-Pardon my grammar-


For spring break, I went with a group of fine folks from my residence
hall to volunteer at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic affiliated
with the Orphanage Outreach Program. It was the first time a dorm had
implemented an alt spring break trip abroad-it was one of the best
ideas ever.

Oh man! What can I say about it?! Well for one thing- it was the best
experience I ever had- No lie. It was definitely one of those
life-changing events that one would encounter during his or her college
years. This was it for me.

We stayed an orphanage in Jaibon which is a farm-ish rural area.
There were little electricity, plumbing, and no hot water and climate
control. We had to sleep with mosquito nets so that giant bugs and
spiders won't crawl up when we were sleeping. It was a little bit hard
to deal with at first for me, but after the first day I got used to it,
and learned to just be flexible. Even with this experience alone, it
has allowed me appreciate the simple things a whole lot more and not
complain about things so much as I used to. And most of all to just
live in the moment.

As for the food, the organization hired cooks to make homemade
Dominican food for us- it was clearly delicious- hands down. My
favorites were fried cheese and rice and beans and there were also
unique tropical natural fruit juices served at each meal.

At the orphanage, we helped with work projects around there such as
leveling the ground so people won’t fall at night. Our project mostly
focused on getting those tree stumps out of ground. During the first
day- a group of us college students tried so hard to get this one
particular stubborn stump out and all the sudden this old man came with
an axe out of nowhere and started chopping up the stump really quickly
and he successfully took most of parts of the stump out of the dirt it
was heavily buried in. He sure showed us! We dubbed him superhombre.
And with the whole work project experience, I feel motivated to help my
parents out more with the gardening.

Most of the orphans there are between the ages of 5- 15. They’re super
athletic and smart. Despite little that they have, we were surprised
that they are happy. A lot happier than the average American I would
say because they live in the moment and they are carefree. I decided to
be more like them.

We also taught English at a local school near the orphanage where we
stayed. My teaching group and I taught a second grade class in the
morning and a first grade class in the afternoon.

During the first day, we taught the kids parts of the face and we sang
a song, and had them come up to the board the draw the face parts.

Second day we taught them emotions and we had them act out each
emotions such as happy, sad, frustrated, jealous, tired while we say
them in English.

Third day we taught them fruits and had them draw their favorite kind.
They kept handing us their drawings when they finished but once we told
them that they could keep it and take it home with them- their eyes
widened and they were all super ecstatic.

On the last teaching day we taught them animals. And we drew a whole
bunch of animals for the kids to color in. They seemed to enjoy that
activity as well.

With Emily, Cathy and Courtney's help with making the origami frogs- my
group and I gave them to the kids on the last day as a goodbye present
and they are seemed very excited about it.

After each lesson, we played with them at recess and they are always so
generous with giving us candy and treats despite little that they have.
I admire the orphans and kids at the local school a lot, because even
though they don’t much, they still managed to keep a smile on their
faces. It just enlightens so much to see that happiness is that easily
attainable.

The local school threw a fiesta for us on the last day too and
performed dances and one girl did the Pledge of Allegiance in English
for us. Quite cool beyond belief.

On Friday, we went out to Haiti and Dominican border and witnessed some
of the most super human things ever. The Dominican Republic only open
its borders up to Haiti during a limited of time a week and because of
that the Haitians were in such a rush to get to the border to buy their
necessary survival items. It was a really intimidating experience
because I felt that we were just taking up space in the market by our
presence because we didn't buy anything. But overall, I think it was
good cultural experience to see things first hand what people have to
do in order to survive.

Finally we hiked up the mountain and got to see a beautiful view of the
ocean and Dominican and soon the beach, and we all went for ice cream
and I ordered Orange Pineapple- highly recommended.

Random tidbits that I’ve done/experienced:

Had goat meat for the first time- it was delicious- kinda tasted like beef.

Shampooed in the rain which is surprisingly a bit warmer than the cold water we showered with.

Bonded with the people I went on the trip on a much more meaningful
level and I got the chance to show them a more adult humor side of me
that they normally wouldn’t.

Met some other cool folks from other colleges/universities especially
the folks from New England College that stayed in the same building
with us ESPECIALLY that cool chick, Caroline.

Had little kids chased me around at recess- wore me completely out.
They got their secret energy from those candies they be buying at
recess.

Kids loved my theatrical emotional expressions when we were teaching them about emotions.

It was the first time I saw a whole bunch of stars at night and they were absolutely incredible.

The kids and natives kept calling me la china...and I told them no- I'm
not that. then their next thing was japones...I wish I carry a map to
show them where Vietnam is.

Peanut butter, saltine crackers and parmesan cheese make a good
afternoon snack. It was actually quite delicious. I can’t believe no
one else tried it….

