Let's visit the hospital!

I'm in the hospital - but it's not what you think. My friend Dan got in a motorbike accident yesterday and needs pins in his ankle.

It's really weird being on this side of the waiting - it's been so long since it wasn't me. So much love and respect for everyone that sat through it for me. Also funny, I'm crazy tired, it's 2 am on a school night as I like to call them, though I'm not in school, but Dan's been passed out for like five hours while I've been fretting about what happens next in this Vietnamese bone hospital where no one speaks English except he and I, while also managing the threat of a panic attack, which I'm sure has very little to do with Dan's health and everything to do with how disgusting this place feels to me. There's a guy smoking in the waiting room next to me, just 5 metres from the door to where people's limbs are nearly falling off. Oh, hi little cockroach! No, we cannot be friends.

The bed next to Dan has been occupied by three different people (that I've seen) since we've been here waiting. No one's bothered to change the sheets and there's a blood stain that has been there since before I arrived, it's slowly turning brown and no one seems to have noticed or care except me.

Having someone close to me get in such an accident and have to come to a place like this has definitely scared me straight about driving, even if most of the things that happen to me are while parked. But I have to admit, despite the utter disgust and stomach churning things going on around here, I'd rather get fixed here than anywhere else - it's all they do: fix up battered motorbike drivers.

Gonna try and catch some z's while Dan's in surgery. Sweet dreams!

Duped!

Once again I find myself chewing Menthol and Eucalyptus gum. I am not a koala bear! This is not pleasing.

On another note, all gum in Vietnam is reminiscent of a cold remedy back home.

Allegory of Wealth

Just wanted to share my newest favourite painting - check out the judgement in that baby's face... "Lucy, you got some 'splainin to do."

Hope everyone else's weekend was as great as mine, and mine was really great - despite leaving parties.

Simon Vouet, Allegory of Wealth, c. 1630-1635.
Oil on canvas, 17 x 12.4 cm.
Musée du Louvre, Paris.

Je ne suis pas celle que vous croyez.

I'm taking French lessons.

You would think learning Vietnamese would have been the goal here, but one year in I've got my directionals, plesantries, and food requests sorted. Further than that I've just given up hope, I mean I can hardly pronouce my street name (Nguyễn Ngọc Phương).

But I'm kicking butt and taking names in French, even starting to understand the Euros. I should have taken this on 11 months ago.

Still on the flatmate search. Fun, fun times. (Sarcasm.)

Happy Daylight Savings

Hi all, the rumours are true, I've extended my stay here in Ho Chi Minh City. Three to six months to start, but will consider a full year given the right situation and stars aligning etc etc.

I'm looking for flatmates because I waited to long to decide to stay - or I'll have to move. Once that's all sorted I imagine it will feel like home again, but until then I've been a bit frazzled and second guessing my decisions. I'm still working for the same company.

I am going to take the time to update January through now. I just found the notes I took while away on Tet in Thailand - nothing from Cambodia because I was so sick. Lots of photos on my Facebook from those travels.

Just wanted to share this because it's got all of us, particularly the women of the office, up in arms. It makes me quite sad and disappointed, all of these paintings were more beautiful the first time around: Art nudes have gone skinny Check it out and join my rage. Damn you 21st century and your beauty 'ideals'.

We're back to an 11 hour time difference and I'm not a fan. But I AM a fan that I don't have to deal with it here. Love and love and love to all <3