We've been having incredibly hard rainfalls daily. On Thursday, I was taking a walk and it was pouring. The Vietnamese looked at me like I was walking on water, not in water. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Rain really rattles folk here. When the locals standing in their doorways saw me walking in the rain, they urged me to get inside. Almost pleaded with me. Those who could speak English said I'll get sick. I've had this argument before, but in my view illness comes from viruses and bacteria and stuff like that, not from rain. I guess you could be more vulnerable to sickness if you're wet and cold, but cold isn't a problem for me here. It is for some of my students. One girl, about 20, asked me to turn off the air conditioner in my classroom because she was cold. I saw that she had a jacket and wasn't wearing it, so I told her to put it on and be strong. She put it on and shivered the final 8 minutes of class. Maybe she got caught in the rain earlier that day. I have no clue. The other 14 students were quite content in the air-conditioned classroom, so I went with the odds. And teaching in a hot room is no fun at all.
My fiance Phuong was in a motorbike accident a week or so ago. Scared me to death. She got a nasty gash on her ankle, which swelled up to softball size, and her little toe looked like a sausage. She wouldn't get stitches, so she'll have a big scar. Otherwise, she is fine. Accidents are quite routine since people routinely ignore traffic laws. Knuckleheads run through red lights and ride on the sidewalks all the time. It's like Death Race 2000.
I'm still battling heat rash. I've been losing this battle for about six months. I'm sure the rash will come to the U.S. with me in November. Phuong says the rash is the Vietnamese souvenir I can bring back to the states. I told Phuong that I'll show the rash to my family at Thanksgiving dinner, but she wasn't too keen on the idea.
Working quite a bit lately -- had 15 classes with a couple of new children's classes one week. One of the kids' classes was difficult until my boss came in and really helped me out. I owe her.
Can't wait to visit family and friends in November, but I'll really, really, really miss Phuong. Hell, I miss her when I go to work, so 20 days in the U.S. will seem like forever. We try not to dwell on that topic.
I didn't care much for Vietnamese food until I tasted Phuong's cooking. And her mom is even better. They make octopus, snails, oysters, all kinds of stuff that's outstanding. I still bring ABC Bakery items to the neighbors but they don't have to cook for me anymore. I take ABC pastries and pizzas to the staff at my coffee shop -- most of whom are university students -- and they're so appreciative. Man, I like that. Giving is so much better than receiving no matter what anybody says.
One more time I want to thank teacher Joy for all her help. She's bailed me out countless times with advice or a spare worksheet. Joy rocks.
