tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53607307970320891592024-03-13T05:58:31.867+07:00Xe Om, PhoXeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-65728467799085204432013-12-05T09:50:00.000+07:002013-12-05T09:50:03.648+07:00Bacon sarnies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is what I'm having for lunch every day this week:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89kdZ6EEYz9c4y4RlAljPP2TT-BDtAxZCPRoA1nXJ975uvnij8zvk2vV11ZAx-c_YwgHLDu8BOj9Q4M4_dkRu7NUmTyOg7Vu0P35Cf3HXDlVLPinEGSOjpJQ3hK3ITbh4xATqCyPLkulu/s1600/WP_20131202_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89kdZ6EEYz9c4y4RlAljPP2TT-BDtAxZCPRoA1nXJ975uvnij8zvk2vV11ZAx-c_YwgHLDu8BOj9Q4M4_dkRu7NUmTyOg7Vu0P35Cf3HXDlVLPinEGSOjpJQ3hK3ITbh4xATqCyPLkulu/s1600/WP_20131202_001.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
We're still in Vietnam - and yes -it's December! OMG this process is taking too long!<br />
<br />
At this point, I have had my visa application approved. Mr Martin's visa is waiting approval, and we are told to expect it next week.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is my last day of work, and on Monday the movers are coming for our stuff.<br />
We've decided to go to the beach at Mui Ne for a few days until the visas and flights come through after our stuff is gone. So, we're really going...<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-63014081490411312992013-10-31T14:25:00.000+07:002013-10-31T14:27:49.206+07:00New shit every day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
While I'm busy being punctuated, I thought I should take advantage having an extra few weeks in Vietnam, but making an extended goodbye through the blog.<br />
<br />
As any expat here will tell you, there's a lot of the 'same shit, different day' about living in Vietnam. For example, the intercom to our apartment doesn't work. It has never worked. And I presume that it never will work.<br />
<br />
As we do far too regularly, last night <a href="http://www.vietnammm.com/en/index.php" target="_blank">we ordered online takeaways</a>. And when our food was delivered the security guard decided, to ring the intercom. What happens then, is that intercom phone rings, and Mr Martin picks it up and yells <i>come up! come up! come up!</i> into it. And presses the buzzer few times. None of this seems to work, because a little while later it rings again, and repeat, and repeat and repeat until either the security guard just lets the guy up anyway, or the guy rings us on the phone and we tell him to come up. <br />
<br />
Every time.<br />
<br />
But when you tell the security people that the intercom doesn't work, then you get a great procession of security guards coming through the apartment, and ringing the phone and pushing the buzzer, until eventually one of them concludes that the intercom in fact doesn't work. Problem solved! not at all.<br />
<br />
Every time.<br />
<br />
However, one of the great things about being here is that every day you get to experience something new. And yesterday I learned that arrowroot is not just a kind of boring biscuit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hs61raFcRVwuHPLBpeYUhO-YtGpZRwEffdrpo6ibom2Lq-yhbWaWwJrlOmJiywxiWAr2h2KPwblkDBB6Y89aelnXkXF0yW7idkKL7Gs4LkJyFtd4AAs34dyVPxYxTv1x9flzgRLyhWTA/s1600/arrowroot+biscuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hs61raFcRVwuHPLBpeYUhO-YtGpZRwEffdrpo6ibom2Lq-yhbWaWwJrlOmJiywxiWAr2h2KPwblkDBB6Y89aelnXkXF0yW7idkKL7Gs4LkJyFtd4AAs34dyVPxYxTv1x9flzgRLyhWTA/s1600/arrowroot+biscuit.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It is also a kind of boring vegetable that gets boiled and then eaten by the Vietnamese as a healthy snack. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApHsEQCmhTD44IZ-nnOAsiMsbVLdIwpdGAUVszAHQ1dEna4e__dfXWh1A2E6VjIh_1OZlp50i5tzalu__5IMhukpXOm5lHHBhxxDYbKFuIs-lbJ6OUorW4hqvwZ30uSmN8OR6h-xZ72PE/s1600/boiled+arrowroot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApHsEQCmhTD44IZ-nnOAsiMsbVLdIwpdGAUVszAHQ1dEna4e__dfXWh1A2E6VjIh_1OZlp50i5tzalu__5IMhukpXOm5lHHBhxxDYbKFuIs-lbJ6OUorW4hqvwZ30uSmN8OR6h-xZ72PE/s320/boiled+arrowroot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It looks a bit like a parsnip, or maybe like ginger. It tastes of pure starch, with the added bonus of stringy bits that get stuck between your teeth. I asked my friend if it supposed to be dipped in something, and she said, no - you just eat it as it is. For health.<br />
<br />
But, according to Wikipedia, arrowroot flour will <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrowroot" target="_blank">prevent crystals from forming in homemade ice-cream</a>. So it's probably really the best thing ever. <i>Actually</i>. </div>
Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-74899865288319190942013-10-30T10:41:00.003+07:002013-10-30T11:55:00.343+07:00Semi-colon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We're getting ready to leave <a href="http://www.oucru.org/" target="_blank">Vietnam</a>; we're going to <a href="http://www.kaust.edu.sa/" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia </a>in few weeks time.<br />
<br />
And that, my friends, is <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/semicolon" target="_blank">how to use a semi-colon</a>. Last year I ordered printouts of the Oatmeal grammar posters and stuck them on the inside door of the ladies' loos at work. Now, a whole generation of female Vietnamese scientists are really really good at punctuating.<br />
<br />
That's about where I feel I am right now, too - at the semi-colon. We haven't quite put a full-stop at the end of Vietnam, and we haven't put a capital letter at the front of Saudi Arabia either. We are stuck somewhere in between, waiting for the visa.<br />
<br />
Or rather, waiting for the documents we need the Vietnamese government to provide us so that we can submit the visa application. It's an extremely arduous process. Right now, we have been waiting for 4 weeks for the justice department to provide us with a police-check document for Mr Martin. Ever sexist, the Saudi Arabian government only requires the police check for the man - even though the main applicant for the visa in this case is a woman.<br />
<br />
Speaking of Saudi Arabia - did we all see this video this week?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/aZMbTFNp4wI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<b>Update:</b> Mr Martin just reminded me a Dan Baird's brilliant lovesong - <i>I Love You Period</i>.<br />
The chorus:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I love you period<br />
Do you love me question mark<br />
Please please exclamation point<br />
I wanna hold you in parentheses</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/g5FnGoheN94?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br /></div>
Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-56766356220502406502013-06-26T10:57:00.001+07:002013-06-26T10:57:25.367+07:00Arup Sudi<p> The Vietnamese call it Arup Sudi. At least, that's how it sounds, no idea how they spell it...</p>
<p>I'm going to visit Saudi Arabia in a couple of weeks time, as I've been offered a job there. I can't talk about the details here, but suffice it to say that I've promised everyone I will make my decision <em>after</em> I've been for the look-see. </p>
<p> I'm naturally a very decisive person, so I am finding the self-imposed limbo quite challenging!<br>
</p>
<p>Today I'm in Hanoi. I was scheduled to come up for a work trip today anyway, and lucky that was so, since I also have to visit the Saudi Embassy to get my passport stamped. In Hanoi, like in Saigon, most of the embassies are on on the same street, so in the taxi I drove slowly along until the next gate said Saudi Arabia on it. </p>
<p>Yesterday, I called to ask what time the embassy opened, whether I needed to make an appointment, and what the fees were. The guy on the phone spoke almost no English. I asked "do you speak English?" And he said: "Visa, 10 o'clock. Visa! 10 o'clock!" at increasing volumes until I said "OK!" and hung up. </p>
<p>I sent an email to the address on the website and got an error message: this email address does not exist. </p>
