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The beginning...

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 01:47 | Deleted user
Where do I begin? Where do I start? Studying the principles of writing screenplays for the past few years has taught me a thing or two about life, and my life. About people, their quirks, idiosyncrasies, and their life. And about myself. Oh yeah, and I learned how to write screenplays that aren't half bad too (or I'd like to believe). 
It doesn't take years of study to understand that great screenplays make great movies.


Step 1 To writing a good screenplay: Choose the right beginning. 

And that's how I'd like to start my blog. . From the beginning.... 
....before I left home for California....before I returned home from war....further back before I grew up in Philadelphia....before my time with the Marines...even further before I was an infant at a refugee camp....further back still before the ocean voyage to Hong Kong. 

Yes....there. 

In that weird looking building with all the weird wires sticking out of it. With motorcycles blasting by, horns blazing below. Yep. 

There. In the dusty city once known as Saigon, now referred to as Ho Chi Minh city. 

I arrive. 

I arrive like most babies do in this world. But I promptly began my unofficial S.E.R.E.'s training (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) which I almost didn't survive at around age 6 months. Carried by my mom and accompanied by my family, we left Vietnam on a ship to Hong Kong. We Escaped the corrupt Vietnamese government. We Resisted a life of poverty and oppression. We Evaded being caught by communist ships and being thrown into jail or executed. 

With literally nothing more than the clothes that they were wearing, everyone on the ship starved for weeks. 
I hear that I was lucky to have made it, and unlike what I imagined in my head, it had nothing to do with my bad ass persona. In actuality, it was more like me screaming and crying at the top of my lungs for food, and when I didn't get any...(because there wasn't any)....I got really tired from all the screaming and crying that I did for weeks, and I lay very quietly. With most people on ship rumoring that I wasn't going to make it...some thought it would be best to at least to have me thrown overboard to end the suffering. 
My family didn't give up hope, and because of that, people were later allowed off the ship to search for anything they can find to eat...and I was able to SURVIVE by feasting off bottom feeders that my mom fed me by hand. None of which I remember...but more on this later.

 
When I said that I'd like to start at the beginning...as you can see, yes I really meant the beginning.


I'll start here, because if you've read this far, I bet it's safe to say that you're either really bored, or you're trying to get to know me.

For all those that fall into the category of the latter, I feel it's true that you need to know where you've been, in order to know where you're going. 

Likewise, to know who I am, I invite you to read about my life, and see where I've been. 

Maybe after you can help me figure out where I'm headed.

Turn the page.


A 

Comments

  • Tuesday, April 20, 2010 04:56 | Albert Renteria (Administrator)
    Anh,

    Welcome aboard and thank you for sharing your beginning. Life requires boredom so that excitement is enjoyed. It is the boredom in one's life that makes us more adventorous.

    Too often I found myself bored waiting to emabark or disembark a ship; however, it is during that time I contemplated many things.

    Your choice of words are excellent and certain to draw in both types to challenge them to join you in one of your many journeys. This journey is one I plan to be part of and join you.

    Your knowledge is what I am inspired by and I thank you for allowing me into your world so I can learn from you and gain an advantage to best learn how to serve others. Semper Fi, Marine and do know I am always here for you 24/7!
    Link  •  Reply
    • Thursday, May 20, 2010 12:02 | Deleted user
      Thanks so much Albert. It was great to finally meet you. I've got many questions for you.

