Sunday, February 15, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Pictures of Post Vietnam Soiree
We would like to invite you to visit our gallery to view all pictures of Post Vietnam Soiree. Enjoyz it !
The Tooth Brigade: Mike, Dr. Maebo, Jolene, My and Jimmy
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Post Vietnam Soiree
Hello to all of our family and friends. As you may have noticed, we are continuing to post pictures, etc. on our blog.
Last night Randy hosted a wonderful post-Vietnam party at his office in Bellevue. The party was meticulously thought out and everyone in his office helped prepare for it. It was an evening filled with food, wine, and friends. It was nice to spend a Saturday night all dressed up and sampling various wines. Approximately 80 people were in attendance and all had a great time hearing about our adventures. Randy and his crew had set up several computers around the office with slide shows showing all of the pictures that were taken on the trip. I think all of the members of the Tooth Brigade enjoyed looking at them again too. It brought back so many incredible memories!
We partied until midnight and a few of us had a bit of a wine hangover this morning, but it was all worth it. In a few weeks we will gather at Jolene's home to view all of the video footage we shot during the trip. FYI, I have viewed most of them so far and some of them are incredibly funny: Randy's first (and last) durian experience, a hotel we stayed in next to a very loud construction site, and the post interview of the sh@/&*t incident; just to name a few. This party will be much more casual and will undoubtedly involve playing the drinking game we learned in Vietnam with the chicken head. I only wish our Vietnam friends could be here to enjoy it with us.
We continue to hope to one day see each other again.
Take care everyone; especially our friends in Vietnam. We thank you again for all of the memories that we will treasure of you and your country.
Mike, Randy, Jimmy, My, and Jolene
Last night Randy hosted a wonderful post-Vietnam party at his office in Bellevue. The party was meticulously thought out and everyone in his office helped prepare for it. It was an evening filled with food, wine, and friends. It was nice to spend a Saturday night all dressed up and sampling various wines. Approximately 80 people were in attendance and all had a great time hearing about our adventures. Randy and his crew had set up several computers around the office with slide shows showing all of the pictures that were taken on the trip. I think all of the members of the Tooth Brigade enjoyed looking at them again too. It brought back so many incredible memories!
We partied until midnight and a few of us had a bit of a wine hangover this morning, but it was all worth it. In a few weeks we will gather at Jolene's home to view all of the video footage we shot during the trip. FYI, I have viewed most of them so far and some of them are incredibly funny: Randy's first (and last) durian experience, a hotel we stayed in next to a very loud construction site, and the post interview of the sh@/&*t incident; just to name a few. This party will be much more casual and will undoubtedly involve playing the drinking game we learned in Vietnam with the chicken head. I only wish our Vietnam friends could be here to enjoy it with us.
We continue to hope to one day see each other again.
Take care everyone; especially our friends in Vietnam. We thank you again for all of the memories that we will treasure of you and your country.
Mike, Randy, Jimmy, My, and Jolene
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
New Years Day in Vietnam
My, Khan (My's brother), and Jung (My's sister-in-law).
Khan, Jung, My, and her former students are working hard to prepare for the New Year's Feast.
People are gathering for the feast. There were about 40 people so it was definitely crowded and fun. The food was terrific.
Everyone worked hard to provide this wonderful meal. It was all sooo good.
Mike, Jolene, Dr. Maebo, My, and her former students take a final goodbye picture after the feast. We would leave early the next day and would not be able to see them again.
Pictures of the Dong Nai Community College
My stands before Mr. Dat (a former colleague of My's) and his class, teaching everyone about oral hygiene. Mr. Dat is a very smart man, probably the best English speaker that we met in Vietnam. His students adore him, and we all liked him a lot!
The students of Mr. Dat were very polite and professional during My's lecture.
Mr. Dat, My, and Mr. Pho(the director of Dong Nai Community College). My said she has always wanted to be the director at a school so her dream came true when Mr. Pho allowed her to sit in his seat. How nice!
Another one of Mr. Dat's classes that we were able to speak with the students about oral hygiene.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Somethings to remember...
Coming back Vietnam, I met again my family, relatives, friends, as well as my former students. I was profoundly touched by their warmth. Although living far away from the homeland, Vietnam is always in my heart. Vietnam is developing day by day. Many new buildings are springing up like mushrooms after rain. The number of motorbikes and cars are increasing rapidly. Vietnam today is experiencing tremendous change.
