MY ADULTHOOD EXPERIENCES

MY TINDER EXPERIENCE

Tinder hype finally hits Vietnam, an exotic place. How can a 9x generation like me stay out of the trend?

Thanks to the advance of the internet, people nowaday can diversify their chances to find " the one" by matching you randomly with a totally stranger near your location, who can have no mutual background with you. Nonetheless, how useful it is for the young still remains controversial. 

Some might claim it rubbish, since only dating suckers use an Apps to get a date, yeah it can be true. I totally understand why some people feel that way because of all the scam and "Catfish" things, But it doesn't mean we can't find a single decent person on the internet. I personally enjoyed all my online dates and:

Do I feel like a loser? NO! because I chose to do it. It's not the only way I can meet guys, but I call it the more effective way. Even if you are a super extrovert person, you have to admit that it's so much easier to say hi with a person on the Internet than in real life: You can avoid awkward gaze or unwanted attention in public place, etc.
and Do I feel like a slutty lady? NO!  why should I feel that way? since Tinder wasn't made for hooking up only, just because a lot people ultilize it that way, it doesn't mean I do the same thing.

Disclamer: I am not here to refute or support any statements, because perspectives are objective and different individuals can have various opinions about one thing.

So Trang how did your Tinder adventure start?

Frankly, when I first heard about this Apps, I found it  disgusting 
(sorry Tinder fans): for online dating, hooking up purpose, where people find their One night stand partner, etc. And  according to the norm that I grew up with, all of those listed above are quite unacceptable. However, eventually I installed it on my phone anyway after watching a Parody of Conan O'brien and Dave Franco about Tinder on Youtube. In addition, I'm the kind of a person who always want to experience all the legal but inappropriate things pratically at least once in my life because #YOLO duh...!!! Also, I was bored and just broke up at that time so why not? Meeting new people can be adventurous and fun (^-^).

Why do you want to share it on your blog? are you shameless?

Yes, I am, and there are nothing to be a shame about expanding your opportunities to find the right one, since you will never know who will be special to you if you keep yourself in your own comfortzone and fantasize Unicorn farting rainbow on your life.

Ok ok, we got it, How were your experiences?

So far so good !

Apparently, I got a lot of matches on Tinder around 100+, thanks to 360camera ( yay!! bragging time), most just stop at online chatting, I'm very skeptical when it comes to meeting strangers. However, i have met 2. Lucky for me that all my dating experiences on Tinder are quite nice and decent, and they somehow changed my point of view about Tinder, not completely opposite but more neutral. They brought positive aspects to me, of course there were some sad moments, but i think the good has outweighted the bad, and I truly feel thankful for all of them, they have taught me alot of things throughout our conversations. Coincidentally, both my dates are Asian - Americans, but each has a different story to tell. I wish I had more time to get to know them even more, it isn't love it's clear to see, but they have good friend materials

 And you know what this blog was born because of a guy I met recently on Tinder, He is the best experience of mine, maybe because I have the special feeling for him, we traveled together, hung out, etc.(But now he is gone, gosh! I still have him-withdrawal, it was so sad when he left, I still feel emotional whenever I think about it) he inspired me to do this, his desire to travel and his free-spirit enlightened me and gave me motivation to work hard for my dream.

How to do it safely?

The first thing is that you have to get to know the person, you are chatting with, so take time to get to know him through the chatting function on Tinder, DO NOT give away your number to everyone, because you may end up changing your number if you unfortunately meet a creep, always be selective and keep your eyes wide open. 

If he is nice and easy to talk to, you have to let your gut deciede. After giving him phone number or SNS account, let's start chatting! Be genuine, but not be easy, since you can't expect people to open up and nice to you if you don't do the same to them, treat people the way you want to be treated, no exception. Let's your charm works its magic. A good online conversation can be delivered to a good date.

Secondly, you should never ever expect anything further than just a simple date after a good first date, be classy ladies/ gentlemen. Let it be, otherwise you may scare the shit out of him/ her and lower your self-worth. 

Finally, high expectation only leads to disappointment, true story! Nobody is perfect, what you see on their profile pictures may be the best angel they can potrait, look for what inside is more important.

