I was at work…..my ears started to pick up some odd sound….familiar and very loud…..it was throbbing pretty hard. Heart palpitations – 2 of my Asian friends called it -, the kind of sensations where you can feel and hear your heart beat pounding fast, at times skipped beats. Pretty serious stuff. I called it ‘episode’.

Throughout the day…and the next 3 days, it was pretty frequent that I had such ‘episode’. Was not very pleasant nor fun. So I took the liberty of stop drinking caffeine, saying no to my 3 cups of coffee and 2 cups of tea per day was pretty shocking.  I rushed to tell others and my family about it the next thing I know….I got everyone worried. My dad decided to check my pulse and record my blood pressure right away, wise things to do, and of course after he’s ‘through’ with me about my lifestyle and the non-exercise ‘habit’ of meself. Great. Here I was worried enough about my heart and also got told off for it.

I spent my entire weekend lying in bed…taking things slow, doing some deep breathing once in a while. The first night the ‘episode’ hit, it was too much to bear….I hardly had any sleep. My heart rate went up to 114 (double the normal standard), and my blood pressure also was in trouble, ‘it got stuck’ my dad say. When you use one of those machine, there’s 2 numbers to look out for and apparently the upper and lower no must equal to 40, mine was either 50 or 30….not good.

….the week was moving slow and fast….Sunday was really bad, I felt like a vegetable the whole day and had to skip Mat. V’s yummy cold cut dinner. To add to the ‘drama’, I spent my time in front of the dvd player…watching ‘ Desperate Housewives’, how appropriate.

I went to work normally on Monday….with the aid of the med over the weekend, something my dad gave me pretty cool stuff, 3 tablets per intake, 2 was vitamin & the other must be for the heart. All my friends insisted I urgently visited the hospital and should not wait until my Tuesday morning check up.

The hospital on a Tuesday was busy…I did a electrocardigram test and blood test….to examine the entire system bio-chemically speaking. There was a bunch of nurses, newbies gathering around my bed learning how to withdraw blood from the right hand vein while I was lying half naked on the bed, of course with cloth covering the significant bits. Then they went off to observe other things. The test was ‘ok’. Everything within the limit but doc said I urgently need to work on the excising part. In fact my blood pressure is a bit low, meaning prone to sickness.

Since the weekend, my dad urged me to take up his 5 slow breathing moves every morning. Each move must be done in the odd numbers only and the key is not to do it fast but slowly and together with breathing. Now to breathe correctly is totally new now for me. After 5 days of doing the move, I have just upgraded into 7 times per move and my sweat already starting to pour. In addition, I also use the machine at home to do some slow swing step. The key to the breathing session is also to open all the window early in the morning, taking all the positive air in, inhale from the stomach and breath out solidly. It was difficult at first, but I got the hang of it now…..the funny thing was I did not feel like I needed a coffee after the session.

I guess caffeine was not particularly suitable for me, well for a hyperactive person like me who is also working in a stress-prone zone industry where juggling more than 1 thing is our expertise.

I stopped taking the med on Monday….not feeling 100% but the heart did stop protesting.

A wake up call comes just in time.

(My best friend)

(My Big C.)

@ a shipyard

(and a little bit too dark….Imperial Hotel in Vung Tau)

]]> http://annha.com/me/my-shaky-pictures/feed 3 http://annha.com/travel/building-architek-chicago-2007-flash-back http://annha.com/travel/building-architek-chicago-2007-flash-back#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:55:41 +0000 Ann Ha http://annha.com/?p=735

My travel logs and pictures….all over the places….I truly miss it…..back on the road…..it’s great fun…

Now I have my 500d…will snap even more with more pressure…..I hate to take pic of human being….they’re not easy to manipulate….my focus more on ….landscape, architek…..and randomness

This is Chicago.

Cũng trong tháng 7, sau đám cưới Liên Chi, tại Q-bar, mình và Shaun ngã ngớn….xỉn lắm rồi nhưng vẫn ngựa như thường.

Và chỉ  một tháng sau…tiệc Dose ấn tượng đầu tiên đầy kỷ niệm, sáng hôm sau thức dậy mặc quần áo tiệc say xỉn hôm trước đi ăn sáng tại Au Parc…gặp ông khách hàng….

