I'm not sure what this country is doing to my sense of humour... but I've really come to enjoy The IT Crowd
It is hilarious. Check it out if you can, not sure if it's broadcasted in the US.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Gondola, anyone?
This entry was bound to happen sooner or later and today was the beginning of what I anticipate being nearly three long months.
Things are going really well with the motorbike. I'm very confident and comfortable in varying amounts of traffic. However, much like Jersey, it's dreadful in the rain: people suddenly forget how to drive and heavily depend on their breaks. Let's not forget that the rain in Vietnam is a driving, stinging, painful rain that gets everywhere it doesn't belong, much like sand. I'm pretty sure my contact almost surfed out of my eye the other day. I will never again take for granted windshields or windshield wipers.
On top of driving in the driving rain, let's visit traffic: at least 100 motorbikes cram as closely together as possible at red lights, releasing trillions of particles of exhaust (and germs, no one covers their mouth when coughing or sneezing). So part of you is focusing on not inhaling while the other part of you is making sure your lower legs aren't getting burned by exhaust pipes. Let's not even venture into how many people are staring at you because you look different than them, and OH! You're speaking English with a westerner that's driving with you or near you. It's like a museum or amusement park and you're the entertainment, so SMILE!
So today, I was venturing into the heart of Binh Thanh where my students live. When Tracey, Lizzie, and I were looking at places we visited an apartment right around the corner, but settled for the outskirts closer to the center. Robin lives over there though, mind you. I was driving in, quite pleased that I'd left work early enough that the traffic wasn't so bad yet, where what would be three minutes from their house when - I hit a lake. It was kind of shallow at first, no problem, I've been in flooding that covered my sandaled foot before. But then, as lakes generally do, it got deeper and deeper where if I'd put my foot down, my leg would have been drowned up to mid-calf/shin. Sure, I'm short and hence have short calves/shins, but that's a lot of water where a street used to be.
What did we learn today?
1. Don't panic.
2. Don't make faces, they'll only stare at you more.
3. Don't put your foot down!
4. Don't panic.
5. Don't speed up or slow down too much or you'll have to break rule 3.
6. Laugh at the fact that a gondola would serve you better in this environment.
All of these rules were learned by observing others, except 6. For those of you counting at home, 78 days until the 209 gang is reunited!
Love to all <3
Things are going really well with the motorbike. I'm very confident and comfortable in varying amounts of traffic. However, much like Jersey, it's dreadful in the rain: people suddenly forget how to drive and heavily depend on their breaks. Let's not forget that the rain in Vietnam is a driving, stinging, painful rain that gets everywhere it doesn't belong, much like sand. I'm pretty sure my contact almost surfed out of my eye the other day. I will never again take for granted windshields or windshield wipers.
On top of driving in the driving rain, let's visit traffic: at least 100 motorbikes cram as closely together as possible at red lights, releasing trillions of particles of exhaust (and germs, no one covers their mouth when coughing or sneezing). So part of you is focusing on not inhaling while the other part of you is making sure your lower legs aren't getting burned by exhaust pipes. Let's not even venture into how many people are staring at you because you look different than them, and OH! You're speaking English with a westerner that's driving with you or near you. It's like a museum or amusement park and you're the entertainment, so SMILE!
So today, I was venturing into the heart of Binh Thanh where my students live. When Tracey, Lizzie, and I were looking at places we visited an apartment right around the corner, but settled for the outskirts closer to the center. Robin lives over there though, mind you. I was driving in, quite pleased that I'd left work early enough that the traffic wasn't so bad yet, where what would be three minutes from their house when - I hit a lake. It was kind of shallow at first, no problem, I've been in flooding that covered my sandaled foot before. But then, as lakes generally do, it got deeper and deeper where if I'd put my foot down, my leg would have been drowned up to mid-calf/shin. Sure, I'm short and hence have short calves/shins, but that's a lot of water where a street used to be.
What did we learn today?
