tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398185511188281562024-03-05T12:37:24.104+07:00Mad About PhoForever a PNW girl, I moved around the world to get my traveling feet wet.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-51969482419790701532010-11-11T09:09:00.001+07:002010-11-11T09:13:36.514+07:00Update 2010<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since I moved to Tumblr, I haven't been writing about my adventures in SE Asia, so I thought I'd stumble on back to my tried and true blogspot.com. I have heard rumors that Viet Nam is shutting down access to blogs, but I guess I'll just have to wait and see if this rumor is true. In the past few months, I've visited Shanghai and Hong Kong for conferences--truly inspirational conferences on reading and technology--Chiang Mai, Thailand for October break, and on December 5th, I will be flying to Angkor Wat to run a half-marathon with some ladies from SSIS. Yes, I'm in my thirties, and yes, I've given up smoking and drinking, and yes, I'm running a half-marathon. I'm a 33 year old <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">cliché</span> , but I like it that way. That about sums up my life from August to the present. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SEBVKNP9txvCvPu5C47HCnTwrHc-S6ZupbQH2xF_zlaPOb6Z9j5tfzx3hPJ7iGGJTTHks1ivuB7CehozSndFhxMvTNwlWrRwQhY-Y9tvueKupsORUS68j8dEYGwg0Nf00Nz3CGLhZQ/s1600/69089_1679530595116_1443076455_1780524_4491322_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SEBVKNP9txvCvPu5C47HCnTwrHc-S6ZupbQH2xF_zlaPOb6Z9j5tfzx3hPJ7iGGJTTHks1ivuB7CehozSndFhxMvTNwlWrRwQhY-Y9tvueKupsORUS68j8dEYGwg0Nf00Nz3CGLhZQ/s320/69089_1679530595116_1443076455_1780524_4491322_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the big news...I turned in my resignation to my boss last week. That's right, good night, Viet Nam! Michael and I have spent what will be a total of three years living in SE Asia, and now, we're ready to return to the states. I have to admit that I'm a little frightened to be leaving the comfort of teaching abroad: paid apartment, plane tickets home, healthcare, good money, etc. Overseas teaching is a strange and fantastic adventure, and I will miss it, but will hopefully return in the future. Maybe, Eastern Europe? As far as New York goes, I'm not quite sure what I want to do with my life. I am thinking about continuing teaching, but I am also thinking about teaching yoga, working at a bookstore, wandering the streets of New York... I've also thought about dancing again in some form. I would like to explore a little more of the world and return to teaching in a year or two. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Although I'm 33, my comparison for my decision comes from an experience in fourth grade. At 10, I think I was 10, I decided to quit dancing for one year. I decided that dancing was a waste of my time, and that I should do something more important with my life, like skateboarding. After a year with the board, the copy of the board Michael J. Fox rode in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Back to the Future</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, I desperately missed matching movement with music, so I returned to dance with renewed passion and vigor. I hope my adventures in New York and a break from teaching allow for reflection and renewal. I want to be a passionate, energetic, engaging teacher, and I think that means taking a break every once in awhile.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have a few more adventures planned this year, so I'll keep you up to date. We're going to Laos over Christmas break, Bali during Tet, and relaxing on a beach somewhere during Spring break. Other than traveling the world, I'm trying to inspire young minds to engage in critical thought--it's a grand experiment. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With Love,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Karinna</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-91694666090095176272010-06-09T09:07:00.001+07:002010-06-09T09:07:54.214+07:00I'm Moving to Tumblr.<a href="http://madaboutpho.tumblr.com/">http://madaboutpho.tumblr.com/</a><br />
<br />
Read the same old thing, but now at a new site!<br />
<br />
;) KarinnaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-55750171085526718812010-06-08T22:03:00.006+07:002010-06-08T22:19:18.885+07:00The Gourmet Shop in District 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZywQ33PpiatNehwm-1PnnFidSSktRR4P4Lpz2udvND9cC85RhHNc5mb-rvY6l3vccEOqPkT5l7qN2hpd1NlybEEaE1qnhNu3WlpVFW7jZZNOEiL4lCsAIHcJze_RXEBZzXjFly4UQ6g/s1600/IMG_0974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZywQ33PpiatNehwm-1PnnFidSSktRR4P4Lpz2udvND9cC85RhHNc5mb-rvY6l3vccEOqPkT5l7qN2hpd1NlybEEaE1qnhNu3WlpVFW7jZZNOEiL4lCsAIHcJze_RXEBZzXjFly4UQ6g/s400/IMG_0974.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkZsEspsRys25mymXlw3BpdH4LpAup9Nfk_eFwcfth3WrHHnQ-EJw7Cr6MM5SeWxgUecHkusJynyEQkNCcBRSjA7PwUaXsBt05D3n-yz4VjwdlBxhjyfRwBTXhi1inmu0vVkkJFl8wQ/s1600/IMG_0975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkZsEspsRys25mymXlw3BpdH4LpAup9Nfk_eFwcfth3WrHHnQ-EJw7Cr6MM5SeWxgUecHkusJynyEQkNCcBRSjA7PwUaXsBt05D3n-yz4VjwdlBxhjyfRwBTXhi1inmu0vVkkJFl8wQ/s400/IMG_0975.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mun, standing next to a mountain of croissants</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLf4IioNIQ5HdSfysiL-9Rfzak4lVLobSxLcu4MR_ckeztazI6PdBri6HMngXe6aLMZhxW-YIR8ha-NSCAkPK7lscfrJgiZ3nNv4uSaptBg9X30E0RLEPoZOloP4tTgif_89aELvxRA/s1600/IMG_0976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLf4IioNIQ5HdSfysiL-9Rfzak4lVLobSxLcu4MR_ckeztazI6PdBri6HMngXe6aLMZhxW-YIR8ha-NSCAkPK7lscfrJgiZ3nNv4uSaptBg9X30E0RLEPoZOloP4tTgif_89aELvxRA/s320/IMG_0976.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span lang="vi" xml:lang="vi">cà phê đá, no </span><span lang="vi" xml:lang="vi"> sữa (milk)</span></div><br />
I am not alone in calling the Gourmet Shop "my kitchen". The Gourmet Shop in Phu My Hung, District 7, is my go to for a morning <span lang="vi" xml:lang="vi">cà phê sữa đá and ham and cheese </span>croissant. There's seating outside and air-con seating upstairs, but I'm often in a rush, grabbing food to go. The owners, Quyen and Mun are lovely sisters who work in the shop on most days, greeting customers with a smile. They're super friendly and are always willing to chat. Great food and smiles, nothing better! I wanted to take a moment to share my favorite restaurant and kitchen with you because walking past it or popping in for food makes my day, every day.<br />
<br />
One last note.<br />
<br />
I also recommend any of the desserts in the glass display and the lentil salad. I love how the lentils pop in my mouth, and oh, the goat cheese--yum! I sound like my mom. Hahaha!<br />
