The Passion Test

reading a great book called the passion test by Janet Attwood. the basic premise is if you feel lethargic about your life, there's hope. Everyone has a passion, our job is to discover it. Some wonderful quotes from this read so far:

" There are two great days in a person's life -
the day we are born
and the day we discover why."

"We are at our very best, and we are happiest,
when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy,
on the journey toward the goal we've established for ourselves.
It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep,
It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile."

One Step At a Time

My brother and I wanted to do the unthinkable today. Hey Dao! let's go run a half marathon! I'd never before and actually felt a bit reluctant, I had a small blister on my left foot from trying out a new running shoe. My trusty gray pumas still work better. Two hours, battery acid legs, and chest palpitations later we arrived back where we started and I leapt to high-five the stop sign. We had covered 14 miles and I was giddy with disbelief. It's nice when you can still surprise yourself.

Even though I was so sore, I ecstatically pulled a "brandi chastain" - tore off my jacket, shirt, shoes, socks, sunglasses and celebrated by screaming unintelligible sounds at no one in particular. My brother laughed.

Ken says everyone he loves is leaving him. His kids and former spouse are possibly going back to Mexico. I'm headed up to Dallas to share some precious moments with them. My baby sister moved up to New Jersey for a new life. I wish her health, happiness, and know she will learn a lot from the experience. And I am slowly transitioning to Austin to "see about a girl".

The run taught me some things. Expect challenges. the road is not always easy and smooth.  However, if you press on, there is something special waiting for you on the other side. On this run, a magical creek bed that I had not known existed. My brother and I lost each other somewhere along mile 3 and found each other again around mile 9. I was so happy to see him and he gave me a much needed physical and emotional boost. It's true, there is strength to be found with the right people. I had promised myself not to give up and the promise propelled me through, that and gummy bears (much cheaper and tastier than those goo gel packs).

There are certain portions of the run where you get a second wind. Life has a way of changing one's perspective, one's experience of it. For me, when I get close to the end of anything there is definitely a second boost. "Almost there!" we say to ourselves. One foot in front of the other.  One step at a time.

Greetings from Austin, TX

Miracle Drug

For me, the act of creating (whether it be making music, pictures, or film) can often yield the best high. Here, I went blog crazy. Click on the images to enjoy.

Sibling Reunion

We haven't been together even once in the past three years so it was a much needed get together for the Nguyen Siblings in Sachse, TX.

Finding Your Passion

Debra Davenport, for Yahoo! HotJobs — 5 weeks ago

Worth doing!

Ever wish you were one of those fortunate people who knew - at the age of 6 - exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up? If you find yourself as an adult still searching for your passion, don’t despair. Many people - too many to count - share your career conundrum.
The key is not wasting any more precious time in a career that doesn’t fit and finding the livelihood that’s a natural extension of the real you. Here’s how:

Retrace your steps. Often, career passions are formed in childhood. What did you enjoy as a child? What were your hobbies and interests? What games did you play? What were your early career fantasies?

Identify what really matters. Your values are the map to your perfect career. Identify those that are most important to you. Time freedom, perhaps? Creativity? Travel? Working alone? Being your own boss? Make a list of everything you deeply value and want in your career.

Get deep. Are you seeking to make a difference or contribute to society through your work? Is there a spiritual component to your career? How do see yourself effecting positive change?

Explore. Many people feel stuck because they simply don’t know what exists in terms of career possibilities. Research careers on the Internet, network, ask questions, read voraciously, and jot down every idea.

Try it on for size. Internships and apprenticeships are great ways to try on careers. Use vacation time to “shadow” someone whose job interests you. Volunteer or get temporary jobs in the fields that interest you.

Listen to your heart. What do you enjoy doing so much that you’d do it for free? What activities give you the most joy? Cooking? Singing? Writing? Inventing? You really can make a career out of the things you love—that’s what finding your passion is all about.

Get tested. Seek out a certified career counselor and request a comprehensive career assessment. There are many validated assessments available. At the minimum, you should complete a personality profile (such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator), a career interests assessment, and a work values assessment.

