Family

In light of some recent occurrences over in the East Coast, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my experience within the scope of family. The only reason I am here in the first place is because so many family members supported my decision to live and work abroad in a country they knew virtually nothing about. It's definitely hard to be so far away (and to send a loved one so far away) when heavy things are happening on the home front, but I am thankful that my incredible experiences over here in Ha Noi and my decision to write about them has let so many people glimpse into my Hanoian life style. I'm thinking especially of Pop and Geeka right now, as I know my blog is the closest thing they will have to traveling Vietnam. It is in this regard that I do my best to write about my day on a regular basis, despite how tired I may be. Right now I know that Pop is reading this from a hospital bed in New Jersey, and I just want to extend a warm hello and hearty thank-you for all the support through the years. I really hope my blog is working as a solid tool for expanding knowledge about the country and culture of Viet Nam. Additionally, it is Geeka's 80th Birthday today (I can't even believe it!) and I want to send him a "Chuc mung sinh nhat!"... or a Happy Birthday in Vietnamese. I feel that everyone in my family has offered an unbelievable amount of support in my adventure, and I put a lot of effort into my blog to show how thankful I am. I do my best to communicate just how different life is Ha Noi, and also to emphasize the excitement about how much I've learned and am currently learning.

I've been thinking a lot about family recently, even more so that I've decided to come home in December. I really can't wait to reunite with everyone at Christmas time and share my experiences in person rather than through the limitations of the internet. But, I think, I've done pretty well so far. So, here's a picture of me sending a big smile, a warm thanks, and lots of love from the top of the Reunification Palace in Saigon.