HAPPY NEW YEAR - CHUC MUNG NAM MOI

Happy New Year to all my adoring fans and visitors/readers.  The above photo was taken during our visit to Toronto, Canada in 2007.  The display was part of the Chinese Festival and it is appropriate for this Lunar New Year as it is the Year of the Horse.
Wishing you good health, physical and mental strength in reaching your finish line and achieving your goals in life.

OH-LALA

Ok, unless you are a Vietnamese or familiar with Vietnamese idioms (Southern region), you would not find this saying funny.

When I saw this license plate, I thought of a Vietnamese expression, “Oh-lala, con lac da” – translation “Oh-lala, it’s a camel”.  I know, you would not understand - it’s a Vietnamese thing but don’t ask me what it mean – just silly saying, like the American expression, “work hard like a dog”, have you ever seen a dog work or do anything except eating, sleeping and playing?

(Also don't try asking another Vietnamese about this expression - it could be just me and my silly brain ....)

THURSDAY RAMBLINGS ON SATURDAY MORNING

I started this post on Thursday and the title was supposed to be “Thursday Ramblings” but somehow I did not (or could not) complete the task ---- and that is the reason behind the more accurate title “Thursday Ramblings on Saturday morning” ….

What else could I possible write about?  Freezing temperature (well, right now it is in the mid 40s), being cooped up in the house (I know I should be thankful that I have warm shelter/home), reading and working on weekly class assignments (well, this is actually my favorite part) and trying real hard to maintain positive outlook in this uncertainty times ahead.

 (Now you see it ... )

I am not really complaining since we did not get the snow/ice, only brutal cold weather.  The only time I might get frustrated is after I closed the door of the bathroom stall (at school) only to find out that the hook is missing and I have no place to hang up my backpack, jacket and scarf.  Or when I need a drink of water and all the bottles of water were frozen.  QQ, would these be considered “First World Problems”?  (compared to places without indoor plumbing or those who have to walk miles to get clean water).

 (the sinking feeling .....)

These photos were taken during a stop in Nantahala, North Carolina on the Great Smokey Mountain train ride.  The Nantahala River is a river in western NC, within the Nantahala National Forest.  Hang in there, I tell myself, summer will be here soon :>)

(... now you don't ... just like the Patriots' chance for another championship ring - blaaah   )

It did not help that last week my beloved Patriots loss (16-26) to Peyton Manning and the Broncos.  The Superbowl will be next week on Sunday, Feb. 2^nd – Broncos v. Seahawks.  Friendly wager anyone?