beautiful chaos

my buddy Kevin's viet nam clip. so many memories.

yet another chicago summer day.

On Saturday 21 July, 2007, again Kenny and I indulged in a photography adventure. Before this, I attended a friend's barbecue alongside the sea-blue Lake Michigan. Such a weather perfect day that day, Foster Beach was somewhat overcrowded. Families of many different backgrounds spent some quality time with one another; grilling, talking, laughing, sporting. In such an event, those who are not quite as lucky as these individuals enjoying their relaxing Saturday afternoon, were also out, selling goods desired by those who were. Mostly of Latino descent, from mere observation, many of these individuals were on their ice-cream carts, rolling down the beach path, ringing their bell in an attempt to acquire a hungry customer. Others appear to walk in a beleaguered manner carrying two dozen or more air-filled beach balls in various shapes, sizes, and colours. Surprisingly, these individuals did in fact sell most of their items. Those here on a less strenuous visit have the luxury to purchase them from the vendors.

Following such a privileged visit to Foster Beach, I bid farewell to my work buddies from the Jumpstart days and headed over to Devon, where Kenny currently resides. He mentioned of this grandeur temple near Evanston, IL which is a must see spot. After glimpsing at a few images of the temple, there was no doubt I had to see it. As we approached the towering structure, I was again reminded that things in reality are far better than images or photographs. The vivid details and architecture signified somewhat of an Islamic influence. Though such the case, the temple is of Bahai religion, which derived from what is now current day Iran.

According to the visitor pamphlet, the Bahai religion is one which recognizes all world religions, believing that there is one God, and those important figures in other religions are simply messengers of God; pointing to somewhat of a solution to religious conflict which is so evident in the world today. Bahai religion, like many others promotes peace and unity amongst all people, and emphasizes this on the basis of one human race. Very interesting. Though the temple is open to all peoples, the majority of the visitors were those of Middle Eastern and India Subcontinent descent. This is perhaps the case because of the religion's roots in the Silk Road region.


hac.

beautiful chicago.

This whole summer, i have yet to really indulge in photography, abandoning my new fujifilm camera much too often. yesterday, i decided to utilize my fuji and capture what Chicago has to offer. unfortunately, i did not take many pictures at all. During this photography venture I engaged in, alongside my buddy Kenny, we unconsciously recorded, through the digital camera, the more well known, touristy hubs of Chicago. Initially, I preferred to wander into the more ethnic neighborhoods, such as Pilsen [Mexican area], Devon [Indian/Pakistan area], and Uptown [African/southeast Asian area], but alas, that plan fell through.

On this day, I myself felt like a tourist in the city which I consider home. Walking down Michigan Ave., it was quite difficult to not notice the affluence in economics between the dwellers of this city. Gucci, Prada, Armani were filled with the high class 'Hearst' type of people. I once decided to enter an Armani clothing store and was flabbergasted by the ridiculously inflated prices. "Made in Bangladesh" printed on the tag. How much to make, how much profit Armani gains? I feel that to many outside of this city, Chicago is this. Chicago is the Michigan Ave., the Millennium Park, the Sears Tower, the upward mobile landmarks, the high class life. Individuals parking their beautiful BMWs alongside their tree-lined brownstone homes several blocks away from the richness of downtown. Other than this societal observation, the physicality of the landmarks hold a different story.




tran.quy.hac

bia ba ba.

Mr. Lego

This summer is perhaps one of my most uneventful summers of all. I am working full-time at a Lego camp. There are of course ups to working--making good money, gaining experience, and interacting with funny, not so funny youth. Growing up, I was fascinated with Lego's, or so I thought until meeting and interacting with a few of these kids. Some of the kids are adorable and say some outrageous things. One Lego camper yelped out something along these lines, "I think I'm in heaven right now; look at all these Lego's!" The camper is a red-headed seven year old the size of a four year old, making the comment even more humorous. Kids are very honest and joking around with them is often enjoyable.