Growing up in the countryside (not far from Bien Hoa City center), I remembered the smell of rice on an open fire and the sounds of rooters waking people up in the morning. Giant banyan trees, fresh water wells, bamboo hedges, lands of farms and orchards created a colourful and picturesque view of my village. You could smell fresh cut rice and see drying hay along roads during the harvest season. Those are Vietnam in my memory and I wish to keep intact the beauty of the past. My family has grown up in this village for many generations. Unfortunately, my village is gradually vanished in front of my eyes. Half of the village has undergone change as the result of urbanization. The vast rice fields, orchards, clean air and peaceful life were replaced by new buildings and noisy roads. Half of the village is still under the urbanization process. The villagers no longer want to take care their lands and orchards. A deep sadness penetrated in my heart when I saw this scenery. My family had to move our ancestors' resting places to a new location. The picture of my grandma's tomb that Jimmy took is possible last one before we move her remain. Hopefully, their resting places won't be disturbed in the future.
Jimmy and I walked three nights on the roads that I used to go to my middle and high school. I nearly got lost because of new roads and Jimmy directed me how to go back my brother's house. What a shame! The urbanization process brings serious environmental change. Many motor vehicles are constantly discharging toxic gas into the city 's atmosphere. The town is so polluted and noisy.
I had a great opportunity to visit the School of Deaf and Blind, Orphanages, Community Colleges and Dental School. It was such a good experience. The smiling and happy faces of children and students will stay with me forever.
I would like to sincerely thank you to Dr. Maebo, Jolene, Mike and Jimmy who stepped out of their comfortable zones to make this adventure with me. Thank you to my family, friends supported me to make the trip possible. I don't want to close the chapter of our adventure because it has just begun. Hopefully, we will be back Vietnam next two years.
Smiles and hugs from my family, my friends to welcome us home and drops of tear to say farewell to us are always in my memory. Good bye and see you again!
Chao tam biet va hen gap lai ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoPX2JejUTg&feature=related
Growing up in the countryside (not far from Bien Hoa City center), I remembered the smell of rice on an open fire and the sounds of rooters waking people up in the morning. Giant banyan trees, fresh water wells, bamboo hedges, lands of farms and orchards created a colourful and picturesque view of my village. You could smell fresh cut rice and see drying hay along roads during the harvest season. Those are Vietnam in my memory and I wish to keep intact the beauty of the past. My family has grown up in this village for many generations. Unfortunately, my village is gradually vanished in front of my eyes. Half of the village has undergone change as the result of urbanization. The vast rice fields, orchards, clean air and peaceful life were replaced by new buildings and noisy roads. Half of the village is still under the urbanization process. The villagers no longer want to take care their lands and orchards. A deep sadness penetrated in my heart when I saw this scenery. My family had to move our ancestors' resting places to a new location. The picture of my grandma's tomb that Jimmy took is possible last one before we move her remain. Hopefully, their resting places won't be disturbed in the future.
Jimmy and I walked three nights on the roads that I used to go to my middle and high school. I nearly got lost because of new roads and Jimmy directed me how to go back my brother's house. What a shame! The urbanization process brings serious environmental change. Many motor vehicles are constantly discharging toxic gas into the city 's atmosphere. The town is so polluted and noisy.
I had a great opportunity to visit the School of Deaf and Blind, Orphanages, Community Colleges and Dental School. It was such a good experience. The smiling and happy faces of children and students will stay with me forever.
I would like to sincerely thank you to Dr. Maebo, Jolene, Mike and Jimmy who stepped out of their comfortable zones to make this adventure with me. Thank you to my family, friends supported me to make the trip possible. I don't want to close the chapter of our adventure because it has just begun. Hopefully, we will be back Vietnam next two years.
Smiles and hugs from my family, my friends to welcome us home and drops of tear to say farewell to us are always in my memory. Good bye and see you again!
Chao tam biet va hen gap lai ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoPX2JejUTg&feature=related
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Pictures to My's orphanages blog Part 3
Le and her husband in their house. They were so kind to drive us everywhere, invite us for a spectacular lunch at their nice home, and help us run errands.
My and Le at their home. Le is a former student of My's when she taught in Vietnam.
Le's home.
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