      A
      Link  •  Reply
  • Wednesday, April 21, 2010 08:08 | Anthony Swetala
    Wow Anh,
    I guess I can say, that I too am trying to find out where I am suppose to go. I am anxious to know more of your story to see if I can relate somehow to you. That way we can work together of our journy. Thank you for sharing Anh.
    Link  •  Reply
  • Thursday, April 22, 2010 10:59 | Deleted user
    Anh, welcome to this journey may you find the direction you are seeking. I really believe, this program is designed for just that, and it has already helped me tremendously. I look forward to reading your story!
    Link  •  Reply
    • Saturday, April 24, 2010 18:16 | Deleted user
      Hi Sherry,

      Thank you for your kind words. How has it helped you? I'm new to all of this so any wisdom you I'd like to hear. Let me know.
      Link  •  Reply
      • Monday, April 26, 2010 07:33 | Deleted user
        I found SWVBRC when I was brand new to this area, and looking to start a new life, one thing I have always done was volunteer work especially Standowns and anything related to Veterans. I just thought I would show up a few Saturdays and do what I had always done. But I realized during the orientation that I wasn't going to be filling and boxes or serving at Standowns, but that by becoming a Learner I was being reminded of who I am and harvesting my knowledge in the hopes that not only would I be helping myself, but other Veterans to reintegrate into a society, that just isn't always quite ready for us.

        Now I am not a combat Veteran, however, my experiences though are similar, because I was part of the first group women allowed to serve in combat MOS classifications, and we paved the roads that allow women to serve successfully in combat today. My daughter is a Marine, who has now served 3 tours in Iraq and she wouldn't be there but for what women like myself did 25 years ago.

        Only now, are agencies recognizing the word reintegration and the gap that exists between military life and civilian. And the plan that Albert has developed is brilliant, it will be a guide to your own reintegration as well as your ability to help the next prior-service vet you meet and pay it forward, if you follow the steps and stick with it.

        Please go read my blog and comment, it will show you who I am and where I am at, and know that I am here for you anytime you need me. Read Al's blog too, he's condensed a 10 year journey into a few pages, but the more you ask him the more he will share all the details.

        No one can do the work for you, It's not designed like every other "help a Vet" program out there, but I promise you will get out of it 10 times more than you put into it, and you will remember who you were that day you were either dripping with sweat, or freezing your buns off, standing at attention on a parade field somewhere, graduating boot camp with all your fears, dreams, and ambitions ready to face whatever came next.
        Link  •  Reply
  • Saturday, April 24, 2010 14:01 | Eleanor Tobias
    Anh, your life story is fascinating, like a movie!! And, your writing is such that I can't understand why you are not a screenwriter now!! You definitely have talent and I can see great things in your future. You are obviously not the type to give up, so, in my opinion, it's only a matter of time. Having all of SWVBRC behind you is another positive that will benefit you greatly.

    Anh, I also thank you, from my heart, for your service and am anxious to read more of your story.
    Bless you, Fran Tobias, Vancouver, Wa. Veterans Center.
    Link  •  Reply
    • Saturday, April 24, 2010 18:09 | Deleted user
      Eleanor,

      Thank you for your support and for taking some time to know me. Writing is always tough for me but I do my best to keep at it.

      Anh
      Link  •  Reply
  • Monday, May 03, 2010 07:44 | Chip Dykes
    Anh,

    Great post! It was my pleasure to meet you and the gang at the NAB show. I hope it was productive for you. Keep on blogging and remember you are our best recruiter! Lets build this organization together and ensure our brothers and sister in arms never face the challenge of homelessness!

    Semper Fi!
    Link  •  Reply
  • Monday, May 03, 2010 15:48 | Deleted user
    Anh, I an facinated by your first blog and can hardly wait to turn the page and read the next chapter. I thought to myself you should perhaps consider writing a screen play about your own life. It would likely be a much better and more interesting movie than what is currently being produced in the film industry. And what a great way to bring attention to the country about our Veterans. All that you and your family endured to come to America, topped off with you serving this country with honor. I am very proud of you and welcome you to this program. If I can be of any assistance to you, please let me know. I have the greatest admiration for our Veterans.
    Semper Fi.
    Link  •  Reply
  • Saturday, January 29, 2011 06:25 | Jeffrey Backus
    Anh, Welcome to the VBRC's, I look forward to reading more of your story. Thank you for your service to our Country.
    Link  •  Reply

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