Happy 2015 (1)!

Vietnam is 12 hours ahead of the US east coast. So - 2015 has already arrived here!
Linh, Dragon Boy, Aunt My & her husband, Linh's male friend, and I spent New Year's eve going to see the Exodus movie and then ringing in 2015 watching the fireworks in Saigon
Top Pic = all streets in Saigon are crazy beginning 2 Hours before midnight. This pic is of our street level fireworks watching sight.
Bottom Pic = fireworks begin at midnight!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Happy 2015 (2)!

The above pics are of the continuing fireworks. All of us enjoyed watching the fireworks and welcoming 2015! I hope that 2015 brings all of you health and happiness!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Phamily Dinner

Just returned to hotel from another delicious dinner at the Pham house = fried shrimp, great "grapefruit salad" with shrimp crackers, Russian salad, and fried pork.
Lady on far left is Vinh's sister who just arrived from Hai Phong (near Hai Noi) for a weekend visit.
As always, great food, humor and discussions!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Christmas Eve 2014

Today was a great day. I walked about 5-8KM (3-5 miles) this morning visiting both a Hindu and Buddhist temple AND Notra Dam catholic church (built by the French in mid-1800's). <-- see - I have no religious prejudices!
This evening, Linh's family and I were invited to her grandmother's house for dinner = as always it was delicious. After dinner, the Phamily gave me a Christmas gift - a Vietnamese shirt made of a woven pattern that once could only be worn by Vietnamese kings. AND, Linh's aunt in Quy Nhon (a professional seamstress) made it for me! Above pic L to R = Linh's grandmother, Linh, me (wearing new, tailored shirt!), Linh's father (Vinh) and mother (Thuy).
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Fall 2014 Grades

Linh's Fall 2014 grades = 4 A's!
This is a remarkable achievement given that Linh is a foreign student in her 1st semester of a graduate program in a U.S. university!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Good By Quy Nhon

Today was our last day in Quy Nhon.
After going to the temple and vegan lunch (see below), we spent the afternoon having coffee with and saying good by to Linh's many family members and friends.
This evenings dinner feast was at a restaurant "famous" for their shrimp (front in top pic) and beef (rear in top pic) fried "pancakes". Using scissors, you cut each pancake in half, roll 1/2 pancake in rice paper with fresh greens, dip in sauce = delicious!
After dinner, we went to Linh's aunt's house to have "hot pudding"dessert, coffee flan, mini-fried spring rolls - all terrific! Of course, we also played the infamous Vietnamese card game "Phom" (bottom pic)!
I thoroughly enjoyed Quy Nhon, meeting many of Linh's family members & friends for the first time, great discussions/humor/food.
Btw - I forgot to mention that December 20th marked Linh's 1st anniversary in the US!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

1st Day of Chinese Lunar Month

On the 1st day of each Chinese Lunar month, devote Buddhists always visit a pagoda/temple. Linh's favorite grandmother is a devote Buddhist - and - like many Buddhists (and most Hindu's) is a vegan.
Above pics are of Linh, her grandmother me, and other members of Linh's family visiting their local temple. I was honored to be invited by Linh's grandmother to go to their temple with them. Afterwards, we all had lunch at a vegan restaurant - including great "tough tofu"!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wedding Celebrations Cease

Today was a restful day spent: having coffee with Vinh's close friends (above pic); visiting a leper compound built by the French in mid-1800's; having lunch/dinner feasts with Phamily, and; playing Phom this evening. A great day.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wedding #2 (1 of 3)

Wedding #2 in Quy Nhon, which began @ 9AM this morning, almost replicated Wedding #1 in Saigon.
Top Pic = Bride's Maids with gifts from the bride's family to the groom's family.
Bottom Pic = bride/groom (far right)with groom's family (facing camera) welcoming bride's family (backs to camera).
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wedding #2 (2 of 3)

Top Pic = bride, groom & bride's maids with gifts from the bride's family to the groom's family.
Bottom Pic = L to R = Linh's Aunt Nhu, Linh's grandmother, bride, Linh, groom, and Vinh.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wedding #2 (3 of 3)

Top Pic = Wedding Banquet #2 with another delicious 7 course meal - which included a pigeon stew/soup!
Bottom Pic = Vinh, Linh & me with Linh's favorite grandmother.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Qun Nhon Beach

Many of you have asked many questions about Qun Nhon.
It is now the "Winter Season in Qun Nhon. The weather here is about 15F to 20F COOLER than it is in Saigon and cloudy - but still very pleasant.
Above is a pic of Qun Nhon beach taken this morning. Note mountains in background.

