UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES

Best Wedding Toast Ever - Amy's Song - HQ Full Version

2011-11-10T23:23:00.000-08:00

kevin when u get married we are making this happening!

Best Wedding Proposal Ever !! (The Americana at Brand, Glendale, CA)

2011-11-10T23:19:00.000-08:00

wow. romantic but I would NOT wanna have an ugly dress thrown on me like that.

52 You Are My Sunshine

2011-11-10T23:01:00.000-08:00

So adorable. I'm sadmy grandfather will never be able to share this with me on my wedding day. :\

2011-09-10T21:54:00.000-07:00

lost. dazed. not sure what to do where to go where to seek

2011-08-29T23:48:00.000-07:00

"I can't make you love me if you don't

You can't make your heart feel something it won't

Here in the dark, in these final hours

I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power"

2011-08-23T22:58:00.001-07:00

2011-07-31T22:53:00.000-07:00

work has been dreadful. I feel like letting go. jumping off a cliff. release my frustration

2011-07-31T22:45:00.000-07:00

12 more days and it'll be exactly one year since you've passed. I sit here going thru pictures of your last days. How awfully sad those last days were...oh, how i missed you so....

i miss those days with grandpa :\

2011-07-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

I can't sleep. it's 1124pm. i have to be up by 330am for work. so what do i do? i browse thru webshots. i see pictures. lots and lots of pictures. with grandpa and i. i still wish everyday he was still here. i miss those days. heartbroken he won't be here tomorrow and thereafter.

Goodbye resentments

2011-06-08T22:05:00.001-07:00

Family is the most important. Remember that. Cherish That.

Misunderstood

2011-06-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of things not about who's right or wrong but in the importance of exchanges in between. If it's not right, say it right. Don't understand, say it to be understood. So we must clear the air and clear any misunderstandings. What's done cannot be change. So you can only move forward and learn to accept the future.

Contact Lens Keratitis

2011-03-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

March 22, 2011:
I went for a follow-up exam at Dr. Paul Huynh's office in Mira Mesa today. He says it has gotten much better. I can tell myself as well as i don't have a cloudiness vision anymore. I do sense that my right eye vision is not as sharp though...it may be that i may need new rx lens for the right eye...but at the moment, it is best to wait for a 100% recovery. Dr. Huynh said there is a little bit of scarring so he is prescribed an steroid eyedrop as well as continuing to use Dyoxcycline twice daily. I will still be using systane but i have reduced its usage to 3-4 times a day as needed.

The Song Ends - Kristine Sa and Tony T Nguyen

2010-11-20T22:43:00.000-08:00

Grandpa, When I.......

2010-11-10T23:59:00.000-08:00

Grandpa, you have sadly departed too soon from us all.

As I lay my head down to sleep...I cannot help but miss you. I ease my sadness by listening to sad songs from my Ipod. I peruse through my Ipod for pictures of you. I don't ever want to lose any memories I have ever had with you. Although you came into my life late...as we had only first physically met when I was ten years old. You will forever be the grandfather who specifically celebrated Xmas just for me in Vietnam...ensuring that I never missed a Christmas that year. You were the only "grandfather I ever came to know...... I truly believe you are now in heaven....watching over us....how have you been Ong Ngoai? Have you come back and visited us? Every family event and holiday will now feel different without you...whenever we break out a bottle of red wine, I will think of you. As the patriarch of the family, you were undoubtedly the most obvious wine connoisseur of all. Whenever someone makes a weird concoction of food...tastefully delicious or oddly yucky...I will think of you. When I see roses, I will remember they were your favorite. When I see a man wear a suede tan jacket, i will envision that's you. When I get a cut on my finger, I have flashbacks of how worried you were and how you searched throughout the entire house looking for bandages. When Tet comes around, will you help me beat mommy? She always win! And I will of course visit you at temple...do you like it there? The serenity, quiet, and peaceful atmosphere?

2010-10-28T02:08:00.000-07:00

To have FELT your Presence

2010-10-22T00:28:00.001-07:00

I stayed up really late last nite (3am) addictingly watching TVB's Can't Buy Me Love series. Hence, I overslept and woke up quite late...around noontime. I felt a cold spot to my left..thinking it was nothing because the weather has been rather cold & gloomy due to the rainstorm. Then i realized how late in the day it was so i forced myself to get up....As i blew out some air through my mouth...i felt an odd presence...an invisible spirit? ...As I breathe...turning left then right..i cupped my mouth to see if it was just my lungs giving out cold air or something else...something perhaps phenomenal! As i turned to my right to breath out, it was warm air. So I tossed back to my left side of the bed and let out another breathe...realllly realllllllllllllllly COLD AIR! I let out a little smile...knowing it was perhaps my grandfather...urging me to get up to go meet my grandmother....Like an angel watching over grandma...making sure that i check on her. How lovingly sweet of you grandpa to have finally "felt your presence" today.

Goodbye old cover, HELLO new cover!

2010-09-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

My first steering wheel cover everrr for my CR-V is finally falling apart after 2 years :(

So I went back to Big Lots today. They have really pretty steering wheel covers at extremely low discounted prices! I got the new one for a whopping $4! It has a MSRP of $16. Whoo-hoo! I'm such a good shopper :D Goodbye to my old brown & pink embroidered steering cover and hello to my new grey exotic zebra print cover!

