November 24, 2006

  • About Me Her (Special Edition):

    Normally I just talk about myself in my xanga entries but today is going to be a little different.  I’m writing this entry for a couple of reasons, the first of which is that my friend Kaitlin Ly is turning 22 today.  The second is that I want to scream out to the world how much I like this girl.  We’ve known each other for years but over the last couple of months our friendship has blossomed into something more. 

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAITLIN!!!


    Old Friends?  [August 27.2004]

    A New Beginning:

    We haven’t had many chances to see each other or talk for a while now but about two months ago we were able to get a hold of each other and we decided to meet up with some friends for a night of clubbing and music over at v20 in Long Beach.

    When I got to v20 that night I was just expecting to meet an old friend.  However when I saw her I was just knocked over by how beautiful she looked that night.  It was our first time really ever “partying” together and it was a side of her I had never seen before.  Also, talking to her that night I realized she had matured into an intelligent woman.


    Doesn’t she look hot?


    Almost Home rocked the shit that night too!!!!


    Always nice to find someone as crazy as me.

    Epiphany:

    Going into that night at v20 I had just seen Kaitlin as a friend but I left with a feeling I wanted to get to know this girl a little better.  I called her the following day and the moment I realized there might be a mutual attraction was when she said the following words….”You’re hotter than I remember.”  Now my first thought was a little negative, Did this bitch used to think I was Fugly? hahah but when I realized what she was saying the idea of something growing between us entered into my head.

    We decided we would see each other again the following day.  I had talked to her years ago about taking her to the 3rd Street Promenade at Santa Monica so we decide we’d spend a nice Sunday afternoon/evening there.


    3rd Street Promenade

    All I can say about that night was that it was the perfect start to a new relationship.  I had a glimpse of what Kaitlin was like and had a chance to fully appreciate her sense of humor and how beautiful she was both inside and out.  Since then we’ve been happily dating and content with just living in the now.

    Just Wait:

    While, I want to sit and write about all the wonderful dates I’ve had with Kaitlin I realize I would be here talking for ages about the girl who makes me smile.  I’ll let these pictures speak for themselves.


    HB Tattoo


    Corona Del Mar.  Impromptu Bonfire


    School Uniform night at v20


    Oktoberfest


    Some Hooka at The Red Sea


    Country Girl & a Cowboy for Halloween


    Puzzle Masters!!!


    Skating at Anaheim Ice


    Knott’s Scary Farm


    Pumpkin Carving at my Apartment


    White Night at v20


    Cranium Champions!!!


    Birthday Dinner at the Riverboat


    Feeding the Needy in Pasadena

    I cant’ even describe all the great memories I’ve already amassed in the past couple of months with this girl.  I just know that this girl is someone special in my life right now and I can’t wait to see what other crazy antics we’ll be up to in the future.


    The End:



    P.S.  No comments for me today.  Please drop her a Happy Birthday comment on HER XANGA.


November 19, 2006

  • About Me:

    Just Another Sunday…
    November 19th, 2006


    Today is MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

    I just wanted to also say a very Happy Birthday to my younger twin brother Linh.  I know we don’t see each other as much as I like to but I’ll save a swift kick in the groin for you when I come home for Christmas.


    Lan & Linh.

    Question of the Day:

    So exactly how old am I now? 

    Here’s a little hint for everyone.  2 shiny eprops for every person who guesses right.


    If you can’t figure out how old I am from this clue…..


    Conversation of the Day:

    Lan: happy birthday man
    Linh: u2
    Lan: hey, there is no way to say this with out sounding gay but i love you man.
    Linh: fag
    Lan: ……..
    Linh: u2 keep it on the d/l
    Lan:
    Linh: i ain’t got you shit so don’t get me shit k


    Song of the Day:


    The only real Birthday Song.

November 6, 2006

  • Try This:

    We all have moments in our lives where we are inspired or touched.  It could be something as simple as reading a sentence out of a book, hearing a powerful quote, or seeing something that moved your soul.  Well earlier today I stopped by my friend Sarah’s Xanga and had one of those moments. 


    Life is Beautiful…..

    The hero in the video goes by the name Juan Mann (Say It Out Loud) and for the past 2.5 years in Sydney, Australia he has been handing out FREE HUGS to any stranger willing to step out of their comfort zone and embrace life.

    When asked what motivated him to start the Free Hugs Campaign he answered by saying one day he realized everyone around him seemed so miserable and decided he’d do something to just make people smile and cheer up a little bit.  Also, around that same time he was feeling lonely, with no one around to smile at him, no one to hug, no one to talk to and he wanted to do something that was positive and easy. 

    It’s amazing that we can go days with out showing those we care about the most how we feel and here we can see someone who is willing to open up his heart to the world….

