Currently in Hanoi

So far so good in Vietnam. I moved into an awesome house in Westlake with really cool housemates, and a great view of banana tree farms. Started teaching over a month ago and I love my students. Graphic work is going well, I'm enjoying the projects I have been working on. Also doing separate design projects on the side to make more money.

I recently responded to an ad I found on the internet. It needed volunteers to teach English to a high school outside of Hanoi, Thach That district. I visited the school a few weeks ago to understand their knowledge of English. I found out during my visit that I was the only person that responded to the ad and was willing to travel 1 hour to the school and help out. The teacher that was organizing this program desperately needed my help. After all this time being in Asia, I am ready to take on this program. I've met with the director and principal of the school and they agreed that I can take charge. So I'm facilitating! (for free) But at the same time, I'm doing this alone. Teaching 4 classes with a total of 250 teenagers isn't easy. I definitely need to find some foreigners interested in doing this. Anyways, this morning was the first day of teaching. I woke up at 5:20am (ughhhh) and got to the school at 7am. Wow...it was really tough getting the kids to say Hi or Hello. I knew it would be difficult for the kids to speak cause I know they're shy, and most likely embarassed to speak in front of me. It was frustrating because a lot of them were lazy, like ALL teenagers, but I know they have potential. This will be a good challenge for me.

Phung Xa Commune School

The school I'm teaching in Hanoi is great! The students I teach are 8-14 years old. I have been asked to teach at other schools for more pay, but I refused cause I was already attached to my students. I didn't want to leave them. They're so clever. For example, I was teaching them what strange and normal meant. I drew a picture of the sea on the board, they called out that fish, shells, coral, and sharks were normal in the sea. Then I drew rabbits, horses, and ants, and they all said it was strange. After I drew a car with a person driving in it, all said it was strange but one boy, he said "Normal!" I gave him a confused look and I asked why? He said "...in the future." Come on! Isn't that cute!

Hanoi School.

Because I'm taking on so many great projects, I'm not even sure if I'm doing too much. I barely have any free time, I'm always tired. BUT!!! I like it. I'd rather be busy than not. I am doing what I came here to do, was work. My work is important...and I'm doing it, I'm happy. I like that I can still do voluntary work while I'm here. It keeps my mind in-check.

In one month, my parents are coming to visit me. :))))