Well, aren’t most reasons in any love story as follows: someone moved away, someone lying, someone cheating, or someone had changed. In my case, all of those things unfortunately happened.
For others it may be fast but it was a slow painful ending for us and at the end we used to argue a lot; she became extremely cold and easy to get mad with me. After the breakup I was so hurt and depressed for a couple of years that I could kill myself. The Oregon snow was not wonderful and magical anymore and the long winter suddenly became freezingly cold for me. After work, it became extremely lonely for me because I have nothing to do in this small town. I usually had dinners with some Vietnamese friend families; then went to my empty home.; forcing myself to sleep meanwhile Ngoclan music (Khuc Thuy Du) was playing all night long.
One winter night, I wandered in the Serrano park that we used to hang around and thought about committing suicide . If I lay down under a cedar tree with the falling snow and slowly die under the frozen snow. Tomorrow, when she read on the newspaper about my death; probably she then would understand what kind of pain she had caused to me. “Khien nguoi ten Duyen dau kho muon nien”. Fortunately, being an engineer, logics is always stronger than emotions. I did not want creating my aging parents any more misery in their lives.
When I heard about Ngoclan’s illness, it in fact provided me an opportunity to worry about something else. I gave up this insane and stupid idea of hurting myself for revenge and planned to go to Orange County in hope to see her perfoming in person for the first time. So after a few years full of nightmares, I quit my high-paying job, sold my home, left the snowy area of Portland Oregon, and headed to warmer and more crowded Orange County for a new environment, a new job, and a new life.
By the time I moved to Orange County, it was too late; NgocLan had passed away for a few months, another failure in my life. My parents however were delighted with my sudden change of mind. They tried to find a wife for me, their only son. I was hoping I would find someone else in Orange County and start my new life. By the way, this Little Saigon area is packed of Vietnameses, especially during the weekend. But you will never find another voice as beautiful as NgocLan, with the same feelings and emotions in presentation as NgocLan; I cannot find another person like my ex.
Since then, I had taken a couple of trips back to Portland alone, just to walk in the same town that she lives, inhale the same cold air that she breathes, and wonders what has happened to her life, or just to stand on the Oregon bridge and shout out loud to the running river below that I love her and I miss her so much.
Even though I did have someone new eventually, my better half does not have a special interest in NgocLan. I slowly discover, even though a small numbers of Vietnamese people that I know living in Orange County are richer, they seem to be more stuck-up, distant, insanely competitive, and obsessively materialistic. It is not the same friendly atmosphere as a small serene community at Portland. (Sincerely apologize to Thao, just my observation with very limited people in Orange County that I met which is not correct at all).
Fast forward a few years flying by without any special events. I was so glad when I accidentally found ilovengoclan.com. However I do not foresee that listening to the music has also brought back to me a bittersweet memory that I desperately want to bury. Wish to erase the song “em mo ve anh” from my mind. So my worst problem is that I cannot let go of the past, my worst enemy. My ex seems to adjust much better than me. Sometimes the music seems more and more unbearable because it reminds me strongly about my ex and the time we are so young, so innocent, and deep in love. Probably that is the best time of my life.
So now during party or dinner time with my family, I carried a pain inside but could not talk. Always a smile to hide a sorrow, as if wearing a mask.
Thank you for your welcome and sincere friendship. Some had e-mailed and others commented with good advises, simple but effective. I appreciate so much of the wonderful dedicated web site for Ngoc Lan. You guys should be very proud. I guess that most of you probably are younger than me, energetic youth with a wonderful heart. I respect and envy you for what you do and live: Helping others. You are awesome!
I had visited NgocLan final resting place many times and will stop by NgocLan’s grave this Christmas and buy her a rose. Yes, to cry for the loss of an exceptional talent as well as the death of my first love.
