Monday, March 30, 2009
apology
i promise to update this blog as soon as i get time to do it properly. right now running out for the morning with Ms. Han on some boat trip somewhere....not far and probably not a tourist type trip but up the river.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Chiang Mai Weekend
FRIDAY headed to Chiang Mai Thailand. Thai Air connecting thru Bangkok. arrived about 3:30pm, picked up at airport, checked into Mandarin Oriental hotel. rested a bit, headed out for cocktail at poolside bar....amazing facility. saw more automobiles than motorbikes which was a big change and many many pick up trucks which they dont have in HCM. Dinner was at their mediterranean restaurant (eggplant parm appetizer size and mushroom soup) black capri, leopard top. alos watched a bit of babe ruther movie with john goodman just to unwind after we arrived. hotel suite was amazing and huge.
SATURDAY dad went for 730 swim in pool that opened at 8am. i headed to breakfast which was included in the room package. on the way to breakfast i stopped and arranged our day activities which included elephant camp visit and ride, raft ride, temple visit, jade shop factory. all were a huge hit with both of us. elephant ride was 45 minutes incl stop for souveniers, raft ride was leisurely pace down river where we were met by our driver and guide who then took us to temple (seen one, seen....) but this one was particularly gilded and big buddist and monk activity. then stopped in at jade factory and saw them carving jade - dad found a pair of cufflinks he liked in the shape of elephants of course. returned to hotel, sat at pool, had cocktails later. dinner in Mediterranean restaurant: osso bucco, veal saltimboca. black capri during day with leopard top (from last night) and evening was b&w capri with black tee to dinner.
SUNDAY ... dad sawm, breakfast at 8. b&w capri (see a pattern here?). 10am departed with guide and driver for antique shops. first stop was silk factory where we saw silk worms boiled then the cocoons were pulled for silk threads. picked up 2 scarfs and 2 elephant print boxers for dad. then tried to find antique shops (not teak shops). frustrating a bit because many places were closed either bc it was sunday or economy not bringing in business. then even more frustrating was trying to find elephant tee shirts for the babies....we just werent having any luck all over. back to hotel, late lunch, closed restaurant at 315. dinner included with room at thai restaurant with dancing show .... before that was our included spa for 80 minutes. steam, jacuzzi, massage, tea ... dad balked at male therapist so i had the guy and he got the female for aroma therapy treatment. quick change, to bar for cocktail, 8pm dinner. brown linen and top. packed after dinner for early departure
MONDAY ... 5am wake up call, 530 buggy ride to front desk for check out, ride to airport about half hour, borded Thai flight to bangkok and connection to HCM. arrived home and Mrs.Han had prepared PhoGa for our lunch, dad left for work about noon. and i downloaded and read emails. storm came thru Monday afternoon so no walk for me.
TUESDAY ... might as well update today so far. dad went swimming. Ms. Han and I took a hydrofoil to VungTau which is about 1hr20 minutes away. beach type place. we left the house about 745 for 830 boat trip. arrived there walked around caught taxi who gave us little tour, found a place for lunch, ate lunch, back on hydrofoil at 1230. horrible storm on the way back. sort of like riding the elephant on the water. bumping around. dodging big tankers or container ships coming into HCM. interesting. intended to do some city shopping but storm changed that plan so we taxi'd back and that's about it for now. wearing khaki slacks and blue/green linen shirt. tonight were going out to dinner with lizzy and werner i think for shabu shabu which is a big pot like fondue. update to follow. only one vung tau photo to be posted later.
SATURDAY dad went for 730 swim in pool that opened at 8am. i headed to breakfast which was included in the room package. on the way to breakfast i stopped and arranged our day activities which included elephant camp visit and ride, raft ride, temple visit, jade shop factory. all were a huge hit with both of us. elephant ride was 45 minutes incl stop for souveniers, raft ride was leisurely pace down river where we were met by our driver and guide who then took us to temple (seen one, seen....) but this one was particularly gilded and big buddist and monk activity. then stopped in at jade factory and saw them carving jade - dad found a pair of cufflinks he liked in the shape of elephants of course. returned to hotel, sat at pool, had cocktails later. dinner in Mediterranean restaurant: osso bucco, veal saltimboca. black capri during day with leopard top (from last night) and evening was b&w capri with black tee to dinner.