<br />
Thanks, Gourmet Shop.<br />
Love,<br />
Karinna<br />
<br />
P.S. They deliver, but maybe not to the states. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-38526622803518581012010-06-07T17:06:00.002+07:002010-06-07T17:08:28.748+07:00Two Things1. Finished grading essays, so I scribbled. I know. Such talent, no training.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLuTfcU-rbZ2W1mjng64gFWgzWid3Dm__LZBeHZwQ-WXlH4KKP1DpTZheega4wueOvfw26UF0UstXqKYKs4Wo29jpUp7usee83rXsLn3n1pBsInloT-3LDS74kCWWWuSU6Fpqc7giGQ/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLuTfcU-rbZ2W1mjng64gFWgzWid3Dm__LZBeHZwQ-WXlH4KKP1DpTZheega4wueOvfw26UF0UstXqKYKs4Wo29jpUp7usee83rXsLn3n1pBsInloT-3LDS74kCWWWuSU6Fpqc7giGQ/s320/IMG_0965.JPG" /></a></div><br />
2. Michael's mug is in the yearbook. Love.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfFJ-La-NosYTn8JIKmpldfgXg-FF7SHCkAuJFwSoPHkAHPJRDe5KxuMcQwHcetrp-7qBvBwZHPtGJcay7Wb7XtjyKMJkH_K3TbU3FiSJJtkAqSmHRV2BzWq1KlhYl1ZzQCpcoegtdQ/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfFJ-La-NosYTn8JIKmpldfgXg-FF7SHCkAuJFwSoPHkAHPJRDe5KxuMcQwHcetrp-7qBvBwZHPtGJcay7Wb7XtjyKMJkH_K3TbU3FiSJJtkAqSmHRV2BzWq1KlhYl1ZzQCpcoegtdQ/s320/IMG_0971.JPG" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-9322596677699343462010-06-04T13:35:00.005+07:002010-06-04T13:41:37.552+07:00"Picking flower by leg"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PQlB4HGCu9OYOFe1FgA3ndGsJGJsGn64YH-1qDLvmIEdquKa_q1PGUbRv7aUKu4yVVKGnRngxqOoPlVD9yC5oaXgEGMApvlXVohe3AJP7yeM5Uy4QWMZIzO0wkQtEfLyWwoSRrJtMg/s1600/Children's+Day+in+Vietnam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PQlB4HGCu9OYOFe1FgA3ndGsJGJsGn64YH-1qDLvmIEdquKa_q1PGUbRv7aUKu4yVVKGnRngxqOoPlVD9yC5oaXgEGMApvlXVohe3AJP7yeM5Uy4QWMZIzO0wkQtEfLyWwoSRrJtMg/s400/Children's+Day+in+Vietnam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I really want to know what the game "making me broken" or "hand balling" is all about. <br />
<br />
<b>Click on the program picture to get a better view of activities--read the bottom, right corner.</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-82138227024292319502010-06-04T11:23:00.000+07:002010-06-04T11:23:56.909+07:00It makes me happy.<div style="text-align: center;">I am reposting a link Sandy had on her g-chat. I loved it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The link for this postcard is below. Thanks, Sandy!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNzIJu5xV_zVWMRoVgYGM7ZOH5SqaTs2hDPqYqnyxAbpI62Y1WjZ6aq2NE2ymI-UTKx1ta3ID66BdYRJV66vNEIUfKAYre1wQ4UeWwbGENiKq7djRd0Sl7Y3WsXFGBrmJ6uj0CNI12w/s1600/werealljustkindawiningit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNzIJu5xV_zVWMRoVgYGM7ZOH5SqaTs2hDPqYqnyxAbpI62Y1WjZ6aq2NE2ymI-UTKx1ta3ID66BdYRJV66vNEIUfKAYre1wQ4UeWwbGENiKq7djRd0Sl7Y3WsXFGBrmJ6uj0CNI12w/s400/werealljustkindawiningit.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoikMLaqwAfoxG-iy06CfdQIMSeTcd05nmFNSK55i7KnEAodlNxkVpvYw8ZCsxjoLh4pTJI9nTFM7O60sW8KU16fy3CX7LJEbK6wZ6ivB1ccDWJQTFkMcqw8ZkGW7odx4zHKDSCE9ckU/s1600/werealljustkindawiningit.jpg">https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoikMLaqwAfoxG-iy06CfdQIMSeTcd05nmFNSK55i7KnEAodlNxkVpvYw8ZCsxjoLh4pTJI9nTFM7O60sW8KU16fy3CX7LJEbK6wZ6ivB1ccDWJQTFkMcqw8ZkGW7odx4zHKDSCE9ckU/s1600/werealljustkindawiningit.jpg</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-33566259235656536762010-06-02T17:19:00.001+07:002010-06-02T17:20:26.937+07:00Wildlife At RiskOn Saturday, Michael and I took the National Honor Society students to volunteer at Wildlife At Risk. WAR is located out by the Cu Chi tunnels, so we were able to volunteer at the institute and then climb down into the tunnels used during the Vietnam/American war.<br />
<br />
Our students cleared brush, raked leaves, cut up fruit and veggies, and fed the endangered animals during our time at Wildlife At Risk. We loved the otters and bears, and one of the gibbons "loved" us. Her long arms wiggled out to grab hair, scratch arms and make us (me specifically) squeal. I have to give the gibbon a break because she was previously living in an abusive environment, and she doesn't like women/girls.Needless to say, we won't be sitting down for a chat and a coffee any time soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0MUetdBSE9NHbzs1RboFrGcsYHNJmUylPXRnsd17SsPSzn7fwTm0RQJHK6rh4eL5csSv4vMYlQ4VKM74Vi87LstyczR3BJKoZ7sdxMitFxAHa6kU721IlMFId1VLh9Nu0kzHzCC7cQ/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0MUetdBSE9NHbzs1RboFrGcsYHNJmUylPXRnsd17SsPSzn7fwTm0RQJHK6rh4eL5csSv4vMYlQ4VKM74Vi87LstyczR3BJKoZ7sdxMitFxAHa6kU721IlMFId1VLh9Nu0kzHzCC7cQ/s320/IMG_0883.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-1uns2gP051Ph_pYJqpKlFVE-JbFPtiUKi4_T4umx2C_9kFhqw-I-bS2idQoxKovpXG0t336ku37MauM40s6XAsxWJ3xa9hjpT6HT9N0VPimRMDfAItBQ0lVMLmoCVf6JEuu62nQTg/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-1uns2gP051Ph_pYJqpKlFVE-JbFPtiUKi4_T4umx2C_9kFhqw-I-bS2idQoxKovpXG0t336ku37MauM40s6XAsxWJ3xa9hjpT6HT9N0VPimRMDfAItBQ0lVMLmoCVf6JEuu62nQTg/s320/IMG_0812.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSu-cSFHq8nl4vX_0kNtrhyphenhyphenYsCIExGW6arLoqjjUotNiLjzphrSDHRSsWEzDo5f6iGGsqnObVVz9U468PhaYu9AsnCYtCIYn8_ArVUV8XhFUvVjBVnfbbJbX6mZ_bS7FD6K5iKyw-8YA/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSu-cSFHq8nl4vX_0kNtrhyphenhyphenYsCIExGW6arLoqjjUotNiLjzphrSDHRSsWEzDo5f6iGGsqnObVVz9U468PhaYu9AsnCYtCIYn8_ArVUV8XhFUvVjBVnfbbJbX6mZ_bS7FD6K5iKyw-8YA/s320/IMG_0802.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBAXbdZM0EJK53HT0D7yeMKtfYQwo3wzO1vCxxj3M8i7CPI8vSMtnpCIxuQquEh2gIWP5L1ay-UpZf8BA3MUH_mvFXkUt68zfF4TWbbABUrUC6SmomdEyXo4cl97SVDZ8jVAdvZN05A/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBAXbdZM0EJK53HT0D7yeMKtfYQwo3wzO1vCxxj3M8i7CPI8vSMtnpCIxuQquEh2gIWP5L1ay-UpZf8BA3MUH_mvFXkUt68zfF4TWbbABUrUC6SmomdEyXo4cl97SVDZ8jVAdvZN05A/s320/IMG_0861.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNKpcTaqOOE15Vezsd3dPFNj7drmmny_q0QZ_JEUWDVYI0ahJqc1_10Yyy2uiriM5DQr6OejG7qHMAMRYDFnx6AcmTeXCWsMtk-lypOKeEqb1AdZZJMn7W0xDchFRZc2YG0zzycb3Jg/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNKpcTaqOOE15Vezsd3dPFNj7drmmny_q0QZ_JEUWDVYI0ahJqc1_10Yyy2uiriM5DQr6OejG7qHMAMRYDFnx6AcmTeXCWsMtk-lypOKeEqb1AdZZJMn7W0xDchFRZc2YG0zzycb3Jg/s320/IMG_0833.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfYmmvanBVW5hzpWHD8ZBrL6reaAemW6Hn47PKKA2BkUP6L1E-dfzr8wCasLIELKpinVffrS5Mw3cg7wTMFI2wN4WssLyF2vTRAHfyaZqwWAKHQe9-fhBXw7SgZ9CUlCTsTB6pc7i2A/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfYmmvanBVW5hzpWHD8ZBrL6reaAemW6Hn47PKKA2BkUP6L1E-dfzr8wCasLIELKpinVffrS5Mw3cg7wTMFI2wN4WssLyF2vTRAHfyaZqwWAKHQe9-fhBXw7SgZ9CUlCTsTB6pc7i2A/s320/IMG_0818.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZOqWppHZp8a-ehfIteHEJ-udbNNSDIEoe583bwHvcp-4eTftYdu-g9GAtXgPuu_BYw4roaHJwtg-BO7BrB_56PmZais6W4ZtbwBaVzggNUy-KALH7msVmsCQUWxC_efo3UPv6gLb8w/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZOqWppHZp8a-ehfIteHEJ-udbNNSDIEoe583bwHvcp-4eTftYdu-g9GAtXgPuu_BYw4roaHJwtg-BO7BrB_56PmZais6W4ZtbwBaVzggNUy-KALH7msVmsCQUWxC_efo3UPv6gLb8w/s400/IMG_0900.