Summer Vocation

I just finished reading Phillip Done’s book “32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny.” Done is a teacher who writes sincerely and comically of the day-to-day adventures in his classroom. I found myself sympathizing with his tales on more than more occasion. It had me thinking that despite the best efforts of teacher preparation programs there is no way to prepare teachers for the challenges that they will face at school- perhaps most specifically in their first year of teaching.

Upon completing my first year teaching I have taken time this summer to catch my breath and reflect. Now, my Luther College education did instill in me, again and again, the importance for a teacher to reflect. What I didn’t learn in college is that there is very limited time to reflect. Obviously I would reflect on the successes and failures of my lessons- usually on my commute home. Walking around the room between mini-lessons on how to open milk cartons and how to efficiently eat a string cheese in 15 minutes, I was wrapping my mind around the challenges presented during the phonics lesson and preparing a game plan for re-teaching the lesson in a small group after snack time. Reflection happens. However I’m still wondering when and how I’ll make time in my schedule to reflect on my questions of vocational discernment. Is this my life’s calling? Is teaching the job where I get to put my gifts, abilities, and talents to best use? Am I making a difference? These questions are put on the back burner as I’m bombarded with “May I go to the bathroom?” “Can I bring treats for my Wildcat of the Week presentation?” “Is today the day we finish reading James and the Giant Peach?” and “Did we already eat lunch or not?” Perhaps June, July, and August are the months I am to dedicate to answering my soul searching questions? I’m nearing the end of my summer vacation and ready for round two- so in some sense I’ve answered part of the question.

There is a steep learning curve that occurs that first year. And while I have a lot to learn yet, I feel much more seasoned as I prepare for the next school year having a year under my belt. For those new teachers out there I can share some of my experiences- but ultimately you are initiated by fire. I don’t believe any amount of college courses, student teaching, or substitute teaching can really prepare someone for having their “own” classroom. Most lessons need to be learned on the job, sometimes at the expense of tears, pride, and hopefully some laughs.

No one told me, for example, that lost tooth necklaces are not meant to be worn around one’s neck. T lost her tooth and placed it in said necklace, which she proudly collected from the Nurse’s office. T wore her toothless grin and necklace for 3 minutes before her lost tooth was lost again. This time on the carpet- she thought. Twenty little bodies promptly dropped to the ground in search of the missing tooth and quickly retrieved the tooth (and many other particles from the carpet). You would think that I’d learned my lesson. Nope. I directed T to secure the tooth again in her necklace before switching rooms for math. At the end of math class she lost her lost tooth again, this time amidst the shuffle of 140 first grade students between their math classes in the hallway. This time it was lost for real. I suggested to T that she write a letter explaining the situation to the Tooth Fairy and told her she’d probably still get a treat in exchange. From then on lost teeth and tooth necklaces were secured in Ziploc bags and immediately deposited into backpacks only to be brought out at home.

No one told me that my first paycheck would be spent purchasing classroom materials at Target, Michael’s, Barnes and Noble, and Lakeshore Learning. No one told me that my rent checks would have been better spent on a blow up mattress and sleeping bag to be kept at school.

No one told me that all of my time would be spent preparing students to perform on exams. That there wouldn’t be enough time to teach my favorite unit on Cinderella stories from around the globe. That autumn might come and go without a moment to transform Q-tips into skeletons.

No one told me that our class pet (a four-foot tall stuffed animal giraffe) was not immune to head lice.

No one told me that I’d never be able to part with another paper towel or toilet paper tube. No one told me that glue sticks have innumerable applications. No one told me that I’d never be able to pass a garage sale again without wondering what school supplies they might possess.

No one told me what an honor I would have in introducing students to the worlds of Roald Dahl, Shel Silverstein, and Eric Carle. No one told me how important writing letters and words are for young hands- and the power in sharing one’s own story.

No one told me that first graders have their own written language, or that it would take me a month before I would catch onto it. No one told me that not even parents can decode this written language and I would be serving as translator at parent-teacher conferences.

No one told me that I’d be expected to remember who owns what pet at home and what their names are and what their favorite food is. No one told me how excited students are when you recall this information, especially in front of their classmates.

No one told me that I would never look at a granola bar wrapper the same way again- scouring the package for traces of peanuts or gluten or eggs or dairy.

No one told me how magical it is for first graders to transform ice, strawberries, yogurt, and juice into fruit smoothies.

No one told me that it was possible to listen to “Down by the Bay” over 300 times in one school year. No one told me that I would hardly ever listen to music in my car or my home because I wouldn’t want to ruin the silence.

No one told me how fun it would be to grow our own plants from seeds- that students would rush into the room first thing in the morning to chart the growth of sunflowers and grass. No one told me that if I looked carefully enough I might just see the first graders growing before my eyes too- an inch here, a wrinkle there, a lost tooth or two or three there. No one told me that I would see them learning before my eyes- like light bulbs new connections being made inside their minds.

No one told me that June, July, and August would pass faster than the other 9 months of the school year. No one told me that my time for reflection would be spent wondering if B had enough food in his belly now that he wasn’t receiving meals at school, if K made new friends easily when he moved to his dad’s place for the summer, if S was finding someone to practice her addition facts with, and if Y was able to make a trip to the public library every week to get his hands on some good books.

No one told me that at the end of the year I would cry and wonder how on earth I was ever going to be able to open my heart to 21 kids again when I knew in a year they’d leave me.

Perhaps “Summer Vacation” should be called “Summer Vocation”- time dedicated for teachers to catch their breath and remember again why we look forward to the first day of school.

“The main reason I became a teacher is that I like being the first one to introduce kids to words and music and books and people and numbers and concepts and ideas that they have never heard about or thought about before.

Just think about what you know today. You read. You write. You work with numbers. You solve problems. We take all these things for granted. But of course you haven’t always read. You haven’t always known how to write. You weren’t born knowing how to subtract 199 from 600. Someone showed you. There was a moment when you moved from not knowing to knowing. There was a moment when you moved from not understanding to understanding.

