"Happy birthday 2005, welcome 2006" - Sherry

5,4,3...2...1...0!!!! Here comes the "turning" moment, for which we all have waited for exactly... one year! New Year, but lets tell some old tale.
About this time of last year, I enjoyed the company from my best friends Dat, Huy and Hin in Hanoi. We started the night around 9pm, when I picked Hin up from her place. All four of us then rode on two motorcycles from Thai Thinh street, to Giang Vo avenue, to Nguyen Thai Hoc street, then turned toward the West Lake before we went along Phan Dinh Phung Street, passed by the North Entrance of the Old Quarter, and headed for the Hoan Kiem Lake. There weren’t a lot of activities on the streets but people. And when I say "people", I mean thousand and thousands of them. Yeah, it is true that Hanoi is a two-million-citizen city, however I always get surprised seeing so many of them on the streets, and can't help but wonder where they are all from.
On this special occasion, Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Thai To streets, which embrace the Hoan Kiem Lake within, were closed. Hence, we stopped and left our vehicles to a parking service on a narrow street close to Hoan Kiem Lake around 10 or 11pm. We then joined the crowd walking toward the "Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc" square, where an outdoor stage was set up. Live music was on with many traditional New Year songs such as "Happy New Year" and "Xuan da ve" (Spring has arrived). We slowly squeezed ourselves through layers of people to approach the stage, hoping to get a clearer view. The crowd was singing along, many were even dancing. One of the guys raised his lady friend above his head, just so she could see the performance. As excited as she was, she danced right on top of his shoulders. For a minute or two, they actually attracted even more attention than the singers.
Exact 12, the music stopped with a huge applause from the audience. Everybody then happily greeted each other with "chuc mung nam moi" (happy new year) before making their way home. My groups stayed for a few more minutes to enjoy the new-year air. Meanwhile, I called my sister on her cell to wish her all the best and to tell her how much I wanted to spend that moment with her. Surprisingly, only few minutes later she found a way to catch up with us on our way back to the parking place. I was truly happy to see her as she came toward me and gave me the sweetest hug ever.

The night closed out, I went home with a fresh air in my lung, fresh hope in my head, and especially fresh love in my heart. Now, as a year has gone by and a new year is coming, the feeling comes back to me, keeps me staying strong on the path I have chosen.
Thanks guys, Dat, Huy and Hin, for spending the moment with me, and thank you, my dear sister, for the hug that will always keep me warm!
-nxh

Thong Nhat (Reunification) Park

Like the Disney Land of Floria, or Europa Park of West Germany, the Thong Nhat Park is one of the biggest and finest in Hanoi. Of course, in term of size and attrations, it can be no match to the other two; however, it was my dream-land when I was growing up.
The park was built and named in late 40s by the great leader Ho Chi Minh. During the American war, they changes it to V.I. Lenin Park as Vietnam befriended with the Soviet Union. Then recently, the park got its name back.
Locating not far from the South Entrance of the Old Hanoi, the Thong Nhat park covers a huge area, which includes the "Bay mau" (about 2.5 ha) lake. In the morning, it is filled with people, mostly elders, who want to breath some fresh air before going on their days. During weekdays, the park is usually empty; here and there, one might find a few children playing, a young couple walking hand in hand, or a lonely poet trying to write down his feeling. The place got crowded again in the weekend, when parents actually have free time to take their children out. Games and fun are everywhere, the park is full of children laughing, chasing each other, screaming each other's name and doing whatever else they can think of. With the park's incredible size, one might even want to catch the electric tram, which will take them to every conner of the park...
Personally, the park means a lot to me. When I was a kid, it was my most favorite place. Little older, the park was the meeting spot for many of my classes. Even my family reunion was held there one year. And on top of all, that was where I got my first kiss. "Nothing beats the first kiss," of course. I remember exactly what she wore and what I wore; what she said and what I said. I remember how we walked along the lake hand in hand like many other couples, and how I suddenly stopped and pulled her toward me with all the courage I ever had. The wind blew easily, creating small waves in the water as if it was as nervous as I. The air was quiet, the trees were curiously looking at us, and the birds were being jealous. And then the park whispered into my ears "we will save this moment forever, just like you will too!"
Years later, I came back. It welcomed me with open arms, and said: "yeah, we remember..."
-nxh

Christmas 2005

Here it comes, the Christmas of 2005. By this time, there is nearly noone left on campus. Most of them go come for the holiday, some others go to different places to enjoy the break. As for me, I take my vacation in my own apartment.
Christmas day, Knoxville rains dogs and cats, giving me the hope that a white christmas might happen this year. That'd be something to chear up the lonely soul. I wait, and I wait, and I wait... but snows never comes. I stay by my window, lazily talk to a friend online, while occasionally staring outside to look for a miracle. Images of the last December flashback in my mind...
Last year, I went home for Chrismas. People in Vietnam don't celebrate this occasion as Westerners do. Throughout the entire December, there is harly any mention of Christmas. And on Christmas Eve, people don't stay home with family; it is indeed a perfect chance for youngsters, such as myself, to go out, enjoy the cold night with other thousands people. Last year, the street was packed with all kind of vehicles, from motocycles (mostly), to bicycles, cars, even pedestrians. The three most crowded places must be Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake and of course, the Great Church of Hanoi.
My night started at the Great Church, where I met up with Dat, my eleven-year closest friend. Joining us there were someothers. We ride motocycles at first, just so we could get around quicker. However, it wasnot a good idea given how crowder the streets was. We got off and started walking... Thousands of people were there, waiting to hear the pleasant sounds of the bell on top the Great Church. Religious people prayed, non-religious people took the chance to take pictures, to talk to friends, or simply to enjoy the night out...
Midnight, most of us had to go home due to parents' curfew. The rest of us walked toward the Hoan Kiem Lake. The street got a bit empty since it was cold...
The lake was beautiful like always. Peaceful and calm in the middle of a modern city. Even in the dark, its distinct green color could still be recognized. The lake never change its color, as the people never change their love for it. Ngoc Son temple was closed, the The Huc bridge was decorated with light along its sides. The bridge lighted up beautifully, while the two ends lost in darkness. The image was as if there were an invisble string to hang the red, curly bridge in the air. Its reflection in the water oscillated slowly according to the waves... For a minute there, as I lost myself in the view, the whole city was tottaly quiet, deep in its sleep. Its natural beauty then showed, giving me the feeling of warmness in late December. Next to me, there was my best friend...
Life must go on, but memory will stay forever. Although, this Chrismas, and many to come, I will have to be by myself, I know I will never be alone. Because in my heart, there is always Ha Noi, with my family, my best friend, and all that I love...
-nxh

