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Sunday 27 July 2014

Egg Coffee Adventure

Friday- July 25th, 2014


Thank goodness it's Friday! 

Panther's 206th Song:  Bonfire Heart by James Blunt


Photo of the Day: Cafe with Raw Egg Yolk

Cafe Giang's authentic egg coffee (coffee with raw eggs)  (photo taken 7/27/2014)

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Saturday- July 26th, 2014


Photo of the Day: Xoi Yen

sticky rice with white corn, yellow beans, floss and some meat (photo taken 7/27/2014)


Panther's 207th song: All the Little Lights by Passenger


"Missing our lovely Panther so much... T.T."

BTW, I spent my rainy Saturday in bed with migraine that I couldn't even do my yoga. Sigh. 
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Sunday- July 27th, 2014

Today, had my dream come true... the Egg Coffee adventure and I didn't regret because it was authentic and creamy.

"Oh well, wish Panther was there with me so he could also sip the real Vietnamese egg coffee. Hugs and Kisses to him and the campers!"


Panther's 208th song: I'll Be Your Man by Passenger


Photo of the Day: Sweat it Girl

got myself headbands for yoga and plank exercise

Thursday 24 July 2014

You've Proven them Wrong

Sometimes life is hard, and we think that it's somehow unfair. But I realized that there's always this special feeling of being a part of its magical moments when surprises knock you down, and you get up saying. "It's payback time!"  

So... SMILE, it's not the end of the world yet! 

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Panther's 201st song: Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys


"Your voice says it all...you're blessed despite the incredibly heartbreaking past you've had. Common' think about how you've made your life more successful and have stood up on your own." Hugs and Kisses from Us!

July 20th, 2014 - Sunday


Photo of the Day: Wallnuts in Pink 
(parsley, cucumber, cilantro,carrots,cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, pink himalayan salt, lime, deviled ham open sandwich)
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July 21st, 2014 - Monday

Panther's 202nd song: Not Afraid by Eminem

"The bravest man I've encountered is always there esp when am grumpy! Thank you...you're in every breath of my prayers."  Kissesssssss!


Photo of the Day: Floral Lid
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Panther's 203rd song:Stronger by Kanye West


"You've proven them wrong...you're not one of those shallow-minded folks who can't do anything but pull you down. Please remember that you're unique and awesome!"


Photo of the Day: Zesta

preparing for masala milk tea

July 22nd, 2014 - Tuesday
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these go with amazing health benefits
Photo of the Day: Wallnuts

July 23rd, 2014 - Wednesday

"Sending lots of luv from Vietnam! Hugs and Kisses."

Panther's 204th song:Written in the Stars by Tinie Tempah Feat. Eric Turner
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July 24th, 2014- Thursday


I hate anything sugary...especially bland milk tea...so I made my own because I haven't tasted a "good" cup of masala milk tea even in expensive coffee shops here in VN.

Panther's 205th song: Hard Knock Life by Jay Z


Photo of the Day: My Owm Masala Milk Tea

4 masala chai bags, 1.5tbsp condensed milk (low-calorie)

Saturday 19 July 2014

You and I Are Safe

When was the last time you felt really happy... you wanted to stop the clock to be with that only one your heart beats for? The best feeling isn't it??? 


Wednesday- July 16, 2014


"I always make sure that you're stronger each day and I'm glad you've been keeping up the good work. Hugs and Kisses and Lots of Love!"

 Panther's 197th song: Wake Me Up by Avincii


Photo of the day: You're The Author and I'm Your Reader
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Thursday- July 17th, 2014

Panther's 198th song: Don't You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia Feat John Martin

"Each day I wish you were here... but your presence makes me braver with the hope that someday soon we'll be together. Wuv you!"

Photo of the Day: Tea Break
wish u were here luv :(
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Friday- July 18th, 2014

Photo of the day: Murakami in Vietnam


Panther's 199th song: We're Safe and Sound by Capital Cities
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Saturday- July 19th, 2014

I'm still feelin dizzy after that very unlikely earthquake a few seconds ago. Well, been here for 4 years and unlike The Philippines in which cruel storms and earthquakes kill thousands of innocent souls, Vietnam according to it's geography is far from tectonic plates which means you don't have to worry about the earth shaking while you're in the country. Oh, I guess the world is getting back what we humans have exploited and all we could do now is to pray more for the world to realize that God exists and that He is faithful. 

Photo of the Day: Colours of My Life
made my own tea from real tea leaves

Panther's 200th song: All of Me by John Legend

"You're in my heart, and I just so love your imperfections and will always walk with you no matter what." Huge Hugs and Sweet Kisses to you and the Campers.

Tuesday 15 July 2014

The Prayer

I've always believed in miracles as well as prayers change things. This is a matter of strong and sincere affirmation and declaration to get rid of evil minds, thoughts and actions towards us especially those who put you down, those who accuse and condemn and or curse you. My simple yet powerful prayer for this is to rebuke them, and I'd say: "I rebuke you, whoever you are, who wants to see me fall, or to see my family, and my special friends and Panther suffer, again I rebuke you In Jesus' Name because No Weapon Formed against me, my family, friends and Panther shall prosper in His Name, and this is a command thru God's grace!"


