Phuong and I are great believers in recycling, so we have passed the same illnesses around in our household for the last month. We've run the gamut from head to toe -- headaches, sinus infections, runny noses, sore throats, chest congestion, stomach pain, bowel issues, as well as sore knees, ankles and arches. Phuong even had some sort of eye infection. I'm not entirely shocked at our health issues since it's 94 degrees and horribly humid every day, with monsoon rain most afternoons. Also, people dispose of trash here by burning it, so there's the lovely scent of melting plastic and burning tires wafting through the city air about three times a week. And don't forget cigarette smoke. People -- almost exclusively men -- light up everywhere here, including hospital waiting rooms. Somehow, Joanna has avoided almost all of the health issues under these daunting circumstances. She had a runny nose for a couple of days, but that's pretty much it. She reminds me of one of my other daughters, who at age 5 shook off the mumps in an afternoon, and gets sick about once every three years. Despite our persistent health issues, Phuong and I continue to play tennis, hoping to sweat out the viruses and infections that have set up camp in our bodies. We sweat like crazy, but remain a little sick. It'll take time.
I don't go out much or ride the bike anymore so I'm under a self-imposed house arrest in a manner of speaking. I've read eight Jack Vance books since I came back from the U.S. in late August, and I'm already fretting about what I'm going to do when I finish the remaining five Vance books I have. Reading has become a passion for me lately. So has laundry. I do more than an hour of laundry and tai chi every night. The laundry is a little overwhelming because Joanna is struggling with potty training, I take a minimum of three showers daily, and Phuong contributes her fair share to our bulging laundry basket. There are no dryers here, and it takes clothes a long time to dry when they're hung up outside because of the humidity. Laundry is actually more than a passion; it's a lifestyle.
Joanna is approaching 28 months old and she is such a joy for Phuong and I. Joanna speaks both English and Vietnamese, but she clearly prefers English and her vocabulary is remarkably extensive, in my opinion. She knows all the letters, numbers, and she displays a mischievous sense of humor. She loves the books I've gotten her, and one of her favorites is "I Am Bunny." In the book, the bunny says "my name is Nicholas and I live in a hollow tree." When we ask Joanna her name, she gives us an elfish grin and says "My name is Nicholas." I pretend to be frustrated, pound the table or bed and say "You're not Nicholas, you're Joanna." Of course she repeats "My name is Nicholas" over and over to get me riled.
Phuong's mother got word that I liked bun bo Hue, and now we're getting shipments every other day. Phuong's mom did the same thing with spring rolls. Love Phuong's mom, but she doesn't understand the concept of 'too much of a good thing.'
Our interview at the U.S. embassy to move our family to the U.S. likely won't happen until March or April. If we get one. If Phuong is denied an interview, which I guess is possible, then we'll apply for a waiver. If that fails, then it's off to Uruguay or Ecuador or someplace I'd be more comfortable having my daughter go to school. We're waiting before we get serious about relocating.
Illness and rain haven't helped our tennis, but I did manage to come from ahead 5-2 on two occasions to lose to Phuong 5-7, 6-7 (5). In the second set, in addition to letting a 5-2 lead get away, I was winning 5-1 in the tiebreaker and fell apart to lose 5-7. Phuong courageously called my last shot "out!" when I was sure it painted the line. But I'm a notorious complainer, and it hasn't served me well yet.
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