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!

My (His) Yoke is Easy

So today in pronunciation class we were learning the difference between "joke" and "yoke". I asked if everyone knew what these meant and of course they didn't know what yoke meant. So first I attempted to describe in words...which I've realized is pretty futile because I just end up using big words that they don't know to describe little words that they don't know. SO I resorted to my drawing skills:

Yup. That's what I drew on the board. Actually, I embellish on Paint...in the classroom I actually didn't put nostrils...and in one class I just drew a smiley face. I never claimed to be an artist...or a teacher for that matter :)

Anyways, talking about yokes always makes me think about one thing: not eggs! Jesus! Honestly, coming from good ole' Rochester Hills, the only time I heard yoke was when reading the Bible:

 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Jesus (Matthew 11:29-30)

This verse really struck me in college when I definitely felt the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I think this is also when I began to develop my "dislike" for nitty-gritty doctrine and focus more on the main message of the Gospel: Jesus died for all our sins. We are going to heaven! God loves us all! Amen!!