Shameless Plug

I've recently taken an extra interest in photography. I SHOULD with that fancy $500 camera that my parents bought for me! Anyways, I decided to post my favorites on Flickr and then somehow stumbled across a few groups with daily challenges/contests. Basically the first 7 people to reply to the thread post a picture relating to the topic, and then everyone votes on the winner. It's only been 3 days and I've already won 3 challenges!

Sooooo here's my site: Amanda's Flickr Page, as well as the links to my 2 winning photos: Winner #1, Winner #2 and Winner #3.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi! (Happy New Year!)

More winnings: Winner #4

Music To My Ears

Whenever I'm in a "mood" I always flip through my music for something to sooth the "mood". Here's a list of some of my most frequent listens...and bands I would highly suggest checking out (or laughing at me for having the guts to write this in public).

*Newsboys
*Sanctus Real
*Britany Spears (the old stuff)
*Switchfoot
*John Mayer
*Jack Johnson
*Kelly Clarkson
*Rascal Flatts
*anything from a Disney soundtrack
*Billy Joel
*Frank Sinatra
*Matt Nathanson
*Maroon 5

Flat Tire

They say you should put all your eggs in one basket. Well, screw whoever "they" are. Although, "they" are right, dangit. I did. And now chest feels like some elephants trampled on it.

So I'm not getting my dream job. I'll put on my big girl pants and deal with it of course. I've no choice. But dang...I really wanted that job!

I'm feeling a bit lost. I was really convinced that God was really lining things up for this to happen. I know there's a reason behind the closed door, but now I'm just not sure what my goal was. Before I was working towards a goal...now I'm just sort of treading water.

I'd appreciate some job recommendations. I'm great at typing and Microsoft Word. I have a car and I'm willing to relocate. I'm super friendly, organized, punctual, reliable, and great at multi tasking. Thanks for helping in advance.

I also make some pretty awesome ColdStone Creamery Birthday Cakes...that's always a plus.

No, Mom, That's the Bumps Blind People Use to Read

Why yes, the title is something that came out of my sister's mouth on the way into the city from the airport less than an hour after arriving in Vietnam. I always miss her, but more so when we are together and we just crack up over the smallest things. Check out the quotes section on my Facebook for more of my sister's antics.

Gotta love that face.

It was so great to show them what life is like here: loud, dirty, crazy, busy, unplanned, unscheduled, late, early, cheap. But the best part was to be able to share my family and friends with them!

Sister, sister, and mother.

The NIN family and my family :)

Although most of our experiences were positive ones, I'm still fuming over a couple bad ones.

1) I got my phone stolen at the Long Bien bus station on Sunday afternoon. I had just finished giving my mom a lecture about pickpockets on the bus, and WHAM! Some guy shoved into me, I grabbed my purse, and he grabbed my phone. I almost wish he had stolen money instead! There goes a year's worth of contacts made in Vietnam :(

2) I almost got in a physical fight with some guy on the street. He grabbed me to push me out of the way, I elbowed him to get my arm back, he shoved me in the back. I almost punched him in the face. Ugh. Boys suck in every country.

Speaking of boys, I may or may not have met a cute Irishman to keep me company for the remainder of my stay here in Vietnam. He's a gentleman, has an adorable accent, nice friends, and likes me :)

Christmas in July...in December

I was definitely feeling homesick this past week. Putting up a Christmas tree all by myself and hearing about my family getting together without me was a bummer. I wasn't even really looking forward to our Christmas trip to Da Nang. But once I got there it was wonderful! It didn't feel like Christmas at all! No snow, no cookies, no snow, no presents, no snow, no parents, no snow. It was upper 70s to 80s every day, a nice breeze, and my Vietnam family :)

My mom and sister arrive in Vietnam in just 7 hours. I couldn't be more excited!!!

(Side note: kid on my street SCREAMING, "Mẹ oi!" MOM!)