SUNDAY ... dad sawm, breakfast at 8. b&w capri (see a pattern here?). 10am departed with guide and driver for antique shops. first stop was silk factory where we saw silk worms boiled then the cocoons were pulled for silk threads. picked up 2 scarfs and 2 elephant print boxers for dad. then tried to find antique shops (not teak shops). frustrating a bit because many places were closed either bc it was sunday or economy not bringing in business. then even more frustrating was trying to find elephant tee shirts for the babies....we just werent having any luck all over. back to hotel, late lunch, closed restaurant at 315. dinner included with room at thai restaurant with dancing show .... before that was our included spa for 80 minutes. steam, jacuzzi, massage, tea ... dad balked at male therapist so i had the guy and he got the female for aroma therapy treatment. quick change, to bar for cocktail, 8pm dinner. brown linen and top. packed after dinner for early departure
MONDAY ... 5am wake up call, 530 buggy ride to front desk for check out, ride to airport about half hour, borded Thai flight to bangkok and connection to HCM. arrived home and Mrs.Han had prepared PhoGa for our lunch, dad left for work about noon. and i downloaded and read emails. storm came thru Monday afternoon so no walk for me.
TUESDAY ... might as well update today so far. dad went swimming. Ms. Han and I took a hydrofoil to VungTau which is about 1hr20 minutes away. beach type place. we left the house about 745 for 830 boat trip. arrived there walked around caught taxi who gave us little tour, found a place for lunch, ate lunch, back on hydrofoil at 1230. horrible storm on the way back. sort of like riding the elephant on the water. bumping around. dodging big tankers or container ships coming into HCM. interesting. intended to do some city shopping but storm changed that plan so we taxi'd back and that's about it for now. wearing khaki slacks and blue/green linen shirt. tonight were going out to dinner with lizzy and werner i think for shabu shabu which is a big pot like fondue. update to follow. only one vung tau photo to be posted later.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
it's not easy keeping up a blog! when i log on it comes up in vietnamese then i have to remember how i got to the english site. now i just go to others blog list and go from that site which is
all in english.
TUESDAY dinner was fabulous. Mrs. Han made some fried noodles .. with shrimp and chicken and soy sauce with chili for dad. but earlier in the day we had dad's driver Mr. Hai take us all over. went to BanTahn market and got some dishes and little bowls; wicker tray for dad's messy desk papers, silk scarf for carole snider who is doing the showroom in high point and dad said company would pay for it. work khaki capri and orange linen
6pm went to sheraton to meet the Halyburton, Oakley trip people. 17 people from greensboro who have been traveling around for 3 weeks. halyburton was pow shot down in n.vietnam during war and wrote a book about his 7 yrs in captivity. there was a ceremony in hanoi where they returned his boots...very moving according to the group. of course they kept the boots and will have to go thru channels to get them donated to a nc museum. dinner was at skewers restaurant which is owned by same guy (Tristan) who has RiverCafe (aka riverside). i wore an animal print dress (black, brown, white). home at 1030 which is really late for dad.
WEDNESDAY: dad swam, breakfast fruit, coffee, toast, yogurt. nothing much of a day. took a walk. took photos of things around compound. went to mekong merchant for lunch. went to metro (costco type place) and got a new clipper for Mr. Hai gardener. i dont know what the man was using but he needed something to tame the plants that were overgrown around the driveway and gardens. bl&wh capri, white tee. Mrs. Han broke her toe on the ironing board ... it's all purple. jess took dad and i out to dinner at LeBordeaux which is a fabulous french place that dad had never been to and raved about now. he was impressed. i had fish; dad had lamb; jess had duck. black taffeta blouse; bl&white checked taffeta capri with pink shoes.
