Saturday, December 31, 2005
Thank So Much To Teacher Richard Blum
Richard, thank so much for sending me many images. Wish you have a happy New Year.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
My Anniversary
Yesterday was my 14th anniversary. Usually, we don't do anything special on these days, but last night my family went out to dinner together.
Many people complement me about my life being happy. That is very true, because I have a good husband and two lovely kids. I am proud of them.
Our life is quiet. We don't have relatives and friends around here. Every summer we take a vacation. We enjoy it very much when we are together. My kids are especially happy when they are close to their parents. We talk and have fun.
Sometimes, I don't remember my anniversary day I even forget my birthday, also. Most of the time my husband or my daughter remind me. I don't know why? I do not pay attention to these particular days so much. Perhaps, it is because in my country people don't celebrate the annversary day.
I've been living in America for 16 years, but I still keep my traditions. I like the traditions of Chinese, Vietnamese and American culture. I like to pick and choose the good things that each culture has to offer me.
Many people complement me about my life being happy. That is very true, because I have a good husband and two lovely kids. I am proud of them.
Our life is quiet. We don't have relatives and friends around here. Every summer we take a vacation. We enjoy it very much when we are together. My kids are especially happy when they are close to their parents. We talk and have fun.
Sometimes, I don't remember my anniversary day I even forget my birthday, also. Most of the time my husband or my daughter remind me. I don't know why? I do not pay attention to these particular days so much. Perhaps, it is because in my country people don't celebrate the annversary day.
I've been living in America for 16 years, but I still keep my traditions. I like the traditions of Chinese, Vietnamese and American culture. I like to pick and choose the good things that each culture has to offer me.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Christmas Gift for My Son
Last two weeks, I bought a PSP to my son for Christmas present. I would like to encourage him to studying in Chinese. He was very happy and wanted to play it on that night. He asked me for a few times to opened it. He couldn't wait untill Christmast time, because he was on vacation. I let him opened and played it. Then I said "No more gift on Christmas". He said OK.
A few days ago before Christmas. Suddenlly, he wraped it back the PSP and put it under the Christmast tree. I looked at it, I felt funy and laugh. Then I talked to him. Hey! Randy, you already played the game. Now you put it under the tree. He felt embarrassed and smile.
A few days ago before Christmas. Suddenlly, he wraped it back the PSP and put it under the Christmast tree. I looked at it, I felt funy and laugh. Then I talked to him. Hey! Randy, you already played the game. Now you put it under the tree. He felt embarrassed and smile.
My Wonderful Son
After Thanksgiving my son had a Chinese's test. He worked hard on this time. It might be he understood and put more time in studying. He looked like very confident for the test. During he took the test and he asked me about a gift for Christmas. He asked "what do you give me if I have a good result on the test?" I said "I will give you whatever you like." He said he liked the PSP, but he said "Might be you could buy me the DS, it just cost $100 dollars." I asked "which one do you like the best?" He said "I like the PSP, but it cost $250 dollars".Then I said "It's OK, I will buy you the PSP." He felt very happy with what I promised him. Then I said "You have to study good and listen to me when I tell you stop the game." He said "It was OK, I will, Mom.
Oh! My son was indeed a wonderful son! He didn't require on me too much.
Oh! My son was indeed a wonderful son! He didn't require on me too much.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
The Gift of the Magi
Listen to this classic Christmas story by O'Henry.
Read the story.
Use these flashcards to improve your vocabulary.
Take a vocabulary quiz.
Read the story.
Use these flashcards to improve your vocabulary.
Take a vocabulary quiz.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Winter
A few of these days the weather are big change. It's indeed the winter is coming. Today, the weather is remarkably cold. The sky is goomy. Look at it! It is sad and quet. None of the people walk on the street. It's cold and freezing. People's cars seem to be less. Where are the people? Are they hiding at home now?
Outside, it is raining. It fall down with a gentle rain. It's soaking wet for a few hours of the rain.
After the rain, it look dark now. Cars are full on the street. It made a lot of sound from the cars driving with the wet of the road. It is time people get out from work. The squall of rain doesn't want to stop. It still continue on and on . . . .
Outside, it is raining. It fall down with a gentle rain. It's soaking wet for a few hours of the rain.
