I Forgot Something!

Damn - I meant but forgot to mention that Thuy and her sister would be paying for ALL of their own travel expenses! AND - that Thuy & her sister had many discussions about giving Linh the travel $'s for her school costs instead of them coming with us! Bottom line = both Thuy and her sister decided that their concern about Linh's first-ever "move" from her home to a foreign land/school/life was "scary" for the entire Phamily & warranted/justified any expense to ensure that she was safely settled into her new, dramatically different life.

24 Hours After US Visa Approval = Mixed Emotions

24 hours have passed since the US Consulate approved Linh's 3-year Student visa. Many & varied emotions have surfaced since then during celebratory feasts, coffees, and email exchanges. Some of these are summarized below:

LINH - She is overwhelmed primarily with excitement - but also anxieties about her near-future exposure to an entirely new world. Her 1st priority - buy some dress-making material in Saigon, then an all-night 12+ hour train ride to Binh Dinh province - her mother's home-province and where many of her close extended family members live. During her short 3-day stay there, Linh & her grandmother will make many new sun-dresses for her to wear in the US. But, of course, her main purpose of her visit is to say "good-bye" to her many close relatives/friends that live there.

VINH (Linh's father) - He is very proud that Linh is the first and ONLY person in his family's centuries-old lineage to go to the US. Yesterday, he spent the entire day making/receiving phone calls to/from ALL of his relatives and friends (located all over Vietnam) to advise them of Linh's US visa success! Linh's success(es) represent a major "status symbol" for his family. His major concern/worry is his family's ability to contribute financially to support Linh's school/living costs while she is attending JMU = $1,000-$2,000/mon <-- a MAJOR sum for middle-class Vietnamese!.

THUY (Linh's mother) - I know that albeit she is very happy for Linh, she is also traumatized because Linh's sudden, long-term departure mean's losing: daily contact/emotional support with/of her "best friend"; a buffer for/of her marital conflicts with Vinh, and; help with cooking/cleaning/chauffeuring Long to/from school. She also shares Vinh's financial concerns. Interestingly, she is willing to contribute more monthly $s to Linh than Vinh (who makes much more than she does)! Emerging Side note: Thuy may accompany Linh and I to US to help "settle" Linh in her new environment! Thuy's sister (Linh's favorite aunt) may ALSO accompany us! <-- btw - both of them speak very little English! If this should happen, I look forward to being their "tour guide"!

LONG (aka Dragon Boy - Linh's 12-year old brother) - When the Phamily initially gathered to celebrate Linh's US visa success, everyone was doing high-5's and hugging EXCEPT for Long -who appeared upset and withdrawn. This was very uncharacteristic of Long. He and I are best-buddies and have been so for 5+ years. I know that Linh is and has always been Long's best friend all of his life. Long realizes that Linh's US visa approval means that his best friend is suddenly going to "disappear" from his life for a very long time. I am doing everything I can to help him overcome this trauma.

Visa Approval Celebrations Begin

Top pic is of Linh displaying her official US Visa Approval document! If you click on pic to enlarge - you may be able to read the "US Visa Approval" stamp!
Bottom pic is of me and Phamily's luncheon feast celebrating Linh's visa!
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Visa Celebrations Continue @ 1st Starbucks in Vietnam!

Above pic is of Linh's father (Vinh) and me continuing the visa approval celebration after above luncheon at Starbucks in Saigon. <-- on February 1st (just before Tet holidays), Starbucks opened their 1st 2 locations in Vietnam - one each in Saigon and Hanoi. The one in Saigon is constantly packed - 1+ hour wait in line to get drinks!
The realization of Linh's visa approval is sinking in to all involved - causing mixed and very emotional reactions. Vinh and I spent more than 3 hours in some very heavy discussions.
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Results of Linh's US Consulate Interview!