The Huc bridge

Biking in the old quarter of the Ha Noi city, wondering around for about an hour, one assuredly ends up at Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the Lake of Restored Sword. Back in 1200s, when emperor Le Thai Lo first gave its name, Hoan Kiem Lake was literaly at the center of the city. As Ha Noi has been expanding southwest, its central role becomes more like symbolism.
Nevertheless, what keeps me interested is the red, curvely bridge that connects the main land and a small island in the middle of the lake. Named The Huc, it represents the first place in the city to have the sun shines on. Very romanticly decorated during holiday season, it is not only the place for people to grasp a quick separation from the busy world, but also a destination for many young couples to enjoy their time together. As you can see in the first picture, the bridge was not a very friendly-looking place. However, after the major renovation in 1900s, it becomes one of most mentioned place in Ha Noi.
For me, I remember the place vividly because it connects directly with one of my childhood memory. It was in 1997, when I was in middle school and my teacher gave the class an assignment of describing the The Huc bridge. Back then, there had already been many literature pieces that described the place in details. Somehow, they all have a commons way of characterizing it as "curve like a shrimp". It was why, in my teacher's own word, she specified that "if you are going to mention the curvely 'shrimp', your grade will surely curve like an egg (meaning 0)!" My friends and I then had to spend one afternoon to visit the place, noted the details and tried to find something new in our own perspective. Fortunately for me, I got my first A ever in writing essay because of my "strokingly innovative" idea: You cannot... die by jumping off this bridge! Well, of course I was happy!
Now, 8 years later, I still believe my statement is true. However, I also came to one important question: why would someone want to jump off this bridge? There it is a silence temple on one end, a busy world on the other. For whatever one's looking for, either a crowded life, or a quiet place to get in touch with the inner self, he or she can look for it here. There are choices for life on this particular bridge. It is, henceforth, definitely no good for life ending action!
-nxh

Van Mieu- The Temple of Literature

Well, holiday is coming, and this will be the forth one since I first set foot outside of Vietnam. Due to my limitted fundind, I don't get to go home very often. However, this is the first Christmas I will actually have to be alone. About three more days before Christmas Eve, my friends have already left campus long ago, and I am no where close to be ready for Santa. This time of the year, especially being by myself, I have the time to remember the past, to go back in time and recall my childhood. It is one of the best way for me to enjoy my peace.
This time, the images come to my mind are that of the Temple of Literature, known as Van Mieu in Vietnamese. The temple locates at the heart of Hanoi, and has now become the simbol of the city. For its thousand-years history and being the first university of Vietnam, it well deserves the tittle. As you can see in the image which I borrows from this website , the place looks simple and peaceful. The picture was taken during the Frech colonization in Vietnam late 19th century. In comparison with the new version of it, which I believe was taken in more of less same view, the place hasn't changed much. Few details were upgraded, few new things were built, but if we excuse the major change in photographing technology, the place hasn't changed much. One of the best feature of the place can be seen in the left hand side of the pictures. Those are stones, with names of people who earned doctorate degrees engarved on. They are the simbol of respect, which the society pay them. They'll live on for as long as the stones last.

Well, why Van Mieu, you might wonder. Why, out of all places, do I recall this images at this moment? Because about half a mile to the east of Van Mieu, there was my home. I grew up at this place.
At that time, I remember, Van Mieu was one of the children most favorite places to play. We could run, we could hide, we could scream and nobody even bothered. The place (even now) was usually empty, except for the holiday. Around days like that, people from everywhere would come here and pray. They would pray for luck, for happiness, for a lot of things; but the main prayers are due to education.
My best memory at this temple would be the Tet's holiday (New Year's Eve equivalent) ten years ago. My father took me there, led me to one of the stones, pointed at one of the names (which are all written in old style) and said: "Son, this is your grandfather's name! Your duty is to live up to it! Remember that!" And yes, father, I remember!
-nxh

Finally!

I've always wanted a place to express myself freely. And now I find it- the Blogger website. It has been right in front of my eyes for months, but only now I realize it. Why? Because when I found out about this page, I only thought about creating a new home for bizecoGroup. Yeah, I really thought I could do something about it. Oh well, since that wasn't a big success, i got the whole blogger thing to myself.
Have you ever, from time to time, felt like you are being left out? If you have, then you probably know exactly what I am going through at this moment. It's just totally empty. I feel lonely even when I am surrounded by 20 other people. Not that they are bad, nor being careless about me. I simply don't fit in.
That sucks. I know. But it's a part of my life. And what do I expect to come out of it? I don't know. It's a path I've chosen, you know? Like a lone wofl in the winter, I proceed as my feet lead the way, and I hunt as my mind tell me to. And like a lone wofl, I won't know what comes next. And I am alone.
I truly miss the time we were together!
-nxh