A gleam of the past...

For my Mino.

The notion of "summer" suddenly hit me today on the train back home in the form of a creamy and delicious 6-foot blond intern came back from his day (and gym - obviously!) in a sleeveless shirt torn to the lower seam, revealing a beautifully tanned and toned torso. View like that is the plus side of the Washingtonian summer, when out of nowhere, the city is flooded with bright young things, hoping to make it here some day. They reminded me of some not-so-distant past when I was still in college, wondering what the real life would be like.

These memories had come back to me just a few days before, on a midnight train headed toward NYC as Mino and I reflected on all the changes we had gone through in the few years being friends. There we were, two twenty-something year-olds, still looking for Labels and dreaming of a big Love - but in our eyes, there's already a gleam of reality. We knew now that it took a lot of hard work to afford labels, that real love shouldn't feel like compromises, but also that there was more to life than the two big L's above. Most of all, we knew now that the quest for labels, love, and life required us to look within ourselves to search for the true essence and beauty that wouldn't need approval from anyone.

The hard part is that each of us is going at a different pace - so Dear us, here's to hope that one day we would all see each other at the finish line.

Photo credit: Between Worlds by Eugene Donohoe

Natural beauty from Masai Mara

Just when our little aircraft was about to land on a red tarmac lane standing out from the greens of date trees and the yellows of the savannah, it suddenly picked up speed and steered upward, letting a small horde of warthogs finish their business on the runway. Here in the little Masai Mara Serena Airstrip, these animals are the true kings of the savannah.

As the airplane dog swung open, Africa unveiled in front of my eyes a beautiful mixture of the savannah’s yellow and the trees’ green stretching seamlessly into infinity. Against that backdrop, the wildlife continued their “business as usual” carelessly of the curious safari trucks dropping by twice a day with cameras and occasional ooh-aahs. On the left, two or three giraffes gracefully strutted after their lunch. Down on the right, elephants and hippos leisurely bathed in mud pools to rehydrate, ignoring the crocodiles lying still on the bank. In the back, a queue of wildebeests marched across the landscape, making their annual river-crossing earlier than other years. And just there, amidst the thigh-high grassland, the lions lazily slept their day away.

Driving along the bumpy road one early morning, the sun appeared like a tiny red dot, gradually rising on the left and taking over the soft light from the moon, which was sheepishly fading away on the right. In that magical moment between day and night, LIFE, as it was illuminated in front of me, appeared to be nothing but a beautiful work of Nature. I was lost in that scene for a second, but never saw more clearly or felt more content.

And just like that, I felt alive.

Africa baby!

It's June - and Washington is just tortured with hauntingly humid and hot weather, not to mention insecure personalities suffering from boiling tempers. In such cruel atmosphere, I was more than happy to snap an unexpected opportunity to visit Nairobi, Kenya by way of Zurich, Switzerland, leaving behind the heat and the ordinaries. The next few blog entries, if I manage to do so, will detail this great adventure.

After a delayed flight on UA, Zurich greeted me with a tropical rain and a long queue at security screening. This condition didn't help improve my preestablished image of Switzerland - which I think is incredibly boring! This might have something to do with being turned away twice at Geneva train station to go back to France or feeling so dull in that city once I got in, or stuck at Zurich airport for 2 days before turning around back to Vietnam due to passport problems. Yet, stepping into the Swiss International AirLines B767, I have finally found something to like about this country - the LX Business Class cabin.

Designed in a 2-2-1 configuration, the LX Business Class Cabin is airy and open with seats that can transform into a 180-degree flat bed in a sort of beige/blue color template and punctuated with dark brown leather and light-color wood. The result is a zen-like suite that portrays luxury and comfort - enhanced by absolutely intriguing details such as remote-controlled entertainment system, mood-lighting, coat hooks at the seat, and USB/electricity outlets. The 2-layer blanket, one of which being this soft cotton material, adds warmth, comfort, and of course luxury to the overall atmosphere - completed by a beautifully designed bathroom filled with Valmont handcream, lotions, and lip repairs tubes. The service is exceptional for a Western airline, and the food was actually delicious - while helping open a window to Swiss regional cooking to global passengers.

