Friday, July 22, 2011
Off to Mui Ne
I'll be away for the weekend visiting Mui Ne...one of Vietnam's best beaches! Can't wait to sit and relax with a drink in hand! Will update when I get back. xoxo
I can never get away from that stage.
The end of June signifies my freedom from teaching, preforming in, and coordinating a dance recital. I did not realize that my title of Music, Song, and Dance teacher here in Vietnam would also include coordinating the performances at the closing ceremony for the Kiddy Summer Program. Yes, that's right, the grand stage has called me back. I spent the morning doing run through of songs, dances, placements, personalities, smiles, and the screams of "Please pay attention!" The highlight of my morning was when the director of the program handed me a microphone...little did she know it would be impossible to get it back from me. Well... I must've sparkled on that mic because after rehearsals she asked me to be the English MC for the event next week. Nobody puts baby in a corner! However, I do have to tone down my "act" a bit. I am after all a representative of our nation and supposed educator. Plus, I don't think wealthy Communist supporting parents would like to see Miss Erica prance around the stage cracking jokes and singing Broadway show tunes.
Level 1:
Poem - Star Light Star Bright
Song - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Play - The Enormous Turnip
Level 2:
Song - You've Got A Friend In Me
Play - The Ginger Bread Man
Level 3:
Hip Hop Dance - Fire (from Camp Rock 2...the Disney cancel in HUGE here)
ALL LEVELS:
Song - "Baby" Justin Bieber
TEACHER PERFORMANCES:
Backup Dancers - For one students solo singing performance
Song - there is still a debate going on about this!
Level 1:
Poem - Star Light Star Bright
Song - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Play - The Enormous Turnip
Level 2:
Song - You've Got A Friend In Me
Play - The Ginger Bread Man
Level 3:
Hip Hop Dance - Fire (from Camp Rock 2...the Disney cancel in HUGE here)
ALL LEVELS:
Song - "Baby" Justin Bieber
TEACHER PERFORMANCES:
Backup Dancers - For one students solo singing performance
Song - there is still a debate going on about this!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
10 Things I Miss...
In many of my emails from all of you I'm always asked the question about what I miss the most about home. Well there are several things:
1. SPARKLES
2. My own room
3. My backyard
4. An actual hamburger...here in Vietnam...hamburger does not have the same meaning. Hamburger to the Vietnamese actually means HAM on a bun with lettuce, tomato, some spicy sauce, and mayo. However, the Ham is not the lovely Boar's head cold cut we mangiamo at lunch. This is a thick slice of boiled ham and ham pate. Don't bother wondering what it tastes like...it is completely unappealing and strange tasting...did I mention that they eat this for breakfast! When they asked me what I eat for breakfast and I said yogurt they had the nerve to tell me how gross that was and unhealthy...can you imagine!!!! Sorry people... I'd take my strawberry yogurt over your ham pate any day!
5. Napkins, Toilet Paper, and Paper Towels...there is a strange mindset here that leads the people to think that one does not need more then one thin single ply napkin when they are eating. For a culture that uses their hands to prepare spring rolls and splashes hot soups all over the place you would think that napkins are a necessity. Most of the time you get 1 that crumbles apart in your hands... other times you get none. Toilet paper is also an undervalued product in this country. I don't care what they hygiene level is in any country toilet paper is a necessity...there is no exception! For two girls sharing one bathroom our toilet paper roll goes in 2 days!!! Those of you who KNOW me well know that there is no way I am busting through a roll of toilet paper in 2 days!!!! Paper towels...non existent!!! They don't use them, they are not sold here, haven't even crossed their minds!
6. Not being followed around in a store...okay yes I know people here are just doing there job but is it a good sales tactic to hover 1 foot behind your customer following them around the store continuously saying to them "Miss you buy? I have good price for you." I kid you not...you take one step they take a step you turn they turn.
7. Shower stalls...In America we are accustomed to our bathroom being a center of relaxation...some people get there best thinking done there whether it be upon their throne or soaking in their tube. My bathroom in my apartment has a shower head hooked up to the wall but its sprays are not confined to a certain area. So when we shower water goes everywhere. Now I've had this experience in hostels on the Amalfi Coast and in Rome and it was tolerable...but living with this set up for 4 weeks is somewhat something of another story!
8. A normal flow of traffic...we don't have to go into detail about this one since you've already heard about the crazy traffic here. One co-teachers advice was to "just close your eyes and walk into the street...they will drive around you...hopefully."
9. Menus for everyone at the table...So when we go out to eat it's usually 4 - 6 people at a time. Normally at a restaurant in the States every person at the table would be handed a menu. Not here! 2-3 menus tops are given out per table...Why??? you may ask...my answer is...I have not f-ing clue!!! To pick something out to eat is such a production.
10. My Heartbeat ;)
***Now although these may be some things that I miss from home let it not for a minute make you think that I do not like it here! I love it! This has been an amazing and life changing experience. And although there may be a lack of napkins and annoying sales people this resilient and beautiful country is a place everyone should visit!