That’s why I became a teacher.”
Phillip Done

A few of my favorite things...

watching movies on the Holden Cineplex Outdoor Theater Screen- namely "The Sound of Music," dressed as my favorite SoM character (Maria, of course). The Utilities crew sure knows how to put on a show!

living in the mountains and taking weekends to enjoy hiking them. 20 miles may have been a bit ambitious today, but it was well worth the scenery and conversation.

family potlucks with my adopted, extended family. Steak, salads, cheese, blueberry beer, and Michael's delicious ice cream cake!

dance parties- especially girls only dance parties in celebration of Elise's engagement and life in general.

living in Chalet 12- aka The Treehouse with 5 incredible women.

receiving snail mail- most recently from Karen Martin-Schramm!

llamas- which I spotted again today- this time on the trail.

thank you cards from 3 of the cutest Narnia kids. Okay... they're all cute.

a beautiful Eucharist service to complete the week. Tomorrow I'll be singing "I have confidence in me" (Maria's second song in SoM) as I gear up for the biggest week yet.

Llamas and Lounging

Today is officially "Llama Day" here at Holden Village. Llamas are pack animals and are utilized by the US Forest Service to help maintain hiking trails. Today 7 llamas arrived on our luggage truck! Not our average delivery! Soon Main Street (well, the only street) was filled with curious folks aiming to touch, photograph, and otherwise encounter the llamas. The llamaliers (the couple who care for the llamas) passed the reigns over to the village kids and let us interact with them. It was amazing! Rumor has it the llamas will make an appearance in our 4th of July parade!

This afternoon the sun is shining and making for a great day to be outside enjoy friends and slack lining. Ice cream too. What a great day!

82 kids are scheduled to be in Narnia next week- time for me to relax and gear up for that (and not be on the computer)!

I love this place!

This past month at Holden has been all that I had hoped for. I was so anxious to return to this place and experience village life in a new season. The transition from Spring into Summer has provided me with a taste of a new way of life here. I've traded my snowshoes and long underwear for hiking boots and my swim suit and enjoying a variety of activities only accessible after the Spring thaw. This is a magical place to be- whatever time of the year (and I think I'd like a year to prove it).

In the past month I've celebrated Cameroon's Independence Day by playing soccer beside mountains. I cut and wore my hair in a mullet for about a week. I attended Prom (for the second time in my life) and dressed as Sporty Spice as the theme was Jane Austen and all things English. I think I watched a meteor shower (my friend Tom and I sat for an hour and a half in a field and spotted no less than 12 shooting stars!). I have spent time with a new friend learning about her life as a young girl growing up when Holden was still a mine. I've traded my toilet scrubbing duties for diaper changing duties in Narnia. I've learned to serve a "Holden Scoop" (which is appx. 3 times the size of any other "scoop") of ice cream by working in the Snack Bar. Not bad for a month's work!

I've also said goodbye to many friends already. It seems that my heart has grown strong from saying so many goodbyes here and elsewhere. Good thing too because it seems some days my heart would break where it not so strong. It's hard to make so many good friends (of all ages) and see bus loads of cool folks leave daily.

A summer at Holden Village

I am alive and well at Holden Village- a Lutheran retreat center located in the Northern Cascade Mountains in Washington State. This is such a beautiful place- and providing me with much needed stimulus. Currently I'm working as a housekeeper and will begin working with the Narnia program this summer (working with kids 0-10 years old). This place sure is different than the last time we were here- but when I arrived it was snowing! Flurries that didn't stick but a moment on the ground- but nevertheless had me thinking that I packed too many tank tops and not enough fleece! The village is full of friendly faces- many of them familiar. I received many hugs and "welcome backs." It's fun to see how this place has changed, and remained the same from when I studied here during J-term of '08.

I work hard to get my housekeeping done in the mornings so I can play in the afternoon. This means I've already accomplished many of my "summer goals." If you know me well you know that I keep a long and ambitious "to do" list for summer adventures. Here are a few:

Summer Goal #1: Go hiking everyday
So far so good! Having the Cascade Mountains in my backyard is quite different than living around the lakes- and I'm enjoying the opportunity to put my new hiking boots to good use. Can't beat the fresh mountain air!

Summer Goal #2: See a black bear in it's natural habitat
I've been able to see two different bears in their climb to the highlands and one on several occasions- sometimes closer than I would like.

Summer Goal #3: Swim in Lake Chelan
I rode down to meet the ferry with a group of folks to unload over 70 boxes of food (everything we consume at Holden comes from the ferry- and it takes 45 minutes to drive it back up to the village). While waiting on the dock for the boat to arrive I couldn't resist jumping in the calm lake. Lake Chelan is over 1,400 feet deep in places, which means the water is always cold! The guys I drove down with prepared for the swim with suits and towels. I did not come prepared and couldn't resist the urge to jump in. I didn't leave myself quite enough time to dry off in the sun as the ferry finally arrived so it was a wet ride back to Holden. Totally worth it!

Summer Goal #4: Go on an overnight hike
My new friend Daniel and I packed up a couple bags for a journey to Hart Lake with hopes of reaching Lyman Lake and Cloudy Pass (both high in the mountains). Our packs weighed 40 pounds and included snowshoes and avalanche shovels. We started at 7:30 at night- both after working long days. No less than 12 minutes into our trek we came upon a black bear who frequents the old drain field. We were on the lower road and consequently looked up to see the bear within feet of us on the overlaying field. We locked eyes, perhaps whispered some expletives, and watched as the equally surprised bear ran the opposite direction of us. Whew!

Our campsite lay beyond an avalanche field- the first I've had the opportunity of climbing over. Snow is a powerful force- and I'm glad the avalanches we saw had fallen earlier in the winter. The smell of pine (or fir?) was pervasive- and other debris from the mountain accompanied the broken branches, snow, and rock face. At 9:30 we'd reached our destination as it started to rain. Daniel hung the bear bag while I scouted a campsite. Soon we were settled in for the night.

The next day we started with PB and J sandwiches and optimism despite awaking to flurries. We began a steeper assent into the mountains and found the trail was hard to find under another avalanche field (this one 3 times the size of the last). We finally found the trail and followed it- moving against the flow of snow melt. Soon we were at the switchbacks and in need of snowshoes. Not long after this we couldn't locate the trail and decided it best to turn back. And though Daniel deemed me as the "Voice of Reason" he overcame his Invincible Young Male Syndrome and determined it would be better to take on Lyman and Cloudy later this summer. After enjoying a warm meal in the sun we hiked back to the village to sauna and rest. Two days, 14 miles and 9 hours of hiking. Not bad for my first day off!

