Wheels on the Bus

Yes, that's right, I ride the bus to school. And on the way, I meet the most fascinating people. It might sound strange, but sometimes it seems to me that when I ride the bus, I get the chance to meet people from all over the world.  As if the whole of humanity takes that humble little journey with me. Some get on, others get off, and some sit beside me and share the ride. In each face, young or old, I see the Face of Christ.
Today I met a man because I smiled at him. It's amazing how much joy a simple smile will bring to someone else.  He sat down a couple seats away and asked me how old I was (actually, he asked if I was 16). Then he tried to figure out my ethnicity - and this always brings laughs because people usually guess wrong the first time. This poor fellow went through a whole litany before I gave in and told him, and this is how it went: "Are you Filipino? Japanese? Mexican? Thai? Cambodian? Korean?..." When I enumerated my ethnic heritage, he exclaimed in amazement.
He ended up telling me about how he decided to change his life and do good, staying away from violence and focusing on his music. He remarked on how great it was that he turned his life around so he could meet someone like me after spending five years locked up.  It turns out he's a songwriter currently working with the Island Def Jam Music Group.  And, get this - he asked if I'd be interested in collaborating on his music video. Even said I could teach him some violin. Maybe I'll hear a "holler" soon...
On my return trip from school this evening, I met a remarkable young woman who is rising above a dysfunctional family situation and working hard to find a better life for herself and her family.  Despite all the anger and pain resulting from years of emotional abuse, she's trying to do what's right and keep her brother from succumbing to a life of addiction.  We had a very long and deep conversation (the length of the bus ride) about growing up with emotional abuse and how we dealt with various situations, including our take on the future.  We talked about medication, psychotherapy and family dynamics. Having something in common with this lady brought us to a profound soul-to-soul recognition; she cried when I talked about a difficult time in my life because she knew exactly where I was standing on that day. 
Thank You, Jesus, for these beautiful people, these little children of Yours whom You have placed in my path.  Please continue to watch over them and convince them always of Your love. 

Prayer and Fire!

On this most auspicious day of the 28th of September, I joined a gathering of Catholic youth at a local university.  We began by praying the holy Rosary and singing a song of praise to God and then playing a game of "Do You Love Your Neighbor?"  When I failed to find a seat, I decided to pick on people wearing black shoes.  Footwear is a fallback for me, I guess.  Thankfully I was not without a seat for the rest of the game... if truth be told, it was not very long because our icebreaker was interrupted by a fire alarm!
The whole group therefore migrated to an alternate location and began our discussion in earnest. The topic of the night was... you guessed it! - prayer.  We looked at many Scripture verses from the Christian Scriptures to see what Jesus taught about prayer and we shared our experiences and insights with each other.  It was a great way to enter into the culture of our faith together as young Christians, to encourage and lift up one another.  We ended the night with the Newman Prayer - a style of group prayer in which all join hands and each person can voice their prayer intentions one by one, squeezing the hand of the person to the right to pass the prayers around the group in a circular fashion.  After a few announcements and greetings, we headed home.
Shout-out to the folks tonight: Matt, Charlene, Steve, Adrienne, Violet, Greg, Jane, Daleth, Shannon, Lisa Marie, Omar, Johnny, Gerardo, Noel, Anna, Cristina, Sofia, Arthur, Patrick and anyone else I didn't get the chance to meet personally.
Will I be back?  I certainly hope so.
I'm going to listen to a recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos before going to sleep.

After all, life is too short to die.