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Thursday- July 10th, 2014

Panther's 191st song: Amazing Grace (Piano Tribute) by Chris Tomlin

Photo of the Day: Shield


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Friday- July 11th, 2014

Panther's 192nd song: The Way I was Made by Chris Tomlin

Photo of the Day: Hope


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Saturday- July 12th, 2014

Panther's 193rd song: I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

Photo of the Day: Courage to StandOut


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Sunday- July 13th, 2014

Panther's 194th song: I Will Never Walk Alone by Don Moen

"Surely, I declare that you'll never walk alone my love and you'll conquer all of these in Jesus' Name, Amen!"

Photo of the Day: Building Life

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Monday- July 14th, 2014

Panther's 195th song: My Love and My Light by Don Moen

"God bless you always my dear... you deserve better in life because you're a good one and He knows it. You're always in my prayers and I believe that has been working on it whatever you've been through right now."

Photo of the Day: There's Always A Light


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Tuesday- July 15th, 2014

Panther's 196th song: Let Your Mercy Rain by Chris Tomlin

"These song will give you the strength and courage to face the challenges in life. I'll always be with you and walk with you no matter what. Wuv you from Teddy and Susan. Hugs and Kisses to the campers!"

Photo of the Day: Behind Each Battle
behind each battle God is working on ways that we can't see...all we have to have is Faith and cast all of our cares on Him




Wednesday 9 July 2014

Nonchalant Flipflops

Life indeed has full of surprises that it even gives you jimjams with your droopy feet on a yellow, public Ha Noi bus to the city centre.  

As I hopped on the bus, my purple, Ipanema flip-flops whispered nonchalantly, "sigh... looks like we're gonna stand again", and I grinned accepting the reality of commuting by bus. "Wish I had a company car and an English-speaking driver..." giggling while handing in the 9k VND to the pale, cold, stony-eyed bus  conductor on his loose, yellow polo shirt with a HaiVan bus logo on its pocket. 

Once I found myself a comfortable handle to balance, I realized that there were two teen-aged girls behind me sitting at the back of each other since the seats on both sides of the bus accommodate only one person. Anyway, I stood right beside the girl on her white and red knitted, balloon dress which I thought she ordered from an online shop she saw on Facebook. Her eyes looked flat while carefully staring at the glaring beams of the morning sun from the sooty window of the bus. Every now and then, I secretly scrutinized her day dreams while she was busy streaming some girly stuff on her Iphone. "Oh, she has seriously long nails and it looks like she's having a hard time using the touch screen with her unwary polished nails", I muttered. Then I took a deep breath and behaved like a kid guilty for breaking her mom's favorite mug. 

After three stops, two men on their thick, plastic skintight belts hopped on the busy box of motionless people with their right hands on the handles so as not to get their faces flat on the floor once the driver hits the brake. One of them asked each one the bus ticket while the other one was busy showing off his beer belly in front of the gossip men right at the back of the driver's seat. Then that bus inspector asked for my ticket...so I picked it up from my denim pocket and handed it to him. In a few minutes, he asked me my bus ticket again, and I was a bit ticked off and said, "You already had it...what else do you want?". I was so sure he didn't understand a word...so I just murmured in my dialect saying, "Bogo..dangag, makalagot...calm down Sue." 

What where they thinking? Why couldn't they do their job well? No, you won't expect them to work professionally, yet they dress up "like a sir"! LOL. Anyhow, the story didn't end that easy... since the bus conductor forgot to give the two people sitting and talking loudly at the back their tickets, he hurriedly walked past me with his mouth wide open like a hungry shark blowing a poisonous, stinky smell from his diaphragm! "Oh, gosh did he even remember to brush before getting into work?", I exhaled deeply. 

Darn, for someone like me who has an OCD and an extremely sensitive sense of smell, I almost threw up when a kid at the left corner of the back seat vomitted. The arid, cool air in that air-conditioned bus turned into a scene of a small alley in a remote village in the Old Quarter with the trail of weary, ugly drunkards on their torn, inverted denim pockets. I never wear any mask...but at that very moment, I wished I had my six-year old, pink Korean style mask I had as a gift from my Korean student six years ago. 

As we passed by a few more stops, say were in the middle of our destination to the centre of Ha Noi, a girl on her mid-twenties stood up from her seat and waited for the driver to kick the brakes. She was, I thought a jolly person despite her tough, thin supple brunette wig she was proudly wearing while confidently exchanging a chitchat to a weird man on her right. How could I forget her bulky, distracting band aid which extended from her upper right lip to the upper part of her chin along with her flirtatious smile towards him? "Oh finally, she got off...", I said looking at the strange behaviour of that man. He was in a grey polo shirt, with his brown, cotton, fishing bucket hat cap. "Oh, het tien..." he uttered. Yes, he kept talking to himself which made him sounded like he was complaining for an expensive bus ticket. On the other hand, I wasn't certain what he really wanted to tell the world, and how he seriously hates it. 

