Just Smile and Say Hello

by Trang Moreland

Just Smile and Say Hello is an inspirational autobiography from poverty in my homeland, Viet Nam, to successful businesswoman of modern America. You’ll be swept far away to a little hut with a dirt floor where my family and I lived for many years. You will venture into our rice paddy where I would swim in a bomb crater left over from the war while not knowing what it was. You’ll learn in detail how rice is really grown. You can see, smell, and hear as if you were actually there. You’ll learn about my brother and sister’s arranged marriages. You’ll learn about our school system and how difficult it was to be able to get to school on a daily basis. You’ll visit the local village, the market, the city… You will go everywhere with me for my first 21 years. You will meet my mother, and learn of her struggles, and hear stories such as how she could only afford to buy a spoonful of sugar at one time, and how she was able to survive when she never made one paycheck her entire life or received any government assistance. Then, you’ll journey with me to America, a strange place far away that spoke a language I did not know. You will learn how, with very little money, I was able to go to trade school and become a successful business owner, first of a restaurant and then a beauty salon. You will learn so much about the Vietnamese culture, history, and much more… You will have a difficult time putting this book down!

Genres: Memoir

336 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Trang Moreland very interesting when I heard her speak to a church group several years ago. I found the book even more so. Trang gives us an understanding of the post war Vietnam, which I had never thought about before hearing her speak and reading the book. The extreme poverty of the average Vietnamese person who toiled from from the early morning hours to the evening in order to grow rice, was something I never thought about. Trang's mother did the best that she could for her family, left without her husband who was killed when Trang was a child. The hurtles that Trang has overcome are amazing. She knew what she wanted and she worked hard to achieve more than most Americans do in their lifetimes. Her continued dedication to the children of Vietnam and her family is inspiring to all. Three cheers for Trang!

[Beth Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This was a very interesting book about a local woman. Had a hard time putting it down. An awesome read about her life. Her childhood made me realize how good we actually have it here.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Trang has lived an amazing life. I loved reading how she came to America but still helps her family & community in Vietnam.
I would love to visit her salon one day to get my hair done, and talk more to her.

[Elizabeth Cope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Trang at a.book sale and signing in Ohio. I stopped to talk to her and was so impressed with her beautiful smile and friendliness and story about her family and childhood living in Vietnam after the war. This lady (and all the poor families) had experienced a very tough an heart wrenching life. She kept a positive attitude through out. The health care was so awful, Her mother needed urgent surgery, it had to be paid for before she could have it - she had to have it without anesthesia. Trang was such a young girl and had to watch her mother bleed and clean up all the blood. Family or friends had to do it. Americans are so fortunate for our health care system. Trang’s experience in Vietnam made her grateful and gave her the strengths to be a successful business woman with a wonderful personality and attitude. I couldn’t put this book down. I love it,

Betty

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

just read it…

Trang is one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. From her most humble existence in Vietnam to extremely successful business woman in Ohio. She truly embodies the phrase “There are no limits except the limits you put on yourself “. Please, do yourself a favor and read this book.

[Beachbum7805 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning about how different life is in another country. Notebooks, something we take for granted means so much to others. I can’t wait to discuss this book at our upcoming book club.

[Meghan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspirational story. Definitely a must read. You won't want to put this book down once you start reading.

[Dawn Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and learned about the author’s life in South Viet Nam. It did leave me feeling very blessed to live in America.

[Betty Dague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring, very hard to put down. Enjoyed learning about vietnam.

[malaika dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

she lived in my town! i’ve been to her hair shop before. such a lovely lady. loved this book!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I met the author. I wish I could talk to her again now that I have finished her book.

[Erin Longheier-snider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently heard Trang speak at the library, about her new cookbook, and so I picked up her first book to learn more of her story. She is an inspiration to us all. This was such an incredible story.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Vietnam from this memoir, enjoyed the author’s voice, and thought the message was full of wisdom.