r a w .... i m p r e s s i o n

Facebook connection with Akuna Tri Nguyen | January 5, 2012

2012-01-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Facebook connection with Akuna Tri Nguyen | January 5, 2012 Akuna Tri Nguyen is one of an unknown number of Akuna babies that their parents named after a ship -- an Australian vessel that saved their lives from pirates and dangerous sea storms in the summer of 1979 in the Gulf of Thailand. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where his parent met and married, and currently lives in

30-year Facebook connection with my junior high English teacher

2011-08-18T13:59:00.001-07:00

Sally Leonard Majors: This is an awesome true story of the experiences of an exceptional boy who spent time in my classroom at Kearney Junior High school. Many of you will remember Nam and enjoy this documentary! Don't miss it! Sea Of Memory - A Documentary Film http://seaofmemorydocumentary.blogspot.com After the Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975, more than a million

FAITH - ĐỨC TIN

2011-07-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

FAITH ĐỨC TIN The time was 1979, four years after the fall of Saigon and the end of the war. Thời gian là năm 1979, bốn năm sau khi Sài Gòn bị sụp đổ và chiến tranh với Mỹ Quốc kết thúc. Two boys from two families escaped Vietnam on two separate boats. Hai chàng trai thiếu niên từ hai gia đình đã ra đi khỏi Việt Nam trên hai con thuyền nhỏ riêng biệt. One left in

32-year-old son found mother after lifelong separation

2011-06-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

Bi (Bolo) Ton called me today (June 8) to tell me a miracle news. He just found his mother, a singer living in Québec, Canada, and talked to her on the phone for the first time in his life. Bi was separated from his mom in Pulau Buton Vietnamese refugee camp in the summer of 1979, only days after his birth. His grandparents, the boat owners, the late Mr. and Mrs. Dong Ton, raised him in America.

Nebraska Drive By in May | iPhone 4 photos by Nam Nguyen

2011-06-01T01:16:00.000-07:00

Downtown Omaha | 05.23.2011 Downtown Omaha Omaha freeways Omaha Old Market Omaha Old Market State Capitol in Lincoln | 05.24.2011 R 79 northeastern Nebraska Spencer Statues at Ion Man Cafe, Spencer Highway 281 southbound in north-central Nebraska Gate to Fonner Park horse-racing tracks along South Locus Street, Grand Island

Saying goodbye to an Angel

2011-05-28T08:39:00.003-07:00

Memorial service for Joan Fortune Zimmerer | 05.24.2011 | Norfolk, Nebraska When I first come to the United States as a teenager and a Vietnamese boat refugee in 1979, without my parents, I lived with many foster families. There were difficult times staying in runaway teen shelters in Nebraska. I has no one to turn to. My Kearney (Nebraska) Junior High School art teacher, Mrs. Joan Fortune,

"Biển Nhớ" - performed by Mỹ Hạnh | "Sea Of Memory" soundtrack

2011-04-01T15:02:00.001-07:00

"Biển Nhớ" - performed by Mỹ Hạnh Composed by Trịnh Công Sơn (1939-2001) English translation by Nickie http://youtube.com/user/donkhtfanVideography by Nam Nguyen http://youtube.com/user/SuperNamn Soundtrack for "Sea Of Memory" - A documentary Film Note: The release of this video and the song "Biển Nhớ" today, April 1, 2011, is dedicated to composer Trịnh Công Sơn, a legendary Vietnamese song

Oaks Of Elk Grove | California | Fall-Winter 2010-11 | iPhone 4 photos

2011-03-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

Teacups from Huế, Việt Nam

2011-03-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

Bún vịt xáo măng | Duck Bamboo Noodle Soup

2011-02-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

Bún vịt xáo măng | Duck Bamboo Noodle Soup A dish originated from northern region of Vietnam. Hanh Can Cook | videos clips and editing using iPhone 4 spontaneously by Nam 02.27.2011 ONLINE RECIPES:IN VIETNAMESE (a cooking channel from Vietnam)http://divivu.com/Am-thuc/Pho-My-Mien-Bun/Bun-vit-xao-mang-1296-538.htmlIN ENGLISH (Vietnamese-American Food Bloggers) http://ravenouscouple.blogspot.com

