Namasia

My Art Registry

2010-06-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

I recently enter a Call of Entry by the Alameda County Arts Commission and got accepted. The second round of selection process will be later. Above are some of the pieces that I entered.

June 10-2010

Nga Trinh:

Thank you for submitting an application to the Alameda County Arts Commission’s Small-Scale Commission Projects Artist Registry. We received 199 applications from artists throughout Alameda County. 143 artists have been accepted into the Registry. We are very pleased to tell you that you have been accepted!

Following the selection process approved by the Alameda County Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) and members of the Alameda County Arts Commission, the applications were reviewed by a selection committee of arts professionals. The following individuals served on the selection committee:
• Angee Helstrup-Alvarez, Executive Director, MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (San Jose)
• David Huff, Exhibitions and Programs Coordinator, Pro Arts Gallery (Oakland)
• Anuradha Vikram, Curator, Worth Ryder Gallery, and Coordinator, Graduate Lecture Series at Department of Art Practice, UC Berkeley; independent curator

The selection committee’s recommendation was approved by the PAAC on June 1 and by the members of the Arts Commission on June 9. The Registry will be active for two years.

During the next two years we will be working on a number of public art projects including: Phase 1 of the Highland Hospital Acute Care Tower Replacement Project; Ashland Youth Center; the San Lorenzo Library; and other projects to be announced.

Here’s a reminder of how the Registry will be used:
For each new project, a group of artists will be selected from the Registry to advance to a Project Pool. The Project Pools will be reviewed by Selection Panels that are typically comprised of artists, arts professionals, community members, and County staff. When compiling a Project Pool, the following factors will be considered: goals, budget, site and artistic material requirements, artist’s past experience, expected scope of work, artist’s artistic approach in relationship to the project goals and opportunities, and other relevant information. If you are placed into a Project Pool we will contact you to confirm that you are interested in the project and available during the specified schedule. Due to the number of artists in the Registry and the volume of upcoming projects, the Arts Commission will only contact artists if they are placed in a Project Pool. (Artists who are not being considered will not be contacted). The Public Art Advisory Committee and the members o! f the Arts Commission must review and approve each Project Pool before it is presented to the Selection Panel. Depending on the project, the Selection Panel may meet twice to review the artists’ application materials and select semi-finalists, who will be paid a small honorarium to either develop a written project proposal and/or attend an interview. Semi-finalists will be given the opportunity to learn about the project and site prior to creating a specific proposal. Upon completion of all interviews, the Selection Panel will recommend one or more artists to be awarded the commission for each project. (Multiple artists may receive separate contracts for the same facility through this program.) For other projects, the Selection Panel may only meet once to interview artists and then recommend one artist to be awarded the commission. For all projects, the Selection Panels’ recommendations must be approved by the Public Art Advisory Committee, the Alameda County Arts Commission, and (depending on the contract amount) the Alameda County Board of Supervisors before contracts for the projects can be issued.

Thank you again for applying for this opportunity. We look forward to being in touch with you!

Sincerely,

Rachel Osajima, Executive Director
Amy Stimmel, Public Art Program Coordinator
Rosa Valdez, 100 Families Program Coordinator and Public Art Program Coordinator

Good BPL's patrons

2010-05-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

Not everyone who comes to our five Berkeley libraries are rotten spirited and mean, majority of those who come to North Branch are decently good and friendly. Some give us hugs, big smiles, well wishes and some even bring us flowers, bake stuff and chocolate candies like Ruth, Nannette and others ladies that I haven't yet learned their names. We, all the employees at North appreciate and thanks you.

Here's to those nice people - I wish you all the best of health, love, happiness. Keep on being cheerful and kind to those surrounding you, you'll get everything nice coming back to you.

Cheers!

Do's and Don't's When Using the RFID Self Check Out at BPL

2010-04-04T14:28:00.001-07:00

This is one of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Self Check Out machines at North Branch, one of the five Berkeley Public Libraries in Berkeley. Next to it (on the right) is the DVD and CD unlocked black box ( Are you looking at the picture?). After you'd checked all your DVD or CD out, press the word "Continue" on the screen and a picture of this black box will pop up. It even shows you how to insert the DVD - head in and face up.

THE RFID MACHINE IS VERY EASY TO USE AND ONLY TAKES A FEW SECONDS OF YOUR TIME, JUST FOLLOW THESE DO's AND DON'T's BELOW:

First of all, this is the screen and it says choose a language, so choose one - English or Spanish. Then follow the simple word/picture instructions on the screen.

DO:

Do approach the RFID machine without hesitation - It won't bite.

Do use it to help the librarians out when they're busy with checking in materials at the Circulation Desk.

Do look or read the instruction on the screen - It's picture/video instruction for God's sake.

Do scan your library card (it's the only scanning you'd need) - Look at the picture on the right of the screen where it shows you how to scan your library card's bar code.

Do line up your card bar code straight so the thin, horizontal red light can read it.

Do place your materials on the black platform (the reader) and not on the gray part (please refer to the picture above).

Do have an open mind to learn and use it properly.

DON'T:

Don't say that "I don't like to use this stupid machine because every time I tried, it didn't work at all." (blaming the machine makes you sound stupider).

Don't assume that the librarians will be out of jobs if you use the RFID machines.

Don't hate it because you don't know how to use it. Here's the hint - learn how to use it correctly the first time, and it's easier to use than the ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) at the banks.

Don't put any materials you want to check out on the black platform (in front of the screen) before you scan your library card bar code.

Don't INSERT your library card anywhere.

Don't try to put your book's bar code under the scanner because it only scans your library card's bar code.

Don't say: "Yes it does read the book's bar code, see?" when we tell you it doesn't, you dumb ass.

Don't say "I love to make personal/human contact with the librarians". (Most of us don't want that attention, okay? We're too busy making contact with the books and things so leave us alone with our tasks. And do us a big favor by using the Self Check Out please).

Don't tell the librarians that you hate to read the instruction (why do you go to the library in the first place?)

'Don't say ridiculous thing like "I don't want any Big Brothers watching me" (There's no Big Brothers of any kind watching you, all right? The machine only reads the materials that you are checking out just to make sure that you don't steel them. Perhaps the only Big Brothers watching are your very own).

There you go, I finally spitted the whole goddamn DO's and DON'T's. So please Do read it and Don't say: "Blah, blah, blah! Whatever!" Do yourself a favor and learn to use this RFID Self Check Out and conquer your fear of using it. You can pat yourself in the back for being so smart
afterward.

NO!!! We can't go back to the old way (using the card catalog and bar coded/desensitized strip in every book). After all my thinking, writing and typing? Am I really wasted my time trying to educate some brain dead pricks? Ha! That's end of it, I need to go pee.

Orgasm Salad? Any takers?

2010-01-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

Center Street's sidewalk cafes and restaurants, and straight ahead is the University of California at Berkeley.

My sons and I went to this Sushi & Roll in downtown Berkeley for lunch one day. The place is located on Center Street and Shattuck Avenue. Since this location is pretty close to Berkeley High and University campuses, it attracts lots of high school and college students. A second after we sat down, both of my sons gasped when they saw a sign on the wall:

"What the hell!"
I asked: "What is it?"
"Look behind you."
"I can't see very well from this angle."
They said: "We can't tell you, before we leave you can take a look."
"All right take a picture and let me see."

I handed Anh-Vu the camera and he snapped a picture. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it, and we all thought that perhaps the word was misspelled.

The name of the restaurant is Cu. I don't know what "Cu" means in Japanese, but in Vietnamese it means "Penis". It's just a coincidence or are we all being horny?

Here it is on the wall, under the word Specials is the Orgasm Salad for $8.95. This reminds me of a TV's shampoo commercial sometime ago - This beautiful young woman was moaning, groaning and reaching climax while having her hair washed by a male hairstylist, an old woman near by overheard that and said: "I don't know what's she having, but I want one of those." I wondered if this orgasm salad would give you the same effect for $8.95 a plate, and how many people would order it? Humm... Maybe I should ask the manager, but I completely forgot about it when we finished and paid for our lunch.

Berkeley Art Center Exhibition Reception, Dec. 12, 09

2009-12-14T10:24:00.001-08:00

The theme of this year's exhibition at Berkeley Art Center is RED so of course red was everywhere - whether it was a little of it or a lot of it. I entered one of my origami works, Squares On Squares with, obviously, four red lady bugs in the four center squares.

Lots of pretty interesting, beautiful and creative artwork, but there were plenty of mediocre ones too.

I spotted one of my UC Berkeley teachers' work. I looked for him, but he had already left (the Center's director said). She also told me that Mr. Karl Kasten is in his nineties now. Wow! and he still actively creates art. He gave me one of his prints and kept one of mine at the end of my last year at Berkeley, I wonder if he still has it or remembers me?

This is my beautiful tangerine that I picked from a big fruit bowl on the snack table there.

Anh-Vu asked Juan to pose in front of a painting.

Bao said this sculpture reminds him of something that looks familiar and funny.

This lady is one of North Branch patrons who tracked me down to BAC so she could buy a pair of book-earrings from me to give to her daughter, who also works at the library. They were happy they got what they wanted and I was pleased to know that some people do appreciate my origami works.

I will also post a video of the reception on You Tube, nganamasia, please check it out.

A View From Behind the Circulation Desk at the Library

2009-10-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

I would like to quote Anthony Bourdain's excerpt from one of his books, The Nasty Bits - A View From The Fridge, page 281 and change some of his words:

"There really is nothing more loathsome or shameful than some miserable prick who walks into a library determined to have a bad time, ready to lord over a relatively powerless librarian (to most patrons, everybody who works at the library is a librarian). Behaving like a mean, sarcastic, superior, and dismissive "boss" to your librarian should be a flay-able offense. It really is in your interest --most of the time--to be nice to our librarian. It's also the decent thing to do. If you can't behave even in a library, then you really have a serious behavior problem. It's that simple. Bad behavior is for bars. They're used to assholes--and know how to deal with them."

So please leave your librarians in peace with their piles and piles of books to check in, and use the self-check out instead if you feel so inclined to vent out your emotional problems. Take your frustration, desperation, all the bullshitting elsewhere or leave all that outside before you step inside a library. As librarians we try to be as quiet, nice, gentle, polite and patient as possible, but some of you interpret this behavior to be submissive, so you bully us every time you come in.

"I feel bad today, I'll go to the library and try every possible reason to give the librarians a hard time" - That kind of attitude.

Perhaps you'd feel pretty good after bullying the librarian, but in the end and deep down you'd recognize that you're just a lonely, self-loathing and miserable prick. Please if you can afford it, go see a shrink because that is what you desperately need. And if you can't afford a shrink then "go fuck yourself!", as one of my more outspoken coworkers would have said that straight to your pathetic face.

Berkeley Public Library's Fourth Annual Staff Art Show

2009-10-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

Fourth Annual Staff Art Show at BPL

2009-10-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

About thirty Berkeley Public Library staff came to the reception in the morning of Monday the 5th, 2009 - I forgot to take pictures of some people that I talked to, sorry. Claremont Branch did a great job at hosting the event with Nick and Holly who were in charge of the setup, and striking up conversations with fellow artists and co-workers . My main job was to take pictures and videotape the reception.