Working in this camp, I have witnessed some amazing constructions. One of the sessions, we decided to focus on the Seven Wonders of the World. One of the children built the Taj Mahal; I swear it was a miniature replica. In another one of my camps, which had a "Monsters of the Midway" theme to it, we focused on building sports related things with the Lego blocks. As a group, we attempted to build a semi-life size Michael Jordan. Above one can see the head--we used yellow bricks because there were no brown. Each day I go to work, I feel as if I am regressing to my own youth. I did in fact choose a Lego pirate ship over Sega Genesis ten or so years ago for my birthday.




tran quy hac.

charles drive.

nhà tôi ở, đường nhà tôi ở.
where i live, street where i live on.

venturing around chicago on thursday and saturday with kenny to capture the ethnic enclaves. hopefully something great will be documented. this is what i look forward to.

i finished reading murakami's after dark recently. i recommend this book to those who enjoy reading simply about situations and interactions between individuals. the novel captures the events which take place in Tokyo between midnight and dawn and magnifies the inter-connectedness of the lives of the "night" folks. its a story essentially about nothing, on the surface, but in deep thought, it reflects how we as people are so distinct, yet are drawn together in various circumstances. for a long time, i've been searching for such a plot and the realities this novel emphasizes. found it, read it, loved it.

hac.

passing the threshold.

As of late, I have been critically thinking about my future. My final year of college is soon approaching. Five months in Budapest, five months back at DePaul, then my college years are over. Not only that, a few of my friends have recently graduated and are now entering what we call it as the "real world." Essentially these two factors got me thinking.

[..........]

On that note, I wanted to say congrats to my friend Julie Nguyen. She will be working for VIA, Volunteers in Asia, in Can Tho, VN for a year teaching English. It is often times hard to pack up your bags and leave an environment so confortable to us and enter what seems so foreign. It definitely takes courage to do such a thing. If you're reading this Julie, I also wanted to make a blog post, like Chris Ty, and write you a few words. This journey, different from the previous, back to the motherland is definitely bitter-sweet. But knowing you, and always enjoying your great, fun, happy personality, you will forge great friendships over there, as well as impact those who you work with. It will be yet another life-changing experience. You definitely have made my life a little brighter, always seeing you smile in VN, and NY! I know you'll do the same for those in VN this time around. I wanted to wish you the best of luck and if you ever need anyone to talk to you've got my contact info.

[..........]

But yes, with Julie going to VN and working for a year, I have also thought about my own future. My initial plans were to take an English teaching job in Korea, since it is so high in demand, I probably could land a job with ease. Likewise, I would have student loans to pay back, and they pay quite generously in Korea. My other half [i am bi-polar, jk] tells me Viet Nam. I want to work in Viet Nam in the future, as a career with development, politics, society etc. and going back to Viet Nam instead of Korea would more likely benefit me, especially with the graduate program I want to engage in at the University of Toronto. Two years in Viet Nam, then grad-school or one year in Seoul, then two years in Viet Nam then grad-school? Life choices; let things happen the way the do I suppose. I know for sure I want to go to U.Toronto though. Ahh!!!

Why am I worrying about this now? :/

tran.quy.hac.

let's celebrate hegemony!

on the fourth of july, i celebrated America's independence, America's freedoms, America's righteousness, America's hegemony and positive influence around the entire globe. as i drove down main street, i was overjoyed by the sights and sounds i witnessed --upper middle-class white Americans sticking together like a pack of wolves. the american flag decor on every house empowered my sense of being an american, the best of citizens in this global world. i couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in my wonderful country, the beacon of supremacy on a global level, during this stupendous celebration.

wandering in my mother's imported korean car, a hyundai accent, to the more "ethnic" suburbs (where i live), i was awe-struck that such decor and "american" celebratory activities were no where in sight. the divisions in thought, in class, in relations, in race, in everything was magnified. how does a puerto rican feel of this day compared to those upper-class white folks, with their white picket fence? the prime characteristics of our multicultural society, yet also a projection of american position on a more global level. the same unconscious attitudes exerted during this celebration on the main street i drove past, and all other main streets in the nation point to the mindset in relation to other cultures, other ethnic groups -- non-recognition, and consumption of personal spheres.

on a brighter note, i did enjoy sitting in my ethnic suburb and chow down on some vietnamese ribs, mussels, pasta salad, bratwursts, and some la fin du mon beers with my father and sister. how multicultural!

tran.quy.hac