Peel away the layers. Working in an unfulfilling career can cause you to make adaptations to your behaviors and belief systems which can impact confidence and self-esteem—two things you need in order to make smart decisions for yourself. Strip away the false and/or negative belief systems (“I can’t do that.” “I’m not smart enough.” “You have to have a lot of experience to do that.”) and get to your truth. That’s where your passion lies.
Remember: Skills can be learned, but your passion is a part of who you are. The reality is you can do whatever you want to do and set your mind to do. The old adage, “Do what you love, the money will follow” is actually very good advice. It may take some work to reveal what you’re truly meant to do but, if loving your career is important to you, your efforts will be a valuable investment in your future happiness.

I Love Ping Pong

Austin, TX Thuan's Place Ping Pong. That's all I have to say; it's a leisure activity for me now. Thuan bought a professional $20 ping pong paddle hoping he would beat me. I'll tell you this, technology doesn't work on me my friend. The weather is my best friend thus far. Why can't it be like this everyday? I want to take advantage while I can before I'm only left with remnants of memories. I have an itch now. Time to scratch it.

Music Reason and Emotion

August 25, 2005 - Friday

Wheatsville Co-op -- Austin, TX

I am asked to show how I feel. How interesting is all I cansay. Austin is unique, that is a definite. I do belong here, yet I am bombarded. I am happy to have moved back here] with information, I am no longer bored, if anything, overwhelmed. There are so many ways of approaching life here, in Austin, I begin to lose my perspective. Initially, I came down here to pursue music, that was my approach, my final destination, performing cover music at coffee shops and open-mics, which, I no doubt will achieve, If I choose, that excited me coming down from Dallas.

It still does, [Oh, god pretty girls everywhere here in Austin, & my type, too! I think. Has what is important changed any? Slightly. The emotional 2 the extreme experience is now not only pure emotional stimulation (fun) but also purpose; a reason for the work. Reason just became more important than the emotional experience. For strong reason will bring strong emotions! Thus our answer to why we do not have emotional success...no reason to feel excited.

In The Scene of ThinGs

PainTer Hall -- AusTin, TX
12:45 A.M.

I ought to be sleeping but find it necessary to jot down my thoughts and feelings. Tonight, I had a chance to "jam" with a complete stranger and fellow "blues" musician. I ran into Louis coming from work at Madam Mam's, a Thai outfit on campus. He drove me to the lake, (dude, that sounds both gay and scary) which I felt uneasy about initially but relaxed as time passed and I got to know him a litter better.

Tuns out, he's crunk on the guitar, phenomenal, making me feel a variety of emotions. First, it was beautiful to be by the lake under the willows with the water strumming along softly along with the rhythms of his guitar (i think i fell in love...oh, brother) Listening to Louis makes me think about my goals with music and if I could stick these three months pursuing it. Learning guitar reminds me of the past when I was just beginning to get to know Shristi. It was a cold feet submersion. a kind of "don't look, just jump" approach. In the mornings I play Incubus' "Whatever Tomorrow Brings..." everyday. Yea...*self-nodding

Making Music

July 13, 2005 - Thursday

Music In RouTe -- Amarillo, TX Making Music

It's been a good week since I've made an entry. Seems funny how we tend to write when we have something to share. This weekend I spent in Amarillo, TX. A friend of mine got married. It was an overall pleasant experience. In the context of pursuing music, I was asked by the bride to play/perform Elvis Presley's, "Only fools rush in". I gladly agreed and even volunteered a cousin of hers to do it "duet" with me. For you musically illiterate, that does not mean what you think it means.

All it means is that two people get to make music together...I'll stroke my guitar, grunt some lyrics, and she would hit the high notes. Well, from the audience's feedback, I got limited success, but success, nevertheless! I got several compliments from my friends; made me feel good. Some people even laughed at my corney jokes! sweet! I was pretty excited to hear their applause in the beginning when I got on the stage. Kind of encouraging. However, when I finished, I did not recieve the same enthusiastic response. Kind 'of discouraging.

Being the ever-self-critical artist, I kept thinking after the performance that I messed up here and there. I had a good time on stage and so did my "music-mate". She was soooooooo cute. Dang!

