Have myself a [sweet] merry little christmas

It is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Now that my friends are coming home, there are suddenly so much more things to do in Saigon.

Immediately the morning when she arrived home, Quyen called me up for the long-awaited girls' night out between the two of us, accompanied by cocktails and, well, stories.We wouldn't be the two that hang out 24/7 and call each other up every other day to gossip. But whenever there's something going on, she'd come to me. I'm the older one after all. Sitting on the balcony overlooking one of the five star hotels and the most luxury streets of Saigon, sipping Cosmo, we felt like real cosmopolitan girls with troubles that we could temporarily forget about.

Cosmo <3

It felt like  we haven't changed much since high school.  It reminded me of all those times when she would barge in my room asking what the hell happened that got me into a relationship over night. Or  when I lied to the teachers and deans to sign us out for the weekend to my friend's college so that she could have her first drinking party and stop worry about the jerk that broke her heart. Or all those times when she would make me dinners when I got sick. Or when we went on spring break together and I taught her how to ride a bike and we went on tons of picnic. Or when she called up my parents so that I could go on the 4 day weekend trip to the island with her, when I was feeling down. The list of things we did together goes on: making food for International Club, planning the fashion show, burning the kitchen down attempting to make biscuits and biscotti (thanks to that we're both excellent bakers now), covering for each other to sneak out of the dorm, skipping classes to watch movies, getting ready for dances, doing nails and facial at 6am. I definitely did go pick fights with tons of people on her behalf, and she stopped me from punching many girls in their faces. Heheheh, for the Pres and VP of Dorm Council, we definitely broke more rules and caused more troubles than anyone else ;) As we walked the crowded streets of Saigon, reminiscing all the teenager stuff we did at boarding school, it felt like those good times were so long ago.

Saigon suddenly looks so much better when I'm not drinking cocktails by myself anymore. The streets are crowded with people taking pictures. I've never been a big fan of dressing up in pretty clothes and high heels, and doing my hair and putting on make up, so that I could go take ten thousand pictures in front of a Christmas tree =.= I like to dress up to look pretty all the time, but I don’t think I need to have the confirmation from all the people on the street, or the competition with the girl standing next to me to see who can strike a sexier pose and stop more guys from walking away … But I mean, I have no right to judge what people do. They do what they want, certainly an admirable trait. It is definitely super fun to watch, hehe. So we spent the entire night at the coffee shop just staring at people passing by down on the streets. 

Saigon by night.

Nice spot to stalk people ;)

It is going to be packed with people on the night of the 24th. I'm planning on staying at home to avoid being pushed around, getting lost with friends and ending up stuck in traffic for hours. I've already got my Christmas party plus sleep over with friends. So may just midnight mass and a good night sleep. Sometimes I wish I could be little again to get presents from Santa. Although, I was a really curious and smart kids, I figured out that my parents were behind the presents hid away in the closet when I was, like, four. And my older sister still hates me for ruining Christmas for her. Oops.

But Christmas without presents is kind of, sad. Maybe I will buy a present for myself, but I don't even want anything this year in particular. I was planning on making my annual Christmas wish list as I've been doing for the past few years but scratched the idea because I couldn't think of anything to put down. Maybe I could wish for Santa to make me a little bit less cynical and logical, and stop looking at things in such a rational and factual way, and stop ruining fantasy and romance. Meh, if that's the case, I may as well just ask him to bring me a hippopotamus, or a unicorn.

Christmas this year will significantly lack of wishes from everyone too, since I have deactivated my facebook, the only mean for me to keep in touch with many of my friends from all over the world. Maybe I will reactivate it again for the day, or maybe I won't. After all, the ones who care won't give up only because they can't find me on Facebook.

Anyways, breakfast with friends tomorrow, and more desserts after. One thing I would never miss on Christmas is truffles and chocolates. Too bad I couldn’t give out my truffles this year as gifts for everyone, it's  one of my favorite things to do.

Hope that wherever my friends and people I care about are, they would have some form of sweet treats to celebrate this season, whether it's Ferrero Rocher, a double chocolate fudge cake, or a night spending with their loved ones (added in some extra sweetener like a kiss or two, and more ;))

Merry Christmas!

From az.

