What 2 do w/three girls and three boys who are all about the same age as each other?

That’s rite, peeps, go to a concert together…So what if the boys are famous celebrities and are the awe-inspiring Hanson brothers? And so what if the gals are three Nguyen sisters who are very accomplished boy-band stalkers? It was like a triple date for us…yes we know they are married and we like them just as brothers….And so what if we clawed our way to the front (third) rows so that little Celly could touch Taylor’s hand? IT HAPPENED and we are sooooooooooo thankful!

Ten years after MmmmmBop, aren’t they all grown up and cute? And awwwwwwwwwesome-r if possible!

Twas all good

Popularity: 39% [?]

Did I mention I’m supposed to be on a budget? But no studio would be complete sans delicious Korean products and chili sauces!

In Danang, I had the best Korean roommate (Hye Jung/Sharon)for over a year and now that I’ve just left (weep ) I’m realized how influential she was….I’m a heck of a lot cleaner now! And she cooked some pretty darn good food. We had a switcheroo/trade of cultures and cuisine going on in our household. I traded chicken wings, risotto, tacos, salads, and baked goods for homemade kimchi, seaweed soup, cute lil K-packets of fried rice mixtures, awesomely amazing candies, and a new and exciting experience.

Koreans are the Asians of my Vietnam experience so far (believe it or not). Through my roomie, I met my best bud Boram-shi who’s my K-grocery shop guide/chick flick pal/sport-o-holic (he has a ski fan club!)/eating partner/K-language teacher (today I learned sexy-hada) etc..I’ve also attended an all K-lang fitness class in a K-taekwando gym equipped with very sexy-hada K-instructor, Hyun Sung (BUFFED and easily the best bod in DN!), and watched K-movies and oohed and ahhed over more actors than ever in my life!

The K-drama = one of the best earthly pleasures!!!
Q: Why are Korean actors so hot?
A: I don’t care but I like it Ppl close to me say that it’s all fake and I kinda know it but also luv it. Now the guys’ names are hard to pronounce but I’ll post some pics to convince u = pure hotness!

I won’t gush on the blog but man, if you don’t want K-tv (I love Ariang and KBS channels), you are missing out. I know, “American Idol” is pretty sweet but “My Lovely Kim Sam Soon” (on youtube hint, hint) kicks all other dramas’ butts except,just maybe, “The OC”…? YOU DECIDE!

Opa Boram (big bro) and I stocked up on the K-food for my kitchen today. We got the fundamental K-chili paste (made w/plum juice says KBS tv), cutesy K-drinks, rice rolls that Boram has an awesome recipe for, udon (K-style), and well it all came to one heavy bag worth $35. But I still need my Soju (yummy K-liquor of choice), big bag of bestest candy ever; my K-lang book and dicto, and filtered mask to shield me from the motorbike traffic and you know who’s going to Seoul to hook me up? You got it: BORAM!

YES, me = one hooked up gal
–counting the blessings, one Korean at a time

Popularity: 100% [?]

Honestly, Gary Barlow is one of the best ppl in the world. He’s my fave! Who is he? If you don’t know, why am I friends with you? He’s the lead singer from Take That; the boybander with lasting power; the super hot, fabulous Englishman that I have to meet and drink tea with once I go to Manchester.

Our paths crossed about 10 years ago, and I’ve been smitten ever since. He’s the only person I’ve ever proposed to in a love letter…. (I was only 14 but I meant it!) He’s sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fabulous! And why the gush now?

Well, it’s been over 10 years since the evil Robbie Williams broke up my band and hurt Gary (I hate RW: there it’s public) and last year, Take That had a reunion tour and made a very successful comeback sans evil man, who really is so overrated and will never make it in North America ok?

So in the past 10 years, I haven’t been up-to-date with Gary’s whereabouts. I know he writes for other singers and is a producer, I think, but I’ve actually grown up and done things myself.

From 15-25, he was discovered, traveled the world, became famous, had his band break up, went solo, got married and lived on. But now at 36, his voice hasn’t changed much and it’s just so excellent and “Back for Good” is still often played on radio stations around the world.

From 15-25, I had over 10 jobs, visited over 10 countries, lived abroad twice, learned two languages, and am finally settling down although nowhere near my hometown. Granted, I’m not a celebrity, but I think I’ve done pretty well so far…and after all those years, I still LOVE GB! He’s the best!!!!!

(Once I get back to Canada, I will post some pics.)

Popularity: 81% [?]

Saigon in June w/JUNELLA—too much fabulous fun. I’ll let her explain in the posts to come but here’s a glimpse of my reunions w/SGnese buddies b4 she landed….

Highlights–cute clothes n shoes, cheap drinks, fun friends, familiar music, delish food, new aparts n houses to crash at, massage n spa stuff, not driving motorbikes, refreshing rain, French speakers, foreign foods (hummus! antipasti! Thai! Indian!) etc….

On the list–rockclimbing, hip hop nights and lessons, exercise, networking, practising Korean and stealing friends’ clothes

She’s only been here two days, not even 24hrs but has already:
–motorbiked and held on tightly
–been in awe of the modernity (buffet brekkies, cool bars, hip clothes)
–met more than 5 new ppl including interesting and cute boys (I’m a good friend.)
–spend $100 US on bags and clothes (I just showed her ok…no forcing going on!)
–wore beautiful clothes cuz her suitcase was delayed/lost whatever
–made me happy

Just some charming lovely kids who walked into my life via East Meets West….so cute

Popularity: 48% [?]

