#send flowers to saigon

[dienhoathanglong]

Trying to decide on the best thank you flowers? If you’re a little stuck on what flowers show gratitude the most, it's worth knowing that some of them have more of a meaning than others. We’ve included a few tips below to help you choose the most suitable flowers for saying thanks.

History and traditions of thank you flowers

The act of giving flowers dates back to ancient times, long before modern civilization. Just as it is now, flowers can represent a variety of different meanings. For instance, in the Victorian era, expressions of emotion were much more reserved. As such, people sought alternative means of showing how they felt; sending flowers was one of these ways.   In addition to showing gratitude, people sent flowers in different arrangements to convey love and friendship. Today, rather than hinging on hidden meanings, giving flowers is now a tradition used to openly express what you want to say in a more healthy way.

How to pick the right Thank you flowers

Choosing thank you flowers can be tricky, especially when buying flowers online. However, if you if you’re looking to send thank you flowers, FloristSaigon has you covered.   Our directory holds a vast selection, with a great range of bouquet packages that can help you set the tone perfectly. We understand getting the message across in the right way - the first time - is very important.   However, having an idea of what they’d like before you send flowers can help you make the right decision when buying. Below are a few tips.

Start simple - what's their favourite colour? Regardless of the type of flower you choose, it'll be more endearing if it’s a colour they like.

Getting flowers for someone you don't know too well? Try not to confuse them too much - stick with something simple.

You can also keep it professional with a card. This can help get the message across succinctly.

Popular types of thank you flowers

So what flowers say thank you? Down below are some of the most beautiful types of flowers you can lay your eyes on - but they’re even more significant for saying thanks with.

Sunflowers

If you want to keep it simple, yet professional, sunflowers are the way to go. They are the perfect gift for a mentor or partner-in-business.

Chrysanthemum

Do you want to say thank to someone for being there for you without getting too soft about it? Chrysanthemums are perfect for the job. They are perfect for communicating "you are a wonderful friend." As they are available in many colours, you’ll have a wide variety to choose from.

Campanula

Carnation flower meanings include gratitude and the concept of never forgetting someone. You can take your pick from available colours such as pink, green, red, white etc. The flower itself means gratitude, so you can't go wrong, as they’re all about saying thank you.

Lilies

Lilies are all-rounders. They are perfect whenever and are very elegant, while also being very pretty. As they come in many colours, you'll have a good selection to choose from.

Florist Saigon

Add: 151 Cong Quynh Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 01, HoChiMinh City, VietNam Hotline: +84 973535559 (English) Email: floristsaigon.hcm@gmail.com Website: http://floristsaigon.com

[dontbesoweirdkira]

Where to buy lingerie?🥀 Girlhood Tips #1 🥀

Whatever happened to wearing beautiful undergarments while prancing around our rooms? One of the staples of being youthful is now seemingly dead and gone. I love to whine down in my fabulous undies and sway to my favorite songs.

Hopefully we can bring this tradition back! To help kick start this, I’ve compiled a list of size inclusive lingerie brands from cheapest to more pricier items.

(If you guys want more options or help please let me know! I'm a chronic online shopper😭)

$

(1-20 USD per set/item)

AliExpress

Ali express stores is the absolute cheapest option for both price and size…yall already know it's fast fashion most times but some reputable brands from them are (IEUHIA, Wriufred, ChenFa Store, and Aiangelaquin official store)

Not much to elaborate here but they usually have a XXS-XXL

Cannot link the stores but just search up by the shop name.

FreetheFrillies

Handmade undergarments shop based out of the United Kingdom, features both religious and Victorian imagery on their clothing.

Sustainably at a reasonable price is one of their main concerns and they take pride in hand sewing each and every one of their items before they are shipped to you!

Material includes cotton, satin and elastics.

Sizes ranges from UK8/10 to UK16/18

ShopCryBunni

Small indie early brand ran by a student in Salt Lake, Utah! Very simple designs usually solid color or floral garments with a small bow or a flower on top. Very affordable.

Shipping is quick and punctual usually taking 2-3 days on average inside of the US. Internal customers can take up to 2-3weeks.

Sizes range from xxs-L US standard and does not make custom sizing outside of that at the moment.

$$

(30-70 USD per set/item)

AKAMYDINH

Small fashion label based in Saigon, Vietnam. They repurpose factory scraps and excess to make their brand as sustainable and ethical as possible! Their lingerie is simple solid colored bikini style sets with a frill finish. Occasionally with a cherry, bow, or floral embellishment.

XXS-XXL is the sizes offered with a additional custom sizing upon request!

70% of their items are made to order while the other 30% is made by fairly paid seamstresses.

Quick and helpful customer service with an outstanding 4.8 stars. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for simple yet ethical clothing.

Besos Biquinis

Famous tik tok brand that is known for their super cute vintage day of the week panties packs!

Their other items are more expensive like the 100+ range but most of their undies are $40-70 USD

Sizining is XS to XL usually. However, only going up to L in bottoms. Biggest cup size is C-DD cup without band specifics.

Unsure about custom sizing but I’d assume not? It’s always worth it to email! :)

Cute packaging and great customers service from what I’ve hear they also send out PRs soooo….if you have a big following definitely worth checking them out

ShesArMermaidCat

An absolute classic in the coquette community! She makes Dolores haze inspired garments with bloomers and cupcake style tops. The sets are usually solid colored or gingham! Perfect for the more modest Americana girlies.

She’s a gem and has amazing communication. You can also request a custom piece or size.

Each and every set is made to order and is handmade right out of California. 10/10 definitely recommend this shop for every Lolita!

FeelingVaugeVintage

Exotic dancer style lingerie brand. This is for the girls who are secy workers or love that style of lingerie. Much more form fitting, skimpy and trashy which I love and I know there's girls who love it too!

Handmade brand based off of esty who is always running sales. Currently offer 20% off when you buy two and 30% off when you buy three! Great deal an already cheap brand.

Sizing is a standard S-L but with any handmade brand just message the seller and ask if they can make a custom size just for you ;) they are a very sweet and punctual seller and they have well over 16,000 sales and a 4.8 star! Definitely recommend!

PurrfectPineapples

Cruelty free lingerie brand based out of Chicago, Illinois. The underwear is all pinup, vintage rockefeller style. Using vintage prints and designs. The embellishments are simple and usually lace or bows. Most sets include bra, panties, and a garter belt for about 60ish USD which is amazing tbh!

This brand is handmade to order and does take custom orders/sizing. The wait time is anywhere from 2 weeks to a month at most for an order.

Great customer services and many ways to pay including klarna payment plans.

(80-100+ per set/item)

$$$

Malicious designs

Handmade sustainable brand that sells tons of babydoll and lolita style clothes. This business is ran by Sheana Hinesley and is a fairly popular place to shop both on Depop and Etsy! They use standard sizing US S - L and is open to doing custom sizing

I do own an outfit for them and well made and I do think it’s worth the price! Fair warning is that shipping takes. 3 months to a year….. And at times their communication is less than the standard.

Would mainly suggest either buying second hand or through their Etsy for the best experience possible!

International shipping plus esty allows payment plans soooooo

Buttress and snatch.

A handmade and sustainable brand that sells 60's american style lingerie with beautiful craftsmanship. Most of their items have bows, rose, or lace embellishments which are a must for any lolita! They are based in the UK with international shipping. The cup sizes goes all away up to a. 36E/40DD and the bottoms up to a size UK18!

For the more adultish sexy girls they do have see through and fully lace garments. For the girls love the environment they have a line of items that are all made out of 100% recycled cotton shirts! How cool.

The brand also has great customer services and can do custom sizing if needed. If you’re ever worried about size conversion please shoot them an email.

They also have a one cup bra for support for anyone that needs that which I think is absolutely amazing. Definitely worth a look.

Love for lemons 🍋

Extremely well known sister brand of Victoria’s Secret that has absolute gorgeous pieces. Their pieces are packed with laces, frills, and florals! Perfect for a more mature, classy coquette.

Unfortunately not as size or comfort inclusive as our last pick but they do have sizes ranging from. XXS-2X and the cups can go up to a big as 38DDD but unfortunately that’s usually for select items such as teddies :/

One the bright side items such as garters, shoes, skirts, and swimwear is available compared to other brands. International shipping is available as well as sales and discounts. P.s. there’s a sale going on for $30 USD on select items.

Good customer services with no custom sizing however you should always mail before buying if unsure! I’d still pick lemons over Victoria’s any day! Tea.

[bestmusicalworldcup]

I do not wish to start an argument, I've had this on my mind for quite a while and have never found an outlet to talk about it in a decent manner??? Idk it's just messy thoughts in my head that are finally being sorted since I'm writing this.

Filipino American here (born in America, both parents are immigrants). I'd like to preface that I know my views are construed as I am not Vietnamese or Vietnamese American.

Speaking of Miss Saigon, I agree that the story is fucked up and portrays the people Vietnam as "weak" and doesn't do them justice.

Here's where it gets messy

Until I saw/listened to Miss Saigon I didn't know of any other show that I could possibly do, mainly bc it was Lea Salonga.

It's that conflict of wanting to keep the show hyped bc hey it's a show that actually looks for Asian performers but also wanting to share that hey this is very much a white savior show and we need to look more into that.

On a DIFFERENT note, but similar. There is a new musical coming out called Here Lies Love, based around the life of Imelda Marcos. My mom called me out and told me how this may not be the best move. My mama and papa were around during martial law. Their memories are not fond ones. I'm sure that when Here Lies Love hits it, I'll feel similarly to how you and others feel about Miss Saigon.

I think I'm just another Asian American performer venting out her thoughts and confusions over musicals that are not great in historic or moral context but also the few she would have a higher chance of being cast in.

(If you know any other Asian heavy musical please send them my way. The only others I know are Allegiance, The King and I, and Flower Drum Song. And the King and I is a big OOF as well)

Interesting points! I forgot where I found it, but I remember reading recently that the only time Asians have formed more than 10% of performers in a Broadway season is when shows like Miss Saigon and The King and I are staged, so I understand where you are coming from with the point that problematic shows like those are some of the only times we get to see ourselves on stage, especially with new musicals centering around Asians on Broadway and the West End being few and far between. I wonder if these shows could be reimagined in the same way that David Henry Hwang revised Flower Drum Song, and if those would turn out well, although I imagine any revision would require trashing the plot and starting from scratch, only keeping the music. This whole thing is very complex.

[vietnamflorist]

Celebrate Love: Send Anniversary Flowers to Vietnam

Anniversaries are special moments that deserve to be celebrated with love, affection, and thoughtful gestures. One of the best ways to make your loved one feel cherished is by sending them beautiful flowers. If you are looking for a way to make your anniversary even more memorable, consider using a flower delivery shop in Ho Chi Minh to send anniversary flowers to Vietnam.

Send Anniversary Flowers to Vietnam with Ease

With the help of a reliable flower delivery service, Floravietnam can easily send a bouquet that will make your partner's heart skip a beat. We offer a wide range of options, from classic roses to exotic orchids, allowing you to choose the perfect flowers that convey your feelings.

Find the Best Flower Delivery Shop in Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is home to numerous florists who specialize in delivering beautiful flower arrangements across the city. Whether you prefer a romantic bouquet of red roses or a mix of bright and cheerful blooms, floravietnam is a reputable flower delivery shop in Ho Chi Minh which helps you create the perfect floral gift for your anniversary.

