So many things happen on a day to day basis, I'm sure there is a lot I've yet to mention. Everything is going so well, I really love it here. Only two weeks left of the semester! It is nice because I don't really have any lesson planning left, but more grading, so I'm not sure which I'd prefer. Then I'm getting a visit from some of the people from Teachers for Vietnam, which I am really excited about. I really want to share this with someone, and even though I think they have been here before, I'm sure it is different then when they were last here, and I'm happy to be able to experience that with them. Then vacationnnn!!!! I cannot wait.

 

I put up a new album of pictures! There are a few pictures of my roommates, and a Thai meal they cooked for some of their friends one night that we had on our floor! Throughout the album are pictures of my three senior classes, as well as a few pictures I took on campus just because it was a particularly beautiful day. Then there are a few pictures around Can Tho. One of my students, Thao, took me on a mini tour one afternoon, and we actually went some places I had never been before, which I was amazed at because the city isn't very big. We went to this part that is being completely remodeled. Right now the only way to get into Can Tho is by ferry, but they are in process of building a bridge. It was suppose to be done by the end of the year, but there was an accident, and then the usual setbacks, so no one is really sure when it is going to be done (well no one I've talked to about it.) Thao took me to the end of the bridge where everyone will be able to drive into Can Tho. It is this beautiful countryside-like part of the city, I was able to grab a few pictures while on a motorbike (I've obtained almost-perfect balance.)  The thing that really got to me was the construction - everywhere. There are plans to build this huge resort type building. As soon as the bridge is built they are expecting an onslaught of tourists, and are preparing for it. I have no idea when everything will be done, I'm sure not before I leave, but it was kind of sad to see it all. One part of me is happy because it will be great for the economy, but another part of me knows that Can Tho will never be the same - it will never be the same city that I have fallen in love with. I guess I have to suck it up and be happy for them, but a very weird feeling came over me as I drove around and saw all the construction and pictures massive hotels packed with foreigners. As much as I sometimes crave more of a social life, I have to say that I like it better here without all of the hype. Even driving down to Ninh Kieu Key, the tourist part of Can Tho, is not that far, and is usually filled with foreigners, but I never go down there, and when I do I like to go during the day when it isn't packed. You can go restaurants serving western food, but it is overpriced and that good, and if I eat at local places, the food is amazing and I spend about 50 cents. Anyway, I suppose I can muster up enough happiness for them. 

The last few pictures were from friday night. We actually went out, which is uncommon for us. The true celebration was "My Birthday." Julia and I both have June birthdays, so we won't be able to celebrate them here. So we decided to pick new birthdays. Since we won't be here for our half birthdays either, I picked the month before and Julia's will be next semester. So, Friday was my birthday. It was really sort of underwhelming, I've never really had good luck when it comes to birthdays, but anyway it was fun to go out dancing. So the pictures are of my friends who came out for the "big day." 

I finished reading Catfish & Mandala, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a little more info on Vietnam today (although I think the book was written in '99?) But still - more of the Vietnam you should know about. Also, you should read this. The author taught at the exact same post I am teaching at last year, with a different program. He lived in the house next to me (now occupied by Julia & Alice.) I don't know him, but  I came across this article, and thought you might enjoy it - I literally could have written it, except he seems to be a better writer.

Everything else is going really well. I had one of my classes over for dinner tonight, they are so great. I have some pictures that will be up eventually, but they made fresh spring rolls and fried spring rolls, and of course there was a lot of fruit. My roommates also joined us, which was a lot of fun. It was also nice because they were asking them all sorts of questions about Thailand, and I got a little break. After we ate everyone started singing songs. My roommates sang Thai songs and my students sang some english songs (that I didn't know, which was embarrassing) and Vietnamese songs. We were all sitting in a circle singing songs and I was thinking this is just such a great experience, and I will miss this so much. Isn't that crazy? Thinking about things I'll miss already? I think thats a good sign though, things are just really great and I'm realizing how different everything is and some things I just won't want to leave, my students are definitely number one. Okay, I'll REALLY miss the food, but I don't think its fair to put that first. Anyway, the best part of the singalong was when a crab walked into my house. Thats right, a LARGE crab, just walked through the front door. I was like ummm that's never happened before and I'm not really sure what to do! Luckily I had one male student and he picked it right up and took it outside. Like nothing weird happened. Oh, Vietnam.

Fun fact: If you google my name, you can find a lot of other Samantha Thornleys, none particularly interesting. What you can find is stats from a cross country race I ran in high school, an NEU article with a picture of me with the MEISA crew & John Esposito, and my blog. Is that all suppose to help me get a job? At least nothing embarrassing is floating around out there, although my time in that race was terrible. I'm sure there are a million other things I want to say but I'm exhausted, so I hope everyone is doing well and if I haven't heard from you in a while, you should probably e-mail me. xoxo.