Friends in My Class at Fullerton

I am so happy to meet all my friends in our class, and my teacher, too. I might transfer to other school or state on next semester. From now, little time left with them is very valuable to me, and they also feel the same thing as me. Although the final exams so near to us, we feel a little bit lazy, not to be able to concentrate on our studying because we just want to hold a party, “ I mean a big party….hihi..” to have fun together before we say “bye” each other. Now, I want to leave hear some notes about all my friends before ending the summer course.

The first person I want to say something with is my teacher, Ms. Vanessa. “Thank you for teaching us many useful things. And, I really like to help you check your notes ..hihi… You are really cute and lovely when trying to remember the notes.”

Kay, one of my Korean friends, a very nice and kind Korean girl, is the one whom I feel so close that I can share something with. “Kay, I am really sad when you come back Korea and might never be back here. We are hard to see each other again. Anyway, I wish you have all the best in future. We will meet someday in Vietnam or Korea, right? Keep in touch, ok?”, Oh, one more thing, please keep secret the story I shared with you…hehehee… I will tell you more when you are back home…hihi..

Semi, a very beautiful Korean girl, always smiles and joke. “Semi, you are very cute on the picture, I like the style of your hair, your hair as well.”

Sammi is the Chinese girl who is usually my partner. Sammi, I usually remind you do homework when we meet on the bus…hihi.. you were not thanks me yet….

Aya, Japanese girl, sometimes come to class late…hihihi… You come back Japan when ending the semester. I feel sad, too because we just meet a short time. Anyway, please take care good yourself. I wish you are always happy and have good things ahead. Keep in touch, ok?

Henry, a Chinese guy, is the best speaking fluent one in my class. Thanks for edit many my essays. Your English is very good, Henry. Try to work hard, and your dream comes truth soon on someday.

William, If I meet you on campus, and you don’t say hi first to me, I will never smile and say hi to you back…. Because I did, and who I said hi was not you, you brother…. Hhuhuhu.. He looks like you.
Pil, we might see again in new school, right? hihi.. I am happy with this.

Joyce, some my friends know you, they also say that you are a very beautiful girl, and look like a model. You know, I agree with them. Joyce, I like to read your essays very much, you have a ton of ideas on your mind, I admire, I cannot afford.

Paky, sorry I can write your name. I will try to pronoun two words “water and quarter”. Baky, I like you in short, very nice, Baky.

Anus and Adulla, both of you are the same all of classes with me. I will remember you guys… Anus, I will be your partner in Toefl iBT on next some days left, ok? Hihi…

Now, my Vietnamese friends… I love all of them.
Bunny, a youngest student in my class, is so cute. Bunny, can I call you “big baby”? I like this nick name. (Big here means you are adult, you are a very good friend, but you look so cute like a baby. That is why I like to call you “big baby”). If you don’t like, I will call you “big Bunny”, ok????? Hahahaa…
Michelle, if you want to say something about you in some words, I will tell “ You are a very beautiful and good girl”. Even we are not in same class any more, but we still are friends, do you think? Call me whenever you want to talk with me.

Rachel, I am jealous with you with your long trip back to Vietnam. Try to enjoy everything as much as possible before coming back the US, ok? I miss many things in our country. Anyway, be careful and don’t put your weigh up when you are in VN, ok?

I really enjoy the time we have togheter in our class. I never forget all of you. Good luck for the exams on next week. Wish all of you the best things ahead.

ALP and ESL in Comparision

I chose ALP of Call State University of Fullerton, American Language Program, for my learning English to enter university in the US. Certainly, I have a thousand of reason to show that ALP is a program much better than the program of Institute of Language System.

The teaching program between ALP and ESL is much different in style, and I believe that these different programs will bring to students different qualities. First, ALP offers for me various elective classes, so I can choice any class that I need, whereas, these classes in ESL are limited. Second, with each class taking, I receive a good quality from the suitable textbook chosen, syllabus planned for every class, teaching program offered suitable with the purpose of students. I satisfy with many classes I have taken. Third, the ALP office tries to hold many extra activities for students enjoy, relax, and learn English outside class that can not find in ESL. To summarize, ALP is much convenience than ESL for those who want to improve English soonest and enter to university in the US.

Second, These ALP teachers are much more professional and responsible than those who are in ESL because most of students come to Fullerton to learn English to enter university as soon as possible, so quality of learning and teaching here much better than in ESL where there are some other reasons with the people learning English. ALP teacher always try to catch their students’ attention into their lecture naturally and effectively. They have their strict rules for class that every student must follow. They have various methods to teach students to avoid boring in their lecture. These things are limited in ESL.

I am happy with my choice so far. I satisfy with the quality of teaching and learning in ALP.

Differences between Vietnam and American Culture in Business.

If you are an American negotiator and want to sign the trade contract with Vietnam, you definitely have to understand about the Vietnamese people that come from the culture which is completely different with American’s.