Teresa bought coffee from Peet's and helped setup the hot tea pot. Debbie as usual gave us her delicious pumpkin bread. Nick brought muffins and bagels in different flavors, textures and colors. I and other staff members also contributed fresh fruits and other baked goods.

Nick with his supervisor from Claremont, Karen S.. Nick generously brought in a box full of his beautiful collage-bookmarks to give away.

From left to right: Debbie, Adam, Nga, Nick, Barbara and Holly Nguyen. Holly is a new Library Aide at Claremont, who graduated from UCB with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture. This is Holly's first year in the show. Her three brightly-colored masks will be featured in my video.

I am with Erica G., a Children's Librarian.

Jenifer S.

Debby and Jenifer.

My two tote bags and a collection of small origami are in the front display window.

And this is from the inside, looking out.

Library director, Donna C. and Bill.

Nick's bookmarks are the collected items of the day.

Barbara B. and me.

Barbara's pottery.

Raffi and Adam.

Adam's self portrait.

Teresa A. is reading the Guess Book.

Teresa's self portrait.

Nick and Dayna.

Debbie and Dayna's recycled sock animals are on the bottom shelf. They look very soft, cuddly and cute. What a great idea to recycle old socks, and make them beautiful and new again.

Nick's collages.

Joseph, Nga and Juan.

Joseph's drawings.

Bao and his painting on the wall. Bao is a volunteer/student worker at North Branch. It was Paticia N.'s idea to include unpaid/volunteer staff to the show this year. Thanks for the suggestion Pat! (she's the BPL's Volunteer Coordinator)

I also made some videos of the event, will put them together and then upload them on You Tube soon, so please stay tuned! Thank you everyone who are involved in making the SAS such a great show every year.

nganamasia -Paper Weaving

2009-10-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

Bakesale Betty in Oakland

2009-09-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here's another local sandwich place that we tried after so many times passing by, saw a long line of people waiting in the front and wondered what was all the fuss about? I tried in vain to find its name on the building, but did not see any, which was unusual. I asked an acquaintance if he knows why there is such a long line there and he said: "Oh, it's a sandwich place that sells only one kind of sandwich, and it's very good, you should try it." Alright! after years of passing by, we finally did drop in.

It is right at the busy corners of Telegraph Avenue and 51st Street in Oakland.

It was a little after 11 o'clock in the morning, but the line for lunch was already forming.

And more and more people were coming to join the line.

Another unusual thing about this place is that they use ironing boards as tables that are placed right on the sidewalk.

While waiting in line we were treated with some freshly baked cookies. They were very good.

Inside the place rolling pins decorated the walls all around.

We asked the man in front of us for the sign and name of the place and he said: "There is no sign, but it's called Bakesale Betty. There is only a small hand written menu on the front door. The owner came from Australia and she used to work for Chez Panisse. She now has her own place and sells some baked goods and fried chicken sandwiches."

Bakesale Betty opens from 7 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon, and they sell over 500 sandwiches daily. Wow! that's a lot of sandwiches.

Two hand written menus of the day on the left of the picture. I was inside looking out.

Here are some oatmeal cookies and baked goods.

We finally got our orders of fried chicken sandwiches, oatmeal cookies and lemonades.

Each sandwich cost $7.50 and it was alright, "not out of this world" kind that deserves all the "Wows!" and the "Yum-mys!". Perhaps because I am not a big fan of chicken breasts, but it was just something different to try. On the other hand, I liked her baking and will definitely come back and try other baked goodies.

The Cheese Steak in Berkeley

2009-09-26T21:46:00.000-07:00

"Do what the locals do! " (or go where the locals go) Anthony Bourdain would say. Here's one popular sandwich joint that we, the locals of the city of Berkeley like to go when we want a decent and mouthwatering good sandwich in a reasonable price.

I've been living in Berkeley since the 80s and this Cheese Steak Shop was already here. It locates on University Avenue in between San Pablo and Tenth streets.

Why the yellow bell logo? you may ask? I have no idea.

Signs on the front door.

Behind the counter is where they do the cooking - right under the big yellow menu.

A 7 inch sandwich is about 5 dollars.

We came in around noon and all the seats and tables were occupied, except one right in the front near the entrance.

Our food was ready in about 10 minutes after ordering.

A barbecue cheese sandwich with three kinds of chili peppers.

And this is a bacon cheese sandwich.

And a large order of french fries. Everything was deliciously good. They even gave us a business- size card with 15 squares on it - each sandwich is worth one yellow bell stamp and when you get all 15 bells stamped you'll then get a free 10 inch sandwich of your choice. Sweet!

Visiting the Capitol of California - Sacramento, Part II

2009-09-04T08:36:00.001-07:00

Downtown Sacramento is just about 15 minute's walk from the Old Sacramento. It was around 11 o'clock so the heat wasn't that intense yet.

After going through the tunnel, we encountered the Westfield Shopping Center.

The end of the shopping center is the Hard Rock Cafe with an enormous guitar that turns round placed in the front. Very imposing and eye-catching indeed.

On our way toward downtown, I saw this mom-and-pop grocery store with an interesting wall painting depicting the sidewalk scene in the good-old-days.

I spotted this cockroach sun-bathing on the sidewalk and called the kids over to see and take it picture. I haven't seen a cockroach this big since saying good bye to Sai Gon, Viet Nam. When was that? In 1975. What the hell! Cockroaches usually come out at night not in board day light. This is either a very brave or very nutty cockroach. We decided to leave it alone to soak up more vitamin D and perhaps we would find a very toasty and well-done cockroach on our way back.

There are many statues around the in the Capitol's surrounding and buildings.

Anh-Vu inherits my "sense of humor", I think - (He made faces at the buffalo in part I, and is now touching the statue's stone-cold titties.) Watch out Anh-Vu! Some passerby might call the police and report a sexual harassment case in front of one of the Capitol's buildings.

This is the Capitol Building of California, where governor Arnold Schwarzenegger works.

After passing through the metal detector gate, we were allowed inside.

The lobby.

The walls in the hallway displays all counties of California.

The governor's meeting room.

The Bear represents California. Go Bear!

This is the governor's office. It was "uncle Arnold" day off. Too bad!

A stairway to the Assembly Hall with pictures of the governors in the past. A modern day painting of governor Edmund G. Brown was a mistaken choice compare to the rest of the traditional paintings of others. In this painting Brown looked painfully depressed and worried.

An Assembly room.

From the Capitol's steps looking out.

We walked back to the Old Sacramento to eat lunch before catching the train back to Berkeley. With plenty of time left before the train arrives, we visited this Historic Schoolhouse.

Inside the class room.

Boys' hat rack on the left.

Girls' bonnet rack is on the right.

A teacher board the front of the school. I took home a few copies of some really tough and ridiculous Rules for Teachers and Students in 1915. Below are the rules for teachers:

1. You will not marry during the term of your contract.
2. You are not to keep company with men.
3. You must be home between the hours of 8pm and 6am unless attending a school function.
4. You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores.
5. You may not travel beyond the city limits unless you have the permission of the chairman of the board.
6. You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless he is your father or brother.
7. You may not smoke cigarettes.
8. You may not dress in bright colors.
9. You may under no circumstances dye your hair.
10. You must war at least two petticoats.
11. Your dresses must not be any shorter than two inches above the ankle.
12. To keep the school room neat and clean, you must: Sweep the floor at least once daily, scrub the floor at least once a week with hot, soapy water, clean the blackboards at least once a day, and start the fire at 7am so the room will be warm by 8am.

And here are some punishments for the students:

1. Boys and girls playing together, 4 lashes.
2. Fighting at school, 5 lashes.
3. Quarreling at school, 5 lashes.
6. Telling lies, 7 lashes.
8. Swearing at school, 8 lashes.
9. Misbehaving to girls, 10 lashes.

And many many more darn tough rules, but I got tired of typing. Hope you'll get the idea.

Anthony Bourdain's No Reservation-Viet Nam

2009-09-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

Visiting "Uncle Arnold" in Sacramento, California, Part I

2009-08-28T16:14:00.000-07:00

One week before the Summer break ended, my children and I decided to take our first trip to visit "uncle Arnold" in Sacramento. Joining us were Wendy and her two sons - Benjamin and Alan. It was their first ride on the train and also to Sacramento. We bought tickets in Oakland Amtrak station a few days before the trip (it's a little cheaper than buying on the train). The ten-ride-adult-tickets and a round trip child ticket totaled up to 172 dollars. Wendy and I each paid 86 dollars for our shared tickets.

Berkeley train station on Third Street and University Avenue is a pick-up stop with no ticket agents. They recently added two self-help ticket machines here, which is helpful, but you can also buy your ticket on the train if you are in a hurry.

Here comes our Sacramento train at 8:00 o'clock in the morning. Right on time!

We like the Amtrak train. It's air-conditioned, clean and the seats are comfy and you can choose ones with a table.

Wendy and Nga.

The toilet is also clean - looks and feels like toilet on the airplane- with all the rumbling and shaking of going through turbulence kind of feeling, but roomier.

Scenery outside our windows, the fog just lingered and stopped right on top of the hills.

Davis station stop where Anh-Vu spent two years getting on and off the train twice a day, everyday going school.

We arrived in Sacramento at 9:35 - one hour and thirty five minutes, but the ride was so pleasant with lots of things to see and shoot (with the cameras) so it did not feel that long.

Inside the Sacramento train station.

Here we are walking toward the Old Sacramento town. Everything is conveniently planned to be closed-walking-distance to the train station.

The train museum was the first thing we saw. An adult ticket costs 9 dollars so we skipped it.

Candy Land looked fun, colorful and very attractive so we went in and bought some taffy candies. These come in a variety of colors and flavors, and they taste sweet and chewy.

A bottle of Coca-Cola for five cents, what year was that?

This building looks like one of those in a Western movie, I'd imagined some cowboys would fly out through the windows with their guns noisily blasting, falling off the balcony and down into the street with blood and guts spilling out...

... and being hauled away by a horse-drawn-cart.

A very old-fashion looking Menu outside a restaurant.

We bought some chocolate candies here. It was one of those sweet-indulgent-kind of sinful-playing tourist-days, I supposed. Beside, we can only afford candies.

We did lots of window shopping too with so many nick-knack souvenirs to see and buy. Those signs above really give the little creatures a bad name. I'd stick to the "Beware of Attack Boss" and buy one for my boss. Just kidding! I have a very nice boss fortunately.

An obvious case of a failed "Homeland Security." The Natives lost their homeland to the Europeans.

This Taxi is so cute!

Is this fire-hydrant really "out of order"?

Here comes one of the Old Sacramento's "tourists' attractions." Nice costume, but it was way too hot for the extra skin and fur. In the Summer, it could go up to triple digits in Fahrenheit in the afternoon.

When this picture was taken there were not too many tourists around yet, but in the afternoon, it was pretty crowded. We ate lunch here before going back to Berkeley. The Delta House's seafood was pretty good, but they ran out of clam chowder in a bread bowl. The eating area looked a bit like Fisherman Wharf in San Francisco without the sea breeze and fishy smell of the ocean.

Anh-Vu stared the great and fierce buffalo to death and turned it into a sleepy wooden statue. I would love to have one of these statues in my front yard.

