Tree and Fruit streets

Time flies. I have been in US for more than two months. Everything changed and everything is new to my family. There are many strange new things we have to learn or get used it, street name is among of them.

Every street has a name. It's true in everywhere, Vietnam or in the US, at least in the city. I feel interesting when seeing the streets around my area got many strange and funny names. It seemed all about nature, tree and fruit. Do they run out of ideas? For example, I am living in Maple Street, Birch Street is very near here. I can even see Pine Street, Fruit Street, Oak Street, Palm Street, Pearl Street, Olive Street, Forest Street, Lemon Street, and even York Street, I haven't seen Egg Street, but who knows?, and etc. People here must love nature and poultry very much.

First time, I thought they named the street I live as Maple Street because there're a lot of maple trees on this street, but no, it is not the reason. There're some maple trees, but not too many along the street. But they couldn't pick up randomly. There must be a reason behind - I think.

In Vietnam, the government often name the street as famous people - the people who died or had great contribution for the country's peace or community, poets, etc.

I don't see or I haven't seen the street with somebody's name on it in Bangor. I think yes, they must have. Maybe someday when I can drive and go farther than my area, I can see.

Uncle Sam wants you to speak English

"Uncle Sam wants you to speak English." I saw the word "Uncle Sam" quite a few times when I was in Vietnam and reading some foreign books, and now again in my English class.

Well, I don't know who is Uncle Sam. It must be someone respected, popular, or admired by everyone, a V.I.P. maybe. "Is he handsome; is he popular here; why didn't I see him on the money," I wondered? 

I asked my tutor, Mrs. Jensen last week, she smiled and explained to me that "Uncle Sam" means "US". When the country needs people to join the military, then the US wants you, in other words, Uncle Sam wants you. Ah, now I see. America really has a sense of humor.

Now one more question, why did they chose the name "Sam"? But not choose something else such as: Sally (too girly), or Sakura "too Japanese", or Sandeep (too Indian), or San Diego (it doesn't sound like somebody's name), etc. Okay, I think they tried many names before, and Uncle Sam was chosen. I am not sure about the reasoning, but one thing I'm sure that it's easy to remember for every one, especially me.