Christmas gets bigger; Joanna, Phuong light up my life

There are more signs of Christmas every year in Vietnam. More store windows are decorated and even little coffee shops and some of my creepy neighbors have lights hanging. A few have even put up Christmas trees. There's also much more traffic and even more stupid motorbike riders on the road -- people slowing down and pointing at lights and stuff with no brake lights, no lights at night, no signal, no clue. Bah humbug on the motorbikes. In the U.S., the auto traffic and crowds swell around the holidays, so it's pretty much the same everywhere, except in  places like Iran and North Korea, I guess.
I put up and decorated our little artificial tree. It's artificial because I care about the environment and I'm lazy. I also wrapped a few presents. Phuong is absorbed in Joanna, and she doesn't fully understand the Christmas spirit thing. Maybe it's the heat. Her family doesn't do the tree or presents or fruitcake (thank God). This means I give presents but no one gives me anything. We don't open anything together. I give them presents and they take them home without opening. But it's better to give than ... oh, you know the drill. Phuong is Christian, but the whole holiday is kind of lost on her and her family. That's a sigh of relief you heard, not complaining. New Year's is even more obscure here because of Tet. So, a festive time of year in my culture is a growing economic phenomena here, but not much more at the moment. Besides, the Vietnamese are more pragmatic than sentimental.
Joanna is a daily joy for me. She wakes up every day at 4:45 a.m., and I'm right there with her. I've been waking up at 3 a.m. since returning from the U.S. The first thing Joanna does is smile, and the second is poop. After cleanup, we'll play for  half an hour. She's about 5 1/2 months old and she crawls, rolls every which way, and doesn't care if she falls off the bed. We don't let that happen. Her smile and laugh are infectious, and when she starts giggling, I start giggling, too. It's wonderful. Phuong is more dedicated than ever to Joanna's well-being, if that's possible, and Phuong and Joanna are the joy of my life.
My daily walk is very good because the weather is "cool" -- about 90 with grueling humidity -- and the people that I always see smile and wave at me. Cheerful people make me cheerful these days. They also make me feel bad for being a grumpy complainer for so many years. My waitress at Thuy Nga coffee shop is one of the nicest girls in the world. She's always smiling and understands my order -- hot coffee with milk and a pitcher of iced tea. I always leave a tip and she's always appreciative. Some waitresses here don't understand the concept of tipping, which is why a lot of foreigners come here. The rude ones screw up their faces when you try to tip and look at their co-workers so they can laugh at you together.  OK, no tip for you. I don't like being laughed at, even when it's over something innocuous like tipping. Must be an American thing.
I returned to the classroom this week, and my first class was awesome. I hope that trend continues. I'm optimistic classes will be cool because I got some needed time off when I came to the United States. The time away helped as well because it made me more appreciative of what I have in life.
A quick shout-out to the many, many Russians who are reading my blog. Since I have no money, they can hack me all they want. And I'm still waiting for Donald's check.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

Family love in Vietnam after long trip

As 29-hour trips go -- with two connecting flights that contributed six hours of layovers, along with a one-hour delay on the Tokyo tarmac waiting for passengers from late connecting flights -- this one wasn't as bad as it sounds. Really. The older Japanese woman sitting next to me on the nearly 14-hour flight from Washington D.C. to Tokyo did not speak to me the entire trip, and she spoke English (to the flight attendants). In fact, she slept 11 of the 14 hours, so I had to wake her up every time I needed to leave my yucky window seat to pee or stretch. No wonder she acted like she hated me. But, she wasn't fat, which is my biggest concern. It doesn't matter that I'm fat. That's the problem for the person sitting next to me. So really, the longest leg of the trip was OK. I watched five movies: the latest Jason Bourne (bad); The BFG (surprisingly good story about a giant and little orphan girl); Brothers of the Wind (very watchable nature drama about an eagle and young boy); My Kind of Traitor (OK movie about the Russian  mob); and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (I love Harry Potter books and movies). The food on ANA flights is pretty darn good and the flight attendants were very pretty Japanese women, not that I noticed.
I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, got my luggage and cleared customs at about midnight. I exited the terminal and there was my incredibly beautiful wife Phuong, smiling as always, and my lovely daughter Joanna. I immediately gave Joanna a big kiss, and she immediately burst into tears. But she stopped crying after about five seconds, looked at me really hard, and broke into a big smile. I almost cried I was so happy. I held Joanna nearly the entire one-hour ride home in  the car and we smiled and laughed constantly. Joanna and I hung out, laughing and playing, until 2:30 a.m. (She was pretty grumpy the next day, but so what.) Phuong and I and Joanna have been almost inseparable since I got back. I returned to my daily walk and coffee, but other than that, it's been Phuong and Joanna. I couldn't be happier.
I'll return to work Monday, and I'm looking forward to it. I bought candy canes and educational games and puzzles in the U.S. because I want the students to have a good time while they learn English. I didn't like the cold weather in the U.S. as much as I thought and the heat in Vietnam isn't bothering me as much as before. I loved seeing my children in the U.S., even though they're grown up and on the go. U.S. prices are rough and I burned through a ton of money (I'm sure the Donald will cut me a check). I loved seeing friends and I really enjoy the peace and beauty of Yellow Springs, especially Glen Helen. But the bottom line is that I really missed my wife and new daughter.  Being away from them makes me realize how truly wonderful our life together is.