A tunnel that led to downtown Sacramento and the capitol.

Artwork on both sides of the tunnel.

A very modern and cool shopping center, an opposite look to the Old Sacramento that we just passed through. Stay tuned for part II of more of our little adventure in "Uncle Arnold"'s country...

Vitas, A Russian Singer

2009-07-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

Origami Earrings

2009-07-22T14:07:00.001-07:00

These are my newest origami earrings. I used recycled travel magazine, book and letterhead papers to fold these earrings. They are about an inch in length and width and each pair is $15. Please email me at nga53@hotmail.com if you're interested in purchasing them. Thanks.

Berkeley Public Library Logo Book Design.

Dog Book Design.

Dog Painting Book Design.

Cat Painting Book Design.

Khmer Writing Book Design.

Japanese Writing Book Design.

Japanese Brocade Design.

Lantern Design - A modified Bell Design by pushing down and flattening the top of the bell.

Bell Design that I learned from a book.

The Most Dangerous Corners in West Berkeley

2009-07-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

The corners at Sixth and Addison streets are the most dangerous corners in West Berkeley. We have been living in this area since 2000 and once in a while my sons and I would hear the screeching of tires and a loud bang of cars crashing into each other, and we would say: "Oh! Oh! Here goes another one!" It happens so many times that we lost count of how many accidents occur in those corners. In June of this year there were two accidents in the same spots that my son and I decided to take some pictures. I was once almost killed crossing Sixth and Addison. The car on Addison was supposed to turn right, but went straight instead. Luckily for me it stopped just in time, so after that close call I seldom cross those corners.

I am on Addison in the corner of Sixth street going toward Berkeley hills.

The sign above the stop sign says Right Turn Only, but lots of people either go straight on Addison or make a left turn on Sixth going toward University Avenue. Some unlucky ones get hit by oncoming traffic on Sixth. Perhaps the sign should be bigger with a flashing turn left only arrow or in neon-color to help people pay more attention and see better.

At the beginning of June this car got hit by going straight toward Aquatic Park from Addison instead of turning right on Sixth. The driver of the other car just sped away. It was a hit and run case, but this gray car guy on Addison was at fault.

I am on Addison street in the corner of Sixth facing toward Aquatic Park direction. Here is another sign above the stop sign says Right Turn Only, but lots of people do not read, obey it or see it.

This car on Addison follows the rule and makes the right turn on Sixth Street.

At the end of June another accident occurs on the same corners, another gray car on Addison made the same mistake, going straight toward Aquatic Park instead of turning right on Sixth and got hit by the red truck. In most cases nobody was seriously hurt. There was an accident around 9 o'clock at night some years ago, a driver who turned left on Sixth and got hit. Her car flipped over and landed on the front yard of a building. It took firefighters a long time to cut the car door open and pull her out. Why doesn't the city do something about it? Are they waiting for somebody to die before taking any actions? Who should be blamed? The city or the driver? Perhaps both, but I think a better solution to the problem is needed to prevent a very serious accident next time to both drivers and pedestrians.

Ru Tinh - Trinh Cong Son - Hong Nhung

2009-07-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Grew up in the sixties in Viet Nam, Trinh Cong Son's songs expressed my yearning for love and to be loved. His songs were full of love for humanity and country. He gave me a voice and feelings that I sang his songs whenever I felt depressed and discouraged.

Trinh Cong Son represents a Beethoven of music at the time and still is even though he's no longer here with us. Music was his life, which I don't know much about, but I can feel and relate to through every word in his songs. They are very very sad, soft like the moon, and very poetic. Each is a lullaby, each is different in its melody, and yet the same in its sorrow and yearning for love. Ru Tinh, A Love Lullaby is one of Trinh Cong Son's jewels that I and most Vietnamese, young and old, appreciate and love. Here's to you Trinh Cong Son, our beloved song writer and poet. Your songs and music will live forever in our hearts and minds.

Chiec La Thu Phai - Quang Dung va My Linh

2009-05-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

Toilet Seat - Up, Down or Does It Matter?

2009-05-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

Does it matter if the toilet seat be up or down? To lots of women in the United States, it is a big deal. They demand that the men; whether they are their sons, brothers, fathers, friends, co-workers, etc. put the toilet seat down after they use it. At the Central BPL, the staff women and men restrooms are separated, but it's a common practice that we use each other restrooms when the other is in use - an obvious coed kind of thing without being said. The male staffers would get some angry notes from the women asked them to put the seat down or be neater and clean up after themselves. The men would write back and so it goes - a little and nasty word-war between the sexes. I wonder sometimes if the women who use the men's room would lift the seat back up afterward. It's only fair if you'd expect the men to put it down for you when they use yours.

A woman sits when she urinates. The seat is down.

A man stands when he urinates. The seat is up.

At home, I am the only female living with three males and I do not make such a big deal about the toilet seat. When I use it, I put it down and when I'm done, I put it back up. I don't require my sons and husband to put it down for me just because I'm a female. When my sons were little, the toilet seat was always up and it remains a common practice even though they are much older now. I don't want them to touch the seat because I worry that they might forget to wash their hands, then pick up the food and get sick. My sons' health is more important than the toilet seat in a down position. Moreover, as an adult I should look before I sit. When using a public restroom I would do the same because some women hover and urinate on the seat. I get so used to putting the seat up/down, it now becomes automatic.

Why make such a big fuss over a trivial and petty thing. These women need to "grow up" and as Hrand Saxenian, a Harvard Business School professor once stressed that the emotional maturity is "the ability to express one's own feelings and convictions balanced with consideration for the thoughts and feelings of others." To me life is much too precious to waste time complaining and fighting over toilet seats.

Free Admissions to Museums and Cultural Events in San Francisco & Berkeley

2009-04-30T09:03:00.001-07:00

With the economy in the United States and elsewhere in shambles and joblessness increasing, my friends and I were looking for places to go to on our vacations and Spring Break that provide the fun without breaking our wallets. Museums, zoos and cultural events offer a variety of activities and things to see or do like: Asian Art Museum, Bay Area Discovery Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Cartoon Art Museum, De Young Museum, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The Exploratorium, The Legion of Honor, Berkeley Art Museum, Berkeley Botanical Garden, Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology, and many more. These places open their doors to the public free of charge one day a month, so if you are interested check out their website for the schedule. Also there are festivals like the Cherry Blossom Festival and Cinco De Mayo that are free and fun for the whole family to enjoy.

The Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan town in San Francisco attracts thousands of people every year.

The Cable Car is one of the tourists' attractions in San Francisco.

People love the Taiko drummers, the children, the dancers...

And the Fire Fighters.

The Segway and motorcycle cops.

Nga and Wendy with a pretty Japanese lady in her beautiful Spring Kimono.

Anh-Vu making a tough samurai face and myself.

A window full of plastic samples of Japanese foods.

From left to right: Bao, Benjamin, Wendy and Nga.

San Francisco Police were everywhere. I have never seen such a "show of force" in dark blue uniforms before.

We also saw some magnificent and sophisticated origami displays in an origami store.

These bonsai trees cost hundreds of dollars each.

Outside the SF Museum of Modern Art. The line wrapped around the building even on a rainy day. Wow! It was a free day after all.

Inside San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. This artist found a fountain, and said it was "his found art". No wonder no one was interested in his piece. There were also some rectangular works with one color on each, either in dark brown, gray and blue, or in white, gold and black. I don't understand these kinds of works or what message the artist tried to convey- there was not much else to observe and see, but one piece of wooden-colored rectangle.

Inside SFMOMA store looking out.

The children's corner in the store.

Display of modern art chairs. They are designed for the look not for comfort and use - the chair on the right is made of colorful balloons.

The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. We were not allowed to take pictures of the installation inside.

The Cartoon Art Museum in SF.

The main attraction that day was the artwork by Stan Sakai.

True to the song, I Left My Heart in San Francisco - Heart sculptures are all over in the downtown area and in the Union Square.

The Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology in Berkeley is free every Thursday.

Beautiful weavings and fabrics from South America were on display.

Bao tried his hands at weaving.

Collage and Paper Weaving

2009-04-13T07:53:00.000-07:00

I used to do lots of collages and paper weaving using magazine pages, used calendars and maple seeds. Below are small works that I did in the 90s.

Moths On a Dried Leaf. Maple seeds and a magazine page, 5 x 7 inches.

Moths on Boxes. Maple seeds and cut out origami paper. 8 x 10.

Houses and Buildings. Used calendar, 5 x 7.

Big Fish and Little Fish. Magazine add, 5 x 7.

Untitled. Magazine cover, 6 x 11.

The Monthly Magazine Pages. 12 x 17.

The Computer Current Pages. 12 x 17.

Used Calendar Painting. 8 x 11.

Half Nude. Mono print, 5 x 7.

Paint Cans and Matching Colored Pictures. Magazines pictures, 5 x 7.

Anh-Vu and Hong-Bao as Woody and Buzz Lightyear Post Card, 5 x 7.

Ms. Robot. Magazine pictures and markers, 5 x 7.

Red Alert. Magazine pictures and markers, 5 x 7.

Asian Arts Museum in San Francisco, April 5, 09

2009-04-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

The Asian Arts Museum in San Francisco is free on the first Sunday of each month, and Bao and I are on our Spring Break/Vacation, so we decided to take the advantage of the free admission to visit the museum. Wendy, a friend of mine who also got the same idea, called me the day before and we agreed to made a rendezvous at the F-bus stop in Emeryville the following day. Our buses connection was on time and perfect. Wendy drove and parked her car at the mall there. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day (70's), but we all bundled up anyway because the weather in San Francisco can be unpredictable sometimes.

San Francisco City Hall and its surrounding were gloriously basking in the sun.

The main attraction at the museum were the artworks from Bhutan, a country near Tibet and China. There was already a long line of people in front of the museum when we got there around fifteen minutes to 11am. It was our first time at this museum, and the large banners in the front suggested the main theme and exhibits.

The lobby/ticket and information desk.

Buddhism was the main theme/display. There were statues of Buddha, artifacts and ceramics from all over Asia. It was nice to see a small collection of antiques from Viet Nam too. I felt very close to these sacred objects from this far away land of my birth, and I miss Viet Nam so very much.

This Bhutan monk and artist meticulously worked on his sand-artwork (a "mandala") using a small amount of fine colored sands at a time.

Using his thumb and forefinger he picked just a little bit of sand each time he made a stroke or line. I imagine it would take many long hours just to finish this inner small square. He still has a long way to go before finishing this whole large square block.

Wendy and me with the monk/artist.

Here is one finished block with a different design.

Detail of the middle square so perfectly made using colored grain of fine sands. A beautiful, time consuming and colorful work of art, and yet permanent in picture only.

Wendy, Bao and myself in front of a Bhutan gate.

These columns are on the second floor of the museum. I was told not to take any pictures on the second and third floors, but the architecture and artifacts were just so magnificent that I completely forgot the rule.

Those rectangular objects in the foreground are pillows. Ouch! That's hurting my neck just thinking of using one of these as a pillow.

Windows, skylights and the blue sky. Wow!

Museum store attracted lots of people, including us. I bought a small rosary made of fragrant wood from India.

