Mama Said There'd Be Rain Like This

I tutor in the evenings after work 2-3 times a week. Sometimes I'm tired and don't feel like going and other times it's raining so badly (and I still have to go) that I feel the need to blog about it so here goes:

Emotions of Driving in a Saigon Rainstorm

Happy: I forgot to take my yoga clothes out of my bag, so I'll have something (albeit covered in yesterday's sweat) to change into. Also, there is 3/4 less traffic because why travel in the rain (on a motorbike, no less) when you don't have to? I realised there would be a lot less to contend with when driving through the street market - less motorbikes, less slow pedestrians, and wait.... NO BICYCLES AT ALL! (I've recently decided that I'm anti-bicyclists, at least here.)

Nostalgic: I was wearing this dress for my first major rainstorm in this city - it got soaked through that time, too. The children are running, laughing, and playing even though it seems as though the sky is falling.

Surprised: The mini floods are quite warm when they're splashed on your bare leg. (But definitely angry that I'm being splashed at all.)

Nervous: It's getting awfully windy out here... almost there, almost there!

Wistful: I wish I could go home and cuddle up with my book (The Beach), crank up the aircon, and wear sweatpants. (Yes, I know it all sounds counterproductive and is going to contribute to the ruining of the earth, but sometimes a girl just needs to cuddle up in sweats).

Proud: I was recently complimented on my driving skills and the rain appears to be making no difference in that department. I've also worked out all of the roads with the least flooding, so I'm not drowning up to my ankles.

Overjoyed: The bumpiest road with the most potholes in the existence of time has been paved! I'm no longer at risk of losing my front tire, or whole bike in one of them! Way to go Government; thanks for the awesome surprise!

Unamused: The rain. Has stopped. As I pull up to the gate where I tutor. Go figure.

Drama, guns, and Harry Potter ... oh my!

My English friend and colleague, Jenny, sent me this video TNT Knows Drama. I got a kick out of it ... until the end when the silly Europeans just stand there during the gun shots. Don't they know you're supposed to hit the ground or run off in a zigzagging motion (or is that only with bears?)?

Further, for all of you Harry Potter fans:
Lauren: I can't believe no one ducked or got nervous when there were gun shots. Is that showing my Americaness?
Jenny: I don't think us Europeans know how to act around guns.
Jenny: We probably think they're magic Harry Potter killing wands.
Lauren: I think an avada kedavra (which I spelled wrong by one letter! I'm both proud and ashamed) death would be worse than a gun death.
Jenny: Really? It's so quick and painless.
Lauren: But, if you had a wand, too, you could have deflected it.
Jenny: Nahhh it depends on your reactions, it's like a giant game of bop it.

Clearly, a lot of work is being done this afternoon. It's not even Friday. x

Inspiration

Rules to live by: 1. Don’t take anything personally 2. Don’t assume/judge 3. Stay true to your word 4. Always do your best

"Just let it be. You may as well; it is. Everything moves in and out at its own time. You have no control. You never did; you never will."

Don't ever give up on finding the love you deserve. And when you do, don't ever let anything or anyone come between it.

I've got to be true to myself cause I can't make you happy, unless I am-- Z.MARLEY

Thanks Miss Halley for always always sharing your positive messages and mantras.

Happy Easter and other things

Hi all, hope you had a wonderful Easter and Passover!

Nothing too exciting going on around here, just waiting for my shower heater to warm up after a very sweaty but incredible yoga session and before Ladies Night with the girls at Lush.

Wanted to note: Downward Facing Dog is a terrible terrible way to spend positioned for half an hour. However, few feelings are more rewarding (or make you feel as, excuse the lack of a less strong word, sexy) than a sweaty Warrior 2 pose at the end of an intense yoga session.

Here's an amazing cover by Florence that got me through hours and hours of looking at images of mosques, madrasahs, and minarets in Central Asia today: Florence and the Machine: Take Care (orig. Drake). After all of that, I think I need to go to Uzbekistan to see it for myself. Any takers?

In the meantime, there's a four day weekend at the end of the month. Aiming for southern Thailand, but considering popping over to Shanghai, Beijing, or Myanmar. Not sure if there's enough time to do those last three in four days. LoVe to all, x

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

Long distance

On the precipice of making what seems difficult at first and has kept me up many-a-night, but will eventually be an easier decision of all the decisions I imagine that I'll ever make: I have decided to stay in Vietnam for an undetermined period of time. I realise the things I will lose, but cannot help but think of all that I have gained in this journey and what more there is to discover.

I've been in a very long distance relationship with many of you for all of this time. Some of us have kept in very close touch, some of us have teetered on the edge of mere acquaintanceship, and others of us simply separated at the start. I am sure being in close touch will be less and less the longer I am gone, but for now, this is the right decision for me. I love and miss you all much too much for words and your places are well-preserved in my heart - it's grown since I've been gone, you know, I've got room for the whole world now. Take care of yourselves, take care of each other.

"Long distance cannot be measured in I-love-you's or I-miss-you's. Words mean nothing when they cannot be felt as sincerely as they are meant. Perhaps with changing times come changing love letters so to once again give such overused words their original meaning."