Birthdays

It was three of my friends' birthdays last weekend. I ended up with a very sore head on Saturday but I was by no means the only one. I learned my lesson of having a glass of wine before after a busy day at work before eating dinner. It was a lovely evening. Anne and I had a massage. I had a glass of wine while getting ready at her house, we got a bite to eat at the pub, then we headed into town for the party. Fun fun fun!

Bee's Hen Night

I am gutted - I was really pleased with the one photo that I had of the beach, but somehow it has got corrupted. Boo! Never mind I will put the rest on. We went down to the beach for Bee's hen night. It was a really good laugh and very relaxing - just what I needed in the middle of reports and general school craziness. We chilled in the day, swam and had massages then partied at night. I am looking forward to the wedding this summer!

Rosie

Congratulations to Gemma and Tim. I am so proud to write here that I am an auntie to Rosie Smith! Gem and Rosie had a bit of a tricky start as mum and daughter with a surprise arrival but they have both been amazing. We went out last night to make a toast. Rosie is so cute. I know I am biased but she is really beautiful and the Payne genes have once again shown their strength. The curly, dark hair looks like it's well on its way! I now am so excited for summer when I can have cuddle.
I am also so ready to move back to the UK. I know that next year will fly by because we have so much to organise - wedding, house buying and getting jobs. I just booked our flights for Christmas so we will be back for the first time in 5 years!

Rainy Saigon

We were sat in The Refinery - one of our favourite brunch places. It's an old opium refinery and is in one of the few lovely old buildings in the centre of town that they haven't knocked down to make way for big city developments. It was a good reminder of the reason that we are here - it was like being on holiday sat outside in the warm. Suddenly the heavens opened and it packed down with rain. The rainy season storms are amazing here. I just love sitting in the shelter while it pours like crazy then stops just as suddenly. A Sunday morning well spent.

Only in Vietnam

Last week we had a fire drill. This means that we had pink smoke streaming out of the building; the guards got out the hoses and started spraying the building until the fire brigade arrived (almost didn't get here as they were stuck on the bridge in a traffic jam) then they continued by showing how high the water could go and soaking us all. All this for a practise. The kids thought it was brilliant.

Photos

Gem and Mum - you were asking for pictures. Here is one of our gym!

A night on the river

We went to Kim (in the white flowery dress) and Helen's birthday last night. It was a really relaxed evening. I didn't drink much as I didn't want to undo the hard work at the gym over the past couple of days - I have 5 pounds to shift! Gareth and I had food at the Mekong Merchant - a really good outdoor place in An Phu (area near our school) then walked over the The Boat House, by the river, where Kim and Helen had designed their own cocktails. It was a quiet evening and not too much of a late night. I know it looks like I have no top on in one picture - unfortunate angle!
We only have 3 days of work this week, then a 4 day weekend. I think I can make it through! Last week's early mornings were a bit painful and a shock to the system. Then only 8 more weeks then home - hooray!

Excess packaging?

They just love it in Vietnam: Brie in foil, in a tin, in a box, in a plastic container...

One more week

These are some photos we took on the day we left Phu Quoc. It's so nice to get back from holiday and still have another week to relax at home. We normally have to go straight back to school. I have the gym and a visit to the tailor planned today. I bought some really nice printed material in the market yesterday and I want to get a skirt copied along with a couple of tops. I hope they turn out well it's sometimes hit and miss.

Same same

Here are some photos - one of me Gem! We had cocktails on the beach to watch the sunset. Unfortunately it's been really cloudy so not seen the best of it yet. No real news. We've been here almost a week now and have just been reading, sleeping, swimming and eating. It's so relaxing I had no idea what day it was when I woke up. Back to Ho Chi Minh tomorrow but we still have another week of no school. Got some jobs to do and phone calls to make so hopefully it ill be a productive week. Anyway back to my book - the 5th this week!

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