Dear reader,

My name is Crystal Tirawan. My father immigrated to Beaumont from Bangkok, Thailand to get his Master’s in Engineering at Lamar University. Unfortunately, he ran out of money and dropped out of college. He got a part-time job at a laundromat called “Washateria,” and met my mother. They got married, had two kids, my sister Elizabeth and me, and then my parents divorced. To support us, he continued to work at the Washeteria. Eventually when the owner moved away, my father took over the business. From the moment I could remember, he has never stopped working.

Immigrants often come to America to give their children a better life. I feel so blessed to live here and prosper, but none of it would be possible without the hard work of my father. In my impending future, I do not see myself coming back to Beaumont except to visit, and I want to honor my father and his business with this book before it’s too late.

I hope you can reflect upon my family's life and be thankful to live in such an amazing country. I am thankful that was able to go to university and have a chance to follow my dreams. My father said that he is thankful especially because he had two daughters in America. Thailand, my father explained, is corrupt and even more unfair and strict towards women. To get anywhere as a woman, they would have to do something in return if you catch my drift, and it’s not just Thailand that’s like that. Don’t take America for granted, people.

Yours Truly,
Crystal Tirawan