Grandpa's duck dream

2010-09-05T20:41:00.000-07:00

i had a dream about gpa the other night this past week. I was in some bedroom and gma was preparing to "bring" him home. we were preparing the room to bring gpa home so that he could pass away at home. i never ever physically saw him in th room; the only image i had of him was that we talked about bringing him home. gma said that we need to have ducks in the room bc gpa loves ducks...(i don't think he ever had a fetish for ducks in real life though) next thing i know, i go out to the backyard to check on mina because i thought someone had left the backdoor open. i go down the narrow pathway to the backyard to find a lady. She appeared to face the fence and scolding at something behind the fence. That's when i sensed something wasn't right. The lady was the owner of the light yellow duck. She turned from the fence & looked at me witha penchance of evil with the duck in her arms. I ran towards calling mina's name...panicking something had happened to mina. I find mina sitting on the other side of the fence looking up to me with a whimpering face as if she had been directed by the lady to not bark. The duck jumped from her arms and darted for the door for an escape. I yelled at someone to stop the duck and when i ran over to grab he duck, it had a yorkshire dog face with these huge fangs hissing at me. weirddddddddd

2010-09-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

day 24 of vegetarian. finallly had something meatttlike today but still veggie :D I discovered "meatless" soy taco meat! delicious!

Grandpa's gone.

2010-08-25T21:52:00.001-07:00

I feel so empty. So full of void. Engulfed in a sea of sorrowness. Like a part of me is gone.

I cry. I do not emit sounds. Just tears stream down my face uncontrollably. I cry.Alone. Sad. Lonely. Silently.

In Loving Memory of Grandpa

2010-08-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

2010-08-12T00:07:00.000-07:00

Nearly everyone has said they have either seen images of grandpa when they close their eyes or dreamt of him in their sleep. i have not...perhaps it is because he has't passed yet...

2010-08-10T03:01:00.000-07:00

It didnt' really hit me till yesterday. When it hits you, it's like a wall of brick thrown at you.

2010-08-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

i have never felt so exhausted, tired, shakeyness like this before. i can hardly even think.

My love for Red Bull!

2010-06-15T19:51:00.001-07:00

Someone took my fave energy drink, Red Bull and made it into art!

The Hawaiian girl is my fave!

My 10 Years of Loyalty with Hotmail = )

2010-06-15T19:47:00.001-07:00

2010-05-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

Just because I'm vietnamese....it doesn't mean i'll be buddy buddy with you. And just because I'm young doesn't mean i'm inexperienced. Hypocrital Bitch. You turned psycho because I choose not to speak vietnamese with you and not give into you. And hey, don't be jealous cuz I'm younger than you. Don't talk nonsense because I don't give a damn about you!

2010-02-27T20:24:00.000-08:00

Even when I'm the most irritable one at the moment, he still loves me. Gotta love my coworkers!

New Year, New Things!

2010-02-13T15:23:00.000-08:00

This is primarily for those who has ever played Bai Tu Sac....

So for Vietnamese New Years, Kevin wants to learn how to play Bai Tu Sac. Unbeknownst to my sister and I, he had googled online earlier for some basic playing game technique/rules. So during one our training sessions, we told him it was primarily an all Vietnamese language base game and that he would have to learn to speak those game cards in Viet. Anyways, one of the rule about the card game is that you have to "toss out" a loose card in order to continue the game...Being the Kevin he is, he throws some english words in and says "okay, so I am going to toss out this card..it is now ACTIVATED." My sister and i just bursted out laughing. Man oh man..tonight's Bai Tu Sac session is going to be sooo hilariously fun.

Happy New Year 2010!

2010-02-13T15:13:00.001-08:00

Wishing all my asian fellows a New Year!

Here comes the tiger!

2010-01-23T18:34:00.000-08:00

"Your sister, my cousin."

Thanks Tiffany!

Ontech Self Heating Beverages

2010-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

One day at work, a customer asked me if we carried a beverage/soup that self heats when you shake it up. I was dumbfounded...how on earth does that all make sense? Shake up a can and it will actually heat itself?!? Isn't that like dangerous alone to even exist? Just a roll off the shelf and it could possibly heat itself and explode! So i went home and googled to see if something like this exists and it does...or to say the least..used to exist. This product is created by a company called Ontech and after learning more from its website, I find this product quite creative and advanced. Unfortunately, the company went out of business in November 2008 and I am unable to find the actual product... Talk about inventive product concept!

2010-01-09T21:44:00.000-08:00

TOP 10 BIZ MISTAKES IN CHINA (Giving "Face")http://business.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/31/top-10-biz-mistakes-in-china/

2010-01-06T20:12:00.000-08:00

So happy to take a two day break from work! I have been working nonstop for 7 days and am so glad for tomorrow..a day of relaxation.

I'm really into Bao Han's latest fan appreciation song "Thank You"

2010-01-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

to want is one thing.
to have is something
to attain it is entirely something else.

note***i chose yellow text...for hope & assurance

2010-01-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

Still sick. Terribly fatigue, dehydrated, confused. :(

2010-01-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

Got home from work today around 6pm. Sick, exhausted, disoriented.

