I was a little harsh on China in my last post, so I want to say it's a beautiful place, and many people were really friendly. It's just not the best place to visit if you:

A. Don't speak Chinese, and

B. Have no patience.

Check out the pictures from China, some are posted and I will try to post the rest soon.

I have just started my 2 week holiday for the Tet New Year (Lunar New Year). This is by far the biggest holiday in the country. It's over a week away, but it seems like everyone is getting ready. Tra Vinh has put up a lot of decorations and lights. There are also a lot of flower vendors setting up shop (special Tet flowers, but I don't know what type), which often takes up half the road with flowers. It's also holiday party season. Last weekend we were invited to the holiday party for My Lan Company, which is probably the largest company in the province. The owner is Canadian-Vietnamese and a really good person. He helps the University in many ways, including internships and scholarships. The party was a lot of fun.

Last night we had a Tet party for the English Department and today the entire University had a party. It's always the same for me…100% 100% which means finish your beer. It's hard to say no when the head of the University is making me do it. It would be so hard here if you were a man that doesn't drink. All Vietnamese parties I have been to have a lot of beer, and always karaoke. I can sing pretty much 1 Vietnamese song (and it's a female song) so I always try to get out of singing, but it almost never works. I finally sing (not alone of course) and then after people like to tell me I'm not a good singer….I know, that's why I didn't want to sing to begin with.

Anyway, I taught three weeks of my new classes now. This semester I teach a class of English majors and I also teach American Culture, so it already seems a little more interesting. I am still liking the teaching and still liking Tra Vinh. It's just a nice place to live; it's quiet (for Vietnam) and full of friendly people.

Tomorrow I head to Saigon for a few days. I will see my friend Ren who I haven't seen since traveling in China almost 4 years ago. Anh-Thu and I will also try to watch the Super Bowl live, which will be on Monday morning at about 7am. After a few days in Saigon, the rough plan is to go to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to relax a few days and then take a boat on the Mekong River back to Vietnam and get back to Tra Vinh in time for Tet. I am hoping to celebrate the actual Tet holiday here in Tra Vinh. Hope all is well back home.