so cool
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
11/27 Bordello
Pretty convinced that we live next to a brothel - very discrete brothel seeing as Sacha and I have just now figured it out.
11/26 Thanks What?
Didn't really even know it was Thanksgiving yesterday;(. But am still oh so grateful for everything - my incredible family, friends, India, Vietnam ... and the future!
11/25 Professional Developement ...
... I really need it;). Had my first workshop today and realized how badly I need more.
11/24 Vietnamese Car Seats
Normally little ones either sit between their parents on a motorbike or have a little wicker higher chair that fits in front of them. But sometimes you see this:
11/23 Friendly Negotiations
Learned from a Chinese Friend the art of friendly bargaining. Shopped the entire afternoon at Ben Than Market and instead of getting upset and frustrated, had a few laughs and may have even gotten a few good deals. My strategy was all smiles, kindness and "lucky numbers". My lucky number always being half the starting price of course;).
Monday, November 29, 2010
11/22 Home Cooking
What kind of food do I miss? The first thing I think of is my Mom's Stroganoff. Second, organic anything and everything - Whole Foods, Watercourse, Root Down oh my. Third, cheese. Good stinky cheese. Fourth, good wine ... oops thats not food .... or is it?;)
11/21 Facebook Saves the Day
Had it not been for Facebook, I wouldn't have known that my Grandmother had bipass surgery. I am not very close to my Dad's family. Regardless, just crazy that almost all my info came from my granduncle through the book. I did get to talk to her via more conventional means. She is strong, but scared. I love you Grandma and think of you everyday. Today, I'm grateful for Facebook.
11/20 The Real Teachers Day
More flowers, cards, money, gifts, wine etc... but the best was a large crystal hand holding a crystal ball. By the looks of it, my students think I am a poor wino who needs some fortune telling;). Very grateful and quite touched by all the love. What a great holiday!
11/19 Teachers Day with the Teachers
Teachers Day Party. Tug o War in a monsoon (I won $1.5!). Singing Happy Birthday just to get everybody "in the mood". Handwriting contests-very prestigious. Gifts of money,whiskey, and bouquets of flowers all loaded onto my motorbike. Huge multi-course meal shared on small tables and tiny chairs. At one point, the teacher sitting next to me took my hands and delicately cleaned them with limes. And of course Karaoke. Fabulous evening!
11/18 Teachers Day Begins
Teachers Day - one of the top five holidays in Vietnam. I was given some beautiful little green bags, a date book, a pen and fabric for an ao dia. My students sang beautiful songs in Vietnamese - almost brought me to tears;).
11/17 This time last year
This time last year, I was getting ready for the arrival of family and friends. I was getting more and more anxious about my 60 lb backpack. I was getting more and more excited about India. Who would have known that a year and almost 400 posts later, I'd be in Vietnam getting more and more anxious about my 60 lb suitcase and more and more excited about going to the U.S. for a vacation. Wild;).
11/16 Understanding
Talking with Sacha, I just realized how strange it is going to be to understand everyone;).
11/14 Singapore
More and more I'm intrigued by Singapore. A progressive and sustainable city/country. The Vietnamese seem to love it - that and Korea. A must see in 2011 - the latter probably not till 2012.
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