    ~Lan

    Links:



    Original You Tube Video
    Wikipedia
    Australia Ten News Interview
    Sick Puppies

October 25, 2006

  • Event Recap:

    Nintendo Fusion Tour, The Grove of Anaheim
    October 24th, 2006

    Background:

    The Nintendo Fusion Tour blends the best of hot new music and the coolest new video games. This year Nintendo had something special in store for attendees and had playable Nintendo Wii systems hooked up and ready to play.

    Hawthorne Heights is headlining the 2006 Nintendo Fusion Tour, with support from Relient K, Emery, Plain White T’s and The Sleeping.


    The Grove of Anaheim, 22nd Stop on the Nintendo Fusion Tour

    The Nintendo Wii:



    As many of you may or may not know Nintendo is set to release their newest video game console on November 19th, 2006 called the Nintendo Wii.  Well everyone has been dying to get their hands on one to try out one of it’s newest most revolutionary features, the Nintendo Wiimote (See Below).  The greatest thing about this new controller is that it’s completely motion sensitive.


    The Wiimote <3

    So as you walk in the venue you are greeted by the site of about 15 LCD screens hooked up to Nintendo Wiis and smiles all over the place.  Some of the games that were playable were Zelda: Twilight Princess, Wii Sports, Tony Hawk, & Wario Ware.

    Any time during the concert you were allowed to line up and play as long as you wanted.  The lines were a little long so I ended up deciding to try just two games: Wii Tennis and Wario Ware: Smooth Moves.

    The first game I had a chance to play was Wario Ware: Smooth Moves and having had a chance to play many video games over the years I have to say this shit was a blast to play.  You find your self gyrating your hips to emulate hula hopping, waiving your hands in the air to hit flys on the screen, & using the controller as a steering wheel to try to drive down a curvy road.  I wasn’t sure what to expect but I have to say with the right friends over and some drinks this game will be a blast to play at home.



    After I had to stretch my legs out a little bit it was time to head over to another line to try out some multi-player action with my friend Michelle.  We had a chance to play Wii-Tennis and quell my ultra-competitive spirit.  Lets just say there is a reason there is only video of the first game in the match and not the other two games.  (It’s not my fault, she played Varsity in High School)


    At least I won the first match. 

    The Concert:



    I have to say the line up was pretty good even though I didn’t know several of the bands.  The band I was really there to see was the Plain White T’s.  My friend Michelle introduced me to them several months ago and they are honestly one of my favorite bands now.  They are a little punk-pop and after seeing them in person I have that much more respect for them.

    It’s kinda funny but the band really doesn’t just sell Plain White T’s (Har, Har, Har)


    Tom Higgenson, Dave Tirio, & Mike Retondo


    Plain White T’s playing Hey There Delilah.


    Plain White T’s playing Hate from their new CD

    Rating the other bands:
    Sleeping – 3 out of 5
    Relient K – 4 out of 5 (Time to limeware that shit!)
    Emery – Missed them because I was playing the Wii, but I heard they were good
    Hawthorne Heights – 4 out of 5


    Hawthorne Heights


    Recap:

    I have to say this was one of the more interesting concerts I’ve been into my life.  I’ll probably end up trying to come out to Nintendo Fusion Tour 2007 because of the good mix of music, alcohol, & games.



    For those of you who take the time really check out the Plain White T’s.  Seeing how much the enjoyed themselves up on stage makes me respect their music even more.

    Now on to the Wii, I’m not sure how it will fair exactly against the PS3 or Xbox 360 but my initial impression is that it’ll be a crap load of fun and I could probably even get my sisters and dad to play along too.  With the right marketing it could definitely do well in the next generation of gaming.


    All bow down to your new master.


    Something Extra:

    I was hoping to come away from the night with something more than just pictures and good memories and I got it.  Below is a picture of the drum head I got signed by the members of the Plain White T’s. 


October 20, 2006

  • Event Recap:

    Lakers vs Clippers, Staples Center
    October 19th, 2006

    Background:

    Just to key you guys a little bit on what’s been going on in my life…..for the past several years I’ve worked in the mortgage business as a loan processor, underwriter, funder, & manager. (Basically, all jobs that require the expert skill of pushing paper around ) 

    Well earlier earlier this summer I decided I wanted to take a chance and make a jump to another are of the mortgage business and I became a “Senior Mortgage Banker”.  It’s a sales position and is very different from what I’ve been doing for the past several years.  It was a hard transition at first but I feel like I’ve been getting the hang of it.

    This month my company decided to run a little sales contest with a prize a lot of people were excited about for once.  Well the contest just ended today and guess who won


    There she is the beauty.