I made this Phở for my Valentine

2011-02-14T12:49:00.001-08:00

I made this Phở for my ValentineÔng xã nấu tô Phở này tặng cho bà xã ngày ValentineI did it all on my own ...... she did the shoppingBut so what ... I did most of the hard workI am getting really really really really really reallyreally really good at making PhởMan, this heart shape is almost perfect... almostHappy 22nd Valentine to my darling!and Happy Valentine to everyone!pets included :))---

Gorgeous February afternoon

2011-02-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

December at Chùa Diệu Quang Temple | Sacramento, California

2010-12-05T15:33:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Roast Stuffed Turkey | Gà Tây Nướng

2010-11-15T21:48:00.000-08:00

My wife wanted to eat turkey one day last September. We were at Winco. I was expecting a small package of turkey meat but she picked up a whole frozen turkey instead, saying she wants the "whole" meal with stuffing. She did a great job this time with the turkey. Everything, from the meat to the stuffing, was just perfect -- wasn't dry nor too juicy. This wonderful meal costed us about $20 for our

Capital Nursery | Elk Grove, CA | 11.05.2010

2010-11-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

MORE PHOTOS iPHONE4 2010 | SAMSUNG IMPRESSION PHONE 2009

Cosumnes River Preserve, Sacramento County, CA | 11.05.2010

2010-11-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

SEE MORE PHOTOS IN ALBUM | AND OVER GOOGLE MAP

Happy Halloween! | 10.30.2010

2010-10-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

Phật Ngọc Hòa Bình Thế Giới | Jade Buddha for Universal Peace

2010-10-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

10.04.2010 | Cá Rô Phi Chiên Giòn | Fried Tilapia

2010-10-16T22:04:00.000-07:00

10.10.10 | The New Crocker Art Museum | Sacramento, California

2010-10-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

iPHONE 3Gs PHOTOS | FOR LARGER VIEW, GO TO SLIDESHOW CROCKER ART MUSEUM WEB SITE

JEAN

2010-09-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

JEANA short story by Nam Nguyen | 09.12.2010As I was filing up my car’s gas tank at a South Sacramento station on a warm Saturday afternoon, I noticed that the price of gasoline has dropped about 15 cents from the previous week. I was pleased that I saved about two dollars and decided to spend that money on a lottery ticket.There were a couple of customers in line before me at the pay counter.

Stir-Fried Vegetables with Bamboo Shoots and Bacon

2010-09-06T14:57:00.000-07:00

Măng xào với thịt heo ba rọi | Stir-Fried Vegetables with Bamboo Shoots and Bacon

Metal Faces

2010-09-03T23:26:00.000-07:00

Random photos of front ends (faces) of automobiles in Northern California, USA, in 2009. Photos by Nam Nguyen using Samsung Impression smart phone camera. SEE SLIDESHOW | SEE PHOTOS ALBUM

Stir-Fried Vegetables with Garlic

2010-09-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

Stir-Fried Vegetables with Garlic | Hạnh Can Cook | 09.01.2010

Sandwiches and salad using leftover grilled pork and roasted chicken

2010-08-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

Grilled sandwiches using hot dog buns, leftover grilled pork, left, and roasted chicken, right. Salad with leftover roasted chicken

Tomato Stuffing | Cà Chua Nhồi Thịt

2010-08-29T00:14:00.000-07:00

Tomato Stuffing to serve with rice or pasta | Cà Chua Nhồi Thịt | by Nam Nguyen | FACEBOOK Stuffing ingredients: ground pork, egg, dried black fungus, vermicelli bean thread noodles, black pepper, sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown onion, green onion Heirloom tomatoes – clockwise from top: Red Brandy Wine, Cherokee Purple, Carolina Gold, Pineapple Heirloom tomatoes – clockwise

