entrer dans le rêve

Watching movie alone.

2012-07-23T23:43:00.000-07:00

Long time no see folks. It has been almost 2 months since my last post. Busy bee yes it's me. I just thought I would write down fast my sudden thought right now.

Tomorrow I'm going to watch movie all alone.

Would it be weird/lonely/vulnerable/sad/depressing/etc to say it?

I used to watch Black Swan by myself before, not a good choice if you ask, I got so much affected that I just got home and stayed in my room for hours before getting back to my normal self. At least at that time, my host took me there and took me back home.

This time though, I'm going to walk all the way to the movie theater by myself.
Buy a big (has-to-be) curly french fries by myself and for myself with Coke I bring from home. Coke in movie theater is just ridiculously expensive. No judge.
I will come a bit earlier just because I like it that way. No need to wait for someone. No need to ask When will you come? Almost there? Then I will find a perfect seat at third or fourth row for myself. No need to ask Where should we sit? Is it okay? No I like to sit closer but... well, it's okay.
Then I will blend myself in the darkness of the movie theater among the crowd like an invisible man and I'm going to enjoy the show all by myself.

I don't like to be alone, but only at the loneliest of tranquility, I can find my own perfect comfort.

See you there.

[Fiction] Label.

2012-05-26T07:54:00.001-07:00

I don't lie. I just don't tell the truth.

Final project.

Label

Nguyễn Tú Trân.

***

“Sorry for waiting,” She said with a smile, while coming toward me.

Trying to be as professional as I could, I said, “It’s okay. Nice to meet you,” then I raised my hand and waited for her to make a handshake. Seven minutes late wasn’t too bad for the first day of work. I could tolerate that.

We sat down and she went right into the point, “So what is your expectation for me?”

I looked at her. She seemed to be a modest and ordinary Asian girl: average height, small breasts, and there was not much make-up on her face. A youngster. I chuckled to myself. I told her about Polarista, my two-year-old start-up company about brochure design. At this moment, we were looking for lots of young and passionate interns.

She got quiet for a second then looked at me and asked: “Can I come to your office in the weekends, if I’m free?”

I laughed, “Come on Mai! Don’t you party every week?”

She shook her head. “I’m under 21,” She said.

Then she looked outside from the window as I just approached a sensitive subject. Behind those glasses were beautiful crystal clear eyes. I didn’t say anything either. In front of me was a typical little Asian girl who had a strong passion for graphic design and a boring ordinary life. I could definitely imagine her in the library under so much homework that she couldn’t have time to hang out with friends, have a couple of drinks, or get a guy. Somewhere in me was raising a feeling of an unknown satisfaction. I gave her some pictures to retouch and she finished them without complaining anything. The first day couldn’t have gone any better.

At five in the evening, I drove home. There was something needed to be done. I sighted. Opening the door, I saw my wife sitting there, reading the newspaper while waiting for me to have dinner. I kissed her on the forehead and asked how her day was going without actually listening to it.

Then I asked, “What did your dad talk about it?”

“It will be transferred to your bank account next Monday,” She hugged me from the back.

I got relieved. We had some casual dinner then I went out for a couple of drink. I got lost in the crowd and just enjoyed my glass of Vodka. Suddenly, the image of Mai appeared in my head. At this time she would be doing her homework or my work that she had brought home. Then my eyes got wide open. Mai was in front of me and as I was staring at her, she was also staring at me, eyes wide opened.

Now she was sitting in front of me. We didn’t say anything. As I thought I should be the one to start the conversation, there was only one thing I could think of.

“Someone told me she was under 21 this morning,” I said.

She looked at me and laughed out loud, “I’m sorry. I said I was under 21. I didn’t say I didn’t drink!” Then she started laughing again, “It’s a working environment. What do you want me to say at that time? Yes, I’m under 21 and I drink quite a lot?”

I looked at her feeling a bit humiliated but at the same time, there was something about her that drew me in. Mai wore a sexy silky black dress with hair tied as a bun to show her beautiful clavicles and white skin. Her make-up was a bit heavier than in the morning. Her luscious and well-defined lips were painted in blooded red. Without her glasses, the depth of her eyes was unveiled. I felt like I was being drawn into the darkness of sparkling stars.

“What’s that?” Her voice suddenly woke me up from a sweet dream.

She was so close to me. The plunging of her neckline drop down, disclosed a part of black floral bra and her cleavage. I couldn’t control myself but put my lips on hers. Her lips were soft like marshmallow and I was just licking around the deadly sweetness of it.

We went to a motel nearby. Just when our door was opened, I lifted her whole body up, gently but fast taking off her clothes. I was on her and we were both harmoniously dancing in a ghostly song. What was the morality that we had to abide by? That question appeared once or twice in my mind, but at that time I just wanted to enjoy our moment together.

The sunshine from the window licked on my face and woke me up. Mai was nearby, gently sleeping like a quiet puppy. Yesterday was not a dream. My heart jumped for a second but I looked at Mai again, fondled her soft pinkish cheeks like baby skin. I could feel a soft spring weaving from every corner of my heart to the part down there. Some parts of me were mentally and physically woken up and I felt so lively.

Later on when Mai woke up, I asked her where she would like to go for breakfast and without a second of thought, she said, “La Boulange.”

