Sunday, June 21, 2009

A Book "Poem of San Mateo" - 2

The author call herself to be "New First Generation Japanese American". The subtitle of the book is also "Life Diary of New First Generation Japanese American". This is because her father was First Generation Immigrant. Fujie (the author) family returned back to Japan mostly due to World War II, but Fujie hoped to come back to US kept her hope and dream and realized them.

In her preface, Fujie-san explained that she wanted to write about her father. In planning to write about her father, she decided to write about herself as well. It was interesting to learn her father wanted to come to US so badly that he became a crew of a cargo ship and escaped from his ship to enter into US. It is almost like reading mystery story like "Master of the Game".

Japanese Garden, San Mateo Central Park
In comparison, the author, Fujie-san's story is relatively ordinary. She used her family member contact to legally enter into US. Her older sister were born in US, gained citizenship, and stayed in US even during World War II. Quite honestly, I attracted to the author side of the story than her father's story. I have several reasons. 1) Her story is similar to mine, so that I could feel close to her hope, dream, and experience. 2) I admire her strong will and persistent effort to realize her dream to come to US.

As previously posted, even my experience tells myself that it is not that easy to get Green Card and settle in the US even now. I felt large sympathy for the author who realized her dream to become an American 30 years ago when people were not totally forgot the bad experience in Japan and US relationship.

Related posts:
http://zheninternational.blogspot.com/2009/06/book-poem-of-san-mateo-1.html

Check my websites to find out what I am doing:
http://vur.me/shawfunami/main
http://vur.me/shawfunami/SF
http://vur.me/shawfunami/zi


Feel free to contact me:
shaw@zhenintl.ws
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link

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10 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shaw .. thanks about Fujie and it'll be interesting to hear your parallel stories ..

All the best Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters

Giovanna Garcia said...

Hi Shaw

Thanks for telling me about Fujie.30 years ago America was a different place, the way of life was not as open to the outsider.

I can't wait to learn about about that time.
Thank you for sharing.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

Marketing Unscrambled, Home edition said...

Shaw, thank you for telling about this story. Fujie sounds like a very interesting person. We are waiting to hear more.
Dan and Deanna "Marketing Unscrambled"

Marketing Unscrambled, Home edition said...

Shaw, it was difficult times for those from Japan during and after the war.It is interesting to see her side of things from that time. Thank you for sharing.
Dan and Deanna "Marketing Unscrambled"

Unknown said...

Dear Hilary,

Thank you for your comment. It is interesting that there are always people who are interested in some specific countries. Reincurnation?

Thank you for your comment.
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link

Unknown said...

Dear Giovanna,

Thank you for your comment. Yes, I can not imagine how was immigration like 30 years ago. But I see some similarities. You may see it as well.

Thanks again
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link

Unknown said...

Dan & Deanna,

Thank you for your comment. As I see Fujie's experience, I feel her strong dream and strong will to make it happen.

It still influence us all.

Thanks, again
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link

Unknown said...

Dan & Deanna,

It is exactly my intention to show Japanese side of the story for both American and Japanese people. There are some interesting fact later. Please stay tuned.

Thank you for your comment.
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link

Believe Achieve - Hugo and Roxanne said...

Hello Shaw,

This book sounds so interesting! Are you going to be able to put it down? :-)

Btw, another gorgeous picture of the Japanese Garden. Will definitely need to remember to visit there the next time we visit the Bay.

Many Blessings....
Roxanne ~ Believe Achieve

Unknown said...

Hi Roxanne,

Actually, I stayed up all night and finished the book. This was a book from San Mateo Library, but I am now thinking about buying it. LOL.

Please let me know when you are in the Bay Area.

Thank you for your comment!
Shaw Funami
Fill the Missing Link