Joanna crawls and I go on a spending spree

My daughter Joanna continues to amaze me as I watch her on Skype each day. She just turned five months old and she is already sort of crawling. She uses her knees and elbows to lift her bottom in the air and then she'll lurch forward. She'll repeat the process rather quickly -- knees come forward, bottom goes up in the air, and a lurch forward. It's not classic crawling, but she gets from A to B in a hurry and she can't be left alone on the bed. She moves like a speedy caterpillar. I see a Phuong-like grit and determination in Joanna's actions, whether it's attempting to crawl or trying to take off her socks so she can suck her toes. And there's such glee and joy in Phuong as she chases her daughter around on the bed and makes sure Joanna doesn't suck her toes or fall off the bed. I can't wait to get back to Vietnam to see my wife and daughter. I hope Joanna still recognizes me. I hope Phuong still recognizes me, too.
My eyes, which have high pressure that causes glaucoma and eventual loss of vision, are in pretty good shape, all things considered. But examinations, new glasses and eye drops cost me a small fortune -- about $3,000 out of pocket since I don't have health care. I looked into health insurance but the payments were over $300 a month.  Can't afford that over the long haul, but I have enough money to cover my eye treatment and yearly trips to the United States. (Thank you VMG!)  I've been staying in Yellow Springs, where I have a house. Yellow Springs is nice enough, but it's very expensive and property taxes are very high. It's like a resort town. I tell everyone in Yellow Springs, also a very liberal town, that President-elect Trump is going to write me a check to cover my eye care and miscellaneous expenses on my trip to the U.S. That line barely gets a smile in town.
I had a wonderful visit on Saturday with Anthony and Amelia, my former co-workers at the Dayton Daily News newspaper, which laid me off in 2008. Anthony and Amelia are good people and good journalists. I loved seeing them. I should send the DDN a thank-you note for laying me off. I ended up getting a master's degree, teaching in Peru and then Vietnam, where I met my incredible wife Phuong and had an incredible baby girl (Joanna). Most of the copy editors I worked with in Dayton either moved on or were laid off. Newspapers are dinosaurs. But I discovered I really loved teaching, so I don't hold any grudges or harbor any ill will toward the newspaper industry. Quite the contrary.
I'm preparing to leave the U.S. It was wonderful to see friends (John, Eve, Ron, Andy, Jane, Tommy, Anthony, Amelia, Laurie, Lynda) and my children Jessica, Caroline, Jack and Alec.  Planning a shopping trip with Jessica tomorrow. Vacation isn't over yet.
I stayed at the Springs Motel in Yellow Springs and the manager Robyn is one of the nicest people I've ever met. She found my misplaced cell phone, got milk for my coffee and bought me Yoo-Hoo chocolate candy, all while listening to the White Monkey whine about anything and everything for a couple of weeks. Thanks Robyn, you're wonderful.
It's been cold lately (lows of 25 Fahrenheit / -6 celcius). We had a dusting of snow Saturday morning. Ah, December in Ohio.

