Long before I wrote cookbooks I wrote a children’s book
called Trip to Freedom about how my
family escaped Vietnam. It was an illustrated short story book for a bilingual
education series aimed to teach kids about America’s diversity. Meg, a
childhood friend who is now a school administrator, suggested me for the series
and the publisher commissioned a Vietnamese American artist Winson Trang to do
the illustrations. Trip
to Freedom (Nuestro Viaje Hacia
La Libertad) was published in 1997. Now and then I’d get a random email
from someone about the book but last month, I received a wonderful surprise.
Alisa, a fifth-grade teacher in Iowa, had her class read the book and they had follow-up questions. The
students wanted to know how exactly my family got our fake tickets to fly out
of Vietnam, what it was like growing up in Vietnam, and how I learned to cook. I
emailed my responses and Alisa presented them to the students, who then hand
wrote thank you letters along with a few more questions. I was touched by their
comments (who gets letters in the mail anymore?!) and the wonder and appreciation
that they expressed (my eyes welled up a bit).
I thought of responding but figured that the class may have
moved beyond Trip to Freedom. So my
solution is to share some of the letters with you and answer a few of their questions.
That way, they can get their responses at their leisure. As a class, I suppose
they could comment on this post too. It's amazing how today's technologies can allow students to dream and connect far beyond their immediate surroundings.
The letters fell into three or so categories, one of which
was cooking. Alisa said the class had read up on me so they knew about my
career. What was surprising to me (and them) was that I’d started cooking in
earnest when I was about ten years old. That’s when my mom taught me to make
rice followed by lots of wontons. Because I don’t have children, it had escaped
me that fifth graders are ten years old. (Duh!)
Several of the students shared that they liked to cook and
eat, and that they were helping their moms in the kitchen. (There are some
smart moms in Iowa.)
To answer Charlie’s question: My favorite thing to cook is
rice. It’s fun and you can make lots of different rice dishes. I’d love to
learn to make chicken and dumplings from Megan. Bring it on!
The students also wrote about writing as a profession. At
ten years old, I thought about writing but it seemed like a distant dream more than
a viable option. It’s wonderful to read
that to these students, a writing career is cool and something to consider.
Selicia wants to be a writer and it
looks like she’s on her way; she’s been cooking since she was seven. Wow. Hold
on to those family recipes.
How did I become a writer? It was a long road. I was not an
overnight success story. It took a combination of lots of luck (you never know who may help you), pluck (let “Why not . . .?” guide you), and work (keep on polishing what you write).
What is my next book about? Sandwiches, and some of the
recipes have received the thumbs up from young people around ten years old.
Finally, some of the letters focused on my family’s escape
from Vietnam. We were among the fortunate ones to be able to leave by plane.
Nonetheless, it was very frightening. Was I brave? I don’t know. I think my
parents were the brave ones to find safe passage for our family. They wanted the ability to lead the lives of their choosing. They wanted freedom.
I get some really nice thank you messages from readers but I
have to admit that these were among the best ever. Thank you Alisa and all the
students for taking the time to make this one of the highlights of my career.
P.S. I wish I had teachers like Alisa when I was young!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
How nice and these letters totally would make anyone's day! What a great history you have and that you are able to share. 5th graders are always fun!
Andrea Nguyen says
Thanks, Abbe. There's s much bad news these days that something like these letters truly lift one's spirits!
Kate Leahy says
Wow, what a thoughtful audience--and what a great way to share a very real story.
Andrea Nguyen says
We can't really know who will read our stuff, eh?
Sophie says
You ARE a great writer and a great cook, brave and ambitious. Kids don't miss much, do they 🙂 How cool that technology allowed them to contact you and receive responses! That would have knocked my socks if Russel Hoban would have written to me as a kid, or if I could have followed my favorite authors on Facebook, etc......
I hope that if I have kids someday I teach them to write, and to cook, both of which bring me so much joy. I'm making your beef pho tonight, by the way. The stock smells INCREDIBLE! Thanks for your most excellent instruction on something that has intimidated me up til now.
Toan says
Like to cook is something that comes naturally for some and maybe not for others. I have two children who are in their mid 20s and upper 20s. Interestingly enough, my son shows some interest in cooking, but my daughter actually dislikes cooking. She's married now, and I sometimes wonder how is she managing in having a meal for her and her husband. I guess they will have to learn by themselves.
I have enjoyed reading your blog as well as reading and using some of the recipes from two of your books which were gifts from my niece. You are a good cook, a good writer, and a good teacher too.
