Melissa in Asia

My First Week in Melbourne

2007-07-07T06:44:00.000+07:00

First of all, I probably won't keep up with this blog much longer because I have switched to Facebook. It is much easier to keep up with everyone that way. Please sign up (facebook.com)and designate me as a friend so you can get my messages and pictures.

I have attached a few pictures...

A few pictures of my place (note I spent 4-5 hours putting that ikea bed together...aren't you impressed?)

My first night out in Melbourne with a friend whom I worked with in Vietnam three years ago and my new flatemate (roommate).

UK Food Festival

2007-03-29T14:39:00.000+07:00

If that exists...UK food and festival? Though the food was bad, our band had the chance to play. It was primarily a Vietnamese crowd--students wanting a taste of British cuisine and culture. (The expats and well traveled Vietnamese were at home having a good meal while we tried to make white bread with cheese or beans something we enjoyed eating.)

The following pictures consist of our performance and random pictures of Vietnamese fans asking for our autographs and photographs. Only in Vietnam!

Lemongrass

2007-03-15T07:45:00.000+07:00

I'm now in an additional band for which I sing back-up. There are 9 members in the band: 2 female back-up vocalists, 2 guitarists (one who is also the lead vocalist/songwriter), 2 keyboardists, drummer, bassist, and one harmonica player. We play mostly originals but a few covers. Our first performance was a house party last Saturday, where 20 minutes before the party the electricity went out on the entire block. However, with a few candles and about 50 people, a great acoustic set was created. I doned a pair of leg warmers for the occassion. A girl has to have her flare.

AmCham Winter Gala

2007-03-02T10:48:00.000+07:00

Our band played at this event and I'm still waiting for some additional pictures but will add them as they come. I don't actually have pictures of us playing but pictures of the guys in the band before and then dancing with friends afterwards.

A Visit to Quy Nhon

2007-02-24T14:40:00.000+07:00

My friend Amy and I spent our Tet holiday (the Lunar New Year) relaxing in Nha Trang and Hoi An. However, we stopped for a day in Quy Nhon so that I could visit some of my former students and colleagues from Quy NhonUniversity.

I didn't tell too many people that I was coming through because I knew that I only had a limited amount of time. In 5 hours, we visited three homes, ate banh chung (a traditional sticky rice patty with meat and mung bean), and took a trip over the new bridge (now the longest bridge in Vietnam).

Though my time in Nha Trang and Hoi An was relaxing and fun, the highlight of my week was spending time with these students. They make me laugh and I've come to realize that they define what Vietnam is to me. Though there are days when Vietnam is tainted by the pollution, the endless honking of horns, and the mishaps that happen that make me question why in the world I'm here, I'm reminded of what has kept me here for four years when I spend a day with students who have let me become a special part of their lives.

Moving to Melbourne

2007-02-24T14:25:00.000+07:00

Completely unexpected and undeserved, I received a scholarship that will cover my tuition, in addition to a living allowance, for my three-year Doctoral program. I'm overwhelmed, I'm excited, and I'm nervous.

I know that this semester will fly by but I intend to get the most of it.

A good Aussie friend, whom I work with, is providing ASL (Australian as a Second Language) lessons for me. She was clear that I'm yet a beginner but she hopes to broaden my vocabulary and understanding within the next 4 months. Its a lot of work but I'm dedicated.

Here are some of the words I've been learning:

Bogan--A person who takes little pride in his appearance, spends his days drinking beer and slacking.

Rack off--Get lost!

Arvo--Afternoon

Sanger--Sandwich

Pig's Arse--I don't agree with you

Good onya--Well done! Good for you!

Yobbo--An uncouth person

Drongo--a stupid person

Huge in Asia

2007-01-30T07:51:00.000+07:00

Last week, I met three guys from Berkely who are traveling throughout Asia, documenting their travels through random videos. They are quite funny. Check out their website: http://hugeinasia.com.

Should I Stay or Should I Go

2007-01-25T13:09:00.002+07:00

I decided not to renew my contract with the UN school, as I feel it is time to move on. I have been enjoying my time here in Hanoi, especially in regards to pursuing my musical aspirations, but there is an overall sense that it is time to go. My band has been able to perform at various functions, I'll be recording some original songs with an incredible musician/songwriter that lives here in Hanoi, and I'll be doing some backup vocals for another band. However, I have felt a lack of purpose professionally and that I've "sold out" in regards to my reason for living overseas. I came to Vietnam with a passion to immerse myself into Vietnamese culture and give something back to people by educating their youth. Now, I teach at a school that is estranged to the Vietnamese community and engulfed in an international bubble.

So, I have two options: Begin a doctoral program at the University of Melbourne (which I deferred after being accepted last April) or teach at a women's college in the United Arab Emirates. With one I would have to take out student loans and the other I would make good money. There are many pros and cons to both, but I'm hoping for some clarity in the next few months.

Christmas in Thailand

2007-01-16T15:25:00.000+07:00

While the rest of my family was stuck in the blizzard that hit Colorado over Christmas, my mom and I enjoyed the sun and warmth of Thailand. Our days were spent reading by the pool, making fun of all of the social awkward men who had come to Thailand in hopes that the Thai women might overlook that fact and merely want them for their money, and watching the city transform at nightfall.

Random Pictures

2007-01-13T13:05:00.000+07:00

These pictures depict the life that I live in Vietnam. I'm not going to try to explain them, but just allow you to soak in and ponder the realities of my life.

Little Shop of Horrors

2006-12-05T14:58:00.000+07:00

Little Shop of Horrors

2006-12-05T14:47:00.000+07:00

This past weekend, we had four shows and they all seemed to go well. I had a lot of fun and was able to get to know a lot of different people.

Salsa Dancing in Hanoi

2006-11-17T15:19:00.000+07:00

When a man is wearing a mesh shirt and tight pants, who wouldn't want to dance with him?

Lan Visits Me in Hanoi

2006-11-06T15:35:00.000+07:00

My good friend, Lan, came to visit last weekend. It was so refreshing to have her here. I know without asking, the highlight of her trip was when I took her to a bar called 17 Saloon. The bar is decorated with a "Wild West" motif. The Vietnamese men wear chaps and cowboy hats...but they don't look like they would survive a rodeo. A Filipino band plays a random collection of music. The biggest crowd pleaser that night was Whitney Houston's, "I Will Always Love You." It was then followed up by a hard rock song. The two female vocalists even had a synchronized dance routine...I think I saw a bit of the electric slide. Can't you tell that we're having the time of our lives?

The Pics You've Been Waiting For....

2006-11-03T15:35:00.000+07:00

Well, I guess I should keep my day job.