Quy Nhon - Enemies Meet

This afternoon we arrived in Quy (aka Qui) Nhon (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qui_Nh%C6%A1n) to begin 4 more days of wedding celebrations.
The "home village" of Linh, her mother/grandmother, and the bride (Linh's aunt) as well as the groom's family are here in Quy Nhon. The bride and groom first met each other and grew up here almost 40 years ago.
Quy Nhon is also where Vinh and Thuy (Linh's mother and dad) first met.
It is Vietnamese custom that traditional weddings include celebrations in the bride's home village. So - the Ho Chi Minh City wedding celebrations will be repeated here, but on a much smaller scale. Most will occur tomorrow = Saturday. I am not sure what to expect - so - look for more blog updates tomorrow.
Above Pic = Vinh's uncle's family invited us to their house for dinner tonight. Vinh's uncle (4th from L) and his wife (far right) were Viet Cong (VC) during the Vietnam war - operating for 21+ years in the jungle mountains near Quy Nhon. We had a terrific conversation about the war. So - previous enemies meet & great 39 Years after the war ended (& 47 years since I was in the war). Indeed it is a small world.

Vietnam War Veterans Meet

NOTE - unfortunately, I sent this and the next 2 blog updates in reverse order! Sorry!
Many of the older male members of the groom's family were members of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVNs = South Vietnam) during the "American War".
One was a "Vietnamese Boat People" (above pic) who lived in Germany for 25+ years and then immigrated to Los Angeles (he now has duel American/German citizenship, speaks fluent German, English, French & Vietnamese!). He was in the ARVN in Pleiku when I was there in 1966. He, I and 3 other ARVN vets (who never "escaped Vietnam") really enjoyed talking with each other. <-- it is indeed a very small world!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Reception

The bride wore a traditional "western wedding dress" at the reception. Top pic is of Phamily, bride, groom and me. All attendees were provided with photo ops with bride & groom.
Only 25 or so people attended the "private" wedding ceremonies early this morning. However, 500+ people attended the "reception" held in a large "event hall" at the Wedding Event center! A delicious 10-course (small portions) meal was quickly served (not a buffet) to ALL. Bottom pic is of a small portion of the event hall.
It is interesting to note that Linh (as maid of honor?) had to assemble, open, and count the "gift envelopes' money" collected as people entered the reception - because evidently payment for the "event" was made at the end (not before) of the reception!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wedding "Reception"

The wedding day celebrations continued Sunday evening with what we would call a "wedding reception". This was held at a Vietnamese "Wedding Event" hall (top pic) which are very common in larger Vietnamese cities.
Vinh and I entering "Wedding Event" center. Poor Vinh - the many stairs were challenging for him.
This coming Friday, we are all flying to Quy Nhon <-- the bride's "home village" where the entire day Saturday will be spent attending "home village" wedding celebrations! Look for more blog updates then!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Groom's Family Visits Bride's Family

I attended 1st of 2 traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremonies this morning.
This morning's ceremonies were considered very "private". I was honored to be considered/invited as a close member of the bride's family!
This morning's ceremonies began with the groom's best men presenting offerings/gifts to the bride's maids (top pic) in front of the bride's family's home (top pic)..
The groom's family then formally enters the bride's family house (bottom pic).
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wedding "Ceremony"

After entering the bride's house, the groom's family (R in top pic) formally present offerings/gifts to bride and her family (L in top pic).
The groom then formally ask the bride's family's permission to marry him.
Both families then ascend to the bride's ancestral worship alter to "privately" present offerings to the bride's ancestors and request the ancestors' permission to marry. After formally requesting bride's ancestors permission to marry, the couple are formally considered married.
This was followed by a "light" feast of delicious food and formal picture taking. Bottom pic are the bride's maids
(Linh is 2nd from R). I believe that Linh was the maid of honor.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Formal Wedding Pics

The formal wedding pics included:

Top Pic = Bride, Groom & bride's maids (Linh is 2nd from L)

Bottom Pic = bride, groom, bride's & groom's families, and Bride's maids (Linh front row, 3rd from L).