Summer Goal #5: Make time to read
And with that I'm off...

Farewell Vietnam!

I am currently reaping the benefits of the Incheon/Seoul airport: free wi-fi and a beautiful sunrise, not to mention free arts and crafts at the culture station to help pass the time during this five hour layover.

Last week was a whirlwind of observations and goodbyes. I spent time observing classrooms at the middle school and high school, as well as spending some time with second graders in the elementary school (my next placement is with a second grade classroom in Eden Prairie). During my MS/HS observations I found myself thinking that I might really enjoy working in that setting, but my third graders really surprised me during my last few weeks with them. I'd definately consider trying an elementary school placement now having fallen in love with my students and the energy and enthusiasm they bring to the third grade!

My time at SSIS was just what I needed- a practical experience to learn in the field from my cooperating teacher and my students! I can teach! The next question is do I want to? My friend Zanna put it best yesterday. She was decribing a time in her life when she felt empowered and overwhelmed with opportunities: "I can do anything, but I can't do everything." I feel the same way at the end of this experience- I feel empowered to teach (internationally or within the US) and confident in my ability to do so, and to do it well. I'm also considering moving out to the Cascade Mountains and exploring life at Holden Village. Substitute teaching and working at a children's bookstore also intrigues me. "I can do anything, but I can't do everything." And the discerning process continues...

Friday was really special as my students shared advice with me on how to be the best second grade teacher I can be. Having just graduated from second grade they are really the experts. The parameters of the assignment allowed the students to suggest one silly piece of advice and one serious piece of advice. "Don't eat your students" was perhaps my favorite suggestion. I cried as I thanked them for teaching me so much this quarter. In fact I actually started crying ON the students sitting in front of me. Kenny provided much needed comic relief as he announced to the class that I was dripping on him. Lots of hugs and oragami creatures were shared. A great day followed by a great evening meal at my student's family's restaurant again! 13 courses of the best Chinese food I've ever eaten- and in good company too!

Jerod shared some more questions with me that I'll attempt to answer now (though forgive me if I'm not very coheisive- exhaustion is setting in).

What surprised you about your experience in Vietnam that you didn't expect, if anything?

I was surprised at how different this traveling experience was from any I've had before. I felt disconnected from the local culture primarily because of language barriers. My time and energy was spent at the school learning the ins and outs of international education and how third graders develop. I know that is my purpose in being here, but I was surprised that I never really felt like I had sufficient time to really BE in Vietnam. Though a friend helped to remind me I was in Vietnam, it was just one of many realities of Vietnam.

You've now spent a lot of time overseas in various countries, is there a place you could see making a more permanent home for at least 5 years, or, despite missing the
students, are you ready to move on after a few months?

I would be interested in moving to South America. I really enjoyed living in Brasil and Ecuador and could consider doing so for an extended period of time. Though I'm also excited to return home. I love the Twin Cities and know that I have a lot to explore in the states too. When considering teaching internationally I think I would be happiest in a country where I could put my Spanish to good use.

Is the fact that we were at war in this country always in the back of your mind,do you feel conflicted based on just being around the people, or is it the politics involved?

In preparation for this trip I was anxious to see how I would be received as an American. During my time here I didn't have any negative experiences based on my citizenship. I wouldn't say that the fact that we were at war here is always on the back of my mind, sometimes it is more obvious than others. For example when walking in downtown Saigon I was often approached by beggars- people physically affected by the war (I presume) and living with the affects of Agent Orange, landmines, and the general affects of warfare. It strikes me during these times that my country had a stake in influencing these people, these bodies, and not only that but the land too. While traveling to the Cu Chi Tunnels I was trying to imagine the area after Napalm had defoiled trees and seeped into the soil. For many years the soil would not sustain any crops. Water is not to be drunk from the tap in fear of remaining contaminants. I am sorry to say that was pretty easy to forget about the war while teaching in the classroom, but the effects were seen in town and around the countryside.

And with that it's time to stretch my legs before 13 hours on a plane. Thanks for reading my blog!

A tour of my 'hood

The following Google Map will provide you with some perspective of my neighborhood. Keep in mind this satellite view was taken in 2003 and new buildings have sprung up everywhere. Nevertheless this is a good place to begin.


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A Day in the Life

The students of 3S















































My blog has taken a backseat to lesson planning these last few weeks. Time is passing quickly and I am finding that I have much to do in my last week in Vietnam... including writing a long overdue update.

I would like to outline a typical day to provide you with more insight into my life here in Saigon. Here goes:

6:00 Wake-up, check e-mail, eat a bowl of cereal and watch Animal Planet or BBC News, shower and dress for school
7:10 Bike to school and/or take a taxi with my Taiwanese friends
7:30 Load up on tea with milk in the teacher's lounge before heading to my classroom
7:45 Students begin to arrive in the classroom
8:00 School starts! We spend the first 6 minutes of class doing "Chicken Fat"- a morning exercise routine commissioned first by JFK in hopes of curbing youth obesity
8:06 Math
9:00 The kids go to a "Special"- either Vietnamese Culture, Music, Art, or Swimming. Nancy and I prep for our lessons, check school e-mail and gather materials for lessons
9:40 The kids have recess. I continue with lesson prep
10:00 Math facts review and cursive instruction and practice. Introduction of independent work
10:30 Reading groups and independent work time- I meet with small groups of students to read and discuss books, literary elements, and reading strategies
11:30 Lunch and recess (which means lunch duty for me on Mondays and Thursdays- making sure that kids aren't having food fights, that they have just enough soy sauce, and that they have chopsticks or silverware)
12:20 My favorite time of the day: Read Aloud! We are reading Cinderella stories
12:45 Social Studies
1:30 Writing
2:00 The kids go to another "Special" while I prep
2:45 "Planner" time- where students receive corrected homework and write down their assignments for the night
3:00 School's out- monitor hallways and say my goodbyes. More prep time
3:30 Free time- to be spent sipping Vietnamese coffee, catching up with other staffers, biking around the neighborhood, reading for fun, watching reruns of "Friends" while scrambling eggs, and writing lessons for the next day
10:00 (hopefully) Bedtime

So that's a day in my life as a student teacher at SSIS. It's really nice that the students here have so many "Specials" and are developing skills as artists, musicians, and athletes. This is a great benefit of teaching at a private school as I've heard of so many programs in the US being cut due to lack of funding.

