Tag Archive for vietnam

Saigon Fashionistas

November 11, 2010 Traveling No comments

My trip to Vietnam had much more than food and adventure–let’s talk about FaShioN. Not only did I learn of some adorable designers that are making strides with style, but I also discovered local pros who know what to look for when it comes to trend. Now mind u, it’s not that I have doubt with the talents in Vietnam, it’s just that 5 years ago when I took my last trip- there was zilch to be seen when it came to the scene. Everyone was still sporting pajamas to the stores (love ya FOBS), and there was plenty of “Nada”, not “Prada”. Fast fwd 2010, Saigon’s scored a Louis Vuitton store, and shop owners like

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Just another Wednesday…and update for YOU to “Take” from the Prayer Box

February 11, 2010 Pray It Forward 7 comments


I jumped out of bed today hoping it wasn’t raining. I have so much to do! Plan for my mission trip to Vietnam, (YES! I’m leaving in 3 weeks! More deets to come!), I have to renew my driver’s license (I’m soooo scared I’m gonna hafta take rewritten test. I’m gonna hafta bust a Sarah Palin, and I have all these things to send out in preparation for Chinese New Year. (What happened to the days I used to sit back and collect MY red envelopes of cash??)

Anyway, so of course to get my head on straight I had to hike out my thoughts, and head to my prayer box with specific prayers to pass on (thank you everyone for sending your requests thru!! Keep em comin, I’ll keep you covered. Email to JMail@IheartJeannieMai.com) Watch my video below to share how exciting it is when I make it to the top.

UPDATE: Because the tradition to my Pray it Forward is to “Give a prayer, take a prayer”, I want to enable those of you sending me prayers to be able to take one as well. If you send me your prayer request and a stamped self-addressed envelope to me at the following address, I will get your prayers to the box along with draw one out to have sent back to you.
Address:
Jeannie Mai c/o Steven Grossman
8383 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1050
Bev Hills, CA 90211

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A special message from Heartbeat Vietnam to YOU for spreading the word!

October 25, 2009 Mai News No comments

Facebook friends, this message was emailed to me within 2 days of my video posting from Mimi Vu, my passionate contact from HBVN. I had to share this with you all because YOU are what’s getting us closer and closer to winning this 100k.

Please read, and click here to jump in and donate. Remember, it doesn’t matter how much, just that you take part every day you can until November 6th, when the contest ends. Thank you everybody…it’s hard to believe we’re saving lives thru one click.

Thank you so much for promoting HBVN on your site and offering the dinner/makeover as a prize! You are so generous! I wondered what was going on when I woke up this morning and saw that a bunch of people had joined and donated overnight.  I watched your video and it made me tear up to feel your passion and love for these kids even though you’re far away. We still have a lot of work to do, but your generosity, enthusiasm, and support has made it easier :) Would it be ok with you if I posted your video on the HBVN cause page and on our website?

We just had one of the most emotionally exhausting weeks here at HBVN. Dr. Erle Austin, a world-famous heart surgeon from Kentucky, volunteered his time and came to Saigon for about a week to do some complicated heart operations that the Vietnamese surgeons weren’t able to do, as well as conduct some medical trainings. It was wonderful to have him here, especially for the surgeries, but the down side was that he was only here for a week. He only had enough time and equipment/medicines to do three of the operations. That in itself was amazing as three of the poorest and cutest kids you will ever come across got a second chance at life. But we also had to tell six other families with complicated heart cases that their children couldn’t receive surgery, that we tried as hard as we could but we just couldn’t save their children. It was heartbreaking and devastating, knowing that these kids would die because we just weren’t able to help them. A completely depressing experience that I hope I never, ever have to repeat. It’s times like these that are difficult in my line of work, because you feel completely helpless. But watching your video and getting those donations from your friends was so uplifting. The support from complete strangers who have no connection to Vietnam and who are giving because of the kindness in their hearts (ok and maybe to get a chance at a makeover from you ;) is so inspiring. It totally buoyed me and strengthened my resolve to keep trudging along, because if we all work together like this, the day will come soon that we never have to tell a parent that his or her kid is going to die needlessly.
Thank you so much for all of your support–you and your friends are beyond awesome!

Love Mimi Vu

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