I have mixed emotions as I pack to go the United States early tomorrow morning (Nov. 15). I can't wait to see my children and the few people in the U.S. who let me say they're my "friends." I also need a break from the heat here, from our visa drama, and I really need some time away from work to recharge my battery. My schedule isn't heavy, but I do have classes six days a week. The most significant time off I've had this past year is from two rough motorbike accidents, gallbladder surgery, and the birth of my fifth child, the beautiful Joanna Pham Millman. I didn't even take any real time off to celebrate Phuong's divorce and our wedding (in that order). I took a week off when my son Alec came to visit, but that's pretty much it in terms of free time. And don't forget, I'm a 61-year-old White Monkey with a four-month baby and beautiful wife who has endless energy. Guess it could be worse, but my wife and baby are the reason for my conundrum. I don't want to leave them. Joanna actually recognizes me now -- she always smiles at me first thing in the morning when she sees my ugly pug. I'm usually a gummy bear (our term for a grump) in the morning, but Joanna and Phuong have me loving life in the morning. It helps that I rarely drink, quit smoking, and don't work stupid late like I did in the newspaper business. So my family in Vietnam is one big reason I have mixed emotions about traveling. The other is the elephant in the room that is president-elect Donald Trump. It took me two days for me to get over his victory, and really, I'm not sure I'll fully recover until he's out of office. But I'm an eternal optimist, so I'll hope for the best, which means I'll hope the guy gets a clue and some class along the way. I've got a Vietnamese wife, and things are tough enough for our family when it comes to immigration and visas. I can't see that improving in the short term. So I'm leaving my beloved wife and newborn to take care of business in a country where anger, frustration and race fueled the election of a "businessman" with questionable qualifications and even more questionable character. But I'll tell you what: I'll grab Trump's you-know-what (small hand) and kiss him on the lips if he gets Phuong a visa to legally enter the United States so we can raise our daughter there, enroll our daughter in American schools, and sign our family up for Obamacare. I think Obama is a great president. Whether you agree or not, I have to believe you know he'll be missed, especially now.
But these issues won't detract from the fact I'll see my children and friends, I'll visit with my lawyer and eye doctor, I'll eat pizza, subs, barbecued beef and pork, and coffee ice cream. I'll drink Yoo-Hoo, the delicious chocolate energy drink that I've enjoyed since I was 4 years old. The only way it gets any better than this is to have my wife and daughter with me. Maybe one day.
* Joanna got her social security card today, making her an even more official American citizen. I wonder if she'll have to pay taxes. Hell, the president-elect doesn't pay taxes any more (or at least I don't think he does), so why should she.
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