Vietnam people don’t take risk; they make decision carefully and slowly, and they much focus on the relationship. Everything with them is step by step. To make a decision, they take much time to get information about their partners and their opportunities as much as possible. They like to meet their partners a few times before beginning any negotiation. They like to know much about the others, even each negotiator, build relationship, then. After understanding and feeling truth their partners, they will take next big step which could be a contract signed. I had an experience when I worked in Vietnam last year. ONM advertising company, American company, wanted to be our advertising agency. They sent us their letter and proposal first. After considering, we met. Even we know about them a lot, but I could not trust them completely. We met some times after that for some our projects (That company wanted to give us some ideas to build trust and relationship). We finally signed the advertising contract in few weeks later. So I can say that even if you are not the first one find them, you can not speed to end the negotiation sooner than you want.

American culture is totally different with us. In contrast to Vietnam, everything with American is fast; they take risk because opportunity is very important with them while we are so careful and much consider, and relationship is never more interesting than other achievements which can show their partner’ ability. I understand about that when I came here. Every advertisement on TV is fast and much talk about themselves while we are not and don’t. If you come to us and express much about yourself and ask us contact with you as soon as possible, you might get less truth and fail.

Different culture make people act in not the same way. Each way has both sides, good and bad. However, the people have to find down the way to make them match especially in free trade nowadays. Depending on the situation, each of them has to respect the culture of the other. For instance, if Vietnam company is the host, then American company should understand about Vietnam culture and be patent to get achievement. If opposite, Vietnam people should do the same thing, then both of them will succeed earlier and smoother.

As you can see, Vietnam culture is absolutely different with American’s. This problem is very important to be considered to make different people come to an agreement. Therefore, if you come to my country doing business, you must adjust to fit with us, and the contract will be signed soon, or we have to do the same way if opposite.

Have to say "I am going to do..."

He was driving to take me back home. I keep quiet unusual.
He ask: “What are you thinking?”.
Answered him: ”Do you think that i should change my major is better?"
"You can do whatever you want, but can tell me why? What major do you prefer?", "Do you think you will do new major well?" He asked me the rapid-fire questions so that i couldn't take time to answer.
"Maybe finance. I don’t know, but Marketing seems not for me." I continued, "I do like Marketing, but I am not sure I can do it well when I get old and get married..."
Dropped my talk, he said: "Are you sure that you like number? How you know you can't do it well?"
"Number? not really, but I know that the older I am, the less my creative is, I think, I might not do it better than who are younger than me when I get old" I said.
"You won’t be a staff, of course, Sarah. You are a manager at that time. You will ask somebody else work for you. You might have less creative, but you have much knowledge and experience. Why you don’t think like that?” He spoke.
I was tedious and said:”Uhm.. yah.. I am just afraid that I could not…”. Dropped my say, she looked at me with his wide-open eyes, seriously; “Don’t say that again. You have to say – I am going to do that”
I felt scary him as if I just had done something wrong with him. I just kept quiet and listened to his talk as if I had been a child paying attention at the parents saying….
He continued, “If you think that way, you will never do what you even want to do. You showed me no reason for your thinking, and didn’t persuade me of your new choice. Once again, DON’T SAY “I am afraid doing something. I WANT YOU TO SAY “ I am going to do something”. If you think this way, you are very sure to do that.”
And, continuing with “ Now, answer me what do you think about learning driving? I know you scare speed, answer me.”
“Yes, after finishing my school on summer, I will”, answered him immediately because that was my plan.
“Yes, right. You scare speed and car, but you are going to learn how to drive”….and, you know, there are a lot of thing you have to say “ I am going to do all” Be strong, smart and brave. “.
A few minutes later, he kept quiet while i was thinking... He said, " answer me when i make a decision."
“I am going to do….” has been in my mind. You know, I talk with myself about going to do something before planning to do things, and I feel that I get much motive power to do them. I have to talk about my choice tomorrow with him. Can you get what i could say?

Independent Day in Viet Nam

July 4th, 2008 is the fist time i enjoyed the Independent Day of Americans. It is so special. There are many activities and customs which Americans do on that day. I enjoyed barbecue with friends and relatives at daytime, looked alot firework at night time. If you are in my home country, especialy in my home town -Ho Chi minh City-on this day, you will find a big different between American's day and Vietnam's (Sep 2nd). How?

1. Red color and yelow star which is the Vietnam flat is everywhere. It is hanged on the trees along with two sides of streets, in front of houses, car, suppermarket, school, etc.
2. That day is a holiday in VN, so everyone is off on that day. However, it is a big chance for business running many interesting promotional programs. you may want to buy a lot of things on that day because of "big promotion", "good price" or "50% sell off" advertisement everywhere. So daytime is a good chance for people shopping.
3. How about night time? Many activities like music, movie, firework are running. Then, people like go out to relax, enjoy their special day, meet and take dinner with friends or relatives, etc.
4. Some like to travel on that day, so tour services are so hot, too. Hotels, resorts, restaurants are all most full. So if you want to travel, you should make a reservation at last one week ealier before.
5. We also like gather to take a big meal together, too. We take meal with whatever we want to enjoy. we can eat at home or outside. However, it is not a custom.