Andrea Nguyen says
Sophie, you're going to be a great mom. I just know it. Making your pho... My sisters, who are in their 50s, don't do that. Thank you for the kind words.
Andrea Nguyen says
Cam on Toan. It's funny you say that because my nephew, who is around 11, kind of enjoys cooking. He is curious. His mom (my sister) struggles with it. I hope she's not reading this!
Alisa Brinkman says
Thank you for puting are letters on your blog. I liked when you read my letter. It would be awesome if you visited us. Your food looks very good especially your teriyaki chicken.
-A
Student says
Thank you for putting our letters on your blog. We loved your book that you wrote. It's realy good. The true chicken teriyaki recipe looks so good.
-J
A says
The above letter is from a student. 🙂
Student says
Thank you for putting our letters up on your blog. They look cool. The old school sweet and sour pork recipe looks delicious. We all would like it if you come to visit us in Iowa. That would be perfect. Thank you for every thing. Someday you should get more friends in Iowa.
Student says
Dear Mrs.Nguyen,
Thank you for putting our letters on your blog. If you ever have a chance to visit us it would be nice if we could see you. All of your food looks so good. Thank you for writting your book.
Sincerely,
K
Maggie says
How lovely! Great that you are able to inspire children to cook and to write.
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
My dad made my sisters and I sandwiches on the morning of my birthday. He put avacados in the sandwiches. He made us stay out of the kitchen and he made a sauce. He put peppers and onions in the sauce which is what made it spicy. It was really good.
I learned that your mom cooked a lot of food and it is amazing how you learned from your mom when you were 10.
Sincerely,
-X
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
I like your dungeness crab in broth with with garlic and chile recipe(Cua Hap Bia). My dad cooks something like this recipe and he likes to cook it. Thank you for writing to us and we think your food is good. We are so happy you could write to us. I like your taiwanese spicy beef noodles soup recipe(Niu Rou Mian) and it looks good.
How many recipes have you created? We printed some of your reciprs and it was fun to write to you. We hope you write back to us.
From,
T
Student says
I like your corn with chile scallions and shrimp recipe (Bap Xao).It looks good. Thank you for answering my question.
From,
C
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
Thank you for putting our papers on your blog and thank you for anwsering our questions. I would like to try your food Tawanese spicy beef noodies soup. It really looks delicious!
From,
A
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
Thank you for posting our leters on your blog
and I really like your strawberry and cream cake.
Sincerely,
K.
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
We thank you for posting our letters on your blog. Your recipes look delicious and I would love to try spice asian chicken wings.
Sincerely,
K
Student says
Thank you for posting our letters on your blog. My favorite recipe is 15 minute chocoiate cake! I can't wait to try your recipe.
Sincerely,
J
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
Thank you for answering our questions and it was exciting when you displayed our letters. It was also fun reading your message. My favorite dish to try making would be shiratama dango (sweet rice dumplings with brown sugar).
From,
Amir
Student says
Dear Mrs.Nguyen,
It was so exciting to see our pictures on the blog. I'm so touched that you responded to us. Thank you for saying we are the best ever. You are also the best. Also our teacher is the best teacher you can have! I would like to try a Karikake caramel corn recipe!
From,
O
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
It was so exiting when our teacher said you put our letters on the blog. The strawberry and cream layer cake recipe looks good! I would like to make the sweet and sour pork recipe.
Sincerely,
D
Student says
Dear Mrs.Nguyen,
We appreciate that you blogged about us all over the world. Thank you so much. I would like to try the easy grilled pizza with Trader Joe's dough.
From,
N
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
It was really cool that you put our writing on the blog. I would like to try the chicken and bamboo noodle soup recipe (buh mang ga). It really looks delicious.
Sincerely,
M.
Andrea Nguyen says
Alissa, Thank you and the students!
Andrea Nguyen says
I like corn, tofu (soybeans) and pork so I think I'd like Iowa!
Andrea Nguyen says
Thanks, Maggie!
Andrea Nguyen says
I LOVE avocado sandwiches. Maybe dads have something to do with avocados? My dad got me to try them when I was young.
Andrea Nguyen says
You're quite the adventurous eater. 🙂
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
We are thankful for you putting our pictures on your blog and thank you for responding to us. I would like to try the chicken teriyaki recipe. It looks good.
Sincerely,
M.
Student says
Dear Mrs. Nguyen,
Thank you for taking your time to write about us on your blog. Your recipes are spectacular. Thank you for sharing all over the world. I looked at your recipes. I am going to try Furitake Caramel Corn. This weekend I might print more of your recipes to make.
Sincerely,
S.