Tae Hyun, Hwang
Since I have never tried to talk to my maternal grandfather, I always wanted to get to know more about him on personal level. He is the most optimistic guy I know on this Earth. In order to interview him, I had to wait for a couple weeks because he was touring Tokyo to celebrate his wedding anniversary. “Grandfather Hwang, how can you never be afraid of anything when you do it for the first time?” I was amazed by the fact that my grandparents were touring by themselves without knowing how to speak Japanese. When I first came to the United States in 8th grade, I was literally terrified when my host family wanted me to go to American church to refine my English skill and make new American friends by stepping outside of my comfort zone. In my head, I was curious where all of my boldness went; I had no personality in common with my grandfather. He replied with thrilled voice. “Everything I do, even if I am not knowledgeable about it, I always rejoice the moment.” I was so jealous about his confidence and mindset.
After 20 minutes of ordinary conversation, I attentively introduced a topic of war by asking him a question “When was the hardest time of your life when you were a teenage like me?”
He waited for a minute to think through his teenage memories and refine his thoughts. When he started to share his anecdotes, his lips slightly trembled. I could definitely tell his effort to pay attention to conciseness and accuracy of every word that he shares. “I learned a lot through Korean War. Indeed, it was the most painful memory and yet the most valuable experience I pride myself. For my evacuation, I had to move hundred of miles to South in order to survive.”
I took a moment and actually think about how far hundreds of miles was. In addition, he could not sleep for 4 days and walked without shoes. At that same time, my face turned red by the embarrassing thoughts I had. Every morning I would always complain how far away my dorm Raoul is from my Chinese class, which is located less than 0.5 mile away. Leaning back on my plastic chair, I stared at the disordered shoes on one side of my room vacantly. He even added, “Hyun Ho, I know that you are encountering difficult times at college, but take all the moments as gifts and cherish every second. Whether it is a favorable or unfavorable experience, it will eventually be added to your valuable asset in the end.”
With the story of evacuation by walking hundreds of miles down to South, I continued the interview with my question “How can you not sleep for 4 days and walk when you have no shoes?” He giggled for a bit and answered my question. “When you have passion to achieve or accomplish your goal, anything can be done. Maintaining my life was my ultimate goal and I strived to do so.”
He said it very placidly that he seemed so indifferent. Since he experienced these horrific and extreme situations, wherever he goes in this world, there is literally nothing to fear.
Through out the interview, I realized and understood whether in the past or present time, we humans all try to achieve our goals during lifetime. Those goals people strive to success might be little bit vary by individual’s given circumstances. However, there is nothing impossible to achieve like my grandfather said if one desperately desires to accomplish the goal. Moreover, I realized the struggles our generation face is nothing compared to that of his generation.
After 20 minutes of ordinary conversation, I attentively introduced a topic of war by asking him a question “When was the hardest time of your life when you were a teenage like me?”
He waited for a minute to think through his teenage memories and refine his thoughts. When he started to share his anecdotes, his lips slightly trembled. I could definitely tell his effort to pay attention to conciseness and accuracy of every word that he shares. “I learned a lot through Korean War. Indeed, it was the most painful memory and yet the most valuable experience I pride myself. For my evacuation, I had to move hundred of miles to South in order to survive.”
I took a moment and actually think about how far hundreds of miles was. In addition, he could not sleep for 4 days and walked without shoes. At that same time, my face turned red by the embarrassing thoughts I had. Every morning I would always complain how far away my dorm Raoul is from my Chinese class, which is located less than 0.5 mile away. Leaning back on my plastic chair, I stared at the disordered shoes on one side of my room vacantly. He even added, “Hyun Ho, I know that you are encountering difficult times at college, but take all the moments as gifts and cherish every second. Whether it is a favorable or unfavorable experience, it will eventually be added to your valuable asset in the end.”
With the story of evacuation by walking hundreds of miles down to South, I continued the interview with my question “How can you not sleep for 4 days and walk when you have no shoes?” He giggled for a bit and answered my question. “When you have passion to achieve or accomplish your goal, anything can be done. Maintaining my life was my ultimate goal and I strived to do so.”
He said it very placidly that he seemed so indifferent. Since he experienced these horrific and extreme situations, wherever he goes in this world, there is literally nothing to fear.
Through out the interview, I realized and understood whether in the past or present time, we humans all try to achieve our goals during lifetime. Those goals people strive to success might be little bit vary by individual’s given circumstances. However, there is nothing impossible to achieve like my grandfather said if one desperately desires to accomplish the goal. Moreover, I realized the struggles our generation face is nothing compared to that of his generation.