The last two weeks I've been teaching most everything within our classroom. I feel more confident and capable as a teacher than ever before. AND... these third graders have won my heart! It was frustrating to teach so many processes the first few weeks but now I'm reaping the benefits. Our class has fallen into patterns. The students know what is expected of them and I have learned what I can expect from them. We can spend more time on the "meat" of the curriculum- as opposed to discussing at length how to open and close a three ring binder. I think my heart might break when I say goodbye to them on Friday. We had a discussion on Friday explaining that I was leaving in a week. One student, B, suggested that I pack all 20 of them in my suitcase, but D responded that they wouldn't all be able to breathe, but maybe if they had straws... I wish we could all travel on the Magic Schoolbus and walk around the lakes together, see the fall colors, travel to Wild Rumpus bookstore and read, and then tour the Science Museum together- preferably watching an omnitheater film on outerspace. These kiddos are going to go so far in life! I am glad to know them and to have learned so much from them!

In other news, since my last post I had a chance to travel to Ha Long Bay and Hanoi. My cooperating teacher Nancy has her grandson living with her for the year. When I heard she was planning to attend a conference in Bangkok I offered to watch Stevey for the weekend thinking we'd hang out at their apartment playing Nintendo Wii and Guitar Hero all weekend. She suggested we come with her to Bangkok but once flight costs doubled she suggested we travel within Vietnam instead... so I had a taste of being an Au Pair for a weekend! Stevey is so sweet and we enjoyed traveling together. We spent Saturday night on a junk boat after spending the afternoon touring Surprise Cave, swimming amongst jellyfish, kayaking through the bay of the descending dragon, and star gazing from the rooftop deck (we even saw a shooting star!). This place truly is a wonder of the world! We returned to Hanoi and took in a water puppet show before flying back in time for class on Monday. A magical weekend- one I'm sure to remember forever!

Last week I welcomed my friend and former classmate Katie Erickson to HCMC. We spent last weekend catching up in the Mekong Delta- touring in a boat to see the morning markets, rice crispies being made, and local fruits growing at an orchard. It was really fun to have a guest- and hear of Katie's adventures this past year. I really enjoyed her visit to my classroom. My students and I have been studying maps so we mapped Katie's tours of NZ, Australia, and Southeast Asia. They asked her some great questions and were genuinely interested in what she had to share. I'm also glad that we could explore the city more together- visiting the War Remnants Museum, sipping cocktails on the rooftop terrace of the Rex Hotel (the station for the US press during the war), and walking the streets in search of books and stationary. The last night she was here though I was robbed- my purse was snatched from the front basket of my bicycle by a man on a motorbike. This is causing a headache as my credit and debit cards were stolen, and heartache as my camera was stolen. My camera had all the images from our weekend trip to the Mekong Delta- market shots- especially of women in their conical hats. I'm pretty distraught, but glad I wasn't hurt and that I still have my passport. Lesson learned- the situation was atypical of my usual habits- my purse is always slung across my shoulder unless I'm biking. I didn't think to put it back on after dismounting my bike to cross the street. Bummer... Can't steal happiness...

And with that I'm off to bed to rest up for my last week here at SSIS. "It's a bittersweet symphony..."

Phu My Hung is for lovers

In the event that I am biking home after dark (6pm or later) I pass by two streets lined with couples on motorbikes. I like to refer to these alleys as "Make-out Lane(s)." In a country where public displays of affection are unwelcome (and sex trafficking and prostitution commonplace) this practice of retreating for physical attention is surprising. Teenagers and middle aged folks take it to the streets of the suburbs when looking for a place to cuddle. I can't help but smile and giggle a bit as I pedal past.

Moon Festival

The clouds are selfish tonight
I arch my neck as I pedal the streets of Saigon
Hopes of catching a glimpse of the moon, full

Tonight is Moon Festival
Though the clouds are selfish
Unwilling to share the moonlight

Raindrops pelt my skin as if to taunt me
I retreat unsatisfied
What is Moon Festival without the moon?

Wonder-filled and wonderful!

It's Sunday and I have again found myself migrating to Gloria Jean's Coffees for conversation and wi fi. I find this a nice Sunday retreat- if not a bit strange still. The stereo continues to play Western pop hits and is currently playing a song in which the refrain repeats "I've got it made." I find myself singing the same tune- unconsciously sometimes. Last week treated me very well! I am learning a lot about myself as a teacher and as a person about to launch into a world full of opportunities. I am so grateful for this experience and find myself questioning why I find myself in this position of privilege. I hope I never stop asking myself how my privilege influences the way I relate in this world/to this world and how I am called to share my blessings with others.

Friday, September 12th I celebrated my 24th birthday! My school day began with a staff meeting and chorus of "Happy Birthday." I proceeded to my room where I was greeted by my students who were anxious to share hugs and homemade birthday cards. A fellow staffer presented me with a bag of lychee fruits. I shared birthday treats with my students at the end of the day- sugar infused "Hello Panda" cookies for all. Next I played a riveting round of volleyball games with the my teaching colleagues (our Friday after class tradition)and followed up with a trip to The Tavern for drinks before going out on the town with my girlfriends. It was our first evening downtown. We enjoyed ourselves: first having dinner, then strolling through the bustling streets, and finally enjoying ice cream atop a rooftop terrace. I also enjoyed receiving phone calls, emails, and Facebook messages from family and friends. I feel very loved and supported- and there's not much more one can ask for of life! A great way to celebrate my birthday!

I thought a lot about this past year as I celebrated my last birthday in Ecuador. Can't believe a year has already passed since enrolling in my courses at IES. There are so many things I miss about that place... This morning I have a Skype date arranged with some of my closest friends from my program. Can't wait to catch up with them!

On Thursday I received sad news that a good friend and church member Jim Nisser passed away in a tragic bike/car accident. I will remember Jim for his commitment to Wooddale's youth program and his kind nature. Whether he was serving pancakes at church, vending hot dogs at the Dome, recording baseball stats (be they Twins or Bulldogs), or ushering he did so selflessly and with a smile. Jim will be missed by so many and I'm wishing I could be home with the Wooddale community to mourn and celebrate Jim's life. Another reminder of the fragility of life.

