*Note: So I’m not a great writer, and I realize the ending is abrupt and that I could have been a little more symbolic about the seagulls, but I just don’t know how. So, bear with it! Thanks!!!*

Growing up Ba worked the nightshift at a factory that, I imagine, employed half of Roanoke’s population. He would come home at varied times, but late nonetheless. If I happened to be awake, I’d run up and give him a hug. The chill of the night and the smell of cigarette smoke clung to his clothes. He wouldn’t have enough energy to pick me up, so he would squat down and give me a kiss on the cheek. His mustache would tickle my face and I would giggle. Racing off to bed and he’d follow after me. With pillows and blankets drowning my tiny stature I’d look up at him. Goodnight Ba, I’d say. Ngu ngon nha Nhu. Sleep well Nhu. This same routine happened every night, and each time I became more anxious about the weekend.

Every weekend Ba and I would spend some leisure time together. To the normal person with the little things we did together, we were probably the most boring people in the world. But to me, I had the coolest life ever. Almost every weekend we went to the local bakery. They would throw away their old bread, so before they did we would stop by to make sure we grabbed a couple of loaves, not for ourselves, but for the seagulls. We’d drive to the empty parking lot at the abandoned section of a run down strip mall. And there they were waiting for us. As soon as we were parked I grabbed the bread and leaped out the van. At first the seagulls would fly away, scattering away like marbles, but when I opened that bag and threw out the first few pieces of bread, a handful would walk towards me. I have their attention now! I’d think to myself. The birds quickly grew greedy. More and more started coming. Tha ra nguyen cai banh mi di. Throw out a whole slice, Ba said. And I did. The seagull that snagged that slice was both a lucky and very unlucky soul. Coi kia Nhu! Look Nhu, Ba would say. No matter the bird’s size or level of aggression the same thing happened each time I threw an entire slice. That bird would snatch away that slice and fly away with it. Seconds later twenty to fifty other birds would chase after that one poor thing, pecking and grabbing at whatever they could. But while most the birds were distracted, there were a few that stayed behind. I always made sure to toss out a few whole slices just for them as a reward for being patient, and to my surprise, they were a lot more civil, almost sharing the bread, well sharing the best way birds can.

When my brother was born, we started to bring him too and the routine continued. When we moved to Arizona we would try to keep the tradition alive and sometimes go to a local park and feed the ducks. But eventually we just stopped going. My brother and I got older, we moved out further, my parents became busier. It sounds pretty sad, and I guess in some ways it is, but everyone became so busy so fast, prioritizing different things, we just forgot about it. Now that I think about it, it makes me feel happy, sad, nostalgic, and so on. How can something so small make a person feel so many things, have so many thoughts? Our little habit seemed so insignificant, and yet, it’s now a fond memory that I truly cherish. Strange how the smallest of words and actions can act as a catalyst for a wave of emotions, passion, and sometimes change.

Something Pretty Interesting Soon!!!

May1

I know it’s been a while, and for the three people who read this, get ready! We had to write a personal narrative in english about a childhood pastime. I’m almost done with it so, yay! I was really inspired by The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini, and I’m super excited to share something somewhat personal with you guys.

Cookies and Milk,

Renee

School denies boy graduation walk

Apr16

Reblogged from Schools of Thought:

A student misses school to take care of his cancer-stricken mom. The school says he’s missed too many days to graduate. WJW video.

