Terrific News!

Linh got a job = Foster Care Social Worker! She will be working for Burlington United Methodist Church Family Services located in Grafton, WV. Other info: start date August 1st; starting salary = $27,000; 3 weeks vacation; all Federal holidays; full medical benefits; 401K or 403B with matching contributions up to 6% of her salary. She will have to get a temporary WV Social Worker license (no problem) - and then pass a WV Social Worker license test within 6 months of her job start date.
Above pic is Linh with her new used car that she recently bought. She still has a learner's permit and is planning to take her license driving test next Monday. Wish her good luck!

Family

Birthday & 4th of July

OFFICIAL 2016 WVU Graduation Pics

May 15, 2016 = Linh's official graduation day from West Virginia University's (WVU) Masters in Social Work (MSW) program!
Top Pic = Linh receiving her "graduate hood" from her graduate school advisor Dr. Neal Newfield.
Middle Pic = Linh receiving her MSW degree.
Bottom Pic = Linh immediately after receiving her degree in front of WVU flag.

A New Journey Begins

The last few days have been very busy for Linh (and me).
Last Sunday night (Linh's graduation day), Linh, her mother $ grandad and I had our last dinner in Morgantown at the Texas Roadhouse (one of Linh's favorite restaurants). Linh's grandad was amazed by & loved the free peanuts and all of the wildlife mounts (buffalo, moose, dear, elk, caribou, wild turkeys, bass fish, rattlesnakes, etc). He took dozens (if not hundreds) of pictures.
On Monday Linh, her mother/grandad and I drove from Morgantown to my cabin (2+ hours). During the drive, we stopped at several old, abandoned log cabins so that grandad could take pics. Bottom pic = grandad and I enjoying a tree-hung swing.
At 5AM on Tuesday, Linh and I drove to Dulles airport to drop off her mother and grandad. They safely arrived back in Saigon yesterday.
During the last couple of weeks we have experienced many events, feasts, celebrations, people and emotions.
Linh is now back in Morgantown continuing her job search (which we began 6+ weeks ago). She has had several telephone & face-to-face interviews and several more are scheduled in the near future. Linh's new journey is well underway. I will keep all of you posted if/when there are any updates.

WVU DONE!

Linh's graduation was at 9AM this morning - very cold and windy day - but - at least the sun was out.
Top pic is Linh and I in front of the WVU Coliseum where her commencement was held. Witnessing/experiencing her graduation was a very emotional event for me - I teared-up several times.
Center pic = everyone who attended Linh's graduation except for my brother & his wife who left before pics were taken. Others in the pic are Linh's boyfriend's (Thomas - on far right in pic) family.
Bottom pic = eating lunch after graduation.
It has been a very mixed emotion day - happiness for all and, for me, a little sadness because a long journey has ended. A new journey now begins - especially for Linh.

Cap & Gown Campus Pics

The sun came out briefly yesterday - so Linh put on her graduation cap/gown and we took the above pics.
Bottom pic is Linh/her mom in front of the WVU Mountaineer statue.

Celebrations Begin

Yesterday, my brother/his wife (Kent & Honey), my WV neighbors (Jim & Heather) Linh & her family linked up for the first (of several) celebration feast (top pic).
Linh's grandad (a professional photographer) took a good portrait pic of Kent & I (bottom pic).
The rainy and cold weather persists here - ugh.

Linh's MSW GPA = 3.93!

Linh got her Spring 2016 today = 3 A's and 1 P (for a Pass/Fail course).
This means that her MSW GPA = 3.93 (all A's except for 1 B)!

Sent from my iPhone

Washington DC - Day 1

Our first full day in Washington DC was spent visiting US Capital, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (top pic) and Air & Space Museum. They were awe-inspired by everything they saw.
We then had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants - the Peking Gourmet (bottom pic) - of course we had Peking Duck - that everyone enjoyed!
We ended our evening visiting the Eden Center (Little Vietnam) in Falls Church. They were amazed that such a very large shopping area was ALL Vietnamese - and - that the old Republic of Vietnam (RVN) flag was flying there.