In the past few years, I have read every book on typography I could get my hands on, but these are the books that I found most useful and almost all of them I have read more than once. If you’re interested in learning about typography, check them out.

1. Robert Bringhurst’s The Elements of Typographic Style: A typographer’s bible to be read at least once a year.
2. Adrian Frutiger Typefaces: The Complete Works: A comprehensive documentation of Frutiger’s typographical work with detailed analysis from Heidrun Osterer and Philipp Stamm.
3. Karen Cheng’s Designing Type: With over 400 type specimens and diagrams, this book examines each letter in great details.
4. Sofie Beier’s Reading Letters: A thorough research on legibility and readability.
5. Ellen Lupton’s Thinking With Type: A must-read to learn the fundamental concepts of typography
6. Stephen Coles’s The Anatomy of Type: The most useful coffee table book I have ever read.
7. Denise Bosler’s Mastering Type: From kerning, tracking, leading, word spacing, aligning to legibility and readability, this book provides insightful guides and the best parts are the good-vs.-bad illustrations.
8. Erik Spiekermann’s Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works: It’s a quick read, yet informative and entertaining.
9. Butterick’s Practical Typography: Insightful and opinionated. You’ll learn typographic details such as the difference between straight and curly quotes.
10. Simon Garfield’s Just My Type: An engaging read even for the folks outside of the typographic geeks.

A comprehensive documentation of Frutiger’s typographical work based on his own words, complete with history and detailed analysis from the editors, Heidrun Osterer and Philipp Stamm, and extraordinary visual comparisons of the typefaces. The amount of knowledge, information and technicalities are overwhelming for one read. I intend to reread it.

Rereading William Zinsser’s On Writing Well reminds me why I have been blogging for ten years. He advises: “You are writing primarily to please yourself, and if you go about it with enjoyment you will also entertain the readers who are worth writing for.” (p. 25)

I am not a writer and my grammar still sucks, but I love writing for myself. When I started to blog, my main goal was to improve my English. Over the years, writing has become my passion. Writing sets me free. When I write I have no obligation to anyone else but myself.

Whether reviewing an album, recommending a book or ranting about life, I have the complete freedom to write what on my mind. Sometimes the unfiltered opinion could get me into trouble. In retrospect, I have toned down my language in recent years. Being a husband and a father plays a role in it, but the main reason is that I am much more mellow than I used to be.

With the rise of social media, blogging has become less popular, but that is also why I still enjoy writing on my own site. The blog is still a quiet place, especially without comments, for me to just write. In 2014, I will continue to write as much as time would allow me to.

The other day we were jamming to the remix version of Thanh Thảo’s “Bạc Trắng Tình Đời” in the car and Đạo asked me the meaning of the hook: “Thà là bỏ đi hết ta làm lại từ đầu.” I explained to him, “Well, you know when you watch a movie in the car and you ask me to restart the DVD. That’s what it mean.” He was like, “Oh, OK.” I am not even sure why I made such a terrible analogy.

Because of Đạo’s verbal skill, Đán is picking up his chops as well. He speaks with authority. He uses phrases like “Muốn coi TV” (Want to watch TV), “Muốn ăn phở” (Want to eat phở) and “Muốn iPhone.” The other day, he put his hand into his diaper and got poop on his fingers. He ran to me and said, “Trời ơi… My hand… Dơ quá” (Oh God… my hand… so dirty).

Đán is a handful. He’s strong; he’s big; he likes to run; and he has endless energy. His terrible-two phase is much worse than Đạo. Just two days ago, he was like a little sick puppy. Yesterday, he returned to his normal self and he is exhaustive to keep up. Then again, I am glad that he’s healthy.

Three words to describe Dao

• Rational
• Playful
• Friendly

Dao likes to play with

• Trains and cars
• Puzzles
• Blocks (always related to trains)

Dao’s strengths

Dao has strong language development. He takes responsibility for his actions. Dao is easily able to understand why some behaviors are inappropriate for school.

