Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Holy Care Package Jackpot!!

Today, my bestest friend in the world from high school sent me an amazing care package from the states, complete with Bath and Body Works products and Louisiana food mixes!! Can't wait to dig into both!!

Also, today my friend, Kyle, came back to Bien Hoa from Cali. He brought with him my favorite chocolate in the whole wide world!! Photos below.

Here's a picture of our receptionist, Mrs. Hom, reading the lovely card from my friend, Amy, along with all the goodies!

Helllo, Hershey's Cookies and Creme Chocolate bars!!!

Progress!

My cheerleaders got a full lib this morning! I'm a proud coach! They're gonna take over Vietnam! :)

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Birthday Wishes

1,662 birthday wishes on facebook. WOW!! Thank you to everyone for the amazing words. I'm truly blessed to have you all in my life.

*UPDATE*
Almost 1,700! Holy Moly! I feel the love!!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Happy Birthday to Me!

Tonight after teaching a class at a factory, the workers I teach took me out to an amazing Korean dinner. Took some photos to share:

When I lived in Korea, I ate goghi mandu (steamed dumplings) every day for lunch. I haven't eaten it in the three years since I left. I found it again here in Vietnam!!
All of us drinking soju to celebrate! Wonderful people!


Thursday, July 21, 2011

My School got a Makeover

The new, front gate
New earthy colors
A look from the front door looking out to the street


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Cheer Practice Slash Cake Fight

Today was an amazing day with my cheer kids. We got a lot accomplished. I'm so proud of them because they're really learning a lot, soaking up all the information, and trying very hard. Today we got 2 full extensions and a prep pyramid.
After practice, they surprised me with a birthday cake - which quickly turned into a cake fight. Some photos below of 'after practice:'

Huy Trinh and I clowning around
My two little brothers, Hung and "Tony"
Making a wish
Blowing out my candles
No photos of the actual 'fight,' but this is what we looked like afterward.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Cheerleading in Vietnam, Part 2

Today's Wednesday, so that means another morning practice with the cheerleaders of Ngo Quyen High School here in Bien Hoa City. Today, we made great progress: squad extensions, some liberties, and some full downs. Photos of the event below:


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

A slimmer ME

Veggie diet, exercising regularly, down 20 lbs.

Cheerleading in Vietnam

- As my great friend, Christy Papania Jones, said, "It was only a matter of time."

A high school here in the city, Ngo Quyen High School, is starting up a cheerleading squad, and the P.E. teacher there in charge of it just happens to be an old student of mine. So, I got "recruited," shall we say to come in and teach them some stunts. I haven't taught cheer since December of 2006 - four and a half years, and I didn't realize how much I missed it until today. It was definitely interesting trying to explain things in a foreign language, but I had a blast, and the team learned so much! They have a competition coming up in December, and I'm going to choreograph a routine for them - just like in the olden days. Watch out, Vietnam, because Michael Strahan, six-time national champion coach and choreographer, is on the cheer scene here now!

Enjoy some photos below of today's event.

Here I am teaching the proper technique to load in for a prep.
Here they are doing a hanging drill to teach the flyer not to put weight in her feet.
Practicing a dismount.
Teaching the flyer what NOT to do in the air.
And, at last, an extension!

Mohawk

Because I felt like doing it.. don't worry, I shaved it all off two minutes later.