Piano

So today, or actually this whole week was a bust.

Didn't do much. Christian Mara flaked.

I finally met the Japanese foreign exchange student who will be staying with us.

I learned how to play Come With Me by Sammie on the piano.

Watched ABDC with Jomar. Did anyone else catch the subliminal messaging on the show? Oh well, hopefully tomorrow will be better.

SF X Wanted

Today, I:

- went to San Francisco.

- hit up Haight St. and San Jose Ave.

- bought an Exact Science tee from TRUE.

- bought a Supreme Soul tee from Invisible Stripes.

- went to Costco and bought a churro.

- went to Eastridge and watched Wanted.

- ate at Bo Da.

Here are some pictures:

 

 

Hancock X Jonathan's Party

Today, I:

- saw Hancock.

(did you know that John Hancock, the main character, is actually the name of a very old life insurance company from about 80 years ago? Remember the scene where he thought his name was Hancock, when the nurse asked him where was his John Hancock? Ironically, John Hancock, the life insurance co. turns out to be a life saving superhero!)

- went to mass at Most Holy Trinity

- got a new lens for my camera for free

- went to Jonathan Pham's party

- saw The Orphanage 

Karl's party

Today I:

- went to Karl's BBQ

- taught Shawna how to ride a bike

- gave my gifts/souvenirs to everyone

- bought my school books

- checked out two summer reading books from the library

- woke up late and missed jogging and chilling with many people in the morning.

Fast Life X Batman

So, I can feel myself catching back up to American lifestyle. Living in the fast life with materialism creeping back to me.

I watch The Dark Knight today. I thought it was really good.

Went to Matt's house and played ball after. Later that night, I tuned in to ABDC, only to find out that the crew I favored was eliminated.

Here is what I think about the show:

VOTING ON ABDC IS A MARKETING SCHEME! 

Don't vote. That is how MTV makes all their money. The purpose of this weeks episode was to spoil and upset viewers by saying that they are voting wrong and eliminating a popular crew.




Like, Mario Lopez said during the show, "Sometimes crews are so good that people think that they don't need to vote for them..."

I think the reason they eliminated a popular crew tonight was to make everyone vote like crazy for the crews that they favor. The more votes, the more money.




At the end of the day, it isn't about who America's Best Dance Crew is, its all about the money.




DON'T VOTE!

Supreme Soul !

Soul Sector !

Day 22 - Final Goodbyes

I am currently at the Saigon, Vietnam airport.

This morning it rained pretty hard again. I was going to go get breakfast with Nou, but we canceled because of the rain. So Huy came by and I went for breakfast with him. I went back to the school afterwards and wrote a letter for all the students. Finally, I left for the airport where I said goodbye to my grandpa. I have mixed feelings about leaving. Half of me wishes summer was longer so that I could stay here longer, and the other half misses home. I guess I will just have to wait for next year to come and go visit again.

Edit**

HOME. 

Day 21 - Rain X Shop X Dinner

Today was very stormy.

I started the day off by waking up and walking to the school. I stayed there for a few hours until lunch, where I went to eat at one of my grandpa's friend's house. They talked about all the very important things that my grandpa did during the Vietnam conflict.

Afterwards, I went home and rested for a bit. Around 4pm, it started to rain pretty hard and the wind was strong. I went out shopping because I had to spend all the extra money I had before I leave. I bought myself a The Northface jacket for about $30USD. Pretty cool. Later on that night, I went out with my uncle Nou and his family for a farewell dinner and we played some more card games after.

Day 20 - Farewell Party

So today I got back from the road trip at 530am. I went home and slept until noon. Later that evening, I went out to eat Banh Xeo and Che with some of the students from school. Afterwards, they dropped me off at my uncles house for a farewell party for my Aunt and Uncle who will be returning to Virginia, USA the same day I was going back. I watched some people dance to classical music. Later, we went for some drinks and then came back to the house and played poker until midnight.

Day 19 - Waterfall

This morning we were supposed to get up early and go to mass again, but I guess everyone slept in. There was this big rain storm that morning. I was told that everyone at the church had mass in the pouring rain. The priest said, if you all will stand in the rain, so will we. I thought it was pretty moving. I wished I woke up earlier so I could’ve been a part of it.

Anyway, that day, we didn’t do much because Pleiku doesn’t have much. We decided to go on a mini road trip to see this waterfall. It was a pain getting there because we took a taxi, but there were too many people to we had to squeeze everyone in. The funny part, was that we had to put a “Just married” sign up just so that the cops wouldn’t pull us over for having way too many people in the car. Haha.