Then another character came in... yes I used to see that "big" lady on her early forties I guess on the bus number 71,72 and or 74 especially on weekends. She wasn't an ordinary woman, because she has the habit of staring at everyone on the bus, and or bugging the driver, and most likely talking to herself once the bus conductor gets tired of her non-sense. Well, guess what...that weird man in grey polo shirt was actually her friend! Ahahahaha! 

Alright so much for the awful, kinky chapter on that yellow box of lifeless strangers. I took off in Keangnam station and got a cab to Hoan Kiem for my class. The first cab I got didn't know how to get to the address I showed him, so I got another one. Thank goodness, he was so patient with my bad Vietnamese instructions. It was a rainy morning, but I didn't expect to get caught in the middle of congested roads, waiting for at least 4 minutes to make it to the next stop light. 

I called Rebekah, that Singaporean church owner to have my class canceled because definitely I wouldn't make it at 10am in which the class was supposed to start at 9am. She seemed not to give up, then I gave the phone to the cab driver...and the driver said that we were lost. "Oh no, we aren't lost...we're stuck in traffic!", I told Rebekah. So, to make the long story short...I ended up in a bookstore for some books which cost me around 150$. Arghhh...did I have a choice? Haha...NOPE!

Alrighty, it was about time to treat myself for a big bowl of Japanese cravings. I couldn't remember what was I eating...all I recalled was the awful, salty taste of breaded chicken with eggs. Hmnnn...as much as I wanted to whine and or get mad, I tried to think of getting myself a cup of my favourite Hazelnut freeze in Highlands to spice up my frustrations and disappointments. 

It was a long day, and before I went back to the dorm I picked up 2 boxes of Medium sized pizza in Al Fresco's for my awesome translators. Well, you don't wanna know what happened next...never mind, I'll keep it secret between me and Panther. 


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July 7th-Monday

Panther's 188th song:  Love's Theme by Barry White
naughty girl to dad (Photo by Panther)

Photo of the day:AND I Love Her, too!

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Tuesday- July 8th

Panther's 189th song: The Best by Tina Turner

Photo of the day: Nonchalant Par De Tres  #ipanema
my new companion



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July 9th- Wednesday

Panther's 190th song: Baby I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton

"Yes, I do love the way you make me smile...wuv you!" Hugs and Kisses to the campers from Teddy. 

Photo of the day: Smart Teddy
he wants to take photos with daddy



Saturday 5 July 2014

Pink Salt and Lime


"I'd like to take this rare chance to offer Panther and the rest of the readers Christian songs which usually make my day when I'm down in the dumps, give me peace when I get paranoid at random stuff, give me hope when life gets tough. My prayers to Panther, my family and friends that they may be safe, healthy and successful and that no weapon formed against me and them shall prosper, in His Name! Amen."

Panther's 181st song: Lord You Are Good by Don Moen

Monday-June 30th, 2014

Photo of the day: Himalayan Pink Salt


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I've always tried my very best to get up early....truly I've been able to do my yoga regularly at least four times a week except those days when I get my monthly "period". But since  I started this hobby, I've had visible improvements not only muscle toning but also emotionally. I used to easily lose my temper. Now I feel more patient and way more positive. Oh, thanks to Panther by the way for the yoga videos... that was sooo nice of him as always. 

Tuesday-July 1st, 2014

Panther's 182nd song: God Will Make A Way by Wow Worship

Photo of the day:
Deviled Ham (good  as spread and tastes better in salads)


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Wednesday-July 2nd, 2014

Photo of the day: Tired Teddy...he misses Daddy, too. :(


Panther's 183rd song: How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin

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Thursday-July 3rd, 2014

Panther's 184th song: I'll Say Yes by Don Moen

Photo of the Day: Worst from Tous Les Jours
added deviled ham... this is the worst bread ever! and yes i love eating on the FLOOR :))

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Panther's 185th song: I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

(Friday-July 4th, 2014)

Finally, I was able to start my  volunteer ESL lessons at the Evangelical church in the Old Quarter. After the class, quickly took a cab to Detech for my passport before I headed to Al Fresco's for a Southern style chicken wings and Spaghetti Bolognese which I had been craving for in the past few weeks. Thank goodness that was indeed one of the most wonderful treats of the week...and it didn't finish there until I got the purple, "Ipanema Par De Tres". And...I thought it would be nicer if I dropped by Paris Baguette for a cup of milk tea. Yeah, in an hour I was already in TP bank for an important transaction...then ran to the bus station so I wouldn't be late for my 4pm class. 

Photo of the day: Empty Jar
am i that messy??? hehe


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Saturday-July 5th, 2014

Yayyyy ... did the errands pretty well from the Western Union, to the HR department, to the groceries and coffee. Thank you God for keeping me safe all through the day.

Panther's 186th song: Alle by Chris Tomlin

Am worried about you...tell me you're well though I know you're "too" busy to read even some of the silly lines in my blog. Hugs!

Photo of the day: Sue's Salad
some leaves, herbs, carrots, cucumber, cherry, cashew nuts, Deviled ham, lime, extra virgin olive oil, Himalayan pink salt


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Sunday- July 6th, 2014

Photo of the day: Bloody Red, Copper and Orange


Panther's 187th song: Thank You Lord by Don Moen