A Song For Hmong New Year

This Hmong Chinese folksong, or more like "kwv txhiaj" with musical accompaniment is called "Tag Kis Twb Yuav Mus" by Laj Tsawb (Chinese: Zhou Xing Lan).  She is Hmong from Yunnan Province, China.  The only thing I can make out from the beginning is her singing about the sky being bright upon the Hmong homeland, making it a good time to gather hemp (used to make threads to spun into cloth) and then I don't understand a word afterward until she starts singing about a young man courting a young lady.  In the lyrics, Laj Tsawb talks about how the young man leaves his doorstep to court the young woman, and they talked so well, but can he bear to leave her behind since he must leave early the next morning (in the old days, guys and girls from the same village usually don't court since they may be related, so the young men would have to travel to nearby villages or to other areas to court young women; thus the lovers don't often get to meet one another except for the New Year's festival). 

Since I don't understand everything, I won't attempt literal translation.  But basically, if I'm correct, she starts out singing by admiring the simple lifestyle of the Hmong people and used that as a transition into talking about courtship of a young couple.  It's a kwv txhiaj suitable for this time of the year, especially for young or more mature couples who will have to part ways after the New Year's festival ends.

Hmong Outfits 2012

Sharing pictures of Hmong outfits from Hmong New Year in Fresno 2012

 

Hmong New Year 2012-2013 Fresno

I came back from a visit to Fresno's Hmong New Year today and decided to share some of the pictures I took.  Maybe I'm getting older but every year, this event becomes redundant and less and less interesting/exciting.  Everything is always the same, with people preaching Hmong traditions and values but the vast majority straying away from it.

For me personally, I believe that the event will be more exciting if we try to embrace or return to some of the more rustic traditions and values of the past, including those that may still be adhered to by the Miao/Hmong people of China.  I believe that simplicity is more meaningful and beautiful.  But then again, that nostalgic past is the way it was because village life required young men and women to help their families with chores and farmwork and so New Year became the sole time for them to court one another in open daylight.  So the New Year's Festival, in my opinion, was more precious and had more value in the old days.

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays!

Sorry for not posting anything up lately; been busy studying but hopefully I will have something to post in the next coming week.

May the merry season bring you and your family many good cheers.

Neeg Lub Neej Summary

Before I tap into the more recently released or new and upcoming Hmong movies, I wanted to share summaries of past releases that were a favorite.  Therefore, I am beginning with the original classic, Neeg Lub Neej starring Lou Thao as Nkauj Ntsum and Khoua Yang as Tub Tuam. 

(Note: Recapping with screen captures is a lot of work so if I feel that many people are familiar with a movie already because they've seen it, I'll just do a summary.)

Summary:

Nkauj Ntsum and Tub Tuam dated and soon wed.  They each got a job, and both were very successful professionals.  However, the one thing they did not have was children. 

One day Tub Tuam's mother returned home and pulled him to the side.  She informed him that she had visited his relatives and they all agreed that although he and his wife were well off, they needed children so that their life may have a  happy ending.  Tub Tuam told his mother that no matter what anyone said, he refused to take a second wife because he loved Nkauj Ntsum dearly.  But his mother insisted that he must remarry.  He said that before taking such an action, he must ensure with medical doctors that his wife could not really bear children.

Song of the Week

Many people like this song for its beautiful voices, lyrics, and melody...aspects that speak well and straight the the Hmong heart...

Suab Nag Yaj & Npis Lis Tsab – Kob Nag Tshauv Nag Tshav Ntuj

Girl:

Cas ntiaj teb yuav dav luaj no
Why is the world so vast?
Kuv thiab koj niam sib ncaim lawm
You and I have been separated
Lub hnub ploj tav no mam tawm
The sun vanished for all this time and has only appear
Ntuj mam rov qaws wb los sib ntsib
The heavens has allowed us to meet again
Tus dej ncau ntws sis faib kev
The river branches into different paths
Lug toj lug pes mus ntev ua luaj
Meandering mountains and hills for many miles
Koj laus tag kuv twb laus dua
You have aged and I am older
Mam ntws sib tshuam hnub twg yuav ploj
(Like the river we’ve) flowed and merged again (but) the sun is about to set

Anayi Movie Recaps

Since I am kind of slow in terms of undating my writings, I have been contemplating on whether I should post Hmong movies summaries/recaps.  In the end, I decided to start with the Miao movie, Anayi.  For those of you who may not be familiar or who are confused, I just wanted to clarify that the term "Miao" used in China encompasses the Hmong and does not mean cat, like the derogatory "Meo" term used in Southeast Asia to label the Hmong in the past.  "Miao" in Chinese is equated with rice seedling, hinting to a possible fact that the Miao were the first people to cultivate rice in the world.  Miaozu, or Miao nationality, are divided into three subbranches (Western, Central, and Eastern) based on dialects and the Hmong outside the China mainland are considered to be in the Far Western group, nonethless still part of the Western Miao branch.  With this said, even though Anayi is about the Central Miao, it is nonetheless a Miao/Hmong movie and that is the reason why I decided to summarize it.  (Note: For those who are curious and don't know, the Eastern Miao are the ones in the poster for "A Candlelight Dream.")