1. SPARKLES
2. My own room
3. My backyard
4. An actual hamburger...here in Vietnam...hamburger does not have the same meaning. Hamburger to the Vietnamese actually means HAM on a bun with lettuce, tomato, some spicy sauce, and mayo. However, the Ham is not the lovely Boar's head cold cut we mangiamo at lunch. This is a thick slice of boiled ham and ham pate. Don't bother wondering what it tastes like...it is completely unappealing and strange tasting...did I mention that they eat this for breakfast! When they asked me what I eat for breakfast and I said yogurt they had the nerve to tell me how gross that was and unhealthy...can you imagine!!!! Sorry people... I'd take my strawberry yogurt over your ham pate any day!
5. Napkins, Toilet Paper, and Paper Towels...there is a strange mindset here that leads the people to think that one does not need more then one thin single ply napkin when they are eating. For a culture that uses their hands to prepare spring rolls and splashes hot soups all over the place you would think that napkins are a necessity. Most of the time you get 1 that crumbles apart in your hands... other times you get none. Toilet paper is also an undervalued product in this country. I don't care what they hygiene level is in any country toilet paper is a necessity...there is no exception! For two girls sharing one bathroom our toilet paper roll goes in 2 days!!! Those of you who KNOW me well know that there is no way I am busting through a roll of toilet paper in 2 days!!!! Paper towels...non existent!!! They don't use them, they are not sold here, haven't even crossed their minds!
6. Not being followed around in a store...okay yes I know people here are just doing there job but is it a good sales tactic to hover 1 foot behind your customer following them around the store continuously saying to them "Miss you buy? I have good price for you." I kid you not...you take one step they take a step you turn they turn.
7. Shower stalls...In America we are accustomed to our bathroom being a center of relaxation...some people get there best thinking done there whether it be upon their throne or soaking in their tube. My bathroom in my apartment has a shower head hooked up to the wall but its sprays are not confined to a certain area. So when we shower water goes everywhere. Now I've had this experience in hostels on the Amalfi Coast and in Rome and it was tolerable...but living with this set up for 4 weeks is somewhat something of another story!
8. A normal flow of traffic...we don't have to go into detail about this one since you've already heard about the crazy traffic here. One co-teachers advice was to "just close your eyes and walk into the street...they will drive around you...hopefully."
9. Menus for everyone at the table...So when we go out to eat it's usually 4 - 6 people at a time. Normally at a restaurant in the States every person at the table would be handed a menu. Not here! 2-3 menus tops are given out per table...Why??? you may ask...my answer is...I have not f-ing clue!!! To pick something out to eat is such a production.
10. My Heartbeat ;)
***Now although these may be some things that I miss from home let it not for a minute make you think that I do not like it here! I love it! This has been an amazing and life changing experience. And although there may be a lack of napkins and annoying sales people this resilient and beautiful country is a place everyone should visit!
The Cotton Eyed Joe
I think I'm creating a movement here in Saigon! For one of my lessons I taught my students the Cotton Eyed Joe...this was an attempt to introduce them to American cultural things (no matter how corny). Well...it has become huge here at SEAMEO! Boys, Girls, Co-Teachers, Parents...they want to tango with good ol' Cotton Eyed Joe. The students here call it the cowboy dance...it is one of the funniest things to see them hop around and click their heels...I try to stifle my laugh every time.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Kindness of Strangers
Jen took us to meet her aunt and cousins on Sunday...even more into the jungle. These were some of the most beautiful and kindest people I have ever met. When we arrived they took us on a tour of their fruit farm and introduced us to their neighbors. Being that this area doesn't get many visitors (and a group of multicultural New Yorkers on top of that) people were out in full force. It was as if the circus came to town...people came out to see and meet these people from America. After our venture into the fruit orchards we came back to their house to find the table prepared with traditional Vietnamese dishes. They had cooked a feast for us for lunch! They were so happy and so proud to have us there. It was an awesome experience. Before we left the teenage daughter came up to me and said "Will you forget me not?" It was so sweet and so sincere it took me aback. I gave her a big hug and said "Never Ever."Green.
This past weekend...as you know by now...I visited the Mekong Delta. Our Co-Teacher/Tour Guide Jen (Trangh...her Vietnamese name) took us to her parents farm in what she called the countryside. Don't be fooled people...this is not rolling quite hills that we associate "countryside" with...This was full on jungle! Everything around you is either green or brown, roads are not paved, you have to climb through thick brush, the air is thick with humidity. It's the jungle and it's beautiful! Breathtaking and quite, I just wanted to lay down on the ground and look up at it all...but then I remembered that it's crawling with massive bugs and snakes! 
Doing my best "I'm the King of the World" impression in the rice paddie while roommates look on...apparently unamused.
Doing my best "I'm the King of the World" impression in the rice paddie while roommates look on...apparently unamused.
Cupcakes Update.
When I first got to Vietnam I told you guys about the cupcake shop that I stumbled upon. Desperately needing some alone time I walked to the cupcake shop today to pick up 2 then headed down the block to Gloria Jeans Coffee Shoppe (my Starbucks for the time being) were I ordered my makeshift Tall Skim Iced Chai Latte (a far cry from my beloved Starbuckets version). I sat down at an outside table facing the cathedral across the street and just chilleddd. The picture of a gypsy woman... I was writing in my travel journal, scarf in my braided hair, linen pants rolled up, sun kissed skin, feet dirty. Todays delectable confections...Peanut Butter Cupcake and Orange Cupcake...Hooary for Pacey's!!! Another lip smacking deliciously gratifying achievement!!! I heart them to deathhh. Another discovery about the shop...their tables are made from cupcake baking tins!!! Genius!!!
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