Fish Fish Everywhere @ Seafood City | Sacramento, California

2010-08-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

SEE MORE PICTURES IN PHOTOSLIDE | PHOTOS ON MAPSamsung Impression phone photos by Nam Nguyen | 08.08.2009

Khổ Qua Nhồi Thịt Heo | Bitter Melon with Pork Stuffing

2010-08-17T13:17:00.001-07:00

How we play (marbles)

2010-08-14T01:06:00.000-07:00

Speaking of HOW WE PLAY marbles, in Vietnam in the late 1970sThe Northerners and the Southerners played the marble games and shoot marbles differently. The northern kids use the index finger to hold the marble and shoot with their thumb, all in one hand. The southern kids use both hands. One hand to hold the marble in front of the other hand's long finger tip and bending it backward. The

Rice soup with chicken | Vietnamese style | Cháo gà | 08.02.2010

2010-08-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

Curry chicken | Vietnamese style | Cà ri gà | 08.05.2010

2010-08-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

Vietnamese beef noodle soup | Phở bò | 08.03.2010

2010-08-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

INSTANT NOODLES TIME | GIỜ ĂN MÌ GÓI | Sapporo Ichiban

2010-08-01T23:42:00.000-07:00

INSTANT NOODLES TIME | GIỜ ĂN MÌ GÓI | "Sapporo Ichiban" with leftover fried chicken | "Sapporo Ichiban" với gà chiên giòn còn lại | Nutrition/ingredient facts | gia vị: http://bit.ly/d60frY | Cost per pack in Sacramento area, California, 07.31.2010: 58 cents at People (Asian grocery) Market; 63 cents at WinCo Foods | Visit INSTANT NOODLES TIME VIA FACEBOOK

Salad with leftover fried chicken | Sà Lách với gà chiên còn lại | 07.31.2010

2010-08-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

Stir fry beef with vegetables | Bò Xào | 07.30.2010

2010-08-01T19:17:00.000-07:00

Stir fry beef with vegetables | Bò Xào | 07.30.2010 | Nam Nguyen | FACEBOOK/FOODS

Canh Bầu Xườn, Thịt Heo Kho Chứng | Opo Squash Soup, Pork Stew with Eggs

2010-08-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Instant Noodles: The Plain The Good The Ultimate

2010-07-28T08:24:00.001-07:00

I've mastered making instant noodles in various forms -- in various environments -- during my days in junior high, high school and more seriouly, college. My philosophy about instant noodles is: It's an art canvas that you can eat afterward. Every painting is unique. So express yourself! SLIDESHOW | FACEBOOK

Vegetarian Dishes by Hạnh | Đồ ăn chay Hạnh nấu | 07.24.2010

2010-07-24T22:19:00.000-07:00

Drive-by Fried Rice | cooking on the fly

2010-07-23T01:23:00.000-07:00

Golden Gate National Recreational Beach, San Francisco | July 14, 2010

2010-07-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

War Of The Roses

2010-04-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Denver snow | 03.23.2010

2010-04-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

NAM NGUYEN PHOTOS | SONY CYBER-SHOT 12 MEGAPIXELS GO TO ALBUM NAM NGUYEN PHOTOS | iPHONE 3Gs VIDEO DENVER ROCK'N SNOW

Old Sacramento | Sacramento River | on Delta King

2010-03-07T21:17:00.000-08:00

iPhone 3Gs photos | Go to ALBUM

Sacramento River in a late February afternoon

2010-02-25T23:23:00.000-08:00

Sacramento River in a dreamy afternoon in late February For larger view go to ALBUM Sacramento River in summer of 2009, visit SLIDESHOW

Vietnamese New Year "Tết" Festival | 02.14.2010

2010-02-14T21:48:00.000-08:00

BELOW: Chùa Diệu Quang | Diệu Quang Buddhist TempleSacramento, California | for bigger view, go to ALBUM Chùa Diệu Quang 2009 ALBUM Nam Nguyen photos/video using Sony Cyber-shot 12 megapixels BELOW: Vietnamese Lunar New Year Tết Festival on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010 at the heart of Sacramento's newly named "Little Sàigòn" business district, designated a day before, on Feb. 13, 2010 Nam Nguyen