Most flower delivery shops in Ho Chi Minh offer convenient online ordering, making it easy to browse different options and choose the bouquet that best suits your partner’s taste. Additionally, we provide same-day delivery services, so even if you are running a little late, you can still surprise your loved one with a stunning bouquet.

Make Your Anniversary Special

sending anniversary flowers to Vietnam is not only a romantic gesture but also a meaningful way to express your love. With just a few clicks, you can send a beautiful bouquet to your partner's doorstep, ensuring that your love and appreciation are beautifully communicated.

Celebrate your anniversary the right way—send anniversary flowers to Vietnam and create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.

[ramrodd]

Beginning to Beginning: Out of Vietnam

Beginning to Beginning: Out of Vietnam is a portfolio of poetry that I began in 1977. I was working on an IPO and living in our offices and I didn’t have any money for Christmas presents, so I began to write these poems. It was the first time I really began to think about Vietnam and I enjoyed the writing.

I wouldn’t have missed Vietnam for the world. I had planned on making the army a career, but, when I got to Vietnam, I discovered that it was not to be my destiny. The combat was fine: it was everthing I hoped it would be, but I encountered a reality of the politics in the army that I was morally insufficient to confront at the time. My sister thought I left the army for a woman I loved, but it was to avoid tarnishing my dad’s service in any wise.

Prelude   Before the day has dried the Clinging stars, yawning light Slips across my chest to Curl upon your Face.   Barefoot  And sleepy-eyed You led me to your bed Wrappt me round in girlish warmth Then breathed your soul to mine.    Now, between light and sleep, Our bodies close, confused, Our dreams in violet hues, I wonder at your sleeping Smile and what you say, Unsaid.

Marching Orders

In those spectered times before sleep.

When old dreams push aside the light The adventures of men and rabbits Interweave their familiar ghosts.   Nightly Mother would read stories Of simple deeds and gentle tests Until, drifting into warm sleep, I took the dreams on my own.   Later, as the grand adventures Of Odysseus and old sergeants Filled my reading, I hurriedly Prepared to join their cadence.   Then, one day, thirty desperate eyes sought mine. Now, dreams of glory shimmer, incarnadine.

Jet Plane    A step past the stew, The Saigon sun slaps my Eyes, A hood of crushing Light hides the airport.   blink   Waist high grass and flowers Hide us, sprawling, Naked, The  Seattle sun Stroking her breasts.   blink   The 707 hides San Fran’s Sun as we climb onboard Sightless Burdened by dreams too Bright to see.   blink.   blinking down the stairs Unto the tarmac I Troop the line of Cobras and Clippers.

General Delivery   The sergeant told us  Fear not The one with your name. Rather  Avoid those marked

To whom it may concern.

Pep Rally   War ia the ultimate sport. Sport weakly imitates war, For sport can only compress The hour before the shower.   War reduces all the choices Of the best of men to none, For what choice can there be When the neck hair cries “Hunted”   When you send children to war Tell them “Come home with your shield, “My aging child, “Or on it” For more or less’ Will kill them   As they pay the price of admission To a game refereed by their blood.

Away Game The triple canopy Starves the forest floor For light, So the underbrush never seems Too high or very thick.   Following steep trails Worn wide by logistical traffic, The five men Invade a living stillness.   Something isn’t right. Their point man Squats, Listens, Looks Under the dark green shadows. Eyes scanning, he hesitates… That last instant our eyes   Meet   Stillness, Ruptured, is swallowed whole by Silence.

Halftime Show Halfway Through a romance Set against the Patriot’s Game, We walked out.   I’m not sure why I left. Usually, any flick Can hold me in the dark. I guess I was Restless.   Perhaps Kay’s Fingers Playing on my palm Put my mind unto another game For six months  Neglected .   Nor could she understand Why We left. For her, The romance was Beautiful.

Field Sanitation    While the afternoon sun Bakes the hill Bellies bloat waiting for Back haul.   It’s easier to smile than frown, So fat flies Crawl on eyes Set into grinning death masks.   The Freedom Bird Will return my dead soldiers To the world. Carrion birds Will return their dead soldiers To the woods.   “Dust off inbound, L.T.” “OK. Bag’em up, “Saddle up. Move

“Out”

M.A.R.S. (with Venus, ascendant)    At three hundred hours last night, I stunk of dark muddy fear. At three hundred hours, tonight, I smell of waiting room smoke.   Earlier, I visited The wounded and wrote parents, Now I wait to call The World. Date night For three whole minutes.   (Use that booth, sir, for your call) (You’re on, sir.)­   “Katy?”  (over)

  “Oh. Tom? Oh! I can’t believe “I mean, is it raining? “Oh!”   Time, so heavy, so slow, just last night Screams past. (Time’s up, sir.)   “I love you”  (over)

Change of Command   I put my back to the sun. Two ranks of fifteen men Slouch in easy alertness.

“At ease.”   DEROS. My turn to leave. Saigon. Freedom Bird. The World. Hot meals, running water Snoring, warm and dry, all night.   Eleven months, eighteen days.

“You clowns have been “A hassle, “But it don’t mean nothing “Now. “Keep yourselves covered, “Lifers.”   “Platoon Sergeant!” ”Sir?” “I’m outta here” (These contacts are all fucked up) “Take Charge”

Freedom Bird  “God, please get me outta here!”   For two days, I have seen Dreams and DEROS Fulfilled as one at Cam Rahn Bay.   I have no rifle, no frags, I don’t even have a knife! Noise and fear and clouds of dust Corner me.   (Katy, help me, bring me home)   Manifest, Twelve hundred hours. Jungle fatigues surrender To Class A Greens And one more line.   Then, rising with the Clipper “Morning Light” Our song is an animal’s Released

Return of Investment

  Wall Street Had finished lunch Returning her banker to ticker tape When we met. I knew a friend of hers. “Thank you for coming”   “Yes. He mentioned you. He’s "Dead you know.”   “I know.”

I wrote his parents.

“I have some "Letters.”   Her letters, plastic wrapped Had been tucked between rations and claymores. Very unmilitary. They should have been Burned.   “You should have seen the box of “Letters “I threw out. “He must not have been very busy “For all the “Letters “He wrote me.”   We would sit Sunning the rot between our toes, Uncoiling our spines While other men watched the Shadows. We read an hour of home Delayed six weeks. On those days out of the Shadows, It was good to be alive. Just alive. Wiggle, you cute toes, you.   “Yes. Not much to do.”   Her calendar was empty until sixish So she flattered me with conversation. Melting slightly from her Dubonnet She asked of his Death.   “He wasn’t surprised or, rather, “He would have been surprised “To come home.  “None of us expected to  “Return.”   We weren’t alone: before an attack The other guys always prepared their Coffins.   “Why did he leave, then, he was as officer “His father had contacts, he could have stayed with “me! “Why did he leave?”   Why did he leave? His own reasons,                                                                                            Selfish reasons. Like mine, The wrong reasons: Fun-Travel-Adventure (fuck the army)   “It was his job, I guess. “I don’t know”.   Interest spent, We jiggled depleted drinks. Grabbing her purse “Must run…”  Like a rip chord, “…wretched party…” She stood in the door “…let’s do lunch…”  And disappeared into the slip stream of

 “…sometime.”

Wall Street.

Infiltration Course  “How can fifteen-fucking-dollars “Get you so fucking excited!”   I guess that wasn’t the best Of all possible approaches to Win friends and influence People. He was Head Teller. (Lifer)   Attention to detail kept Me and my troops safe and Dry (most of the time) For a year, so I could Dig his program.   But, man, it is a hassle playing The game. Good como with The World means low Crawling just beneath The bottom line.

A Toast to Drinking Alone

 It’s just that Talking is what we needed.   When you came back to happy Kisses We came back to a Sign Nobody believed ”America is Proud of YOU, SOLDIER!”   (Out-Processing, Ft. Lewis, Washington) (Calley convicted. Buy Enstrom Helicopters)   My War wasn’t all that different From yours: 

“Do advancin’ Blisters hurt as much as Retreatin’ blisters?” Willie asked Joe.   Yes.   Mud and time slid nervously Towards the next moment after. Our knees grew weary of the Genuflect we offered to the Shadows just up the trail. They were as good as we were, As good as you were, Sometimes winners, sometime losers. You remember how they were, Don’t you? They were the same for us.   But Ernie Pyle was killed, And Bernard Fall was French And Walter Cronkite was the most Trusted man in America   And we came back to a sign Nobody believed.   And no one to talk to.

Cancer’s Kiss. Slippery From lazy love making We soak in the June Breeze   Pleased With our bodies We purr our twilight pleasure.   Bodies Relaxed, yours renewed, Mine  consumed,  content   We Drift in dreams Tangled up in pulse. 

By Dawn’s Early Light   When first I held your warmth, Your shy kisses became full. As your breasts settled, You traced my leg, Arched your back…   …we slept, weightless…   Awake to sleepy eyes,   Your breathing whispers Past my hand holding Your hair in light Slowly turning blond.

Song to Thor

  With velvet helmet hard on top, Your one-eyed gaze can find, The deepest of the clinging mine To crawl, all warm, inside.   You stand so straight, a soldier proud, To take a hand salute, From maidens who have lost their heads, To a legless, spitting newt.   Ah, comrade dear, my darling chum, We’ve traveled many a mile, I, a pilgrim to maidens fair, And you, to make them smile.   So, come my friend, let’s stand again And pass in proud review, I’ll gird my loins for battle fair, You stab her wound, anew.

Compass Course

  Don’t hold too dear a loss, My Love, Lest the loss become a cage. I wasn’t meant to lead, My Love, You can see as well as I.   Now, let my eyes, the Morning Sun, guide you to my side, My arms, the Earth, shall give you strength, but not a place to hide, Sweet water’s touch shall cup your breasts, to soothe the pain inside, As my soul, the summer breeze, blows freely by your side.   If the Butterfly stays caged, My Love, She cannot go my Way, Don’t hold too dear a loss, My Love, The Butterfly lives free.

 Dreams in 2/2 (cut) Time

 Once when I was walking At the age of twenty one, I met a grey-eyed Lady Who promised me a son. We spent that day together On field just newly green, And sad grey eyes were laughing As they shared their colored dreams   I slippt away at twenty two To chase a boyhood’s prize, Through twilight worlds with bursting stars It bled me for it’s price. At twenty four, I stumbled home To a field of withered green, I stumbled home and couldn’t find My Lady’s grey-eyed dreams.   Lady, where’d you go, Don’t you want to see my prize.  I spent my faith upon it, It has emptied out my eyes. We shared a life together On a field of pregnant green, But sad grey-eyes have turned away From childish stillborn dreams.

 Sudden Stops

 Don’t you know In those late hours Away from the smiles Away from the chorus “Now you are making sense” You keep making the wrong turn.   Don’t you know In those long hours All you need to say                                                       “Yes, I can see the truth In what you say. Yes, what you say is true” And it will be so.   Don’t you know In those lost hours As their eyes glint, As their smiles fellate As their logic glitters with promise It’s not your battle.   Don’t you know In that short beat As your dreams whisper (madness) (madness) It’s not the fall that kills.

