September.

September always marks the start of something new. Well at least until the end of college. I started a little early this year, but I was just thinking about all the things changing back home. I wish everyone the best of luck on their adventures: Doug moving to London, Karin and Mary getting an apartment together, James moving into a new apartment (In DC?) Cait going to Barcelona, James in Germany, Chris in London (I think?) and the crew already in Australia. Everyone who is starting classes again, moving into new apartments. As of tomorrow Sewall Street will be no more, and I think the guys are already out of 1474. It is so weird that I won't be going to those apartments anymore, I practically lived in both of them. Marg is moving into a new place too, which is sad! Whitney's last semester, many others last year in college. So many new, exciting things and I wish everyone the best. I was thinking about Fall yesterday and I think that is what I'll miss the most.. not the freezing bitter winter in Boston, not the snow, but definitely the cool weather and foliage. Apparently this isn't even the hot season, so that is what I have to look forward to.

Yesterday I got the best present from Chris. He came over with a chocolate croissant (delicious) and then gave me a bar of chocolate he ordered from Germany. (If you have not experienced German chocolate, I'd advise you to do so immediately.) He told me I was the nicest American he has ever met. I'm not sure I ever I thought of getting a compliment like that, but it really was the nicest thing someone has ever said to me. Even if he only knows three Americans (I didn't ask, I don't want to know) I thought it was so nice. Little things like that tend to knock me off my feet and put certain things into perspective. I'm always really surprised when people turn out to be someone other then I thought they were, and it tends to happen to me a lot. It is nice to be reminded that there really are a lot of great people in the world. An and Chris are so great together. They remind me of Mike on Bike and Erica. Little and Big haha, but so perfect for each other. I've talked to each of them separately about how hard it will be for a relationship in Germany and Vietnam, and the language barrier they sometimes will have, but they are going to make it work. Thats apparently something that I couldn't do (and isn't that ironic that I'll be living through that situation through two really good friends anyway?) I was also talking about how everyone I meet here is so nice and kind, and so open to new things. But then I realized that I guess you have to be to put yourself in a situation like this. I guess it takes a certain kind of person to do all of this, and it's really nice to be surrounded by those people. 

My classes are going well and I love my students. I am starting to see how some classes will get frustrating, but for now, I'm doing just fine, and I really do love teaching. I'll write more about that later. I just read The Things They Carried. It was written by a guy who fought in the Vietnam War (or the American War) It was a really interesting perspective on the war, telling stories of the people and the things they remembered, or didn't remember. It makes you think a little about memory and what is real and what isn't real. I can definitely relate to those feelings, although I can't imagine having those memories. It's an easy ready, I'd recommend it. 

I'm teaching two classes tonight on NYC. Easiest lesson for me to teach, and I'm excited to share my love of the city with the students! Until next time, here's a picture of old, sad George...

suddenly i have a very full schedule..

So apparently there are a lot more people then I thought reading my blog. I thought it would be my parents and a few close friends, but it seems to have spread quickly! Thanks for your support, it's really great to be hearing from more friends and family then ever! I'll try to write more important things now that I know it's actually being read!

We went out this weekend which was a lot of fun. Sang karaoke, which is very different in Asia. All of your friends sit in one room and you pass the mic around while sitting. The Vietnamese we were with (including you An!) were really good singers, they take it seriously, which is way different then going to Our House at 1am on a Tuesday night. But it was fun! Then we went out dancing, which is a good time wherever I am. The gates to my campus close at 11, so you either have to come home then or wait til they open at 430am, which is what everyone does apparently. I didn't quite make it, I fell asleep in An's motorbike on the way home, and outside while we were waiting for the gates to open. Thankfully An and Chris are great at taking care of me. haha. Also, Chris made pizza the other night! It was delicious and very filling, exactly what I needed. 

I finally took pictures of the monkey, and found another one! So they should be up next time. He is really really old, and looks really sad. But the other one I found, although in a cage, seemed a lot livelier. An told me about a beach I can go to where Monkey's just roam free. I can't wait! 

