Starting a new job is almost always at least a bit stressful, yes? There are so many things to learn: procedures and rules, getting to know all the new people and trying to remember their names (let alone trying to pronounce them correctly), actually performing the job….you know, learning the ropes. I’d taken an online ‘TEFL’ course while I was still in Chico as preparation … Continue reading Future tense perfect past progressive
I’d been tossing around the idea of taking a day trip to the coast just to get away and relax. I’ve been through a bit of a whirlwind lately what with moving yet again (this time to another city), starting a new job and having the worst cough I’ve had in years. I wanted to get away, not think about work and, since the meds … Continue reading A day at the beach….
I haven’t written much lately because, as I said in my last post, I’ve been in transit and settling in to my new place and trying to get the hang of a new job n’ such. But, truly, the thing that’s kept me from writing…..or doing much beyond basic necessities at all.….is what I’ve decided to call the “Hanoi Funk”. I’ve been feeling just absolutely … Continue reading Funkadelic
Busy, busy, busy….. Since I last wrote, I’ve moved from Hanoi to Thai Binh. I’ve settled into my small yet sufficient room. I’ve taught one class so far. ….and I’ve been struggling with either another cold or just remnants of gunk left in my lungs from Hanoi. With cleaner air here in Thai Binh, I’m hoping that’ll clear up soon. The class I taught was … Continue reading Ho hum…..
I’ve had to go to the American Embassy and the Vietnam Consulate (twice to that one) today and yesterday. The reason being, since I don’t have a Bachelor’s degree, I needed to have a document authenticated and stamped by both government agencies in order to let potential employers know I have a brain….I think that’s why I’ve been doing this, anyway. As I’ve said…a number … Continue reading If I only had a……
OmiGOD!!! The xe om ride of my life!! I’d been out having a couple of brews with a friend (who I’d met at that one-day job in…..that city which name I can’t remember). Just a nice time out with a new friend, philosophizin’ about life n’ stuff…. really nice time. Then went and had a bowl of pho and just kept on talking. It had … Continue reading Ultimate xe om!
The day after I’d been out to that one-day job (and got home at midnight), I had a commitment to take a bus to Thai Binh, which is where my new job is. I’d learned the buses leave about every half hour and decided to take the noon bus, so at 11:30 I grabbed a taxi. I’d got the bus station address off the internet. … Continue reading Have I mentioned….?
Two days ago I had a one day job in a small city 2 hours outside of Ha Noi. In this job I was to stand around, smile, look Anglo-Saxon and speak English. No, really. Luckily for them, they’d hired a professional….I can do that stuff with my eyes closed. I was picked up by the administrator…..or something…of the school. We also stopped and picked … Continue reading Job Posting – Native English Speaker for talking
Wow, what a difference a day makes…..or, well, maybe about six days….. Still, it all seems to have happened overnight. I’ve been sending out my resume (or CV as they are apparently now called) everywhere around Hanoi. Trying, trying to get a job. Like I’ve said before, it hasn’t been as easy as I’d thought it would be. Also, when I would find a job, … Continue reading A few days in Hanoi
Just across the way from my place is a small lake….a pond, really…and this morning I strolled over there for a ca phé. I brought my David Sedaris book with me to read while I sipped. So, here’s this enormously tall American woman sitting by the pond, having her morning cuppa Joe, giggling maniacally……there goes the neighborhood… Anyway, as I sat there, I’d occasionally tear … Continue reading Strolling along…
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