Who says there must be rhyme and rhythm to the blog sequence? Sans camera, I’ll take what I can get

This is our group pic taken by Kenneth, our resident photographer

Allez Boo Resort, Mui Nui, VN June 2009

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That’s what we all should be: a bundle of joy Pourquoi? Parce que la vie est belle, n’est-ce pas?

I think life is more than beautiful: it’s a gift to be cherished at all times. It’s April 2010 now….things go by so quickly that without a half an hour here and there during which I can sit and reflect (or rather swing in my hammock like today!), my brain and life would be a blur. I also want to take time to remember what I’m doing at each moment: so as of now, I’m watching backtracks on Channel V which is ultimately better than MTV Asia so I’m not so sad that they switched the channels sometime last year. Goodbye “The Hills” and hello music videos! In the past few minutes, I’ve seen “Yellow” by Coldplay, old Lighthouse and now it’s Switchfoot….good stuff so far

I just ate dinner and let me tell you, homemade yogurt can’t be beat! I think I’ll be making it for the rest of my life and seriously, I love it savory in dips like my delish salad dressing of tonight. I also made beef stroganoff, VN style…they said nutmeg and something else, I used cinnamon and oregano…it all works And yogurt was used instead of sour cream.

This weekend was jam-packed and gorgeous: rockclimbing, a Saigon boat cruise dinner with my neighbours, cruising on the best motorbike out there (Airblade, I love u!), donuts (I haven’t eaten any for THREE years!), a LUSH shower and intro’ing a friend to my fave product….twas just great as most days are in this life.

my neighbours: so cute couple!

Lately, I’ve been living out my dreams I think: I was finally able to cruise to Cam Ranh Bay from Nha Trang along the coastal, mountainous road and I’ve been wanting to do this for a couple years (this is all near my gram’s house) but I never had anyone to go with…until now! I’m also working on a couple writing/editing projects for two local non-profit orgs in town and I feel really confident doing this work. I guess after living here for almost four years, I finally know what I’m doing…sorta! It’s nice to be working and feeling like it’s exactly what I should be doing. Oh yea! As I’m going to be leaving in the summer, I realize that VN has been quite good to me and that I’m gonna miss a lot of things after this VN voyage is over.

SO REST ASSURED, I’LL BE BACK!

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Say it like “New York….New Yoooooooooooork!!!!”

I love alliteration but all I keep thinking of is “Delicious Dalat” and that’s not so appropriate though lots of different fruits and veggies are grown in Dalat like artichokes, avocados, strawberries, funky lettuce…yum yum!

Oh sorry, FYI, Dalat is a Vietnamese city located in the central highlands (mountains) and has a temperate and deliciously cool climate that is mild and pleasant to all in VN who are seeking a break from the heat

PICS TO COME…technical difficulties!

I have always wanted to go…and I’ve always heard great things but I never got around to it…man, I feel silly but at least I made it now almost three years after moving here!

It’s the honeymoon capital for Vietnamese peeps though since it is cool, I’d take a hot beachy vacay for that trip but Dalat is a place where you can go to be refreshed and active/sporty and chill and colonial.

I loved all the nods to the French (who’s a francophile here?) like the Eiffel Tower radio tower, Moulin Rouge restaurant, colonial architecture and Sofitel Hotel.

I played the part of the “expat wife” that I am most certainly not but twas fun pretending….I had the amazing opportunity to stay at a really nice resort in the rolling hills with a pillow menu (I chose water, buckwheat, and scented) and a personal butler!

I wanted to get active and rockclimb and jump into the waterfalls but alas, twas not the time….there’s so much to see like ethnic minority villages and elephants (far off but worth it I hear) and of course I want to paddle on the lake one of these days….

It’s a quick jot on a overnite bus or a flight from SGN, about 500km and only 150km or so from Nha Trang….so go and love it cuz it’s brilled!!!

Freshness, scarves, clean air, cable cars, hydrangeas….j’ai tout adore!!!!

Go friends go…and take me with you

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So previous to 2008, I hadn’t been though I had heard many marvelous things.

Then w/in a span of 5 weeks, I was there 3 times (ok once was for work)! Let’s just say “it’s a good thing!”

