Week Three....there is an end in sight!

Third week of school over....

This week was filled with a different set of challenges, turns and dramas....and equally or perhaps the most intense of all.

We had the usual teaching lessons to plan, but with a more critical observation. Two major assignments due, one to redo. The climatic moment was Thursday/Friday. Both Michael and I had lessons to plan which take so very long to prepare (4 pg. planning doc to explain in fiscious detail every step of the plan, all supportive material with copyright info., exercises, images, handouts for the students, etc.) and of course an improvement from previous lessons, staying within 45 minutes, NO PRESSURE. To add to our lesson we had an additional assignment called "Authentic Materials" to plan and needed to write a paper of a lesson plan, exercises, materials etc. to describe the why, what, how's. (I am a horrible writer and struggled with this.) This assignment will then need to be our last teaching lesson applied to the class next week. With all that being said our internet was down for both days due to a line cut and Michael and I had to work in shifts and at school for internet use. Thursday night was hell, hell, hell because we had already been working on stress, lack of sleep. I worked from 7pm to 11pm, went to bed while Michael worked from 11pm to 2.00am, I got up at 3am, worked until 4.30am, tried to go back to bed. We both got up at 5am, worked more, went to school to use internet.....teach a lesson....finish assignment. We did it, but the worst for wear.

Now, the good news. The weather all week was without rain. The temperature is cooling as we are heading into fall. The morning walk with Liu Ce has been so pleasant. Speaking of Liu Ce, she has been one of the best buddies to help us with calming our stress, enduring 9 hours in the bedroom alone, eating and pooping on schedule. This alone takes a lot of stress off us. Michael and I also refined our nights and mornings by helping each other to stay out of each others ways, feeding ourselves, taking care of Liu Ce and though we live and go to school together have barely spoke to each other all week!!

There is only one week left and according to our schedule and what the tutors say, the worst is over. There is light at the end of the tunnel. We can actually enjoy some of our weekend. I may join some fellow teachers tonight, cancelled the housecleaner and sleeping and relaxing as much as possible.

MIchael and I will plan a holiday to see some of Vietnam after school is over so we can properly relax and love Vietnam. At this point, for myself, Hanoi has been only challenge everyday and in everyway. I have been on autopilot and need to think about the future. I want to love it and stay. I need to see more, live in a less chaotic area perhaps. Clearly Michael and I need to feel it mutual and I fear he loves it more than I. The people are wonderful, but the life here is not inspiring yet, not much joy and need that to balance the challenges.

I wish I had more funny, good things to share, but that will be coming soon. Life has been very hard and we have been tested. This experience has been worthy and we are surviving and moving ever forward. I will do my best to find something entertaining for all of you to bring back the fun of Vietnam. I need to clear my head and open my eyes and my heart because there is beauty all around if you choose to see it. Until later........