After the rain, it look dark now. Cars are full on the street. It made a lot of sound from the cars driving with the wet of the road. It is time people get out from work. The squall of rain doesn't want to stop. It still continue on and on . . . .
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Car Driving Dilemma
Learning how to drive in Oakland's roads is not easy for me. I am sometimes confused about the traffic laws, and the fact that there are two persons teaching me how to drive is making me more confused.
My brother in law is my first driving teacher. He is very careful in driving. When we need to stop at the intersection, I have to brake slowly and must not stop suddenly. This would be a bit difficult for me because I need to look for trafic lights or signs very far ahead. At the same time I must not slow down my car to speed lower than speed limits indicated in the signs. Especially, he asks me to accelerate very fast when there is green lights but while doing this I sometimes either swerve out of my lane when I make a turn or head to the car parking at the corner of roads where I turn a sharp right into.
My other driving teacher is my girlfriend. She, on the other hand, is a very fast and daring driver. She asks me not to foot on break so often, to slow down to much, and to change lane to maintain speed and get out of stuck points as fast as I can and sometimes by ways against what I read in the driver handbook.
Hmm, although I drive to school every day, I am still very nervous of the trafic and more of my "driving teacher's" supervision.
My brother in law is my first driving teacher. He is very careful in driving. When we need to stop at the intersection, I have to brake slowly and must not stop suddenly. This would be a bit difficult for me because I need to look for trafic lights or signs very far ahead. At the same time I must not slow down my car to speed lower than speed limits indicated in the signs. Especially, he asks me to accelerate very fast when there is green lights but while doing this I sometimes either swerve out of my lane when I make a turn or head to the car parking at the corner of roads where I turn a sharp right into.
My other driving teacher is my girlfriend. She, on the other hand, is a very fast and daring driver. She asks me not to foot on break so often, to slow down to much, and to change lane to maintain speed and get out of stuck points as fast as I can and sometimes by ways against what I read in the driver handbook.
Hmm, although I drive to school every day, I am still very nervous of the trafic and more of my "driving teacher's" supervision.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
The Job Fair
Last Friday, I visited the job fair at the Senior Center on 58th Street in Oakland.
Many people were waiting in line in front of the Senior Center building when I got there.
After waiting about fifty five minutes, I got into a big room which was prepared for the job fair.
So many visitors were there that I could not move easily among them. Fortunately I got some information from the exhibitors, but I found that most of the exhibitors did not provide application forms for the applicants. Applicants could only write down their name, address and phone number on the visitors' list.
I did not get any application forms from the job fair, but I felt that this kind of job fair is necessary because many people need a job!
Many people were waiting in line in front of the Senior Center building when I got there.
After waiting about fifty five minutes, I got into a big room which was prepared for the job fair.
So many visitors were there that I could not move easily among them. Fortunately I got some information from the exhibitors, but I found that most of the exhibitors did not provide application forms for the applicants. Applicants could only write down their name, address and phone number on the visitors' list.
I did not get any application forms from the job fair, but I felt that this kind of job fair is necessary because many people need a job!
I Escaped from My Country
In 1987, my brother and I left my country to look for freedom and happiness. We escaped to a Malaysian refugee camp. We had spent five days on the ocean.
The first night, we took a small boat to a transfer point and boarded a biger boat. There were 112 people on the boat. The captain took us out to sea that night. We continued the second day. That night our boat had trouble. Water came into our boat a lot. People were very exhausted.We had two days with no food and no drink. Everybody vomited and was uncomfortable with sea sickness. No one helped bail the water out. We were waiting to die. I was the one who was scared to die in the ocean. I said that we could pass the buckets of water from person to person and pour out. They followed what I said and finally the water had gone. The captain fixed the boat and we continued for the third day. On the third day, we were dissappointed because we were lost. The boat was floating on the ocean. We didn't know where we were. It was good luck for us. We saw a Thai ship presently. They were not the pirates. They gave us food and showed us the direction. We were very happy and thanked them for the food they had given us because we were starving for many days. We cooked fish porridge on the boat and went in the direction that they showed us. At dawn, we saw a Malaysian ship. They saved us and let us come a board their ship. They gave us a lot of food. We stayed on the ship overnight. The next day morning we transferred to another ship and went to a Malaysian refugee camp.
I have to thank my lucky stars that I survived.
I have to count my blessings for the great happiness I have today.