Ready for the New Year? Here's California's new laws for 2010

2009-12-30T21:44:00.000-08:00

Happy early New year! New year, new beginnings!

California's new laws for 2010 - afternoon update - MercedSun-Star.com

Get Shorty

2009-12-30T18:53:00.001-08:00

Get Shorty

Posted using ShareThis

2009-12-30T00:37:00.001-08:00

Robin was in a terrible mood today so I gave a few words of motivation...When life hands you lemons, make lemonades!

LoL. I was surfing the net for "when life hands you lemons" pictures, when this popped up under the search results. This happy bunny reeminds me so much of Robin.

3 cavities and a crown....later

2009-12-08T21:27:00.000-08:00

Just got back two hours from my dentist (Dr. Dung Pham). After five injections, three cavity fillings and a permanent crown sealed..I am still sadly numbed! Not sure if it was too much anethesia, but I'm feeling awfully sleepy. :( Hitting the haysack early tonite folks! Later!
(And no, that's not my real dentist)

Song Cau, Vietnam Flooding

2009-11-04T22:33:00.000-08:00

Tropical Storm Mirinae struck on Monday November 2, 2009. The most heavily hit were Phu Yen Province, Binh Din, Khanh Hoa and Gail Lai Provinces. My dad's family are situated near Khanh Hoa, especially Song Cau. The Dam Levee broke at 2am and therefore, many victims and residents sought higher grounds during the middle of the night in the dark. It it the worst flooding in more than 30 years in Phu Yen. My Aunt Mui said she's never seen such a flood her entire life. My uncle's farm is entirely lost, all his rice it gone, their home flooded all the way thru the rooftop. My other uncle's home foundation is tilted, my Aunt Mui's home is flooded..her home is right at the edge of the bottom of a mountain. It was very difficult to reach them all through the phone because phonelines were down and as well as everything else. I see images of the flood online and it reminds me of the Lousiana we had a few years ago in the States. My prayers and thoughts are with flood victims as well as their loved ones who are worrisome and still cannot get in touch with their loved ones in Vietnam.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-03T21:53:00.000-08:00

This year's Halloween was fun. All the cousins actually dressed up. My mom even danced to Michael Jackson's Thriller dance routine. I didn't plan on dressing up but then at the last minute, I realized I had something in the closet and lucky me, I found my pink Hawaiian Sarong Dress Aunt Nena got for me from her Hawaii trip a few years ago. Then two weeks ago I bought two pink & purple Hawaiian Lei's at the 96cent store. So there you have it, my last minute costume, Hawaiian girl! Aunt Liz had a box of costumes so I made Mimi put on the M&M costume! Fun! Kevin dressed up at a Nerd whilst Tiffany was Alvin the Chipmunk. Blakey didn't like his costume hat at first but got used a few minutes after we put it on him.

Here's Brad the Superman...leading the trick or treaters pack.

Britney told me she was Spider Lady...At first I didn't quite understood her. It only made sense after she FINALLLLLLY put on her costume.

This house we went by was superdark but had some sort of halloween decorations. Tiffany thought it would be cool to pose with the dead man. Since Cau 6's home was situated on a very vacant lot neighborhood...it was also really dark... The cousins wanted to take picture in the middle of the street...in the dark. Of course, there were no cars.

Blake feel asleep at two blocks in during our candy scavenging walk.

This house was decorated quite well with lots of spiderwebs!

Brad thinks he's really superman and attempted to jump off this foot long ledge.

Britney wants to eat her M&M

Paparazzi Cameraman Cau 4, Zorro Cau 6, Alvin Tiffany, M&M Mimi, Spiderlady Britney

And it wouldn't have been a fun Halloween without having paparazzi uncles trailing after us.

Kevin's Nerd Look

Brad guards his candy bucket from the trick or treaters
Hawaiian Lizzie
Nerdy Kevin shows off his man legs!
Hairy & Smelly anyone?
Blake admiring his dad's pumpkin craftsmanship

I don't know how it happened...but Mom ended up being the person passing out the candy

Kevin's freaking out Mom's giving away all the good ones!
Here the cousins peruse through their candy with Co Hai.
Bloody Eyeball Juice anyone?
Look at all the sweeeeet desserts Aunt Liz made?
After the trick or treating, all the pigging out, it was time to rock out to Michael Jackson's Thriller Song. Enjoy and leave comments! It was too entertaining to not post.

Happy Halloween! : )

Fish Crave

2009-10-21T02:00:00.001-07:00

I've been craving for fish all week long. I've been pigging out with Rubio's Fish Tacos/Burritos, Sweet & Sour Catfish soup, Ca Kho To. Today was my last day of fulfilling my fish crave. I finally found some fresh Rex Sole! Fried it and down it with rice & fish sauce! Mmm...hmmm!

2009-10-03T20:09:00.000-07:00

The fourth round of job layoffs at my workplace took effect yesterday. I lost one of my managers (L.) It's not great hearing your boss saying it's just gonna get worse. :( I guess I'll have to postpone my world trip for a later date now. Double pout :( :(

Influenza season

2009-10-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

It is Flu season again. I got my flu shots about two weeks ago and now I'm flu-like sick. Dad gave me some nyquil to take and I completely passed out. I almost couldn't get out of bed to go to work today. I just wanted to call in sick. I'm coughing up phelgm. Yuck! So sick that I almost ran over a pedestrian yesterday :(

What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?