THURSDAY: massage girl coming about 1030. i'm doing what i can for her economic situation!
cocktails tonight at lizzy and werners new apartment over at Riverside compound. their rent in BP compound went extremely high (then went lower but too late). so they have an apartment now. i'll take photos of everyone. by the way, Friday dad and i are going to Chiang Mai for the weekend. its in Thailand. not coastal. temples, handicraft village, botanic gardens, etc. leaving noon friday, return early monday. should be interesting!staying at mandarin oriental resort place.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Weekend Update - March 21-22
SATURDAY is probably best left unblogged. Dad went to work after a round of wrong brand of yogurt, wrong weetbix cereal, ruined bathtowel from eye makeup and apparent snoring. i was to have gone out with sally cox but she was a no show so i departed at 1030-11 for the city. went to saigon square for some retail therapy, post office and cathedral. lunched at the hyatt alone on a cheeseburger. returned to AnPhu compound about 430. wore white knit capri and black/white stripe top with pink trim. evening went to hyatt again wearing brown/white dress with blue ribbon belt.
SUNDAY dad swam, i walked to river with my coffee and took pictures. after breakfast dad went for his weekly massage and i went to saigon square again for more bargaining. met dad for lunch a K Cafe which is japanese traditional restaurant. tempura, shashimi. very good and i did it all with chopstix. walked to dong koi street (tourist shops) art gallery, antique shop, book shop. taxi home, took walk to pool. dinner at mekong merchant (pizza, salmon carbonnara). black white skirt and white shirt all day!
MONDAY finally made it to the White House aka Presidential Palace around 930am. This place is very important in history. it's where the surrender of south vietnam took place to the communist north vietnam leaders. see flickr photos for documentation of the interior. then got a bit lost on the streets headed to le loi street. completely muddled up so took a taxi to check out some shops. taxi home about 12:30. wearing khaki capri and leopard print tee. need to work on garden which is overgrown but can't communicate to Mr.Hai that it needs to be severely pruned. saw another ups truck. love talking to everyone on skype....better than phone call. tonight the plan is to stay home (and it looks like Mrs.Han has some meal planned which is really wonderful).
Thursday, March 19, 2009
catching up
so its been a few days and i'm sure you're all anxious for the next installment of life here.
WEDNESDAY: dad went for his usual morning swim....usually only one in pool at 6am. i walked around compound; power was off for 1+ hr but we had notice ahead of time. i walked up to main street to get nail polish changed about 10am, went ot supermarket for gatorade and coke. had noodle lunch with Mrs. Han (package like magi noodles really). work pink linen slax and white v neck tee. went to pool about 1p and read kindle which is an amazing piece of technology. alone for most of the time but then some little kids arrived for swim lessons (non english speaking). back home about 315p - it's a 5 minute walk down the street and around the corner. watched tv and puttered on the computer mostly. went to birthday party at Xu restaurant (pronounced zoo) for Margaret (TA lamp lady from Mississippi). her 60th. Jess, Lizzy, Werner, Sally and Antony Cox, other non TA friends. ordered steak, polka dot dress. margarets daughter is hostess at Xu and lives with local boyfriend ... nice couple.
THURSDAY: another wonderful day. dad swam, i walked after breakfast. then out to shops as we invited Akso finishing (varnish people) for cocktails before dinner. so i got a nice scented candle for the powder room, some coffee, cheese, crackers, etc at the supermarket. Mrs. Han the fabulous housekeeper made Thai soup and fried rice. fantastic. Thai soup had a pretty good kick to it but i avoided the chilies. fried rice is my go to dish as you know so it was wonderful. b&w sleeveless polkadot shirt, black capri. Ms. Han also made 20 fresh spring rolls and i watched so now i know but i think it's more the fresh ingredients than the preparation. and a dipping sauce that i can never duplicate. they arrived about 615 and were fun. impressed them with my kindle. guys from high point, hickory, indianapolis. AnthonyMaitland Smith, Keith, Justin, Adam, Bob and his wife. Dinner at Riverside Cafe (carbonarra) peach slax, wh linen
FRIDAY morning: breakfast with dad then watched the guys climb the coconut tree and remove the coconuts so we wouldnt get bonked. photos to follow. Ms. Thain coming soon for a massage. i might as well take advantage of it while i can.
