I've had a few people ask me when the next blog will be ... so I guess that means I should write another one. Here's some updates on life since coming back to Hanoi. #toohotforthatshitIn case you hadn't seen it yet ... I cut off most of my hair. It was always up anyways ... waste of shampoo ... annoying to move my ponytail down to put on my helmet then move back up after getting off the motorbike ... So it's gone now Pros: less shampoo, dries in 20 minutes instead of 10 hours, no hair ties or real brushing Cons: my head is now too small for my helmet. I have to wear a bandanna to make it fit right without jostling around #DisneyFortLifeGirls night in to watch Disney movies on Netflix. We turned our dining room into a giant fort. Our new housemate, Lauren, had never made one before. It was great fun. We watched Mulan, Moana, and ... I don't remember the 3rd (or higher?) movies as I fell asleep ... But it was a good night. Had fort snacks and everything. TravelsWe took a house trip to Hoi An over the Vietnamese Independence Day weekend (American Labor Day weekend) to visit our old housemate, Diana. Clare, Lauren, and I stayed in an AMAZING homestay (Loongboong Homestay). Unfortunately, I didn't think to get pictures... sorry. Go google it though. It was in the "vegetable village" and they were growing all sorts of things. Infinity pool, a cat named Coconut, two dogs who didn't really like people but whatevs ... it was really nice and run by a group of awesome women. School UpdatesNice things so far: - first and last period preps ... I don't have to take home as much (not that I do anyways) - most classes are 11 students so I have a lot of time to dedicate to individual students and answering questions Things that stress me out: - first period prep ... because then I teach 5 classes straight (with lunch tossed in) and also don't have time to properly adjust the lessons if they don't go well the first time - Most frustrating class ... 9 high energy boys, 2 quiet girls - 1st class of the day is my largest ... so very stressed about getting the lesson right the first time because if they fall behind, it's harder to catch up - English Only Policy ... because I understand the importance of it but it's so hard for me to enforce (I do fully support the idea though) ... I realize the list of stressors is longer than the nice things but really, I'm excited about this year and really love going to work each day. The second "nice thing" far outweighs the stress Vietnamese Language LearningStill taking Vietnamese classes twice per week with Steven and Justin. Tram (our teacher) has started doing half pronunciation and half content lessons or one of each per week. The pronunciation is absolutely brutal ... but something I greatly need to practice. We're a few lessons away from our Elementary level (level 2) test. Then on to Pre-Intermediate!! I got to have a full conversation with one of the beach seller ladies in Hoi An while we were there which was nice. Other Outings and General Updates
I've joined a gym with my housemate Clare. We've done some Zumba classes (great fun) and one class called "Sexy Dance" ... just to see what it was ... never again ... it was basically a hip hop dance class ... we are two VERY white women. Not for us.
She and I also went to the opening weekend of a new dance studio in town (free classes that weekend) and took a "Latin Ladies" dance class. We learned to do the cha cha. Also great fun. Not sure if I'll go back or not. Most of the adult classes are taught by one guy who did not make the best impression on me when we went. There's a new cafe near our house called "Highland Cacao" ... that shit is dangerous. As in it's super delicious and will very quickly make me fat if I let it. Most of their menu involves chocolate drinks. I got the "so co la dua da xay" ... aka iced coconut chocolate freeze. ... super rich and creamy with REAL thick whipped cream on top. Hot damn. So now I'm only allowed to go once a week maximum. The other times I need to go to cafes to plan, I usually just end up at the Gemini Coffee down the block. They're starting to realize that I can order all on my own in Vietnamese. It used to be that the staff member with the most English would rush up when I arrived ... I've just started ignoring them and ordering my "Tra chanh sa" (lemongrass tea). They finally asked "for here or to go?" in Vietnamese this week ... O day (here) ... thank you! ... Yes I realize I shouldn't judge people for assuming I don't speak Vietnamese. It's a logical assumption for them to make. I think that's all the important (and unimportant) updates on life for now. Going white water rafting in Pai, Thailand in October. Will update again then probably.
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ShannonMath Teacher living and working in Hanoi, Vietnam Archives
February 2022
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