<p>I'm glad that I was already coming to Hanoi anyway, and wasn't making a special trip, as I may have had to - I wasn't filled with confidence. </p>
<p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">At the gate of the embassy were two security guards. I arrived deliberately early at around 9:30, fearing a queue and knowing I have other meetings today. The guard said: "10 o'clock!" and "Arup Sudi?". I think they were worried I was in the wrong place, I'm not wearing my abaya today. When I asked if there's a cafe nearby they actually smiled and pointed me in the right direction. Let me tell you- it's not easy to get a Hanoi security guard to smile. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> When it was confirmed that I would be going to Saudi, I put up a message on the Saigon expat listserv we like to call Unfair Neighbours. </p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><em> I have to go to Saudi Arabia, does anybody know where I can get an abaya in Saigon?</em></p>
<p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">And lucky for me, a kind lady wrote back and said she had one she's been trying to get rid of, and I was welcome to it. I picked it up in the morning before work on Monday, and my workmates helped dress me in it, and then took photos. </p>
<p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br>
</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64152538@N08/9141242300/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/9141242300_9f290024b6_b.jpg" id="blogsy-1372219027408.163" class="alignnone" width="500" height="887" alt=""></a></div>
<p> </p>
<p> It made of very light fabric, but it's still hot under an abaya. Luckily I won't have to wear it all the time on this trip, just at the airport, and on the journey from the airport to the campus of the university. On campus it's not required. </p>
<p>I can say one thing about this decision - if I had to wear an abaya all day every day, I wouldn't be going. </p>
<p>It's now nearly 10 o'clock. 10 o'clock! Visa!</p>
<p> UPDATE: "The man who will sign this not come today."</p>
<p>"When is he coming?"</p>
<p>"We don't know."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Well, shoot. </p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-91356026182090113532013-03-27T15:01:00.003+07:002013-03-27T15:01:56.199+07:00Crackers?A lot of life in Vietnam is sort of hurtling towards death. I don't just mean the motorcycles - though that's an obvious example. Consider rather the demented bloody-minded ants who are thriving precariously on my kitchen bench.<br />
<br />
Or the enormous, at least seven centimeters long, oily cockroach - whose rattling feet are audible on the tiles even to me* - who was just sitting in the corridor outside my place this morning, waiting for someone to tromp on him.<br />
<br />
Yesterday there was a lot of commotion around the canal - and a lot of people fishing too. Overnight, someone had dumped A LOT of golden fishes - little ones, and great big ones and schools of them in all the sizes in between - into the murky waters. And they swam! <br />
<br />
It's always surprising when someone pulls a live, usually quite menacing looking, fish out of the canal. Just looking at that water I imagine that any organic material would dissolve on contact. These fish were so alive yesterday that they attracted a crowd. And this morning they were there still, swimming. Mr D slowed down so we could get a good gawk over the side of the bridge. <br />
<br />
What does goldfish taste like, anyway?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wyiIyDbv41ZMaSDPRxobib3k8vWhBjKoxhmzUCa_xIraQ_Gmj_16r4XaJAzx8eRiaivC3lOSim5Om_Fv9mA1rOET572SUF5E3N2kb4UchsEbFddslORBRhgY4WcJvKvXbA74X4NxpN0j/s1600/goldfish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wyiIyDbv41ZMaSDPRxobib3k8vWhBjKoxhmzUCa_xIraQ_Gmj_16r4XaJAzx8eRiaivC3lOSim5Om_Fv9mA1rOET572SUF5E3N2kb4UchsEbFddslORBRhgY4WcJvKvXbA74X4NxpN0j/s1600/goldfish.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*<a href="http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/articles/kindsofhearinglosses.htm" target="_blank">Reverse cookie bite</a> - look it up if you know me in real life. Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-28739650693954850132013-03-25T10:31:00.000+07:002013-03-25T10:31:28.431+07:00Weird things people sayThis morning somebody said to me:<br />
<br />
"Wow! Nice tan!"<br />
<br />
And I went, Really?<br />
<br />
And he went, "Yeah - your weekend really betrays you!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I can only assume he was being sarcastic (though his demeanor didn't suggest as much). I don't have a tan. I have what the <a href="http://www.melanomafoundation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19" target="_blank">Melanoma Foundation calls skin type 1</a>: pale, freckly, always burns. I've never had a tan in my life.<br />
<br />
Furthermore, my weekend was spent either indoors at the shopping mall or indoors at home. I didn't do anything remotely interesting (hooray!).<br />
<br />
What I think he was actually reacting to was the fact that today I'm wearing no makeup (mascara is not makeup), and this is unusual on a weekday for me. It's not a tan, it's a natural glow...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tjSOMHCPGf-gF6xSMonhiBjCwnqXHOOKTpT3iG5kzWTLR1ggOnV8o31tEZhf2ALnIdb8nnSMQsqZGhZxnOaXP9BdhQDmUZPDuT4ofTlpaokr8IKVyUjGMKl0CaMw1VTUOvabMW2mtVxa/s1600/WP_20130325_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tjSOMHCPGf-gF6xSMonhiBjCwnqXHOOKTpT3iG5kzWTLR1ggOnV8o31tEZhf2ALnIdb8nnSMQsqZGhZxnOaXP9BdhQDmUZPDuT4ofTlpaokr8IKVyUjGMKl0CaMw1VTUOvabMW2mtVxa/s320/WP_20130325_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-28666183600520427292013-03-22T10:40:00.000+07:002013-03-22T10:40:18.636+07:00Robble robble!What do I have to say about Saigon today?<br />
<br />
This morning on my motorbike commute to work I was reminded yet again about how much driving in Saigon is like being in a video game. You get points for starting at the intersection exactly 3 seconds before the light turns green, and lose points every time your foot touches the ground*.<br />
<br />
Last weekend we went to Mui Ne, finally. If you discount Vung Tau, it's the closest beach resort town to Saigon - and one of its most redeeming features is that you can get there on the train in only 3.5 hours.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVZsqkTgPWf1yRiU8j89m9mDAP6jClFlOGK_gukcS5FX2Y5ZbiT3IX8eqcqolHJKqDsP6EiX8AASHR8I7JvGAKeEfVyhgWffiSWXYZX18hkZH67PF9fenRTKII0aopapSHGprKnrN6qMo/s1600/WP_20130316_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVZsqkTgPWf1yRiU8j89m9mDAP6jClFlOGK_gukcS5FX2Y5ZbiT3IX8eqcqolHJKqDsP6EiX8AASHR8I7JvGAKeEfVyhgWffiSWXYZX18hkZH67PF9fenRTKII0aopapSHGprKnrN6qMo/s320/WP_20130316_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mr Martin says the train is OK</i></span></div>
<br />
That's Damon sitting next to Mr Martin, there. You may remember him from such early blog posts as <a href="http://xeompho.blogspot.com/2010/11/if-they-feed-us-like-that-in-vietnam-we.html" target="_blank">this one</a>. We had a visit! Damon and Lynne enjoyed Mui Ne too...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb69oNa3JrKYg3spvIwNvBNzNWIkSFK7mhJ9wIbKWtUMGwUBO70UQuRIaEV3mmW9QNTl6OFRQPHS7I3tsLMDp_lg9HGI3CUK3PectLVUcv3FyWDVtb-IK-cVIsGgD1yz6u70_SB4rmCibH/s1600/WP_20130316_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb69oNa3JrKYg3spvIwNvBNzNWIkSFK7mhJ9wIbKWtUMGwUBO70UQuRIaEV3mmW9QNTl6OFRQPHS7I3tsLMDp_lg9HGI3CUK3PectLVUcv3FyWDVtb-IK-cVIsGgD1yz6u70_SB4rmCibH/s320/WP_20130316_008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH65uwrtQJHi6chlxxUxiLQXNDM8YOKJ-P-dEeL00fxIQZXdGo4RIeopaUJFDURhiU5gzjlrlvMI_-mCAhvXE0bVPye54Zfoxfe0LNtGhU4W8qX5-HWsIFzQJ1p78S6zxhdeMWxvfmwrw-/s1600/WP_20130316_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH65uwrtQJHi6chlxxUxiLQXNDM8YOKJ-P-dEeL00fxIQZXdGo4RIeopaUJFDURhiU5gzjlrlvMI_-mCAhvXE0bVPye54Zfoxfe0LNtGhU4W8qX5-HWsIFzQJ1p78S6zxhdeMWxvfmwrw-/s320/WP_20130316_009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
At the <a href="http://www.muinebeach.net/snow/" target="_blank">Russian restaurant</a>, listening to the smooth tones of a Vietnamese one man band rendition of Tie A Yellow Ribbon...<br />
