By Lexy Perez

 

Many of us have our own aspirations, but sometimes life can decide to have its own plan for us. Rather than fight the trials and tribulations, it can be common to give into the “fate” that we are left to deal with.

 

Loc-Ha Le is a student who once substituted her journey in fulfilling her ambition to becoming a devoted mother. While she spent years dedicated to her family, she has grown to become the epitome of someone who decided to take power over their life with no regrets. Rather than manipulate her mind into believing it was too late to make her dreams come true, Le felt there was no better time to live out the dreams she always envisioned.

 

At eight years old, Le was introduced to the art of playing piano. Learning for years through private lessons, it was conspicuous that she had a gift. She was not only talented, but had a genuine love and passion for music.

 

“I think it is intelligent art and you have to deal with all your hand fingers and be able to coordinate,” Le said. “The more you master, the more that you become in a lot of ways smarter.”

 

When life stepped in and brought changes that needed more attention, Le stopped playing piano and stopped teaching her art privately to eager students but never stopped having a love for it.

 

“I love art. I love piano. I love music. Growing up, with so many ups and downs in my life, I realized music is a soul language,” said Le.

 

Years later, she decided to attend Palomar Community College as a means of beginning to live a life for herself.

 

“If I can talk for a woman, even if you stay at home with your kid, try to go back to school or do something that, even if you earn money or don’t earn money, keep your brain moving,” Le said. “Your child can’t stay with your forever. Your children will go to school and have their own life and by that time all your knowledge you earned will be gone.”

 

After attending Palomar for eight years while juggling studying and being a committed mother, she transferred to Cal State San Marcos, continuing to pursue music.

 

Now after 10 years, Le is about to graduate and has been given the honor to have a Capstone solo piano performance at the end of the semester.

 

“When I knew I was going to perform, I was nervous but more and more now I feel less nervous. All my years planned for this moment. I did try my best and if I make a mistake, it’s because I’m a human being,” she said.

 

The only thing in Le’s mind is the fact that even at her age now, she has been able to prove to everyone and even herself that she succeeded simply from hard work.

 

“I just feel a satisfaction. Whatever dream you build, if you just pursue it and keep continuing with it, you will get it.  When you work hard, get the goal, anything can happen,” she said.

 

Exciting to live this rewarding moment in her life, Le said that women overall have all the capability of making a difference in this world.

 

“The whole world we have today is thanks to women. Who would take care of the baby, be patient enough to teach the children, care for patients, etc. I’m proud I’m a woman,” proudly said Le.

 

Le said in the authority of a woman, their strongest ability is to hide and be modest despite their influential roles.

 

“Women work hard, but they are in silence. They are very quiet,” she said. “They accept that inferior for their family. I think that is the essence of a women.”

 

After graduating, Le plans on earning her masters and continually committing herself to teaching more to apply music in the teachings of life.

 

“I do believe in art and these days, people say that it’s hard to make a living in art and if you pursue it, you will become poor,” she said. “If you think it’s really your passion, then follow your heart.”

 

Le lives by the idea that anything is possible if you just believe in your passion.

 

“When you work hard, get a goal, anything can happen, so from now on you have to believe in yourself. If you get a goal and you know it’s difficult, plan far ahead and gradually you will get there,” she said.

Loc-Ha Le will be performing from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7 in Arts 111 Performance Hall.