Another friend from Wooddale, Jerod, asked me some thought provoking questions that have been on the back of my mind for a while. I have been meaning to answer, as I feel that others of you may have similar questions.

How do the Vietnamese feel towards America?
Do they have a realistic view of what America is like?
Are they following the presidential race?

To be honest I feel that my interactions with Vietnamese have been rather limited- for a few reasons. I live in a dormitory occupied primarily by young professionals who are predominately Taiwanese. I work at an international school staffed by a mix of mostly Canadians, Australians, and Americans. In each classroom at the school there is Vietnamese assistant though I haven't discussed these questions with any of the assistants (I'm realizing that I could/should). The other Vietnamese people I interact with on a daily basis (taxi drivers, guards, restaurant and shop owners) generally don't speak English and/or we aren't in a position to discuss American politics or compare our world views.

I do perceive the Vietnamese to be rather shy. Obviously this is a generalization, but unlike in other countries I have visited, I am rarely approached by the locals here. I receive many inquisitive looks- most often when I'm biking besides other Vietnamese, but rarely have anyone question why I am here or join me for conversation be it on the bus, at dinner, or even here at the coffee shop.

According to my guidebooks, museum visits, and conversations with other coworkers it is my understanding that many Vietnamese feel that America was a "savior" during the war. Saigon still has a strong French influence- most evident in the prevalence of French bakeries on most streets of the city. I won't pretend that I know much about the war and politics surrounding the French, American, and Vietnamese relations, but I will say that I generally feel welcomed here as an American.

American life is broadcasted on cable TV through CNN, Disney Channel, Hallmark Channel, Nickelodeon, and HBO to name a few. I fear that viewers will believe that shows such as Desperate Housewives, The Nanny, Oprah, Camp Rock, and CSI Miami represent America as a whole. Students are familiar with American cartoons, movies, and video games. I feel the view of America is one which presents the "American Dream" as being accessible for everyone living there.

CNN and BBC provide daily coverage of the presidential race. My conversations about the upcoming election are held primarily with teaching colleagues from Canada and Australia and not with the Vietnamese. Though there is a woman- seemingly Vietnamese- donning an Obama shirt here at Gloria Jean's!

And with that it is time for me to wrap up my work here. Like my third graders- filled with wonder and feeling wonderful!

To the temples of Angkor and back

My trip to Angkor Wat was great! I could have done without a stop in Phnom Pehn though as I was quickly bored with the market scene and wasn't looking to be drunk the whole weekend. It was fun to take the bus there, meet another university student, and see the countryside surrounding the Mekong Delta. I found it hard to meet people at my hotels as my tour package had me staying at fairly expensive places. I learned a lot; for instance next time I would prefer making my own arrangements and staying at a youth hostel in hopes of meetings other young singles with whom I could share conversation and costs with. We live and we learn. This has become my mantra.

The temples were INCREDIBLE! They cover such a large distance (think upwards of 50km between some of the temples)! I really enjoyed seeing Bayon, the temples with the faces- 216 faces to be exact (they reside in Angkor Thom- a series of temples in a 9km square area). It was really special to see the sunrise over Angkor Wat too! That would be the highlight of my trip; I took a tuk-tuk (motorcycle carriage) tour to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat and then to other more remote temples. There were swarms of people at Angkor Wat, but after that I found that the other temples were less crowded- I even had one to myself for 20 minutes. It was nice to see the temples before it got so hot. All in all a great long-weekend adventure/solo trek. Check out some of my photos here.

This has been a good weekend to catch my breath and look towards next week. I'll be teaching social studies and reading groups and helping a lot with math this week. Though I don't know about this teaching gig- I'm pretty bored with the third graders and not as patient as I should be. They are so little, and need to be taught how to open three ring binders and the like. I do love them- as individuals they are bright, caring, and friendly. I guess I'd just rather spend more time teaching content I enjoy- say humanities, sociology, English or the like to middle schoolers or even high schoolers. I guess it's best I learn this now rather than later, but still frustrating to come this far and feel like I need to go back to school (for another degree) before I can really enjoy teaching.

But again, I do love my students! Personalities are coming out and classroom dynamics are changing. Students are losing teeth, passing notes, playing with Pokemon and folding origami in their desks as though they think that we don't see them, and tattling on each other. I forgot what it was like to be a third grader! I do remember being more concerned with my sticker collection than with learning my multiplication tables though. My other mantra has become "Be patient with yourself and others." These kids are really special, and though I don't think I'd like to ever work in a third grade classroom again I am learning a lot in the process.

Last night I went with my cooperating teacher Nancy, her husband Bill, their grandson Stevey and two other couples to a restaurant owned by one of the families from the school. They are from Hong Kong and served us a 10 course Cantonese meal! I think 5/10 courses were shellfish based, but I was served chicken and vegetarian options instead. Had to pass on the shark fin and crab soup though, and three courses with shrimp. Our students dined with us, and their mom too. The food was incredibly tasty and they wouldn't accept any payment. So generous! The restaurant is 4 stories tall and serves up to 2,000 guests. There was a wedding reception on the floor above us. Quite an experience!

Also- I'm still allergic to something. I saw a doctor who thinks it may be alcohol, the sun, or the swimming pool. So I am to avoid these this week, take some more meds and report back for a check up. I don't know what I'll do without my nightly swim... I'm starting to think I may be allergic to third graders.

And with that I will return to the experience of lesson planning while listening to Jack Johnson and Coldplay as it streams on the stereo here at a favorite coffee of mine here in the 'burbs. Oh life...

Thank God for antihistamines

I am feeling quite a bit more comfortable in my own skin today- thank God for antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream! Still mourning the end of my seaside seafood diet, but all good things come to an end.

I did get a good evening swim in. I felt consoled knowing that I wasn't going to develop a greater rash with each stroke I was taking. The pool water is warmed by the sun and cooled by the rain, and despite the fact that the clouds have been heavy with hopes of rain they have held off. This was the first morning the sun was shining during my bike ride to school and the first day that it didn't rain at all. The air is oppressively humid. Hope it rains tonight!