After more than 8 months of exhausting efforts to successfully get Linh admitted to an M.Ed. program at James Madison University, today was the last step in Linh's "US dream" process - her interview at the US Consulate in Saigon to get her US F-1 (Student) non-immigrant visa (NIV).
US Student (F-1) visas are not a "sure thing" even when you have been formally/officially admitted to a US university's graduate program - 33% of Vietnamese US Student visas are "declined" (and the US Consulates/Embassies never tell you "why")! During the past week, Linh and I have spent many, many hours gathering/developing documents (e.g., CV, loan agreements, recent bank statements) and practicing/rehearsing for her VERY important US Consulate interview.
Linh's US Consulate interview began at 7AM this morning (EST = 7PM, Feb 21). The US Consulate's policy does NOT allow anyone to attend the interview with her. I did accompany her to the US Consulate and waited for her in a coffee shop across the street from the US Consulate. The wait was incredibly nerve-wracking!
2.5 hours after her interview began - Linh reappeared at the coffee shop where I was waiting for her. Results = Linh got her US visa! Linh will receive her passport and US visa via courier to her house in 2-3 days!
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Tet 2013 Celebrations End

The 9-day Tet 2013 celebrations began on/about Feb 8 and are now just ending on Sunday Feb 17. Of course, Tet "preparations" began WEEKS before Feb 8 involving MANY activities such as: MAJOR house cleaning, buying new clothes to wear during celebrations, cleaning motor bikes so that they are spotless, buying flowers to decorate homes and, of course, preparing many traditional, home-made Vietnamese foods (all very labor-intensive and time consuming)! ALL Vietnamese government offices (like post offices, public utilities, ministry offices) and most private companies (including many restaurants!) have been closed during this period!
Above pic is of a calendar that shows both the Chinese Lunar (1) and Julian (Feb 10) calendar dates for the Chinese Lunar New Year. Flowers around calendar are a traditional Vietnamese bonsai tree that blooms during Tet.
I did not realize it before my friend David (an Indian Tea and Vietnamese Cinnamon Plantations' entrepreneur) told me - Tet is the largest Holiday in the WORLD = celebrated by more people than any other Holiday in the world!
I am VERY thankful that the Phamily enabled me to experience/be an active member in the culture, people, festivities, ancestor worship rituals, and food associated with Tet, which I now know is the largest-celebrated holiday in the world!
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Tet 2013 - Sunflowers and Sushi!

Top pic is of the sunflower plant that I gave to Linh a week ago - in full bloom! Regrettably, these plants die soon after they fully bloom - it "passed" yesterday.
Bottom pic is of Linh making sushi (California rolls) for one of our many Tet feasts. Her sushi included wasabi and ginger - it was great!
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BTW's

Re Linh's US Visa Interview - My brother and others have pointed out that I did not say anything about "when" Linh would find out if her US visa was approved? Linh may find out at the conclusion of her interview. But, more than likely, it will be 3-7 business days following her interview.

Several folks have again asked "how can you enlarge blog pics? Just click any blog pic and it will appear "enlarged" and I believe the display is shown in "Photoshop" which enables you to further enlarge the pics.

Tet Visit to Another Phamily Member's House

Top pic is of me with group of visitors to yet another Phamily member's house. As always, a delicious feast of home-made, traditional Vietnamese food was served!

Bottom pic is of Linh wearing a "modern version" of the traditional Vietnamese women's Ao Dai.

Phamily Visits Saigon Mall

One evening, many Phamily members wanted to gather at a shopping mall near my hotel - so we did!
Top pic is of me and some of the Phamily members at the mall.
The bottom pic is of me and some of the Phamily members getting ready to eat Korean chicken wing at the mall's "food court".

Fun With Saigon Mall Signs!

I was amazed at the number of pics the Phamily took of women standing in front of mall sign/advertisements! So - I decided I would have some fun with their pension to take such pictures and asked them to take above pic of me. After I struck the pose - suddenly hundreds of flashes went off <-- not just Phamily cameras - but perfect strangers too - many asking me to "hold that pose"! That is Vinh (Linh's father) standing next to me <-- he wasn't sure what I was doing - but everyone else knew!