So when we got to the waterfall, we had to climb our way down and through to see it. It was pretty fun. We just chilled the rest of the day. Our bus ride home was around 630-7pm. When we got on the bus, I couldn’t sleep so I sat there thinking.
I realized something. Lately I’ve been feeling really out of faith and not intact with God. I kept asking why things were happening the way they were happening. That night, I finally got my answer. I realized that I wasn’t ready for and needed to accept that things would change. I always thought to myself that I was ready and could handle change, but lately I haven’t. This entire time, I’ve been complaining when the answer was right in front of me. I need to accept change. A change that I will be moving to somewhere not pleasing. A change that my plans aren’t what God has planned for me; that my WYD trip plans will change. A change in lifestyle so that I can get my priorities straight. It is time that I change myself to a new life in God. I’m searching for that spiritual high.

Pictures of everything up soon! Check photobucket @ hiandrewnguyen

Day 18 – Pleiku

We arrived in Pleiku, a small village outside the city, at 5am. We stayed at this nun’s house and went to mass early that morning. We walked all the way to the church and associated with everyone. I still have no idea what’s going on. There were A LOT of people though. I think it was almost the entire village plus visitors there. So everyone broke up into groups and we played icebreakers. After played games for about an hour and a half, everyone gathered at the front of the church and got ready to move inside. The church was completely filled up with people that there were more standing outside. I didn’t understand why there was such a big event until the homily came. The mass was spoken in both Vietnamese and the local village language. The reason why everyone was gathered, why there were people from all over Vietnam who came, why different priest from all over the area came, why I came was because we were all celebrating mass and worshiping God together because none of us were able to go to Australia for WYD. It was a gathering of praise. The priest said they didn’t want to go to Australia without the people and they didn’t forget them. Mass was about two hours long. Afterwards, everyone went for lunch.

That night, everyone came back again for dinner and more celebration. There was a big show or concert sort of thing. It was great. Hundreds of villagers, kids, and adults all gathered and sang songs of praise. It was a great experience.

Day 17 – Road trip

So this morning I woke up pretty early around 530am and met up with Tri and Huy again. We went out to the courts and played some basketball. I won about 5 of 8 games. We went swimming after.

I went home and took a shower and packed for the road trip I am going on this weekend. Took a nap and then woke up around 4pm to get ready to meet up with my family to leave for the tour bus. I have no idea what to expect from this trip because I don’t even know what I’m doing. Adventure!

On the bus ride, I played Vietnamese 13 card poker and got a Royal Diamond Flush!

Day 16 – Basketball

I couldn’t sleep last night. Probably fell asleep around 4am. Woke up at 9am.
I went to the market that afternoon and bought myself an Ao Dai (Vietnamese Dress/Kimono) and yes, there is a guy version.
I met up with Huy and Tri, students at the school, and we chilled at Huy’s house. He has a recording studio in his house.
Later that day, we went to the local basketball court and played a few pick up games. Man, its so hot here that it makes it hard to play. We played for about an hour until it started to rain and then storm. There is always lightning here. It’s loud too.
There have been recent power outages for the past few days. It’s so hot!

So after basketball, I went back to the school and hung out with one of the students. She says she was going to introduce me to her single friends from Singapore, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam, but they weren’t going to come until September! Dang…my life. Haha.

Internet has been down for the past 3 days.

Day 15 – Sleeeeeeep

Man, all I pretty much did today was sleep. I woke up at 1pm and got some lunch. Then I just walked around. It is so hot here that there have been power outages for the past 3 days. I took another nap at 430 and wok up at an hour later to go to the school. Classes ended up being canceled because of the power outage so some of the students and I went out for drinks. Afterwards, I went with one student, Huy, to get some food and just go around. There were strikes of lightning in the sky. I wanted to get a picture because it was all over and looks so cool, but it was too fast for my camera. Anyway, I met up with one of his friends and we went to this bar and then played pool. It was a pretty slow day.

I learned that, in Vietnamese culture, studying is very important. There are many students who study very much and then go out to other countries to attend the universities. For example, Stanford, Maryland, Arizona, Singapore, Australia, and London.

Day 14 - Plan B

So today I found out that my Uncle who was supposed to go to Australia with me had a
Plan B. There is this group going in the hill side and doing some kind of work there. I think I’m going to join them. I guess it’s pretty much the same trip without the Australia part.

Later that evening, my uncle/cousin (which ever you prefer) took me out again. We went to eat snails! It’s pretty good. I remember I had it 4 years ago and I loved it. We went for ice cream after. Didn’t do much else.

Day 13 - Nou

Tonight was pretty fun. The day wasn’t so fun.

