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After I left Nha Trang
in 1979 for Hong Kong, I didn’t think I
have a chance to get in touch with my Doan Ket
classmates, let alone my Khai Minh schoolmates.
My mind was loaded with daily survival issues during my short stay
in Hong Kong. Yes, I was lucky enough to
have a place to stay in North Point Hong Kong
so I didn’t need to worry about the daily issues at the camp. However,
other issues still kept my mind occupied. The future was a huge unknown
to me at that time. I wanted to settle in the United States of America but
there was no guarantee about that. When the Philippines issue surfaced, I
was panic just like many other Vietnamese refugees. At one point, I was
thinking about settling in Canada
just to avoid the Philippines
temporary transition camp. Thanks goodness I was able to go directly to Los Angeles in
early 1980.
When I first arrived at the United States, just like many
other refugees, I had to find a way to survive in a new environment. It
was tough but I kept thinking positive. I believed my situation was a lot
better than others. I came here with nothing but I had the opportunity to
make my life better. I risked my life for this opportunity and I better
made the most of it. With that in mind, I focused on building the foundation
for my future. I remembered prior to my UCLA graduation, I didn’t make
serious contact with my Doan Ket classmates. I
was busy and I believed my friends were also busy struggling to survive
in their respective new environments.
When we are busy, time passes by quickly. After all of us
established a stable life, we began to get together to review our life,
and our friendship. Thanks to today technology, I am able to connect with
my friends globally via email and face book. My special thanks to Khai Minh schoolmates Ta Quoc
Hung, web master in Northern California and Han Quoc
Trung, web master in Southern California. With
our school websites set up, the whole Khai Minh community comes together
again.
When I took computer class at UCLA in early 1980’s, my professor
told us to prepare ourselves for a near future when every household will
have a computer just like it has a television. Back then, the concept was
weird and I didn’t think it would happen. Sure enough, it happens and it
happens fast. I will never imagine myself relying on computer and
internet to make a living but I do now. I have changed my thought about
technology. I got out of my comfort zone and conquered my fear of
computer.
I remember during a gathering with my UCLA friends recently, we
talked about our careers and work experiences. One friend was completely
shock to find out I am trading the market for a living. In his mind, I am
a super conservative guy when it comes to financial decisions. I remember
he looked at me in the eyes and wondered where was the conservative
Dennis whom he used to know at UCLA. I have changed my thought about
investing. I now believe the biggest risk is taking no risk at all.
I brought my family to New
York City in the Christmas of 2004 to let my
kids experience the holiday spirit in NYC. After staying in New York City for several days, we took the train to
Rochester in upstate New York to visit my
brother-in-law. I then drove to Toronto Canada to
see my childhood friend Anthony. Anthony and his dad were surprised to
see me driving long distance crossing the border to visit them. I
remember Anthony’s dad made a comment when I was a kid, I did not even
dare to cross Phan Boi Chau street by myself. I
have changed my thought about being proactive. I am taking advantage of
the convenient road side condition in USA
and Canada
to make my trip more adventurous.
I admitted I have changed to adapt myself to this rapidly changing
world. However, one thing will never change: my love to Khai Minh in Nha Trang, Vietnam. My sincere thanks to
the hard working organizers who spend countless hours of their valuable
time to make this Khai Minh gathering possible.
We no longer study at Khai Minh the way we used
to, but we will surely treasure our past at Khai Minh School.
Let’s come together one more time to review our Khai Minh memories and
make our Khai Minh relationship stronger.
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