<br />
Apparently there's a beach at Mui Ne. I did catch a glimpse of said beach, but I was too busy trying to dissolve myself in the swimming pool** to be bothered with dry land, even of the sandy variety. Oh, and they very kindly put a spa pool on our deck at <a href="http://www.thecliffresort.com.vn/en/terra.html" target="_blank">the resort</a>... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf8MUx-MAUhlzDFOTqxCnFaKpuzc3qk3XZrjnLqxNIkfEf4HTUQ1ZadkAN_4IWrpH98WFYQc-SndV7jQeltXX6olZblPjs77DIsGZbxrc3PDNzhQnFk1ueEYomlREqY7L6xI0k2EYnhyphenhyphen4/s1600/WP_20130317_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf8MUx-MAUhlzDFOTqxCnFaKpuzc3qk3XZrjnLqxNIkfEf4HTUQ1ZadkAN_4IWrpH98WFYQc-SndV7jQeltXX6olZblPjs77DIsGZbxrc3PDNzhQnFk1ueEYomlREqY7L6xI0k2EYnhyphenhyphen4/s320/WP_20130317_010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mr Martin says the pool is OK, too...</i></span></div>
<br />
Because it was a bit of last minute decision to go to Mui Ne, the only train that still had seats left to bring us home on Sunday night was the 10:35 pm one. Which would have got in at around 2:30 am, and factor in another half hour to get home from the station would have equalled a very late school night indeed. So we hired a car and driver instead - and I can recommend <a href="http://saigon2muine.com/" target="_blank">Saigon2MuiNedotcom</a> if this is the kind of thing you'd be interested in pursuing. It only cost $105, which divided between 4 of us was a bargain, and it was a really nice car and the driver drove as safely as he reasonably could.<br />
<br />
Which leads me to: Vietnam's roads are such a nightmare. We saw the aftermath of two different crashes on our way - both involving trucks and motorcycles, and neither I think resulting in positive outcomes for the motorcyclists. As in - I'm pretty certain that at least 4 people died on the same road we were travelling in our comfortable car. And I'm very grateful that we are so rich that we don't have to ride motorcycles on the highways.<br />
<br />
Vietnam's roads explain some of Vietnam's religious practices perfectly: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiPVkyc2zfdBmJx10bbCSZNtf2nR_DOJaXr8gz2VxyMQTCp3Ixigv1GAD1LJZxG8rNaP7vAfaPtYvoTJmvx7mSkJy858H77eTvaebarQbmPAOi-l0w7qtx3JXjCM9alJ7muXmvF4vV2g8/s1600/WP_20130313_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiPVkyc2zfdBmJx10bbCSZNtf2nR_DOJaXr8gz2VxyMQTCp3Ixigv1GAD1LJZxG8rNaP7vAfaPtYvoTJmvx7mSkJy858H77eTvaebarQbmPAOi-l0w7qtx3JXjCM9alJ7muXmvF4vV2g8/s320/WP_20130313_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> This from the street corner outside our apartment building. </i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #444444;">*Mr D had to put his foot on the ground for - oh, about a millisecond? He was VERY ANNOYED about it, and emitted a small grunt. </span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><i>**I DID manage to dissolve my sunglasses so that the cheap black plastic stuck to my face and I looked like the <a href="https://www.google.com.vn/search?q=hamburglar&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=XoE&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=JtFLUdL_CMLulAWIr4HwCA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=661" target="_blank">Hamburgler </a>- but that's another story...</i><i> </i></span><br />
<br />Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-19728749430891825792013-03-19T15:59:00.000+07:002013-03-19T15:59:11.099+07:00On promo girls and blistersMr Martin recently bought me a new phone, because I lost my phone on my trip home last month. It's a nice smart phone with a decent camera, and wish I had had it a few weeks ago when the Payless Shoes stores had its grand opening in the Vincom Center.<br />
<br />
This is the Vincom Center:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1ZPbxcR8jtM7tPsCNRzXu05SLiHk_BYjIhEbQttcnECBPzqKFBZp0qmXDzcvkCJewbGFOboWuyBtGc9QC8tBhZvs0HEpQUDMoZ3BMdbL1vuUQioAVUbVo53EZJD1zGqOdtHxG0EHuPh7/s1600/Vincom+centre.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1ZPbxcR8jtM7tPsCNRzXu05SLiHk_BYjIhEbQttcnECBPzqKFBZp0qmXDzcvkCJewbGFOboWuyBtGc9QC8tBhZvs0HEpQUDMoZ3BMdbL1vuUQioAVUbVo53EZJD1zGqOdtHxG0EHuPh7/s1600/Vincom+centre.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a very fancy multi-level shopping mall in the centre of Saigon. It has all kinds of shops that most Vietnamese people can't afford to shop at, and most foreigners don't want to shop at. It's a mystery how they manage to stay open, and an even bigger mystery how they found enough demand to open another almost identical shopping mall across the street: the Vincom Center 2. <br />
<br />
A further mystery is how Payless Shoes got a shop in the very fancy shopping mall - but I have no answers. <br />
<br />
Payless Shoes is just as it is overseas - rows of cheap shoes displayed in the box and arranged by size. The largest size available for women's shoes is 38 - so tough luck if you're taller than the average.<br />
<br />
Like, say, a promo girl.<br />
<br />
For their grand opening, Payless Shoes had approximately 20 girls in slutty orange dresses and too much makeup wander around the mall wearing their shoes and carrying shopping bags with their logo emblazoned on them.<br />
<br />
I happened to be at the mall towards the end of the promotion. About a dozen girls were gargoyling in a row by the MAIN ENTRANCE to the mall.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gCkCl8CyedjDySlJgISDOm1gm7cab_pL03zzzz6SPYHUYVLazVPTYDYI1M006srhgwjdvdIm971nSWmw5CfB9g7Q4MIT9cwvOV7MH9IHEjY3OelI1sjBB3-nwfGlO__FFQ9m7ONLZLfy/s1600/gargoyle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gCkCl8CyedjDySlJgISDOm1gm7cab_pL03zzzz6SPYHUYVLazVPTYDYI1M006srhgwjdvdIm971nSWmw5CfB9g7Q4MIT9cwvOV7MH9IHEjY3OelI1sjBB3-nwfGlO__FFQ9m7ONLZLfy/s1600/gargoyle.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This is a Vietnamese gargoyle. They can sit like that for hours. <br />And they do...</span></i></div>
<br />
They all looked unhappy, wearing their slutty dresses and with their orange bags heaped on the floor, and they had all kicked off their cheap shoes and were rubbing their blisters.<br />
<br />
I can't think of a better advertisement for Payless Shoes, than 12 promo girls with blisters - can you?<br />
<br />Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-84082367547808432142013-03-18T11:04:00.000+07:002013-03-18T11:04:55.802+07:00Oven!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There have been some changes at our place in 2013. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First off, we’re hardly ever there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In January we travelled to Bangkok, then Mr Martin went to
Seoul for a few days, then we both left for our annual trip home in early Feb. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I say annual trip home, but actually it was my first trip
home – since last year’s trip coincided with starting my new job, and I thought
it wasn’t exactly a fabulous idea to start work and then leave on holiday a
week later. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Going home was weird only in that it wasn’t. It was as if I
had just been away for a weekend, rather than for two whole years. Some things
had changed at home – but mostly it was just exactly the same as I had left it,
and in no time at all I was driving my mother in law around just like any other
weekend. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I took the opportunity of being at home to schedule some
medical appointments and ended up staying an extra week – so I was basically
absent from Vietnam for all of February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That means there is no Tet madness post here this year (phew!). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The big news in our house is that I finally bought a
countertop oven when I got back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
bit crap – but that’s ok – all the countertop ovens in this country are a bit
crap, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shopping for the oven was interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I visited lots of places (OK, 3 places) and