I had never been to La Boulange before. There was something too fancy about it that didn’t suit me. But Mai obviously loved that place. We went inside and I suddenly knew why I had felt that way. It felt like the time stood still in this shop. Everyone took their time to look around the cakes. There were many, too many indeed. Mai looked at colorful Macaroons then looked at me. Her eyes sparkled. I giggled then nodded. She chose ten out of them and I picked a simple breakfast pizza with a coffee.

I was about to sit down in the shop then she said, “Let’s eat outside.”

La Boulange was inside Yerba Buena garden so right in front of it was a field of green grass. What a nice location. I thought to myself. We sat down and Mai took a bite from the mango Macaroon, closed her eyes, then slowly chewed it. There was something hunting about this girl that I couldn’t take my eyes off.

Suddenly she looked at me, her eyes whirled deeply into my soul, “You want some?”

I vacillated for a second but then got closer and took the other half of the Macaroon from her hand. My lips touched her fingers. She seemed to not mind then sucked her fingers to clean them up. I felt a bit turned on. A quiet moment passed by. Then Mai lied on the grass and asked me to do the same thing. It was a comfortable feeling that I haven’t felt for ages. I closed my eyes and felt the cool wind kissing all over my face.

“I love to lie down on the ground, look up on the sky, and wonder why I was born, why things happened the way they were,” She whispered from far, far away, “Was it meant to be something?”

I heard her voice but wasn’t sure if she was talking to me or just mumbling to herself. I wouldn’t mind. This feeling was too good to be woken up.

I went home. My wife was there. I kissed her on the forehead and asked how things were going. She got used to the fact that I wasn’t home sometimes because the company was still in a hard time to find a placement in the market. I hoped she also knew that we haven’t had sex for two months. I dreamed of the day I could hang out with Mai again.

Few weeks later, on a Thursday morning, I told my wife I wouldn’t come back that night then left. At work, I couldn’t concentrate. The tremendous amount of work was eating me up so when Mai decided to hang out at her place, I happily agree. Her apartment was a clean and organized studio. Here and there were hanging many pictures of her and her friends. None of them were ours. We shouldn’t, obviously. While I was looking around, she came to me with a glass of drink.

“My mom always made me lime juice when I got sick,” she said. “Don’t worry. It’s delicious.” She winked at me.

Suddenly I felt my heart was melted. Was it why she wanted us to stay home? I hugged Mai but she didn’t react. Then she opened the window, went out to the balcony, then picked up a cigarette in her pocket. I didn’t know she smoked. She busted a smile and fired the cigarette. Mai took a deep breath, looked up on the night sky with twinkle little stars, then blew out a thick smoke. The smoke danced ghostly in the sky then later vanished in the air. Suddenly, I got astonished when a song started to fly out from her lips.

Feeling my heart was beating fast, I asked, “What kind of song is this?”

“9 Crimes by Damien Rice. Good song.” She smiled like nothing happened.

She knew it wasn’t the answer I was looking for. Suddenly she kissed me then smiled naughtily. It was the first time she took the initiative. It was sweet like gummy bear. I replied by another kiss then we both smiled. What I just thought, I couldn’t remember. I wouldn’t mind forgetting it either.

The next night when I went home, my wife was waiting for me behind the door.

“You didn’t answer my phone call yesterday. What happened?” She asked.

“I’m sorry. I was busy with work and forgot to pick up the phone.” I said.

My voice raised a bit higher than normal. Mistake. I knew what was going to happen next. She started to tear up. I hugged her. I apologized. I hold her tighter. She struggled. She punched my chest. She pushed me away.

With tears all over her face, she cried out, “You get bored of me now, don’t you? You used me and now want to leave me, don’t you? ISN’T IT BECAUSE I’M INANIMATE?”

The last word tore my heart into pieces. I ran out of the house then got to the car. I didn’t know where to go. I just drove. Her last word still echoed in my head. I got one voice message from her, then many later. She cried. She apologized. She begged me to come home. I didn’t reply. I was exhausted.

Mai came out of her house, looking at me surprisingly, then let me in.

She brought me a cup of hot tea and said, “I’m busy with my final today. But we can have sex later.” The last line was dropped like thin hair.

That night wasn’t the same as any other nights. My anger, my desire, my exhaustion, my thirst, I pulled them out in every movement I made. Her body tallied with mine. I bit her lips. She uttered softly. It was a vague idea on the first day we met but now it was clear like crystal. There was a strange bonding between us. Love perhaps?

I found myself being the luckiest man alive. After that night, my wife wouldn’t dare to complain about my suddenly–busy schedule. She said it was a good thing. We still didn’t have sex, but occasionally I would hug or cuddle her so she knew the sky wasn’t falling. In another hand, I had Mai with no strings attached.

Time was passing by. It was so fast that finally her internship came to an end. I did give her a job offer, but she denied since she got a better job from a company in our city. At least she was still with me so either way was fine. Thus probably she thought it would be better for us not to work in the same place so I happily let her go.

On the last day of work, when Mai came to pick up her office supplies, she brought a young guy with her. Suddenly a cold shiver ran down my spine. She showed him her workplace while he was holding her hand. Then she asked him to pick up some heavy things for her and gave him a kiss. Everything happened right in front of me. When the guy was bringing her stuff downstairs, Mai came to my office.