Myanmar (Burma)

2006-10-25T07:54:00.000+07:00

A Mullet and a Fashion Magazine

2006-10-10T14:43:00.000+07:00

I will admit that I’m always the first to make fun of a bad mullet hairstyle. It was almost like a game in Eastern Europe last summer as we tried to point out how many mullets we could find in a crowd. Well, a few weeks ago I went to a fashion show showcasing a Vietnamese hair “artist.” He was trained in London and his style is more cutting edge and funky. So, after the show, I was inspired and decided to get my hair cut.

Now, I have a spiky mullet do. Sometimes I feel that I need to break out into “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” as I look a bit like Pat Benetar. Though at first a bit strange to get used to, it is different and fun, and a good change for me.

In addition to the new haircut, I was asked to be a model for a fashion magazine attempting to sell their clothes to Eastern European countries (so I guess the mullet was fitting). It was budget photography and they traipsed me around different parts of Hanoi, while Vietnamese students gathered around to take their own pictures of the event and foreigners crowded around to see what was going on. I think they all just wanted to get a glimpse of the girl with the freakish makeup and poorly-made clothing. I tried on about 50 different outfits in three different venues and had to change my clothes in a sheet that was draping down from a triangle of three metal poles wired together. Clothes that didn’t fit me were just pinned with a clothes hanger in the back...classy. The photographer didn’t speak English, except for the occasional, “Look cold!” or “Sexy like Brittany Spears!”

Sorry to keep you in suspense…but the pictures will be posted later.

My Kids

2006-10-08T18:23:00.000+07:00

Laos

2006-09-07T11:35:00.000+07:00

Things have been crazy since I arrived in Hanoi a month ago but I was able to get away for a few days. My new job at UNIS has been great but very time consuming. A little weekend getaway was much needed!

David, a teacher from UNIS, provided us with live music at a bar in Vientiene. Several teachers from UNIS came to watch the performance.

Making silk textiles

Jose and I learn how to cook traditional Laotian food (fish laap, chicken curry, and papaya salad)

Some things never change

2006-07-21T02:46:00.000+07:00

And I'm glad that my friendship with these three--Kathryn, Brooke, and Lan is something that never changes no matter how far or long I've been gone. These girls have known me since high school and college and we have been through a lot together (unemployment, culture re-entry, broken engagements and relationships, job dissatisfaction, death of loved ones, and the list goes on). I can always know that when I come home to Colorado, our evenings will be filled with dancing, eating, drinking, and deep conversations about what is really going on. Our circle of friendship is a safe haven and something that I miss when I'm gone. I'm blessed by these girls and their willingness to pour into our friendship even when I'm so far away.

Thank you girls for these past two weeks and for making my birthday so special!

A Birthday Hike

2006-07-21T01:57:00.000+07:00

One of the first things that I wanted to do as a 27-year old was to go up a trailhead that overlooks the city of Boulder, one that I had climbed a great deal in both high school and college. I realized that I was no longer the Colorado girl that I used to be since I was the only one that didn't have my climbing equipment strapped onto my REI sport pack with my golden lab running ahead of me. It is good that I had enough sense not to completely let my time in Vietnam shape me and attempt to wear poorly-made plastic high heels up the mountain, as you would witness women doing in Vietnam.

Back when I was a Country Girl

2006-07-18T04:01:00.000+07:00

My mom and I went to Sterling (Eastern Colorado—about 2 hours from Boulder County) to visit my Nana and Papa. My Nana and Papa are the parents of my mother’s ex-boyfriend. They had dated for years when I was a young girl and when the relationship ended, his parents still wanted us to be part of their family. So, my mother and I spent a lot of time on their farm when I was young and I have always known them as my Nana and Papa. I have a lot of great memories of the farm—a turkey poking me in the eye, running the John Deer tractor/mower into the metal shed (age 6?), jumping off the bird coop onto the trampoline, and being surrounded by lots of animals and hay. Nana would be cooking up meat patties from the cow that they had just sent to the butcher and kneading the dough for the cinnamon rolls and Papa would have just returned from working outside (since 4 am) and torturing me by pulling my toes until they popped.

I haven’t seen them since they came up for my high school graduation almost 10 years ago and so I knew that a visit was long overdue.

On the way back home, we saw this sign on a gas pump just outside of Sterling. I love to think of someone actually putting the nozzle back and counting to 20 slowly in their head. Notice also the picture of the police officer.

My brother is Amish!

2006-07-18T03:36:00.000+07:00

My brother, Derek, with his almost fiancé Dani. I couldn’t help but make fun of his little beard that he has growing on his chin. Was it funny looking because it just is or because I live in a place where men can’t grow facial hair?

Monte playing basketball

Good Times With the Fam

2006-07-18T03:30:00.000+07:00

My mother invited the family over for food and alcohol…otherwise, I don’t know if they would actually come. Every family event that is held in the summertime ends up in a water balloon fight, of which my mother buys in bulk every time we go to the store (As a note, EVERY family event, no matter the time of year, must include some kind of word game. You get my mother and my aunts with a scrabble game and it gets crazy.) As I was just about ready to head out to celebrate my birthday with some friends, my older cousin Shane decides to throw me over his shoulder only to position me in the middle of the lawn where all my little cousins can douse me with water. So loved. I changed quickly out of my wet clothes and didn’t notice until I was at my friend’s house that my bra which was still wet had made impressionable marks on the clothes that I was planning to wear out.

"We Didn't Inhale"

2006-06-27T17:29:00.001+07:00

Smoking the Hookah pipe in Istanbul

A Peace Rally in Istanbul

2006-06-20T11:22:00.000+07:00

The street leading up to Taksim Square is a modern street mall (similar to something like Pearl Street in Boulder) that has tons of shops and harbors all that is modern and "Western" in Istanbul. You'll even witness musical entertainers...some good and others whose alcoholic influences have convinced them that they can actually sing and play the guitar.

One evening, Lisa and I happened to be at Taksim Square when a peace rally was being held. We didn't know if we should be frightened to see several police squads with shields and guns to make sure that things didn't get out of hand. The group was rallying for "peace" but our Muslim friend, Mehtin, said that it was backed by a socialist party who does not have much pull with the people and uses "peace" as their way to lure people into their campaign.

Some Pictures of Istanbul

2006-06-19T16:33:00.000+07:00

The Blue Mosque

Lisa and I on the "Asia" side. The Bosphorus river separates Istanbul into the Asian and European sides. We stayed on the European side but took a ferry across the Bosphorus to check out what Asia was like.

Hagia Sophia: A cathedral that at one time was a symbol of the power and might of the Byzantine Empire and its proclamation of Christianity. In the 1450's was then taken over by the Ottoman Empire and converted into a mosque. The religious icons were covered up as they were adulterous to the Islamic faith. In the early 1900's, the domed structure became a museum. Fascinating to see how this amazing basilica could house so much history and reflect two different faiths.

