The freedom to move forward to new opportunities and to produce results comes from living in the present not the past. -Trung Vu

Weddings and it's consequences....(nonMBA)

Did I mention I've gone to more weddings then surf sessions this summer? Say that fast three times.

This passed weekend, I was the grooms man for a good friend. Here's a few notable items;







Weddings: A Marriage Manual!











Weddings: The "Do's" and "Don'ts", after the "I Do".











Consequences;
I can't remember much of the reception, but do remember getting bitten.











Consequences;
I just can't remember who did it. I'm curious as to which girl or which guy it was. Serious. I can't remember which gender left the hickey. hehe...

I know what I did last summer

Hola Amigos y Amigas,

It's the end of September and the summer is done. Not exactly. Living in SoCal, it's pretty much summer most of the time, except for the occasional rainy days during the "winter" season.

In no particular order:

Summer; It's the season for weddings. Sad to say, but I've gone to more weddings then surfing sessions. That will be corrected after B-School matters are settled.

Las Vegas; The unofficial destination for bachelor and bachelorette parities. Never pay them money until the services/goods are provided.

God-Son; It is time. He needs to learn from his own mistakes now. He will always be in my thoughts, but he needs to learn his own lessons and grow into his own identity.

Mother; As long as a parent has the capacity to piss you off, then they are in good condition. The time you start to feel sorry/sympathy/worry for them, then they are not in good health. Unfortunately, there's been more days of worry for my mother then the former. I am trying to cherish what time remains.

GMAT; If you hit the books long enough, something is bound to stay. Even the imprint of the book on your forehead counts. My date is Oct 23. Dun Dun Dum~...

Lessons Learned;

-Time is a valuable commodity. At our stage in life, our free time is more valuable then money.

-Smiles from a baby, transcend all the lost sleep.

-The most torturous sound of the universe is a screaming baby. The most heavenly sound of humanity is the laughter from a baby.

-Condoms have expiration date. Don't play Russian Roulette with your future.

Downtown Disney Entertainer







Downtown Los Angeles






Random club on Top of Vegas

Delayed post for a delayed decision...

I've been delaying this post...might as well get to it.

A delayed decision:

2002 - A title of responsibility;
Delayed (now post phoned indefinitely) my training for a pilot license (private pilot certification) and training for a certified personal trainer (CPT), to help my god son deal with his mothers' (my sister-n-law) sudden passing. The honorary title of god father, had over night gained weight of responsibilities. I hope my presence and guidance, helps more then harms.

2006 - A promise;
Delayed B-School application (for class of 2008) to fulfill a deathbed promise to my father to watch over mother. I learned the value and weight of a promise.

2007 - A promise to myself;
My god son is going through his teenage years and developing the famous teenager attitude. His school work is slipping and motivation is less then par. A typical teenager. I'm learning to balance when to be firm, when to be supportive, when to teach, and when to let him experience it himself. I've throughly considered the consequences of all options and conclude that another year home will benefit my god son and mother more then I. One more year to watch over widowed mother and mentor god son. They need this year more then I.

With this additional year (aside from work, family, GMAT, and B-School), I promise to myself that next year well be my year. I will initiate and complete my aspirations, my goals, and my plans. Once GMAT (end of summer) and B-school applications (round 1 and/or 2) is completed, I will resuscitate my studies to be a certified personal trainer (CPT). I've already restarted my exercise routine (during lunch breaks) and have dropped 10 lbs.

If you want something badly enough, you're going to have to work for it, make the sacrifices and earn it.

This sound sadistic, but I now enjoy spending my free time, reading, learning, and/or doing. Due to my schedule of work, GMAT study time after work, and keep mother company, my day ends at 11pm. I no longer watch regular TV. Of the TV programs I do watch (while keeping mother company) it's usually the educational programs. I recognize my goal oriented personality. Once the GMAT and B-School applications is completed, the CPT is a good goal for me. It's cheaper then the private pilot certificate. hehe...

