Colander Boat Ride

These funny looking bowl-shaped boats are all over the place along the coast.


My dad chartered a private boat to explore the islands off Nha Trang. Our first stop was a dock at a nearby island. We wanted to go snorkeling but it was too windy and the surface water was very rough, so this guy came along to offer a "glass-bottomed" boat ride. We hopped in!


It was the funniest and coolest little boat ever. Here we are looking at the fish & coral below. Raelene and I are thinking of starting a business on Catalina and offering these boat rides & a narrated tour to people. It's way better than a kayaking trip!


Our captain, braving the seas to show us the reef below. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard for us to learn how to navigate a boat like this!


Fun times on our colander bowl boats!

Fruit anyone?

I'm not sure the what the name of this fruit is in English, but if you do a literal translation of the fruit's Vietnamese name it would be called "breast milk". Awesome. It's pretty good, although it has a curious slimy texture. If anyone knows what this fruit is in English, let me know!

Beep beep, honk honk

It's funny, that's what you hear all day long, beep beep, honk honk. The motorbikes and cars talking to each other. I just wanted to quickly recap our first couple of days so far...

Our flight from Incheon was delayed about 40 minutes, so we finally made it into Ho Chi Minh a little after 11pm. Although that leg of the trip was considerably shorter, about 5 hours, it was definitely more uncomfortable. It's just hard having to sit on another flight after just finishing such a long journey already. Of course, a nap and the onboard entertainment (watched The Other Guys) helped me get through it. My dad picked us up from the airport and took us for a midnight pho meal (yes, there were people out eating pho at that time of night!) before we settled down for the evening.

My dad bought Raelene and I each a helmet, so we spent most of our first day touring the town on the back of a motorbike. We were riding in style, with a helmet and face mask to shield us from the dust (the picture above doesn't show us with our face masks, I'll have to load that one later.) First stop was breakfast, had some egg rolls and a yummy bowl of bun bo hue. We then visited the Reunification Palace, former home of the South Vietnamese presidents. It was a very interesting place, and my Lonely Planet desribes it perfectly, "Time has stood still here since 30 April 1975, a slightly scary thought. The striking modern architecture and the slightly eerie feeling you get as you walk through its deserted halls make Reunification Palace one of th emost fascinating sights in HCMC." We read that description after visiting and laughed about it, because that's exactly what Raelene and I were talking about as we were exploring the building. It definitely felt a little eerie, and everything looked like it belonged in a movie or another era. After that, we visited the long narrow aisles of a couple of markets, learned how to cross streets, did some errands, then ended the afternoon with a treat at a street corner ice cream shop where we watched the rush hour traffic flow by.

We had a very early start this morning and left the house at 5:30am to explore the South-Central coast for a few days. Today's destination was Nha Trang, a resort town a little over 200 miles north of the city. Although it's not too far in distance, road travel is at a much slower pace and it took us about 11 hours to get here. We did make a few stops, including lunch at a restaurant right on the beach--what a view! The strip of beach and hotels here reminds me of the hustle & bustle of Waikiki.

The Dance

It may seem like mass chaos at first, but you soon learn that being on the vibrant and bustling streets of Saigon is taking part of a performance, a song and dance of the city's people coming and going. The soothing hum of motorbikes plays in the background while honks and beeps provide an ever changing beat. This is the music for a beautiful dance, of motorbikes, cars, bicycles, and buses whizzing and weaving amongst each other. Nothing is choreographed, which is the most impressive part about witnessing this performance. Individuals play their own tunes and take their own paths, but they do so together on one stage, and thus create a living and breathing piece of art, a dazzling show of people on the move.

This is how we spent our day, taking part in the performance, soaking up Saigon's sights and sounds on the back of a motorbike. It was fun and quite an adventure, and I'm still blown away by how they do it--how the riders and drivers are able to manage such small spaces, how they can get so close without ever touching, how they plunge straight into traffic without fear, how they make it all seem effortless, seem like a choreographed dance. It is a thing of beauty, what they do, but I must admit that two words sum up what I thought and said to myself most of the day..."HOLY SHIT!" So many times, it seemed like we were going to bump into the person next to us or crash head on with the person in front of us. Of course nothing ever happened, and I was left again and again, laughing about the thrilling close ecounters.