100 Questions for the Day….

Apr6

Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4. “f of g.” Thus, the value of f o g as axis x is (f o g)(x)=f(g(x)).
Stretch your left arm out as far as you can, What can you touch? My pillows.
Before you started this survey, what were you doing? Reading other peoples’ blogs.
What is the last thing you watched on TV? That 70′s Show
Without looking, guess what time it is? 9 am
Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 9:34am
With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? My brother and his friend playing with the Xbox, birds outside my window, and dogs in the neighborhood barking.
When did you last step outside? What were you doing? I went to dinner yesterday with the family.
Did you dream last night? Maybe? I don’t think I did.
Do you remember your dreams? No. D: Even during the dream I tell myself to remember it, but alas, I don’t.
When did you last laugh? I don’t know. I tend to laugh whenever I’m around people. So yesterday. No laughter today, not yet.
Do you remember why / at what? Whether I’m with my friends or family we were probably just picking on each other and being silly overall.
What is on the walls of the room you are in? Paintings from Vietnam (5), a giant fan, a little fan, a cross, a collage, seashells, a painting by my brother, a couple paintings by Janet, a drawing by Hailey, a painting by me, a full length mirror, a calendar, my Thespian certificate, the rose that came with my Thespian certificate, and my Confirmation stole, a little prayer scroll thing, and my prom dress (no room in my closet for it).
Seen anything weird lately? Is anything that weird anymore?
What do you think of this quiz? I’m getting tired of it already. Owell.
What is the last film you saw? The Hunger Games
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? I’m okay with living here in Tucson Arizona. I would love to travel, but I don’t really see myself living anywhere else unless I have to.
If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? College, apartment, cars. I know lame….. I’d probably end up spending it on other people though.
Tell me something about you that most people don’t know. I can get angry easily, if you push the right button.
If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? For people to not let their ignorance and pride to get the better of them.
Do you like to dance? I do, but that doesn’t mean I dance well.
Would you ever consider living abroad? Not for a long time and only if I’m doing something productive.
Does your name make any interesting anagrams? Tran=Rant
Who made the last incoming call on your phone? My mom. While looking at my call history I noticed I either make a lot of calls or I miss a lot of calls.
What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Some assignment for some class, I think it was for Spanish 2.
Last time you swam in a pool? In Phoenix last month, on a class trip at the hotel. It was chilly and I stupidly jumped in. I swam out of it and hopped into the jacuzzi. Does that count as swimming?
Type of music you like most? Rock
Type of music you dislike most? Taylor Swift. It’s not that I don’t like her she’s a pretty girl and seems very sweet. I just don’t like her cliché suburban high school angst music.
Are you listening to music right now? Nope. I really enjoy music, but I’m not the normal teenager that needs music to pump through my veins. I like quiet sometimes.
What color is your bedroom carpet? Beige. Fancy I know.
If you could change something about your home, without worry about expense or mess, what would you do? For the furniture to match.
What was the last thing you bought? It was probably food.
Have you ever ridden on a motorbike? Yes, when I went to Vietnam. And my uncle used to own one and I got to ride that a couple times.
Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? I’ve never had the real desire. I guess I’m not one of those “dare-devils” and it’s not on my bucket list like everyone else’s. I fear falling.
Do you have a garden? No. I kill plants. I once killed a tree by over watering it…
Do you really know all the words to your national anthem? I think I do…I know the pledge in sign language, does that count?
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? “Do I still have homework that needs to be done?”
If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be? Martin Luther King Jr.
Who sent the last text message you received? Hailey Saw
Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Ross
What time is bed time? Whenever I fall asleep. So between 10pm and 2 am.
Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? Hahahahahaha…no.
How many tattoos do you have? None.
If you don’t have any, have you ever thought of getting one? I thought of it, buuut no.
What did you do for your last birthday? Had dinner with the family.
Do you carry a donor card? No, does that make me a bad person?
Who was the last person you ate dinner with? My family.
Is the glass half empty or half full? This is a lie. I’m not going to answer this and be accused of being emo or stupidly optimistic. (Even though I can be both..haha)
What’s the farthest-away place you’ve been? Vietnam
When’s the last time you ate a homegrown tomato? I haven’t.
Have you ever won a trophy? Yes, but they’re silly I really don’t deserve them.
Are you a good cook? With a couple dishes.
Do you know how to pump your own gas? Yes, sort of……yes.
If you could meet any one person (from history or currently alive), who would it be? My grandfather on my mom’s side. He must have been the coolest.
Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school? For Sunday School.
Do you touch-type? What? What is touch type. Is that like a keyboard on a screen? Well I have a keyboard.
What’s under your bed? Random junk probably, I’m too lazy to check.
Do you believe in love at first sight? Nope. Maybe a one sided attraction at first sight, o wait, that’s just checking someone out. hahaha
Think fast, what do you like right now? Cheese.
Where were you on Valentine’s day? School! I will never remember the crazy weather we had that day!!!!
What time do you get up? 6-7 on weekdays 8-10 on weekends
What was the name of your first pet? Don’t remember, we’re not big pet people. It was probably a fish and we probably killed it.
Who is the second to last person to call you? I don’t know. 99% percent of my calls are either out or missed calls.
Is there anything going on this weekend? Easter, I’m heading up to Phoenix to see my new baby cousin.
How are you feeling right now? Dirty ;P………actually I need to shower.
What do you think about the most? School and family.
What time do you get up in the morning? ugh, look back to #61
If you had A Big Win in the Lottery, how long would you wait to tell people? An hour.
Who would you tell first? My family.
What is the last movie that you saw at the cinema? The Hunger Games
Do you sing in the shower? No.
Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Wait a second?!?!?! Is this another fracking repeat question?!?!??!
What do you do most when you are bored? Read mangas.
What do you do for a living? Breath! Hahahaha….I’m not clever. I don’t have a job.
Do you love your job? N/A
What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was a little I wanted to be a teacher, and yet, I’m going to college to be an engineer. Funny, isn’t it?
If you could have any job, what would you want to do/be? I would want to work for the Travel Channel. I could be the next Samantha Brown or Anthony Bourdain.
Which came first the chicken or the egg? Chicken, no egg, no chicken, no…..bah!
How many keys on your key ring? I don’t use keys.
Where would you retire to? Arizona.
What kind of car do you drive? Soon, a Honda Accord.
What are your best physical features? My smile and my butt.
What are your best characteristics? I’m pretty tolerant, listen well, straight forward.
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go? Europe.
What kind of books do you like to read? Historic fiction, fantasy, anything that can bring me outside of the world I’m used to.
Where would you want to retire to? O MY GOSH!
What is your favorite time of the day? Nighttime.
Where did you grow up? Roanoke, Virginia and Tucson, Arizona
How far away from your birthplace do you live now? At the other end of the counrty.
What are you reading now? The Kite Runner (for class), but I really like it. Such a good book!!!
Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night owl for the most part. I can be a morning person, after I wake up.
Can you touch your nose with your tongue? Nope.
Can you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows? Yes, can’t everybody? A better question would be can you raise one eyebrow?
Do you have pets? Nope.
How many rings before you answer the phone? Depends on my surroundings. If it’s not a disruptions I like to listen to my ringtone a little. But usually it takes takes ma few seconds anyways to realize my phone is ringing.
What is your best childhood memory? When I was little my dad use to take me to the local bakery where we took some of the day old bread they were going to throw out, and we’d go to this vacant parking lot and feed the seagulls.
What are some of the different jobs that you have had in your life? I’m lazy and never had a job. Unless, you count my volunteering job, where I teach a Confirmation class.
Any new and exciting things that you would like to share? PROM, the musical, prom, the musical, birthday coming soon, baby cousin.
What is most important in life? Family, friends, and being comfortable with yourself.
What Inspires You? My mom. I could talk about her all the time, but I don’t because it would make me sound crazy.