So, What is the main purpose of this post?

hmm, in a nutshell, Tinder or other dating apps are not bad thing. It's people who give them bad reputation I want to share my opinions and encourage young people who read this post to go out and meet a lot of people. Nevertheless, you have to use Meeting apps wisely to protect yourselves, create good memory and to make new friends. Don't limit yourselves in a box and wait for the special to come and find you and be adventurous your life because it's short and #Yolo.

And  If you are looking for love on a dating apps, don't be a shame of it, be proud that you choose a short cut instead of beating a round the bush, after all love is the only thing that matters. Who doesn't want to spend more time with their love one???????

Will you keep finding luck on Tinder?

I will, but

I dont think i will go on another date anytime soon because I'm emotionally exhausted, I'm sad but no regret, people come and go, memories stay, and if it means to be we will meet again. From now on, I will join more real life club and try to expand my social networking and work hard for my dream.

 What a long essay
I have to stop now, today is halloween, my friends are waiting for me. I may share my halloween experience in Saigon in my next post woohoo. ok Bye.

TURKISH DELI IN SAIGON

FOOD AGAIN..... 
Hi there, it's me, Trang again...
You might have already known that  I'm Vietnamese
And Vietnamese people love Bánh Mì ( A.k.a Baguette sandwiches) with a passion. However, it doesn't mean we don't welcome new things that are similar to Bánh Mì. In fact, we have alot of foreign food chains right here in Saigon that serve all kinds and forms of sandwiches. Therefore, today I want to share with my secret readers, if there are any, somethings not so conventionally Vietnamese, but has become very popular among Saigon-ers for years already, and It is Turkish Sandwiches - Doner Kebab.

So Trang, what is Doner Kebab? and Why do Viet people like Doner Kebab?
" Doner kebab is a popular Turkish fastfood made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, normally lamb but also a mixture of veal or beef with these, or sometimes chicken for healthy version. The sliced meat of a Doner kebab may be served wrapped in a flatbread such as lavash or Pita or as a sandwich instead of being served on a plate. Seasoned meat in the shape of an inverted cone is turned slowly against a vertical rotisserie, then sliced vertically into thin, crisp shavings. On the sandwich version, the meat is generally served with tomato, onion with sumac, pickle and chilli."- Cr. Wiki
And for the second question
People like it because... It's good, dud....
Hey! when it comes to food, good food always wins, hands down.
Besides, we also change some ingredients to make it fit with our taste. It's safe to say that we have our own version of Doner kebab. Not really authentic, but the quality is still on point.

What are the differences between the original and the Vietnamese version?
Good question
The first thing that is very easy to point out is the sandwich bread. Instead of using soft- shell bread like pita or Lavash, we make flat round baguettes. It might sound bias, but I think that this improvement helped elevating the dish, since it adds the contrast in texture, crispy outside complement well with the soft and flavorful filling inside.
And sometimes, we even serve Doner kebab inside normal baguettes.

Secondly, We skip some western elements. Preserved vegetables? Pickle cucumber? No, we don't like it. Not so many Vietnamese people like the mustard flavor of the western pickle, so we make a salad: fresh diced garbage, tomato slices, onions, cilantro and simple mayo dressing; and add into the bread along with the well marinated meat slices.
Thirdly, the meat,  I have tried the orginal version before in Vung Tau city, you may question :" how the hell did you know that your sandwich is original?" - It was served by a Turkish owner, I'm not an expert in regconizing  spices but i can tell the difference in taste.
 I think in the Vietnamese Doner kebab, they add chinese five spices powder, so somehow our version has a bolder flavor than the orginal. That makes sense, because we like food with strong and "slap in da face" flavor.:))))

How popular Doner Kebab in Saigon?
Very popular in terms of sandwiches, just after Bánh Mì, Of course, but you can easily find a Doner Kebab Vendor almost every corner in Saigon.