Vietnamese Traditional Music

I grew up learning Western music and studying it in school, but it was the folk music of Vietnam which also pulled at my heartstrings. Today I decided to find out more about the principles of Vietnamese traditional music, its modes and patterns, its instruments and its spirit. I'm not talking about Vietnamese style popular music (that grew out of traditional pre-war music themes), but the original Dan Ca Viet Nam.
Vietnamese traditional music is often romantic and sentimental, as anyone who has heard it could tell you. Those wistful, longing tones and flowing melodies stir up nostalgia in the soul. The foundation of Dan Ca Viet Nam is in four words: chan, phuong, hoa, la. These are the qualities that every performer must weave into the music, studying it plainly and simply, "true"(chan) and "straight"(phuong).  When playing the music for others it must be embellished in the spirit and emotion of the piece using flowers, "hoa" and leaves, "la". One can already see how poetic Vietnamese music can be.
Some of the principle instruments found in Dan Ca Viet Nam are:
Dan Tranh or Dan Thap Luc - a 16-stringed zither tuned in the pentatonic scale with a range of 3 octaves. It is typically unaccompanied or played with an orchestra of traditional instruments. The strings can be plucked or pressed and vibrated in various ways to create different sounds and emotions in the music.
Dan Bau - a single-stringed gourd instrument dating from 1770. This is the quintessential sound of Vietnam! A very emotional instrument that produces a plucking sound with a sustained note that can be varied in third and quarter tones by fingering on a thin stem of bamboo known as the spout. The single string is plucked using a sharpened stick of bamboo; the vibrations travel through the bamboo body and the gourd (Bau) placed at the base of the spout to which the string connects in order to amplify the sound. Dan Bau are typically tuned to a C-pitch, and though modern Bau are made of wood with an iron string, the original instrument was bamboo with a silken string.
Dan Nhi - a two-stringed fiddle played upright on the lap. It is traditionally made of rosewood with silk strings tuned in perfect fifths, and the specific notes can be altered by a gauge (Khuyet dan) at the base of the resonator (Bhat nhi). The head of the instrument, similar to the scroll of a violin, is called Thu dan and is attached to tuning pegs. The bow of the Dan Nhi is arced and stringed with horsehair between the two silk strings of the fiddle so that it can be played on either string depending on the pressure or both simultaneously.
Dan Ty Ba - a four-stringed lute instrument resembling the western guitar, but with a short neck and a pear-shaped rounded body which is flat on the string side.  Ty ba is traditionally made from wootung wood.  There are several frets on the soundboard and a longevity character is typically carved into the head where there are four tuning pegs.  The strings were traditionally made from twisted silk and tuned in the intervals fourth-second-fourth.  Ty ba can be played by plucking with a plectrum, producing the techniques of glissando, tremolo and arpeggio. It is a common instrument in traditional orchestras.
Dan Nguyet - a round lute instrument with a long hollow neck resembling the western banjo in shape. Its two strings are either tuned in fifths or fourths, again traditionally made of silk but can be made of nylon nowadays.  Dan nguyet is named for the moon because of its shape and is known for its clear, loud tones, usually used to accompany a singer.
Dan Tam Thap Luc - a Vietnamese 36-stringed chordophone shaped like a trapezium and played by beating with tiny mallets of bamboo with felt tips.  The instrument has a range of three registers tuned to the whole-tone scale, and can be played with a variety of techniques, a truly versatile instrument for solo or accompaniment.
Sao Truc - a flute most commonly associated with Vietnamese music, made from a hollow bamboo rod and pierced with six holes (the modern version with ten holes for more notes). Truc has an arc-shaped blowing hole and is known to represent the countryside in its four seasons.
Dan T'rung - a bamboo xylophone, popular in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. T'rung can have up to 48 bamboo tubes strung up in a vertical curve and played by striking with two short sticks. They are arranged in an uneven pentatonic scale ranging three octaves.
[for more information, visit: TiengHatQueHuong.com]
Well, I don't know about you, but I'm inspired! Before I die, I'd like to learn how to play one of these instruments, most likely the Dan Nhi or Bau. The sooner, the better; after all, life is too short to die...

Asante Artwork & Squash Soup

You're probably thinking, "What on earth do those two things have in common?"
Such is the beauty of my everyday life!

First of all, let me explain. I had a hankering for soup today, and lo and behold there was a butternut squash all pureéd and pre-mixed with chicken broth for making soup... I scouted my ingredients and set to work.  My hands had been idle in the kitchen for far too long, and the process of dicing red pepper, slicing white onion and sauteéing them in the pan was delightful. Then I went hunting in the herb cabinet for seasonings, deciding quickly on nutmeg and tarragon leaves... Mmmmm. I dumped the veggies in a food processor and blended them with some medium-firm tofu and the spices, adding this mixture to the soup over heat and stirring it until smooth.  What a delectable aroma then arose from the pan! A pinch of salt, and my soup was complete.

I sipped my soup from a large bowl while munching on white popcorn, the kettle-cooked variety, with apple-raspberry juice to drink. Ah, life is beautiful when one can cook!