Picked Up By the Turkish Police

2006-06-12T21:25:00.000+07:00

After two days ın Istanbul, Lısa and I have dıscovered how to survıve as two gırls travelıng alone. Our fırst day ın a very crowded market, we found out why women cover themselves here. Though I have had many older women grab me ın the Vıetnamese market to check to see ıf everythıng was the same, nothıng prepared me for the grabbıng that occurred by the men here. It made me feel so humilıated. However, we quıckly realızed that we just needed to remaın aware and be careful where we go.

All ın all, I feel really safe here. Thıs afternoon we got lost and when we approached the polıceman ın hıs Element-lıke polıce car to ask the name of the mosque that we were standıng by as a way to fınd where we were on the map, he and hıs partner offered to gıve us a rıde back to the area where we needed to go. Rıdıng ın the back of the Turkısh polıce car, we also receıved a free tour as the polıceman poınted out dıfferent hıstorıcal sıtes.

The cıty fascınates me. The hıstory both polıtıcally and relıgıously ıs so rıch and complex. You have East meets West, Islam meets Chrıstıanıty, and a whole lot ın between.

Khersoness

2006-06-10T04:14:00.000+07:00

Khersoness are Greek ruins that overlook the Black Sea.

The Russian Orthodox Church

2006-06-10T03:54:00.000+07:00

There is an orthodox church with a beautiful view nestled in the Crimean Mountains on the way to Yalta. In all the orthodox churches that we visited, we were required to cover our heads and were given skirts to wear over our jeans.

This is a monastery in Bakcheserai where there is literally a cave city in which the Tatars lived The Tatars are a Muslim group living in Crimea. Ironic that the monastery is Orthodox and situated within the Tatar community.

Why would a girl fly all the way to Ukraine?

2006-06-07T02:07:00.000+07:00

The man thong.

We made a day trip to Yalta where we visited two palaces, one of them being the palace at which Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt met for the Yalta Conference. Though the sites were interesting, nothing compared to the site that I so generously share with all of you.

I Like Those Older Men

2006-06-04T22:06:00.000+07:00

We arrived in Sevastopol at 7am this morning and then went to Krista’s small Russian church. Sevastopol is more Russian than Ukrainian, since it was founded by Katherine the Great as a Russian military navy port.

After church, the father of one of Krista’s friends said he would drive us (in his Mercedes) to the center of the city so that we could see some of the sites. Driving in Ukraine is rather aggressive and I find myself holding on to the back of the seat as Ukrainians drive insanely fast. So as we tore through the streets of Sevastopol, the father was asking Krista a lot of questions about me. When we arrived at our destination he got out and kept hugging me, making suggestive comments, and then tried to kiss me. It was extremely awkward and my two friends were laughing…and are still laughing because it was such an awkward situation. They wouldn’t have been laughing if it had been them, but because it was me it was rather entertaining. They did say that I handled it an extremely graceful way, so I guess that is worth something.
His name is Vova, he is about 60 and he is hoping that he can meet me in Vietnam soon.

Sevastopol

2006-06-04T21:56:00.000+07:00

In route....for 20 hours on a train.

Sevastopol in the Crimea peninsula

Kiev

2006-06-04T21:51:00.000+07:00

Day One in Kiev

2006-05-30T22:37:00.000+07:00

I began my day with two challenges to overcome: to buy food and find my package from Hope at the post office with no tracking number.

Since all the menus at the restaurants and cafes are in Russian (with no pictures), I thought it would be best to find a grocery store. I stopped several different women to ask them but no one spoke English so I had to resort to charades. You have no idea how humbling it is to try to act out finding food on a shelf, buying it, and then eating it. The first lady had no idea what I was trying to say and just walked away and the second lady understood but then gave me directions in Russian which I didn't understand. So I decided to wander around to see if I might have any luck. Two minutes into my wandering, I found a place with various food vendors inside. Challenge number one accomplished.

I went to the central post office and no one spoke English but after I motioned to them that I didn't want to send a package but receive one, I was given another address. Luckily, I found a guy who spoke some English and he was able to tell me what metro stop to get off on. When I arrived there was no package and I was told to call the next day (though I have no idea how because they don't speak English and I don't speak Russian). When I arrived at my place, I had a package slip stuck in the door. I returned to the central post office, where it had been the whole time. Challenge number two accomplished.

Some interesting observations. PDA is completely okay here...and a bit disturbing. The underground crossways are a great place for couples to find some time for a little intimacy before they go on their way. However, nothing prepared me to witness some young teenagers "attempting" to have sex in one of the dark corners. I thought it would be a great picture for my blog, but I refrained from capturing the moment. Another interesting observation was an outside cafe that gave their customers blankets. You would think that people would choose to sit inside instead of sharing their romantic dinner with their loved one in an outside courtyard wrapped in a blanket.

My Arrival in Kiev

2006-05-30T01:36:00.000+07:00

I was picked up by the "driver" of the company that organized my housing. He was a tall lanky young guy, who seemed a bit nervous or just a bit socially awkward. He had been waiting a while for me because I was helping Mai get through passport control. So with a big smile, he took one of my bags and off we went to his VW van. I practically had to run to keep up with him. He kept trying to make conversation and told me about his trips to Germany...he was a bit discouraged that I didn't speak German and confessed his love for big German vehicles. So far I'm fascinated by the city and I'm looking forward to exploring tomorrow. However, tonight, a good night's rest is calling my name.

I Have No Idea What You Are Saying

2006-05-30T01:03:00.000+07:00

This is what I kept repeating over and over today as I had a TEN HOUR layover in Moscow. First of all, I'm usually pretty good about details so how did I fail to notice that I would have a ten hour layover? Anyway, I landed in Moscow at 7am. I couldn't leave the airport because I didn't have a visa and I was dressed for the hot humid weather in Hanoi. It was going to be a long 10 hours in the airport.

So I get off the plane and follow the signs to transfer/transit. When I arrive, it is crowded with people with just a few airport staff present. Everyone is standing around without being processed in order to move out of the foyer into passport control. I went up to one of the ladies behind the counter to ask her where exactly I was supposed to be and she kept telling me things in Russian, which I obviously couldn't understand. When I tried to explain in English and motion to her that I had no idea what she was saying. She rolled her eyes and motioned me to sit over on the side. So, I waited another two hours, going up to different people and all of them telling me things in Russian and motioning me to sit in the waiting area. I felt like people didn't like me very much and I didn't do anything!

