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.

Maddie-Poo

All this moving tired our little pooch out!

Lost

My mom is the type of person who doesn't mind if she takes the long way...just as long as she gets there.  I thought I'd adopt this attitude when I moved to NJ.  So far, I've already been lost three times, and definitely have not acquired her happy-go-lucky nature towards "taking the long but scenic way."

We moved here on Friday.  It's Wednesday.  GPS...SHNEEPEENESS...It doesn't help the directionally challenged, especially when it is constantly searching for service..NJ doesn't seem to label their roads to well either....I'm just saying :)

Think of me as you effortlessly glide your way to work, Wal-Mart and Target.  I'm sure I'll be on some back road, wishing I could find my way home:)

I can FINALLY upload pictures!!!

Joel and I have been waiting for the big move to buy a new computer.  This weekend we bought a mac.  We love it.  I'm especially excited to share our Vietnam pictures with you all soon.  They are amazing and will make you all want to go!

It's All the Little Stuff....

1. Driving a 26' Penske Truck with a car trailer from Virginia to NJ. done.
2. Unloading the 26' Penske truck into our house containing 2 flights of stairs. done.
3. Arranging all of our stuff without bickering (we don't bicker...we lovingly discuss in firm voices :). 2/3 done.
4. Locating the nearest apple store and driving 20 miles the wrong direction then discovering we were indeed driving the wrong direction. DONE.
5. Discussing the shelves that Caron does not like for the 15th time. done.
6. Enjoying the fact that we now have 2 1/2 bathrooms, including a master large enough to do somersaults in. continuing to be done.
7. Discovering it's all the little stuff that eats up money (trash cans and hand soap for those 2 1/2 baths...ect). Done.
8. Missing our Virginia friends. This will always be done!
9. Enjoying our new life adventure together...did, doing, will do and done!