To date, let’s just say it’s one of the best vacay spots in VN Just avoid the rainy season which is now til October. Any day any way, the seafood is good

New treats to return for:

–Buddy Ice Cream! From N.Zealand and so delicious!!! I can still taste it!
–Le Deauville, very sweet resto owned by an Olivier rite on the beach! Innovative dishes and great atmosphere
–the monkeys!
–the peace and quiet massive stretches of beach to explore

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HOLA!
BLACKOUT! DARK DARK ALONE IN SILENCE
I’m sitting in the dark in my studio with my new headlamp on and I’m listening to Chris Brown (thanks to the sissies for sending some music) and I’m trying to work on my work reports. Blackouts are frequent but short in Vietnam….but hey they can’t beat u down!!! Obviously to post this, the lights went back on! So now the fan’s blaring, dim lights mean I can turn off the headlamp (what a purchase!) and go back to work as per normal

Luv ya!

Today’s appreciation list includes friends who call outta the blue (M-F), lamb and tomato salad (currently digesting) chez Au Parc, meeting NEW ppl (this city so ain’t like my previous one!), inspirational messages at church (no interfaith sparring, yes prayer and fasting), multiculturalism that is on display in Saigon, Canadian roots and peeps, and the Internet!!!! OOH and can’t forget the wonderful long-lasting battery of my new laptop which allows me to blog even in the dark of Vietnamese night!

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Phu Quoc Island

I’ve heard good things bout this place and have a friend who’s been 5+ times. So I vowed that once I moved down south, I’d make the trek. This was facilitated by the fact that my bro was in town and planned a trip there. And so I tagged along.

BEACH BEACH BEACH and beachside resorts

But we also had a day of activity which included motorbiking on red dirt roads (not good for my complexion or cleanliness) and squid fishing on a thunderous evening in downpour.

4 Irish blokes, a pair of VN-CAN siblings, and maybe a 5-fisherman crew with one oceanographer

None of the paying guests caught any squid but luckily these guys had a back-up stock which they used to cook up some yummy porridge/chao/congee and fry some lil squidlings for our eats.

My feet tingle as I write b/c of one pesky mosquito in my room…not happy

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OK obviously tardy! But I need to describe this for recordkeeping’s sake. Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! Ummmm yeah rite, this is VN and it’s a noisy place even in the village.

From 430am to 7am, I would wake multiple times due to a variety of oh-so-wonderful sounds
–Early church bells
–Blaring coffee shop raver music at 6ish
–Auntie’s loud voice/snores/jingle jangle
–Mosquito terrors

No wonder I was cranky when I finally got out of bed at the obscenely late 8am…ok once I did sleep til 10…sue me!

Last Christmas, my fave gals were in town. This Christmas, I was among family, just not the ones I usually see at this time.
Here were the notables of the visit:

–Construction outside gram’s….of course they don’t use safety barriers so they were swinging that jaw-like contraption that breaks up dirt and scoops it away until I hollered that I needed to get in the house! (No alternate route to the ppl’s homes either)

–Midnight Mass, no, not really! It was at hmmmmmmmm 7ish til 11ish? It was loud and outdoors and the temperature was slightly warm with a cool periwinkle sky and stars to match…I noticed that many ppl were staring at me on this evening and I thought “ok, I’m obviously a foreigner but whatever.” Reasons: I was like the only person apart from a toddler wearing glasses, and I had on a delicate dress which didn’t fly with the fact that there were no benches and so everyone except me was sitting on their sandals…that was a bit painful! And yes, I’m a foreigner who thought we might have church inside the actual building.

It was a nice service with lots of storytelling and VNese dancing…

–Prices slashed down to zero! I don’t usually pay for much when I visit grams cuz auntie and all lo (take care) of me. This time around I also got a sweet haircut and nails painted for less than a buck! Sweet!

–Family! I hung out w/grams, 2 aunties and 1 cousin and parents’ friends etc. Highly notable: present from Daddy = cornichons, or should I say N.American style pickles, packed in a plastic jar and wrapped tightly to avoid leakage. Now, that’s a gift from s/o who loves ya!

All in all, not a bad way to spend Christmas away from home!

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Seriously, I should be writing reports and articles, not blog entries…but somehow, the allure just isn’t the same.

I must come back here and do this properly but here are the brief updates since last time on CATHY’S BLOG. (Use your best announcer’s voice!)

