Medical check-up

Almost 40 years old and minor operation on my breast in 1997, I decided to go to the women's center in a hospital for a check up. Several hours in the hospital on Thursday and while waiting for the results I went sightseeing and shopping. I went to malls - women's shopping paradises. I did not buy much but could not leave without something as a souvenir :-). The brown bag on my shoulder is my gift. Simple, soft, practical and matching with my suitcase ;-).

The result was good, nothing unusual or strange. Phew... Everything is still OK and functions well :-). Keep doing yoga, keep eating simple and healthy meals and a lot of fruit and vegetable, keep feeling optimistic about life and keeping loving what I have :-).

Bye bye debt

Long time no blog. I have been a bit out of mood for writing. Shouldn't be lazy. 

To treat myself after working too hard in a couple weeks I took this evening off work and relax and write my new entry.

A really good news is that I paid almost all the debts. Feeling so relaxed and from now on no more worry about the bank. I would not have done this successfully without the help of those who are always willing to give me a hand when I need. Lucky me. Once I told my friend that I earned quite good money in the past years but all of them went to my creditors. Paying off the debts means no more money in savings. So, I start from the scratch again to build up my wallet :-). However hard I work I still look worry-free. Even "worse" I put on weight. Too bad. My colleagues say that is signal of ageing. My work-life balance is not good these days and as a result I could find time for my exercise. Time for change...   

 

Back to work

One week to go we start our new school year. We have to spend this week preparing for it. So eager to be back teaching students and meeting colleagues. However, we feel a bit sad because teachers do not have many classes. It means our income from university will be reduced. Some good teachers teach at private language centers. Some work for one more employer. Some spend more time looking after families. And few (like me) enjoy living a simple life :-).  Wish one day we can live on our salary ...

Starbucks coffee in Hanoi

Today one of the 3 Starbucks coffee shops has opened in Hanoi and in the afternoon my son and I talked a lot about it. As a result, we decided to go downtown and become two of their first customers on the opening day. Quite crowded inside but luckily we arrived early and got seated near the window. After finishing half of the coffee we ordered we went home with our cups in hands.

It is not the first time I have enjoyed Starbucks. I have drunk it before, outside Vietnam. Here are two photos. The above is in Hanoi today and the below is in Bangkok some months ago. Missing the moments I have over the coffee cup...

Shortened hair

I made my mind: have my hair cut. I mentioned about short hair with my friend a long time ago and until recently did I have enough braveness to do it. About 20 cm shorter than before. I feel lighter on my head. Phew. Easier to wash it at home and not feel hot on the back...Honestly, the style is still the same but the length is a bit different. Not easy to recognize that I had it cut. When my son saw me he said nothing new. Perhaps I am too faithful to my hairstyle. Hairdressers advise me to change it like modern/stylish women often do. They fail to convince me :-). But they might be successful when one day the god was sick :-).

The workshop

Our workshop was 11 June. The topic was "How to improve teaching and learning ESP". We spent a lot of time preparing it. I was glad to be one of the presenters and got some positive comments on my presentation. Overall, the workshop was successful and made a good impression on the leaders from the university. At the end of the workshop, a colleague took the photo of me. What a coincidence! My long dress was the same color as the artificial flowers :-).

Ho Tay lotus

Boring when staying at home with nothing to do. I decided to go to visit the lake of lotus in West Lake. It took me about 40 minutes by vespa. When I arrived, so many people were taking photos already. Some amateur and some professional. They came in groups, family and pairs. I came alone. So I had to ask a girl and a man to take photos of me. There were not many flowers but the lake was covered with green lotus leaves. So nice. In a big city there is still some remaining of rural scene. It will be better if there are some places for people to sit among the lotus and enjoy the view and the sweet smell from the flowers.