I left W Palm Beach where some called “paradise” for Saigon alley. Going from beach to bunker, I wanted to experience the misery and happiness index. Costa Rica for example has been on this chart for quite a while. Vietnam, according to latest survey, has dropped out of Singaporean hardship list (expat executives no longer granted … Continue reading »
My edu-tourism tour in Vietnam
When you are on a tourist visa, you have to keep renewing it every three months. With every renewing stamp, I receive an equivalent of certificate of completion. My self-education. I learned that: – my friend’s music students, blind or bright, respected and adored their dead teacher – dead people, in casket, still get his/her … Continue reading »
Rain and rhythm
Somehow it is paired up with chewing gum. But it seems to work “looking for a brand new start”. Each day, we woke up to a start. Just like that first day out of our mother’s womb. Not knowing what to expect. Not knowing who to trust. Not knowing what the future is in store. … Continue reading »
Parting
Chicago‘s If you Leave Me Now is easy to listen to, hard to sing. “You take away a part of me”. Changes are necessary. Progress and modernity. More convenience, more amenities. Full service. One-stop shop. Once we have upgraded to some fancy levels, our memory muscles kick in full gear. Gotta get back on top. … Continue reading »
Son Tinh Thuy Tinh
According to Vietnamese legend, the Mountain God showed up early to ask for the Princess’ hand. The Sea God was half a step late. Hence, anger (five stages of grief) turned tsunami, Katrina, Fukushima etc…. Vietnam Central region always got in the way of major storms. To endure and overcome natural disasters, people fabricated tales to assuage … Continue reading »
Little space lots of room
Saigon wasn’t built or planned for 10 million, almost all of them scooters. And certainly not when scooters are on fire as happened lately with grade 83 gasoline. Raging hot. World in flame. Flashback of Monk Thich Quang Duc protesting dictatorship. I fight for my jogging lane, negotiating between the sidewalk and the drainage. It’s … Continue reading »
Saigon Central (Ga Saigon)
The track is still there. So is the display of the chemin de fer locomotive used to run on coal. Hard to get there though, through winding back streets of District 3. I checked out the logistic and lay-out: upstairs for ticketing, and downstairs with hamburger store. My sister loves to take train to Hanoi. … Continue reading »
Empty space
Void. Vacuum. Unfilled and unoccupied space. Plenty of them, within and without. So we fear its vastness. We try to fill it with stuff. In the process, making ourselves mini-gods. Co-creators of space-filling. Bed, bath and beyond. Then give them away to Goodwill. Making more empty space to be filled up quickly. Everyone got problems … Continue reading »
The 11th law
I absolutely agreed with Forbes’ latest article on the 10 laws for our century i.e. Metcalfe, Moore etc… Encompassed above should be the Golden Rule, the 11th law. Committed to communicate and collaborate. Contribution instead of achievement. Do unto others. Racing to the top, but helping others to get there so we can all share … Continue reading »
Decoding the thing called Love
Knock three times if you want me, twice on the pipe if the answer is No. We communicate, therefore we are. Language of the heart. The vibe. Hearts in sync. Le vent la mer le soleil et la pluie. Heaven and Earth aligned. Yin and Yan. Mothers Day and Fathers Day. Be brave. Ask her. … Continue reading »
