lost.

It's very easy to only think about yourself.

But sometimes, just sometimes....

 There are other things that come before you and your feelings.

I know. It's a very hard pill to swallow..

But do it anyway.

ready.

Tomorrow marks the start of another school year.

Maybe it was nostalgia that prompted
me to open up a random yearbook,

but the date on the front cover caught me off guard.

Has it really been twelve years
since the first time I stepped into a classroom?

I mean, I know how long I've been teaching,
 but it's different to see it in print.

It's evidence that I'm no longer young and green,
that....in fact, I'm aging.

My brother told me to stop chasing
the fountain of youth recently.

I laughed...for as long as I teach,
 I'll always feel alive. And young.

Many teachers dread the start of a new year,
I say "bring it.'

almost lover.

As I said, I was feeling nostalgic.

be not afraid.

You're much braver than you know...

Do what you have to do.

road trip.

I've never had the oppurtunity to meet

either set of grandparent's but I wasn't ever lacking.

Because while others had their grandmother's,

I had the world's best aunt!

Happy 80th Birthday, Auntie.

 Phuong & Kasem!!

Never thought you had it in you to be a mother...

but look at you now....you've got two!!

Congrats on the new baby!!!

They have a pretty badass mom ;)

 Kasem and Baby Bree!!!

Need I say more???

 Tien...if that is your fierce look,

I'm not much scared!!! Thanks for coming along.

You know you're part of the family when there's 

a plate ready for you at the family reunion!!

  Nhi neglecting her babysitting duties

to come party with the fun cousins ;)

 Andrea....thanks for taking us around New Orleans!!

The husband totally misses you and anytime

you want to move back to The Lone Star State,

we have a room ready just for you!!

Lisa DOooOoo!!!

I know pharmacy school is keeping you busy..

but thanks for keeping me company on the drive!

Ok..ok..ok..thanks for driving us down to Louisiana!

Also, getting us back safe and sound!!

The Ta girls sure know how to schedule it!

Phuong with Kasem & Bree and Huy with Hao & Hayley!!!

I know ya'lls parents are grinning from ear to ear!

The Aunts and Uncles...partying it up ;)

Hello August!!  Goodbye Summer.

Our family reunion was in Louisiana this year

and us "young-un's" were actually invited to party

with the grown folks this time around!!!

I was only able to make it to the first half of the party...

the second half is taking place in Destin, Florida.

I know they're having a blast!

I normally don't partake in trips but when it comes

to hanging out with the cousins...who could resist??????

you could be happy.

snow patrol...that is all.

inevitable.

Let him sleep...for when he wakes,

he will move mountains.

-napoleon

growth.

Regretfully, I am wrong.

Fortunately, I can admit to it.

So sincerely, I apologize.

weekend(s)-wrap up.

 Wine & Cheese!!

It's been awhile since I hung out 

with the best friend ;)

 Happy Birthday PUNK!!

You were always my favorite sister...

Umm, I mean brother ;)

WAUGHHHH!

 NOooOOOO. 

DIRK is married????

Sigh, I guess this means I have

to keep the husband now.

 Just talked to the Alan...

Congrats on your engagement again...

I hope all things go as planned.

 Look what I found!!

Is that the husband holding a book??

And just like that, 

August is around the corner to greet us!

Hope all is well for everyone!

kiss you inside out.

on repeat.

you can do it.

There are some things you learn best 

in calm, and some in storm.

-willa cather

shh..please listen.

Change........Can I?? Yes.

Will I? Probably not.

I am who I am.

shout-out!!!

 Happy Birthday Thuy Chung!!

Not only are you an awesome cousin 

but you're not a bad friend to keep around!!

You're finally catching up to us...

32 is awfully close to 33 yo.

 Anderson Copper in the palm of my hands!!

Waughhhh. Hey, a girl can dream!!

Okay, so I definitely have no chance..

But I'm happy he's happy!!

Rosie's been practicing on her photography.

Not bad for a starter, huh??

Cecila, we're going to miss you much!!!

Take care in Florida and don't forget to visit us!!

Is it already JULY??

Quick, someone stop the time!!!

i love you.

love it.

happy feet.

Off she goes...

I'm hoping the wind doesn't carry 

her too far from home.

you heard??

"Raise your words, not voice.  

It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder."

-anonymous

Congrats!

The ROCKSTAR is finally getting hitched!!

Yay for the lovely couple.

Hope you guys are ready to get throwed!!

 

Geez, I'm telling you....

