Mangoes and Lemongrass

    Spring break!  It is a wonderful feeling right now - everyone is either napping or having personal in room times on a Sunday afternoon and I don't have to worry about school work today.  It's break, and it's glorious.  This last stretch at school feels like it has been a lot of work.

     We are off tomorrow for a two day jaunt to Vung Tau, a beach resort one hour's hydrofoil boat ride down the Saigon river.  Hotel with a pool on the beach - that's about all we need for a getaway that we'll enjoy.  I'll be sure to post pictures when we return.

     It is always fun to ask my students where people are going for the break.  I think by the time I saw all of my students, I found out that they were scattering to at least 12 different countries.

     We also have confirmed tickets for the summer, which is a great feeling.  We will be in New Jersey with my parents the third week in June, and again at the end of July.  In between we will spend a month at the cabin in Michigan.  Sorry South Carolina friends, it doesn't look like we will make it south this summer.  We will make an effort for next summer to be sure. 

     Each week things get more comfortable, more routine, but there are always things, and will always be things that remind us how far we are away from the familiar.

     When Maeve and I were in a taxi to school the other day, the taxi driver was listening to a "learn English" tape.  "A robber is someone who steals from a store.  A tenant is someone who rents from a landlord.  A shoplifter is someone who takes something from a store without paying for it. A client is someone who buys something from a shop."  Maeve got her furrowed brow look - it was funny - she knew she understood it was English but she wasn't quite sure... The content alone sends messages about the relations ship between Vietnamese and English speakers doesn't it? 

     Sophie gets funnier.  She starts many sentences with what we think is a Vietnamese phrase that sounds like "Mee Mow"?  She seems to be blending languages a bit.  The other day when I was frustrated because of something in the kitchen - and it could have been a veritable array of things that seem to go wrong all of the time - kitchen sink spurting water, being out of milk or ice, drinking water running out.  One things that is for sure about living here is that it feels like you can't count on anything to be the same as it has been before.  Everything seems to take a deliberate effort still.  We have plans to get more full time house help next year which I hope will make the daily working of eating and living easier.)  In any case, amidst my frustration Sophie said "Calm down Mom!  Breathe."   :  )

     She's also quite the 3D artist.  After watching me make a marionette out of chopsticks, foil, and string, she constructed this one completely on her own the next day.  (By the way, did you know that chopsticks can not only make a marionette, but be a magic wand or a back scratcher too?)

     Maeve had her first official friend over after school last week.  Rae is Vietnamese but from North Carolina.  She's in Maeve's class and is a real cutie.  I love hearing her dad talk who is clearly Vietnamese but speaks English with a southern accent.

     Sophie and Charles have been learning about different countries in the world, keeping a journal, and keeping this map in her room with pictures of famous places.

     Here, Charles shares both of our favorite house chore, hanging up laundry.  See how excited he is to do this?

     I got the nicest notice form the phone company the other day on our box, that I wanted to be sure to share it on my blog.  

     Announcement Re: The Fixed Telephone service is interrupted provisionally.

To: VALUABLE CUSTOMERS OF THE FIXED TELEPHONE SERVICE.

    First of all, Saigon South Telephone Center (SST) would like to than our valuable customers for using the fixed telephone service during the last time.

    Aim to ensure the quality of service, Saigon Postel Corp. will upgrade the telephone exchange system.  On behalf of Saigon Postel Corp., Saigon South Telephone Center would like to inform you that during the time of performance from 00h00 to 04h00 Sunday, March 22, 2009 we need to interrupt your services. 

Wishing your help and cooperation.

Sincerely Yours,

Translation?  Please use Skype to contact us for at least a week.  :  )

     Here is a picture of the courtyard in our apartment complex - Hung Vuong 2.  When asked "Where are your from?" Maeve answers "USA".  Sophie says "Hung Vuong Hai."

      Here is our friends' smoothie stand on the corner. This one came after her stand at school, so we were already regulars.  Days just aren't the same without a mango smoothie.

     Lemongrass is my absolute favorite new spice.  I think it may be more Thai than Vietnamese, but many restaurants cook meats in it.  Delicious.

     We went downtown today for a lunch treat at our favorite restaurant called "Juice"

and followed it with a trip to the Reunification Plaza.  It is the former presidential palace of South Vietnam, planned by Soviet Architects ala 1960s, and the North Vietnamese tank that collapsed the gates in 1975 showing North Vietnam's victory is still in the front yard.

     The architecture is pretty cool.  It is all open with many of those wonderful 60s modern lines.

      Charles and I agreed that the "Gambling Room" was our favorite.

     We will hopefully soon be over our latest round of colds.  Guess who got it last and is sniffing as she types? This latest round included hives for Maeve, a little disconcerting, but all fears were allayed when we saw our great Israeli pediatrician who did not seem too alarmed.

     Maeve will be six on Friday!  It's hard to believe. I remember my mom picking me up in our little kitchen on Coldspring Drive on the morning of my birthday and saying "How did you get to be six?"I understand where she was coming from.  : )

     I have joined the "jungle" of Facebook as my sister calls it.  I must admit that I poo-pooed it so, probably because of how obsessive it is for my students.  But it is right up my alley because it is about something I have enjoyed doing for years and did before simply by snail mail ...keeping in touch with people.  It is a hoot to see all of my contemporaries and friend with little ones in their pictures.  So if I haven't invited you as a friend yet, don't hesitate!

    There have been a few hard moments for me this month feeling so far away from friends who are having babies or having hard times.  I must admit that the internet is amazing for at least communicating.

      There way joy and surprises too.  My friend Francis sent me hardback copies of all of the Newberry winners this year.  What a treat!  Books are especially golden here.

   I close with a picture acquired by the very same Facebook.  Bonus points this month for anyone who can properly identify someone we know in this rockin' picture:

It's a small pic, sorry, so I'll give you a hint.  Look in the lower left corner...

     Don't be a stranger!