Cho con and Thuong

Up early again and another rough workout. I thought this was supposed to get easier? I did, however, enjoy aerobics today. It was a different workout and I felt like I was actually getting a workout!

On the way back I usually stop at this fruit market to get a banana to have in my cereal. Pretty healthy right? When I stopped yesterday the man asked where I was from (in broken English) and when I replied United States he said, “Ohhh Jessica Simpson!” Today my bill was 4,000VND and I paid with a 20,000VND (which is reasonable to get change back) but he said he didn’t have any change so I could pay tomorrow when I stop by. Oh Vietnam, how does this man expect to do business when he can’t make change?

We got to the orphanage and I was SHOCKED to see my little blind boy (his name is Cho con but I guess they call him little dog? Haha) in a GIRL’S dress thing. Ugh how embarrassing. Haha I took pictures because he made me laugh. It took me a while to find him and I must have skipped over him because he looked like a girl! Oh well!

My other boy’s name is Thuong and I think they said he is 12. One day I let him hold my camera and then he started taking pictures, which is when I realized there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. He’s smart! Granted half of his pictures were blurry, but the other half were great! I saw him focusing in, and when I explained to him his finger was covering the lens he got it! He is so gentle and kind and comforts the other kids. Today I was still feeding Cho con and Thuong came up to me so I gave him my camera and this other volunteer was like, “Oh no he has your camera!” I told her thank you for caring but he is so gentle and takes great pictures..he is my photographer! I have been looking for a toy camera and today I found one! Except, it’s bright pink! I had Khaly ask if they had other colors and they didn’t..but I figured something was better than nothing! I am excited to give it to him..although he will probably be disappointed it’s not digital. He also makes me laugh because when I am feeding Cho con I can see him across the room and we play peak-a-boo. Today he was pushing (kindly) this kid’s face so he could hide behind him, it was so funny! I did give him the Rubik cube and he was GREAT! But yesterday I think I pushed a little too much! He got one whole side except for one square..oops!

I pretty much have the schedule of the orphanage down pat. We usually have some time to play when we get there. They have little bikes or blocks or things like that. Then we help get everyone in their feeding chairs and help prepare the food (usually de-boning fish!) After that we feed, clean up the kids and help do dishes and mop the floors. The other volunteers don’t really do a lot..I am not sure why. They don’t help prepare the food or clean up which is a bit strange.

The ladies usually invite us to stay for lunch which I don’t enjoy. I miss the food in China, especially at the school. And, I cannot believe I am going to say this, I REALLY miss the food at the Panda place! Crazy I know! The food at the school consists of rice, which is cold and usually chunky. I do try and eat some of the food but it always has a lot of chili pepper and cold fish. I do try though.

But TODAY I thought ahead and brought peanut butter and jelly and Pringles! My most favorite meal in the whole world! Well..almost! I was able to find bread, crunchy peanut butter, but no red raspberry preserves. So strawberry jam will have to do! It was SO yummy I just loved it! After cleaning up we left and headed to the market for a well needed cold drink. Strawberry smoothie again for me! Yum!

We then met Hang at the bus station and she took us to the deaf school. We had the same class as last week which was fun..they are funny kids! I had been thinking of some games and we played musical chairs, with Ken dancing in the middle! When he stopped dancing they had to sit! It was a lot of fun! We then had a rock, paper, scissors contest next and then a trivia game. There is one guy who is SO smart! We would give him math problems like 32x29 and he would come up with the answer! Overall, we did have a good time and Hang was there to translate which gave Khaly a well needed break!

After we got back I rested for a bit and then took myself on a date (since my boyfriend hasn’t taken me on a date for almost 5 months now..sheeesh!) I went to Bobby Brewer’s for dinner and a movie! I was going to see *Julie and Julia* and on their pamphlet it said it started at 6:30pm. When I arrived (around 6:15pm) it seemed like it was finishing up. I checked the schedule again and it said 6:30pm so before I sat down to order I asked. The woman didn’t speak much English, but what I got from the conversation was that she just decided to play whatever she wanted! When I explained I was there to see the 6:30pm *Julie and Julia* she said she would play it. So I sat down and ordered and I heard her telling other’s (who had already seen it) she was playing it again because it was on the schedule. One guy was NOT happy and told someone else, “She is playing it again because she is a moron!” I do think it was weird that she wasn’t following the schedule. But anyway it was nice to sit and watch a movie.

I actually became friends again with Ho Chi Minh when I left the theater. It was nice to come out to warm weather and to know that in one minute I could go back to my room, find a place to do laundry, grocery shop, get dinner, etc. I do enjoy the fact that within minutes I can walk any place I need to go!

Hugs and kisses from Cho con and Thuong.