Hello My Friends,

Today was a momentous day-- we signed a lease for and received the keys to our new apartment! Our apartment is located in a complex called Sky Garden, on the 10th floor. The apartment complex is not chaotic, but close to many shops and restaurants. Apartment stats: 3 bedrooms, loft, wood floors, etc. We are very pleased, for it already feels like home. We will move in tomorrow and host a small dinner party. I will post pictures of the place as soon as possible. The apartment came along with several perks: an iron, ironing board, vacuum, hairdryer, rice cooker, pots and pans, dishes, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and--my favourite-- a "90s Midnight Mood Pop" CD (gracious offered to us by the landlord's maintenance man). Best of all, we negotiated for a 10 month lease for the first leasing term, so that we will not have to pay for the summer months if we choose not to stay in the apartment for the coming year. You may have noted that our apartment has an extra bedroom.... to accommodate all the visitors we may have from afar (this could be YOU!).

The school preparation is absolutely chaotic. Today, however, Thao (the owner's daughter) spent some time in my classroom. I assisted her write her speech for the Grand Opening Ceremony. Having students in my classroom renewed my spirit and reminded me of my purpose. Her little sister, Dao Bo, drew me a picture to hang on my wall.

I have been attempting to get to know all of the many Vietnamese staff working at the school. Many will, now, pop into my classroom and we will play out a conversation through a combination of broken English, broken Vietnamese, and charades. The tiny Vietnamese custodians lovingly chastise me via gestures for eating too little at lunch time.

Alright, on to other matter. Lesson planning.

Much love always,
K