Where ever I end going for B-School, they will have a MBA student that is also a Certified Personal Trainer. A promise to myself; get back into surfing shape, my surfing body, my goals, my new career, and my life.

Ibizia, Spain - June, 2001

Barcelona, Spain - June 2001

Tarragona, Spain - 2001

The power of family...

My life is my message. -Mohandas Gandhi

[From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly]

I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay For their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.

But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.

Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.

**remainer of article here**

I hope to be half a father to my god-son.

A bit of...(nonMBA)

It's Friday and today is my relax/no study day. After having dinner w/ a buddy and drinks afterwards, what self respecting bachelor would do next? Spend it with a very special lady. Yup, I'm home and kicking it with mom. hehe... Seriously. I'm home and keeping my mother company.

Tonight, I feel like a bit of old, a bit of reggae, a bit of cheesy, a bit of geeky, and a bit of cool:

OLD


Reggae


Cheesy


Geeky


Cool

Friday Funnies

Today's the last full day before I fly tomorrow and it still has not registered with me yet. I'm too busy finishing up family errands before I get two weeks to myself.

Now onto Friday Funnies;
In order to appreciate each other, we need to be able to laugh at each other and ourselves.
Introducing - Russell Peters



You think he's joking about using scooter as a mini-van?

Wear smoking jackets when going down in flames

It's done. Finito. It's a good thing I wore a smoking jacket, as expected, I went down in flames. I'll look into redoing the test later, once I turn in R2 application (getting the application in for R2 is more important), and once mom's health improves (hopefully) after the holidays so I can focus on the GMAT.

This score does not define me
It does not mark my potential
It does not mark my determination
It only mark how I am forced to think within the box

For now, I'm back home and kicking it w/ mom watching Monday night football in her room. Finally able to watch sports once more. Go Lakers! Go Cowboys!! Mom was a bit tired when I left for the ~Dun Duh Dum~ test this morning. Got home and made her some rice porridge. OK...it was instant porridge, but its the though that counts! Making real rice porridge would have taken too long.

The priorities for this week before I head to London/Paris this coming Saturday (12/2 - 12/18) will be;

• Spend time with mom, god son, and family
• Gather cold weather clothing to minimize freezing -tvu's ass
• Gather travel papers, lodging papers, etc
• Focus on essays, all the way baby
• Try not to worry about mom, and try to sleep more
• Remembering to laugh
  

More laughing material - William! William!! William Hung!!

Surviving a crisis

This past week has tested my strength, endurance, hope and faith. My mother was checked into the hospital on Tuesday, because of tiredness and difficulty breathing. Conditions like that for a 86 year woman is very scary. Once more, our family did around the clock bed side attendance. I put in 4-6 hours per day. Compared to my other life priorities, the GMAT studies were pushed down the list. Thankfully she was released later in the weekend, but her energy level is still low. Since her admittance into the hospital through now, I have barely gotten in 2-3 hours of GMAT review and the test is tomorrow. ~dun-duh-dum~

The potential of good a GMAT score isn't looking too good. It's OK. I don't regret my decision. The care of my mother will never be a regretful decision. Her health has not improved much, but she is out of the hospital and with family. I'm spending time at home to be with her but can not focused towards the GMAT. I'll have pick up a smoking jacket for tomorrow's test, because I'm going down in flames.

Pointers on surviving a crisis;

• Keep breathing
• Spend time with children and get lots of hugs from them;
  
• A hugg from a child can mend anything
  
• Today was hard, but tomorrow can be better
  
• Alone, you are strong. Among family and friend, you are even stronger
• Success is not required for survival, but adaptability is mandatory
• Remember to laugh
• Whoever is happy will make others happy, too - Mark Twain

What is to become of my choices

What is to become of my choices
All the planning
All the work
All the hopes
All the dreams of my tomorrow

I am no longer a child
I am no longer a young adult
I am a man...with all that it entails

I delayed one year for father
Can I delay another for mother

Can I live with myself
because of my dreams
because of my future
because of my absence to mother

I pray that you will be aright
I pray that you can understand
Why I made my choices

THE PRAYER

A hug from me to you...(nonMBA)

Be Thankful
Be Thankful of all the love within your life
Be Thankful for all the love ones in your life
Be Thankful for all those that you have loved and have loved you back
Be Thankful...