Despite a short interception of the ever dusty and dangerous road from Jomo Kenyatta Airport to the hotel, I was quickly relieved by a hospitable reception of the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club - where rooms in savoy style remind occupants of the old colonial time. Surrounded by comfort and a high-60's temperature, it is no wonder that the DC annoyances seem like a distant past...

...

.

Photo Credit: Inkart.com and swiss.com

Savoring Stockholm

Somewhere between the crazy workload and the whirlwind emotional rollercoasters, I found myself unwind in Stockholm - capital of the Scandinavia as it is advertised - in a weekend of pure calmness and serenity - courtesy of some of my very dear friends.

Stockholm is beautiful - there's no doubt about it. The natural scenery is breathtaking with islands of palaces tucked among perfectly cultivated parks, connected with each other by all these bridges large and small. The design scene was absolutely revelating, showcased in different stores from casual to high-end. And the people - oh my! - are just text-book beautiful! You cannot help feeling like you are part of a photoshoot for some fashion catalogue with groups of models in absolutely chic styles passing by left and right. I thought that at any given moment, you can just snap a photo and it would be a perfect, from the light to the background to the models and their clothes. Everything was just gorgeous!

Yet, Stockholm didn't give me a feeling of New York, Paris, or London. Instead, it was perfectly calm and serene. It might have been the city design with low buildings and opening seaport or environmentally friendly technologies that somehow filter out all the noise pollution. Taking a walk down the port, one can easily find peace of mind, even among the crowd. As if it was not enough, a short boat ride to one of the archipelago would take you to an even slower pace of life, where fishing villagers live happily in red-painted wooden houses and spend their day at the local store or an icecream parlor next to the beach.

Now that's a good life!

Photo credit - XL. I found this waiter during his shiftbreak behind TGI Friday. He exemplified, to me, the perfect sense of Stockholm: beautiful and calm.

Good Judgment

I often think I make good judgments, especially when it comes to taste. I often pick out great clothing items, great restaurants, and great friends as well - so it is never a favorite thing when I am proved otherwise.

That explains why I felt almost sick walking out of Wolfgang Puck's The Source after a birthday dinner Monday night. The restaurant received great reviews. I made sure I asked the waiter for recommendations. I considered all options --- and yet, I chose the worst dish they could have made: a deep-fried herb-stuffed sea bass paired with Thai chili sauce that was too dry and too insipid for its price.

Not as quickly as I put down the cutlery, the taste (or the lack thereof) of the fish lingered and turned into a sour-bitter feeling too hard to swallow. Worse, it provoked unwanted thoughts of some other bad choices and questioned some other decisions I was going to make these days, among which the potential dates with this one particular guy.

We met a while ago, and working around the same area sort of prevented us from doing anything - or at least that was what I hoped. I secretly adored him for his creative mind, his positive outlook, his exciting life, and his gorgeous visage. Anyway, after sometime, we finally went on this date - which felt instantly so comfortable from start to the very end... As I went back to my daily life, I couldn't stop thinking about him, his tender touch, his naughty wink, his passionate kisses, and his beautiful smile. Sitting at my desk, I was toying with the idea of going on the next dates....

Yet as that sour-bitter taste of the deep fried seabass lingered in my palate, I began to wonder if he was the right guy at the right time or not - and if he was, whether it would be the right move to show him how much I liked him and how much I was looking forward to our next date. And after all that, I couldn't help asking - why would I let one bad dish ruin the prospect of my dating life, or worse, doubt my taste?

In the end though, I felt that those choices are made for a reason, if not for satisfaction then at least for a lesson that we would remember for a long time. I will surely avoid Puck, or at least the fish, at all cost. Maybe I will decide to let down my guard and let my heart take me to wherever it's meant to be, and if I get hurt, oh well, then I can start wondering all over again.