so i figure this is what Assisted Living will be like. someone to make and serve me meals, someone to maintain my environment inside and outside, someone to drive me places, someone to pamper me with hair, nails, etc., someone to do my laundry, change the sheets. and i can chat to my family on skype assuming i know who they are! and my kindle will read to me if i need that and i get to watch dvds. half way thru australia. i also realized how hard dad works and the long hours he keeps and the demands on him. the factory is dusty and noisy and just being around it for a couple hours is difficult. pollution in HCM can be bad too so most people cover their nose/mouth when riding bikes.
i think tonight we'll have a walk and light meal (leftovers) and maybe watch a dvd. house down the street is moving out to switzerland. across the street is a us state dept person as evidenced by the badge on the "guard" outside. might try to pay a social call. i wonder if the person moving to switzerland has a bbq or bicycle they want to leave/sell. that's my next mission to find those things. love to all.
WEDNESDAY: dad went for his usual morning swim....usually only one in pool at 6am. i walked around compound; power was off for 1+ hr but we had notice ahead of time. i walked up to main street to get nail polish changed about 10am, went ot supermarket for gatorade and coke. had noodle lunch with Mrs. Han (package like magi noodles really). work pink linen slax and white v neck tee. went to pool about 1p and read kindle which is an amazing piece of technology. alone for most of the time but then some little kids arrived for swim lessons (non english speaking). back home about 315p - it's a 5 minute walk down the street and around the corner. watched tv and puttered on the computer mostly. went to birthday party at Xu restaurant (pronounced zoo) for Margaret (TA lamp lady from Mississippi). her 60th. Jess, Lizzy, Werner, Sally and Antony Cox, other non TA friends. ordered steak, polka dot dress. margarets daughter is hostess at Xu and lives with local boyfriend ... nice couple.
THURSDAY: another wonderful day. dad swam, i walked after breakfast. then out to shops as we invited Akso finishing (varnish people) for cocktails before dinner. so i got a nice scented candle for the powder room, some coffee, cheese, crackers, etc at the supermarket. Mrs. Han the fabulous housekeeper made Thai soup and fried rice. fantastic. Thai soup had a pretty good kick to it but i avoided the chilies. fried rice is my go to dish as you know so it was wonderful. b&w sleeveless polkadot shirt, black capri. Ms. Han also made 20 fresh spring rolls and i watched so now i know but i think it's more the fresh ingredients than the preparation. and a dipping sauce that i can never duplicate. they arrived about 615 and were fun. impressed them with my kindle. guys from high point, hickory, indianapolis. AnthonyMaitland Smith, Keith, Justin, Adam, Bob and his wife. Dinner at Riverside Cafe (carbonarra) peach slax, wh linen
FRIDAY morning: breakfast with dad then watched the guys climb the coconut tree and remove the coconuts so we wouldnt get bonked. photos to follow. Ms. Thain coming soon for a massage. i might as well take advantage of it while i can.
so i figure this is what Assisted Living will be like. someone to make and serve me meals, someone to maintain my environment inside and outside, someone to drive me places, someone to pamper me with hair, nails, etc., someone to do my laundry, change the sheets. and i can chat to my family on skype assuming i know who they are! and my kindle will read to me if i need that and i get to watch dvds. half way thru australia. i also realized how hard dad works and the long hours he keeps and the demands on him. the factory is dusty and noisy and just being around it for a couple hours is difficult. pollution in HCM can be bad too so most people cover their nose/mouth when riding bikes.
i think tonight we'll have a walk and light meal (leftovers) and maybe watch a dvd. house down the street is moving out to switzerland. across the street is a us state dept person as evidenced by the badge on the "guard" outside. might try to pay a social call. i wonder if the person moving to switzerland has a bbq or bicycle they want to leave/sell. that's my next mission to find those things. love to all.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
St. Patrick's day ++
later in the morning i went for a stroll around the compound then out onto the main road. at a recommendation from antony cox's wife sally, i checked out a nearby spa. today was the day when i decided to get a leg waxing. it was a first and probably the last time i'll be doing that. i'd rather go thru childbirth than that pain. and all i kept thinking about was that funny email where she was doing it to herself and i kept smiling thru the pain and i was only having the legs done! it was cheap 16USD.
