Akon
Ama
The three generations in my family that I focused on were my grandparents, my mother, and I. My grandmother is Mrs. Ukian Ku, and my grandfather is Mr. Heng Jeu Kuet. In the Chinese language and culture, we call them Ama and Akon, which means grandmother and grandfather. Ama was born in a small town in China called Tuntjai. Akon was also born in China, but in a different small town. At the age of 18, Ama had an arranged marriage with my Akon. Although their marriage was arranged, the funny thing is that my grandparents truly did love each other. She moved with my Akon and was very mistreated by his parents. After being married for two years, Akon decided he needed to go out and look for a better life for the both of them. It was his duty as a man and loving husband to take care of his wife.
While Ama stayed with his family back in China, Akon left to Thailand. He worked with different businesses in order to expand his knowledge in the real world. By moving to an unfamiliar place alone, Akon learned more about him, and also became more courageous and responsible. He was able to send money and support Ama and his family even though he wasn’t physically with them. He came back to China for a little while and returned to Thailand. He soon found out that Ama was pregnant with their first child; so she moved to Thailand with him. Akon worked harder and harder to support his new family. The song that I chose for my grandfather is “Ther poo mai pai” by Thong chai Mcintyre. The first line of the song says “In life, everyone must experience hot and cold”, this was a point in his life where he struggled yet was also rewarding.
After years of working, he was able to bring himself up to the top of the business industry in Thailand. He became a successful businessman by opening an import store of gourmet food. He then opened more businesses. Through a great reputation and name, he became the vice president of the Thailand Bank. He expanded the first bank through his intelligence and connections. Akon became a very well respected and powerful man. With his respected position in society and a beautiful heart, he helped many of the Chinese people living in Thailand also succeed. “Do look at the people who are alone with loneliness” is another line of the song; this is exactly what Akon did.
Through all his hard work, he was able to send all nine of his children to best private schools in Thailand. They became one of the first families in their town to own a television and telephone. He was a wonderful provider to his family. Although he was happy with what he became, with his family, and happy with helping others; unfortunately, he wasn’t able to really enjoy his life. He never had time for himself because he was always working, taking care of his family, or helping people. Akon suffered from high blood pressure and kidney failure, and passed away in 1980. Towards the end of the song, Mr. Mcintyre sings, “On the path of life where we walk, there will be reflections”, and Akon left more than just reflections.
Ther poo mai pae (album Tor Thong)
-Nai chee wit korng kon took kon, torng dern paan rorn lae nahw
-In life, everyone must experience hot and cold
Lae pob rueng raw bang yahng ti fung jai
-and meet with some life experiences that deeply affect us
Took krang ti ther puad raaw, mod sin gum lung ja gaw dern pai
-Every time that you are hurt and loose the courage to go on
Wan way la ti san mued mon, gor kong ja dern paan pai cha cha
-This dark moment will pass so slowly
jon ter eng leum neuk pai wah
-that you forget to realize
dai dern mah glai tow rai
-how far you have walked
jon tur eng maung karm bahng yahng
-that you overlook certain things
nun keu plung grang glah nai jai
-such as the powerful strength in your heart
tee young fung yoo nai jit jai, leuk leuk mah naan
-which has been buried deep inside you for a long time
lae nai wun nee tue nun jong yut yeun
-and today may you be strong
lae look keun eek krung
-and stand up once again
dui plung nai hua jai
-with the power in your heart
yah pai yaum pae , hai gub pun hah dai dai
-Don't let any problem defeat you
jong prom ja ot ton
-Be ready and try to…
gow pao soo hon taang tee fun fai dui tua eng
-step toward your dreams on your own
bon ta non tee kon goe dern, ja pen dung parb sa taun
-On the path of life where we walk, there will be reflections
hai hen la korn tee taang chee wit pai
-of many different life plays
took krung tee tur mot wung, mot sin gum lung tau tae nai jai
-Whenever you feel hopeless, powerless and discouraged
tur jong maung doo parb poo kon, tee yoo diow dai dui kwarm aang wahng
-Do look at the people who are alone with loneliness
piang tur maung pai nauk nah taang
-Just look out the window
ja jur kwarm jing mark mai
-and you'll see many life realities
kon ja tum hai pob kum taub
-which may help you find the answers
wah bon taang dern tee san yow glai
-that on this long stretch of life
took chee wit taung dern auk pai , pur soo kwarm jing
-everyone must walk forward to face reality
refrain...
hai tur dai roo nee lae jai kaung kon
-you will realize this is the human's heart
tee tae young ying yai
-which is really great
trarb dai kwam wung young mai jarng hai pai
-as long as there is hope
mur nun jai ja mai pae
-our heart will never surrender
lae nai wun nee.....
-And today…….
gow pai soo sang taung kaung wun mai dui tua eng
-Step toward the daylight of a new day by yourself.
Introduction
My Grandparents
My Mom
Me