Miscellaneous

OLD FRIENDS’ VISITS

It was a big surprise when one day I received a call from a  friend who I didn’t contact with almost 2 years: BINH. And I also received another big surprise when I saw another friend at my house – my little first friend I had in the US: TIEN. They visited Cali almost the same time without any appointment in advance. They reminded me of the days when I first came to the U.S. When I stepped in the room K24, Nutwood apartment, I saw a young girl named TIEN. She showed me every thing in the room where I supposed I would stay there at least 3 months before starting a new contract with the apartment’s manager. However, for some reasons happening after that, I just lived there 2 weeks. During this time, Tien let me share her food, took me to some places by bus to buy some necessities, and shared with me her feelings and her dreams… And then , after I moved out, I still saw her frequently, until the day she left Cali to Georgia. Before she left, BINH appeared, bringing with him a lot of troubles to share with me. He looked like my little brother, called me at midnight to ask for advice, asked me to go to Brea Mall with him to buy a birthday gift for a girl he liked. When he was tired, he just stopped by my house to have instant noodle  or short sleep. He had a good voice. He loves singing… Now I saw him standing in front of me, he still had the same style in clothing and the way of talking but his life seemed better than before. He has had a job which can help him covers some his basic living fees. He was less talking, and more self confident. It was so good to see him like this. That’s really good. We had a reunion party with other friends and in this party, BINH sang a song to us.  It was a Korean or Chinese song, but maybe he was the writer for Vietnamese version lyrics. Thanks to a friend, I found the Korean version of this song and loved it.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, BINH & TIEN!!! I ALWAYS MISS YOU!

SNOWBOARDING

Yeah!!!! I have just returned home from an exciting trip to Big Bear Mountain. It was my first time to play snowboarding and I couldn’t belive that I could play that kind of sport. I had to stick my feet with heavy and very hard shoes, and then a board during a long time. And snow … so happy to see snow, real snow in my life. I fell down many times, got hurt everywhere on my body, especially on my wrists.  Everytime I fell, I lie down, faced up and looked the blue clear sky with white clusters of cloud, feeling that I really enjoyed the moment I had. If I were still in VN, I would never know what snowboarding was, never have a feeling like that. Falling down and standing up, and falling down again… and finally I could get balance on the board and slided longer and longer distances… so interesting! 

During this trip, we really appreciated a friend – KHOA. He was my classmate in BUAD 501, young and talkative and energetic. Actually, I had no much impression on him at first because he often talked so much in most of our parties and dinners, but rarely helped others clean after that. However, in this trip, he was a really really nice friend when enthusiastically showed us how to wear shoes, to use a snowboard, and to get balance. He took care everything during the trip, even though he still talked a lot. He went to and fro to bring lift tickets to beginners. I knew that we wasted his time because most of his time was to help us. He might feel so bored and could have left us behind but he didn’t. He still patiently escorted each person to take the lift to the mountain so that we could practice sliding down on snowboards. It was the first time I felt we was so lucky to be his friends!

↓ beginners: Left to right: Trang, me, Little Tam, Truc and Tammy

↓ Snow Summit

↓ A nice view

↓ I was here, on a lift to the top of intermediate level terrain. I should take the slope for beginners first, but Khoa encourged me to take this slope and I made my friends surprised later on because I could slide down on this terrain3 times!

 

↓ I was sliding. I looked so funny in this suit. I borrowed  the jacket and gloves from Khoa, the water-proof pants from Trang, and a hat from Cuong! Nothing for snowboarding from me:-))

↓ We stayed 2 nights in this cabin. Group pic before returning home, left to right, front line: Katrina, Don, little Tam, Tammy, Truc, Trang, Lien, Khoa. The back line: Tam, Cuong, Trang (she was a very excellent cook), Phi, and Hoang

Most of them are Khoa’s friends. They were friendly, very well English speakers, and very well cooks. Hope to see all of you again!

On the way back home, we visited Big Bear Lake.

Blue sky and water, pine trees, snow here and there, and light winds, making me feel so peaceful and enjoyable. What’s a beautiful life!

