Time is Water

We were told in Vietnam that time is like water, there is always more of it. It is hard to get use to not being prompt and right on time all the time. I still show up early and I’m all alone. I’m still struggling with the weather. All the ladies are wearing capris and shirts and don’t seem to be bothered by the weather but I’m in my shorts and tshirts and dying. Everyone seems to have lots of cute “teacher” clothes that are really cute and classy. I feel like a tomboy, but then I remember I am a tomboy and even back home I am not as dressed up as everyone else. One teacher who has been here for a few years said that we should all live the life we are meant to live and I really think that is true. I am trying to not worry about my “normal” clothes and just be me. I am the girl that would rather be in sweats and wears shorts and tshirts for work. I’m the phy ed teacher.

Today we went to a young international women’s networking group in the city. I met women from New Zealand, Australia, Finland, and Germany. They were really nice and I hope I can go again to this gathering. After was the International Ladies in Vietnam weekly get together. They were really awesome and a great group to be a part of, I think I will join just for the networking and connections I could make. I met women from all over the place and the group has an evening meeting for the teachers that are here.

After we went to a restaurant called Nam Son, it was kind of scary walking into. It is the type of place that you don’t use the bathroom and you sit on stools at a table. It isn’t the cleanest place but they specialize in ostrich and beefsteak. I had beefsteak and an egg sunny side up (how they do it in Vietnam). It was really good, I’m glad I broke out of my shell a bit and tried something new. Last night I even had a mushroom, and for the record, I still HATE them!!!

Things are going well, but I get real tired around 7-8pm. But all the other teachers are really awesome and I am enjoying getting to know them. Last night we had dinner at Mary’s apartment, it has an amazing view and the decorations look great. One thing I have learned is that all of the teachers like to drink. We will sit and have a glass of wine or beer (errr cocktail for me). Well time to wake up and get moving!!!

AC is my savior!!

The view from my apartment!!!!

Apparently it is unusually cool for the summer right now and I'm dying in this heat. It is like going from a nice cool comfortable room to the beach, yet you aren't at the beach. But I'm getting use to it, I hope or think.

My apartment is amazing, the view of the city is incredible and just unreal to think this is what I will be looking out at for the next year or two years. Still haven't really unpacked. I'm living in the one of the smaller rooms for the first half of the year, but I get to use the other room as well until we have guests. Sophie is in the master bedroom which is huge and awesome. I will hopefully take some more pictures and post them soon. But we have orientation from 7:30 to 3:30 everyday and at night I die. We are going on friday to get stuff for the apartment. Yesterday we went to a place that is kind of like sam's club and I bought a few things for my room and bathroom but we need to get more stuff. Unfortunately we have to pay first and then get reimbursed by the school later but things are pretty cheap here. You can get mixed drinks for about 3-4 bucks and beers for 2 bucks. All of the teachers and the head of our school went to dinner at this Viet bbq and we ordered tons of apps, food, and drinks and it was only $160 for 16 people, $10 each. I had an app, a smoothie, bottled water, glass of wine, and a combo plate of bbq. It was amazingly delicious. It kind of reminded me of melting pot but you had a grill in front of you.

I am still nervous about washing my clothes because they don't have dryers here and it is so humid I bet it will take forever to dry clothes. I can't find a drying rack yet but hopefully on friday when we do more apt shopping. House help is really cheap here though. I had a maid come through our apartment before we moved in to clean the floors, counters, wipe down everything, she did an awesome job and it cost $8. I can totally afford that once a week! Well time to go unpack some stuff before dinner at the head of the school's apartment.

Good Morning Vietnam

Hey guys,

I'm starting this back up again to tell you about my adventure in Vietnam. I arrived at 10pm saturday and had to change my watch to 10am sunday morning. It was 90 when i got here with high, high humidity. The flights over weren't too bad. The first flight was tough because I was still a little emotional from saying good bye to everyone but once I was en route to Taipei I started to get excited again. I met one of the other teachers from my school on my flight from MSP to LAX so we chatted in the airports, which made things easier and more comfortable.

I have met a few of the other teachers and walked around and went to lunch with 3 of them today. The food was amazing and delicious! We went to a few markets and shopping centers and walked around the area. I didn't make it too long until the jet lag really set in. But all in all, it is so gorgeous and exciting. I've never seen so many scooters and motorcycles. They told us "don't hesitate" when crossing the street or they will hit you. It was a little scary and nerve racking crossing, just kept my eyes forward and walked.

Tomorrow I get to go see the school and how construction is going and hopefully take a look at our apartment. I can't believe I will be living on the 26th floor of a high rise, so crazy. I am sharing a 3 bedroom furnished apartment with Sophie, she is the art teacher. She is from MN, my age, and a new teacher so I think we will be a great fit and I'm excited to finally met her in two days. Well it is 2am here and I have orientation at 8:30am so I should try to sleep some more. I miss everyone but appreciate all the love and support!!