Incheon layover

Three movies, three magazines, three meals, many naps, and 13.5 hours later and we've survived the first and longest leg of the journey. My butt hurt and my feet swelled, but other than that, it wasn't so bad. I'm so glad I woke up early to go for a morning 3 mile run before we left for the airport. It was nice to get a workout in and have my muscles moving for a bit before sitting for so long.

At Incheon for a quick layover before boarding the 5 hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City. It's 2:16am at home, and 7:16pm here. This is a beautiful airport and I'm looking forward to checking more of it out and doing the city tour on our trip home.

Looks like we are about to board!

Mission accomplished

I've managed to pack pretty much everything I was hoping to bring into what you see here. No major sacrifices were made, which I'm happy about. We head off tomorrow morning, holy crap! Well, see y'all in a few weeks. Hope everyone had a great Xmas!

Oh, packing woes!

Stuffing 3 weeks worth of belongings and necessities into a backpack is very difficult, espeically for an overpacker like me. What to take? Everything! What to leave behind? Nothing! It really shouldn't be that hard, considering I survived 6 weeks in Europe on just a backpack. I've done it before, I can do it again, right? Theoretically, yes. But in actuality, it's tough. Especially when the high temperatures of the places we're visiting range from 20F to 90F. That's a 70 degree difference!

What do I want wear on a 13hr+5hr flight?
How many pairs of shoes will I bring?
Should I pack the scarf?
Will all this fit?
Hope I don't forget anything!
Oh, packing woes!

T minus 4 days

T minus 4: 2nd to last day of work (so much to finish up!), gym, dinner with the MRods & December (yay, haven't seen them since summer!) and Alie

T minus 3: Last day of work, Xmas Eve happy hour at the Huntington House

T minus 2: Xmas with the Fam, one last load of laundry

T minus 1: Country Strong with Milena, gym (hopefully), freak out, pack, dinner with Dominique before she moves to Maui, freak out some more...

T minus 0: LAX>ICN>SGN Yay vacation!

Quote-o-the-day

"If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it."
-Priscilla Welch

Instead of thinking that I can't or wishing that I could, like I so often used to do, I'm finally just doing it. I'm pushing, I'm going, I'm putting one foot in front of the other, again and again. I'm discovering new parts of myself, that I can, and I will never have to wonder.

Lovin the rain

It's been raining the past two days straight and I'm lovin it. Forget 80 degree weather, who wants that in December? Give me grey. Let me hear raindrops. Make me feel like it's actually winter.

Other things that have been making me happy lately...
Foggy mornings and cool overcast days
Trees turning beautiful colors
Seeing Orion & Cassiopeia in the night sky
The fresh scent of Christmas trees

Quote-o-the-day

I want a brave love
One that makes me weak in the knees
I want a crazy crazy love
One that makes me come undone at the seams
-Kiss the Flame, Jewel

Tuesday morning reflections...

Life. Maybe it’s about discovering yourself anew with each experience you have. About finding your path, becoming who you want to be. It’s expressing yourself and your love in new and better ways. With all the struggles and triumphs along the way, the stumbles, tears and fears, but also the strength, courage, friendship, support and love. It’s about putting these pieces together, making the connections, knowing that these moments have greater meaning and seeing the beauty in such a revelation. Life tugs to align itself in small and perfect ways. It all happens for a reason, happens exactly the way it is supposed to, it all comes together perfectly. This gives me hope, keeps me believing in the journey that I am on. Breathing life, appreciating it, sharing it. I welcome more and more of it, of life, love, happiness, and the world.

Photo-o-the-day

Grand Canyon, North Rim

You know you're Asian when...

...your family puts plastic wrap around the tv remote control to protect it. I acquired my grandpa's tv a while back, and yes, that is truly Saran wrap on the remote. I wasn't surprised to find it like this, and although it's kind of embarrassing, it's also a hilarious reality. We Asians like to protect our gear and make it last as long as possible, and if we couldn't keep the original packaging, then plastic wrap would work just as well.

Even more embarrassing? I must admit that I can't escape my upbringing. I got an iPhone 4 a few months ago, and it was about a week before I gave in and finally peeled the protective plastic cover off the front of the phone. I actually would have kept it on longer, but it was covering the earpiece and I couldn't hear a darned thing when I made phone calls. Yes, I am Asain and I cannot escape it.