Farmers' market is held on every Sunday across from the City Hall. We browsed the stalls, tasted some flavored almonds, and Wendy bought some vegetables. The weather was so nice and our energy was also high, we decided to take thirty minute walk to the bus terminal and catch the F-bus back to Berkeley instead of taking the Muni.

Reading We Are Soldiers Still

2009-03-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

My son, Bao likes soldiers' stories and things so the book with the title We Are Soldiers Still on the new book shelf at Central library caught his eyes. He showed it to me and I was very interested to see what the old American soldiers said or learned from their trip and the so-called Viet Nam War which, by the way, the Vietnamese refer to as the American War.

This book is written by retired Lt. Gen. Moore and Joe Galloway, a retired foreign and war correspondent and bureau chief for United Press International. They, together with other retired soldiers came back to Viet Nam to visit the old battle field of the Ia Drang Valley in which they fought in the 60s.

A picture in the book. From left to right, retired Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore and retired Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley (this old guy which my older son, Vu regarded as an asshole after I showed him the two excerpts from the book).

Here is one on page 125, "We flew back to Pleiku and that evening our party gathered for a farewell dinner. Several of the Vietnamese would leave us here and return home to Hanoi (spelled correctly as two words - Ha Noi - not one -- Nga) the following day. The menu for all of us--except Plumley, who had brought his own large paper sack of rations from home, small tins of Vienna sausage and potted meat, boxes of Saltine crackers, and a squirt bottle of yellow mustard--was rice, soup, baguettes, and Ba Muoi Ba '33' beer."

What's an insult! Imagine this, what if Plumley invited a group of retired Vietnamese soldiers for a dinner at his home, and they refused to eat his wife's cooking and instead brought their own Vietnamese food out and ate them in front of their guests? They have the type of mind-set that "Ours is more delicious, nutritious, and healthier than yours". What would he and his wife think? Put your stupid self in your hosts' shoes and try to understand how they would feel.

And here is another on page 148, "We pause in Ban Me Thuot--and all of us, minus Sergeant Major Plumley, tucked into a lunch of Pho, steaming bowls of Vietnamese beef soup. Plumley sat in his front-row seat on the bus chowing down, as before, on his canned sausages and crackers. 'I ain't putting anything in my mouth on this trip that didn't come over with me in this bag,' the sergeant major told Joe. 'I promised Mrs. Plumley (obviously another asshole -- Nga) that I wouldn't bring anything unhealthy home with me.'" For an over eighty year old guy who still behaves very badly with a head full of his own shit, what else can I say?

The old Lt. Gen. Moore, who also with his own made-up-mind, stated on page 154: "The other, Ho Chi Minh City, always had a hustler's heart and soul, and it bowed before its stern new masters from the north with all the mock subservience it showed others who came as occupiers and left, defeated, with empty pockets. Old Saigon taught the newest masters how business is done."

Moore and his old soldiers came to back to Viet Nam to learn from their former enemies of why and how they fought the more advanced technologically army of the United States instead of accepting the new invading army as their master. The enemies who chose to live, endured all the hardship unimaginable under bombing and sub-existence, fought on for years, and millions die at the consequence instead of surrender. At the end of their trip, did they really learn anything at all, I wonder? Did Moore read any Vietnamese history books? Did Moore know that the Vietnamese accept no invaders as their masters? For thousands of years they fought the Chinese and the Mongols. They kicked the French butts out of Indochina - Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia in 1954, and drove out the United States occupiers in 1975. As Ly Thuong Kiet, one of the famous Vietnamese general in the year 1075-1077, who drove out the Chinese, stressed: "Nam quoc son ha, Nam de cu. Tiet nhien dinh phan tai thien thu. Nhu ha nghich lo lai xam pham. Nhu dang hanh khang thu bai hu." Roughly translated: "This Nam (Southern) country belongs to the Nam people. It's written in God's book. If any invaders who try to take it away. They will face with fierce resistance and eventually be driven out." Viet Nam is now one country, independent and free from foreign invaders. There is no such thing as North Viet Nam and South Viet Nam and so obviously no "new masters" and slaves. I believe strongly that in the future, if Viet Nam again faces the new invaders, it will rise up, resist and eventually send the invaders home in body bags and sore, bloody asses.

The appropriate title for this book should be, Will We Ever Learn? My advice to all people who want to visit Viet Nam with their heads full ideas and prejudice, STAY THE HELL OUT OF VIET NAM! (by the way, Viet Nam is spelled with two words, not one).

Jury Duty

2009-02-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday and Wednesday I was called for Jury Duty by the Alameda Court. I was excited and dreaded it at the same time. Excited because it was the first time that I have ever set foot in the court house and might have a chance to serve as a Juror (I only know the court room scene through movies or by watching the news). Dreaded because I had to be away from North branch's hectic pace and would come back to find books and other things piled up to the ceiling. Oh well! What choice do I have?

For several years now I have gotten this "Call to Duty" letter every year, but have never been asked to serve, but this year I was told to report to the Oakland Court House in downtown Oakland at 8 o'clock in the morning. I got there about 15 minutes before 8 and, oh me, oh my! The long line stretched from the door of the court house to almost around the block. The day was gray, windy and about 50 degrees (F). I got in line and wondered if it was the right line - I didn't belong here with these people who seemed to be "in trouble " - petty crimes, parking violations or whatever "trouble" with the law that they were in. I asked a white lady in front of me: "Is this the line for Jury Duty?" She nodded and we compared our call to Jury Duty letter, she and I were in the same group, so I assumed that there was only one line for everybody. At last the door opened at 8am and we slowly made our way up toward the door.

When we were inside, we had to get pass the metal detector. Everybody had to take off his/her coat or jacket, watch, belt, purse, wallet and even shoes, put them in a tray and passed them through the machine. After that some of us proceeded to the jury assembly room on the third floor and the rest lined up for whatever windows that they needed to go to. The clerk apologized that we had to stand in the cold and a long line. She said that they could have opened another the door for the Jury duty people, and suggested that we email or call the judge to complain about that. We then had to fill out some paper, take a seat and wait for a roll call. The jury assembly room looked like a doctor or a dentist's office with low backed chairs designed for a short waiting time with magazines and newspapers on the stands.

After an hour of waiting around, they called us to the judge's room (I didn't really learn her name). The court room looked just like any court room in a movie set or in the news. We took our seats and the clerk took another roll call. The judge, the attorneys were all in their 30s and the defendant came in a few minutes later. The judge told us that Jury Duty is much more important than voting and reminded us that we are lucky to live in a democratic society and that we should be grateful to have a chance to exercise our civic duty. (But voting is voluntary and jury duty is imposed). She also told us to be fair, do not prejudge and listen to others' ideas and persuasion.

After that the clerk swore us in and the selection process began. It was a criminal case (I am not sure why, because the defendant did not run over anybody.) It involved a young woman in her late twenties who was caught by Berkeley police for drinking under influence of alcohol in 2006 between Sacramento and Blake streets. She pleaded not guilty so the case had its day in court and that was why we were here. What a waste of everyone's time and money.

From 8am to 4:30pm that day, about 60 or 70 people spent our time in that court room listening to others' personal stories. Before they began, the judge asked if any of us cannot serve due to personal hardships, we then had to fill out a form so she can review them. The judge, the prosecutor and the defendant's attorney excused some people, found some replacements and continued for more questions and answers all through the day. The signs in the room said that "No sleeping, no chewing gum, no reading, and no talking." Only the judge's chair had a high back and the rest of the chairs in the room had low backs so nobody can rest his or her head. Some, me included had to slide our bodies way down just so we can rest our heads. I sometimes closed my eyes for a few seconds, and did not want the bailiff to catch or accuse me of sleeping. The judge let us take 2 hour lunch break on the first day, we came back later and waited our turn to answer 23 questions about our personal background and issues.

Since the case involved police as witnesses, the questions stressed mostly of how we feel about police, have we had any experience with or committed any crimes and how we feel about the judicial system and so on. Most people had their cars or houses broken into, a few involved drinking and driving and some experienced petty crimes like purse snatching or crimes that were committed by relatives and friends. Since it was a DUI case, we were also asked if we drink alcohol or not. If we don't, why not? and how we feel about people who do? A man and a woman -- both African American -- told the judge that they do not trust the police, the judge, the attorneys or even the judicial system and were excused by the judge and both attorneys right away.

I said to myself: "Way to go! " If you can't find any good excuse then just say that and they will let you go. Some people couldn't answer some personal questions so they went to the judge's chamber with the attorneys to explain them. It was a very boring and long process, and I know that everyone was tired of it. Luckily for me, I met this lady from Hong Kong and I used whatever breaks that we had to teach her algebra.

I felt my time was well spent and worthwhile and I believed that she learned, and understood how to solve some math problems after I explained the rules to her. Her math teacher corrected her exercises, but did not explain further why or how so she was very confused and was full of questions. We later exchanged phone numbers and I told her that I can be her math tutor if she needed further help.

The next day we started at 10am, so the line was much shorter. We went through the same routine and had an hour lunch break. The woman that I taught math to treated me lunch in Oakland Chinatown, and said that she was very grateful that I helped her with the problems. We then came back to the court room for more questions and answers. They finally finished the process and picked the 12 jurors and two alternates at 4:30pm and the rest of us were excused to go home by the judge. We were all relieved and happy, and some people and I clapped our hands. On our way out, when we got into the elevator, a woman said: "OK, now we can go out and have a drink." We all broke out laughing. I said to myself: "I'll be your designated driver", but with one problem... I don't drive."

I still wonder how it is to serve as a juror? It seems interesting and exciting to sit through, listen to the witnesses and arguments on both sides and then decide if the defendant is guilty or not. But I really don't have the heart to sit through another long, boring and tedious juror selection process.

Pham Quynh Anh va Xin Chao Viet Nam, Bonjour Viet Nam

2009-02-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

Digital Portraits With Origami

2009-01-18T15:30:00.001-08:00

The idea for combining digital photo with origami came up when I was looking for a picture in magazines to display my origami earrings, but could not find any. One day, it occurred to me that I needed a self-portrait. When an idea was finally conjured up, the rest was easy - I need to take a digital portrait, use Photo shop to make a high-contrast photo, print it out in black and white, and then put holes into my earlobes on the photo to hang the earrings. The photo/origami looked pretty interesting so I wanted to see more portraits with different folds on them. I asked coworkers and patrons if they would like to be my models, and also to appear in a Digital Photo/Origami Show at BPL-Central. The result was seventeen portraits and so here they are together on the walls.

This is the first Digital Photo/Origami Exhibit of myself, co-workers and patrons of the BPL. Origami books that I used for the folds in the show are: Minigami, Origami-Inspired by Japanese Prints, Tea-Bag Folds, Festive Folding, and Origami For Displays.

I would like to thank Ms. Michele M. for her help with the set-up and all my models for their participation in the show.

Hope you enjoy viewing these origami/photos, email me at nga53@hotmail.com if you have any comments and suggestions. Furthermore, please check out nganamasia on You Tube to see more of my artwork.

Thank you very much.

My portrait with a pair of star earrings.

Anh-V Doan is a technology helper/ volunteer at West Branch. He's been a library patron since the age of two. Anh-Vu likes science fiction books, comics and movies.

He graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a Bachelor degree in Atmospheric Science, and presently plans to go to graduate school in the same field.