(Chris chụp tấm này)

Mình và anh Adam

Nhớ lại lúc tháng 2 đi Hội An trước khi Paul về nước

Còn đây là event đầu tiên của mình, khách hàng Chile

(Trên lầu của Cepage)

Còn đây là tấm chụp lúc đón đồng nghiệp Manila qua….với 2 sếp

Thorsten….đồng nghiệp người Đức, và cũng trở thành bạn khá thân, anh ta có đôi lúc thật bực mình nhưng cũng đáng yêu, cũng khá là điệu

Hà Nội tháng 11 với Dave

The place was empty. I was surprised but could not careless. Hungry and thirsty for wine, 4 of us quickly made our way to the menu. For 35USD ++, the selection of 4 course meal and 2 hours of free flow of wine really appealing. There was a couple in the next table but they ate in such a hasty speed and quickly ran out. The girl I noticed only had a salad and a glass of wine.

Optimistic, I choose my selection: Fancy starters, a humble meat dish and chocolate cheese cake and white wine…I think it was Chardonnay. Of all the dishes, the soup was probably the highlight of the night, the best of all. ‘Consomme of perigord black truffles w stuffed cabbage and goose liver’ is a dish that has the perfect blend of texture and taste, very intricate, light, a perfect starter. The clear tasty broth acts as a superb foundation for the mince pork wrapped with cabbage, a soft but crunchy texture, then balanced off by the soft, delicate goose liver. To top it all is a slice of black truffle, resting comfortably.

‘Secondi’ was champagne risotto with sweetbreads, interesting combination but the portion was way too big. For a second dish there was way too much risotto. And the rice was not cooked in the correct Italian way…almost tasteless. I was a bit disappointed. While a friend of  mine order chicken tart and my other friend decided to enjoy the ‘free served salad’ as she did not fancy anything else…again I think they need to control the portion here, if diners are going to have a 4 course menu!

The most awaited dish turned out to be rather ordinary. Duck breast with ginger and orange sauce saute with vegie. The duck was rather dried but it did retain some sweetness after- taste.  My friend made a joke about how my last duck breast home-cook was even better. Disappointed I must admit. Although the sauce is very light and over all it was refreshing and the mash potatoes was good….I found myself stunned. A boring dish.

We ended the night with the average desert….as if it was not satisfied enough, I ordered 2 scoops of coconut ice-cream to go with the cheese cake. We did however had great conversation and a relaxing year end dinner…but I could not stop thinking why there were 5 waitress staring at our table, trying to look after us. That is more than a hand full of waiting staff.

I wonder what my next visit will be like.

(Images: courtesy of C.B.)

I have long stopped the pleasure of attending karaoke session. I dont know why.  But I attended anyway and it was great fun. I met my ‘match’ of ‘bitchiness’ (well not exactly more like…mouth war).

It was a he-she  ‘Thím Hồng’ and I immediately considered myself on the other gender ‘Cậu An’, whom I had the pleasure of giving the award of Best Ladies Man of the entire office the next day. We had great fun talking bullshit and non-sense on that day. The next following occasions…we were chatting on Yahoo passed mid night while he was sneakingly watching the teli. He was probably one of the most relaxed, straightforward but quirky Northern guys I have ever met. Thím Hồng is happily married with a 3 years old baby girl. How cute.

Then comes  ”Casanova’ Mr. Phuc Nguyen…quite a character, I could dare to say that Phuc is a womanizer….perhaps we could blame it on his artistic makeup (not cosmetic), but friendly enough to be around…

The TAO GOES HOLLYWOOD Party was a great opp to meet new people, new colleagues from the Ha Noi office. New faces, old, young, single, married, enjoying life.

(Ogilvy PR team)

And…..a new friend may I call him such

(Credit: Phuc Nguyen)

In preparation for the BIG NIGHT, all the ladies went to get their hair do, their nails polished while I was strolling the Old Quarter shopping with the guys….It was a memorable night. It was perhaps one of the most anticipated nights of the entire year, celebration, reunion, and a night fulled of stars. Each of us took turn to shine at the event. I was among all enjoyed mostly the companionship of all my workmates who have been with me for the period of 2 years at the agency. We partied hard out. Hit ‘Next’ night club for some crowd crunching, beers, girls, and techno. Then off to hear our own voices and sang for each other….