Christmas in Saigon

I still can’t believe that I’ve been home for almost a month. Time flies when you don’t pay attention.

Most of my friends who I usually hang out with when I’m home are all combating exams either in the US or in Vietnam. Thus, besides working and spending time preparing lessons for my students, I try to keep myself busy helping my sister with her wedding preparation, helping my younger sis with her school work, or just do nothing. It gets quite boring and pointless often.

When I feel like being home alone all the time having nothing to do has turned me into a depressing person, I go out and spend time … alone. It’s Christmas time, and even without the cold weather and the white snow, Saigon still looks like it is ready for the season greetings. I haven’t been home during Christmas for a while. Even though I admit that I love the holiday atmosphere in the US, there is a certain unique feeling about Christmas in my tropical hometown that is still able to make me have butterflies in my stomach.

I love walking from streets to streets, wandering from one district to another, with no one to see and no place to go. I don’t have to rush anywhere, and don’t have to think about how to get things done. Just listening to music, watching people to wherever they go, I feel like it’s much easier to think about what I need to think about.

It feels different without the below-zero weather and the white snow. I miss complaining about the cold, and rushing into Starbucks for a cup of warm latte. I miss going Christmas shopping with friends. I just miss the feeling of Christmas in the US.

Lights in the bedroom

Regardless, it’s Christmas, and it IS my favorite time of the year. My dad has put up Christmas lights everywhere, after my constant whining about how much I love Christmas lights. Christmas music is being played in the house all the time. I just wish I could be with someone to snuggle up, to be kept warm in his arms, watching a movie or something.

Well, it feels like everyone is happy, and excited to end the year, bad or good, and welcome a new year. I’m going to spend it well, celebrate it with my family, my friends, my city, my home. Despite how much I complain about it, there has not been a time when I come home that I did not have good times with friends and family.

Life can never be easy. There are ups and downs, but that’s how it is. There are many things that I get to experience and there are many memories I have made this year. And let’s make next year a memorable one too.

We’re growing up days by days, it feels weird.

My all time favorite Christmas playlist <3

Hello December :)

[Inspired by Galadarling]
December 1st



Put up your tree, or some Christmas decoration & consider doing things a little differently this year! It's a tradition in our family for all of us to decorate the tree together. 
One year my mother bought this magnificent black tree, & usually decks it out with white feathers, silver mirrored disco balls, crystals &other marvellous things. She’s using the same tree this year, but it’s accented with red.Red roses, red birds, red berries & strings of pearls. EPIC!
This year, we decide to do something different. We hung up a GIANT red star with colorful lights, and streams, wreaths and lights everywhere else. Our house looks like it's on fire, but hey, there's no one around, gotta lighten up things ;)


I love Christmas decorating and I usually do this with my roommate Diamonique every year. We would listen to Alvin & the Chipmunks (and annoy the heck out our hallmates) and cover the doors with wrapping papers, hang up lights, draw/make decorations together. I miss her this year.


So please, make sure to decorate your tree while listening to something appropriately Christmas-y (if not Alvin and the Chipmunks), like A Very She & Him Christmas, Sufjan Stevens Presents Songs for Christmas, David Ian: Vintage Christmas, Hipster’s Holiday: Vocal Jazz and R&B Classics, or these MP3s!


December 2nd



                              
Get yourself — & whoever you live with — some rad Christmas items that you can wear around the house! 
I'm not a big fan of bright colors, but I start wearing red a lot when it's Christmas time, and furry stuff ;)
This year, I put red and green collars on my new puppies, and add jingle bells on them too. Whenever they run, it's hilarious!
Plus, it’s important to have something sweet to wear while you unwrap your presents on Christmas morning… Don’t you think?!


December 3rd





 Get started on your Christmas cards! Make it your mission to find great notepaper or stationery for writing them. It doesn’t have to have a reindeer on it or anything like that; something simple & chic will do the trick! I always have purple cards, because it's me!


This year I get the chance to experience going shopping for Christmas card at the central of the city, close to Duc Ba Cathedral again. Reminded me of all those middle school and high school years when tons of us would fight over a good and cheap Christmas card, and laugh when we gave out the same card to each other. Handing out cards and gifts during school was such a blast.