She looked at me in the eyes then smiled, “You thought we were lovers, didn’t you? No one knows what our relationship is. No picture was taken. We have done everything, except getting a label for it.”

I got threatened. None of the words could come out from of my mouth. Then I remembered my wife. She would still be in the house reading the newspaper and waiting for me to come home.

“Now aren’t you thinking of your wife?” Mai didn’t stop talking yet, “But should we call her your wife anyway? She has the label but nothing else.”

Then she smiled, let me stay there bewildered, and walked away.

/The end/

The Zombie Boy.

2012-04-22T13:44:00.001-07:00

It amazes me every time I look at him, at how much devoted he is to art. People might think if he can be this hot with the zombie tattoo on over his body, so do I, which literally somebody did think that. No you can't. Only Rick Genest can be flawless with this look. I don't know why. I'm still trying to figure out it too.

Beautiful oval face, perfect straight nose, sexy thin lips. The movement of his eyes inside those solid black holes. Left right left right, eyes wide open. His smirky smile. It's naughty, daring, but sweet. The way he raises his neck with muscle tattoo. It's just beautiful. With or without the tattoo. Even his personality shines through the skin and eyes. Everything comes to him so naturally so when he gets in front of the camera, that charisma just floats out and draws people into him. Gifted I'd like to say.

And if someone is ignorant enough to think they can be him, show them this:

Look around and find those butterflies.

2012-04-09T03:21:00.002-07:00

Sometimes I wonder why I couldn't shallow cute romantic comedy movie like Leap Year. My friends have been praised it for days so I got all curious but then gave up after the last half of the movie. The ending was actually hilarious when just all of the sudden the nice high-educated boyfriend, who appeared to love her so much, just frankly said that he got married to her because he wanted to live in the apartment. And audience actually believe in that logic?? Wow!

Luckily enough, I decided to watch Kokuhaku (Confessions) at 3 in the morning. And that is how this post starts.

{Part one of thought}

The movie is simply beautiful and hunting. The story is heavy and horrified, but here and there, there will be some happy innocent scents with 13 year old kids jump in the rain, sing a catchy song, or dance in the class.

But the heavy disgusted feeling is there and has never been gone.

Someone doesn't know what is really going on.

The other just simply doesn't care.

Everyone is selfish.

The teacher, in order to revenge for her child, feeds up 35 kids to bully her 2 targets.
The 13 year old girl who tries to protect her boyfriend but poisoned her whole family in the past.
The 13 year old boy, named A, in order to impress his mother, intends to kill the whole school.
The 13 year old boy, named B, in order to impress and be friend with A, kills an innocent kid.
The mother of B, because of overprotecting her son, denies the loss of his victim.

Everyone is selfish.

{Part two of thought}

Continue with the first thought, I think Kohaku has to be the best movie about bullying.

People are selfish. Everyone is.

But there is hope.
Trust it.

{Part three of thought}

(Jump to 3:35 if you ask why the hell I post a video about tattoos of an [seem to be] emo girl.)

Bullies are those who get bullied.

It's ironic when a video about bully is posted on Youtube, all of the sudden, the bullies get bullied by a massive cyber bully. Teenagers probably don't know that bully is not only violent action or verbal abuse, it also is words and incredibly unexpected probably: thoughts.

Watch your thoughts for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

I'd like to simply put it like this:
You think negative, you say negative.
You say negative, you react negative.
You act negative, you become negative.

So think positive. If you can't, practice! Simple as that!
(Oh and stay simple too!)

{Part four of thought}

At the end of each day, watches these:

And be happy.

For now,
Good night <3

Pictures are screen capped by me.

Soul mate.

2012-04-04T21:45:00.000-07:00

How many time in our lives can we meet our soul mates?

What get me to wonder is how much connected we are to this one person and all of sudden, time comes, and we separate. Not a minute is given to determine.

I guess since I come as a helper, when the job is done, I'm supposed to leave for someone else.

PS: Chocolate does help.

Be nice to self.

2012-04-04T02:37:00.000-07:00

Today I suddenly have an urge to write. I want to say that right now, when around me is in such a chaos, the smell of this Cranberry Mandarin candle really calms me down. And it has done a good job since 2009. So much that I seem to get addicted to it.

It's fine. All I want for now is something to comfort my mind.

Pneuma.

Breath.

Everyone will be happy and no one hurts.

[Vietnam Sweetheart] The North.

2012-02-04T03:41:00.000-08:00

All over my mind right now is a short story, if I don't count tons of homework (School's back!) But the story is still unfinished so I just go ahead and post the pictures I took from last Summer, when I was lucky enough to go back to Vietnam and travel 3 regions of my beautiful country.

The Vietnam Sweetheart will be divided into 3 posts: the North, the Middle, and the South. If I can catch your interest, there might be some more posts about the food from 3 regions.

And for now,

Enjoy.

Hanoi

Hanoi

Hanoi

Hanoi

This is such a beautiful little door. I felt like a giant standing next to it ~<3

Hanoi

King's transportation.

Hoa Lu

The Old capital of Vietnam.

Trang An

One boat can take up to 5 people, includes the drivers, who are mostly women.

Trang An

Hanoi

Daily activity at 5pm.

Hanoi

Traditional art: Water Puppetry. I remember this was my favorite show when I was young. How much work they have done for the audience to enjoy 45 minutes of the show.

