Quyển sách gồm 56 bài viết về Hà Nội của nhà văn Nguyễn Ngọc Tiến. Bài đầu viết về “Tiếng Hà ‘Lội’” đầy thú vị với một chút lịch sử chữ Việt. Bài thứ hai viết về ma tình Vũ Thị Tý. Còn phần nhiều là viết về những địa điểm đặc sắc của Hà Nội. Tiếc rằng tôi không biết gì về những nơi mà nhà văn diễn tả nên cũng không mấy có cảm giác khi đọc. Những ai ở Hà Nội chắc chắn sẽ thích thú và cảm thấy gần gũi hơn.
Discovery plays an important role in making design decision. It helps designers learn about the problem they need to address. In his book, Practical Design Discovery, Dan Brown examines discovery as a mindset, not a process. It is about the right attitude, not a set of instructions. It’s an intriguing read.
Dear Xuân,
Of course your mom and I would like to hear about your day. Tennis is a fun sport. I am glad you are learning it in PE so you can teach me how to play. I would love to see your patterns for Alebrijes. I can’t wait to read your realistic fiction story. It sounded like you had a fun, productive week.
Over the weekend, I had a wonderful time accommodating you on your Cub Scout’s camping trip. Even though you had a busy schedule, I enjoyed the time you and I spent together. I had a great pleasure observing you playing, learning, and interacting with your Cub Scout buddies. It also gave me an opportunity to connect with your buddies’ parents.
My goal for you to join scouting is for you to explore new territories, learn leadership skills, and connect with others. You are on the right path. I hope that you will continue to be open-minded, stay curious, and become independent.
Thanks for keeping me company at the skatepark. Thanks for reading with me on a regular basis. Thank you for your willingness to get tutored to improve your reading and writing. I can’t wait to read your letter next week.
Love,
Dad
In her book titled Mỗi ngày gửi cậu một cái ôm (Each Day I Send You a Hug), Là Trang shares 108 positive, thoughtful messages to the youths to help them navigate through life. Even as an adult, I find her words compelling; therefore, I quoted a few lines and added my own English translation. I created this sample page to share her positive thoughts. For typesetting, I selected Montagu Slab, designed by Florian Karsten.
Gum.mp3’s spacious, electronic style reminds me of The Chemical Brothers. “Spacey” is atmospheric, upbeat, yet calm. My personal favorite track on the album has to be “Deimos,” which showcases Gum.mp3’s skillful blend of Spanish guitar with hypnotic rhythms. Listening to the album brings me to the early days of Flash intros, which combined motion graphics with electronic beats. I also find the music soothing for walking or driving.
Hồi nhỏ lúc còn ở Việt Nam, tôi thường nghe những câu chuyện về thú vật đối xử với nhau rất hung tàn như con này ăn thịt con nọ hoặc bọn nó đấu trí với nhau. Mỗi truyện cho chúng ta một bài học về luân lý, triết lý, hoặc chân lý. Đọc quyển sách này do Vân Anh tuyển chọn tôi mới biết là truyện ngụ ngôn. Đọc cũng thấy vui và để nhớ lại tuổi thơ.
I know R. Kelly, but who the fuck is G. Kelly? From a quick research, Grace Kelly is a saxophonist, composer, songwriter, band leader, and a singer. I came across her latest album, in which she covers tunes from movies and an orchestra backing her up. The album kicks off with the “James Bond Medley” with Kelly’s soaring saxophone. Halfway through, she started to sing. She has a decent voice, but she should have kept the medley strictly instrumental. She introduces “The Way You Look Tonight” with the Charlie Parker flow. It’s a mesmerizing swing cover with the strings behind her. Her collaboration with Sean Jones on “Soul Bossa Nova” reminds me of Bird and Diz. Damn, Mr. Jones got the bebop chops and Ms. Kelly got the swag. Love the call-and-response interactive. Not a perfect album, but very close. Love her, and she’s Korean-American.
Just when I thought I got all the car dramas out of the way, I had to go back to Costco yesterday evening to drop off our 2011 Toyota Sienna. My wife drove over a nail and punctured the rear passenger tire. I brought the car in at 6 pm and they called me at 9:30 pm to let me know it was finished. I still need to pick it up after work today. Did I say I hate dealing with cars? There’s a saying in Vietnamese, “Ghét của nào trời trao của nấy.” It’s true. Whatever you hate, God will give it to you. All these times, I thought God only give me good things.
Dear Đạo,
I am sorry about your phone issue. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s fine to experiment with it. That’s how you learn.
You have been asking me for a new phone and I don’t have a problem with getting you a new one. I am deeply concerned, however, when you don’t know how to control your usage.
You don’t like it when I remind you about your education, but you haven’t proved that you can take responsibility for your school work. School should be your first priority, not digital usage. I worry about you, but my words have fallen on deaf ears.
I just don’t know what else to say to make you understand–or you just don’t want to understand. My priority is you and your brothers, but I am not doing a good job as a father. When talking to other parents about digital usage, I had learned that they were able to limit their kids to one hour a day, one hour a week, or none at all. I have not done that and I can’t now. I know the repercussions of limiting your usage.
Now that you are old enough, I hope you will figure out what to do with your life. Your mom and I do anything for you, but we can’t do anything without your participation. It’s still not too late.
Love,
Dad
Thứ bảy vừa rồi mưa cả ngày không đi trượt tuyết được. Nằm trên giường viết vu vơ trên Facebook, “Gọi em là hoa vì anh bị dị ứng nên đành phải sống xa hoa”. Ông bạn nhậu trả lời, “Giỏi lắm, vậy giờ bò qua tao nhậu để xa hoa”.
Đang rảnh mà có người rủ đi nhậu thì sao đành từ chối. Trời mưa lành lạnh thèm thèm hương vị Yamazaki cho ấm lòng. Tôi chạy qua ABC nhưng không có hàng. Thấy em Ohishi cũng dễ thương nên bê em về vậy.
Em được ủ từ gạo trong thùng đảo Islay nên em có chất khói hơi nồng trên môi nhưng vẫn êm dịu khi em nhập vào tôi. Anh bạn nhậu và tôi ngồi cụng ly nói chuyện trên trời dưới đất mà cạn hết chai hồi nào không hay. Mà tôi còn tỉnh táo gì nữa mà hay.
Trọng lượng rượu của tôi rất kém nhưng trọng bạn hữu thì mạnh. Bạn thân tình đếm không đủ trên một bàn tay. Được quen biết nhau, hiểu nhau, và hợp gu nhau là vui rồi. Tôi thì rất ham vui mỗi khi có mồi ngon, whiskey Nhật, và bạn nhậu.
Tôi cũng biết lâu lâu mới vui thôi chứ vui hoài chắc chết cái thân. Uống vài tiếng đồng hồ nhưng phải mất mấy ngày mới hồi phục.