It has officially been six months, today.

I am a very different person than I was six months ago. I'm a lot of the same person, but I am a stronger, more interesting version of myself. I feel completely comfortable and at home in a foreign country, and I'm incredibly happy these days. Moving to Vietnam was the best (so far) decision I have ever made, and if you are wondering if you should go abroad for a year , or any period of time, and do something similar (and a lot of you have mentioned this to me) my advice is yes, absolutely, go. 

I haven't written in a while, I'm suddenly ridiculously busy. In two days I taught nine classes (13 this week), and I'm still catching up to myself. I'm very happy about this though. I have realized that although I get a little crazy, I work best and am happiest when I am really busy. This is why I had three jobs my last (and hardest) semester in college. I need to be busy, I need post it notes and to do lists, otherwise what am I really doing with my time? 

I'm teaching at the private school again. I'm happy that I'm going to be making some money, and I really put my foot down as far as what I was willing to do. I am treated like a queen now. They are terrified of loosing me again, and are literally bending over backwards for me. I asked for Wednesday off next week and I got a text message response that said "Yes, of course. I will do anything for you." She meant it. They are doing everything possible to keep me around. One of the teachers even prepared my lessons for me on Thursday. I hate to say that I like this kind of treatment, but I don't hate it. 

I've officially accepted my fame here, I basically am a rockstar. Thao and I have been joking about it because she feels like my driver when we are together. Everyone stares at me every where I go. I've planted a permanent smile on my face and am welcoming the fame. This might never happen to  me again. I'm soaking it up.

I'm also doing some volunteer work editing documents for The Asia Foundation. It's proven to be difficult because I apparently do not know anything about grammar.  My weaknesses: commas (I use too many) apostrophe's (I just don't know all of the rules) and well, grammar. One of my pronunciation students asked for extra help for another class. Past participle clauses?  What? Let me call Wall High School and see if  they've ever heard of it. On a good note, I am a fabulous Pronunciation teacher. I'm still learning a lot while teaching, but I feel great about my classes, and most days I feel like I'm really helping. I'm also just a better teacher than last semester, more confident, I know my lesson plans, I know what to expect, I understand what my students are saying to me, etc. I don't know how anyone can do something like this for a short period of time. I've always been happy (even if I'm frustrated...) and always loved it here, but it took a WHILE for things to be this comfortable. 

I probably have a lot more to say but I'm exhausted, its 2:30 am and I have no idea why I am awake other then the fact that I am probably drinking too much coffee these days. Tomorrow morning An & I are hopping on a bus to Ho Chi Min City  (yes, Saigon is the same place) to have a pseudo Bachelorette Party. She doesn't know what they really are and I've never actually been to one, so basically we're just meeting up with our friend from Hanoi and going out for the night. It should be fun!

Quote of the moment:

"Dance, when you're broken open. 

Dance, if you've torn the bandage off.

Dance, in the middle of fighting.

Dance, in your blood.

Dance, when you're perfectly free." 

-Rumi

I don't know what this is and I don't remember where I found it, but i love it.