Feelings of hurt…

Many times I got hurts. And I felt that my sensitive heart was bleeding. Many times I cried alone – in the dark of sleepless nights, in the rains, on pavements where I wait for buses, and even in my dreams. All hurts have been from ones I love: my ex-life-partner, my close friends, even brothers and sisters I have had. The hurts caused by beloved ones are deeper than they are caused by others. Everytime like that and after releasing myself with rains of tear, I just think about these: how I can still keep the kindness in my heart, how I can keep my belief that there is still the good existing in this life, and how I can tell myself , “I will overcome all – dont’ let such things hurt you any more”!!! I see I’m stronger, less tearful, and more independent. But I’m also lonelier, cause “Don’t let any one hurt you any more” also means keeping some distance with them. It is a distance to build up a snail’s shell to protect myself, and to consolidate my confidence in life. In spite of the hurts I’ve got from you all, I will treat you with the sincerity and pureness I’m trying to keep in my heart – because you are my beloved ones! However, I couldn’t pretend as if nothing happened, cause there are scars left in my soul…

Christmas 2009

This is my second Christmas in the U.S. Last Xmas, I was in San Jose with my relatives there. I  was so happy because I could see them after a long time without contacting. This Christmas, I stay at home alone, keep some sadness and disappointment in my heart cause everything hasn’t been plain sailing at work. After a week-off for finals, I returned to the company and suffered almost criticism from my boss. Admittedly, I made some mistake while doing the job but that doesn’t mean all of the troubles coming with our business were my faults. Everyday when I come to my company, I feel so tired and stressful. The air is so heavy with a warehouse in a mess  and continuous bad comments from the boss. What he told me made me feel as if I were the main person who had to be responsible for what was going wrongly at this place. He thought that all my efforts were meaningless if I didn’t consider the economic value of the transactions. He was right. But how can I do this if he hasn’t had a clear policy for the so-called “Flexibility”? It’s not easy to find a good solution for both sides – the company and customers who are frustrated due to our mistakes (which is no way to identify why they are). If I stand on the customer’s position, I have to hurt the company’s benefit and vice versa. He’s quite different from before. I understand that so many wrong things have happened, pushing him to the end of his patience limit. He couldn’t calm down any more and always said “Fuck”. I wish he could at least sit down once and look at the whole picture of the company. Faults have taken place systematically and if he can’t solve problems from its root, nothing can be changed.

Sometimes, after leaving the company and waiting for the bus in the cold weather, I just think what I should do if I had a company like this. It’s really a difficult question but I may do a different way.

OK, now I feel relieved a little bit. Let me change the subject, otherwise I may spoil my Christmas at home alone.

Last Tuesday, I had a wonderful dinner with friends at a buffet restaurant. Food was so excellent. And then we went to AMC movie theater to see a newly launched film “AVATAR”.

It is the first 3D movie I have seen and actually very excellent. Beautiful pictures and images with visual effects, a touching story with a message of love and peace were transformed in cliff-hangers and action scenes, creating the film attraction. However, I have realized that people can be heroes just in their dreams…, yes, only in their dreams. LOL!!!:-D

Theme song: I SEE YOU by Leona Lewis

Sad Christmas in Fullerton. I don’t feel the Christmas atmostphere arround the place I’m living. Some houses were decorated with sparkling light and snowmen, and … that’s it. The Christmas was just been felt a little bit at shopping centers. Yesterday, I went to a big mall name Island something to see the biggest Christmas tree and then went to a residential place in Fountain Valley to see how they decorated their house. Amazing!

Christmas tree

Brothers and sisters

A Christmas store

Christmas fishes

Decoration in front of a house in Fountain Valey

Cute houses

Final exams

I can’t imagine that I have to consume 15 chapters of words and words within one day. It usually takes me about 1 week to cover 4 – 5 chapters for the mid-term tests. What should I do at this moment… Haizzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!! Poor me! How tired and frustrated I am…

Quay ve di…

All time love

As usual, while sinking in the sea of troubles because of the final tests next two weeks, I have still found some short break to be distracted from my study. Imagine. In the middle of a cold and peaceful night, listening this song and letting you float on the slow rhythm to feel every word, you may realize your soul has been going down and down but in a positive way. Just a moment to see inside yourself, to hear the echo of your real desire – whether you need an all time love… Good song!

ALL TIME LOVE by WILL YOUNG

Sometimes you walk by the good ones
‘Cos you’re trying to hard, too hard to see them
And sometimes you don’t find the right lines
‘Cos you’re trying too hard, too hard to hear them
But you know what it feels like
‘Cos you’re like me
And you won’t give up
‘Till an all time love
‘Cos nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love to find me

Some days you’re too set in your ways
And you forget to shut up, shut up and listen
And some days you just have to misplace all your mistakes
Somewhere that you won’t miss them
So stop lying that you’re fine
‘Cos you’re like me
And you can’t give up

‘Till an all time love
‘Cos nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love to find me

I don’t believe that it’s a failing
I don’t believe that it’s a fault
‘Cos if everything were plain sailing
Oh tell me what would there be left to exalt