My grandpa has gotten sick with the flu and was up all night with high blood pressure. My grandma and I were very worried.

Most of the day I didn’t do much but stay home with my grandpa, but that evening I met up with my Great Uncle’s son, Nou. So he’s my uncle? Well, anyway, we went out and ate Banh Xeo. I met his family and we went out bowling at Diamond Plaza.

After bowling, we went back to the house and played three card poker. It was pretty fun.
After playing for about an hour, we left and went to get some Pho. I got to drive/ride again! Man, its fun.

Anyway, we made plans to go eat snail tomorrow. Hahah, sounds like fun.

Day 12 - Rest

I had a tiring day. Didn't do much at all. Mostly stayed home and slept. I did go downtown and walked around a bit though.

Webcamed with Troy, Matt, Christian, and Chanda in the afternoon.

Today was a resting day.


Its like,
When I'm right, I'm right.
When I'm wrong, I could've been right.
Which makes me still right,
Unless I'm wrong, cause I could be wrong.
Right?



I don't really know what this, coming up next, is. Just a thought.


**********************************************************************


Looking closer:

I've been looking for myself.
As the journey of life takes me to new places to learn new things and meet new people,
I've learned something new about myself;
That everything around me is just a reflection of what I see.
How I see the world is how I make the world through my mind.
I see things the way that they are because that is the way I want to see it.
If I see things that puzzle me, I learn that it is just a puzzle of myself waiting to be solved.
Looking into others I see myself through their eyes.
I wonder of what others think of me when really, I wonder of what I think of myself.
I am growing every day into something new. There is always more to be found.
My thoughts aren't able to be put into words that can be understood because I see it confusing.
I am searching for the other half of myself so early that I forget that it takes a life spent finding the whole.

Looking Deeper:

I've been looking for God in myself.
As the journey of life takes me to new places and to meet new people,
I re-meet God in each place and in each person.
It is life in God that is the hardest to understand.
Living in life and dying in death.
Every action is a reflection of myself.
And I am a reflection of God.
I see things the way my eyes see them, not the way God sees them.
Through my eyes, I see people, but through God's eyes, I see God.
I wonder of how much value there is in my life, when God sees that my life itself has the most value.
Everyday I choose.
I choose to either grow deeper into God's love, or I choose to step back from it.
My thoughts aren't able to be put into words because I am not seeing them through God.
I am searching for God in myself, but I have to realize that I am in God as God is in me.

Using Jimmy's words, "We are searching for perfection in an imperfect world."

We are so imperfect in God that God too is imperfect in every perfect way.


*************************************************************

I wasn't ready for Australia. God had different plans for me. I still have to find myself before I find God.

Day 11 - Vung Tau

Beeeeeeach day with the family.

So today I realized how much I really love and should play football (soccer). I just got this urge and a big rush out of playing especially when I'm in an area where football is the most famous sport.

Woke up at 7am and took a two and half hour drive to the beach Vung Tau. I just chilled at the beach and hung out with my cousins. I got pretty dark today, but got sunburn on my face. The beach was pretty cool. I went about 300 ft out from shore and I was still standing on sand, so it was good.

We had a football match against the family. 4vs4. It was the old guys, our dad's, versus the young guys, us. We won 3-1.

I'm starting to really appreciate the Vietnamese concert videos that all my relatives are always watching on tv because I normally think its annoying. Its kind of like the Vietnamese versions of Wowowee. But not really, so I don't know what to compare it to. Paris By Night is an example. I was thinking about how strange Vietnamese comedy would be if it was translated into English.

Anyway, that night, when we had dinner, the waitor&waitress gave us food from another table 5 times. It was pretty funny. Basically every dish that came to our table wasn't ours until about 20 minutes later. I actually wish we ordered the food that came to our table instead.

Pictures up soon!

Day 10 - Vinpearl

Today was my last day in Nha Trang. It was pretty hot today. We went to Vinpearl island, which is another amusement park, and took a gondola across the bay onto the island. My dad's friend threw up. She's been ticking me off. A lot.

I didn't do much for the rest of the day except take pictures on the roof of the hotel. We went to the airport and took a flight home.

Day 9 - Honda!

Today was a very good day.

My dad rented a boat and we went out snorkling. I think I got stung by some small jellyfish.

We stopped by a small island beach called Mini Beach and chilled there for awhile. Afterwards, we went out for lunch. We stopped by the fishing houses where we pick out the food fresh and we bring it to the restaurant on shore and they cook it for us.

After we ate, we went back home and rested. After about an hour, we rented Honda motor scooters/bikes and I got to ride one! We rode for a few hours. Went up to about 50 km/hr. Its so fun! Especially since I can't drive yet. Its scary riding here though because of the crazy streets and there aren't any official driving rules.

