tam lontok

The Invitation

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:19:00 +0000

Dearest Greg,

Do you remember that one Saturday morning while we were having breakfast and you said to me, "Tam, I am going to decline the invitation...I just don't think I deserve it."

During that particular moment, I was reminded of why I fell for you. Your humbleness has no measure and your zest for life along with balancing your career, hobbies, and relationships is truly inspiring. You are honestly the best man I know and I am blessed to cross paths with you this lifetime.

Throughout the thirteen years of knowing you, I was always in awe of how you were able to carry a full-time job during the day and attended school full-time in the evenings at LMU...all in pursuit of your goals and dreams. Your passion and dedication demanded countless hours and late nights to the point where you had to sleep under your desk some evenings and barely having time to eat. But you always remained calm, collected, and positive...being present to everyone that you encounter.

It has been an amazing ride with you. Award or no award, your character inspires me each day. Although you tried declining, I am glad Dr. Kiesner convinced you. It gave me a chance to be a witness of your journey and celebrate your life along the way. Thank you for letting me be a part of it. Congrats again...happy for you and so proud of you.

love,

tam :)

taken with my Instagram

To check out the other recipients:

Loyola Marymount University - Entrepreneurship Program - Wall of Honor

The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget by Kent Nerburn

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:29:00 +0000

There was a time in my life twenty years ago when I was driving a cab for a living.

It was a cowboy’s life, a gambler’s life, a life for someone who wanted no boss, constant movement and the thrill of a dice roll every time a new passenger got into the cab.

What I didn’t count on when I took the job was that it was also a ministry.

Because I drove the night shift, my cab became a rolling confessional. Passengers would climb in, sit behind me in total anonymity and tell me of their lives.

We were like strangers on a train, the passengers and I, hurtling through the night, revealing intimacies we would never have dreamed of sharing during the brighter light of day. I encountered people whose lives amazed me, ennobled me, made me laugh and made me weep.

And none of those lives touched me more than that of a woman I picked up late on a warm August night.

I was responding to a call from a small brick fourplex in a quiet part of town. I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partiers, or someone who had just had a fight with a lover, or someone going off to an early shift at some factory for the industrial part of town.

When I arrived at the address, the building was dark except for a single light in a ground-floor window.

Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a short minute, then drive away. Too many bad possibilities awaited a driver who went up to a darkened building at 2:30 in the morning.

But I had seen too many people trapped in a life of poverty who depended on the cab as their only means of transportation.

Unless a situation had a real whiff of danger, I always went to the door to find the passenger. It might, I reasoned, be someone who needs my assistance. Would I not want a driver to do the same if my mother or father had called for a cab?

So I walked to the door and knocked.

“Just a minute,” answered a frail and elderly voice. I could hear the sound of something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman somewhere in her 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like you might see in a costume shop or a Goodwill store or in a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The sound had been her dragging it across the floor.

The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

“Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. “I’d like a few moments alone. Then, if you could come back and help me? I’m not very strong.”

I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm, and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

“It’s nothing,” I told her. “I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.”

“Oh, you’re such a good boy,” she said. Her praise and appreciation were almost embarrassing.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?”

“It’s not the shortest way,” I answered.

“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.”

I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening.

“I don’t have any family left,” she continued. “The doctor says I should go there. He says I don’t have very long.”

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. “What route would you like me to go?” I asked.

For the next two hours we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they had first been married. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she would have me slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.”

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. Without waiting for me, they opened the door and began assisting the woman. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her; perhaps she had phoned them right before we left.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase up to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

“How much do I owe you?” she asked, reaching into her purse.

“Nothing,” I said.

“You have to make a living,” she answered.

“There are other passengers,” I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held on to me tightly.

“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.”

There was nothing more to say.

I squeezed her hand once, then walked out into the dim morning light. Behind me, I could hear the door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I did not pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the remainder of that day, I could hardly talk.

What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? What if I had been in a foul mood and had refused to engage the woman in conversation?

How many other moments like that had I missed or failed to grasp?

We are so conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unawares.

When that woman hugged me and said that I had brought her a moment of joy, it was possible to believe that I had been placed on earth for the sole purpose of providing her with that last ride.

I do not think that I have ever done anything in my life that was any more important.

"Great moments often catch us unawares..."