Which one do you think is better, the original or the Vietnamese ?
hmmm......
Sorry Turkish people, I prefer our version.... I'm so sorry, that's just my personal favorite. Yours is also good, but the Viet ver adjusts better to my taste.
I have to say " Thank You" for the Turkish for inventing this dish, You guys did it well. Eventhough, we might add some twists on it but we will always give it the respect it deserves.

Can you recommend us where to get good Doner kebab in Saigon?
Totally, My favorite spot:

Kebab Saigon:  Nguyễn Thượng Hiền, P. 5, Quận 3, TP. HCM

They have the best sandwiches I think
I have to get back to work now phewwww!!!!! what a long essay!!!
Hopefully, someone may find this post helpful. :'D
Bye!!!!

YOU HATE SAIGON? I HATE YOU

MY EVERYDAY ADDICTION

I GO GAGA FOR CAFE SỮA ĐÁ

Thanks to the amazing coffee a.k.a cafe this morning, my mind is flooding with a lot of ideas, It's gonna be a productive day (woohoo). 

I always want to share something special about #Saigon, my home #city, i kept looking for a good topic, then bamf, my friend suggested me :" why dont you write about cafe? since you love cafe so much". Yes, i do love cafe, I literarilly can't stay awake at work or at school w/o it.

But, Trang Addiction is never a good thing????

I know, but I usually only have one cup of coffee everyday. According to some studies, caffein helps people to reduce their unwanted fat. In fact, a lot of people have succeed using coffee to lose weight Having a small cup of coffee everyday will help people focus on their tasks at work place better. As long as people can control their addiction, coffee is a highly recommended daily drink

So Trang, What is the best way to enjoy a cup of #coffee? 

For me, I prefer the conventional way, the Vietnamese way - cafe phin. Vietnamese people drink coffee every day, it becomes a part of our culture. The way people make and enjoy their coffee is so elegant . I can proudly claim that we have our own Cafe- SWAG XDD. 

So Trang, What makes Vietnamese Coffee so special?

There are 3 things that make our coffee a highly appriciated product and lifestyle defined :
First, our coffeemaker: the V- shaped filter (phin). This tool allows the ground coffee bean to absorb the hot water and produce the shining black liquid. In order to enjoy a cup of coffee in Vietnamese style, a person has to be very patient because the coffee liquid will drop a little by little in their cups. And when Vietnamese people drink coffee, they will take it slow to taste the bitterness and the sweetness. You cannot be rush when it comes to Vietnamese coffee style. 

Another interesting thing is that for Vietnamese people coffee doesnt have a particular type, It's very diverse in flavor, and the flavor of coffee is decided by the roasting process. I will list some of them here : Robusta, Royal, Mocha, etc. 

Finally, Vietnamese people have their own taste of milk coffee, we like our coffee to be rich and intense, It maybe too much for foreigners, but if your heart is strong enough, you should definitely try. Some people like a cup of dark coffee, some like to put condensed milk to lighten and sweeten their coffee, and it's called cafe sua da ( My favorite)

Where can you get cafe??

well everywhere, every corner 
You can easily find a small vendor selling coffee or a take a way coffee shop anywhere in Saigon

A trend among Young Saigon-ers these day is "Cafe Bệt" ( Is a Vietnamese Slang for "sit down and enjoy coffee"). And the most common place to have Cafe bệt is near the Notre dame church, one of the most popular landscape of Saigon.
IF you wonder where you can get a high quality cup of coffee and see coffee art by your own eyes, I suggest :

Trung Nguyên Coffee
Phuc Long Coffee Tea and Coffee

P/s: Just realize that this post is getting too long, just my bla bla about cafe, but with my limited English, this is the best I can do to describe my insights about coffee. I don't expect ppl to read my post but if you do, I hope that you have a good time.

YOU HATE SAIGON? I HATE YOU

JUICY JUICE

Fresh Juice straight from the juicer

Lemme start this long ass essay with commercial style:

"Struggle looking for heathy lifestyle? well look no further, it's available here in Vietnam" 

Despite being considered living in an exotic place, low living condition, every true Saigon-ers always be proud that we are living with style, without spending a great amount of money.

Literally, we have everything here that people from developed countries only dream of. Can you believe that you can get 1 litter of organic juice, fresh made in front of your eyes for just  less than1$? It happens here in my home city, on Nguyen Thuong Hien street.