I happened to see a girl who looked as lost as I was. She was Vietnamese; I recognized her from my flight. I asked her in Vietnamese where she was going and she told me she was on her way to see her mother in Kiev. She was also having trouble understanding how we were to get from the transit lounge to the terminal. She didn't speak Russian or English, so I tried my best to find out answers for the both of us and trying to translate it back into Vietnamese. Finally at about 10 am (3 hours later), I happened to find someone who spoke English and she was able to issue the tickets we needed to enter the terminal area.

So for 10 hours, Mai and I, tried to pass the time away. It was good for my Vietnamese language practice and it made the time go by quicker. Mai is 21 and I was so surprised that she was traveling alone. She was a little nervous traveling by herself so it was good that we bumped into one another so that we could go through the whole process together.

She was on a flight that left an hour and a half earlier than mine so we said our goodbyes in Moscow. However, when I arrived in Kiev I found Mai with tears in her eyes stuck at passport control. She explained that they had taken her passport and she had no idea what was happening. The poor girl. She had no idea what was going on but only that they wouldn't let her out of the airport and she had no way to contact her mother. I tried to find someone to explain what the problem was and finally figured out that they feared that she wouldn't return to Vietnam because she had an open ended return. However, we were able to get a hold of her mother and things were worked out. I waited with her until they finally processed all her paperwork and thank God, finally let her go through.

Jose

2006-05-23T16:09:00.000+07:00

Sportin' New Wheels

2006-05-10T16:27:00.000+07:00

I'm hoping that my bad motorized vehicular karma has seen its end and that I might be able to keep this one for a while.

A French Rock Concert

2006-05-10T08:45:00.000+07:00

The interesting things that I find myself doing while living in Hanoi.

Meeting the Future In-Laws

2006-05-03T09:40:00.000+07:00

I went to Vinh, a city about 5 and half hours south of Hanoi, to meet the future in-laws. Fortunately, they weren’t mine. My good friend, Ngan, asked me to be there with her for the moral support as she traveled to meet the family of her boyfriend. This visit is part of the engagement process of every Vietnamese couple. This meeting determines whether the parents will allow the relationship to continue or force it to stop so there is a lot of pressure.

As we entered the house, I became the main attraction…like a special freak show. While the mom and granny caressed my body to see whether or not it felt the same as theirs, Ngan charmed the rest of the family. She was great and they would be insane not to have been impressed by her. I was glad that I could be there for such an important event in my friend’s life and now we have another special memory to reminisce on later in life.

Toto, I'm Not in Hanoi Anymore

2006-04-27T08:59:00.000+07:00

Some things that have surprised me on my travel to the South
1. The people in general are friendlier. There seems to be more laughing and smiling and they are always interested in just talking with you...even if you aren't buying anything from them.
2. Lotteria and KFC, fast food restaurants are all over the place. Its actually a little sad because the sidewalk cafe/restaurant, that became my parent's favorite when they came to visit, no longer exists but has been replaced by a large two-story Lotteria.
3. You can get a crazy looking sunburn when you ride on the back of a motorbike during the noon hour. I have a sunburn on half of my right knee and a strange strip on my left shoulder (I was wearing a skirt so sitting side-saddle).
4. Beware of the area behind the bus stop because it is a popular place for male urination...if only I had known prior....
5. There are men in uniform that help foreigners cross the busy roads!

The Quote of the Week

2006-04-27T08:34:00.000+07:00

Tommy...yes, this would be a student who wanted to have an English name reflecting his strong resemblance to Tom Cruise. Tommy was in high school when I was teaching in Quy Nhon and is now studying at a university in Ho Chi Minh City. He is like a younger brother to me in many ways. However, he is super intense and has wanted to spend every waking hour with me since my plane landed in Ho Chi Minh City six days ago. I was touched to go to his small room where he lives and see pictures of me from when I lived in Quy Nhon.

I have the quote of not only the week but could be of the year. As I was riding on the back of his motorbike, Tommy says: "Do you think I'm so dark now?" I replied, that I hadn't really noticed. He then explained that when he returns to Quy Nhon everyone comments about how dark his skin is. "Yes, it is okay because my dark skin shows I'm stronger now. I'm strong because I live outside of my house without my parents (His parents live in Quy Nhon so he lives alone in HCMC). "I once was a young princess but now I'm a man!" Of course, he meant to say that he was like a young prince, or that he was naive and childlike.

2006-04-19T10:39:00.000+07:00

Sometimes my life slows down a bit and I feel guilty for not being more productive and then I over commit and I’m frustrated because I can not give my all or my best to what I have committed to. It is a vicious cycle. In all reality, it is my relationships that I want to make sure do not get the shaft. I thought I had learned this lesson before, but I find myself in the same place over and over again.

This past month has been packed with a variety of things—special seminars to teach, visitors from Hope to evaluate my situation, the return of my roommate (after almost 2 months of being away), dates and pampering from my favorite Puerto Rican at the US Embassy, another “Les Runaways” performance, Easter games and activities, my doctorate research proposal being accepted at the University of Melbourne, and the list goes on.

Pictures are of my friend Ngan and I, Face painting at Easter, and Jose and Scot working the craft booth.

A Trip to Bac Ninh

2006-03-26T22:17:00.000+07:00

I just returned from a visit to Bac Ninh, a province near Hanoi. It is the hometown of the Dean of my department. He invited me to go with him to see his house and enjoy the fresh air of the countryside. He conveniently asked a man with a car (very few people own cars here) to come with us…and meet the “available” American teacher. I had the longest, most awkward time of my life. Since the Dean needed to take care of “family business,” he had this guy show me some of the sites of Bac Ninh. With his broken English, he tried to point out some different sites in addition to confessing his undying love for me. He kept buying me little gifts, trying to hold my hand, and asking what he must do to be my boyfriend. Awkward! I didn’t tell him that he needed to grow about a foot taller, learn English, and tweeze his fountain-o-sprout facial hairs that grew from his chin and neck. You gotta give it to the guy for having the courage, but when I was the last person to be dropped off (the lone drive from the Dean’s house to mine was supposed to take 20 minutes but took an hour because he stopped different places to buy me flowers and take his sweet time because “he didn’t want the time to end”), I wasn’t his biggest fan.

Though the creepy guy was not so fun, Bac Ninh was wonderful to visit. The pictures are from the temple of the Ly Dynasty and then a picture with the Dean.

The Power of Gesture

2006-03-24T17:50:00.001+07:00

In my classes, I require the students to give professional business presentations, in which they must include a visual aid. Last Wednesday, a student was presenting and after a comment made by a classmate, he decided to respond by using, what he thought was a universal gesture for you’re lying, and flipped him off. There are days when I feel like I’m not really getting through to my students. I guess I can feel confident that the students who complete my course can use effective visual aids.

