Last Sunday I interviewed my aunt at home. I asked her the questions that I posted on my blog. She said that was a new experience to her because she had never been interviewed before and it was also a new experience to me because it was the first time that I interviewed my relative. Here are the conversations between us:
Br: Good afternoon, aunt. Thanks for your time.
Au: Good afternoon, my dear. ====================================================================
Br: The first question is “What was the reason that grandma wanted to have five children during the hard-living time?”
Au: In the past, old people always thought “More children you have, more luck you get. (多子多孫多福氣)” So they always had lots of children even when the time was very hard-living . ======================================================================
Br: Why did you have to work after you graduated from elementary school?
Au: Because my family didn’t have enough money to let me to continue my study, especially for a girl. And grandpa always lost lots of money in gambling.
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Br: What kind of job did you get at that time and how much you got after a hard-working month?
Au: I was in the employment of some rich people to clean their house, take care of their children and didn’t go home during the time. One hundred and fifty dollars was the money I got after a hard-working month.
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Br: Was it true that grandpa always hurt grandma and all of you after he was drunk? And how did you feel about it or avoid it?
Au: Yes, it was a really terrible memory. I felt afraid and didn’t have any chances to avoid it.
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Br: What was your most unforgettable memory in your childhood?
Au: My most unforgettable memory must be the trip that your grandpa brought me to his mining shaft when I was little. We wore the helmet and took a mine car along the track. The wind blew from the cave was cool, the speed of the mine car was really fast and the trip was really exciting. Mish you have a chance to experience!!! ======================================================================
Br: What did you eat every day during that hard-living time? And what kind of special food could you only eat in some special holidays or vacation?
Au: I ate a little sweet photo congee, some pieces of the vegetables and the some peels of the radish.
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Br: If you are able to change one thing in your childhood, what will you change?
Au: I might continue my study after I graduated from the elementary school, not just worked and worked!=====================================================================
Br: After I interviewed you, I thought your childhood was really hard-working and I am so lucky. I must cherish every moment that I have now!
Au: You are right! Don’t waste any moment you have now!======================================================================
Br: Thanks for your time, aunt.
Au: You’re welcome. You let me to think back of my childhood!
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Brandon,
As far as I see, you put a lot of efforts to finish the task. I enjoy reading your story very much, especially the part that your grandpa took your aunt to the mine shaft he worked. Twenty-five years ago, my father took me to a metal factory where he worked when he was teenager Aged 50 then, my father showed me around at the factory with excitement, like a young boy again. As if he had owned the assets, he proudly presented me the huge main construction, which commands a very good view by the sea. My father is a man who doesn’t like to talk much. Nevertheless, he had such wonderful memories in the factory that he told me many stories that day. Now the factory is deserted but whenever I go by there (only once in a while), the trip I shared with my father comes back to me. It was one of the few moments when I felt so close to my dear dad.