Hanoi

In front of one temple. I have a secret obsession with smoke in general. Magic.

Hanoi

One tree inside another.

Hanoi

President Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts.

Hanoi

President's office.

Hanoi

President Ho Chi Minh's tomb. I still can't forget the feeling when I got inside.

Hanoi

Ha Long

(Dragon comes down.)

Ha Long

I know there is this silent taboo about the North and South of Vietnam that most of the time when American folks know I'm from Vietnam, the next question they will ask is, "Which part?" To be totally open and honest, I feel a bit of insulting. Want it or not, Vietnam is officially an united country.

Just say that may be I'm too young to talk about this, or may be I don't know about Vietnam well enough, here is the fact that I can be sure of, I have many wonderful friends from all 3 regions of Vietnam (:

I'm Vietnamese, proud and loud.

With love.

Tattoo Inspiration.

2012-01-15T20:05:00.000-08:00

Something unique, beautiful, meaningful.

Something reflects fully the personality of the owner.

Something that is meant to be only to the owner.

My tattoo inspiration is based on this personal opinion but some of them I post just because I think they are pieces of artwork. Hopefully, you can get inspired from the images, meanings, fonts, and/ or the position of the tattoos.

3. Images:

I was literally stunned when I saw the tattoo. The colors are gorgeous.

Cute couple tattoos. In fact they can go alone quite well, in case they break up - Just try to be realistic here.

2. Symbols.

Screen capped from Beauty Crush.

I'm talking about the position here only just so you know. I think she's just right on the perfect spot, not too high, not too low.

And here I'd be so happy to introduce you one of my inspirational sources, KhangNT and his wonderful tattoos.

I actually have seen a girl with this tattoo before but the tattoo at this size and this position is perfect to me. Lovely lovely idea.

1. Letterings.
My favorite kind of tattoos on Earth.

I love the kind like these 2 tattoos below to run along my body.

Or like the little line here. I love how perfectly straight it lies up on Gala Gonzalez 's arm.

Screen cap from Fashion Rocks My Socks.

Yes the line up! And the font is hearted!!!

One of my favorite spot to get a tattoo beside the back of the neck, or along the inside of an arm:

Nice font.

Her grandchild's handwriting at the end of letters she wrote to her. How cute!

Classical Greek lettering.

Simple, positive, and fun.

Sources:

Flickr.com

Cocorosa.

Check the 2 Youtubers out if you want to hear their experiences on getting tattoos. Both of them have more than one tattoo displaying here fyi.

And that's it for now.

With love.

Bad logos - bad bad logos.

2012-01-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

I thought about making a post about goodinterestingnicesmartgeniussimpleawesome logos.

Until I see this:

Source: Where else besides 9gag?

And that's it for now.

With love.

Christmas'11 in Chico.

2011-12-30T14:44:00.000-08:00

I hope you all had a merry Christmas.

This video was edited from 75 short videos. I love the process. Can't wait to make an actual music video <3

Packaging Photography: Perfume.

2011-12-16T00:24:00.000-08:00

So today was my last class of Photography in AAU. The last thing she gave me, besides grades, are tears and a hug. That moment I still remember. I think this will be my only and last time I get these fancy moments.

Today will be my last day of my first semester.

Packaging Design.

2011-12-03T23:26:00.001-08:00

One of my friends just sent us a Vietnamese website about design and I have to say despite the fact that final is punching me on the face, I'm digging on it right now.

So apparently this post will be about packaging design, mostly because I'm on the way to be done with my olive oil bottle and my self assignment on product photography was just done a week ago, so I'm really interested in not only packaging
design itself but also product photography.

Though I try to category them into color, layout, image, and typography, I think lots of them work well in 2 or more categories.

1. Color/ Image.

Light bright colors for Milko, a Swedish milk producer. I also love the little dots like bubbles. Simple but well communicated.

One with the same kind of interpretation.

Nice layout, but I'd say the last one is the only one functions well with nice image and good combination of colors.

A new way where the images of ingredient become second elements.

Beautiful combination of image, color, and typography.

Love Coke's packaging seriously. From the shape, the material, and the images everything I mean.

2. Layout.

I love this. Period. The layout, the logo, the font, the colors, even the material, all go so well together!

My favorite colors. Personally.

I saw this design before when I was researching my olive oil bottle design. New layout, simple image, and clean san–serif font to create a cool new way for olive oil bottle, make it look more expensive and high–quality.

3. Font.

There are trillions and trillions of font out there and you only choose one or two for your product. How fascinating to think in that way.

Sources:

picturebulk.com

idesign.vn

idesign

Next time will be about what you are supposed to be most excited the most: Logos.

Stay tune!

Love <3

Oh my favorite James Jean.

2011-11-19T15:59:00.001-08:00

Some of his new artwork in fashion design. Stunning is what I could say.

OVM SIREN SILK SCARF

Too gorgeous to not be jealous.

OVM ONDINE'S TEARS

Sasha with Ondine's Tears.

OVM CONSTELLATION EARRINGS

I remember when I was young, I always wished if water drop could become a jewelry, it would be really pretty. Sounds like the dream now comes true. My heart is still in a stunned mode and I feel like oh hey this is for me but then again the price is unaffordable so I that's why I come here to torture you about it.

