PinkGurugal's Gracious Gift

Flower Flutters

Thank GOD it's another day. Sorry about that poor me blog from yesterday. I had a meltdown. And thanks to my fellow bloggers for those funny comments. It actually cheered me up.

Then today these came to my station.

"He who shall not be named" sent these unbelievably gorgeous roses.

And the card couldn't be more touching. Like a giggly girl, I have to share.

Privacy made Public

So I showed up to the station this afternoon, tried to rice paper walk my way to my desk, which incidentally is at the OTHER END of the newsroom.

Of course, I strolled in during our weekly open newsroom meeting.

Then the unexpected and embarrassing happened.

My boss: "Hey Chau, come on in. Ladies and gentlemen.... Chau Nguyen!"

Newsroom colleagues (about 50 of them): Clapping...

Me: "Hi??" (I start walking fast)

My boss: "Chau, we sent you flowers!"

Me: "Thanks Keith, just send me the bill."

I swear if I could blush, I would have. But I'm a brown Vietnamese girl, and we don't get so pink in the face.

I'm so lucky. Thank you HWSNBN. You know how to make a girl feel special!

Cheers and happy training!

"The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart." Buddha

Blues blogging

A Pensive post I can't exactly pinpoint it, or maybe I don't really want to share it with the world, but I am in a melancholy mood today. Work was good...easy story. Colleagues are great...my favorite photographer worked with me. It was a beautiful day...blah blah blah... Every time the seasons change I get this way. And in part, it has to do with the fact that I have not seen Kelly in days, and I'm having Chelly withdrawels. Jane came over last night armed with a huge pot of gumbo. Thanks Jane. That was so yummy. But Kelly has not been around :( Maybe it's because it's just life, and in life, we have our moods. I often think about the ladies at Bonita House, a women's shelter for those who've hit rock bottom, whether through drugs or bad relationships. I've had the privilege of speaking and volunteering there on occasion. Their courage inspires me. I definitely feel a calling to help them. It's one of the career changes I am considering. There is nothing better than to see these women overcome adversity to start over. We all deserve that second chance. If you haven't had a chance to look at what they do, open the link. It's amazing. Now I may not feel their pain, but I think we all understand pain. I have a great life, a wonderful family, a great nitch of friends, not to mention a budding personal life. Still, I have the funk today and thought journaling would help. I'm not writing this to feel sorry for myself. I have much for which to be thankful. Just some thoughts. I'm having a drink with some work colleagues after work today. Then Kelly will come over. I'm so lucky I have girlfriends. This is Lisa. What a wonderful woman. Beautiful, successful, independent, kind, spiritual..the kind of girl you men would love to take home to mom. Aren't girlfriends the best? That's a bond unique to women. You men could never understand. I'm glad I'm a woman and not a man in these times. They are my rock, and I know they will be there when I need emotional support, and I too. I need to ride my bike. TriGreyHound, thanks for the offer to ride tonight, but I have yet to buy leg and toe warmers. It's on my increasingly growing "to do" list. My legs are sore from yesterday's run. I'm taking the night off. I need a martini. There I go again... my penchant for the sauce. Cheers (kind of) and happy training! "Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that's where you renew your springs that never dry up. " Pearl Buck

Back to Biking, In rare running form

Indoor Agony It's official. Now that it's finally cold, I pulled out the bike trainer and started cycling. I hate cycling indoors, I miss heading to conroe for that quasi hilly 54 mile loop, but truth be told, I HATE the cold. And I need to buy toe warmers and leg warmers. On Saturday I cycled one hour and 15 minutes, then did my ab class on TV. It had been awhile since Pingurugal took pink for a spin. My only saving grace is the TV. I hardly ever watch TV, and the only shows I watch these days (on TIVO) are 60 minutes, Ugly Betty and the CBS Sundy Morning Show (an all time edifying favorite). Having said that, I began wondering why 1) My cable bill seems to be steadily rising every month (it's at $147!) 2) Why do I even bother with cable? Well, my only justification is that it's convenient. Probably not fiscally sensible. But choices are good when you have it. Making up for lost Marathon Training time Since I have hardly trained for the Houston Marathon, (okay I haven't trained AT ALL!) and it's seven weeks away, today I decided to get my butt out to the park and run 14 miles. Not that it was bad or hard, but I was sooooo bored, even with my Ipod. Not to mention there were cold breezes in the shade. Brrrr! One marathon year I didn't even train and ran my long run the week before the race. That was silly. So I figure I'll just do long runs coupled with short runs during the week until the race. I guess I've gotten bored with running. I still like the marathon, but one a year is more than enough for me. Triathlons are so much more fun. So many things go through my mind while running. From the mundane to the profound. Silly things like the clean laundry I still have to fold. And deeper things like reconciling fate over happenstance. Relationship Ruminations Can one be fated towards something or someone? Or is it just by mere coincidence? Einstein said "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." I resonate with that quote. I'm voting hope over happenstance....Serendipity... Kismet, and all the goodness that comes with Einstein's coined coincidence quote. I say go for God, whatever that means to you. I don't know why I'm rambling. Probably the delirium kicking in from that run. Or maybe my mind runs in circles about questions which I trust few can really emperically answer without that word we call faith. Anyhoo.... Cheers and happy training! "The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions." -Alfred Lord Tennyson

