New Dwelling

Hi Everyone! I (Adam) hope that life is good for all of you because it certainly is a deep shade of lovely for me at the moment. Today, 28 Sep, we moved into our new villa here in Vung Tau. It's even more spectacular now than when we first walked through it, maybe that's because we actually live in it now, who knows? Anyway it feels wonderful to be out of the hotel. We'd been there 15 days, and although the staff were great folk, it was definetely time to vacate room 1 at Hotel Trung Dung.

We moved our stuff to the house around 11 am in a bit of a drizzle. It's rained for at least 4 cumulative hours each day for the past 5 days. Rudi says we're catching the tail end of a typhoon. I'd hate to see the body if this is just the tail. Anyway, rain has come to be expected at some point each day. It will remain that way until nearly December, as I've been told by those in the know around here. Luckily for us we've got ponchos now that keep us nicely dry while we buzz about on our motos! I digress... Almost as soon as we got settled in, the rain stopped and the clouds broke slightly. It was like a sign from above, we were meant to move to this place. We proceeded at that point to make a video tour of the house, so you'll have a good idea of what we've got ourselves into, literally. The video, at two parter, will be posted shortly (tonight sometime [our tonight, your morning]) along with many other pictures that I know a lot of you have been hoping after, (mom) hehe. So, needless to say today was a 'red letter day', I'm not sure what that means exactly, but I heard it on the Disney Movie Robin Hood as a kid and never forgot it. I know it means something good, which today was.

As for the teaching, I personally am really settling in. It's a great feeling having your students respond more positively and personably to you with each passing lesson. At first they are obviously guarded and shy, but for most of them it doesn't take long to open up. Lesson planning is also easier now after two weeks than it was in the beginning. Sometimes it's a challenge coming up with entertaining ways to teach past continuous verbs and reflexive pronouns, but a little imagination goes a long way. I've often thought to myself however, maybe I'm a little too easy on these kids curriculum and behaviour-wise, but I usually tell myself that I'd want my teacher to be easy going and friendly too, then maybe I'd actually want to do well. Maybe I'm cheesier than a fine gouda, but it seems to be working for me thus far.

On Tuesday we're having our housewarming party and I suggest that you all come. There'll be beers, food and laughter afoot! In all seriousness though, our door is always open and we've got the space, not to mention location, to accomodate. If anyone is in the market for a holiday, now or in the future I heartily suggest Vietnam. It's incredible and very affordable, espically at the Canuck Hotel;). Anywho, that's my sales pitch. Mom I know you're sold and it sounds like Jess is too, and Dad'll be along for the ride of course haha. The invitation is extended to all. 2/9 Hai Dang street, Ward 1, Vung Tau City, Vietnam. Drop by sometime. Bye bye for now.

http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m171/vandykandstevens/

check this in the next few hours for photos and video.