Sorry it's been so long since I last updated, but life has been pretty normal here, besides my short trip to the hospital a few weeks ago, see below. Classes on Friday were cancelled because the students had a big camping get together at the University. It was the anniversary of the founding of the Youth Union, which is an organization for the students. It's the same at almost all events here, there are a lot of very boring speeches in Vietnamese separated by students singing and dancing. There is never a lack of students that will sing, dance, have fashion shows, etc. This celebration also had a skit where students were running around in costumes like ghosts or goblins and another student fought them. We were utterly confused about what was going on, and eventually torches came out which added to our confusion. Some fuses were lit that sent fire flying across a line that eventually lit a huge bonfire. I guess the ghosts and goblins routine symbolized the Vietnamese fighting outsiders. After the bonfire was lit the students started running around the huge fire with torches in their hands. Iria was a little concerned all this nationalistic pride would lead to them coming after the foreigners. No worries though, they left us alone to watch.

The students here take every class together for their four years of studying, so they are often very close, so the camping was a really good time. Most of the student classes had a tent located at the University near the soccer fields. Many of the tents had TV's and karaoke set up and there were some that even had dance clubs. It was funny to see a tent in the middle of a field with loud dance music and disco lights. Most of the dancing was done by guys. The girls just sit and watch from the outside, too shy to join. I had a blast at the camping. I met some of my students and we drank some wine together. I'm not sure if they were supposed to drink, but we had fun.

About my hospital visit. I woke up a few weeks ago with really strong stomach pains. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go to a doctor. My teacher friend picked me up around 6:30 and we went to a doctor. He suggested I go to the hospital in town to get a few tests done. When we arrived at the hospital, the doctor I saw showed up and started doing some more tests. I have no idea if he works at the hospital and his home doctor's office is just on the side, but he followed me to the hospital. After the initial tests I thought everything was fine, but then they said I have appendicitis and have to have surgery immediately. They were ready to cut me open right there. Of course, I was like hell no am I having surgery here. I convinced them to let me go to Ho Chi Minh City. I quickly got everything I needed and headed off to the hospital. When I arrived, the French doctor examined me and said I did not have appendicitis (as I thought). He gave me some medicine and sent me home. Lesson learned, always question the local hospital.

My parents are coming to visit next week, so I am getting ready to be a tour guide for them. They are bringing a whole bag of things for me, so it will be nice to have more chocolate and little debbie's cakes and the like. All is well here. The weather is hot, life is good and I am healthy again, so no problems.