When I told my dad that I was sore from today, he insisted that I took a massage. So I had one. It was pretty awkward.

I had a long day. Riding the Honda was so fun though.

Dang, I had something else to say instead of a recap, but I forgot while watching soccer. Dang.

Pictures up soon.

Day 8 - Nha Trang

So this morning I woke up at 6am and got ready for my flight to Nha Trang. I met up with my dad and his friend at the airport and took a 35 minute flight there.

I was thinking a lot during the flight. Mostly about what I was doing on my trip to Vietnam. I heard the stories about all those travelling with Frere Phong and then I thought of what it would be like if I was still going.

I've been feeling a lack in faith lately. So I'm looking forward to the Confirmation reunion and Agape retreat.

Anyways, once I reached Nha Trang we drove to the hotel. The 2008 Miss Universe Pagaent is being held in Nha Trang Vietnam this year and the hotel, Yasaka Hotel, that I'm staying at is a part sponsor of the program. I passed by the Pagaent building and saw some of the girls. hahah, There are posters everywhere!

So we got to the hotel and hit the beach which is right across. The weather here is pretty hot and humid, so the beach was really nice. The ocean was pretty warm too. We spent a few hours at the beach. We went Jet Skiing and Parasailing.

To be honest, I wish I had someone here with me. I mean, I'm doing all these things, but I'm by myself and my dad has his "friend". So its weird.

After the beach, we went back to our rooms and rested for a bit. This is when I found out about the shooting in Turkey that was in front of the US consolate on CNN.

We then went out for dinner. Afterwards, my dad and his friends and I went to a Brewer house for about 2 hours.

Nha Trang by night.

I am now watching the Vietnam vs. Saudi Arabia Olympic Soceer Qualifying match.

Day 7 - KFC

Boring day. I slept for half the day.


I missed Frere Phong's group before they left, but I hung out with Cat and her family. Took a cab to their place and we chilled. Then we went out for dinner and decided on KFC because they were sick of Vietnamese food. Surprisingly, KFC in Vietnam is better than the US. Its weird. Its like an actual sit down resturant and they bring the food to you. The chicken here is better, too. They don't use abused chicken, so the pieces are bigger and taste better. I had a Milo to drink. Haha, they have it here. After we ate, we went back to their place and just chilled. She told me about her experiences and everything. It was fun.

Anyway, I'm leaving tomorrow to Nha Trang!





Say Compacted on three. 1, 2, 3!

Day 6 - Shop

Today was basically a chilling day.





So, my mom sent one of my essays from school to my grandpa. My grandpa used it to help his class learn mroe English and he asked me to read it to them. After reading what I wrote, I realized that I needed to start listening to my own words. I've decided that I am going to give the sneaker game a break for awhile so I can set my priorities straight.

Here is the essay I wrote awhile back. Ironically, it was an essay written in English for my Spanish class, later used for a Vietnamese class to learn English.

#1 What moves you?

It's the bravery of the boy who stands up to the bullies that moves me. It's the courage of the German man who helps out a Jewish girl that moves me. It's the love of a mother who won't let go of her child while her city is under attack that moves me. It's the hope of the student who stays in school rather than drop out that moves me. It's the inspiration from the teacher to the student, who never listens, to go out and create a better world that moves me. It's the movement of change that keeps me going...It's the actions of those who make a difference, not those who sit and cry about it.

We live in a corrupt world, but there are still those who fight for peace, to make a difference, for change. I want to change the world. We all can change the world. We can all make it a better place for ourselves and our children. Let us all get up and move.

#2

We live in a very demanding world, where we must meet every demand at its expected deadline. But, it seems as if life is more and more stressful with each thing we invent for ourselves to save time. With our intentions of production at a higher level, we did not create an easier life style, but a more difficult. Now that we have computers, cell phones, cars, and the internet, we have accomplished

great things in great amounts of time. Our world today is picking up its pace on production and industrialization adn that is where our stress is originating. We are stuck in the movement of improvement that we no longer have time to save, but only time for more innovation.

The world has never seen such exponential growth in society throughout history like it did within the last two decades. We work and work, trying to be a step ahead; searchings for the better life, stressing over time. We often run so fast to get to the end that we miss all the fun of getting there.

So, that afternoon I went out and walked down the streets to go shopping and buy gifts for my friends, but you're just going to have to wait and see what they are.

Later, than night, I went back to the school and helped out with the class. I met some new people and then went out to eat with them. It sucks that in Vietnamese culture, when you first meet a girl, you can only shake hands with her.