Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Another Karaoke Night

After we got back from the temple, Nancy and I (along with the other two roomies) went next door to Sophia's parents' house for dinner and karaoke. Photos below..


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    Sunday, June 28, 2009

    Day at the Temple

    Oh how great it was to see all the monks and nuns again! Nancy, Mr. Thom, Ms. Khanh and I all took a taxi to the temple to ensure our safe arrival. If you're interested, the coordinates of my temple on google earth are 10°31'15.40"N, 107° 7'36.37"E . Below are some photos of the day.

    Oh! Nghiem Tien shaved my head during the visit so I'm bald again. After incurring cuts and minor discomfort from them, he later told me I was the first person's head he ever shaved. haha! Ouch!

    Tan Banh, Michael, and Nghiem Nghia riding down the lift to the temple..


    Me leading the group to the waterfall...


    Still climbing...


    My "younger brother," Nghiem Tien and Nancy..


    The wonderful Master answering questions..


    And SUPER special thanks to Nancy for taking these wonderful photos!
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      Saturday, June 27, 2009

      Care Packages!!!

      This morning, Nancy forgot her passport, so we didn't go into Saigon to sort out her VISA. BUT.. it worked out well because two care packages from the states came today. Happy times! Photos below:

      Two packages on the same day!!


      From my buddy, Yem, in San Francisco: Saltines and Bath and Body Works Wallflower refills


      From my friend, Brandi, in Wyoming: Saltines, Wallflower plug-ins, skittles, and gummy bears


      Total Jackpot!!!


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        Friday, June 26, 2009

        RIP Michael Jackson

        The last photo of him alive..


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          Thursday, June 25, 2009

          More Funny Photos from Saigon (Part 2)

          Don't climb up an electrical pole.. apparently.


          And don't use a pick on railroad tracks..


          A Circle K! In Vietnam! But I didn't go inside to see if Indians were working.


          This lady had her hair pulled together with a straw! Fashionista!!


          The rules of a park.. Read some! They are funny!


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            Wednesday, June 24, 2009

            Funny Sites of Saigon (Part 1)

            Some photos of funny things I saw while in Saigon on Sunday..

            Always Always Always a random chicken crossing your path somewhere!!

            So... does this mean there's no wifi since it's wifi free? like.. fat free?

            This man with his daisy dukes and red shoes was walking it out on the sidewalk!

            I love Burger! I do! But only one.

            It's true.. Beauty COME from nature!


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              Tuesday, June 23, 2009

              New Shelves!

              So excited! I had some custom shelves built for my room. After a week, they finally arrived at my house. The cost: 900,000 VND (Vietnamese Dong). Roughly $50.65. They are 1.4m wide and 2m tall. How old am I that I'm getting excited over shelves now!?


              My adopted Vietnamese daddy, Mr. Chau

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                We Love Vietnam!

                Nancy and I got matching shirts...


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                  Monday, June 22, 2009

                  Dressing Room

                  This, my friends, is how you try on clothes in Vietnam - go to the back of the tent while a man holds up a sheet over you, watching you the entire time.


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                    Sunday in Saigon

                    Sorry I didn't post anything yesterday. Nancy, Vuong, and I went into the city to do some shopping, eating, exploring... lots of fun things. Nancy brought her camera so I will post pictures as soon as I get them from her.

                    For the first time, I took the train into the city. It took about 40 minutes and was all of 12,000 Vietnamese dong - which is roughly 70 cents for a car with air conditioner, cloth seats, and television. It was good times and DEFINITELY a lot less stressful than driving my bike and a lot less expensive than taking a taxi. Why didn't I discover this ten months sooner? Anyway, now I know.. for future reference.

                    Vuong and I took Nancy around to look at some of the sites of Saigon. Having done all this many times before, we just let Nancy go off and explore while we sat, talked, and rested. We are lazy.

                    I found a couple of shirts at Saigon Square and bought some American chocolate (Riesens) and candy (Skittles) at an American supermarket there in the city. Oh! I found Graham crackers, too! They have all been handed over to Nancy as she is responsible for rationing out portions to me so that I don't make myself sick by eating it all at once - which I would TOTALLY do!

                    I went to bed early last night and woke up early this morning at 4:30. I went out for my usual 6.2km run. I must say that I thoroughly enjoy my new route in the mornings as I'm not being bothered by people requesting me to speak English to them. I go early and have learned NOT to say hello to people on the street should they try and gesture to me. Not to be rude, but it's my workout time. I'm focused on the task. The wonderful things about getting up so early to run are 1. it's over with so I have the rest of the day to NOT worry about exercising and 2. the long nap that awaits me in the morning when I finish. This is what I'm about to do now as it's 5:55am.

                    My life.. is good. Enjoying it.

                    Here's what I look like after running 6.2km (3.85miles).


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                      Saturday, June 20, 2009

                      Saigon Tomorrow

                      Not much to report today. Slept in this morning; it was wonderful. Had lunch and coffee with Nancy, then taught three classes at KTV. I'm tired. Gotta get up early to take the train into Saigon to spend the day doing the tourist thing with Nancy and Vuong. Good night.

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                        Friday, June 19, 2009

                        Hi, Michael and Nancy

                        A cool photo of us looking up into the light of my balcony....


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                          Thursday, June 18, 2009

                          Still Tumbling...

                          Some back tuck action photos of me tumbling with the Reunification Palace in Saigon in the background.



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                            Wednesday, June 17, 2009

                            Typical in Vietnam

                            Me filling up my bike with gas... $3 a week! Gotta love Vietnam!


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                              Tuesday, June 16, 2009

                              Dinner Party

                              On Sunday, Nancy and I were invited to a dinner party that one of our students threw for us. Some pictures below of the event:

                              Nancy and Michael

                              Michael and Tom

                              I want one!


                              My first sip of snake wine didn't go down well



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                                Monday, June 15, 2009

                                Moving Day!

                                GOODBYEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, old house!!! And gooooodbyyyeee, nosey talkative old landlady and your overpriced house!!


                                Sitting in a cyber cafe with less than stellar wifi speed so I'll post descriptions later. For now, some photos from the big move!

                                First, some photos of how the old house looked after I packed it up.

                                And the journey begins..

                                Thanks to all the teachers and a few students who helped me move!

                                Saturday, June 13, 2009

                                A Little Progress

                                Packing up my house to move into the big house tomorrow!


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                                  Friday, June 12, 2009

                                  Pool Days, Pool Days

                                  A few photos from this morning's swim:

                                  Bikini Body 2009 (after losing almost 50 lbs.. still working on it!)


                                  Harley and me chillin


                                  Mid-air back tuck


                                  Harley and Nancy chit-chattin'




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