Areas that we are working on

We are working on encouraging Dao to participate more in circle and story times. We are also encouraging him to participate in art and cooking activities despite his aversion to getting dirty.

My thoughts

I was surprised that his teachers gave him positive feedback on his behavior. He gets along well with his classmates and he listens to his teachers. Even when he does something inappropriate, he recognizes it and understands the consequences.

At home, he is different. He always fights with his little brother over toys. Whenever Dan plays with something, he takes from his brother despite how many times I tells him not to do that. Dao is fighting for attention. Whenever I get the chance to be alone with him, he is so sweet and well-behaved. I am still struggling to get the two of them to play well together.

Yesterday they fought over a toy and I confiscated it. I explained that if they can’t share, they won’t get to play the toy at all. Dao picked up another toy and threw it across the room. I made him sat on the coach. He started to cry. Dan came over and gave his brother a big hug. I was angry and touched at the same time.

Female singers dominated my list this year. Only Tùng Dương made it to the 10th spot and not even with his newest Đọc Đạo, which I thought would be on my number one spot. It didn’t turn out that way. Congratulations to the ladies.

1. Tân Nhàn – Yếm Đào Xuống Phố: With the support of Trần Mạnh Hùng and talented musicians, Tân Nhàn reinvigorates chèo with jazz.
2. Đỗ Bảo – Cánh Cung 3: Trần Thu Hà managed to bring together Đỗ Bảo’s colorful compositions into a cohesive listening experience. It’s a daunting task that only she can accomplish.
3. Hiền Thục – Tằm Tháng Năm: Hiền Thục did nothing but brought good taste and elegant to traditional folk songs. It works like a charm.
4. Hồng Mơ – Khi Tình 30: Hồng Mơ moves beyond the pop bubbles and explores jazz territory. The result is refreshing.
5. Phương Linh – Tiếng Hót Từ Bụi Mận Gai: Seven years after winning “Sao Mai Điểm Hẹn 2006,” Phương Linh releases her sophomore album with intricacy, maturity and confidence.
6. Ánh Tuyết – Duyên Kiếp: Duyên Kiếp breathes new air into over-sentimental ballads such as “Tình Bơ Vơ” and “Mưa Chiều Kỷ Niệm.”
7. Y Phương – Tình Vẫn Thiết Tha: In many ways, this album could be a tribute to the late great Ngọc Lan, but she also held her own.
8. Thu Phương – Biển, Nỗi Nhớ và… Em: Thu Phương is apparently very conceptual. This album weaves together eleven songs about the sea to create a storytelling experience.
9. 5 Dòng Kẻ – Yêu: Even though Yêu is not as successful and coherent as the group’s previous works, it is still an impressive record that’s filled with original compositions.
10. Tùng Dương Hát Tình Ca: This album showcases the soother side of Tùng Dương.

Bổng nhiên tôi rất thích cái clip em này ca bài “Bạc Trắng Tình Đời” trong lúc đang ăn nhậu vui chơi. Có cái gì đó rất thú vị và sống động. Mời nghe thử nhé.

In his last checkup, which was on December 3, 2013, he weighted 30 lbs and 4 oz (82%) and grew 35 and 1/2 inches (79%) in height.

The last few months, we have witnessed a terrible two at full force. He’s active and aggressive. In our vacation last week at Iberostar in Bayahibe, Dominican Republic, I spent most of my time chasing after him around the resort. The good thing was that Iberostar has two bars from the front desk to swimming pool. Each round, I would get a mojito break.

The time on the airplane was also a nightmare, especially when we left the US to DR. He wouldn’t sit still and he wouldn’t go to sleep because we boarded right on the clock. On our way back, I let him ran all over the airport until boarding time. As soon as we got on the plane, he slept for about an hour before got up and moved around. The experience was less dramatic than the previous flight.