I got to spend a lot of time with Ted and his family, especially Nadia, his daughter whom I met when I first arrived in Hanoi, but she has been in the States for school since then. It was great to get some single girl time!! I also got to drive a motorbike by myself and even rev it up to about 60km/h on the way back from Hoi An! Even though it didn't feel like Christmas, I know I'll remember this one forever! For some few pics of the gorgeousness that is Da Nang go to www.picasaweb.google.com/amandolinrooney2

My Artwork Strikes Again

My Question: Write the names of Santa's 9 reindeer.

Students: What's a reindeer?

This is a reindeer. Yes, Santa is a bit skinnier than usual. And yes, that's a steering wheel on his sleigh. And yes, the reindeer has feet like a chicken as well as an unusually long, thick neck.

I apologize to all educators in the United States that I am giving my students a terrible impression of what American teachers are like.

Not really.

I think it's funny.

God Knows My Thoughts

No joke, last week I wanted to go home. I was entertaining the thought of going home with my mom and sister after they visit. Of course I wouldn't break a contract like that, but I was just fed up with a lot of things...on top of a nasty cold which is like number 8 or 9 in the list of sicknesses I've gotten since coming back in September.

But this weekend I was invited to the wedding of one of my student's cousins. We took a 2 1/2 hour train ride to Hai Phong, east of Ha Noi. The ride was spectactular. Although one of the most uncomfortable 2 1/2 hours of my life, the scenery whipping by was breathtaking. The rice fields, houses, tropical plants, rivers, small mountains. The sun began to set turning the sky beautiful orange and pink colors. I almost cried thinking about leaving this country!

 We arrived after dark, had a delicious crab dinner, then took a relaxing walk around the center of town. The parks and rides reminded me of being back in the US! Plus, we had great conversation about careers and family and happiness. Much needed. The wedding the next day was a blast! Even though I can't speak much Vietnamese, I still felt like part of the family...eating deep fried frog (not just legs) like a pro!

Upon returning home, a student stopped by my house because he needed someone to talk to about his recent relationship break up. Although I was sad about the break up, I was a little happy that my students trust me so much!

I am so thankful that God knew exactly what I needed to experience to remind me how AMAZING Vietnam is, how much I LOVE my students, and WHERE He wants me to be for now.

You Don't Even Know!

The first weekend in December, two volunteers, Sarah and Betsy, from Thailand came to visit me while renewing their visas. I had met them a few months ago in Taiwan for our SE Asia retreat, and we were fast friends! I was super excited to see them, and the weekend totally lived up to my expectations! We went to Hai's wedding, English club, and did LOTS of tourist stuff in the city! It was great to have people stay with me, and I got some good practice in for when my mom and sister visit in 2 weeks!! Also, super excited for Sarah, the new volunteer, to arrive in only ONE month!

Celeste

My last term in Vietnam, J.P. and Aimee's daughter, Celeste, was my best 2 year old friend. It was always "Manda, watch" "Manda, look" "Manda, help me"!! When James and I drove to Virginia for J.P.'s ordination, she pretended not to even know me! I was a bit bummed. After returning to Vietnam, she was pretty shy at first towards me, which made me a little sad. But after a weekend at a resort with the NIN crew, she warmed up again! It was awesome good fun, and now I feel uber loved when she's yelling for A-MAN-DA to come play!

My Week

I know you are all sitting at home (or work...slackers) wondering what it is that I do all day, every day. Well here ya go!

Monday: teach Pronunciation class 7:30am-11am ish...office hours in afternoon...tutor 2 nine year old boys at night.
Tuesday: coffee with my friend to practice English in the morning...teach Pronunciation from 1pm-4:30pm...dinner with Rachel
Wednesday: teach Pronunciation from 6:45am-11:30am (yeah I know!)...office hours in afternoon...dinner at JP and Aimee's house or with friends...Bible study at JP's house
Thursday: sleep in!!! tutor high school girl in afternoon...English club at night
Friday: tutor student in the morning...teach Pronunciation from 12:15pm-5:00pm
Saturday: who knows? trips...meetings...hanging out...being lazy :)
Sunday: (my favorite day) church at Hanoi International Church...lunch with church people, usually at a great Indian place down the street...clean, do laundry, study, call home, watch TV, relax!

It's not as busy as it seemed at the beginning...and I LOVE teaching...other than getting up at the crack of dawn on Mondays and Wednesdays!