Month: December 2004

  • Written on the Wall:

    ‘Twas the Night Before Finals
    written by Lan Nguyen

    ‘Twas the night before finals, when all through
    Claremont’s Halls
    Not a person was studying, not even on Habib balls;
    All class notes were posted on the computer with hate,
    In hope a graduate or two a final would create.

    The students were restless all frightened in their seats,
    With visions of derivatives, graphs and math sheets’


    And Monica in her beanie and I in my hooded sweater,


    had just sat down to discover who's cheats were better,



    When out on the balcony rocks came to awaken,


    I arose from my bunk so very shaken,


    sluggishly to the window I crawled like a snail,


    to discover what tonight’s adventures would soon entail.


     


    The spotlight on the ball of magical lights,


    Sparkled dozens of flashes each and every night,


    “Oh my goodness,” I said with much surprise,


    There was a tutor with books, from the floor to his eyes.



    This little man she recognized at once,


    It was the silly Mr. Pooh who looked like a dunce.


    Hyper and chatty this boy began to speak,


    Those books he did bring, he began to seek.


     


    “Now, LINEAR! now, ALGEBRA! now, ENGLISH and ANTHROPOLOGY!


    On, MICRO! On ECON! On, STATISTICS and PSYCHOLOGY!


    To the top of the balcony! To the top of her table!


    Now open and be read; and help if you’re able!”



    As all the books and the young student work,


    The man they called Pooh had a bright smirk,


    Memories of how they met began to arrive,


    Of all of the struggles and happiness fate hoped to drive.


     


    When they first met it was to just skate,


    But to Pooh’s stupidity he didn’t relate,


    The girl they called booboo did notice this fool,


    While for some reason his eyes were covered in wool.


     


    But then again things don’t always work out just fine,


    While a second chance meeting would happen in due time,


    At and event they call STC that boy did happen to see,


    A girl named Ping he provoked into noticing he.


     


    Her eyes – how they twinkled! Her dimples how merry!


    Her cheeks were like roses, her nose like a cherry!


    But her small mannerisms and upturned mouth,


    Showed this little boy that compliments had no clout.


     


    They were to go to Disneyland to begin their friendship brand new,


    But the boy discovered the girl had a problem or two;


    She had a boyfriend that he could not stand,


    And then they stop playing that Lonely Hearts band.


     


    But then again this story does not end,


    A third time is what fate would send,


    They met again this time would be grand,


    But this little boy she still could not stand.


     


    He with his “Good Morning” chant,


    Her with her Sponge Bob Blanket Rant


    And finally these two had a chance to sit,


    Ensued was a most wonderful conversation with wit.


     


    But alas this story detracts from tonight’s plight,


    The student must study and keep up the fight,


    So the little boy left and while leaving he said,


    “STUDY HARDY THEN PARTY AND THEN GET THEE TO BED!”






    A while ago I was feeling creative and wrote this poem for a good friend of mine.  To give you guys some context it was right before winter finals and my friend was a math major.  Hope you like it, I don't write that much poetry but who knows maybe i'll start. 

  • Event Recap:

    Christmas Past:

    Christmas is just around the corner and since I'll be leaving tonight for Arizona to see my family, I started getting a little nostalgic for Christmas' of yester-year.  Life was so much simpler back then ; a little G.I. Joe, Hot Wheels car, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle was all I needed to make me happy.



    Here is a picture of me (left) and my younger twin brother (right).  Taken Christmas of 1989.







    Christmas Present:

    So many amazing memories from this past weekend and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.  My family has and will always be there for them and I have to say the only sad part about the weekend was when I realized I had to leave.


    The weekend started out visiting my Aunt's house and praying for her....


    I was tired from my flight but I guess while I was sleeping my sister caught me w/ the newest member of the family.  2 month year old Bucky (1/2 Pomeranian & 1/2 Chihuahua) heheh short for Buckwheat. (his name is still in the works, so if anyone has an idea it'd help out)


    Due to popular demand here are two more pictures of Bucky


    Here is a picture of my beautiful sisters and mom.
    Left to Right: Tu (oldest), Thao (middle), Tam (my mom), & Thy (youngest)


    This picture prooves silliness runs in my family and doesn't stop with me =P [My sister is humping the tree just to let you guys now]


    Here I am getting ready to open presents....


    Here is the coolest dinner check list ever =P


    I was feeling a little artsy fartsy with this picture and something about it just seemed beautiful.


