see my patient happy. I haven't been so happy since the others is the key factor boss back for you for your help.

35:01 So I think I would like to share with you and give you the advice now.

35:09 I don't have a big lesson to tissue.

35:13 However, you look to what I share with you.

35:20 Do your job?

35:23 With passion

35:26 Integrity

35:28 Honest

35:30 Take care of your patient. Take care of all this.

35:35 Wet

35:37 Compassion

35:39 And respect

35:41 Do five things easy to say but take you practiced and thinking about it.

35:49 Thinking about it and try to practice every single day.

35:55 And I don't know you'll remember but sometime I I just say this in my wisdom wisdom worth.

36:05 Thinking about it and practice every day of my life.

36:09 Do your best?

36:11 Leaving when possible.

36:15 Expect nothing and appreciate everything your happiness will be within your wrist.

36:26 It's so true. Very true.

36:30 So probably we went out the time now, but I would like to say thank you for the p and I have let us have 10 to share the story without insurance.

36:44 And I thank you. You ready for you my to make this happen and I want to thank you America.

36:56 Yes, the Wonderland thank you for the opportunity though. Me and my family for lots of a year.

37:07 He'll where are we now?

37:10 We so happy to be here and we happy to see the family together. Really you're you and Mom are the American dream.

37:19 That's the people say that but I will try my best.

37:25 And I might dream is I still have dreams of 2222. My dream is to someday I will have my assisted living facility behind me and someday you will be the doctor to care for all my patients and I will become they directed activity to entertain entertain my patient that you can sing the happiness song.

37:58 I've been thinking a be Sunday at Weis and Center whenever I wake up. I feel I feel happy or where my health I feel happy because I have learned to love whenever I walk. I feel happy whenever I sit I feel happy when never I rest I feel happy because I have learned to love ya and now and now I know the truth.