Well, if you didn't already know, I'm now living/working in Vietnam. I've been here for about a month and have begun to settle in nicely. It was quite a change from Ohio to California for the last 8 years and now to Vietnam. Not sure how long the Good Lord will keep me in the Motherland but I'm sure to make the most of it.
I've decided to create an online blog so that my family and friends can keep in touch and stay informed of my status.....which is currently still single (fortunately or unfortunately) depending on who you ask. I'll do my best to update it w/ pictures and posts as often as possible. Please feel free to leave messages/comments if you wish. I probably won't be hitting the grammar or spell check too often so please disregard any of those errors!
It's ironic that almost 31 years ago my parents and family, along w/ hundreds of thousands of other South Vietnamese, made their escape to the US, and now after 3 decades, I'm finding myself living in the very place that my family couldn't. It's definitely a different place, time, and environment now than it was years ago. The economy is booming due to social, economic, and politcal changes and reforms. All of this is evidenced with Vietnam's recent accession into the WTO and w/ President Bush normalizing trade w/ Vietnam. Although the country is seeing excellent growth, foreign investment, and productivity, there is still a long road ahead in the areas of infrastructure, pollution, and further political and social changes.
What's interesting about living away from the States is that you have to really get your mind ready for the changes. For instance, how did I spend Thanksgiving Day last month?...at work. And how will I be spending Christmas Day?....you guessed it, at work! This is definitely not how I ever envisioned spending the Holidays. I guess I forgot that this nation (VN) is not "under God" and that there would be no reason for them to officially count it as a national holiday. There's about 6 million Christians in VN, w/ a population of 83 million (definitely means a limited number of prospects for me!). However, like it or not, just like in the States, the commercialization of Christmas is alive and well with busy shopping malls and expat-Santas riding around on motorbikes.
I can't post that many pictures on here, but you can view my photo album via my picasa account at http://picasaweb.google.com/dojerome. There you'll find various pics of me. I haven't uploaded any from Vietnam just yet, but I'll try to do that this week. I've got some pictures from my cousin's wedding and some from a bbq we had for the OSU/Mich. game in November.
I miss everyone back home and I occasionally miss some of the foods I can't get out here, like: holiday dinners, In-N-Out Burgers, Roscoe's Chicken-n-Waffles, stromboli, spaghetti, pizza, milkshakes, bannana nut bread, and healthy non-avian bird flu chickens!
Well, that's about all for today. I just wanted to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy, healthy, holy, and prosperous New Year!
Jerome
a.k.a -- VietBuckeye
Go Bucks!
Go Mount Union!
Go Cowboys!
Go Lakers!
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Welcome home Jerome. Best of luck in the New Year.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays from the Mendez Family. We wish you the best in the montherland.
ReplyDeleteP.S......we almost met you in the BCS, Trojan fan!
Yo Jerome,
ReplyDeletekeep in touch. Our Bucks got it handed to them today against Florida. Hopefully there will be some payback on Jan. 8th. Peace and Merry Christmas...we miss you back home, bro. But I know you'll be alright.
Rome! Hope all is well in Vietnam and that you had a Merry Christmas! Just wanted to find out when you'll be coming back to the states to see MJ in Las Vegas! Let me know and I'm there. HEE HEE!
ReplyDeleteHi Jerome. We read this blog. We all are fine. Mother want to go to Vietnam because it is near from Japan. But I don't know when she go there.I hope to see you again. Bye!
ReplyDeleteYo J, I didn't feel like troubling myself with creating an account just yet. My laziness roots much deeper and I can't seem to rise above it. Well, I wanted to say Happy New Year from the west. I think it hits for you today. Wish you could read lotto numbers, I'd split 1/3 of it with you. My selfishness knows no bounds :) Appears as though there have been a few shouts to you since you've published here.
ReplyDeleteTo catch you up, as there and here, we had no snow for Christmas and the gods are keeping that way. Looks like they are aware I can't keep up with my energy bills, still, would like to see a light dusting of snow before the winter dissolves.
Maybe the Cowboys will make a run, not sure. I think you're prob on top of it more than me; I don't want to ask too much--just another National Championship for the Buckeyes and I'm good.
Tell everyone there I said hello.
Oh, and you are saying that a few million Catholics aren't good odds :( I figure 1/3 of them have to be girls--that still leaves pretty good odds to me. Heck, I'd be more concerned about not being able to meet each and every one.
Peace.
Love.
Respect.
Chinh
Hi Jerome, I wish you a Happy New Year and that everything is going well for you at a new environment.
ReplyDeleteI am back home in Japan during a new year's day, now. You must be having a great holiday over there.
Well, Malaysia and Vietnam is pretty close so please visit me and Yuki while we are living at KL.
Hope to see you sometime.
Hey Jerome. It's "Big B". It was nice to see a posting from your brother... Hey what's up? Long time no see.
ReplyDeleteNo snow in Ohio Valley, let alone Pittsburgh. We are supposed to be in the 50's for the next 5-10 days. So, I still haven't been able to introduce snow to my son. I'm counting down to 1/8/07 for the Bucks. I'm starting to hate the gators. I'm tired of seeing signs that say "Buckeys are Gator Bait"... Get a better line. It was very nice to see Michigan lose yesterday. I was rooting for the Big Ten until they interviewed Hart. He said he was coming back to win a championship and beat OSU. I guess he'll go four years in a row not knowing what it's like to win his final two games.
Take care, be safe. Have a happy Birthday as well (I think it's this month.... I just remember our free Denny's meals..haha.).
Brian
So it turns out that I already had an account so I can post here without the suspiscion I have something to hide. Well, the Grossman performed up to par :) Go Gatorrrrrs!!!
ReplyDeleteAs far as a mosh pit, it's been awhile but good to see you are working it out, most of the time, I'd say they are fun unless you get a muscle-head in there trying to ruin it for everyone.
I'll have to check the girl out you recommend. I didn't check her out so as not to have this whole message be about some lady.
Let me know the hip-hop stance there, it'd be interesting how they rock the house, boat, canoe, or whatever there.
Yo Jerome,
ReplyDeletehope you're doing well. It's Roger, I just don't know what my password is and I'm too lazy to find out. Anyway, just want to know when you are coming back to Ohio -- that's the rumor I'm hearing. Take care, and talk with you later. Peace.