    For the first time in all our years as a family we had a traditional american christmas meal with turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, gravy, etc..etc.....so very good


    Here is the yummy meal I had.......sometimes you have to splurge a little in the holidays


    Here is the picture of my sister the pharmacy student rock star


    After christmas lunch was over I got some poker playing in with my family and guess who won


    With everyone in the gambling spirit we decided to head out to a casino for a some real gambling.  [Left: me with my video poker winnings.  Right: my family cheering my brother on]


    This was THE christmas tree.  Growing up my family didn't have money to buy a christmas tree every year so we used to have a plastic tree we would assemble every year.  It amazes me whenever I think about how far my family has come from such humble beginnings.  Merry Christmas everyone!

  • Life's Little Diversions:


    Happy Holidays!

    With the ring of jingle bells on the wind and lights of white, blue, yellow, and red flashing...I thought it'd be nice to add to the Christmas spirit.   Sometimes I wish I could trade in the nice warm California weather for the cold & refreshing winter mornings of Atlanta again.



    (Use the slider or click on the buttons to get it going; Click the musical note for some Christmas music)

    *Special thanks to Kim for helping me finish writing the code for this

  • Man..  Patrick was right. I think I want to get a sex change so that me and Kim can get our panties mixed up.


    Wait was I on top or was Megan?


    Sure, I fuck Patrick in the ass!


    Bitch






    [Edit:]

    Just to let you all know Patrick & Kim hijacked my computer last night and I will get them back when they least expect it.....and everyone will know about it

  • Event Recap:

    Thursday, December 2nd
    My Heart & Soul, CA/AZ


    Carpe Diem:


    For those who don't know the saying above, "Carpe Diem" is Latin for "Seize The Day."  This is a mantra I've come to embrace the past several years and has led me to live my life to the fullest.  Today I found out this saying has more meaning to me now more than ever.

    My 5th Aunt on my dad's side lives in Phoenix, Arizona and lives about 20-25 minutes away from my parents.  When I went home to visit my family 2 months ago I had the pleasure of visiting my Aunt who has always had the biggest smiles, warmest hugs.....and don't forget the nice red envelopes she has for me come Tet (Lunar New Year).

    My Aunt & Me - Picture Taken [October.3rd.2004, 2:14pm]

    Out of all my relatives (besides my immediate family) I've seen her the most the past several years and I'm always ecstatic to see her  She's made living in Arizona a little bit more tolerable for my parents and I am very thankful for that.  She's actually the one that introduced my parents to each other.....so technically if it wasn't for her I wouldn't be here and my parents wouldn't be married.  It was nice spending time with her on my visit to Phoenix and seeing her beautiful home and how she interacts with my parents




    Fast forward two months........at 9:00pm last night my cousin came home to find his mom, my aunt who had been completely healthy, laying on the floor of her living room near the couch you see in the picture above.  They then rush her to the hospital and find out that she's had a stroke.  I received a call from all 3 of my sisters and my parents this afternoon letting me know what happened.......

    ~2:00pm Conversation with my sister:
    Lan - So has she woken up yet?
    Tu - She won't be waking up
    Lan - Waking up today or never again?.....
    Tu - She's in a coma right now
    Lan - What are the chances she'll be waking up
    Tu - Not very good......they are deciding right now whether or not to keep life support going
    [Silence]

    My heart dropped as soon as I heard that.....I'm not sure how I'm feeling right now.  I've only lost someone this close to family once in my life and I don't think I've cried in years.


    ~5:30pm Conversation with my sister:
    Lan - So are there any updates?  When do they have to decide by?
    Tu - Soon, now it's just a matter of when, not if.
    Lan - What!?
    Tu - She has no brain function and her heart is beating faintly
    Lan - I can't believe that
    Tu - When they cut off life support, it's just a matter of how long it will take her to pass away...
    Lan - Tell mom & dad I love them and I hope you know I love you too......I'll be home soon


    ~11:10pm
    Rest In Peace Co Nam (5th Aunt)
    They shut off life support and she peacefully passed into the night.  I know this maybe a little selfish but I just thank god my parents are alive and healthy.



    ~11:00am
    Writing all this down has helped me cope w/ the pain a little better.  It hasn't fully hit me yet what has happened.  When I see the faces on my cousins and parents faces....we'll see how I hold up then.


    ~11:01am
    I just realized my Aunt is my dad's big sister.  I can't even imagine how I'd feel if i lost one of my sisters. [Reminder to self: Hug my dad when I see him next]




    Quote of the Day:

    "The past is history.  The future is a mystery.  The only gift we have is today, that's why they call it a present."

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