We closed out the deal yesterday at 3% for 15 years on our mortgage. I am now the sole borrower, but the property is under my wife and I. She cajoled me into it. I guess that’s how it is when you married someone who is smarter than you. Then again, she shopped for the loan and was able to get us a good deal. I just had to sign the paperwork and owe a big-ass debt.
After picking Dao up from daycare yesterday, he asked me his usual question, “Daddy, do you have something special for me?” I responded, “Con noi cai gi (What do you say)?” He switched to Vietnamese, “Dao muon keo (Dao wants candy).” I responded back to him “Daddy khong co keo (I don’t have candy).” He went on, “We go to the store and buy candy.” I said, “But I don’t have many money.” He said, “Yes you do have money in your pocket.”
Then I tried to distract him with some music while we were in the car. Nicki Minaj was playing on my iPhone. The beat was pumping so I let him listened. Not for long, I had to turn it off because she started cussing. Then he requested, “Daddy, I want to hear ‘Beez In The Trap.'” I was a bit surprise because that song was not even playing at the time and if I remember correctly, I did let him listen to the album just for a bit about a month or so ago, but somehow he could remember, “Beez In the Trap” is in the same album. So I let him hear it and the songs starts like this, “Bitches ain’t shit and they ain’t say nothing / A hundred motherfuckers can’t tell me nothing / I beez in the trap, bee beez in the trap / I beez in the trap, bee beez in the trap.” He sang along the latter two bars. I wondered if he already picked up the first two bars too, but didn’t understand what the words are. I was cracking up listening to him singing along with Nicki Minaj.
Child’s name: Dao Truong
Three words to describe student:
Child strengths are:
Areas that we are working on:
Notes from Daddy
Yes, we definitely need to work on his hitting issue. I am still searching for the right solution. Not punishing him is not working.
Over the weekend, my wife’s cousin came to visit us. She has two boys age four and six. They behaved quite well. When it was time for lunch or dinner, the TV was off and they sat at the table to eat their food. I asked her husband the secret and the said the whip. He reminded me that if you don’t do something about it now, he’ll “sit on your head.” He said that you have to whip them hard enough so that they’ll remember. It hurts, but you have to step up. My issue is that I am not as tough as him and I don’t have the patience to put up with Cu Dao.
As far as I can see, the kids are doing well. They were respectful. They listened when their dad told them to do something. My words mean nothing to Dao these days except when I give him “something special.” He “yeses” to everything I say whenever I am about to give him “something special.” After that, everything else goes right out of his ear.
At a quick glance, Lênh Đênh Nhớ Phố is yet another Trinh Cong Son’s record from an unknown singer (at least to this reviewer). Once listened, however, the album holds it own. Although Giang Trang’s sultry, raspy voice is the main attraction, the key success of the album is the tight integration between the vocalist, violinist Anh Tú and guitarist Anh Hoàng. In each track, the three come together as a unit.
“Ru Đời Đi Nhé” is a perfect example. The violin sings the opening bars backing up by the strumming guitar. Giang Trang enters the next two bars, but then the violin joins in again to create a marvelous word and wordless interaction. Because “Ru Đời Đi Nhé” is so well-known that the words could be left off without losing the listeners who try to follow the lyrics. While Giang Trang sings with ease like she’s narrating her personal story, the violin soars on the high register to create a deep emotional impact.
“Như Tiếng Thở Dài,” “Vườn Xưa” and “Lời Thiên Thu Gọi” are excellent interpretation. The relaxed tempo in the intimate setting makes the listeners feel the music with their heart rather than just their ears. While “Đời Cho Ta Thế” gets an intoxicating bluesy lick, “Góp Lá Mùa Xuân” kicks up a notch with a groovy ostinato and “Mưa Hồng” is treated with a savory bossa-nova flavor.
To put it simply: Lênh Đênh Nhớ Phố is not a Trinh’s record to ignore. Must-listen.
I never gave a fuck about the MTV boy band until its latest release Nếu Chỉ Sống Một Ngày. Its sixth album struck a cord that is very closed to my heart. As the title track suggested, what if you have one day to live? How would you live it? What do you do when you’re racing against time? Here’s the line that sums up one’s life: “Thời gian thôi đưa chớp mắt đã hết một đời.” Yes, life is over in just a blink of an eye.
“Nhắm Mắt” is another track that cuts straight to the core: “Nhắm mắt, một ngày mệt nhoài trôi qua… Cố thức giấc đi thôi nhận ra hôm nay tôi đây không là ngày hôm qua nữa.” Imagine waking up only to realize that you’re no longer the same as who you were yesterday. “Mặt Trời Màu Đen” is a tear-jerking dedication to those who could never see the sunlight and “Dioxin,” featuring 5 Dòng Kẻ, is an emotional tribute to the victims of Orange Agent.
