Swim Time

Audible (football started today). Instead of a pool pic, you asked for this picture. I'm going to try to stay away from gambling. It's part of my 5 year plan. That's my lesson for you today. Don't gamble. Have fun and save your money. Then you can print out as many stuff as you want. Even in 3D. I wonder what happened to those 3D pens I bought.

You didn't do great today at your new swimming class, but you did okay. It's a new teacher and classmates. I hope you make some new progress. It seemed like you were doing the same things today, but one girl in your class was doing a lot. That gives me hope. I know you don't like it, so I appreciate you going and trying. Even though I hate bribing you. $1.75 is worth it each time.

 

Movie Night featuring Mommy

Mommy really wanted to go, so we had to let her go. Unfortunately, she slept in the front seat most of the time. It was just Team Boba Milk Tea. I hope you enjoyed your time tonight. I will not give away your popcorn. Now we know that we should expect to be home after 1030P when going to the drive in. Glad it wasn't too busy. Wasn't it nice to have your toilet next to your seat? LOL.

We're always trying to find new things and ways to spend time together. I hope you appreciate it. They say that I'll only have 19 years with you. The first 18 in a row. The last year will be spread out throughout the rest of your life. I was sooooo tired today, but I made it through. Today's lesson, if something is important enough, you can make it happen. If not, it wasn't important enough. #noexcuses

Home Cooking

We made it home. Mommy is sleeping, but Team Boba Milk Tea is in action. You got up early today. Sorry. It must be the jet lag. Maybe it's real. Thanks for eating well recently. It'll help you grow big and strong. Also sorry we overslept and didn't get to see the movie or Tao today. It's going to be hot tomorrow, but we'll try to go.

I hope you adjust well back to So tomorrow. It's been a while since we've had a long time away from So. You still talk about Champions. 

Funny story. I said something about Team Boba and Daddy and you said what about mommy. You told me that you told me in Portugal that mommy is on our team too. That's really sweet of you. I am optimistic about your emotional intelligence.

Home Bound

Sorry you couldn't spend more time with your cousins in Long Beach. Unlike your cousins from Buffalo, you actually get along well with these ones. Ziggy is really your brother. Dynamic Duo. Smash Bros. I hope you develop a good relationship with him and take care of each other. 

At least you got a lot of sleep. It was interrupted, but it was a lot. You had a lot of energy. It really is tough for mommy and daddy, but I hope you keep that energy your whole life. Don't let life get you down. Get up and go. That's my lesson for today. It's not how many times you get knocked, it's how many times you get up. Jab, cross!

Last Night In Portugal

Sorry that it's going to your last beach for a while. I don't think we currently have any future beach plans. Also sorry that you're gonna have rough sleep for the next day or so (and possibly more). I hope you enjoyed your time here. I tried my best to make it fun for you. That's today's lesson. Just because you're not having a good time, doesn't mean you need to ruin others' time. I always make sure the people at work think I like them and think everything is okay. 

You did good overall. I saved you from busting your head like Viet Nam by the gelato fountain. Which reminds me that I need better slippers (non slip) and better sunglasses (not see through). Anyhow, I'm sure you're happy to be home. We'll be home soon. Lucas and Finley won't be able to make fun of you anymore. However, it's important that you learn to ignore people too...

Your First Hike

Mommy always wanted to get you hiking. Who would have thought your first hike was not in the US. Anyhow, you did pretty good. Much better than your cousins. I really need to get better shoes. Thanks for not falling off the cliff or getting hurt. See, you can do a lot. You just need to want to do a lot.

Today's lesson, I actually can't think of one. Here's an oldie from 1990s. Ever tried, ever failed, try again, fail again, fail better. You always tell me you'll try. Thank you.

Bolognese

Somebody ate a lot today. Somebody went golfing today. Good job. Maybe we should learn to make you bolognese. That's what Uncle Nick said he was going to do. But your tastes are fickle. Thanks for eating a lot today. It makes up for when you don't eat a lot. 

