"Our First Thanksgiving"





It is really interesting to celebrate Thanksgiving in a country that doesn't. The boys were in school all week and we were too. We are grateful for our FBCNB Cook book. It saved the day! Here is our menu: baked chicken breast, mixed veggies, sweet potatoes (not like we were used to), dressing (with a few Pringles mixed in), fruit jello and chocolate pie. Once we finally sat down to eat, it really did seem like Thanksgiving. We were truly thankful! oreign land is really interesting.

The other pics were take last week. Our landlord and her husband and mother fixed lunch for us. It was rat ngon! The other picture was actually taken today. Yes, it was before taken before it was cooked. However, it wasn't much different after! It turned out to be fish soup and it was very tasty.

"MORE PICS...."

"JUST A FEW PICS...!"

Looking up the street... Fresh veggies...!

Swan lake... one swan & one ugly duck! Josh and his friend, Josiah...

Regan's new job... selling pineapple! Actually, the lady put the hat and basket on Regan before he could say anything. Then after the photo she wanted to charge him $ 3.00 for a small bag of pineapple and the picture opp! He got out of it for about a $ 1.00. Lesson learned!

Here are a few pics from the past week. Some were taken as we were out and about looking for funiture. We found a lot of furniture but couldn't make a decision. We don't need much but Robin is "nesting." You married men know what that means! A few of the pics came from our trip to the Hanoi Zoo - a really interesting place! I'm not sure that PETA or other tree hugger groups would approve of the conditions. I think we mentioned before that in Hanoi, life centers around the parks. It's where everyone goes to relax and have good time.

This week Hanoi is hosting the APEC meetings. APEC stands Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. Representatives from 21 nations, including the US, will be gathering here for several days of meetings. Even Pres. Bush will be here and that is a BIG DEAL! They have really gone all out to clean up the city and it is beautiful. This Friday, I will be attending a luncheon the APEC lunch on Politics and Free Trade. The speaker is the president of the US Chamber of Commerce. It should be very interesting. When you see the world news and they show pics from the APEC meetings you will probably see some places that are very close to where we live. Enjoy the pics!

No, this is not Regan talking to a Viet woman and her son. This is a pic of Daniel practicing his "tieng Viet" with a nice lady on the street. The buddha in the background seems to approve!
Vietnam's version of "free delivery." Josh took this pic. Yes, that is an armoire on the back of a motor bike. And, yes, the man did drive down the street with it strapped on the back.

Here is a pic of where the boys go to school. It is called HIS - Hanoi International School. They are both doing very well. You will notice that the traffic is not bad. At least it wasn't bad when I took the pic! The stampede was a short distance behind us.

"It Wasn't That Baaaaad!"
Last Saturday our landlord and her husband took us to a very “famous” Vietnamese de (ze) restaurant. We sat on chairs like those used in a Pre K 4 class room and a table about the same size. Then came the “de”. If I recall, we had about four different kinds of “de”. We had grilled “de” breast, cubed “de”, chopped “de”, fried “de” and boiled “de.” We stabbed it, skewered it, rolled it and dipped it. We ate parts of the “de” that I don’t even want to think about! The boys were not impressed. I don’t understand why? Every red blooded American boy should appreciate good “de!” So… I know you are dying to know…. What is “de” (pronounced ze)? Tune in next week and I will tell you or go buy a Vietnamese dictionary!
Okay! I’m dying to tell you. “De” is goat! Good ole “cabrito.” However, when I ate cabrito I must admit I never ate the female utter or the heart. But, I’ve (we) have done it now! Think about us the next time you go to Taco Bell! Please!

"Once Was Lost But Now I'm Found!"
Taken from the new non-fiction series, The Adventures of Robin! Yes, last week we were filling out the paperwork for Robin's new passport. As you recall, she lost her original! This is Robin who never loses anything (yes, I must admit that I was gloating a little). Even after re applying, I was asking our father to allow someone to find it and turn it in. Most of the people we had talked to said it probably wouldn't happen. Monday morning I was in language study when Robin recieved a phone call from the US Consulate office saying that a lady with the VN Office of Foreign Labor had found her passport. Robin called the lady and sure enough she had it! Robin asked if it was going to cost us and the lady said yes but would not say how much. On our way to pick up the passport we stopped for lunch and asked again that we be shown favor (not the Joel Osteen kind!) and mercy. When we finally found the lady's office not only did she not ask for any money but she wouldn't take any when Robin offered it! Wow! Isn't our Daddy good! We both began language study this week. We have tutors for two hours a day, five days a week! We are starting to sense some progress, but we have so far to go! The boys also study Vietnamese at school 2-3 days a week. I'm sure they will catch on a lot quicker. We've included a few pics from this week, but I'm not going to take time to provide any sub titles. Why? Because I'm "toit met!"

Front view of our nha.
Lien showing Robin how to eat!
Somewhere are Robin and the boys!
Josh & Daniel on their way to school w/ Mr. Vinh!