Dear White Tiger,
I suppose you like striking early in your year, so that you can allow some time for your victims to recuperate. For a while there, it felt like every single “plan” was falling through, and most importantly, I thought for sure that I wasn’t going to make it back to Vietnam to see my kids. Let me just say- you know exactly how to crush my heart… by far the worst heartbreak I’ve experienced so far this year. And those dramatic reunion dreams?! I couldn’t believe that you tag-teamed with my dream realm to make it even more devastating. But, it looks like you’ve taken a little vacation at the public bath and have consequently neglected your duties.
For the past week, I feel like I’ve been living in a dream. 1) Things worked out financially with my trip to Vietnam, and I’m headed back there in May and June to see my kids again, but also to help photograph for a new Friends of Hue Foundation grassroots health project. On top of that, one of my best friends from the U.S. is coming with me to help with the project’s videography. It finally feels like my two separate and distinct worlds are going to merge together harmoniously. It will be wonderful to have him in Vietnam beside me and have the opportunity to tangibly share my past experiences, as well as make so many new ones with him.
and 2) I got accepted into the JET Program and will be moving to Japan come August 1st! I was very surprised (but no less delighted) by the outcome, knowing that this year the program was extra competitive, and my interview was certainly far from perfect. I got into the program 2 years ago (but decided to do VIA because of acceptance deadlines) and the first question in my interview this year was, “So… I see you got into JET 2 years ago but rejected… why?” After I picked my jaw up from the ground, it seemed like I spent the whole 15 minute interview just defending and building myself up. ”I’m really serious about it this time! Honest!”
And I am. It’s been a dream of mine to live in Japan, learn the language, and experience their vibrant, paradoxical culture first-hand… but it sure is a tough dream to finance. Since the JET Program is sponsored by the Japanese government though, I’ll be well taken care of, which really takes a load off of my parents’ worrying, rational shoulders (yes. even their shoulders worry.)
So, thanks White Tiger. If you keep this negligence up, maybe this year will be better than the last (which is very serious competition.)
Love_hy.
Hy Huynh