I think Christmas is a wonderful time to remember everyone who has been a special part of your year. Start writing your notes to them now. Even a couple of lines thanking them for being in your life will mean so much, & be so appreciated! Post them out as soon as you can, or if you don’t think they’ll get there in time, scan & email them!




December 4th


Help someone else. December can be a month of joy, but it can also be a time of enormous sadness for people who are less fortunate than us. We’re always able to help others, but somehow it seems easier in December, so start today & see if you can carry the momentum through into the new year!


Have a look around your house, & gather up any clothes, toys or household items you don’t need. Then take them to a women’s shelter or an organisation that helps people. As you look around, remember that coats, blankets, & other warm things are especially important when the temperature drops, & most of us have at least one of these that we could spare without too much trouble.


We don't have such cold weather in Vietnam but it's still worth giving away something. Everyone deserves gifts during this time of the year.




December 5th



Decide to do Twelve Dates of Christmas! Yep! The idea is that you & your beloved make time for 12 dates over the month of December. They can be as silly or as elaborate as you like. Maybe some of them can be items from this activity guide, too!


If you're single, try these out with your gay friend or your best girlfriends. They would still be as much fun, I promise. Just be creative ;)


If you need extra inspiration, Marci catalogued all her dates here! I love this idea so much!


December 6th


Make paper snowflakes! It is definitely NOT snowing where I am, but snowflakes are a truly fabulous symbol of winter & all things magical. With this in mind, why not sit down tonight with some paper, some scissors, some glue & a whole lot of glitter, & make paper snowflakes?! If you’re feeling really crafty, you can put them on a string & hang them all around the house, which I did <3


December 7th




Have your photo taken in front of a display window!
It's a fabulous time when all the shops have a "silent competition" on who has the best display window. AND, who cares about what people think, it is just fun to take pictures in front of those Chanel snow balls or Dior Rudolph or doing some silly mannequin poses.
Gotta spice up your shopping time ;)




December 8th



Bake cookies! Or truffles. Or anything.
 Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the scent of sugary evil wafting through the house. Christmas is the perfect excuse for me to go crazy. Being home kinds of stop me from making too much sweets since my family doesn't like sweets, but truffles are my favorite things. They make me happy, and people around me, too.


So here are some recipes which sound great, & are simple… Super-chunky chocolate cookies; gingerbread cookies; cinnamon-spiced hot chocolate cookies(yum!); peppermint-chocolate sandwich cookies & chocolate cheesecake candy-cane bars.


I’d be pretty happy to have any of those in my kitchen, wouldn’t you?! Make a shopping list & then get cracking!




December 9th


Go ice-skating!
I can't in Vietnam, but it's a fun thing to put on the list.





December 10th





 Eat an entire box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates! Or Godiva's.
This one doesn’t need much explanation, surely… Pure indulgence!




December 11th





Go out with your favourite person & drink hot chocolate. If you ask me, there are few things better than spending time with someone who you think is sublime. Add hot chocolate to that combination & you have a recipe for massive success!


Make it your mission to scout out the very, very best hot chocolate in your area, & then make a date. If your search comes up a bit flat, though, don’t despair! MarieBelle Aztec Hot Chocolate comes in a tin, & is one of the BEST EVER hot chocolate experiences. (It’s basically just melted chocolate in a cup. Incroyable!)




December 12th



Make a Christmas wish list!
Who doesn't want a wish list for Christmas?




December 13th





Carry chocolate coins in your purse & give them to people who make you smile!
You can substitute with candy canes, if you prefer! Who knows me know that I always stock up sugar canes (even 3 months after Christmas, especially the colorful and yummy flavor ones because I hate mint, lol. I got Life Savers and Dum Dum flavors last year :)


Um… This is also good if you’re exhausted while out shopping for gifts & need a sugary pick-me-up!




December 14th





Make a gingerbread house! If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can make your own from scratch (quite the undertaking!)


December 15th





Give yourself a festive manicure! The time is nigh! If you’re not sure what to do, how about red nails with a “snowy” white tip? You could paint snowflakes or gifts on your thumb, or just go for red & white stripes. If you’re good with a nail-art pen, you could even try drawing Rudolph! Oh my! I did an entire snowy scene with snowman one year. When I get lazy, I do candy canes pattern because it is super easy and still looks cute.


