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Thursday, May 18, 2006

Thu, 18 May 2006 23:51:24 GMT

Welcome to another flighty edition of Nguyen Update! I'm your host, Brian Nguyen here with the latest headlines:

Filoli Gardens provides get-away for the restless and geriatric

Eager to explore some new enclave of Silicon Valley, I woke up early Saturday morning and set out Bay-Area-Backroads-style to Filoli Gardens ( http://www.filoli.org/ ), a posh and picturesque estate out in the middle of nowhere (Woodside, CA) that was once owned by a wealthy family in the late 1800's, but now open to the public. The refined 19th century mansion pleaseantly reminded me of the boardgame Clue with its old leather-bound books, world maps and antique chandeliers. The gardens outside the mansion were breathtaking in a very classical sense - acres and acres of rose bushes, lily-pads, mazes, fountains, green houses and occasionally the obligatory statue of some Roman diety. In my opinion, the garden rivalled many I'd seen in Europe.

On our way back to the parking lot, I glanced at my watch.

Me: "It's 12:20. I wonder what people our age are doing."

Jared: "Probably waking up..."

Frazzled runner finishes Santa Cruz Half Marathon

Crossing the finish line at 1 hr 52 mins, I had a decent run at the Santa Cruz Half Marathon despite having overslept and making it to starting line just minutes before the race! I remember darting out of bed, throwing on my dry-fit clothes and chugging a huge glass of ovaltine (big mistake). So much for carbo-loading. I was so scatter-brained that upon reaching the starting line, I realized I forgot my ear-phones in the car, and thus ran with ipod hanging uselessly from my arm. I finished the race with 2 throbbing blisters (don't know how I made it through those last 2 miles) and the taste of thick, syrupy saliva in my mouth due to dehydration. mmmmm!

Stick It movie inspires ninja to bolster workout regimen

It may not be Tae Kwon Do, nor is it violent by any means, but landing square on your crotch during a balance beam routine sounds worse than getting side-kicked in the gut. Gymnasitics is "like totally" hardcore, as demonstrated time and again in the movie "Stick It," a fun movie in the spirit of "Bring it On" that's not only fun and moralistic, but also inspirational! If these girls can train 6 hours a day and mix cardio and strength training *gasp* then I can definitely use longer workouts. And so far I have! 1.5 hours instead of my normal 45 min. Thanks, "Stick It" - couldn't a' done it without ya!

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 04:00:10 GMT

I ended up loving Hong Kong so much more than I had expected. Lights, food, shopping, this is THE metropolis of metropolises! Luxury high end shopping malls are a dime a dozen, not to mention breath-taking architecture. I'm now in Tokyo where we are stayhing at a quaint little japanese inn where we sleep on floor mats and drink lotsa green tea.

I missed out on 2 major holidays this yr, spending Xmas waiting for our delayed connection flight in an airport and New Year's eve sick in my room! =(

Monday, November 21, 2005

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 07:41:30 GMT

Wine Country

I learned 3 things about myself last weekend during very first wine tasting experience in Napa Valley:

1) Wine aficionados roll their eyes when u hold ur wine glass with pinky finger extended.
2) I must not be equipped with enough taste buds to savor wine the way other people do.
3) Pastries are the DEVIL! Especially when you and a friend buy 10 on a whim for "sampling" purposes
and end up gorging like pigs.

Napa was both fun and enjoyable - great food and nice scenery. Apparently, grape vines turn color during fall, and so we drove past arcres of red and gold vineyard. We stayed at a spa-hotel in nearby Calistoga, attended a cooking demonstration at CIA (culinary Institute) and perused some mouth-watering gourmet food shops!

