Buy local

I've been a good guest here for the most part in terms of purchases. I buy local unless I'm desperate or I want food that isn't hot soup, or doesn't have rice, noodles or fish oil. But some stuff doesn't last. I've gone through four sets of headphones and I've had to buy the same computer cable four times. Maybe it's the heat. Maybe the wires melt. I have no idea, but headphones and cables lose connection after about a month. I bought a squirt gun and toy organ from a street vendor and realized later that both products were made in, gasp!, China. I'm not political or very bright for that matter, but even I realize you don't buy from the neighbors to the north. The squirt gun and organ are still working, but I'll destroy them soon. If I don't destroy them, the kids who come to my house will.
Three sisters -- ages 8, 9 and 11 -- come to my house quite often. Two of them have terrible coughs. I give them fruit and orange juice every time they come, but the coughs persist. Their father, who's under 30 years old, comes to get them at night sometimes. He stands or squats outside my house, always shirtless, and screams for them while he plays with his cell phone. He doesn't look at or acknowledge me. Well, actually, he gives me a Clint Eastwood-like glare once in a while, but I get that all the time from just about all the men here. Sometimes the girls ignore him and just stay at my place until I boot them. It's all a little weird to me, but maybe I don't understand the culture. I've been told that many times. The sisters have two brothers, about 3 and 4, and they try to come into my house. They fall into the "too young" category.  I'll give them a little candy and try to send them home, but they stand outside my house and scream, and I mean scream:  "What your name, where you from?" They'll do this for 30 minutes or so while they pound on my glass doors. No point trying to explain the situation to shirtless-Clint Eastwood-dad. Even with this little bit of strangeness, I really enjoy the kids' visits. A highlight of my stay in Vietnam.
My neighbors across the street gave me dessert tonight -- a jello and custard mix -- and it was awesome.  My other neighbor made incredible spaghetti the other day for me. It had seafood and tomatoes instead of traditional sauce. Great stuff. I'm also treated to some special coffee from a really special and cool neighbor. All is fine on the food front when it comes from the neighbors or Metro supermarket.
I had yet another motorbike accident tonight, but it was very minor. A girl rode into my back tire. All is well. I only mention it to remind myself never to let my guard down on the bike. A one-second distraction, like adjusting your mirror, can be catastrophic. No one respects the rules of the road, or demonstrates any road etiquette whatsoever, unless a cop happens to be there.
Students remain fantastic and classes are going well. At least for me. I can't speak for the students. I am a little tired. I've worked six days a week for seven months with no real break. The hours aren't long, and the classes are enjoyable, but that's a long stretch.
I am quite homesick these days. Really miss family and friends. Looking forward to my trip back in November.
Some friends are pressuring me to quit smoking. I'm trying and failing at the moment.