This film was made in 2005 and starred Chouchou (also the director, screenwriter, and co-producer--she graduated from Beijing Art Academy) as the leading protagonist Anayi, Cheng Xiaodong as Ahan, and Wang Xuefeng as Abao.  Chouchou is half Miao, half Dong (an ethnic group who lives near the Miao but in lower elevations near rivers and streams, and who belongs to the same language family as the Thai/Lao), Cheng Xiaodong is Dong, and Wang Xuefeng is Miao.

Song of the Week

This is one of my favorite songs from the Hmong rock band, The Sounders.  It conveys a sort of nostalgic, haunting feeling of unfulfilled love between a couple in the old days.  So while listening to it about two years ago, it became an inspiration for a subplot to my in-progress story, Nkauj Nog.  Keep an eye out for that...

The Sounders – Puas Kho Koj Siab

Verse 1

Qaim lub hli

The moon is full

Es koj puas tseem nco txog

Do you still remember (me)?

Kuv tseem nco koj xwb

I still remember you only

Kuv tseem tshua koj xwb

I am still fond of you only

Tus duab ntxoov ntxoo

The shadow

Uas nyob ntawm kuv ib sab

That stands beside me

Zoo li twb yog koj

It seems as if it is you

Cas ho tsis yog koj

But it is not you

Song of the Week

(I thought this was a really nice Hmong Chinese song, to be exact the singer is Ahmao, but it was a bit of a challenge to understand and translate because the singer has an accent.  I couldn't really make out some of the words she was singing in the chorus in particular, so I tried my best to translate so that it makes some sense.)

Luo Na Yi - Koj Tias Kuv Tsis Hlub

Koj tias, kuv zoo xws rev paj tawg

You said that I am like a blooming flower

Tsuas yog pom kuv luag ntxhi

As long as I smile

Koj tsuas zoo siab

You are happy

Koj tias, koj tsuas hlub kuv ib leeg

You said that you would love only me

Yuav hlub txog hnub uas kawg koj lub neej

Love till the last day of your life

Nkauj Nog Chapter 1

The color of the morning sky did not change much from its night counterpart.  The clouds appeared liked a herd of gigantic dark and angry elephants, readied to destroy anyone and anything in its path.  The wind blew turbulently at times, flaunting its prowess and forcing everything except the sturdiest object to bend before its greatness.  The heavens did not smile with its bright orange flames, but instead, wished to cry any minute.  It seemed as if the heavens was moved by the goodness of someone below, and pitied that person very much.

A woman, slender and graceful, stood patiently by the gate of a manor as if waiting for her husband.  Although there were loud cheers and laughter vibrating from inside the main courtyard, the woman’s face was pale and wet with tears.  She looked past the gate to the far distance, and then back at her abdomen.  She touched it and more tears flowed down her cheeks.  Her husband did not know that she was with child for a few months already.

“Nyab—Sister-in-Law!” a woman called from behind.

“Mab, it’s you,” the woman by the gate turned around and answered.

“Nyab, don’t shed anymore tears.  I too am saddened by what my brother has done to you, but no matter what, what has been done has already been done.  Whether anyone likes it or not, Luj Tuam is bringing his second wife home today.  Let’s just consider that this is your fate so the only thing you can do now is continue to be a good-hearted person who does the right thing.  One day, the sky will brighten and my brother will see your goodness.”

Nkauj Nog Prologue

            Once upon a time, the Miao lived in the fertile valley of the Yellow River.  Although majestic and grand, the river often flooded during the rainy season and swallowed many lives.  For some, the catastrophic circumstance was so intolerable that they were prompted to follow Txiv Yawg—Chiyou, to the northern land where they established the magnificent, technologically-advanced Kuj Cuab Cuaj Lig Ntuj—Juili Kingdom.  It was only after Txiv Yawg was defeated and lost his life at Lima Pass to the Yellow Emperor—Huangdi, that the Juili Miao crossed the river once more and returned south to reunite with their Miao relatives.

