Where you're meant to be

"There's no where you can be that isn't where you're meant to be."

Hai and Teresa had us (some teachers and staff-whoever could make it) over for dinner tonight. Hai BBQed some chicken marinated in salt, pepper and oyster sauce, which was tender and delicious, Teresa made a wonderful salad with green olives, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, cashews....mmm, and Teresa also made baked beans, baked potatoes, and apple cake. It was a beautiful meal, and I believe the hospitality, love and good company made the food taste even better. I love being in a home. Yes, I live in my home with Ashleigh, Andrew, Kaitlyn, Christa and Robin, but going to a long-established home where kids are running around outside, people are cooking and chatting in the kitchen and living room, and some are out gathered in the garden around the BBQ--people existing for each other, not just with each other.
After eating, we all took a walk through the fields and dirt roads surrounding the Huynh Family Compound. It was so simple, so nice, so leisurely. It wasn't a power walk with a destination in mind; we were just sauntering forward, stopping here and there, not all at once but sometimes all together. People were having conversations, skipping rocks on the pond, throwing a frisbee, giggling, chasing the children, or just walking side-by-side or hand-in-hand taking in the beauty and serenity of the fading light of day. We walked without knowing when we would stop or what we were heading towards. I never even heard anyone ask. No one was talking about their other plans they were waiting to get on with, we were all just there, in that moment, for the evening.
Eventually we headed back to the house, ate dessert (I had flan, yum!), chatted a little more, and we all went our ways home. At this point it was still pretty early, I think we were home by 7:30pm. So I went with Ashleigh, Andrew, Karen and Dave to the beach. At night there are beach chairs and tables set up at certain beaches, where you can eat or drink and enjoy the ocean. I haven't been to the beach at night yet here, and let me tell you I will be doing it as much as possible from now on! Again, it was just incredibly peaceful and enjoyable being in the presence of caring, authentic, quality people. The ocean was dark and the sound of the waves couldn't have been more tranquilizing. I could feel myself smiling for no apparent reason, other than being thoroughly pleased and content with the people surrounding me and genuine nature of who they each are. You'd be surprised at how fulfilling a real and true relationship can be when you're not thinking about what TV program you're missing by being out, or constantly texting people who aren't with you...

"There's no where you can be that isn't where you're meant to be."

I've been learning lately to be where I am. It hasn't been some huge lesson I learned with a major epiphany and transformation of thought. But I did realize it was something I've been living out which is pretty different than how I've lived in the past. I've always looked forward to the next major event or change or landmark in my life--getting to high school, graduating, getting to college, graduating, moving to Vietnam...and now I don't know what's next! There's "nothing to look forward to" in my life, because there's no set agenda I feel that I need to fulfill now. I've completed all the required tasks given to me by society and not I am free to be where I am and not worry about planning my next life change or adventure. I'm here. I love being here. I don't need to plan my next move. I can't plan my next move because I don't believe I'm the one calling the shots. I am here, living my life, trying every day to act in faith and obedience, abiding in grace and mercy and love and hope. I'm glad I'm not the one deciding my future. It's exciting to follow the One who created the earth and everything in it-He's no much more creative and orchestrating than I'll ever be! Yeah, He's the one I'll listen to. Life will be so much greater with Him calling the shots. I like where I am, because He is here with me. And it'll be that way forever.

"There's no where you can be that isn't where you're meant to be."

{The Beatles}

Relief & ....Tutti Frutti!!