Lazy Eight   Survivors see NOW Clearly, A focused dream, Complete, No value nor shadow Nor beauty nor hope; Taste of the air, Infinity

Prelude

 There are the little pains we taste, Infrequent and unexpected, Which distress us beyond their nature, The jab before the novacaine.   I have a friend from other days Who I adored beyond good reason. The passion has long since faded, But, at seeing her (even now) Old comrades and dreams tug at me. I have friend I met today With a familiar cocksure laugh.   Too long lulled by complacent illusions, Those half-forgotten needles Startle me.

[baoohu]

Gifts to Vietnam: Spreading Joy and Warmth Across the Miles 

Gift-giving has long been a cherished tradition in Vietnamese culture, symbolizing love, respect, and gratitude. In the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, formerly known as Saigon, the exchange of gifts holds special significance, serving as a way to strengthen bonds and foster connections between friends, family, and colleagues. With the advent of modern technology and the rise of online shopping, sending gifts to Vietnam has become easier and more convenient than ever before, allowing individuals to spread joy and warmth across the miles with just a few clicks. 

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest metropolis, is a melting pot of cultures and influences, reflecting the country's rich history and vibrant spirit. From its bustling markets and vibrant street food scene to its historic landmarks and modern skyscrapers, Ho Chi Minh City offers a diverse array of experiences for visitors and residents alike. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, the act of giving and receiving gifts serves as a source of comfort and joy, bringing people together and creating lasting memories. 

One of the most popular occasions for sending gifts to Vietnam is Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. During this festive time, families come together to celebrate the arrival of spring and honor their ancestors. Sending gifts during Tet is a tradition that dates back centuries, with individuals exchanging tokens of goodwill and prosperity to usher in the new year. From traditional gifts such as lucky money envelopes and decorative items to modern gifts such as electronics and fashion accessories, there's a wide variety of options to choose from when sending gifts to Vietnam during Tet. 

Apart from Tet, gifts are also commonly exchanged to mark other special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. In Vietnamese culture, the act of giving and receiving gifts is seen as a gesture of respect and appreciation, with each gift carefully chosen to reflect the recipient's interests and preferences. Whether it's a bouquet of flowers, a box of chocolates, or a personalized keepsake, the thought and effort behind the gift are what truly matter, making the gesture all the more meaningful. 

With the rise of online shopping platforms and international delivery services, sending gifts to Vietnam has never been easier or more convenient. These services offer a wide range of options, from traditional gifts to modern gadgets, allowing senders to choose the perfect gift for their loved ones with ease. In addition to convenience, online shopping also offers a wider selection of products and better deals, making it an attractive option for those looking to send gifts to Vietnam from abroad. 

One of the advantages of sending gifts to Vietnam is the ability to surprise and delight loved ones with unexpected gestures of kindness and affection. Whether it's a care package filled with their favorite snacks and treats or a thoughtful handwritten note expressing your love and appreciation, the act of sending a gift is sure to bring joy and warmth to the recipient's heart, no matter the distance between you. 

In conclusion, gifts to Vietnam are a timeless way to spread joy and warmth across the miles, strengthening bonds and fostering connections between loved ones near and far. Whether it's a traditional gift to mark a special occasion or a spontaneous gesture of love and affection, the act of giving and receiving gifts holds special significance in Vietnamese culture, serving as a tangible expression of love, respect, and gratitude with Ho Chi Minh Florist. With the convenience of online shopping and international delivery services, sending gifts to Vietnam has never been easier or more rewarding, allowing individuals to share their love and blessings with friends and family in Ho Chi Minh City and beyond. 

[viet-flowers]

Send Flowers To Saigon To Your Friend Now With Ease

Your best friend’s birthday is just around the corner but you are miles apart from her. It is her special 18th birthday and you have always planned to make this day special for her. How are you going to do that as you are staying in the other part of the world? She resides in Saigon and you want the best ways to let her celebrate her birthday. You can now send flowers to her, thanks to the power of technology. Through this medium, it will just take few clicks from your side and in no time, you get the chance to send flowers to anyone living in Vietnam.

Send flowers with best wishes:

Always remember that flowers have their best values and can speak more than words. So, don’t avoid this opportunity and get to Send flowers to Saigon with best wishes from your side. If you are looking for the best flowers, you can get that from this source as well. Just be sure to go through all the available options, check out the flowers you want to send your friend, choose her favorite picks and then pay for the flowers. Once the payment gets approved the bouquet will be send to the mentioned address.

Be sure of the address:

You are likely to spend quite some bucks on the flowers. So you want the items to get delivered to the proper address. So, for the finest Flower Delivery Hanoi Vietnam, make sure to read through the address more and more and then you can aim for the right values. Check out if you have provided the right address where the flower bouquet will be send, before you can finalize on the deals.

[havethetimeofyourstyles]

Chapter One.

a/n: welcome to the first chapter of wtsgd! i’m so excited for you all to read this story and for what’s to come. please please please support content creators bc we’re doing this for free and it takes up a lot of energy to put out stories. so reblog, leave feedback, and send a message to motivate and support them. happy reading everyone <3

SERIES MASTERLIST | word count: 6.4k

come talk to me about wtsgd! i’d love to know your thoughts!

March 4, 2017

The trunk was filled with heavy boxes that were labeled with thick black sharpie, which didn’t seem to leave Luciana’s senses; and one too many suitcases filled with her many articles of clothing that she couldn’t get rid of—no matter how hard she tried—since she was too much of a hoarder and every piece of clothing seemed to have a lost memory in them that she tried very hard to think of, which only meant that it was worth keeping. 

A droplet of sweat leaked down the side of her face due to  her nonstop packing and heavy-lifting from her childhood room upstairs to her dad’s car in the driveway. It didn’t help that the sun was beaming down at her with every move like she was on center stage, in front of the spotlight, but it made much more sense for the sun to do that because that’s where she belonged: on stage. 

Moving to Brooklyn, New York from Cambridge, Massachusetts during, what felt like, the coldest but the sunniest day of March wasn’t the smartest move—to be fair, Luciana was never one to make a smart move, anyways—but it was one that needed to be done. Plus, all the lifting seemed to have warmed her up. 

Her destination, or now, home, in New York was one that she’d been anticipating for a while now. She had auditioned for the role as Kim in Miss Saigon on Broadway in November, and she’d gotten a callback in January for the role as the second Kim, meaning she would be on rotation to perform every week or two weeks, so the main Kim could rest. But she would still have to go to rehearsals and be on the side of the stage watching the show just in case she needed to jump in at the last minute. 

It wasn’t her ideal way of playing the main lead, but nonetheless, she was grateful for the opportunity, and she would take any chance that was thrown at her to not only take another step towards her dream, but also another learning opportunity to make her a better actress. 

Little Luci would’ve been so proud of the present Luci because it’d been her dream ever since she was younger, to be on stage and eventually, be on the big screen. Although she was far from completing her dream of being a face in Hollywood, this was a step that would take her to where she wanted to be in the future, and for that, she was proud of herself. 

As a child, Luci had been in various commercials; from being the kid that played with slime and had no lines but to just put on a big smile while the sticky substance ran through her small hands, to being the daughter in a car commercial with one line that said “Are we there yet?” with a groan and a face of exhaustion as if she were the one driving the car. She hoped that these commercials would have someone recognize her talent, to cast her as a Disney star, but that would require moving to California, which her parents were wary of. 

The commercials stopped when she reached middle school. Her early adolescent years consisted of an abundance of attitude and mood swings; Luci was a very tough and determined kid. Her love for acting had grown into a big balloon that was let go and on its way into the galaxy where no one could reach it—where no one could mess with her achieving her dream. 

She would always stand in front of her white wooden framed mirror—with delicately painted colorful flowers around the border—reciting lines that she heard from a television series or the films that she watched, and she would write them down in her blue notebook. Sometimes, her parents would let her search the script up if it was available online. But oftentimes, she would test and challenge her memorization, and listen to it by ear; testing her mind, and eventually, her memorization skills were immaculate by the age of eleven. 

It was perfect timing because by the time she was in middle school, she was able to snatch the roles she wanted when her school’s drama department held school plays. Her family thought that she would start to hate being on stage since school plays always ran until late evening, but being part of the productions had only enhanced her love for her talent, and it only prepared her for a quarter of what her future may look like. 

All in all, from a very young age, she always knew that she wanted to become an actress. The spotlight or the center of the camera was where she always craved to be. 

And she was finally making that dream come true. 

A black Toyota Camry pulled into the space behind the car that was filled with her belongings. Ren and Beatrice, Luci’s lovely parents, both get out of the car with a pink box of donuts—a snack for the road and for when she gets to her new apartment. 

“Ready, Lucky?” Beatrice asked, rubbing her daughter’s back. She was quite bummed to see Luci leave her childhood home, but she’s proud to see Lucky Luci chase her dreams. She was, after all, twenty-five and was bound to move out at some point, but to see it actually happen made Beatrice quite emotional. 

“Ma, please, don’t cry…” Luci frowned as Beatrice pressed her fingertips to the corners of her eyes. She wrapped her arm around her mother’s shoulder, comforting her. “You’re all coming to New York in a month, right? To watch me on stage?” Luci asked, reassuring herself that she would see her family in a different state to rescue her from her loneliness. 

Luci was an independent woman. She could do tasks by herself, go places alone, and she wouldn’t have a problem with it; she enjoyed the company of herself. But to know that at some point she might be alone—that everyone had left her behind or forgotten about her—was what scared her. She needed to know that the people who loved her unconditionally wouldn’t forget about her. 

“Of course we’re going!” Ren exclaimed with a smile that Luci was going to miss seeing everyday. “We can’t miss our baby on the Broadway stage. If we could, we’d go to every damn show that you’re in, but that would be a lot of gas, no?” 

She chuckled, nodding her head. She felt tears pricking her eyes at how supportive her parents were—they’ve always been. If she could, she would take them with her to New York, but her one bedroom apartment and their work said otherwise. 

“Now, Lucky, don’t cry.” It was Beatrice’s turn to comfort her daughter. Like any parent, when they see their child cry, it breaks their heart and they cry too. “We’re gonna see you real soon. You can always come back anytime you want. We’re just a phone call away and we’ll pick you up,” Beatrice said between sniffles. The mother and daughter were embracing so tenderly and comfortingly—enjoying every last moment together until they got to see each other again. 

“Jeez, you’re both the same—always crying!” Ren interrupted, making the two women laugh; and he was glad they found what he said amusing because he couldn’t handle the sad moment. “C’mon here, my Lulu.” Luci settled into her father’s arms, hugging him tightly. She’s always been her dad’s girl, despite having a close relationship with her mother, her relationship with her father was something that felt like home; he always knew what to say and when to say it. It helped that she was the female version of him. “You’re gonna be the best star out there, I’m sure of it. Now, I want you to have fun, alright? The fame, the fortune, the big city…it doesn’t amount to anything if you’re not having the time of your life” He comfortingly rubbed Luci’s back, holding her in a warm and tight squeeze. 

Luci smiled at her father’s words. She was always a bit hard on herself when she would mess up or forget a line or a movement that correlates to a specific line in her script. When she was younger, she would beat herself up for a sliver of a moment; she would cry into her pillow—sobs loud enough that they were heard from downstairs. Luci would think that she wouldn’t become a well-known actress just because of the minor forgetfulness her mind had presented. But Ren would gently tap on her ocean blue door, letting himself in because he knew his daughter didn’t have the energy to get up and let him in, and he would sit beside her, gently urging her to sit up with him. Once she complied, after many groans of refusals, she would be glad she did because her father looked deeply into her eyes—and it was like looking into the reflection of clear and clean water—and told her she was a star. It was only three words, but those three words reminded her to never give up and get up when she would hit the pavement of what she felt like were her fallen hopes and dreams. 

