Having lived in Oakland's Chinatown all her life, the author is proud to say that she loves her language--Cantonese. She is grateful that she can speak such a language, that she can use this skill to converse with her elders or peers, and that she is able to connect with others so lovingly, like her mother did on the streets of Chinatown. She has realized that Cantonese is so sacred, and can never be mastered by any foreigner, because it is one of a kind. The language represents those who speak it--the eight complicated tones, the sharp, complex sounds. Over the years, the author's appreciation for Cantonese has greatly increased, as has her motivation to preserve it. People underappreciate not only Cantonese but also other foreign languages that are spoken in America. The author understands that speaking in American English is very important; no one wants to walk around talking with an accent. However, she believes the language people speak is an important part of what makes them who they are. She hopes other American-born Chinese kids can stick to their native tongue and learn to appreciate it lovingly, like the rest of the residents that find comfort in their own language and culture in Chinatown.