Vietnamese DO have great senses of humor!

Tet 2013 - Yet Another Feast

Above pic is another Tet feast at the Pham house! ALL the homemade meals at the "Phamily's" extended family's houses are incredibly delicious - most include Vietnamese foods that you will NEVER find @ Vietnamese restaurants in US!

Last year, Linh had told her mother that one of my favorite foods was Foie Gras. So - for this feast, Linh's mother had prepared pork liver pate using various kinds of traditional Vietnamese spices. I was hesitant about what it would taste like <-- I mean "pork liver"! However - after my 1st bite, my reservations immediately abated! Spread on a fresh-baked Vietnamese baguet (sp?) with locally-produced, fresh salted butter, and a little Vietnamese hot sauce - I was in heaven! Absolutely delicious!

GREAT NEWS - Linh has successfully completed her DS-160, I-901, and scheduled her US Student visa (F-1) interview at the US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)! These are MAJOR accomplishments! Her interview will be at 7:30AM, Friday, Feb 22nd (US EST = 7:30PM, Feb 21st)! The US Consulate's approval of her visa is NOT "a given". So - everyone keep their fingers crossed! Prayers would no doubt help too!

Tet New Year Begins

The first day of the lunar (Chinese) new year is very important to all Vietnamese.
The "first" visitor in/to your house in the lunar new year is considered an "omen" of what the new year will be like for your - good/bad luck, prosperous/non-prosperous, healthy/unhealthy, etc. Therefore, most Vietnamese "very carefully select" who their home's first visitor will be. Linh's father (Vinh) selected me (for the 4th time!) to be the first visitor to his house in the new year. Vinh has said that I have always brought good fortune and happiness to his family!
Above pic is of Vinh welcoming me as his home's first visitor during the lunar new year - a great honor for me!
Following my "first visit" - Linh's family asked me to go with them to visit the homes of their extended family - 12+ hours of "home/feasting/partying" hopping followed - see below.
BTW - All of Linh's family are wonderful people and great hosts. They have always been incredibly welcoming and have great senses of humor - and they are all great cooks and always offer delicious traditional foods!
NOTE: The above and below activities/pics all occurred Feb 10th. I have been too pooped to update this blog until now!

"Lucky Money"

Red Envelopes are given to house guests and all children on the first day of the lunar new year. Each envelope contains small amounts of money that are considered "lucky" to the recipient.
Above pic is of a few recipients with their lucky money envelopes.

Note that Linh is wearing a traditional (albeit modern version of) Vietnamese Ao Dai! <-- this was the first time I have actually seen her wearing an Ao Dai!

Men and "Dragon Ladies"

It is customary to take group pics of ladies and men separately at family gatherings. Top pic is of the men and bottom pic of women (AND me!) groups visiting one family's home! <-- one of many stops!

Phu Quoc Dog and MORE Dragon Ladies!

One of Linh's uncles that we visited has several very friendly Phu Quoc dogs <-- this breed have distinctive hair ridges on their backs (like Rhodesian Ridgebacks). Top pic is of me and "Milo".

Above bottom pic is of me with more "Dragon Ladies" at this uncle's house!

Another House Visit and Ritual Temple Visit

Top is group pic at another house we visited. Seated in center of this pic is the family matriarch (eldest grandmother).

It is customary for Vietnamese to visit their Buddhist temples on the 1st day of the lunar new year. I was asked to accompany them (as I have been for the past 3 years). The bottom pic is a group pic taken at the matriarch's temple. All the monks at this temple are females and one of them remembered me from my previous visits.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

Chuc Mung Nam Moi = Happy New Year!
At midnight on Tet's (New Year's) eve, HCMC (Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon) welcomes the first day of the lunar new year (this year = Feb 10 = Year of the Snake) with fireworks.
Linh's father (Vinh) and Brother (Long) took me to see the fireworks - which are done over the center of downtown Saigon!
Top pic is of Long and me at our downtown fireworks' "viewing stand"! Other pic = the fireworks begin!