Ren would then end it with a statement of advice that had always lingered in her mind, resonating to the silent and harshful words that she tells herself. ‘Nothing will amount to anything if you’re not having the time of your life.’

A rush of gratitude settled upon her as her eyes became glossier by the seconds she was in Ren’s arms. Beatrice looked at her greatest treasures fondly, a smile appeared on her face only for it to be replaced by a look of confusion. 

“Where is that damn brother of yours? He said he was going to be here at ten!” Beatrice interrupted the sweet moment she was having with her father, making them disconnect from the hug—just as Ren did with Luci and Beatrice.  

Speaking of the devil, her dear brother was making his way towards home on the side of the street, wearing a grey sweatshirt that was stained with his sweat as his earphones were nestled in his ears, loudly playing music. He loudly sang along to some rap song, breath staggered as he rapped along with his hands. 

Nathan smiled once he stepped foot onto the driveway as he took out his earphones, seeing his family look at him vigilantly. Luci laughed, shaking her head. 

“Hey, there’s our superstar, little Ana!” Nathan opened his arms, ready to hug you but she quickly stopped him, curving her spine backwards to deny his hug. Ana had been one of the many nicknames her family had called her when she was growing up from the second half of her name, but Ana seemed to have stuck with Nathan as no one else really called her that, so it was his own personal nickname for her. 

“Ew, please, do not hug me.” Her face wrinkled in disgust from the spell of her brother’s sweat from his run. Nathan chuckled, playfully rolling his eyes before turning towards his parents. 

“Ooh, donuts-”

Beatrice slapped the back of his hand before he even got a chance to open the pink donut box. “Not until you shower and change. Lulu needs to be in Brooklyn by three!” 

“Ow, mother!” Nathan whipped his hand away from Beatrice’s burning slap, although he was just playing around and being dramatic. “But fine, alright. The star always gets what she wants, am I right?” He dropped his head towards Luci, sighing before he hurried inside the house to take a quick shower and change. 

Luci giggled, telling her parents that she would be right back to go up to her room to check if she’d gotten everything, even though she knew that she had everything, she just needed to reminisce alone for a moment. 

Her feet took her up the wooden stairs, where she, for some unknown reason, always spent her time sitting on as she leaned her back against the wall and read or drew. Nathan always found it weird of her when they were doing homework when they were younger, but it was just one of the many fun anecdotes he could tell reporters if he’s asked about their childhood. 

Pushing open her ocean blue door that she never changed because she loved the color, she was met with the emptiness of what was once her sanctuary. Despite the paint on the wall changing, the replacement of furniture, and rearrangement of her childhood room, Luci could still see the baby pink walls where she hung up various posters of her celebrity crushes when she was eight. She could still see herself walking over to her Cinderella white wooden dresser as she pulled out an inflatable microphone from her drawer before she walked over to her bed to sing her heart out with her cousin. In the corner of her room was her mirror that she painted colorful flowers along the border when she was younger, and she definitely did not want to change or get rid of it; it wasn’t difficult to stir up a memory when she was in front of that mirror because up until now, she was always reciting her lines to her own reflection until the late night. 

All of these memories that Luci held within her heart would help her ground herself—remind her where she came from. No matter where her career took her, she would always be the girl that was firstly known in her room, crying, laughing, and acting within the four baby pink walls until she was sixteen, and then it changed to an ecru white. The feeling of nostalgia clutched her chest, and for the second time today—not even noon, yet—she found herself crying. 

She silently sobbed in her sanctuary. Her chest felt tight, like her heart was grasping onto the memories, begging her to not leave, to not move on. But moving on would mean being stuck, and she didn’t want to feel stuck—she just never wanted to be in one place where the walls would slowly feel like they were closing in on her. She didn’t want to be in one place and eventually hated it, so for that, she had to move on. 

A soft knock was heard from the outside of her bedroom, making Luci turn around hastily. She found Beatrice standing in the doorway, warmly smiling at her daughter, and keeping the tears at bay because she needed the comfort of her mother more than her mother’s tears. 

“My Lucky Star…” Beatrice walked into the room, welcoming Luci into her arms. “You okay?” 

Luci deeply inhaled and exhaled as she calmed herself down from her cries. “I’m alright. It’s just hard saying goodbye to this place—to my room.”’

“Oh, Lulu. You don’t need to say goodbye. I know you’ll be coming back here soon, anyways. I know you love home too much to completely stay away.” Beatrice was subtly trying to remind Luci about her love for her hometown, for her home, but her words also were trying to remind her about that certain love for her home and to never forget that love so she doesn’t stray away because Beatrice was simply afraid Luci would never want to come back once she discovered the luxury of her career. And even though she knew her Lulu wasn’t one to forget about her family, Beatrice would never admit her fear. 

Luci sniffled, wiping her tears away as she pulled away from her mother’s embrace. “Yeah, I know. Just…doesn’t feel real that I’m leaving.” 

“Sure, you’re leaving, but you’re going off to do bigger and better things. You were never one to stay in one place, physically and mentally—you were always moving, always loved learning more. And I’ve always been so intrigued and interested in how your mind works.” 

“Ma…” The waterworks seemed to be the highlight of the move. 

“I’m serious! I’m so genuinely proud of you. You’ve been keeping your talent—and I don’t mean ‘high school plays’ talent. I mean your Broadway, Hollywood, Academy winning talent. Now, you get to showcase your light in front of thousands of people.” Beatrice always had a way of boosting Luci’s self-esteem, making her ego a tad bit more bigger than it already was. She didn’t mind if her self-esteem had skyrocketed into the galaxy of her dreams, but she always reminded Luci that being humble and kind always outweighed being obnoxious and arrogant. “Now, enough with these tears. You’ve got a road trip to New York. C’mon, now.” 

They made their way downstairs and out the door where Ren and Nathan were talking about the latest basketball game of the Celtics. The trunk was closed, and the only thing waiting was Luci herself. 

“There she is! Ready?” 

Luci took a deep breath, turning her head to look back at the pastel yellow house that had kept her safe for the past twenty-five years. From here, she knew everything was going to change. Whether it’d be for the good or if things would go downhill from here? She didn’t know; all she knew was that she was going to be doing what she loved and she was going to have the time of her life doing it. 

“Yeah, I’m ready.” 

The state of Connecticut seemed to pass by quickly from the car as Nathan drove at a decent seventy miles per hour; the state vanished just as quickly as when they entered. 

Luci mindlessly looked out the window, thinking about everything and nothing at once as she drowned out the music playing through the speakers of the car and Nathan’s voice singing along. 

The cars passing by, the bystanders, and the locals filled the streets and highways, making her wonder what all of these people’s stories were—wondering if they lived in this city or if they were just stopping by to visit, or if they’re just going through the state to get to the one next door just as she was. Maybe she’s had an encounter or simply passed by them on the street in a world that seemed too large but small at the same time. She always pondered on whether everyone else thought the way she thought—if they wondered what her story was or the people around them. 

The world is an interesting place and there were so many intriguing people out there, making her more excited by the minute as she takes on this new adventure in her life that would be completely life changing. Luci’s going to be meeting so many new people that, she would hope, have an impact on her personal life or career. 

“Nervous?” Nathan broke the comfortable silence between them. 

Luci raised her brows and curled her lips into her mouth. “A bit.” 

He nodded, thinking for a moment. Nathan was always one to think before he spoke, and it was a quality that some people needed to learn how to do. He quickly learned that lesson when he was in high school; one of his friends, Johnny, and him were going back and forth joking around with one another. And for some odd reason, teenage boys liked to joke around about fucking everything, so Nathan had said “Yeah, I fucked your mom, what about it?” without thinking. Johnny stayed silent, the rest of their friends were waiting for his comeback, but they only received tears that glossed over his eyes before he ran off to a different part of campus, away from the lunch tables. Nathan found him behind the orchestra building with his face pressed on his kneecaps, crying. Later, he found out that Johnny’s mother had passed away before their sophomore year started and he hadn’t told anyone, which left Nathan quite speechless, but it was a lesson that he learned: to think before anything comes out of his mouth. 

“I know you’ll do great. You were born to do this, born to be on stage. Everything you do is to greater your experience and opportunities. All the mistakes you’re gonna make, which we both know you’re gonna make, they’re gonna be learning lessons for you to continue doing what you’re good at doing; the mistakes are there so you can better yourself,” he reassured, occasionally glancing at you briefly before averting his eyes back onto the highway. 

Luci smiled, never taking her eyes off her older brother. She leaned closer to the middle console, where his right arm was resting on the padded console. Hugging his arm tightly and resting her cheek on his shoulder, she accepted and appreciated his advice, his words. They made her heart fill up with so much gratitude and love, insanely grateful and happy that she had such an amazing and supportive family who always knew the right things to say when they could sense her nerves and anxieties powering through the roof. 

“You’re gonna kill it out there. This is just a step towards where you wanna go, where you actually wanna be.” 

She nodded, looking to her right as they quickly passed the ‘Welcome to New York’ sign from the state line of Connecticut and New York, and it was the sign indicating her new home. 

Nathan pulled into the apartment’s parking garage, entering in with the code that the complex gave Luci on the silver keypad as the two watched the automatic gate arm swing up to the side, and Nathan entered the parking structure, parking in one of the many spaces available. 

Luci excitedly got out of the car, rushing to the trunk where Nathan had opened it from inside the car. Unfortunately, she had forgotten to bring the hand dolly to help carry the boxes, which meant that the siblings were going to have to carry the many boxes she packed by her own hand and strength. But luckily, some of them weren’t that heavy; most of the items in the brown boxes were kitchenware and she figured she could just drag those. 

One by one, they took one box each and headed for the elevator, where it took them to her apartment floor—floor four. Luci grabbed the keys from her purse that contained two copper keys hanging on one single silver loop and a small keyless sensor, and she unlocked her navy blue door, revealing her new apartment. 

When she entered, she was met with a door across the entrance that she would use for her coats and shoes, things that she would need when she’s rushing out the door. Going through the small hallway in from the entrance, it led her to another small hallway to her left where her bedroom and guest bathroom was; and to her right, it would take her to the kitchen and living space. With four big windows with black window frames, the natural light really came in, making her place brighter for saving electricity. 

Walking in and putting the boxes against the black cabinets in the kitchen, she immediately fell in love with the space, her space. Despite already taking a tour of the apartment a few months prior to her official move in day, it felt different being there for the second time because she now knew that this place was hers. She saw it in a different light, and she was already anticipating the memories she was going to make in her new home. The place was empty; and with every step and every noise from her mouth, the room would echo, and she loved it. There was something satisfying about the echo in an empty space that was hers, like she wanted to furnish the hell out of it, but at the same time, she didn’t mind the echo. 

“This is your new home.” Nathan put an arm around Luci’s shoulder. He got a bit emotional seeing his baby sister grow up and move away from home, but he was excited for all of the experiences and memories she was going to make. Luci looked up at him, not saying anything but smiling as she was speechless. Nathan could practically feel the excitement run through her and all he did was chuckle at her speechlessness. “C’mon, let’s go get the rest of the boxes.” 

