In November of 1978, our family settled in Edmonton. We rented a house across from McCauley school. My husband worked every day. My children and I looked at the school from our living room window.

My son wanted to go to the school yard to play, but I hesitated to go because it was cold and I did not know anyone. I wondered if they understood me speaking English with my Vietnamese accent.

I was anxious to explore what activities were in this school and ways to volunteer. I really missed the school activities back home in Vietnam.

I got to know people in the Italian community, and bought groceries at the Italian Centre. I learned to cook Italian food and my family enjoyed it for the first couple of months in Edmonton, but I missed my Vietnamese dishes – especially Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup (pho).

Then the weather got warmer. I began to go out and feel more comfortable communicating with the people in McCauley community. They were very friendly, taking time to listen to my English through my Asian accent, giving direction when I asked them. I went to 97 Street for Chinese and Filipino groceries. I cooked Vietnamese food but was not satisfied with the flavour. Back home we shopped every day and used fresh ingredients. There was no fresh basil for pho. We were not used to Italian basil. As a result, I seldom cooked Vietnamese dishes because I could not find the right ingredients for our authentic flavour.

My children and I went to the schoolyard and met other parents. One day, I shared my Vietnamese garlic sausage in Italian bread. They loved the taste and felt the Vietnamese garlic flavour was not much different from the western one. I called it “Vietnamese Fusion Banh Mi Thit” – Vietnamese submarine sandwich – and the first Vietnamese sub shop was born in central Edmonton.

Since my children were in high school, I have taught Southeast Asian Cuisine at Metro College; operated the Pacific Cooking School; and, worked with the Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op where I have met more the 20 ethnic groups in central Edmonton. I have learned their cultures and recognized the large similarities in our lives. I enjoy teaching Southeast Asian Cuisine for people who appreciate the best tastes from China, Vietnam, Thai Lao, and Cambodia without traveling out of the city. And now I like Italian basil for beef dishes, and rosemary for chicken dishes.

McCauley is where I have lived, worked, explored, and have had peace of mind. I feel strong about connecting and helping others. Volunteerism is a great way for me as well as other families to have fun and to feel closer. I commit my time and effort to one or two projects per year, and it has become my family tradition, along with feelings of cohesiveness, safety, and endless fulfillment.