Hi, I’m Meani. And if you're wondering why you never see my face in the pictures—congrats, you’ve just met a hardcore introvert in her natural habitat.
(no sudden camera flashes, please!)
Now, I’d love to give you some deep, spiritual backstory about personal growth and soul-searching... but honestly, my life has been a full-blown soap opera since day one. A drama-packed rollercoaster with zero seatbelts. I won’t spill the tea here though. We’re saving the juicy bits for our podcast: THE SHEET SHOW (yes, that’s a pun, and yes, it’s gonna be messy). Stay tuned!
So, back to my life story.
Born and raised in the chaos of Hanoi in 1996. Awesome food. Great stories. Ridiculously fast-paced development. Questionable air quality... But even as a kid, I felt like a Wi-Fi signal in a forest - technically present, but not really connecting. Like I was living in someone else’s script.
Didn’t hate it - it just wasn’t me.
While everyone else was climbing the traditional ladder, I was off to the side asking, “But why tho?”... (Spoiler: I still don’t have an answer.)
So instead of following the “get good grades, study abroad” dream, I was already mentally packing my bags.
At almost 20, freshly single and in my second year of uni, I randomly booked a trip to Sài Gòn (SG/HCMC), just me, myself, and my questionable decisions. No plan, no backup, just pure main-character energy.
And BAM!- love at first sight.
The city had that zing.
It felt like stepping into a parallel universe where everything suddenly clicked .
Everything about the city lit me up.
The chaos? Somehow more colorful.
The street food? Somehow even better.
The people? Very chill, insanely friendly. Not in a fake way—like, genuinely nice.
And, best of all: they weren't not nosy. As someone who hates being the center of attention, that was everything.
In Hanoi, dating a foreigner made me feel like a walking headline.
People stared. Whispered. Gossiped. You could feel the judgment through the air.
But in Saigon? Nobody cared. Like actually didn’t care. You could walk a flamingo down the street holding hands with a Martian, and people would still be like, “Cool, but where’d you get that coffee?” 🤣
That freedom - of just existing without being a spectacle - was everything. . Iced coffee in one hand, peace in the other. Saigon let me do that. No questions, no stares, no drama. Just me, living.
Plus, the Saigonese accents? Freakin’ adorable. That soft, sweet, sing-songy Southern Vietnamese lilt made everything sound cuter—even complaints. I was obsessed.
It was like the whole place was loud but warm, fast-paced but weirdly freeing. I felt more seen in one day there than I had in years back home.
I didn’t just like Saigon. I felt like it was the city version of my personality: chaotic, warm, full of flavor, and impossible to explain to your relatives.
Yeah, I was hooked. So right there and then, I made a plan: graduate, move to SG, build a life that felt like me, and then maybe think about dating after 25. I had a solid plan... Sounds cute, right? I'd say rather innocent.
Because there came the plot twist.
HE happened.
A.k.a. Chiếc Tây Valentin
A.k.a. my now-husband
A.k.a. the guy who completely derailed my master plan in the most adorable way. He was the human detour I never knew I needed.
We got married when I was 22.
All my friends were SHOOK! Like, literally “Wait- WHAT?! WHY?!” reactions. With my wild, free-spirited, always-chasing-something personality, everyone thought I’d be the last one to settle down - if ever.
But what can I say?... When it’s right, it’s right.
Too early? Maybe.
Best decision of my life? 10000%.
Zero regrets—just daily laughter, passport stamps, and a few barking carry-ons.
Sure, I might’ve been the first one to tie the knot, but let’s be real: I’ll definitely be the last one to have kids. And to be honest, that checks out.
Anyway - flash foward.
Graduated from National Economics University in June 2019 (yes, the fancy one), dipped to Saigon in September, lived my best life… until I decided life was too short to be comfortable (of course I did - I'm all about changes. CAN'T STAY PUT. Yup, that's me!). So I convinced my husband to pack up and move with me to Đà Nẵng. Totally randomly impulsive move. Looked cute on paper—felt meh in real life. He loved it. I didn’t. I missed Saigon like it owed me money. Desperately wanted to move back.
But hey—no take-backs in life. So, naturally, at 29, I did what any reasonable woman with six dogs, two cats, (yup, you read that right!) and a husband would do: I moved to Romania. (my husband is used to it by now haha. Not as if he had had a choice anyway LOL). Yup, across the world. Packed up our stuff, booked the flights, smuggled (legally) eight living, breathing furballs on the plane, and just... left.
International flight.
Layovers.
Jet lag.
Dog pee in airport pet toilet.
A legend was born.
(Shoutout to Turkish Airlines for not kicking us out.)
So now, here we are - in Romania.
What's next?
Step one: survive.
Step two: take over Europe.
Step three: global domination - with a side of soup (Yes. Soup. I’m obsessed!)
I’m so excited to share our adventures, mishaps, lessons, and laughs with you.
Thanks for being here.
You're officially part of the chaotic circus now.
Buckle up. It only gets weirder from here!
Tiếng Việt 
English