Breakfast with Laurie and a visit with birds

I had breakfast with my teacher-mentor Laurie M. on Sunday morning in Yellow Springs. It's great talking to Laurie because she has remarkable insight into her students and profession. Laurie teaches special education and I've seen her students make fantastic progress and strive to learn and express themselves because of Laurie. And those students will never have a better advocate than Miss M. Of course, I soak up every word she says and try to steal/borrow/use any of her ideas about teaching.
After talking with Laurie for two hours, I took a three-hour walk in Glen Helen, and visited the Raptor Center to see the hawks, owls and bald eagle. Glen Helen is a special place. The water from the yellow spring tastes wonderful -- full of iron and flavor. A happy day that continued when I bought some gifts and toys for Phuong and Joanna at some of the countless shops and boutiques in Yellow Springs. I capped off the day with dinner and a craft beer at Peaches. Success on Sunday!
I return to the eye doctor tomorrow. A doctor in Vietnam changed one of the prescriptions for my eye drops, and I developed an allergy to the new drops. My eyes itched like crazy with the new drops, so I stopped them. But I have to have drops to relieve pressure in my eye or my vision goes south. My eye doctor in Dayton, Ohio, figured all of this out when I told her my story. My eye doctor is one of the reasons I return to the United States every November. Dr. Talluto is awesome. Of course I come to the U.S. to see my children and drink Yoo-Hoo, but I trust my eye doctor with my vision, and that's serious stuff.
I drove to the East Coast of the U.S. and I visited my friends Ron, Tommy, and Andy, and saw my brother Thomas as well.  I gave my friend Ron a cane, and if he doesn't use it to take walks, I'll run over his legs with a truck. Wait, that's already been done. Well, I really hopes he starts taking a daily walk (like the White Monkey). It's good for everything -- health and outlook. I really miss my walks in Vietnam and the folks I see and clown with along the way. I miss teaching at VMG, and I miss the staffers there. The staffers and I sort of agree we're a pain in each others' asses, but in a good way. I'm not the easiest teacher to get along with, but I really like my students and I show up on time. Hell, I'm not the easiest person to get along with, regardless of when I show up or who I like.
I chat with Phuong most days on Skype, and I love watching Joanna roll on the bed and zip around in her walker. I love and miss my wife and daughter Joanna so much. I'm looking forward to returning to Vietnam. Yep, you read that right.

Missing Phuong and Joanna; waiting for vacation

Greetings from the United States. The weather is awesome here. It's 55 and sunny in the day, and 35 and moonlit at night, so it's cool enough to be refreshing and warm enough to go outside and play. I've played a little tennis -- the first tennis in more than a year -- and only fell once. It happens when you get my age. As my friend Andy said, the real winners in our tennis were the fans who witnessed the exhibition of athletic skill. No witnesses, so no winners.
I talk with Phuong, my beautiful, wonderful wife, on Skype most days. Some days I don't have internet, but if I do, I Skype with Phuong and Joanna. Joanna tries to put the computer in her mouth when she sees me and I talk with her on Skype. I try to put the computer in my mouth when I see Phuong and she talks with me on Skype. We're a happy family. Being away from my wife and newborn is very difficult, of course, but time is moving fast here. I've seen the lawyer, the eye doctor, family, my banker, and friends. I must do some shopping for my students in Vietnam if I still have a job when I return, and I have to get some clothes and toys for Joanna and me. I have another eye doctor visit and I bought new glasses for $1,082. Big money for bad eyes.
I saw all my children on Thanksgiving and took their photo, but one of my children said not to put the photo on the internet. Fair enough, so the photo is for my eyes only. Love my children (all five) and don't really care if people see their photo or not.
Driving is kind of a drag here. It's not as bad as the motorbikes in Vietnam, but cars and such travel much faster here, adding to the excitement and danger. In Vietnam, there are few traffic laws (that are obeyed) so there's something of anarchy on the roads. Here, there's order, but one chucklehead doing something stupid can kill lots of people because everyone travels so fast. My rental car has had some issues, but I'm still alive, so who cares.
I've been traveling and visiting constantly since I got here, but this week I'm going to chill out and shop. That means I'll spend money I don't really have. And have fun doing it.
Today, I drive from Washington, D.C., to Ohio ... about 7 hours in the car. Then the real vacation begins.