found only 3 different brands available:</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://pensonic.com/index.php/category/kitchen-appliances/oven.html">Pensonic
(from Malaysia)</a></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.sanakyvietnam.com.vn/">Sanaky (from
China)</a></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Actual brand we bought</span> (origin </span>uncertain!)</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They are all basically the same: glass door, rotisserie
thing, fan for “convection”, ticking dial that tells you it’s on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can get big ones or smaller ones, and my
kitchen is small so I got a smaller one, and the cheapest one – though only
really because that was the one in the third shop we went to and I didn’t think
it was different enough from the others to go back to a different shop. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So long as you turn the heat up to blasting, it works OK,
and so I’ve been cooking stuff that can only be cooked in ovens for the past
week. I haven’t tried baking anything yet, but watch this space!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozoPnzIA4Uvlh9o1-la_DuTJ63eAG0sgzPRNJ1eocHUbqyc7vYzkTZ5Z02R7N-nwiFY4ECIFAPfAIMKOnlj9BRmHSoVpHxvvPrU5w2vSVoHIu5762HH26mv6LsFeIQg2QwLwoyZMVFd7G/s1600/Purple+shepherd%27s+pie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozoPnzIA4Uvlh9o1-la_DuTJ63eAG0sgzPRNJ1eocHUbqyc7vYzkTZ5Z02R7N-nwiFY4ECIFAPfAIMKOnlj9BRmHSoVpHxvvPrU5w2vSVoHIu5762HH26mv6LsFeIQg2QwLwoyZMVFd7G/s320/Purple+shepherd%27s+pie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh look! A shepherd's pie... You can get purple potatoes here lately. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m working full time now, so I’m slowly coming to grips
with the reality of really only having weekends free to do stuff like watch
daytime tv and go shopping for cosmetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ms T, our housekeeping lady has been an absolute godsend – if only
because we now only need to fight about doing the dishes about twice a week –
and I haven’t ironed anything for ages, if you don’t count the tet money. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve recently learned that Ms T has to pay for parking when
she comes to our place – which means that I finally have a use for my huge pile of 1,000 and 2,000 dong notes...</div>
Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-73404182977718679632013-03-13T13:41:00.000+07:002013-03-13T13:41:02.340+07:00What's on your desk?I just read <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/shortcuts/2013/mar/12/messy-desk-driving-colleagues-mad" target="_blank">this article in the Guardian</a>. I definitely have the messier desk, when compared with my two Vietnamese officemates. I couldn't tell you if they despise me for it or not...<br />
<br />
My desk contains (broadly from left to right):<br />
<ul>
<li>One plastic 30cm ruler - with a deep split in it (woops!).</li>
<li>Empty glasses case</li>
<li>Almost empty paper towel tube</li>
<li>One ill-fitting belt</li>
<li>On half empty coffee mug</li>
<li>Handcream</li>
<li>Chewing gum - a massive pottle</li>
<li>Post-it notes</li>
<li>One empty CD case</li>
<li>Someone else's business card</li>
<li>One stolen stapler</li>
<li>One highlighter (also stolen)</li>
<li>One cheap ballpoint pen (I believe I legitimately own this one - but have no proof...)</li>
<li>One used paper towel, containing the last bit of gum I chewed</li>
<li>Random papers - mostly useless - though a couple of them I do refer to on a daily basis, so they're where they should be. </li>
</ul>
Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-32986740122627190122013-01-14T11:58:00.001+07:002013-01-14T12:00:57.369+07:00Dear Phil - a project!I like cooking, but I realise that I've been a bit lazy about learning how to cook Vietnamese style food.<br />
<br />
I was reading<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheila-quirke/lessons-from-four-year-old-kids_b_2411814.html" target="_blank"> this column by Sheila Quirke</a> and she mentioned an idea she once had of learning about one country in Africa per week - since the number of African countries is similar to the number of weeks in a year. <br />
<br />
She failed - but it's still a cute idea. I wondered how many provinces are there in Vietnam?<br />
<br />
58.<br />
<br />
Close to a year. I <i>could </i>learn one dish from each province per week, I suppose. But that sounds overly ambitious. I don't want to fail like Sheila did, just because I set the bar too high! And, although lots of provinces have their own specialities, I'm not sure if they all do. I could end up making an awful lot of stringy chicken stewed in lemongrass and ginger, y'know?<br />
<br />
BUT!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvz_xr5Xh6ALPyX4zitKxoFK6OoE6FIGaN1BhqgMLJBShc0C-8-KMOq9VxJkEF55y8C_N2G27YZmiMpBFxmV_0R4hSaPuzzJtqRyA_USU4zcGcJa6uzr0f22kzURYE49xPIf4VYAOLpJNL/s1600/VietnameseRegions.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvz_xr5Xh6ALPyX4zitKxoFK6OoE6FIGaN1BhqgMLJBShc0C-8-KMOq9VxJkEF55y8C_N2G27YZmiMpBFxmV_0R4hSaPuzzJtqRyA_USU4zcGcJa6uzr0f22kzURYE49xPIf4VYAOLpJNL/s320/VietnameseRegions.png" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Vietnam has a mere 8 regions. And it does seem achievable that I could master one dish from each region roughly over the course of a year - say, one per month-ish.<br />
<br />
Are you hungry, Mr Martin?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Vietnam</span><br />
<br />Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-27875199056337513102013-01-10T13:31:00.001+07:002013-01-10T13:32:10.547+07:00Mr D smells. On Saturday, Mr D txted me in Vietnamese, and asked me to
give him a small bottle of perfume. I suspected a phone jacking. I was
going to ask him about it on Monday morning, but he was looking so bedraggled in
the rain that I felt too sorry for him to tease him about it. And he
didn't mention it - giving more credence to the phone jacking theory. I
don't know why he let himself get so drenched either - he usually carries a
rain cape in the compartment under the seat.<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was hoping that that might be the end of the whole weird
episode. But then on Tuesday night when he dropped me home, he asked me
again. In person. <br />
<br />
I don't know.... of all the things I might ask my boss to give me, a bottle of
perfume is just not up there. He's been working for me now for two years,
and has never asked for anything before. It was such a strangely specific
request, that I said yes - I will give him perfume tomorrow. <br />
<br />
I had to speak to him in Vietnamese about it. Are we all proud that I
knew enough to ask him whether he wanted perfume for a man, or perfume for a
woman? <br />
<br />
For a man. Specifically - for him. He pointed at himself. Perfume
for him. <br />
<br />
So, since I was home alone anyway, I went out to the shopping mall. First
I looked at the real perfume shop thinking I might be able to buy a little
travel size bottle from a proper perfume brand, but they were all too
expensive. I just can't justify spending more on cosmetics for my
motorbike driver than I would ever spend on myself*. So then I went to
supermarket. Surprisingly, they had about 30 different kinds of cheap men's
perfume and I umm-ed and ahh-ed for ages over it. Eventually I chose two
similar looking black boxes (each containing a bottle). Behind me there was a
boy standing high up on a rickety ladder - as you might reasonably expect in a
shopping mall supermarket. So I waved the two boxes to him and asked which one
he liked best. I've never tried perfume, he said - handling the boxes
gingerly. A girl came along. The boy was taking too long to choose and
she obviously really wanted to be the one to choose, so he capitulated. That one -
she said. It has a brand. <br />
<br />
The brand is: X-MEN. <br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, yesterday morning I gave Mr D the little box of X-MEN
perfume. He tied it to the handlebars of his bike and off we went. <br />