The Juili Miao soon discovered that their southern counterparts were scattered everywhere, dwelling a poor and backward lifestyle that lacked structure, leadership, and unity as a people.  They knew that in order to lead a life of comfort and prosperity, the Miao people must be organized into a civilization.  Thus, the Juili Miao became the leaders and applied Txiv Yawg’s innovative and profound principles of governorship, development, and solidarity to change the future of the Miao.  But the Miao homeland was impressive.  To reduce the daunting task of governing such an enormous country where some citizens may not even be aware of the existence of a monarch, the Miao leaders decided that it was wisest to divide the land into three kingdoms to better facilitate the process of ruling a people.  The western kingdom became known as Cuaj Zag—Nine Dragons; the middle kingdom was known as Lig Xia—Blue Li; and the eastern kingdom was termed Ntuj Kag—Clear Heavens.  So for a period of time this notion of governance flourished, and the three kingdoms existed peacefully and harmonically—prospering together.

But civilization and progress often lured attention, jealousy, and lust from neighbors.  Lingering in the northern land was the old nemesis of the Juili Miao—the Suav, descendants of the Yellow Emperor and his people.  Their population was booming but land became scarce.  When they heard of the prolific soil in the south, they gradually embarked on the journey south like large groups of infesting locusts and began to intrude and rob land away from the native inhabitants until they finally approached the northern border of the three kingdoms. 

Leej Nus Ntxim Hlub

              “General Manager, you are my most loyal employee and friend,” the chairman said.  A man of robust and charismatic features, there were light patches of skinfolds around his eyes, his hair had a mixture of gray and white strands, and he appeared overwhelm and tire.  “Tell me honestly, except for Suab Kaj, don’t you find the rest of my daughters very useless?”

                “Chairman, I…” the general manager answered hesitatingly.

                “You don’t need to pity anyone of them,” the chairman brushed his secretary off.  “I am their father.  I know how they are.  The eldest spends all her time shopping and making herself look pretty, the second one cares only about cooking, the third and fourth are flirtatious silly girls who hit on every man they see…old or young, the fifth is a bookworm who spits out nonsense every time she opens her mouth, and the sixth…well…she just doesn’t say or do much.  And who is to blame for all of this?”

                “No one, Chairman.”

                “That’s where you are wrong, General Manager!” the chairman shouted.  “You need not be afraid of being frank to me.  You should say that everything is your fault, Chairman.  You were the one too busy running your business that you’ve neglected your family.  Without their mother, instead of showering them with love, you’ve showered them with money to make up for the times you couldn’t spend with them.  In the end, it was you who turned them into useless creatures who can be of no help to you...again, except for the little one.  Thank the heavens for giving her a little more wit than her sisters.”  He sighed.  “But I won’t live forever to take care of them.  What will their lives become when I perish one day?   So General Manager, ask me how I’m going to fix this mess?”

A Candlelight Dream

 



            The beat of the Miao drum rumbles fiercely like thunder, like the beating heart of a people whose hope for freedom sways with the flickering of a candle’s flame.  Blood splatters everywhere, the cries of injustice echoing throughout the majestic hillsides.  I walk through the scene one last time, untainted by its brutality.  I feel like a mere helpless transparent ghost who can only glance from afar.  No matter how much I scream, no matter how much my heart ache with theirs—I can do nothing now.  The two worlds are drifting apart and I am being pulled back to the life I once knew. 

            I stare at an oil-painting of a young and beautiful Manchu princess sitting next to her husband.  “Isn’t she beautiful?” I ask.  “But she’s not coming back.  That’s the path that she has chosen.  Don’t worry.  Perhaps that’s her fate.  She will be happy there.”  I smile, and my stepmother weeps.

            But deep down in my heart, I know that I will miss her—my half-sister.  In this lifetime, I will never meet her again.  This is my punishment, for neglecting a beloved sister in this world and for turning an innocent young lady into a demon.  But no matter how much hatred is in her heart, perhaps she is the stronger one; the one who is willing to trade a life here for that life there, simply to be able to live with him and be loved for who she is.

            It is me, who is the real coward.  Like I’ve abandoned her here, I have once more decided to abandon him there. 

Every time I close my eyes, I still see him standing there—playing his qeej beautifully and happily beside the luxuriant blue bamboo forest.  The waterwheels cranked melodically and harmonically, pouring clear water into the river that was so clear the pebbles at the bottom appeared liked a well-played chess game.  That’s the image that I want to forever remember of him.    

But I know his ending too well.  Whether I stay with him or not, I cannot change what is predestined to happen.  It is better that I not see his tragic ending.

            Love, however, is something that defies the test of time, the will of heaven, and the laws of the universe.  No matter where we both are, our hearts will always be together.

