Today

Today, I said the first of my goodbyes to Viet Nam.
The people I've met here have become some of my closest friends, some I now count as family, and I'm so happy to have had this experience. Some have them have left months ago already, and I haven't yet, nor ever will forget them.
It hasn't been a holiday, I think I may have worked longer hours and put more work in here in the last nine months than I ever have before in my life! And there have been some kicking-myself-in-the-head-would-be-more-useful days but there have been so many more amazing days to make up for it.

Today, one little girl from our program died.
Trang was six years old and attended the hospital for disabled children that we work at here in Tam Ky. She was a sad and frightened little girl and so never let any of the volunteers work with her. She cried all through her physio therapy every single day but her dad kept smiling for her, trying so hard to do everything and anything to help her. But this week, she got an infection in a sore at the base of her spine and the fever killed her. We can only hope her next life will be happier.

Today was the first day I've felt the slightest bit well since I got knocked for six by a full on stomach infection on Friday. And Today was just one of those days where everyone I talked to was lovely, no one tried to rip me off, happy days!

Today was one of those days where everything that could happen did, and it made me remember what I love about this country and why I stayed so long. And even though saying goodbye will be difficult, I'm so lucky to have just as amazing friends and family to go home to who I'm really looking forward to seeing.

And tomorrow's a whole n'other day ...

which way is home again?

wow, it's been a lot longer than initially expected, eh?

so, in just over two weeks I'm leaving Viet Nam.
never have I understood the phrase 'mixed emotions' better.
I cannot wait to get home but I'll miss this lot.

it's been such an amazing year. I've done so much, met so many amazing people, missed so many amazing people. after two weeks in Seoul, three months in Viet Nam, three weeks in Northern Laos, three weeks in Northern Thailand, three weeks on the Thai / Malay border and then another six months in Viet Nam I'm finally going home! partly only because I have to, partly because I can't stay here much longer and expect keep my sanity!

I had coffee with GVN's operations manager and director today who asked me when I would be coming back to VN and how long for....holy Moses, I'm not even gone yet!
it's nice to be asked that though, I guess right now they all think they'll miss me.

I have letters to write to all my wonderful friends I've met this past year, I have over sixty photos to print to give to folks, I have bags to pack and presents to buy...

so this is most likely my last entry on this blog.
there have been so many stories I've written in my head, or written in my diary that just never made it to screen. maybe they'll make a book someday, maybe I'll tell them to my grandkids...hmmm...