2009-10-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

What Does Your Handwriting Say About You?:

According to my test results, here's what it has to say about being me:
1. My Handwriting Slants To the left: You generally like to work alone or behind the scenes. If you are right-handed and your handwriting slants to the left, you may be expressing rebellion.
2. My Handwriting size is Average: You are well-adjusted and adaptable.
3. My Loops Are...Closed for L (meaning the upstroke overlaps the downstroke): Feeling tense? This implies you are restricting yourself in some way.
4. My Loops are Full for E: You have an open mind and enjoy trying new things.
5. My "S" is Printed: You are versatile.

Pink Mania!

2009-09-14T00:35:00.000-07:00

Sweet! Nintendo DS just released my favorite color: Magenta PINK!!!!!

45 life Lessons By Regina Brett

2009-09-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of Cleveland, Ohio.

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

11 lessons in Life

2009-09-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

11 Lessons In Life - Author: Unknown

1. It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, But what is more painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let that person know how you feel.

2. A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was never meant to be and you just have to let go.

3. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

4. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

5. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone-but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

6. Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

7. Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

8. Always put yourself in the other's shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the person too.

9. A careless word may kindle strife; a cruel word may wreck a life; a timely word may level stress; a loving word may heal and bless.

10. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

11. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, ends with a tear. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Taken From Geena The Latina Blog.. I like this poem!

2009-09-07T22:36:00.001-07:00

Some of Geena' blog entries are interesting...mostly about life inspirations. Here are some:

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there,
No matter how much time and how
Many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away
Than needing her can reach..
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
Have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
Will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
Praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
Your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
Valleys' end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
Beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
Daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers , aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
Family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
Neither would I. When we began this adventure called
Womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
Sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
Would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If you want to get somewhere, you have to know where you want to go and how to get there. Then never, never, never give up. The secret of life isn't what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you. Help other people to cope with their problems and your own will be easier to cope with. Never use the word impossible seriously again. Toss it into the verbal wastebasket. Self-trust is the first secret of success. So believe in and trust yourself. Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven't half the strength you think they have. Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself. In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible. How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself - so always think positively. Go at life with abandon; give it all you've got. And life will give all it has to you."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allow Your Own Inner Light to Guide You

There comes a time when you must stand alone.

You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.

You must be willing to make sacrifices.

You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.

Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.

There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.

Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.

Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.

Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.

Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.

Leaders ...be led.

2009-09-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

I think I can relate to this article as this is what R. & I are going through at the moment.

"People, than NO People"

2009-09-04T22:43:00.000-07:00

I've always been a fan of Grey's Anatomy but ever since I've lost my own personal TV due to ATT receivers, I would always watch it whenever possible. On one of the episodes, this elderly lady would keep dying. She was given only 3 years to live but she's somehow managed to pull through everytime. This time when she was really "going to die", her nieces & nephews flew to her bedside. Instead of being compassionate towards her, they keep asking the doctors when will she die already because they all have meetings to fly back out to the next day. The doctors become annoyed and doesn't understand why they would wish their loved ones will just die already. It turns out for the past three years, everytime their Aunt would start to die, they would all fly out to see her off but eveytime she miraculously manages to stay alive. By the end of the night, when she really was going to die, the doctors argued amongst themselves about how they didn't want her family members to be with her because of their harsh treatment towards her. After the Aunt came to, she overheard the doctors discussing about her loved ones and uttered softly "No, People than NO People."

Just imagine how sad it would be without the ones who raised you, without the ones you grew up with, without the ones you swapped your kindergarten lunch food with, without the ones who wipes your tears away, without the ones who put a smile on you, without the ones you love.

Don't take everything for granted. Live in the moment, learn to appreciate every day, and cherish love.

Wicked Musical San Diego

2009-08-14T00:47:00.001-07:00

I went to see for the second time the Wicked Musical On Broadway. My sister, her boyfriend and I saw it two years ago in LA at the Pantages. It was on tour in San Diego this time around and since we enjoyed it so much last time we decided to go again during its opening weekend. It was absolutely gorgeous. My sister and I were accompanied by Kevin & Tiffany (first timers). We all dressed up fancy fancy.. ;) Afterwards we all ate some Sushi at RA.

So here we are outside the San Diego Civic Theatre for Wicked Musical on Broadway.
Our first timers trying to do some wicked evil scary pose...Tiff sneaks in a pose with Mimi. We just had to get a pix of her in her outfit. Mimi didn't want to come with us upstairs to get some great view shots for our photographic memory of Wicked. But we got her!

Kevin, Tiffany and I with SD Civic Theatre and Downtown in the background

On our way to the theatre, I saw something I am going to add to my Xmas wish list...a pink scooter!

Funny moment..I didn't mean to get pictures of Mimi..*(Tiffany...u will remember this moment!) We were at a stoplight and to my right were these scary looking guys waiting for the WALK light to cross the street. As they were waiting and we were stopped at the intersection...they kinda creeped me out a lil' bit so I frantically asked MImi if she had locked the doors and I guess somehow snapped pics of her instead...She looked happy there..must have thought it was funny.

Can you tell we loved WICKED?!?

