Raising Casey

Walking through the photo display and exhibit of the War Remnants Museum was deeply moving and unforgettable. I wasn't born yet when the Vietnam War began in November 1955 but growing up I would have poignant memories about the horrors of this long-drawn-out war which lasted for 20 harrowing years. Amidst the heart-wrenching moment brought about by this brief trip to memory lane, though, were simple joys like the warmth of the people, the noise of scooters, the quiet beauty of their ubiquitous coffee shops with instagrammable appeal and the aroma of cilantro, an important spice that gives that distinct flavor to their unique cuisine. This wasn’t just a trip. It was a window into a country that has seen so much yet able to smile and show hospitality to visitors. Sugar Cane juice extracted directly from the sugar cane plant shown below.

                                                                                  Chapter 1:   The Loneliness Trap - How to Escape It   For many seniors, loneliness is not just a fleeting emotion. Loneliness has become a way of life. What initially starts as a few quiet days can turn into weeks, months, or even years of loneliness and isolation. The world outside feels distant as relationships fade and reaching out becomes more difficult. The loneliness trap is not just about being physically alone; it’s about feeling unseen, unheard, and disconnected from the world. The trap often happens unexpectedly. It can begin with a major life change like losing a spouse, retiring from a longtime job, or children leaving the family home. At first...

        On May 26, 2025, I will be traveling to Vietnam, particularly Saigon, (Ho Chi Minh City) for the first time. I will be going with Casey, her mom and dada  and a few close friends.      I'm excited to write about Ho Chi Minh City because I notice that most of the articles, travel blogs and stories published to promote Vietnam are mostly about Hanoi and all other cities that have become well-known tourist spots after the Vietnam War.       Ho Chi Minh City as it is popularly called today was formerly called Saigon. Before the War, Vietnam was divided into South Vietnam and North Vietnam. Saigon was the capital of South Vietnam and Hanoi was the capital of North Vietnam.      The airport in Ho Chi Minh City is called Than Son Naht International Airport. For me, it's very important to know where I will be landing after coming from my own country. This is the gateway to the southern part of Vietnam so any...

OMG! It has been four years since the last time I posted in this blog about Casey. I have been so busy. September 2014 was a critical time in my eldest child's life who was then in medical school. (Casey's Kuwa). I don't have to go into details but Kuwa has since graduated, passed the boards and currently working as a physician in a major insurance company.  Anyway, Casey is now 6 years old. She turned six last February 12, 2018. We had a simple party at home with guests Dada and Mama Tring. We had cake, ice cream, chap jai, siomai, sushi, and fried chicken. All of us enjoyed the food. Then the next day, being a school day we treated Casey's  classmates to McDonald's chicken and coke. Her classmates enjoyed the food and the had fun.

I noticed that it has been more than a month from the last time I posted about Casey. She is exactly 2 years 6 months and 7 days now. She has become a talker, a good eater, a good dancer, and a good singer. She says "deloom" for ballon. Her Daddy calls her Miss Independent She calls her dad's mom Mama She calls her mom's mom Lola She calls her mom's dad Papay She calls her mom's brother Owa (for Kuya) She remembers Kuya Josh, Ate Chloe and Jose. She remembers Ate Chloe telling her to always tie her hair. When Casey was born, I made a lens about her life in Squidoo. Unfortunately Squidoo closed but I hope I can recover that article in Hubpages where Squidoo moved all their content to. I went home to the province last week of August

Casey is 2 years and half and she is a "terrible two" baby, feisty and independent-minded. It is a challenge raising a two-year old very independent-minded, very confident baby who knows exactly what she wants.  Wikipedia's descriptions of a terrible two kid perfectly fit Casey to a tee: Casey is often defiant; shouting "no" to everything she doesn't approve of. She is very bossy, demanding from everyone and expects immediate attention by crying. Casey is very clever in using crying to get the attention she wants.  Casey is very impatient.