            I know that in spring when I admire the pink blooming plum buds, he smiles with me; in summer when my hands are touching the cool June rain, his hands are brushing past the dripping heavenly water too; in autumn when the dancing leaves make my heart withers, he too longs for my presence; and in winter when snowflakes flutter gracefully to weave the earth ground into a soft blanket, we will both walk together under the magical winter moonlight.  With every step I take to glide forward, he moves with me.  Although we can no longer see each other, we’ve never parted…

            So they are among us and we are among them.  The two worlds march forward in synchrony and harmony.  We need their world to keep going so that we may be their future.  And we need to keep going so that our descendants may have a future.  And thus the two worlds continue to move apart with every click of time until someday when the right conditions bring the parallel worlds to meet once more...          



Hmong Poetic Short Story

I found this while browsing youtube about a year ago.  At first, it was the daunting background music that caught my attention but as I repeated the video a few times, I began to pay attention to the spoken words and realized that this guy, Liaj Xyum Vaj, has a pretty amazing talent for Hmong speech.  He is able to tell a short story that was compelling while poetic.  It is something that I struggle to achieve, but because I'm more fluent in English than Hmong I am limited in my ability to produce poetic pieces.

Below I've picked the part of Liaj Xyum Vaj's two-parts video that I like.  Initially, I attempted to translate everything into English but found the task very difficult and decided not to do so because there are words and phrases that have no English equivalent.  But I think that to truly appreciate the beauty of the Hmong words, it should be left as is.  I've reproduced the writing in Hmong below (along with his audio for those who cannot read Hmong), and in parenthesis provided rough meanings to the words or phrases that are not common in colloquial Hmong for those of you who read Hmong but whose Hmong comprehension is limited to basic speech.



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Muaj ib tag kis thaum sawv ntxov, lub hnub tawm liab pliv puag tim npoo ntuj (horizon).  Txawm hnov ib lub suab me nyuam mos liab quab peb zag nrog leej niam leej txiv lub suab nqee (happy parentese).  Peb tag kis tom qab ntawv txawm muaj npe thiab loj hlob tuaj yuav ua paj paws (to jump or leap happily) luag ntxhawv ntxhi ncav tes nuag (to extend the arms to hold) tuav tag leej niam leej txiv lub nqaws tsho (shirt buttons), tawb (to flirt) tag txhua leej txhua tus lub siab ntshaw.  Tsis muaj puas tsawg xyoo rov tuaj rau tom qab, yuav txawj ris dej txiav taws.  Tawm rooj plaws (to step beyond the house door) yuav ua me hlab ntxhoo (I'm thinking this is the Hmong sashes worn on the waist) ntxhee yees (wavy)  zoo tam zoj li tsis tau muaj dua nyob rau hauv lub ntiaj teb no, ua rau me leej nus Hmoob lub siab lub ntsws ntxeev (reverse) tag zoo tam zoj li toj rooj hauv pes nphau (to fall).  Me leej nus Hmoob xav zoj los mob siab thiaj li tsa ncauj hu hais tias, “Me leej muam, tus me kab lia tom txij nko (cute dimples) ua nkauj nyob tus me zoo zoo nkauj li koj puas tau muaj hmoob nco?”

Me leej muam thiaj li teb hais tias, “Leej nus Hmoob, kuv ua nkauj nyob tus me kab lia tom txij nkoov (cute dimples) tawm rooj plaws fim (to represent) tag leej niam leej txi txhais nrhoob (leggings worn by Hmong women) los twb tsis tau muaj hmoob.”

Txij li hnub ntawv los me leej nus Hmoob thiaj li maj mam ntoj qab roob pus qab ha (follow the base of mountains and valleys).  Toj roob hauv pes yog qhov chaw nce toj roob hauv hav yog qhov chaws mus, maj mam ntoj ib hnub thawm ib hlis maj mam puv ib hlis thawm ib xyoos (slowly use time).  Me leej nus Hmoob thiaj li khaws tau me leej muam txoj kev hlub coj los puag pw.  Tiam sis leej nus Hmoob lub siab lub ntsws ntshai rwg (to constantly worry) tsam me leej muam txoj kev hlub rais los ua ib txog kev (becomes the factor that influences) rau leej nus Hmoob tus ntsuj plig mus thawj thiab (reincarnation of his spirit).

