Well, we made it after about 16 hrs on two planes. Bronwen, the Saigon intern, and I are in the city and walking round. First stop was Ben Thanh market for some yummy phở.

On the way here, I brushed up my written Vietnamese and met the President of Pepe Jeans London. He’s a young entrepreneur type who just happened to sit beside me on the Hong Kong — Saigon flight. He gave me some tips on how to ensure that I get a job here after I’m done with the internship and talked bout the fashion industry too. Pretty cool.

Will continue to update….ciao for now

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My goodness! Everyday brings new ideas and tasks that I can do during my internship. Those 5 months in Vietnam will be action-packed and maybe I’ll have to stay longer to get them all done. So here’s some stuff I’ve been thinking about:

- Community spirit/interest events like international fashion shows (like East meets West), hosting a “Canadian” dinner and selling tix for it, clean the ocean days, golf tournaments, silent auctions etc.

- Becoming a master fundraiser and proposal writer: Beware companies around Danang, beware! Cha-ching! Cha-ching! Show me some bling!

- Getting chummy with the French department at the university Salut mes nouveux amis! They’ll learn to love me n’est-ce pas?

- Our media project which means writing articles for newspapers (here and in Vietnam), getting on the radio, recording impressions of sights and sounds (and maybe even filming something) and really making noise around my project — Do you think I’ll be successful?

- Becoming TRILINGUAL (ah ouais!) like I was always meant to be. This the only the first step to becoming the most fabulous professional I can be who can write and translate and perhaps one day even teach in my 3 fave languages. Gooooooooooo Cathy! (I try to be self-motivated.)

- Persuading friends and family to visit and experience my handiwork firsthand…wait, that’s happening already rite?

AND then when it’s over,
- find another job in Vietnam (or elsewhere in Asia if I must) for next year
- meet a man and get married (oops, that’d be s/o else’s plan)
- volunteer short-term somewhere (only we know) in Asia
- travel extensively in Vietnam
- backpack Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand
- go to Hong Kong and Tokyo
- return to Vancouver for a visit
- and hop back on a plane to Asia

BUT if that changes, ce n’est pas grave. Je suis flexible

A plus tout le monde

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Victoria is nice. I have lots of time to plan for my trip (and make this blog) which means reading up on history and planning events like International culture days, beach cleanups, and East meets West fashion shows. I’m excited to get on the scene and make some noise!!!!!! At Danang University, I’ll be responsible for creating opportunities for volunteering, community buidling, and education for poverty eradication.

Yesterday, I went to a presentation on water and its significance in globalization. Maude Barlow was the presenter and she had lots of info to share. Thanks to Linda D. for telling me about the event. Maude’s Canadian and is the current chair for the Council of Canadians and has 6 honorary doctorats bestowed upon her! Her book’s called “Blue Gold” and what I’ll say about that for now is: “Look out, book club!”

Did you know that since bottled water has become so commonplace in many parts of the world, it results in billions of empty bottles ending up in landfills? I think I’ll be boiling mine in Vietnam as a result of this talk.

Be fresh and green my friends

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at Camosun College in Victoria, BC

Today cleared up lots my the missing pieces to the internship. I met the other interns (going to Cameroon, the Philippines, Saigon in Vietnam and China) and yes, we get our shots and medical insurance covered, and I’m leaving for Danang at the end of the month but still get to see Elton John in concert in Vancouver. Yippee!

The best part: my flight is very flexible which means that I end work in March but can go back to Canada in August if I want to. So don’t expect me back for awhile, and please go backpacking with me Some of you have NO excuse Now, I get to go everywhere! Yessssssssssssssssssssss! Je suis excitee…juste un peu Toyko, here I come! Teddy Bear, I’m so visiting you!

Day two will have more work details but so far, I’m uber content.

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Howdy, howdy!

I suppose I should explain why I’m going to Vietnam, for those who are interested of course. I was recently accepted for an internship program that allows young Canadians to live and work abroad for approximately 6 months.

My placement is a result of an ongoing partnership between Camosun College (in Victoria, BC) and the University of Danang (in Vietnam). Camosun sends interns abroad (this year, to China, Cameroon, Vietnam, and the Phillippines) each year with a focus on international education. I will be responsible for delivering programs to non-traditional learners so to find out what that means, you’ll have to stay tuned

BTW, for any young Canadians who may also want to participate in this program, check out my recommended links for more info.

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Once upon a time, a Vietnamese-Canadian girl wanted to go to Vietnam and in 2006, she got her wish: TWICE! I’m starting this blog for my second trip to Asia EVER and hope you’ll find it somewhat interesting.

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