My group found it rather ironically hysterical that I’ve been to the
gay latino club (because I obviously don’t identify with being a
latino/a nor homosexual)

Of course there are a bunch more other stories and experiences that I
felt would be better when narrated. Words usually cannot describe the
experiences that one comes across.

But overall this trip has made me a lot stronger mentally in a sense
that I should ease up on life and not worry about my future so much and
to just be thankful and appreciative of what I have instead of what I
don’t. I learned to live off of the sweet simple joy.

On that note, I encourage anyone to volunteer abroad during spring
break if one can. It is such a rewarding experience for both sides!

I vow one day to meet you.

Until that day

please stay alive

In the movie, The Holiday 2006 directed by Nancy Meyers, Kate Winsley's character, Iris said this incredibly amazing quote and describes the way I am right now.

"I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn't know you had inside you. And it doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. And how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new. And you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade."


I feel like my soul has finally came back to me, thanks to all of people -new and old- that has allowed me to find those missing pieces of my soul and put them back together.

I thank you all.

1) I am genuinely a lazy person when it comes to doing my choirs
2) I help a lot of people cheat on tests to pass in high school (go figure)
3) I had never smoked and I never will
4) Out-of the ordinary guys seem to attract me the most
5) Clam chowder is the ultimate soup for me
6) I am a victim of the freshmen 15
7) I hate makeup
8) Don't like cocky guys.
9) I have an optimistic view on life in general.
10) It annoys me when people don't try their best on something
11) I am the only child
12) I like to play guitar hero…a lot.
13) I had an identity crisis last semester.
14) I am fine now.
15) Dark chocolate helps me relax.
16) I had two boyfriends in high school.
17) I think it was a rebellious thing
18) I like my music- LOUD
19) I don't hear well because of that
20) Chocolate peanut butter is my favorite Babcock Flavor Ice Cream
21) I am going to be living in a triple room this fall semester.
22) I have a really bad gaydar.
23) My mom is seriously into watching basketball
24) My home computer got a virus because my dad sent too many hate emails to the Vietcong.
25) Pro-choice all the way.
26) I support the LGBT community 100%
27) I seriously think we, as a society should be more educated on sex.
28) I'm pretty much liberal.
29) I think some members of my family are just plain ignorant.
30) My hands sweat a lot when I play video games
31) One summer, I had this huge phrase where I eat nothing but bagels.
32) My ex boyfriend used to lend me porn.
33) I make a lot of racist jokes, but don't really mean them.
34) I am a little bit self-conscious
35) Sushi brings me great joy.
36) Love fruit snacks
37) I get excited whenever I see Bucky the Badger.
38) I have a lot of condoms for no reason at all.
39) I worked at the Milwaukee Art Museum two summers ago.
40) People can do or believe in whatever, just as long as they respect other people's views too.
41) Love seafood
42) I enjoy intellectual conversations.
43) I don't mind going to Chancellor's Scholarship meetings.
44) My friends are some of the most influential people I know.
45) Even though I'm not Christian, I think Jesus is/was a really cool guy.
46) I suck at grammar…period. (English, Vietnamese, Spanish)
47) I can skateboard, but only from point A to B; no tricks
48) I try to give thoughtful gifts
49) It takes me a long time to pick out Birthday Cards for friends.
50) I don't need to comb my hair.
51) I am very skilled at multi-tasking.
52) I collected Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards.
53) I pulled an all-nighter to write a research paper and got an A on it.
54) For me, sometimes going to bed really late can become going to bed really early.
55) I am tired right now.
56) I love this college so much.
57) Super Best Friends is perhaps my favorite South Park episode.
58) I was valedictorian in high school
59) Studying Spanish
60) Might major in Women's Studies
61) I still believe I will be a pharmacist one day regardless of adversity.
62) I used to watch a lot of porn.
63) I randomly punch walls
64) My best friend gave me a pair of handcuffs for Christmas.
65) I can't get enough of Naruto manga.
66) Dragonball Z is the shizzit.
67) I went to an inner-city school.
68) The funds were severely lacking.
69) My first job was at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
70) I had to make a lot of internet cords.
71) The last prank call I did almost got me in trouble with the cops.
72) I won best actress for a skit that we have to do about anti-drugs/alcohol in high school.
73) I am taking Honors Psychology next semester.
74) I love living in Chadbourne Hall so much.
75) Pot stickers makes me happy.
76) I have nunchuk skills.
77) I survived my freshmen year at one of the nation's top universities.
78) I really want a puppy
79) Juno has recently been my favorite movie.
80) I seriously think that my next boyfriend will be white.
81) I plan to get a Wii this summer.
82) I am seriously down with learning Organic Chemistry.
83) I get kind of scared when people ask me how many kids I want to have.
84) I still like going to toy stores.
85) I have extra thick hair.
86) I donated blood three times already.
87) I plan to get a class ring when I graduate from this university.
88) I have only one cousin that I'm really close to
89) My uncle was a CIA agent.
90) I have aunts and uncles who live in Germany and France.
91) I am going home for the summer
92) I like crab rangoons a lot.
93) Pac Sun is my favorite clothing store
94) I prefer Gloria Jean's over Starbucks
95) I love Mrs.Field's milk chocolate chip cookies.
96) Jian Zheng and Dyneice Sanders are of the best roomies I ever have/had.
97) I would say Transformers is my favorite action movie.
98) I am starting to like playing Halo even though I suck.
99) Don't think I will ever marry a conservative Vietnamese guy.
100) I am super duper exicited for the summer!
101) University of Wisconsin has been my number one college choice since sophomore year in high school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Onk5S-p_fU