Just about a month ago, his language skills had picked up at a surprising speed. He knows how to comments on things like, “Tàu đẹp quá. Máy bay đẹp quá.” As soon as he woke up (when we were at the hotel), he asked, “Bà ngoại đâu rồi? Muốn bà ngoại.” I replied, “Bà ngoại đang ngủ. Đán ngủ đi.” He responded, “I am not sleeping anymore. That’s it.”

While we were playing in the pool, he grabbed a hold of me and said out of the blue, “I love you, daddy.” Nothing felt better than hearing your son saying that. When we were at the beach, I lost balanced when a strong weave hit us, he asked, “Are you ok, buddy?” He picked that up from me whenever he fell or something.

Yesterday, I tried to feed him some pasta and he refused. I kept on putting the spoon to his mouth and he finally busted out, “No, you eat it.” Witnessing him developing is joy even though it is exhausting to keep up.

Thu Phương is apparently very conceptual. Her latest release, Biển, Nỗi Nhớ và… Em, weaves together eleven songs about the sea to create a storytelling experience.

The lead-off track is a breezy cover of Đức Huy’s “Bay Đi Cánh Chim Biển,” thanks to Minh Hoàng’s lust, electrified orchestration. Then Thu Phương delivers a nostalgia rendition of Phú Quang’s “Biển, Nỗi Nhớ và Em” through acoustic picking guitar and sensational soaring strings. Along with the title track, some standout covers include “Biển Nghìn Thu Trở Lại” (Trịnh Công Sơn), a duet with Hà Anh Tuấn in “Thuyền và Biển” (Phan Huỳnh Điểu) and the album-closer “Nha Trang Ngày Về” (Phạm Duy).

Her version of Kim Tuấn’s “Biển Cạn” isn’t bad. The first minute and a half is gorgeous with just string-laden orchestration. Once the bossa-nova rhythm kicks in, it becomes like one of many “Biển Cạn” arrangements. “Bên Em Là Biển Rộng” (Bảo Chấn) and “Biển Tình” (Lam Phương) feel like they were filled in simply because both tunes are about the sea. With “Biển Nhớ,” her breath is all over the track.

Despite a few missed opportunities, Biển, Nỗi Nhớ và… Em is still a solid album that demonstrates not only Thu Phương’s vocal skills, but also her ear for arrangements and her creative concept.

This year I have the fortunate of listening to many great albums. While vacationing in Dominican Republic, I had a chance to revisit those records and pick out my top 10.

1. Wynton Marsalis – The Spiritual Side of Wynton Marsalis: This is one of the religious albums I have listened to the most beside John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme and it shows the spiritual side of the well-known trumpeter.
2. Dave Holland – Prism: This is a breathtaking journey of fusion from an all-star quartet led by Dave Holland.
3. Lorde – Pure Heroine: A young pop star who beats the pop game with its own whip.
4. Cécile McLorin Salvant – WomanChild: Salvant has all the chops to be a jazz singer at such a young age.
5. Youn Sun Nah – Lento: I was hypnotized by Nah’s style: expressive, eclectic and quite eccentric.
6. Jay Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail: This album creeps on me the more I listened to it. Jay is still one of the best lyricists in the game. I was torn between this and Kanye’s album. Yeezus is on every music critic’s list, so I rooted for Jay.
7. Bun B – Trill OG: The Epilogue: This album offers 12 concise tracks filled with a handful of compelling productions, some excellent guest spots and a whole lot of aggressiveness from the king of the trill himself.
8. M.I.A. – Matangi: This album a hot mess. It’s incoherent, contradicting and frustrating, and yet it is also so compelling, fascinating and engaging at the same time. And that’s what make M.I.A. unique.
9. Madeleine Peyroux – The Blue Room: Peyroux gave Ray Charles’ songs new soul.
10. Carla Bruni – Little French Songs: It’s simply a beautiful French album.