As if the night was done….I wanted more…I had to have more, to take it all in….Off to the lake we went, on the street, rice wine, roasted chicken feet, sausages, and an early morning fully of laughter.

The next day on the way to airport……

I put my headphone on, listened to my fav play list while all of my colleagues were laughing their heads off and chatting over the weekend – the good the bad and the funniest moments. I made a note to myself as I was purposely trying to block out all the noises. I needed to reflect…taking the time to take it all in.

Perhaps I did not want it to end. In some state of denial.

My disjointed note reads: ‘ 45min ride to airport, recap on the days…I’m rude yes to block out all the laughter, noises, the promised connection that all were eagerly made to one and another..emotional yes it was. There were some regrets discussion, then all drifted into a quick nap….exhausted perhaps…..while I was looking out of the bus window seeing the scenes passing by. I closed my eyes and saw the flashes of images, moments alive….all captured click click click by a. Phuc’s Nikon cam…my wound finally healed…’almost’.

News: From the UK

News: From the US

One of my fav pieces of his…across the decade

Alexander McQueen

Born in the East End and the son of a taxi driver, Alexander McQueen was the quintessential bad boy made good. He had brains and brawn, having survived over ten years as a solo designer and being brought into the Gucci Group stable, which bought a 51 per cent stake in his company 2002. In 2008, his company not only turned a profit but was also opening new stores from LA to Beirut. He was awarded the coveted Designer of the Year Award at the British Fashion Awards four times.

• Alexander McQueen was born in 1970 in the East End of London – the son of a taxi driver.
• He trained on Savile Row at Gieves & Hawkes, where he reportedly once embroidered a suit for the Prince of Wales with the words “I am a c**t” (in the lining).
• In 1991 his entire degree show was bought by influential stylist Isabella Blow, whose later suicide in 2007 led to him dedicating his entire spring/summer 2008 collection to her memory.
• The of LVMH president, Bernard Arnault, controversially installed McQueen as John Galliano’s successor at Givenchy in 1996. McQueen told Vogue in October 1997 that his debut couture offering for the label was “crap”, but he stayed with the house until March 2001 – continuing to create challenging collections, including one featuring car-robots spraying paint over white cotton dresses and double amputee model Aimee Mullins striding down the catwalk on intricately carved wooden legs – until the contract which he said was “constraining his creativity” was ended.
• His spring/summer 2010 collection, which featured alien-inspired make-up and reptilian prints, was lauded as his best by the fashion press, with Selfridges buying director Anita Barr telling VOGUE.COM she believed it would be the department store’s “best selling collection ever”.
• McQueen died, aged 40, on February 11 2010, amid unconfirmed reports that he committed suicide.

Alexander McQueen delivered collections that were often described in superlatives: “I didn’t plan out my life like that,” he said. “When people recognise and respect what you do, that’s nice, but I don’t think you ever do this to be famous. Fame should be left to the film stars. We’re just offering a service.”

Alexander McQueen Head Office
10 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UQ
Tel: +44 20 7278 4333
Fax: +44 20 7278 3828

We started to roll and back on the street, on the way to Noi Bai airport, heading back home to HCMC, ending our trip to Ha Noi.

After the đào farm, the entire company had dinner Buffet Viet after the morning visit to the office where each and one of our HCMC team was introduced. Our HCMC team was greeted and treated rather warmly by the Ha Noi staff. Each of us received a welcome gift bag: a city map, some Ha Noi sweet, and a greeting letter with our schedule on it. We in return exchanged with the HCMC typical sweets.

Next morning, after a 3pm home trip and some sleep,  the group decided to skip the Bát Tràng trip and explored the Old Quarter on foot. We ended up at Nola cafe, a charming artistic coffee shop with great character, obviously been re-designed by some artists (Ma May street).

Under the enthuse spirit of our ‘guide’, we entered an old house…..