I was driving my motorbike with Ngan, my Vietnamese friend, and as I began to turn into the parking lot for the restaurant that we were going to, they pointed me to the other side of the road because there was no room. In the midst of traffic, I had to abandon my first thought to turn left, stop, and move to the right. Well, I obviously ticked off some guy behind me and all I heard was something, something, “Tay” (which is the word for Westerner). He stuck his fist in the air at me. However, it made me laugh because though he was trying to gesture that he was mad and would like to punch me for my bad driving skills, he had his thumb sticking up, which to me communicated, “Yeah, thumbs up, you’re okay!” I was able to assure Ngan that was what he really meant.

St. Patrick's Day

2006-03-18T18:21:00.000+07:00

Our band performed at an Irish Pub for St. Patty's Day and though I was sick with a cold and we had some technical problems, it turned out to be okay. The place was packed with tourists, so few were there to actually see the band but were just out celebrating. However, fun was had by all. I was able to break it down with my egg shaker...so what else could the night require?

2006-03-12T21:45:00.000+07:00

Yankee

2006-03-03T11:58:00.000+07:00

It seems that as of recent I continue to run into Australians wherever I go. I find myself in situations where I’m the only American in a crowd of Aussies. No complaints, though, as everyone I have met thus far have been great and a lot of fun. Maybe it is just preparing me for studying there, if I decide to go that route. On a train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, half of my section on the train consisted of Aussies. I became endearingly known as their “Little Yankee Friend.” I joined a group of middle-aged men for a beer in the dinning car because they wouldn’t take no for an answer…and though I don’t really like the taste of beer, I decided to be a trooper and down one for the boys. One of the men had lived in Southern Vietnam as a project manager for an engineering company. We shared our woes mixed with our fascination with Vietnam.

Later when I went back to my compartment, next to me was a guy who had a strange mixture of an American and Australian accent. He would say, “I reckon” and talk about what he did after “uni” (college). His story is rather interesting. He is from Boston but immigrated to Australia a couple years ago and now is a tomato farmer in a rural area in Northern Australia. I was intrigued how a guy from Boston ended up in Australia as a tomato farmer and so he kept me entertained by his story for a good hour. I’ve told him that I’d come and pick some tomatoes for him if I ever make it to Australia. It is not everyday that you meet an Australian tomato farmer from Boston.

Barracuda Bar--February 25th

2006-02-26T22:04:00.000+07:00

Comfort in My Own Culture?

2006-02-25T10:05:00.000+07:00

It has been a stretching few weeks…stolen motorbike, small accident, and visa issues, but I can still laugh at the strange situations that I find myself. I found out on Thursday evening that the university didn’t know how to renew my visa that expires on Monday so I must go to Thailand in a few days so that I can renew my visa in Bangkok. I was feeling a bit confused and wondering what in the world I was doing here. I craved for the comfort of my own culture at which seemed to be the only thing that made sense. I recently became a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi in order to network with American businesses in Vietnam to help provide connections for our students completing their MBA. After finding out about my visa on Thursday night, I rushed over to a “Happy Hour” event for new members. A nice hotel, wine, and professional business people, I thought this could be helpful and an escape from the cultural frustration I was experiencing. I had just finished teaching, so I did a make shift “freshening up” session in the small teaching office mirror, hopped on my Dream II motorbike, and made my way to one of the big hotels in Hanoi. I walked into a room filled with men in black suits, chatting with a glass of wine in one hand and handing out their business cards with another. I felt absolutely out of my comfort zone. I dropped off my coat and Nazi bomber helmet with the concierge, straightened out my skirt and took a few deep breaths. I approached a group of people and began in on the small talk. A Vietnamese man who was probably my age and didn’t know anyone either kept on a good conversation and I was relieved that I wasn’t alone. Later, I was talking with the director of an international bank and he was interested in helping provide internships for my students, so I was really excited. We then began talking about the education system (the one subject that I actually know about in Vietnam) and an older, balding, intoxicated man interrupted our conversation as he stood inches away from me, locked in eye contact, and handed me his card. The man I was talking with was a bit embarrassed, as the newcomer didn’t acknowledge him at all, so he quickly ended his conversation with me and left. This man, a lawyer from Pennsylvania, began talking with me and I tried to listen politely. He talked about his wife and how everyone thinks he needs to get a mistress. As it was getting late, I tried to excuse myself. He grabbed my arm and said, “If you ever want to mess around, just give me a call.” I couldn’t believe it. My first thought was, “Are you serious, grandpa?” and my second was, “Do I look like I’m the kind of girl who would be interested…that maybe I was only invited to this meeting for this very purpose?” I responded by saying, “Oh don’t worry, you don’t need me. There are plenty of Karaoke bars for that,” and I turned and walked away. So I left with better feelings of Vietnam (which I needed due to the past events) and a reminder that my culture isn’t always the haven that I seek.

Baile Baile Gringita

2006-02-20T22:30:00.000+07:00

The Sheraton, one of the more expensive hotels in Hanoi, offers salsa dancing on Saturday nights. I went with some of my Vietnamese friends to experience the salsa nightlife in Hanoi. I knew not to get my hopes up, but all in all, I ended up having a great time. I was able to get a lot of dancing in as there were one or two Vietnamese “dance instructors” who were good dancers. It was a bit strange to have so many spectators watching as most preferred to watch rather than dance. To top off the night, we couldn’t end things until a group dance session of the Macarena was in order. Wow…only in Hanoi.

Mrs. Cleaver

2006-02-20T22:18:00.000+07:00

This weekend, I had 11 junior highers from the international community at my house for an American breakfast and games. It is great to have a kitchen now and the ability to cook…it is my time to show people how domestic I truly am. Mrs. Cleaver by day and rock star by night…I think I like it. The picture attempts to capture the game, “Human Musical Chairs.”

Kin Long: A child after my own heart

2006-02-16T12:59:00.000+07:00

Tet Holiday (Lunar New Year)

2006-02-02T06:50:00.000+07:00

Tet Holiday (the Vietnamese New Year celebration according to the Lunar calendar) is three days long. This year, it began on the 29th of January. I had the chance to spend the first day of Tet with Tram and some of the other Vietnamese students in Garden Grove ("Little Saigon" in California), hop on a plane that night for an 18 hour flight to Vietnam, and have a traditional Tet meal with Tram's family in Hanoi on my arrival. It was a whirlwind but wonderful to be able to take part in the festivities both in the States and in Vietnam.

In "Little Saigon," we went to a mall that looks a great deal like one of the shopping centers in Hanoi...same products and everything is in Vietnamese. They had the traditional drums and dragon dance and several women dressed up in ao dai (the traditional Vietnamese dress). There was a big festival that night but by the time we found parking, it was time for me to leave for the airport to catch my flight to Hanoi.

