Well everyone, just a little note to say hello. Here's an update as to the events in our lives:
November we'll be leaving to go to Okinawa & we are rather excited. For most who don't know, that's where Tam & I began. We now have the opportunity to share this part of ourselves w/Dominic & his sibling. Wait, we're not prego's, but who knows what Okinawa has in store for us.
We've been real busy w/work and I'm still going to school, almost done w/my associates in phsyical therapy. Not to mention we are going to be participating in our first marathon, August 19th, on my birthday. What a present I'll be giving myself, if I even cross the finish line. Just kidding we all know I will cross, the question is how long it will take. So with that said we are also busy training for that.
Since we've last BLOG, there has been playdates to the zoo, tours on the USS Midway CV-41, C.R.O.P. walks & oh our 10 year high school reunions. Tam & I have both been out of school now for 10 years, yikes. Okay, so some who are reading this has been out longer.
Just wanted to share w/you the pictures of our adventures in one BLOG attempt. Here goes. Please enjoy.
Love ya'll...
Stanley High School Reunion, Class of 1997. Held at Superior Bar & Grill in Shreveport, Louisiana. "A Night of Deja Vu...":
Here are pictures of us at the 2007 C.R.O.P. Walk in our community, in which we walked because they walk, helping to raise money for those in our community & nation who are hungry...
Dominic's first encounter w/a ship...Our official self guided tour of the USS Midway CV-41:
Lastly, for now, my recent play date at the zoo w/my pals Isabelle & Riley. We saw tons of animals and did a lot of walking, oka & occasional strolling. Hey we're still little tikes. Although looking at the map, there are a few places we haven't seen, so I am sure we'll be taking another trip. Enjoy...just don't let the water marks fool you. It didn't rain on our trip...
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
MS Walk 2007
As promised, our next entry is a tribute to MS. Sorry it took so long.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease with no known cause or cure. It is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. So once a year there's a big to do w/a walk and all the "trimmings." Our motto, is we walk because they can't. The walk is roughly 5K (a little over 3 miles). We've done it every year since we've been in San Diego, except last year because Tam decided he had to go off and play in the Sand Box.
The last entry was a tribute to my uncle who passed from MS. Every year we walk for two of our family members. This year we honored them and placed their names on the Wall of Hope & "carried" them on our back.
Let the pictures speak for themselves:
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease with no known cause or cure. It is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. So once a year there's a big to do w/a walk and all the "trimmings." Our motto, is we walk because they can't. The walk is roughly 5K (a little over 3 miles). We've done it every year since we've been in San Diego, except last year because Tam decided he had to go off and play in the Sand Box.
The last entry was a tribute to my uncle who passed from MS. Every year we walk for two of our family members. This year we honored them and placed their names on the Wall of Hope & "carried" them on our back.
Let the pictures speak for themselves:
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Monday, April 30, 2007
Various Updates
Since our last BLOG entry, there have been a lot of things that have kept us busy. We’ve had Easter: volunteer events like the Oceanside Ironman; bike rides; kite day at Dominic’s day care; luncheons; fairs; and just good ole’ visits w/family & friends. Amidst this twisted whirl wind we call life, filled w/work, school and family; you can save we’ve been real busy. Just to recap a few of the events read the following:
Tam has mentioned, in the past about the beauty of the Carlsbad Flowers and so after the Ironman we went. Boy there sure were many beautiful flowers there. They even managed to make a huge American Flag out of red, white & blue flowers.
We took Linh & Jan on a bike ride that lead to the beach, Dominic passed out on the way back, followed by an impromptu visit to Old Towne Temecula. Out of our three years here, it’s only the second time we’ve made a trip there. This time the shops were open ha, ha, ha. All we did was window & antic shop, and manage to have a great time. I even discovered the Root beer Shoppe. To my surprise, they didn’t make root beer floats, although there was an array of brands of root beer and many other beverages from long ago. We settled for the Route 66 Root beer that’s made in Temecula.