Now then, about the Asante. After eating such a delicious bowl of soup, I was inspired to visit a local art exhibit - three, in fact - showcasing African textiles and cultural artifacts from Ghana as well as an African-American quilt exhibition. Let me just say - wow! The colors and combinations were phenomenal, the intricacy was exquisite, and every meticulous detail of the work was staggering.  I saw a few familiar patterns, yet the sheer diversity of techniques and styles of cloth were far beyond my experience.
I noticed, as I closely observed the detailed embroidery and weaving work of African textiles, that there were several patterns seeming to be pictograms of various animals, both birds and mammals. Some of the pictograms resembled designs I had seen before in Mayan weaving from Guatemala, in particular the butterfly pattern embroidered on woven cloth. I guessed at the different animals - a camel, a dog, a peacock, an eagle and some other bird-like forms. On some cloths made for wearing like a blouse, I observed cross-stitchery forming flowers and elegant radial designs. On others, varying embroidery techniques were used with variegated floss.  Some of the larger cloths contained a proliferation of threads forming a sort of mosaic in a more abstract pattern, having a more symbolic nature than literal. It was definitely evident that color in these designs carried great significance.

A second exhibit being held nearby celebrated the talented weavers of the Asante people of Ghana, who are well-known for their beautiful and elaborate Kente cloth. Kente has a history as a ceremonial and royal garment, worn by both men and women only on special occasions. Legend has it that the first weavers of Kente cloth copied their technique from a spider weaving its web. Kente has not only a royal implication but also spiritual and political significance, depending on the woven pattern or adinkra symbols in the design.
For an idea of the exhibit on Kente cloth, Click here. To find out more about Kente and its symbolism in African culture and daily life, read more here.

The third exhibit contained over twenty quilts made by African American artisans, featuring numerous fabric designs, portaits of African families and creative layouts.  I was most moved by the quilts picturing a mother and father lovingly holding their child.  These were decorated with beads and tiny gems in a way seamless with the colors of the quilt, seeming to naturally belong there. Another elaborate quilt was adorned with textured wooden buttons in different shapes and with various markings. In the center was a single ivory ornament in the likeness of a mask with its elongated head. I could have wandered for hours gazing at the beautiful handiwork of all the quilts, which means I will have to return soon.

After all, life is simply too short to die.

Mallard Ducks and Canada Geese and... Pumpernickel?

Today was one of those days when I took the definition of living to a child's level - experiencing the wonder, the elegance, the beauty (and the quirks!) of nature.  I got called out for a playdate with my six-year-old brother, an honor I readily enjoy. 
I had the bright idea to take the little fellow to the duck pond and spent a good two hours following him around as he collected various feathers, stirred the waters with a stem of leaves, and generally terrorized the water fowl.  To be fair, he was respectful enough not to chase after the ducks, though he did try to sprinkle them with water on numerous occasions.  There were plenty of other visitors to the pond, most of whom toted plastic bags of bread. We came across a young couple with their toddler son tossing slices of pumpernickel into the waters, which were eagerly snapped up by scores of Mallard ducks. However, I must say that the white bread was still apparently more desirable by those finicky eaters.
It was a prime opportunity to observe the birds up-close and personal, so I pointed out all the brightly colored and glossy feathers on the drakes versus the ducks with their little purple stripe but otherwise neutral coloring.  Then we noticed a white duck, slightly larger than most of the Mallards, who seemed to travel in a pack of Mallard escorts who were roughly the same size (and girth). If that were not enough incentive to break out in peals of childlike laughter, there was a flock of pigeons constantly circling the pond and swooping at great speed without warning. My little brother ducked each time and cried out, "Air raid!"
The crown sighting of the day were a pair of Canada geese, swimming in tandem to and fro across the pond. Their gracefulness was worthy of awe, indeed - I couldn't tell you if I actually stood agape for any amount of time, but I definitely followed their elegant movements with appreciation.  It reminds me of a favorite childhood movie, Fly Away Home, which is about the true story of some Canada geese which were rescued by a schoolgirl and raised domestically until they were of migrating age. She taught them to fly using a specially designed aircraft with the help of her father and accompanied the birds on their first southward migration trip into the United States. As I watched the two larger birds glide across the water, my little brother turned to me and said, "I think they're a couple."
Awwww.
I hope many more moments like this will follow. After all, life is too short to die.