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After volunteering at WAR, we were off to the Cu Chi tunnels. We toured through the tunnels used in the Vietnam/American war and were even able to shimmy our way through miles and miles of tunnel. Well, the kids climbed down into the tunnels. I freaked out due to the lack of air and space and made the entire crew back out, so I could get to open air. One of my more memorable moments as a leader. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6C06r7BODZCbqORxfmkbl84dJNQFrNircH3MIHdqfrAq_syf8SY940xnJCCtBHK0rq4eTvxFdU9l0a3a19QWdWxFvdTm3dlSzk0ifP6dk4LtgXxnRCSqIgz9hyZJEh8pmG_s68iscQ/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6C06r7BODZCbqORxfmkbl84dJNQFrNircH3MIHdqfrAq_syf8SY940xnJCCtBHK0rq4eTvxFdU9l0a3a19QWdWxFvdTm3dlSzk0ifP6dk4LtgXxnRCSqIgz9hyZJEh8pmG_s68iscQ/s320/IMG_0922.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMfuhn2uTPTpW7NZdtOaRsK0Ht1vBIOS0zR7QQCyEA27nxa3_tC2KXx1krDR-NJ0CBFN8PaGIfYm_snUN1bzgNfsN7nNfgYw4od2_FYGOzqZRI5U2rwwQTNORDNKfhBRXtPpguSGIpQ/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMfuhn2uTPTpW7NZdtOaRsK0Ht1vBIOS0zR7QQCyEA27nxa3_tC2KXx1krDR-NJ0CBFN8PaGIfYm_snUN1bzgNfsN7nNfgYw4od2_FYGOzqZRI5U2rwwQTNORDNKfhBRXtPpguSGIpQ/s400/IMG_0925.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After our trip to the Cu Chi tunnels, we climbed back into the van and promptly fell asleep after a long day in the sun. I had a wonderful day with this fantastic group of students and Mr. I. Hooray for NHS!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-66932789513837306112010-06-02T16:39:00.000+07:002010-06-02T16:39:18.242+07:00SSIS Graduation 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv9x9f-0ozgEnnr66jAKmPONCtVIY41iWSaLf1KcVXpL_QMFxQvRFHTN5ZYPI54DG1Nr4wdkKYtjQChZT50J8sqUIijE136HTZCE1kCgOYYTmXDqGWeoVECnl9ak3VICijJajLnuCwA/s1600/IMG_0787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv9x9f-0ozgEnnr66jAKmPONCtVIY41iWSaLf1KcVXpL_QMFxQvRFHTN5ZYPI54DG1Nr4wdkKYtjQChZT50J8sqUIijE136HTZCE1kCgOYYTmXDqGWeoVECnl9ak3VICijJajLnuCwA/s320/IMG_0787.JPG" /></a></div>Another year, another graduation. What a class! The seniors of SSIS have so much to be proud of from their college admissions to their leadership and service in our community. I will miss the class of 2010. Best Wishes!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlcGmr6_aCFO1_FvSwm83mec1KWTUvRDhXkcJVJQR6DL59RmNszndG4kgNPHt5URZndb0jYPKC5fJsMRyW_U-qk9SU7WJ8NvL4JCYjrf3723TKnCOCdhmjkYaInbEmDnthzi-VZMrFg/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlcGmr6_aCFO1_FvSwm83mec1KWTUvRDhXkcJVJQR6DL59RmNszndG4kgNPHt5URZndb0jYPKC5fJsMRyW_U-qk9SU7WJ8NvL4JCYjrf3723TKnCOCdhmjkYaInbEmDnthzi-VZMrFg/s320/IMG_0790.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qxEI2GrVPRlr8g4EsK3JJ2yMCb6gtXD52dPEmm6s6zEJkAVNxNQTVJFXTi5g5FHQQ4iu_hAP2tkW0-qHjaCmNPI-quIj4NPl2WtONQiEOxBOe_Vmc4Ayt72450hhttq7NoXVGsMaAw/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qxEI2GrVPRlr8g4EsK3JJ2yMCb6gtXD52dPEmm6s6zEJkAVNxNQTVJFXTi5g5FHQQ4iu_hAP2tkW0-qHjaCmNPI-quIj4NPl2WtONQiEOxBOe_Vmc4Ayt72450hhttq7NoXVGsMaAw/s320/IMG_0793.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-85071963203886740592010-05-28T12:10:00.008+07:002010-05-28T12:23:56.286+07:00Building to Deal with Grief<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Recently, I've been dealing with the death of a dear friend. A friend who was my boyfriend for six years, Tyler Kohut. In the six years we were together, we had our moments of bliss and moments of conflict, like all relationships. I've missed Tyler's friendship for a long time. It's been six years since we parted ways, but now I miss him because the other half who shared his life with me, at one point, is gone. I haven't been able to talk or write about the past, and quite frankly don't know why I'm typing these words right now. It's a form of therapy, I guess. I find that when I feel heartache, my hands ache. I do not register pain in my chest, but in my hands. This past week, I was able to engage in some physical therapy to ease the ache in my hands.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">From May 23rd to May 27th, twenty one seniors, Mark Isley and I traveled two hours south to My Tho, Vietnam to build two houses with <i>Habitat for Humanity</i>. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFZIFfDaA3NKZ1Ny1jlECc73SkS9FeCXz0H0470k8YFBgUn8RUmEOAXFYGrsweblJnFhe3C8IQeFtop0B4rSh9f89zT_wAM1kHbEbSzIoZfZ8DOJNfIjpoZwuD4jcKnSM21LrW8Yx2g/s1600/30841_399332719854_828819854_3984242_7559034_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFZIFfDaA3NKZ1Ny1jlECc73SkS9FeCXz0H0470k8YFBgUn8RUmEOAXFYGrsweblJnFhe3C8IQeFtop0B4rSh9f89zT_wAM1kHbEbSzIoZfZ8DOJNfIjpoZwuD4jcKnSM21LrW8Yx2g/s400/30841_399332719854_828819854_3984242_7559034_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is my group of seven students: Jenny, Patrizia, Thao, Ha My, Dai, AP, and Bryan. If you look at the background you can see the beginnings of the house we built. Throughout the week, we built three walls, one bathroom, smashed rocks with hammers to cover the floor, and mixed and dumped mortar to create the foundation. Every day, we looked as if we were survivors of a monsoon. Sweat dripped from the top of our heads, down to our mouth--good salt lick--and our clothes were sopping wet. Our socks were wet, our gloves were wet, our shoes were wet. But, we loved every moment of it. Building, working, sweating, physically moving to create something, a house for someone else, quiets the mass of negative emotions, guilt, grief, and pain that we all struggle with, in our own way. I loved the moment where AP cackled and shouted while smashing rocks. He said he was going to open up his own therapy office with a room of rocks where his patients could smash them. And smash them we did. There's nothing like smashing rocks to wake your mind up and make you feel alive. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxLzmy1lyPmP948Rjjfybp_LqcNCNEEuRdkE5hGPMforUt_lnpb9HHAbNREzYaVo9sODAXgpC5320aEkIk-PQ_b9Ct_b7bYYA0RuU0UdnVW5qADVeWm5Z9AxqHJzUKBp_7d80qlrXlQ/s1600/30841_399332709854_828819854_3984241_2873085_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxLzmy1lyPmP948Rjjfybp_LqcNCNEEuRdkE5hGPMforUt_lnpb9HHAbNREzYaVo9sODAXgpC5320aEkIk-PQ_b9Ct_b7bYYA0RuU0UdnVW5qADVeWm5Z9AxqHJzUKBp_7d80qlrXlQ/s400/30841_399332709854_828819854_3984241_2873085_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I discovered new talents along the way. I believe there's a machine to straighten rebar, but not in Nam. Here, we straighten rebar with our hands. The first time I straightened rebar, it looked like a snake or the Saigon river, but my second try was a success, or at least compared to the first. Building is so different than grading papers and being part of the writing process. Writing is a work in progress, and I enjoy being part of the student process, but when you build, you can see a finished work right in front of your eyes. To look at a wall and say, "I built that" gives you, gives me, a sense of accomplishment. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLTUXLjx4Bf_PO6fbMnhbAiM0Dg8tUDjy45iYneSrO9QwcGUas4CY-FJXibU1ndU-bbzn4AAHpUShqGI_Q8UkehoJOp81MjPwjvbBC_3cRAUNDF8SF6vueCD639bt3Ly8WTPkhCO3sg/s1600/30841_399332769854_828819854_3984247_1675181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLTUXLjx4Bf_PO6fbMnhbAiM0Dg8tUDjy45iYneSrO9QwcGUas4CY-FJXibU1ndU-bbzn4AAHpUShqGI_Q8UkehoJOp81MjPwjvbBC_3cRAUNDF8SF6vueCD639bt3Ly8WTPkhCO3sg/s400/30841_399332769854_828819854_3984247_1675181_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">At the end of our build, we were able to present our work to the home owners. <i>Habitat for Humanity</i> expects the home owners to take part in the building process. The man holding the picture of our group, in the center, is the homeowner of this structure. At the end of our week, he thanked us for our work and was proud that he was a major part of the process. I was so impressed with his building skills and the help he gave us while wearing flip-flops! One impressive man. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtw-_RlyPJWb_x7WlGO-mDUI9kYsReURs7qu6XU7I0JrVsoiOsmDxQAfB_mFlWu7mQmiXdKCJnZYxjhlZIIl4XYctCGKeZeDubw25ijMQ1vmUTe-_CdANFLID9qb7Ys8G0k7_KLO2BA/s1600/30841_399332604854_828819854_3984229_599042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtw-_RlyPJWb_x7WlGO-mDUI9kYsReURs7qu6XU7I0JrVsoiOsmDxQAfB_mFlWu7mQmiXdKCJnZYxjhlZIIl4XYctCGKeZeDubw25ijMQ1vmUTe-_CdANFLID9qb7Ys8G0k7_KLO2BA/s400/30841_399332604854_828819854_3984229_599042_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">In addition to building, there were also beautiful moments of bonding where we all ate lunch together, told jokes, walked through the city, waited for the bus... One of my favorite moments was eating dinner with one of our SSIS student's family. The meal was delicious, and the most memorable dish was the snake stew. If you look closely at the picture, you can see the snake skin, and at the back of the spoon is a snake egg. Delicious and a little frightening, to be honest. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU5wlJ_cra9ryjAA2XHfjEqALa_kPl2fPv8f7h8CvSjKCKN1yVH3dTDw35JlZmvYPCePYq0ayHprh0bv_rCeUDV6At-UwTDI8fZpg-jZgXFxFjjlJkAv_ZBXUumxH5tUjG0_j6mZlrg/s1600/30841_399332614854_828819854_3984230_4019807_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzU5wlJ_cra9ryjAA2XHfjEqALa_kPl2fPv8f7h8CvSjKCKN1yVH3dTDw35JlZmvYPCePYq0ayHprh0bv_rCeUDV6At-UwTDI8fZpg-jZgXFxFjjlJkAv_ZBXUumxH5tUjG0_j6mZlrg/s320/30841_399332614854_828819854_3984230_4019807_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Every student worked hard, slept hard, and ate a lot of food during our trip. We bonded, gave back to our community, and supported each other for five days. It was just like summer camp, but with back pain and heat exhaustion! All joking aside, this was one of those life changing trips that I know I will never forget. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The pain of losing Tyler is shared by many. I know people all around the world are celebrating his creative spirit and cunning sense of humor. I know that dealing with death is an ebb and flow of emotion, but I also know that I deal best when helping others with my hands. So this, is what I will continue to do.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DurEHLtrgccp5cKSy5gqr6nXHEIhmSj4sQEjhUr4rrDF0WsaNBxSLtBitOmw8rODH-Xvm-G6IW00MU_U66W_IM1SpF45v9ardBUOdkknbxu6s6jV3urqR5MEK3kZxatGlmCUGicMCw/s1600/30841_399332779854_828819854_3984248_6306298_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DurEHLtrgccp5cKSy5gqr6nXHEIhmSj4sQEjhUr4rrDF0WsaNBxSLtBitOmw8rODH-Xvm-G6IW00MU_U66W_IM1SpF45v9ardBUOdkknbxu6s6jV3urqR5MEK3kZxatGlmCUGicMCw/s400/30841_399332779854_828819854_3984248_6306298_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-55608040610933978602010-05-23T06:49:00.002+07:002010-05-23T06:52:20.009+07:00Saturday Night at the Roller Rink!<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">What do you do in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday night? Roller skate! Last night, a group of us from SSIS went to a roller skating rink in District 1. The music was blaring, the strobe lights blinding, and I was the oldest person in the room. We all had gigantic smiles pasted to our faces while rolling around the rink. Paul showed us his fancy moves, Dyana was determined not to fall, Kris and Betsy showed us their couples moves, Elaine was a champ, Stacey laughed her way around the rink, and Michael was our resident photographer. A good time was had by all! </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc15fBwaC_JWIJhLc8X28CDMbG5C2hm5_VYKHlMC1YAHhsyovFFt96tZyR83cjr5_iVmfaBZk3kTNe1D3hy46BSt_9gs1z0yKF50C0Bo8v1NHIo6o8WyF-xMtS2_DKi5IjoZoABohgg/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc15fBwaC_JWIJhLc8X28CDMbG5C2hm5_VYKHlMC1YAHhsyovFFt96tZyR83cjr5_iVmfaBZk3kTNe1D3hy46BSt_9gs1z0yKF50C0Bo8v1NHIo6o8WyF-xMtS2_DKi5IjoZoABohgg/s400/IMG_0515.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBntpS7tJCTv6i34rvusJCpa7heJTJlmfdNyPm93sTcqnWsylm0eu7eG7wcKO9AxuiiCYnHcW2oHGo7uiSseGzRgIw268cqR5X9qZJjK1juLEih1ylu-IDrfXWV5V1RGW04dLUAApSg/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBntpS7tJCTv6i34rvusJCpa7heJTJlmfdNyPm93sTcqnWsylm0eu7eG7wcKO9AxuiiCYnHcW2oHGo7uiSseGzRgIw268cqR5X9qZJjK1juLEih1ylu-IDrfXWV5V1RGW04dLUAApSg/s320/IMG_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZYNBqErnGcfFKThlE4jh3sZY2cH2ddqiD2zuU6pslWU4FD7igE7KhpmSApReJ1NELHGXewPAVE-3mf3LUBZxquTe3XKRQcIL5CkqvhbYpGGYmYvnHAmoN5rlwtXgt9fIe0EIolkjfw/s1600/IMG_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZYNBqErnGcfFKThlE4jh3sZY2cH2ddqiD2zuU6pslWU4FD7igE7KhpmSApReJ1NELHGXewPAVE-3mf3LUBZxquTe3XKRQcIL5CkqvhbYpGGYmYvnHAmoN5rlwtXgt9fIe0EIolkjfw/s320/IMG_0486.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwspSjClsjyfMZxKYhDUQWwEZEMAixijq1NqhEp0Ohjh8P8vg6ghCQSBeTp55zpKbFSLo0JVSKHTFpOYX-GZbmt3bl1Ha-STCXICSPXASZ4dN6p28G_W9XwWx2qzkO2mf5Cy-LFLgIiQ/s1600/IMG_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwspSjClsjyfMZxKYhDUQWwEZEMAixijq1NqhEp0Ohjh8P8vg6ghCQSBeTp55zpKbFSLo0JVSKHTFpOYX-GZbmt3bl1Ha-STCXICSPXASZ4dN6p28G_W9XwWx2qzkO2mf5Cy-LFLgIiQ/s320/IMG_0484.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcipC-aGtQiWNIap2SGDKnb3URqf0ZGWN81d_TI7UVTfopbDibH83Jr5OcLPjadkQvW4tG9E8oGbSQqqhrb3zqb3n3xChibNeoVtzdDbrgN1lGgnq7V-vcydwrRO7G3Kf2HmRZkVZ-FA/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcipC-aGtQiWNIap2SGDKnb3URqf0ZGWN81d_TI7UVTfopbDibH83Jr5OcLPjadkQvW4tG9E8oGbSQqqhrb3zqb3n3xChibNeoVtzdDbrgN1lGgnq7V-vcydwrRO7G3Kf2HmRZkVZ-FA/s320/IMG_0471.