<br />
He seems happy... and no, I can't tell you what X-MEN perfume smells like.
Probably wolverine musk.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*I admit to some duplicity in this sentence - <span style="font-size: x-small;">I</span> have, on
occasion, spent a king's ransom on cosmetics... for myself. S<span style="font-size: x-small;">sshhhhh!</span></span></div>
Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-40333740253254174202013-01-08T11:59:00.000+07:002013-01-08T11:59:31.787+07:00Anecdotes with Mr DToday Mr Martin has gone to Bangkok for the rest of the week for work. I have been making lots of jokes about how quiet our bedroom will be tonight, now that there's no-one snoring in there.<br />
<br />
Having a xe om driver is a strangely intimate experience. You sit so close... Mr D's a bit smaller than me so I can easily peek over his shoulder. Last night as we were coming home he did a classic Mr D double-take - slow right down, look over his shoulder really closely at the thing that captured his attention. Usually we only see Mr D double-takes when someone tries to cut us off - but last night he was utterly captivated by fat baby twins, dressed identically and propped up in a double stroller - off for a walk around the front of the Coopmart. Then he gave a laugh and offered me a thumbs up before zooming around the corner to my front door.<br />
<br />
This morning there was another Mr D double-take, but a bit less jolly. We had to take a detour from our normal route. At an intersection quite close to the hospital there was a big traffic jam and lots of peachy-uniformed traffic cops - obviously there had been a crash. The ladies at work told me that they drove past it on the way in and saw the guy lying on the road - dead. Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-33735698869264188652013-01-07T15:27:00.000+07:002013-01-07T15:27:52.381+07:00Entering the third yearOftentimes I have something I think I should blog about, but don't get round to it because I don't have a picture available just now right this second. But then months go by and never a word is peeped.<br />
<br />
It is now January 2013 - we have been here for 2 years and 3 weeks already. Far from the our original position of 'stay one year and see how we like it' - we've moved on to 'stay one more year and see how we like it'. Huh. They seem pretty the same, when I write it down like that....<br />
<br />
Entering the third year does feel a bit different to how it felt entering the second year. We are definitely settled now. I can say confidently that we know how to live in Vietnam, and a lot of things that might have bothered us once - well, they still bother us, but perhaps we deal with it a bit better, or something.<br />
<br />
Some things bother me now that didn't used to bother me quite so much - I used to be charmed by all the little kids yelling 'HEY-LO!' at me on the street - but now, sadly enough, I get sick of it. I've been here so long now that I feel like I ought to blend in, but of course I'm just as conspicuous as I always was. <br />
<br />
I used to sort of enjoy my xe om ride to work, but now I hate it with a deep resentment. It's ok in the morning, because nobody is in a rush to get work in the morning, so the traffic is fine. But at night time, everybody is in a rush to get home, so everybody takes more risks, and the roads are so much more dangerous. I often get little bumps or scratches, but thankfully Mr D is careful and so far we haven't taken a spill - I've even managed to avoid burning my leg (touch wood!).<br />
<br />
I think we're reasonably acclimatised - I can comfortably wear jeans most days - but it's still hot. Part of acclimatisation is just learning when it's a good idea to go outdoors, and when it's not.<br />
<br />
We both still get sick all the time. I don't know if our immune systems will ever catch up to Vietnam. The food poisoning is a constant battle - even good restaurants are sometimes dirty... But worse are the respiratory infections. We've never had so many colds and flus and sinus infections. Air conditioning is a factor - and so is general air pollution. But most of it is simply the fact that there are so many viruses here, and the population is so dense, and we have no immunity - we are still foreigners.<br />
<br />
But it's not all doom and gloom. The great thing about being here has been the people we have met. We finally do have actual friends - and enough of them that I think we could say we have social lives - independently of each other, too. We have been so blessed to have so many visitors. We've met amazing, interesting, talented people that I think we wouldn't meet or get to know so well if we had just stayed at home. We have a fairly open door policy for travellers - if you know us and you're in town, then give us a call and we'll give you a bed. Having people to stay forces us to look at this amazing city through a new lens each time as we show people around. We are proud to be part of Saigon - in all its filthy bloom.<br />
<br />
Our jobs are fabulous. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to do work that interests me, and that I'm good at, and with people I like. How many of you can say the same? <br />
<br />
And the travel! Bangkok is in our neighbourhood - in fact we're off there again this weekend. We've been all over Asia the last couple of years, and we're not done yet. We haven't planned our trips for 2013 yet, apart from a few weeks back home in February - but it's wonderful to be able to pick exotic looking places off the map, and just go if we want to. <br />
<br />
I don't really have any resolutions for the third year. Maybe to write some more here? My perspective has changed a lot since those early days, but that doesn't mean there's not still some interesting things to say. <br />
<br />
<br />Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-10321704079519061162012-09-10T21:36:00.001+07:002012-09-10T21:36:35.382+07:00Outside the chicken service station Robyn and Kevin are here again, and a couple of days ago we had a surprise as we were walking around the neighbourhood.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="500" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_hV2yWpNJqc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<br/><br/> A man was selling day old chicks from the back of his motorbike. They were brightly coloured - he had obviously dipped them in dye. He was attracting a crowd! <br/><br/> <br/><br/>20,000 dong for one...<br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-34682693584995909902012-09-04T15:37:00.001+07:002012-09-04T15:37:53.903+07:00Shannon talks too muchSo this happened:<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------- <br />
<br />
<b>From:</b> mrsnivel@randomschool.emailaddress<br />
<b>To:</b> me<br />
<br />
<b>Subject:</b> <i>Shannon </i><br />
<br />
<br />
Good Afternoon,<br />
<br />
I just wanted to touch base with you about Shannon. While she is a very
polite and sincere student, she seems to have a bit of a problem
focusing in my class and is very talkative with others. At this time I
am going to initiate a seat change and see if that helps her improve her
focus. It is very important that students remain focused and complete
the work in order to pass the course which is a requirement for
graduation. I wanted to inform you of this now so we can rectify it and
avoid escalation to office involvement. If you have any questions
please contact me.<br />
<br />
All the best,<br />
<br />
Mr B Snivel<br />
<br />
9th Grade SpringBoard<br />
12th Grade World Literature<br />
<br />
City High School, USA<br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<b>From: </b>me<br />
<b>To:</b> mrsnivel@randomschool.emailaddress<br />
<br />
<b>Subject:</b> <i>Shannon </i><br />
<br />
Hello<br /><br />Sorry for the delay in responding to this.<br /><br />I am NOT
Shannon's caregiver. In fact, I am a Grants Manager working in Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam. I guess that the poor woman
who is responsible for Shannon is also called Katrina Lawson, but I can
assure you this is not her email address. <br />