The wedding celebrations continue tonight with a huge feast. So - look for more blog updates later!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Adjusting

I forgot to mention that Vinh and Thuy (Vinh's wife) met Linh and I at the airport. They waited almost 5 hours for us.
Vinh had a heart attack and a stent implant last June. He was paralyzed from the waste down for 2+ months. He can now walk with a cane - but he is also very frail. He is still unable to drive his motorbike or return to work. Given his condition, I very much appreciated his efforts (physical & psychological) to meet Linh and me at the airport.
The next 2-3 days will be an "time adjustment period" for me. Weather is great = clear, 90F, light breeze. Saigon's busy street commerce, traffic, and "people watching" are still very invigorating/stimulating!
The Saigon neighborhood where I have stayed since 2008 has changed a lot in the last 2 years - my "grocery store" and favorite Japanese sushi bar are both gone! But, my doughnut street peddler is still around (above pic) - from whom I have been buying donuts for almost 7 years!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Back to Vietnam

Just arrived in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) after a hellish 38-hour travel time - many delays/canceled flights in Morgantown, WV, Dulles (IAD), and Beijing! AND, China Air "lost" Linh's 2 checked baggages = about 100 pounds of US stuff for Linh's family and friends. We are hoping that Linh's bags arrive tomorrow. Fortunately, my checked bags arrived in HCMC with no problems.
It has been almost 2 years since I was in Vietnam.
We are looking forward to our 30+ days visit - to include a wedding! So - look for blog updates!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

2014 Cuz Reunion - Blackwater Falls, West Virginia

Linh accompanied me to my cousin reunion (top pic = Kent, me, Gary, Cheryl & Nancy) at Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia. All cousins attended except Cuz's Tom and Jack (and their wives) - all of whom were missed very much! Part of Blackwater Falls in background.
Bottom pic = cousins with their spouses and Linh & me (L to R, back row Cheryl/Dan, Nancy/Earl, front row Linh, Mary/Kent, & me).
We all thoroughly enjoyed talking and feasting together during the weekend. Although my cousins have "known" Linh for 6 years through this blog, this was the first time any of them had ever met her. She was warmly welcomed into the family.
All are leaving early tomorrow morning because of long driving times. So - I decided to post these updates tonight.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Linh, Me & Blackwater Falls, West Virginia

Linh and I with falls in background.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Blackwater Falls & River Gorge

Top pic = Blackwater Falls.
Bottom pic = Blackwater River Gorge <-- view from the lodge where we all stayed.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Linh's Cousin Thinh Departs WVU & Morgantown

Linh and I have been very busy this past week helping Linh's cousin Thinh settle into WVU and Morgantown.
Unfortunately, Thinh has decided not to attend WVU and she/her father have gone to Detroit with her uncle. This happen very suddenly and surprised both Linh and me!
These events have been very upsetting for Linh - including concerns about Thinh's US F1 Student visa which is no longer valid.
Above pic is, left to right, Chuong/Christina/Jessica (Linh's uncle, his wife and daughter from Detroit), Thinh (Linh's cousin), me, Nhu (Thinh's father/Linh's uncle), and Linh - having farewell diner last Monday.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Updates

Many of you have been asking about Linh - so I decided to post this brief update.

Linh received her grade for her last (2nd) Summer session Social Work course (Methods 3; Organizations & Communities) = A! So, her Summer Session (and US university!) GPA = 3.5!

Linh's cousin (Thinh) is getting settled-into WVU. She will probably be moving into a "Host Family" home.

Also, this blog hit new milestones: more than 13,000 visits, and; more than 35,000 pages viewed.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Farewell Dinner

I will return home tomorrow. So - tonight I treated all to dinner tonight at Red Lobster (above pic). And - of course - chauffeured Linh & Thinh to Walmart to shop for Thinh's apartment stuff. Ugh.
Current plans are for Nhu and maybe Thinh to fly from Pittsburgh to Detroit, MI next Thursday, August 21. Nhu will return to Saigon from Detroit on September 1st.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Linh's Vietnamese Cousin Arrives @ WVU!