Pre-Thanksgiving Feasts -

As if there wasn't enough of an opportunity to stuff my stomache on Thanksgiving, the pre-Thanksgiving BBQs, potlucks and dinners came out in full force this weekend. While the food and friends were great, I can't help but question: Why do so many social gatherings have to be about food? Can't we just get together and go hiking? Maybe a game of table tennis or an afternoon of craft-making? LOL - I think I've spent too much time waiting in line with soccor moms at Michaels.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire -

The best HP movie yet! But unfortunately the story was too much for just 2.5 hours, even after much condensing. Many story details were left out and certain characters' roles were siginificantly downplayed in the interests of saving time. For instance, Draco Malfoy, Cho Chang and and Fleur Delacour had about 5 lines each the entire movie. Fleur was this coy, boy-teasing coquette in the book, but was portrayed as just another good student on the big screen. I would have gladly payed to see this HP movie if it had been split into 2 parts, as originally planned.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 20:32:10 GMT

Struttin' down the catwalk

I had my first real fashion show experience when I volunteered to be a runway model for my friend (Goldie Chan website) at a small independent designer show in SF last weekend. It was interesting to see what happens in preparation for a fashion show - lotsa fashion photographers, local press, makeup artists, etc.

The most traumatic part of the night was getting makeup. HOW DO YOU GIRLS (and some of you guys) DO IT?!?!? I flinched like a nervous rabbit each time the brush came near my eyes. It was like sitting in front of that air-puff machine at the optometrist's. I was so jittery that the makeup artist joked "You're definitely gonna gimme somethin' to talk about back at the salon on monday." I finally emerged from the ordeal looking like Boy George with the excessive eyeshadow, blotched eyeliner and blaring bronzer.

My strut was fairly good during the practice runs, but when it came time for the real thing, I tensed up a little in front of all the cameras and hot lights. It wasn't a disaster or anything, but let's just I coulda done better... sigh. Overall, it the fashion show was fun, and I have some new friends to show for it!

Advent Children

Final Fantasy Advent Children was visually MIND-BLOWING but sorta lukewarm in terms of storyline. I guess it's Square-Enix's excuse to show off its amazing animation capabilities. Awesome fight scenes, and definitely the best CG animation I've seen to date. Go watch it for the eye candy!

Wallace and Grommit Rule!

Wallace and Grommit - Clever, hilarious and action-packed, this has got to be my personal sleeper hit of the year! It could relate will to the movie becuz, like all the characters, I'm a total VEGGIE FREAK! My favorite was Lady Tottingham, a noble and proper tree-hugger who wears vegetable-inspired evening gowns and heads the annual Giant Vegetable competition. The secret garden scene was a gem.

Gwen and BEP

I went to see Gwen Stefani and Black Eyed Peas in concert on Tuesday. It was my first
concert with big name performers (sorry, Nobuo Oematsu, but you don't count). I had a great time, and especially liked how some BEP songs sound with guitars and other rock-music sounds. It was also teeny-bopper romper room, with a little dance area called Club Harajuku" near the arena entrance.

Oh - how I miss the freewheeling days of summer. Work is getting BUSY BUSY BUSY!

Monday, October 10, 2005

Mon, 10 Oct 2005 16:31:44 GMT

I just had to share this article - Vietnam nabbed 4 gold medals in the international Tae Kwon Do tournament! I'm not a TKD expert by any means, but maybe there's something about the sport in my blood - LOL .

http://english.people.com.cn/200510/08/eng20051008_213185.html

What else is new? Finished a few small art projects, but have several more to go. My youngest brother is now in college so now I'm using as a drawing/ painting workspace what used to be his poker table .

And I'm going to HK and Tokyo this Xmas!

Friday, September 02, 2005

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:35:10 GMT

Back from the Dead

Eyes fixed on the reclining nude model and pencils dancing furiously on the sketch pad, I was determined to remain stoic (or at least look that way) when my figure drawing instructor stopped to inspect my work. But I couldn't help but tense up in anticipation of some sort of criticism, no matter how constructive it might be. Instincts of self-consciousness are hard to supress sometimes. Was I really that rusty from all those years of art hibernation?

He finally cut through the long silence: "You've taken figure drawing before, haven't you?" "Sorta, yea... I practice on my own sometimes," I replied, eyes glued to the paper. But I could see him nod with approval thru the corner of my eye. Phew - that was it! However I should have been disappointed - I know constructive feedback is the only way I'll get better - that's why I'm taking the class, after all.

Figure drawing is fun, but tiring . All sketches are timed, so it's always a race against the clock, whether it be for 20 minutes or 60 seconds. We take breaks to let the model stretch and drink some water, but honestly, I also needed a break from all that frenzied sketching. It's the mild exhaustion that brings about a mild high. I'm back from the dead

Monday, August 29, 2005

Mon, 29 Aug 2005 20:34:01 GMT

HALF DOME

Saturday's journey to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite and back was the longest, toughest and FREAKIEST hiking experience I've ever had. In short, our group encountered some unexpected things and there were times when I was seriously afraid for my wellbeing! That and I basically lived off trail mix and pizza for 2 days .