bought a mini quiche lorraine for lunch. watched "rightous kill" denero pachino dvd. dad came home early to hang out with me and we went to town and went to diamond dept store (like nieman marcus or nordstroms) with real gucci, ferragamo, etc. also went to electronic store where he was looking for some outdoor speakers for his stereo system. to have music out on the front patio now, he just opens the doors but it would be nice to control the sound. we headed back and stopped at Riverside Cafe for an early supper ... about 6p. i had the most wonderful meatloaf. seriously the meatloaf was awesome. dad had caesar salad with chicken. the Riverside Cafe ranks up there as one of my favorite spots ... it's actually in a condo highrise complex with lots of families and an occasional dog. the cafe is next to the pool but separate enough that you dont have to see all shapes and sizes in their bathing costumes! Sitting at the outdoor tables is a great option to watch the river traffic and river hyacinth floating by. river traffic is mostly barges with containers on them or some barges with piles of stuff (sand?). so peaceful.
oh, i wore beige slax and greenish linen blouse. looking forward to Wednesday as each day is a new adventure.
later in the morning i went for a stroll around the compound then out onto the main road. at a recommendation from antony cox's wife sally, i checked out a nearby spa. today was the day when i decided to get a leg waxing. it was a first and probably the last time i'll be doing that. i'd rather go thru childbirth than that pain. and all i kept thinking about was that funny email where she was doing it to herself and i kept smiling thru the pain and i was only having the legs done! it was cheap 16USD.
bought a mini quiche lorraine for lunch. watched "rightous kill" denero pachino dvd. dad came home early to hang out with me and we went to town and went to diamond dept store (like nieman marcus or nordstroms) with real gucci, ferragamo, etc. also went to electronic store where he was looking for some outdoor speakers for his stereo system. to have music out on the front patio now, he just opens the doors but it would be nice to control the sound. we headed back and stopped at Riverside Cafe for an early supper ... about 6p. i had the most wonderful meatloaf. seriously the meatloaf was awesome. dad had caesar salad with chicken. the Riverside Cafe ranks up there as one of my favorite spots ... it's actually in a condo highrise complex with lots of families and an occasional dog. the cafe is next to the pool but separate enough that you dont have to see all shapes and sizes in their bathing costumes! Sitting at the outdoor tables is a great option to watch the river traffic and river hyacinth floating by. river traffic is mostly barges with containers on them or some barges with piles of stuff (sand?). so peaceful.
oh, i wore beige slax and greenish linen blouse. looking forward to Wednesday as each day is a new adventure.
Monday, March 16, 2009
St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! not much celebrating going on here as far as i can see. maybe later.
So some updating is necessary if I intend to keep writing this blog.
Saturday, March 14. dad swam in the morning, i cooked bacon and eggs, cleaned up, dad went to work; i took taxi to HCM (15 minutes $6); wanted to go to museum but hrs were 8-11 then 1-6 so i was too late for morning. went to BanTahn Market and wandered the stalls. got a couple pashminas (dont worry i can sell them to others); bookmarks, green silk shell. work pink liinen pants and white tee. when the sellers in the market see my linen pants they say "have many colors, big size". well i might not be as tiny as they are but big? dinner with dad at the hyatt again...sat at the bar and had a bowl of seafood fried rice. white linen pants, green shell.
SUNDAY: dad invited Jess (CFO) for breakfast. made pancakes (the walmart packages) bacon, sausage. dad went for 2 hr massage at 1030. i watched the dvd Taken which was great. lunch 1pm at Mekong Merchant ... a nice sunday place where mostly ex-pats hang out. ceasar salad with avacado and chicken, bottle of white allan scott new zealand wine. went to gourmet shop on the walk home for ice cream. walked the compound. took a nap. dinner was fried bologna sandwich. watched Frost Nixon dvd. wore black capri with B&W checked shirt. also at the market they tried to sell me checked shirt (blue). i guess they just grab whatever it is you happen to be wearing and try to sell you the same thing in many many colors. ralph lauren style.