For more info please come here.

Thanksgiving is today! Oh hey yay Happy thanksgiving all <3

Business card inspirations.

2011-11-19T15:57:00.001-08:00

1. Pattern:

Bryon Darby business card

Love the way they use pattern as hierarchy.

david west business card design

HRJ

Really nice design with dots.

2. Elegant with lines and fonts.

Conor Nolan

Strong hierarchy.

Alexandr Schwarz - BRILLIANCY Identity

Elegant and clean line.

Roger Oddone Design Studio

Nice design using line as motion.

Foil Stamp Design

3. Color combination.

Dale Edwin Murray Business Card - by Dale Edwin Murray

Lovely combination of color and images.

Business Card of David Cohen de Lara

I love the color here <3

Source: designrfix.com

Recently, both my cousin and I have some homework in making business cards. Interesting enough while I want to create something based on the norm, simple but still elegant; she wants something special, hard to read but unique.

How about you? What's your thought in business card design?

Richard Avedon.

2011-11-01T03:05:00.000-07:00

"We all perform. It's what we do for each other all the time... It's a way of telling about ourselves in the hope of being recognized as what we'd like to be." – Richard Avedon.

Source: Tumblr.com.

I find myself cliché to say that his artwork is beautiful but what else can I say about it? Every single photo has its own soul! Imagining a photo shoot can capture one person's whole life makes it so fascinating and powerful.

Inspiring definitely.

Humans are interesting.

2011-09-14T02:21:00.000-07:00

Don't you think so?

1. They touch our hearts:

2. Then put a smile on our faces:

Because we love to crack up.

Because we love to hear and say nice things.

Because we love to gather.

There may be sometimes you want to give up.
There may be sometimes you want to be broken down.
There may be sometimes you want to cry cry and cry all your tears away.
There may be sometimes you want to deep yourselves in blanket, try to forget everything, and just sleep.

There may be
Sometimes
You want to commit a suicide.

And it's okay.

Just remember, at every situation you are in, you are not alone.

3.

How about your friends who cheer you up and drink away the loneliness with you?
How about the conversation you have with the strangers you just meet on the street?
Some movie night all of sudden?
Laughs. Hugs. Smiles. And kisses?

So let's take a moment and look back.
And enjoy your lives.

Let's dance!

Because you only live once.

Your lives are precious.

They really are.

"Asleep." - Banana Yoshimoto.

2011-08-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

Bạn nên đọc Say Ngủ vào ban ngày hay khi còn sớm. Nếu cả gan đọc vào ban đêm, thứ tinh dầu siêu thực và mộng mị toả ra từ câu chuyện đó sẽ đưa bạn vào một giấc ngủ, nơi mà; hơi thở của bạn có thể sẽ chính là hơi thở của những nhân vật trong truyện...

Translated:

You should read Asleep in the morning, or at anytime early in the day. If you're fearless to read it at night, the surreal and dreamy essential oil spreading from the story will bring you to sleep, where, your breath might be the breath of the characters...

Asleep
Banana Yoshimoto

Night, 10:30, Aug 9th, 2011.

Ahh, You whisper. You realize that the deeper you get to the story; the deeper you get to the character, to their conners, from very far away, hiding behind their masks. In your own quiet space, you concentrate to the story and suddenly, you wake up literally, realizing that your sister is nearby you, also concentrate to her story.

And that's how you feel when you read a good book.

Everyone needs someone to lean on. Especially at night, when hundreds of thoughts, thousands may be, provoke in your mind, and linger there, don't want to leave.

But when you have no one to lean on, to hug you when your mind is broken down, then, just fall asleep. And the sleep will take care of you, tenderly picks up your broken pieces and puts it back to where it starts.

Oh, the lonesome child.

You should read Asleep in the morning, or at anytime early in the day. If you're fearless to read it at night, the surreal and dreamy essential oil spreading from the story will bring you to sleep, where, your breath might be the breath of the characters...

I bursted a smile, What a thought...

Then buried myself in my blanket.
And started to fall asleep.

Oh the lonesome child.

Morning, 7:48, Aug 10th, 2011.

I opened my eyes, still dreamily wondered where I was. Reality. Or dream.

Oh, I just woke up from a dream. There were him and my old friends.
What was the dream about though?

One of my leg touched his leg, tenderly stroked it. One of his touched mine, slowly stroked mine. Just like that, we didn't say anything. But we both felt calming down.

So this quiet boy, here in my dream, must have some connection with me, in my dream.

We walked along the hallway. Then we both stopped. He pointed, his classroom was here, and he pointed somewhere in the hallway, my classroom was there. I wondered a bit. I didn't want to leave him. He smiled. And disappeared as soon as I walked along the hallway, now only me.

I came to my class, everybody was there. The teacher said the news, one of my closest friends in my secondary school was passed away. My heart got down a beat. And the last thing I remember was my friend, another friend from secondary school who I haven't seen for so long, appeared behind my seat.

Then I wake up.
And write down this note. As fast as I can. Before the dream can fade away, as it is now.

You should read Asleep in the morning, or at anytime early in the day. If you're fearless to read it at night, the surreal and dreamy essential oil spreading from the story will bring you to sleep, where, your breath might be the breath of the characters...

Oh the lonesome child.

A part of this dream, as I realize, will come true.