After school I went to a favorite coffee shop to read for fun. I finished Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God." A beautiful book- and one that challenged me to consider the ways which language succeeds and fails to capture the human experience. More thoughts to come on this...

I'm drugged and drowsy and off to bed.

Stear clear of shrimp: A weekend update

The weekend is coming to a close which means it is time to gear up for another week at SSIS. I am looking forward to getting back in the classroom but wish the weekend wasn't over just yet...

Saturday morning a group of new teachers traveled to Song Be to visit a pottery village. Our group traveled from stall to stall where various families were selling their wears; life-size German Shepards, Snow White and her dwarves, elephant tables, large flower pots, and various table settings. It was fun to get out of the city and people watch. My eyes were tired (we left at 7:30) but also hungry. There are few things I enjoy more than taking in the sights of a country while riding in a bus (and good thing because I have 12 hours of bus riding ahead of me this weekend).

Saturday afternoon found Audrey and me meeting our Taiwanese friends from our dormitory to venture downtown. We spotted some of the famous sites- The Rex Hotel, the Post Office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral- while searching for running shoes, a tailor, and a travel agent.

Saturday evening we met up with two of my favorite teaching colleagues- Dyana and Karinna- for Singapore Slings, frozen yogurt, and refreshing conversation. I am still discovering many nooks of this suburb and enjoy doing so in the company of these ladies.

Our cabinets at school arrived this weekend so Nancy and I spent the morning planning lessons and rearranging our classroom. I sure do enjoy working with her!

On a more frustrating note, I spent this afternoon in the emergency room diagnosing an allergy to shrimp. This sounds more dramatic than it is- as all medical offices are closed on Sundays with the exception being the emergency room. I simply could not stand to remain untreated until Monday. I have been really itchy since Wednesday and trying to determine if my skin was being irritated by the chlorine in the pool, my laundry detergent, or a number of other things including an adventuresome diet. When the doctor saw my rash today she immediately asked if I had been eating shrimp. Yes! I ate shrimp for Wednesday dinner, Thursday dinner, and Saturday lunch. No longer- my doctor has ordered me to stop. This is so unfortunate as shrimp here are found in many foods and are really tasty!

I just finished watching the Olympic Closing Ceremonies. It has been really fun to watch the games every evening while unwinding at the dorm. I guess I'll need to get a new hobby now.

For all of my Minnesotan friends- please do me a favor and enjoy the "Great Minnesota Get-Together" for me. I've been clicking my heals in hopes of teleporting myself to the Fairgrounds but I have had no luck in doing so. What I would give for a cheese curd...

In awe of owls

This evening I was enjoying a my routine in the pool when I spotted the largest bat I have ever seen. I was doing the elementary backstroke (one of 5 strokes included in my routine because I don't need to put my face in the water) when this bat with a three foot wingspan tried to dive bomb me. It wasn't until the creature was within a few feet of my face- and nearly pooped on me- that I realized this was no bat, but rather an owl. I raised a commotion and the owl decided not to try and snatch me from the water (though there is part of me that would have liked to see that happen). It flew to a poolside coconut tree and perched there.

We maintained eye contact for an unmeasured time cocking heads and checking one another out. I reluctantly returned to my "workout" but kept an eye on the owl- and good thing 'cause this guy tried to dive bomb me again. He/she repeated this twice more before finally retreating to the trees. I kept my eye on him for the remainder of my swim and tried to get a better look at his features while toweling off. In the evening light it was hard to decipher coloring and specific markings, but I am sure there were no ear tufts and upon using the "New Holland Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia" (which I'm borrowing from a fellow birder at SSIS) I've decided this owl was either a Barn or Grass Owl. Majestic. I was awestruck- and glad not to have actually come in contact with the bird. As I entered the dorm I heard him let out a loud screech.

In other news, Shel Silverstein was a huge hit with the kiddos! I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but they were so giggly that we read for about forty minutes. They specifically enjoyed "The Whatifs" which was a favorite poem of mine as a fifth grader. It's fun to see kids so enthralled with books.

Xin chao from Vietnam

Phu My Hung District: My new home









The view from my room










Vietnamese wraps










Saigon South International School- SSIS










Audrey and me with our new bikes


Xin chao (Hello) friends and family,

Well... my first week of school as a student teacher is coming to an end. I'm working in a third grade classroom at Saigon South International School in a new district of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. There were many complications this week as the building is new, the rooms haven't been furnished with white boards or cupboards, there is no cafeteria, and much of the curriculum is still lost in transit. But you know what? I don't think the kids have caught onto a lot of it. They are too busy being kids. School continues; teaching and learning still occur. To be honest I think a lot of the teachers are spoiled because they are so accustomed to being well supplied. It's a good time to experience the changes of a growing school.

This week I've been leading some class activities and I am always in charge of read-aloud. Today I read Dr. Seuss' "The Butter Battle Book" and tomorrow I'll be reading from Shel Silverstein's "A Light in the Attic." I read-aloud when the kids have returned from lunch and recess. They are incredibly attentive and well mannered, though they can be silly too. This is undoubtedly my favorite part of the day. (And while writing this I am reminded that I should choose a few poems and practice my read-aloud voice).

My biggest challenge has been learning to pronounce the names of my twenty students. With names such as Ying Ying, Ye Jin, Nhu, Nayli, Jung Keun, Moeno, Jeric, Gia Hue, Dinh Anh, and Hang I had my work cut out for me! The kids are really sweet though, and we have an Olympic themed classroom which lends well to the international makeup of the class. The majority of students are Chinese and Korean. A couple students are Malaysian and Vietnamese. There's one Swede and one Japanese student. I think only 3 were born in the US. They are really sweet kids. I am already learning a lot from them!

A big announcement- I just booked my tickets for a trip to Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Audrey (the other student teacher from Luther) didn't apply for a multiple entry visa, and so she and our other close friend Dyana decided to go on their own trip here in Vietnam. So... I'm solo trekking! I'm anxious, but really looking forward to having some time to myself. Should be an exciting journey- and perhaps the trip of a lifetime (Traveling alone is on my list of 100 things to do before I die)!

