With regular rain and warm weather, the skiing-snowboarding season is coming to an end—for the resorts closest to me. We are still hoping for a week of spring skiing and snowboarding at the end of March in Vermont, but the chance is also slim.

I spent 36 days on the terrains; therefore, my Epic pass was well worth the price. I still have so much to learn, but I am satisfied with my progression. I could snowboard down the double black diamond slopes with confidence and comfort. I also got my groove back on my skis. My skiing and snowboarding levels are at the same level, which is fun to learn new skills on both at the same time. As I am making the transition to carving on both, the season is wrapping up. I need to pick them back up again next year.

Without a doubt, I am in love with skiing and snowboarding. Whenever I put my mind into something, I have to go all in. Skiing was love at first sight for me. The movement I let my rental skis take me down the bunny slope, I never looked back. Snowboarding was the complete opposite. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You must do the things you think you cannot do.” I hated snowboarding when I first tried it. I gave up, but came back to it just to prove to myself I could do anything when I put my mind to it. I conquered snowboarding and fell in love with it.

My wife informed me that I am addicted and she was the one that got me hooked. No addict would admit he was addicted, but I can attest that skiing and snowboarding are therapeutic for me—not an addiction. They keep my body healthy and my mind strong. I used to hate the freezing cold in the winter. Now I pray Mother Nature for all the snow and the cold she could give us, but she hasn’t answered my prayers. This winter, once again, I didn’t catch a cold. Not only I didn’t get sick, but I also felt great.

The physical benefits were nothing compared to the mental benefits. Skiing and snowboarding helped me get through the darkest days in the last couple of months. Hitting the trails was like attending counseling sessions for me. The adrenaline rush of going down the terrains and the peacefulness of the mountains when no one was around left all of my worries behind. It was pure escapism.

I don’t have a strong mind. I get stressed out easily. I lack self-confidence. I also get lots of anxiety. My coping mechanism has been writing, skiing, snowboarding, and skating. I don’t let myself fall into depression. I don’t let anxieties take over me. I don’t wrap myself in a blanket and feel sorry for myself. My life is too damn short and too fucking valuable to be miserable. I never know when I will go.

My arms are too short to box with life. I have to let go of anything that is out of my reach. I learn to differentiate what I can and cannot control. What I have come to realize is that the only control I have is my own mind; therefore, I need to pay attention to it. I need to nurture it and guide it to the right path. Between maneuvering around the mogul fields and navigating my ways down the steep slopes, skiing and snowboarding help keep my mind strong and prepare me to deal with problems in life. I will ski and snowboard for as long as I can.

Nguyễn Tuấn Quỳnh tuổi trẻ, tài cao, thành công như diều gặp gió. Qua Sống ở thể chủ động, tác giả chia sẻ những trải nghiệm và kinh nghiệm của mình. Muốn thành công phải siêng năng, kiên trì, và khát vọng. Theo tác giả là thành công phải giàu có còn thất bại là lười tự học và sống an phận. Khổ thay tôi bị vướng vào hai thứ đó nên muốn thành công cũng không được. Sách này không dành cho hạng người như tôi.

Dear Toyota,

On March 3, 2024, our family (4 kids and 3 adults) were driving home in our 2018 Toyota Sienna LE when the airbag warning light came on. Yesterday (March 6, 2024), I took the minivan to Ourisman Toyota Fairfax to get a diagnose. They found out that the electrical wires inside the passenger door were melting, which caused the airbag sensor light to turn on.

The auto mechanic showed me the melting wires and I took a photo of them. He also told me that he had never seen this issue before. I was shock as well because we never had any work done on that door. I bought the car brand new right out of Priority Toyota Springfield in August 2018.

Clearly this is a manufacturing malfunction—thank goodness our family was safe without proper airbag system—but the dealership estimated $1,688.60 to fix the issue. I declined the repair because the cost was too expensive and the cause was from the original manufacturer. They wouldn’t let me take my car back and negotiated the price down to about $1,300, which was still too much for me. I had no choice.

Since this is a safety issue that was from the original manufacturer, would you cover the cost to fix it? My family owns two Toyota Siennas and have always trusted the Toyota brand for its quality and safety. Please take this serious issue into consideration.

Thank you,
Donny Truong

Update: On March 8, 2034, a Toyota Brand Engagement Advocate responded.

Tựa sách, Từ sự mất ngủ của ruồi, nghe cũng lạ tai. Thì ra sách gồm có những bài viết được dịch và biên soạn bởi Mạch Nha về khoa học, văn hoá, và đời sống. Từ ngủ trưa đến đọc sách với con đến Alzheimer, ai muốn hiểu thêm về những khoa học thí nghiệm thì đọc cho vui.

Qua 108 lời nhắn, Blogger Là Trang chia sẻ những tư vấn trích từ trải nghiệm để giúp bạn trẻ vượt qua mọi khó khăn trong cuộc sống. Mỗi bài nhắn của cô gồm những lời khuyên nhẹ nhàng và gần gũi từ nhiều khía cạnh khác nhau. Chẳng hạn như “Lời nhắn số 103”, cô gửi gắm:

Này, cậu có bao giờ nghĩ đến việc “yêu thầm” chính mình trước khi biết yêu ai, thương ai không?

Đừng kỳ vọng quá nhiều ở người khác, đừng mơ mộng viển vông. Hãy học cách yêu bản thân qua những điều nhỏ bé.