H-Bao Doan is a volunteer/student worker at North Branch. He's also been a BPL patron since he was a baby.

Bao is in tenth grade at Oakland School for the Arts, and his emphasis is Visual Art. He reads mostly comics, drawing, history, martial art and military books.

Vivian V. is a Supervising Library Assistant at North Branch. She's been with BPL for over twenty years. Vivian graduated from University of San Francisco with a major in biology. She likes Salsa dance and passionately loves roses.

Juan C. works at North Branch as a Library Assistant. He's been with BPL for almost ten years. Juan went to Berkeley High and Ohlone College. He likes to read African American History books, and plays Reggae music with his band - The Razafarianas.

Annette L. is a thirty-two happy year BPL patron, mostly at North Branch, her home away from home. Annette likes visiting local libraries and senior centers, reading and walking. She's very proud of her children. Annette used to travel a lot to Sydney- Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, Paris, England and Scotland.

Nick M. is a Library Assistant/Specialist at Claremont/Central Art & Music. He was born in Pontiac Michigan. Nick attended Ohio State University with majors in English and Fine Arts.
His interests include: arts, films, sports, history, jazz and international music. His favorite readings are Paul Bowles' stories.

Jeri E. grew up in Harlem, New York. She graduated from City College of NY with a BA in English literature. She also earned a Master of Library Science from Columbia University. Jeri has been a South Branch manager for almost eleven years.

Raffi G. is an Office Specialist II, he has been with BPL since January 1989. His hobbies are watching movies, reading, playing with his son, tinkering with computers, snowboarding, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Sam Clemons works at Central as a Library

Technician/Supervisor. He's been with BPL since 1989.

Lynn M. is a librarian in Art & Music department, and she's been with Berkeley Public Library for twenty-eight years. Lynn graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in Music and a MLS degree from UC Berkeley. She's helped BPL patrons to find and locate all types of music, and she can't imagine a better and more satisfying job.

Rudy T. is a Library Assistant at Central. He studied Library Information Technology Program at City College of San Francisco.
Rudy started as a volunteer at the Oakland Public Library at the age of 10. He also worked as a Library Aide and then as a Library Assistant with OPL. He has a total of 19 years of experience with OPL and BPL. He loves horror movies.

Gwen J. has been with BPL for almost 40 years. She works in Technical Services/Order Unit at Central as a Supervising Library Assistant. Her hobbies are knitting and bowling.

Armin A. is a Children's Librarian with seven years service with BPL. She has worked with libraries in Bombay-India, Edmonton-Canada and here in the Bay Area. Armin has always been a voracious reader, reading books on a variety of topics. She particularly enjoys children's books and non-fiction. She loves being outdoors and spending time with her family.

Adam B. is a Tool Lending Specialist at the Tool Lending Library/South Branch. He's been with BPL for eighteen years.

Kha R. S. works at North Branch as a Library Aide for over nine years. He loves traveling especially to Cambodia, the country of his birth.

Linda works at BPL-West Branch.

De Quervain Syndrome and Acupuncture

2009-01-11T14:20:00.000-08:00

In June 2007 after seven years with the library, I got promoted to 20 hour Aide (from 15hour) at the North Branch, thanks to Vivian V.(for hiring) and Andrea S. (for encouraging me to take it). Berkeley has four branches (North, Claremont, West and South), but North is the busiest one mainly because it is easier to find a parking space there and also most patrons like our services - some even bring us home-made baked goods and flowers to show their appreciation and gratitude.

After about a few months working at North, I got injured on my right wrist. The symptom is called, De Quervain Syndrome or a Washer-woman Sprain. The city sent me to U.S. Health Works in Berkeley to treat my injury.

I spent about a year here for physical therapy two or three times a week. The physical therapists at U.S.H.W. were very nice, but the doctors were all businesslike, and I usually had to wait 30, 40 minutes or sometimes more to see the doctor for about 5 minutes or less, just to get his or her prescription for therapy.

With this injury, I could not do simple tasks like combing my hair, brushing my teeth and so on without feeling the pain. I had to wear a splint all day at work and also at home and even to bed. Physical therapy and Ibuprofen pills helped ease the pain- they had me do stretches, put on ice-pack, heat, wax, and massages. The doctor also gave me two shots of cortisone, but I still could not flex my wrist and the pain was still there after a year of treatment. She then suggested surgery, but I told her I wanted an alternative method of healing - acupuncture. She seemed upset and said that acupuncture is not going to do me any good. I asked for a discharge and gave acupuncture a try.

I heard that Kaiser uses acupuncture to heal its patients so I asked my Kaiser doctor for a referral to see one. They sent me to Amy Lee on Telegraph Avenue for the treatment.

As a child growing up in Viet Nam, I had used Chinese herbal medicines as treatment for common illnesses, but I had never had acupuncture and I was ready to try this ancient Chinese method of healing that I've heard so much about.

This is one of the rooms at Amy Lee's acupuncture office.

Kaiser pays for twelve acupuncture sessions a year. At first I went to see Amy Lee once a week and then twice a month. After seven treatments I was feeling better and at the end of the twelfth, there was no more pain in the wrist and I now can flex it a little.

There is less pain when the needle goes through compared to the common injection when you get your childhood immunization shots. I would say even less pain than an ant's bite.

Every things in your body are interconnected, in order to create the balance and promote blood flow, Amy put needles on my leg and feet as well even though I only have pain on my right wrist.

If one needle insert gives me more pain than others, I would let Amy know so that she could take it out and reinsert it.

With all the needles in place, Amy put some music of my choice - a classical Chinese music, turned off the light and let me relax for about an hour. She also prescribed some herbal pills for me to take every day.

The Chinese have been using acupuncture for thousands of years, it has to work. If you have body pains, try this ancient method of healing as an alternative to pills and surgery. It worked for me.

Radio Frequency Identification Machines at BPL

2009-01-03T21:18:00.000-08:00

This is one of the Radio Frequency Identification machines the Berkeley Public Libraries - Central, North, Claremont, West and South - have been using for about five years now, but you would be surprised that there are still lots of people who do not know how these simple self check out machines work.

It is much easier and much simpler to use than the Automatic Teller Machine at the bank. The screen asks you to choose either English or Spanish. Then it will show you how to scan your library card barcode. Picture instructions are on your right, a readout of your name and materials that you've checked out is on the left.

After you scan your barcode, a video instruction shows you how to place your a stack of books (three or four) on the platform in front of you.

The reading on the left shows the list of materials that you have checked out so far.

If you check out DVDs (or music CDs) you will then need to press "continue", the instructions will show a picture of the locker box and how to put the DVDs in one at a time.

Put the DVD in.

Give it a little push.

It will pop out when it's done. A small red square on the right side of the box means locked, silver means open. Keep doing the same until you finish unlocking all DVDs.

The machine will give you the receipt at the end with due date for your materials and a list of things that you have checked out.

Take your receipt and you are done. Simple, painless and fast. I timed the process and it usually takes about one second for each item. The trick is not to place anything on or near the platform before you scan your card bar code. The machine can only do one thing at a time - first it has to read your card before it can read your book or whatever, and then just follow the instructions on the screen.

I taught my son, Bao how to use this self checkout when they first put it out, he was nine at the time and now he's the expert in using these RFIDs. It really bugs me when I hear an adult complaining about them or not knowing how to use them. One man said: "These are stupid machines, they never work. I have been using them for hundreds of times, but they always give me trouble." Others said: "I want a human contact, I hate machines." I observed a middle aged man taught his young daughter how to use it the wrong way by trying to put the book bar code under the card scanner. I told the daughter that the machine does not read the book barcode, just place it on the platform. The man got mad and said "It does read the bar code, see!" I replied "That's because she places it on the platform." The next time he would have his daughter doing the same, but one book was too thick to fit under the card scanner so he had her flatten up the book instead - open it half way so the book barcode will fit. I said "Sir! it's not reading the bar code." But he wouldn't have it "Why you keep messing her up!" So I let them be, they will find out one of these days when they encounter a very thick book that will not fit under the card scanner either way. I hope.

People who hate these RFID machines are even more ridiculous, but they do come in to use the computers and the OPAC. How can you hate machines when we are surrounded by them: phones, washers, dryers, rice cookers, cars, airplanes, clocks, computers, ATMs, VCRs, DVDs, TVs, microwaves, and so many others. They are wonderful tools and inventions that make our works and lives easier. I wonder if these people use any of these machines at all? But most people old and young like these self checkouts. They said things like: "Wow! They are great! I love these! Wonderful machines! Fast and easy to use!" and I agreed with them full heartedly: "I like them too, aren't they great?"

Holidays Origami - Japanese Brocade and Pop up Flower

2008-12-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, the weather has been lousy - stormy, cold and gray - so my children and I holed up inside the house; the kids play computer games, read or draw their comics, surf the net and watch movies. I, on the other hand, watch some old movies and learned how to fold a Japanese brocade and a pop-up flower.

This book, Practical Origami, by Rick Beech, was a gift from one of the North branch's patrons, and this is the first time I tried the Japanese brocade from the book. The instructions are easy to follow, when you glue each separate piece together (there are six pieces) you'll get a cube, and the final product looks like an intricate button. The above picture shows all the brocades/earrings that I made in two days.

The pop-up flower is another fold that I tried from the same book. For this fold, I used the 2006 calendar pages that my friend, Kathy S. from BPL's Technical Services, sent me (Thanks Kathy). I also used the Oxbow Art School accordion-brochure that my son, Bao, brought home from school for my pop up flowers.

These are viewed from the bird's-eye view - the accordion card is on its spines, front and back with my pop-up flowers in the middle.

Please click on any image to enlarge.

These are viewed when the accordion is right side up also from front and back. I would like to dedicate this fold and the accordion-book to a faraway friend, Bonnie M., an artist who likes books, travel and pho. Please check out her blog www.bonniemclaughlin.com to view some of her beautiful artwork and travel pictures. I would love to send you a pair of brocade earrings if I know where you are Bonnie. Happy holidays to you, kiddo, wherever you are!

I still have your picture, Bonnie, on your last day with Berkeley Public Library's Technical Services Department. I said that I will miss your quiet and gentle manner, and I really meant it.

Origami Holidays Workshop at Central BPL, Dec. 14, 09

2008-12-16T15:24:00.000-08:00

The weather on this Sunday afternoon, December 14, 08 was in the forties and rainy, and I was glad to see that fourteen people showed up for my Origami Holidays Workshop at Central BPL to learn how to fold: A leaf note card, a crane note card, a simple envelope and a double star.

This is Central's beautiful Meeting or Community Room where I held my workshop. Thanks to Michelle M. in Art & Music for all the arrangement and set up, and thanks also to the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library for sponsoring it.

Some samples of what participants can do with the folds that they will learn and books that I use for this workshop.

We started with the simple envelope fold.

My business card with a tiny Fortune Teller Fold that the only young lady in the workshop (picture below) folded for me.

She is a very good and enthusiastic folder and learner. She's holding two of the folds that she learned that day - the crane and the leaf note cards.

I show participants an extra step from the double star fold that was a basic base for most of the animal folds like penguin, duck, bird and so on. It would be very difficult to pick it up from just looking at this step in the book. I hope that they will recognize this fold when they encounter it again.