The first night, we took a small boat to a transfer point and boarded a biger boat. There were 112 people on the boat. The captain took us out to sea that night. We continued the second day. That night our boat had trouble. Water came into our boat a lot. People were very exhausted.We had two days with no food and no drink. Everybody vomited and was uncomfortable with sea sickness. No one helped bail the water out. We were waiting to die. I was the one who was scared to die in the ocean. I said that we could pass the buckets of water from person to person and pour out. They followed what I said and finally the water had gone. The captain fixed the boat and we continued for the third day. On the third day, we were dissappointed because we were lost. The boat was floating on the ocean. We didn't know where we were. It was good luck for us. We saw a Thai ship presently. They were not the pirates. They gave us food and showed us the direction. We were very happy and thanked them for the food they had given us because we were starving for many days. We cooked fish porridge on the boat and went in the direction that they showed us. At dawn, we saw a Malaysian ship. They saved us and let us come a board their ship. They gave us a lot of food. We stayed on the ship overnight. The next day morning we transferred to another ship and went to a Malaysian refugee camp.
I have to thank my lucky stars that I survived.
I have to count my blessings for the great happiness I have today.
The Misery of the People of South Vietnam
April 30, 1975 was the day people in South Vietnam lost country. Some people had gone on a warship to America, because they knew what would happen under the Communists. They left behind a lot of people who suffered miserably under the rule of the Communists.
The Communists came to South of Vietnam with the poor and greedy. They robbed the weath of people. Some people couldn't stand it. They committed suicide. The Communists still weren't satisfied. They pillaged properties of people from the high class to the medium class. They never released people who were rich. They wanted tight control of people. They wanted to change South Vietnam quickly. They didn't let people breathe. They didn't care about the hatred of people. They wanted to do whatever they wanted.
Soon afterward, people couldn't suffer the regime of the Communists. They found the ways to escape. In fact, it was not easy. If they didn't succeed, the police discovered them and put them in jail. I was the lucky one. I escaped.
The Communists came to South of Vietnam with the poor and greedy. They robbed the weath of people. Some people couldn't stand it. They committed suicide. The Communists still weren't satisfied. They pillaged properties of people from the high class to the medium class. They never released people who were rich. They wanted tight control of people. They wanted to change South Vietnam quickly. They didn't let people breathe. They didn't care about the hatred of people. They wanted to do whatever they wanted.
Soon afterward, people couldn't suffer the regime of the Communists. They found the ways to escape. In fact, it was not easy. If they didn't succeed, the police discovered them and put them in jail. I was the lucky one. I escaped.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
My Brand New Car
Last week, my husband bought me a brand new car. It's a B M W car. It's silver color.
I love the B M W car's color very much, because it's a popular color. Now, I have to be very careful for using this car. I told my children to keep this car very clean, because they liked to eat junk food in my old car. Sometimes, they dropped chip crumbs. This caused a smell in the car.
My husband wanted to buy me a car few years ago, but I said: "Wait, don't buy it yet. It's not the right time to have it." A few weeks ago, his car broke down. We had people fix. It was expensive, so he decided to buy this B M W car.
He wanted to buy this car for me to drive, but I didn't think I needed it, because my work is close. I only drive to pick up and drop off my kids at school. I'd better let my husband drive the new car, because he works in Freemont. It's a long way.
He said, next week, he will return the car to me to drive. I am a little bit worried, because in Oakland it isn't very safe. If somebody scratches my car, I will feel bad, because I love it very much. I don't want to see any scratches on my brand new car.
This is the first time in my life I have a brand new car. I have to keep it very nice all the time.
I love the B M W car's color very much, because it's a popular color. Now, I have to be very careful for using this car. I told my children to keep this car very clean, because they liked to eat junk food in my old car. Sometimes, they dropped chip crumbs. This caused a smell in the car.
My husband wanted to buy me a car few years ago, but I said: "Wait, don't buy it yet. It's not the right time to have it." A few weeks ago, his car broke down. We had people fix. It was expensive, so he decided to buy this B M W car.
He wanted to buy this car for me to drive, but I didn't think I needed it, because my work is close. I only drive to pick up and drop off my kids at school. I'd better let my husband drive the new car, because he works in Freemont. It's a long way.
