NYC!

We definitely look like mother/daughter.  This is at the end of our trip.  I think the hot sun wore us out! and no I didn't cut my hair...it's pulled behind my ears...

Our view from the top of the "rock."

We took a ferry across the river to get from NJ to NYC

Yep, we're definitely related. 

Last week, while Joel was at an adminstrator's conference, my mom came and visited me!  She helped me clean my garage, find my way around NJ and even played lots of scrabble.  When Joel came back from his conference, we took her to NYC.  We chose the hottest day ever (it was over 100 degrees), but we still had lots of fun. 

I'm the Nerdiest!

Admit it.  You've seen these at the grocery store and wondered if they actually work.  I love my swiffer, but my feet cover more ground much more frequently than a piece of cloth attached to a stick ever will.  Thus, I decided to try these babies out.  My lower extremities also get very cold! (This was a point of contention early on in our marriage...apparently, it's not okay to stick your ice cold feet on your hubbies very warm ones) Now, I get the best of both worlds.  Warm feet and clean floors.  Who could ask for more?

Hiking It

Joel and I found this beautiful lake when we went hiking last Saturday!  Hard to believe we're only 20 miles away from NYC and still have the ability to find some nature!

Maddie enjoyed the lake, too!

Garage Woes

Today I ran into my neighbor that we share a garage with. Yes, we get our own parking space, garage door and light, just not our own wall.  Weird, I know.  Well, Joel and I have not cleaned up our garage yet.  It is full of Christmas tree decorations, memoirs from our childhood and ect. We figured this space should be the LAST priority in our house.  Apparently, our neighbor does not think so.  I ran into him this morning, said "hello" and politely stated, "We are going to clean our garage soon."  He immediately responded, "WHEN, WHEN are you going to clean it?"  I was a little astounded by this question.  We've lived in NJ for two weeks EXACTLY.  We still have VA license plates.  We haven't even settled on a grocery store.  I don't have a job.  Yet, he is exasperated by the amount of time it has taken us to tidy our garage space.  I know some people who have lived in their homes for years and STILL aren't completely moved in.  There are others who open their garage doors and the neighbors think they are having a sale.  Hmmm...I can't get over this!  How long would you wait to straighten your garage when moving to a different state?  Comment and make me feel better about my situation!

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.