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEise95iFGClyY9ANjDVo4p8x9Ud9g33mTAu9IeIIfqOhIjP0iFpN2ipd34mWflHcqdWwqCXrq9l0QF1IesoGzSK7fp2n1r5Q_Nl4qUCpSth_8hKUiqoj69Uxa7-OTPgxrQV8Ie4Cgbw_g/s1600/IMG_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEise95iFGClyY9ANjDVo4p8x9Ud9g33mTAu9IeIIfqOhIjP0iFpN2ipd34mWflHcqdWwqCXrq9l0QF1IesoGzSK7fp2n1r5Q_Nl4qUCpSth_8hKUiqoj69Uxa7-OTPgxrQV8Ie4Cgbw_g/s320/IMG_0470.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMXdLbvpMNcTaKjP81EzKL7bJbKy-r4SFY8_VRU3Mv-zxlyWrkK4Y_JxcQpWlanunOwM_64WjaKI7L5BEjsGAwrjZsaxPwEiMQVe8t7n6-49fQJ5ZqixJBww3P9SjGylP2W8CHSOUHA/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMXdLbvpMNcTaKjP81EzKL7bJbKy-r4SFY8_VRU3Mv-zxlyWrkK4Y_JxcQpWlanunOwM_64WjaKI7L5BEjsGAwrjZsaxPwEiMQVe8t7n6-49fQJ5ZqixJBww3P9SjGylP2W8CHSOUHA/s320/IMG_0480.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeWT2rcaikKsf5ixZXmu38rtdEKjny8uDDmztNpU-3giWqaX0KGLBvM3EgKFGT9ByZlIW1UTg4y8RTmy2gyoj-APNzQLXGuk0TfBe5L9wD_Uqk9eiAorJ5n3JeiZHIaIXEZgqXXJaHg/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeWT2rcaikKsf5ixZXmu38rtdEKjny8uDDmztNpU-3giWqaX0KGLBvM3EgKFGT9ByZlIW1UTg4y8RTmy2gyoj-APNzQLXGuk0TfBe5L9wD_Uqk9eiAorJ5n3JeiZHIaIXEZgqXXJaHg/s400/IMG_0473.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Gang, ready to roller!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-57805654879570806592010-05-21T12:33:00.000+07:002010-05-21T12:33:20.909+07:00Classroom Memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWyBPRVuGFytweHklGeVlocEaJUyWU7vj3funKVVaXHj9i1HfCiKOQcw4wrfxCpC3BXnTWuXU6_DqjCToQJDl9H4rj_KZ1cRV_YumqbJykGhvEAtETTxobFKRGZJt3Fbxw-qt4xehUg/s1600/Where's+my+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWyBPRVuGFytweHklGeVlocEaJUyWU7vj3funKVVaXHj9i1HfCiKOQcw4wrfxCpC3BXnTWuXU6_DqjCToQJDl9H4rj_KZ1cRV_YumqbJykGhvEAtETTxobFKRGZJt3Fbxw-qt4xehUg/s320/Where's+my+paper.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgxs4qChkY0JCH4y46qlEt8NDFCKT0amcq9BsMlXVwdC8ngDjuMgikCpO8LSvrxkblqEqfsa3HfkgcV5BahQHE8ID5wi-iKGkyS3LhGwEs_AM0bBHz_WAzEIq8dkPcvBvrCtBjL2kqA/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgxs4qChkY0JCH4y46qlEt8NDFCKT0amcq9BsMlXVwdC8ngDjuMgikCpO8LSvrxkblqEqfsa3HfkgcV5BahQHE8ID5wi-iKGkyS3LhGwEs_AM0bBHz_WAzEIq8dkPcvBvrCtBjL2kqA/s320/front.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2X_wt2MQUBwFQVwjqU0Z1boFe6P0xw1ZpROlXAzbkyOSdwFejj_z-45LP4B4mX4IQEkIpTi4Rddq20fCtM8u_YK3qYG959y6rhXSDYdb8Oub3aesE66sKr444dvLe-CwYDeKg78vNQ/s1600/sneaky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2X_wt2MQUBwFQVwjqU0Z1boFe6P0xw1ZpROlXAzbkyOSdwFejj_z-45LP4B4mX4IQEkIpTi4Rddq20fCtM8u_YK3qYG959y6rhXSDYdb8Oub3aesE66sKr444dvLe-CwYDeKg78vNQ/s400/sneaky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbKXgqINTuu0ErLiQATps14mcxZI39H8_29XIXaqwy4BIaFysTavmLtGFa3sLy5TF9HrjOIg0UdCMKFZq8hkaglWVMZIovz_eWMEr1RtXpFDsfgRxk8781B3zD6Ox4TQdg2Y-kVO_IA/s1600/TA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbKXgqINTuu0ErLiQATps14mcxZI39H8_29XIXaqwy4BIaFysTavmLtGFa3sLy5TF9HrjOIg0UdCMKFZq8hkaglWVMZIovz_eWMEr1RtXpFDsfgRxk8781B3zD6Ox4TQdg2Y-kVO_IA/s400/TA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKBnyT4iN47ruBY8n_JLgNJlYDFfz9nzY-qcxm5CA8x4KsEEh88Zur3RdqvddN8w9yLZASzdIFFdBH_vUau-IQ-IhtUUzAL-sk5oU60IywmFCzpwgCL1geuM0a33p9K6CgQADhd0sAQ/s1600/robot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKBnyT4iN47ruBY8n_JLgNJlYDFfz9nzY-qcxm5CA8x4KsEEh88Zur3RdqvddN8w9yLZASzdIFFdBH_vUau-IQ-IhtUUzAL-sk5oU60IywmFCzpwgCL1geuM0a33p9K6CgQADhd0sAQ/s320/robot.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqYCQwNYvNmm_qwrTG0MrBcZo6ByhsUIaDdfLcBJ__WtRbkKIu1XjCd6B-3xcoSxL4_5iF4qFFZWIoezEhDg0eBcnRMK34l8ijKPv6_4l6Z2mGf3V9VjLIQLXCT9bUgil28Kj18Oijw/s1600/Tshirt1-Yellow-Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqYCQwNYvNmm_qwrTG0MrBcZo6ByhsUIaDdfLcBJ__WtRbkKIu1XjCd6B-3xcoSxL4_5iF4qFFZWIoezEhDg0eBcnRMK34l8ijKPv6_4l6Z2mGf3V9VjLIQLXCT9bUgil28Kj18Oijw/s320/Tshirt1-Yellow-Back.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-58854168481757788632010-05-19T19:03:00.000+07:002010-05-19T19:03:08.237+07:00Phu My Hung Gecko<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeynrco-S8p58UQgJYxRs_QiHBhYzFqekDcCAT8SvD-AR6CHeJcKWwbjSRDdNt7E7H8UNye2C34MmIi-B5x-CwiqahIN5x9eCG-sHrj8jOzTq_n5RI3yMRPubnnKkYxxKWJpepud3VA/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeynrco-S8p58UQgJYxRs_QiHBhYzFqekDcCAT8SvD-AR6CHeJcKWwbjSRDdNt7E7H8UNye2C34MmIi-B5x-CwiqahIN5x9eCG-sHrj8jOzTq_n5RI3yMRPubnnKkYxxKWJpepud3VA/s400/IMG_0315.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">He was trying to sell me insurance.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-31579590047842140302010-05-19T12:09:00.000+07:002010-05-19T12:09:27.396+07:00Habitat for Humanity<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Mark Isley and I are taking twenty seniors to build houses with<i> Habitat for Humanity</i> on Sunday, May 23rd to Thursday, May 27th. Our location is about three hours south of HCMC, and we should be working from sunrise to sunset. I'm excited to be able to give back to our community in such a physical way, and I'll be sure to share my pictures with you upon return. </div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our seniors graduate on Friday, May 28th, and then I'm taking National Honor Society kids to help out at the Wildlife Reserve on May 29th. Whew! I hope to get some sleep within the next few days for the upcoming adventures. I don't know if it's the fact that we have one constant season here, so there's no weather change to mark the passing of time, or if it's my age, but I can tell you that time is passing far too quickly these days. </div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wishing you Health and Happiness, Karinna</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-46283664799610290522010-05-17T07:50:00.002+07:002010-05-17T08:17:33.352+07:00A Tale of Two Tylers<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I spent six years of my life with Tyler Kohut, and a week ago, he passed away. I am trying to write about him, but at the moment, I cannot find the words. Tyler Hill, my college comrade and one of Tyler Kohut's best friends, wrote a blog entry about their lives together. I want to share this entry with you because it's a beautiful piece dedicated to a smart, funny, caring man who played a significant role in my life and is truly missed. