Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day...

Yesterday was one of those.  Well, it wasn't THAT bad.  It actually started out quite well.  I went to aerobics class with Karen- which is always a good way to start the day.  And of course on the way home on the moto, we stopped at our favorite ban mi opla place to get a delicious egg sandwich for breakfast.  After that we did a few errands- including a very exciting purchase: a three tiered desk shelf/organizer thing.  I know it might not sound like a big deal, but let me tell you, the number of paper piles all over our apartment is out of control with two of us teachers sharing an apartment- and I have over 300 students alone (not sure how many Maren has)... so I am PUMPED about my new little three shelf paper organizer thing- to say the least. Although it was a bit more pricey than I had anticipated.

Then we had our weekly team devo meeting... which was great, although some guys were in the back of Karen's apartment fixing her hot water heater... and they were smoking in her bathroom... a bit bothersome while have our meeting... but we managed just fine.  However, I had told a few of my students I would meet them at 12 for lunch.  At about 11:20 (forty minutes early) there was a knock on the door- and we were not yet finished with our devo meeting.  I felt bad for the interruption for our team's sake, and I am definitely still adjusting to these early arrivals- which are normal here.  One day I invited some girls over, and they showed up an hour early to find me just out of the shower!  Oh, dear.

So Maren came with me, and we began our trek to find some food with these Journalism students.  I have honestly enjoyed most of the food in VN, but this lunch was not one I enjoyed so much.  On top of my rice, I saw the insides of different animals... even pig intestines... and I couldn't do it (although it wasn't as bad as the hairy pig skin in my soup this weekend).  I reasoned with myself that my students hadn't made it- and they weren't eating everything on their plates either, so I just put all meat items to the side and stuck to the veggies!  To top it off, one of my students proceeds to tell me that most of the students in the Journalism class cheated on the quiz I gave them last week.  Our teachers warned us about this in our "Asia ESL" training... so I had even worked ahead to prepare two different versions of the quiz to prevent cheating.  And even though we were warned about it, I couldn't help but feel betrayed and upset that my students cheated.  ARG.  And I was frustrated that I didn't catch them.  What the heck!  I was watching SO closely!!!!  Hmmm...

Then after lunch one of the gals helped Maren and me with some items that needed repairing- a broken lamp, water kettle, cell phone, etc.  She was SO sweet to assist us and give us advice.  However, I was bummed because I had to get a new SIM card for my cell phone- which meant a new cell phone number... which is just a big hassle.  And none of my contacts carried over.  Yadda yadda.  Oh well.  As my brother Dave says, "It is what it is."  Nothing to do about it now.

In the afternoon, I had a question about my class schedule, so I tried to call the office, but no response.  So I tried to send an e-mail... but no response- and I was worried they might close and I needed to get an answer yesterday.  So I changed into "teacher" clothes, hiked up the hill to the office, and walked in- to find that the answer was being typed into an e-mail right as I walked in.  Stink.  I could've waited just a bit more and gotten the answer.  Oh, well.  It was good to say hello in person :)  I also found a package slip for my teammate Jenny when I went to the office- so it was worth it!  Since Maren also had a package slip, we decided to go for a bike ride to the Post Office in the center of town to pick up the goods.  Three foreigners riding bikes :)  I think that might have been the highlight of the day!  After successfully picking up the packages, we stopped at our beloved Vietnamese "Subway" (where I get 2 sandwiches because they are so small), and then we went to our favorite bakery next door (Lien Hoa) to get a brownie to share for dessert.  It was dark by the time we rode back to our apartments.

I had planned to do lesson plans in the evening, but then got distracted by Skype.  I connected with my parents briefly, and when I saw them on the webcam, I got a big lump in my throat and was instantly homesick.  :(  Then I got emotional about all of the people back home that I love and miss.  So I went out my back door to process with my team leader Karen . . . which was great . . . except that I totally locked Maren (my roommate) out of the back room of our two room apartment.  Our back room has our bathroom, kitchen area, and beds- so she couldn't go to bed.  Let's just say that was straw that broke the camel's back.  Really, it will probably be funny in a few months... but it wasn't so funny last night.  

