From Vietnam with Love

When Christmas comes to town

 I’m wishing on a star And trying to believe 

That even though it’s far

He’ll find me Christmas Eve

 I guess that Santa’s busy

Cause he’s never come around

I think of him When Christmas comes to town

The best time of the year

When everyone comes home

With all this Christmas cheer

 It’s hard to be alone

Putting up the Christmas tree

 With friends who come around

 It’s so much fun

When Christmas comes to town 

Presents for the children

Wrapped in red and green

All the things I’ve heard about

But never really seen

No one will be sleeping on

the night of Christmas Eve

 Hoping Santa’s on his way

When Santa’s sleigh bells ring

 I listen all around

The herald angels sing

I never hear a sound

And all the dreams of children

 Once lost will all be found

That’s all I want when Christmas comes to town

That’s all I want when Christmas comes to town

Saksinee (A')

(A')

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate. When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: 'Notice that all the nice looking and expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups. And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate, your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate!!

(Thanks to Amy)

10 Rules to make your love last forever.

1. We will not simultaneously get angry. Be cool as water whenever another one being fire.

2. We will not shout into each others faces beside our house is accidentally on fire.

3. Noone loves to be criticized. When talking of what you dislike or need his/ her improvement, use soft & sweet words.

4. We will not revive any bad old practices, but only our romances.

5. Make him/ her know how much s/he means to you.

6. Promise me that we will not peevish over-night. Talk face to face not back-chat.

7. Tell him or her more about anything in your life to tie you up together.

8. Don't be shy to show him/her your apology. When you have something mistaken

9. Don't misunderstand that being together always is to show your heedfulness.

10. Lastly, realize him/ her that your love still exists and will be eternally last.

Love is...

not how much you can get,

But how much you can give,

it's not about giving up,

but holding on,

not about how you say, "I love you",

but how you show it's true.

Where and what and how I have been doing... to answer all these question... just take a look at the picture below.

I think I am a SUPER- HOUSEWIFE after all  !!! 

@ the 10th Floor, I saw a lovely couple whom people are always jealous of their love, were having a big fight.

@ the 9th floor, I saw Mr. Peter who is always energetic was crying with himself.

@ the 8th floor, I saw Mrs. Kitty was shocking from seeing her husband & her best friend together on her bed.

@ the 7th floor, I saw Mrs. Nancy was taking lunatic pills.

@ the 6th floor, I saw Mr. Chris, who was jobless, now looking for a job from 7 kinds of newspaper a day.

@ the 5th floor, I saw Mr. Robert, a respectable teacher, was wearing his wife's underwear.

@ the 4th floor, I saw a young lady, Rose, was having a brawl and ending up with her new boyfriend (again).

@ the 3rd floor, I saw uncle Sam who has been waiting for a visit from his children. 

@ the 2nd floor, I saw Lilly was looking at her husband's picture. He ran away after 6 months of the marriage.

................................................................................

 Before I jump, I thought I was the one who had the worst problem in life.

 Now I have realized that each one of us sometime has something which we cannot or don't want to tell to any one.

 After all these I have seen, I feel like what I have been through is not the end of the world.

 All the people I have seen in the last minute, now they are looking at me ...

 

" Chuc Mung Nam Moi "

 Happy Chinese New Year to All  
   
     

 (A')

My friends, I came back here as I promised in my last blog. Back to normal! ...hopefully for a while 'till another turn.

For your concern...my father is doing o.k. at this moment. He was out of the hospital without any surgery and now is fine at home. My son is also out of the hospital in Thailand. Now we are back to Vietnam and trying to get back to our normal life.

I got a message from a friend of mine and love it. And would love to share this with you all. Please read, it’s worth.

A STORY OF COFFEE

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as though just as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, 'Tell me what you see, “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did, and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity, boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. “Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?” Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to you (I just did); to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.

If you don't send it, you will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten some ones day with this message!

It's easier to build a child than to repair an adult...

This is so true - May we all be COFFEE. We are each the Love of someone else life...... Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate.

Thanks to the person whom wrote this wonderful message. Thanks to my friend for sending its to me and for having me in your thought.

May all the room in your hearts be filled with happiness and love.

 (A')

From my last blog informed you all about my trip back home, Thailand

And yes, I was back to Vietnam not so long ago

But now I am in Thailand again....

It is an emergency.

My lovely son, Atom, is very sick.

After five days with high temperature (39.5 C)

I decided to take him back to Thailand for trusting treatment.

Now he is in the hospital.

I think I will be here and very busy for a while....

Sorry again for not having time to drop back or response to any one.

Hope you all understand...

Promise to share my story....a very long one....when the new year begins.

See you all next year.....2008.

Wish you all the best.

 (A')

Whenever you feel that

all the happy times and smiles

had gone from your life

don't let them get away,

bring them back

as soon as possible

I have just realized that I have been away from this space and dropping around for almost a month (again!). That’s very bad of me. I am so apologize to friends who have been around and tried to keep in touch.

Well, there is sometime in life that you really want to be alone…keep yourself quite in your room …sit next to the window…look up to the sky…and keep thinking …try to find the perfect answer…either you can find one or not… you still have to come out of your room…but before doing that…remember to take a deep long breath…that might help a bit if not more…

I am still living my life here trying to do all things in perfect. But can everything is being perfect? I guess not. Even your perfect is might not the same as other’s perfect.Then I am just trying to tell myself to do the best I can at each moment.

After this blog, I have to be away again for another two or three weeks. I am going back to Thailand for some reason and without my computer. But I will be back here for sure… to my space…telling my story…as I always….