Tram's family was waiting for me at the airport...what a warm welcome. I was able to have a few hours to unpack and receive a few phone calls and visits from students who wanted to wish me "many successes and beauty more and more" before going over to have a special Tet meal with Tram's family and my friend, Scot, from Canada. Tram's family told me that it was extra special to not only to have two foreigners share a Tet meal with them, but who represented two different countries. It was a great evening and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to spend the holiday with them.

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Southern California: 2 to 1

2006-01-29T01:41:00.000+07:00

When I first arrived in California, I wasn’t all that impressed. However, I’ve come to appreciate many things about Southern California. If you take out the traffic and the cultural obsession with all that is artificial…relationally and physically…it is actually a great place. Thus, California receives a “Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Southern California” spot on my blog.

#1: My friends. I have a great group of friends that forgive me for my transient lifestyle, maximize on the time I do have when I'm around, and encourage me on as I begin my next adventure.

#2: My international students: Where can my love for Karaoke and Dance Dance Revolution thrive...among the international student population! I love teaching, but more than that, I love what they give back to me in cultural understanding.

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Southern California: 5 to 3

2006-01-20T09:42:00.000+07:00

#3: My ELI friends. The above picture is of Liz and Zack, who used to teach in Hanoi. Southern California has become the home of others who taught with ELI in Vietnam and China, such as Peter, Amy, Jack, Jason, Lisa, Jamaica, and Brian...with our honarary guest, Mike.
#4: Our weekly coffee nights. When I first came to CA last year, a time was set to meet friends for coffee each week. We began meeting at a coffee shop in between LA and Orange County so that my friends from Pasadena and Azusa could meet up with the rest of us from Orange County. It was a source of community and I missed it when I went back to Vietnam. During these few weeks that I have been here, the tradition has been re-established and so I have been refreshed by their friendship.
#5: Diversity. With my love of Asia and South America, Southern California is a great blend of both.

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Southern California: 10 to 6

2006-01-13T22:31:00.000+07:00

#6: Co-workers at Hope. I have a great sense of community with my friends at work. I’ve missed them and it has been so good to catch up. They continue to be a great encouragement.
#7: Farmer’s Markets and Fruit Trees. When you can just pick fresh oranges and lemons off of your tree, it makes life seem so much simpler.
#8: Granny’s Beach House in Laguna. Lisa’s grandma has a beach house that we frequented when I lived here and are presently taking advantage of. There is nothing like falling asleep to the sound of waves and being able to step off your porch and walk along the beach.
#9: The Outdoor Activities. You have the beach to the west and the mountains to the east. I’ll never forget the time I went kayaking with Lisa, Josh, and Katie near Newport Beach. Good times were had by all…it was a time to show off my biceps...as intimidating as they are.

#10: The Weather. You got to love being able to eat lunch outside on a January day, soaking up the sun and enjoying 80 degree weather.

2006-01-03T11:30:00.000+07:00

My two weeks in Colorado have been busy…or rather, full. I differentiate between busy and full because though these weeks have been packed with seeing family and friends, I’m not leaving drained but filled. Alfred Tennyson said, “I am a part of all that I have met.” My family, friends, students, and even the people that have come into my life for a brief period of time, continue to shape who I am and expand my outlook on the world.

On a less serious note…below are some pictures of family and friends. Some probably need explanations, but I’ll just let you use your imaginations.

Monte

2005-12-30T02:41:00.000+07:00

My youngest brother, Monte, just turned 14 years old. Though I would love to think that I have attained the "coolness" factor by just being me, I know that I have to work harder at it...especially because I have always lived so far away. So for his birthday, he stayed with me in the Boulder area for a few days and I took him to a Denver Nuggets game. We had a great time and I even learned a few things about basketball!

Les Runaways

2005-12-18T10:21:00.000+07:00

“My mama says, ‘Sing the blues child, sing it from now on.’” (Koko Taylor—I’m a Woman) Well, my mama may not be black or know much about the blues, but she thinks I have some soul.

My band (Les Runaways) had its first gig…the place was packed and the energy high. Our drummer is from Australia and I’m convinced that he contacted half of Australia as the whole back room was filled with Australians who had received word about the live band. Most of the crowd consisted of foreigners with the exception of some of my friends and students who represented the Vietnamese population.

We had a great time and I’m looking forward to future opportunities. I have never seen that bar so packed as it was the night that we played. We have 5 people in the band: Mike (Canada/guitar), Matt (USA/guitar), Pierre (France/bass), and Nick (Australia/drums). As we don’t have much competition in Hanoi, we might just make a name for ourselves.

I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane…Again

2005-12-18T09:57:00.000+07:00

It was a bit crazy as I wrapped things up in Hanoi this past week. A lot happened. Even though I’ll be returning in about 6 weeks after a Christmas break and meetings in the States, my students have been treating me as if they will never see me again and that they just might not have enough strength to get through it. They threw parties for me and sent endless text messages and emails. They fail to see that I’m the lucky one in that I’m blessed by having the chance to be part of their lives.

I need this break, though. I’m looking forward to being with my friends and family. I’m currently in Korea but will be leaving on a plane this afternoon for Colorado via California. It is snowing outside! It is beautiful!

A Shopper's Paradise

2005-11-25T13:50:00.000+07:00

I recently returned from a business trip to Thailand. I really enjoy Thailand, but I have to admit that I wish that I didn't have to do all my travel by myself. Of course I always have the knack of meeting random people, but it is better to hang out with people that know you well and that you can laugh at your experiences or yourself at later. However, I did get to meet up with some people in Bangkok, which made my trip a lot of fun. I was able to see an old college friend and his wife (Lonnie and Courtney) who I went to Ozark with and who have been living in Thailand for almost two years. It was very uplifting to be able to hear about the past 4-5 years and the road that they have traveled. I also had a friend from Hanoi, Scot, who met up with me in Bangkok for the weekend. That was fun because we were able to do some shopping and enjoy some good food.

Bangkok is known for many things...but one of them is shopping. I have never seen so many shopping malls in such a small space. It is insane! So you may ask what did I acquire on my shopping frenzy? Other than my very cool Nazi Germany motorbike helmet (which now everyone in Hanoi wants), I passed the Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Dior shops and heading right over to the department store to buy a rice cooker. I'm the biggest dork ever, but I needed one and it was there calling my name. We all know that there is nothing more fashionable than a woman heating up rice in a rice cooker...forget the fancy leather bags and name brand clothing...its making rice that turns up the heat here in Vietnam.