Soo many things within my life
Soo many things...

So I am giving you a hug
So that I may receive one from you

Inspiring Story! Free Hugs Campaign (Music by Sick Puppies)


Description: Sometimes, a hug is all what we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man who’s sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives..... what we then witness can only be described as awe inspiring.


Free Hugs story on Ten News Australia

Apprecitation and using it effectively

So much of life responsibilities were in my thoughts, I was having a difficult time focusing on studies tonight at my usual Kaplan center. I felt how it sucked and unfair for me. As my self pity was bubbling, I noticed something interesting.

Nearby, a woman (still in her nurse uniform) was studying with her 10 (?) year son. She would study, but occasionally have to turn her attention towards her son. This happened many times.

This brought things into perspective. Regardless of my responsibilities, I have been able to get away and study. I realized how worthless my self pity was.

Self pity will not help to completing the task.
Appreciate what you have and learn to use it effectively
-tvu

For me now? The center is closed and I'm back home, kicking it with my mother in her room. Appreciating what I have and learning to use it effectively.

Life Lessons

Hope - Faith that things will become better

Prayer - The act/expression of hope

Helping to raise another man's (my brother) son - Do not take the role of the father. The son knows who the father is. Just show him the love and guidance he needs.

Spending time with a teenager - Ask a question on his/her favorite subject. Let them voice their knowledge. Make acknowledging comment ("I didn't realize that"), continue with another question on subject.

Dealing with a teenager - Give directions in calm even voice (i.e. do homework, bedtime, clean room) and repeat ("clean room") 60 minutes later. Few days later, repeat in calm even tone, "clean room", 60 minutes later repeat, 30 minutes later repeat...

Parents - It is not for them to understand you. They raised you, thus know who you are. It is for you to learn who they were, before they became parents.

Adaptbility to overcome adversity

Life loves me soo much, that it's dumping tons on me. Holiday season is fast approaching and my mother is starting to feel it. During the sliver of time I'm home, I see that she's getting more tired and I sense my fathers' passing is weighting heavily on her. She needs my presence and whatever strength I have left. With only two weeks left before my dun-duh-dum date coming, I will try to ask for half days at work, spend remainder of day w/ her until my family gets off work, and I'll head to study. This schedule will probably last to Thanksgiving, thereafter we'll re-evaluate her condition. I know my score will completely suffer and perhaps hurt my application. But my mother is more important then the stink'ng score and the B-school should hopefully not place too much emphasis on a simple, regulated number. If they do, then they were not the school of character I thought they were made of.

Now I will have to craft a nice letter to work, use some of my vacation time, to have half days off for my mother.

Life Lesson - You have to remain adaptive to overcome lifes' adversity

Duck, Weave and roll with life's punches -tvu

Visiting the B-schools...Good ROI

It's done. No turning back. I've bought the tickets and my credit card is hurting. I will fly to London on Dec 2 and fly back to SoCal on Dec 18 from Paris. All so I can visit the B-schools I am applying for. I can't imagine making a milestone decision without visiting the schools in person. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive. So a face to face visit with the perspective institutions, I will hopefully spend the next two years, is in order. It is my first time in the England and my second time in France. This trip will definitely hurt my wallet, but the expense is worth the insight I will gain. Good ROI.

Coming for SoCal, I expect to freeze my ass off. I expect to be a lot poorer. I also expect to see the schools' brochures and the words of the MBA bloggers come to life. I also expect to see how the school will fit with me. Hey B-school, it's not just you making the acceptance. You have to get my acceptance too. Do try impress me.

