Background


Born and raised in Vietnam, I came to the US with my family when I was 13. I think it was about the right age for me because I somewhat experienced the hard life of living in a poor country. Though it was not long enough to harden a person, but just enough for me to appreciate a good life when I see it. It makes me happy when I reminisce about my childhood. Though we didn't have much materially but we certainly had much love from our extended family and friends.

Education

I started 8th grade when I first came to the US. My middle school was very diverse. My highschool was about the same. For college, I went to University of Maryland, College Park majored in Computer Science. It was a tough time but the program is very respected throughout the Washington DC area. I used to go to bed and have dreams (well nightmares actually) about my programming projects. They were literally my sweats and tears. I graduated in 2000 and have been working as a programmer since. I went to Johns Hopkins for my graduate degree also majoring in Computer Science and graduated in 2003. It was quite another nightmare during those time because I was working full time, and it took such a toll on me, but I think at the end, it was all worth it to look back and see what I had endured. It's like boot camp, and I have my "scars" to show for it :)

Bird's eye view

I am at the point in my life that I have finally felt comfortable in my own skin. Well, more like I have succumbed to just being me. It's almost like that "Tristan" character in Legends of the Falls. Everyone has a "bear" inside of them and it's growling to come out and conquer everything in sight. It's our yearning to achieve all the hopes and dreams that we have. But we learn to accept that things do not always turn out to be the way we want. We learn to be just fine with whatever comes our way, may it be happiness or sadness, achievement or disappointment. After all, living in the greatest country in the world, any of your problems is nothing compared to what other people in other countries are facing. "Roll with the punches, tomorrow is another day" is my favorite quote from my favorite movie "Jerry Mcguire". (Another of my favorite quote from the movie: "If the heart is empty, then the mind doesn't matter". Maybe that's why we work better when we're in love. )

My Rocks


I love people as I am afraid of being alone. But then who isn't? I treasure all my relationships. They are the people that I get to share a time and space with , good time or bad, I am just glad that I had their company. As I am approaching permanent commitment in the marriage institution, I realize that when people say you have to work everyday at a marriage, man, they weren't kidding! It's not easy, but I am learning to compromise and I wish that we have a very very very long marriage, like forever. And of course, I have the people that have crossed my path through out the years to thank for; because those experiences one way or another contribute to the way I strive to better my relationship now.

My biggest dream for me now is to become a MOM. One recent shopping trip, as I was strolling through the mall, I heard a little girl voice looking for her Mom... she was calling out softly "Mom... Mom". I don't know what it was, but that voice awoke a powerful emotion in me. It's something I never knew I had; something I never felt before yet felt so innate. And at that moment, my heart fluttered, it was so warm and fuzzy. I guess that's how parents feel for their kids all the time.. I can't wait!

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