On Living...

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:57:00 +0000

"The great use of one's life is to spend it for something that will outlast it...

for the value of life is computed not by its duration, but by its donation.

Not how long we live, but how fully and how well..." - Philosopher William James

taken with my Instagram

Light

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:34:00 +0000

Yesterday...
practiced shooting with light...
blessed to have supportive and wonderful friends...
grateful to have a loving husband...

Today...
never wanting to forget these moments...

Vietnam on Instagram - November 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 23:59:00 +0000

Hong Kong International

Hong Kong

Vietnam

Lam Dong, Bao Loc

Uncle's and Auntie's Coconut Shop

Grandma's Backyard

Pho for Breakfast

Vietnamese Market

Vietnamese Crepes

Virgin Mary Statue in Lam Dong

Niece

Vietnam's Shrimp Haven

Greg calls her my Mini-Me...absolutely adore and miss my niece!

Justin Malonzo - Six Months

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:22:00 +0000

Last Thursday, I met up with the Malonzo family to document Baby Justin's six months into this world and it is such a joy to see how their life has unfolded throughout the years. Happy 6 months, Justin! May you always feel loved by all those around you.

To see the rest of the photos, please check out the slideshow:

Justin Malonzo - Six Months

Thitam & Lan - Engagement

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:07:00 +0000

Last Saturday, I met up with Thitam and Lan for an engagement session in the lovely Southbay. From being friends since we were 7-years-old and witnessing each phase of our lives together, it has been a joyous ride leading up to this moment.

Congrats to the both of you and thank you for sharing this special moment in your life with me. Looking forward to November to celebrate your "I do's."

To see the rest of the photos, please check out the slideshow:

Thitam & Lan - Engagement

A Dog's Purpose

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:33:00 +0000

In about two months, it will be two years since Greg and I have adopted Hachi from the Westchester Animal Adoption Festival. We came there with the intention of visiting our friend, who was volunteering for the event, and we went home with a dog as well. Till this day, I still think she is the best $30 investment we ever made...she's a wonderful companion (of course, aside from Greg), gives the warmest welcome at the door, and she is always ready with a smile in the morning. To boot, since I work from home, I'm going to give her the best coworker award. She puts in her hours alongside with me and keeps me company all the time.

A few days ago, I received a forwarded email about a dog's purpose in life and it reminded me of what a great teacher Hachi has been to Greg and I this lifetime...hope you will enjoy it too.

taken with my Instagram

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker.

The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him.

Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live. He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?''

The six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Think good thoughts for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of LIFE...Getting back up is LIVING...

Have a great life.

Amy & Judd - Maternity

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:22:00 +0000

About two weekends ago, I met up with Amy and Judd in Malibu to document their journey together as they welcome their baby boy next month. From dancing their salsa number at their wedding reception...they are now dancing to another kind of beat in their own life. Congrats again to your growing family...we cannot wait to meet the little guy!

To see the rest of the photos, please check out the slideshow:

Amy & Judd - Maternity

Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:26:00 +0000

On my google reader list, there is a particular blog I often look forward to reading amongst many others and it is Marc and Angel Hack Life. Although I do not know Marc and Angel personally, I cannot help but feel as if they are my virtual pen pals or friends...always keeping me lifted in mind and spirit. With their wisdom and reminders, they allow for me to push the pause button and create space to contemplate and discern. I guess you can call this my virtual blog crush...hey, to each its own right?

Today's post touched upon the topic of relationships and how it easy to make your relationships more complicated than they are and they provided twelve reminders we often forget.