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://strangebenevolent.blogspot.com/2010/05/tale-of-two-tylers.html">http://strangebenevolent.blogspot.com/2010/05/tale-of-two-tylers.html</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrL-bgdY7niP6pG6xOpMIa67FehSAszHuBrgvTdBSq1q2muSKEOCirqSloZ8KkS1b-QkB8T7VPfIa1Y_8scx_JU3M8mTuGquaCqGkv-gCJkWh2lER87SDbSrE1RbeshjbK8StsvBMiQ/s1600/ty_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrL-bgdY7niP6pG6xOpMIa67FehSAszHuBrgvTdBSq1q2muSKEOCirqSloZ8KkS1b-QkB8T7VPfIa1Y_8scx_JU3M8mTuGquaCqGkv-gCJkWh2lER87SDbSrE1RbeshjbK8StsvBMiQ/s400/ty_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Tyler Kohut is the man in the blue shirt. I love this picture. It's our band photo if we were, in fact, musically talented. This picture was taken on the celebration of my 25th birthday. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-40728196733853543782010-05-12T11:29:00.016+07:002010-05-12T15:56:20.019+07:00A Dear Friend in SE Asia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sYJvHtScNLJOyZXoCPB5Gn4fkLRBIvng0DQpOe4Wfk18UJCEungl1Ft23RtfqLTvyi6wwQ47q0yVrl8JPk8Zt30b8REm-2MP3Jkw8l6NzSCAZX9mgL6sATvuPX1bZBJ10DYWhXQ6qw/s1600/IMG_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sYJvHtScNLJOyZXoCPB5Gn4fkLRBIvng0DQpOe4Wfk18UJCEungl1Ft23RtfqLTvyi6wwQ47q0yVrl8JPk8Zt30b8REm-2MP3Jkw8l6NzSCAZX9mgL6sATvuPX1bZBJ10DYWhXQ6qw/s320/IMG_0096.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Recently, my dear friend, college roommate, troublemaker, Thursday night dance partner, and voracious reader, Ambika flew 17 hours to visit me in HCMC, Vietnam. About ten hours after her arrival, we boarded Jetstar for Hoi An, which is a little over an hour away from HCMC. We spent a relaxing three days in Hoi An having clothes made, walking the streets, enjoying the lanterns that light the small town, and chatting with the friendly strangers. For me, it was one of those moments where time stands still. Although Ambika and I are in different houses, places, clothes, have different hair styles (gray hairs) in comparison to our college years, it was so easy to catch up and carry on. She regaled me with stories of Seattle adventures, and I showed her around my new home and surroundings. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUpOK34NkbvG-doieN4Gx0OsSaei16x9h8sAdnqrtBTDVPA54DRhb2eN4qyd0b2vc1rcs3cwe6EBCSE0rie2xvVkRZWn9qUWLNpZ_WjDUTyd4St7Mz9CCThvqRsf3Xnv1zgjmd289Og/s1600/29152_392443249854_828819854_3833722_4311850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUpOK34NkbvG-doieN4Gx0OsSaei16x9h8sAdnqrtBTDVPA54DRhb2eN4qyd0b2vc1rcs3cwe6EBCSE0rie2xvVkRZWn9qUWLNpZ_WjDUTyd4St7Mz9CCThvqRsf3Xnv1zgjmd289Og/s320/29152_392443249854_828819854_3833722_4311850_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I returned to my work while Ambika traveled to Hanoi and Halong Bay for a few days, but the following weekend, Michael, Ambika, and I boarded the plane, AirAsia (least favorite airline--EVER) for Bangkok. I share my birthday with the Reunification of Vietnam, so I am always blessed with a four or five day holiday around my birthday. Yes, Vietnam loves me too. The three of us spent my 33rd birthday/Reunification Day, walking around Bangkok, Thailand: visiting the Grand Palace, bowing to the Emerald Buddha, eating street food and street bugs, and stopping every five steps to rehydrate--so hot, so hot, so hot, I'm melting. Because of the heat, we could only do about one or two things a day, but the trip to Bangkok was a wonderful celebration of friendship and life. Oh, and my birthday. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">We returned to HCMC to finish out the work week after the long holiday and to relax. Michael was able to show Ambika around the city and although I was coming down with the flu, I was able to have lovely chats with Ambika and watch a few episodes of Mad Men. We miss you already, Bika! Come back soon!</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">My next adventure is my return home to see my friends and family. I'll be in Portland for three days, then with my father, and then my mother. June 12-26 are the dates I'll be back in the states, so if you're around, please send me an email. I would love to see as many people as possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaVroeI0xTLJKOe7yF02g4auzLH5bObi_IctfXOHcTAHbGCutEo1wIzVg2D7t_TeMiqiArDPXF03glsF6yqzMoCC5Y-PaE8M_nEOOmQNQlI2Ou3Lgd1nZWp91Qf0TvoO35KYjdBDg4g/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0vEhhCT1zYx2pVP_pOrfrr7mWKYKPGi69Eb_bf-2xO3UzK6GZgiARdEsSBwMywClqfr8Ca_ebuqJYswomdFB18hAMQ0cTFZ1M3jaEE6qc0sej3KDXRfUw-NdH_zYl0TxlRqy-TCECw/s1600/IMG_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0vEhhCT1zYx2pVP_pOrfrr7mWKYKPGi69Eb_bf-2xO3UzK6GZgiARdEsSBwMywClqfr8Ca_ebuqJYswomdFB18hAMQ0cTFZ1M3jaEE6qc0sej3KDXRfUw-NdH_zYl0TxlRqy-TCECw/s320/IMG_0047.jpg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaVroeI0xTLJKOe7yF02g4auzLH5bObi_IctfXOHcTAHbGCutEo1wIzVg2D7t_TeMiqiArDPXF03glsF6yqzMoCC5Y-PaE8M_nEOOmQNQlI2Ou3Lgd1nZWp91Qf0TvoO35KYjdBDg4g/s320/IMG_0178.JPG" /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-92089586453914721302010-05-08T08:43:00.000+07:002010-05-08T08:43:17.545+07:00Hotel Recommendation Bangkok, Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMd4D1I89F7X6Mzt5p0ldRmta5QJGN5DDx1xhy7YyRVdoHDHUfd85hvUcm1bnco0OaQYS6Y4l_lKV7V6dqYVpFY2H4RWCn_QULaXu7xYo1x8S8TlrbQPtB__bCNDYkhBDHMn4OZP_iQ/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMd4D1I89F7X6Mzt5p0ldRmta5QJGN5DDx1xhy7YyRVdoHDHUfd85hvUcm1bnco0OaQYS6Y4l_lKV7V6dqYVpFY2H4RWCn_QULaXu7xYo1x8S8TlrbQPtB__bCNDYkhBDHMn4OZP_iQ/s320/21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.lamphutreehotel.com/roomrate.html">http://www.lamphutreehotel.com/roomrate.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Lamphu Tree Hotel is a fantastic place to stay in Bangkok. The staff is helpful, the rooms are clean and nicely decorated, breakfast is included with the room price, the pool is refreshing, and the rooftop view is stunning. Michael, Ambika, and I spent four days at the Lamphu Tree Hotel and had a wonderful time walking the streets of Bangkok, then returning to this lovely hotel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're looking for a moderately priced respite, look no further. The Lamphu Tree Hotel is a ten minute walk to Khao San Road and ten minutes to the nearest river taxi. I know many people travel to Bangkok, so if you're in the neighborhood, give this place your business. Thanks! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-63083743273464387172010-05-08T08:30:00.000+07:002010-05-08T08:30:52.081+07:00Today, I'm craving a salad.I just returned from a birthday trip to Bangkok with my long time friend, Ambika and boyfriend, Michael. We walked the streets, sat in temples, endured the heat, and ate great food, but my need for a fresh NewSeasons salad has not been satiated. I am dying for a fresh, uber-salad with sunflower seeds, tofu, tomatoes, onions...the works.