Week One: A Synopsis

- My luggage showed up two days after I did.

- I settled into my room.

- Small snafu when I shorted out the electricity the first morning I was there.  Turns out using surge protectors from the United States is a bad idea…

- I also had a small problem with my water heater, but that was resolved

- I visited the Winkleman’s house with Sarah (they are working at the Concordia International School set to open here in Hanoi next semester). We met their new kitten and got to watch Megamind.  Which is hilarious.

- Went to HIC (Hanoi International Church) on Sunday. Afterwards, Sarah and I hung out with some of her students from last year.

- I’ve had a few moments when I have been overwhelmed, but I haven’t frozen anytime it was important

- Started teaching and I like it a lot. My students are much more respectful than the grade school student in the U.S.  Some of that comes from the culture and some from the age difference.

- I’ve explored some on my own. I know where to find basic things I will need: shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, toothpaste, water close to my house. I haven’t gone too far way from home because my sense of direction is terrible, and exploring by yourself isn’t very much fun.

- My two biggest problems right now (besides not understanding what people are saying) are feeding myself – I can’t cook, I can’t speak or read the language (makes ordering food kind of difficult) and I hate eating by myself – and getting myself around. I am fairly confident about getting myself to certain places, but I am worried about being able to get home again. One step at a time, though. Confidence will come with time. I just need to be willing to make mistakes.