To summerize, we dont have any custom on Indepentdent day, just relax, go shopping, eat together or tour. However, we love our day forever.

Enjoyed a lot at Knot's Berry Farm !

My journal in Knot's Beery Farm would not have been completed without my teachers whom I just met in there (but, I would like to call them by friends). We not only enjoyed a lot with the rides and strikes there, but also enjoyed together. That was a great time i got with them. We had a lot of good memory in there.


Ms. Doreen is so nice, kind and interested in everybody in group. I love her smile. She was patient to listen and do many things nice to everybody. She introduced us to try chicken there (she said chicken there was so special), but when everybody ordered chicken, she order beef....hahahaaa). It sounds funny, but we enjoyed lunch together and had fun.



Ms.-- was so nice to me, she was always with me, encouraged me to enjoy many strong and kind crazy rides there...(I feel guilty about forgetting her name... even i talked with her a lot... Woh, I am so bad, I should have written her name...). She walked with me fast back to the restaurant where I forgot my camera when we left. I was much appreciated her.



Ms. Judy, the beautiful Korean girl, is sensitive, I guess... because she was too chicken-hearted to enjoy rides (she just enjoyed the first one because i had not known how scary and strong it was. She is a bit quiet. She likes sweet (She like FUNNKY CAKE, a favourite cake there). I felt happy when enjoying that cake with her. Also, i love her smile, too. She is so beautiful when she smiles.


Ms. Fayesacramanto, a pretty Phillipian girl, whose characters look like Ms. Judy's. She just enjoyed few games there. She was always nervous before she took any games...hii.. She is very beautiful when she smiles. She has eyes which know how to smile... I love her eyes and smile.





Ms. Jrancheta, a happy and joyful Phillipian girl, was the bravest one in the group. She enjoyed all of the rides and strikes there...wow, so brave and strong. She always smiles. She has very nice eyes. We could not have had a lot of fun if it was without her.

Wow,.. as you can see I really enjoyed my journal more than I did. I am happy to know them, and I love the time I got with. I love all of the teachers in ALP. They are very nice and kind. I just wish I could enjoy with them more on someday.

Banh Chung

Tet holiday (Vietnam Lunar New Year) is the biggest traditional holiday celebrated in Vietnam, and one of the most important thing can not lack of is "BANH CHUNG". Vietnamese made Banh Chung to serve their forefather in this occasion in order to thanks for the ancestor give their food and good things.

BANH CHUNG is a kind of special cake which is a bit heavy, square and green outside. It is wrapped by banana leaves and made from sticky rice, green bean, bacon, these thing of which have meanings. Square was the concept about the sky in the old days. Rice which is the food given by god is the most valuable product, according to Vietnamese. Small bacon is surrounded by a thick layer of green bean in the middle of the cake, and that image represents for the concept that Vietnamese is protected by their ancestor. That is the custom in Vietnam has lasted year ago, since The Sixth King. To Vietnamese people, Banh Chung has a big meaning. Therefore, Tet will be never complete without BANHCHUNG

It is used with fish souse, onion, garlic and some vegetable which taste sour. The drink that Vietnamese use with is hot green tea or rice wine.

How to make it? It requires a careful and long process in preparing and cooking. It is cooked around 8-12 hours. Here are the steps to make BANH CHUNG.

Ingredients• 200 g glutinous rice, soaked overnight
• 100-150 g mung beans, soaked overnight
• 100 g pork, cut into chunks,seasoned with
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt




Directions


1. You will also need: Strings and 6 phrynium leaves or aluminum foil can be used as substitute.

2. Steam or boil green bean with half a tsp of salt until soft, may take up to 45 minutes depending on how large your steamer is. Smash bean thoroughly.

3. Place 2 leaves in one direction, slightly overlapping, then 2 perpendicular, also overlapping, and the last layer like the first.

4. If use aluminum foil, place them crossing each other.

5. Place half of the rice on the leaves, topped with half of the beans.

6. Lay the pork on top of the beans, and then add the last of the beans followed by last of the rice.

7. Fold the leaves/foils over the cake very tightly into a square, use string to secure the cake.

8. Place in a large pot, cover with water and boil for about 6 hours.

9. Add water every hour if necessary.

10. After 6 hours or so, remove the cake, submerge it into cold water for a few minutes. '

11. The cake lasts up to 10 days on a cool dry place.

12. The easiest way to cut up the cake is to open it and use the string to cut it up into 8 portions.

13. Best served with pickled onions.