[Fiction] Flying Petals - Chap I.

2011-08-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Flying Petals

Như Cánh Hoa Bay

Nguyễn Tú Trân

"Đôi khi, tôi nghĩ mình cần được viết."

***

Lời tựa.

I. Mảnh đá hoa từ thiên thần.

Cánh hoa rơi…

Anh dẫn tôi đến nơi anh ở vào một ngày giữa thu. Lá vàng rơi rụng lác đác. Vài nhánh lá bay lượn giữa không trung trước khi chạm mặt đất. Tôi lướt một mạch bao quát xung quanh rồi dừng ngay ở hướng đối diện với tôi. Trước mặt tôi là ngôi nhà được xây dựng theo kiểu kiến trúc cổ có phần đìu hiu, cũ kĩ. Nhưng là nhà của anh, là phòng tập của tôi. Tôi theo chân anh, mỉm cười bước vào.

…

Tôi yêu những vũ điệu. Nói đến tôi sẽ chỉ có điều đó mà thôi.

Có lẽ vì ngay từ nhỏ tôi đã sống trong một thế giới của đa âm. Tiếng gõ chập cheng của người bán dạo. Tiếng đường phố xe cộ qua lại. Tiếng mặc cả. Tiếng chửi mắng. Tiếng nhạc cải lương nỉ non phát ra từ một đài radio cũ. Và tiếng mẹ nuôi gằn xuống mỗi khi thấy tôi.

Từ năm mười tuổi, tôi đã nhận ra rằng tôi không giống như những đứa trẻ bình thường khác. Qua những cơn hằn học của mẹ nuôi, tôi biết tôi không phải là con mẹ nuôi và ba tôi đã bỏ đi biệt tích từ lâu. Đến năm mười hai tuổi tôi cũng chỉ biết có thế.

Mẹ nuôi không hay nói với tôi. Sáng mẹ nuôi đi bán rau, tôi đi bán vé số. Tối mẹ nuôi luôn trở về nhà với vài miếng thịt hỏng và rau muống dập. Tôi nấu sẵn cơm từ trước đó và chỉ đợi có thế là bay vào làm nấu thịt, luộc rau. Tôi biết mẹ nuôi không thương tôi, hay mắng chửi tôi có bộ mặt giống gã sở khanh cướp mất cuộc đời của mẹ nuôi, nên cố gắng làm tất cả để mẹ nuôi hài lòng.

Cứ như thế đến năm mười bảy, tôi vẫn không hiểu tại sao mẹ nuôi lại vẫn tiếp tục nuôi tôi.

Vào một ngày giữa thu năm tôi mười ba tuổi, tôi thử lảng vảng đến cạnh mẹ nuôi để hỏi về ba tôi. Dù một chút thôi tôi cũng đủ mãn nguyện. Mẹ nuôi nghe tôi hỏi thì trợn tròn mắt, đánh tôi tối mày tối mặt, rằng từ đâu ra tôi có cái suy nghĩ muốn biết về gã ta.

Tôi bật khóc bỏ chạy ra sau vườn. Tôi khóc không phải vì bị đánh mà vì tủi thân. Đứa trẻ lên mười ba lì lợm dạn dày sương gió như tôi mà cũng có ngày khóc dầm dề như thế.

Một lát sau tôi ngưng khóc. Tôi im lặng. Lần đầu tiên trong đời tôi được tận hưởng một khoảng không thinh lặng như thế. Tôi nhắm mắt lại tận hưởng. Trong sự thinh lặng vẫn có mầm móng của sự sống.Tiếng gió xào xạc qua từng kẽ lá. Rào rào nghe giòn giã. Nhè nhẹ. Rồi dừng hẳn. Rồi vẫy mạnh không ngừng. Tôi như nhìn thấy những thân cây cao đong đưa múa may, uyển chuyển như những vũ công nhất cử nhất động giống nhau đến thích thú.

Vẫn nhắm mắt, tôi lấy đôi dép gỗ xinh xắn mẹ nuôi mua cho đập đập xuống nền đất. Ôi hay quá! Tôi cứ đập thế thôi! Tôi đập mạnh. Nhẹ. Dừng. Mạnh và nhanh. Tôi bật cười.

Vẫn nhắm mắt, tôi đứng bật dậy, xỏ dép vào và múa may. Tiếng dép gỗ gõ xuống nền đất nghe hay quá! Tôi lấy chân trái đập đập ba hồi xuống nền đất. Chân phải một hồi. Rồi dừng lại. Rồi chân trái ba hồi.

Đập thêm một hồi cuối ở gót giày. Rồi vỗ tay ba nhịp. Đập chân phải ba hồi. Cứ thế tôi xoay vòng vòng. Hạnh phúc quá! Tôi thấy mình đang bật cười đầy thích thú. Tôi giờ đây là vũ công chính hạng sang bên cạnh những vũ công cao to đẫy đà khi nãy.

Tiếng gió ngừng thổi cũng là lúc tôi dừng lại vũ điệu của mình.

Tôi cuối đầu chào một cách điệu nghệ. Tiếng vỗ tay từ đâu vang lên làm tôi giật thót.

