Rejected, but it's not over yet

Phuong applied for a tourist visa to the USA so she could come there with me in June when I get some work done on my left eye. She had an interview at the embassy in Ho Chi Minh City and was rejected after two questions: Where's your job contract? Where's your bank statements? Of course, she has no job contract because she's self-employed and we didn't know to bring her bank statements. Interview over -- game, set and match. We can apply again, which we will with hopefully more positive results.
Tet holiday is coming Feb. 19 or so, and everyone here is getting wound up. Lots of absences from class, crazy bike riding (as always) and big crowds everywhere. Prices also rise near Tet. And there's still some time before the big holiday. Brilliantly, Phuong and I are going to Thailand for five days leading up to Tet, so we'll miss the real insanity. We're going to Bangkok and Pattaya beach, so we're pretty stoked about the whole thing.
We're still playing tennis three or four times a week, and I'm devastated to report she has beaten me a couple of times. The sun was in my eyes one time, and I drank too much coffee the other time, but I'm not one to make excuses. Actually, I tell Phuong I hate her because she's gotten quite good in a really short time. She understands, but doesn't care and competes really hard. Oh, and I didn't agree with a couple of her calls on shots that I hit. I'm sure they painted the line, and as everyone knows, my eyesight is amazing.
Some nights I teach at two different locations, and the bike ride is quite the thrill. But after almost two years here, I understand the etiquette. People can cut in front of you, pull out on you, and never use their turn signals. They can stop for no reason, run red lights, ride on the sidewalks, and generally put your life in jeopardy at every intersection. But here's the catch, or etiquette. You can do the same stuff, and no one really squawks. I've pulled some really stupid stunts on the bike, and the other drivers didn't flinch. Rules of the road, I guess.
Phuong and I no longer get the creepy looks when we're out together. I think people are used to seeing us together all the time, so the novelty has worn off. The only place that's a drag for me is COOP Mart, where teenagers say really silly "Hellos" to me, people stare at me, everyone cuts in line or bangs into me, and the workers there ignore everything I try to say in Vietnamese. I very rarely go there, obviously, but it's the only place that sells this soap I really like, so when I do go I'll buy every bar in the store.
We've had a stretch of really nice weather here, but the heat is just around the corner. But mornings are very nice, and the 6:30 a.m. bike ride to tennis can actually be, dare I say it, chilly.
Miss my family and friends in the USA, but life here with Phuong is fantastic, so no real complaints.