Good morning, Viet Nam!

The sun is just peeking out as I rise on this, my last day in Viet Nam. It's been a long goodbye this week, with tearful pondering on life's trajectory. I sat out on the steps yesterday morning, crying into my sweater sleeves (yes, I've acclimated a bit) and wondering just how this all happens. Ten years ago, I was still happily married with one son and another baby on the way, with no plans beyond what I was making for dinner. Five years ago, I was struggling through full-time kids, full-time college and part-time work, single and hoping for the best. And now, here I sit. Still single with kids, but living a life I could have never dreamed of. Despite all the difficulties with trying to get into China, I would never ever trade this for anything.

Over the last six months I have learned so much about what type of work I truly love (teaching), how much my childen mean to me (the whole world), what makes me happy (showing world to my kids) and how little I knew (but thought I was open-minded). I've learned to squat while waiting, which you do a lot here. I've learned to cook using only fresh foods. I've learned that I love pineapple even more here and that custard apples are pretty darn good, but unripe mangos with MSG will never suit me and I still don't like durian ice cream. I've learned to trust myself and not beat myself up when things don't go right. It's all a learning experience and I can only do what I think is best. But sometimes I'm wrong.

I wasn't wrong about this though. This, this adventure of getting to Viet Nam, working in the orphanages, struggling to find work and housing, trying to homeschool two kids on top of teaching two classes, handwashing everything and slowly learning to understand the language and the culture of Viet Nam.... this was the best thing I could have ever done, despite the financial costs, and I know in my core that it's been a blessing for my children. I'm often not very proud of myself, but I can honestly say I am proud to have managed a way to give my kids a truly life-altering experience that few get. And even more, I'm proud of them for jumping off that cliff with me, flailing ourselves into the unknown and somehow bobbing our way through the rough waters. They have been my strength and my inspiration. I am so grateful for their 24/7 company, for reminding me where I put things and for dealing with so many things that other adults would be unwilling to face. Stuart and Audrey did it with bravado.

Of course, we've each had our moments when a nervous breakdown seems right around the corner, but together we managed. I've tried to be the good example, but in the end, the kids have been a great example for me, as well. We've learned patience and tolerance and awe at our insignificance on this very large globe.

Now, we're off to Hong Kong, where we'll wing it once more. We've got to manage our way into China, to Shenzhen, where after nearly a year we will get to see Tommy again and finally meet his parents. There are some grand things to do there, but lest we not have enough money to do anything I'm not going to even mention it.

Goodbye for now, Viet Nam. Toi yeu Viet Nam. I'll see you again soon. I promise.

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An enormous thank you goes out to all the wonderful people who have touched my life here in ways they may never realize:
Huyen, Keith, Becky, Ha, Thuat, Thanh, Chi, Man, Tung, Trang, Mr Hoan, Phuong, Thuy, Huong, Hung, Huyen, Cuong, Jimmy, Kat, Nghiep, Dung, Giang, Loan, Lan, Kieu, Chieu, Rita, Yen, Quang, Rhissa, Mrs Hanh, Mr Hanh, Viet, Tamra, Jo, Claire, Nga, Thuong, Thuy, Song, Thu, Linh, and so many more. Thank you to all of my students in Tam Ky, Ha Noi and Thanh Hoa, but most especially those in Thanh Hoa who showed me what Vietnamese people are really like and the generous spirit that runs through friendship. I will miss you all.