Man holding sign at a street corner

2010-01-11T10:39:00.000-08:00

SAMSUNG IMPRESSION PHONE PHOTO | 10.11.2009 Dad: I have a project for you guys.Son A: Oh no, tell me that isn’t so!Son B: Dad, we are not going to do that!Son A: No. Not him, please!Son B: Dad, that’s called “exploiting.” I am out.Son A: He’s too old.Son B: He’s not even dancing.Son A: I’ll wait in the car.Dad: I know. But just look at the man . . . . . . his feet . . . many people can

My Facebook’s 30-Year Friend Connection

2010-01-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

PHOTO USING SONY CYBERSHOT 01.07.2010 As I was opening the car door in the main entrance parking lot of the Arden Fair Mall, I heard a quiet beep from my phone in the chest pocket of my jacket. Another annoying Twitter message from a follower, I thought to myself. Then I noticed the opened bag of Hershey Chocolate candies on the front passenger seat. I reached back and picked out one and put in

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! - HAPPY 2010 NEW YEAR!

2009-12-31T10:54:00.000-08:00

This illustration was done using an early version of Photoshop on a Mac II Apple Computer in early 1990s, when I was working for The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, California. The "Accent" feature cover story was about (ordinary but interesting) things people can do on New Year Day. The illustration setting, based on my imagination, was of a City of Tustin's neighborhood in Orange County,

Merry Christmas! | Chúc Mừng Giáng Sinh!

2009-12-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

Illustration by Nam Nguyen | The Antelope | KSC (UNK) | 1988

Shakira vs. Madonna

2009-12-10T10:06:00.000-08:00

A familiar sound blaring on iTune in the morning. “What’s that?” Daddy asked. 11-yr-old, one hand on keyboard, the other holding up a Frosted Cookies Pop-Tarts to his mouth: “Shakira.”15-yr-old, wet and spiky-hair, swinging down the stair, big smile, “Yeah. Sha-ki-ra!”11-yr-old, chubby cheek, food in mouth, “Her songs are awesome!”15-yr-old: nodding his head with a creepy stare.Hum. I thought I

My bookstore lounge story

2009-12-05T22:47:00.000-08:00

My wife and I were at a Borders bookstore lounge the other day. The place was packed as usual but we were lucky and found two available leather sofas, side by side, when we spotted a couple just left. With a stack of books on the corner table, we were about to enjoy a peaceful evening in this cozy and relaxing lounge ... until a man on the chair next to us pulled out a phone from his chest

Blame it on Facebook

2009-11-28T23:29:00.000-08:00

Accident happens. Making emergency gravy for Thanksgiving leftovers for the kids for lunch. Wondering the whole time why it was watery, until I read the bag from the trash bin. Not a good idea to store instant gravy and instant coffee sacks in the same cabinet. I was lucky my wife was at work (Are you on Facebook again?) The good news: I can use a cup of coffee. The bad news: I was still working

Coming to America - My 30th Anniversary

2009-11-27T21:30:00.001-08:00

I found this treasure note (scanned) Tuesday night (11/24/09) which I wrote in Kearney, Nebraska, circa late November, 1979, days after my cousins and I arrived in the U.S.A. It might have been a rough draft for a letter to my parents in Vietnam. I finally read it last Tuesday, word by word, after 30 years, and I am happy beyond ... words (I know I said this already about my discovery of the

Happy Turkey Day!