World of Color - Mood Magic

A field of red poppies, an emerald city, a yellow-brick road... you can almost hear the strains of "Over the Rainbow". Color is a fascinating concept. It's everywhere - pigment or light, hues and complements, warm and cool, vibrant and calm. Just what is it about color that causes all these mood shifts and "sets the scene"?
I decided to go more in-depth and investigate what is known as the psychology of color.
Most people have cultural ideas associated with color from an early age, and these ideas vary across cultures. Then there are universal ideas about color based on sensory perception of the environment; symbolism of color is often closely tied to nature.  For example, red reminds us of fire, and blue is reminiscent of water or the sky.
It turns out that the way we perceive color is based on a reflection of light off of an object; whatever wavelengths of light are reflected form together the color we see.  Since light is a form of energy, color can affect us as humans just like different types of energy.  This science of color is known as chromodynamics. Pretty cool, huh?
Let's look at each color's personality.  There are two major color families, warm and cool - another way of classifying light energy which is counterintuitive... after all, infrared (red) has a lower frequency than ultraviolet (purple), while the color red is said to be the warmest while blues, greens and purples are said to be cool colors.  Interestingly enough, oranges and yellows are classically known as upbeat, cheery and motivational colors (high energy).  Reds seem to take the extreme high road, earning an almost reckless reputation - to some people, red means passion, but it is also known to increase blood pressure! On the other hand, blues are often touted as calming tones, though they have a melancholy side along with purples.  Greens seem to be the more neutral color, balancing a slight warmth (the yellow component) with a calming coolness (the blue component).
Now for the really fun stuff...  Scientists don't just study how colors affect people and tell them to paint their houses accordingly. There is an alternative healing science known as chromotherapy or colourology which was used even in ancient times by eastern civilizations such as Egypt and China. According to this practice, the color red was used to increase circulation, stimulating both the body and mind. Orange was used to treat illnesses of the lungs, while yellow was associated with purification of the body. Blue helped to relieve pain and was used as a blanket treatment for any illness. Indigo (a deep hue between blue and purple) was a skin treatment. Imagine that! (Hospitals and nursing homes, I sincerely hope you are taking notes.)
In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, there are seven chakras, or the sacred centers of a person's body, each of which is associated with a particular color. The usages for these colors are closely aligned with the ancient Chinese methods, but are also further developed and specify which chakra can benefit from a particular color to help certain bodily or psychological functions.
Who knew colors were so powerful? Well, I'm definitely going to do my research before I paint the house again, and I'll think twice about all my future color choices... but I will probably end up relying on intuition and my personal reactions to color anyway. No need to fritter away time trying to find the perfect color, right?

After all, life is too short to die.

East Side Nomenclature

Today's adventure begins with a bit of curiosity... I mean, really - I have a Vietnamese surname and I don't have a Vietnamese given name, so why not pick one?
Now, I can't simply pick a name that sounds nice. It also has to mean something important to me. Granted, I don't speak Vietnamese, nor do I have an etymological understanding of the language. What to do? Goodness, there's the Internet, of course! Naturally, there is a website based on the etymology of first names in many languages - takes all the work out of it, leaving only the fun...

BehindtheName.com

Here's what I found, a handful of likeable Vietnamese names with their approximate translations:

Bính - peace
Hoa - flower
Hong - pink, rose
Lan - orchid
Mai - apricot blossom
Ngoc - precious stone, gem
Quy -precious
Thanh - clear, tone, sound, delicate, blue azure sky
Thi - poem
Thuy - gentle, modest
Tíen - spirit, fairy
Tuyet - snow

How about Tuyet Tíen? "Snow Fairy" sounds like a very nice name.  Or perhaps Lan Thuy, which seems to suit my shy personality. Another apt name would be Thanh Thi,  I think - given my deep love of music and poetry. Hmmm, maybe I should do this for all my other ethnic groups!

After all, life's too short to die...

the 'Status Quo'

Has anyone ever told you to get a life? Or, perhaps, someone told you to go and die.

It's interesting how those two diametrically opposed circumstances can leave a person in the same place: limbo. Feeling inadequate, perhaps unappreciated or underdeveloped. Any way you write it, something is lacking.

Maybe that something is accomplishment, you muse to yourself... perhaps it's talent; maybe you need to sharpen your work ethic or brush up on your people skills. Could it be that your personality is faulty? Were you predestined to be inferior? - Those questions will lead you down a dark and crooked road that ends in despair. And we all know we don't want to go there.

Well, then what? Are you naive and ignorant? Hmmm, might have something there... but how to remedy it? "Keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out." -Anonymous

Let's start with a dare. A dare to appreciate the vast diversity of this world in something new, something different and perhaps unexpected, every day. Sacrifice is absolutely required for growth, and a faithful pioneer must never be slothful when blazing the path of destiny. Hold on to your heart and prepare for the most amazing time in your life, while expecting the worst. Be brave, be all that you are, and more than you think you can be!

Here begins an epic journey to find the beauty and complexity of life, to cast out fear of the unknown and sail boldly forward into uncharted waters. I will embrace each new day with thankfulness in my heart and look forward to the adventures that will inevitably follow.

After all, life is too short to die.