It's been a while since I've blogged. This is more from general laziness and being busy than anything else. I am just about completely recovered from my motorbike wreck other than a good-sized bump on the back of my head and an occasional headache. I go to a massage parlor twice a week and get a head massage. It's awesome. The girl spends close to an hour shampooing my head and rubbing my temples of doom, slapping my face, and twisting my neck. All for under $3 U.S. Since I want nothing but my head rubbed, the girls are very attentive and appreciative. It's the proverbial "win-win."
Classes have returned to normal, and I have wonderful, wonderful classes and students. One student named Jack tells me I'm boring, and I tell him that my son, who is also named Jack, also thinks I'm boring. So student Jack and I get along fine. I taught a couple of classes at a local high school. I can't believe how respectful and well-behaved the students were. Give 'em a few more classes with me and that'll fade. Actually, I don't think so. The students here seem to really respect teachers. I'm OK with that. I really respect the students, who work hard and enjoy themselves at the same time. Some of the older students try to do the cell-phone thing (which I don't allow in class). Welcome to the 21st century.
Language remains the big issue for me. I tried to buy shoelaces and the girl working in the store sent me to bra section. So I bought a bra. It's a little tight.
I got new glasses. That was a struggle as well. People here, when they want your attention, yell (and I mean yell) HEY YOU!!!. There's no "excuse me" or Vietnamese equivalent. It's HEY YOU -- take it or leave it. I see lots of younger people (and older people, for that matter), picking their noses. I don't really care, except when one of those people brings me my coffee. Also, the air here reminds me of Bakersfield air.
I haven't touched alcohol -- beer or anything -- since the accident. Doctors said it would be a bad idea to drink after a head injury like I had (and I only had 2 beers with dinner the night of the wreck). I still smoke cigarettes, but that'll stop one of these days. I'm back on the motorbike with an improved helmet. No brain.
I know I'm OK physically because I started sweating again like crazy. Right after the wreck I wasn't sweating, and I know that's not right. So I'm back to 2-3 showers a day, and hating the heat here. And this is rainy season. In Vietnam, locals say there are two seasons -- wet and dry. I say there are two as well -- hot wet and hot dry.
I miss the crisp autumn weather in the states, but most of all I miss my children -- Jessica, Caroline, Jack and Alec. I'll be looking to do some couch surfing this March.