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQiFULwnBxCSG6OhyKtSTc9tokvtzjESWsolXIsaBSA3mNMpTM65jJ-PVYprdXEsg1SSU4uylSGTcMER-HHUKe9hZTcDySgvtibm_RS7jBOBsc-FyRHcUrt0ClwkNo-HPSaoAWof4GA/s1600/IMG_2158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQiFULwnBxCSG6OhyKtSTc9tokvtzjESWsolXIsaBSA3mNMpTM65jJ-PVYprdXEsg1SSU4uylSGTcMER-HHUKe9hZTcDySgvtibm_RS7jBOBsc-FyRHcUrt0ClwkNo-HPSaoAWof4GA/s320/IMG_2158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>From my travels in SE Asia, I would have to say that Laos has, hands down, the freshest, most delicious food. The blend of fresh produce with spices, sugars...Ahhh, the tactile smells. I think it's food time. Have a great Saturday or Friday.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-29964282839527776292010-04-16T12:26:00.000+07:002010-04-16T12:26:34.165+07:00"Alots are known for their superior swimming capabilities."<div style="text-align: center;">Like everyone else who read this post, I loved it, ALOT! Now, you too can love, ALOT.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html">http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8BtfRRj2VugVyFbN8dZ5GpWxWPkkXdOqEDUU1kTQjgVtWCT2SE52FlHXVk43h_nac2JGghNIpgMitk36qLE5lz1KaMpnaN66AJWuHXV9iA9ULJwvYdZnukq6kX0aSEk-zkX0WUburg/s1600/ALOT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8BtfRRj2VugVyFbN8dZ5GpWxWPkkXdOqEDUU1kTQjgVtWCT2SE52FlHXVk43h_nac2JGghNIpgMitk36qLE5lz1KaMpnaN66AJWuHXV9iA9ULJwvYdZnukq6kX0aSEk-zkX0WUburg/s320/ALOT.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-3044942333363177652010-04-13T09:22:00.004+07:002010-04-13T09:38:10.963+07:00Extreme IroningI couldn't quite wake up this morning, so when I looked at my clock and it was 7:16 am, and I'm supposed to be at work at 7:30 am, I jumped up from bed, threw on my clothes (clothes that were formerly on the floor), and ran out the door. This morning rush used to be status quo, but now in my older and wiser years, I have a morning routine which includes coffee.<br />
<br />
I'm walking, it's hot. April is by far the hottest month of the year--don't argue with me--in Vietnam, and I'm looking forward to the rainy season as I shuffle to school. Blurry-eyed, racing thoughts, I look up and there on the sidewalk is a line of thirty Vietnamese people squatting in way only the Vietnamese and Michael can squat, eating breakfast, chatting, drinking coffee. And then I see it, a generator buzzing loudly, and what's plugged into the generator is so baffling to me that I have to rub my eyes and blink a few times. Yes, an iron is plugged into the generator, and there is a woman standing, ironing a pink dress shirt on the sidewalk where folks are gathered for breakfast. I envied this morning routine. A freaking ironing board! I wish I had my camera.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I love HCMC, and sometimes, well let's just say, sometimes I struggle with the place, but today with laughter, I love this place if only for the insane joy it brings me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33uXkE7ScFcTuuAK-MQJ914SU-imtcIzBh0MPYYEX6tEHpC32_Zpdz5TcAn7boj589AVfEHFr9e6M70a4RJf8E74hBV93nI02UGIAyLxQc_sR2Dv-miGU-1eWBh5A4vH0PPwJ3fT46g/s1600/ironing_board.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33uXkE7ScFcTuuAK-MQJ914SU-imtcIzBh0MPYYEX6tEHpC32_Zpdz5TcAn7boj589AVfEHFr9e6M70a4RJf8E74hBV93nI02UGIAyLxQc_sR2Dv-miGU-1eWBh5A4vH0PPwJ3fT46g/s320/ironing_board.png" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-1653601016080403382010-04-05T15:28:00.001+07:002010-04-05T15:28:43.399+07:00Me Kong Delta, Explosion!<div style="text-align: center;"> Watch Michael's video of our trip to the Mekong Delta, and watch out for the water snake. Enjoy! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-d7MXV7kjw&feature=youtube_gdata">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-d7MXV7kjw&feature=youtube_gdata</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Good work, boyfriend. </b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-71546029511802999432010-04-02T12:34:00.007+07:002010-04-03T08:17:41.387+07:00Elephants in Chiang Mai!If you visit The Elephant Nature Park, North of Chiang Mai, Thailand you will experience a perspective shift. At the Elephant Nature Park, a woman named Lek (little woman, big heart) rescues abused elephants from Thailand and neighboring countries and provides them with acres and acres of land to roam. The land includes feeding areas, an elephant hospital, a river running through the property, and hills for the elephants to "get back to nature". <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhadOk6wvo3At_yHkpMR4yOltmnzUYGU0EOTIzLO4iB5rmYQzq_2171cj5oHef1R0MumuIvGGH9LBt_skKbtRlovS6HtF5V7KZuDCkPxQyw-9obA4L9lZOjO-pd2yQKWhnwBQ9GAx05w/s1600/24019_380898809854_828819854_3564832_3101310_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhadOk6wvo3At_yHkpMR4yOltmnzUYGU0EOTIzLO4iB5rmYQzq_2171cj5oHef1R0MumuIvGGH9LBt_skKbtRlovS6HtF5V7KZuDCkPxQyw-9obA4L9lZOjO-pd2yQKWhnwBQ9GAx05w/s320/24019_380898809854_828819854_3564832_3101310_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb94z6Hz9Bwmwpsd9c9ERCcLKtWY_NlthJBHjOx4XYmxP6R39TuSZvRgOm7CE_6Tpi27-E1N4zgdLpVLIkK4PGj5_PWq-BZAK3i9SyMXr6VwIttf6PHsPgnw4Lrp_7Pd4Ac_fK95Bxw/s1600/24019_380898704854_828819854_3564813_1687611_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb94z6Hz9Bwmwpsd9c9ERCcLKtWY_NlthJBHjOx4XYmxP6R39TuSZvRgOm7CE_6Tpi27-E1N4zgdLpVLIkK4PGj5_PWq-BZAK3i9SyMXr6VwIttf6PHsPgnw4Lrp_7Pd4Ac_fK95Bxw/s200/24019_380898704854_828819854_3564813_1687611_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Most of the elephants at the Nature Park are domesticated. They were rescued from a life of street performance in polluted cities and lives as elephant loggers where they were often mutilated and some, blinded. A true elephant whisperer, Lek walks and sits with them as if she were part of the family.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GcllqvS9Mgs3YvSi3_8aQsQ9DxjPJUJHwfXzIORW07OpUVPolQkq2wmv-OeseCWNV1EeRev4RT-yPZ7aThfc-FfFwIwohC88rmHAskwHclFfAmu1JNiWsFXJiQWIxAEPWlJGJo0W1A/s1600/24019_380578094854_828819854_3556144_7754737_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GcllqvS9Mgs3YvSi3_8aQsQ9DxjPJUJHwfXzIORW07OpUVPolQkq2wmv-OeseCWNV1EeRev4RT-yPZ7aThfc-FfFwIwohC88rmHAskwHclFfAmu1JNiWsFXJiQWIxAEPWlJGJo0W1A/s320/24019_380578094854_828819854_3556144_7754737_n.jpg" /></a></div>Before visiting the Elephant Nature Park, I did not understand the process of creating a domesticated elephant. Baby elephants are put into cages, beaten, poked, prodded, and scarred so that they will be submissive to their masters. They are used for profit and often lead lives of misery. They are the elephants you often see in circus shows or on the streets in SE Asia.The Elephant Nature Park is an alternative 'eco-tourist' option for people who want to observe and love elephants, rather than participating in demanding and abusive