Photo: by Steve Gosling

Ola' Lisboa!

Portugal is not a common destination for travelers. Let's face it: It's small. It's out of the way. It's not much characteristically different from the rest of Europe - so given a choice for vacation, Lisa, as it is known, would not stand out as a clear choice, which was why I decided to go against all common sense and take a vacation there.

Boys, was I pleased with my decision!

It would be hard to detail all the fun I had there - but I will give you 5 reasons why Lisbon was the perfect vacation spot.

1. It's an extremely relaxed city - I felt it the moment I arrived at the airport: no hassle, no forms to fill, no hoo-haa - just simply an enjoyably chill atmosphere. The weather helps, too. Against the gloomy weather forecast, my days in Lisbon were either filled with sunshine or a bright crisp air, not cold enough to make you chill, but refreshing enough to keep you intact. You see people stroll on the street with such a carpe diem attitude, enjoying the rays of sun tingling on their shoulders. You see people gathering for an expresso or some pastries, on any given day, and hey, given the economic downturn they are facing, it's a hell of an attitude!

2. It's full of simply good culinary adventures! From the Pasteis de Belem (a small tart with flaky crust and creamy fillings) to the spit-roasted chicken restaurants to even the fancier Olivier restaurants, I absolutely enjoyed the genuinely good food - no fancy deco, no formality, just simply very good food.

3. Come evening, Lisa is a party heaven! Strolling the alleys in Bairro Alto with a drink in hand, feel free to stop by any bar for refill or any dance floor to crash the party. In some way, Bairro Alto is like a big college party, except no one is worried about underage drinking, just focused on having a really good time.

4. Lisboners are super friendly! From old men on the trams to young ladies on the street, the people here just make you feel welcomed, even when you don't speak Portuguese.

5. And yes, the boys are dreamy! Portuguese boys are inspirations for hundreds of ad campaigns for A/X, Guess, and so on - but they also put those ads to shame! Walking on the street, you have the feeling that anyone of them can be a model. With their dark features, chiseled faces, luscious lips, and well-coiffed messy hair - these boys can make you feel weak at the knees.

Just like that, one week in Lisbon was a good amount of time to experience the beauty of Lisa in her very own ways. I arrived excited, was pleased, and left with a piece of my heart in Lisbon! Amo-te, Lisa!


Photo: Lisbon bridge - www2.kenes.com

Unexpected anger....

I never thought I would be angry watching American Idols.

I never thought I would have much emotion watching it, if at all. But last night - I really did.

Aside from very talented and worthy artists, the top 12 fell short of greatness, kicking out extremely strong contestants such as Lily Scott and Alex Lambert in favor of the pretty boy Tim Urban and a forgettable Katie Steven. As Lily exclaimed, "I don't know what America wants to hear" - the popular voting system certainly managed to sideline some of the most unique talents who are not of mainstreamed look, style, or vocal. It was certainly not fair!

But life is never fair! This week, as my office space continued to shrink from a glass-wall single room to a pathetic little table in some hallway, I found out that bitter truth the very hard way! While some fresh college graduate temp enjoys an actual office, I am thrown out there in the hall way with absolutely zero privacy! I was angry at that unfair treatment - I really was! It didn't make sense when people told you you were doing a good job and then put you in such a situation when you feel least appreciated. Life is certainly not fair!

Yet, as I looked at the top 12 American Idols - there was also a sense of accomplishment that softened me to tears - a sense of joy when you have done something so great after working so hard. Some of them had been through hard times when things had certainly NOT been fair, and the reward of sitting on one of those uncomfortable stools was worth all that hardness. And I thought to myself, this is just a rough pad - and I have just the right strength to overcome it. If I am put on such a display in that hallway, I will make it a great show!

At the end, it will be worth it!


Credit: Presidential Candidate JFK - Hank Walker