Some how during our busy schedules, of which we always have something planned/going on, Dominic & mommy managed to build a fort made out of dinning room chairs and blankets. Dominic was tiny enough to wither in and out, around and under the chairs. Mommy, on the other hand, was only able to go through the main entrance; sucks to be mommy.
Hey mommy did manage to show me how much fun sidewalk chalk can be. Boy, did we mark up the drive way.
Just this past weekend we had yet another fair, the annual Kids First Fair & a volunteer event, the MS walk which will be the next entry. While in San Diego, though, we managed a tour of the USS Midway CV-41 (meaning Carrier Vessel & it’s 41st in its class). Remember the event from long ago with the sailor & nurse kissing after either Vietnam or Pearl Harbor? Well there’s also a 25 foot statue there of a re-enactment. All of which we have pictures and will post them in a later entry as we haven’t down loaded them yet. Although there are not a lot of pictures of the Kid’s First Fair, mommy dropped the camera and broke it. Thank goodness for a back up or we wouldn’t have pictures from the rest of the weekend.
Any how, I leave you w/this saying: “But most of all, the best times spent are quality times together,” probably said by someone famous other than myself. Take care & God bless.
Love,
The Duong Family
Tam has mentioned, in the past about the beauty of the Carlsbad Flowers and so after the Ironman we went. Boy there sure were many beautiful flowers there. They even managed to make a huge American Flag out of red, white & blue flowers.
We took Linh & Jan on a bike ride that lead to the beach, Dominic passed out on the way back, followed by an impromptu visit to Old Towne Temecula. Out of our three years here, it’s only the second time we’ve made a trip there. This time the shops were open ha, ha, ha. All we did was window & antic shop, and manage to have a great time. I even discovered the Root beer Shoppe. To my surprise, they didn’t make root beer floats, although there was an array of brands of root beer and many other beverages from long ago. We settled for the Route 66 Root beer that’s made in Temecula.
Some how during our busy schedules, of which we always have something planned/going on, Dominic & mommy managed to build a fort made out of dinning room chairs and blankets. Dominic was tiny enough to wither in and out, around and under the chairs. Mommy, on the other hand, was only able to go through the main entrance; sucks to be mommy.
Hey mommy did manage to show me how much fun sidewalk chalk can be. Boy, did we mark up the drive way.
Just this past weekend we had yet another fair, the annual Kids First Fair & a volunteer event, the MS walk which will be the next entry. While in San Diego, though, we managed a tour of the USS Midway CV-41 (meaning Carrier Vessel & it’s 41st in its class). Remember the event from long ago with the sailor & nurse kissing after either Vietnam or Pearl Harbor? Well there’s also a 25 foot statue there of a re-enactment. All of which we have pictures and will post them in a later entry as we haven’t down loaded them yet. Although there are not a lot of pictures of the Kid’s First Fair, mommy dropped the camera and broke it. Thank goodness for a back up or we wouldn’t have pictures from the rest of the weekend.
Any how, I leave you w/this saying: “But most of all, the best times spent are quality times together,” probably said by someone famous other than myself. Take care & God bless.
Love,
The Duong Family
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Tribute
This post is memory of my late uncle: Frank Tombrello, Sr.; 1947-2007
Wednesday, my cousin called to inform me that my uncle passed away, after a long battle with MS. Every year we participate in the annual MS walk helping to raise money for the cure. We've always walked it for him & Chris, but this year we'll be walking it in his memory.
Here's a little brief background on my uncle of whom I love very much:
Occupation(s): Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army; production line worker @ AT&T; & a Lt. in the Auxiliary Police Division of the Shreveport Police Department.
Uncle Frank had been married to my lovely Aunt Geneva for 39 years. During which time they raised 3 boys: John, Frank Jr. & Chris.
Dear Uncle Frank,
You are with our Heavenly Father now. You have a new and able body and are no longer suffering. Please know that we love you and think of you often. Everytime we came home, we'd make a special trip just to see you. But now you're in heaven looking down, keeping a watchful eye on us. We love you, Uncle Frank. Always have & Always will.
