Dear Do-it-yourself-ers,

Yesterday I changed the right headlight bulb on my car, Winnie. I consulted with my dad over the phone and did a minimal about of research on-line. It felt pretty empowering except for the part where I had to ask a neighbor to get the light out of the socket because I couldn't do it. My non-existing brute strength was validated with shooting pain in my neck and left shoulder in attempt to pull the bulb out. Oh dear! I really need to focus on strengthening my upper body strength!!!

My dad said it would cost $18 for someone to change the light bulb and here I did it with some help. He was proud of me and laughed like a five year old because I hurt my back. He reassured me that he also hurts his back fixing the cars.

I hope you attempt to fix something yourself. It's fun to problem solve and gain a new skill even if it is as minor as changing a bulb.

As the saying goes, "you trying doing it mom!"

Recovering from neck and back pain,
My-Linh

P.S. Last week I bought my ticket to Mexico City. I am pretty excited to travel with my friends.

To those who find truths within,


Sometimes you discover truths about yourself that you don't necessarily even notice or even like. It can be pretty overwhelming and shocking. I have recently been introduced to a few truths. I have been a bit sad about them. I guess this is life throwing me a hard curve ball to my left knee.

Some truths you already know. Lately, I find myself feeling a bit shy and timid. I mean I have been doing customer service since my first job 13 years ago and yet I am still hesitant here at my new job which involves interacting with people who I don't even know. I have always had this quiet nature for the most part but there are times where I wonder if that will change.

If I feel like I know who I am why do new things come up about myself? Well, I guess we change with the experiences that come forth because you can't always predict what will happen even if you do have a daily routine. I suppose you have to step up to the challenge to see what is possible within yourself.

Trying to accept and change,
My-Linh

Dear Dreamers,

I finally got a job at a bakery cafe yesterday!!! It's called the Summer Kitchen + Bake Shop in Berkeley. I worked a bit yesterday to see if they would like me and if I like them. Sure enough it all worked out. It was really hard to resist eating everything I saw. I am much relieved to have work.

One of my dreams has been to work at a bakery. I also wanted to work at a stationery store and I did that. Sometimes I feel a bit uneasy about not going back to school for a masters or for following a career path. But the fact is is that I don't know where I want to go. The people that I surround myself with strongly believe in what they do. They put tons of energy and time into their work. My dreams, I think are a bit different or maybe I am a late bloomer.

I am happy with what I have experienced in terms of jobs though. It's nice to see all the different aspects in how life works. I am not too worried.

I hope you are happy and living the life you want to live.

Happy to be working at a bakery surrounded by good smells,
My-Linh

P.S. If you live in Bay Area I would like it if you came for a visit!!!

To those who use art as therapy,

The above print is titled What Next? and speaks about the future in what is going to happen. The character feels a bit trapped and cannot help being present and constantly thinks about having something better or at least knowing that there is something better. I created this linocut two years ago, knowing that I needed to do something else with my job. I would stress out about it way too much and I hated getting and preparing art materials. I found that it's okay to make choices to shift your life into something different. As a Pisces, I have always felt like I need to be constantly moving and not getting trapped into something that doesn't make me happy over all. I quit my job and it was a great decision.

I want to discover new things. Explore new places. I like flexibility.

Yesterday, I started two new zinc plates for printmaking class. I consumed myself with a larger print for almost two semesters and I wanted to have that feeling of excitement back again. In class, I try to challenge my self a bit further by trying a new technique that I have never done before. It keeps me on my toes.

I hope that you find ways to challenge yourself and try new things.

About to work on my plates,
My-Linh

P.S. My artwork has shifted since quiting my job and I love the unknown worlds that I create.

Dear Worry Warts,

There are times when I worry and it can been a little too much. My energy gets sucked into worrying about finding a job, where money is coming from, if I am being a good person or what my next print will be. Sometimes reading and cooking calms me down to being present. I wonder if I would be losing hair if I didn't have printmaking class or busied myself with tutoring, eating and visiting my friends at their perspective schools.

I have also grown to love to-do lists!!! It's nice to see what you can accomplish in a day or week.

But being worried isn't so bad because it can put things into action.

Getting things done, I think,
My-Linh

P.S. I can't find my Harry Potter. I don't like this.

To those who like to travel,

This morning I woke up a little frantic because I am not traveling as much as I would like. My sister is going to Mexico City this summer to learn Spanish and I really want to visit her! Also, I remembered that some of my friends have lived in other countries but somehow I chose not to visit them. So stupid!!!

There are times in my life where I start making excuses up. Is it because I am too afraid? Sometimes it is about money but money seems to always come and go anyway. I live a life where things can be unstable. It's quite nice for the most part but then I keep thinking about needing to start my travel savings account but have yet to do that for years.

I love traveling and seeing new places. You learn about people's culture and you challenge yourself a bit further to see if you can order some peach gelato in Italian for second breakfast.

Yearning to travel,
My-Linh

P.S. My dad really wants to visit Viet Nam again. I hope he knows how much it has changed. I wonder what it would be like to travel with my friends.

To those whose past meets their present,

On Monday and Tuesday, I got the chance to work with an artist who I met many years ago back at Franconia Sculpture Park in Minnesota. It was such a delightful treat to see this artist. She was born in Taiwan and came to the U.S. in 1977, I think that is what she said. My ears are not too good at listening even though I try really hard. The minute I got out of the car she gave me a hug and said, "Oh, so skinny! Are you doing this intentionally or unintentionally? Before you look so healthy!" For a minute, I thought that she had just talked to my parents about how healthy I was before and plus she's my parents' age too. I just love this woman! She's so goofy and cracks jokes left and right. She reminds me of the Asian couture woman on the Incredibles. I wish that everyone could meet her because of her contagious energy.

Helping her install her artwork reminded me why I enjoy doing art. You just never know what you will come up with. Also, helping her increased my arm muscles. I am working on my upper body strength even though it is not doing push-ups or the damn plank.

I hope you get a chance to meet up with someone from your past that gives you love.

Dwelling and smiling about my past,
My-Linh

P.S. The word "healthy" to Asians equals chubby and the artist's favorite color is red.