Magic Mountain 2009

2009-08-14T00:18:00.001-07:00

Magic Mountain Trip July 10, 2009:

We added 3 newbies to our Magic Mountain trip this year. It was Kevin, Tiffany, and Amanda's first time to the park. I have to say that there were some wonderful bonding and good fun times going on. Glad we went on a Thursday because the lines were super short despite the super hot 95 degrees heat. Here's a few pics of us on Tatsu, Viper and X2 ride. I decided to sit out on X2 this time around only because I sucked and unfortunately fell sick from the first ride (Viper). Bummer...

After our 3 and half hr ride, we finally made it!

We kept ourselves busy with card games and taking pictures. I don't remember what was so funny here but I like us happy here.
Vikky is snoozing on the far right...
Destin being a backseat driver?!?
My sister loves being the driver.

This is Amanda and Tiff on X2. The one ride I sat out on...can you see why?
Our last ride for the night that we went twice in a row VIPER...Destin decided to torture me by telling me to open my eyes. I refused so he kept screaming (bc of the wind noise) at the top of his lungs to me when the loops were coming and when to pose for the camera. Haha.

MY EYES OPEN? No

POSE FOR CAMERA? Yes

Terminator Ride..not so scary..just felt very claustrophobic & gave off the feeling that you have very little clearance to raise my arms and wave in the air like my other cooler cousins.

TATSU ride..so exhilarating Fantastic. Look at my hair and Mimi's.
Their Facial expressions: Vikky loving it. Tiffany looks like that girl from movie The Grudge...Amanda eek! Richie: whoaaa..whoaa....whooaaaa!

Mother nature at her finest!

2009-08-14T00:09:00.000-07:00

Beautiful day, beautiful life! To enjoy it with someone special is sweet :)

2009-08-07T21:16:00.001-07:00

Need to lay off the caffeine. No more Starbucks and Red bull :/

My A Team really needs to learn how to manage the FE without me today. I can't hold your hand forever every step of the way.

Blake with Aunt Tracy

2009-08-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

This video clip is of Baby Blake with Aunt Tracy; playing clapping games. Taken July 2009. Such a cutie-pa-tootie!

Abbie

2009-07-24T01:22:00.000-07:00

My newfound love from Oregon!
She's such a cutie-pa-tootie!

2009-07-24T00:27:00.000-07:00

MOOD: unhappy, dissapointed, angry, upset
At this point, I can choose to be the friendliest or your worse enemy. I really choose not to be on the far meaner end spectrum bc i love you way too much.

2009-07-20T22:05:00.001-07:00

2009-07-19T00:50:00.000-07:00

I just found out Dale's middle name is... reginald. I had a fun time trying to pronounce his name today. We'll continue this tongue twister another time you!

2009-07-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

Things change, people grow. I understand that..but I still can't grasp how someone just changes....utterly..completely.

2009-07-08T02:37:00.001-07:00

I'm enjoying my vacation. are you?

Where's Mimi? working...argh!

2009-07-08T02:34:00.000-07:00

Spent an entire day with hung and no mimi. --> Wasn't that awkward afterall..Had Tiff & Brit with me too. We had fun poking at him while he was chained to the haircut seat! Papparazi pictures!

Fused out?!?

2009-07-06T23:08:00.002-07:00

Amanda and I blew a fuse out today. Too many hairdryers?!?

2009-07-01T00:36:00.000-07:00

you're far more cuter and attractive than before. ;)

Work much? Taken your vacays yet?

2009-06-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

SIGH!!!!!!

Work much anyone? Taken your vacays yet? Argh! Fun-ness starts in 9 days...yet soooooo much workload to do. I have like a foot high of paperwork on my desk to complete and like 20+ plus job tasks to complete before I am "allowed" to breathe again! My cousins and friends are calling me up every possible hour or so....when they are luckily enough to get me to answer the phone to say hello to...yet I am way too cranky and beeeezy to enjoy their company! Sorry guys, I love you but I am way too overworked right now. Forgive my mean-ness and crank-iness but I'll see you in a week with a big cheery Smiley face & happy mood soon!

Amazing Circles!

2009-05-29T02:17:00.000-07:00

These are my new love of the moment!

photos courtesy of flickr memebers.

VIETNAMESE AMERICAN IDENTITY

2009-05-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

FOB-TWINKIES-EGG-BANANA-

UNIT STRUCTURE IS NOT THE FAMILY, BUT THE INDIVIDUAL
THEY'VE INVESTED SO MUCH SO THEY SHOULD REAP THEIR REWARDS IN US
DEBTS OWED TO FAMILY WHO FINANCED THE JOURNEY HERE
AMERICA HISTORY IS STILL BECOMING

2009-05-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

It's been exactly six weeks since......

My comment for Tami from my Friendster account

2009-05-18T00:03:00.000-07:00

My say on Tami Nguyen (friendster.com)
Elizabeth
Posted
document.write(11/17/2003 6:09 pm)

Tami's my best buddy! We've known each other since birth but didn't become best buddies till the sixth grade!!! She's the coolest person you'll ever meet. Sweet, sensible, caring, helpful, and responsible! This girl knows what she wants in life and she'll go after it no matter what! Tami & I have been through lots...from guys, to school, life, and oh lord....my near death-drowning at the YMCA swimming pool! Haha! She's up for anything....prolly one of the msot adventurous ppl I know, she's also into athletics! She's very a very well-rounded gal and very VERY active in school activities. Her only prob is she's got to slow down and take a few breathes here and there! She can be quite clumsy sometimes....forgetting things or doing the most random stuff ever. I can see this girl going places already and she hasn't even graduated!

