“When I began writing this memoir three years ago, it felt like a full-circle moment.”
“After years of freelancing for local magazines, this project seemed like the perfect opportunity to take on something bigger. I wanted to challenge myself, to grow as a writer and move beyond the confines of short articles.”
“Writing a book, though, is no easy feat. It demands countless hours of rewriting, reshaping, and sometimes discarding entire sections, only to start over again. There were times when I had to step away from it completely…..”
“…but this year, I committed to seeing it through. The importance of honoring my heritage and telling our story kept me grounded throughout the process. It’s a story that needs to be shared, to spark meaningful conversation and help us reconnect.”
“Growing up in a Colorado suburb, navigating my identity was one of the hardest parts of childhood. The first part of my book focuses on my parents, their story, and their journey to this country. The second part is dedicated to my
own experiences,
with a chapter titled ‘Lao-American.’”
“I realized early on that I didn’t quite fit into the Lao community any more than I did the American one.”
“I developed a strange habit of adjusting how I spoke and presented myself depending on who I was around. That constant shifting left me feeling disconnected and inauthentic to who I really was.”
“A few years ago, I attended a Buddhist 101 class at my local Lao Temple. At first, it felt awkward since most of the class was made up of kids. But I wanted to understand what I hadn’t as a child.”
“ Growing up, my parents often had us participate in ceremonies and prayers that I never fully grasped.”
“After completing the course, I gained a deeper understanding of Theravada Buddhism and the origin story of the Buddha. It gave me a profound respect for our culture and traditions.”
“Our family has always been active in the temple, and my secret hope is that this memoir encourages even more engagement within our community, that it reaches beyond the temple walls.”
“When people ask where Laos is, I’m always happy to share. I’m proud of our food, our culture, and everything that makes us who we are.”
“I wasn’t always this proud. As a kid, I was embarrassed to talk about a country no one seemed to know.”
“I’ve learned that the pride you feel in your identity plays a big role in whether you’re willing to share it. To do so without shame is powerful.”
“For me, that pride
didn’t come until
much later in life,
through
experiences,
self-reflection,
and growth.”
“One of the teachings I value most in Theravada Buddhism is the idea that nothing is permanent. Our tendency to cling to things is often what causes suffering. This lesson resonated deeply with me because so much of our pain comes from resisting change.”
“Whether it’s unexpected shifts in jobs, relationships, or even within ourselves, change is inevitable and often uncomfortable. But when we embrace impermanence, we gain a more hopeful perspective on life and a clearer path toward peace.”
“What matters most to me now is the legacy I leave for my daughter and for her children and theirs. Preserving our traditions is crucial because without them, we risk losing the essence of who we are.”
“If we stop speaking our language, our children won’t be able to pass it on. If we stop cooking our traditional dishes, the recipes will fade away. Culture disappears quietly unless we fight to keep it alive.”
“ That’s why I make it a point to cook with my mom and include my daughter in the process. She also danced for the Lao Temple for nearly a decade, a tradition our family takes great pride in.”
“I try to live now with less shame than I once carried. Still, committing to publish this book was terrifying. It’s one thing to write a story; it’s another to be both
the creator and
the subject of it.”
“There were moments I had to remind myself why it mattered. Whether I sold one copy or a hundred didn’t matter. At a time when stories like mine by Lao authors are rare, this felt like the right moment.”
“Ultimately, I found peace in knowing I stayed true to my purpose. That’s what mattered most.”
“I hope to carry that same bravery into the rest of my life because without it, I know I’ll hold myself back from what I’m meant to do.”
“I am most proud of our strength, our ability to wake up each day with relentless purpose and build a better life. I saw it in my parents every day as a child, no matter how hard things got. I inherited their work ethic, and it makes me proud to be the child of immigrants.”
“Our nation was built by immigrants from all over the world, and they deserve to be honored and seen. My hope for this book is that it gives others, especially those born of immigrants, a perspective they can relate to and helps them see their parents through a different lens.”
“I love how Lao culture celebrates every milestone, from the birth of a baby to a graduation. These moments remind us how beautiful life is, surrounding us with love and support at every turn. I’ve seen friends from other cultures overlook such moments, but I can’t help but celebrate them. It’s how I was raised.”
“I want others to experience that joy too, to see how we honor every occasion, no matter how small. Because life is beautiful, and it should always be celebrated.”
Grab Amber’s Book!
