Thang Nguyen 555

Cultures on Collision Course

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With some short-term relief work in Asia/Africa and long stint in Telecom, Thang also earned a B.A. at Pennsylvania State University. M.A. in Communication at Wheaton Graduate School, M.A. in Cross-Cultural Communication at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, Boston. In addition, he earned a CELTA – classes taken in Hanoi for cultural re-immersion.

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  • Daughter-Daddy

    Before my daughter arrived, I had heard of other people’s birth complications which required C-section etc… So we took up Lamaze classes, and I felt “effeminated” among men and women with pillows. When I drove A. home the hospital  offered to wheel her out (already strapped in the car seat to begin with). In the parking lot (A.’s first outing) some…

  • Honor roll

    I attended a power breakfast this morning. Neither Presidential nor Congressional. Only elementary honor students and designated parents. Something about “the magic”. New Report System (Most improved etc… as opposed to traditional A,B,C grading). I am proud of my daughter. She exhibits all the traits of an up and coming Asian student (the model minority).…

  • The P in Panera

    Stay the course. Best time to invest is during the Recession. Those are Panera secret sauce: persistence and perseverance. I first noticed Panera on my way back from San Jose. It’s either a Starbuck stop or Panera stop. But Panera has a fireplace. The place feels like home, smells like home-baked bread. Panera won me…

  • Unsung heroes

    I channel surfed last night. C-SPAN 3 covered the Memorial in PA for flight 93, those unsung heroes who diverted terrorist plot 9 years ago. The uncut shot kept panning the vast expanse of Pennsylvanian field, future home of Flight 93 Memorial. Graphically speaking, it was boring. MOS (mid out sound) since the mike did…

  • reverse culture shock

    After a transitory lay over at a third country, I found myself in one of the entry points, in this case, Atlanta: Southern hospitality, chicken recipe, and of course, airport price tagd. Ten bucks, with no drink. Welcome back, Mr Nguyen. I prepare my breakfast now. No longer a Saigon sitting down on a low…

  • Mother’s memorial and modern madam

    It’s been a few days since full moon. But people here in HCMC still burn incense and ceremonial money for the dead, most particularly, for deceased mothers. Meanwhile, there is a class of women entrepreneurs who don’t mind drink you under the table, drive to work and in every aspect, personify the softer side of Saigon.…