Anh-Vu, my son, took all the pictures (thanks Anh-Vu), and this is an interesting low shot to show the concentration of participants in the fold.

It was a surprise to see the mother of Anh-Vu's friend from high school (the lady on the left) dropping in. We had never met before even though I have met her daughter several times.

This group of participants was very attentive and eager to learn origami. I hope to see you all again in my future workshops and wish you all a Happy Holidays.

Tuan Hung va Roi Mai Thuc Giac

2008-12-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

Tranh Cua Nga Tren You Tube

2008-12-04T08:55:00.000-08:00

Origami Workshop at North Branch, Nov. 22, 2008

2008-11-26T16:27:00.000-08:00

Tara R., the librarian/manager at the North Branch made this flyer for my holiday origami workshop. It's a very festive looking flyer, thank you Tara! Thirteen people, young and not so young, showed up and we folded the stars and envelope on this Saturday afternoon. Cal Bears played Stanford that day - it's always a big deal when Cal plays against Stanford so maybe that's why I have a much smaller group of folders this time.

A table full of samples of the folds and ideas of what participants can do with them. On December 14, 2008 from 2pm-3pm at Central Library's Community room on the 3rd floor, I'll have another workshop. Hope that you can come to fold a crane note card, a leaf note card, and I'll also show the double star and envelope folds again.

This book was a gift from Cristina R., a co-worker of mine at North, just in time for my holiday workshops. I used two star folds from the book. Thanks Cristina!

I am with Wendy W., she likes origami and recommends that I should teach origami more often.

My boss, Vivian dropped in to check out some of my display folds on the table.

And Juan C., a good friend, also joined in for a snapshot. Anh-Vu, my forever faithful son, was always on hand to take pictures. Cam on, Vu!

This group of father and kids came in at the last minute, so I did not have enough time to work with them. Sorry folks! The little girl was a very neat folder. Please come to my next workshop at Central, alright guys?

We first tried the star fold with the larger square sheets.

...before we moved into the smaller ones. I find it's easier that way for the beginner and children to learn and practice.

I always tell children or adults who come to my workshop that every crease and fold has to be perfectly neat and straight if they want the object to come out great at the end.

Most origami fold requires no glue, but for this simple star fold, we need a little dab of glue to join the eight-folded pieces together to make a complete star.

Hope to see you all again in December. Happy Thanksgiving!

My Designs on Namasia On Line Store

2008-10-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

My son, Anh-Vu, heard about the Cafepress company that sells T-shirts and gifts online and helped me open my first Namasia customized online store.

Here are some of my design samples and my friends/customers:

I am wearing my Vietnamese Bird design shirt; it comes in many soft and beautiful colors, like Lemon.

I wore this Multilingual Peace Sign long-sleeve shirt for the How Berkeley Can You Be? Parade. I held a sign, Yes on measure FF: Save Our Branch Libraries. It was a fun parade. On November 4, 2008, Berkeley voters (my son and I, included) voted "Yes" on measure FF. We finally have the bond money to remodel the North Branch next year. For more information about the measure, check out this link: http://bplbondmeasure.org/

Here I am wearing a long-sleeve shirt with a collage that I did years ago. I can design or make a collage of your image to put on the shirt as well. Please email me at nga53@hotmail.com if you're interested.

Juan C, is a Library Assistant from Berkeley Public Library and a buddy of mine. He's carrying the book bag with the Peace Design that he bought from my Namasia Online Store.

Juan is happily holding this long-sleeve shirt that he bought from my store with The Lion of Judah that I designed for him.

The 44th U.S. President, Barack Obama tote bag. Juan bought this as a gift for his mother.

And of course, the Obama T-shirt, Juan is a big fan of everything Obama. I have more Obama gifts in my store, please check it out at http://www.cafepress.com/namasia. Thank you so much for your support and order Juan.

Bao, my son, is wearing his digital-portrait-T-shirt that I designed for him.

Suan H. from Central library also bought four shirts from my store. Below is an announcement from Cafepress:

You made a sale at CafePress.com!‏

From:	donotreply@cafepress.com
Sent:	Tue 10/14/08 5:37 PM
To:	nga53@hotmail.com

Hi from CafePress.com!

You've made a sale! Way to go!

From: nga trinh [mailto:nga53@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 8:24 PM
To: Huish, Susan
Subject: thank you

Hi Susan,

Thank you very much for purchasing some T-Shirts on my on line store.

Best,

Nga

From:	Huish, Susan
Sent:	Wed 10/15/08 9:42 AM
To:	nga trinh (nga53@hotmail.com)

Nga you are welcome, thanks for having such great shirts!

Susan

Sam C. is a Library Assistant Supervisor at BPL and he's also one of my online customers. Here he's wearing the cap with The Lion of Berkeley that I designed for him and which he ordered from my store. Sam also bought a Peace Sign T-shirt. Thank you Sam!

Sam's wearing this long-sleeve shirt and cap with the Lion of Berkeley design.
For more designs and gifts, please check out my online store. Thank you.

Google's Tenth Anniversary Contest

2008-10-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

I have entered the Google's Contest, wish me luck everybody! Here are the questions and answers:

What sentence best describes your idea?

My goal is to plant trees and gardens for every household in the poor neighborhoods in the United States.

Describe idea

I've been living in the U.S. since 1975 and I've never owned a car; buses and trains are my main mode of transportation. As buses sometimes run from well-to-do neighborhoods to poorer ones, I've observed that people with money have not only better houses, but also beautiful front and back gardens. There are also more trees lining both sides of the streets. In contrast, there are fewer trees or sometimes none at all in poor neighborhoods - peoples' front and back yards are either covered with cement, weeds, junk and surrounded by "chicken wired" fencing. As human beings, we all enjoy, feel connected to and love nature. I believe that the better our surroundings, the better we feel and the more harmony, happiness and peace we'll bring to our communities.

What problem or issue does your idea address?

Growing up poor in Viet Nam, I've experienced hunger and hardship, so I know what it was like to be poor. My dream is to help improve the lives of the poor and their children by improving their environment; parents who feel good will treat their children better. As a result, their children's self-esteem will increase and they will stay in school, improve their grades, finish high school and go to college, and eventually get better jobs.

If your idea becomes reality, who would benefit the most?

I strongly believe that if my idea became reality, the lives of the children in poor neighborhoods would benefit the most.

What are the initial steps required to get this idea of the ground?

First of all, I'll need money to open a nursery. Then I'll employ local people and create jobs for the local economy. I'll use the money the nursery generates to buy more plants and trees to build gardens for households, one community at a time. Secondly, I'll have to talk to and convince people to let me build gardens for them free of charge. Hopefully, we'll all enjoy the fruits of our labors in the years to come.

Describe the optimal outcome should your idea be selected and successfully implemented.

If my idea is successfully implemented, everybody will win: parents feel better after work by relaxing, enjoying and watching their children play in the garden instead of sitting in front of the television, drinking and eating. The less stress they experience, the better the lives of their children will be. Children usually learn and copy the behavior of the people around them. If they see, learn and do good deeds, they will become better citizens when they grow up. In addition, plants and trees give us oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, so my plan will benefit the environment as well.

How would you measure it?

I would measure it one garden, one household, one neighbor and one community at a time. Mother Teresa once said: "What we are trying to do may be just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." That really sums up my strong feelings about my idea.

Which would be an ideal organization to execute your plan?

The Ecology Center in Berkeley would be an ideal organization to execute my plan.

Submitted on October 5, 2008.
January 27, 2009 voting begins.

BPL Staff Art Show Reception, Oct. 10, 08

2008-10-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

First of all I would like to thank all staff artists for participate in the BPL's Staff Art Show '08, and secondly thanks to everyone for all your help in making the show a success. A special thanks to Art & Music department for hosting the potluck reception and thank you all for coming to meet the artists, view their works, ask questions and give comments.

Here are some pictures from the Staff Art Show Reception at Central Berkeley Public Library on October 10, 2008.

Jenifer S. and Bob. Jennifer A.'s painting/collage work is in the upper left corner, and my two rose fold origami are in the back ground.

Nga Trinh's Rows of Roses Origami, Spring '07. I used a rose fold, a recycled poster board, recycled magazine pages, twine and beads.

Nga Trinh's Garden Book Origami, Spring '07. I used a rose and a square fold for this one, a recycle poster board, garden book pages for the roses and flyers for the bordered squares, twine and beads.

From left to right, Kat and Isobel. Isobel S.'s Ink Wash is in the show, I posted her work in my last posting. Nick M.'s Cityscape collage is on the wall.

Joseph A. and me, check out his Pen & Ink works on the wall of the first floor. I also posted ten of his best works in my last post.

Juan (on the right) with his "cousin" Will (Will's word, not mine). Juan's very first collage in the show is about African American History.

Colleen F. (on the right) is a knitter, her works are in the case in the right corner.

Martha M. (in the middle) and her daughter. Martha in an intermittent Assistant, she also works at Oakland Public Library. She has two printing/collage ink works in the show. One of her works was featured in my last posting.

I am with Juan C., a buddy of mine at North Branch. I'm wearing my own peace design shirt I bought from my on line store: http://www.cafepress.com/namasia
There are more T-shirts for adults and children, special gifts and other designs on my store. If you are interested in checking it out, please visit the address mentioned above. I can also put your personal design on the T-shirt and things for you if you like. I got a few orders from Juan C., Sam C. and Susan H., thank you all very much for your support and purchase.

Staff viewing artwork in the vestibule on the second floor of BPL.

Debbie and Bob. Hope you enjoy your retirement Bob! Nice seeing you at the show.

I am with Debbie C., a great lady, a good knitter and baker.

Elizabeth O. (on the right) is a quilter. Her small quilt is in the vestibule.

Nick M. and Barbara B., two good artists in the show. Please visit Central BPL to see more of our artwork, and write down your feedback in the Guest Book on the second floor. The Staff Art Show lasts until October, 27, 08.

Joseph Alvarez's Artwork

2008-10-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

This is Joseph A. at the BPL's Staff Art Show Reception, Oct. 10, 08. You look real cool in that outfit, Joseph!

Joseph is a friend of mine, who works at Central BPL as an Assistant. He is also an artist and I just "stole" some of Joseph's works from http://myspace.com/jaalvarezjr and put them in my blog. Hope you don't mind, dude! (I tried to imitate the youngling's language here. He!He!). If you would like to see more or purchase Joseph's works, please check out his myspace address.

I like Joseph's pen and ink works the best.

What is the story about the lion, dude? Sam C. is a lion, Juan C. is a lion and you're also a lion. It seems that every African man is a lion, and I am curious to know the notion behind it. Can someone please explain? Cam on, thank you, merci.

Berkeley Public Library Staff Art Show, Sept. 30-Oct.27,08

2008-09-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

This is the third annual Staff Art Show at BPL that I helped to create in 2006. Like last year we have twenty one staff-artists in the show; a few are first timers like my boss, Vivian V. and my good friend, Juan C. Below are some of the artwork from the show:

Nga Trinh's North Branch Bookmarks, Spring '08.