Happy Thanksgiving!

Family Firsts

Even though the first generation of the Nguyen family (i.e. my immediate family) does not observe Thanksgiving like most Americans (see prior post),

members of the Nguyen children have happily adopted thanksgiving with all the traditional fixins and

The second generation of Nguyens

This year I spent thanksgiving dinner with my brother Dean, his wife Miriam, and my two absolutely adorable and beautiful nieces, Mailynh and Katelynh.

Also there tonight were other family members on Miriam's side. That's Mailynh's BFF Madu.

Can you believe the tree was already up when I arrived?

Now the food was fabulous, but even better was the post-dinner fun.

I love to goof off.

And I'm a cool aunt.

And thanksgiving is not so bad with those who mean most to me. Kids make it awfully fun.

And I am very thankful.

Cheers and happy thanksgiving!

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul.

And sings the tune

Without the words,and never stops at all. "

- Emily Dickinson

Odd and Onerous Observations

Holidays at Heart

There is something about the advent of the holiday season that always seems to find me in an awkward emotional predicament.

I don't get super excited this time of year. So a few days ago, during one of my runs, I psychoanalyzed why this is...why it is that I am ambivalent this time of year.

Cultural Identity

Thanksgiving and Christmas are largely American traditions, and ones most immigrant families have embraced over time. But growing up, there were no Thanksgivings at the Nguyens. I mean, our ancestors weren't pilgrims who landed east to settle into this fledgling of a country, so mom and dad did not make any deal of it.

So what was thanksgiving to us? I think we would go to a Chinese restaurant and eat. Truth be told, it carried little significance. I think one year I actually spent it with a friend's family.

And Christmas? Sure we were raised Catholics, so the Jesus thing we got down. But the whole notion of Santa was spoiled by my older brothers, and there were no presents under the tree. Instead, the kids got to go to the toy store and pick our favorite toys. Not the same Christmas tradition as most.

Vegas Deja Vu

Holidays devoid of American traditions were evident last Christmas when I flew to Las Vegas to visit my parents. My childhood best friend, Michelle, also came to spend "Christmas" with the Nguyens.

We had a nice "Christmas Eve" dinner, Vietnamese and family style. Then Michelle and I hit the strip around 11pm, went to the Ghost Bar and a nightclub called Light at the Bellagio Hotel.

So I'm thinking there would be few if anyone out. Wrong. The place was packed with Asians and Middle Easterners. Yep, those who observed the holidays just like the Nguyens.

I think we left the hotel around 6am. Seems strange? Maybe. But holidays seem different to me.

Now I'm not trying to be a curmudgeon about the holidays... I find it a wonderful thing that this is the time of year to focus on family. That matters. But I try to treat anytime I see my family as a holiday... as a blessing.

Notwithstanding, I wish I was spending this thanksgiving in Seattle with "he who shall not be named."

Cheers and happy training!

"Whenever two people meet, there are really six people present. There is each man as he sees himself, each man as the other person sees him, and each man as he really is. "- Williams James

Tri-less training, Commune Cooking

A Hiatus Helping

It has been a few days since Pinkgurugal posted a blog to recount the inanities of my life. But there is good reason.

1) I have returned to the masses of those who "work-out" and not "train". I may work out 4-5 times a week for 1 to 1 1/2 hour a day...instead of that crazy ironman 15-25 hours a week...