Vim me leej nus xaiv tau lub neej txom nyem nyob rau tiam no, tawm rooj plaws los ntshai luag thuam rov ntsuj (a fancy Hmong way to say "to return") los txog tsev los ntshai luag hais.  Ua neej nyob tsis phim luag zej luag zos xav kom tuag mus los tseem ntshaw txoj kev hlub.  Me leej nus thiaj li hais rau me leej muam hais tias, “Me leej muam, cas tiam no koj yuav los ntsib ib tug tib neeg nyob li tus puav (bats) khiav li tus ntses es koj puas nrog kuv tu siab thiab os?”

Me leej muam thiaj li teb hais tias, “Me leej nus Hmoob, koj tsis txhob tu siab mog.  Yog muaj ib hnub twg, txoj hmoov tsis muaj es koj mus ua tus ntses ces kuv yuav mus ua tus dej yog koj mus ua tus puav ces kuv yuav mus ua daim nplooj rau koj tau nkaum nag os.”

Txij thaum ntawv los, me leej muam thiab me leej nus thiaj li tau sib ntoj siv thuv (he visits her every day and night for many years) lub niaj thawm lub xyoo lub hnub thawm lub hli.  Ua cas muaj ib hmos, dab ntub los tsis tuaj npau suav los tsis ua kaj ntug rov tuaj tag kis txawm pom luag hu noj nqaij haus cawv.  Me leej nus Hmoob mam li tsa loo muag ntsia uas cas me leej muam sawv kev yeev ntawm luag rooj tshoob, tsoos tsho los hnav txhij khaub ncaws los hnav txhua.  Me leej nus Hmoob, xav zoj los mob siab txhos caug ntua thov lub ntuj thiab daim av los nqaij luag noj tag, tshoob luag ua dua cev nkauj xwb sua yeev rau luag npab (virgin body given to the groom) cev nkauj nyab nyob luag tes.  Me leej nus Hmoob, xav zoj los chim siab nkaus hlo ntaj (snatches his sword) rau ntawm duav ua roj sib yiag (sneakily) mus tos ntua kuv niam leej ntxhais rau lub dawm zeb (an area next to a rocky ridge line).  Me leej nus Hmoob tsa muag zaj saib ua cas pom me leej muam ua me plaub hau ntxhee ntxhias (silky and wavy) plaub muag dauv lawv (long, flowing eye-lashes), lawv tag luag leej tub leej roog qab (following another man).  Me leej nus yoj teg yim taw (wave his hands and feet) los me leej muam ua txoj ua tug tsis pom tsis ntsia.  Ib vuag dhau plaws (an experience that hastily passes) ntawm thaj me chaw tos rov ntsuj los txog tsev zoo yam nkaus li lub ntiaj teb no kub hnyiab tag nrho mus li lawm os me leej muam.

 

 

I made this video a couple of months ago and I think it matches this story pretty well; I just realized that this song is a cover of Unique 3's Hlub Tsis Yooj Yim as well but the lyrics is completely changed...I still like it though :)

 

Song of the Week

Tsim Laj Muas & Mog Mim Yaj - Kev Hlub Yam Dej Ntws Tsis Rov

Guy:

Kuv tau hlub nrog koj ib zaug

I have loved you once

Los yuav tsis tau koj coj los ua kuv tug

But I don’t have the luck of getting you to be mine

Wb txoj kev hlub

Our love

Kuv yuav muab khaws zoo cia

I will keep it well

Cim koj tseg rau nruab siab

You will be imprinted in my heart (the literal translation is “You will be imprinted in my liver" because for the Hmong people, to love comes from the liver and not the heart; heart in Hmong is "plawv" and the word "plawv" sounds harsh to the ear)

Cim koj cia rau ntsiab muag

You will be imprinted in my eyes (more specifically "the cornea")

Song of the Week

While writing The Magnificient Seven, I suddenly felt nostalgic of this old Hmong song by the group Unique 3 because I think the music matches the ambience of The Magnificent Seven very well.  Alongside Unique 3's version, I decided to post Pov Thoj's cover of the song (I believe his lyrics is slightly altered), Npis Yaj and Christal Vaj's cover, and the instrumental.  Enjoy...listen to the music while you read the story...I think it will help put you in the mood...