Bookmarks that were collected from returned books at North Branch in 2007-2008, right after I got promoted to a 20 hour Aide there. North Branch is a very busy branch, but I like it - it's an exciting learning environment both in terms handling difficult patrons, learning to work at the desk and using the Millennium computer checkout system. Getting along nicely with my bosses and co-workers is also a blessing.

This is Vivian, my boss and her creative artwork. She used two recycled books, folded every page and turned them into two Bermuda Pantaloons. Glued both Pantaloons together and made them looked like a lamp shade. After that she glued bookmarks that she collected in between the pages. The result is a very creative and beautiful work.

Vivian V.'s Bermuda Pantaloons With North Branch's Bookmarks. Fall '08.

Debbie C.'s Knitted Hat. Beautiful choice of colors and stitches.

Joseph A.'s Pen and Ink artwork. Sorry to lose all the details in the hair, Joseph - I had to use Photoshop to take out the reflection in the glass in his hair.

Jennifer A.'s very creative purses.

Lisa H.'s Box.

Jennifer W.'s Pen and Ink work. Simple but very effective composition.

Nick M.'s Collage of a Cityscape. Nick has good sense of subjects, shapes and colors that makes him a very good collage-artist.

Isobel S.'s Ink Wash.

Martha M.'s Printing and Collage.

Barbara B.'s pottery.

From left to right: Nga Trinh's The Bees and the Bears, Embroidery Tote Bag. Debbie C's Knitted Rabbit. Barbara B.'s Blue Pottery.

I took these pictures through the glass of the displays, so there are some reflections on the works. The show lasts until Oct. 27, 08, please stop by Central Library in downtown Berkeley to view more original artwork by library staff. Hope you enjoy the show.

EMAILS FROM STAFF:

March 31, 08

You are definitely starting early. Excellent!

Alan B.

Hi Nga,

Thank you for being so dedicated in getting it together. I appreciate you!

Yvette P.

Wow! Nga. You are so on top of this.

Teresa A.

Hi Nga,

I'm glad that the art show will be happening again. Last year's was so good, and I really liked seeing the talents many in our BPL family possess.

Doug S.

June 16, 08

Hi Nga,

Thank you for all your hard work.

Colleen F.

August 18, 08

Thank you for all your hard work.

Lynn, M.

September, 8, 08

Thanks again for organizing this great event.

Isobel S.

September 19, 08

Thanks for all your work on this - it's a wonderful thing.

Debbie C.

September 27, 08

Thank you for going out of your way to do this.

Martha M.

Change, Creativity and Innovation In The Twenty First Century Library

2008-07-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

Another co-worker of mine landed the same question that I got a few years ago when I applied for a promotion at Berkeley Public Library. The question was: "Your supervisor gives you a task to do with instructions on how he/she wants it done (Mine was without the "instructions"). While the supervisor is away, you think of a better way to complete the task. Do you continue the task as instructed or do you change and do it your way?"

He answered: "As long as the task was of no serious consequence, and if I were to change the process that would help the outcome, then I see no problem with veering from the supervisor's way of doing it. Of course, I would let the supervisor know that I altered their way of doing it." But he was "WRONG!" because "I was told that you always follow the supervisor's instructions. I guess there's no room for innovation, creativity or even efficiency." And so here I go again (please refer to March 2007 posting).

Based on our experiences here at BPL, moving up the ladder is a long, and sometimes, very painful, emotional process, and also if you can get past the inflexible and tightly structured question above. My advice to younger people who want to make a librarianship their career, and if you want to skip this painful moving-up-the-ladder-process, you should consider of going back to school. For lots of people here at BPL, it could take fifteen to twenty years or more to move up from an Aide, to an Assistant, to a Specialist and finally to a Supervisor position. On the other hand, if the BPL's managers and supervisors view you as an independent and creative thinker, and thus a "trouble maker," you will never move up (so hide or lie). These conservatives only promote subordinates that "do what they are told" and that are mirrors of themselves in terms of thinking and doing things.

This year I've applied and got accepted into San Jose State University's School of Library Information Science, but decided to sit out this Fall semester due to my personal financial hardships. In the meantime, I've been reading some core course books that I borrowed from a friend to read, and hopefully get a head start on things. The book is called Management Basics for Information Professionals, by Edward Evans and Patricia Ward.

In one of the chapters, "Change and Innovation", Edward and Patricia asked this question: "What is the difference between creativity and innovation?" (2007:117) and they went on to give the answer: "Creativity is the process of producing/generating new ideas while innovation is about implementing a new idea in an organization." Using the well-known 3M company as their example Eward and Patricia stated that "3M, is known for its innovations, fosters innovative thinking and action..., the principle is relevant to their situation - thinking about and acting innovatively. Statements such as 3M's make it very clear that senior management not only desires innovative ideas, but they expect and demand them." (118)

Edward and Patricia also stressed that management of an organization "will need to make special efforts to encourage innovation on the part of subordinates. In any unit of an organization, it is easy to over control. Such an approach does provide the stable environment so often sought by senior management, yet the best method for generating new ideas is to encourage independent thinking and responsibilities in subordinates. The more that subordinates feel a part of the unit's decision and functions, the better the quality of their production (due to increased feelings of commitment and accomplishment." (120)

At the end of this chapter, Edward and Patricia listed some key points to remember, but one that I find most interesting was "Innovation and effective change flourishes in flexible, open, learning oriented, empowered organizations." (122) Edward and Patricia also pointed out that management should "encourage all levels of staff to speak out without fear of rebuke or reprisal." (265) I find this statement good only in writing and very unrealistic. In reality the moment you utter a word of complaint about unfair treatment by your supervisor, your name would be on her/his "retaliation list" and when promotion interview day comes, you'll never see "lights at the end of the tunnel" as I and many co-workers have experienced the hard way.

I think management of BPL needs to read this book and should go with the flow of change - abolish the rigid and old way of thinking, as Edward and Patricia suggested that part of the management's responsibility "is to assist staff in accepting and effectively handling change. At times and organization will face a situation that calls for innovative/creative ideas to make a sharp break with the past. Just as management should foster a work environment that is accepting change, they should also create an atmosphere that promotes and empowered innovation and creative thinking." (107) They also emphasized the importance of ways to "provide staff members with the opportunity to practicipate in decision making processes that affect their work. (267). If this is what they are teaching in library school, then the new generation of librarians and leadership at BPL looks pretty promising. BPL needs fresh blood and new thinking to bridge the resentment gap between its management and staff, and to bring harmony and peace within its organization.

In the beginning of their chapter - Change and Innovation, Edward and Patricia quoted a Chinese proverb: "Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I'll understand." (107) that really summed up my feelings for change and hope for the better at BPL as we tranform into the twenty first century's library of tomorrow.

West Berkeley International Food Festival, June 29, 2008

2008-07-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

This was the third annual International Food Festival in West Berkeley. The weather was a little breezy - perfect conditions for my pinwheel idea. Berkeley Public Library-West Branch set up its table at the festival to attract old and new users to our programs and services. Most children and their parents came to our table just to make the pinwheels. We also got some adults that were new to Berkeley, who were interested in finding out about the WIFI-internet at the library. Despite economic hard times, thousands came out to celebrate diversity and to sample many kinds of food from many different cultures.

I also brought a bubble bottle to pull in the kids more effectively. Some of the two or three year-olds could not make the pinwheel themselves, so I let them blow the bubbles while I made the pinwheel for them. I also showed staff to make the pinwheel so they can assist me because we sometimes got three or four kids at our table the same time. Thanks everybody for your help.

Here Marge, the manager at West Branch gave horns to Warren, West Branch's supervisor, but he looked down just in time and missed it.

Warren in turn gave me the rabbit ears, and I tried to do the same, but I was too short to manage that. Darn! Tall people do have some advantages sometimes.

Our table was full of library's handouts about various programs/services, and supplies to make the pinwheel. Thank you Marge for providing the materials, and I also would like to thank a student volunteer for cutting up the squares.

From left to right: Karin, a supervisor from Claremont Branch, Patricia and Duc from West Branch.

Karin is such a young at heart person, she like to make faces when posing for the pictures.

What a good way to attract curious and creative minds, right?

Anh-Vu lined up to get some Indian ice cream. They had a long list of exotic names for vaious flavors, my favorite one was Mango. The ice cream line was long all through the day.

Besides the food, there was also music, dance and other activities.

Duc is a man of peace, every time we posed for the picture, he would make that sign. Here we are with Juan. Both Juan and I work at North Branch.

I really like this man's tiger-bicycle so I asked to take his picture. Interestingly, a woman behind him had a matching helmet and a bike. Coincidence or were they a couple?

Here to diversity, creativity, food and friendship. Cheers!

Star Earrings Workshop at North Branch, June 28, 2008

2008-06-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

With left over extra supplies from my last earrings workshops, I offered another session to North Branch patrons to make the star earrings. About fifteen people came, which was small compare to my previous origami workshops. Some mothers and daughters came half an hour late so they were not in these pictures, since my son Anh-Vu, who took the photos, did not stay for the whole session. The pictures came out pretty good, thanks Anh-Vu!

To some people the star fold seemed complicated at first, but once you get used to which direction the strip goes, it becomes easier.

There were a fewer men and boys compare to the number of women and girls who came to my origami workshops. The man in the picture was bored, sleepy and unresponsive at first, but later got involved and learned to make the earrings for his girls.

He even went to another table and helped others how to make the stars. His accomplishment was also mine. Beautiful!

Folding the star needs individual attention so a small group works best.

That day everybody went home with their little star earrings and a new creative experience. I love teaching and sharing paper folding with everyone who wants to learn. Berkeley Public Libraries have lots of origami books please check them out. It's fun to make things yourself and it's good to keep your mind active and healthy.

Bao Doan's Oakland School of Arts Graduation Night, June 13, 2008

2008-06-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

Over three hundred people -teachers, students and their families - came to this eighth grade graduation night to enjoy food and entertainment, to bid farewell to middle school, and to welcome the summer break. Congratulation kids, and have a great summer!

Bao and his friends in the Oakland School of Arts' school ground posed for pictures and just joked around.

The OSA principal and the eighth grader teachers.

Bao's Math and Science teacher, Mr. Oz.

Bao's History teacher, Ms. Shaw.

These teenage singers can sing very well.

And the dancers were really good too.

Bao with his History and English teachers after the ceremony.

Bao loves Burritos - whenever we go out for a Mexican food, his first choice is always a Burrito.

Bao and his older brother, Anh-Vu.

Bao with his cupcake and gifts from the teachers posing for a picture with mom, dad and brother.

Below are some of Bao's artwork that he did at the Oakland School of Arts. His love of animals is apparent through his choice of subject matter.

Bao is fascinated with sharks, he likes to watch documentaries about sharks and read books about them.

Oops! Sorry, I posted this the wrong way. It's supposed to be horizontal.

A butterfly, shading unfinished.

Bao looked at pictures from calendars and books and then drew them. I taught him how to shade to give his drawings a more three dimensional look.

I like Bao's happy skull and his choice of the orange background.

The Quilt Show at BPL-North Branch, May 7, 2008

2008-05-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

More than fifty quilters, their guests and BPL's librarians gathered on this early, cool Wednesday morning for the 27th Quilt Show at the North Branch. It was started by two North Branch librarians, Phyllis Partridge and Starr LaTronica in 1970s, and became an annual tradition at North. If you're interested, please stop by North Branch to see these beautiful quilts, they will stay up until May 28.