Chuc Mung Nam Moi - 2!

Above pics are of the Saigon's Tet 2013 fireworks' finale!
Btw - traffic was absolutely hellish - worse than ANY other time during the year!

Tet (New Year's) Eve Dinner

The 2 most important days of the week-long Tet holiday are Tet (New Year's) eve (Feb 9) and the first day of the Chinese new year (Feb 10). Today is Tet eve and I was honored to be the guest of honor at he Pham family's eve dinner.

The above pic is of me, Linh, Linh's mother (Thuy), and Linh's brother (Long) getting ready to eat the feast that Linh and her mother prepared. <- Linh's father (Vinh) to the pic.

Tet Eve Gifts - Sunflowers

It is my custom to bring my hosts' gifts when I am invited to their house for a Tet eve dinner.
Flowers are a traditional Vietnamese gift for Tet. I know that for years Linh has asked her parents to buy her a sunflower plant and that they never had gotten her one! This year was no different. So - I insisted that Vinh (Linh's father) stop and let me buy a sunflower plant for her.
The above pic is of Linh with the sunflower plant gift I gave her.

Tet Eve Gifts - Candy

Linh, her mother (Thuy) and brother (Long) all love "US Chocolates". Above is pic of Linh holding the 4+ pounds of their favorite US chocolate presents I purchased for them in the US!

Tet Eve Gifts - Chelsea

Linh's father (Vinh), like most Vietnamese males, is a rabid world soccer fan! Vinh's favorite team is Chelsea (England) <-- he has lost a small fortune betting on this team.

Above pic is of him wearing an "official" Adidas Chelsea soccer jersey that I purchased (from England) for him.

Forgot Airport Surprise!

I composed/sent the previous blog update while I was at the airport waiting for my baggage and processing through Vietnamese immigrations and customs.
When I exited Vietnamese immigrations/customs, I was TOTALLY surprised that Linh, her father (Vinh) and brother (Long aka Dragon Boy) were waiting for me at the airport exit!
No one has ever met me at the airport - it is a considerable distance from downtown Saigon - so this was a first and a very pleasant surprise!
We all hugged and exchange happy, heart-felt greetings <-- I have not seen them for a year! It was a great start to my return to Saigon!
I don't like to post blog updates without pics. So - in this update I have included the above pic taken last year of Linh (right) and her friend at a reception wearing a traditional Vietnamese "ao dai"! I had never seen Linh wearing a traditional Ao Dai!

Travels Begin - Again

After 11,000+ air-miles with stopover in Dubai (United Arab Emirates aka UAE) and 30+ hours of travel time, I have returned to Saigon.

I have arrived in Saigon just in time to celebrate the Chinese Tet (February 10) holidays with my Vietnamese "Phamily" (-- thanks to my daughter Kim for this "slang" reference) and other Vietnamese friends!

This trip is really focused on my friend Linh Pham. As her "US Sponsor", I helped Linh apply for admission to James Madison University's (JMU) M.Ed. (Masters in Education) Graduate program (with concentration in "Equity and Cultural Diversity in Education). Linh WAS admitted to JMU's Graduate School. The next step in this complicated process is for Linh to get her US student (F-1) visa which involves her being "interviewed" at the US Consulate in Saigon. Even though she has been "formally admitted" to JMU's graduate school, Linh's US visa is NOT "guaranteed" - 30% of Vietnamese US Student Visa applications are "turned down" with no "explanations"! So, my #1 priority is to help Linh apply for and get her US Student Visa.

IF Linh gets her US Student Visa, together WE will return to the US on/about April 6th - she will start the JMU Summer Session on May 6th.

Between now and our return to US, I intend to travel throughout Vietnam as well as northern Thailand and possibly Malaysia. So - look for blog updates!

Btw - the above is a recent pic of Linh - to remind everyone who she is!