[Day 205] Why does Vietnam hold national day of mourning for Fidel Castro?

Here is my super quick answer:

Considering what I got from Vietnamese media, during the Vietnam war, Cuba, which was under Fidel Castro’s regime, gave Vietnam troops the assistance which was believed to be “valuable”, “timely” and “effective”. The country even celebrated the day of Vietnam’s victory as they had hailed: “For Vietnam, we are ready to devote our blood.” Not to mention both are socialist countries and they have remained close-knit relations for more than 50 years.

So I guess it’s rather reasonable for Vietnam to hold a national day of mourning for Fidel Castro in return.

Chuyện chỗ học tiếng Đức

Tối thứ sáu, thay vì lên lớp học như mọi khi thì mọi người tập trung dưới Hội trường để văn nghệ liên hoan bánh kẹo xúc xích Việt-Đức mừng lễ Giáng sinh. Và tất nhiên, có tiết mục Weihnachtsmann (a.k.a Santa Claus) phát quà. Weihnachtsmann là thầy người Đức nói tiếng Việt siêu sõi và siêu đẹp trai. Chưa kể vụ xỏ 1 bên tai 2 khuyên cực ngầu.

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Vâng, giữa “vô vàn” những món quà khác thì số phận tặng mình một CON LỢN ĐẤT MÀU HỒNG!

Và món quà mình nhận được là con lợn đất này đây. Vâng, giữa vô vàn nhưng món quà khác, nào sổ nào bút nào cốc nào vở thì mình được một CON LỢN ĐẤT MÀU HỒNG! Ngay khi mở quà thì mình lập tức phản ứng theo cái kiểu “ghét nhất màu hồng”, “sao lại là lợn”. Mọi người ngồi cùng bàn cũng cười phá lên: “Ôi, hợp cậu đấy!” Rồi chẳng ai bảo ai, lần lượt từng người chuyền tay nhau con lợn, thả vào cái khe bé tí đằng mông lợn đất mấy đồng xu, mấy tờ tiền lẻ 1K, 2K. Bắt đầu từ anh A (anh già nhất hội và cũng tốt bụng nhất hội nhưng em không nhớ tên) đưa mình đồng xu của 1 nước châu Á mà mình cũng không nhớ tên. Mình chỉ biết gật gật cảm ơn.

“Con lạy ông đi qua lạy bà đi lại…”

“Nhớ buổi cuối mang lợn đi đập để cả lớp liên hoan nhé!”

“Ơ?”

Thật sự, cho đến tận lúc về nhà mình vẫn không hiểu động cơ của mọi người khi tự nguyện đút tiền vào lợn của một đứa ất ơ mà họ mới nói chuyện từ 1-2 tiếng trước. Có lẽ họ đang say vì cốc rượu nồng hương quế? Có thể vì họ đang vui? Vì “phong trào”? Hay có phong tục tập quán gì đấy mà mình chưa biết?

Dù sao thì tối nay là một buổi tối khá vui vẻ (mặc dù về nhà soi gương thấy có thức ăn mắc ở niềng răng tự bao giờ). Mọi người tốt bụng, dễ mến, và hơn hết là họ nhìn-thấy-mình.

#christmasgift #noel #warmday #VDZ

Throw Back Sunday

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While browsing facebook today, I pumped into a viral article about how Harvard students study as if it were the last day of their lives.

At first, I felt ashamed of myself for not being hard-working enough, since I was scrolling down the mobile screen instead of reading books.

But as soon as I realized the big fact that I was at Harvard, my brain amazingly drew me back to the most beautiful memories of my last summer in the U.S.

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Yes! I WAS AT THE LEGENDARY HARVARD UNIVERSITY!

Even until now, it still seems extremely surreal to me.

Way back before the trip, in my world, America, NYC, Boston or Harvard had only existed inside the TV frame, books and in my dream. Since I was small, I have always known that my family is nothing more than a middle-class family in a poor country, which means we are only able to live and save some within our “Vietnam Dong-zone“. Therefore, at that time, traveling abroad, especially the U.S was really a lux, not to mention we all know how difficult it is for a foreigner to get inside the U.S. borders.

Fortunately, I found out about a volunteer project that would cover everything including the living expenses, accommodation for the volunteers. I signed up for it. And after a couple of months, I was in America, all by myself. That’s how I got to the dream land.

I spent one month of summer in the country, met lots of cool people, learned various things and bought a lovely poncho. Above all, I set foot in the Harvard University, took a tour. My mind was completely blown away.

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Now that I’ve come back, back to the repeated tiresome days, I have never stopped reminiscing about the last summer. It has really triggered my love for traveling, my hunger for another genuine adventure. That’s why I’ve constantly started my plan of traveling around the world. Simply, I’m now bearing this thought to myself: “I’ve been to the hardest, furthest country so why I can’t go to nearer ones?!”

Anyways, my next destination is Thailand. I’m working my ass off for it, saving every penny I could to bring my plan into practice, which is to travel to at least one country every single year.

Simple as that, a poor student who still lives under the same roof with her parents, thinks she can travel around the world. How about you? Have you embarked on your own journey?

Fidel Castro passed away leaving the world in mourning or relief?

(This was written on Nov 26, 2016)

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Today was just a typical Saturday. I got up late, helped around my parents’ house and then went shopping. Everything was going on just fine. Then as soon as I finally had some time to get back to my bed, I went on Facebook to see what was going on in the world.

As I was stalking my crush’s timeline, I saw one of his status which was posted 2 minutes previously, mentioning Fidel Castro. His words for Fidel seemed to be not really serious.

He said something about Fidel Castro and the mannequin challenge in the sky. (I was about to quote his status but he deleted it)

At that time, I didn’t know much about Fidel Castro though I live in a communist country, that had been receiving lots of help from Cuba in the past. (I know, I am that kind of ignorant person. But hey, at least I’m trying to not be one)

Now Fidel Castro is all over the media. The more I get to know about him, the more I understand why the news is talking so much about him, or why my crush had to delete his status.

“That is because Fidel Castro had a great influence over the communist countries as well as some other parts of the world. His will was not only revolving around the communist party but also around the true values of humanity. Castro dedicated his whole life, fought every inch of his fiber for the people. A truly great man, he deserves our utmost respect.”

I wrote this before I found out about the criticism of Castro being a dictator.

Again! I was NOT critical AT ALL.

Let’s break this down a little. From my country’s perspective, Fidel Castro is beyond goodness. He helped Cuba have its days with unbelievable policies on health care, taxes and such. Cubans view him as a hero of the country. And he was also a hero of the communist community. But to Trump, to Americans and a part of Cuba’s population, he was nothing more than a dictator when he built up the repressive system of killing thousands of people including Cubans.

So the fact that his death has been all over the news is probably due to him being a controversial historic figure. And why my crush’s facebook status disappeared? I guess he deleted it because he touched on a sensitive issue. But I quite doubt this since he is American and most of Americans think Castro is a dictator. I mean, I’m not sure.

At the end of the day, Fidel Castro is just a human being. He has his lightbulb moments and also his not-so-wise ones. Perhaps, he is not that bad as many people think he is. Sometimes it’s just hard to please everyone. He was willing to sacrifice some in order to reach the big goal. I truly think that is what he did.

Since he passed away at the age of 90, many people are very confused about how they should react. I am too. This is completely normal (right?). I’m just being critical.

So what’s my lesson from this event?
Read more, many more about historic figures!

P/S: November, specifically since the Black Friday, has been full of dramas and horrible news. What the hell is going on???