Happy Birthday Cousin Xavier

WWW. He's getting married. Not sure what will happen to his birthday now since it's also Valentine's Day...Thanks for making a card for mommy. I know you can do more though. Anyhow, I'm sure mommy will still appreciate it. We're going to have a long day today. I know that's not your favorite, but that's the cost of maintaining relationships and personal development.

You're supposed to get a new stripe today at Jiu Jitsu. You've also got treats for them and My Gym (but I think you're trying to skip My Gym). We also have a birthday party for Ong Ban. He always gives you money and his kids are so nice to you. I keep telling you to be nice. Some day being cute and Daddy's kid will not be enough...

Happy Birthday Uncle Han

Also, Friday the 13th....woooo (scary)... You know what's not scary? Feeding yourself. We always know you can do a lot on your own, but unfortunately, you tell yourself and us that you can't do a lot...Oh, this is kinda a random connection to yesterday's blog. Totally unintentional. Anyhow, we really need you to do more for yourself. You're a big boy now. You need to be more independent. 

Mommy and daddy can do what we can, but we want you to be better on your own. It's better for the long run. I can't wait for you to be able to wipe your own booty, but I hear that is going to be a long time from now. Anyhow, thanks for feeding yourself today. 

What You Can

Wisdom is really the best thing you can ask God for. Having resources and opportunities is nothing with the wisdom to know what to do with it. Unfortunately, it's something you have to develop for yourself :(

I don't think it's reasonable to expect anyone to sacrifice themselves or their families and friends for the greater good. To those people, good job.

After our trip to Viet Nam, I realized (along with your Uncle Mario) how truly unfair the world is. I was reminded how truly lucky we are. But I understand, that I am not one of those people who can sacrifice you, mommy, or people I love for the greater good. But I can still do what I can, which is always generally better than doing nothing. It's not much, but I was able to give something to our family in Viet Nam. It's more than just the money though, it's also the gesture. I hope you become super successful in life. I hope you make lots of money. I hope you're able to help lots of people. Do more than I could.

Health

Stay healthy. I remember when I was young, I was always told and felt that I was too skinny. Right now, we worry that you're too skinny. What I didn't know is that my weight doesn't necessarily reflect my health. Your Aunty Rain is much bigger than me, but I can promise you, she's healthier than me. 

If you stay healthy when you're young, it'll make it easier to stay healthy when you're older. I can assure you, that your metabolism will slow down a little (or a lot) when you're older and it won't be as easy to stay healthy. I feel bad we let you eat treats, but hopefully our moderation will prevent you from going overboard. Just like with money, if you do the work early, there's less work to do when you're older.

Uncle Eric

Is one of many people in your life that cares about you. I had lunch with him today. We drove around and chatted for a few hours. I think it's good for you to have friends and family like that. People you can chat with and hang out with. It's nice to talk through your problems with others to see if there are ways to solve them. Life is going to be stressful. Find solutions or find ways to let things go.

Just like Ba, Uncle Eric and Aunty Tham always ask if I want any snacks for you. This is what I got you today. It's baked so hopefully it's a little healthier. Anyhow, find good people to surround yourself and family with. They will help make your life a lot fuller and easier.

Behind

I need to really check to see if I can blog from my phone a lot. I don't use the Mac Mini very often... It's another Monday. I had a book once called, Mondays Matter, where you write or do something each Monday. I think we can do better. I think we can do something everyday. I hope you do that. There will always be setbacks, but if you keep moving forward, you'll keep growing and getting ahead.

The enemy of this progress is "Great" and stagnation. Don't let the fact that something is not great from you trying to make something better. Enjoy life, but don't get too comfortable before you become stagnant. My hopes for you a pretty mixed. Simple, in that I want you to be happy and independent. But part of me hopes that you'll do great things because you had more resources and opportunities than we do. Sorry Uncle Peter and Mommy don't recycle enough. Hopefully the environment is still okay for your future...

 

"I like to win a lot" - Vinh (as mommy beat you up the stairs to your nap today)

It’s okay to want to win a lot. However, you need to learn sooner than later that you can’t win them all. There’s more important things than winning. It’s okay to lose. Lose with grace and learn from it. As long as you learn and grow from your losses (and mistakes), you turn the into wins and successes.

I don’t know if the Seahawks are gonna win today, but their quarterback is a story about growing from your mistakes, staying humble and moving forward. Sam Darnold. He’s a good example. If your losses are going to define you, make the definition that you’re a Phoenix. 🐦‍🔥 Rising from the ashes.