Living in the West, our lives are so busy, overwhelmed like a small boat tumbling up and down under a tropical storm, each of us may go on different way in life, you may not hear from me anymore. Today, it is sunny and a little cold in the morning in Orange County. Winter is coming but it never snows in Orange County. I wonder what happens at Portland. At this time I am mentally much better but the pain is there when I hear NgocLan’s wonderful music with the greatest-ever voice.
Welcome Paul to our community, a commnunity utterly devoted to preserving Ngoc Lan’s voice for the now and later. Thank you for writing from the heart. I must tell you I got curious because I am an Oregonian myself. And your story somehow reminds me of an equally touching story by Nhat Nhi of Arizona (maybe he lives in Southern CA now too, I’m not sure).
I do share what you said about Orange County (my apologies too, Thao). I lived there off and on, having an aunt who has lived in Santa Ana since 1977, but I never really liked it much. Too crowded, too materialistic, and too chaotic.
But enough bashing Orange County… I just want to extend our warmest welcome to you.
Ngoc
P.S. It did snow once last week, but this year it mainly rains (and rains… and rains). But up on the mountains (the Cascades and Mt Hood) there are loads of snow that make things treacherous–you’ve probably heard of recent tragedies (just thought I would update you of our weather).
Paul,
Câu chuyện của bạn rất cảm động! Mình chưa được may mắn có được người tình nào giống như NgocLan, nên chưa phải trải qua những ám ảnh và đau khổ như bạn đã trải qua . Nhưng giống như bạn Ngọc nói, mình cũng có một người bạn đã có một người tình giống như NL, rồi họ không trọn vẹn, và đến bây giờ anh ta vẫn còn đơn độc và mãi mang niềm thương nhớ! “Tình chỉ đẹp khi còn dang dở …”
Bạn nên giành tình cảm của mình cho những gì đang có hiện tại, cho những người thân chung quanh, và làm những việc thiện nguyện, đó sẽ giúp cuộc đời bạn nhiều ý nghĩa hơn là cứ phải mải mê nghĩ về quá khứ…
Còn nói về Orange County, thì không phải không có những gia đình đàng hòang, nhưng cũng có rất nhiều dân kém học thức đi vượt biên ngày xưa, bây giờ có chút tiền thì lại đua đòi với nhau. Còn nói về nhà hàng Việt Nam, thì không chỉ ở Orange County, mà TVH đi nhiều nơi, thấy tệ nhất là cách phục vụ khách, ăn một lần dù có ngon cũng không có muốn trở lại ăn, hoặc là lầu sau mua to-go rồi về nhà ăn…
Chúc bạn tìm được niềm vui trong mùa lễ Giáng Sinh và năm mới sắp đến …
TVH
I love your style of writing. I can just picture you two together playing in the park, running around at the beach, going out to cozy restaurants, having a good time, and I feel your pain. I hope you come again and often because we’re like family here.
Right everyone?
You want snow? You ought to come here to Ohio!
How sweet & romantic your story and the way you wrote. Thank for your writing, it gives me much of feeling. I learnt from your writing some sample phrases.
The hurt will be dim day by day. The fact will give us more strength and logic thought. We will think more about our family and its members who are the nearest ones to us. We will think about our duty to them. And we will plan our future, job & our own family, in the autual way.
You are, I think, a full-of-emotion man, I hope you will find out & will care your own family in the warm way.
I wish you, vietnamese guy who still keep vietnamese sence, who would love Ngoc Lan singer’s voice as me & others here, good luck & successfull !!
Merry Christmas & New Year !!
Thank everybody for reading my story. Manhhiep, your web site is truly wonderful. I have visited many times.
To Ngoclan’s fans,
Have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year. Smile and laugh a lot. And happiness in every steps of your life.
Always a warm thought from Orange County.
Dear anh Paul,
Your touching story make me cry… I like the way you express yourself. I am sure there are other Vietnamese guy who are living in the west or VN may have same sort of pain but hardly for them to write them out. I found that speak/write out your sentiment will help to fade out the sadness.
Wishing you all the best for the future
Happy New Year every one
HT