All successful relationships require some work. – They don’t just happen, or maintain themselves. They exist and thrive when the parties involved take the risk of sharing what it is that’s going on in their minds and hearts. Open communication and honesty is the key. (Read The Road Less Traveled.)
Most of the time you get what you put in. – If you want love, give love. If you want friends, be friendly. If you’d like to feel understood, try being more understanding. It’s a simple practice that works.
You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot in someone’s life. – Never force someone to make a space in their life for you, because if they know your worth, they will create one for you.
There is a purpose for everyone you meet. – Some people will test you, some will use you, and some will teach you; but most importantly some will bring out the best in you. Learn to see and accept the differences between these people, and carry on accordingly.
We all change, and that’s okay. – Our needs change with time. When someone says, “You’ve changed,” it’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes it just means you stopped living your life their way. Don’t apologize for it. Instead, be open and sincere, explain how you feel, and keep doing what you know in your heart is right.
You are in full control of your own happiness. – If your relationship with yourself isn’t working, don’t expect your other relationships to be any different. Nobody else in this world can make you happy. It’s something you have to do on your own. And you have to create your own happiness first before you can share it with someone else. If you feel that it’s your partner’s fault, think again, and look within yourself to find out what piece is missing. Your partner can never ‘complete’ you because you are already whole. The longing for completion that you feel inside comes from being out of touch with who you are. (Read Stumbling on Happiness.)
Forgiving others helps YOU. – Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.” It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.” Forgiveness is the answer. It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.
You can’t change people; they can only change themselves. – Instead of trying to change others, give them your support and lead by example. If there’s a specific behavior someone you love has that you’re hoping disappears over time, it probably won’t. If you really need them to change something, be honest and put all the cards on the table so this person knows what you need them to do.
Heated arguments are a waste of time. – The less time you spend arguing with the people who hurt you, the more time you’ll have to love the people who love you. And if you happen to find yourself arguing with someone you love, don’t let your anger get the best of you. Give yourself some time to calm down and then gently discuss the situation. (Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.)
You are better off without some people. – When you have to start compromising yourself and your morals for the people around you, it’s probably time to change the people around you. If someone continuously mistreats you or pushes you in the wrong direction, have enough respect for yourself to walk away from them. It may hurt for a little while, but it’ll be ok. You’ll be ok, and far better off in the long run.
Small gestures of kindness go a long way. – Honor your important relationships in some way every chance you get. Every day you have the opportunity to make your relationship sweeter and deeper by making small gestures to show your appreciation and affection. Remember, making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. Your kindness and gratitude matters.
Even the best relationships don’t last forever. – People don’t live forever. Appreciate what you have, who loves you and who cares for you. You’ll never know how much they mean to you until the day they are no longer beside you. And remember, just because something doesn’t last forever, doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth your while.

Tet - Year of the Dragon

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:46:00 +0000

One of the most celebrated holidays in the Chinese and Vietnamese culture is the Lunar New Year. It is a celebration lasting about seven days. Around this time each year, I would always recall on my own childhood memories of tet. Growing up, my brothers and I shared a room with a bunk bed and twin bed for me. On the morning of tet, my parents would go into our room and greet us. Before gifting us with a red envelope (li xi), they would share their wishes for us that year and we would exchange ours to them. Then, I would tuck the red envelope (li xi) under my bed and save it for good luck throughout the year.

This year, I came across the video below reminding me the importance of tet and family. It made me grateful that my parents engrained this tradition in us throughout the years and how I look forward to continue this tradition for years to come. Happy Year of the Dragon!

Here are some photos taken with one of my favorite iPhone camera apps, Camera+, during Tet 2012.

Mom's Shrimp Rolls

My Mom and I

Li Xi

London and Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:56:00 +0000

Throughout my childhood and young adulthood, I always found it somewhat difficult to list out favorites. It could possibly be due to the mere fact that committing to anything at a young age and using the words 'favorite' and 'best' resonated to 'the one' for me. Therefore, I would always mention loving and enjoying a particular subject, but never dropped my version of the 'f' word. For example:

"As for a favorite color, I like this _____ and _____ or even a motif of _____."

"One of my favorite books is ____."

With this idiosyncrasy of mine, I was delighted to figure out my favorite movie of all times in December of 2010. How about that for a late bloomer? The King's Speech was a homerun for me on many levels. I truly enjoyed how the theme was multi-faceted and how it touched upon education, literacy, compassion, struggles, and overcoming fears. Most importantly, it was based on the true life story of King George VI of Britain and how his vulnerabilities helped us to connect with him in a more authentic level. After the movie ended, I wanted to have a tissue in my hand and say, "Bravo...bravo," like Elaine on Seinfeld.

Three weekends after the movie, Greg and I were excited to take our trip to London in January of 2011. We took advantage of our three day weekend and although it was short, we quickly grew fond of the city for its history and culture. It became one of our most memorable trips and I cannot believe it has been exactly a year since we were last exploring the city and grounds. Oh London, we miss you.

