Amen!

Since there is no aerobics class on Sunday morning, Khaly and I slept in until 6:00am to go “running”. I realized, today, that I should never have told anyone I am exercising. Because the truth is, I barely exercise and I am not getting in shape. I am just trying to keep myself from becoming unrecognizably large when I return.

I decided it might be fun to listen to Christmas music while I worked out! Not so much. When making plans for my trip I knew I was going to miss my birthday, Scott’s birthday, Mom’s birthday, Christmas and New Years but it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time. It still isn’t the END of the world, but I think I would rather pretend it just isn’t happening. Thanksgiving was somewhat nice because until I skyped my family I didn’t miss home! Well, no more than usual. And since it is so warm here and I am out of my normal routine it doesn’t even really feel like Christmas (although there are decorations and Christmas music playing). But, after a couple of lines from Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you”, I had to shut it off. I am, however, excited that I will be able to spend Christmas doing some sort of volunteer work (I am not sure what yet..) but I love doing that (Salvation Army gift wrapping or bell ringing, soup kitchens, nursing home dinners) on Christmas!

On another note, ants love me! Who can blame them, I know I know. I first discovered this while at the soup kitchen. After that I was like a hot commodity. I find them ALL over my bathroom and by my refrigerator (although I am very careful with putting away food, etc). The worst is finding them in my bed. Crawling all over me. Gross. I decided to end our relationship by bringing home…RAID! A MASSIVE bottle of Raid, because that is apparently all they sell over here. I will keep you posted.

After a workout and quick shower Ken, Khaly, Jemma and I headed out to breakfast..American style! It was the first time since I have been here I had gone out to breakfast and it was wonderful! I got a bowl of fruit and yogurt (SO GOOD) and a chocolate pancake. I was expecting something like my mom makes (honestly Mom, nothing can compare) but instead I got a crepe thing with melted chocolate I poured on it. It sounds heavenly, and it was good, but a little TOO much for the morning! Now you should all know how much I love chocolate so for me to say it is too much, well it was! I think it would make a great dessert though!

We then took a cab to the Notre Dame Cathedral for mass! It was very crowded (but in English..I did my research) and I really enjoyed it! I have missed going to church since I have been here (honestly!) and it is somewhat comforting to know that whether I am at Stonehill or in Ho Chi Minh City, mass is mass!

We left and came back to rest for a bit! I then tried to do some emails..flight research..uploading pictures etc. but the internet was not being nice to me! So I went off in search of wifi! I found a nice coffee shop down the road that had wifi. It wasn’t perfect, but it was much better than what I was getting in my room! I had a yogurt to start with because I was still full from breakfast! It was delicious! However, by mid afternoon I was very hungry so I had a tuna sandwich which was actually delicious! Ugh now that I write this down I realize why I am gaining weight, not losing it, because I also had a banana muffin before I left (so good)!

Part of the reason for the banana muffin was because Khaly and I were going to Hang’s (our coordinator) house for dinner! She was very sweet and invited us over so off we went! It took about an hour to get there and our cab driver got very lost (but still made us pay!)

We waited a few hours before dinner was ready, which was fine, but really hard for me. Hang does speak English..although Khaly and I both agree she takes advantage of Khaly and will speak Vietnamese (obviously it is easier for her) and then expect Khaly to translate for me. Hang was cooking dinner so we watched her baby (hint: her baby doesn’t speak any English..yet!) and relaxed with her husband and a family friend. Her husband spoke a little English and the family friend a little as well..but since Khaly spoke Vietnamese I think they found it easier to just talk to her. It was fine, but I spent 2 hours really just..sitting there! Khaly would translate when she could..and I would try and get involved in the conversation when I could, but it really just ended up being a lot of sitting around.

Unfortunately, we had heard stories from past volunteers so I couldn’t really go in with an open mind (in regards to her husband..cheating, etc.) BUT we were warned that he was a bit strange..and he was! It started off with him asking if I liked to dance, which I respond with, “Ehh”. I reciprocated the question and that is when he started telling me how he likes to dance when he “feels the power”. Something about, if he feels the wind, he dances like the wind etc. So, of course, we had to ask for a demonstration. Oh man it was funny! He was talking about being a tiger and doing tiger moves and then got really into it and made tiger noises! Khaly and I were dying! He did the tiger, monkey, snake, wind and sea. I think the tiger was my favorite mostly because that was the best sound effects one! He was VERY nice but it was just hard to follow his thoughts.

Hang’s baby is HUGE and she knows it! She is very proud, but honestly, her baby is fat. I know that sounds horrible to say, but it is true! Their family friend is a doctor and Khaly said he kept asking about the baby because she is too big! I guess Hang seems to think this is great and is proud, but sadly her baby is going to have problems. The doctor said children like that will suffer from diabetes, etc. Cute baby, just too big!

We got ready and put out the mats on the floor (where we would be eating dinner) which was fine but my legs always fall asleep! I am not used to this whole floor business. When dinner was finally ready I found out it was “Every type of mushroom you could imagine” soup! UGH I almost died. Steve, you WOULD have died! I do not like mushrooms (although I don’t hate them as much as you Steve!) but I was dreading this meal. And of course they topped off my bowl! It is really the only time I can remember where I had to force myself to eat something. I guess that means I am lucky..or that when I am invited to dinner people know me well enough to have something I actually like (which is slim to none, I know). But oh man every bite was torture. The textures, the flavor, everything! I am sure it was GREAT soup if you were used to it but I honestly could not find ANYTHING that I liked! I managed to get it down (my parents did raise my with manners) but oh it was hard!

Afterwards she brought out a FRUIT CAKE! Heaven! I can’t tell if it was AMAZING or just anything would have been great after the meal! I am not dissing her by ANY means..Khaly LOVED it, but the flavors and texture was too much for me! The cake was delicious and I was very happy!

On our way back to the hostel there was a LOT of traffic and people beeping (which is normal) but what made it not normal was all the people waving Vietnamese flags! Apparently, they had just won a soccer game (nothing SPECIAL) but I guess they don’t win a lot, so people were going crazy! Yelling, screaming, motorbikes everywhere, flags everywhere! It was really awesome to see, but CRAZY! People were just LOVING their soccer team! The traffic was so bad Khaly and I got out of the taxi and walked! It wasn’t worth waiting through the light a fourth time! we luckily made it home, although it was still so loud when I was trying to go to sleep!

Hugs and kisses from the girl who went to church today!