But an all time love
‘Cos nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love to find me
I want an all time love
‘Cos nothing else is good enough
I want an all time love to find me

November 20

It’s been long time I don’t remember this day – a day for VNese teachers and professors.  Some of them left great effects on me. Generally, VNese students may feel more attached to secondary or high school’s teachers. Me too. I’ve still missed a sentence from Ms. Tâm – my math teacher when I was at the grade 9, “there would be some difficulty time in your life, but you never lose everything, just a little bit or much at all”. Untill now, I have thought she is right. And from my life, it’s right. Another teacher is Mr. Bảo, who was a supervisor of my secondary school. He was very strict but gave his love to students by caring of them. Ms. Ngọc Ánh – Literature teacher of the grade 11, Mr. Ngọc Anh – a math teacher of the grade 10 and 11 , who threatened students by series of “0″ and “10″. He set a record with 20 people receiving 20 “0 mark” one day, making my class criticized in front of all other students at our school in one Monday morning. However, he always gave students chances to improve their scores at the end of every semester. So stressful but a lot of fun when I was under Nguyen Thuong Hien high school.

When I worked for HCMP&T, I was lucky to see and become a student of a friend – a colleague. He worked with me in the same division, spent time to help me improve English, and gave me some opportunities to earn extra money by translating books which he contracted with a famous publisher by his prestige, and by letting me take part in some translation projects. He shared with me downtime moments in my life, and tried to raise me up sometimes. I really appreciate those…

One day, I by chance listened to this song “Ngày đầu tiên đi học – The first day at school”. The sweet voice by Thuy Chi and great combination with M4U creates a beautiful song and reminds me of the wonderful time when I was a very young student. Happy Teacher’s Day!!!

If today was my last day…

I’m getting down and down. I haven’t found the way to solve my own problems. And I’ve felt so tired of, wanted to give up all things. That seems an easiest way but it doesn’t as it looks like.

Yesterday I looked at my cross symbol-ring (many people have misunderstood that I’m a catholics or christian when seeing my ring – actually it was a gift from a high school classmate) and prayed, even though I’m not a catholics. I was so hopeless. The more I tried, the worse results I received. That means the way I chose was wrong. But how to find the right way to get out the matrix I fell into?

But I forgot one thing. What would happen if today was my last day? Cause “each day is a gift”… despite what you did or what you got, you will not have the second chance to experience the moment which has passed.

If today was my last day, I would not be so sad and regret all I couldn’t do or I haven’t finished. I wouldn’t think so much about my future because there wouldn’t be any future. It today was my last day, all troubles would simply end… And I should put my burden down…

If Today Was Your Last Day
Songwriters: Kroeger, Chad

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What’s worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts ’cause there’s no second try
So live like you’re never living twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you’d finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it’s never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
‘Cause you can’t rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
‘Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you’d finally fall in love if today was your last day?

Friends – Les Amies – Jinku – 朋友

Ha ha! I found this clip while studying for a midterm test of Accounting 511! This is a Chinese song and now is covered by French Children. I have loved it since I was very young. It’s so amazing when seeing Richard Clayderman and other artists playing it!

Enjoy!

Les amies ,c’est fini .
Ils est tout mon amies.
Les amies mon passion.
Mon amour elles est te.
Elles est ton amies.
Oui, mon amies.
Oui les tout jours.

Elle t’a dit   C’est fini

Mais restons bons amis

Les années ont passé

Ton amour est resté

Depuis tant et tant d’années

Tu n’as pas cessé d’ l’aimer

Et pourtant oui pourtant

Elle ne veut plus t’aimer

Here is the Korean version with Japanese translation!!!

And the original one  “朋友 – Friends” by 周華健 (Chau Hoa Kien/Wakin Chau/Emil Chow)

Halloween 2009

It was the second time I joined this kind of holiday – Halloween, which took place in West Boulevard and Santa Monica (LA) on Oct 31. I brought with me the excitement I got when I came here last year. People in strange and weird costumes went around and around, said “hi” and “Happy Halloween” to each other and sometimes tried to scare others. This was a playground for gay couples to publicly express themselves, for people’s creation and imagination. So cool!

Starting the journey to LA Halloween event with two “hot” girls – my dear little sisters and also my roomate.

 

King and “King and Queen”

Oh, Wallee! I love Wallee! Where is Eva???

Kin g and Cồ and… (no idea!!!)

Tarzan – the Forest Boy in the  heart of LA!!!

A lady and a gentlement

Two “hot girls” and … a “gentle” pirate! LOL!!!