The Original Pimm's Cup & London Pride Beer

English Breakfast Tea

London Bridge

St. Paul's Cathedral

Lyceum Theatre

Covent Garden Market

The King's Speech Trailer:

Embracing the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:19:00 +0000

A few weeks ago in my yoga class, my instructor quieted our minds by asking us the following question:

Where are you finding your own miracle this holiday season?

She mentioned how a miracle does not always have to be grand and how we can see it through the simplest of notions. It is about being grateful and open to seeing it. She shared how her father passed away years ago and when she visited his resting place this past Thanksgiving, a butterfly flew right in front of her. For her, it was a miracle to know that her father is still with her through the butterfly.

The next day, I was walking to our local market and could not help but think of this past November. Sadness drew upon me as I thought of my grandma, Greg's grandma, the car accident, and being admitted to the ER. Just at that moment, an elderly man walked by and said to me, "God bless you."

After I thanked him and responded with the likewise phrase, he continued to walk in the store and greeted everyone with the saying, "God bless you."

While I was grabbing my lunch on the side, I glanced over and saw the cashier smiling and asking him, "How are you doing, Jack?"

With his cane propping him, he responded joyfully, "I'm alive!"

Hearing those simple words allowed for me to experience this season's miracle. The gift of being alive and present. Thank you, Jack.

Hope you are all having a wonderful start this new year...much positive thoughts to you always. All my best to you in this coming year!

Holiday Crushing

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 01:46:00 +0000

Madeleine Peyroux...she is the woman of my hour. Leaving me completely awe-struck with her cover of Dance Me to the End of Love, I am bummed she will not be performing in California next year. In the meantime, she'll just have to remain as the number one repeat on my playlist.

Hope you are all dancing to the end of love in every part of your life...have a wonderful holiday season!

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love, dance me to the end of love

Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Oh dance me to the end of love, dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long

We're both of us beneath our love, we're both of us above
Dance me to the end of love, dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove
Dance me to the end of love, dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the end of love

Stamping, Gastropubs, and 32

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:17:00 +0000

About two months ago, I began my addiction with stamping and thought how fun it would be to incorporate my new found love with Greg's birthday. Since Greg enjoys craft beer and gastropubs, I wanted to recreate that experience for him in the comfort of our own home, especially on a Friday night after work. It was a gastropub and craft beer dedication to Greg before he turned 32.

the beer tasting menu

dinner menu

birthday celebrant

Abeni and Derek

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:36:00 +0000

This past Sunday, I met up with Abeni and Derek for a fun holiday photo session at one of my favorite running trails in Los Angeles. The Wood Chip Trail begins under the bridge in the Fry's parking lot in Manhattan Beach and extends to Redondo Beach, which is about 9.95 miles round trip. Hope you are able to check out this trail one day. In the meantime, you can check out some of the views from the images below. Thank you Abeni and Derek for allowing me to document your genuine love! Your joy for each other makes me smile inside and out.

To see the rest of the photos, please check out the slideshow below:

Abeni and Derek

Holiday Hazards

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 01:42:00 +0000

Upon checking my email this morning, I received an announcement from Hachi's veterinarian about the common holiday hazards for dogs and cats and ways to prevent them. The first reminder stated:

Dangerous Foods
The following can be toxic to pets: chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, garlic, onion, alcohol, caffeinated beverages, bread dough, and sugar-free candy and gum containing artificial sweetener xylitol.

What did I do when I read this section? I sighed. Hachi striked three times already and we are still in the midst of the holiday season. Below is a recap of her most recent incidents:

- Early November, Hachi ate a loaf of bread from the kitchen counter and hid her leftovers under the bed of the guest room.

- Mid-November, she helped our friend finish his cup of joe voluntarily. We came running down the stairs to see all fours on the couch and her head dipped into the mug on the coffee table. With the countless hours of naps Hachi takes in throughout the day, my jaw dropped seeing her inhale that caffeine.

- Yesterday, Hachi spotted my parents' gift to another family member and decided to sample the chocolates herself. She even left a wrapper in her doggie bowl, a walnut chew in the crevice of the couch, and one extra piece on the stairway (in case if she ever wants to eat it while walking up the stairs).

