New Beginnings

The few days prior to leaving for Viet Nam were quite interesting. Between packing up my apartment, seeing friends and saying goodbye to Vinny, it was quite a whirlwind. A big THANKS to Rachel and Sandy for being the best support ever and being such great packers.

I flew JFK to Anchorage, Anchorage to Taipei and then Taipei to Saigon. Upon arriving in Saigon, my cousin Ben La picked me up at the airport and we headed home. It was definitely hot in Saigon (about 95 F). What a change from NYC's storm storm a few days before I flew out.

Before starting my internship with Vinacapital Foundation on Tuesday, I headed up to Ha Noi to see my good friend Dave and just to decompress after the whirlwind known as February in the States. So that's where I currently am now. The past couple of days have just included wandering the city, eating good food, meeting new friends and just decompressing. I do miss the States, my friends and family but when I get lonely, I just eat good food and think, "I can't get this in the States" and my homesickness is cured for a bit. $5 pedicures definitely helps too. I've never been a spa snob but I think I could get used to this lifestyle for a bit :) Steve has adopted a Vietnamese boy and his name is Zach. He is the cutest little thing ever and everyday he hugs me, tells me I'm pretty and today even said he wants to marry me. He's only 3 years old but can speak Vietnamese, English and is learning Mandarin at his preschool. Just the cutest little boy ever and not to mention a great self-esteem booster.

For my foodies out there: Best meal so far especially for the foodies who are trying to follow Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food" mantra: I had fried tofu with fresh rice noodles wrapped in fresh mint and basil and dipped with a shrimp/fish sauce from a small neighborhood street stand in a back alley. We sat on plastic little stools that were probably 5 inches by 6 inches. Yummy! Dessert was fresh cut tropical fruit mixed with crushed ice and drizzled with condensed milk.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this decision and I will keep updating you on my new adventures but for now, sitting on a private balcony (thank you Steve for hosting me in your beautiful home) overlooking Hoan Kiem lake, sipping a glass of red wine and watching the motorbikes zoom past, life is good.