My mother was a curious young girl. She was interested in foreign cultures, so she wanted to travel around the world and meet people from different cultural backgrounds. However, she couldn't get the opportunity because she couldn't afford to do and her mother was too conservative to let her daughter go abroad lonely. It got even more difficult after her marriage. She couldn't imagine leaving me and father. However, when I entered the university, my mother decided to make a new attempt. She said "I thought that you were old enough to take care of yourself as an adult. It was perfect time to actualize my longtime dream."
My mother decided to get a work abroad and she applied to cooking position in Korean embassies. My mom had been a cook for more than 10 years and she had some certificates, so it wasn't that difficult to get an offer. But problem was a country. The embassy in Cameroon offered her a job. As Cameroon is known to be unsafe country, my father and I strongly opposed to accept the offer. I asked "Weren't you afraid of going to Cameroon?" My mom said "Of course, I was afraid. But I thought that it was also an opportunity to challenge myself. You know, it's not a common experience to live in Africa. So I tried to persuade you and your father, but I got the other proposal then." There was a vacancy in Vancouver consulate and it wanted to hire a new employee as soon as possible. My mom recalled that time and said "I was really happy to receive the proposal. The public security in Canada was pretty good, so you and your father would certainly agree to go to Canada."
Just one week after, my mother flied to Canada. She has lived there for three years. She is working as a cook and during her free time, she studies English and travels all around America continent. I asked her if there has been a moment that she regretted to go abroad. "Yes, once." She answered after brief pause. "When I heard that your grandfather had a stomach cancer, I was extremely sad that I wasn't in Korea. I couldn't even visit him in hospital. All I could do for father was praying for his recovery." In spite of her ardent prayer, her father's health got worse and worse. So she came to Korea. "He passed away one week after I went to Korea. I felt really sorry that he passed away as if he had been waiting for me. Maybe he wanted to say goodbye to me before his death" she said with tearful voice.
To change the atmosphere, I asked her how much she's satisfied with her life now. "I love to live in Vancouver now. It was amazing to directly see and feel foreign culture. Canada is referred to "mosaic" as it consists of immigrants from various countries. When I went to Quebec on the east, the whole city was like France. But in western part, I could find many Britain heritages." She added "If there's a chance, I want to continue to work overseas. But I want to live in different country next time. It will be better if I can work in one of European countries. I also want to work in cruise which sails all around the world."
I was surprised by my mother's grand future plans, but I said thank you to her because she is making efforts to lead her own life. Most of women at my mother's age didn't have jobs. They became housewives and focused on taking care of their children. Therefore, many of them suffer from depression and loneliness after their children all grew up and left their nests. But my mother had her own dream and she achieved it even in a little bit late age. I appreciate her challenge and braveness and I hope that she can enjoy her life now and forever.
Park Ye Jee 200904069
ReplyDeleteWow!It was really interesting!
1. The topic was very good. I liked your mother's story. I really respect your mother's braveness and courage!
2. I didn't see an especially unclear place.
3. She was interested in foreign cultures, so she wanted to travel around the world and meet people from different cultural backgrounds
4.She said "I thought that you were old enough to take care of yourself as an adult. It was perfect time to actualize my longtime dream."
I think by using quotatation here, I could imagine easily.
5.I think the number of quotations you used is appropriate.
6.It was really interesting and inspring writing.
thank you for letting us know about your mother's story.
I want to listen more how her life was when your mother was working in Vancouver. I think a little more details will be needed.^^
1. Your topic just made me get in to your writing. I like the reason why you chose your mother as your interviewer. You described the braveness of your mother with enough quotations.
ReplyDelete2. The flow of your writing and the quotation you used were simple and clear. So, I could not find any parts where i can't understand.
3. In the last paragraph, "i appreciate her challange......" seems to the main thesis; your mother's challanging life abd career.
4. In the first paragraph, "I thought that you are okd enough........" It show your mother's strong will for her acheiving her dream.
5.You used enough quotations making it clear and simple. But some direct quotations like " of course" can be rewritten in indirect quotations.
6. I really don't see a place where it seems akward. The flow and sentences are clear and specific enough. But i thought that stronger conclusion will make your writing more effective using one direct quotation. Great job:)
200702094 chong rim yoo
Final draft
ReplyDeleteThe Woman of Courage
My mother was a curious young girl. She was interested in foreign cultures, so she wanted to travel around the world and meet people from different cultural backgrounds. However, she didn’t get the opportunity because she couldn't afford to do and her mother was too conservative to let her daughter go abroad alone. It got even more difficult after her marriage. She couldn't imagine leaving me and father. However, when I entered the university, my mother decided to make a new attempt. She said "I thought that you were old enough to take care of yourself as an adult. It was perfect time to actualize my longtime dream."
My mother wanted to get a job overseas, so she applied to cooking position in Korean embassies. My mom had been a cook for more than 10 years and she had some cooking certificates, so it wasn't that difficult to get an offer. But the problem was a country. The embassy in Cameroon offered her a job. As Cameroon is known to be unsafe country, my father and I strongly opposed to go there. I asked "Weren't you afraid of going to Cameroon?" Mom said that she was afraid, of course. “But I thought that it was also an opportunity to challenge myself. You know, it's not a common experience to live in Africa. So I tried to persuade you and your father, but I got the other opportunity then." There was a vacancy in Vancouver consulate and it wanted to hire a new employee as soon as possible. My mom recalled that time and said "I was really happy to get an offer. The public security in Canada was pretty good, so you and your father would certainly agree to go to Canada."
Just one week after that, my mother flew to Canada. She has lived there for three years. She is working as a cook and during her free time, she studies English and travels all around America continent. I asked her if there has been a moment that she regretted to go abroad. "Yes, once." She answered after brief pause. "When I heard that your grandfather had a stomach cancer, I was extremely sad that I wasn't in Korea. I couldn't even visit him in hospital. All I could do for father was praying for his recovery." In spite of her ardent prayer, her father's health got worse and worse. So she came to Korea to see him. "He passed away one week after I went to Korea. I felt really sorry that he passed away as if he had been waiting for me. Maybe he wanted to say goodbye to me before his death" she said with tearful voice.
To change the atmosphere, I asked her how much she's satisfied with her life now. "I love to live in Vancouver now. It was amazing to directly see and experience cultural differences. Canada is referred to a "mosaic" as it consists of immigrants from various countries. When I went to Quebec on the east, the whole city was like France. But on the western side, I could find many Britain heritages." She added "If there's a chance, I want to continue to work overseas. But I want to live in different country next time. It will be better if I can work in one of European countries. I also want to work in cruise which sails all around the world."
While mother was talking about her future plans, she was excited like a child who is telling his dreams to parents. I was really happy to see mom doing what she wants. She is making efforts to lead her own life. Most of women at my mother's age didn't have jobs. They became housewives and focused on taking care of their children. Therefore, many of them suffer from depression and loneliness after their children all grew up and left their nests. But my mother had her own dream and she achieved it even in a little bit late age. I appreciate her courageous challenge and hope that she can enjoy her life now and forever.