Hachi is funny when it comes to confrontation. On any given day, Hachi would always greet Greg and I at the door. For the other three occurrences, Hachi would be busy hiding her stash and hope that we do not notice anything. In my imagination, she performs these antics with the song, "Somebody's Watching Me," by Rockwell. Silly dog...we are just grateful she is safe and the food did not affect her too much. This only means Greg and I need to "Hachi Proof" our home a bit a more for the rest of December.

My Holiday Offender

If you are interested in the list of holiday hazards for pets, here you go:

Dangerous Foods

The following can be toxic to pets: chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, garlic, onion, alcohol, caffeinated beverages, bread dough, and sugar-free candy and gum containing the artificial sweetener xylitol.

Regular Foods

Despite tradition, bones should never be given to pets. Even beef, ham, and other "regular" foods that are not considered toxic can cause illness in pets. If your pet is a moocher, keep a saucer of his regular treats on the table to offer when he asks. He probably won't know the difference!

New Treats and Toys

Even a pet-safe treat can cause stomach upset if it is new to your pet. Offer only one of these at a time (ideally, separated by a few days). If your pet becomes ill after eating a holiday treat, it will be easier to trace the source and discontinue it. Also, check new toys for sharp edges, pieces that can be chewed off, or other potential hazards.

Plants

Hazardous plants include mistletoe, some evergreens (including some types of pine), and holly bushes and berries. Try to keep these plants away from pets, or at least supervise pets when dangerous plants are nearby.

Decorations

Tinsel, tree ornaments, ribbons, string, and garlands are some items that can be dangerous if eaten by pets. Keep these items away from pets — especially when pets are unattended. Don't forget to cover any electrical cords or keep them out of reach.

Fire and Carbon Monoxide

Monitor pets near fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, candles, and portable heaters. Also, don't forget to check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are functioning properly. Space heaters, furnaces, and idling cars (in a garage) can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in pets and humans.

Christmas Trees

Monitor your pets when they are around your holiday tree. Pets may eat the needles (even from artificial trees) or drink water from the base of the tree, which can be toxic (especially if there are preservatives in it). Keep electrical cords and decorative lights out of reach, too.

Hope you are all having a hazard-free holiday season!

The Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:44:00 +0000

The last month has been a whirlwind and to be quite honest, I missed responding, "Everything is going good." Week after week, it felt as if Greg and I were on a roller coaster and pleading it to stop. After awhile, Greg and I were afraid to pick up each other's phone call not knowing what to expect next.

The last thirty days, we grieved the loss of our grandmothers, traveled to Canada and Vietnam to witness both of our mothers saying their goodbyes, experienced a car accident, and two Sundays ago, I was released from the ER for a tension and cluster headache. It has been truly exhausting... I would find myself at times replaying the images in my mind and feelings of sadness would renew itself again. The support and prayers from our family and friends is what kept us lifted and grateful. Thank you for allowing us to lean on you.

As for my current response, "Things are going good."

My short story contribution is finally on Amazon as of December 4th and the ebook will be available in a few weeks. Many thanks to Mai Bui and Quyen Ngo for the opportunity!

Here is the Amazon link: A Melting Pot of Thoughts

Below is a picture of Greg and I at the launch party with my cup of orange juice. Yup, I had juice at a cocktail party. Mind you, the shawl was not helping and I should have dressed myself in sweats and socks, which could have saved me from getting sick and going to the ER the next day. All good, I'm healthy now and can't complain. =)

photo credit: Chrislynn Photography

December 1999

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:08:00 +0000

During winter break of my sophomore year in college, my family and I celebrated our first Christmas in Bao Loc, Vietnam with our grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was one of my most memorable trips and one I would always hold close to me.

I'll never forget...

walking to mass with her daily at 5am...

feeding her farm animals and checking up on them with her...

having breakfast and chatting over her version of oeuf a la coque every morning.

Grandma, you will be missed.

This evening, I'll be on my way to Vietnam to accompany my mom for the next seven days. My only hope is to be half the rock my Grandma was for her nine children when my Grandfather passed.

If tears could build a stairway,

And memories a lane,

I'd walk right up to Heaven

And bring you home again.

