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Those of us who move back and forth in between two worlds can relate to this. Every time we pick a language to speak or write (E or V in my case), we subscribe to a whole new context e.g. away from tutoyer to address someone as big bro, younger sis as practiced in the…
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American Apparel ‘s tag line is “sweatshop free”. Nike‘s Just Do It (i.e. Just Buy It). Apple‘s – Think Different. Meanwhile, Haier and Huawei are trying to copy Hundai and Kia who tried to copy Honda and Toyota who had tried to copy VW and Mercedes. Brand building in and outside of America. What would John…
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It’s been some years since my last visit to Georgetown. Who could forget the last scene in Exorcist (which set standard for a whole new genre). But first, a stop at my parent’s graves in nearby George Mason U. Cold and crisp. Students were out for a jog, some even shopped for shoes. It’s President…
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In all my stops in London, Zurich, Cote D’Ivoire, Monrovia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Manila, Mexico, Montreal, I formed good impressions of each locality and people. When I came back to Vietnam in 2000 and on subsequent trips, I did the same even in the worst of scenes e.g. how could that guy without legs drag himself on the street selling lottery tickets!…
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In Eastern cultures, one relies on traditional matchmakers to “read” marriage prospects. Online, we’ve got eHarmony.com or Match.com. Over job interviews, we rely on body language, off-guard remarks and (in)consistencies to form an impression and to determine candidate’s culture-fit. If only could you read my heart. How are we to determine his/her reaction after the…
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Once in a while, we stumble upon an author, just to follow his trail of thoughts. Haruki Murakami is one of those He too likes writing and running. Not to mention his out-of-this-worldliness (Moon vs Sun). Murakami’s world often consists of characters who feel detached, more like an observer than participant. They struggle and strive, often times never…
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My daughter went pro on YouTube with the Academy of Swag (Don’t Like, or Matrix, or World of Dance – International Hip Hop Competition). Happy New Year! She got my dancing genes. But more disciplined and better trained since the age of 6. With every successive generation, we witness a shift in speed, style and…
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It’s Chinese New Year morning. Except there weren’t a lot of Vietnamese around. They were here yesterday, and last week. But apparently, on this cold Sunday morning, gym wasn’t their priority. Attention is devoted to festivals and festivities at the Temples, in the park and at the fair. Like in-country counterparts, they would put on…
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I touched on this slightly in another blog. It’s about growing up never knew if my grandparents even smiled at all (I gathered this from the black and white photos in the family album). We are still shackled by the analog world which tells us to stand straight and stare straight into the lenses (36 poses…
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One person to himself. One or more chatting, arguing, agreeing. Then, a multi-lingual gathering, with or without a headset, with a bilingual person in the middle, trying to transport the weight behind loaded words. In Chinese Zodiac, Jackie Chan tried to smooth out intercultural tension by giving an opposite translation from the intended message. We also…
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Thang Nguyen 555 