1. Don't panic.
2. Don't make faces, they'll only stare at you more.
3. Don't put your foot down!
4. Don't panic.
5. Don't speed up or slow down too much or you'll have to break rule 3.
6. Laugh at the fact that a gondola would serve you better in this environment.
All of these rules were learned by observing others, except 6. For those of you counting at home, 78 days until the 209 gang is reunited!
Love to all <3
Friday, September 23, 2011
Chez Lauren strikes again
I've been cooking a lot on and off. I'm on a new tofu kick. Unfortunately there's only one kind and it's not firm at all. I sauteed it tonight with tomatoes, garlic, and onion, but the firmness never changes. It was pretty good, but any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
They make it two phenomenal ways at the street food place we go to, but I can't figure out what any of it is really, just delicious.
Nothing too exciting going on around here. Next weekend 11 of us are going to Nha Trang (that's a LOT of people and there's a LOT to do in Nha Trang, I hope we can agree on things, or at least agree to split up) and the weekend after that is Oktoberfest sponsored by the German association in the city.
I'm happy to be off tomorrow, I hope it rains in the morning like it did this morning... I would greatly appreciate a sleep-in and then reading in bed. I don't do that nearly enough. I will one day give you some idea of driving in the rain on a motorbike.
I can't believe it's almost October, I was convinced today was the 16th. Have a nice weekend! <3 xo
They make it two phenomenal ways at the street food place we go to, but I can't figure out what any of it is really, just delicious.
Nothing too exciting going on around here. Next weekend 11 of us are going to Nha Trang (that's a LOT of people and there's a LOT to do in Nha Trang, I hope we can agree on things, or at least agree to split up) and the weekend after that is Oktoberfest sponsored by the German association in the city.
I'm happy to be off tomorrow, I hope it rains in the morning like it did this morning... I would greatly appreciate a sleep-in and then reading in bed. I don't do that nearly enough. I will one day give you some idea of driving in the rain on a motorbike.
I can't believe it's almost October, I was convinced today was the 16th. Have a nice weekend! <3 xo
Sunday, September 18, 2011
American culture
In standing up for my American culture, I stormed out of a party. As Vietnam would have it, I was trapped in the house because you need a key to get out. When the person who lived in the house finally came to let me out, I told him he offended me and he basically told me to get out of his house and he didn't care how I felt about any of it.
Lesson learned: it's okay for everyone to (excuse my language) shit on America, especially when there's only one person there to defend it (me). BUT as soon as someone starts to shit (excuse me) on Germany ... NOOOOO that's not okay. (Let's just forget the reason WWII even started.) I can take the criticism in stride, I know we're not perfect. BUT as soon as you tell me that Germany is perfect and other countries (namely America) have no culture, you're just wrong. We have EVERY culture, and that's what I think makes us who we are. But, according to this guy, American culture didn't begin until 20 years ago. So, what, I was 6? What did we have before that? I know America has a dirty past and continues to get into trouble, but that doesn't make us uncultured.
Am I wrong? Did I do the wrong thing? Stand up for the wrong beliefs? It's so hard being the only American in my circle of friends sometimes.
Lesson learned: it's okay for everyone to (excuse my language) shit on America, especially when there's only one person there to defend it (me). BUT as soon as someone starts to shit (excuse me) on Germany ... NOOOOO that's not okay. (Let's just forget the reason WWII even started.) I can take the criticism in stride, I know we're not perfect. BUT as soon as you tell me that Germany is perfect and other countries (namely America) have no culture, you're just wrong. We have EVERY culture, and that's what I think makes us who we are. But, according to this guy, American culture didn't begin until 20 years ago. So, what, I was 6? What did we have before that? I know America has a dirty past and continues to get into trouble, but that doesn't make us uncultured.
Am I wrong? Did I do the wrong thing? Stand up for the wrong beliefs? It's so hard being the only American in my circle of friends sometimes.
Friday, September 16, 2011
I've got some troubles, but they won't last
Hi all! You'll never guess what I just returned from doing... I'm not sure I believe I did it.
