So, after last year's epically successful surprise party brother dearest and I planned, I'm in the early stages of planning another one - no worries, the futurely surprised person doesn't read my blog. It's going to be harder to keep this secret because I have to see them every day. If this goes as well as I expect, I'm going to change my career to party planner. xx
Before Dan arrived
So, I don't eat pork, and as far as I'm concerned and when anyone asks, I never have and I never will. About three times a week I'm asked why, and frankly I don't have an answer other than I DON'T WANT TO AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME! Though, pork is assuredly a vegetable in Vietnam. Bleh.
Me: If [the royal baby] is a girl they might name it Charlotte, which I disapprove of - because even though I want to name my daughter (Laila) Ruth, I like Charlotte (Charlie for short), too.
Jess: Laila ? No ! But Charlotte is nice, yes
Me: Laila Ruth, say it out loud - it's cute and it flows when you're mad
Jess: Muslim and Jewish, will not be easy for her
Me: Well, certainly no one will ask her why she doesn't eat pork!
Jess: haha no!
I've been thinking about teaching full time, but then I come to my senses.
Yesterday I got two new students along with David and Andrew, my devilish little angels for the past two years who I tend to miss even though I haven't left them yet. Hannah is ten, the same as Andrew, very quiet and studious. I like her. I like Andrew, too, he's a bit of a suck up, but he's well behaved and genuinely excited about nearly everything, except math. David is of course a pain in my butt and he's reached 13, the first day of which, I swear I walked into the room and he was frowning. I said, "What's wrong, Gloomy Gus?" He shrugged his shoulders. To which I said "No, no way, you JUST hit adolescence, you don't get to be a sullen brat already." Needless to say, he kept scowling.
BUT, to the point of this post. I met my ideal child - I really want to have a daughter that grows up to be just like her. She's as cute as a button, which doesn't hurt, and her little elfin voice makes her a giggle to listen to. The whipped cream on top is that she actually said, without ANY prompting from me, though I had told David he was being a poor influence, Guys, we need to be quieter so everyone can concentrate. She's SIX! Gah, the cutest. And the cherry, of course, is that she hugged me on the way out.
Friends, family. I may have to express adopt this child. I hope I will have your support. They simply can't come any better than that. And she's potty trained.
PSA: For those of you that are not familiar with my sense of humour, express adoption is kidnapping. And illegal. Which is why I need support ;)
Working on Saturday is the worst. The absolute worst. Whoever invented it hates fun and life itself; more specifically, they hate me. The end.
I went to an 80s party last night - where the music was more 90s than anything else, but what can you do? The outfit I wore was absolutely atrocious but equally fantastic. Will find photos soon.
Photo Update!: red sunnies, yellow tank and nails, purple shorts, teal tights, magenta heels, white clutch. This is for anyone who thinks I'm afraid of colour. And the 80s ;)
So a few weeks ago my friend and ex-colleague "introduced" her aunt (an author) and I to each other. We emailed back and forth a few times, and I have OFFICIALLY LANDED her 100,000-word, non-fiction! I am so incredibly excited and proud of myself. Aside from Helen's introduction, I handled all of the professional stuff ON MY OWN. I was just saying to Michael, I'm not sure when I became so professional/such a grown up.
In other news, I haven't made any decisions. Shocked? I didn't think so. My contract is ticking away and even though I feel slight anxiety at having no where to be on Monday, June 3rd, I can't shake this feeling of success, accomplishment, and sheer freedom to be and do whatever it is that I damn well feel like. I know this isn't the best economy to be quitting jobs willy-nilly, especially without a clear cut plan, but worry not, friends, I got this.
BUT if you want to lend a helping hand, any jobs in editing, in museums, or the like being passed my way would be most helpful and appreciated. Especially if they are at the Philadelphia Art Museum, because I've already found the PERRRRRFECT job, I just need an in. I'm going to apply before the week is out. That's right, you read it here first, I very well MAY be making a come back, east coast. GET READY!
Right, so with all of this excitement I have to go to sleep. Ha. LOVE!
PS: I bought a new camera! It was about time.
Status update: Cover letter written, resume updated, just waiting on an edit!
I've lived in Saigon for about 26 months and never ever will I get used to funerals. I've never BEEN to one, but I've heard them, been re-directed on roads, etc.