A Trip to the Homeland

2005-11-06T15:06:00.000+07:00

Many of my Vietnamese friends in Hanoi ask, “Why do you want go to Quy Nhon? It is poor and boring!” Maybe for some, but this city has defined me a great deal and has captured my heart. I look back on my two years there and cannot help but smile and laugh. I have so many fond memories with my students and colleagues in the university. They will be forever part of me and hold a very special place in my heart. I cannot express how it felt to walk back into an old classroom and see the faces of students who are more than just participants of an English class I once taught but are a significant part of journey marking who I once was and who I have become. I can say that I know the students and teachers well because they allowed me access into their lives and I know a part of me will always be with them. Now that is an investment that money can’t buy.

Halloween

2005-11-06T14:42:00.000+07:00

Bobbing for apples, rolling one another up in toilet paper, and carving pumpkins are all the rave in Hanoi. I had organized a party last year and as soon as my Vietnamese friends knew that I’d be back in Hanoi for the holiday, they began expressing their dire need for another party. Well, I love hosting parties and this just provided me another opportunity to introduce some of my students to other native speakers while enjoying the benefits of getting a group of people together. Since I have about 130 students, I chose about 5 students from each of my four classes who had come prepared for class…which is a rare occasion and must be celebrated. The night was nothing less than a hit as I watched even my expat friends diving in for the apples, which were half bitten into by students who had been unsuccessful.

A Ceremony for the Honor Students

2005-11-04T07:57:00.000+07:00

A Blood Drinkin', Honda Dream Drivin' Diva

2005-10-27T15:44:00.000+07:00

The weather in Hanoi is cooling off, providing a remedy to the common ailment faced by many of us here… “chronic sweating.” Other big news is that I’m now working the streets…not like you may think…but as I maneuver my way through the crowded-no-rules-I’m-lucky-if-I-survive traffic. I have a motorbike (the infamous Honda Dream) and I’m as bad as ever. I love it because it allows me more freedom and is always a source of adventure. I received one of the best compliments from the Dean of the English department the other day, who said, “You are like one of us and I love it because we can take you everywhere we go.” This was said after I ate blood pudding, which came after the boiled duck that you eat with the skin and tendons attached. Being the only foreign teacher at the university, I’m invited to about every eating event and because I want to show respect and bridge the cultural gaps, I have “immersed” myself into each experience. My steam is running out a bit but I feel like I have crossed over many cultural barriers and am now seen as truly part of their community. As many of you know, I’m now singing for an expat band with 4 guys who are from the States, Canada, France, and Australia. I’ve been doing some low-key stuff with one of the guitarists at a small tavern in the Old French Quarter of Hanoi on Saturday nights. The audience? Mostly older men from the UK who are regulars at this little pub. The fun times just keep on coming!

Do Men Hate Their Wives In America?

2005-10-21T11:19:00.000+07:00

As a young, female in Vietnam, I have found it to be quite interesting. I'm usually in the company of men...on occassion with a few women who are secretaries or assistants. I'm treated differently then most women in Vietnam, and it is difficult for me to see the fairness in it. It makes me feel strange when my friend Phuong is asked to make me coffee in the morning or take care of minial things for me. I should be doing it for her because of all the kindness she has shown me! Now not all share the same ideas regarding women. Dr. Dan, the Dean that I work with, treats his assistants as an important part of the team.

My life is filled with many special lunch and dinner meetings...the food and brandy wine are never ending. In one meeting, I was asked by a group of men if American husbands hate their wives as husbands in Vietnam do. I didn't know how to answer that one exactly. My response was that marriage is difficult in all cultures. Unfortunately, many Westerners resort to divorce as the answer to their problems, making things worse in the end. I realized how easy it is for me to look at another culture and deem things as "unfair" or as a social injustice, all the while my own culture boasts its own.

A Home--A location or a community?

2005-10-12T11:38:00.000+07:00

Ngan, is one of my dearest friends. She was a fourth-year student at Quy Nhon University when I taught there 3 years ago. She was my first real friend in Vietnam and was my language tutor and cultural informant those first few months. Ngan and I both moved to Hanoi from Quy Nhon and were able to experience it together. Most people thought she was crazy to move to the North, but I was able to see her develop and thrive in her new surroundings. We only had each other during that time and I have some very sweet memories that I will always hold dear. When I left for the States, she took it the hardest. Friends and family in Vietnam don’t leave each other because the loyalty to stay together is so important. So when she heard that I was coming back, it was something very special for the both of us. She is now working for a Canadian company as an interpreter/secretary, sending home half of her paycheck to her family who lives in a rural area in the South-Central region (about 20 hours by train), and supporting two of her siblings who she invited to live with her in Hanoi to go to university. She is an amazing person. Last weekend, I went to her house for dinner. It was so exciting to see her have a place of her own (rented, of course)…though it is only a bedroom, shared by three, and a little cement square of a kitchen, it is more of a home than many places I’ve been. I enjoyed dinner (a 6 hour event) and the company of Ngan, her sister, brother, and boyfriend. We laughed, ate, and enjoyed being together. Now that is living a life of meaning.

Something Unexpected

2005-10-12T11:22:00.000+07:00

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I will always get “foreigner” prices. Even though I speak some Vietnamese and some may realize that I’m here teaching, I live downtown where all the tourist spend their time and I become just another foreigner who deserves to pay two to four times the regular price. I can spend my time being frustrated or pondering the American value of equality…or just take it as it is. Well, today I was pleasantly surprised. I went to buy one of my favorite desserts, “che,” which is a sweetened bean dessert that is sold in little Tupperware bowels on the side of the street, and the lady who has consistently charged me 4.000 VND, charged me only 2.000 VND today. Now the 2.000 VND discount is equivalent to about 15 cents, so it has nothing to do with the money but that the woman treated me as one of her own. Today is going to be a good day.

Meals on Wheels

2005-10-06T12:05:00.000+07:00

A Good Couple?

2005-10-06T11:58:00.000+07:00

Crash & Burn

2005-10-02T20:29:00.000+07:00

Well, some people leave their heart in Hanoi…I left the skin of my arm. I was in my first traffic accident in Vietnam….which is a surprise that I’m just now getting into my first one after living in the crazy traffic all these years. I was just riding my bike, minding my own business, when some guy on a motorbike came barreling down the road and ran into me, making the bike and myself slide across the road. Luckily, it was not that bad and I just have a bit of road burn on the top of my left arm and elbow. It was a bit of a shock, especially as the guy rode off and a big crowd of Vietnamese crowded around the American girl laying on the road. I got up, flashed a smile, and tried to get out of the middle of the road. Some woman who was selling lottery tickets scotch taped a Kleenex to my bleeding elbow and I got on my bike and headed back home. I had planned to visit a friend, but I decided that I’d just go back to the guesthouse. I was a bit sore and was trying to muster up all the strength I had not to cry. It wasn’t because of the physical pain but the wave of loneliness that hit me as I made my way back feeling so distant and strange in my surroundings. However, all was remedied after I went out with a Vietnamese friend of mine that evening and we walked through the night market. The liveliness of the city reminded me that this is going to be a great adventure…even if I must endure a few cuts and bruises in the process.