2) Having divulged that, I have gained a few pounds. It's a simple math game. Eat more, exercise less= weight gain. Evercise more, eat less= weight loss.

I know, 2 or 3 pounds sounds like NOTHING, but it is when you are 4"11 or... okay 4"10 3/4.. it matters.

3) And I have happily "let go" of the HAVE to TRAIN neurosis associated with those used to our uncommonly excessive thoughts of physical inadequacies.

4) Ooh thats right, the Houston marathon is ,mmm.. 8 weeks away... oh whatever, i never train for these.

Notwithstanding, I feel like I finally have my life back and am not confined to the rigors of hard ironman training...

Pledging

Welcome to the newest member of the tri commune, we shall name "he who shall not be named".

Now mind you, this is a VERY exclusive club, so in order to be a member, there are some initiation requirements... like... mmmm

Tri Commune Cooking

We put HWSNBN to work. First order of business, make us his best meal... This Putanesca.... which apparently means "whore sauce"

HWSNBN's secret recipe includes an amalgam of olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and other yummy goodies. Now I understand that this may sound nc 17, however....

"Whore" or not, the tri commune happily lopped up this...honestly, probably, the BEST pasta I have eaten... kinda like the stuff you find in Italy...

Of course, other regulars joined in on this culinary affair. . tastes so good when it hit the lips...

Cheers and happy training!

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." Henry David Thoreau

Tiger Talk

Mai Lynh Lovin I know I have written about my adorable 4 1/2 year old niece in a previous blog, but this is my blog, and dammit, I love her so much I'm writing about her again.

Plus Papa Nguyen was in town for the weekend, so we had a sleepover at pinkgurugal's casa.

Friday night I taught Mai Lynh how to growl like a tiger. GRRRR! She was so scary she frightened her grandpa. I also told her I would take her to the zoo in the next few weeks, to which she precociously responded, "Don't forget, because I have a lot going on." Mai Lynh is a little me. She's very social, garrulous, and just downright sweet and silly. Okay enough already. Okay, so I like myself...mmmm a little too much. But I absolutely love my niece and father. Family matters. Cheers and happy training "Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. " Sir Winston Churchill

Kelly Kudos

BFFs

Outside of mmmm.... me, I write most about Kelly. She's my best friend, my sister soulmate. Chau and Kelly make "The Chelly." We are a statement, a lifestyle, a trend.

Over the weekend, Kelly and Liam headed to Clearwater, Florida for the ....

Yep, my studly galpal is that fast that she got a slot.

Now for you non-triathletes out there (sorry, you don't what you're missing)...this is like the superbowl of the half ironman race.

While the meager Ironstar half ironman officially ended my season a few weeks, this race ends hers.

A full race report will follow when I will ask The Chelly to be a guest writer, but here are her results.

HOLY SMOKIN SHIT!

Carrington, Kelly

1324/1181/946 (these are her ranks as she finished each part of race: swim, bike and run...notice how her rank just gets better and better and she passes 378 people!)

:40:44 SWIM

2:39:22 BIKE

1:38:05 RUN

5:04:04 TOTAL

Kelly, We are all SO proud of you. What an amazing race year it has been for you. Thank you for making this ironman journey with me. I love you!

Now let's go do some well deserved partying!

Cheers and happy training!

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing." Abraham Lincoln

Career Comradery

Television Tales I am still processing this whole ending my TV news career thing. I have unequivocal trust I'm doing the right thing. Having said that, I will dearly miss many things about this business.

The Men in My Life

Among them, the relationships I have with my colleagues, especially the photographers and engineers I've known since the beginning of my 15 year career, most of which has been spent in Houston save for Saipan, Guam and Atlanta.

This is Kevin Greer, Eddie McCain and Jaime Zamora. I have known Kevin and Jaime from my early days as a 22 year old writer at the ABC station. I remember shadowing these photographers when I was just a young cub aspiring to become a reporter. Some of them even helped me edit my resume tape together.