For the next fifteen minutes, Luci and Nathan hauled the boxes from the car, to the elevator, and down the hallway to her apartment. There were about four more boxes left in the trunk, and they would’ve been finished by now if they hadn’t been taking breaks. 

Nathan’s phone rang as he was sitting on the floor, leaning against the cabinets of the kitchen across from Luci who was sitting in the corner where her dining table would be. 

“Hello?” Answered Nathan. “What? Tonight? I’m in New York. I’m helping my little sister move here. Uh, okay. Sure. Bye.” He groaned, standing up. 

“Who was that?” Luci asked, nosy as she was. 

“That was one of the board members at Mass General Hospital.” Luci’s eyes widened. “They just asked me if I could come in tonight to teach and supervise the new residents.” Nathan was a general doctor working in the Emergency Room as Mass General back in Boston. He’s always wanted to teach with all the knowledge he’s stored in his brain—always wanting someone to learn a thing or two when they spoke to him, and this was his chance. 

“Holy shit, that’s amazing, Nate!” Luci stood up, excited for him.

He started to breathe a bit heavily and Luci immediately took notice; she could practically feel the nerves coming out of him, the same nerves she felt while going in for an audition. “Yeah, I actually have to leave, like, right now.” 

“Hey, hey.” She quickly stopped him from running out of the building and out of his mind. “Come here—breathe with me for a second.” She held onto his wrists gently. 

“Luci, I have to-”

He pulled away, but she tugged him back. “You’re going to drive yourself through the highway, and who knows what will happen, you might get pulled over and you won’t make it to the hospital. So, just take sixty seconds to breathe with me.” 

For the remainder of the time that they had together, they took some deep breaths. She spoke encouraging and uplifting words to him to calm down his nerves and anxieties that he seemed to drive himself over a cliff for, and it seemed to work as Nathan’s shoulder’s weren’t so tense and the grip on her hands had loosened. 

The two of them walked down to the parking garage where Nathan took down the last four boxes and placed them by the entrance of the complex. He was adamant on helping her get the last few boxes up to her apartment, but she shrugged it off, telling him that she was able to carry them and that he needed to leave because he’s most likely going to hit traffic during rush hour. 

“Call me if you need anything, okay? I mean it. I will drive here in a heartbeat.” 

“I will, I will-”

“Just not tonight,” he joked. “This is the highlight of my career.” His smile was so bright that it was like he was a little kid on Christmas again who just received a Hot Speed set from Santa. 

Luci laughed, hugging him goodbye. “And call me if you need anything too. I’ll miss seeing you everyday,” she admitted, a slight frown on her face. She thought she’d have the entire day with Nathan, but it was cut short due to his work but she wasn’t mad about that at all because she knew there'd be plenty of times when he would drive down to walk along the New York streets and see her perform. 

“I’m gonna miss you too, Ana. But I love you and I’ll see you next month!” He hurried into his car, and Luci watched him as he pulled out of the driveway, waving at the rear view mirror to say one last ‘see you later’ to his little sister. 

Walking back to the curb where all of the boxes were set, Luci picked one up to test how heavy it was and she barely made it upright without almost hurting her back, so she put the box down to take a proper breather. She decided to drag the box closer to the door of the complex—which saved her a few steps without completely dropping the box that was labeled ‘glass plates’—and pulled the handle of the door, only to find it completely locked. There was a slight panic that flew through her until she realized that she needed her keyless tag that she had to press against the pad on the wall to get inside the complex, so she blew out a sigh of relief before reaching down to her pocket for her key, and with just her luck, her keys weren’t in her pocket or with her at all. Then she started to panic again. 

Luci quickly walked out of the parking garage and to the front of the building where the leasing office was to find them closed, which was odd because it was Saturday, but apparently their servers were down so they just decided to take the entire day off. She rolled her eyes annoyingly, walking back to the garage in a fast manner because she didn’t want anyone to take her boxes, and so she figured that she could just wait until someone left the complex or arrived. She even left her phone at her place, so it wasn’t like she could call anyone to help her, but some sort of entertainment would help the time go by quicker. 

Sitting on the curb in the garage, pacing back and forth on the sidewalk, and humming the melody from the Miss Saigon soundtrack, an hour goes by until she sees someone walk past the automatic gate barrier, heading towards the entrance where he opened the door with his tag. Luci sprinted towards the door, calling out for help. 

“Wait, wait!” The man turned around confusingly, taking his AirPod out of one ear. She caught up, taking deep breaths as she waved at the man. “Sorry, I’ve been out here for an hour and I completely forgot my key.” He didn’t say anything but stared at her, wondering why he’s never seen this woman before. The apartment complex really only had four floors, and he’s sure that he’s seen everyone who’s lived here. She noticed that he looked down at the boxes and back at her. “Oh, I just moved in.” He nodded more understandingly. “Do you mind holding the door for me?” 

“Sure.” Was the first thing he told her before stepping aside to hold the door. She took another deep breath, getting into the correct form so she doesn’t throw her back out, and began to lift the heavy box. He noticed her struggling, and he felt foolish for not offering his help in the first place when he noticed the four boxes on the cement. “Here, sorry, let me help with that. Get the door, yeah?” Luci’s heart flipped once she heard his deep, accented voice before she gratefully thanked him and he grabbed the box from her, replacing her hands with his and the slightest brush of their fingers made her flustered; he held the box tightly to his chest without much struggle. 

“Yeah, let me just get this one.” Luci grabbed a much lighter box that had all of her shoes, and held the door for him with her foot as he made his way inside of the building and to the elevator. He pressed the button with the arrow pointing up, and luckily, they didn’t have to wait for more than five seconds before the bell at the top chimed and the stainless steel doors opened. 

With the heavy box in his hands, he still let Luci walk in first, which made her smile and he followed in as she pressed with the bold ‘4’ printed on it. He held the box in between his chest and the other end of the bar on the wall as they waited in silence as the elevator lifted them up to her apartment floor, and she brushed past him when he lifted his arm, gesturing her to go first. 

Her front door was closed but it was unlocked, which only made sense, so she opened her door, putting the box next to the entrance and politely asking the man to put it next to the one you put down. 

“Thank you so much, really. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help.” 

“It’s no problem. I was the same when I moved here too—forgot my keys and was locked out.” He related to make her feel lighter about the situation since it was an honest mishap. 

“Did you go to the leasing office?” She asked curiously. 

“Yeah, but they were closed.” 

“They’re closed today too! It’s like they do that on purpose whenever someone new moves in.” The man chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. 

She hadn’t gotten a proper look at him since she was too distracted by trying to get into her building, but just by one real look at him, he was very attractive—probably too attractive to where she couldn’t think straight. He was wearing a pastel yellow and white striped button down that was a bit flowy and open, showing his white tank underneath that was tucked into his black skinny jeans. His tank top was low enough, exposing a patch of chest hair and his necklace that rested against his skin, in between his swallow tattoos just below his collarbones. Rings hugged his long fingers on both hands as he held two brown paper bags from Trader Joes. He was handsome, that’s for sure, and she felt like she was going to compare his beauty to all the other men that she was going to encounter in the future. 

“They’re not very good at going into work, but if you give them a call then it’s like they’re a 24/7 help center.” 

Luci nodded, chuckling. “Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind.” 

“I’ll help you with the last boxes.” Before she was about to protest and tell him that he didn’t have to help her anymore because she was sure the last ones were light, he made his way towards the elevator and she quickly followed. 

To her surprise, one of the boxes was heavier than the other and she was glad that the man was able to carry it for her. They took the boxes up to her apartment, stacking it on top of the ones that were set down before she thanked him gratefully again. 

“I really appreciate all your help.” She smiled, leaning against the doorframe. 

“Not that I’m doubting your strength or anything, but how were you supposed to get those boxes up to your apartment?” He asked softly, not wanting to offend her by his words. 

“Oh, my brother was supposed to help me, but he had to go back home for an emergency at work.” The man nodded, seeming that was the most acceptable answer, not like he was searching if she was lying. “But thank you for your help. You’re a true lifesaver,” she said with a soft smile on her face. Her tone was a bit flirty than she wanted it to be, but it naturally came out. 

“It’s not a problem. I’ll see you around.” Luci hadn’t closed her door yet, but she found out that he was literally her neighbor on the opposite side of the wall. He didn’t even have to take two steps to get to his place—all he had to do was turn around and he was home. She smiled at the thought of that, glad that her neighbor was already so kind to her. 

As he was fumbling with his keys, he eventually got his door unlocked, and Luci was itching to ask what his name was—maybe make her first friend during her first day living in the big city. The man felt his neighbor's eyes on him, burning through the back of his head, so he turned around at the same time she spoke. 

“Uh, hey,” Luci called out. He was looking over his shoulder, pursing his lips as he raised his brows. “I was wondering if…you’d like to have dinner with me tonight? Y’know, to thank you for all your help and practically saving me while I was stranded.” She chuckled, playing with the tips of her fingers as she looked at him with hope. 

He thought the invitation was nice, but…“It’s okay, really. I, uh, have plans already tonight,” he admitted honestly because he doesn’t make a habit of being dishonest. 

Luci had some thick skin—she grew it throughout the years, and she had always been pretty confident. So many people would think that she could handle rejection well because she’s auditioned for many roles in her lifetime, and had been rejected for most of those roles. But the rejection that her neighbor handed to her so respectfully and politely was one that hit her the most, and she didn't know why. 

Curling her lips into her mouth as she felt the pang of her heart sinking into her chest, she nodded and placed a small smile onto her face. 

“Have fun tonight, then. I’ll see you around.” She grinned, hiding the slight bit of pain that she felt. He nodded, walking inside his apartment as she was in her doorway as well. “Oh, I’m Luci, by the way.” She introduced herself, feeling like she should have done that ten minutes ago, but it had slipped her mind. 

The corner of the man’s mouth turned up into a sly smirk, and she nearly felt herself fall as she gripped the door handle tightly. It was enough to make the pain in her chest disappear, and all thoughts of the rejection that she would think about for the rest of the night vanished. 

“Nice to meet you, Luci. I’m Harry.” 

With that, Harry closed his door, putting a barrier between him and Luci, who was still standing in her doorway. She let out the longest sigh of her life, feeling like she’d been constricting herself from breathing properly for the last ten minutes. 

Luci closed her door and leaned against it, looking down at the boxes that were resting by her feet. She softly smiled, her cheeks were starting to get warm, and she was fully aware that Harry was the cause of it.

come talk to me about your thoughts and feelings! hope you all enjoyed the first chapter, thank you for reading <3 

ty to @sunflowers-styles​ for beta reading!

[phantombs]

💮( for mana!! )

[Send 💮.] Cường looks at them. He's thinking of flowers. Status: No longer accepting.

The library’s a crypt for history. It’s bursting with ‘things that happened’. It burrows in the past.

But that’s stuffy, to dawdle so longly on pages, shelves, and aisles upon aisles of years that’ve went. Memories. Fixed. And where’s the springtime in a place so shadowed by yesterday, he wonders, with its tragedies rosied up with rhymes? And similes? And sing-song pentameters? 

Well, Cường isn’t sure. But he’s stubborn, well-loved in his seasons where the fruit trees grow and the phoenix flowers burn like fire, and decides: somewhere. Yes, and I'll remind you if you forgot. He elbows the door, plunging into the archived silence. Drab, he thinks. There’s ought to ring notes of beesong, too, buzzed and loud.