To visit this old charming house, you’ll need to be there after lunch around 1:30, be quiet, and pay 5.000VND for entrance fee….tour guide is also available. It’s an two-storey house with wooden floor and I love those toys on the ground floor. Packed with western tourists….maybe it’s not such a good thing? who knows?

There were around 18ish of us. Or maybe 20. It does not feel like a holiday just yet.

Nghiem could not stand the heavy odor breeze coming from her back seat.

She decided to move next to me and tried to steal my food.

I guess she was hungry.

We were greeted by the appointed colleagues at the Noi Bai airport. Tuan was one of the guys I think. Our ‘hotel’ or so we called it was literally next door to the Ha Noi office. It’s more like guest house with basic amenities, yes basic but good enough.  Starving yet again, a. Tuan took us to a very Ha Noi Phở Quán around Hang Quat area. Most of us went for the chicken soup.  Despite the odd plain taste, we were happy to enjoy a hot bowl of pho for supper by the L shaped table. Of course…extreme yelling and demand always come handy when you’re dining out in Ha Noian resto. Hastily and enthusiastically we ate our meals. Then off to the Funky Buda for late drinks. I’ve been to the Buda before and could not recall anything special about the place or any outstanding Buda worth noticing. But we were special so that’s what it really matters. Johnny tried to make me dance with my limping leg while others were enjoying the short but fin clubbing moves. Huong, a Ha Noian colleague insisted that this is just drinks….’we’re not going out, tomorrow it will be but not tonight, this is nothing’.

I remember waking up early and checking on Nghiem & Yen’s room right after, just to ensure they will wake up and be ready in time for a new day.

I was starving and excited to be in Ha Noi again, this time with a whole bunch of new people.

When going in a large group, making decision can be tough, even when it’s to do with food, or should I re-phrase it especially on the topic of food.

A small group of us decided to head for Hang Ga for the steamed pork roll Banh Cuon with Ha Noi sausage. The dish is simple. The sausage is quickly dipped into the hard boil water to warm it up, arranged onto a small dish with lemon wedges and shall be dipped again into the serving mild fish sauce, served with hot Banh Cuon. The Banh Cuon’s stuffing here is very light and everyone kinda shares the ordered dish. Tuck in I always say. Second round of food was another specialty, led by Ms. Infamous Huong: the snail rice noodle soup – either served dipped or poured. Our morning could not be fuller with us walking around the Old Quarter finding the coffee place to enjoy. We walked rather a long way then eventually found ourselves back to the guest house.

So Nguyen Du street café it was.

Our afternoon destination for the afternoon was out of city center. We headed for the popular Đào farm. Like madness everyone hushed to capture all of the natural beautifully pink đào. I was not an exception though I found flowers are much easier to control than people.

Does this ‘french’ country inspiration or what?

Does not necessary looks glam, but this is how a farm ought to be I guess….one straight line of beautifully blossomed đào flower. Once a year around Tet time they compete to shine…to show off…or to be pollinated by some odd bugs – those who love pink flowers. This year the đào industry will continue to suffer with the additional lunar month where weather has made such a pressured impact on to the blossom timing. We arrived at the farm and 90% of the trees have already fully ‘flowered’. The entire space was covered in this strong power pink colour…and pretty much nothing else. It was cold, windy and well….refreshing.

All of us were busy striking the perfect pose among the forest of đào. Who wouldn’t. For me I found the joy in seeking the similar essence, the perfect ‘dáng’ of đào flower.

Blossom, according to the dictionary means ‘reproductive organ of angiosperm plants especially one having showy or colorful parts’

which is about right….Pink to me is the most natural and best colour to express the readiness of such a wonderful organ where it’s in its best. After all it’s not too showy and pleasant to the eye. I almost cant believe đào (roughly called prunus perscia) is related to the peach tree.

Im no expert at finding the perfect đào tree to take home. But I was magnified and lost searching for the most interesting looking đào. My tick list would include:

1. đào must be pink

2. đào has to be strong pink and not powdery pink

3. đào must be unique, different in its shape and size

4. đào must be alone, well not next to zillions other đào

5. lastly…wow factor: the one element that caught my eye…which is almost unexplainable.

As for this…something reminds me of New Zealand…..