It's now been over a week since returning home. I feel like I should summarize what the whole year means to me, but since I don't really know yet, I will spare everyone from reading that. Saying goodbye to Tra Vinh, my students and to my friends was a little sad, but not too bad. I know I will be back to see them in the fall. I am looking forward to seeing my students and see how their English has improved, and I will definitely be looking forward to visiting the orphanage, but it will all have to wait about 2 months.

The adjustment home has been pretty easy so far. I have lived in America for 26 years, and only 1 year in Vietnam, so it was not too hard to come home. It was good to see my family and friends, and my car was waiting for me after a year. It was my first time to drive since leaving, but all has gone well so far. The only things that have taken a little adjustment are getting used to longer days (sun goes down at 6 in Tra Vinh), cooler weather and not knowing how to get a waitresses attention. In Vietnam we just yell across the restaurant at the waitress (a loud "chi oi!!" or "em oi!!" will do), now I just sit awkwardly waiting for them to come close enough.

I have been pretty busy so far. I stood up in my friend Dan's wedding last weekend, and I will be the best man in my friend Wes's wedding in a few weeks. I have also been running around seeing family, friends and also getting a lot of documents ready in order to get a work visa in Vietnam. Next week I am off to Colorado to get a head start on Wes's wedding. We will do some hiking and hopefully not get either of us maimed or killed before the wedding.

All else is well. I may keep updating this, I may not…