I'm going to start teaching at the second school this week. I'm usually going to be teaching three to four classes there, along with my three university classes. And next month I teach another three at the university...I think one week I will be teaching 11 or 12 classes. It sounds a little overwhelming, but that's what I'm here to do, right? And the second school pays pretty well so it will be nice to have some extra cash. It is proving to be really difficult to create a whole class. And I have to create many. A just finished my syllabus and I'm looking forward to it, but I still have to figure out lesson plans for each class. I need more activity and group based work, so I'll have to do a lot of online research and try to come up with something. By next week I'll be able to tell you how my classes are going! 

I've also started taking a class. One of the English teachers told me she was teaching American Literature, and it sounded really interesting, so I asked if I could join the class. I'm taking it upon myself to learn as much as possible, about everything. These are books that I should know about but never read when I was in school. Or only read the spark notes haha. So far I've studied Uncle Tom's Cabin, and read the Narrative of Fredrick Douglass, which was really interesting and I recommend it. This week we are watching Gone with the Wind, and next week we are having a big discussion about all three and how they each treated slavery in a different light. These are things I should know about, so I'm glad I'm finally taking it upon myself to study certain things. I've also been reading a lot. There's a nice collection of books in the row of foreign houses I live at. The last two I didn't really like, but I will let you know when I find a great one. I also started reading more of Paulo Coelho on his online blog. He's really interesting. I think there could be a whole class on him.

I'm about to start taking a Vietnamese Language course as well. And I've officially met about ten German people. I swear I hear more German then Vietnamese. And I'm also teaching people a little bit of Spanish. It is so much fun to be with people who are so open to learning so many different things, and I'm just taking it all in. The other teachers accused me of being quiet, which isn't a first, but I don't think I'm "shy" as much as I just enjoy listening to other people's thoughts, ideas, and opinions. I've been a part of some great discussions about culture and things like naming your children in Germany and in Vietnam, and also birthdays. I think in Vietnam I'm 24. Is that right An? Also, I'm convinced An knows everything. She is the best person to know and she has already helped me SO much. So thank you! :-)

Good news, I also found a place where I can do yoga on the weekends (my only free time) For about $3-4 american dollars a month. How great is that! And there are apparently other foreigners in this class already, so I'm going to start on Saturday! Very excited.

One thing that has been bothering me is that no one knows what baseball is. I've taken it upon myself to teach everyone. I tried with An and well... we ended up playing badminton instead. Maybe it will be easier with enough people to make two teams haha. Thankfully I have Jake to give me the play by play for the red sox games. I currently don't have a TV, but even if I did, ESPN covers completely different things. Have you ever watched Australian football? I LOVE it. Well I have to go, but I look forward to ALL of my e-mails, you are all really amazing.

A new favorite quote, from Paulo Coelho.

"It is necessary to run risks. We only properly understand the miracle of life when we allow the unexpected to happen."

foooood

Boston people: I WANT QDOBA.. That should sum up my night last night. What i wouldn't give for a chicken queso burrito....

I'm not homesick yet (it's only been a week and a half...) but as of yesterday I'm craving normal food. I like the food here, but it's not very filling. The other day I told someone I wanted a burger. I don't think I've ever had a burger in my life, but at the time it sounded like the most filling thing. I can't wait to go to Italy...

OG people: The ditch (R.I.P) has well prepared me for the bathroom adventures here.

pictures, finally.

I put a put a link for my pictures on the right. I'll let you know when I update and you can just click from this page! Enjoy! xoxo.

really great day.

Today i took a four hour bike ride around the country side. so amazing. I met some of An's family, really cute puppies, got stuck in downpour (this will happen every day, it seems) and just had a really great time. I'm very content these days, and thats a great place for me to be. At this time every night the sky is an amazing blue/purple/orange color (above), to unbelievable for a camera. I love this place.

My address:

Samantha Thornley

School of Education

Can Tho University

Campus II, 3/2 Street, Can Tho City, Vietnam

Don't send anything through Fedex/UPS/etc. It will cost a small fortune. Go to the post office, buy a box that says $20 to fill, or however much/big you want, and just mail it. It might take two weeks, but it might take two months, so don't send anything that can't last that long. :-) 

Thoughts to ponder:

Is it possible to acquire any more mosquito bites? It seems the answer is yes. 