The journey up was straight-forward but strenuous, especially when you're carrying about 40 lbs of water, etc. on ur back! It was 5 hours of steep uphill
hiking, and once you got to the main base of Half Dome, you went up an even steeper trail (think 50-75 degree angle) where you eventually had to hold on to cables to climb up the side of the rock. We took a long breather at the top and enjoyed the breath-taking view.

On our way down, one of our group members suffered altitude sickness. There really wasn't any help available, so there was no choice but to keep going (another 3 or 4 hrs!), stopping every few minutes to rest. Luckilly we ran into a ranger, and by the time my friend recovered, it was DARK! Thus began our long, nerve-wracking flashlight-led hike back to camp. Along the way, we met a stranded couple that was in bad shape - dehydrated, without a flashlight and suffering from the chills. We gave them water and medicine and took them with us.

Our main fear was that we'd run into a bear, which was probable since it was dark and we were carrying food. The trail was narrow and running away would be hard in the darkness. If it didn't leave us alone, would we have to fight it? Bear warning signs littered the park, and we'd seen many cars that had been trashed by bears earlier at camp. We ended up singing songs, both to lift our spirits and keep the bears away.

I shouted for joy, sighed with relief and stretched out my sore muscles when we finally reached camp at 10 pm, about 14 hours since we started the hike!
The journey may have been long and treacherous, but that's what made it fun and memorable. Most importantly, our group stuck together and worked as a team all throughout. I asked for a heart-pounding adventure, and that's exactly what I got at Half Dome. Scenically, it's a beautiful hike that every able-bodied person should take.

GOODBYE SUMMER

Summer ended on a fun and breezy note. I went to the SF MOMA with old pals from UC Davis, caught up with friends I hadn't seen in ages, finished some drawings, went to parties and saw WICKED (an AWESOME musical that retells the Wizard of OZ story from the Wicked Witch's point of view). My friend and I were soooo lucky to win the discount ticket raffle an hour before showtime and got great front row seats!

THE RAT RACE

It's only been a week since I started my new job and already I'm showing signs of wear and tear! Maybe it's cuz I'm worried about all the new responsibilities I have now that I'm a regular employee and not just an intern. Maybe it's cuz I no longer have a pimp window office overlooking the main plaza. Maybe it's the overly-tranquil pastoral environment. Most likely, however, it's cuz I wish I was still on vacation! My 30 minute commute seems longer than ever, and talk radio just ain't cutting it anymore (blame it on LA). I need to get some audio books so that I wont' feel that I'm wasting an hour on the road every day. But at least I have a more flexible schedule and can now work from home sometimes!

MISCELLANEOUS

Michael Buble is my latest musical obsession!

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Tue, 16 Aug 2005 04:30:58 GMT

Work starts in less than a week, but I'm glad I've kept busy these past few weeks - I'm havin' a blast and am finally doing a bunch of lil projects that I never had time for previously.

Most importantly, I've started drawing again. Yea, crazy, rite!? Especially after this 5 yr artistic hiatus brought on by my sudden adoption of computer science. The last substantial piece of work I did was back during my senior yr in high school. There will finally be something to back up all these yrs of being a self-proclaimed "artist" . Thankfully I haven't gotten THAT rusty. With a lil luck, I'll have some work to put online within a few weeks.

I finally went to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last week, and left the theater bouncing off the walls with glee (not to mention a mad craving for chocolate and blueberry pie)! You see, I have a soft spot for the movie cuz I played Willy Wonka in my 3rd grade class's production of CCATCF, clad in a tight purple blazer and frumpy top hat from Goodwill. Violet Beauregarde was my favorite character (the competitive gum-chewer who does KARATE). She and Veruca Salt stole the show IMO.

Ugh, I need to go to bed earlier - I get up whenever the sun does, even if I've only had like 4 hrs sleep!

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 17:45:55 GMT

For better or worse, the dust has finally settled and I'm now back home in SJ after graduating from skool and travelling to the east coast. But this time, it's not just gonna be for 6 months - it'll be for good (or as long as "for good" will be ).