From the previous blog...we all agree that I am unhappy with my roomate. So my roomate and I decided that we should swap with another pair....so switching rooms with this girl named Megan.

It's for the better. This way, we'll both be happier.

My new roomate's name is See Yang. She likes to play video games too and quite laid back just like me versus my soon to be ex-roomate's uptight controlling personality.

I know we'll get along :D

 

I'm moving tomrrow!!

Warning: The sole purpose of this blog is to emphasize about my personal aspect of college life. It is not meant to scare anyone out of attending college or pursuing a secondary education.

Well I can honestly say that I've survived boot camp. I have completed a seven weeks course with two classes: Approaches to Critical Writing and Thinking and Math 171.

Math 171 is quite easy, because it's a Pass and Fail course, so I dont stress much about that class. However, that other class is a totally different story because it is graded.

To be honest, I have never done so much homework in one class! I have written 15 scholar essays, memorized over 500 vocabulary, read Jane Eyre in less than two weeks, in addition to attending two and half hours lectures twice a week and an hour long discussions. I have counted four-all-nighters where I spent writting essays/studying for finals/ doing my midterms.

In addition to that...it also made me realized that I am not nearly as prepared for college as my most of colleages who comes from urban renowned schools such as Rufus King, Madison East/West and Riverside. Now dont get me wrong; Pulaski provided a really good general basic education, but somehow I get that sense I would have been better prepared for this environment if I went to a better college preparatory high school.

Hitherto, I still am very grateful that I have the opportunity to be in the summer program, because I rather realized my weaknesses/what I need to work with this summer instead of in the fall where I will completely baffled with this new enviornment.

Despite how much I complained/ expressed my negative emotions about these classes, I still love Madison; I love to be challenged, and for a while, I lost sense of feeling, and now since I regained it, I will definitely push myself to my very limit to get into pharmacy school. It will be my number one objection for the next two to three years. For now, I have realized that I am finally in a place where most of the people care about their eduation as much as I do.

 

P.S. I really do apologize if this blog has offended anybody.

-MINH

 

Since the whole jerky (understatement) ex bfs episodes that took place in my life this year, you guys keep telling me: "Don't worry, Minh. You'll find him when you get to Madison...and he will be worth your time"

And guess what?

I am now a sole-beleiver in that. (lol it's about time right?)

I just can't wait till I get there, and forget about the two guys that ever made me shred into tears . Because in the end, I came to the conclusion that they're not worth it. Either of them. I tried. I cared- but I guess it didn't work out in the end. 

 I'll make sure I won't make the same poor choices in Madison. 

Can't hardly wait   

Thank you for all of your support! Love you all!

You probably once had feelings of someone that would be your shear perfect vision of happiness, someone who once had the ability to take your breath away, and someone who had the ability to capture your imagination like no one ever did.

 

Then eventually that someone scattered that feeling- like you don't exist, it's like that someone took all of your life force away, and now you're nothing more than a walking dead amongst the living. And at this time- you can't help but feel lost, hopeless and most of all- depressed.

 

Why? – You asked. Why would that someone do something like that?

Is it because they found someone better? Someone more attractive? Or is it because of something you've done?

-There's no clear explanation.  

 

You might find yourself hating them from time to time. Hell, you might even hate yourself. Then it comes to certain point in your life where you want nothing more than that feeling to go away- even it means taking your own life.

Let me say this-

 

That someone is not worth it.  You know that term "There's plenty of other fishes in the sea"? Well it's true. You might find yourself as a non-believer now- that love is bullshit, right? You will find someone.

 

Trust me on this- *once you get all of this shit beat out of you….your heart grows back bigger than you will ever know. The universe lets your heart expand that way, because that is the function of all this pain and heartache that you go through and that you got to go through that in order to come out to a better place. You will find someone.

 

MINH

  -Taking my own advice

                                                                         *Taken from Must Love Dogs

These are pictures of  Nora's Birthday Get-Together at Omega and Bowling Afterwards. Happy Birthday, Nora!!!  

and for everyone who came...YOU ROCK!!!!

Oh and feel free to copy/paste any pictures from here