Why is Jimmy Eat World so good? Some of the lyrics are just unbelievable. 

Why are my friends so amazing? I love the e-mails, thank you!! <3

I'll leave you with a quote that I love. In the mean time, read The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho. I read it on the plane ride, and I think I might read it again soon. It's amazing.

"From now on, I'm independent, I see life through my eyes, not through other peoples. I'm going in search of the adventure of being alive." -Paulo Coelho.

i'm officially a teacher!

The past couple of days have been really great. I spent a lot of time with my roommates going to the market, figuring out where things are. And a lot on time with An, riding on her bike (my favorite thing to do!) And going out for a drink.. which means coffee or 7up usually. I like coffee here! Cafe su da. It's coffee with milk and ice... and it tastes a little like chocolate! I'm pretty sure it's not suppose to, but I like it so I'm not complaining. But it's been nice to relax, spend some time getting to know everyone and seeing some of the city. When I first got here everything looked like chaos, but just a week later I can tell that everything makes sense. Even though I don't understand the words, I can tell which places have food, medicine, etc. And my favorite.. Karaoke! Places are everywhere, like one or two a block sometimes. I heard about it in my world music class, but I haven't experienced it yet, that will be for next time.

Today was my first day of teaching! It had a pretty interesting start... first, I got lost on the way to campus. Luckily I was going in really early, but it took my probably a half hour longer then it should have. The roads really start to look the same after you've been driving in circles. Somehow I found it. Then I sat on the computer for a while trying to figure out what I was going to teach, writing emails, etc, and the computer turned off. I eventually learned that the computers turn off between 11-1. Then everyone fled the campus. Apparently they take lunch time very seriously. So I met An for lunch, got caught in the rain, and eventually made it back with time to spare for my class. At 13:30 (the starting time) there was no one in the room... I waited for about fifteen minutes, made some phone calls, and realized they changed the room at the last minute and the students didn't know. So I had to ride my bike (in the rain) to a different building.. and I found all of them right before they were about to give up on me and leave haha. Such a ridiculous morning. Once I started teaching, I started to figure things out. My students are all (for now) last year English majors. Everyone here loves music and dancing and they think my major is fascinating. There is a talent show in december that I have to perform at. Yes, HAVE to. I said maybe to the first guy to talk to me about it and he said "Oh no maybe, you will." So apparently I have no say in the matter. But I really can't wait to get to know the students! I gave them the assignment to make up American names for the class.. so much easier for me to remember. I've been told they might come up with ridiculous things. One girl told me to call her Puppy because she loves dogs. I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with! 

Tomorrow I have a 7am class, and then lunch with another teacher, then the rest of the day off! I think An and I are going to go for a bicycle ride around the city, maybe down to the floating markets. It's been pretty cool here, but also rainy. I wasn't sure if I would rather it be 100 degrees or cool and rainy, but when it rains, it really rains, so I think I'd prefer the heat. 

I found dog street. It's the street on the way to campus (if I don't get lost) so I have to pass it every day. If you don't know what that means, I'll just say this... I'm definitely going to stick to chicken street. Actually, I've been eating at a lot of vegetarian places. They are everywhere, and I still don't know what I'm eating but at least I know what I'm not eating... Oh and the monkey is there all the time!! I named him George (yes as in... of the jungle). Pictures soon I promise.

so hot..

Day two on a scooter was a lot scarier then day one. The first day I wasn't holding on to anything, and the next I was holding on for dear life. It's still fun though, and so much more convenient than my bike. Notice in the first picture the light, it had just turned green but that's pretty much what it looks like when everyone stops for a light. Although there aren't very many of them. Notice in the second picture there are scooters going every which way. Picture that and add 100 more scooters, and thats the main gist of things! Also, its completely normal to hold your baby in front of you on your scooter (think Brittany Spears, only a lot scarier) or fit the whole family on one scooter - mom, dad, and three kids. It's pretty amazing. 