 I'm going to try something super crazy this year.




December 16th


Plan a little holiday soiree! It doesn’t have to be anything dramatic — maybe you all make & decorate ornaments for one another’s Christmas trees, perhaps you bake cookies, or maybe you drink so many “festive” cocktails that you break into a karaoke version of Don’t Stop Believin’ that shatters some kind of world record. Either way, you can NEVER have too many parties in December! I'm thinking about a barbeque by the riverside this year. Spending time with friends are fun.




December 17th



Wrap all your gifts! I always think it’s nicer to do it at home, rather than having a shop assistant do it for you. You can buy the most amazing holographic paper, crazy springy bows & lovely bits & bobs to put on the top of a parcel if you know where to shop.


Additionally, Matchbook magazine’s December issue has a fantastic wrapping guide starting on page 52! (I love the idea of using newspaper & fancy baubles, or bells or doilies.)
Wrapping is an art-form which requires plenty of practice, so if your first attempts aren’t too gorgeous, don’t worry about it. Making the effort will make people smile either way!






December 18th


Take a family portrait! ...Even if your “family” just consists of you & your dog, or you & your best friend, it doesn’t matter. Ask someone to take your picture, or throw your camera on a tripod & use the self-timer function! Sometimes during the holidays, it can get so crazy that we forget to take photos to preserve the moments (& hold onto the memories!). I rarely home for Christmas and my sister is getting married soon, who knows when will be the next time we'll all be together again during Christmas.





December 19th





Watch Winter Fashion Shows, to make you feel all pretty and beautiful. A girl deserves to feel like she's on top of the world, or to dream being so.


  
December 20th



Walk or drive all around your city to see the best Christmas lights! Even the Grinchiest anti-Christmas party-pooper can’t help but smile at the sight of hundreds of Christmas lights. There’s just something beautiful & magical about them which makes us all feel young again. Even if there aren’t many crazy, decked-out houses to be seen in your area, make a pilgrimage to your city’s oversized Christmas tree. Bask in the glow & soak up the atmosphere! AND TAKE PICTURES. I love love love being on the motorcycle in vietnam in these occasion. Very special feeling.




December 21st


Go all out with your Christmas-themed dressing! Yes! Sweaters? Bust ‘em out! Christmas-themed earrings? Put ‘em on! Anything with a bow on, that makes you look like a present? What are you waiting for?! I’d also recommend dressing up any small animals or children you can find, too! I think Dolly would make a great elf! Who cares, just do things that make you happy. I love love love accessories, so I always pile up on that.




December 22nd



Get mistletoe-happy! I’ve never bought mistletoe. In fact, I don’t even think I’ve everSEEN mistletoe in person! To me, a non-American, it has always just seemed like something from movies! But today is the day — I have officially decided — to buy & hang mistletoe. Then get to smoochin’! (Of course!)




December 23rd



Go out & look at all the Christmas windows. There’s something so lovely about them! They’re so much more special than usual, & the creativity is magnificent. You’ll see animatronic creatures, constantly falling snow & beautiful scenes. There is such an art to window-dressing, & Christmas is when you get to see the best of the best. Have a wander & get inspired!






December 24th



 Dress up and go to midnight mass! Oh, & get ready for Santa, of course!


December 25th



 Make your own new tradition today. Maybe that tradition is falling asleep after lunch, or snuggling up together to watch a favourite movie after you’ve unwrapped your gifts. Maybe it’s inviting over all your friends who don’t have family in town this year. Whatever it is, make it something that makes you truly, truly happy.

Christmas 2009 - Christmas 2011

6 years of friendship, a few months of more than friendship, and 2 years of broken heart, I can't believe I have the courage to face you again, or to sit close behind you on your motorcycle, lean on your shoulder and feel your warmth.

And feel nothing more than just caring deeply for each other.

Many years have gone by and you're still able to make me laugh, and forget about everything that upsets me. You know my favorite restaurant, my favorite café, and know exactly how to order my dessert and coffee. You know my favorite spot where I like to watch the city lights and enjoy the comfortable silence between us. You know how I like to walk in the rain, and realize when I get cold even if I try to deny it. You just know, a lot, about me and how to make me happy, the simplest type of happiness.