<br />I'm so sorry about Shannon. She sounds like a pain in the b !u m
(you see - I bet your school has one of those "no swears" email filters,
so I have modified my typing for you). I really think you should just
say: "Shut up, Shannon!" I bet you wish you could.<br />
<br />When I'm having a cr ! ppy time, I look for poems. <br /><br />Here's a poem about Shannon. Maybe:<br /><br />
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204,204,204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div>
<b><a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/182902" target="_blank">They shut me up in Prose</a></b><br />
</div>
<span><b>By <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/emily-dickinson" target="_blank"> Emily Dickinson</a></b> </span></blockquote>
<div>
<blockquote>
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
They shut me up in Prose –
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
As when a little Girl
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
They put me in the Closet –
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
Because they liked me “still” –
</div>
<br /><div style="padding-left: 1em;">
Still! Could themself have peeped –
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
And seen my Brain – go round –
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
They might as wise have lodged a Bird
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
For Treason – in the Pound –
</div>
<br /><div style="padding-left: 1em;">
Himself has but to will
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
And easy as a Star
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
Look down opon Captivity –<br />And laugh – No more have I –</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
I'm not saying you should lock her in a cupboard. But it obviously worked for Emily Dickinson, so perhaps?<br /><br />Anyway,
do you think you could have word to your school administrator about
getting me off your infernal list of notices? Because I'm not Shannon's
mother, and I don't care about open nights, school plays, parking
restrictions or even Shannon, actually. <br />
<br />Thanks ever so much!<br /><br /><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span>Katrina Lawson</span></b><span></span></span></span></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grants Manager</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span>Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-12201740304467068142012-08-30T14:02:00.001+07:002012-08-30T14:02:42.497+07:00Scuttle, scuttle, little roach<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know we moved apartments again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the distinct misfortune among our
acquaintances here in Saigon to be the only ones evicted by the landlord twice
in row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In each case, the landlord has
offered us a smaller, less lovely apartment – and this time we took the offer*. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a decent amount of hand-wringing over it. It was
very pleasant having a larger apartment to stretch ourselves out in, and most
especially to bring our friends in to without everybody having to sit on
everybody else’s laps.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the consequences of our sellout has been not entirely
unexpected**, but unpleasant none the less. A couple of weeks ago as I was
chopping stuff up for tea I noticed a quickly thickening trail of ants on the
wall between the sink and the cabinets above. “I’ll put an end to that,” I
thought and gave them a quick spritzing with the Raid. About two minutes later
I nearly chopped my finger off as a small (2cm) cockroach came charging at me
from the crack between the bench and the wall. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made that awful noise you make when an awful thing charges
at you and took a giant step backwards. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr Martin, ever valiant, came racing to the rescue. He
squished the offending creature with a kind of disgusting crack under his bare
finger, then rinsed the whole corpse down the kitchen sink. He said: “I’ll
always come and squash cockroaches for you, my love.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you feel sick yet?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, save it if you do – because there was more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rinsed, I chopped a little bit, a
disgusting thing charged at me, Mr Martin to the rescue. He rinsed, repeat. Ad,
seemingly infinitum, but actually only about 10 times. Which is 10 times too
many.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve told this story a few times now, and everybody says –
were the roaches coming to eat the ant corpses?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No, I don’t know if roaches are interested in dead ants so much, but
they are susceptible to Raid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only,
while Raid kills ants instantly, it takes about 10 minutes to properly terminate
a roach. Which means that if they detect it early enough, they can get an
opportunity to run away. Or towards you – which is infinitely worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not think about how many roaches
probably ran deeper into the cracks in the wall, on the basis that at least 10
ran out onto my kitchen bench. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suffice it say, that night and the next day I spent a decent
amount of time and energy on further roach annihilation strategies – spraying,
wiping, stuffing cracks with steel wool etc. And then for the rest of the week,
I was coming across half dead Gregor Sansas in places like The Middle of The
Living Room. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sweep sweep. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My favourite part of the poem below? The whisk its/biscuits
rhyming couplet in the 4<sup>th</sup> stanza. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>S</span><span>CUTTLE, scuttle, little roach— <br />
How you run when I approach: <br />
Up above the pantry shelf, <br />
Hastening to secrete yourself.<br /><br />Most
adventurous of vermin, <br />
How I wish I could determine <br />
How you spend your hours of ease, <br />
Perhaps reclining on the cheese.<br /><br />Cook has
gone, and all is dark— <br />
Then the kitchen is your park: <br />
In the garbage heap that she leaves <br />
Do you browse among the tea leaves?<br /><br />How
delightful to suspect <br />
All the places you have trekked: <br />
Does your long antenna whisk its <br />
Gentle tip across the biscuits?<br /><br />Do you
linger, little soul, <br />
Drowsing in our sugar bowl? <br />
Or, abandonment most utter, <br />
Shake a shimmy on the butter?<br /><br />Do you
chant your simple tunes <br />
Swimming in the baby's prunes? <br />
Then, when dawn comes, do you slink <br />
Homeward to the kitchen sink?<br /><br />Timid
roach, why be so shy? <br />
We are brothers, thou and I. <br />
In the midnight, like yourself, <br />
I explore the pantry shelf! </span></span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span>By Christopher
Morley (1890-1957)</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* She offered us money, you see. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