Until we meet again,
Tam, Nyoka & Dominic
Wednesday, my cousin called to inform me that my uncle passed away, after a long battle with MS. Every year we participate in the annual MS walk helping to raise money for the cure. We've always walked it for him & Chris, but this year we'll be walking it in his memory.
Here's a little brief background on my uncle of whom I love very much:
Occupation(s): Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army; production line worker @ AT&T; & a Lt. in the Auxiliary Police Division of the Shreveport Police Department.
Uncle Frank had been married to my lovely Aunt Geneva for 39 years. During which time they raised 3 boys: John, Frank Jr. & Chris.
Dear Uncle Frank,
You are with our Heavenly Father now. You have a new and able body and are no longer suffering. Please know that we love you and think of you often. Everytime we came home, we'd make a special trip just to see you. But now you're in heaven looking down, keeping a watchful eye on us. We love you, Uncle Frank. Always have & Always will.
Until we meet again,
Tam, Nyoka & Dominic
On the Road
Well sometime last year, shortly after Tam returned from the sandbox we both bought bicycles. Since then, we've only rode them once. Seeing as how Dominic's too young to ride on a bike all his own, we've been doing some serious searching for him too. We decided on a bike trailer, that way if we were to fall he wouldn't.
The next step was to the bike store to place the order. We walked into the store told the salesman exactly what we wanted and we ordered it and for that we were given a 10% discount. Psst, there wasn't even a sale going on. A week later it was ready for pick up.
So after we pulled ourselves out of bed on Sunday, 18 March, we decided to go for our first family bike ride. We went for a lovely 7.8 mile bike ride down the San Louis Ray River Bike Trail, w/Dominic in tow. Every hill we went down you could hear him laughing and giggling. He had his toys to keep him busy and the occasionally chat w/mom.
About 300 yards from the finish line, Dominic started to get fussy. I bet he was getting tired of being buckled in. Mommy told him he had the easiest job, just sit back and let dad give him a ride. With that said, daddy & Dominic beat mommy to the finish line.
All in all, we had a blast. Here's a few pictures from our 1st of many bike adventures.
The next step was to the bike store to place the order. We walked into the store told the salesman exactly what we wanted and we ordered it and for that we were given a 10% discount. Psst, there wasn't even a sale going on. A week later it was ready for pick up.
So after we pulled ourselves out of bed on Sunday, 18 March, we decided to go for our first family bike ride. We went for a lovely 7.8 mile bike ride down the San Louis Ray River Bike Trail, w/Dominic in tow. Every hill we went down you could hear him laughing and giggling. He had his toys to keep him busy and the occasionally chat w/mom.
About 300 yards from the finish line, Dominic started to get fussy. I bet he was getting tired of being buckled in. Mommy told him he had the easiest job, just sit back and let dad give him a ride. With that said, daddy & Dominic beat mommy to the finish line.
All in all, we had a blast. Here's a few pictures from our 1st of many bike adventures.
Zoo Trip
Almost 2 weeks ago I went down to San Diego, with mommy & daddy of course. I had a hearing check up, of which I aced. Shucks, now mommy knows that I hear her when I'm pretending to ignore her. Rats you audiologists. Any way, while we were there, mommy & daddy took me to the zoo for the first time. Man did I have loads of fun or what.
When we arrived, dad put mommy in charge of the zoo map & told her to be tour guide. What were you thinking, dad. You know mom & maps don't mix well. You navigate next time please.
Along the way we got to see many cool animals. Among them were orangutans; apes & gorillas, monkeys; polar bears; hippos; a lot of birds in the aviaries; pandas; some reptiles & fish. At some point mommy & daddy decided to get on the guided tour bus ride. We sat at the top where we could see everything. I for one had the best seat in the house, moms lap. Our first stop were the giraffes, man those are some tall animals. The next stop were the elephants, but at that point I was long gone. You see I sat in my stroller all of a minute before I put up a fuss to walk around. Sure was fun keeping mom & dad on their toes, but who knew I'd be pooped by the end of the day.
I certainly can't wait to go back. Well please enjoy our snap shots our our lovely new TV.
