Living Abroad 2.0

Well, I thought if I ended the Guatemala chapter, I could easily jump into the Vietnam one… but where do I even start? Chapter one, I guess? It’s a bit of a daunting task to try to sum up the first two months here, so, I’m going to skimp on the details and just give you the gist.

The first week was… stressful. I was searching for an apartment with my super cool roommates, Kristi and Edwin, trying to get adjusted to the intense time zone change, and figuring out how to teach fourth graders. And after several text messages sent to family and friends at inappropriate hours, I finally realized that I was on the other side of the world and couldn’t ask my family for their opinions on every little decision that had to be made. So, I slept when I felt tired, bargained with a landlord to get a price on an apartment we were comfortable with, and dove into curriculum with a super energetic and hilarious team of fourth grade teachers.

View from my bedroom window

Here’s what has happened since then:

my wheels!

1. I bought a bicycle. I could probably devote an entire blog (not an entry, a whole BLOG!) to all the hilarious things that happen on that bicycle. I think I’m the only white female in the greater Ho Chi Minh City area that rides a mountain bike, complete with helmet (which apparently is “dorky”), and backpack strapped onto my back. Sometimes people ride next to me on their motorbikes and just stare. S-t-a-r-e. Allison told me to start smiling and waving but then I figure I’ll be the only white female in HCMC that rides a bike and smiles creepily at strangers. Don’t want to get a crazy-girl reputation just yet. Other times people move my bike from places I’ve parked it. I think they get a lot of entertainment out of me finding the bike covered in the rain that has poured for 2 hours, trying to wipe off the seat so it doesn’t soak through my pants, and ringing my bell that actually sounds more like a “dunk, dunk, dunk” sound after the rain has taken hold of it. I had my new light stolen that I promptly stole back and have even arrived at social gatherings in my bike clothes covered in sweat. See, I told you I could write a blog about my bike! I’m getting ahead of myself, let’s move on…

2. I joined the gym. Yeah, you read right. The person who has made fun of gym junkies, mocked the trends like crossfit, and blamed my hatred of yoga on my A.D.D., has joined a gym. And, I guess I like it all right. Today I laughed about how in my regular week I can spin, run, lift weights, swim, and do yoga when last year I ran 4 days a week and called it good. I am feeling more like myself again athletically and hope to join some kind of team in the near future to increase motivation and set some real goals.

coucous, veggies, and fish! (yes, I eat it... sometimes)

3. I started cooking. I know what you’re thinking; “Yeah right!” But seriously guys, this is real life. I actually make more than pasta with red sauce, scrambled eggs, and peanut butter and honey sandwiches. My roommate, Kristi, is as close to being gourmet as there is. She claims that everything she makes is “easy” and that she just “watched the food network” and became well versed in cooking. But let me tell you, this girl has some skillz! Now, I have been surrounded by good cooks for awhile now; Carrah at KU, my brothers Weston and Zack, and my Aubrey in Guatemala. All were perfect examples and role models. But I think know I used their skills as a crutch. I allowed them to make me food while I cleaned up afterward. I never thought to take notes because they were always there. The problem here is that Kristi and Edwin are dating. Dating people like to make food and eat it together. That leaves little room for me to let people make me food while I clean. I mean, can you believe that?! Its like they are completely uninterested in sharing their talents with me while I do absolutely nothing ;) Kristi has been doing an amazing job of teaching me her ways including: roasting vegetables, seasoning soups and pastas, making sizes that last for dinner and lunch for two days, and other such abilities. I haven’t had to fall back on pb&h sandwiches at all this year! Though, I do still eat peanut butter like its my job; I just eat it straight out of the jar now.

4. I have real bowel movements again. Who knew that moving from one third-world country to the next could make such a difference? Maybe it’s the increase of fiber in my fiber pills + a massive increase in vegetable eating, or perhaps things are actually cleaner here, but I’ve been more regular than I’ve been in years. Move over, always-running-to-the-bathroom Hannah, there’s a new girl in town!

5. I played at the beach. Beaches in Vietnam come with many other activities such as renting motorbikes, sliding on pieces of plastic down sand dunes, having bonfires on the beach, playing limbo at bars, buying pearl earring for $2, and getting to know your coworkers. We spent a glorious 3 days here and will certainly return.

Mui Ne, our first beach experience

6. I bought a ticket to Bangkok. We leave on Saturday. Very little has been planned largely because there is just so much to do and no way to know how to choose. Our loose plan is playing in Bangkok for a weekend then taking a train down to the southern islands. Lots of hiking, exploring, and learning will hopefully ensue. I will surely tell you more about it as it comes.

7. I’ve met some amazing people. From everywhere; Vietnam, Indonesia, Canada, Ireland, England, Holland, Poland, France… its really amazing how international this city really is. I’ve loved hearing everyone’s call to work abroad and how they are shaping their own lives and others while working here. I’m hoping that with the start of my Vietnamese lessons this week, more doors will be opened in terms of meeting new people and learning more from their stories.

My fourth grade team!

8. I got my independence back. I’m finding peace in being alone and thankful for this chance to learn more about who I think I am and who I want to be. We’ll end on that one :)