~author unknown

Love at First Sight

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:54:00 +0000

Perusing through my Facebook news feed three weeks ago, Fab announced their sale on the Holstee Manifesto poster. Although we have seen those inspirational quotes before, Greg and I thought it would be a nice addition to our home decor and serve as a reminder to live by those words.

Holstee began as a dream for brothers Dave and Mike Radparvar and friend Fabian Pfortmuller in 2009. The Holstee Manifesto is the iconic product of the Brooklyn-based apparel company Holstee. It was actually one product about their business they never intended to become popular. At one point this summer, they sold out of it with a four-week back-order. This product has been translated into 12 languages and has been viewed more than 50 million times.

The founders of Holstee wanted to create a lifestyle for themselves reflecting their manifesto. Their design philosophy hopes to inspire others to follow their dream. Below is the image of the poster and a typography video. Enjoy!

Anna G.

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:58:00 +0000

Last Thursday, I met up with Anna from Anna G. Photography for a fun photo session in Thousand Oaks. We met years ago through mutual friends and after a few brief encounters and dinner dates, I am honored and blessed to have her friendship. Anna is in her element when she is positioned behind the lens and documenting life. Therefore, it was such a treat to have her be in front of the camera for the first time!

Anna...you are truly beautiful inside and out. May these photos be a reflection of your spirit and the wonderful joy you bring to all those around you. Thank you for being you.

To see the rest of the photos, please check out the slideshow:

Anna G. Photography

Baby Justin Malonzo

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:05:00 +0000

Date of Arrival: 09.28.11

From dating, engagement, wedding, and baby....it's been a fun ride cheering you on through each milestone. Congratulations Malonzos!

To see the rest of the photos, please check out the slideshow below:

Baby Justin Malonzo

New Beginnings

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:32:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I enrolled in two classes at the California Art Institute for my upcoming project. One class specializes on head and figure drawing, while the other is an emphasis on landscape, portrait, and still life painting using water media. My drawing class took place this past Monday and truth be told, I am a complete novice when it comes to sketching with charcoal. Within the three hours, I took in every stroke slowly and utilized my kneaded eraser more often than necessary. Fortunately, my art professor was patient, kind, and understanding. He allowed for me to express what I saw when I looked at the model on stage, make my mistakes along the way, and guided me when it was appropriate.

While reading in bed that evening, Greg decided to put his book down and asked how my class went. Turning around to lie on my stomach and hands anchoring my face, I said after a sigh, "It was hard. I felt as if I were in the shoes of one of my Kindergarteners and learning how to read or write for the first time."

Of course, Greg took amusement to my melodrama and comforts me by saying, "It's okay...it's only the beginning and your first class. You are working on your spatial sense of the brain. It takes practice. Let's go check it out."

We went up to the office and I showed him my work. A few minutes later, we were both practicing and drawing. As I was ordering The Human Figure book suggested by my professor, I took a glance at Greg sketching alongside with me and could not help but feel grateful to have such a supportive partner and friend.

Below is my first sketch and I wanted to post it as a reminder of the beginning...the feeling of excitement, doubt, and allowing myself to fall in order to learn.

Remembering Steve Jobs...

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:07:00 +0000

Commencement Speech - June 12, 2005

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:

Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

My second story is about love and loss.

I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.

I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down - that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.

I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

My third story is about death.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.

This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope it's the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Thank you all very much.

Anthology

noreply@blogger.com (Tam Lontok) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:44:00 +0000

Within the last month, I have been working on a writing project for A Melting Pot of Thoughts. In this collection, it will include poems and other pieces of writing. It touches upon the journey of the Asian American experience from writers of all different generations. All of the stories and poems are true and personal. It will cover various aspects of the Asian culture. This includes food, customs, traditions, language, historical events, clothing, arts, and special places.

A Melting Pot of Thoughts was created to help reintroduce hope and appreciate the simple things in life. Some stories will make you laugh, while others may make you cry. My short story, The Stitch, is a tribute to my parents, our sponsors, and the refugee experience. It will cover historical facts in the scope of love and justice.

A message was just sent out indicating that the inside layout, final read-through, and corrections should be completed by the end of this month. As for publication and launch party date, it is set for this December! For Christmas, I'm excited to give the book as a gift to my parents and our sponsors this year.

To see my bio and the other writers in this collection, please feel free to click the link below:

A Melting Pot of Thoughts - Our Friends