tours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1Jh6SUeA8XZUBWwcQZNZ1HS5mRIBIEvKyJUr_86MzWZkDMcfV980XsiADw_jTx6SGqd7_JYgvLPHl7QGlXDipLScFFZ5UrOC5RpzotVR98xTw-0vxVbA0xWNI-AqayzDQbvFjyd4Sw/s1600/24019_380898774854_828819854_3564825_5669615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1Jh6SUeA8XZUBWwcQZNZ1HS5mRIBIEvKyJUr_86MzWZkDMcfV980XsiADw_jTx6SGqd7_JYgvLPHl7QGlXDipLScFFZ5UrOC5RpzotVR98xTw-0vxVbA0xWNI-AqayzDQbvFjyd4Sw/s320/24019_380898774854_828819854_3564825_5669615_n.jpg" /></a></div>To visit the Elephant Nature Park it will cost you around 70 dollars, but worth every penny. The 70 dollars goes toward feeding and caring for the 34 elephants in the park. During your visit, you will feed, bath and watch elephants play together and in the river. For hours, I stood at the base of the camp and just observed the elephants with their elephant friends while listening to my IPod, making my own elephant nature video in my head. It was like watching enormous dogs lumber over acres of land, or like hanging out with dinosaurs in my own backyard. The experience was amazing! At the end of the day, I was soaked with river water and elephant slobber, but it was all worth it because I was inspired by one woman's effort to live and work for these large, beautiful animals.<br />
<br />
I like to meet people who are World Changers, and I feel like my job allows me to do so, but this time the World Changer wasn't in my classroom, but in Northern Thailand.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>If you would like to visit or volunteer at the Elepahnt Nature Park, please visit this website:</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/">http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/</a></b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-51615018610150766202010-04-02T11:30:00.001+07:002010-04-02T11:30:50.917+07:00Birthday Countdown!28 days until my birthday! Just a reminder.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-58633070908991017872010-04-02T11:23:00.004+07:002010-04-02T11:32:04.363+07:00Khao Lak and Similan Islands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NXrPTW4NJGcmfEduEjUoLX3Pg8GxgL6bFnN9AMRINoFwrptHsEkG3TmU2dud60iU5wfrnpg3KFNgj2fTGLeygdNKHdER_XEQoHEjX5SlNFFa0BMdrsGPNZgI2WqMIIgJnsbw7TiScQ/s1600/24019_380575224854_828819854_3556007_1188258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NXrPTW4NJGcmfEduEjUoLX3Pg8GxgL6bFnN9AMRINoFwrptHsEkG3TmU2dud60iU5wfrnpg3KFNgj2fTGLeygdNKHdER_XEQoHEjX5SlNFFa0BMdrsGPNZgI2WqMIIgJnsbw7TiScQ/s400/24019_380575224854_828819854_3556007_1188258_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My first stop during Spring Break Adventure 2010 was Khao Lak. Khao Lak is about an hour, and hour and a half drive from Phuket, Thailand, and I wanted to get out of Phuket as quickly as possible (the tickets were cheap), so I chose Khao Lak based on Mike Murphy's recommendation. Dyana Wilson was my cohort in crime for this adventure because Michael wanted to stay home and save some money for our European excursion this summer, so Dyana and I flew from HCMC to Phuket with relaxation on the bill.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Khao Lak isn't much to scream and shout about, but our hotel was right on the beach and the Similan Islands are only a 1 1/2 hour boat trip away. My point is, if you have the opportunity to visit Thailand, you must visit the Similan Islands. I've vacationed in Thailand numerous times because I love it and the tickets from Viet Nam are cheap, but I've never seen such beautiful water or snorkeled without the fear of jellyfish "spicy pop-pop" stings. The Similan Islands are,quite frankly, paradise, and although Dyana and I only spent one day enjoying the beaches and snorkeling, I am going back, tomorrow, if possible. Ok, well maybe not tomorrow, but soon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGyG_cH8w22BO_tn5pvmp6AYW3nh8c1pF7-07fLAsBYlisZmdr9kCF4Mcdw1PQfoNIzPKnxf81_WhFph6d_gik9Qk2qyTdLCWOzXIR84RXSc4UbOhdrHEcFfsr_2wlSfSdXVtpQA6BQ/s1600/24019_380575259854_828819854_3556009_3265588_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-8968510397262899602010-03-18T08:34:00.004+07:002010-03-18T08:55:18.012+07:00Weekend assignment: Walk in our shoes<div style="text-align: center;">To all aspiring movie makers, here's a weekend assignment.<br />
You should make!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=409928">http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=409928</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39818551118828156.post-20405942231147574992010-03-18T08:30:00.005+07:002010-03-18T08:58:41.369+07:00Online Collectivism and Intellectual Property Rights<span style="font-size: small;">I</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> was sitting in our computer/yoga room watching my boyfriend cut and paste art into his blog, sharing ideas and works as if they were his own, but the beauty of the exchange knocked me bloody, in the face. I asked him, "How does it feel to be part of this collective, frantic online exchange of information?" He said, "Great."</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iWoxEo3WjrZtxwBMX0sv7jJ4NbRHP8VxUvmKC0DiOUOWog_q1XVQD7tAI491PGOC6j_otZ-YW89IQtQ0kwExwB0ao6ywGynecI3V_C6TkAwU6S4zB2km-GWWNjZ-nnWHmsfdWFaCFg/s1600-h/21mash-articleLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iWoxEo3WjrZtxwBMX0sv7jJ4NbRHP8VxUvmKC0DiOUOWog_q1XVQD7tAI491PGOC6j_otZ-YW89IQtQ0kwExwB0ao6ywGynecI3V_C6TkAwU6S4zB2km-GWWNjZ-nnWHmsfdWFaCFg/s200/21mash-articleLarge.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I find it wonderful that he, we, can sit in Viet Nam and shuffle through a library of information and images to share with others. The world as a classroom is now, virtual reality and as Mr. Lanier, quoted in the NY Times article <i>Text without Context</i> "the mash-up as more important than the sources who were mashed.” Creation, most often if not always, comes from a previous creation, it's just that the pace is faster now and tomorrow will be even faster. However, I am a flip-flopper on this issue. I like the idea that all of us own ideas, music, and information as a concept, but it is difficult for me to wrap my mind around as a practice. Coming from a country where copy right is a major issue and working in schools where plagiarism is a concern, I grapple with the question of ownership; nevertheless, I think the creative conversations march or mash on without my, turnitin.com, or copy right lawyers' consent. Thoughts for food.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's the article "Text without Context" from the New York Times, which inspired my morning blabber. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/books/21mash.html?hp">http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/books/21mash.html?hp</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557249040253320809noreply@blogger.com6