--------------------------------------

Of course it is six years since the posting. She has graduated college and although we have not kept in touch as much as I would like, we do stay in touch thru emails, phonecalls, and nowadays...facebook. She's a professional photog and teacher. I am so proud of who she has become....and happy to see her attain the independence she'd always sought when we were both younger.

May 17, 2009 4.7 Earthquake

2009-05-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

It was around 8:30pm and my mother and I was hanging out at Aunt Nena's place watching Vietnam DVDs. I had just walked out from the restroom when Aunt Nena yelled" OMG, earthquake Anh!" I told her it couldn't be because I didn't feel it and that it may have just been me making heavy thumps from my walking. Nope, she was right. It was a 4.7 magnitude earthquake centered somewhere 10 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles.

(Picture courtesy of Getty Images from knsd.com)

Meanest Managers?!?

2009-05-16T23:20:00.000-07:00

I just heard from Robin that some people at work thinks I'm one of the meanest bosses at work. LOL. Meanest boss vs. Bossy Boss with High Expectations for everyone....I'd say I'm more of the latter. Thanks Blanca for making such a good point about what differentiates me from being meanest boss vs bossy boss! :P

Frankie V from Channel 933

2009-05-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

Guess what celeb was at my store yesterday?!?

Frankie V from Channel 933!

I walked around with him around the store for an hour to help launch our Stockman & Dakota premium beef label-Channel 933 giveaway promotion! It was fun and best part was when he got on the intercom and did those pages!

Pic taken from : http://www.channel933.com/pages/frankiev.html

MINA HAS GONE MIA

2009-05-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, look who ran away from home again!

Here was Mina's big opportunity to escape (when I let go of her leash)

Luckily mother got to her leash just in time.

Here she is happy that we didn't have to run after the dog this time
Eh, so Mina wasn't quite too happy about it.

See her stick her tongue out at me, the photographer?

Seeking for a second chance to escape

Mina, knowing mom's wrist was still recovering from her injury,

decides to use all her might to pull mom for a walk

Unfortunately for Mina,

mom thought it would be a better idea to anchor herself to the ground.

See how happy mom is from her "bright idea?"

Mina desperately wants a WALK.

So she ahem...decided to give mom a present...smelly farts! LOL

Mina's farts were sooooo bad that mom she ran back inside & abandoned the WALK! Here's Mina...wondering if the WALK was ever going to happen.

*Note* Mina's golden moment to run away since her leash was not held.

Mina is seen here pondering whether she should head for the left or right direction.

Mina: "Maybe Mimi's in the car and will want to take me for a walk!"

Mina: "Hmm...nobody in the car..

So Mina runs away. She looks left then right to cross the street.

She tinkles a bit here and there every 2-3 houses to mark her "way back home"

Mina: "Hi mom & Dad. I had a fabulous walk and running away. Thanks!

Time for dinner..spoonfed style--> Just how it should be! Here's Mina sticking her tongue out bc someone is spoon- fedding her for dinner

Yummy in my Tummy! Mmm....hmmm!

Mina thinking about another walk..

You're Just STERN Liz!

2009-05-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

We have this new hire at work who has a "job coach." That's all the details I will say about him. Anyways, there's been a couple times where I've tried to talk to him and teach him how to do things the proper way. Whatever I say, whether it's just from asking him to do things a certain way without saying it with so much pessimism & negativity, he takes it the wrong way becasue he's very sensitive...

So earlier today I found out that the entire 3 weeks since he's hired, he's not doing such a good job; missing floor sweeps and really just "wandering" around the store doing nothing. So I decided to pull him into the office and try to understand and help him do a better job.. I asked Dale to be present while I speak to the new hire due to the "there's always two sides to the story" thing. Guess what happens in the office? I haven't even said much to the new hire and you can see him becoming really upset. I tell the new hire I can't help you if you can't help me understand why you're not performing well the past weeks. Of course, things don't get settled when he leaves and he ends up being upset with this sort of creepy glaring eyes towards me for the rest of the day. Afterwards, I said to Dale, "I can't say anything to him because he'll just get upset before we'd ever come to some point of resolution." Dale couldn't believe what just happened when the new hire got really upset. I told him, see i can't say anything to him...good or bad because he'll just cry." As Dale left the office he said, "Liz...you're just stern...you have a stern voice."

The point is ...when my voice becomes ahem...stern...watch out because I can make you cry!

Visiting Ong Ba 7 in Santa Ana

2009-05-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

May 2nd, 2009:

My parents and I paid a visit to a very dear old family elder. Ong ba 7 in Santa Ana. It has been more than 10 years since I've been to their home. It was something I had looked forward to ever since I heard that my Seventh Gpa had open heart surgery. It has been about 6 weeks since the surgery. He looked so much different from the gpa i once knew growing up. It has been years since we've rekindled our relationship and I must say it brought back some fond memories I had with them and the numerous fun I've had inside that home.