Tôi mở mắt ráo hoảng. Trước mặt tôi là một thanh niên trẻ trung đứng vỗ tay liên hồi. Có lẽ thấy vẻ mặt ngượng nghịu, sợ sệt, lo âu của tôi trông có phần đáng thương, anh bước đến ngay trước mặt tôi, xoa nhẹ đầu tôi. Tôi rùng mình, không dám ngẩng mặt lên. Anh khụy đầu gối để mặt anh ngang tầm tôi rồi bảo:

-Nhóc nhảy đẹp lắm! Nhóc thích nhảy lắm ah?

Giọng anh trầm ấm quá, tôi ngẩng mặt lên. Ngay trước mặt tôi là khuôn mặt của một chàng trai trẻ. Da anh trắng ngần. Tóc anh đen láy áp vào khuôn mặt trái xoan. Mắt to hơi xếch xuống. Mũi thẳng cao và khuôn miệng mỏng, khi cười có lúm đồng tiền hiện lên.

Tôi thấy tim mình đập mạnh. Có lẽ vì sợ. Tôi không dám nói gì, chỉ gật đầu. Anh đứng dậy, ráng lục tìm trong túi cái gì đó. Anh để nắm tay ngay trước mặt tôi. Tay xòe ra. Ngón tay anh thon dài và trong lòng tay anh là một viên đá tinh khiết, trong veo, chứa một cánh hoa màu hồng phớt. Đẹp quá! Tôi cứ đứng đấy nhìn chằm chằm vào nó. Anh bật cười:

-Cho nhóc đấy! Xem như tiền công cho anh xem nhóc diễn nhé!

Anh hướng tay về phía tôi, đẩy đẩy. Tôi ngẩng lên nhìn anh. Nụ cười ngời sáng của anh làm tim tôi giật thót. Với lớp áo trắng tay dài, anh trông đẹp như một thiên thần. Tôi rụt rè nhấc tay lấy viên đá, khẽ chạm vào lòng tay anh. Anh xoa xoa đầu tôi rồi cất bước bỏ đi.

Tôi đợi anh bỏ đi một quãng rồi nhè nhẹ, chậm rãi bước theo. Anh tiến vào khu rừng lá vàng khi nãy. Những hàng cây chằng chịt làm tôi mất giấu anh. Tôi hoang mang nhìn xung quanh và bất chợt thấy anh đang ngồi bệt xuống nền đất và lá thu vàng cách một quãng xa. Hướng nhìn anh thẳng vào không trung. Anh đang nhìn gì, tôi thật lòng không biết. Tâm trí tôi khi ấy trở nên trống rỗng chỉ biết ngắm nhìn bức tranh đang diễn ra trước mắt. Đẹp một cách nao lòng.

Năm mười ba tuổi, lần đầu tiên tôi được gặp một thiên thần.

[Fiction] Flying Petals.

2011-07-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Flying Petals.

Như Cánh Hoa Bay.

Nguyễn Tú Trân.

***

Lời Tựa.

Trước khi viết được 1 tiểu thuyết nào, 1 phân cảnh của tiểu thuyết đó sẽ hiện ra trước mắt tôi. Nếu phân cảnh ấy hấp dẫn, tôi sẽ tự vấn bản thân: Này, chuyện gì đã xảy ra? Và tôi đặt bút viết. Càng viết tôi càng đào sâu. Chuyện gì đã xảy ra? Chuyện gì đã dẫn đến chuyện đấy? Anh ấy là người như thế nào? Cô ấy là người ra sao? Chuyện gì đã xảy ra với cuộc đời họ? Bỗng dưng mọi thứ mở ra trước mặt tôi. Cuộc đời của anh ấy, của cô ấy, của họ bỗng dưng được hình thành, từ mờ nhạt đến rõ nét dần.

Và như thế từ 1 phân đoạn chỉ khoảng 1 đoạn dài chừng nửa trang, nó sẽ trở thành câu chuyện 7 trang và hơn nữa.

Tôi thích cái cảm giác được viết truyện. Như thể tôi đang tiếp cận với 1 cuộc đời. Họ chào đón tôi, họ kể tôi nghe. Cả khi tôi viết xong. Cảm giác như thể tôi đã hoàn thành xong 1 sứ mạng quan trọng nào đó. Câu chuyện kết thúc, phân cảnh kia cũng mỉm cười biến mất, còn tôi thì thở phào nhẹ nhõm. Cái cảm giác khi bắt đầu chấp bút cũng rất thú vị. Câu chuyện này sẽ như thế nào? Chuyện gì sẽ xảy ra? Tôi hoàn toàn không biết cho đến khi viết xong. Cái cảm giác đấy cũng giống như khi chúng ta là người đọc. Tôi hi vọng bạn cũng đồng ý như thế.

Còn bây giờ,

Xin mời.

Sleep with your fear.

2011-06-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

What happens right now is my 2 favorite roomies have been back to their country, aka I'm lonely here in this apartment with [at least] 3 dudes while trying to pack everything by June 16th.

My room is literally a mess right now and boxes are everywhere and yeah, I'm afraid. I'm afraid of this crowded room and empty room that it will soon be later. In the other hand, I'm panic. And want to give up.

Sometimes, I guess the easiest way is trying my best to sleep with fear. Making a schedule and finish it bit by bit.

Meanwhile, listen to this song:

You know what's gonna happen next, watch Mulan I.

That's it for now. Have a lovely time <3

Spark of a firework.