I didn't golf great, but it was nice to be golfing. I blame not having enough clubs. I need to relearn to hit my irons. See, there's always room for improving. When you stop improving, you stop growing, so you're basically dead. Keep growing Boba Chop. That's the lesson for today :)

Beach Part Deux or Tre?

Some one asked if they can get in the water today. That’s some progress. You seemed to enjoy running around the shore. We need to get you to get into the water, but a beach is probably a little dangerous since your parents can’t save you.

We’ll have to rely on your uncles in the event of a catastrophe. 🙏 Anyhow, it looks like there will a lot more beach days this week. Hopefully, you’ll be all beached out for a while. 

Lesson: be good even when others (your cousins) are bad…

Another Boat Tour

Too bad we don’t know how to swim, but I heard the water was too cold anyways. We’re hanging at the beach now. Great time to be ahead today. You ate a good lunch today. The food was surprisingly good on the boat and the bathroom too.

The dinner was not good. Sorry someone picked the wrong restaurant. Thanks for eating what we got you. Sorry there’s so much yelling and arguing. At least it’s not mommy and daddy right? Keep flexing your EI son. 

Day After Daddy’s Birthday

I’m almost caught up. Cave adventures today. Sorry the boat was blazing speed and you wanted to go home. You did good though. You weren’t a cry baby like your cousin. 

You ate good at dinner too. And the nice waiter gave you a treat. I don’t like that you don’t listen and stepped in poop. It’s very frustrating that you think everything is a contest. It’s good in some respect that you want to win, but you need to learn the wisdom of when it’s important and when it’s not. And you just raced Finley again…smh

HBD Daddy 45th

Every time I saw or hear that I’m reminded of the presidency. This is the 47th president we had and also the 45th. That’s today’s lesson, sometimes doing the right thing also means doing things that some people won’t like. I hope you never have super difficult decisions to make in life. If you do, I hope you do the right thing. My logic generally is to try to make a positive impact on the most people. But I also realize that isn’t always easy and sometimes hurts yourself or people you care about. 

 

Thanks for being Cha Cha and Boba Chop. You’re great gifts most of the time. Sorry, I’m a losser internationally with the lottery. Maybe we’ll try again. You should also keep trying to be good. Stop hitting people and listen to your parents the first time. 

Welcome To Portugal

That’s what T-Mobile said when we landed. That’s your lesson for today. Take advantage of deals to save money and time so you’ll have those resources for other things. 

I still don’t like the food here and I’m sure you don’t. It’s nice that they cater to and have kid meals for you. Which is acceptable. But mommy tries to have you eat with us. That’s what the French do. Their kids aren’t difficult as a result. On the plus side, at least there’s always gelato, but it’s not as cheap as it was in Italy…

Long Beach Bound

Then Portimao. I glad to see you’re having so much fun and getting along with your Godbrother Z. I hope that you’re able to see them for longer when we get back from Portimao. Hopefully you have a good flight. I know you’re gonna want to go home, but maybe seeing your other cousins will delay that feeling. 

I always say that you’re so fortunate and you don’t even know it. Which is kind of true, but I realize that ignorance is also bliss. Anyhow, I’m sorry there won’t be any pictures to post until we get back since I can’t figure out how to access my account. I’ll ask Uncle Alex. That’s today’s advice. Ask Uncle Alex.

August 27

I sent your photos to Bac in Syracuse. That’s how cute you are. You bring people joy just by your presence.

While your cuteness does a lot. Your presence is important too. That’s why it’s important that you’re in a good mood and nice to people when we see them. Who knows how their day/life is going and when you might see them again. Give them the gift of you they deserve. You have the power to be the sun in sunshine for the world.

Work, Work

I remember playing a computer game a long time ago where one of the characters would say this. Just like any other Wednesday before, I dropped you off at So and I went to work in the office. I hope that by the time you read this, I will be retired by my own choice and not working on a Wednesday. I don't mind driving you to school still.