Of course each day has its ups and downs... culturally, emotionally, etc... in Vietnam or the US or wherever.  I am SO thankful for our Father who is constant!  And I praise Him for His mercies that are new every morning.  I'm not sure how people cope with the ups and downs without Him!  No worries, things really are going well and I truly do love life in VN :)  After reading about my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, I hope you get an idea of how good things have been (as this was one of my hardest days- and it really wasn't that bad at all).  So let me close with one of my favorite quotes related to perspective:

Two women looked through bars.

One saw mud; the other saw stars.

New Friends . . .

These students came over for apple crisp and a game. Not sure what they really thought of the apple crisp, but they were good sports.  I've also gotten to play volleyball with these gals.  Fun times :)

This gal is a sister and such an encouragement to spend time with.  We were able to sing some hymns together in our different languages- same tune and meaning, but different words.  It was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had.  A little taste of heaven on earth!

At our first meal in a Vietnamese home, this little girl (a neice of our friend) had quite the personality.  She warmed up to us quickly and we laughed a lot.  Here we are doing our signature "VTF" (Vietnam Teaching Fellowship) sign... our hands moving like bird's wings to show that we are FREE . . . in more ways than one :)

How do you FEEL?!

I've noticed a common trend in the questions that students ask me here in Vietnam.  Probably, the most popular question to ask a foreigner is: "How do you feel about Vietnam?  or about DaLat?"  However, I have also gotten the questions, "How do you feel about the weather? How do you feel about the food?  How do you feel about the people?  How do you feel about...?"  At first it was awkward for me to answer these questions, because I don't usually word the "feel" for these situations... especially my food :)

However, I have come to notice that students' use of this word conveys so much about Vietnamese culture.  There is a major emphasis on emotion here.  For example, in my Speaking classes, I call on one student at the beginning of each class to teach me a Vietnamese word- kind of a mini ice breaker each day.  The students love hearing me try to speak Vietnamese!  It has been so fascinating- because the students can pick any word they want to teach me- yet the majority of the words they've chosen to teach me have been "emotive/feeling" words... such as:

        cry

        love

        cheerful

         hate

         beautiful

         smile

         happy

         lovely

         anxious/nervous

It is also evident through their love for music.  I am blown away by their love for singing.  EVERYONE seems to love singing, even if they are horrible at singing.  This has been a stretch for me, because anytime you are in a group setting, even standing in front of the classroom (how embarrassing), you are asked to sing a song.  The more dramatic and emotional and romantic the song- the more popular it is.  The band "Westlife" is SUPER big here, as is Karen Carpenter, and Celine Dion :)

I have found that I can use "emotion" to my advantage in the classroom.  Since it is so important to the students, I will tell them that I FEEL very sad when they do not do their homework or follow my instructions.  On the other hand, when I am proud of them and want to affirm them, I tell them I FEEL very happy about their work.  That seems to work wonders.  Acting out different vocabulary words as dramatically as possible in front of the classroom is also a big hit!

Anyway, just a few thoughts on Vietnamese culture.  I hope you feel joyful in Him today!

PS- Today is "Women's Day" in Vietnam!  Roses are being sold all along the streets and everyone is wishing women a "Happy Day."  I asked if there was a "Men's Day"... and the answer was no- because every day is Men's Day... but that's a whole different cultural topic for another blog!

Prince Charming?

