THE BURNING FIRE
(For my lovely hometown, with millions of thanks! )
About seventeen years ago, Phan Thiet, my hometown was a poorly developed seatown. Those were the days when tourists from other big cities often called the ragged and poor children like us "children-with-fishsauce-smell". The way they talked about us, the way they laughed at us did hurt my feelings as a ten-year-old child; and soon it became a very strong motivation _ like a burning fire_ deep in my heart, that I should "do something for my beloved country". From that moment, I myself made a decision to become a teacher. I always feel that my only purpose in life is to spread new light in places where people, especially poor children, living in darkness. Sometimes I was a little upset when someone said " being a teacher means having no other roads to go". They think that it would be better to "do" something rather than just "teach"…During the time I was in highschool, and later in university, I tried to learn as much as I could, paying no attention to any other attractions. …When there were weakness and tiredness, my Mom and friends gave me renewed strength.When there were disappointments and exhaustion, my teachers gave me renewed confidence in my ability to go through them…At last, my dream came true. On the day I got my graduation certificate from HCMC University of Education, my dearest maths teacher in Phan Thiet sent me a congratulation letter and the article "Binh Thuan-waiting for efficient human resources". Inside the coach that took me back to Phan Thiet, I cried the happiest tears of my life. What I have received in university after four years of hard working would be the first gift I wish to give my lovely country.
And now, while writing these words, I feel as if I were standing in front of the very innocent eyes of my students. To me, those bright eyes are like the most precious mirror that I could look at myself everyday. They also remind me of my duty to bring equality to my students who are Kinh as well as Minorities (Cham, Tay, Nung, Raclay, Koho…). Their eyes also take me back to the time of my childhood when I began to have a dream of contributing to the building of my country. I am a teacher, and now going abroad to pursue higher education, not because of any achievement or ambitious purposes. I have received deep love from life to overcome all the challenges and obstacles.That’s the only reason for me to go on teaching with both my mind and soul.
"Này con, khi con mới chào đời mọi người nhìn con mỉm cười mà con lại khóc, vậy con hãy sống sao cho đến cuối đời mọi người nhìn con rơi lệ mà con vẫn mỉm cười".