MONDAY hung out in the morning, went to Boat House for lunch alone ... at the end of the street on the river is a restaurant which dad wont go to bc he thinks it brings in a bad element of people to the compound --- actually the only ones i saw were the locals from the compound. anyhow had garlc soup. taxi to market again. lookin for cream/beige handbag for myself ... small clutch. no luck. they had every form of big handbag with lots f buckles and straps but nothing small and casual. saw a UPS man which was a first. went to dinner at AnVien Restaurant with the rude Russians. he just drones on and one and is loud and obnoxious. wore that bl&whi skirt and black tee. great food though ... but i would not eat the eel or the spicy soup. mostly just the pork and spring roll.
TUESDAY St. Patricks day morning. Dad invited Matthew Williams (yes that MW from NC State and old MaitlandSmith) and Jess for breakfast. bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit. MW was in town and going back tomorrow. no plan for today yet ... there's always manicure!
So some updating is necessary if I intend to keep writing this blog.
Saturday, March 14. dad swam in the morning, i cooked bacon and eggs, cleaned up, dad went to work; i took taxi to HCM (15 minutes $6); wanted to go to museum but hrs were 8-11 then 1-6 so i was too late for morning. went to BanTahn Market and wandered the stalls. got a couple pashminas (dont worry i can sell them to others); bookmarks, green silk shell. work pink liinen pants and white tee. when the sellers in the market see my linen pants they say "have many colors, big size". well i might not be as tiny as they are but big? dinner with dad at the hyatt again...sat at the bar and had a bowl of seafood fried rice. white linen pants, green shell.
SUNDAY: dad invited Jess (CFO) for breakfast. made pancakes (the walmart packages) bacon, sausage. dad went for 2 hr massage at 1030. i watched the dvd Taken which was great. lunch 1pm at Mekong Merchant ... a nice sunday place where mostly ex-pats hang out. ceasar salad with avacado and chicken, bottle of white allan scott new zealand wine. went to gourmet shop on the walk home for ice cream. walked the compound. took a nap. dinner was fried bologna sandwich. watched Frost Nixon dvd. wore black capri with B&W checked shirt. also at the market they tried to sell me checked shirt (blue). i guess they just grab whatever it is you happen to be wearing and try to sell you the same thing in many many colors. ralph lauren style.
MONDAY hung out in the morning, went to Boat House for lunch alone ... at the end of the street on the river is a restaurant which dad wont go to bc he thinks it brings in a bad element of people to the compound --- actually the only ones i saw were the locals from the compound. anyhow had garlc soup. taxi to market again. lookin for cream/beige handbag for myself ... small clutch. no luck. they had every form of big handbag with lots f buckles and straps but nothing small and casual. saw a UPS man which was a first. went to dinner at AnVien Restaurant with the rude Russians. he just drones on and one and is loud and obnoxious. wore that bl&whi skirt and black tee. great food though ... but i would not eat the eel or the spicy soup. mostly just the pork and spring roll.
TUESDAY St. Patricks day morning. Dad invited Matthew Williams (yes that MW from NC State and old MaitlandSmith) and Jess for breakfast. bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit. MW was in town and going back tomorrow. no plan for today yet ... there's always manicure!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Back to me...
Friday was a very dull day in my life. i thought i would get down to the city and do a museum or wander but got a late start for no reason and the heat was a bit much. housekeeper Mrs. Han has everything organized and running smooth. i took a walk (wearing beige capri and orange linen shirt); had leftover pizza for lunch, went to club to see if i could chat with anyone and it was totally empty. not a soul was there. so i laid under an umbrella, popped in and out of the pool, read by kindle. did that for 2 hrs. about 3 some little kids and parents came in ... looked like japanese or chinese. came back to house at 3, watched psych on tv, took a shower and went out with dad at 6 to hyatt for dinner. we met roger friesen and 6 others from city furniture in florida. i had salmon. fyi black shirt and b&w knit top.
Saturday morning: dad went swimming, i make coffee, cooked bacon and egg for him. he went to work, i cleaned up kitchen and now i'll try to do the museum or something before the heat kicks in. today is pink linen slax (chadwick catalog), white sleeveless tee (talbot). obviously my blogs are not nearly as entertaining as yours are but i'm still learning. like this shortcut for italic that i just learned! also figured out i can take a photo when skyping. off for my adventure. love to all. kisses too.