Mar8

Original OJ Simpson (To: Renee)

Feb23

Reblogged from x2ARON:

I my gosh! I love Aaron!!!!

Good Ideas: They’re a rarity for me.

Feb23

Graduation song: We are Young by Fun.

Seniors: We should do and Occupy Empire. WE ARE THE 25%!!! hahaha

Guy Friends=Awesome (At least mine are. I love them.)

Feb18

Broskis!

I spent my day at Vail Pride Day with the wonderful Kyle VanLinden. Accompanied as by Will, Tyler, and Danny. Anyways, it was a nice change of pace hangin’ out with my guy friends again. (Don’t worry I still love my lady friends ^_^) But hanging out with my bros is completely different. They are sweet to me and they also give me a lot of s***. And in in turn they receive that same attitude back from me. It’s awesome. I can hit them, say mean things, then hug them, and it’s all good. Because in the end we just give each other a hard time because we love each other.

Lists and Rants…..How my mind works 90% of the time, but I’m never allowed to write that way in a formal essay……..

Feb16

Should be doing homework.
I like watching him walk, talk, blink, breathe, etc. Why is he so beautiful and perfect???!!!! NOTICE ME NOW DARN IT!
(Thinking about making a move beeteedubs, because I always do. :/ Kinda indifferent about it.)
My bed is so warm! Sometimes I feel the safest in my bed.
Went through my Ipod and deleted some of my crappy pre-teen angst music. I couldn’t delete them all because they reminded me too much of my dramatic awkwardness back when. So I guess they held a sentimental value.
I need to be 18 now. Alas, my birthday is in April. (Heads up! If you’re wondering what to get me here are some ideas: A sentimental letter about our friendship, Hello Kitty anything, a sandwich.)
Done with my shadowing sad and happy about it. O wait, that feeling is called bittersweet. I feel that way often.
I sometimes worry I’m being bitchy. Especially what with my extra bluntness this year. It’s like by your senior year you don’t give a damn anymore so you just say and do whatever. Anyways if I ever cross a line, someone please inform me up front.
I wish I could be as great of a cook as my mom.
I wish I could be like my mom.
I love my mom.
Friends (In no particular order):
- Lisette: You are an amazing girl. I’ve always felt at ease when we hang out. When I look at you I want to treat you as if you’re my puppy. I don’t know why I just do.
- Janet: I can feel no shame when I’m with you. I can say or do whatever and it’s fine with you. Plus for some reason I love your family.
- Hailey: You are a light. You have always been this entity of energy and dedication, but then you’re like “O hey, I’m a person like you too! ” Then I don’t feel so lame.
- Rofida: You have been with me since Freshman year. You are truly a friend that I can literally picture myself talking to you forever!!!! Because our friendship has never been about the amount of time we spend together, but how we spend our time together.
- Sammee: You are my newest friend. It’s strange knowing that I just met you last year. How lucky am I to have met you? You are a lively character in my life and I hope I’m lucky enough to have some of the lively-ness rub off onto me.
- Corrine: When I’m with you I find myself in a relaxed state. Everyone seems to have this perception that you’re crazy or something, but to me I see a sweet, passionate, and adventurous individual.
- Kyle V. : My brother. You’re always there for me. ALWAYS. You puts up with my crazy so much, it’s become a normality for you. (I am sorry for that.) You’re always mindful to give me hugs and kindness, and words are not enough to express my gratitude for your existence in my life.
- Aaron: AARON A! You are one of my newest friends this year and you just shoved a handful of awesomeness and smiles into my heart. We will stay friends even if you don’t want to!
- Emily B.: Also, one of my newest and sweetest buddies. Spending time with you is like rolling around in cotton candy. If I could hug you all the time, believe me I would.
- Melanie: You are sweet girl and I feel like you and I can relate in different ways and still be so different. Maybe it’s a one-sided feeling…I don’t know. Anyways, when I think of you, you are the picture of loyalty. And I know that I can talk to you about whatever.
I will continue this friend rant later! Toodles!

xoxo’s,

Renee

Hahaitsmerenee's Blog

Prom, Prom, Prom!

Here It Is Kids!