** Vietnam is gross.</div>
Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-6916856812231103902012-08-27T14:39:00.001+07:002012-08-27T14:39:35.995+07:00The benign houseguest Since we came to Vietnam we have met (and gotten better acquainted with) some interesting young people. What happens is this: a friend will email and say, "hey, my young cousin/brother/friend is backpacking around Southeast Asia. Can I give them your email address?" <br/><br/>And then we inevitably inviting the young thing to come and stay for a day or two. Running an impromptu guest house is not something we actively signed up for on arrival, but we always end up enjoying having visitors. <br/><br/>Currently we have Oscar. I went to meet him from the bus, and since he is one of the ones that we neither of us have ever met before I was little worried about how we would recognise each other. <br/><br/>"I'll be wearing a cream dress with coloured polka dots for easy recognition!" I emailed him. <br/><br/>But identification was so easy - he sort of tumbled breathlessly up the stairs to our cafe meeting point, clutching a motley collection of raggedy bags and beaten up guitar. <br/><br/>Within a few minutes he had ascertained that we had not only guitars but also a piano and then this gangly bag of nineteen year old limbs seemed utterly content. <br/><br/>"I was hoping you had a piano." Was what he said.<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="500" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eNV4oR2M9BM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div> <br/><br/>Oscar is delightful. He sleeps quietly most of the day, and then when he gets up he does the dishes. <br/><br/>I'm sure his mother is missing him terribly! <br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-82148416923726592002012-08-23T15:14:00.001+07:002012-08-23T15:14:28.894+07:00Run!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This story was told to me over lunch the other day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I’ve mentioned the segregation among Vietnamese
staff and foreigners at my place of work. There are lots of factors driving it,
and obviously the biggest factor is the language barrier. Next biggest is a
practical issue – Vietnamese people get up out of bed at the arse crack of
dawn. They run around and work HARD in the morning, and by 11 am are starving
and ready for lunch. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whereas, expats get up later, barely work all that much in
the mornings by comparison (not many of us will have been to the market and
cooked all the meals for the family for the day before we even get to work),
and are ready for lunch at about 1pm. So, the Vietnamese staff take first shift
in the lunch room, and the expats come in a bit later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After their lunch, the Vietnamese staff can
often be seen snoozing at their desks – but that’s a whole other post. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, lunchtime is segregated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I always like it when we get a Vietnamese person at the lunch table
with us, because they often have quite a different point of view, and even
better – they have stories!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other day, one of our senior Vietnamese researchers was
telling us this story about an incident in a medical school back in the 1980s
in Vietnam. Back then, medical students would be divided into groups of about
10. The group would spend the whole year doing everything together – all their
lab work, all their study groups and socialising, and of course, all their
cadaver work. A bit like Grey’s Anatomy, I guess. One day, one of the students
decided to play a practical joke on all the others in the group. Before the
practical session with the cadavers, he sneaked into the lab and hid himself
under a sheet on a table – waiting for the others to come in and be ready to
begin their work- pretending to be the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the others arrived and were gathered around the table he –
predictably enough – sat up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What he hadn’t predicted though, was the reaction of one of
his classmates. One guy was so frightened, that he just started screaming – in a
long, continuous scream – and running around in circles. Like something you
would see on a cartoon, he was running around in a state of panic, with all of
his classmates, cadaver included, in pursuit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The poor guy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It ended up being VERY serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, they couldn’t catch him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when they did finally catch him – they couldn’t
calm him. The guy ended up spending two weeks in a mental institution and the
group of students were severely reprimanded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were told that if the guy didn’t recover, then they would all be
expelled. So there was a lot of contrite apologising and grovelling and
visiting the guy in the hospital. When he was recovered, they asked him about
his reaction – why did he just run around like that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why couldn’t he stop? He said that it was
because not only was he shocked, but he was being chased. And not just by the
group of students, but also by the guy who was supposed to be dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did they expect him to react when being
chased by a recently reanimated dead guy?</div>
Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-49985096186875557212012-07-31T18:16:00.001+07:002012-07-31T18:16:29.992+07:00Uncle Ho expresses his opinions Most of the time, it is easy to forget that I'm living under an oppressive regime, and I'm sure that that is no mistake in the government's part. <br/><br/>When you get out of town though, it becomes more obvious. In Hoi An a couple of weeks ago we met a Belgian woman who had been aging with her family in the north of Vietnam. They spent two weeks in Sapa and more remote areas. She told me that in the small towns in the north the government felt omnipresent. Partially she said it was because of the huge monuments in even the tiniest poorest towns, and partly because of the propaganda posters and rules posted everywhere. But most especially, she felt the presence of the loudhailers. <br/><br/>The government uses loudhailers for public announcements, and news, and propaganda and advertising of all kinds. In the cities they have fallen out of use, for the most part, but in the small towns they are inescapable. <br/><br/>This afternoon at home I had a surprise:<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="text-align: left;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="500" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3MgNOvesx6k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div> <br/><br/> First off - I didn't know we had loudhailers in the building! And I've been here 6 months. <br/><br/>Secondly - I suppose it's possible that this is actually an announcement from the company that owns the building, and they are borrowing tried and true technology. <br/><br/>So, and I'm not just being careful here, since my blog's already blocked in Vietnam so why bother - it's possible that it has nothing to do with the government at all. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>PAUSE FOR ANOTHER LONG TRANSMISSION OVER LOUDHAILER. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>anyway, this announcement is reminding me of what life is typically like for people in smaller towns. <br/><br/>It's loud, even when things ought to be quiet. <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-41834239596733689022012-07-22T18:39:00.001+07:002012-07-22T18:39:18.563+07:00Mr Martin samples the Hoi An Beach Resort special. We've recently been watching downloaded episodes of the Downlow Concepts brilliant comedy: Hounds. <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/video.cfm?c_id=1501119&gal_objectid=10807646&gallery_id=126704" target="_blank" title="">Here's a taster</a> if you haven't seen it yet. In Hounds, the bar lady at the dog track serves a special punch, made of all the undrunk dregs from the bottom of people's glasses. so when we saw the Hoi An Beach Resort Special on the menu at the (you guessed it) Hoi An Beach Resort this afternoon, I was suspicious. <br/><br/>And yet Mr Martin daringly ordered it anyway:<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="500" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nz5WlpmuH_c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div> <br/><br/>He was right, it did taste better than my piña colada. But that's only because my piña colada was virtually undrinkable - in my opinion he gave it a very generous score. <br/><br/>So this weekend we've been beaching and tomorrow we're going snorkeling. This is our 4th trip to Hoi An, and so we've hung out exclusively at the beach and haven't gone into the township even once. The weather has been lovely, a bit of rain yesterday but nothing like the daily storms we've been getting in Saigon. The sea is great for swimming - not choppy or murky. Though, there are jellyfish, and one wrapped itself around my foot this afternoon so I had to spend the next half hour soaking my foot in a hot bath. Which worked, by the way! Now it looks no different from a couple of mosquito bites on my foot and ankle. <br/><br/>Mr Martin is at the spa right now, and when he gets back we're going to wander down to the restaurant at the next resort along (which is a bit nicer than this one) for dinner and maybe another special cocktail. If its on the menu, I intend to to order jellyfish salad!