Time moves pretty slow here, much like island time. I can't wait to get started teaching (Tuesday!) I'm also going to be tutoring on the side, which pays about $10-15, an hour, which is awesome. I also found an orphanage I can volunteer at, I'm in the middle of figuring that out right now. So things seem to be coming together! I'm still waking up at 5:30, but it seems that everyone does, so I might keep doing it on purpose.

Last night I met most of the english speaking people (except for my students). I'm surrounded my a ton of Germans (what is that about?!) It's really interesting talking to people from all over the world though. Most of them are here at the University doing research projects, a few are getting masters. I'm starting to pick up on everyone's English accents. This is not very surprising (mom, you would be making fun of me) but I'm now saying Ya, like the Germans do, and picking up on a lot of other German-English accents. I also find myself wanting to speak Spanish.. I think it's to make up for the fact that Vietnamese is HARD but for some reason I keep saying things like "dos" or "si", like they understand that more than English... they don't - and I have no idea what I'm doing this. But I am starting to learn a few Vietnamese words, mostly for food I do and don't want. 

Also, I saw a monkey tied to a pole.. much like we would tie up a dog outside of a store. I'm always wanted to see this, but it was when I was holding on to the scooter for my life, and I couldn't even manage to get a picture. Hopefully there will be a next time!

Finally here!

After what felt life forever, I'm finally in Can Tho! It was a pretty easy trip. 7 hour flight, 14 hour flight, two hour flight. And literally no layover time in the airports because of a couple of delays. Then a three hour drive from the airport, and finally a ferry to Can Tho! I can't believe I'm here, it's kind of surreal. I slept all day yesterday, but besides going to bed early tonight I'm not having too much of a jet lag problem. Some pictures to hold you over.

I got my schedule today! I'll be teaching three sections of Listening and Speaking for 4th year students and two sections of a pronunciation class for first year students. I think that one will be difficult, but that doesn't start for another few weeks so I have some time to figure it out. So far everyone has been so nice. I'm living with two German girls, but they leave soon and I'm not sure who is coming in next. Next door are two American girls who went to Princeton and are doing exactly what I'm doing, so I'm technically not alone in this! Then there's a German guy, Chris, and a few others I haven't met yet. Everyone in this row of apartments speaks English, but no one else anywhere does. It's really crazy. Luckily I have the greatest translator ever, An. She took me around and get some things I needed and is fluent in both languages, so I'm not sure what I'd do without her. 

I've also adopted a cat! I know I don't really like cats, but Chris feeds it every day and he's going back to germany for a few months and told me he'd give me money to buy the food and all I had to do was put it out every day. This is something I think I can handle. 

Driving here is ridiculous. Everyone has a scooter and there don't appear to be any rules. But as chaotic as is seems to be, everything works out. Turning left is the HARDEST, but once in a while the path just opens up for you. I just have a regular bike and it's pretty terrifying. Today I rode on the back of An's scooter and I loved it. A lot less scary then I thought it would be, I actually enjoyed it. The city is so awesome and I can't wait to explore it! 

Things I may get use to:

Lizards on the wall.

Toads on the floor. 

Sleeping with a mosquito net.

Stalkers.

Broken english.

Things I'll never get use to:

Cockroaches.

On my way!

Well I've finally set up a blog for my trip. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update it, but hopefully enough to keep you guys occupied, and pictures eventually. Thanks to everyone who came out to my going away party! Even though I was sick, it was so nice to have (almost) everyone I love in the same place.  A special thanks for the gifts, they were completely unexpected. And a very special thanks to Mary and Jake McDonough for writing me really thoughtful letters I will keep with me while I'm gone, and will hopefully cure any home-sickness. And to Whitney, for giving me gifts I'm not allowed to open until I'm on the plane, until I get there, and one for when I'm really, really homesick. And of course, Rob Meekins.. who GAVE ME his camera, after I lost mine the night before my party. Thank you guys so much. You all have been so awesome and really supportive, and I definitely wouldn't have had the guts to do this without your support. I'll miss everyone so much! E-mail me whenever you can with gossip :-) Srthornley@gmail.com.