The album opens with “Trở Về” to indicate the return of MTV. The boys disbanded in 2007 and now they are united as the men. Nếu Chỉ Sống Một Ngày marks a tremendous growth from being a banal pop-rock boy band to a matured, lyrical rock group.
Yesterday was the first day since you were born that I got to spend alone with you. I enjoyed every moment of it. Seeing smile puts a smile on my own frowning face. You observed me cleaning up the dishes, doing the laundry and folding clothes. You kicked your feet with excitement every time I play with you. You laughed out when I joked with you.
You enjoyed the scene when we strolled to the library. You fell asleep halfway there; therefore, I took all the time that I needed to check out the books. You eat well. You sleep well. You smile a lot. You’re also a tough boy. Your big brother has been giving to rough love, but you took it and smile. The only time you cried when he butted his head on your face. Even I can’t endure his hard head; therefore, I feel your pain.
At five month, you have already showed tremendous personality. You’re already making sounds and trying to talk. You show big laugh when people are talking to you. Your mom told me that you woke up at four in the morning and smiling at her. I really love this about, son. Please keep on smiling my dear and you’ll have a much enjoyable life. We love you dearly.
Many thanks to the caring mamas for sending me tips and techniques to deal with Dao’s hitting problem. They reiterate and emphasize that spanking him is not the right solution. I was not quite convinced because it is not about me being tough. It’s about getting him to listen. A visit to the pediatrician last Friday, however, changed my mind.
I took Dao in for his three-year check up. He’s doing well. Still growing even though he hardly eats. He interacted with the pediatrician. She asked him what his name and he replied, “Dao.” She asked him his age and he replied “three.” She asked, “Are you a boy or girl?” He replied, “girl.” We laughed.
She asked me if I have any question and I brought up the hitting issue. To sum it up her point was that, “If I spank him, he would think it’s ok to use violence to solve problem.” That makes sense. My wife also told me one time, that Dao was playing with his trains and he told the first train to go, but the train didn’t move. So he said to the train, “You don’t listen. You’re being bad. I am going to hit you.”
Since the heated argument with my wife, I have not spanked him and he has picked that up. He knows he can get away with it. Now if he hit me and I tried to distract him, he would find a way to scratch me. This kid sure knows how to push the button, but I remain as calm and as patience as I could be. We’re just talking to him and hopefully one fine day he’ll snap out of it.
We’re going through a tough time and facing one of the biggest challenges of our lives. We’re not sure what tomorrow will be like, but we’re hoping and praying for the best.
Duc Tuan’s latest releases, By Request and Ky Niem, show that he has un-sissified his phrasing, which makes his tenor much more pleasant to the ear. As the title suggested, By Request is a collection of his most-requested songs, presumably by his fans. Duc Tuan has been very conceptualized in crafting his albums; therefore, he wouldn’t cut album with this much variety. The result is very disruptive experience. “Sac Mau” is the only track that stands out of the rest due to the ingenious use of Roland TR-808 (ripped out of Kanye West’s 808 & Heartbreak) and Vietnamese traditional instrumentation. “Thoi” is definitely not a Duc Tuan’s choice.
Ky Niem, on the other hand, is carefully selected by Duc Tuan. His choice of Pham Duy’s tunes created an introspection of the songwriter’s life. The title track is probably one of Pham Duy’s most covered classics and there are many better versions than this one. Duc Tuan’s rendition is not that bad. It’s just not unique. In contrast, “Chiec Kep Toc Thom Tho” is excellent. The semi-classical arrangement with a bit of ambient vibe provided the space that is essential for story-telling. “Chieu Ve Tren Song” is another heartfelt cover with string orchestration. The double disc, however, is unnecessary. The English version of “Giot Mua Tren La” as well as the three bonus tracks could have been left off to create one solid album.
Can’t believe you’re turn three today. What a year it has been. Life changes as you begin to discover the world and explore your identity.
You’re now a big brother. Sometimes you might feel like your little brother take over all the attention, but reassure that our love for you have not changed. Because we love you so much that we don’t want you to go through life all by yourself. Believe me, having a brother will be one of the biggest gifts you have ever received. Your mom and I won’t be around you forever, but your brother will for the most part of your life. So love each other and be there for each other. Your mom and I will be extremely happy if we could see that bond between you two.
In the past few months, I have been a little rough on you because you are a tough kid. I promise you that you will have many freedoms in life, but right now I just want you to have the respect and the discipline. I don’t expect much. Just a few simple rules and principles. You’re a bright kid and I know that you understand, but you choose not to listen. Whenever I picked you up from school, you would ask me, “Daddy, do you have something special for me? I want something special. I listen to you daddy. I listen to you daddy.” After we picked out some candies from the store, I said that we have to go home and wash your hand before you could eat it and you followed. Why can’t you do that at other times too?
While you have some issues to straighten out, you’re a terrific kid. We love you, kiddo. Have a wonderful birthday, Dao. And May too.