by Pearl Fu, Roanoke’s Muticultural Ambassador
Every day when you open the pages of the newspaper or magazine, turn on the radio or the TV, it never fails that the headlines blasting back at you are about: international terrorists, assassinations, bombings, murders, natural disasters, kidnapping, depressing reports on terminal illnesses, etc. This is not only the symptoms of my Parkinson’s disease. It really makes us become numb, expressionless and depressed – tendency to dig a hole, and withdraw.
My personality as a “Fearless Dragon” prompts me to want to seek new methods to overcome this negative and terrifying era. To make positive changes for a happier and constructive future. I remembered I had a very happy, meaningful childhood. Guided carefully by my parents’ wisdom. They were outstanding role models.
Looking back, I was a very quiet and obedient child. I did everything I was told, and with a big smile on my face. My parents taught me the importance of being big-hearted and open-minded which led to a very sincere, care-free and meaningful existence. They also ignited my advocacy spirit to reach out and help the many underprivileged and discriminated mixed blood children fathered by British soldiers stationed in Hong Kong. We welcomed them to our home, and lent a helping when needed. At a very young age, I came to understand that it was very rewarding to give rather than receive.
One of the ways to help us relieve stress is to have fond reminisces of happy, past memories. Another way is to incorporate laughter and humor into our lives! As I have yet to reveal my real age to you, so I can wink and say to you that not so very long ago when I came to America, it was to major in music/performing arts with the ambition to become a Broadway star. Please allow me to share with you some of my silly mishaps during my care-free younger years. Hope to get a giggle and a big smile out of you so as to help you reduce stress as well as bring out your own remembrances of happy days.
At the Christmas Concert Gala, I was so thrilled to be chosen as one of the soloist to sing for the seventh day in the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song. I practiced so hard since people were coming from all over for this extravaganza. I thought I had it down perfect. I was continuously singing it every single chance I had. Finally the big moment arrived. Everyone was alert except for yours truly. I drew a complete blank: “on the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me” what? There was complete silence in the huge concert hall. The orchestra kept repeating the music. But no response from me. Finally they had to proceed to the eighth day of Christmas. I blew my big chance! Since then I will never forget that “on the seventh day of Christmas, my truly love gave to me… SEVEN SWANS-A-SWIMMING! And when I sing it, I sing it loud and proud.
My dream partly came true during my first summer in America, when I was hired to perform at a fancy resort in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Then word got back to my strict parents who shunned on showbiz. My mother sent a SOS telegram: “Stop Singing in Cafe Immediately.” They envisioned me to be learning opera and classical music, and not romantic blues songs like “My Funny Valentine” or “September Song” or “Autumn Leaves.” Yet I stood my ground for the first time in my obedient life. I continued performing, but asked to be introduced not by my real name, but as “Pearl of the Orient,” and it worked!
Since that time I luckily have had many opportunities to be on stage, in plays, commercials, television, movies, etc. One production film that I acted in was about the problems at a hospital in Radford. The director appointed me a multitude of roles: doctor’s assistant, nurse supervisor, lab technician, dietitian, visiting mother, etc. Which prompted me to wonder if the audience thinks that all Asians look alike! I was in seventh heaven like seven swans-a-swimming!
Another similar situation was when I acted in the popular movie “What About Bob?” which was filmed in the Smith Mountain Lake region. I was filmed playing various roles: the wives of many Asian tourists, tour guide, bus ticket saleslady, etc. I wore different outfits and hairdos. I even jested: “Why bother changing? We Asians all look alike anyway.” Yet most of my acting parts landed on the cutting room floor. You can only see me clearly in one scene when Bill Murray baby walks to the elevator. I stared at him very seriously. Now that was very important method acting. DO NOT BLINK!
Well there you have it! Hope these mishaps brought some laughter to your day, and relieved you from being overwhelmed and stressed-out. Enjoy your friendship with caring, compassionate friends, and think of the best in people! That brought a big SMILE to my face, which is of course, the universal language after all! And don’t forget… SEVEN SWANS-A-SWIMMING!