Your Pal,
Dominic
When we arrived, dad put mommy in charge of the zoo map & told her to be tour guide. What were you thinking, dad. You know mom & maps don't mix well. You navigate next time please.
Along the way we got to see many cool animals. Among them were orangutans; apes & gorillas, monkeys; polar bears; hippos; a lot of birds in the aviaries; pandas; some reptiles & fish. At some point mommy & daddy decided to get on the guided tour bus ride. We sat at the top where we could see everything. I for one had the best seat in the house, moms lap. Our first stop were the giraffes, man those are some tall animals. The next stop were the elephants, but at that point I was long gone. You see I sat in my stroller all of a minute before I put up a fuss to walk around. Sure was fun keeping mom & dad on their toes, but who knew I'd be pooped by the end of the day.
I certainly can't wait to go back. Well please enjoy our snap shots our our lovely new TV.
Your Pal,
Dominic
Isabelle's #1
Birthday Bash, 17 March 2007
The Birthday Crowd: Natalie, Karlene, Riley, Kat, Regina, Izzy, Nyoka, Dominic, Frances, Cameron, Gloria & Jordan
About a year ago, I posted on our blog the announcement of Isabelle, the daughter of Regina & Joe. Well now she's one & we had some fun. Tons of food, fun & nonstop entertainment was had by all at her birthday bash last weekend. Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.
Congrats Regina & Joe, she's a beautiful little girl.
New buddies, Riley & Dominic
"Tough Guy, Riley."
Aunt Kathy & Star Princess Izzy
The future: Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Duong (just kidding)
"Okay mom, let's go shopping."
"Hey, Isabelle. Thanks for inviting me to this hopping party."
"Okay mom, let's go shopping."Saturday, March 17, 2007
My New Year
Okay, so you've been given a history lesson on the Chinese New Year. So I will spare you any further agony & share w/you a few pictures of my first official New Year's w/my father's side of the family.
This year the New Year started Sunday, February 18th. Mommy, Daddy & I traveled up to Los Angeles where my Co hai & Co ba live. We met up w/my grandparents and went to a street fair a few blocks away.
My grandparents gave me my very 1st red envelop gift (of which will be placed in my account), and I was able to wear the traditional New Years costume from my father's native country. My grandparents gave it to me for Christmas. Hope you enjoy my pictures. Sorry there's only a few, I don't sit still to long for pictures these days. I just have a short attention span, but my father says I have ADD.
My grandparents gave me my very 1st red envelop gift (of which will be placed in my account), and I was able to wear the traditional New Years costume from my father's native country. My grandparents gave it to me for Christmas. Hope you enjoy my pictures. Sorry there's only a few, I don't sit still to long for pictures these days. I just have a short attention span, but my father says I have ADD.
Your pal,
Dominic
You did get my good side, didn't you?
Just for me! My first red envelope.
Oh boy! Thanks for my gifts, Ong Noi & Ba Noi.
Mommy, me & the pig.
My 1st Super Cross
Let this race started, oh, they already did. My bad.
Sorry everyone that it's taken me awhile to post the pictures of my very 1st Super Cross. However, I'm still very little & need lots of help working the computer. Here's my story.
Picture it Saturday, February 17th, 2007, Qualcomm Stadium. There's lots of people, vendors and food. I got to do a lot of running around before we settled down in our seats, yippee. I saw one of the new 2007 Toyota Tundra's, even got to sit in it. Then we were off to check out cool new dirt bikes & finally last stop, was our seats (oh, no).
The event started w/a major fireworks display, the national anthem of which everyone stood. Then the announcer introduced the riders and the race began. Okay, so I am only so little, so naturally I couldn't sit still long. So I bounced from mommy's lap to daddy's & back again. All the while I was flirting w/everyone around us. The bikers were awesome too, but everytime the race started there was always someone who wipped out around the first turn. During the half time little kids, a few years older than me, were able to ride the track. Mommy & daddy promised that someday I'll be able to ride a bike, dad says it's loads of fun.