Dec 20 or so = headed to Grandma’s in Cam Ranh for “Christmas in the Village” (again, broadcaster required) starring yours truly, 2 aunties, one cuz n his wife and the adorable, quirky ol’ grams..WAIT…add to that, 2 evil kitties that glared at me while I brushed my teeth in the yard….who’s the king of the castle anyway? They were mean!

Dec 28th ish = off to SGN for city fun and new year’s….wasn’t so into it and subsequently left “party” clothes at home only to have to buy new ones at “city” costs (this wasn’t the village where hair n nails were $0.70 cents combined!) but it’s all good….got the bestest news of the year: Moi, je vais bientot demenager et vivre a HCMC!!! Wooooottttttsie mooottttsie! Seeing old pals in new places is def FUN!!!! Highlights: James! The Mac was back in VN if only for a brief stint. Borama, the fabo Korean! Oh and I just love Zen Plaza, the most fabo of malls w/one of a kind designs (yes JL, come back!). Best of shopping for gals who luv clothes and for those who don’t, well, this place will get you started

Jan 4th = after apartment shopping with multiple real estate agents and friends, I head back home to Danang. To the empty house and the empty life where I can’t call anyone up cuz there isn’t anyone to call…(Hello? Is it me you’re looking for? I just wonder where you are….) Most friends move away and I am here to stay…NOT! BUT I must say, I do have the bestest roommate ever (Miss Hye Jong Le) but we are, alas, moving on with our lives…she will leave too so it’s not like I’m ditching her. For now, we’re hanging and today, I was planning to work at home all day but at 9am the electricity was out and after waiting for an hour, it looked like we were outta luck so after a no-power-required brekkie, we went for a sauna, steambath and massage combo all for $10 USD! = just an example of the randomness of Danang = roomie lost her pendant in the steambath and the staff had to break the wood to retrieve it (this was not part of the plan). Then we ate and found a baby cockroach in our beef salad (my first time in DN!) and then I came home to find that the power was still not on at 3pm so after paying some bills and hoping and wishing that I could use my computer, it’s baaaaaaaaaaaaacccccccck and then I proceed to facebook and blog instead of work….oh troi oi!

COOKING SCORE of domesticity
Nha Trang = 0 times in 6 days…auntie took care of me/nights out = 0 unless you count visiting relatives and going to Midnight Mass

Saigon = ate delivery at home twice and microwaved pizza once and washed dishes once within a week/restaurants = 8

Danang = 4x in 3 days = chicken wings, pasta, zucchini stir fry (who doesn’t luv this veggie?), jellos and risotto, cookies, and quesadillas to come Anyone coming to dinner?

So where’s my home now? Obviously DN but will the cooking continue in the BIG city? Hmmmmmmm?

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means little blog action!

hahha usually I don’t have life and I’m not so ashamed to admit it. Year 2 is a lot more introspective and not about the par-tay.

Here are the note worthies of late:

1. After months of desire and a bit of fear, I actually drove a motorbike to Hue….unexpectedly the encouragement came from my roommate who drove all the way (108km) without breaking a sweat. The funniest thing is that we got soooooooooo dirty and didn’t notice until we looked in the mirror in our hotel room and saw army faces (streaked w/dirt) staring back at us. It took a bit of scrubbing to get that off us. Motorbiking is dangerous on highways and def something I wouldn’t necessarily recommend for the faint of heart….I had thoughts of death as we whizzed by humongo trucks with treacherous cargo (logs that didn’t seem so securely fastened, pointy sticks, buses with motorbikes stacked on top) and even with a helmet, it’s not safe. Motorbikes do not have seatbelts….Highways in VN have villagers, cyclists, students, cows and water buffalo, unsturdy and uber-polluting trucks, and other motorbikes as obstacles that can turn an afternoon’s ride into a stress-filled but still very cool adventure. We saw an 18-wheeler (ok maybe it was smaller) transporting Coke toppled over on the side of a mountain (part of the Hai Van Pass) with Coke streaming down and local residents (who came from who-knows-where since there aren’t houses on this mountain) collecting cans and milling around. Def picture worthy (sorry!) but we didn’t stop or have the sense as we passed to fully take in what was happening.

2. The point of the trip was to visit nearby hot springs (35km from Hue) since we were all sick of the rainy weather in Danang. SCORE! Good for a getaway and a soak with friends…bad b/c even in the “winter” I get tanned.

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