Life can be a roller-coaster, it has it’s ups and downs.  For some its been a downward spiral, as you grasp and hang on for dear life, praying when will it end.  As it whips you back and forth through the corners, you grasp tighter and tighter.  But until you realize it, sometimes is beyond your control, you should just let go, put your hands up high and enjoy the ride, because eventually, it will find its way up.

~Vinh

It’s that time again.  A change in the lunar cycle, and for 2010 it’s the year of the Tiger.  If you are a Tiger in the chinese zodiac, below are traits that are suppose to be representative of your zodiac sign.

“Tigers do not find worth in power or money. They will be completely honest about how they feel and expect the same of you. On the other hand, they seek approval from peers and family. Generally, because of their charming personalities Tigers are well liked. Often, failing at a given task or being unproductive in his personal or professional life can cause a Tiger to experience a depression. Criticism from loved ones can also generate this type of Tiger reaction. Still, like all felines, Tigers always land on their feet, ready for their next act in life, pursuing it with unyielding energy and hunting it infallibly.

Tigers are also incorrigibly competitive - they simply cannot pass up a challenge, especially when honor is at stake, or they are protecting those they love. Tigers are unpredictable and it would be unwise to underestimate their reactions. They may appear cool, but they have the Big Cat’s instincts to pounce at a moment’s warning. Natural leaders, they have a strong sense of their own dignity, and if they find
themselves in the ranks, they can be stubborn and obstinate. In positions of power they can be difficult though stimulating bosses. Tigers are intelligent, alert, and farsighted. They have their fingers on the pulse. Good strategists and tacticians, they often have a hidden agenda. As long as they do not risk their luck too often, and keep their restless nature under control, their tactics usually pay off in life.”

Although 2010 is the year of the Tiger in the chinese zodiac.  It does not mean that all fortunes are for just the ones who were born a Tiger.  Each year my mother has our fortunes read to us.  My father and I are both horses, my mother and younger brother are both pigs/boars, and my younger sister is a monkey.  According to her, pigs/boars will have a good year financially.  Monkeys should remain protective for the first half of the year and should stick closer to there friends.  And if you were a monkey born in Aug-Nov, you will have bad luck this year.  And also according to her, horses will find great success in their careers this year, and if you are single and you’re a horse, you will find a love interest that will last for a very long time.  This is the first year that she has told me that, “this year is a lucky year for you as a horse”.  All of the previous years she had told me I would have bad luck, and well she was right, each and every one of those years, from big break ups, to financial troubles and other heartaches.  I really hope this year pans to be true from what she had said.

If some of you are wondering where she gets these fortunes, it’s from a book an asian astrologist puts together each year. She reads them every year, and pretty much tells us how it is, especially when there’s bad news, just to warn us, so we would be careful.  Its crazy to believe in such things, but so far, they have panned out and have freaked me out every year.

Of course as analytical as I am, I always check other references to see if they match up to other so called fortune tellers.  And so far this is what I have found.

“Chinese horoscope for Horse these people will face a lot of changes in almost all spheres of life. Chances are high for the horses to travel abroad or move in to new home. Chinese horoscope for horses also predicts that those who are single will get involved in to strong relationships in 2010.

2010 appears as a promising year for most of the horses. Horses are most likely to have a change in their environment, be it at home or at work. Make sure that the changes that come in your life this year have a good impact and not a bad effect. Be careful in career changes. Horses born in summer will get profitable opportunities in professional life.

According to the Chinese astrology, horses born in autumn and winter are not going to have good luck in experimenting changes, so they are advised not to initiate any changes. As far as love is concerned for the horses, Horses you will see fresh beginnings in 2010. Horses you will meet their lucky someone in this year and go on for a steady relationship.

The period between March and August will be good for traveling and indulging in adventure. Horses are also advised to have a friendly relation with the colleagues to harbor fruitful results in career. Horses you will see benefits if they plan and think properly for the future with a sense of control. Overall, 2010 will prove out to be a good year with lots of experiments for most of the horses.”

So far so good!  Lets see if this all pans out for me this year.  Happy Chinese New Years everyone, whether you are chinese or not, may you have a lucky year!!

~Vinh Diep

Throughout everyones life, we all seek the meaning and reason of why we are here, and what’s the point in life. Many of us lose the curiosity of what life is all about as time passes by. People start to find other things to fill the void of the curiousness that is human. Looking at the world through my eyes, the majority of all I see are materialistic, closed minded, money hoarding, uneducated and selfish people. I’m not saying that everyone is like that, but its become a common trend in society and I think its very sad. Money has been the downfall of society, I’m not saying that money is bad, but its all people care about nowadays. People lost touch with nature and the beauty that surrounds us everyday. And this is one of the reasons I never pushed myself to become a doctor, a lawyer or whatever career that my parents and family wanted me to get in because they make a lot of money.

Everyone needs to stop, close their eyes, take a deep breathe and then slowly open their eyes and see the world, the gift of life that was given to us. Everyone revolves their lives around money but they should realize that they had already won the lottery, the gift of life. Its the most precious gift that anyone could receive. I just wish people would just open their eyes, just for one day and the time to get reacquainted with what it truly means to live, without worries, bills, work, etc….

All I am saying is, take a breathe, relax, and philosophize about what the meaning of life truly is.

~Vinh Diep

A poem I wrote a very long time ago….

Missing Pieces…

I lost a piece of myself when you left me
Pieces in the mirror that I can no longer see
No happiness no joy
No longer a man, just a boy

My heart so empty, my heart so dry
All I wanted to do was lay and cry
I could not drink I could not eat
All I could do was stare down at my feet

Losing you was the worst that could happen
For years and years I was reminded like a caption
Endless nights of losing sleep
Even though I was counting sheep

Hopelessly finding someone to replace
I could get beyond your beautiful face
I close my eyes and you’re everywhere
I open my eyes and you’re not there

Only time will tell, only time will heal
But know one knows how I truly feel.

~Vnh Diep

Hold my hands as I hold yours. Close your eyes and remember all of the days we had spent together in the past. Remember the time we did this and that? Remember the time I told you that joke about that one guy? Or what about the times we laughed until our stomachs hurt? Now put your forehead next mine, remember to keep your eyes closed. Now do you remember that one time we were in my car and that song came on? You know, the song we liked, the one that we were singing our hearts out too? There you go, now smile, take it all in. Okay now give me hug, no no, I mean really hug me. Yeah, like that, there you go. Now do you remember that one time we danced to that song, you know, that song that made us jump around like little kids on the play ground? Yes, thats the one…. Now take a deep breath with me, let me go, look at me, smile, yes, yes, like that. Pause for a minute, take another deep breath, exhale…. Everything will be fine, stay strong, hold your own, I will always be with you. Just remember the little things we’ve done and everything will be fine. These are the details of our lives and our friendship.

~Vinh Diep
p.s. Sorry, its just another thing that popped in my head when I’m half asleep.