2011-05-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

Every time we watch Katy Perry's Firework, what we see is Katy Perry and a bunch of kids dancing around (plus firework) but these random people here ain't random. Even though their appearances are just typical, these people have stories that could inspire and strengthen us. Each of them has the spark.

I think, because they are us.

When it happened, I wondered why I couldn't cry. I was hurt but I couldn't burst a tear. My friends told me that I should let it all out, but I just couldn't. But then today, I cried while watching this video. I realize though, there is something else worth crying for.

Karma.

2011-05-17T02:05:00.000-07:00

My mom has many times telling me over and over again:

"Ở hiền gặp lành,

Ở ác gặp ác."

"One good turn deserves another."

And so, naturally, I believe in that, too. At least for those times I cannot change what has happened.

All I need to do is living well and peacefully. And the person who is hurting me right now, will soon get the Karma that he deserves.

*Crossing fingers*

Stay strong and fly high.

2011-05-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

1. Stay strong.

I found some cool stuffs few days ago and have kept it on my Safari since then. Just to watch over and over again.
The first one, is: To Steal Like An Artist (And 9 Other Things Nobody Told Me.)
The second one, I suppose, is for everyone: How To Solve Creative Block.

They are easy to understand, fun, and definitely helpful.

2. Fly High: Super 8.

I believe lots of you have watched these videos of The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart:

I love this video, not only because of the so-cool-so-vintage effect but also the girls' styles. Love it. Especially Peggy Wang, the Asian girl. I love how you cannot see her eyes. Love when they run on the seaside at 02:07 (I think) Uhm yeah, also, love to see girl's legs, so yeah...

This should be used for avatar sometimes lol

Oh the best comment ever:

lol

Gee these inspire me to make one so so much!!! ❤

3. Sweet.
I will put this on my list for now: Chinatown Ice-cream Factory.

A bit of salt, a bit of butter, a bit of sugar.

2011-05-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

First, let me tell you that I'm in my final rush right now. Starting from today, I will have 3 more weeks to go and I will be done with school!!! So I will post this really fast and back to my work *Cross fingers*

1. Salt.

Found these gorgeous floral pattern this morning.

I love to have multi-media on my work so I have a thought what if I use different cloths like these and sew/iron them on my canvas picture? It would be so nice. Uhm nom nom nom...

Her WEBSITE here if you want to take a look.

2. Butter.

Just get straight, I'm not really into Soccer, or even sport lol Or even more, I pretty hate it lol But heyy, since I'm my dad's first child and my sister was still too young to understand soccer game, I actually was the one who always watched the World Cup with him. In fact, I was the only one in the house could be able to watch till the end lol Because my dad always got tired of the different time zone, yup, he always snored before me lol

Anyway, so just by saying that, I mean when I like some soccer players, I pretty much like them just because of their personalities. Like David Beckham (Plus his fashion style and seriously, he is the only one with full tattoo on 2 arms and I still think he's gorgeous!), Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, John Terry, and some others lol

So anyway, for today, it's David Luiz.

He's new and I just know him this evening but he's way too hilarious to not be in love with him!!!

He has to done this several times before!!! So pro! lolz

I LOL so hard at this. Evil David. And Di Maria is such a nice guy. I mean, if it was someone else, these people would be punch on the face immediately already!

The woman: How do you go to solve my life?

Di Maria: Just go home and stay calm.

The woman: Can you see how my leg is?

Di: I'm not interested.

The woman: I cannot stand. I have to sit!

Di: Then go to your house, you said you lived near here.

LOL

Police B: He is a sporting CP fan.

Di: Huhh???

Police B: He is a sporting CP fan.

Di: So that's why.

Bahahaha I cannot stop this!!!!

3. Sugar.

And finally, something sweet for us ❤

I know!!! Russia all the way babe! But here for god sake, the translation!

The girl: The car is very nice!

The boy: Thank you!

The girl: It's Ferrari car, isn't it?

The boy: No, it's Bentley.

The girl: I have never heard of that name [Pause] I'm Masha.

This actually is a MV for his band, Звери, you should check other clips too if you have time. They are pretty cute but I believe this is their best.

▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩▩

Also, my sugar day:

After my drawing class, when I was walking down the street, an old lady ran to me and gave me her flower crown. She said: It looks cute on you! I, while was still laughing so hard, could only say Thank you! Thank you so much! You make my day!

Later, my college's police stopped his car by me, pointed at my crown, and made a thumb-up, then a girl stared at me like I was a jerk and both of them made me laugh again.

When I got on my bus, I saw my friend and he was like Tina tell me, what is going on???

lol I know, these days were really hard for him cause I used to be a girl who wore black boots of Dr. Martens all the time and just all of sudden I wore scandal, bought 2 pairs of super high heels, and now, pink nail polish andddd pink flower crownnn??? LOL

Guess I can't wait to be a San Fran lady then lol

Why are all of my pictures always come to be like this at the end???

Okay, I'm off for now. HAVE TO finish my work tonight!!!!!

Aiya aiya fighting!!!! ◟(●≻∆≺●)◞

Some little presents.

2011-05-08T01:38:00.000-07:00

That we'll all be damned in the morning,

We'll all be damned in the evening too.

We'll all be damned when the sun don't shine.

And your hurtful words'll come floating back to you.

Dearself, stay strong.