Summer is here

Well a lot has gone on in the past 4 months! Suffice to say - we're keeping busy. On the down side, I lost of friend of 20 years to cancer about a week ago. She leaves behind her partner and 2 wonderful kids. In addition, we lost a 6 year old girl in our TamKy program this month - she had cerebral palsey all of her life and finally succumbed to an infection and fever.

On the positive side, one of the 4 kids who ran away from our DaNang Social Support Center is back. Viet and I are trying to move 5 boys to a different home in TamKy where they can be kept busy and learn a vocation. I found a Vietnamese pediatricain and nutritionist; both have visited an orphange and will work with us to provide better care for the kids.

Dad arrived about 2 weeks ago for a 1 month vacation. I kept him busy up north in Sapa where the ethnic minorities live, then Hanoi - Vietnam's Capital, and in Halong Bay which is beautiful. He's now resting in HoiAn and loving it there. He has at least 5 women doting on him every day. He also went with me to a wedding in Saigon last weekend so I think he's set for beach and sun time for now. Oh and he came to 3 orphanages and was terrific with the kids - especially the disabled ones. He picked them up, gave them hugs, took them for walks, played with leggos - I might have to sign him up to volunteer for a month!

My 2 best friends: Sofi and Eadaoin left this week to return to Spain and Ireland. We had several months of fun and memories together. They kept me going when I lacked focus or energy and I want to thank them for the ongoing inspiration! Carrie is back to stay - from AU - although she has a boyfriend now, I'm sure I'll see her lots!

It's getting hot - about 85 (32 c) during the day / night - I am renting a house now, near the GVN House but there isn't any A/C yet. I'll be shopping for some soon though! It's just really tough to regenerate w/o the cool air!

I've been driving a motor bike regularly and the car or van sometimes. I find it pretty easy to drive here but then I've driven in Rome and THAT was insane.

I want to begin a bi monthly meeting with other NGO's in DaNang so we can share information with each other. Recentley we've made improvements with teaching the mothers English, working on feeding practicies and hygiene. East Meets West provided dental care to over 95 kids. (I finally lost count). I was really happy with their program and the care - they will also go to Tuy Hoa in May 2010 and provide care for another 500 kids there.

I'm getting asked a lot about my plans for after Dec of 2009. So far, no decision yet. I'd like to go back to the US for a visit though. I miss a lot of friends there. Might have to plan around the latest epidemic of Swine Flu though! Jeez do we have problems! In the meantime, I'm loving the simplicity of life here - I have a very modest house that I split with a 26 yr old guy from France. We each pay $75 per month plus utilities. I'm living on the $300 per month GVN Vietnam is able to pay me - plus all my meals are included. So, I really can't complain.

I don't shop when I'm bored. I read. I don't research the latest cars, fancy vacations or rental properties. I'm happy helping volunteers from around the world, help kids in Vietnam. It's that simple really. I would like to meet someone to date though. That's quite a challenge in this country - it doesn't help that I'm not really attracted to Asians - plus, the local women here are not as independant or confident. I'll have to find a western woman in an Asian world!