5 Reasons why I HEART Google

1. Google Reader is a time saver for all the different feeds I read everyday. It auto updates and even has created "bundles" for topics of interest. Definitely good if you like to be in the know.
2. Google Docs provides templates for all of your whims. To note, my fave as of right now is the address form organizer. If you are a friend, expect an email soon asking for your mailing addresses.
3. The themes for my iGoogle homepage... too cute for words. Right now mine is set to Street View.
4. blogger.com..... I am sure I don't have to explain that one.
5. The work culture at their Google offices is to die for. I envy the life balance mantra the employees enjoy as a result of their caring corporation. Life balance mantra is really an understatement. They have unique perks for their people. Check out the career section for this rad company.

Growing Up Viet: 10 Things White Kids Never Had to Deal With

1. Being home by 10pm on prom night....IF you got to go to prom

2. Getting in trouble for ripping egg roll wrappers during egg roll mania

3. Being the last to get hair (applies to guys and girls)

4. "no I don't know how to play the violin."--- not every Viet plays an orchestra instrument

5. Being good at math--> it's not so funny now when I'm  always calculating the bill for the table

6. Being taught to be an unopinionated child; ha some good that turned out :)

7. Looking 12 yrs old until at least the age of 18.

8. Looking 15 yrs old until the age of 23.

9. Being picked up and tossed around by random guys. Yes I know, I weigh less than your heffer of a gf. Stop tossing me around!

10. " U can't be cheerleader. They show boys underwear."--- memories of me asking to try out for cheerleading.....

****** Disclaimer: No that's not a photo of me as a kid. I figured we all look alike so it didn't matter what picture I used. 

F My Cookie

An Unintentional Tribute to a Vietnam War Vet

So I finally decided to say something to my leasing office about this homeless looking guy that wanders aimlessly around our complex. I have caught him staring at me and following me. Needless to say I felt extremely uncomfortable. The apartment manager told me not to worry. The guy isn't homeless. He is a resident. He's also a highly decorated Vietnam vet. I'm Vietnamese.....F MY COOKIE

To cut or not to cut? That is a $ related question

How much is too much to give up? When it comes to making a career move, yours truly is as strategic as they come. Career decisions are made based on the following motto: ROI.

ROI: how does this help my career? How many doors does this open for me? Will I be in charge? If the money isn't there now, will it be later? Ahhhhh yes, money. This is the one thing I cannot reason through. Flash dollars signs in front of me and I have a hard time seeing anything else. I blame it on growing up homeless for a short period of time. The rest I blame on being extremely poor up until my early twenties. It is a complete complex I have. "Must always have money. Must always be financially secure!"

So the true question on this mission to the top is do I want to move backwards in the pay scale to pave the road for a much more corporate role? If yes, I could most certainly make a great name for myself. If no, then I get to keep the money I have now. Nothing changes with that no.

Like someone once told me, this is a ticket to the dance. So do I salsa or do I waltz? Would you salsa or would you waltz?

Go Horns Go!!!!

Amazing birthday prezzy!

Where are you Thanksgiving?

Turkey. Dressing. Taters. Pumpkin pie. Cornbread...... giving thanks, watching football.....

Somehow we have surpassed Thanksgiving this year. With the close of October, grocery stores and large retailers have packed away the scary costumes and completed fire sales of all the goblin and ghoul inspired candy bags. Out and about now are the reindeer and Old St. Nick himself.

We skipped a beat right over Turkey day itself. The only reminder of Thanksgiving is the anticipation of the Macy's Day parade along with Black Friday. In honor of Thanksgiving, below are the many reasons why I still love to celebrate the 4th Thursday of November every year. :)

• The food- it's extremely flavorful while being calorie free. YUM!
• Football!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Need I say more?
• Giving thanks for all we have
• A time for families to come together
• The first Thanksgiving story; hey, this was a highlight in grade school. 
• Making turkey decorations and Indian hats...yes crafts are a must for any holiday
• Cooking with my mommy. When else can you happily cook for 5 hours nonstop with your mom?
• Leftovers....turkey and dressing never gets old
• Shopping... oh Black Friday, you make a great ending for Thanksgiving
• Tradition- Thanksgiving is tradition. Tradition is rare these days. This is one to keep alive.

Kardashian 911

OMG!!!!! Freeze! Rob Kardashian had an emergency laproscopic appendectomy! I was so worried he wouldn't be ok. I am sooooo glad to hear he is recovering just fine.

Ha! It is amazing how a story like that makes the news. With the nuclear crisis and tsunami aftermath, Rob Kardashian's lap appy is so irrelevant. When I read the article, I snickered. A lap appy is never planned. It's always an "emergency." I mean who plans on taking their appendix out?

"Excuse me, Dr. Smith. I am pretty sure my appendix will be inflamed next Tuesday. Let's go ahead and pencil me in for surgery."

The procedure takes all of 15 minutes.... big emergency..... I hate to say it, but even Heidi Montag has more room to complain here than he does. 10 hours of surgery vs. 15 minutes. Need I say more?

So while I am happy the Kardashian sisters get to keep their brother around so that they can chase their dreams of  being  the next "The Rules" authors, I'd say there are much more things to be concerned about. Just ask the Japanese who are surfing the nuclear waves.