Hãy tặng cho bản thân nhành hoa, món quà nhỏ.

Hãy tự nuôi dưỡng tâm hồn để vững vàng trước bao sóng gió cuộc đời.

Tôi sẽ đọc những lời nhắn này cho mấy đứa con (nhất là đứa 15 và 12 tuổi) rồi thử dịch qua tiếng Anh nếu bọn nó không hiểu. Đây là món quà tin thần có giá trị cho tuổi trẻ. Cám ơn Trang.

My Dearest Children,

As someone who witnesses what your mother does for you everyday, I can’t even tell you the unconditional love she has for each of you.

Since the day you were conceived, she carried you in her womb for 9 months. Since the day you were born, she has not even for one second stopped loving you. She stayed up when you cried in the middle of the night. She fed you with her own milk and soothed you back to sleep.

As you are growing up, she is still doing everything in her power for you. She treasures your lives and I can guarantee you that she would put your lives over her own. I am telling you this because your lives are invaluable to her.

She brought you into this world. She does everything she can to give you fulfilling lives. She doesn’t ask anything from you. In return, I am not asking you to fulfill your filial piety. All that I am asking from you is to treasure your lives. Just that alone is enough to show your love for your mother.

Believe me, your lives are way better than mine. When I was growing up, it was just me and my mother. We were poor, but I knew my mother loved me unconditionally. When I was becoming a teenager, I had moments when I felt my life was boring, but never worthless. I didn’t have many opportunities, but I knew the only way to move up was focusing on my education.

If you think your lives suck, you have not experienced the world out there. If you walk out of our door, you will see it for yourself. Don’t take what we have built as a family for granted. I may sound like a broken record; therefore, I am writing this letter to you so you will be able to refer back to it later on.

Just remember this. I might not be a good father to you, but your mother’s love for you is unquestionable, unmatchable, and unbreakable. All a mother is asking for is to see a smile on her children’s faces. Her happiness is to see you happy. I hope you know or will understand what I am telling you.

Love,
Dad

I added SLS Network to my case studies.

I redesigned the lock-up for the 24^th Annual Judicial & Legislative Reception. I reduced the typeface to Minion Display.

I revealed the beautiful designer behind Simplexpression.

I created a new Vietnamese typography sample.

I made the logo much bigger at the bottom. I also added a red bow on top of it.

In May 2021, I took my 2018 Toyota Sienna to Ourisman Toyota Collision Center to repair after being rear ended. Replacing the bumper and the liftgate took damn near three weeks. The liftgate was still having issues such as a pop noise when it was closing or the gate would slam hard to shut. I ignored the issues simply because I didn’t want to bother bringing them back to the shop.

Gradually the issues got worse. A few weeks ago, I noticed a piece of metal sticking out of the panel every time the gate closed. Almost three years had passed, I didn’t think the Collision Center would warranty it. I took the long shot.

Last Wednesday, I brought my minivan back to them and explained the issues. Of course they denied any wrongdoing on their part. It was so long ago anyway, I was not faulting them. When the rep took the panel off, the metal part that was sticking out had no screw to hold it in place, which caused the popping sound. I suspected when they installed the piece, they forgot to put the screw back on.

The rep told me that he would have the technician take a look. If it was not their fault, they would still fix it and I would pay for the parts. I agreed. I left the car there. Later that Wednesday evening I called them back to check on the progress. The rep told me that they had ordered the parts and they would take care of everything with no further charges. I was so grateful that they would do that. They didn’t have to.

Thursday evening, I called back and the parts didn’t come. Friday evening, I called back and the parts still didn’t come. I needed to pick the car up for the weekend. I dropped the car back again this morning hoping the parts would arrive. Thankfully it did.

I hope this will be permanently fixed. The Ourisman Toyota Collision Center took responsibility for their work, which I really appreciated, but the wait was just so long.

Dear Xuân,

Thank you for informing me about your week. From science to math to PE to music, you had a busy week. I am enjoying these Friday letters between us. Mr. Leonato came up with such a wonderful assignment for us to connect. I look forward to reading your words every Friday.

As you had mentioned in your letter, March is here already. I am a bit torn about it. The weather is getting a lot warmer, which is nice, but that also means skiing season is coming to an end. I want to spend more time with you on the slopes. You are a fantastic skier, but I also hoped that you would pick up snowboarding as well.

It’s a challenge to try something new. When I switched from skiing to snowboarding, I was having a very tough time. The snowboarding learning curve is steep, but it opens up a whole new level on the mountains once you get a hang of the board. If I can do it, you can too. You just need a little bit of patience.

It is so much fun when you can switch from skiing to snowboarding and vice versa. I enjoy both sports and I am sure you will too. We’ll work on your snowboarding skills next season.

Love,
Dad!

Our whole family went to Roundtop this morning. The weather was in the mid 60s. The conditions weren’t too bad. There was no crowd as if people were done for the season. I skied with Vương and my nephew on the green trails.

After lunch I switched to snowboarding with Xuân and another nephew on the backside. The warm weather wore me out quickly. At 2 pm the kids wanted to go home. They have school tomorrow.

I am not sure if the three resorts in PA will last until next week. It looks like the season is coming to an end. I am not even sure if we will be able to ski in Vermont the last week of March when the kids are on spring break. Just have keep our hopes alive.