Viet Nam

One of the perks of traveling is what you learn.  For example, while traveling in Vietnam, I learned it is really spelled Viet Nam.  I also learned that the Vietnam War is called the American War there. Who knew?

It is all about our perspective.  I was reminded that my perspective does not mean it is reality.

When my sister said she was coming to visit me when I had a week off of school I knew right away that we were going to go to Vietnam.  I had to talk her into it, but what a better place for me to see then with a sibling.  That is because for the past 33 years (34 years in a couple weeks), Vietnam has been a fixture in my life.  It has been the topic of many conversations and the reason for a lot of decisions.  The reason is that at the ripe ol' age of 18, my dad joined the US Marines and was shipped off to war in Vietnam.  

He was sent to the middle of Vietnam to Da Nang.  I also found out later that Wade's dad was sent to an area close to that called Happy Valley (or something like that, but is more like an antonym of what it was).  Today Da Nang and other areas of Vietnam are huge cities or beach side resorts.  I knew going I was not going to experience even a small ratio of what they did, but I felt that I needed to go as a homage for them (even if they thought I was crazy for doing it)

ReBecca and I did not make it to DaNang in the time that we had.  Instead we headed to Ho Chi Min (previously known as Saigon) and the beach town Mui Ne.  It was not the exact places my dad had been to, but I did get a feel of the country and its people.   We also did not run into any other Americans while there.  I know there must have been some, but unlike Thailand, we were not as prevalent. 

The beach was luxurious and wonderful.  It was definitely a vacation.  Saigon was crazy and adventurous.  The beach I would go back too, Saigon, probably not.  

It was a five hour drive to the beach.  The last hour I thought I was going to burst.  Driving was crazy and we almost faced death a couple time.  They also honk ALL THE TIME!!

I was amazed that even though Thailand and Vietnam are only an hour flight away, at how different they were.  Due to French colonization there is a European influence.  The bakery items were wonderful and the architecture had a Paris feel.  20% of the country is also Catholic and with each street turn there was another church.  They also drive on the "right" side of the street. 

The hardest part of the trip, but the most needed was going to the War Remnants Museum.  It was not as anti-American as I thought, but it was a reminder of how awful war is.  As my sister and I walked the exhibits in silents on the verge of tears, I completely understood why it has effected my life through my father the way that it did. 

After the trip, we were happy to get back to Thailand, but glad that we went to Vietnam.  We got to see a piece of history and learn a little more about perspective.  

Mui Ne is known for their kite boarding.  You spend the mornings on the beach, and by 1pm the wind picks up and the surf.  

Our beach bungalow.  My parents gave us money for the trip, so we were able to do it in style!!!

Mia Resort.  Awesome place.  I highly recommend staying here. 

There was a WIDE variety of foods to try.  Some illegal in the US. 

Items being sold on the beach. 

Dinner one night.

People had pet monkeys everywhere.  At first I was scared of them, but then I became brave, 

Beach drinks!!

View from our hotel in Saigon. 

War Remnants Museum.  A US tank left after the war.  There was a LOT of items left after the war.  

One of the reason the Vietnam War has influence our life so much is because of Agent Orange.  My dad was sprayed with the chemical and now has health issued due to it.  Also, as some people know, I have crocked fingers.  This is due to a rare bone disease that makes my bones look like Swiss cheese.  I have had a number of surgeries for tumor growth.  My dad and sister are convinced this is also due to Agent Orange. It has been found to pass from people who where sprayed to their children to cause horrible birth defects.  This section of the museum is dedicated to that.  For more information check this out from BBC: HERE

One of the best ways to get to know a culture is through food.  Here we are enjoying some pho.  We ate a lot of pho.  I love pho.

Pho

Everywhere you go in Saigon the streets look like this. 

Back in BKK before she heads home.  Thank you ReBecca for coming to visit me.  It meant more then you will know.  It is a memory we will have forever. 

Thank you Kyle and girls for letting ReBecca come see me for two weeks!

Halloween

I think Halloween is Amelia's favorite holiday.  She loves to dress up and eat candy, so being that is what Halloween is all about, it makes sense.  Also, she told me about 10 times that day and is already on countdown until next year.

A zookeeper and a peacock. 

Like last year, we partied it up at school and in the hood.  Liam got to join Amelia's class for a parade and trick-or-treating and cried when he had to go home for a nap.  Earlier that day the daycare crew had a small celebration of their own.

Later that night our neighborhood hosted a Halloween carnival and trick-or-treating.  We had record numbers show up, with probably about 100 kids plus their parents.  It as a lot of fun, but I spent most of my time painting faces.

You also know that Halloween was a success when you realize that is it time for bed and all you and the kids have had to eat is Krispy Kremes and candy.  One ham sandwich later, we all hit the beds wiped out.

Until next year.....

Getting ready for the parade

Trick-or-treating at school

Who knew the zookeeper was REALLY Spiderman underneath!!!

She shook her tail feathers ALL day.  She love the tutu a mother at school made her.  