I decided that I was getting a little hungry so daddy went to buy us hot dogs, pretzels and water to "wash it down with." Oh boy, my first stadium hot dog & pretzel. Do I have the best parents or what!?!
I continued to watch the bikers and flirt and finally came the last race. I held out as long as I could, but my little eyes were getting so heavy. I just couldn't hold them up any longer and before I knew it I was fast asleep on mommy's lap, which was quite comfortable. Hey, who knew that the last race lasted for 15 laps. Someone should worn a person of my size next time. I don't remember much after I fell asleep, so please enjoy my pictures.
Love you all,
Dominic
Dominic
P.S. Can anyone tell me who won?
Looks pretty crowded down there.
They flew by in a blur.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Chuc Mung Nam Moi...
If you're wondering what, "Chuc Mung Nam Moi,"means, it is Happy New Year Vietnamese style. This is the year of the pig or boar. If you were born in the years; 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, then you're a pig or a boar. Until traditional American zodiacs, Vietnamese and Chinese zodiacs are every 12 years. The zodiacs area as follows; rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, roaster, dog, and boar. And every year, the New Year follows under a diffferent date. As far as tradition and cultures go, there is a lot of preparation, time and work that goes into event. Here are the symbols of the New Year, "Tet."
I know it is long but you'll get a better understanding. Enjoy.
Cay Neu
Cay neu is a bamboo pole (New Year's Tree) stripped of its leaves except for a tuft on top. Red paper is used to decorate the tree, which is planted outside the house during the Tet holiday. The cay neu has Taoist origins and holds talismanic objects that clang in the breeze to attract good spirits and repel evil ones. On the very top, they frequently place a paper symbol of yin and yang, the two principal forces of the universe. Sometimes a colorful paper carp flag will fly from the top. The carp (or sometimes a horse) is the vehicle on which the Kitchen God travels to make his report. This tree is more common in the countryside now than in the city. It is ceremonially removed after the seventh day of Tet.
Hoa Mai
While Peach tree is preferred in the North, Hoa Mai is more commonly used for this ceremony in the South because of the warm weather. Hoa Mai is a small, yellow flowering plant that is used for decoration during Tet with the meanings of prosperity and well-being for the family. The value of these flowers is determined by the number of petals - the more petals, the more expensive the flower.
Kumquat Trees
Kumquat trees about two or three feet tall are carefully selected and prominently displayed during Tet. To carefully choose a kumquat bush, the buyer must pay attention to the symmetrical shape, to the leaves and to the color and shape of the fruit. The bushes have been precisely pruned to display ripe deep orange fruits with smooth clear thin skin shining like little suns or gold coins on the first day of the lunar new year. Other fruits must still be green to ripen later. This represents the wish that wealth will come to you now and in the future. The leaves must be thick and dark green with some light green sprouts. The fruits represent the grandparents, the flowers represent parents, the buds represent children and the light green leaves represent grandchildren. The tree thus symbolizes many generations. Guests will caress the light green leaves about to sprout and compliment the discerning host who chose so carefully.
The "Mam Ngu Qua"
The "five-fruit tray" on the ancestral altar during the Tet holiday symbolizes the admiration and gratitude of the Vietnamese to Heaven and Earth and their ancestors, and demonstrates their aspiration for a life of plenty. As one theory goes, the five fruits are symbolic of the five basic elements of oriental philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Some people believe that the five fruits are symbols of the five fingers of a man's hand that is used to produce physical wealth for his own use and to make offerings to his ancestors. However, in a simpler way, the five fruits represent the quintessence that Heaven and Earth bless humans. This is one of the general perceptions of life of the Vietnamese, which is "When taking fruit, you should think of the grower". Today, the tray may contain five or more fruits, in the form of a pyramid like before or in an different shape. Regardless, it is still called the Mam Ngu Qua, the five-fruit tray.