The other day while I was taking a shower, I saw something odd on the floor out of the corner of my eye.  I quickly realized a little frog had somehow managed to come in through our little "drain" (which is a hole in the corner).  He was quite small and would've caused no harm, but it just felt weird to have a little frog join me for my shower.  So I grabbed a cup (since our bathroom also serves as our dishwasher) and put it over the frog.  Then I was afraid the frog might suffocate- and I didn't want a dead frog to deal with.  So I scooted the cup along the floor until I was able to shove the frog back out the drain.  However, a second later, he decided to come back.  So I again shoved him back through the drain with the cup.  Then I got a bright idea- to put the little red brick back over the hole (the brick normally blocks the drain from critters like my Prince Charming from coming in when we're NOT taking showers).

Oh, and today was the reappearance of the small lizard or gecko??  This little guy has lived in our apartment for weeks now, and every once in a while he scares us half to death by running along the wall randomly.  If you have any name submissions for our little pet, please send them my way :)

It's been a great weekend.  Saturday mornings my roommate Maren and I usually run around Xuan Huong Lake after sleeping in- it's so refreshing!  Of course we get lots of stares and hollars, so listening to music while running is a big help :)  Then today we walked 30 minutes to our favorite little bakery- Lien Hoa.  Oooohhhh.... I LOVE that place.  We can buy a mini loaf of delicious wheat bread for about $1.00.  And this week we discovered (drumroll please)... A BROWNIE!!  While it tastes a bit different from a brownie back home, it is probably the closest thing I've had since coming to Asia.  Another exciting taste this week came through a present from a student- homemade strawberry jam.  A-MA-Zing!!

Well, tonight the power was out again.  I thought I'd share a photo taken a few weeks ago from my team leader Karen's camera of how we rock the "headlamp look."  It's an adventure every time :)

Ok, I think I need to go to bed so I can get up for my 7 am class tomorrow.  If all of my students show up for Journalism class in the afternoon (which isn't likely with frequent absences since you can't attach any grade to attendance)... there will be 97 students in one room.  May I have a microphone por favor?!?!

A Few "Firsts"...

I am celebrating a few "firsts," and thought I'd share the joys :)

• Yesterday was my first solo bike ride on the streets of DaLat!  It saved a lot of time... but my heart was beating pretty fast at the rush of cruising along with motos and cars and people everywhere.  I kept reminding myself, you are only responsible for what's directly in front of you, and everyone coming from behind will fit in somewhere.  It worked!  It was funny to see students reactions as I biked by... "Miss Suzy!!"  From the looks on their faces, I'm sure it was a funny sight for them :)
• I picked up my first package at the Bui Den (Post Office).  My sweet friend from JBU- Allison Almstrom (who is also teaching in China), sent me such a fun package.  It only cost $1.00 for me to pick it up.  The reminders of home and the fall season were SO encouraging!  I think knowing you're remembered means more than ever expected once in a foreign land.  Thanks Allison- you made my week friend!
• Today (Thursday) I wore a skirt to class for the first time.  I had heard that another teacher here at DaLat University wore a skirt and received a standing ovation- so I was a bit nervous about it.  However, I then reasoned that it wouldn't be that odd to receive a standing ovation since I already receive one every day when I enter the classroom.  All 50 students become deathly silent, stand, and stare at me as I walk to the front of class.  Then they welcome me, "Good morning, Teacher!"  It's a tad overwhelming to say the least.  This morning, the students were waiting outside the classroom and as I walked into view, and a hush came over them as they all stared and whispered about my almost-ankle-length skirt.  Several of them commented how beautiful they thought it was (and I noticed many interesting stares during class).  For the most part, it wasn't as awkward as I pictured.  Hooray- I think I'll try it again.  I love wearing skirts!
• Next week (10-6 through 10-10) I will be teaching my first Journalism classes (two different sections of seniors).  I would appreciate your thoughts as this will be my fullest teaching week all semester (24 hrs. in the classroom)... and I am definitely learning as I teach.

I am sorry I don't have pictures of any of these things :(  My camera has actually died.  So any pictures from here on out are borrowed from teammates.  Hopefully I'll have some next time.  Oh, and by the way, I haven't been able to access Facebook, so e-mail is the best way to connect right now.  Love from Vietnam!