Two breakfast tables that are full of goodies, coffee and tea. A friend told me that North Branch is famous for its customer service and good food that staff and patrons bring to programs or as treats to fellow workers, librarians and friends.

Quilts that are hung from the beams and walls in the Adults' Reading Room.

North Branch Circulation Room's beautiful ceiling.

Debbie C. is a librarian at Central library, and she's one of the main organizers of the quilt show. She is very passionate about the quilt show and also a super baker. We, at the library give her a dear nickname, the "Baking Fairy." So staff, if you come across a dish full of cookies, bread and such at your site and they taste delicious, chances are that it may have come from the Baking Fairy's magic kitchen.

Tara R., a manager/librarian at North Branch welcomed quilters, co-workers and guests at the quilt show.

Below are some of the middle sized and large quilts at the show. Each one of them has an interesting story to tell.

Detail of a big quilt.

Quilts in the Children's room.

Some of us library workers are posing for pictures and joking around. Hey! We are not always serious, Hush! Hush!, stereotypical librarians that everybody often thinks of -- the ones with glasses and hair done up like an onion -- authoritarian types that don't know anything but books. I got that impression a lot when I tell people that I work at the library, they would say "You don't look like a librarian at all!" We are a BPL's diverse bunch and we know how to have fun like everyone else too ... Sometimes.

Third Annual Children's Day at BPL-Central, May 3, 08

2008-05-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

We celebrated the Third Annual Children's Day at Berkeley Public Library a little earlier in the day than the previous years - from 10am to 12pm instead of in the afternoon so only about thirty parents and children showed up, but we had fun nevertheless. We had music and songs with Juan Sanchez, magic with Andrew, and of course, origami with me, Nga Trinh.

Here I am with the senior librarian in charge of the program, Erica G. She got us all the supply that we need that day. Thank you Erica and the Friends of the BPL.

I showed the children and their parents to make a pinwheel, a jumping frog, a fan and a glider. The pinwheel was a big hit with everybody.

This young lady (I forgot her name) told me that she came to the library just for the origami. She got very excited, eager to learn and was neat with her fold. Her main objective was to learn the popular crane fold, which I taught exclusively to her that day.

These two young ladies became my assistants throughout the program. They were fast learners, and they helped out a lot with the children and the clean up afterward. Thank you, ladies.

Here! Would you like to make a jumping frog? A little-jumping-frog made from a business card that can actually jump, which fascinates kids and adults alike.

While we were busy with the folds, my son, Hong-Bao went around and took pictures of other programs, and he really did a great job. Thank you, Bao.

Fun music with Juan Sanchez.

Free books and CDs for parents and their children.

...And Bao came back to my tables to take more pictures.

This mother made a beautiful red pinwheel for her baby.

It's always nice to see parents and their children making their own toys. Origami is a fun-to-learn, hands-on process that turns a two dimensional sheet of paper to three dimensional object in just a few seconds. Pretty neat! See you all next year or at my near future workshops at the North Branch! Please check out some origami books at our five libraries; we have lots of them - from easy to intermediate to sophisticated folds. Cheers, and keep on making beautiful things and enjoy being creative!

A Hummingbird's Nest at BPL - North Branch, Tragic Ending

2008-03-22T09:19:00.001-07:00

On March 10th, two weeks after I first spotted a tiny hummingbird building a nest, she had laid her first tiny egg and then the second one on the next day. She sat on her eggs for the next two weeks, and at the end of March they hatched. I documented this special event by videotaping and taking pictures like a proud grandparent expecting her first grandchildren.

Here's the mother bird sitting on her eggs. She seemed to look at me and proudly posed for her portrait.

The baby birds are growing well and fast every week.

At the beginning mother bird usually leaves her babies for about one minute or two, and then comes back and sits on them again.

Whenever she left, I would take a peek into the nest to check on the babies and take their pictures.

Here they are beginning to fill up the small, cozy nest. They change their sleeping positions often and their breathing is fast and strong.

Stretched out and fast asleep. They slept all day like human babies, and woke up when they felt the nest vibrating. Then they would open their orange beaks so that their mother could feed them.

As the baby birds were growing bigger, the mother would leave the nest for longer period than before - sometimes for half an hour or more to get food to feed the two hungry, fast-growing mouths. At first I was very worried because I thought something might happen to her or that she had abandoned her babies, and I was relieved to find her back sitting on the nest when my shift was over.

On Saturday of April 5, they were still alive and well when the library closed at 6pm, but on the following Monday when I came in to check on this little, precious family, I was shocked to find that there was nothing left of the nest on the branch.

I frantically looked under the bushes and found two dead baby birds and there was just little left of the tiny nest. The mother bird never came back. It was a sad morning and I really missed the hummingbird and her babies. Everybody at work was wondering what had happened to them. Who or what could have brought the destruction to this little family? Every now and then when I look at their pictures, they still bring a big smile on my face and pangs of sadness at how short their lives were.

Tara R., my boss, wrote:

Monday, April 07, 2008 2:37 PM

Baby Birds Go To The Rainbow Bridge

Over the last several weeks we at North Branch have been blessed with viewing the birthing of baby hummingbirds outside our back door. We would go outside and look at the Mama bird proudly sitting on her eggs and we even saw the babies after they hatched. Nga Trinh lovingly documented these events.

This morning we arrived to find the birds were victims of an animal attack and regrettably passed away. The lives of these little birds will not be forgotten nor did they die in vain. These creatures put smiles on our faces, gave us something to look forward to, allowed us to have a common connection with each other, and reminded us how big the world really is. Nature is uncontrollable and we should be humbled to walk in its surroundings.

Please take the time to approach your animal companions or any animals you may come across today and say, “thank you, friend.”

Tara (Manager-Librarian at North Branch)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Bridge_%28pets%29

Epilogue

A day after the babies died, I came to work and saw a disturbance on the tree in front of the library. The branch shook violently and a bird flew up. A squirrel was messing up the nest with his front paws and then ran up to the bigger branch to eat something. Could this same squirrel be the one that destroyed the hummingbird's nest and killed its babies?

Here is the nest of another bird that the squirrel roughed up real badly.

I looked down to find a small part of the nest and some eggshells on the ground. Do squirrels eat bird eggs or they are just territorial creatures?

A Hummingbird's Nest at BPL - North Branch, March 2008

2008-03-08T13:42:00.000-08:00

You know that Spring is here when the sun is shining, the weather is warm (60-70 degree Fahrenheit), the sky is deep blue and clear- sometimes with fluffy white clouds, and birds' songs fill the empty, cool and quiet morning space.

This is the back of the building of Berkeley Public Library - North Branch. And at this very back door steps that I usually take my noon lunch break. In early March of this year, I noticed a pretty little humming bird, who came quite often and was hovering around the lowest branch of the tree, and I thought that she came to drink nectar from the flowers. But then one afternoon, she had a tiny fuzzy white thing in her beak, and that she was putting it down on a branch. I came closer to investigate and saw her teeny-tiny, green nest. It was about one and a half inches across. I got very excited about my discovery and showed everyone at work this remarkable bird and her beautiful nest.

The nest is well camouflaged and from afar it is very hard to see.

The nest wrapped around a small branch about the thickness of your pinky-finger. The bird also used a dried leaf and secured it tightly to the branch like a foundation for her nest. She must had been building the nest for about two weeks or more.

She's still not quite finished covering the whole nest with this white, fluffy "cotton" here.

I regularly checked on the nest - before work, during my break and after work. On March 10th, the humming bird laid her first tiny white egg. It looks like and about the size of a jelly bean candy. The mother bird is about three to four inches long from the tip of her beak to the tip of her tail. The inside of the nest is now all covered with the fluffy "cotton" to cushion and keep her egg warm. The weight of the egg makes the nest sink deeper than before.

The next day, she laid her second egg. This one at first looked smaller than the first.

A few days later they were both about the same size and the shells were less transparent and thin.

The eggs looked pretty cozy and safe inside the tiny nest.

The mother bird usually flies away for about one minute, but I don't know how often she leaves her nest. This is a perfect opportunity for me to take pictures of her eggs. I can tell when she is coming back when I hear the sharp "chip! chip!" sound that she makes, and I of course get out of her way.

She changes her position from left to right, and front to back from time to time. I think she is also turning the eggs by wiggling, shaking and quivering her body before she settles down very still throughout her sitting.

On March twelve's night and early morning of the next day it rained pretty hard. I thought of the little humming bird and her eggs, and felt sorry for her sitting in the rain all night and morning. When I came to work that morning, I checked on the bird and there she was patiently sitting on her eggs.
Here as you can see the branches and her nest are all wet. And at the end of the leaf below her nest still has a drop of water in it. Poor baby!

I will continue to watch, take pictures and video taping of the humming bird and her eggs. Stay tuned!

A Craft Program at BPL- North Branch, Feb. 9, 2008

2008-02-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

After a week of a rainy and cold weather (30s and 40s), this Saturday afternoon was in the sixties, sunny and gorgeous. What a day to start a craft program - about 35 women, children and a few men came to Berkeley Public Library North Branch to celebrate The Year of the Rat and Valentine. According to Chinese horoscope, a person who was born in the year of the Rat is "easy to get along with, hardworking and thrifty. Generous towards friends. Impulsive, sharp and decisive. These are the Rat years: 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1949, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 and so on. There are twelve animal signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar.

This pretty flyer was made by Tara R., the librarian/manager at North branch. She found a design with a rat inside the heart which went very nicely with my Lunar New Year and Valentine program. (Thank you Tara!)

My supervisor, Vivian V. and me at North's circulation desk (picture was taken by Juan).

A snap shot with my co-workers (taken by Vivian), Juan and Richie before my program starts.

We started the program at 3:30pm, Tara (standing) welcomed our patrons (just a few at first) and talked about other up-coming programs at North.

I showed the group the greeting cards that I made to give them some ideas of what they can do with the heart fold that they will learn later on.

We also passed out lai-xi - the red lucky envelopes and some lucky candies to people who attended the class. Vivian baked some brownies with a heart design in the middle. How very nice of her (it was her day off but she came to fold and brought us a gift. Thank you very much, boss!)

And here she is, (on the right corner) busied herself with the fold. She is neat and a fast learner with her folding. You have to be very neat with every crease and fold if you want to create a beautiful product at the end.

The color red, according to Chinese custom represents luck and good fortune, so I used all red papers for the folds. We started with a red fan which was the very first fold that I learned when I was little growing up in Viet Nam.

It was nice to see children being creative and make their own toys.

Voila! The finished product that you can fan yourself with.

Next was the candy holder fold.

Mothers assisted their children with the fold.

...and fathers too.

I also displayed some books about Vietnamese, Chinese New Year and Valentine for the patrons to check them out. It was good to see that most of the books were out at the end of the day.

A Children's Room full of people doing origami gave me a great feeling and satisfaction.

I also showed people how to make a heart for Valentine's Day, and we ended the class with the making of a Chinese Animals Zodiac Dodecahedron.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi! Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy New Year everybody! I wish you good health and happiness, and I hope to see you again soon. Happy folding!

These pictures were taken by Juan and my son, Anh-Vu. Cam On both very much.