In other news I have taken up biking and swimming here in the 'burbs of Ho Chi Minh City. Audrey and I purchased our very own Vietnamese bikes to take us to and from school. For $53 you too could own your own one-speed cruiser with front basket and lock. It's been a nice means of getting around town. My room overlooks the dormitory pool and I have taken to swimming most nights. The only problem is that there are 7-10 bats who also enjoy the pool during the evenings. At first I was quite startled to have bats flying within a few feet of my face, but I'm trying to be like Bruce Wayne and face my fears. I've been thinking of Batman's need to face his fears to gain the courage and strength necessary to become who he is destined to be (can you tell I just watched the Batman movies?!). It's not the bats I'm afraid of, but rather coming in contact with one and needing to get rabies shots. Anyhow, I never liked swimming much as a kid but I'm coming to really enjoy the way my body feels in the water. I think the Olympics have also inspired this renewed desire for sport... did you know that every four years (coinciding with the Olympics) enrollment for kids' gymnastics classes nearly double in size?

All for now- I'm planning to enjoy a big bowl of cereal and watch the Olympics (though it's not nearly as fun when the commentary is in Mandarin or Vietnamese).

A Grand Adventure to Machu Picchu!

I am typing this entry from a Loki Backpackers Hostal in Cuzco, Peru. I am nearing the end of our journey to Machu Picchu and have lots to write about...

I am traveling with 3 friends from my program- Clay, Becca, and Tariq. Finals ended on Monday afternoon and by Monday night we were aboard a bus headed south to the Peruvian border. We learned early-on that counterfeited money is very common in Peru, and are finding that people are trying to take advantage of us (presuming we have lots of money) left and right. I wasn't used to this in Quito and am finding it hard to know who to trust.

Over 36 hours of bus travel finally brought us to Lima. I had considered studying abroad there and after a brief visit feel that Quito was a better fit for me. We stayed a great hostal where I enjoyed having 4 pet turtles.

From Lima we took various buses and taxis to Santa Maria, the nearest town to Aguas Calientes. We were all carsick and fearing for our lives when the rides were over and decided it would be better to be broke than broken and booked the Perurail for our return trip. Incredible views as we passed through the Andes yet again.

The journey from Santa Maria to Machu Picchu was adventuresome. Part hitchiking, part walking the train tracks. All in all a great way to stretch our legs and enjoy awesome scenery. We hiked to Aguas Calientes (3 hours) and the next morning to Machu Picchu entrance (1 hour of steep climbing). We arrived before the tour buses (at 5:55am) putting us in good postition to see the ruins before they were clobered with people.

Machu Picchu was beautiful. We had perfect weather which made the day that much more enjoyable (it's now the off season as it's the rainy season). However cliche it sounds it really was a dream come true to visit. I was surprised that there weren´t more tourists visiting- though again it was the rainy season. I especially enjoyed seeing the llamas or alpacas grazing the lands. It was fun to think about what life must have been like there over 500 years ago. There is still a lot of speculation about what Machu Picchu was actually used for- fortress, retreat for nobility, city, etc. I am inspired to do a lot of research to learn more. We also hiked to the Waynapicchu peak and had a great view of our walking path from the previous night as well as a great view of the city.

Despite problems with transportation and counterfeited money the trip was well worth it!

I found myself with a lot of time to reflect on this semester. There are many things I will miss about Ecuador including:

Fruits, fruit salads, fresh juices

Cheap fresh baked bread- easily accessible on every corner

Bus transport at $1 an hour

Patient and slow Spanish speakers

Convenience of using Metro Transit

The sun (in such close proximity)

The Mariscal- day or night

Sunny mornings lounging on the campus lawn at La Catolica

A very affordable lifestyle for a college student´s budget

Having time to read

Views of the Andes from the heart of Quito

I will also miss my family, friends, professors, and directors.

It is hard to believe this semester has come and gone... time flies when you´re having fun! I feel so blessed for this experience and doubly blessed to be so excited to return home to great friends and family in the States.

Hasta luego...

Perhaps the longest entry yet…

The streets of Cuenca

Markets stocked with fresh produce











Cajas National Park











Ingapirca















With friends in Canar


FAMILY

I am continuing to reflect on the visit from my family and I am so grateful that there were able to visit! I’m glad they were able to experience a bit of life in Ecuador I am sure this semester will continue to influence my life in the years to come. It was fun for me to travel to the coast with them and experience new things there while also sharing some of my favorite places in Quito with them.

When the Cross Mark team welcomed visitors in Malawi I was excited for the chance to see the country with fresh eyes. My family brought fresh eyes and perspectives with them to Ecuador.

My dad was surprised that Quito was so cosmopolitan. He also thought it was fairly dirty. Throughout my travels this has been a recurring theme: the sanitation of communities abroad. It’s all relative. Compared to Accra, Ghana, Quito is impeccably clean! Compared to most major U.S. cities... Quito is not so clean.

Mom mentioned how strange it was to assign tour guiding and itinerary planning to me.

I think Christa was surprised at how easily accessible Kinder Eggs (her favorite foreign chocolate with surprise inside) are here!

My family was, and I continue to be, surprised at how economic travel is within the country. Hostals, meals, and transportation are all reasonably priced for most travelers visiting from the U.S. Our dollar goes far here.

Again- a great visit and opportunity to share many aspects of my Ecuadorian life with my family.

CUENCA

This past weekend I traveled to the south-central highlands to visit Cuenca- a quaint colonial city (3^rd largest in Ecuador- and former capital). Cuenca is strikingly different from Quito as there are only a few buildings which stand taller than two stories and is easily manageable by foot. Cobblestone streets and an abundance of churches and parks make Cuenca a charming place to visit!

This was my last trip before traveling to Machu Picchu, Peru next week and was a good weekend to travel one last time in Ecuador with friends, Cammie and Hannah, from my program and FINALLY have a chance to travel with my Luther-friend Malory. Mal’s and my schedule have kept us from traveling on weekends together so we felt the trip was long overdue (last spring we had visions of traveling every weekend together)! It was great to spend time with her outside of Quito and also travel with her friends.

We were able to visit many local markets which boasted fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and even live rabbits and guinea pigs. There were many great opportunities for taking photographs and people watching. Other markets sold piggy banks, other ceramics, wooden kitchen utensils and woven rugs and baskets. It was a beautiful day and way to see the mix of local cultures.

