A quarter century later

A year ago, I took off for Vietnam, like Andrew Pham on his odyssey to the Motherland (in Catfish and Mandala), armed with only fuzzy memories of faces and places from my dreams.

This time, I was brought back on the same 23-hour flight -- but hopefully wiser, and definitely older.

The Company couldn't have given me a better birthday present than buying me a ticket to see my 88 year-old grandfather along with my uncle and cousins.

I miss you gramps. Wish I could be back for your 90th birthday!