long week ahead

This week I have to teach 13 classes. I'm suddenly overwhelmed with lesson planning. I also started taking my Vietnamese course, which has already been going for a few weeks so imagine going to a foreign language class for the first time in the middle of a review session. Very overwhelmed - and I've been up for a very long time so it should make for an interesting week. But I have promised people a new post so here I am!

I had a really great week. In my classes I taught a session on education in America and learned a lot about the education system here. I can't believe how much I'm learning from them, I hope my students feel like they are learning something from me! It is just a completely different viewpoint here. Right now I'm teaching all English majors. And in the beginning they told me they wanted to be English teachers, a few wanted to be tour guides, etc. I was amazed at how many of the kids really wanted to learn and teach English. Then I learned that 1) they have to learn English to get a good job to support your family and 2) If you are an English major with intention to teach you can go to school for free. You have to get a teaching job right after school, and if you don't you have to pay the school back for your education. But this is why there are so many dedicated English majors. At the same time, they really do want to learn, and they love foreigners because they just want to practice speaking English. We had a small get together the other night and some of the students and some of the other teachers came and it was really nice to just talk to them. Last night I went out with a few new students I met through a different school, and I met a boy who was interested in music. He wanted to know everything - theory in america, what's different, what's the same, what type of drum set should he buy, how much is a piano - he just wanted to know everything. And he wanted to study in America. So I gave him my email and I know I will hear from him soon. I have people stopping by my house and somehow calling me (once your give your number out, it spreads like wildfire) just asking to meet for coffee or dinner, they just want to talk. They really are so friendly. I've even met some adults on the street, in stores, restaurants.. even if they know very little.. they want to practice. The usual questions are "Hello! How are you! Where you from!" And although at times it is a little annoying.. it is somewhat endearing. While talking about education they were very interested in the SAT's. The system here is completely different. They have to graduate HS first, then they take a placement exam. They have once chance, and if they fail it seems as though it is an embarrassment to the family. Then they have to spend a whole year studying, and they can take it again the same time next year. They also have a few different subjects of study in testing, and each subject takes a few hours, which is also completely different. After they pass the exam, they have about two weeks to decide what they want to do. (Apply for college, pick a major, etc. There is no "undecided" option) We spend years thinking about this, and I can't believe how much pressure that must be. Then there are the students who are from the countryside, and either can't go to school because they have to work in the farm to bring in money for the family, or they get the opportunity to go to school, and they learn English so they can earn money for the family. I'm probably not saying this exactly how it is, but this is what I have put together from what I have heard. It's so amazing how much I don't know.

The amount of people who speak English just really amazes me. Yesterday I worked with some kids and I loved talking to them! How they know to say 'Hello' and 'Thank you' and 'how are you', to me. I'm everyday embarrassed by my ability (or rather, lackthereof) to speak Vietnamese. Or any other language. Which is number one goal for when I get back. - So much learning to do! But for now I'm trying to focus on learning Vietnamese. The two other Americans are learning with me and An is going to tutor us, so maybe we'll get somewhere. My hopes aren't too high, its really hard - but I have a good nine months to learn! Sidenote: I walked into my Vietnamese classroom, and there was a huge map of Germany on the wall. That 1/8 or whatever it is of German in me is really trying to tell me something. The other night I had a pretty long discussion with my friend Mathew about Germany and he even drew me a map! So still learning just as much about Germany as Vietnam, at least for another few weeks until they all have to leave!

I read Veronica Decides to Die, by Paulo Coehlo. I was not as impressed as my first book, The Witch of Portobello, which I still want you to read if you haven't yet. He is an amazing writer, but I think each of his books has a theme, and according to where you are in your life you may or may not relate to the books. This one was 'redemption' and well, I just couldn't connect with it. But still an amazing author, and his blog is pretty interesting, although I haven't had much time, or internet connection, to read more of it. 

Food update: I love everything, I'm eating too much. Mathew showed me a few new places (including a bakery!)  and everything I try I just love - the food is amazingly good. (Is that proper English? haha) My favorite snack, which you can buy for practically nothing, is fried bananas in covered in sticky rice. I guess that doesn't sound too great, but it is so sweet and delicious. Everything is just great. I also found a KFC! I actually don't even eat fast food at home, but I'm going to go there soon, it might be a nice change...

Traffic update: I'm strangely comfortable on a bicycle. I have no problem riding around, which isn't true for some of the other foreigners. Today, I turned left on red, just because I can. (Sorry mom & dad!) But I'm having a really easy time getting around. No problems!

I've been missing Boston a lot, a few of us watched The Departed the other day and then threw a small party and played Dropkick Murphys. I think I was the only one who really cared, but it was a good time. We also showed the Vietnamese how to do the electric slide - which turned into us doing it and them watching and laughing. So everything is going well! This week in my classes I'm teaching a lesson on creativity. I'm doing a small presentation on Charlotte Sometimes. If you don't know her, she's a new artist and one of my best friends from high school. Check her out! (Shameless plug). I spent a month with her on her first tour selling her merch, and she's an amazing person and I hope to spread her music around Vietnam!! 

The weirdest thing to get use to is the time here. Because of the weather (the other hardest thing to get use to) if you want to get things done (ie: go for a run, do anything that exerts energy) you have to get up and be done with it before 7am. They wake up around 4:30 here. Then in the mid afternoon when it is too hot to do anything every naps. I haven't been napping but I have been getting up early to work out, so I'm just tired. The other morning we went to get breakfast sandwiches (so good) and the guy said something like "The bread is a little soft, if you come in the morning its crunchy and good." My response was... it's not morning anymore?! I think it was nine thirty. This isn't even like island time its just.. really early. If you go to a party/ throw a party, you start at 7 and everyone goes home around 10. We had a small party the other night and when everyone starting leaving I was talking to Frank, another American who just graduated from college, and we both said geez, if we were at school we would be showering now and getting ready to go out haha. It's so different! I might not be able to handle Boston by the time I get back... 

On a different note, my thoughts go out to my cousin, who recently lost a good friend. I haven't been able to read all of the details yet, but I think it was at the train tracks in Belmar.. I don't know how many more train accidents one state can have before they do something about it. I'm sorry for your loss, and I'll be thinking about you. 

Also, I found out that an old friend from high school has just been diagnosed with Cancer. She unfortunately has dealt with this before, losing both of her parents when she was younger to the disease. I have lost touch with her since we moved away from Wall, but she is an amazing person. There will be a fundraiser for her on October 5th at the Wall Fire Company #1, 18th Ave. Firehouse from 1-4pm.  If you are in the area, it would be great if you go. Donations will be accepted at the door. If not, I think there will soon be a link where we can donate money. I'll keep everyone posted, but if you want more information please go to www.wfd1.net. 

Sorry to end on that note, but thats all the updates I have for now. And sorry I haven't put more pictures up. I keep trying and it isn't letting me upload them. I might have to try another website when I get a chance. I will eventually, but not any time soon. I'm too busy and well now that I'm more comfortable and living here, I'm not being as touristy. Sometime soon you will get some! I hope this will hold you over for a little while, because it may be a week or two before I get another chance to write a full one.  Another quote to end with:

"How we change when we have to." My Aunt wrote this in a recent e-mail. I think it's safe to say it has been years since I have seen her, but this pretty much sums up my life. As Marisa said (while talking about me and Whitney) I tend to have cabin fever. But I adapt well to new places and people very easily, so I think this is a good thing? Again, thanks for all of the letters and support, keep them coming! Love and miss everyone! xoxo.