Hong Kong Marathon

We were in Hong Kong last weekend for Gareth's marathon. He did really well and was very pleased with finishing - despite the heat and 95% humidity, which was a shame as the week before was quite cold. As I was waiting there were lots of people being wheeled over the finish line on stretchers with drips in their arms. I was getting a bit worried for him but he came across the line pale but still in one piece. He has his sights set on the London Marathon next - which should be much easier not having to train and run in 35/40C heat.

I had fun doing a bit of shopping and catching up with some friends on the Saturday night, while leaving Gareth tucked up in the hotel room. I felt very independent traveling around HK by myself. It really is quite easy once you get the hang of the tube and ferries. I had a lot of fun!

Now we're back at school it's been a busy couple of weeks. I have my observation tomorrow. I really hope it goes well but I am feeling very nervous. After that just 4 weeks until we go to Thailand for our last beach holiday before we head back to the UK. I really can't wait now!

Murder...

We went to a murder mystery party last night. It was so much fun - set in Texas in 1984 and based around an oil-rich family. I managed to create the perfect hair do and make-up to go with my horrendous white sparkly dress from the market. It was fun dressing up and even more fun when I found out that I was the killer. Thanks Bee for an excellent night!

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!

It's Chinese New Year today and my birthday. I was woken up at midnight with all the fireworks - I really don't trust the Vietnamese ones! They were so noisy. It's now 7am and the dragon dancers are visiting the homes and businesses to chase away all the bad luck and bring prosperity and health for the coming year of the Tiger. It seems like they're doing every single one in the area.
I popped out in my PJs to take a look and get some snaps. It looks like the dignitaries are ferried around to bring luck to different venues. They posed for pictures, went in and out of the entrance then hopped in a police car to go to another place. It's quite a sight and my pictures don't really do it justice.
The pictures below are from before TET - putting up the decorations of course using the standard, dodgy-looking, bamboo climbing frames to reach the heights.

Hidden spots of Ho Chi Minh City

When I first went up this staircase it was at night time and was a bit scary. In the UK I would never dream of walking into a place like this alone, with the stained walls and broken stairs. It looks like a prison or an asylum. But at the top is a beautiful restaurant, chill-out bar called La Fenêtre Soleil. It has gorgeous old French windows painted in pale blue and lovely wooden floor and a big chandelier. It's a really lovely place. Shame about the entrance though. It's the sort of place a tourist would never find and a lovely spot to chat and have a drink. I met with a friend here today and had a good gossip, with a big pot of tea.

Ben Thanh Market

We went off to Ben Thanh market to pick up some wedding favours today. We've been putting it off because it's so packed and crazy there. I thought I should put on some pictures of real Vietnam life. The market is amazing. People pretty much live their whole lives there. You can find anything you would ever need in this place!

Rosie

Some more pics of visiting Gem, Tim and Rosie at Christmas!

Resolutions

I have made a really good start to the new year. As you can see from the pictures I have grown my nails. I usually break them at school gluing and cutting out etc. then don't look after them, but this year I am determined to keep them looking nice. I have also been to the gym every weekend and a bit during the week and am sort of eating healthily (had a big blow out yesterday with crisps, cheese and sweets but it was Friday!). Gareth is away on a school trip next week so I will make lots good, healthy food - as he doesn't usually like the healthy stuff I cook.

(not sure why the pics are so small!)
Now I am really on track to organising the wedding. I have checked up on my dress and it seems to be coming. We are trying to organise bridesmaid dresses - thanks to Gem being my personal wedding planner. It's really exciting that most of the people I thought might not be able to come to our wedding are able to make it. I am so happy! I haven't really been excited about it before now but I am starting to feel it a little. I am sure I will really get into it once we have both found jobs and feel a bit more settled about the future.

New Year!

We arrived back in Saigon this morning after an excellent Christmas holiday. I saw so many people and ate A LOT of delicious food.

First we visited Gem, Mum, Sam, Tim and Rosie. It wasn't the best timing as we were totally jet-lagged. I don't remember much except that Rosie was so CUTE and Gem started a food fight and denied it! We had snow so the countryside was really pretty.

We then had Christmas with Gareth's family. I was amazed at what a fantastic lunch they managed to cook up for almost 20 of us! YUM... Gareth gave me a lovely new bag. His parents also adopted teo new cats. One was a cute little kitten and the other only just over a year old so still really playful.



Before New Year I caught up with Emma, Katie, Seonaid and Lex. I am definitely very lucky to had such brilliant friends. It's always just like we haven't been away when we get chatting. New Year was at Rob and Jenny's and of course was quite boozy but a lot of fun.


I can't wait to be back to the UK in the summer and start settling down. It will be so nice to have our own place and not always be visitors in our own country. I don't want to wish away our time here but am sure it will fly as we plan a wedding, get jobs, try to find a place to live and pack up our whole lives for shipping. What a year!

Totally BONKERS!

I will never understand this country. The pictures show it all!

The office staff downstairs are decorating for Christmas. Each one of those bricks is stuck on individually. They must have made more than a couple of thousand small, foam bricks each with 2 pieces of double sided tape on them. They are pealing and sticking all the bricks to make a winter fire-side scene at the reception desk. It's amazing but I just wonder why they have made them so small. It must be the most exciting day of their year as they're all there with the Christmas music playing. I suppose it's more interesting than watching us go in and out all day!