Everybody's popping em' out left and right!

Super excited for Burritto & Van!!

The sister is all growed' up!!

Spelling her name correctly and everything.

Teanuh, hope your new career change 

works out well for you ;)

Those of you in Denver...come visit the sis!!!

She finally looks pregnant ;)

Happy Belated Birthday Buddy!!

Can't wait to meet Baby Elliot!

Hope she looks like her mommy ;)

Dinner & Desserts..compliments of Chef Yen!!
Congrats on getting a fabulous new place of your own!!

Hey everyone...thanks for all the concerned emails.

I'm actually doing quite well...just a little busy!

Sorry, I haven't been able to update more often but

thank you for checking up on me and the site anyway!!!!!!

Hoping all is well........

cautious.

"It's ridiculous how difficult a question can be

when the answer means so much."

-anonymous

primadonna

this song is kinda addicting....

in limbo.

Yes, all good things are worth the wait, they say...

But...damn you been waiting kinda long, huh?

you're most welcome.

Shhh, don't tell anyone this but.....

You know what's really good about having your own mind?

YOU CAN CHANGE IT!!!! Amazing, huh??

priceless.

Cuong & Khoa at the LMFAO concert.

Need I say more???

 Only a month and Baby Alex already posing!

Sorry we couldn't make it to the celebration.

We'll definitely be there next year!!

Elena, I remember when you were still in 
8th grade questioning my teaching methods...

Congrats on being Salutatorian!!

You did me proud with your speech!!

Happy Father's Day to the worlds best dad ever!!

Thanks for making me work harder.

Thought I'd be able to enjoy the lazy days of summer...

Not so much...I've been helping a friend out at her place of business...

E P I C   F A I L!!!!!

I'm embarrassed to say that I'm not good at anything but teaching!

Hope everyone is enjoying their early days of summer!!

fighter.

i can't ever get enough of ryan tedder.

afar.

It's always easy to make judgement...

But one must remember that 

everything seems much simpler from a distance.

au revoir.

Teanuh's moving at the end of the month.

Though she spent most of her college years away from home,

my younger sister was always just a driving distance away.

But this time, she's moving to Colorado.

And Colorado.....is kinda far from Texas.

And if I have to be honest, I'm actually going to miss her....

Not enough to drive there but enough to be kinda, sorta sad.

You see, growing up, she was always a thorn on my side.

There were plenty of times where I wanted to 

punch her in the throat and kick her in the face.

Her smart ass quips would drive me insane but as we grew older, 

I begin to appreciate her well timed sarcasm and snark.

She wasn't intentionally rude, she was just born that way.

Teanuh, I've always felt that you grew up too fast.

While everyone else was partying, 

you graduated early and started working far too hard.

As your older sister, I've always felt inadequate

 because no matter how difficult things got for you, 

you've remained independent and strong, 

because that's who you are...or at least who you try to be.

I know you've been counting the days til you leave

but I've actually been dreading the day you drive away.

I don't ever really say it....

but thanks for being just the way you are.

don't wake me up.

yes, i listen to chris brown.

a matter of fact.

That's right, kill them with kindness.

That smile will be the death of someone!!!

unusual.

different, it is.

but like it, i do.

illa illa.

What a charming beat for such a bittersweet song.

summer.

lazy days ahead.

at least, one could hope, right?

a pity.

Beautiful but trapped.

To think.....I use to envy you.

tears and rain.

Remember James Blunt?

all in.

Make it worth it.

weekend(s) wrap-ups.

 Happy Birthday Viv!!!

It's better late than never, right?

 Ummm...Khoa thinks he's part of the Avengers!!

Happy Birthday Punk!!

 Hello red....I've missed you!!

Finally got the color back...

I do believe I'm ready for summer!

 Was in Rockport for Memorial weekend...

The bay was covered with jellyfishes!!!!

 Look what the husband found!!!

 Caught plenty of hard-heads....

Too bad they're not very tasty.

 Fresh jumbo shrimp.....

 The husband caught dinner and cooked it too!!

Can't beat a free meal!!

 This is how Rockport rolls.

Yes, they serve shots in dip cups.

The Memorial Day project....not bad huh??

Hope every one had a relaxing couple of days off ;)

The husband and I went to Rockport to visit the in-laws.

They are some of the hardest working people around.

I always enjoy my time there but boy is it good to be back home!!

Just one more week and schools out!!!!!

Geez, letting go of the kids this year is going to be hard.

They've worked hard and I'm definitely going to miss them.