<br/><br/> <br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-80327555684532267792012-07-01T13:29:00.001+07:002012-07-01T13:29:29.938+07:00Mr Martin feeds the elephant plus swimming! When we were in Cambodia recently we went on an elephant ride. I just noticed this video in my YouTube list. <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="500" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8KA2NplSiM0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div> <br/><br/> Elephants are adorable. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>In other news, today we're at a posh hotel in Saigon, - the Legend Hotel. We had a buffet lunch, and part of the price for the buffet includes access to the pool for the afternoon. <br/><br/> Mr Martin's having a swim right now. See:<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="500" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RCgL_N1gv58" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div> <br/><br/> I, meanwhile am enjoying one of these:<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64152538@N08/7477084428/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/7477084428_8c64cb0801.jpg" id="blogsy-1341124124453.7065" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div> How was your weekend?<br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-72687709650156392762012-07-01T08:21:00.001+07:002012-07-01T08:21:51.336+07:00Dear Phil - the duck curry When a recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of sambal oelek you know you're really making a commitment to fiery curry - and also to wearing plastic bags over your hands while handling the marinating meat. The good news is that I could buy a jar of sambal oelek at the supermarket downstairs so I didn't have to make anything from scratch. <br/><br/> <br/><br/>Actually this was a very easy recipe, which is all the better because dish itself was quite impressive. <br/><br/> There were two ingredients that I couldn't find. And given that we're stressing the EASY here, I think ou should understand that I'm absolutely surer I could have found them, if I had bothered to look a bit harder. But I went to exactly two supermarkets to make this dish, and refused to do any more desperate shopping than that. <br/><br/>One of the missing ingredients was chilli flakes. Given that there are two tablespoons of sambal oelek and three fresh chillies, I thought that the missing chilli flakes wouldn't really be missed (and boy was I ever right about that!). <br/><br/>The second missing ingredient was the duck. I thought I might find frozen duck bits at the fancy supermarket, but there were none. There was goat... In the end I used Australian lamb tenderloins. Quite expensive (around $20) but super delicious, and this was kind of a treat. Plus, I thought lamb would make a better substitution for duck than, say chicken or beef. <br/><br/>I was a bit nervous about how lamb and mango would go together. I could somehow easily imagine duck and mango, but lamb and mango?<br/><br/> You have to sort of simmer the curry paste on its own for ages -about 15 minutes. The recipe says until it turns a deep red colour. My kitchen is so dark, I wasn't sure if it was turning red or not, and kept calling Mr Martin over to evaluate the colour. while its doing this, the whole house gets infused with the smells of cooking. I opened a bottle of red to really make the most of it!<br/><br/>The recipe comes with another recipe for spicy rice to go with, but I just made brown rice, which I think was better anyway - spicy should come with a little plain. <br/><br/>Thank god for the mango! The dish was really hot, but the fragrant sweetness of the mango toned it down just a bit, so the heat of the chillis didn't drown out all the flavours. Would I make it again? Yes -but would use less sambal oelek because I'm a wuss. We have a lot of leftovers!<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64152538@N08/7475842162/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7475842162_aabc9a7096_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1341105220290.4287" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64152538@N08/7475841056/" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7475841056_2314efa166.jpg" id="blogsy-1341105220266.3289" class="" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64152538@N08/7475839584/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7475839584_ceaf05caa5.jpg" id="blogsy-1341105220329.5684" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64152538@N08/7475845626/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7475845626_8d6783712b.jpg" id="blogsy-1341105220335.4521" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64152538@N08/7475846754/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/7475846754_0be991dc46_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1341105220275.8728" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64152538@N08/7475844484/" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/7475844484_148e4f346e.jpg" id="blogsy-1341105220347.3271" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-2588355708507708322012-06-27T21:30:00.001+07:002012-06-27T21:31:25.711+07:00Awww-spiciousness!I had a minor victory at work today (actually someone else's major victory).<br/><br/>Mr Martin brought me flowers as a ... What? Reward?<br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64152538@N08/7454652648/" target="_blank" style=""><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7120/7454652648_b294401d38.jpg" id="blogsy-1340807404386.1355" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><em><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"> He keeps saying "auspiciousness!". I don't think he knows what it means. </font></em></p> <br/><br/>Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360730797032089159.post-77251945500770233032012-06-27T12:42:00.001+07:002012-06-27T12:42:23.266+07:00Dear Phil - Duck and Mango Curry?I mentioned in my last post that I've got a little bit more time on my hands than usual lately. I've been doing a little more blogging (as you see) and rather a lot more piano practicing, and just the usual amount of avoiding the housework, but with more fervent intensity.<br />
<br />
Today I have noticed <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jun/22/duck-curry-recipe-lemon-rice?INTCMP=SRCH" target="_blank">a recipe that looks delicious on the Guardian</a> for a duck and mango curry. <br />
I was going to make it tonight but Mr Martin tells me he has to go out for dinner for work, so maybe another day soon...<br />
<br />
Anyway - keep an eye out for a follow-up to this post...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqISSoveIt1ezY0GcxO_SdxfTGeaRZT7bzLybO3PFG7V3h492hIkdrWynZE64CK4OblXBL20Zvf9awxYAzh1tJg6JCAwxbxLin-QVXkwLuYHZrzjTpboV6kVjLaL8exPLyS0UptBY__w-d/s1600/Duck-and-mango-curry-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqISSoveIt1ezY0GcxO_SdxfTGeaRZT7bzLybO3PFG7V3h492hIkdrWynZE64CK4OblXBL20Zvf9awxYAzh1tJg6JCAwxbxLin-QVXkwLuYHZrzjTpboV6kVjLaL8exPLyS0UptBY__w-d/s320/Duck-and-mango-curry-008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now, where to find duck bits in Saigon?<br />
<br />
<br />Xeomphohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02702851923532595512noreply@blogger.com2