Until then….please take care…and keep in touch….

I will miss you here.

     (A’)

Take a minute to watch this...

And help us make a better world...

http://www.littlebookofman.org

If all can choose...

 to live a contented life

Once Upon a Time on Planet Earth

A project by Ron Modro 

http://www.littlebookofman.org

Once Upon A Time On Planet Earth, on August 6, 1945 at 8:15 AM, the first atomic bomb was dropped on a civilian population in Hiroshima, Japan, killing 80,000 people instantly, and at least 60,000 since then have died, thus marking the beginning of the Nuclear Arms Race.

Sixty-two years later, on August 6, 2007 at 8:15 AM, participants from around the globe took a single photograph.

“The belief that a single human being can make a difference, gives life to this innovative project. Remembering a single moment in history is the very essence of this global photographic endeavor.”

“Once Upon a Time on Planet Earth” is the contribution to today’s global dialogue - an essay from the unique and collective perspectives of the photographers who have chosen to participate in this experience.

I am one of them. I have decided to join this project since March 18, 2007. I had almost lost it because of my moving but I am glad that I still could make it at the last minute. I know many good people through this poject...some of them become good friends. Thanks so much to Ron to give me this opportunity. He's a good friend who has a very good heart. Let's hope for the better world...

August 6, 2007 at 8:15 AM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This country has a long history of war and troubles regarding nuclear power and weapons. Many people are still dealing with the memory of the damages brought by decades of turmoil and, the pain that war can bring. Since the end of the Vietnam War, thousands of Vietnamese are still being killed every year from contact with unexploded landmines that were left behind after the war. The survivors, their environment and their children and grandchildren continue to feel the effects of Dioxin and other herbicides used to defoliate the land. There is nothing positive about such destruction; “their scars” run much deeper than “ours” do.

I have always believed in Love and Peace wherever you are, and whoever you may be. It is important that I teach my son about these things, even though my son is just four-years-old. Today, I decided to take him to the Vietnam War Museum for our photoshoot, to teach him about war and the effects it can have on your fellow man. I want to teach him to live in peace, and to share his love with the rest of the world, if possible. This is the photo I decided to take. My son, learning about the horrors of war.

It was announced recently that Russia plans to help Vietnam to build its first nuclear reactor. Personally, I do not like the idea. There are many questions that come to mind: “What will we do with the Nuclear Waste? What will happen if there is an accident and the core has a meltdown?” We have seen these things happen in our lifetime with Three Mile Island in the United States, and at Chernobyl in the Ukraine.

The Future of our children is at stake, and when I think about the world we will leave behind for them, I only have more questions. When will we find the answers? What will I tell my four-year-old son? His future is in my hands and I want to make a difference.

I have traveled to many countries in my life. I have seen many places and met many people. However, I want to see more, to know more, and to share more. To me this world is getting smaller each and every day. I would like to see more love and more peace. Today, I teach my son; “Love is in your heart, not to stay, but to share (for the better).”

 (A')

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Please visit  http://www.littlebookofman.org  for more photos from around the globe.

I have to put this recipe on my space as per so many requests from many friends... after they saw the yummy photo of Tom Yum Soup from Mr. Grant in Australia cooking for his lucky wife. It's all your fault Grant!!!!

 

 

This is definitely a recipe that you can only balance by taste -- tom yum goong should never be bland, but hot and sour.

 

(for 2 Servings )

 

4 cups water  

1 cup shrimp  

5 mushrooms  

1-2 limes  

1 lemon grass  

3 kaffir lime leaves  

2 tablespoon fish sauce  

5 sprigs cilantro  

3 bird chili peppers  (depend on how spicy you want : I can eat about 30 chillies...)

1 tablespoon nam prig pow (optional)

 

Start boiling the water in a 2 quart pot. Peel and devein the shrimp and set them aside. Cut lemon grass into pieces, 5-6 inches long. Use the back of your knife to pound the lemon grass, just to bruise it to release the flavor. If you want, you can tie the lemon grass into a knot to make it easier to manage. Drop the lemon grass in water and let boil for 5 minutes.

Put the fish sauce and 1 lime's juice into the bottom of the bowls you will serve the soup in. Crush bird chili pepper and add to the bowl.

Remove the stems from the kaffir lime leaves and add the leafy part to the pot. Clean and halve the mushrooms and add them to the pot. Add the shrimp and turn off the heat. Shrimp gets too tough very quickly, and will cook even when it is just sitting in the warm broth. Scoop the shrimp and liquid into the serving bowls immediately. As soon as you add the liquid to the serving bowl, you will see that the broth becomes cloudy because of the lime juice. Add the nam prig pow. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

Be very careful, the peppers can be hot. Take a small sip at a time. Add more fish sauce and/or lime juice if it tastes bland. It's right if it's good for your sinus.

 

If you like spicy food...taste first...and add more chillies  or lime juice or fish sause.

 

 

Tips and substitutions

Unfortunately, for the true taste, it is difficult to substitute anything for the kaffir lime leaves. The richness of the sour taste comes from the complement of the different citrus flavored ingredients.

If you don't like it hot, cut down on the chili peppers or do not cut them up, but leave them whole for decoration. If you like hot or very hot, put more chillies  as you want and may be add some more lime juice and fish sause too.

 

I am real Thai and eat too spicy (more than Thai standard)...I put 30 chillies in my Tom Yum. Would you like to try my soup???

 

 

Enjoy your soup then!! Give me post how do you like it, promise?

    

 (A')

 

The very nice weekend is waiting for you. Keep Going !!!

 (A')