During the past 4+ months, Linh (with only minor assistance from me) has been assisting Linh's cousin, Thinh (pronounced thun), get admitted to WVU's Intensive English Program (IEP).
Linh's efforts succeeded and we picked up her cousin Thinh (2nd from left in above pic), and her father Nhu (left in above pic) at Pittsburgh, PA airport (PIT) early yesterday morning.
Thinh begins her WVU IEP next Monday, August 18 - Linh begins her first semester MSW program at the same time. Between now and then, Linh and I will be helping Thinh (with her father) find/move into an apartment, get a cell phone, establish bank/debit card accounts, tour WVU campus/Morgantown, adjust to US time/food/temperature changes, etc.
It is going to be a very busy week - and of course - updates to this blog.
Btw - This blog hit new milestones: Visits = 13,000+, Pages Viewed = 35,000+! Thanks to all for your continued interests!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

More 1st's

My neighbors, Jim & Heather, came with me to visit Linh at WVU this weekend. They have known Linh for 5+ years, but have not seen her since last January!
Friday night we and Linh's friends revisited Schmitt's Saloon and Music Hal.
Above pic = Heather, Jim, Linh, Hanh (20 years old) Thinh & me. Hanh is Thinh's sister visiting him from Vietnam - her 1st trip to US and Schmitt's was her 1st US "saloon" and 1st live music venue!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Schmitt's

Schmitts (http://www.schmittssaloon.com/) had 3 great live bands performing lat night.
Top Pic = Headliner Joshua Scott Jones (http://www.joshuascottjones.com/) who is the male vocalist part of Steel Magnolia duo!
Bottom Pic = Braden Stover (http://www.bradenstovermusic.com/), 1 of 2 lead-in bands
Sorry - no pics of the other lead-in band.
All had a great time - albeit everyone suffered some momentary hearing loss because the music was so loud!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

1st US Birthday!

Linh will be a quarter-century (25) old on July 18th! So, Heather, Jim & I surprised her with a "birthday, New-York-style cheesecake" - replete with US flags to celebrate her 1st birthday in US! Ironic - we sneaked the cheesecake into a Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant!
Fyi - Linh doesn't like US sweets - but loves cheesecake!
Top Pic = 4 of us with just top of cake.
Bottom Pic = Cake alone - note US flags!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Brynn Marie

For some unknown reason, the pic of Brynn Marie "disappeared" from below blog update. So - I decieded to add pic again - see above.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Return to Schmitts Saloon & Music Hall

I had another contract meeting at WVU in Morgantown this week and visited Linh. So – Linh & I with her friends Mayara (roommate), Daniel, Thinh and Andy/Thu (married couple) hit Schmitt's Saloon again (http://www.schmittssaloon.com/). Brynn Marie (above pic) and her band performed. She is a great country-western female vocalist from Nashville (http://www.brynnmarie.com/). It was a great show and all enjoyed it!
Linh's 1st summer course (Human Diversity) ends next week and she begins her 2nd summer course (Methods 3 - Organizations & Community) the following week. She is enjoying her WVU IEP job and doing well!
Sorry - had problems with my Blackberry and didn't get a pic of our group.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

WVU Updates

Linh and I returned to WVU 3 days ago and have been very busy!
Linh will be taking 2 undergraduate, social-work-related courses this summer - 1 course during each of 2, 6-week summer sessions.
In addition, Linh also got a job! She will start her new job next week as an "Office Assistant" at WVU's Department of World Languages, Literatures & Linguistics, Intensive English Program (IEP). Wage = $8/ hour <-- 11% above WV minimum wage ($7.25/hour). This is a great accomplishment and I am very proud of her!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Now NYC = Been There, Done That

We left Manhattan this morning and made it safely back to my brother's house in Rehoboth Beach, DE - a 6+-hour "commute".
We will stay at my brother's house 2 nights - then - back to Morgantown, WV to get Linh enrolled in summer classes at WVU and her WV Driving Learner's Permit!
Special thanks to my brother (Kent) and his wife (Honey) for hosting us at their house in Rehoboth Beach (RB) - and - for Honey "chaparoning" us in NYC!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Statue of Liberty

Top Pic = Linh arrives at NYC's Statue of Liberty.
Bottom Pic = Linh is embraced by Lady Liberty!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wall Street

Top Pic = Linh arrives at NYC's Wall Street.
Bottom Pic = Linh with world-famous NYC "Wall Street Bullal.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T