Birthdays, like death, are inevitable. I had one Friday. Normally, I don't like my birthday, but now that I can share it with my beloved Phuong, getting older isn't so terrible. I don't know about death yet, but I'll find out eventually. Like I tell my students, "We're all going to die. Everyone in this room will die." The students always laugh when I say this, for some reason, so it's all OK.
I returned to the USA for a few weeks and had a fine time, but the chilly weather was a little rough for me. I've been in the heat of Vietnam so long that my body is starting to change a little. Actually, I came back to Vietnam Dec. 10 and found the warmth quite enjoyable. December is a good month weather-wise here. People still cut in line and ride their bikes like knuckleheads, but I'm no longer shocked by any of this. I still say "please" and "thank you," by the way.
I saw my children and they're all doing great. Jessica let me stay at her house in Delaware, Ohio, and it's a neat place. She's doing well. So is Caroline, who has a new job and looks fantastic. Jack is busy as hell at law school and with his accounting business. Alec is wonderful, enjoying life as he always does. Friends Ron, John, Tommy and Andy were quite gracious and hospitable. My brother Tom put me up for about a week and beat my old ass in tennis twice. I blame my glasses and poor vision, so once I get contact lenses, I'll destroy him on the courts. My ex-wife Lynda cooked a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner which I enjoyed with the kids.
I didn't like driving a car in the U.S. because of traffic, the little car I had (my fault for making a poor choice), and my vision. I went to the eye doctor and she wants to do a little work on my eyes next year. Can't wait. Otherwise, no issues. My house looks good, Yellow Springs was chill as usual, and Glen Helen was awesome as usual.
The highlight of my trip was coming back to Phuong in Vietnam. She was waiting for me at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City. We hugged and kissed in the car -- like teenagers -- the entire ride back to Bien Hoa.
I start work on Monday, and I really look forward to seeing the students again. I missed teaching, but enjoyed the time off. Needed a break. Now I'll take by jet-lagged butt to bed. It takes a week or so to adjust to the change of time and whatnot. But I'm back home with Phuong and teaching again, so life is good. Too bad we're all going to die.