I was out with western friends the other night and a guy came up to Romy and I and asked if we'd like to be in a movie. Half interested and half joking I said sure! He said he needed extras to play doctors and nurses in a feature film based in Australia but with scenes here in Vietnam. After a lot of blabber from my friends, I decided to just go and check it out today after work.
Apparently I AUDITIONED for a role, the most pathetic audition I'm sure there ever was because I never thought to take a second of the experience seriously... it's Vietnam, after all, AND the guy made it seem like he just needed people in the backgound. They took some photos and I did a film test and had to dance... yes DANCE to Sugar Town (hence the title of this post). Apparently if I'm chosen, thanks to my "fresh face and smile" I'd be a girl in the band, not a nurse as I'd have imagined. (By the way, the film is family comedy about girls who sing for soldiers haha.) I'm not taking this seriously as I'm sure it was just another story to add to my exciting tale about Vietnam. But, wouldn't it be quite crazy if I was actually in a film? If I suddenly managed to become known if only in Australia and Vietnam?
Filming starts in a month. I'll let you know what happens... assuming I hear from them before I forget the whole experience.
In the office tomorrow :( Two Saturdays in a row, WHAT IS THIS?! Still working with book fair stuff, so nothing new to report there. Love to all! <3
I was out with western friends the other night and a guy came up to Romy and I and asked if we'd like to be in a movie. Half interested and half joking I said sure! He said he needed extras to play doctors and nurses in a feature film based in Australia but with scenes here in Vietnam. After a lot of blabber from my friends, I decided to just go and check it out today after work.
Apparently I AUDITIONED for a role, the most pathetic audition I'm sure there ever was because I never thought to take a second of the experience seriously... it's Vietnam, after all, AND the guy made it seem like he just needed people in the backgound. They took some photos and I did a film test and had to dance... yes DANCE to Sugar Town (hence the title of this post). Apparently if I'm chosen, thanks to my "fresh face and smile" I'd be a girl in the band, not a nurse as I'd have imagined. (By the way, the film is family comedy about girls who sing for soldiers haha.) I'm not taking this seriously as I'm sure it was just another story to add to my exciting tale about Vietnam. But, wouldn't it be quite crazy if I was actually in a film? If I suddenly managed to become known if only in Australia and Vietnam?
Filming starts in a month. I'll let you know what happens... assuming I hear from them before I forget the whole experience.
In the office tomorrow :( Two Saturdays in a row, WHAT IS THIS?! Still working with book fair stuff, so nothing new to report there. Love to all! <3
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Happy September!
I can't believe I've been here for six months. Some days I could almost count how much longer I'm here, but most days it feels like it's going too fast. The weather's been very reminiscent of Jersey in autumn, windy with a hint of coolness. Hard to believe I'm not going to have a proper autumn or any kind of winter. I don't think I'm regretting it too much, though.
Between my extremely fickle computer and the immense load of work I've had at the office since the other english editor quit almost a month and a half ago, I've been too tired, impatient, and busy to post.
Last Friday was Vietnamese Independence day. Nothing too special appeared to happen. Most of my friends went out of town, so I enjoyed a quiet weekend in the city. I promised my friend Nicky I'd stay out with her Saturday night because I always bail and go home early. It was more fun than I anticipated, so maybe I've learned to stop bailing on her.
We're gearing up for the Frankfurt Book Fair at work, it's at the end of October in Germany. Robin and Julien are going, while we're here in the office now working our fingers off. Perhaps I should be in Marketing? No, seriously, I prefer editing, I just wish there was a second person to share the very heavy load of all the things that need to be ready for the Fair.
I had to work today, so I'm just settling in for the afternoon with no grand plans to do anything. Robin's roommate (and a bunch of her American friends! so few Americans here haha) is planning karaoke tonight, so I might do that.
I could use a nap now. Love and miss you all <3
Between my extremely fickle computer and the immense load of work I've had at the office since the other english editor quit almost a month and a half ago, I've been too tired, impatient, and busy to post.