But soon enough. He walks to the counter. He rifles in his basket, sleepy-eyed, and says, "Hi. Good morning." I like to see growing. She looks. Especially, I wonder how you'll see through yours. “I made you lunch,” he begins. “It's tasty, but we already knew that. So, I brought a surprise, too. Something extra, free of charge."

Homemade dumplings meet the table. “No need to thank me.” He slips in a jar of bottled up flowers beside it, yellow like the streets in Saigon, and sits it by her whirring desktop. It winks at her behind the glass: apricot blossom, plucked, vibrant and colored by twinkling sunshine. It’s even bundled with those heads of sun-dried milk flowers, and its sugars have stamped his fingers sweet.

How... Well, tender. No. Better yet, how thoughtful, this masonry ribboned with twine as it houses this February whisper, fortune, of a season that drips and golds the city. It’s perfumed, drowning in nostalgia. And yet, with those blossoms like sun-stones, it whispers, too: to a better year. A happier one. I’d like you happy, and I think that’s fair of me -- fair for you, even more. And I’m right, aren’t I?

It says it in its color. Yellow like dandelions. Yellow like royalty, sunflowers colored up buttery, and Cường further pushes it with a knuckle.

Mana peers. She’s very much like them. She wears history like the milk blossom scents, but there’s room for more like those pages she flips on, on, and on. She knows that. Maybe. Her dark hair falls. Were she out in Saigon, the petals would jewel it pretty.

Cường waits. She’s not some story that’s finished. All these books in these shelves, and she should know: you’re a better one.

“Keep it. Really, you can get lost here sometimes.” The books! “It’ll remind you spring’s come.”

[the-tru-story]

Seeing my mom’s old photos from China, which were all less about the size of a passport photo–including the ones taken with friends, made me dig up some photos of my family from Vietnam. In Mao’s China, it was impossible for rural farmers to purchase photos (hiring a photographer or going to a photo studio), let alone a camera, as they earned extremely little and couldn’t possibly save up to afford such a luxury. The oldest photo my mom has is of herself at 12 years old (the top left photo, with braids). Apparently her teacher recommended her to test for a more elite high school (she didn’t pass), and she had to take a photo for the exam.

On the other hand, I’ve seen plenty of “old country” photos of my dad’s side of the family. My family didn’t own a camera, so they hired people to take their photos. Saving up for a camera wasn’t impossible (my eldest aunt and dad had friends with cameras), but also not commonplace. My grandpa didn’t even own a phone in Vietnam, which goes to show that while Vietnam was not like China in terms of technology, it also wasn’t at America’s level.

The photos of my dad above were seen in my dad’s cousin’s home in Trà Ôn when we visited in 2018. My grandpa and dad sent many photos to him over the years (he is my grandpa’s cousin’s son). Some of these photos have Chinese written on the back but when we visited, he (“Chong 哥” in Hakka, last name is 陳 or Tran in Vietnamese) mostly spoke in Vietnamese to my dad and very minimal Hakka. Apparently he had lived with my grandma for a while and learned Hakka from her, and he in turn taught her Vietnamese. While my dad worked as a Chinese teacher in Trà Ôn, he sometimes stayed over at Chong 哥’s home.

The first photo at the top was taken after the fall of Saigon (1975), perhaps shortly before my uncle and aunt (both on the left) left as boat people. They left in September 1978 (must confirm month) and battled huge waves (my uncle used sound effects to demonstrate the monstrosity of these waves).

The second photo is of my dad in Indonesia, taken on August 8, 1981. My uncle who was already in Minnesota sent my dad $100 USD, so that’s how my dad was able to afford getting his photo taken. Well, that would’ve been more than enough for a while of comfortable living (apparently he was wearing new clothes in this picture). So how the heck do you send money to a refugee camp? When my dad reached Indonesia, he mailed my uncle, letting his brother know how to send him money. Apparently if you were living on a remote Indonesian island in the early 1980s, it was possible to accept international money orders, but not possible to make international phone calls. My dad first stayed in Kuku Refugee Camp, later moving to Galang Refugee Camp.

The third photo shows the remainder of my family who had not yet left Vietnam in 1985. This includes my grandpa’s large extended family. I think behind my grandpa to the right, wearing the white hat, is his older brother who my parents knew as “Man Shuk” in Hakka. To the left of my grandpa in the back row was 森譜（sp?）, who I knew as “Bak Bak” (伯伯) growing up and my parents knew as “Sen Pu Koh”. I was told by my mom that he passed away, but I do remember he sent flowers to my eldest aunt’s funeral.

The fourth photo also shows the remainder of my immediate family who had not yet left Vietnam. I assume this was the family portrait they took just before leaving, as April 4, 1985 (I think) is written on the back. With these photos, I can see that my paternal family’s obsession with taking pictures at family gatherings started much earlier than their “America” years. It was always to remember a moment, perhaps a “last” moment, together in the circumstance they were in.

Edit: urghh I added captions to all the photos (including Chinese-to-English translation) but apparently you can only view them if you’re viewing this post from your Tumblr dashboard.

[dienhoathanglong]

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Being away from someone special on an important day like this can be hard, but fret not, FloristSaigon is here! The combination of our experienced team and international delivery ensures that you will be able to bring a smile to the face of that special someone on their special day. With our vast selection of choices, you are bound to find the perfect bouquet to help them celebrate in style! So when it comes to birthday flower delivery, choose us as online florist.

The best birthday flowers by Month

Be prepared for any birthday whatever the month of the year with this simple guide to the best birthday flowers to send to your recipient by month. Make your gift truly unique for your loved one by tailoring it exactly to their birth month flower:

January: Carnations

February: Iris

March: Daffodils

April: Daisies

May: Lily of the Valley

June: Roses

July: Larkspur

August: Gladiolus

September: Aster

October: Marigolds

November: Chrysanthemums

December: Narcissus

Are flowers a good birthday present?

Friends are truly special people who are always there when we need them most, to celebrate the good times and support us through the bad times. Flowers are the ideal way of thanking them for everything they do for us, and for brightening up our lives.

If you’re looking for birthday gift ideas, try to find out which flowers they like or their favourite colour. If you don’t know, gerberas are a great idea as they symbolise happiness and true friendship. Lilies are also a good choice to celebrate your friendship, especially in light tones such as pink and yellow, as they are symbols of important values including honesty, admiration and understanding. Despite roses traditionally being associated with romance, they are also the perfect gift for those who enjoy the more classic, elegant side of life. If roses are your flower of choice, we’d recommend opting for warm, pastel tones.

Florist Saigon

Add: 151 Cong Quynh Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 01, HoChiMinh City, VietNam Hotline: +84 973535559 (English) Email: floristsaigon.hcm@gmail.com Website: http://floristsaigon.com

[floristsaigon-blog]

Sending flowers is a great way to show your love, admiration…even if it isn’t Valentine’s day or birthday. Florist Saigon believes that sending and receiving flowers should be easy, affordable and beautiful. We are the leading florist shop in Ho Chi Minh city, offer express flower delivery, whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s day, a wedding or even just something for yourself.

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If you need any last minute deliveries, we’ve got a 2 hours express flower delivery guarantee in Saigon. So don’t worry if you suddenly remembered a special occasion like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day…because we’ve got covered. All you have to do is order your flowers online and we’ll get it to you.

At Florist Saigon, we source directly from flower farms in Dalat to offer you the freshest product imaginable at an affordable price. Our intuitive website means that in just a few clicks you can send flowers to anyone, anywhere in Saigon on the same day. Designed by our professional florist, each bouquet is stunning and long – lasting. We make it easy to send love to the people you love. No matter what your reason, you can put your trust on us for all your gifting needs and as always, beautiful and freshest blooms.Sending flowers with Florist Saigon

Florist Saigon is a home grown Ho Chi Minh florist shop. We offers wide variety of flowers and gifts for all your special occasion. Fearturing from hand bouquet, flower arrangement, grand opening, sympathy flowers to many others. Surely, you can get the perfect flowers and gifts to all the special people in your life.

We are passionate about sending flowers and gifts that brings a bright smile to your love ones. For us, sending flowers is not just sending a nice thoughts but bringing happiness to your recipient.

[asiantheatre]

Under the list are all the confirmed, announced shows in the 2018-2019 season featuring Asian writers, actors, designers, directors, etc in New York, London, and International. Listed are the dates for first previews, the theater it’s performed in, and a summary of the show. 

This list isn’t 100% comprehensive and will be updated as time goes on. If we missed a show, please let us know!

Make sure to tune in and give these shows your love! 

BROADWAY (source)

Straight White Men

Until September 9, Hayes Theater

“It’s Christmas Eve, and Ed has gathered his three adult sons to celebrate with matching pajamas, trash-talking, and Chinese takeout. But when a question they can’t answer interrupts their holiday cheer, they are forced to confront their own identities. Obie Award-winning playwright Young Jean Lee takes a hilariously ruthless look at the classic American father-son drama. This is one white Christmas like you’ve never seen before.”

Getting the Band Back Together

August 19, 2018; Belasco Theatre

“The musical comedy follows 40-year-old out-of-work banker Mitch who moves back in with his mother and decides to reunite his old high school band, Juggernaut.”

King Kong

October 2018

This show reimagines the famous movie King Kong into a story about fame, greed, and manipulation within the original framework of a young actress and film maker finding their way to Skull Island, the home of a 2000 pound monkey.

Tootsie

March 29, 2019; Marriott Marquis

“Based on the film, Tootsie tells the story of a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until an audacious, desperate stunt lands him the role of a lifetime.”

Hadestown

Walter Kerr; March 22, 2019

Info in the west end section

Be More Chill

Lyceum Theater; February 13, 2019

Info in the offbway section

Chicago

July 1–14; Ambassador Theatre

Japanese star Ryoko Yonekura will make a limited run engagement as Roxie Hart before transferring over to Japan for the national tour.

OFF BROADWAY (source / 2)

Be More Chill

August 9, 2018;  Pershing Square Signature Center

Based on Ned Vizzini’s novel, the show tells the story of an average teenager who takes a pill purported to make people more—you guessed it—chill.

Henry VI

August 21, 2018 - NAATCO 

“Shakespeare’s Henry VI is the story of a great nation’s decent into barbarism and cruelty. It is a study of how the experience of a problematic foreign war erodes civil discourse at home, and how that erosion allows political self-interests to take hold and send a country hurtling into civil war.” 

Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future

September 25, 2018; Ars Nova

 “250 years from now, constructed humans are built in black market labs, Mars is a forced labor camp and underground outlaws are brewing rebellion. You might not remember how Beaux Weathers and her band of “illegal intelligences” fought for the right to exist, but Rags Parkland does. Back on Earth for the first time in 10 years, Rags plays the music that carried us to where we are today. But on this planet, the more things change, the more we stay the same.”

India Pale Ale

October 2, 2018; Manhattan Theatre Club

“In a small Wisconsin town, a tight-knit Punjabi community gathers to celebrate the wedding of a traditional family’s only son, just as their strong-willed daughter announces her plans to move away and open a bar. As they come together for feasts filled with singing and dancing, one generation’s cherished customs clash with another’s modern-day aspirations, and ghosts and pirates from the family’s past linger in everyone’s thoughts – until one sudden event changes everything.”

