Mot Tram Phan Tram

The English translation of "mot tram phan tram" is "100% percent." That's pretty much how I can describe my participation in any event in Vietnam... from teaching, to travelling with friends, to hanging out with my family. The fact that I no longer have a smart phone attached to my palm keeps me from getting distracted. The choice to not have a data plan has made it easier for me to fully enjoy the moments around me, and I've been updating through social networks a lot less. (Sorry!)

Modeling after my first lesson with Vanlam and Jess, I'm going to update about the past two weeks  through pictures and captions:

Welcoming dinner for the International Studies Department. I'm part of the English department, but indirectly also through International Studies because I teach an American Cultures course.

My lovely co-teacher, Ai Nhi. Here, we're eating Com Nieu, a claypot rice dish to be consumed with various dishes.

Julie and Jared singing to "Summer Nights" at our first karaoke night in Hue. 

My other lovely co-teacher, Dang Thu, invited me and Amy to have seafood hotpot at her family's house. Absolutely delicious.

When I went to Da Nang to celebrate mine, Khoai's and Cau Tung's birthday, I visited Co Minh and had her famous Mi Quang. It was so delicious! It actually put me out of commission for the whole weekend. And of course, the obligatory Bia Larue to help put me to sleep (as my uncle recommended).

In Co Minh's house, I caught this throwback picture of my second visit to Viet Nam. Here, my father, mother and I are paying respects to my Ong Noi (grandfather on my dad's side) on his birthday. RIP Ong Noi. 

On Khoai's birthday, we hung with with his friends, then head to Hoi An to meet with Cau Son and his friends, where they drank and criticized and empathized with my weak Vietnamese skills. 

Di Ngoc serenading Cau Tung on his birthday. How wonderful it is to have love like this after 21+ years.  =)

Amelia's students invited her on their senior trip, where she got to explore Central Viet Nam FO FREE! I had to take her to my fav place to get morning glory sauteed with garlic, and tofu sauteed with tomato sauce. Can't forget the banh mi.

As a gym member of the Indochine, a baller hotel in Hue, I became acquainted with Chi Hong, who works with the spa. One day, she took me out to eat Banh Cuon and have coffee with her friend, Tuan Anh. Even though she wanted to practice her English, we spent most of our time talking in Vietnamese and learning different vocabulary words in both languages. It's great to make new friends out here!

Last weekend, I went to Sai Gon to visit relatives and friends. My nephew (cousin's son who's one year older than me) welcomed me by taking me to get Hu Tieu, which are Phnom Penh noodles. The meats in it were a bit questionable, but when in Viet Nam... 

For lunch, the ETAers and I met up with Tin Mai, my friend from San Jose who's been teaching in Viet Nam for almost two years. The dishes were absolutely delicious! I definitely didn't mind shelling out $5 (when I'm typically used to paying $1 or less a meal).

Tin Mai told me about a Zombie-like chase around the touristy part of Sai Gon, where there are designated runners and chasers, and if a runner gets caught, they get turned into a chaser. I had to do it. I also convinced Jefferson to go with me, who beasted through seven out of ten bases of the chase. I only got a little past first base. Note to self -- during the real zombie apocalypse, do not separate from friends, and do not help people you don't know. 

I met up with my relatives on my father's side, and they took me to their new business, which is a karaoke place for locals. This is Trang, Sang's sister, who's 8+ months pregnant. She's due this week!!! =)

This past Sunday, I went to Vung Tau because I heard so much about it through my dad. Jess, Jefferson, and I rented motorbikes (sorry Mom!) and took them around the city. It was absolutely beautiful, and a wonderful break from Sai Gon, which is super busy. We visited Mountain of Jesus Christ, which was almost cut out of trip to enjoy more time at the beach. We climbed to the top where his arms are, and the view was absolutely worth it.

Jefferson, Jess's student Thao, and me at the top. Excuse us blocking the view, but there wasn't much we could do to move around on Jesus's arm.

To help students understand that America's heterogeneous culture can be represented as a mosaic, I had them create a mosaic representing who they are individually and as a class. They seemed to really enjoy their finished product. =) 

Some students from Group 6 posing proudly in front of their work.

Vay and Armael, my friends from the Bay Area, are currently in Hue, and they came by to one of my speaking classes yesterday to help out. Here, they are preparing them for "Anatomy Clumps," where students come together based on a number and a body part that they will join by. (Ex: Three feet = three students put their feet together) It was a great way to get the students up and moving, and to share their answers for class. 

Five knees!

Last night, we went to Duc Ha, and some kids were practicing their lion dance throughout the restaurant. Tet Trung Thu (Autumn Festival) is this Sunday! =)

Thoroughly enjoying the show 

For some reason, I wasn't able to take Jenelle on my bike, so I asked Armael to take over as I took his bike to our next spot, Monaco. Apparently, this happens when two people shift their body weight in different directions. I'm just glad they were okay!

I ran into my students from American Cultures Group 8 outside class after Vay and Armael taught and invited them to karaoke. They were happy to come and sing all English songs! =)

I hope to have more detailed updates soon, but the internet at my dorm is on the fritz. Until next time!

(Miss you and wish you were here, me, ba, Chi Thao!)