A quick snippet so that my next entry may not be as long and rambly as my former.

Interesting tidbits:

1) My computer was stolen from my classroom on the day of the Grand Opening Ceremonies. Slightly inconvenient and disconcerting.

2) I stayed late yesterday to work, and from my classroom window saw what was perhaps one of the most beautiful Saigon sunsets I have ever seen. I then returned to my new desktop background, which was an image of the sun setting over Ho Chi Minh City, and I reveled in this silly subversion of the theft. My new computer a reminder of the daily beauty that can be found, even in spite of chaos. Yes--cheesy, I know.

3) On the same day, I returned to my classroom to find the following note on my board: "Kista. I love you! If I to be a big stong man I want to marry with you." Courtesy of one of our female, Vietnamese staff members.

4) Some gastronomical happenings. Since returning, I have consumed fetal duck egg (yes, a fertilized, partly grown, duck embryo). Crunchy, soft, raunchy, and ordinary all at the same time. I have enjoyed snake (and all that entails--snake heart, snake blood, etc) once more--this time, by accident, as some Vietnamese friends and I were simply "going to dinner." Today was another consumption first, as a friend and I landed in some tucked away, Vietnamese only joint and winded up with dog meat soup. The Vietnamese patrons looked at myself and my blond haired, six foot six companion and I with studied curiosity.

5) No matter how many squat toilets I use and no matter how many techniques I employ, I always get back spray on my feet. Any suggestions?

All for tonight.