Wild Goose Dreams

October 30, 2018; The Public Theatre

“Minsung is a “goose father,” a South Korean man whose wife and daughter have moved to America for a better life. Deeply lonely, he escapes onto the internet and meets Nanhee, a young defector forced to leave her family behind in North Korea. Amidst the endless noise of the modern world, where likes and shares have taken the place of love and touch, Minsung and Nanhee try their best to be real for each other. But after a lifetime of division and separation, is connection possible?“

The Resistable Rise or Arturo Ui

October 30- December 22, 2018; Classic Stage Company

The political allegory shows a Depression-era Chicago mobster, who, with the help of his henchmen, manipulates and murders his way to totalitarian rule of the cauliflower trade. The play uses a vaudevillian portrayal of American mafia culture to parallel events that brought the Third Reich to power.

A Chorus Line

November 14, 2018; New York City Center

“A Chorus Line, the 2018 New York City Center Annual Gala Presentation, is a joyous celebration of dance and musical theater—two art forms that City Center has been bringing to New York audiences for 75 years. In 1975, the stories of seventeen Broadway dancers were brought to life when A Chorus Line opened Off-Broadway. The musical was born of workshop sessions with actual Broadway dancers (eight of whom appeared in the original cast) who laid bare their personal stories and the challenges they faced in pursuit of their dreams.“

The Prisoner

November 24, 2018; Theatre for a New Audience/Polonsky Shakespeare Center

“The Prisoner examines the complexities of crime, justice, and compassion in a breathtaking new international production. A man sits alone outside a prison. Who is he, and what is he doing there? Is he free, or is he the prisoner?“

Noura

November 27, 2018; Playwrights Horizons

Noura and her husband have a successful life in New York, and, eight years after having fled their home in Iraq, they’ve finally gained citizen status—which Noura, as an Iraqi Christian, is celebrating by planning the perfect Christmas dinner. But when the arrival of a visitor stirs up long-buried memories, Noura and her husband are forced to confront the cost of their choices, and retrace the past they left behind.

Flower Drum Song’s 60th Anniversary Gala

December 2, 2018 - NAAP

The gala will begin at 5:30 PM with cocktails, followed by a 6:30 PM dinner (a traditional eight-course Chinese banquet). Throughout the evening will be entertainment informed by the history of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song.

Nassim

December 10, 2018; New York City Center

In his latest work, Nassim Soleimanpour explores the power of language to unite us in these uncertain times. No rehearsals. A different guest actor at every performance. A sealed envelope. Oh, and some surprises.

Blue Ridge

December 12, 2018; Atlantic Theater Company

“A progressive high-school teacher with a rage problem retaliates against her unscrupulous boss and is sentenced to six months at a church-sponsored halfway house, where she attends to everyone's recovery but her own. Set in Southern Appalachia, Blue Ridge is a pitch-dark comedy about heartbreak, hell-raising and healing.“

Merrily We Roll Along

January 12, 2019; Roundabout Theatre

Roundabout’s company in residence, Fiasco Theater, reimagines its next Stephen Sondheim creation. With Fiasco’s one-of-a-kind imagination, this audacious musical about a trio of showbiz friends who fall apart and come together over 20 years emerges as newly personal and passionate.

Superhero

January 31, 2019; Second Stage Theatre

Before we can save the world, we have to save each other. From the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer of Next to Normal and the Tony Award-winning writer of Red comes a deeply human new musical about a fractured family, the mysterious stranger in apartment 4-B, and the unexpected hero who just might save the day.

Anne of Green Gables: Part 1

The Royal Family Performing Arts Space; January 24-February 11

An adaptation of the book with the same title.

God Said This

Cherry Lane Theater; January 29-February 15

God Said This paints a portrait of five Kentuckians facing mortality in very different ways. With her mom undergoing chemotherapy, Hiro returns home, struggling to let go of the demons she inherited. Sophie, her born-again Christian sister, confronts her faith while tackling inevitable adversity. James, their recovering alcoholic father, wants to repair his fractured relationship with his daughters. And, John, an old classmate and thirty-something single dad, worries about leaving a lasting legacy for his only son.

Alice By Heart

MCC Theater; January 30-March 30

The show, by Waitress scribe Jessie Nelson and Spring Awakening duo Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, adapts Lewis Carroll’s famed fantasy into a London-set tale against the backdrop of World War II, as Alice and her friend Alfred journey down a rabbit hole to find love, loss, and the courage to move forward despite harsh circumstances.

REGIONAL / US TOURS (source)

Man of God

January 31 - February 24, 2019; East West Players

A hidden discovery in a hotel bathroom changes the lives of four Korean Christian girls on a mission trip to Thailand. Samantha is hurt that someone she trusted could betray her. Jen is worried about how this might affect her college applications. Kyung-Hwa thinks everyone should adjust their expectations. Mimi’s out for blood. Amid the neon lights and go go bars in Bangkok, the girls plot revenge in this funny, feminist thriller.  

Mamma Mia

May 9 - June 9, 2019; East West Players 

On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the Greek island they last visited 20 years ago. The storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless hits sets the scene for this infectious tale of love and frolicking fun, creating an unforgettable musical experience that will leave you dancing in the aisles!

Tours - Dates are subject to region

Aladdin

Hamilton

Miss Saigon

Hello Dolly

Falsettos

Lea Salonga’s Human Heart Tour

Rent

TV special live on Fox tells the story of the AIDS epidemic in New York City

WEST END/LONDON (source)

The King and I

Until September 29, 2018

Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.

Love’s Labor’s Lost

August 23, 2018; Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

“Self-denial is in fashion at the court of Navarre where the young king and three of his courtiers solemnly forswear all pleasures in favour of serious study. But when the Princess of France and her entourage arrive, it isn’t long before the all-male ‘academe’ have broken every one of their self-imposed rules. Shakespeare’s boisterous send-up of all those who try to turn their back on life is a dazzling parade of every weapon in the youthful playwright’s arsenal, from excruciating cross-purposes and impersonations to drunkenness and bust-ups. It’s a banquet of language, groaning with puns, rhymes and grotesque coinages“

Dance Nation

August 27, 2018; Almeida Theatre

“Somewhere in America, a revolution is coming. An army of competitive dancers is ready to take over the world, one routine at a time. With a pre-teen battle for power and perfection raging on and off stage, Dance Nation is a ferocious exploration of youth, ambition and self-discovery.“

The Humans

August 30, 2018; Hampstead Theatre

“Hampstead Theatre is proud to present the Broadway production of The Humans by Stephen Karam, the winner of four 2016 Tony Awards including Best Play. Three generations of the Blake family have assembled for Thanksgiving in Brigid and Richard’s ramshackle pre-war apartment in Lower Manhattan. Whilst the event may have a slightly improvised air, the family is determined to make the best of its time together. As they attempt to focus on the traditional festivities, fears of the past and pressures of the future seep into the reunion and the precariousness of their position becomes increasingly evident.”

The Village

September 7, 2018; Theatre Royal Stratford East

“The Village transports the Lope de Vega’s Spanish play, Fuenteovejuna to contemporary India. It’s a powerful story of community and solidarity, and the lengths a person will go to protect themselves from tyranny. In Jyoti’s village, life is simple. People work and sing while living off the land. And finding a partner is far from her mind. She’d much prefer a delicious meal. Things are happy until the Inspector and his men come back to town. But when the tyrannical Inspector has his eye on Jyoti and he commits unspeakable acts against the village, everyone is pushed to breaking point. Will Jyoti dare turn him down despite what it may mean for her village?”

White Teeth

October 26, 2018; Kiln Theatre

“Rosie Jones, the Iqbal twins, their parents, their grandparents, Mad Mary and an avalanche of other characters who make up the everyday chaos of Kilburn High Road come together in an extraordinary revelry of NW6. An epic comedy with music and dance, this theatrical rollercoaster takes us on a fast-paced journey through history, different cultures and chance encounters. Zadie Smith’s breakthrough novel is adapted for stage by acclaimed playwright Stephen Sharkey and directed by Artistic Director Indhu Rubasingham in a major world premiere.”

Hadestown

November 2, 2018; National Theater

“In the warmth of summertime, songwriter Orpheus and his muse Eurydice are living it up and falling in love. But as winter approaches, reality sets in: these young dreamers can’t survive on songs alone. Tempted by the promise of plenty, Eurydice is lured to the depths of industrial Hadestown. On a quest to save her, Orpheus journeys to the underworld where their trust is put to a final test.”

INTERNATIONAL

Philippines 

Side Show - August 31, 2018

M. Butterfly - September 13, 2018

A Doll’s House Part 2 - September 15, 2018

Waitress - November 2018

Angels in America Spring 2019

Beautiful: the Carole King Musical Spring 2019

Korea

Matilda - September 8, 2018

The Greatest Showman - August 7, 2018

Bridges of Madison County - August 11, 2018

Jungle Book - closing August 26, 2018

Singapore

Peter and the Star Catcher - September 28, 2018 

Other Local Shows

Japan

Fiddler on the Roof - December 16, 2018

Something Rotten - December 31, 2018

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG - May 16, 2018

Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 - January 5, 2019

Chicago - Osaka (August 1-4 at the Orix Theater) and in Tokyo (August 7-18 at the Tokyu Theatre Orb).

Full list of shows in Japan (translated)

Other Local Shows

China

Rent - August 30, 2018

Les Mis - September 27, 2018

Hamlet - November 28, 2018

Chicago - December 20, 2018

Other Local Shows

Canada

Come From Away (until June 30, 2019)

Next to Normal Toronto (April 26-May 19)

Dear Evan Hansen 

New Zealand

If/Then - November 29-December 8, 2018

[specialized-stem]

Pass the happy! 💐When you get this, reply with 5 things that make you happy and send this to the last 10 people in your notifications.

-->Stationery and art supplies! Seeing them, buying them, owning them, using them, giving them away to people I cherish. -->Musicals :)) I said in my intro post how I loved Legally Blonde, but I also enjoyed Hamilton, Heathers, DEH, BMC,Waitress, Great Comet, and the more classic ones like POTO and Les Mis. I just recently watched a local Miss Saigon play and LOVED it -->Binging YouTube: from DIYs and life tutorials to cute animal compilations, YouTube is such a frikken gold mine -->Games! Video games, card & board games, escape rooms, honestly the best way to spend time with friends. -->Helping other people grow! I mean, who doesn’t get a glowy, amazing feeling when someone you’ve been supporting blooms into the beautiful flower you know they were meant to be when they were at their low points.

[ramrodd]

Beginning to Beginning: Out of Vietnam

Beginning to Beginning: Out of Vietnam is a portfolio of poetry that I began in 1977. I was working on an IPO and living in our offices and I didn’t have any money for Christmas presents, so I began to write these poems. It was the first time I really began to think about Vietnam nd I enjoyed the writing.

I wouldn’t have missed Vietnam for the world. I had planned on making the army a career, but, when I got to Vietnam, I discovered that it was not to be my destiny. The combat was fine: it was everthing I hoped it would be, but I encountered a reality of the politics in the army that I was morally insufficient to confront at the time. My sister thought I left the army for a woman I loved, but it was to avoid tarnishing my dad’s service in any wise.

Prelude Before the day has dried the Clinging stars, yawning light Slips across my chest to Curl upon your Face. Barefoot And sleepy-eyed You led me to your bed Wrappt me round in girlish warmth Then breathed your soul to mine. Now, between light and sleep, Our bodies close, confused, Our dreams in violet hues, I wonder at your sleeping Smile and what you say, Unsaid.

Marching Orders

In those spectered times before sleep.