He said, next week, he will return the car to me to drive. I am a little bit worried, because in Oakland it isn't very safe. If somebody scratches my car, I will feel bad, because I love it very much. I don't want to see any scratches on my brand new car.
This is the first time in my life I have a brand new car. I have to keep it very nice all the time.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Friday after Thanksgiving Day
On Friday, I was the driver for my kids, because they wanted to go shopping. They felt bored to stay home on a holiday. They wanted to look the crownds of shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving.
In fact, we went shopping just to take a look more than to buy, because we already have enough of everything. We only buy if something is very inexpensive and looks nice, because we are frugal shoppers.
We went to the New Park mall to take a look. It was crowned! Every store was full of people to getting into long lines. It's lucky for us. We didn't find anything that we liked. We would have to spent a lot of time in line.
It is not long before, we left to go to the South Land mall. We stopped at an In & Out Burger. We had our lunch there. It was full of people. We couldn't find the seats. Finally, we found one seat. The food came. Two of us had to stand to eat. Although we were standing to eat, we enjoyed it very much.
Soon after, we get to the South Land mall. It was a little bit hard to find a space for parking. We went round and round for a few blocks and finally we got a parking space.
South Land was just like New Park mall. We went around and took a look. It was crownded also, but no one wanted to take a picture with the Santa at the picture place. It was, maybe, still too early.
Eventually, we bought a few things and then we went home.
We enjoyed shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, because it had a different atmosphere than other days.
In fact, we went shopping just to take a look more than to buy, because we already have enough of everything. We only buy if something is very inexpensive and looks nice, because we are frugal shoppers.
We went to the New Park mall to take a look. It was crowned! Every store was full of people to getting into long lines. It's lucky for us. We didn't find anything that we liked. We would have to spent a lot of time in line.
It is not long before, we left to go to the South Land mall. We stopped at an In & Out Burger. We had our lunch there. It was full of people. We couldn't find the seats. Finally, we found one seat. The food came. Two of us had to stand to eat. Although we were standing to eat, we enjoyed it very much.
Soon after, we get to the South Land mall. It was a little bit hard to find a space for parking. We went round and round for a few blocks and finally we got a parking space.
South Land was just like New Park mall. We went around and took a look. It was crownded also, but no one wanted to take a picture with the Santa at the picture place. It was, maybe, still too early.
Eventually, we bought a few things and then we went home.
We enjoyed shopping on the day after Thanksgiving, because it had a different atmosphere than other days.
Ceramic Chickens
I had a couple of ceramic chickens. On Wednesday, I gave to my teacher one of the chickens. So I still have one left at home.
A few days ago. When I was eating dinner, I saw the chickens in front of me. It was so cute. Suddently, I thought I had to give to my teacher one of these chickens on Thanksgiving day to made him smile. I picked a nice one to give to him. I didn't know if it was a boy or a girl chicken.
My daughter complained to me. She said: "Mom, you should not have separated the chickens. They were a pair. They needed to be together. They will miss each other." She made me laugh a lot. Then she said again: "You should give your teacher a pair of chickens".
Then, later, my son came out from his room. Joanna told him: "Mom gave her teacher one of your chickens". He said: "Never mind, she can give me $5 dollars."
A few days ago. When I was eating dinner, I saw the chickens in front of me. It was so cute. Suddently, I thought I had to give to my teacher one of these chickens on Thanksgiving day to made him smile. I picked a nice one to give to him. I didn't know if it was a boy or a girl chicken.
My daughter complained to me. She said: "Mom, you should not have separated the chickens. They were a pair. They needed to be together. They will miss each other." She made me laugh a lot. Then she said again: "You should give your teacher a pair of chickens".
Then, later, my son came out from his room. Joanna told him: "Mom gave her teacher one of your chickens". He said: "Never mind, she can give me $5 dollars."
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Thanksgiving Day
Today, my family and I went to San Jose to eat Vietnamese food. We are rarely have a chance to go out together, because most holidays my husband has to go to work, except for the big holidays like Christmast or Thanksgiving Day.
We like to enjoy food in San Jose, because it is very good. We enjoy driving in the car for a long distance from Oakland to San Jose. Especialy, I am lazy. I don't like to be the driver. Sometimes, it can't be helped. So I have to drive.
After we ate, we drove around to take a look and we bought some food that we like.
