DMTT Has Hope!

As you guys all know, DMTT has been having some problems lately--or at least some has been lead to believe is our current situation. However, on 03/28/09, an event was held at OLSH Church that may offer some hope for the future of DMTT. I remember back when I was helping anh Han teach Mai, Jimmy, Quynh, Thao, Josphep, and be Thuan, it litteraly felt like yesterday. As of Saturday, they have recieved their pink scarfs. For those who do not know, pink scrafs signifys the initives already taken (i.e training camps and at least 6 months of intensive involvement with Doan) towards the ultimate goal of gaining a red scraf. I recall when anh Han and I "attempted" group bonding and community building efforts during NS teaching leassons, in the belief that a strong circle of friends such as Mai+ Quyen will insure the support needed by each truong to take on the challenges of running a doan. Although this effort is not of complete failure, most of the "bonding" happened unexpectedly. The shooting of "Hon Vong Phu" music video starring Joshep and Mai created a unique bond between myself, anh Phuong, Hong, Mai, and Josphep. The second accident was the continueous rehersing of "Hon Vong Phu" the Bon Mang show. This accident, coupled with the music video shoot, yielded a special friendship between Joshep and Mai (although they may deny it). I recalled Jimmy was the funny NS, everyone liked him--although he does have a slight case of homophobia (I tested him). Because Thao came into our lives as a stranger, strangly she found a place and continue comming--a decision we greatly appreciate. To keep a long story short, Anh han and my efforts failed. What created these micro-bonds that held the NS group together was their continueous efforts to create things collectively--that Cong Trai that was Not, the bon Mang Show, the countless debates and sharing of personal stories, etc. Saturday marked these former NS rite of passage toward a life they have already been successfully doing--Working together, and continueous interaction with one another. It is without a doubt that this is true. That when we interact with one another, we experience things together. Images of this shared experience bonds us. Sure given some bonds are stronger then others, but in due time all bonds will strengthen and a pure community is formed.

If you guys recall, DMTT's super crew, aka "Du Truongs", aka "DMTT's Super Clique", were promoted today. Although life had snaged some away from us, those who remained made it! Red scarfs signifys a blood oath, to fight on and endure, to move forward and never quit, to give one's self for the cause. What cause? to better ones' self and the society he or she participates in, under the guidence of God of course. So, what is there to say about these individuals. Well, thats just it. They have become so much of "individuals" that the treat of "bond dessolving" is becoming a reality. With pressures of college, outside friends and family, etc, the bonds once formed is currently put to the test. Now that they have "grown old" they also "grown comfortable", Hai and Romy lam comfortable. This is either really bad or good, depending on how you look at it. i love Romy, thats a fact. But because I know she is stuck with me, I fight with her when I can where I can. The reason behind this behavior is that after every "fight" i get to know Romy a little more and Vice-Versa. When i don't like what I see, I bitch. When she doesn't like what she sees of me, she bitches. This is an on going battle, and we change and hopefully become better as result. That is if no one walks away from the fight and endure the strom until the rainbow forms. The difference between the "Du Truongs" and me and romy is that they are not stuck with one another. Just Kidding!!! You guys are stuck, so fight on and get along. Unless your anh Han and plan on flying to Miami, your stuck at OLSH! just like me and Romy are stuck in the same roof! I have no doubt in my mind the "Du Truongs" will return to their former glory--given time. Who knows, perhaps even expanding their roof so that the "NS's" and the "Old People" can live in too! The survival of DMTT depends on to very basic things: 1) Community based on shared experiences, 2) constructive fighting not bitching. The next few years will be extremly interesting, some already believe that by 2012 the world will end--will DMTT?.

Photos of These Wonderful Folks are available at our gallery, courtesy of Anh Phuong.
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