New Year's

One of the perks of tutoring at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) as part of my job has been an invitation to an annual holiday/thank you dinner from the Foreign Minister of Vietnam. Last Tuesday night, Nancy and I and the other tutors were escorted to a very nice restaurant where we were treated to an elaborate meal with the Foreign Minister, the president of our university, the dean of the English faculty and another friend from MOFA. After a couple of very enjoyable hours, we headed for home, stuffed with sushi, lamb chops, lobster tail, traditional Vietnamese foods, and more.

The MOFA Building. You can't tell from this distance, but it's a nice example of French architecture from the colonial days.

On New Year's Eve, Nancy planned a small party for VTF with the Schallers at the Water Village. But on the way home from a one-on-one meeting that afternoon, I bumped into one of my students who told me about a big New Year's Eve party in the courtyard of the hostel (dorm). So, around 8:30 I went over to spend some time with the students before heading out to the other party at the Water Village. I saw a lot of my past and present students and got introduced to some of their friends. A few K32 students who were friends with last years' teachers were there too.

We watched games like bobbing for soup spoons, listened to a lot of singing, and saw a couple of very creative, student-made videos. Two Chinese students from the Foreign Trade University had heard the all the noise and wandered in. After one dropped a hint about me teaching her English, I told her she could come to the international fellowship on Sunday mornings and get lots of English practice. They both seemed excited about the idea, so I'm hoping to see them this Sunday.

I woke up hoarse from trying to have so many conversations over the noise of the PA system, but it was definitely worth it. Spending time with students is something I've missed while we've been VTF leaders and it's one reason I'm thinking about turning the VTF reins over to a new leader and getting back into regular university teaching. We'll have to see where that road leads.