Little Rose Shelter

Tuesday and Friday, I taught a singing class for the girls at the Little Rose Shelter. I was thinking of doing something by the Grateful Dead or the Beatles but the teachers at the shelter felt “If you’re happy and you know it” was more appropriate. To spice up the lesson a little, and because I’m a bit of a hippie, I borrowed Vi’s guitar and learned how to play the song. The teachers wanted me to come at six instead of two, like I usually do, so I got to experience a truly packed bus and I stood out even more than usual. After getting the guitar to the shelter safely, we learned how to sing the song. The girls seemed to like it a lot and even offered to do duets and solos. They taught me a Vietnamese song as well and one girl showed off the other English songs that she knew. Afterwards, I taught the girls who were interested a few chords on the guitar. I felt really happy when I came back the next time and the girl who let me into the gate greeted me by singing, “If you’re happy and you know it.” Another particularly rewarding moment was when I talked to one of the girls after the class. She looked very sad throughout the class and was singing extremely quietly. Afterwards, I went up to her and asked her if she was alright. She said no. I asked her if she was sad or tired and she said no. She was about to do some homework so I talked to her a little bit about her classes in school. Even though we just talked for a few minutes, and even I she looked noticeably happier after our conversation, as I was about to leave, she started singing, “If you’re happy and you know it” quietly at first, then louder and she started to smile.

Thứ ba và thứ năm tôi dạy hát ở Mái Ấm Hoa Hồng Nhỏ. Tôi muốn dạy một bài hát bằng “The Grateful Dead” hoặc “The Beatles” nhưng các cô giáo ở đó nói tôi nên dạy “If you’re happy and you know it.” Tôi mượn guitar của Vị và học chơi bài này. Vì tôi không đi lúc 2g mà 6g, xe buyết đông người và chắc là người thấy tôi hơi lạ với guitar của tôi. Sau đó, tôi và các em ấy học hát bài này. Các em ấy rất thích bài này và hát một mình hoặc với một đưa con nửa. Các em ấy cũng dạy tôi một bài hát bằng tiếng Việt và nghe những bài hát khác mà các em ấy biết. Sau đó, tôi dạy những đưa con chơi guitar. Tôi thấy vui lắm vì khi tôi đi Mái Ấm Hoa Hồng Nhỏ thứ Năm, một đưa con gài mở cửa cho tôi và hát “If you’re happy and you know it.”