The long drive back home from LA (where this reckless Chinatown Bus was THAT close to knocking me and my lil sedan off the cliffs of Pacheco Pass!). I scarcely had 2 hours to unload and catch a breather before it was time to catch my flight to...

BOSTON - an awesome sea-side city that also happens to be the place where our nation's history took root. The city was real college-friendly (no surprise) so I felt right at home and took my sweet time exploring all its neighborhoods, perusing its explosion of museums and landmarks and of course, eating like I had just finished a marathon =P. Boston seafood is TO DIE FOR, especially the chowder and the crab cakes! The picturesque colonial architecture was exotically beautiful to me, a California boy, who'd only seen it in books and movies.
Disturbingly enuff, the prettiest sight I can remember is the football-field-sized "reflecting fountain" at the Christian Science Center. Overall, Boston was a happening, busy and bohemian place that somehow managed to be quaint, clean and relazed at the same time. At the end of the week, we hopped the Chinatown bus (eek!) to...

NYC - or Manhatten rather, cuz "it's got everything you'd ever need" =P. As u prolly all know, New York is where all the action's at - it's got the best and biggest of everything and THEN SOME, with the craziest, most diverse ppl crowding the streets and subways at all hours of the day, hundreds of restaurants and shops squeezed onto every block and more bars and clubs to shake a stick at! It's full of mouth-watering bakeries, Falafel stands, Jewish Delis and surprisingly, some of the best health-nut frozen yogurt out there! It was sensory overload, but mostly in a good way. I did all the touristy stuff, but had the most fun exploring the neighborhoods on foot. Little Italy was warm and alive with laughter and music (not to mention good food), East Village was bright, well-kept and upscale while Hell's Kitchen had character to spare with it's folksy ghettos. Central Park was breath-taking, Times Square/ Midtown was a 24-hour party and Wall Street was tight-lipped and sorta boring when u got down to it. Bohemian Greenwich / West Village was my favorite place to hang out overall.

So there u have it, short and sweet (Longwindedness is something that I've untaught myself over the past few years for various reasons that I'm now trying to relearn). I start work in 4 weeks, which is time I'll spend getting back in synch with what I really aim to do.

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Thu, 23 Jun 2005 17:03:35 GMT

Walking out the doors of Boelter Hall for the last time of my undergrad career last Friday was kinda bittersweet despite all the torture I endured there - sleepless nights in the lab, killer midterms, professors with bad hygiene – you get the picture. Just goes to show that a place can grow on u no matter what as long as u spend enuff time there! The hallways were eerily quiet, with the sunlight and chatter of summer waiting outside at the end of the hallway. Boelter Hall turned into a nostalgic old attic tucked away into the past. It’s the feeling u get when u walk thru a sleepy place that was once bustling with life, or when u leave a hotel room - all anxious to go home but nonertheless attached to the memories you made there.

My family surprisingly made the 5 hr trek down from SJ to see my graduation! I was even more surprised at how happy I was to see them – my quirky and fun parents, and The Nguyen brother super-trio reunited! I’m just sad they had to sit through the world’s most boring 3.5 hr grad ceremony

Now I’m just hanging out in LA, packing the days with as much as I can J.

**** Blurbs ****

Watched the Club o’ Noodles Vietnamese-American improv group perform in Westminster. These guys are hilarious - their Vietnamese-flavored SNL skits were awesome! I find more and more reasons to be proud of my Vietness everyday .

Attended (or rather stood outside and drooled at) the Mr. and Mrs. Smith premiere at Westwood’s Fox Theater! Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie came within feet of us, looking hotter than ever! Other celebs were there, including Lindsey Lohan, Cindy Crawford, Nicholette Sheridan, Bai Ling, Adam Brody, etc.

Batman Begins was an awesome movie! Could Bruce Wayne replace the Bride as my idol?

Exploring the Huntington Library / Botanical Gardens in scorching weather was hard, but well worth it! The galleries and collections were impressive, but the gardens took my breath away. My personal faves were the Japanese Garden (I have yet to see a Japanese Garden I didn’t like) and the desert garden, which had so many different cactus plants in one place that it seemed I was on another planet!