Saturday morning: dad went swimming, i make coffee, cooked bacon and egg for him. he went to work, i cleaned up kitchen and now i'll try to do the museum or something before the heat kicks in. today is pink linen slax (chadwick catalog), white sleeveless tee (talbot). obviously my blogs are not nearly as entertaining as yours are but i'm still learning. like this shortcut for italic that i just learned! also figured out i can take a photo when skyping. off for my adventure. love to all. kisses too.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Jealous, maybe
sitting at the riverfront this evening, i saw a father-son out, one was running the other was pushing along on a scooter. i got to thinking how nice it would be to raise a young family here now. lots of domestic help, nanny for kids, housekeeper full time, driver, etc. what a wonderful opportunity for them to experience this. but then so was australia in its own way altho we didnt have the "staff" but we did have an experience. the other thing i was thinking was there are no teenagers in the compound that i've seen. most of the kids are middle school or younger which probably means that if you want a decent education for your child, then they have to be sent away or left behind. i'll keep a look out for teenagers since i've only just realized they arent around. other thing is i havent seen many dogs. possibly two and two behind a gate peaking their nose out (white fluffy kind). khaki capris/orange linen shirt
dad returning from singapore tonight. will order pizza, make a salad, he can have his grey goose on the rocks with a twist, i'll have a diet coke. figured he didnt need to be out dining when the weekend will be full of entertaining. sat at PMS pool today, finished book, started another. walked around AnPhu (like State Street in Greensboro).
dad returning from singapore tonight. will order pizza, make a salad, he can have his grey goose on the rocks with a twist, i'll have a diet coke. figured he didnt need to be out dining when the weekend will be full of entertaining. sat at PMS pool today, finished book, started another. walked around AnPhu (like State Street in Greensboro).
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Rotisserie Chicken dinner
i neglected to mention that we got a rotisserie chicken the other night and stayed home (i dont recall what i was wearing). anyhow i had pho (the soup) and dad had the chicken and some green beans. and here's our little chicken.....
Thursday was a write off kind of day. but Friday i was normal again and on my own since Dad went to Hong Kong and China for the day. I went to BP compound office and officially signed in so i could come and go at the entry gate. went to supermarket and got some diet coke, bacon and eggs for weekend. Housekeeper made lunch of Pho Ga (chicken noodle soup but soooo much better, right Emily?). then Thain (pronouced gin) came and i got a massage, pedi, mani for the equivalent of $15USD. went to dinner with Lizzy, Werner and Jess since Harvey was in China. just had soup and salad. i wore a black and white skirt and black tee.
SATURDAY was a good day. they mostly are i guess. H went for swim at 6, i made bacon and eggs for him. then he went to work, i cleaned up. rained like crazy in pm. dining room ceiling had a leak. went to dinner at the Hyatt in HCM for the Russians: Jana (johnna); Leonid, translator, Janine and Anthony Maitland Smith. I ordered steak; wore black and white skirt (different one) and black tee.
SUNDAY went to Riverside complex for breakfast/brunch. with Lizzy (marketing) and Jess (CFO). split eggs benedict. wore peach capri and white knit top. then took Dad and we went to Saigon Center which Dad hated bc it was a market style place. sunday night had a biz dinner with Akso people from usa keith, justin and one other guy and us. went to The Deck which is a great place on the river. wore black and white skirt (again) and black tee. ordered crab/tomato salad and tuna spring roll.
MONDAY 6:10 sunrise, took photos, locked out of front gate. Mrs. Han came and let us in. went to supermarket. taxi to city, went to duty free for jack daniels for dad but didnt have paperwork; checked out repaired bracelet but left it there bc i didnt want to be running around city with that in my handbag; got a couple pashminas for $9; 5pm went back to duty free with dad, got JC, bracelet, groceries for dinner incl. chicken with neck. wore black capri white tee
TUES. 6am walked to pool, breakfast fruit, coffee toast; went with Mrs. Han to see plants, refrig and stove at Tulip house (TA no longer leasing house but not leaving stuff). 10am went to Metro (costco/sams) with Janine to check it out and see how they work. pretty much the same but not quite as organized. 2pm went to MrPauls house to sit, swim and read and get some color. first dinner with just dad...walked to Mekong Restaurant, ordered salmon. actually lizzy was there and eventually werner (married couple frm uk). black linen slax and print top.