Unique 3 - Hlub Tsis Yooj Yim

Pov Thoj - Hlub Tsis Yooj Yim 



 

Npis Yaj & Christal Vaj - Hlub Tsis Yooj Yim

Instrumental - Hlub Tsis Yooj Yim



Unique 3 - Hlub Tsis Yooj Yim

Verse 1

Lub Ntuj Tsaus Nti Muaj Ntau Hnub Qub Ci

(Although) there are many stars twinkling in the dark (night) sky

Los Kuv Tsuas Muaj Koj Ib Leeg Xwb

There is only you for me (or I have only you)

Koj Muaj Nuj Nqis Tshaj Plaws

You are the most valuable

Kuv Paub Koj Zoo Tshaj

I know you best

Kuv Zoo Siab Heev Thaum Kuv Los Nyob Ze Koj

I’m happy when I’m near (next to) you

Song of the Week

Thoos Hawj - Looj Ceeb Zos Ywj Pheej

Hmo no cua tuaj nplawm ntws no ntxiag

The wind blows chillingly tonight

Ntsia hnub qub tawm tuaj dawb vog

(I look at) the appearing white stars

Rov nco nco tus neeg tag los

(It makes me) nostalgic of the past someone

Uas tau sib hlub hauv nroog Looj Ceeb

(That I've) loved in the city of Long Cheng

Tus neeg kuv hlub

My love

Xav los txog sib ncaim lawm ntev

When thinking about it, (we’ve) been separated for a long time already

Cherry Blossoms Are Falling

 

Synopsis

An American-Hmong born, Madison Moua is ruthless and opinionated.  She does things her way, and only her way.  Although she shows kindness and respect to those who reciprocate the same behavior, she detests deceitful people the most.  She loathes that older Hmong men like her paternal uncle are disrupting their nuclear familial structure and going to Laos to marry high-school age Hmong girls.  She is furious at the fact that some girls purposely lead the men on as well to extract money from them.  However, the most unacceptable fact to her is that now, the young Hmong Lao lads are engaging in the same activity.  But what would she do when she suddenly finds out that she will be marrying Looj Xyooj, a Hmong man from Laos?  Will she go against her morale and accept the marriage or will she protest against it with all her might?  

Chapter 1     

Looj.  That was his name.  A word borrowed from the Chinese, meaning dragon.  But what kind of a dragon was he?  Only time could tell.  But for the moment, he lived up to the epitome of his name well.  A young man of good spirit and heart, his parents gave him the handsomest of features and height—dimples brightened his face any time he uses those happy muscles.  His wit was unmatched too.  Having been educated at Thammasat University’s doctoral program, he was currently assistant professor at the National University of Laos when his parents conveyed the news to him.

“I'm not going!” he protested.  “I'm not throwing my dignity away like that.”

“Son, but your father and I want you to have a better life,” his mother contended. “One where your opportunities are limitless…where you won’t have to receive your paycheck three four months later…and your father and I can retire from this hotel business with your support.”

“And that opportunity comes with you moving to America,” his father added.

“But...”

“No more,” his mother replied and hushed him.  “Your father’s friend has agreed to marry you to his daughter so that you may easily go and stay in America.”

“But I have Paj Dawb already.”

“Aren't you interested in knowing which daughter will be your future bride?” his father questioned him curiously.

“No I don’t.  I have a girlfriend and a career here already.  I'm not going.”

“Remember little Maiv Dib...the one who came with her parents to visit us many years ago...if I remember correctly, weren’t you very fond of her...she...my son...will be your future wife...” his father remarked and rested a hand on his shoulder.

Her name echoed in his head, and made him nostalgic of the past. She had come with her parents to visit his family when she was about 10.  A girl reared in the comfort of luxury and the ideals of being an expressive American, she was unaccustomed to rural life in Laos.   She cried often during the trip, despising her parents for bringing her along.  But her pure stubbornness and innocence have etched a deep impression on him and after she left, he kept her in a special place locked inside his heart. He had hope that someday when they were both grown, he would receive the prospect of meeting her once more.

“So, what do you think?” his father provoked.  “Have you changed your mind?”

He snapped out of his daydream and looked sternly at his father.  “My answer is still the same.  ‘No!’” he replied firmly.

“Why are you so stubborn?” his mother cried.  “Receiving the chance to go and live in America is a golden opportunity dreamed by many young Hmong men. Why are you so unyielding to the idea?”

“And why shouldn’t I be?” he slashed back.  “Life there may be suitable for them, but not for me.  I like living here and doing what I’m doing.  Besides, I believe in being faithful...not only to Paj Dawb...but filial to you and father, Mother.  Who will take care of the two of you when I’m not here?”

“Don't worry.  I will take care of your father and your father will take care of me.  We're not living in 1975 anymore.  We don't need you to stick with us like glue,” his mother answered.  “What we need is financial freedom, and only you can provide us with that.”  His mother said hopefully.

“But I can do that here too.”

“But we can’t wait, son,” his father answered.  “Actually...there’s something we’ve been hiding from you for a while now.  The truth is that your mother and I…have recently taken out a large loan to buy another piece of land to expand the hotel.  But it turned out that we've been conned and lost all the money.  Now, we're greatly in debt and this hotel business provides just enough for us to get through each day.  If we don’t find the money soon to clear our debt, I’m afraid we’re going to lose everything we’ve invested our life in.”