The Streets of Hanoi

2005-09-30T13:26:00.000+07:00

I woke up this morning to join the rest of Hanoi in their morning exercises. You can find people of all ages walking around the famous Hoan Kiem Lake, stretching, and playing badminton. Though it was only 6:00 am, the streets were bustling and the street vendors were walking around selling xoi, sticky rice with ground peanuts and shredded pork wrapped up in a banana leaf. Little shops line the streets with tiny plastic tables and chairs that look like my play kitchen that I had as a child. Steam billows out of the large metal pots that contain the stock for the various noodle soups, such as pho, bun, & mien, served with pork, beef, duck, or chicken. As I walk the streets I breathe in Hanoi to take in all the smells, sounds, and sights that once were so commonplace to me. Though familiar, I cannot help but realize how the person that walked these streets a year ago is so different than the person who walks them now. The person now must culturally readjust when before she had become so accustom to life in Vietnam. For example, not letting the xe om drivers (motorbike taxis) who badger and follow all the foreigners around annoy me. Or the extreme high prices that they try to make you pay because you are a foreigner. I was used to the American value of equality but must readjust again. However, I now walk these streets with greater self-realization as this past year has been a road with a lot of tears and yet a lot of laughter. I come to Vietnam with a greater understanding of my weakness and my need for Him and look forward to what He has in store.

A Kiss to Remember

2005-09-25T08:36:00.000+07:00

I have always considered myself to be adventurous. I'm willing to try almost anything and love to be able to say that I've at least tried it. Joseph, the professor who was my host while I was in Busan, had a great time trying to see how far he could push me. He wanted to see how adventurous I truly was as each meal (about every 2 hours) was like a new episode of fear factor. I can now say that I have eaten whale and I can now admit that it wasn't my favorite. A bit too blubbery and chewy for my taste. Joseph took me out for raw fish, which I like. However, I must explain that there is a difference between Japanese raw fish and Korean raw fish. In Korea, they kill it and then bring it to your table. This means that it is still moving because the nerve endings have not figured out that death has beckoned. At one meal, I ate some kind of octopus-like fish that had tenacles and as it squirmed around in my mouth, the suction cups attached to the inside of my check. A new way to have some non-commital lip action.

Dongseo University, Busan

2005-09-23T19:02:00.000+07:00

Exposed Once Again

2005-09-23T18:44:00.000+07:00

After my previous experience in the subway, I guess I felt the need to expose myself just to make things even. I took the subway to the university that I was supposed to be presenting at, taking all my things for my trip to Busan along with me since I had to leave directly from the university to the train station. I had packed my carry-on with all my work stuff and then had a medium sized gift bag that I had put a few changes of clothes so that I could leave my bigger bag in Seoul. I had put all my personals at the bottom so that they wouldn't sneak out of the top. So as soon as the train arrived at my stop, I stood up and to my horror, the bottom of the bag broke. The doors opened and several teenage boys and business men tried to help me as they gathered up my lace panties and blue nightie that decorated the floor and helped me get out in time before the doors closed. I was utterly embarrassed.

Beware of Subways

2005-09-20T19:06:00.000+07:00

After a day in Korea, I have to say that of all the countries I have been to, Koreans are the most friendly and helpful people...in direct competition with the Irish who are also extremely friendly and hospitable. I went out today to explore the city and locate a few schools. What better way than to try to figure out the public transportation system? I was surprised to see how few people actually spoke English but how willing they were to try to help me. I had people who couldn't explain to me how to get there in English, so they walked with me the 3 to 4 blocks to the bus stop and communicated with the driver in order to get me in the place I needed to be. This happened several times! I love Korea! I met so many wonderful people today as these strangers took the time to talk with me a little and help me get around. It reminded me that places don't leave you with the fond memories but the people that you've met and shared time with in that place. I'm a girl that loves to see the sights but the truth is that the landmarks will soon fade from my memory and be nothing more than just a place that I marked off of my sights-to-see list. It is the cultural exchanges, conversations, negotiation of meaning (when you can't speak the language) that remain in my memory and form my overall impression of a place.
With all that said, I do have to share with you an interesting story that I could have done without...though it does not change my initial love for Korea and the people here. So, I'm feeling great, getting around, and bounding up the stairs of the subway station. All of the sudden, a man passes me on my left, stands about 5 steps ahead of me and pulls down his pants. Whoa! That was something that I could have done without. I just rolled my eyes and went around him. This was a time that I wished a friend would have been with me because it would have produced a lot of conversation and laughter afterwards. Any takers for the next time around? I'm sure he'd be willing to do an encore!

The Start of My Adventure

2005-09-19T19:41:00.000+07:00

I arrived in Seoul about an hour and a half ago. I was able to buy a bus ticket and some how found out which one to actually get on...this was a miracle in itself. I took a seat next to an older gentleman who didn't speak a great deal of English but was able to communicate that he taught "sports" which later translated into teeball. We made a connection right away because years ago at the ripe age of seven, I was a teeball star! They put their best players in left field, right? Anyway, the man proceeded to confirm my hotel on his cell phone and then helped me get off at the right place in order to snag me a taxi to get me to the location that I needed to go. He went out of his way for me and missed his stop because of it. I love Korea already.

Back Home In Colorado with Friends

2005-09-15T06:38:00.000+07:00

Brooke, Lan, Kathryn

Dan, Tuck, Tracee

Matt, Kathryn, Jody, Justin, Chris

Thought of the Day: Life as an American

2005-09-13T10:34:00.000+07:00

I was reading a book today that discussed American culture and values. Paul Goodman, a social commentator said, "America has a high standard of living of low average quality." In a country that seems to have so much in regards to opportunity and wealth, there seems to be few who are actually enjoying the luxuries and conveniences. Why? In my opinion, it is because we have forgotten that real joy in life comes in the relationships that we surround our lives with...not the conveniences or luxuries that we think will make those relationships or life in general better. We spend more time trying to accomplish or attain the things that our society deems as important while we miss out on the happiness found in the simplicity of relationships.

Teaching at University of California, Irvine

2005-09-03T10:25:00.000+07:00

I have been so lucky to be able to teach and spend time with my students at UCI. As I was eager to get back into the classroom again, it provided me that opportunity while allowing me to continue to cultivate my passion for other cultures. Being back in the States for the past eight months has been good, but I would definitely give up Southern California traffic and the materialism for life abroad. The majority of my students are from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan...all countries that I will most likely visit while working with Hope International University overseas so I'll have friends when I go there. Above is Ertan, the token Turkish student, my roomate Lisa, and Lisa (my student). The second picture is a few of my students at a picnic that we had together.