Seasons

It is almost 7:00pm on Friday evening and I should be headed to town to have dinner with a friend but its storming. The funny thing here is, when it is storming, it ruins all plans that aren't absolutely necessary. Everything is so open and everyone rides motorbikes so when there is rain, it is rather unpleasant to eat outside and drive a motorbike. People still drive around but like I said, only if they have to get somewhere. I don't haaaave to go out to dinner but it's Friday and I don't want to be stuck inside! Such a drag.

You would think a place where there are only two seasons - the rainy season and the dry season - would be more prepared for the rainy season. In reality, they just work around it. If it's raining, street food closes down. If it isn't raining, it'll be open. Simple as that. People have ponchos to attempt to stay dry while on their motorbikes (but they only work so well). I have had plans cancel because of rain more than once since I've been here, it's kind of strange.

I have seen on my facebook that the weather has started to cool off in Maine ... perhaps just today? Either way it makes me laugh that everyone noted that it is getting cool and here I can't escape the heat. I kind of like it but then again fall is my second favorite season in Maine so I can't believe I have to wait a whole other year to go apple picking and carve pumpkins ... hmph! Everyone reading this, pick double the apples and carve me a pumpkin! I will sweat extra for everyone! Not a problem ... all I have to do is walk outside. Even at night.

This week was only four days but it felt rather long to me. It was nice though because I am actually, gradually, getting to do school counselor-type duties. First up, look over student's college applications. For the most part they do them correctly but there are a few things I find strange. First of all, they all print them out rather than do them online. It is way easier to do online and mailing applications from Vietnam to the US seems like such a hassle! Second, they don't understand deadlines or rules in general. Now that I am starting to understand the culture more, I can see why this is confusing to them. There are few rules here that you can't get around in some way. And the deadlines confuse them because they find it absurd that we apply to college so far in advance. And when I think about it, it is pretty crazy. Some deadlines are in November to go to college the following fall, that's nearly a year in advance. The guy in the office who sought my assistance was very surprised to hear that applications to start college in January 2014 were due by August 31st. To me, that seems perfectly reasonable. So, a challenge has been making people here understand that the US has rules and deadlines and I don't make them. So when a website says "we are closed for enrollment for Spring 2014" that literally means what it says and I can't do anything about it. Someone translate that for me in Vietnamese!

Well, it looks like the rain ruined my dinner plans. So I went to what is becoming my "regular" place around the corner and had some rice ... surprise! Then I went over to the bakery to get this pastry that they make that is amazing and then hit the grocery store. I did buy wine but by the time I got home I didn't even want it. I did, however, buy an electric kettle. It was my big purchase of the week and I think it was worth it. This way, on those nights when I reeeally don't want to go out and buy dinner, I can make my own instant noodles right here! Not to mention I can make tea and other hot drinks, with my AC on, of course! It feels like freedom ... and it was just a $9 electric kettle.