Reflections - Almost Time

Four and a half months to the end of my stint in Vietnam.

Must say that I am looking forward to that.

Not because I do not like the place. Hanoi has become a home for me. I made many good friends here. The country has treated me well.

But it is time to go home.

I am now 40 years old and there remain many questions in my mind. Who am I? What do I believe in? Where do I go from here?

I need to think through.

Irresponsible Dog Owners

Had to cut Pooch's walking time last night after two dogs (unleashed and unaccompanied by their owners) were running around Ciputra last night.

Pooch was going crazy and it took all my strength to hold her back.

I think people who cannot even walk their dogs and simply letting them run free are irresponsible and should not be allowed to keep dogs as pets.

Terrible. What if kids were to get into a situation with these dogs?

Toads in Hanoi

Why are there so many toads in Hanoi?

Perhaps one reason could be the heavy showers over the past few days but it is rather amazing to see so many toads hopping around. 1 every 2-3 metres.

While walking Pooch, I tend to encounter them everywhere. Even Pooch has to side-step them. I saw one last night that was really huge. Gave me a shock as it was rather dark.

I think I will stop reading horror manga for a while!

Goodbye Hanoi for the Family

After almost four and a half years, my family left for home.

Mum, I suspect, may be the most affected as she had settled well into life in Vietnam.

She enjoyed the trips to the market and the visits to the countryside.

It was as expected a difficult farewell for Ian as he said goodbye to his friends, some of whom were distraught by the thought that Ian will no longer be around. Ian now has to get himself ready to the hustle and bustle style of schooling in Singapore. I personally think the Singapore system of education sucks because it takes away the joy of discovering the world. But I will leave to another time.

Given her young age, Nat was rather ambivalent to the idea of return but she is also in for a challenging time because of the adjustment back into the kindergarten system. Sigh.

As for Nic, the accident at home caused by a falling piece of glass was a dramatic and disheartening end to her stay in Hanoi. But Nic is like Peter to me, for she was a rock and a colossus of strength at home. She was the glue that held us together.

Now the missing begins...till my turn to leave this place for home.

New Player

Hmm.

New player at Manchester United. Jones.

Where he is going to play?

An End of a Chapter

Nicole and the kids are leaving this weekend for Singapore.

They first arrived in Hanoi in Feb 2008.

More than three years now.

I will leave in December.

They will come up again in November after Ian's exams. To say goodbye to everyone.

I will miss them while they are away. Skype will be a daily option but will not make the distance more bearable.

It is the end of a chapter.

And soon, the beginning of a new one.

Off to Ha Tinh

Will be visiting Ha Tinh tomorrow.

Not sure what to expect.

Let's see.

Retirement of Paul Scholes

Yup, it is confirmed. Scholes has just announced his retirement.

Thanks for your years of magic.

The club will be very different without you.

Best of luck for your future!

A Happy Day

Nic returned from UK today.

We were very happy to see her.

The house has been too quiet without her.

Welcome back, baby!

Tam Dao

Brought the family to Tam Dao today. It is a mountain resort 1.5 hours from Hanoi.

The road up the mountain was narrow and it was a nerve wracking drive up. Lorries were competing to get up. Mind you, it is a 1 lane but vehicles were going both ways.

At one stage, a huge tour bus decided to squeeze through forcing many of the cars coming up to stop. We found ourselves having to go backwards to give the bus space to move. Imagine doing this while on an incline. It was no joke.

I was nervously watching my driver to make he was alert.

Why must driving outside Hanoi be such a terrifying experience? I recall going to Mai Chau and the several near death experiences.

Perhaps lives are too cheap in Vietnam?

The bad experience going up in a way spoilt the mood by the time we got to the top.

Aside from the breath-taking views, there was little else to do.

Wish the locals make more effort building up tourist spots.

One thing for sure is that I will not go up again!

Daily Reflections - Nat and cows

Had to record this down.

A few days ago, we were rather behind time and was running a bit late for school.

I told Natty that we had to hurry up and not "wait for the cows..."

I deliberately paused for effect and waited for her reply.

She looked at me innocently and asked with an arched eyebrow, "Moo?"

I had a good laugh.

My little girl has a good sense of humour.

Daily Reflections

More than four years and yet Hanoi's traffic drives me nuts at time.

How should I summarise traffic in Hanoi?

(1) Red lights means go.

(2) Green lights means go.

(3) Amber means go.

(4) Green man means go. Pedestrians? What pedestrians?

(5) When crossing roads, good to have religion since you can meet your maker in a bang.

(6) Never run across roads. Just slide through the traffic. Or find a Hanoian.

(7) Helmets are for display. Protection is for wimps.

(8) Never open your mouth while on the bike as things WILL go in.

(9) Big cars good but some big cars are better than others. Same for all other classes of vehicles.

Reflections

Six more months and it will be time to return home. Well for more than four years Vietnam had been my home.

I will miss this place. For now I will prepare my family to return home in June.

How fast time has passed.

It is a crazy world

It is a crazy world.

The Middle East is in turmoil.

Japan's ongoing nuclear crisis.

Floods in Southern Thailand.

I am at a loss of words.