This is our landlords new little puppy. They are too busy to take it out so we hve volunteered! I think we have a new best friend! He is tiny, his name is key, and he is adorable :) 

This couple were out walking together, chatting away. They both seemed to have so much dignity and grace about them. She had the most beautiful hair and carried herself with such poise, and when i turned and smiled at them, his was the smile of a young man in a wiser ones body. 

Enjoying lunch at swing cafe

The staff here are so lovely! We will be teaching them some free customer service english soon to help them boost their foreigner trade. They are so eager and enthusiastic and always treat us like family when we come in! 

The beautiful summer colours are coming  out! 

My class mural. This class has been so difficult with a few very naughty students but this last lesson was quite nice :)

The sunsets here must be caught and appreciated very quickly- they fade so fast and its dark like someone just turns off the lights! 

One of the most commonly seen butterflies here- it looks like a leaf until closer inspection. Very incredible creation.

A new lebanese restaurant has opened right near our house- its such a welcome place! Wonderful food and a nice treat! 

Opening night at Swing. We only were able to go for an hour but it was great. We were rubbing shoulders with famous vietnamese

Musicians (we didnt know them) but they put on a great performance! 

I apologise for not having posted anything in the last few weeks. Weve been incredibly busy in the leadup to our much needed holiday this weekend! The choir and clubs are going really well, and im hoping to start some private classes over the summer. We are still meeting some of the most amazing people and cultivating the friendships we have found. We are enjoying being able to dip in to the nice places here and also enjoy street food and just the fact that all of our neighbours know us, and that leaving the house everyday is a delight for the conversations we can have with them and the people around us, from the security guards, the police at the station next door, the thai restaurant staff, the hospital staff.... We chatted to or landlord last night, and he was saying how much all te meighbours like us and will be sad when we eventually go. But we are just appreciating everyday and making the most of the time we do have to be here. 

Its been almost 5 months: i cannot even believe it. Its steadily 40 degrees and 80% humidity now, and its set to last for the next few months! But we are still enjoying all the adventure that seems to come with each new day.

We miss everyone at home and hope you all know that we love you all and cannot wait to share all our stories with you!!! 

Heat

It was 40 today. And humid. Even the combination of air conditioner and fan don't seem to make it easier! 42 tomorrow!

The last few days!

Two of my girls :) 

The rest of the class :)

Choir

We had 37 tonight!!

Phuong and Chi! Two of my teaching assistants turned friends :) 

Swing Cafe

We found a great new place that is reminiscent of Pandora's sitting room- and very affordable luxury at that! Its called Swing Cafe and Lounge!

With the kids club at the military museum

Swing cafe interior

Hugo feeling very chilled out

Spring colours!

A few weeks ago at bia hoi

Fanned chopsticks waiting for the lunch rush

Colouring books

Next door there is a primary school. They get out everyday around 330 when the parents come piling in on their motorbikes and the 2 food stalls appear on the pavement. One of them is our neighbour. Today we bought his granddaughter, Bong, a colourin book an crayons. She is the most beautiful thing ive ever seen- 3 years old and so sweet. While Hugo had his hair cut by the Dung, i sat with her and had ice cream and coloured. Another boy from the school was looking on curiously, so i drew him a picture to colour and he sat and joined us. Delightful way to spend a very very hot half hour in Hanoi :)

One of my kids classes! It was their final lesson of the term so we had a party! The note on the board was waiting for me when I came in the room :)

This was a comment left to me by one of our English Club students. So lovely. '''I don't know how to express my feelings. This day went by so quickly that I couldn't be aware of its present. However, everything changed completely in the evening, so lovely, so cosy staying in that small room and talking with people. Thank you for your PAYPHONE, BLEEDING LOVE, LEMON TREE, LONELY PLANET, KING, QUEEN, PRINCE, PRINCESS, SLEEPWALKER,...now they're all shinning in my heart. I'll never forget the moment when all the people - they totally don't know each other - but they all sang the song in chorus, together, naturally and enthusiastically like a family. I'm really surprised because I can only see this kind of scene in US movie =)). I wish I could do the same things for other people like what you're doing for us now. Thank you for all the sweet things tonight Hugo Driver , Jessica Driver and our young people! I'd never ever learned untill the day I met you! :D'''

Update May 6

1-4 the military museum
5 atthe museum with one of my teen students
6-7 at the museum
8- choir this week: 26 people singing Price tag and Gotye!
9-english Club tonight!