    The Game:

    This is my fourth Lakers game and my first preseason game.  Which means Kobe Bryant wouldn’t be suiting up tonight but at least you get to see all the bench warmers play a little.  Let me start of by saying these seats were awesome.  By far the best seats I’ve ever had for a NBA game. 


    I could smell the sweat on their balls

    Something about being at a live sporting event is just electrifying. When you are there you honestly feed of the emotions of the other people in the crowd.  Every point your team makes just makess you want to jump out of your seat.  And on the flipside of that, every foul makes you cringe.  Anyways, it was a great time and being able to watch the “battle for LA” was definitely a Thursday night well spent.


    My friend Jameson & I

    The Lakers ended up losing the game 90 to 91…

    but I have to say I had a great time and the beer that was flowing all night definitely may have contributed to that.  At least they lost to the Clippers.  Heheheh they’re like the little brother you still root for but don’t like as much

    The Real Show:

    At every Lakers game people go to there is always a little show within in the show.  At every long time out the Laker Girls come out to shake their stuff and just to reward you guys for reading to the end of this post I’ve included a little clip of the Laker Girls shaking their stuff.  You can thank me later


    I think I found out what I want for my birthday.  And yes, I want all the Laker Girls!

October 9, 2006

  • About Me:

    I have a confession to make.  I’ve been keeping a secret for the past year and it’s about time I shed light on it.  It’s been eating me up inside that I haven’t shared this secret with more people and I just hope my friends can forgive me for not telling them sooner…….


    1 year ago….



    11 Months ago….



    10 Months ago…



    9 months ago…







    5 months ago



    This last weekend…





    [Edit:]  I just got home from work after a long day of getting calls from several friends asking why I didn’t tell them I had a baby.  I just wanted to say I didn’t realize this blog would come off like I had a baby and after reading it now,  I realize my mistake.

    Just so we are clear let me say again.  I AM NOT A FATHER!  Even though I couldn’t think of anyone more I’d like to be my son the pictures above are actually of my very first nephew Winston.  He just turned 1 over the weekend and I had a chance to visit my family out in Phoenix to celebrate the occasion.

    Sorry again for the confusion and over the next few weeks I’ll be updating more on how his first birthday party went and what the hell I’ve been doing over the past year or so since I last blogged.

    ~Lan

October 4, 2006

  • Question of The Day:

    Have you ever cared about someone so much that you were willing to sacrifice your own feelings to make them happy?


    I have…

May 8, 2006

  • Try This:

    My friend Vinh introduced me to this guy named Jake Shiambukuro.  He recorded this video below in Central Park and he’s playing the song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by George Harrison.  Can’t believe how crazy this guy is.  I heard he’s playing somewhere in SoCal next week.  I’m definately going to try and see him.

    Is it me or is his hand like gi-normous?


    P.S.  It’s harder to xanga post when you’re buzzed on Kirin & Sake =p

May 5, 2006

  • Life’s Little Diversions:


    it’s good to be a kid again




    What’s your highest score?
    Here’s a picture of my first score.


    *Games courtesy of Neave



    How Do You Play?:

    It’s weird how differently peoples brains work.  Apprarently some people can play the game by either color, sound, number, or a combination.  For me personally I did it purely by color.  I’ve decided to try doing it with my eyes closed next.  I’ll let you guys know how it turns out.  Wish me good luck



    Top 5:

    Here are the top 5 xangans who sent me proof of their scores.  Has anyone been able to break 29 yet?

    1. rara - 29 Points
    2. mojaam - 24 Points
    3. Zeylihk - 24 Points
    4. DisBoiRichyard - 21 Points
    5. erictheho - 18 Points

    I’m a little competitive, so I’m going to have to play this again later and try for the top score.  I’ll keep you guys updated. =p

    [Update]  Damn, can’t believe sarah got 29 points!!!!!

April 30, 2006

  • Writings on the Wall:

    Kobe Bryant is a monster.  Earlier today in game 4 vs the Phoenix Suns he makes this amazing shot to tie up the game at the end of regulation.  He then goes on to hit the game winning shot at the end of overtime to get the Lakers up 3 games to 1.  Life is very good.


    I’ve been watching the Lakers play ever since I was 10 years old and it’s amazing how they continually are able to be so succesful. 

    Kobe always gets a lot of slack for being selfish on the court but the amazing thing is the reason why the Lakers are winning right now is because he has integrated himself so well into the team.  His assists are way up and the other players are scoring well because of his leadership.  Simply……inconceivable a month ago.

    Finally, the best part about this win is that my family since moving to Phoenix, Arizona have all become Suns fans.  Hahahah a little friendly sibling rivalry is always healthy.





    Unscientific Poll:


    Do you think the Lakers can go all the way?