When old dreams push aside the light The adventures of men and rabbits Interweave their familiar ghosts. Nightly Mother would read stories Of simple deeds and gentle tests Until, drifting into warm sleep, I took the dreams on my own. Later, as the grand adventures Of Odysseus and old sergeants Filled my reading, I hurriedly Prepared to join their cadence. Then, one day, thirty desperate eyes sought mine. Now, dreams of glory shimmer, incarnadine.

Jet Plane A step past the stew, The Saigon sun slaps my Eyes, A hood of crushing Light hides the airport. blink Waist high grass and flowers Hide us, sprawling, Naked, The  Seattle sun Stroking her breasts. blink The 707 hides San Fran’s Sun as we climb onboard Sightless Burdened by dreams too Bright to see. blink. blinking down the stairs Unto the tarmac I Troop the line of Cobras and Clippers.

General Delivery The sergeant told us Fear not The one with your name. Rather Avoid those marked

To whom it may concern.

Pep Rally War ia the ultimate sport. Sport weakly imitates war, For sport can only compress The hour before the shower. War reduces all the choices Of the best of men to none, For what choice can there be When the neck hair cries “Hunted” When you send children to war Tell them “Come home with your shield, “My aging child, “Or on it” For more or less’ Will kill them As they pay the price of admission To a game refereed by their blood.

Away Game The triple canopy Starves the forest floor For light, So the underbrush never seems Too high or very thick. Following steep trails Worn wide by logistical traffic, The five men Invade a living stillness. Something isn’t right. Their point man Squats, Listens, Looks Under the dark green shadows. Eyes scanning, he hesitates… That last instant our eyes Meet Stillness, Ruptured, is swallowed whole by Silence.

Halftime Show Halfway Through a romance Set against the Patriot’s Game, We walked out. I’m not sure why I left. Usually, any flick Can hold me in the dark. I guess I was Restless. Perhaps Kay’s Fingers Playing on my palm Put my mind unto another game For six months Neglected . Nor could she understand Why We left. For her, The romance was Beautiful.

Field Sanitation   While the afternoon sun Bakes the hill Bellies bloat waiting for Back haul. It’s easier to smile than frown, So fat flies Crawl on eyes Set into grinning death masks. The Freedom Bird Will return my dead soldiers To the world. Carrion birds Will return their dead soldiers To the woods. “Dust off inbound, L.T.” “OK. Bag’em up, “Saddle up. Move

“Out”

M.A.R.S. (with Venus, ascendant) At three hundred hours last night, I stunk of dark muddy fear. At three hundred hours, tonight, I smell of waiting room smoke. Earlier, I visited The wounded and wrote parents, Now I wait to call The World. Date night For three whole minutes. (Use that booth, sir, for your call) (You’re on, sir.)­ “Katy?”  (over)

“Oh. Tom? Oh! I can’t believe “I mean, is it raining? “Oh!” Time, so heavy, so slow, just last night Screams past. (Time’s up, sir.) “I love you”  (over)

Change of Command I put my back to the sun. Two ranks of fifteen men Slouch in easy alertness.

“At ease.” DEROS. My turn to leave. Saigon. Freedom Bird. The World. Hot meals, running water Snoring, warm and dry, all night. Eleven months, eighteen days.

“You clowns have been “A hassle, “But it don’t mean nothing “Now. “Keep yourselves covered, “Lifers.” “Platoon Sergeant!” ”Sir?” “I’m outta here” (These contacts are all fucked up) “Take Charge”

Freedom Bird “God, please get me outta here!” For two days, I have seen Dreams and DEROS Fulfilled as one at Cam Rahn Bay. I have no rifle, no frags, I don’t even have a knife! Noise and fear and clouds of dust Corner me. (Katy, help me, bring me home) Manifest, Twelve hundred hours. Jungle fatigues surrender To Class A Greens And one more line. Then, rising with the Clipper “Morning Light” Our song is an animal’s Released

Return of Investment

Wall Street Had finished lunch Returning her banker to ticker tape When we met. I knew a friend of hers. “Thank you for coming” “Yes. He mentioned you. He’s "Dead you know.” “I know.”

I wrote his parents.

“I have some "Letters.” Her letters, plastic wrapped Had been tucked between rations and claymores. Very unmilitary. They should have been Burned. “You should have seen the box of “Letters “I threw out. “He must not have been very busy “For all the “Letters “He wrote me.” We would sit Sunning the rot between our toes, Uncoiling our spines While other men watched the Shadows. We read an hour of home Delayed six weeks. On those days out of the Shadows, It was good to be alive. Just alive. Wiggle, you cute toes, you. “Yes. Not much to do.” Her calendar was empty until sixish So she flattered me with conversation. Melting slightly from her Dubonnet She asked of his Death. “He wasn’t surprised or, rather, “He would have been surprised “To come home. “None of us expected to “Return.” We weren’t alone: before an attack The other guys always prepared their Coffins. “Why did he leave, then, he was as officer “His father had contacts, he could have stayed with “me! “Why did he leave?” Why did he leave? His own reasons,                                                                                            Selfish reasons. Like mine, The wrong reasons: Fun-Travel-Adventure (fuck the army) “It was his job, I guess. “I don’t know”. Interest spent, We jiggled depleted drinks. Grabbing her purse “Must run…” Like a rip chord, “…wretched party…” She stood in the door “…let’s do lunch…” And disappeared into the slip stream of

“…sometime.”

Wall Street.

Infiltration Course “How can fifteen-fucking-dollars “Get you so fucking excited!” I guess that wasn’t the best Of all possible approaches to Win friends and influence People. He was Head Teller. (Lifer) Attention to detail kept Me and my troops safe and Dry (most of the time) For a year, so I could Dig his program. But, man, it is a hassle playing The game. Good como with The World means low Crawling just beneath The bottom line.

A Toast to Drinking Alone

It’s just that Talking is what we needed. When you came back to happy Kisses We came back to a Sign Nobody believed ”America is Proud of YOU, SOLDIER!” (Out-Processing, Ft. Lewis, Washington) (Calley convicted. Buy Enstrom Helicopters) My War wasn’t all that different From yours:

“Do advancin’ Blisters hurt as much as Retreatin’ blisters?” Willie asked Joe. Yes. Mud and time slid nervously Towards the next moment after. Our knees grew weary of the Genuflect we offered to the Shadows just up the trail. They were as good as we were, As good as you were, Sometimes winners, sometime losers. You remember how they were, Don’t you? They were the same for us. But Ernie Pyle was killed, And Bernard Fall was French And Walter Cronkite was the most Trusted man in America And we came back to a sign Nobody believed. And no one to talk to.

Cancer’s Kiss . Slippery From lazy love making We soak in the June Breeze Pleased With our bodies We purr our twilight pleasure. Bodies Relaxed, yours renewed, Mine  consumed,  content We Drift in dreams Tangled up in pulse.

By Dawn’s Early Light When first I held your warmth, Your shy kisses became full. As your breasts settled, You traced my leg, Arched your back… …we slept, weightless… Awake to sleepy eyes, Your breathing whispers Past my hand holding Your hair in light Slowly turning blond.

Song to Thor

With velvet helmet hard on top, Your one-eyed gaze can find, The deepest of the clinging mine To crawl, all warm, inside. You stand so straight, a soldier proud, To take a hand salute, From maidens who have lost their heads, To a legless, spitting newt. Ah, comrade dear, my darling chum, We’ve traveled many a mile, I, a pilgrim to maidens fair, And you, to make them smile. So, come my friend, let’s stand again And pass in proud review, I’ll gird my loins for battle fair, You stab her wound, anew.

Compass Course

 Don’t hold too dear a loss, My Love, Lest the loss become a cage. I wasn’t meant to lead, My Love, You can see as well as I. Now, let my eyes, the Morning Sun, guide you to my side, My arms, the Earth, shall give you strength, but not a place to hide, Sweet water’s touch shall cup your breasts, to soothe the pain inside, As my soul, the summer breeze, blows freely by your side. If the Butterfly stays caged, My Love, She cannot go my Way, Don’t hold too dear a loss, My Love, The Butterfly lives free.

Dreams in 2/2 (cut) Time

Once when I was walking At the age of twenty one, I met a grey-eyed Lady Who promised me a son. We spent that day together On field just newly green, And sad grey eyes were laughing As they shared their colored dreams I slippt away at twenty two To chase a boyhood’s prize, Through twilight worlds with bursting stars It bled me for it’s price. At twenty four, I stumbled home To a field of withered green, I stumbled home and couldn’t find My Lady’s grey-eyed dreams. Lady, where’d you go, Don’t you want to see my prize. I spent my faith upon it, It has emptied out my eyes. We shared a life together On a field of pregnant green, But sad grey-eyes have turned away From childish stillborn dreams.

Sudden Stops

Don’t you know In those late hours Away from the smiles Away from the chorus “Now you are making sense” You keep making the wrong turn. Don’t you know In those long hours All you need to say                                                      “Yes, I can see the truth In what you say. Yes, what you say is true” And it will be so. Don’t you know In those lost hours As their eyes glint, As their smiles fellate As their logic glitters with promise It’s not your battle. Don’t you know In that short beat As your dreams whisper (madness) (madness) It’s not the fall that kills.

Lazy Eight Survivors see NOW Clearly, A focused dream, Complete, No value nor shadow Nor beauty nor hope; Taste of the air, Infinity

Prelude

There are the little pains we taste, Infrequent and unexpected, Which distress us beyond their nature, The jab before the novacaine. I have a friend from other days Who I adored beyond good reason. The passion has long since faded, But, at seeing her (even now) Old comrades and dreams tug at me. I have friend I met today With a familiar cocksure laugh. Too long lulled by complacent illusions, Those half-forgotten needles Startle me.

[viet-flowers]

Surprising Uses Of Flowers You May Not Be Aware Of

Flowers look like “pretty faces” that age and wither away too quickly, but they’re more than that. Humanity has been using them for centuries as sources of drink, food, medicine, and more. Today, no matter how weird it may sound, flowers are making a comeback to serve the same purposes. When you Send Gift To Vietnam in the form of a bouquet of fresh blossoms, you think it won’t be of any use to the recipient after a day or two. However, the following uses of flowers will surely surprise you. So, continue reading.

Making tea

Would you believe that you can make tea with flowers? People have been doing it for centuries using blossoms, such as jasmine, chamomile, and bee balm. You can also make tea using the leaves and roots of specific plants, actual tea plants excluded. The beverage thus created can bestow several health benefits upon the consumer. Basically, the tea you prepare from flowers isn’t just going to be a tasty and flavorful drink.

Medicines

You’re probably aware of the fact that most of the medicines consumed by patients come from plants. There are a few lifesaving drugs created entirely from flowers and not the leaves and roots. For instance, chamomile flowers can serve in poultices for bruises and sprains. They also yield essential oils. Lavender, on the other hand, is perfect for aromatherapy because of its calming properties.

Edible

Flowers can be as good to the taste buds as they are to the eyes. Flower enthusiasts often enquire at the Saigon Flower Shop for edible flowers that make an exceptional addition to baked goods, salads, and other items. Chive blossoms, nasturtiums, and violets are just of few variants that can add a kick of flavor to boring salads.

Dyes too

Indeed, most of the first dyes used by humans came from flowers. Calendula, yarrow, goldenrod, and saffron are just a few blossoms that can yield yellow dye suitable for fabrics.