Then we was back home, enjoyed a dinner at a restaurant and Baluts (trứng vịt lộn) at home. That was the end of a Saturday without lessons (even though I had a group meeting for the project 517 in the morning), work, and self-studying. Woo hoo! A good day! Yay!!!

Song for a stormy night

This is not a newly-released song by Secret Garden. I heard this song one year ago when I fist came to the U.S. More than one year has passed and on the other day, a brother showed me this clip. Feeling welled up in me. So gentle, so soft, and so sweet. It has reminded me of my first time when I set foot on this land,  even though the lyrics don’t relate to anything like that. But at that time, I was like a person who had just stepped out from a storm of my life, and needed a place to shelter my soul. Therefore, this song comforted me so much…

SONG FOR A STORMY NIGHT – Secret Garden

The rain beats hard at my window
While you, so softly do sleep
And you can’t hear the cold wind blow
You are sleeping so deep

Outside it’s dark, the moon hiding
By starlight only I see
The host of the night-time go riding
But you are safe here with me

So, while the world out there is sleeping
And everyone wrapped up so tight
Oh, I am here a vigil keeping
On this stormy night
I promised I always would love you
If skies would be gray or be blue
I whisper this prayer now above you
That there will always be you

Sometimes, we’re just like the weather
Changing by day after day
As long as we’ll be together
Storms will pass away

I said, I would guard and protect you
And keep you free from all harm
And if life should ever reject you
That love would weather each storm

So, while the world out there is sleeping
And everyone wrapped up so tight
Oh, I am here a vigil keeping
On this stormy night
I promised I always would love you
If skies would be gray or be blue
I whisper the prayer now above you
That there will always be you

Soon, I know you’ll be waking,
Ask did I sleep- did I write?
And I’ll just say I was making
A song… for a stormy night.

Eternal love…

I by chance saw this clip on Youtube and love it so much. I just remember my beloved dad… . Few year ago, when my family was in the top of a crisis, I was so stressful and sometimes, I couldn’t be patient enough with my dad’s requirements. I got mad because everything was over my control. So bad! He didn’t say any words to me….

I sometimes took care of my nephew  when his parents went out for a few days. He always asked me a circle of questions many times: “Why was your motorbike’s mirror broken? Who broke it? Why did that person break it? Did you get hurt? Why was your motorbike’s mirror broken?…”. I tried  to answer him patiently until he stopped asking. I believed that when I was a child, I also asked my father the same way as my nephew did, and that he would be as patient as I did with my nephew.The love and generosity which my father gave me and I gave my nephew is like the water of a stream always running toward its current… that is the eternal love…

Daddy, I have been changing…

Stand up…

LitDra, がんばって！

I have just taken an ISDS 514 midterm-test. 3 problems were given but I just finished 2. Between 2, I was only quite sure about the answer of 1. How bad I was! That was not because I didn’t study or prepare carefully for the test, but because I was not good and intelligent enough to figure out sollutions for the problems. Of course, I was so upset. Sometimes, when people was in my case, they might make complaint that God is unequitable because he doesn’t share the gift of intelligence to everyone fairly. So did I. But later on, I changed my mind cause I found out that I was not upset for a long time. After the test, I sank myself in a 3-hour boring class of Econ 515. Too too too sleepy to get any new ideas and knowledge into my stupid head. The professor Michael Robert’s voice was so low and monotonous, closing down my eyes many times. Maybe, resisting the sleepy-sickness is much more important than my sadness. LOL!!!:-)

Now, it seems that nothing has been so serious to me even though I didn’t do well my first ISDS test! I will restart again, as usual! And it would be the gift I have received from the God instead of intelligence: an ability to stand up after the fall.  Maybe at my age, studying isn’t the most important thing. My first purpose is not coming here for study. Therefore, if I can’t manage well my program, I will go home earlier than what I’ve planned and continue to work.

I still have another midterm test - Finance 517 on this Thursday. As usual, just try my best.

Alright! Here is a funny story I have just read on the Internet…

STAND UP…!

A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses. She started her class by saying, “everyone who thinks they’re stupid, stand up!” After a few seconds, Little Johnny stood up. The teacher said, “Do you think you’re stupid, Little Johnny?”

“No, ma’am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!”

LOL!

Nhẫn

Ở trên là bộ Đao (dao), ở dưới là chữ Tâm (trái tim) – Dao đâm vào tim mà vẫn chịu đựng được thì đó là NHẪN…

I need to learn this old lesson…

I can

I wish I could say … “I can” , like the lyrics in this wonderful song:

I CAN