And shit, Jaime's once baby twin girls are now 14... time really does fly!! As for Eddie, he is an engineer at our station and runs the live truck. He calls me "Miss Chau" and aside from stuffing ourselves into a tiny live truck countless times to edit and beat deadlines, we've had some great, deep and personal conversations. There was a time in our lives we were enduring some similar personal ordeals. Next is is me, Craig Bell and Gus Pereyra. Craig is a brand new reporter at the ABC station, but Gus works with me. We work with many photographers, but Gus is among my favorite with whom to work. He calls me his little sister. And we share a love for cycling. In fact, Gustavo was the first person who took me for my first long ride on my bike. 47 miles and all I had was one gu. How things have changed... In corporate America, I presume your cohorts are limited to watercooler talk. Not in TV News. Not as a field reporter. You get close to these guys. You learn from them. You hear their life stories. They've heard mine, whether it be fun and silly, or serious and depressing. Man I'll miss these very human moments. We cover real life stories. On this day we covered a very terrible murder trial. But set aside work, we bond.

What an honor it is boys... keep doing the great work you do, and don't let middle management bring you down!

Cheers and happy training! "The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed. " Carl Jung

Laying down some common cents

Expensive Energy I am a coffee addict...a junkie, a bitch to a cup of Joe. I really shouldn't be, since I have way too much natural born energy and seem to be wired all the time. But for some reason, I want more. That's how I roll. Now I typically make my own coffee at the Tri commune, but today I was RUNNING WAY LATE to work thanks to he who shall not be named. So after doing a drive by at the bank ATM, I noticed a coffee shop called Maui Wowi. Cool, I'll try something different Holy Maui Wowi Money! This large cup of Nonfat, one Splenda latte costs Pinkgurugal $4.87. Let me repeat: $4.87!!!! Now I'm far from cheap, but think of all the things I could have for five bucks... Like a WHOLE lunch at my favorite Chinese restaurant China Garden. Like a six pack of beer. mmmm....beer Like a sandwich from Brown Bag Deli....mmm...egg sandwich. Like 3 bags of Swedish fish.... mmmm for long rides.... Like a spare tube...mmmm...when there's a flat Like a lot of crap!!!! Pinkgurugal goes down! I had to cover a murder trial today, so after the trial recessed for the day, I stayed back in the media editing room to lay down. No I wasn't taking a nap, but I tweaking my aching back. It always hurts, but it was especially sore today.

This is my massage therapy ball I NEVER leave home without. It's kind of like a tennis ball but is stronger. Basically I roll it and hold it in the sore areas of my back, but and legs... oooh....ahhh.... feels so good.

Not as good as a Cheryl Francisco massage, but it does the job on a crunch. Find me some carpet, and I'm down.

Cheers and happy training!

"Eternal delight and deliciousness will be his, who coming to lay him down, can say with his final breath--O Father!--chiefly known to me by Thy rod--mortal or immortal, here I die. I have striven to be Thine, more than to be this world’s, or mine own. Yet this is nothing: I leave eternity to Thee; for what is man that he should live out the lifetime of his God."

Moby Dick by Hermann Melville

A Show Stoppin Story

Steppin' Out

I know they look like garden shoes and look dorky and granola, but Crocs Rock! Dorky and granola I do very well. Actually I do it best.

This is one of three pair I own, and wearing Crocs makes Pinkgurugal a happy camper. In fact, I pretty much wear them all the time, even at work....really! Here I am sitting on some curb at story whatever of the day, I don't remember.

Today I spent the day with roomie Liam riding around the park and stopping for Starbucks. It was so relaxed and nothing short of a perfect Monday off.

WHERE MY SHOE WENT?

Silly, silly stuff. Silly is fun though, especially with pictures! Cheers and happy training! "I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers." Mahatma Gandhi

An Entertaining Affair

Halloween Party Pics (NC-17 Versions Only) Even though Pinkgurugal hasn't always been a big fan of Halloween, I happily dressed up this year with many of my pals.

That's me, in...ahem... let's just call it a cat-like outfit. Jane's Addiction had on a highly creative outfit... she's Michael Vick after the dogs attacked. I think she looks adorable.

John Robertson was a nun. He and his fiance Anna hosted a small party.

Liam went as the ugliest woman I have ever seen. Also at the party, Sugar Daddy Phil and Sugar Mama Natalie as Hugh Hefner and one of his bunnies. Then's there's Kelly. She's also dressed cat-like. This was the least exposing photo I found. I think she looks HOT in a black wig too!

Liam tried another look, but still looked...well, you be the judge.

And TriRyGuy threw on his trusty Indian suit. Scalp me baby!

Kids, let's do this again next year! :)

Cheers and happy training!

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" Ralph Waldo Emerson