Dinhternet

I just crossed #66 off my bucket list. Well, I didn’t call it that at the time, but I suppose that it is the accepted nomenclature now, so that’s what I’ll use. Just in case you are too lazy to click through or have troubled with numbered lists, #66 was a hot air balloon ride. Since my dad’s, Dong Ha’s, and my birthdays are bunched up together near Mother’s Day, we usually do something nice together as a family. (And jokingly call it the “Everyone But Gio Linh Party.”)

Since my parents will be moving away this summer and I’m not sure we’ll be able to do this in the future, I wanted to do something special this time; preferably something highlighting California awesomeness for them to remember when they are in Minnesota. At first, my sisters and I planned on a wine tour in Napa, since the scenery is awesome and my parents enjoy wine. We checked out reviews on the best vineyards to visit and photographers in the area who do outdoor portraits. Also looked into the Wine Train, since dad does love trains.

But then I found something even better… a deal on a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley! At first, both sisters were apprehensive. (I did not realize Dong Ha has a fear of heights!) But I bit the bullet and booked us anyway, since it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Man, was I right to do so! The flight was awesome. And that’s despite having to wake up at 3 to get to Napa slightly before dawn. Our pilot was really funny and entertaining, and our balloon was first up and (almost) last down. The scenery was amazing! And we had quite an adventure at the end as we almost landed on a church and then almost some trees as we were trying to land.

Afterwards, Dad said he loved it and compared it to riding a motorcycle in the sky. I mentioned that I was excited that I could cross something off my bucket list now, and Dong Ha said it was on hers, too. (Gio Linh says she hasn’t made a bucket list yet, but I’m sure it would have been on there for her to cross off now.) Mommy didn’t know what a bucket list was, but basically described the same thing in Viet, so consider it crossed off her list, too. Score! The post title may be a bit eerie or morbid, but it is quite fitting.

I highly recommend the experience to everyone. And if you are scared, don’t be. Dong Ha said she was scared of falling, but the basket is four feet high, so you’d have to be actively trying to fall overboard. There is absolutely no risk if you are just standing around. Also, there was no motion-sickness, either. The baskets do not sway in the wind at all, and the sensation of going up and down is lighter than it is in an elevator.

So I got a good chunk of change back from the government today when my federal tax refund got direct deposited into my bank account. Now, I have to decide what to do with it. I’ve been considering a few options…

First, I’ve been thinking about getting a car for myself. The Civic is a good daily driver, but I’ve wanted an RX-7 for long time, and I can for sure afford a 2nd Gen now. I’d be giving the Civic to Gio Linh, who is about to go off to college. However, she is going to UC Davis now, so she won’t have much use for it her first year, anyway, unless she shells out for a year-long parking permit. And a 2nd Gen RX-7 would definitely be more fun to ride around in, but I’d be spending more in gas and maintenance.

Second, I’ve also wanted to get LASIK for the longest time. My eyes have been stable for a about three years now, so that shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, I tell myself that it’s for the convenience of not having to deal with glasses, but I can’t deny that there is a certain amount of vanity involved this purchase as well.

My third option is the “smart” albeit boring choice of investing my monies. It’s a pretty good time to get into the market, especially for the long-term, which is what I’d be doing. If I go this route, though, I won’t have anything to play with.

Oh, and I also thought about just setting the money aside for now because some friends and I have talked about doing either a Europe or Asia trip this summer. I don’t know who is still down for that, though.

So… what do you think I should do?

A year ago, I had just (finally) graduated from UC Davis. I made a grand list of the things I wanted to sure I do in my life. Sure, I’ve crossed a couple of items off the list, but I feel like I haven’t made real progress – on the list, or in life in general.

I think that’s partly due to my sabbatical in Minnesota. But then again, I think a strong argument could be made that moving to Minnesota was good for me by removing me from distraction. And either way, it allowed me to get a lot closer with my family, which of course was great.

I didn’t want to be one of those people who graduate and then move back home, but that’s where I find myself right now. My parents are correcting that for me, I guess. They’ll be moving to Minnesota to take care of my grandparents as soon as Gio Linh graduates from high school this June. I’m going to have to man up and do something with myself before then.

So with that in mind, here are some things I will do before 2010 -

• Get my BMI under 27 to 25
• Get a job with a living wage and a little leftover to save
• Get into law school
• Keep in touch with friends and family
• Finish at least 100 books from my to-read list
• Cross 3 things off my to-do list
• Increase Dinhternet’s PageRank by at least 1
• Get back into dating

I guess 8 things is a solid list. That’s what my Chinese friends tell me, anyway.

Here’s to me and you, accomplishing our goals and having a great new year!