I realize that we still avoid the other places that we used to go - our first date, our first kiss - all the places that filled up with memories. Memories of a time we had together.


I have missed you, and the way I feel when I'm with you.

You: "Why did we break up, again?"
Me: "Sweetie, we never did begin anything."

Yet, the loneliest moment when I have no one by my side, you're here for me.

Thanks for giving me a place to come home to, mi amor. 

Thanks for holding my hand whenever I need someone to hold on to, and to complain about life

When you wish upon a ... wish list :)

It seems like there has been a gap in my seasonal epiphany this year. Usually, around the end of October, beginning of November, it hits me like "BAM!" in the face that autumn is here. Then sometime around Turkey - time and crazy - Friday - when - Thanh's - credit card - cries, it hits me "BAM!" again that winter is right in front of me.

Thanks to Rochester bipolar weather, I have tricked my mind into believing that there is no such thing as winter, until yesterday, when I looked out the window and actually saw that fluffy cold stuff called snow on the ground. The first thought that run through my mind was "Damn, I don't have a Christmas shopping list and a Christmas music list yet."  I should have known earlier that I should not wait until after stuffing myself with Thanksgiving goodies to realize that those crazy individuals who started playing Christmas music before Nov 15ths, those whom I cursed at for ruining my autumn mood, are actually faster in the process of accepting the truth than I am.

Well, I blamed it on Orgo, and Genetics, and ten million other things that occupy my mind and make me forget my super Christmas spirit.

I know Christmas is not supposed to be about the presents, but I love opening Christmas presents and getl all excited about them. I love going shopping and spending crazy money on gifts. Then I get to customize them, wrap them and attach cute notes and cards with them. It is a tradition that makes people happy, I don’t mind being conventional in this one occasion!

 It has been said that “Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars” so I told myself “Shoot for a 10 item wish list, even if people fail, you’ll still get one.” 

Here it comes - the annual wish list, version 2010:

1. To be home for Christmas Eve --> I actually could have made this happen, but the thought of paying for that round trip plane ticket is just too painful.
2. Spend a week in NYC --> to visit my dear Melody, Miki, Zala and enjoy shopping in the city
3. Christian Louboutin or Manolo Blahnik pumps/boots --> I have a never ending greed for shoes =.= However, if I can fulfill my 2nd wish, I'll get this one thanks to Melody :)
4. New camera --> I'm most likely getting this for myself: a Violet Sony Cypershot T99 14.1 mpx . This will add to my collection of purple goodies: calculator, cell phone, Ipod. After this, it will be a purple laptop and a purple PSP ;)
5. Baking supplies --> can never get enough of these ;)
6. Great great great great books/novels --> I have been slacking on my reading lately, which would explain why my writing is getting worse and worse. I wish I could have to just sit down, have some coffee and read through a really good 800 page novel or something like that.
7. Something warm and cozy, and fluffy --> Knitted scarf? Gloves? Hats? Slippers? Stuffed animals? Comforter? Blanket? Idk, anything, I love warm and cozy stuff.
8. Going out for dinner --> Christmas always put me in a mood to dress up and go out for a fancy dinner, doesn’t matter who I'm with, it'll be fun.
9. Sex and the City related stuff --> I most likely will get the DVD for the 2nd movies myself, but posters for SATC is soooo hard to find :(
10. Cards, letters, notes, packages from friends all over the world --> this is the part that I'm looking forward to the most, to receive something tangible from all the friends that I have from everywhere <3

Wow, it took me soooo long to finish this list. I actually had so much trouble thinking what I really want for Christmas. I wonder whether it is a good thing that I don't have anything I desire so badly. Maybe because I have been shopping way too much I don't need anything anymore, that'd be bad =.=

It really doesn't matter anyway. The thing I enjoy most about Christmas is the time before it, when all the lights are put up along the streets, when people get all excited about buying gifts and decorate their houses or when Christmas music is played everywhere or when I can see the happy expressions on people faces when they open presents.

 It is the time when even though the weather is cold and gloomy, you appreciate it because you know that there is always something, or someone waiting to make you feel warm and happy.