Vancouver: Urban Community Gardening

It has been a long-standing dream of mine to have a veggie garden, but I've never lived in a place where that was possible.

When we moved into our currently apartment last July, I immediately put my name on the wait-list for a community garden plot. Two weeks ago, I got the call that a 4 ft by 4 ft plot would be available to us.

I quickly paid the $21 registration fee and went to visit our plot which is directly across the street from our apartment. I pulled out the handful of weeds and thought about what to grow.

Dzung and I went to a garden shop and purchased some nice compost top soil and several plants: cherry tomatoes, cucumber, sweet peas, mint, cilantro, basil, green onion, red onion, kale, beets, and some pretty flowers. We decided to buy seedlings since neither of us had any experience with gardening.

Everyday since then, we go and visit our little plot. This little 4 by 4 plot of land has been such a great source of mindfulness and slowing down. At the end of a hectic day, I go and sit by my little garden for 5 minutes, saying hello to the plants that are there. That 5 minutes brings me such joy.

Our garden looks more lush and full than the picture above which was taken just two weeks ago. I will post more pictures as the growing season continues.

Making Whimsy

The life of a married couple is made up of lots of everyday things, like chores around the apartment, grocery shopping, paying bills, making dinner, and other life stuff. But amongst all that humdrum, Dzung and I try for lots of whimsy and laughter.

As we were walking down the street one day, I saw the biggest dandelion I had ever seen. Of course Dzung just so happened to have his camera on him. We then spent the next 20 minutes having an impromptu photo shoot.  Life can be magical when we open our hearts to unexpected joys together.

I scouted this awesome yellow background for these first shots.

Look how big that dandelion is!

Best getting ready to blow dandelion face ever.

A Vancouver Whitecaps Game

So lucky! Our lovely friends shared their season tickets to a Whitecaps game that they couldn't attend. I love live sporting events, especially the energy of the fans. Dzung loves soccer, so he was super pumped.

We pigged out on over-priced junk food and pop. The food was gross but hit the spot. The seats were great. We sat amongst the Southsiders, who are crazy enthusiastic fans that cheered and sang throughout the game.

In the end Vancouver tied 2 all with Dallas.

The Dallas team "dived" many times throughout the game. The Vancouver fans were very vocal and visual in showing their disapproval. 

A Long Weekend: Vancouver

I'm thankful for the long weekend that is Easter. Dzung and I both had Good Friday and then the Easter Monday off. Not enough time to get away anywhere but just in enough time to catch our breath. We spent most of it out of doors because the weather was so nice, here are some pictures:

Dragon boat practice!

Although it was clear skies and the sun was out, it was still very cold to this Californian.

Dim sum is sad with just two people, we can't order as much food.

I Stormed the Wall at University of British Columbia

Beginner's mind is a Buddhist practice where you approach things as if it is your first time encountering it, like the first time a baby sees anything in its life, with wonderment and fascination. With beginner's mind, you have no preconceived notions and you try your best to drop any judgements you might have about a person, object, or event.

My past two and half years living in Vancouver has been a big practice of beginner's mind. At times (actually most of the time) I have completely failed and I caused myself and those around me (Dzung) much suffering because I can't let go of how I think things should be in my life or where I should be in my career.

This past Tuesday, with the help of my amazing cohort members, I was able to practice beginner's mind.

The University of British Columbia has this annual racing event called Storm the Wall. The gest of the event is teams of 5 have a relay race of swimming, sprinting, biking, long distance run, and then everyone helps each other over this 12 ft wall.

Normally, I would never participate in something like this, but my cohort is full of fun people who make it a point to organize group events. So, I decided what the heck, sure I'll swim or bike, things I do normally, no big deal.

But two days leading up to the event, we walked over to the wall and I could feel my stomach drop. I don't like heights and I also have this preconceived notion of myself as non-athletic. So many times in the next 48 hours, I thought to myself, what can I do to get out of this because I'm going to suck. I noticed my self talk as it spiraled into doubt, fear, and lots of negativity.

Aware of these thoughts, I used my mindfulness practice to just be with my fear. I checked the negative self talk by reminding myself that I actually swim 3-4 times a week and walk almost everywhere. I also thought about how as an educator, I'm constantly asking young people to try new things and take risk, but could I do the same?

The race was amazing and so much fun. I was scared and the fear and doubts were definitely there that morning, but I didn't let them be me. I chose instead to approach the race with a beginner's mind. I saw getting over that wall as something new and challenging.

I did the swimming part of the relay. I'll post pictures once my friend sends them over.

My teammates helping me scale the wall. Yes that's me rocking the sunflower pants again!

Me making it over the wall.

Our team celebrating!

Most of the people in my cohort. The folks in funky clothing just did the race.

- Text by Ly, Photos courtesy of cohort members

A Weekend with Family and Toph the Dog: Los Angeles

We celebrated Lunar New Year in Los Angeles with my family. I was so happy to meet my new cousin and niece. It was lovely to spend quality time with my family. I really miss them.

Most of the gang at grandma's house.

My immediate family with my brother, his lovely wife, and their three kids.

Jenny and Adri have matching bangs.

We spent most of the weekend playing Legos.

I look like this now...

..but in 22 years I will look like this woman.

How cute is Toph the dog!

- text by Ly, photos by Dzung, Ly, and Jenny

Petaluma: Training in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Gratitude

Hope

Connectedness

these three words
express my experience with
the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Teacher Training
which is a very skillful application
of mindfulness for preventing relapse of chronic depression in adults

the five-day training was an interesting hybrid
of a meditation retreat
and professional training workshop
i was fascinated to watch my mind going back and forth
between "just being"
enjoying the breathtaking natural environment
walking, eating, and sitting mindfully
being fully in each breath
and "doing"
watching my analyzing, planning, comparing and judging mind at work

breathing in, i am aware of my thinking
breathing out, i smile ...

how lucky i am
to be able to consider this experience
part of my "work"
more and more, as my work comes from the heart
the line between my profession and my bodhisattva path
begins to dissolve...

the faculty
(zindel segal, sarah bowen, and steve hickman)
brought tremendous warmth, gentleness
and clarity of vision
in teaching and embodying the training
the students brought a depth and diversity
of practice and experience
and a bright curiosity

it gives me great hope
to see these practices
skillfully adapted and offered to the world

it gives me great humility
to be a part of this growing "professional sangha"

MBCT Teacher Training, Petaluma, Class of 2013

i bow deeply to all of you


- text & photos by dzung

(see more photos on my flickr set)