Friday we hiked at Cajas National Park. We had great weather to trek through the thick paramo grasses and arrived at a rock ridge which provided us with a great view of the lakes in the valley below us. A beautiful park!

Malory loves dancing more than she loves life itself so we spent two nights at local bars dancing. We had a great time talking and dancing with the Cuencanos and listening to an incredible live salsa band.

I ate roasted cuy- or guinea pig in Cuenca for the first time. While traveling in Quilotoa I ate some fried cuy. I have to say I prefer it roasted. It really was great meat- and really well seasoned. We made a few friends at the restaurant that told us the crispy ears are the best part… I didn’t like the ears that much.

Sunday Malory and two of her friends and I traveled to Ingapirca- the largest Incan ruins in Ecuador. We enjoyed our adventure getting there as we were sidetracked in Canar by Quichua musicians and a beautiful market. A few local college students approached us and asked if we would like to tour their city with them. We spent a great afternoon chatting with them, visiting their town’s museum and walking through their market. The population of Canar is still 70% indigenous and it was incredible to see how the people are maintaining their culture in the face of globalization.

We arrived at Ingapirca to see the sunset and receive a free guided tour from a local man anxious to share his city with us (at this point it was obvious how proud these people are of where they come from and how generous they were too). The scene was beautiful. A fault of Ingapirca is that it was built in a valley and offered little protection for the Canaris/Incans while under attack, but logistics aside it was a beautiful location!

Yet another great trip! I am still surprised at how diverse this country is!

MUHAMMAD YUNUS

While traveling in Cuenca I was reading “Banker to the Poor,” Muhammad Yunus’ book about the history of the Grameen Bank and his work with micro financing. I was hoping to finish the book by Monday as Malory, some of our friends, and I went to see him speak here in Quito. It was inspiring to hear him recount his story in front of a crowd of thousands- he has a humble spirit about him and speaks with a gentle voice.

I have been involved with getting a group of Luther students to invest in entrepreneurs seeking micro-credit loans and was reenergized by Yunus’ speech and call to eliminate poverty. If you are interested in learning more about Yunus’ work the book is a great start. You can also log onto Kiva.org and learn more about lending to an entrepreneur yourself.

FIESTAS DE QUITO

This week those in Quito have been celebrating its foundation- or conquest and establishment by the Spanish in 1534. The week is celebrated with bullfights, chiva rides, and general partying.

Tuesday I went to the toros- or bullfight with my friend Aaron and his host sisters. I was excited for the experience though I wasn’t prepared. After the first of six bulls was killed I had tears welled up in my eyes and found myself questioning why I was there. I have a few friends who were conscientious objectors- stating the fights were too brutal to support with their time or money. After the first fight the bullfighter I came to see entered the ring- Sebastian Castella from France (most of the bullfighters are flown in from Spain). Castella is extremely attractive and made the fight seem like a dance. It seemed to me to be more respectful than the other fight. I also learned that all of the meat from the bulls is donated to those in need after the fights. That also made the fights easier to… stomach.

Yesterday I attended a soccer game between Liga and Nacional- two of the 6 teams in Quito. I went with my host family- my host sisters cheer for Liga, and Lorenita, Chama (the dog) and I cheer for Nacional (actually it is hotly debated where Chama’s allegiance actually lies). I opted to wear my Nacional jersey- even though we were playing at Liga’s field and Liga is ranked 1 and we are ranked 5. I am not exaggerating when I say that of the 10,000+ people at the game I saw only 6 other people wearing Nacional clothing. I was lucky not to be harassed. The game ended 2-0 Liga which meant that they are this year’s champion.

The tradition is for the team and their thousands of fans to travel to the University (where the team was founded) to bathe in the fountain to celebrate the championship. My family and I made our way there, though I was under strict instructions to wear a jacket over my Nacional jersey. This did not stop fans from pouring beer and wine over my head though… so in the end we all left wet- Liga and Nacional fans alike.

It has been a fun week and great way to end my time in Quito and Ecuador at large. However, I think I have a case of food poisoning and my body is telling me to slow down. It is obvious that my time here is almost up, and I will be sad to leave.

More photos

Family meets Family!

Stopping for lunch with my host mom and family

At the equator line

Host family and family united

Life's a beach in Puerto Lopez

Thanksgiving dinner and much to be thankful for!

Last week I was able to host Mom, Dad, and Christa as they visited Ecuador (and me) for Thanksgiving Break. It was so great to catch up with them- learning what everyone has been up to the last 3 months, and also being able to share a little bit of my Ecuadorian life with them.

My family arrived late last Saturday night. Sunday found us up early and traveling with my host mom to Otavalo, to visit the market. It was so fun to be there with my family and Lorenita as Lorenita was a great barterer and made the whole experience more fun. The whole day was quite an event- traveling to one of the marked equator lines, eating Biscochos in Cayambe and visiting Cuicocha- or Lake of the Gods. All in all is was a fun day for all of us to see new things.

Monday we ventured to the center of the world- Mitad del Mundo and we also visited the "unofficial" correct equator line and museum. We enjoyed seeing baby guinea pigs, a large boa, and shrunken heads here after seeing many displays of why this equator line was the "real deal". Christa spent the rest of the day in classes with me as Mom and Dad decided to trek the city, and specifically Old Town together. My family and my host mom and sisters shared a great meal together. It was weird for me to hear my host family speaking English for the first time.

Tuesday we departed early for Puerto Lopez where we set up camp in a beautiful Hostal dedicated to whale preservation. The gardens here were immaculate and the food was great. We spent most of Tuesday enjoying the beach-front hammock cabanas.

Wednesday we ventured to Isla de la Plata- or Silver Island. It was incredible to see Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds. Each were nesting- providing us with opportunities to see birds nesting on eggs and hatchlings. Bird heaven again!

Thursday we spent a lot of time walking the town and beach (as we did everyday). We flew back to Quito to spend Thanksgiving dinner watching the sunset over Quito, eating too much food, and reflecting on our many reasons to be thankful.

Friday morning we visited the Botanical Garden and Parque de Carolina before doing some shopping and touring of the city. Christa and I hit the town Friday night before returning to my apartment to pack luggage.

All in all a great visit... check out photos here