Sunday 21 October 2012
Girls Night Out
So last night my friend Cass called the girls group together to have yet another girls night out. The last one was fantastic, we had the best night. Last time we just hung out at the Hotel her partner manages and spent some time on her balcony looking at the best view in HCMC. This time we went to dinner at Pacharan's, a tapas style place and the band started at 9.30. We stayed for a few songs then back to Cass's place again on the balcony for a cup of tea. Lovely night. Phil went off on his own and found a bar with a band and locals that were happy to chat to him, apparently he doesn't need me to have a GREAT night!
L-R Cass, Leigh, me and Ngha
Phils new job
So Phil went for an interview or 2 at RMIT and is now a lecturer in Entrepreneurialship in the Commerce and Management Department. He started last Thursday and so far has found it not stressful or difficult. He has done his first lectures and he has really enjoyed it. The students are motivated to learn with often the hopes of all of the extended family on their shoulders. The facitlities are amazing, website
www.rmit.edu.vn
He can no longer work at the Vietnamese University so he has done his last day there last Tuesday. It was an interesting exercise though to be able to compare the two.
www.rmit.edu.vn
Last days at An Khue
So we are about to have our last week at the An Khue apartments. We have really enjoyed living here, so close to everything in the city but have also found it a bit touristy. We are always being asked if we want a massage or some souveniers. We are moving to the District 3 area which is around 10 minutes from the city centre. Still suitable for visitors to be close to the action plus we are in an area where 'real' Vietnamese' life is happening.
You can have a look at our new place on the website below...really like the rooftop terrace and the gym. Needs some personalising but I love taking care of that sort of thing so all good.
You can have a look at our new place on the website below...really like the rooftop terrace and the gym. Needs some personalising but I love taking care of that sort of thing so all good.
Packing up next Saturday and checking out of here next Sunday....new chapter. We have taken the lease for 6 months to be sure we will be happy there, if not we can always move. :)
Sunday 14 October 2012
Published in Vietnam
You can find The Word online at www.wordhcmc.com/
Life back to normal
Well I've been a bit lax with my updates of the blog of late. I just got so busy working while Phil was away and didn't get time to stop! He is back now and life is definitely back to normal. I have added a video I took on the way home from work last Sunday morning. Things are usually much busier than this but it gives you an idea of what it's like when I'm on the back of a bike...on a quiet day. :)
We have been house hunting as we need to move to somewhere more permanent by the end of the month. This has been a challenge as apparently Phil and I can't agree on the type of place we want to live in. I think we have found something that is in the middle of our taste, only took around 12 visits to houses and apartments to make the decision. I have been working with 2 different Real Estate agents and only one can be the winner so I am going to have someone unhappy.
Once we are locked in I'll share the website with you all. There will be a small spare bedroom so bookings will open after the 28th of October. Looking forward to sharing our city with more visitors!
Have had the graduation for one of my Drama classes, not a big class as you can see. The little girl in front of me was a nightmare! Joys of teaching...she looks like an angel doesn't she?
Once we are locked in I'll share the website with you all. There will be a small spare bedroom so bookings will open after the 28th of October. Looking forward to sharing our city with more visitors!
Have had the graduation for one of my Drama classes, not a big class as you can see. The little girl in front of me was a nightmare! Joys of teaching...she looks like an angel doesn't she?
Monday 1 October 2012
Catching up with friends
Mark Green, teacher at Holy Spirit College, brought a tour group through the school to Vietnam this year. I saw Mark before I left Australia and told him he had to catch up with us while he was here...he was a man of his word and we did indeed catch up.
Met a few students, staff and parents who were also on the trip. Mark was amazingly calm, clearly experienced in this sort of thing having done China and Thailand previously with students.
I got to take them for a 'normal' night of eating at Vincom, the shopping centre here. The kids were pretty happy to have a break from the Asian food with burgers and chips and also have some shopping time. A few got some great deals on DVD's.
Dinner was Italian.
Wandering down to the markets to do some bargaining and a cup of tea to finish the night. Had a really nice time and particularly nice to touch base with someone from home.
Met a few students, staff and parents who were also on the trip. Mark was amazingly calm, clearly experienced in this sort of thing having done China and Thailand previously with students.
I got to take them for a 'normal' night of eating at Vincom, the shopping centre here. The kids were pretty happy to have a break from the Asian food with burgers and chips and also have some shopping time. A few got some great deals on DVD's.
Wandering down to the markets to do some bargaining and a cup of tea to finish the night. Had a really nice time and particularly nice to touch base with someone from home.
Week 2 no husband
Actually doing better than I expected by myself. I don't feel unsafe or nervous. I have just been crazy busy with all of the teaching I have been doing. Having said that I am feeling a lot more confident teaching the drama classes now, something I was hoping to have as an outcome from being just that busy.
Phil in Aus has been just as busy doing his handover with the new CEO at CQ Rescue, Mark Shields. There has been a lot happening and they have had to do a few internal flights to meet government and service providers. only 1 week to go and Phil can officially start his new life over here.
I was lucky enough to work at a Mid Autumn Festival event on Saturday night. Arrived at 5 ready to start the activities at 6. We were set up on the 11th floor of a large Apartment building, an area big enough to accommodate a reasonable sized pool for adults, a childrens pool, a playground for children the size of a pool and enough space left over for around 200 people minimum. I was in charge of making masks for children. I had cards which were printed with rabbits ears and a mask which had to be coloured in, crayons spread out on the table. Next they had to be cut out, ears stapled to masks, elastic tied on and children sent on their way. Now little detail to add here is that there were around 80 children and they ALL wanted a mask....totally swamped! Ran out of everything just as the last 4 children looked sadly at me. We drew a few and made it to the end....whew! All that in an hour!!!
Following that though was a wonderful show like a Chinese New Year Celebration. We had around 8 performers with some drumming, 4 Chinese dragons jumping around...they changed to a sea serpent which ran around the pool. Just amazing AND all for free! I neglected to take my camera so I have no proof of this amazing evening sadly. I do have a picture of the Mooncake stalls that are set up all around the cities to sell the gifts everyone gives but I don't believe many people like. Proof of this was in the plates full of mooncakes left on the tables at this event.
Phil in Aus has been just as busy doing his handover with the new CEO at CQ Rescue, Mark Shields. There has been a lot happening and they have had to do a few internal flights to meet government and service providers. only 1 week to go and Phil can officially start his new life over here.
I was lucky enough to work at a Mid Autumn Festival event on Saturday night. Arrived at 5 ready to start the activities at 6. We were set up on the 11th floor of a large Apartment building, an area big enough to accommodate a reasonable sized pool for adults, a childrens pool, a playground for children the size of a pool and enough space left over for around 200 people minimum. I was in charge of making masks for children. I had cards which were printed with rabbits ears and a mask which had to be coloured in, crayons spread out on the table. Next they had to be cut out, ears stapled to masks, elastic tied on and children sent on their way. Now little detail to add here is that there were around 80 children and they ALL wanted a mask....totally swamped! Ran out of everything just as the last 4 children looked sadly at me. We drew a few and made it to the end....whew! All that in an hour!!!
Following that though was a wonderful show like a Chinese New Year Celebration. We had around 8 performers with some drumming, 4 Chinese dragons jumping around...they changed to a sea serpent which ran around the pool. Just amazing AND all for free! I neglected to take my camera so I have no proof of this amazing evening sadly. I do have a picture of the Mooncake stalls that are set up all around the cities to sell the gifts everyone gives but I don't believe many people like. Proof of this was in the plates full of mooncakes left on the tables at this event.
Mooncake stalls everywhere!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)