2009-11-25T23:22:00.000-08:00

Coloring in Adobe Photoshop application 11.25.2009 See original newspaper article from 11.17.1988: The Antelope

XO

2009-11-20T08:09:00.001-08:00

SUNDAY Looking through old memorabilia from my school years in Nebraska for a Facebook album. Noticed a card from a special friend who signed the letters “XO” next to her name.It looks familiar. I’ve seen this symbol many times online, among many other acronyms, in IMs, emails and comments, mostly by others, and until now, I didn’t know what it stands for. I have yet yearn to learn its

Only in America

2009-11-11T01:15:00.000-08:00

Only in America Where parents arrived as children refugeesEnglish was taught as a second languageParents speak perfect VietnameseOnly in AmericaWhere their children were bornChildren’s mother and father’s first language unknownChildren speak perfect EnglishOnly in AmericaGrandparents and grandchildren are lonelySeated at the same table, worlds apartUnable to speak one another’s tongue,

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T21:59:00.000-07:00

Photos using Sony CyberShot

"This is it"

2009-10-27T23:44:00.000-07:00

My boys listen to Michael Jackson music every day now that sometimes I feel very annoyed: Dangerous, Smooth Criminal, Bad -- their favorites.Me? I still like some MJ songs, like “They don’t care about us...” and some I don’t even recall the names.So me and all the boys were in the car when I ordered my 11-year old, who was on the front seat, constantly switching songs: “Don’t turn it!”I explained

Not (yet) meant to be | Elk Grove Promenade Mall

2009-10-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

Samsung Impression phone photos taken in August 2009 Victim of housing bust, banking crisis and economic blue, the open-style mall construction halted since March 2009. Chicago-based developer, General Growth Properties, Inc. – second-largest shopping mall operator – filed the biggest real estate bankruptcy in U.S. history, with its $27 billion in debt. (Source: Elk Grove

Newspaper and Internet

2009-10-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

Above: Phone photo of computer monitor showing a Life.com page Sunday, 10.18.2009, conversation in the car. Mom: I put money in the newspaper machine twice and it didn’t open. Dad: How much did you put in? Mom: Two dollars each time. Son, 15: Did you kick it a few times? Mom: Nooo. Dad: That's suck. You lost four dollars? Son, 11: Dad, you work for the Sacramento Bee newspaper or the

Thanks to you dad, now I am fat

2009-10-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

Daddy just arrived home from work in the evening. Kids doing homework on kitchen table.Son, 11, hands on bare tummy: Thanks to you dad, now I am fat. Dad: What? Son: Look at me now. I am fat.Dad: OMG. Well, don’t drink any more soda and no more ice cream at night. Drink only water. It’s good for you anyway.Son: Don’t take us to those 99-cent-for-kid buffet anymore. It’s so tempting. (Aug. 15

I-5 northbound | rapid rain slow traffic

2009-10-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

Go to SLIDESHOW 2009.10.13 | 11:49 a.m. | Heavy rain, gusty winds and slow moving traffic on northbound I-5 | in my car for at least 45 minutes from Elk Grove Blvd. to downtown. Saw one semi-trailer rolled over on the opposite side of freeway (my guess is near Cavanaugh Golf Course) | Nam Nguyen phone photo (Samsung Impression) | See photo posted in sacbee.comHOW I FOUND OUT: Drive by. Hand and her mom has doctor appointments in the area. Wal-Mart SuperCenter's grand opening day at Florin Towne Centre, Sacramento, California, USA. Only yesterday, the former Florin Mall main parking lots were still mostly vacant. It’s amazing how one mega retailer, such as Wal-Mart, could

Quan Nem Ninh Hoa Sacramento CA

2009-06-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

Photos by Nam Nguyen via mobile. Text via Mac.A small Happy Buddha statue greets customers at Quan Nem Ninh Hoa. This small but bright and clean restaurant on Stockton Boulevard, South Sacramento, offers authentic Vietnamese sea food and vegetarian dishes from Nha Trang, a popular coastal city in Central Vietnam.Side veggie for soups.Mi Quang soup.Bun Cha Ca soup.Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa Dac Biet.Nha

Beagle Kelly

2009-06-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

Nam Nguyen photos via mobile | text via Mac.Lately, I have been asked with an almost identical question, “Dad, when can Kelly come in?” I usually answered with guilt, “Soon.” Then most likely another identical question popped up, “When dad?” I had to come up with some reasons, such as, well, the weather is nice ... We have been blessed with relatively beautiful weather in the last several months,