"No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path."
Introducing
What is your name?:
Joshua Lambert Phan
What do people call you, though?:
Josh, Bao (Vietnamese name meaning: Precious)
How old are you?:
18 years old
Where were you born?:
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, South East Asia
Are you a male or female?:
Male
Reasons
"I have traveled to a few places and well, it's exciting and I learnt a lot from it. So, when I saw this, I thought... Well, this is a great chance for me to travel. Plus, I get to meet new people and have new experience. Also, I want to show my parents that I have grown up now. That I can take care of myself. I don't want to be cuddled by them anymore. I'm 18, not 8. I love them and all but... They just simply spoil me too much. I don't want that. I want to make my own destiny and become my own person. Travelling makes that. I am myself when I travel."
What are your opinions on travelling?:
"Traveling, huh? Well, in my opinion, traveling is a great fun. It helps expand our knowledge, it gives us a whole new way to view the world. I have traveled to several different countries and I have to say, I am very intrigued by their cultures and histories as well as their cuisines and the people in general. Also, as an American - Vietnamese, I know the big differences in my parents' views on cultures and religions and such. That's why I want to travel more. So I can see more and know more. It'll also help me see the bad and good parts of the countries. So... Why not? Travelling forms a young man, right?"
Do you have any illnesses that could affect you while travelling?:
"As far as I know, I don't have any sicknesses that could affect my traveling. I am allergic to dairy products though... So perhaps the eating can be a bit tricky. And every first day and the fifteenth day of the Lunar Calendar of a month, I will not eat meat. It is a tradition in Vietnam. Most Vienamese buddists do it. So I get that from my Father's side, I suppose."
What is the 'best' place you have traveled to so far?:
"I have only traveled to a few places in the world. Like Thailand for example, have to say, it is a great country. I have also visited most places in my Father's country and Vietnam is quite the interesting country to say the least. "
Little Things
What do you like?:
"I like a lot of things. I enjoy reading and understand people's philosophy. I want to witness the good and the bad of this world and I want to find balance in myself. I love silence as it gives me time to think. And I adore animals, simply because well... They are innocent and cute. I also adore travelling to many parts of the world. When I have free time, I brush up on my writing skills as well. Well, I'm a man with many hobbies and preference."
What do you dislike?:
"Noises. Definitely loud noises. It makes me lose my focus and I feel dizzy when I have to hear too many people talking at once. I also dislike people who talks bad about others' religions, beliefs and sexual orientations. I mean, well, people have their own beliefs and it's wrong to force people think one way or another, right? What if people force you to think like that? Would you like it? No? Then don't force other people. I also hate eating anything that is not cooked yet. Like sushi... I can't eat that. Taste really bad in my opinions. No offence or anything."
Do you have any hobbies?:
"Everyone has a hobby at the very least. I'm like them. I have my own hobby. I enjoy travelling and writing journals. I also like to take photos of the places I have visited. I like gardening, too. But I'm not so much of a good cook, I'm afraid. Um... Sometimes, like really rare time, I want to run away to a hidden place and give me some quiet time of my own. Yeah, that's about it."
Do you have any phobias or fears?:
"I have always feared being forgotten. You know, like people go and completely forget that I exist. And I also fear my loved ones dying. I hate being alone."
About You
What are you like as a person?:
"I am as a person? Well, I suppose I take the Buddha's teaching quite seriously. I don't like to hold grudges because grudges are the first step to wars. I enjoy taking it slow and
Give me a brief history of yourself.:
Also a paragraph, although I'd prefer more.
Tell me about your family.:
Other: "I can speak both Vietnamese and English fluently. I am also learning how to speak French but I'm just a beginner I'm afraid. I also am the first year student of Florida International University and I come to visit my home country Vietnam every year at the Lunar New Year event and celebrate it with my father's side of the family."
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