Ngoai

When I first learned about a Microsoft media tool called Photo Story 3, I immediately scanned a number of photos from the family’s photo albums and put together my first project: “Ngoai”, literally translated as “Grandma.”

The summer wind, came blowin'in
- from across the sea

- Lyrics from a 1965 song's Summer Wind

My Grandmother This picture was taken when she was on vacation at Vung Tau.

Memories that are FOREVER cherished.

Remembering...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The way she was.
~ ~ ~ ~ The love she gave.
~ ~ The joy she had with her beautiful SMILE :)

Then & Evermore...

Thanks!
Love Always,

Background Music:
Love Theme 01:47
{an instrumental track from Leon Lai's If I Can See You Again album}

NOTE:
Photo video clips will not be made available online. Only selected stills are. (Check out the below stills slideshow)

Stills Slideshow:

Production Note:
Because my grandmother had passed away the year before, it was hard to let her go.

It took me almost two years to learn that my grandmother is still with us. She had passed on us her heritage, wisdom and guidance that we now proudly possess.

*Vung Tau (Vietnamese: Vũng Tàu) is well-known for its long stretch of beaches located approximately 70 miles away from Ho Chi Minh City.

Happinest

“Cá biết nguồn về thăm nghĩa cội.
Chim dầu xa tổ nhớ ơn cây.”

Happinest - Tổ Ấm
Photo by Mei

To my extended family, thank you for being a part of my life. I love you all. And I believe that if we all be able to give and forgive, we will find the utmost happiness in life.

Writer's Notes
This picture was taken in my backyard back in mid-August of 2006, right after I was back from my trip to Viet Nam. The photo helps me to reflect on the purpose of my trip and realize the blessing of having a family to come back to.

Given name "Happinest" is the concatenation of the word “happy” and the word “nest”. In its concatenate form, it is spelled and pronounced like the word “happiness”, which truly describes my feeling at the time when I looked deeply at the picture to find myself surrounded by the love, support and understanding from everyone of my extended family.