We got a new booth. Hopefully, it will make the expos a little easier to deal with. Anyhow. I know I don't like having to bribe you to do things you should be doing anyways, but for the time being it gets the job done. Eventually, you'll need to do the right thing without any incentives other than it being the right thing. 

Lesson for the day: tough choices today, easier life tomorrow...

Packing It Up

Three more days until we're in So Cal. The next thing you know, we'll be in Portugal. And before you know it, we'll be back home again. Let's try to get a head start on everything. I told mommy that we're going to be fancy and eat out tomorrow and Thursday so we don't have leftovers in the fridge. I will try my best to clear out what I can. Sorry I finished all the noodles, but there's still beef left.

That's today's lesson. Get things done as soon as you can. When you put things off, they inevitably get deprioritized by newer and "more urgent" things. Right now, I'm going to do some work I could easily do tomorrow. Not because I have to, but because I can and I don't know what could come up tomorrow that will hinder my work. I do need to make sure I catch up on sleep though. Have to drive to Long Beach Thursday night...

Monday Fun Day

For Daddy, but not for Vinh and Mommy? Daddy got to check out Uncle Eric's new house. Do you remember going there? We played MJ pretty late and I was not able to put you to bed, but as promised, I did wake up with you. Although, I forgot where you put your present.

Only a few more days before we head to So Cal and then Portugal. I hope you and mommy have a great trip. Sorry that Ong and Ba could not make it. I know you like to see them. We'll see them for Christmas. As promised, I'll pick you up tomorrow from So. Maybe we can go get beach supplies together. Sometimes I feel like these posts are random. I will try to make them more substantive. 

Thought for the day: Work Hard, Play Hard. Life is about balance. 

I played pretty hard today, but I work harder.

Sunday Fun Day

Why did we have to go to church in the evening? Because we partied too hard on Saturday night. Hopefully, mommy and you enjoyed the extra sleep. We did get a lot done though. Sorry the food took so long, but you did good eating (although you didn't completely feed yourself). Might as well enjoy the Vietnamese food while you can. It'll be a while before you have any asian food probably (#portugal).

I hope you know how lucky you are. Loved and lots of access. My life wasn't as glamorous or easy. I can't remember anyone doting on me as a child. Hopefully, we don't ruin you. Archimedes said that he was able to see farther than anyone because he stood on the shoulder of giants. Or maybe it was someone else. Anyhow, I hope you get further and happier in life than we do. Otherwise, I feel like all our efforts are a waste...

Double Trouble

I went golfing today to a place I hadn't been to in a while. The lady in the clubhouse remembered me (actually my origami). It wasn't as nice as I remembered. Maybe it's because Bac Tao was still golfing when I last went and that made me a little sad. Anywho, I had a decent round. We had (2) parties today and we say the twins. Sorry I didn't have any photos. I guess it's good and means that we were focused on enjoying the time. Which reminds me. I think you have good emotional intelligence. I hope you develop and keep it.

Uncle Wynn threw a putter in this pond by the way. Sorry I didn't sleep with you last night. You do not hit mommy or anyone unless you're defending yourself okay? Use your emotional intelligence, not just your emotions. Weekends go by so fast. We'll be in Portugal in a week. Crazy right?

Drive In Friday

I thought I posted this. Odd. I guess I'll have to write a new post. It's very tiring to be with you all the time. I know how much you enjoy your time with me, so I have to always keep that in mind. I hope you forgive me when I need a break. I know you didn't ask to be here. Because of that, it's our responsibility to make your life as awesome as possible until you become an adult. Hopefully, by that time, you'll be able to make your own life possible and be happy that you're here.

I enjoy my own life for the most part. It's not easy, but there are many amazing moments. Makes me often wonder whether or not I care about being here. I tell myself that I make more positive than negative in this world, so that makes my life worth it and so I should be here. I hope that you and mommy are part of the positive I make. I also hope that you are more positive than negative in your life too.