WED....yet to happen. 10am massage scheduled. why not!
SATURDAY was a good day. they mostly are i guess. H went for swim at 6, i made bacon and eggs for him. then he went to work, i cleaned up. rained like crazy in pm. dining room ceiling had a leak. went to dinner at the Hyatt in HCM for the Russians: Jana (johnna); Leonid, translator, Janine and Anthony Maitland Smith. I ordered steak; wore black and white skirt (different one) and black tee.
SUNDAY went to Riverside complex for breakfast/brunch. with Lizzy (marketing) and Jess (CFO). split eggs benedict. wore peach capri and white knit top. then took Dad and we went to Saigon Center which Dad hated bc it was a market style place. sunday night had a biz dinner with Akso people from usa keith, justin and one other guy and us. went to The Deck which is a great place on the river. wore black and white skirt (again) and black tee. ordered crab/tomato salad and tuna spring roll.
MONDAY 6:10 sunrise, took photos, locked out of front gate. Mrs. Han came and let us in. went to supermarket. taxi to city, went to duty free for jack daniels for dad but didnt have paperwork; checked out repaired bracelet but left it there bc i didnt want to be running around city with that in my handbag; got a couple pashminas for $9; 5pm went back to duty free with dad, got JC, bracelet, groceries for dinner incl. chicken with neck. wore black capri white tee
TUES. 6am walked to pool, breakfast fruit, coffee toast; went with Mrs. Han to see plants, refrig and stove at Tulip house (TA no longer leasing house but not leaving stuff). 10am went to Metro (costco/sams) with Janine to check it out and see how they work. pretty much the same but not quite as organized. 2pm went to MrPauls house to sit, swim and read and get some color. first dinner with just dad...walked to Mekong Restaurant, ordered salmon. actually lizzy was there and eventually werner (married couple frm uk). black linen slax and print top.
WED....yet to happen. 10am massage scheduled. why not!
Days 1-6 in HoChiMinh
no promises on keeping this up to date but it's a start in the right direction. i love reading your blogs and maybe this will help keep everyone updated while i'm gone.
departed on tues mar 3, arrived wed mar 4 about 11pm. chicago, hong kong, ho chi minh. tired and ready for fresh air and stretch legs.
thurs morning felt awful. headache, etc. didnt sleep well either (not used to snoring). low key, zombie day with lots of resting. stayed out of Mrs. Han's way while she did her thing in the house. Mrs. Han is housekeeper woman who is amazing. Mr. Hai the driver chauffers dad around day and night; Mr. Hai the gardener is an elderly guy who waters the hell out of plants. Mr. Hai gardener was airforce pilot, tortured, etc during way. sure he has amazing stories if i just could understand him. they all speak a version of english. although if i was speaking a foreign language, i'd probably go very slowly but they blast thru words and i cant quite tune in yet. Dad had biz dinner so i just had leftover pizza.
departed on tues mar 3, arrived wed mar 4 about 11pm. chicago, hong kong, ho chi minh. tired and ready for fresh air and stretch legs.
thurs morning felt awful. headache, etc. didnt sleep well either (not used to snoring). low key, zombie day with lots of resting. stayed out of Mrs. Han's way while she did her thing in the house. Mrs. Han is housekeeper woman who is amazing. Mr. Hai the driver chauffers dad around day and night; Mr. Hai the gardener is an elderly guy who waters the hell out of plants. Mr. Hai gardener was airforce pilot, tortured, etc during way. sure he has amazing stories if i just could understand him. they all speak a version of english. although if i was speaking a foreign language, i'd probably go very slowly but they blast thru words and i cant quite tune in yet. Dad had biz dinner so i just had leftover pizza.
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