Liam was Spiderman last year too.  Tradition. 

Daycare crew.

Best buddies.  Liam and Riley

My face painting station

Ms. Darcy and Amelia at school.  Lizzy photo-bombing in the background.

Chiang Mai

The whole purpose for my sister's and my  trip to Chiang Mai was to relax.  We did that pretty well with shopping, eating and of course lots and lots of massages.  All of it was wonderful. It was so nice to have ReBecca here to share Thailand and to also have another adventure with.  I think she loved Chiang Mai as much as I do!

Starting and ending her visit with a foot massage.  I love these and they only cost about 4.  I normally try to get one at least once a week.  With RJ, it was at least once a day. 

We had to do something that involved culture, so we headed to Doi Sethep.  It is on top of a mountain.  We took a taxi to the main part, then hiked up. 

At the temple.  We had to rent the skirts because our shorts were too short. 

This is the market we learned about during our cooking class.  We went back the rest of the days for smoothies and fruit. 

Our cooking class. 

We spent 4 hours at a spa.  It cost us about $75, which is expensive in Thailand.  The place caters to Western people.  It was heavenly bliss.

Food: Once of our favorite activities.  

ReBecca had heard of the third gender, but didn't realize she was seeing them everywhere.  After the show we went to, she became a pro at spotting them. 

Introducing her to my favorite beer. Leo. 

Our new best friend. 

More food.  My favorite Thai dish. Chiang Mai noodles.  ReBecca loved it as much as I do. 

Thai Cooking Class

I have the week off and my sister has come for a visit.  We are taking advantage of this and have left the kids at home with the husbands and we are going on a sisters trip.  Our first part of the adventure is heading North to Chiang Mai.   If you ever come to Thailand, you need to make it a stop.  It is wonderfully chill.

Chiang Mai reminds me a lot of home in the summer.  The weather is great, it is green with mountains and there are a lot of hippies (backpackers).  The best part to me is the food.

You may think Thai food is Thai food.  But depending on the region, the recipes change.  The foods North are creamier and sweeter (probably why I like them so much).  So during our visit, we had to do a cooking class. My friend Amy, along with her daughter Anna, joined in too.

We attended Baan Thai Cooking School up the street from our guest house.  We spent the day choosing and making five dishes.  ReBecca and I each made different ones so we could share and try more dishes.  The goal now will be to see if we can remake them when we go home.  

Below is my finished work and the recipe.  A lot of the dishes look way harder to make then they actually are.  The hardest part will be finding the ingredients.  However,  most can be substitutes for things found back home.  Also, look at the Asian grocery stores.

Pad Thai

Spring rolls

Coconut chicken soup

Northern style curry noodles (my favorite)

Mangos and stick rice ( Amelia's favorite food)

Token strikes again

I am afraid to post anything about this weekend in fear that people are going to think I am one of those mothers from Toddles and Tiara.  I swear I am not.  Judge me as you will.....

Working her model pose.

About a month ago I got a note in my mailbox at school from one of the mothers at school.  She is a fashion designer in Bangkok and was showing her line at ELLE Fashion Week, Bangkok.  She wanted to know if Amelia would model a dress from her new children's lines she was introducing right before the adult line.  I started laughing as I read it...oh Token.

The designer brand....the children's line is called Tutti Frutti.

After talking with Wade, we decided it was up to her if she wanted to do it.  We looked at fashion shows on YouTube and talked about what it meant to her.  Amelia was ALL about it, so we said yes.   We had fittings, pictures for stylist and of course, the week before, she runs into a tree and gives herself a black eye.  I thought we were done.

The eye.

Nope, the eye heals enough to be concealed by makeup and Saturday morning, Amelia and I wake up early to join all the other models for a day of practices, hair, make-up and the catwalk.  We could have left for lunch and shopping at Asia's biggest mall between events, but Amelia wanted to stay there all day and watch.  I left a couple hours before the show to meet Wade and Liam while she got her makeup and hair done.  She could care less that I was gone.  Amelia was in her prime.

Morning practice. 

She LOVED every minute of it.  She must get that from Wade. The running into trees she gets from me.

She wore a dress I would wear.  One shoulder, off white lace. 

The show.  We didn't get very good pictures of her all dressed up with hair and makeup.  When I left her to meet Wade and Liam. this was the next time I saw her.  

Liam LOVED the event as much as here.  Paparazzi got pictures of him too. 

Waiting to go it, holding up the bar, eating a Popsicle. 

The shows intro.

The "big girl" models. Wade's favorite. That day Amelia learned girls smoked cigarettes.  Before she thought it was only old men, like my dad. 

The press.

The apple does not fall far from the tree.....

Friends

This picture was taken last weekend.  It is some of the neighborhood kids enjoying cake.  Living where we do has been the BEST part of living in Thailand.  We are grateful to have met the people we have met.

Top to bottom: Scott, Anna, Donovan, Max, Gephan, Amelia, Molly and Liam.