The relentless rain has increased the insect population in Bien Hoa, most notably the number of "stink bugs" in the park. I know these bugs have a wretched odor, but I didn't realize I was allergic to their spray. A big version of a stink bug, about the size of a Susan B. Anthony dollar, landed on my shoulder and let off its stink. A week later and I still have a sizeable red welt on my shoulder. I could show you a photo, but that means I'd have to take off my shirt for a photo. That won't happen. The big red welt is a little itchy, but otherwise no problem. Well, my shoulder had a funny smell for a while, but that dissipated.
While Phuong and I took Joanna to the park in a stroller this week at 4 in the afternoon, a punk on a motorbike with a rough-looking girl on the back came around the corner way too fast and cut us off. I joked to Phuong that the guy was a doctor who was rushing to the hospital to save lives. Actually, this shipdit pulled his bike over about 10 feet from us, took out his minuscule manhood and stood on the sidewalk pissing on the bushes in front of a Karaoke joint. Phuong, Joanna and I were privileged to have front row seats at no cost. There's an outhouse in the park, about 50 feet away. So I told him, "Hey, Hickdead, there's an outhouse over there." Phuong and Joanna pointed and laughed at him. He mumbled his backtalk, but anybody could see he didn't have the balls to actually confront us. People routinely piss in public here in the daytime, but it's usually only the lowlife. Unfortunately, I'm learning Bien Hoa is a mecca for lowlife. Some clown who just got out of prison after serving five years for assault moved back to our street (he used to live here five years ago). He got his hands on a junk car that he uses to "deliver beer," and races up and down our street. It's obvious that it won't be long before this butt bunny will be making his deliveries back in prison. I've suggested to Phuong that we move somewhere safer -- maybe Syria, Uzbekistan or Iraq -- but she wants to wait until the U.S. State Department responds to our lawyer's formal request for an explanation as to why Phuong received a lifetime ban from entering the United States after she has seemingly done nothing whatsoever wrong. We made our request in March and continue to wait for a response. I could almost handle living here, but as I've said before, I really, really, really don't want Joanna growing up here and going to school here.
Speaking of Joanna, she's speaking much more -- in English and Vietnamese! Her entire demeanor has changed lately -- I think it's because I banned her from watching TV and videos. She tries to talk constantly, interacts much more with family and nice people (and really, there are so many here), and she seems to have a sixth sense to avoid morons. She'll engage other children, but will back off and leave when they're too aggressive. She loves kicking a soccer ball, picking up sticks, and splashing puddles with her feet in the park. At home, she plays more with puzzles and such. I realize much of this behavior is due to her age -- she's 16 ... months -- but it's such a pleasant change from the fussy and demanding baby she was becoming a few weeks ago. The beautiful and lovely Phuong, and cute and clever Joanna keep me sane here.
Phuong and I are now playing ping-pong with the flu and sinus infections. We're both quite sick every other week. It's Phuong's turn this week. Joanna started this mess, but she's been fine. Phuong and I will happily stay sick if it means Joanna stays healthy. As a parent, I worry that Joanna might be too tall. I know people are small here, but she's average for a 2-year-old. But I was huge in eighth grade and sort of stopped growing taller at that point. I've been getting fatter ever since, but that's another issue. The people here can worry about that.
Joanna had another immunization shot -- a big, honkin' needle -- but she cried for only 3 seconds (I counted). Both nurses were shocked at how quickly she stopped crying. But, of course, every parent thinks their child is the best. The difference for us is ... our child really is the best.
Vietnam motorbike
diaries: I came to a small T-intersection in the Mega Market parking lot
preparing to turn right and park my bike. A
gentleman on his bike came down the T on my left and we reached the intersection
at the same time. I politely (and correctly) yielded the right of way and the
man smiled and gave me a thumbs-up. There was a fat girl on a bike behind me and
she was pissed I was polite and raced around me as I turned right. It was a
dangerous, stupid and unnecessary maneuver on her part in the small, crowded
parking lot, but she got to her parking space two seconds faster than I got
to mine, so the fat girl is the winner.
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