Quote-o-the-day

"It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger for them." -George Eliot

Photo-o-the-day

Grand Canyon, North Rim

Quote-o-the-day

“But as my father helped me see, the important thing is to try to do the right thing at the time. The decisions you make, the actions you take—they accumulate over time, they shape you, they give you direction. Over the years, I made one decision after another. I learned from my mistakes. I kept on swinging."
-Apolo Ohno, Zero Regrets

Writings from the past

Going through boxes of old stuff at my parents house, I recently discovered some journals from my past. They were from the high school and early college days, an interesting time that makes for very amusing reading. My late teens and early twenties, as with many people, were a time full of angst and trying to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be. It's when we first truly venture into the world. It's when questions, relationships, and adventures are new and intense, when so many things are analyzed and agonized over, when every experience feels so significant. Although these moments may not be meaningful in the same way they once were, there's still something special about them, special because of what it did mean once upon a time. Here is one entry that I came across...

February 2002
Adam called yesterday and startled me with an apology for not being the friend he should have been, for never thanking me and giving me the credit I deserved. It was the nicest and most honest apology I’ve ever gotten. I was so surprised by it, because I never thought it would occur to him—it actually never really occurred to me. But everything he said was just so special. It made me feel good and made me think, “Hey, maybe I’m a better person than I think I am. Maybe I can do and be better and deserve better and not have to settle for anything in life.” Because really, I don’t think about stuff like that most of the time. You just live your life, hoping that someone will see something special in you, see something more than you even see. And Adam did that a little for me. He always has. “You give and you give and you give—and you never asking for anything in return. And no one gives you the credit and respect you deserve.” All I wanted was for him to SEE me. And maybe he does now.

Quote-o-the-day

"This was one of the hardest parts-just staying focused and knowing there would be light at the end of the tunnel, even if you don't know quite how long the tunnel is, even if you almost can't see the light. You just have to have faith to keep going."
-Apolo Ohno, Zero Regrets

I Run Because...

Morning run along the beach.

I run because…
I have never been a runner
I never thought I could be a runner
To get a glimpse of the “runner’s high"
It is hard, it is rough, it is a tremendous challenge
Overcoming the challenge is extremely rewarding
It pushes my mind and body to another level
The sense of accomplishment feels so good at the end of a run
I want to feel like I can be a runner
I want to be able to say that I am a runner

Hiking Whiting Ranch

Went hiking with Shannon on our day off the other day. It was really nice to get outside again. Makes me want to go camping!

I Heart Apolo Ohno

"Every single one of us has a path to travel. Everything happens for a reason. This I believe."
-Apolo Ohno, Zero Regrets

I love this guy. And he was in town yesterday morning! He was on such a tight schedule that the signing went really quickly, which means I didn't get a chance to propose. Although, proposing on our first meeting may have been too soon. But I didn't even get a chance to dazzle and charm him. Oh well, guess I will have to wait until our next meeting.

Underwater Handstands

Can you spot me? I'm the one who ruined the picture because I can't do a proper underwater handstand. My form is way off. Darn it!

See Jane Run!

Several of my friends and I participated in the Long Beach Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning and I did it, I ran my first 5K race! My goal was to run the whole thing without walking and I happily accomplished that. Like I've mentioned before, I have never been a runner. I not only didn't like to do it, but I also really couldn't run even if I wanted to. When I first started, I was only able to do 1 minute run/walk intervals. But now, after a lot of hard work, I think I can almost call myself a runner. And I'm already looking forward to my next 5K race so I can improve my pace and time. Thanks to Kera, Shannon, Emily, Sylvia, & Theresa for a fun morning, good job ladies!


Hope you all are having a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend.

Quote-o-the-day

"I am so tired of only waiting."
-Durable Goods, Elizabeth Berg

Night Dive #3

Sound check, photo by Anitza V

I'm happy to report that we put together another successful and fun event. The decorations turned out well, we had some cool art, our photo booth was a hit, the bands and djs were great, and many people got in the Halloween spirit and dressed up for the evening.

We pulled it all off (with much less stress than the last two events) and I'm so happy to be working with a such an awesome team!

