The People!

A cute child we saw on our hike

Water buffalo-a familiar site in Vietnam.  We often saw little kids riding them

This picture says it all!

Michael chilling with the Red Doa ladies

One of the teachers showing us how to bamboo dance

The headmaster likes bamboo dancing, too!

Our dancing translators!

We thought we'd have an American dance party

The kids seemed to like it!

We loved getting to know the people in Vietnam!

The School

The school that some children have to walk 2 hours both way to go to.   Our team went and help build a dorm so the kids could stay at school during the week.

We started by digging up dirt for the floor

We then carried it in these tarps down a hill, around the corner to the dorm

The hill doesn't look big here, but it felt pretty steep. The dirt came from behind that building which is where the teachers live.

Carrie then expertly smoothed out the dirt so it would be ready for the cementing process

I painted. Don't worry...I carried plenty of dirt, too!

A couple of our little helpers.

 

Taking a break

Guess Evan really needed a break

The almost finished product (just waiting for the cement truck)

We also helped clear their garden, moved a VERY large pile of bricks and hung out with the school children

Toodling Around Hanoi

Minh, posing for the camera as usual!  Those hats are really necessary due to the heat!

Our team leader saying something prolific :)...We miss you Michael!!

The gardens at the cultural museum we visited

I just liked this picture opportunity

A very long boat at the cultural museum

Some of the team hanging out at the cultural museum...James is the guy with the coy smile

I  always take pictures of windows.  Don't ask me why.

Joel in front of a REALLY big tree.

Yep, that's a bike under all those fish traps.  The carrying capacity that the Vietamese utilize on their motor bikes is amazing.

Our first lunch.  We are eating pho...a type of noodle.  This was a difficult meal for those of use who are chopstick challenged.

Entering the Hanoi Hilton.  Not my favorite part of the trip:)  I'm not a fan of learning about torture.

The students!

A road in Hanoi.  I wish I could better depict how crazy the roads are!

In our train car.  This is how we traveled from Hanoi to Sapa.   Notice how ready for bed I am?

Notice how the students weren't ready to go to bed?

Fi Fi!!

A team shot at the cultural museum. I could tell you more about this structure if I read all the plaques at museums...kinda like my parents do!

It's us again...in Vietnam!  What an experience.

Sweet Home...NJ?

Today I asked Joel if he felt like NJ was home.  The song, "Sweet Home Alabama" was playing at our gym and I replaced Alabama with our new home state.  He replied, "No."  My response was, "Yeah, I feel like I'm on some sort of weird vacation...one where I have to unpack boxes all the time:)

Here's our NJ top five so far:
1) The people.  Seriously, I could listen to these people all day long.  Their accents and attitudes are to die for.
2) Small businesses.  I love the fact I can walk (it would be a long walk, but still) to a bakery and buy freshly made canolis.
3) The Neighborhoods.  My jaw drops almost every time I'm riding in a car with Joel.  Seriously, some of these people live in castles.  (just so you know, we live in a town house...and are nowhere near the neighborhoods that epitomize the movie "Stepford Wives")
4) Pizza, Pizza, Pizza!!  I haven't been to an Italian restaurant since we moved here, but you could buy me pizza anytime of day and I'd love you forever.
5) Our Home.  I can't believe how fortunate we are.  The first time we went looking for a place to rent, I almost cried.  I love the space we have here.  It's perfect for us.

Here's our NJ bottom three so far:
1) The Roads.  They have been the cause of ALL marital stress during our transition period.  Pot holes, signs covered by trees and multiple name changes within short distances. Grrrr...Oh..and no left hand turns.

2) Customer Service. Sheesh.  I will admit that I complained about this in VA also.  I guess I'm just used to "Minnesota Nice."  Someone explained to me yesterday that people aren't trying to be mean in NJ....they just sound that way.  That made me feel a little better.  Here's an example of a phone conversation I had with a washer/dryer salesman.
salesman-"Hello"
me-"Hey, I just had a couple of questions for you.  Can you tell me where you are located?"
salesman-"Who is this?"
me-thinking I called the wrong number I said.."Ummm..who is this.  I'm trying to get a hold of the business that sells washer and dryers."
salesman-"that's us"
me-"Uh okay...can you tell me the address and your hours."
He ended up giving me the information, but it was definitely an unpleasant phone conversation!
3)  Did I say the roads? :)

Some Pictures from Our Bahama Cruise...FINALLY

Looking for sea glass...I was unsuccessful.

Isn't my husband handsome?  Every time there's one of these picture cut-outs, I make him do it.  BTW..the crocodile meat was delicious

I loved all the bright colors...yes, the water was that blue

A View From the Ship

My good friend let me borrow some clothes for the big event....She has good taste,  right?

We had such a GREAT time.  Wish I were back on that boat.