“How much money did you both take out?”

“About 1 billion kips,” his replied stutteringly.

“1 billion kips!  It’ll take me 5 years to earn that much!”

“Exactly son.  But if you move to America, you might be able to earn that amount in less than a year.  Then, you can help your mother and I out of our dilemma.”

“Why didn't you two discuss this with me before doing anything else?” he asked angrily.

“We were...but you were so busy with your university teaching that we rarely saw you,” his mother answered as if putting the blame on him.  “And then after we've lost everything, what were we going to say to you too, son? That we were conned and are now greatly in debt?”

“Yes...despite how busy I am, at least discussing things with me will allow me to find an alternate route to help the two of you.”

“But we’ve found that alternative already.  And, the quickest solution is for you to move to America, marry Maiv Dib and stay there.  Then you can work and send money home to help your father and I become relieved of our debt.”

Looj sighed frustratingly.  “Is this really the only solution available?”

His father nodded.

“We're sorry, son,” his mother cried.  “Your father and I are truly sorry about this.  It feels as if we are selling our son off to pay for our debt, but we know that you are kindhearted and honest and you won't disappoint us.”

***

Madison Moua.  That was her name.  Although everyone called her “Maddy” for short and those who could not pronounce her name fluently called her “Maiv Dib,” instead.  She had a pretty face, milky skin tone that glowed like her short shoulder-length black-shimmering hair.  The younger of two daughters, she was the one not yet married.  A person of style, her personality matched her outer appearance quite well—proud, independent, and rebellious.  Although she held righteousness in high regards, her opinions though once formulated, become biased and unchanged.  She neither understood nor appreciated her parents’ confinement of her role as a young Hmong woman in America. 

Despite of the fact that she was arranged to marry the stranger from Laos, she bore no intention of being a faithful wife to him.  She detested the idea that more and more young Hmong men from Laos are conducting an act of fraudulent by enticing naïve Hmong American women into marrying them, disrupting the elder women’s marriage life while destroying the future of the young ones, simply so that they may come and live in America.  Once they earned an American citizenship status, the gold-diggers treat their wife worse than an animal.  She knew some of the victims personally; they were parents of the high school students she taught.  She had prayed that she would never be put in the same boat, but it seemed that her prayers were futile.  And now, her parents would not accept any other response from her but to agree to the marriage.  So, she vowed to make her marriage with him a living hell so that he would return quickly to Laos to spread the news that Hmong American women are not to be toyed with.

He would be arriving that evening, and she could not wait to leave the house.  She quickly brushed up, grabbed her handbag and made her way to the door.

“Maddy, where are you going?” her elder sister-in-law asked.  

“To hang out with my friends,” she replied with a smile.

“Didn’t Father tell you to stay home?  Your fiancé will be here soon.”

“I don’t care.  Since dad want him to be his son-in-law so bad, dad can host him instead.  I’m leaving,” Madison said and left.

“Maddy!  Maddy!” her sister-in-law called after but she was gone.

***

She returned home late that night, drunk.  After making her way up to her bedroom, she suddenly felt like vomiting so she quickly made her way to the bathroom.  But, it was locked.  Her urge to vomit heightened and without another second’s thought, she quickly grabbed the key and opened the door.  She clung onto the toilet seat, and let her stomach content emptied out into the toilet bowl.  After feeling better, she sensed that the bathroom was warm and water vapor floated everywhere.  She got up and touched the glass mirror.  It was wet too.  Water had condensed onto it.  Then she turned her ear to the direction of the shower and heard water running, a sound that her ears had tuned out earlier because she was not quite sober. 

“Am I losing my mind?” she thought.  “I thought I turned the shower off before I left?  Or…did a thief climb through my window?”

Scared and panicked, her heart began to race.  She grabbed the toilet plunger firmly in her hands, and took a few steps toward the shower.  She was about to remove the shower curtain when someone else moved it first.  She was arrested as she stared at a man with water steam flying away from him.  He was half-naked except for a towel wrapped around his waist.  Frightened, she shrieked.  She shut her eyes tight and began to hit him with her plunger.  He, nonetheless, ducked successfully and she smashed into the shower walls and curtain instead. 

“Stop!  Stop!” he shouted while trying to halt her action, but the girl continued on.

Since she kept moving, she lost her grip as the wet tile floor caused her to slip.  And while falling down, she accidentally pulled on his towel and it too tumbled to the floor.  She looked up at him, and the two froze while staring at each other.  They both screamed, shaking the entire house like thunder and lightning had just stroke it.