Last Friday was Vietnamese Independence day. Nothing too special appeared to happen. Most of my friends went out of town, so I enjoyed a quiet weekend in the city. I promised my friend Nicky I'd stay out with her Saturday night because I always bail and go home early. It was more fun than I anticipated, so maybe I've learned to stop bailing on her.
We're gearing up for the Frankfurt Book Fair at work, it's at the end of October in Germany. Robin and Julien are going, while we're here in the office now working our fingers off. Perhaps I should be in Marketing? No, seriously, I prefer editing, I just wish there was a second person to share the very heavy load of all the things that need to be ready for the Fair.
I had to work today, so I'm just settling in for the afternoon with no grand plans to do anything. Robin's roommate (and a bunch of her American friends! so few Americans here haha) is planning karaoke tonight, so I might do that.
I could use a nap now. Love and miss you all <3
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Mui Ne photos
Everyone I've talked to will tell you Mui Ne is so amazing. It was not my favourite place I've been, but maybe it's better with a big group and when it's not rainy season. Alas, here are a few photos :)
My rented bike by the beach
Garden view outside our hotel room
Pool and beach view from our room
Sand dunes
Someone's garden I got yelled at for photographing... oops.
Mui Ne STINKS and it's because of miles and miles of these little fish being dried out
I tried to steal this kitten from the bar, but he wasn't having it.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Nha Trang photos
Like I said, Nha Trang was amazing an beautiful and I'd live there if it were a viable option. Here are a few pictures... I was too busy enjoying myself to take a bunch. That's the problem isn't it?
Durian, tastes and smells as gross as it looks.
Jenga!
Boat tour views
Sights from the beach
Delicious seaside, seafood lunch
Home sweet... Saigon
Well, my weekend in Nha Trang was awesome up until last night when I thought the train was at 9pm and it was actually at 7pm and I noticed at 6:30pm. We had crappy ban mi's (egg and tofu on a baguette) and slept until the train that was SUPPOSED to be 9 hours (which would have put us back in Saigon at 4am) turned out to be 11.5 hours, and THEN my taxi driver decided to give me a tour of the city and run up the cab fair pretending not to know where he was going. I got in my apartment at 7:40am this morning and ran out the door at 7:55am to go to work.
Needless to say today's lunch was fantastic because it basically felt like I hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday... which, by the way, was an amazing lunch. Nha Trang is a definite must for any one that comes to Vietnam: cool ocean air, fresh sea food, and tons of English speaking Vietnamese! And the overnight train is pretty sweet.. even if it takes WAY longer than they say.
I tried to send more post cards this weekend, but I miscalculated my time immensely and didn't make it to the post office. I'm going to Mui Ne this weekend, I think, so look for some love from there.
xo, L
Needless to say today's lunch was fantastic because it basically felt like I hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday... which, by the way, was an amazing lunch. Nha Trang is a definite must for any one that comes to Vietnam: cool ocean air, fresh sea food, and tons of English speaking Vietnamese! And the overnight train is pretty sweet.. even if it takes WAY longer than they say.
I tried to send more post cards this weekend, but I miscalculated my time immensely and didn't make it to the post office. I'm going to Mui Ne this weekend, I think, so look for some love from there.
xo, L
Monday, August 8, 2011
Another check-in
All is well on this side of the world. I'm going to Nha Trang this weekend, train tickets in hand :) Find me on facebook because I'm too lazy to figure out how to make Picasa (the picture site that's in cahoots with blogspot) work.
Also, taking donations for the "Lauren's camera is broken and she wants to buy her roommate's" Fund... feel free to inquire about where to send money :)
Off to my last lesson with Dahoon. Hopefully I'll find another kid that wants to speak Jersey English.
Love to all!
Also, taking donations for the "Lauren's camera is broken and she wants to buy her roommate's" Fund... feel free to inquire about where to send money :)
Off to my last lesson with Dahoon. Hopefully I'll find another kid that wants to speak Jersey English.
Love to all!
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