Things went great in Saigon, PTL! Smooth interactions with the US Consulate and Department of Foreign Affairs. They granted me all of the approvals and documentation I need in order to now apply for my work permit. So yay! Thanks Vietnam! :)
Saigon is a great city with many attributes I'd forgotten exist...overpriced shopping malls, ridiculous, over-the-top "designer" fashion, corner espresso stands, public transportation, high-rise buildings, FROZEN YOGURT! That's right, ladies and gentlemen: Fro-Yo. I'm not talking about your simple, sweet, soft-serve fro-yo--but tart, yummy, choose your own toppings, pay-per-gram (weight, not cracker) Fro-Yo. Believe it or not, there is a little place known by the name of Tutti Frutti across from Azusa Pacific that opened during my senior year, owned by a Vietnamese-American. Kaitlyn told me she spoke with him once and found out that he had stores in Vietnam also. Well, as Hai and I were walking around the city doing some sight-seeing in our (unexpected) free time, we sat to rest on a bench and through the trees, across the park, a few streets away, a familiar looking sign caught my attention. I told Hai about the Tutti Frutti in Azusa, and he was intrigued as well so we went to check it out. Sure enough, TUTTI FRUTTI! We went in and enjoyed some amazing treats--it was Hai's first Fro-Yo experience, so I explained how it all worked.
He created:
Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry & taro fro-yo, with I believe peanuts and raisins on top.
I created:
Strawberry & taro fro-yo with kiwi, mango and strawberries on top.
For those of you who have not spent any length of time in Southern California to experience this phenomenon, I am truly sorry. I don't know how to feel for you, but I advise you put this on your "Bucket List" for sure.
As we were sitting enjoying our cups of heaven, we asked one of the workers if there was a connection between this shop and one in California. She said she wasn't sure, but probably because it is owned by a Vietnamese-American man. So yes, I'd say so. And here's the great news: among many "Stores coming soon..." Da Nang is on the list!!! Who knows how soon it will be, but mmmmmm it's definitely worth the wait.
This may all seem very trivial to you, especially if you haven't experienced a place such as Tutti Frutti, Paradise Juice Cafe (PJC), Cherry on Top, Pinkberry, or 21 Choices...so if you're rolling your eyes at me that's ok. I know I'm Frutti for fro-yo and I'm ok with that. Thanks for loving me anyways.
Peace & Love with some fruit on top
AQ

Raise it Up

Wow wow wow, life is speeding up here--
that's very true and very far from the truth actually. The pace of daily life continues to slow me down and keep me in check, but days seem to be passing without any regard for those of us involved.

A few days after my last blog I came home from work feeling very sick. I went to bed early and was sick all night. I went to the hospital in the morning and got all checked out: tests, ultra sound, chest x-ray...the doc said I had food poisoning and a bad cough. They gave me many many pills and drink mixtures to treat both, and after 4 more days of constant sleeping and pill popping, I started regaining strength. It was not fun! I am very fortunate to have friends and housemates who care about me and take care of me. They told me the would come check on me, and once or twice a day Kaitlyn or Christa would help me take medicine or drink water. I've never felt so completely helpless and dependent, and at the same time truly confident that I was taken care of.

Once I got back on my feet there were a few fun adventures I got to participate it:
-learned how to drive a motorbike
-went with some friends on a motorbike ride to the top of Monkey mountain, overlooking all of Da Nang
-Went to Michael Jackson Tribute night at a local lounge (so great!)
-Began volunteering at a local home for young single mothers and their babies
-Two more Parent Meetings concluding two more courses
-Crazy downpour causes my balcony to flood inside and put my bedroom under water

August is pulling me along and today I will leave with my boss to Saigon to work on getting my diploma verified to be authentic and to make it possible for me to apply for the proper documents I need to stay in Vietnam. I'll keep you posted on what transpires there, hopefully it will go smoothly and when I return all will be well and resolved.
"Sometimes it seems impossible, that's why we pray. So raise it up!"
-"Raise It Up," Jamia Simone Nash & The IMPACT Repertory Theatre (August Rush Soundtrack)

Video tour from the balcony

Hello August, where'd you come from?

Quick little tid-bit...
There is some trouble on our end over here dealing with visas. The government has made some new rules and stipulations for foreigners working in Vietnam, and so we are in the midst of working through that and trying to figure it all out. Please lift this up for us if you can--it's a sticky situation!

I just actually felt the need to put up a little post...for no reason at all. I just got home from teaching my one Saturday class, so my weekend has started!--------------and I'm home alone. The other 5 housemates are all teaching still. =)

I had a really good laugh today. That's a very important event, I think. Good laughs are something I don't really think about until I have one--then it's like "OHHHH goodness, this is wonderful, I haven't laughed this hard in awhile!" You know what I mean?
You're gonna laugh when I tell you what I laughed about, because it might be a "You had to be there" situation. Let's see:
Ashleigh and I were video chatting (yes, she lives in the bedroom about 30ft from mine), just 'hanging out' from our separate rooms. Being silly. Talking. Making faces. Typing. Stuff like that. She left her screen for a second and I needed to get up and get something, so I pointed my web cam at the fan in my room and typed "Here's some extra breeze for you." Then after a minute or two of whatever I was doing, I went into Ash's bedroom and saw her laying on her bed looking at her computer (reliving this right now is making my laugh out loud to myself), watching the fan in my room/on her screen, oscillate back and forth. She looked back at me and we both just started cracking up. Haha, there was a dose of silly joy in this instance today, and for that reason alone, I wanted to share. So, if you don't think it's funny, I'm sorry, but I hope you maybe laughed at the fact that you thought it was silly for me to think this is so funny............! =0)

That's all.

Peace, Joy, & Laughter,

Audrey