This morning at 5:30 the saddest saxophone played the saddest song, accompanied by what seemed to be an orchestra down on the street (I never climb out of bed to look because that would wake me up even more). I used to think they started at such obscene hours in the morning because it was the exact moment when the person died - you know, in the dead sleep when this painful brass music wakes you us, there's not a lot of coherent thought going on. Today, in half a daze at missing out on an hour of vital sleep, I finally asked one of my colleagues - one who doesn't take offense to my questions about the culture but laughs at me instead (try to keep up with the language and the blending of paragraphs... I don't how how to change that since blogspot reformatted):
LA: Good morning dear DK! So, what's the deal with the 5:30 am band when someone dies? I used to assume it was the time when the person died... but I can't imagine that 8 people have died at 5:30 am since I've lived here. DK: not sure understand ur question LA: In my neighbourhood when there's a funeral, there's always a band playing at 5:30 in the forsaken morning. DK: ahhhhh :D:D:D understand LA: Why do they do this? WHY? DK: (rofl)(rofl) LA: |-) DK: omg Lauren hahahahaha you make me hahahaha cannot stop laughing (rofl)(rofl) but u're so cute wen asking/thinking the reason of dat hahahaha (sorry will tell in 5mins after finish laughing) :D LA: haha laugh it up while I take a nap
[Ten minutes later, which I'll presume she was working, not laughing at me]
DK: ok finish haha. well, dats de time music band starts working my dear. its not cause of dats de time the person died. LA: But they only work for 1 hour?! DK: no, they start at dat time, den they rest. and they only work every time there's people come to visit the died people LA: So they sit there all day and wait for visitors? DK: yes exactly LA: WHO VISITS AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING!? DK: no no its the time they start, its like warm up LA: I see, I see. Well, it's mostly very beautiful music, I just wish they'd sleep in a bit later. DK: hahaha. to me i dont like, it's too noisy :| LA: You're right, it is VERY noisy. I can hear it CLEARLY on the 9th floor. DK: :D yes. and to me its also not "formal" too. funeral is something sad already, there is no fun for listening to music >"< LA: That's true. DK: but others think cause its too sad so we need music to make it less sad :| DK: one more thing the fee to invite music band is really expensive too. if it's just VNmese, traditional music, it will be 4M for 3 days and if it is music band who plays western music/foreign music (they call like that), de money will be double. so sometimes here, having a music band in the funeral is de way for some people who wants to show off that they're rich LA: That IS a lot! DK: it's useless, the died people dont listen to music
So, now I understand the system. And DK has a point which I think could be proven around the world - that we'd rather spend money on things we can't afford so people will thing we have more than we do. When really, we can't even buy what we need anymore.
I'm finishing up my contract here in just three short weeks. No idea what I'm doing next. Currently, I have two freelance projects in the mix, so that should keep me busy until August. Also, finally moving out of my building in two weeks. I'll be sad to have to learn new routes, but so so happy to be rid of the forsaken parking men.
I've learned over the years to keep my negativity to myself, which is why you rarely come across posts of lamentation. But I just needed to get off my chest, no matter how long I'm here or how many times I've been to get gas - I still hate the experience. I am forever being cut in the queue and there is no respect or regard for the lower portion of my legs which are at high risk of being burned (Saigon-kiss free since 2011!).
Really, the Vietnamese could stand to take a lesson in waiting their turn and waiting patiently. Another funny story, which also happened today, comes to mind: I forgot the packet of pills I'm taking at the office and was forced to go to the pharmacy pick up a new one - because there's a schedule to it. ANYWAY I'm in the queue, waiting my turn, though endlessly being cut by Vietnamese women (no one respects the order of lines! bastards). Anyway, I'm panicking because I can't remember the brand name and of course I can't say it in Vietnamese - then, by the grace of God, ... I've just realised this story isn't appropriate for a public forum, but let's just say everyone laughed and got what they wanted, even if I had to wait around much longer than planned.
Learn something new everyday. This is what I learned in Czech today: Byl lepší, než jsme si mysleli. It translates loosely to "It was better than we thought." Which is basically a life mantra around here.
Many happy birthdays to all of you January babies!
Hello loves, I hope you all enjoyed your turn of the year! I had a lovely dinner with colleagues and friends and then relocated to a different rooftop for drinks and fireworks with other friends. All in all, a wonderful night, though the fireworks must have been invisible - Saigon's really got to get a handle on all of the tall buildings going up (which, mind you, are mostly empty).
Of course, it wouldn't be so obviously a good night had I held on to my phone - now lost somewhere in the backpacker area. I hope someone that really needed a phone found it :)
I'm getting ready to start planning a two week-ish trip to the Philippines! Excited to see what all the fuss is about. I've also got another 10 days to kill before the end of Feb. Chime in: not including the States - from where would you like postcards!?
As for what I do in my free time (aside from fulfilling my New Years Resolution by upping my study time for French): a. I'm obsessed with MasterChef US. b. Even after having a full meal, without fail it makes me hungry. c. "What the hell is 'fish sauce'? And why does it taste like death?" HA! It's really not so bad, but surely shouldn't be consumed alone by the mouth-full.
Thinking of you all here in sunny Saigon. Big love! <3
