Queue up, people!

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!

Happy New Year!

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