Ramblings

Older Brother's Apartment--Dallas, TX

Since last we spoke, I have been predominantly occupied with photography. I have an older brother who does photography, and being the best looking in the family, he's always asking me to model for him (okay, okay, so I'm the one who volunteers...but that's besides the point). My entry today is about stimulation. What about stimulation you may ask? Well, how about we start off with fire. Yes, you see, my friends, fire burns.

And when you place fire, for instance, a flame, under your palm, you will feel a stimulation, in the form of a burn. Well, if it's that simple, can we do the same for our minds? I notice that I get bored often, and I KNOW that being bored is not unique to me. Lately, when I get bored, I try to find any means necessary to get stimulation. A red pepper in the eye is not recommended. A bad book is neither.

I like music, especially hip hop done by rage against the machine. That's some good shi*. Actually, I write very much like rap mc's; improvisational and in-flow. Well, at least I try. When you write in the stream-of-consciousness style, alot of dumb shi* comes out, but every now and then, you get a morsel of insight, and you hold on to that, b/c that kernel can turn into something grand.

Back to stimulation. I was thinking today about a friend of mine's journal entries. This girl can really write. If you get a chance check out her journals at the bottom of this entry. Her name's Ann and my family knows her family since i was 9 or so. Well, she grew up pretty lovely and witty, too. Of course, don't tell her that, I think she's got enough of an ego to outlast and eggo. Does that make sense? Guess that makes us perfect for each other, eh?

Imagine getting two egotistical people together? Joke: what do you get when you get one big head with an even bigger head? 21/3 big heads. Dang, I'm funny. The beauty of having your own journal: you can write whatever you feel like and people can't say a darn thing because it is meant to be yours, and if they don't think you're funny, well, then they're wrong, because I am funny...i think.

OKAY. So, we were on the topic of stimulation, I would like to go about my day perpetually stimulated? Imagine that! I would go around poking at people asking, "Hey, do I look stimulated to you?" Well, it is getting to that time of my entry where I say sai-a-nara for now and I hope to have kept your interest to return to my site another day. Best wishes to you and if you need anything at all, gimme a holla. My number is 9723873.4650 and my photography site (under construction...the pictures aren't even mine...yet) is www.goeocities.com/upclosephoto. C'iao for now.

Check this girl out...www.geocities.com/annatsmu. Girl can write.

University Towers -- Austin, TX

Well, I made it down here in one piece. I am grateful to have this chance to pursue a dream, a dream I cannot exactly define, but it borders along the lines of making money as a music performer. Just now I ran into a celebrity impersonator/vocalist named Mark Danube. See, what he does is use his voice to mimic stars...like Elvis, Madonna...yes, Madonna (he's got a 7-octave voice apparently). I think that's pretty neat. I bet he gets a kick out of doing his job.

Before I left from Dallas, my older brother, Dzung, sat down and said that he was not convinced that going down to Austin is the best choice amongst my choices. I tell him that I did not make the decision to move down here rashly; that I have thought about this a lot and, most importantly, that I am following my heart. He asked me one question I will try not to forget. It was, "How long will it take for you to get really good (at your craft)?" I respond, "my entire life." He says, "good, that is the answer that I am looking for."

What we were talking about here is not the likelihood of me succeeding in music, rather, how long it will take. I assured him that I am past my nai$B!/(Jve days of believing that success comes overnight. We reiterated my need for self-discipline and for a mentor; one who has "hit the ropes" so to speak. If you know anybody: a friend, an uncle, a co-worker, who is pursuing music as a career, please let me know. Perhaps, I could benefit from knowing what it takes to succeed at this game. Well, comrades, it's time for me to go to bed. I will catch you, again. Laters.

Making Music...er...Noises

March 31, 2007 - Saturday

Music Theatre BackStage -- UT Austin, TX

I've been farting a lot today. Must be the chili cheese beans I had for dinner, which brings up the question, "have I been farting all day or just after dinner"?? It makes you wonder if the smelling of one's own fart entrances him to misthink that he's been farting more than he really has.

I so desperately want to practice on t guitar; if only I could fix it up. The guitar shop says that it will cost me 300.00. I'm thinking "bogus!" With 300.00 I could buy 3-4 of the same guitar. Dang, don't you hate it when you're trying t finish something only to feel exhausted or sleepy? That's how I fell now...so on behalf of...yawn...whooo, sorry...on behalf of Dao, cheers!