Reading for class...tried to at least

It's been an extremely busy day. After one week off to handle my dads' passing, funeral proceedings, mass, prayers and spending time w/ mom and family, I returned to work today and tomorrow, then off for rest of the week for more prayer, viewing, and funeral at 6 am Saturday. Tomorrow isn't going to be easier. Work 8a - 5 pm, then class 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm. It's tough, but have to remain strong for the family and mom. All of my siblings have been home for the entire week. It's really rare to have all of us home. But we're all here to help mom handle dad's passing. Need to take a picture of all the siblings with mom.

These last few days, I've only gotten a few hours of sleep each night. I'm trying to read two chapters for tomorrow's class. I wound up reading Le MBA's blog instead. I did scan through a few pages of the book. Ok now back to the book....seriously..

First Family Meeting

Last Friday, I went to pick up some soda for the family and come back to an impromptu family meeting. In fact it was the 1st one in our entire history I can remember of. We discussed about getting the older brothers to get a long. There's always been issues between all of them. About every time there's a family get together, at least one gets mad another. This meeting was to prevent any that probably will happen. So far so good. It's the end of Sunday now, so there's no argument so far. Three days of no argument too optimistic? Hopefully not...

Difficulties of sleeping

It's now12:44 am Thursday, 4/13/06. I haven't sleep very well these last few days. I think the earliest time was 4:00 am. I've been busy getting music for my nephew. He's in charge of putting together the slide show for my dad's viewing for next week. Since this weekend (4/15-4/16) is Easter weekend, the church does not allow any funeral. So the funeral is scheduled for next Saturday (4/22). We've had prayers and mass every day since his death. Tomorrow...I mean today, I'm taking my older brother and his son (my godson) to go shopping. I've been soo busy w/ caring for my dad in the hospital and dealing w/ his death, that I forgot about taxes. Gotta get that done this week.

Next week will be the heaviest schedule. Prayers Mon-Wed, the viewing is 10 am-8 pm Thurs and Friday. The funeral mass is scheduled for 6:20 am Saturday, then burial, and eating at my parents place. Sorry...moms' house. I'm still having difficulties w/ calling addressing parents to mom. Singular now...

not able to sleep

It's 5:24 am Monday morning I haven't been able to sleep. I've keep busy this sleepless night w/ poems to my dad...

Outside, I am sturdy
Outside, I am strong
Inside, I am hurt
Inside, I am empty
Inside, my heart aches for my father

Must not think
Must keep busy
Must not let my heart ache
Must keep strong for my mother
Must not think of our lost
Must not let my mothers’ heart ache

I wrap my arms around my nieces
I wrap my arms around my nephews
I wrap my arms around my sisters
I wrap my arms around my brothers
I wrap my arms around my mom
I wrap my heart around my dad

I love you dad…

Don’t tremble
Don’t close my eyes
Don’t let my tears run
Don’t seal my trembling lips
Don’t let my aching heart start
Don’t forget my dad.

RIP

My father passed...Friday April 7, 2006 9:43 pm

I love you dad...

Preparing for the eventual...

I've been steel'n myself for this eventual time. It's almost here. All of my siblings have arrived. Their various offsprings are arriving this weekend. My father is wants to go home from the hospital. It will only be a few days before he will pass once he goes home.

I'm selecting some pictures I have of my dad for the slideshow to for the display. I've realized that most pictures I have are from the Vietnam trip we took together in May 2004. Now that was a trip tracing the footsteps of my family









While I did get some pictures from my nephews. Some of them are definintely cool. Just like this one of him kicking our asses at Texas Hold'em last mont. Poker is my dad's favorite game. I remember as a kid staying up all night for Vietnamese New Year playing 5 card Ace draw. It's a variation to poker. Yeah...that's my dad

But this one is really signficant. All four generations of the Vu family. First son of the first son, of the first son...Bearing the name of the Vu. Maybe one day I'll have one of my family line.

Pictures capture the event and help us relive the the memories. We are the a cummulation of our memories.

Learning new tricks and Two houses

I've been learning and experiementing on editing the side links. So far so good. I'll try to keep them relavent to my interests and what I think is good on the net and in SoCal.

It's been two weeks now since my dad was placed in back in the hospital. He wants me to move back home and watch over mom, two nieces and nephew. I've just settled into the Tustin house two months ago, now I have to move again. Well there's a compromise. My mother is fine with me living with the parents during the weekday and I live back at the Tustin home on weekends. I
need that time away during the weekends for rest and eventually get back to studying for the GMAT. This is going to kill me on gas expenses.

Another one bites the dust..

David and Mary's wedding...

Two weeks ago (3/4) was my nephew's wedding to his high school sweetheart. It was a multicultural wedding and reception. Since Mary (Hispanic) was doing the wedding planning (yea...it's always the girls, and mercy on the guy that tries to give input), the reception was done via western style. It's probably only me, but since it did not have 8 courses served, it didn't feel like a reception. I'm soo used to Chinese/Vietnamese receptions. It's probably only me.


My dad was checked out of the hospital the week before the wedding, so he was able to attend. It was good to see him make the ceremony and reception. Hopefully he can last longer.

Back from SF (MBA tour) and Dad's out of hospital!!

Got back from weekend trip in SF for the MBA tour. Basically to meet and greet Business Schools from Europe. I wanted to meet and hear a few schools from UK and Europe to limit my applications. It cost ~$100+ per school application (Cambridge is free!), so I don't want to spent lots of $$ on schools that utlimately will not do it for me.

So dad got release from the hospital. Yahoo!! So the family's having dinner. Went in his room to say hi, but he's still in the same physical state, still extremely tired. It hurts to see my dad this way, especially after our trip to Vietnam in 2004.

Since Dave (nephew) and Mary's wedding is this coming Sat (3/4), his dad (my oldest brother) and some of his family is over here and we're celebrating Kenji (grand nephew) 1 yr birthday. It will be a festive time and dad's mind is not on the constant pain he is enduring.

Re-trying this blogging thing..

Yes it has definitely been a long time since my last blog. My dad's still in the hospital. He was admitted to Fountain Valley Hospital two Mondays ago. We are doing our usual around the clock bed side stay. I have the 5:30 to 9 pm shift tonight. It is difficult while studying for the GMAT, but it's my dad so I must do it. I can schdule to take the GMAT any time (really want to have it done at end of March) but I only have one father.

Family Ties

It's been a while since I've posted on my blog. My father was admitted into the Fountain Valley hospital two weeks go. He was kept under observation because he was so lethargic and swollen lympn nodes. After CAT and MRI scans, it was not the cancer (he has lung cancer) spreading into the lympn nodes. That was the good news. Bad news, he is diabetic and he has a blood clogg which was causing the lower amounts of blood to be distributed, so he was tired all the time.

Things are just getting piled on him. It's tough for him, but even tougher for our family. We've gotten closer to rally around him. But it's taking a toll on my life outside of the family.

2003 June - Too much celebrating, too much to drink at friend's wedding

The world according to Tom - 1st Posting

Ok. So it's my first time posting lets see how it looks. I haven't even see nor created my personal template.