Here's Ba 7 & Mom in front of the house

Zachary (Co Oanh's Son) The baby I fell in love with while visiting Ong Ba 7.

Ba 7 giving us some "la cam" to make purple sweet rice xoi. I also love how huge this red flower was! We have one at home but not this huge.

Ong 7 seemed so tiny to me. It's as if he's shrunken in size over the years. Glad he's recovering quite well.

Dad giving Ba 7 some tree trimming advice
Really hot magenta pink flower that I am so in love with for its beautifying color

Phan Boi Chau Street in Nha Trang Vietnam

2009-05-04T21:42:00.001-07:00

Ong Phan Boi Chau
A part of Vietnamese history that took me 26 years to learn. I never knew this till today when my uncle posted pictures of Vietnamese emperors on webshots. I was wiki-ing out who those ancient people were in the pictures and came across three words "Phan Boi Chau." Those words suddenly pulled me into a strong urge for curiosity. My maternal grandparents lived on this street in Vietnam. All this time I thought it was just like a name....that translated into something like "--- --- Pearl" when in fact it was actually named after someone famous, a nationalist leader: Phan Boi Chau. He seems like a name long lost in Vietnam history to me. You know that feeling that overcomes you when you discover something relative & profounding that makes you who you are today. Well, I felt that.......and I was proud to know somehow it's quite relative to my culture and past.

Celeb: Davis Buster

2009-04-27T21:37:00.000-07:00

Guess who visited me at my workplace today? Charger footballer David Buster. Funny thing was I was talking to him and had no idea he was somebody special until Joel personally called me on my phone to clue me in.
BTW, I purchased myself a ton loads of new earrings today!

Lizzie reporting to work.....3 hours late!

2009-04-26T17:40:00.001-07:00

I'm such a terrible terrible worker! I've really outdone myself today. I totally overslept way over and showed up to work 3 hours late! This weekend sucks. I was on Overtime yesterday already too with a 10 hour workday! So much to do and yet still more piles of paperwork to go through!!!!!!

Here's a pic from March 29th at the San Diego Airport with my sister. We were seeing my parents off to Vietnam!

WELCOME HOME!

2009-04-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of my parents leaving from SD Airport

Yay! The parents are coming home today!!!!

It felt like they were gone for the longest time!
Mina will be so ecstatic!

Economic Recession 2009

2009-03-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

This recession makes everyone (no matter what industry you work in) worried. You don't know waking up the next day that yesterday was your last day at work...

Does love for someone change or does he love less

2009-03-02T20:14:00.000-08:00

Is there a difference in loving someone less and when you have different views towards someone that sways your love for them?

First Severe Cold of 2009

2009-03-02T20:12:00.000-08:00

It so inconveniently happened on my day off that I became severely sick with flu-like symptons late last nite. Mother must have passed it onto me..or maybe it was from Matt.... :(

2009-03-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

Forgive me for not crediting whose this is for I've misplaced the person's name somwhere.

I was browsing the web and came across this quote I find so fitting for some people I've worked with and have become acquaintances with.

"RETAIN SIMPLICITY OF HUMANITY"

Passion Can Drive Your Career

2009-02-06T19:12:00.000-08:00

Passion Can Drive Your Career
By John Rossheim, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

Whether it last happened today or 20 years ago, most of us have been hit with that pit-of-the-stomach, Monday-morning moment of questioning: Why do I work here? Is this all there is?
What's missing for many American workers is passion, a positive emotional connection to our work -- often our most energy-consuming pursuit. The good news is that with introspection, planning, action and support, you can redirect your career to incorporate what truly excites and invigorates you.
Passion Drives the Most Successful Careers
In the context of work, passion is more than a best-seller buzzword, according to Sally Hogshead, author of Radical Careering. "The word ‘passion' has a cheesy connotation, but you have to see it as a nonnegotiable element of your career success," she says. "In fact, if you're going to be your most successful, you have to be passionate."
To put the drive back into your career, you first must get back in touch with what energizes you. "Look back over the course of your life -- even back to when you were 12 years old -- and seek patterns in what you like about what you've done," says Lawler Kang, author of Passion at Work. "Try to come up with a high-level passion, even a mission. Then ask, ‘Does this job meet my personal mission?' whatever that mission is."
Your passion may take many forms: working with people, grappling with an organizational puzzle, telling stories or building that better mousetrap. It's wise to come up with more than one endeavor that energizes you, because some passions don't lend themselves easily to a career.
Put Passion into Your Work
Don't make the mistake of assuming that any work activity that touches on your passion will automatically gratify you. "Even if you're interested in golf, it's unlikely you'll stay interested in working in a golf store and selling equipment," says Julie Jansen, author of I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This.
Suppose you've got the talent and decide you want to be a golf pro. For a successful candidacy, you need to lay out a plan that will help you put all the pieces together. "You've got to get some substantial stuff on your resume -- fill in the blanks, repackage yourself, get training," says Jansen. A reality check with professionals in your target occupation is key.
Inject Passion into Your Job Opportunistically
Of course, many of us don't have the time and money to undertake a total career change. Big changes typically come with big expenses. But some professionals develop creative ways to infuse their careers with a passion that has been a long-term avocation.
"A client of mine, an account executive at a global ad agency, is passionate about health," says William Arruda, a consultant with Reach Communications Consulting. "So she came up with several ways to inject her passion into the daily grind." The account executive worked with the on-site cafeteria to design healthful menus, led after-work yoga and kickboxing courses and gained a healthcare company as a client.
That's one way to serve up a career with a side of passion.

http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/Work-Life-Balance/Passion-Can-Drive-Your-Career/article.aspx Feb 6,2009

2009-01-25T23:25:00.001-08:00

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!
Happy 2009 : Year of the Ox

2009-01-25T23:20:00.000-08:00

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

Happy 2009: Year of the Ox!