It's cool visiting family, being in Yellow Springs

My children Alec and Jessica were waiting for me when I arrived in Columbus, Ohio. It was incredible to see them. They look great, and they even carried my luggage for me. Great kids. I hope to see Jack and Caroline on Thanksgiving. There's a lot of catching up to do since Phuong and I had a baby in July.
 I love travel and being in Yellow Springs, Ohio, but I hate being away from my wife and daughter. Unacceptable trade-off. Phuong and I talk on Skype and I can watch and listen to Joanna do baby stuff, like grunt, laugh, cry and kiss Phuong. And when I shout into my computer to get Joanna's attention, she looks around like she's expecting me to show up and sit on the bed next to her. I wish it was that easy. It makes me unbelievably happy to see Phuong and Joanna together. Phuong is so committed to motherhood, as she should be. And she's so cheerful even when she doesn't get sleep. Phuong is always smiling. Me? I'm Mr. Complain when I don't get much sleep and Mr. Complain when I get too much sleep. I never smile. Well, that's not really true, but close enough.
I love the weather and food here. It's been about 40 degrees F  or about 0 to 15 degrees C. I bought gloves, an Ohio State pullover sweatshirt/hoodie and camouflage pants to stay warm. I've eaten hamburgers, french fries, tapioca pudding, pizza, sausages, $3 muffins, hard pretzels, and stinky cheese. I drink beer, coffee and Yoo-Hoo.  And I've had some nice beers at a local brewery and my friend's apartment. My friend John has been a gracious and generous host, as usual.
Americans want to talk about the election, but there seems to be some concern about which side you were on. A truck driver staying at the Springs Motel, where I happen to be staying, was telling me how happy he was that Trump defeated that "evil woman."  He was cool about it, and didn't preach to me in any way. I responded to the "evil" comment by saying that Trump won, so it doesn't matter now. Most of the folks in Y.S. are like me concerning the election -- shocked and disbelieving. It's really difficult to grasp two words: President Trump.  I hope things work out for the best.
Gas is very inexpensive here at the moment. I have a mid-sized car, and it's OK. Driving is OK, or a little better than the motorbike. I still prefer walking.
My son Alec and I took a hike in Glen Helen and we were about to cross a small bridge when we saw a blue heron about 20 feet away standing in the creek. The blue heron is a good-sized bird, but this one seemed a little too comfortable near people, in the White Monkey's opinion.  I go to the Glen every day, even though there some construction work in progress on some of the trails. The Glen is one of the things I really miss when I'm in Vietnam.
Anyway, excited about family Thanksgiving and upcoming trip to the East Coast to see friends and family.

Leaving my wife Phuong and daughter Joanna to visit the land of Ronald Mac Donald

I have mixed emotions as I pack to go the United States early tomorrow morning (Nov. 15). I can't wait to see my children and the few people in the U.S. who let me say they're my "friends." I also need a break from the heat here, from our visa drama, and I really need some time away from work to recharge my battery. My schedule isn't heavy, but I do have classes six days a week. The most significant time off I've had this past year is from two rough motorbike accidents, gallbladder surgery, and the birth of my fifth child, the beautiful Joanna Pham Millman. I didn't even take any real time off to celebrate Phuong's divorce and our wedding (in that order). I took a week off when my son Alec came to visit, but that's pretty much it in terms of free time. And don't forget, I'm a 61-year-old White Monkey with a four-month baby and beautiful wife who has endless energy. Guess it could be worse, but my wife and baby are the reason for my conundrum. I don't want to leave them. Joanna actually recognizes me now -- she always smiles at me first thing in the morning when she sees my ugly pug. I'm usually a gummy bear (our term for a grump) in the morning, but Joanna and Phuong have me loving life in the morning. It helps that I rarely drink, quit smoking, and don't work stupid late like I did in the newspaper business. So my family in Vietnam is one big reason I have mixed emotions about traveling. The other is the elephant in the room that is president-elect Donald Trump.  It took me two days for me to get over his victory, and really, I'm not sure I'll fully recover until he's out of office. But I'm an eternal optimist, so I'll hope for the best, which means I'll hope the guy gets a clue and some class along the way. I've got a Vietnamese wife, and things are tough enough for our family when it comes to immigration and visas. I can't see that improving in the short term. So I'm leaving my beloved wife and newborn to take care of business in a country where anger, frustration and race fueled the election of a "businessman" with questionable qualifications and even more questionable character. But I'll tell you what: I'll grab Trump's you-know-what (small hand) and kiss him on the lips if he gets Phuong a visa to legally enter the United States so we can raise our daughter there, enroll our daughter in American schools, and sign our family up for Obamacare. I think Obama is a great president. Whether you agree or not, I have to believe you know he'll be missed, especially now.
But these issues won't detract from the fact I'll see my children and friends, I'll visit with my lawyer and eye doctor, I'll eat pizza, subs, barbecued beef and pork, and coffee ice cream. I'll  drink Yoo-Hoo, the delicious chocolate energy drink that I've enjoyed since I was 4 years old. The only way it gets any better than this is to have my wife and daughter with me. Maybe one day.
* Joanna got her social security card today, making her an even more official American citizen. I wonder if she'll have to pay taxes. Hell, the president-elect doesn't pay taxes any more (or at least I don't think he does), so why should she.