Hiya bya coconut papaya!

It’s been awhile (ok so I haven’t written every day this week!) b/c I have friends! They are coming out of my ears and well, WTF? You’re right, wow, that’s fantastic

Mimi came back on Sunday but I didn’t meet her at the airport b/c I had OTHER FRIENDS!

I finally made it to the Bread of Life cafe (owned by Westerners and run by Vietnamese deaf) and it turns out that they have an ENGLISH church service there so I went and made friends@!!!!

Yeah! I found myself being invited out to lunch and to Hoi An that night to meet a French Viet Kieu (= overseas VN)! So now, I’m making more connections than ever socially. Work is another story altogether!

So there’s this wonderfully linguistic Vietnamese guy named Hai whose English is perfect and is pretty cute as well. He loves languages like s/o else I know but is a bit older so I’m not really interested. He set up an English school called Fischer’s Super Kids with his wife (that’s her maiden name) and so, I asked them if they could set me up with a junior Hai (get it?). So far, he ranks high (or Hai) on the attractive VN guy list (which is getting longer everyday!) hahaahahhaha!

Eric is the French Vietnamese guy that I met in Hoi An and he’s also fabuleux! He’s trilingual and funny and has this neutral accent in English and French that is just so cool to listen to. But he’s lived here for four years and has a gf so that’s another one added to the “just friends” pile. So far, I hardly hear a peep of VNese from him but since our initial meeting, we’ve been eating burgers and shakes, VN rolls and sweet desserts and FRENCH candies. He has a patio so Mimi and I will be the first ppl up there once it’s cleaned

With Mimi’s return, I’ve been eating out, drinking Biere La Rue, sipping coffees at Wonder, and flirting mercilessly with her coworkers at East Meets West. It’s been a blast and it’s only just begun. Everyday that we hang, I see that when she talks, it’s like me talking. We’re twins or two ends of the same person but I’d say she’s cool and hip and that I’m the “crazier” Mimi.

To give you an example of our similarities, she said that when she likes smthng, she’s a walking billboard. Does that sound like a certain s/o with her LUSH products? I’m even going to give her a piece of my favourite solid conditioner JUNGLE b/c she’s worth it!

She’s outta town this weekend, but now I’ve got Eric and still have Abe so I won’t be lonely. No more 10am rums for me!

Popularity: 36% [?]

Mission accomplished: I went out with Mr. Hotness on Sunday.

Too many stories and outings that I’m going crazy. I slept just 1 hour yesterday cuz I am way too busy to sleep and no coffee needed, I’m high on life esp. my WONDERful one here!

Let’s make this “brief”:

Sat: I was lonely and drank rum at 10am. Thank God, Dorian (see jokes) was able to cheer me up

At nite, went to a Western Halloween party and proceeded to get smashed! It was awful….awfully good! I drank like there was no tomorrow but then I ended up needing very masculine Nam had to whisk me away like Romeo did to Juliet. I slept over at my new friend’s house (Mimi = fabulous!). It was another disaster similar to New Year’s 2000 = worst, most humiliating event of my life!

But I met Mimi and she’s trilingual in my (ouais!!!) languages and works for East Meets West Foundation, a VN-US non profit. And Nam is her coworker and potentially mine (?) after my stint w/the uni is done.

Back to the date: I got Mr. Hotness (real name: Quyen) to join me on a mountain adventure. I know one of his coworkers (and all the cute ones anyway) and so they came along w/one of my coworkers to the Marble Mountains. ( I have to find the history on this place, but till then, check the pics.)

It was sooooooooo fun and the place is really adventurous cuz it’s all caves and dark, wet holes filled w/snakes and marble. And near the beach too. I think I did a pretty good job of charming my company so let’s see what happens next. Quyen invited me to visit his hometown, Hue, so let’s see what I can do in this week. Go Cathy!

Popularity: 36% [?]

I think they’re like the Hardy Boys and they work at WONDER Cafe which is a hip n chic place where Vietnamese go for coffee, shakes, smokes, and wireless internet! At least, that’s MOSTLY the reason why I go there.

They wear red button up tops and red baseball caps and khakis I think. The first time I went there, I met this super cute Wonder Boy (or Boy Wonder) and I’ve been trying to strike up conversation ever since. But how does a girl who’s supposed to be demure and shy (typical VN style) do this? I cycle by on my way to work and today he gave me a wink! My goal is to get a picture b/c I can’t just ask him for his name and number. Too bad for me living in this different culture.

Ahhh the Wonder Boys and my Boy Wonder

Popularity: 37% [?]

Hot young French doctor who works in HCMC in the Intl SOS clinic. I went there to get my third Japanese encephilitis vaccine and I just have to say that I could’ve picked him as my Dr. but I didn’t see him until too late. He’s fabo and actually I think Vietnamese or at least half. But I was hanging around and panting after him and speaking French and English and his ears didn’t even twitch There’s just too many hot girls in France and I know plenty of them

And the vaccines are cheaper abroad so stop getting them in Canada. www.iamat.org

So that’s the hot boy report for now but you know there have to be many more to come

Oh Xavier!

Popularity: 31% [?]