My children are happy when they go out with their parents. They like holiday atmosphere very much, so that, if there is a chance like today, I never miss it.
After we got home, my daughter said "Tonight we have no food for Thanksgiving." I had to cook a cury meal to symbolize our the Thanksgiving holiday.
Anyway, my family had a very nice Thanksgiving holiday. We enjoyed the food and being together very much.
We like to enjoy food in San Jose, because it is very good. We enjoy driving in the car for a long distance from Oakland to San Jose. Especialy, I am lazy. I don't like to be the driver. Sometimes, it can't be helped. So I have to drive.
After we ate, we drove around to take a look and we bought some food that we like.
My children are happy when they go out with their parents. They like holiday atmosphere very much, so that, if there is a chance like today, I never miss it.
After we got home, my daughter said "Tonight we have no food for Thanksgiving." I had to cook a cury meal to symbolize our the Thanksgiving holiday.
Anyway, my family had a very nice Thanksgiving holiday. We enjoyed the food and being together very much.
Restaurant Peony
Here is one of a good restaurant in Oakland's Chinatown also.
Authentic Hong Kong Cuisine
Seafood & Barbeques
Famous Dim Sum Lunch
Business Hours
LUNCH
Monday thru Friday
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Sat / Sun /Holiday
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
DINNER
Sunday thru Thursday
5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Friday & Saturday
5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Suite 288 * 388 9th Street, Oakland, California 94607
Tell: (510) 286-8866 * Fax: (510) 286-8868
Authentic Hong Kong Cuisine
Seafood & Barbeques
Famous Dim Sum Lunch
Business Hours
LUNCH
Monday thru Friday
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Sat / Sun /Holiday
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
DINNER
Sunday thru Thursday
5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Friday & Saturday
5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Pacific Renaissance Plaza, Suite 288 * 388 9th Street, Oakland, California 94607
Tell: (510) 286-8866 * Fax: (510) 286-8868
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
The Greatest Gift to My Teacher
It was supposed to write this letter on Thanksgiving day, but we have no school.
If today is Thanksgiving day. I don't know what gift to give to my teacher to make him feel happy, because he is a "teacher." The only thing he needed just write something very nice to him.
I'd like to say "thanks" very. . .very much to my teacher. He is the one who gives me the resource in English. However, it's not a lot , but it enough for me to feel confident to socialize at my job. I really like it with what he has helped me, because this is only right thing for me.
I'd like to appreciate to my teacher again for the organization of the blogger; to let me have a opportunity to develop my writing and speaking skill.
I feel very lucky a student under his teaching, because he has given me many chances to improve in my studies.
I'll never foget my teacher for the enthusiasm he has given me as student.
Your student
Cam Hong
Happy Thanksgiving!
If today is Thanksgiving day. I don't know what gift to give to my teacher to make him feel happy, because he is a "teacher." The only thing he needed just write something very nice to him.
I'd like to say "thanks" very. . .very much to my teacher. He is the one who gives me the resource in English. However, it's not a lot , but it enough for me to feel confident to socialize at my job. I really like it with what he has helped me, because this is only right thing for me.
I'd like to appreciate to my teacher again for the organization of the blogger; to let me have a opportunity to develop my writing and speaking skill.
I feel very lucky a student under his teaching, because he has given me many chances to improve in my studies.
I'll never foget my teacher for the enthusiasm he has given me as student.
Your student
Cam Hong
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Customer from Chicago
Today, I have a customer. She came back from Chicago. She is Vietnamese. She is my old client. She came to my shop to get a hair cut.
She told me, the reason she come back to me was because I'm sweet and she like the way I'm talking to her. She said she knew my husband. Her father bought a car from my husband. They both talked to each other and told her father I'm the one cut her hair. She complemented about me to her dad. Her dad said, my husband is a handsome and honest man. He like him
She said her dad rarely to complements people, but he complemented my husband. She said: It's very rare to see a couple like me and my husband.
She told me, the reason she come back to me was because I'm sweet and she like the way I'm talking to her. She said she knew my husband. Her father bought a car from my husband. They both talked to each other and told her father I'm the one cut her hair. She complemented about me to her dad. Her dad said, my husband is a handsome and honest man. He like him
She said her dad rarely to complements people, but he complemented my husband. She said: It's very rare to see a couple like me and my husband.
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