Fire Crackers
The most exciting element in the celebration of Tet is the lighting of trang phao (fire crackers). These explosions are believed to drive off ghosts and evil spirits and leave good luck in their place. As thousands of households simultaneously partake in this fantastic part of Tet, the level of volume and excitement rises to a fury. This level of emotion is the most memorable part of Tet and also the part which makes it such a marvelous experience. However, firecrackers are no longer used as the government banned them in 1995.
Banh Chung
It is a square cake, wrapped in banana leaves and tied with laces of flexible bamboo slivers. It is a very rich food for the interior contains a filling of bean paste to which may be added small bits of pork meat, both fat and lean. This filling, which is amply seasoned, is pressed between layers of glutinous rice. Its square shape is considered a symbol of the thankfulness of the Vietnamese people for the great abundance of the Earth, which has supplied them with nutritious food throughout the four seasons of the year.
Cau Doi (Parallels)
Composing, challenging and displaying parallels represents an elegant cultural activity of the Vietnamese. On the occasion of Tet, parallels are written on red paper and hung on both sides of the gate, the pillars or the ancestral altar. Each pair of parallels has an equal number of words with contrasting or corresponding meanings and lines of verses. They show a keen intelligence, perception of nature and social life, uphold morality and a yearning for the well-being of all people. The red is symbolic of auspicious and powerful vitality, according to popular belief. Mingling with the green of the banh chung, the pink of the peach blooms, the yellow of the hoa mai, and the red of the parallels is sure to make the Spring warmer and cozier.
Xin Xam
After Giao Thua, the last day of the lunar calendar year, many Buddhists go to their favorite pagoda to pray for a good year and to get a fortune reading for the whole year. Each person will get a chance to shake the tube that contains reading sticks, until one stick falls out of the tube. In the case that many sticks drop out of the tube, that person will have to repeat the process. Afterwards, usually the monks will translate the meanings of the reading.
I know it is long but you'll get a better understanding. Enjoy.
Cay Neu
Cay neu is a bamboo pole (New Year's Tree) stripped of its leaves except for a tuft on top. Red paper is used to decorate the tree, which is planted outside the house during the Tet holiday. The cay neu has Taoist origins and holds talismanic objects that clang in the breeze to attract good spirits and repel evil ones. On the very top, they frequently place a paper symbol of yin and yang, the two principal forces of the universe. Sometimes a colorful paper carp flag will fly from the top. The carp (or sometimes a horse) is the vehicle on which the Kitchen God travels to make his report. This tree is more common in the countryside now than in the city. It is ceremonially removed after the seventh day of Tet.
Hoa Mai
While Peach tree is preferred in the North, Hoa Mai is more commonly used for this ceremony in the South because of the warm weather. Hoa Mai is a small, yellow flowering plant that is used for decoration during Tet with the meanings of prosperity and well-being for the family. The value of these flowers is determined by the number of petals - the more petals, the more expensive the flower.
Kumquat Trees
Kumquat trees about two or three feet tall are carefully selected and prominently displayed during Tet. To carefully choose a kumquat bush, the buyer must pay attention to the symmetrical shape, to the leaves and to the color and shape of the fruit. The bushes have been precisely pruned to display ripe deep orange fruits with smooth clear thin skin shining like little suns or gold coins on the first day of the lunar new year. Other fruits must still be green to ripen later. This represents the wish that wealth will come to you now and in the future. The leaves must be thick and dark green with some light green sprouts. The fruits represent the grandparents, the flowers represent parents, the buds represent children and the light green leaves represent grandchildren. The tree thus symbolizes many generations. Guests will caress the light green leaves about to sprout and compliment the discerning host who chose so carefully.
The "Mam Ngu Qua"
The "five-fruit tray" on the ancestral altar during the Tet holiday symbolizes the admiration and gratitude of the Vietnamese to Heaven and Earth and their ancestors, and demonstrates their aspiration for a life of plenty. As one theory goes, the five fruits are symbolic of the five basic elements of oriental philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Some people believe that the five fruits are symbols of the five fingers of a man's hand that is used to produce physical wealth for his own use and to make offerings to his ancestors. However, in a simpler way, the five fruits represent the quintessence that Heaven and Earth bless humans. This is one of the general perceptions of life of the Vietnamese, which is "When taking fruit, you should think of the grower". Today, the tray may contain five or more fruits, in the form of a pyramid like before or in an different shape. Regardless, it is still called the Mam Ngu Qua, the five-fruit tray.