Something to look forward to...

I finally booked my ticket and am heading off to explore Vietnam and Cambodia for three weeks in December. Rae is coming along for the adventure, I'm going to visit my dad, and we are meeting up with Catherine and Nick while they are on their world trip. What am I looking forward to most? Seeing Halong Bay and eating yummy food for 3 weeks straight! It's been 3 years since I've traveled abroad and 1 year since I've been on a proper vacation (long weekend trips are great, but they don't quite count as a vacation), so it's about time I go on a big trip!

Another reason I love my job...

A couple of months back, I found this little gift and note on my desk when I got back from the weekend. It's from one of my adorable young volunteers. So heartwarming to receive such a simple and sweet surprise.

Bowling

Scott & Crystal are in town visiting from Australia! It was nice to see them, and I can't wait to go to the wedding in Kauai next year. They're such a cute couple...


We went bowling the other night. I forget how much fun it is, no matter how bad I suck at it...


But this time, I won the game! I tied my best score ever, 130. From a girl who's happy when she breaks 100, this is very exciting. Yay!

I heart fresh flowers

Bought $3 worth of flowers at the farmers market and was able to make 4 bouquets with it. Makes me so happy to see pretty fresh flowers around the house!

Saturday: how I spent my day off

I went running in the morning. A few of my friends and I are going to do the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, so I'm trying to gear up for it. Running the 5k distance may not be much for some people, but it will be an exciting accomplishment for me. I have never been a runner, so it's been a hard yet rewarding challenge to overcome. It will be a lot of fun doing the race with friends, plus they give free pies away at the end, how can you beat that?

Then I dropped flyers around town for our THIRD Night Dive event.


In the afternoon, we went to the Brewery Artwalk in LA. Pretty cool event. The place was huge and we weren't able to visit all of the studios, but did stop in to say hi to an artist that displayed pieces at our first Night Dive. He makes illuminated sculptures and his stuff is AMAZING. Check out his site, Sandman Creations by Sean Sobczak. Below are a couple of shots of a dragon he had on display. The scale and lights and details are much more impressive in person. I LOVE IT.

Photography Outing

I haven't played with my Nikon D200 in a long time. Which bothers me because it means I'm not getting any practice or any better. There are so many buttons! There's still so much to learn! I want to be inspired, to take great pictures. I'm determined to lug the camera out more often, so Staci and I went to The Huntington Library on our day off this past Friday. It was hotter than heck, but we endured the oven-like heat and took photos for a couple of hours.

Mostly been shooting in aperture mode, still trying to get a feel for it. I hope that one day it will just click (no pun intended) and that this will all come naturally to me! It will take many more outings and thousands more photos, I'm sure...

Here are some photos from the day, you can see all of them in this flickr set.

Why I love my job...

Okay, I admit it, I don't love my job all of the time. But who does? I don't think there's one person out there who likes their job every moment of every day, work can't always be roses and sunshine. How I feel about my job spans the whole spectrum of emotions. I have many moments of stress, tears and frustration. There are times when my weaknesses creep up or my fears overcome me. But along with that, I also experience moments when hard work is paid off and accomplishments are recognized. I'm at a place where smiles and laughter are plentiful and people are awed and inspired every day, where people truly care about the work they do.

And every once in a while, something very special and rare happens...I touch a life, I make a difference somehow. No matter how simple or how small that impact is, it still means the world to me.

Summer's bounty

Summer is, once again, slowly coming to a close. One of the things I will miss most about the season? This fresh, juicy, sweet deliciousness. Each season brings its own gems of fruits and veggies, but summer is by far my favorite. Of course I can still find berries and peaches and nectarines during the rest of the year at any old grocery store. But nothing compares to getting it local and in season at my Sunday morning farmers market.

Photo snippets from this past weekend

Had a mini vacation with friends this past weekend, which was great since I haven't been able to get away all summer. We went camping one night out in the desert at Red Rock Canyon State Park for the Perseids meteor shower, then spent the rest of the weekend in the Pismo Beach/San Luis Obispo area. More photos to come soon hopefully, but here are a few photos from my iPhone...

Baby Ferris

Look at his adorably dimpled hand. He's so cute, I just want to eat him up.