The owners of the juicer vendor are friends, a marriage couple, and their products, hundreds bottles of juice a day are sold like hot cakes. What a good business!

Every day they start working from 5 am and close at 11pm That's crazy !!!!!!! I wonder how can they work that much.

Once, I asked them about how their typical day was going, with no hesitation, they told me everything , even more than I expected:

A day starts at 5 am with purchasing hundreds kilo of various kinds of fruit. They have good fruit suppliers located in the south west of Vietnam and other places, but also in Vietnam.

 - We never ever use China's product, no preservative.- The husband pressed

Indeed, their fruit juice has something very special, naturally sweet, the fruits look ugly but carry so much flavor. My favorite is green apple juice and pomanranian juice. I notice that they add alittle bit of salt to help preventing their juice from Oxidation reaction, which leads to change the color of it. Also, the salt brings out the freshness and balance out the sweetness.*Yummm*

UMMMMM!!!!! one slurp of satisfation 

Everyday before work, i treat myself a bottle of apple juice," one apple everyday, stay away from the doctor" I see them load at least 5 apples to the juicer everytime, woohoo * happy dance* healthy baby!!! For a person who always has to watch his/her weight like me, this is paradise. Fruit juice can not only help slowing down aging process but also cleansing.*woohoo* 

 Ok, hic, I can't think of anything to write anymore, silly Trang, I keep re-reading my work, as expect incohenrent and medicore haha *Sigh*, but I will be better for sure, I'm learning and I won't stop.

It's 8:30 in the morning, time to get back to work. I have my juice bottle with me, ready to rock and rolls.

 Start with commercial style, end with commercial style: 

" So What are you waiting for, book your ticket and get your ass over here" ( Just kidding, you dont have to.... but seriously....) :P

 

You hate Saigon? I hate you

ABOUT THIS BLOG

About the person behind this blog:

Hi, I'm Trang, a 23 year old girl when i started writting this blog, but now only god know how old I'm. In addition, I'm a proud Saigon-er, I love my city with a passion, at the point that I even love both the good and the bad of it.

Before starting to bla bla bla about myself, I feel like clarifying some vague, I'm not good at writting so if there is any viewers out there reading this blog, please excuse my incoherent essay

And why do i want to start blogging??

I have always wanted to start a blog since I was in highschool, I'm the type of person who has alot of ideas in mind  but struggle with putting them down into words. Beside,  You know it requires a lot of encouragement, determination and other factors to start a blog, I was very busy with study back then,and  I also couldn't afford myself to accumulate gold materials for my blog the. However, now I finally graduated and have a stable  job, I can support myself and my hobbies financially. So, YOLO!!!!!!!!!!!!! :'D, my prime days are coming. Hopefully,this blog can last for a long time.

And about why do I write down in English

Well there are 2 things I love the most: learning foreign languages and travelling, I have been studying english for years using different methods but most of my teachers are from the Hollywood.

I want to improve my english especially writting skill throughout my blog. My english is better than average but not really influence. For me learning language is a process and you can't force yourself to be good at somethings in just a few days, it takes time and a lot of effort. Therefore, I always remind myself to keep a learning attitude and an open mindset to everything,  I learnt not just fancy and academic words I also learnt how to swear in english, lol, I promise I wont over use those vular words here in my blog but It's my F*cking blog, and I don't give a Sh*t (Jk)

About my travelling experience, frankly, it's still very humble but I'm only 23 year old, the world should better be prepared cause I'm coming like a hurricane, I will live my life to the fullest and I also want to share it to alot of people well if only this blog ever get popular, sounds ambitious but who knows.

What can you expect from my blog?

1. Food a alot of food, espcially Vietnamese food from the most mainstream to the most exotic and freaky
2. You can also find helpful information about  good places to get delicious food with a reasonable price in Saigon here.
3. My life stories and my experiences about my life, my personal perspective about everything.
4. My travelling tips for foriegners if you only have 24 hours to spend in Saigon
5. A lot of Bla bla bla 

OK Let's get it started