Staring at this blank screen, I wonder how to start this blog. Start with a joke, find an opening line that would inspire an Obama speech or simply just by saying, I don’t really know how to start this one off? Seems we will go with the later.
This is the official I have survived and thrived 3-month update. What an amazing month this has been, filled with some good ol hard work and parties… being the silly season after all. Yes I was teaching on Christmas eve as well as New Years eve, like to think it was one of those things that makes me a stronger person in the long run. (Christmas eve consisted of working till 9:30, walking home, eating instant noodles and watching American Idol reruns, however save your pity for now) Having said that I also managed a few good celebrations to make up for this injustice.
My darling students thought it a good idea to take their teacher out on the town just before Christmas and give her an experience tourists only dream about. Our first stop to the fabulous evening was a charming hot pot restaurant, where the food was good and the company even more so. (note on the food: not too sure what I was eating half the time, one of those things you just don’t think about). I was surprised to discover that my students seem to speak English better after a few drinks (hmmm a new strategy?). Inevitably, karaoke was the next logical choice… of course. I was a victim in this situation, there is only a limited choice of English songs so I was forced I tell you to sing songs like ‘Eternal Flame’ and a few others that shall not be mentioned. With a certain amount of Dutch courage running through a few of my male students blood streams they found it absolutely necessary to serenade ‘Hello’ to their at this stage much loved English teacher. Priceless.
A special mention must also go out to the two Christmas parties, good food, beautiful people and rather amusing after parties. I do feel that at certain stages I have my students days all over again (this does take the sting out of approaching the mid twenties mark).
New Years despite working till 9:30 (and being smeared with chocolate cake by my energetic students at the end of class) was a major success. Started with a stunning cocktail bar overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, less stunning was the fact that we were kicked out at 11:45, so it was a race against the clock to get to the next place. The kind of place where the owners bribe the authorities to stay open late and you have to go in through the side door. We made it and well happy New Year from there.
I still get such an absolute kick out of being South African here, every now and then I get congratulated for coming from an interesting country. I have never before had to explain my mere existence like I have to here. Yes, I’m white, and no I’m not European, I’m African, no I don’t own a gun or a lion (okay nobody asked me about the lion… yet). There is more to South Africa than crime and Nelson Mandela… and the world cup. Yes we have panic buttons and electrical fencing. Lastly yes we are the best darn country in whole world ever!
In other news, yes, there is other news, it’s not all party party here. I am looking for a new place to stay, currently am still in a guesthouse. I am also planning for my mom to come visit in Feb, yaaaaaaaay! Hopefully also my Roomie, known to many as Christa. Looking forward to showing people around my new and happy hometown. Then lastly, I have lost a bit personality in the last few days, no Vitamin D does make for a bit of gloomy girl, the last time I was in some sunshine was Christmas day! Sunshine where art thou?
