Dragon Dance - Moon Festival

Here are some pictures of the Moon Festival celebrations as school. We all had to wear our Ao dais - traditional Vietnamese clothing. The dragon dancing was amazing but did not pass any health and safety checks. The most scary was a little guy going right up an unsecured pole and then standing on the top. I was so frightened for him. The dragons are really cool - 2 guys go together in the costume on stilts and can do back-flips and balance on a ball - amazing!

Nga's Wedding

We went to Ms Nga's wedding this Saturday. Vietnamese weddings are totally crazy. They're a bit like a cross between going to Disneyland and a game show. There was a really crazy castle on the stage where dancers/singers were performing. As usual there was a big explosion of silver confetti and red champagne poured over dry-ice and more food than you could ever eat. As westerners we were put on the top table, which we all found totally embarrassing as her friends and family were relegated to the back of the room. We're meant to be lucky and bring prosperity to the marriage. A real experience!

School Do

We had our school do last weekend. We went to a Vietnamese restaurant in town then on to a couple of bars. It was nice to catch up with everyone. Here are the only photos I took. I was doing too much chatting to take pictures although it did take about 10 photos to get Euan and I in the shot together - that's why my face is weird in one of them!

Chilling in Phu Quoc

Gareth and I are taking a few days to relax before school starts again. We are on Phu Quoc - a little island near Cambodia. There's not much to but relax and that suits us fine! I am desperately trying to shed the pounds gained from too many monster munch, hula hoops and toffee cisps in the UK aaarrrggghh!

Rosie

Been up to visit Rosie, Tim and Gem a couple of times this summer. I can't believe how quickly she is growing up and learning new things every day. I can't wait to see her again at xmas ( and you of course too Gem!). I hope Gareth doesn't see I put this picture on - I think he would kill me...

Bee and Jono's Wedding

We went to Bee and Jono's wedding on the date exactly one year before ours will be. It was in Sherborne, a small town in Dorset. It was such a nice day and the barn for the reception was really great. It was weird to see our friends from Saigon in the UK and we all had a good laugh meeting up.

Camping in Herm

Beers, BBQs and rain...

We've had a great time in Guernsey since we arrived despite the rain and cold weather. Why does this always happen to us every year? Never mind! We're off to Herm to camp the night on Monday. Looking forward to sitting in the Mermaid and possibly bracing a swim!

Baby Euan

We popped into see Seonaid, Lex and their new baby Euan today. Seonaid looked really well although was feeling pretty tired. Euan is entirely nocturnal at the moment and is up all night. He is so cute though he can get away with it! Here is a pic of me having a cuddle.

Road Trip

The start of my holiday has been excellent and I feel very relaxed. We hired a car and went to visit Rob and Jen. Their village and gorgeous thatched house really appealed to us and we are seriously considering their area as a possible place to live in the future. It's close to London and Derby but surrounded by countryside. We had a lovely country walk then a BBQ in their garden. A great night!

We then went up to see Gem, Tim and Rosie. Rosie was so lovely and Gem and Tim are so relaxed and natural with her. I was very sad to say goodbye I love this photo of her and Gareth, she is really looking at him! Ahhhh so cute. I am a very proud auntie.

Make-up trial

I was really pleased with my make-up trial and don't think my photos do it justice. I look a bit freaky in some of them! I know that it's important for the make-up to come out well in photos but I think it's because I took these in a toilet in a pub that they did not come out as well as they could have. I think with a professional photographer I should come out a little better! That's my theory anyway...