Dinner with--42 Albie Crew!

2008-12-11T23:55:00.001-08:00

Robin & me....can you tell I'm a lil' buzzed?!?

Sue Ann and myself trying to avoid the Patron shot!

This is probably the best thing I needed last nite! A xmas dinner/reunion. All thanks to Robin! Soo much fun and "buzzed"! hehe

December NIte at Balboa Park 2008

2008-12-06T06:51:00.000-08:00

Albie Target Marketing

2008-12-06T06:34:00.002-08:00

So as many know, in addition to speaking English I am also fluent in Spanish and Vietnamese....
I was just surfing the net and guess what I found? I don't think I've ever seen this on my work website but did my store director put "speaks vietnamese" in here? The only vietnamese speakers would be myself and the Pharmacist. Just a tad bit interesting.......

Happy 14th Tiffany!

2008-12-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

2008-11-26T20:53:00.000-08:00

Finally, 4 days after LanVin's due date, he finally popped out! And boy, during midnite hours, too! This is the text I got from Cau Do on my cell in my wee morning sleep! This is Brad with his baby brother Blake.

Can you tell how proud he is to have the new title of "big brother?"This probably means nothing to the viewer but I found some humor in this picture. This was taken at the Sharp Hospital when she was in for a eye laser treatment for glaucoma. She was really nervous when the nurse called her inside the patient room...only to be sent back out to the waiting room with this sticker slapped on her forehead!

These pictures can be un...when you're like ...wth happened here? when people don't know what's going on behind them...just be glad folks I don't embarass you too much!

Welcome Baby Blake Ethan Le

2008-11-16T11:59:00.000-08:00

November 14, 2008

Now all we're waiting for is Cau Do's Baby Lan Vinh to arrive in a few weeks!

Day after Flu Shot

2008-11-07T21:14:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning late and feeling sick. I hate it the day after I get my flu shot.

anyways, for lunch today, I went to --42 to pick up some NAO packets and planned to lunch with Febe. But as usual at this new place, I got out late. Luckily, I was able to arrive before SueAnn had left for the day. Chatted a bit with her and Robin and John. It's always good to surround yourself with people who are positive and appreciates having you around! :D

Co Huong's due in like two weeks!

2008-11-05T23:07:00.000-08:00

Bday 2008

2008-10-22T23:16:00.001-07:00

For my 2008 Bday, I spent it with my fave peeps. Dinner at Elephant Bar...and National Cabrillo Monument. It was such a gorgeous day at National Cabrillo Monument. Thanks to Destin for his near cliff death escapade! Thanks to my indoor sister for not complaining about the outdoors environment. Thanks to Tiff for those fun uphill strides to the lighthouse. Thanks to Brit for loving every new discovery. Fun coastal ride up and down the coastline.

Dad's 53rd Bday!

2008-10-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

Today was Dad's 53rd Bday. My sis and I are taking him out to DIM SUM/LUNCH this weekend. In the meantime, I got him a Bday cake and this very beautiful purple orchid this evening. As soon as my dad sat down by the table, we see Mina running in and peering in through the glass door.

You can see the dog really wanting to be inside to join the fiasco.

So we let her in and here she is going "oouahhh, CAKE!!!"Dad had to restrain her a bit from taking a lick of the ice cream cake.Here she is looking a bit frustrated dad didn't let her have a lick!Mom decides to join in the fiasco. Can you tell Mina is flustered there's another WOMAN in the picture?Dad shoos Mina so Mom can sitMina, myself, and DadMom's happy because Dad finally blew out the candleA Bday Kiss for Dad!

Doesn't this face tell you what a kiss can do for someone?

Mom's superhappy because she can finally have cake!!!

August & Sept 2008 Bdays & Mount Soledad

2008-09-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

Here are highlights from August & Sept 2008:

Chuom Chuom from Phuoc Loc Tho Santa Ana!! I believe they were about $30 a box. This is the Passion Fruit Vine my parents are growing Britney & Brenden had a joint bday party in August. Brenden turned 5 and Brit turned 9! We had two pinatas for each Bday kid. Brad is only 2ish and he's already learning how the pinata process works.

As you can see, Cau 6 was obviously the Pinata Stick Ambassador!
Mothers can be embarrassing at times...Like trying to sneak into the kids pinata line!

MOUNT SOLEDAD

Since Tiffany & Brit's parents and my mother went to a concert Saturday evening, us girls decided SAN DIEGO ROAD TRIP!!! It took us about two hours to decide on a location but it was well worth it! We decided to go to Mount Soledad. It was super windy up there but the view was SPECTACULAR!!!!

Britney Spots SomethingWhile waiting for the parents to come home, Britney decides to create "fire"