I have some clue where I will stay the first few days and the last few days of my B-school excursion, but I don't like to preset my entire trip until I am in that region of the world. It is a tried and proven method for me. For now, there are only four dates I must be, the day I'm flying there, the two days of info sessions of my top choice schools, and the day of my flight back. Everything in between those days, is up in the air.

Since this trip is B-school first, expanding my comfort zone second, I've made a few contacts w/ some students. Thanks again with putting up w/ my questions. If any of you guys know Texas Hold'em, I'll wager a nice, fat dinner. Care to accept? Remember, I'll get the first round of beer/wine/poison.

Speaking of poison, I have to get back to the GMAT studies.

Words of wisedom from this past week

Kindness - The help you provide for strangers and acquaintances

Loyalty - The help you provide for people important in your life

Mistakes - Admittance to it is not a sign of weakness, rather it shows courage...Valuable life lessons, if you learn from it

Forgiveness - Forgive them of the hurt they caused you...forgive yourself of the pain you carry

Friendship - Most valuable commodity in the world...second only to love

Love - What you say, pales in comparison to what you do

Got Married...(nonMBA)

I forgotten what normal life is like.
Some photos of my nephew's wedding.
They're dropping like flies!

Pick up the Bride - Average October day

Bride's maid - Pre-wedding snack

My Grand Nephew - Japanese-Vietnamese-Mexican-American

Beautiful older sister and I

In-Laws - Nice family

Their cousins - small group photo

Mom - never say a woman is weak
Lifetime of accomplishments

Nephew and I - hvu and tvu in da house~

Rub the pregnant lady for good luck

OK...maybe a few too many drinks

Hmm...maybe one more

Words of wisedom from this past weekend

Sacrifice - Placing the concerns of others before yours'

Strength - Not using your superior physical attributes upon a weaker person

Integrity - Knowing that you will get away with it, but still not doing it

Class - Not saying hurtful things to the other person and/or situation

Character - They did you wrong and you rightfully can unleash your anger, fury,...but you don't lose your control. You don't lose your character

Buy flowers for others, to brighten your day...

When feeling lousy, try to cheer up other people so you don't have to think about your problems. Sounds weird? Try it. Next time you feel bad, buy flowers for another person. Their reaction will put a smile on you. Thus, I submit something that will put a smile on your face, so it will put a smile on my depressed face.

Study break from GMAT studies...

I really, REALLY, REALLY don't recommend studying for GMAT and applying for B-school at the same time! How I got myself into this predicament?? Earlier in the year, January 2006, I was on track studying for the GMAT. After spending all of December 2005 studying on my own, I realized I need professional help. Through the recommendations of friends, colleagues, I went w/ Kaplan and paid their $$$ fees. Half way through, my father's cancer had worsen. He would be admitted into the hospital for 2-3 weeks, be released and 2 weeks later, would be re-admitted again. He's 87 years old and does not know English. My family would do 24 hour bed side attendance. I usually pull 4 -6 hours a day during the weekdays, and half days on weekends. This was my schedule.

Although I did read up and research thoroughly the European B-schools and attend the MBA fairs, I could not muster the discipline to study the GMAT while bed-side to my dad in the hospital. With my father's deteriorating health, I didn't think he would survive through the calendar year. After one month of getting the run around, I was able to freeze my Kaplan account. Two months later, my father passed. Having accepted my father's dying wish of me "stay close by and watch over mother," I moved back home. This was my fifth time moving in three years.

My summer months were spent getting reacquainted w/ the "joys and blessings" of living back home w/ mother, two nieces, and my inherited/god son. I kissed my single life and bachelor adventures good bye..."buh-bye." I did finish up a second professional certificate and celebrated w/ an one week drinking festival, which I won't recommending again. Well unless I'm on vacation.

Now I'm here...writing/editing essays, gathering recommenders, getting official transcripts, working a full work week, and putting in 2-4 hours of GMAT studying each day. Except Thursday and Friday. -Tvu does need some break. After all this work to get myself into an European B-School, I think...know the MBA program will be easier. A nice vacation from myself and for me to spread my wings again. With the frequent flight back home.