Fire Crackers
The most exciting element in the celebration of Tet is the lighting of trang phao (fire crackers). These explosions are believed to drive off ghosts and evil spirits and leave good luck in their place. As thousands of households simultaneously partake in this fantastic part of Tet, the level of volume and excitement rises to a fury. This level of emotion is the most memorable part of Tet and also the part which makes it such a marvelous experience. However, firecrackers are no longer used as the government banned them in 1995.
Banh Chung
It is a square cake, wrapped in banana leaves and tied with laces of flexible bamboo slivers. It is a very rich food for the interior contains a filling of bean paste to which may be added small bits of pork meat, both fat and lean. This filling, which is amply seasoned, is pressed between layers of glutinous rice. Its square shape is considered a symbol of the thankfulness of the Vietnamese people for the great abundance of the Earth, which has supplied them with nutritious food throughout the four seasons of the year.
Cau Doi (Parallels)
Composing, challenging and displaying parallels represents an elegant cultural activity of the Vietnamese. On the occasion of Tet, parallels are written on red paper and hung on both sides of the gate, the pillars or the ancestral altar. Each pair of parallels has an equal number of words with contrasting or corresponding meanings and lines of verses. They show a keen intelligence, perception of nature and social life, uphold morality and a yearning for the well-being of all people. The red is symbolic of auspicious and powerful vitality, according to popular belief. Mingling with the green of the banh chung, the pink of the peach blooms, the yellow of the hoa mai, and the red of the parallels is sure to make the Spring warmer and cozier.
Xin Xam
After Giao Thua, the last day of the lunar calendar year, many Buddhists go to their favorite pagoda to pray for a good year and to get a fortune reading for the whole year. Each person will get a chance to shake the tube that contains reading sticks, until one stick falls out of the tube. In the case that many sticks drop out of the tube, that person will have to repeat the process. Afterwards, usually the monks will translate the meanings of the reading.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Family Picture Day...
Well, I know that it is way late, but later is better than not at all. For Dominic's first birthday, Nyoka had scheduled for a family picture day. We went to Sears Portrait on Sunday, 05 November 2006 at 1300. We were there, ready to get in, take pictures, review them, oreder them, and leave. But I guess they say that they work on baby time. Meaning, they well see us when they are done with another group. 30 minutes went by and nothing. Finally after 45 minutes, they came out and said that we were next. It was pasted Dominic's nap and he was getting really irritated. He would not sit still or did he want to laugh. The employee did nothing to try to make him smile and laugh. It was pretty much a waste of time. You know how Nyoka is with time and with that she spoke her mind about. She was cursing and hollering and everything...J/K. But she did speak her mind. She was really irritated and told me to take care of the situation. I was like, alright! Lets go home and reschedule. The lady said that we can reschedule here. Nyoka said,"NO THANK!" I am probably over exaggerating but I think thats how it all went down.
We went home and I had called Sears Portrait back and reschedule for, Friday, 25 November 2006 at 0800. It was also at a different Sears Portrait. There is noway that I would go back to the other one. Anyways, I knew if I schedule it for the morning, nothng would go wrong. I was right. We were in and out in no time. The lady was a much nicer lady to work with. She was really flexible. I would recommend her to anybody. She was very professional. The pictures turned out great and we all loved it. Well I'll let the picture speak for itself, enjoy.
We went home and I had called Sears Portrait back and reschedule for, Friday, 25 November 2006 at 0800. It was also at a different Sears Portrait. There is noway that I would go back to the other one. Anyways, I knew if I schedule it for the morning, nothng would go wrong. I was right. We were in and out in no time. The lady was a much nicer lady to work with. She was really flexible. I would recommend her to anybody. She was very professional. The pictures turned out great and we all loved it. Well I'll let the picture speak for itself, enjoy.
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