The day kicked off with 50 minutes of bus and metro commute. Spent the whole morning trying to stay awake during orientation. New boss took me out to lunch. The 60-degree weather was unbelievably beautiful, and so she gave me a quick tour to show all the eatery spots on campus.

Went back into the building and a spanking new, unopened MacBook Pro and two 20-inch Apple cinema displays waiting for me to use. By the time I got connected and installed a few programs, it was time to go home. Took the metro back but then somehow got confused during the bus rides. Ended up walked a couple miles home.

Feet hurt and stomach hungry, scooped up a big bowl of rice with pork caramel made by my landlord’s wife. I rented a room from a young couple who love food as much as me, but actually can cook. The wife came from Soc Trang; therefore, she can make southern dishes including Bun Mam, Bun Nuoc Leo, and other savory dishes that she’ll make. She guarantees to get me hooked while I am staying. We’ll see about that. Last night they did make some really banging Thai’s hotpot.

Although the transition is so far so good, I wish she were here. Two days without her went by in a glacial pace, and two weeks seem like forever. Damn! I miss her.

Munching on banh pia, sipping tea, listening to Wu Tang’s classic debut and watching her beading. She gives me a disgusted look when the intro to “Method Man” comes on.

“Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” (brilliant)

As usual, 2008 Ao Trang calendar featured twelve striking, cinematic shots of the white Ao Dai from photographer Hoai Nam. This year, however, the series is conceptualized around the theme of freedom. Accompanying each photo is a line of text written by Nam Loc. For example: “vi hai chu Tu Do… Ta mang doi luu vong…” Get a copy if you haven’t.

Adobe launched its new design. Way too slow on my old iMac.

A new theme for iLoveNgocLan.com to celebrate Ngoc Lan’s birthday. She would be 51 today.

A poem by Grace Paley

One of my personal favorite jazz pianists, Oscar Peterson, died at 82:

Mr. Peterson was one of the greatest virtuosos in jazz, with a technique that was always meticulous and ornate and sometimes overwhelming. But rather than expand the boundaries of jazz, he used his gifts in the service of moderation and reliability and in gratifying his devoted audiences, whether playing in a trio or solo. His technical accomplishments were always evident, almost transparently so. Even at his peak, there was very little tension in his playing.

Each year the Vietnamese Catholic Church hosts a Christmas concert that opens to the public free of charge. It’s a great place to meet up new friends or to reconnect with old ones. For the past few years, its own music band could not get the people to stick around past nine. This year Thu Hoai and The Magic Night band brought back the vibe.

From the opening “Feliz Navidad,” she turned some of the most annoying songs danceable. I even dragged my ass out on the dance floor and made a fool out of myself. “I Will Survive” was off the hook. When it came to Ngo Thuy Mien’s “Niem Khuc Cuoi,” a special preview for me, she gave a passable performance. The notes were a bit too high and the lyrics are more suitable from a male perspective. Besides, the tune is best experienced in an intimate setting, not a huge dance hall. Still, thanks for the dedication.

This year I didn’t get to see too many familiar faces. Saw an old pal who is also getting married next year, yet he hasn’t stayed in touch with anyone else either. Another one was a girl who had recently moved back to Lancaster from Virginia after her baby’s father left her and her kid for another chick in Viet Nam. Her eighteen-month baby was adorable and full of energy. She was the reason I had loosen up and jammed on the dance floor. Kids have to be one of my biggest motivations for marriage, and I’ll make sure that they won’t have to deal with their parents’ issues.

New York Times Magazine‘s minimal cover.