***

                She was forced to sit next to him, but feeling annoyed and angry, she scooted to the side of the couch.  She stared at her parents as they too looked on in disbelief at her physical state.

                “Where did you go all night?” her father asked calmly. 

                “To hang out with my friends,” she answered.

                “So after I demanded that you remain at home, you decided to go out and get drunk?”

                “Why not?  It’s not as if there’s anything important to do at home,” she replied.  “Besides, that’s not the point dad.  The point is who gave him permission to use my bathroom?”

                “I’m sorry,” the young man answered.  “I didn’t know.  But since it’s connected to my room too, I thought it would be okay to use it.”

                “Well, it’s not because that bathroom belongs to me only!” she protested.

                “Maddy…” her father called to halt her.  He then turned to the young man.  “It’s okay, son.  Don’t worry about it.  Your room is connected to that bathroom, and you are equally entitled to use it.”

                “Dad…” she continued with her disagreement.

                “I was hoping that you would stay home so that I can properly introduce you to him, but since you decided to leave, it’s fine that you have to meet him this way…sooner or later…he will be your husband, daughter,” her father remarked with a smile.  “Maddy, this is Looj Xyooj, your husband.” 

                “Oh…so he’s the gold-digger from Laos whose father sold him to be my husband to pay off their family’s debt…no wonder he has no sense of refinement,” she shunned.

                “You!” her father responded.  “If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all.  Go back to your room now.”

                Maddy sneered at Looj.  “Don’t raise your hopes too high,” she remarked.  “You and all those Hmong men from Laos are the same.  I will never ever like a person like you.  And even when you and I are married, don’t dream that I will support you with a single penny!”

                “Go to your room!” her father demanded.

                Irritated and frustrated, she marched away. 

                Looj clutched his right hand into a fist at being humiliated.  Madison’s father could sense Looj’s anger, and sat down next to the young man. 

                He sighed.  “Don’t put too much weight on the silly girl’s words.  She may be too frank and direct sometimes, but I raised her and know that deep down, she’s a good person.  If you can prove her thoughts wrong, you two will live a happy life together.  For now, don’t worry about money.  I will help you out until you land a job here.”

                Looj nodded.

                “Come.  You must be tired from the long trip.  You should go to sleep now.  We have a lot of things to do in the coming days for the wedding.” 

***

                Eight in the morning, and both Looj and Madison came out of their rooms at the same time.  When she saw him, she irritably glared at him before running downstairs first.  He slowly followed behind her. 

“How was your sleep?” her father asked Looj when the lad made his way toward the breakfast table.

“I’m not used to the time difference so had a bit of a trouble sleeping,” he answered.

“You will get used to it,” her father replied.

“Dad, I don’t think so,” Madison interrupted.  “Maybe he was thinking about all the girlfriends he’s missing in Laos and all the new girlfriends he will meet in America, that’s why he had a sleepless night.”

“Are you jealous?” her father questioned.

“Jealous?  What are you talking about, dad?  Jealous of what?”

“Jealous that your soon to be husband will be snatched away from you.”

“That’s preposterous!” she responded immediately.  “Why would someone like me be jealous of a guy that came out from the Stone Age?  On a second thought, I really hope that he gets snatched away.  The sooner the better.  In that way, I can regain my independence.”

Her father looked on unhappily at his daughter’s ill remarks, which made her mother uncomfortable at the tense air.  “Daughter, eat your food.  It’s getting cold,” she rushed Madison.

Madison sneered satisfyingly at Looj, and dipped into her breakfast soup.

“Since you’ve just arrived, you must be wondering how America looks like.  Why don’t we do this?  Maddy can take you on a tour of the town,” her father suggested, causing Madison to choke on her soup.

“Are you okay?” her mother asked.

She nodded and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“In the afternoon, we’ll meet up to discuss the wedding.”

“Dad, why are you doing this to me?” Madison questioned.

“Do what?”

“Have Hmong Lao guy stick with me?  I’m meeting up with my friends today.  I can’t take him on a show and tell trip.”

“Fine, then take him with you and your friends.”

“I can’t do that either.  He’s a country-bumpkin.  He’ll just be an embarrassment.”

“Madison!  For once…can’t you say anything nice about Looj?” her father asked angrily.

“No, Dad!  Not while I am being forced by you to marry.”

Her father sighed.  “You either take him with you or both of you will be staying home today, your choice.”

“Dad!”

“Have I not made myself clear?”

“Daughter…don’t argue anymore.  You know how your father is.  If he’s set his mind on something, it’s final,” her mother tried to calm her down.  “Just give it a try.  I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you think.”

Madison sneered at Looj, who returned a gentle smile.