Chào các anh các chį!

Almost over...

Today in class, we had some administrative business to take care of before beginning to discuss "The Sorrow of War" by Bao Ninh, and "Paradise of the Blind". Part of the stuff we needed to discuss was our end of the semester banquet. And I realized...that banquet is in 15 days. 15 days people. I'm getting emotional even typing that. I think its affecting us all, and that may have contributed to everyone acting wierd and crazy, or "insane" as I called it, a few days ago. And we have so much work to do, and will have barely any time after finals to properly bid farewell to eachother. A lunch with the faculty of our "Harvard of Vietnam"...and then a banquet with each other. Then the next morning, on the 18th...so long, farewell, afeterzane to you. Sorry about the spelling of afeterzane dad...you just didn't speak enough German to me as a kid. hehe.

But anyways, as this all winds down, I just want all of you to know that coming to Vietnam was one of the best decisions that I ever made. If anyone reading this is contemplating studying abroad: Do it. And hopefully I'll be able to stay in touch with all the wonderful people here.

BTW, "The Sorrow of War" and "Paradise of the Blind" are both very good books that you should definitely read. But not before Dumb Luck. Dumb Luck, The Quiet American...two amazing books. I also just read "The Tao of Pooh" which was nice, and am in the middle of "Schiendler's List" which is not so nice, but an amazing book nonetheless. Next book on my list, after finishing "Catfish and Mandala" and "Vietnamese Communism 1925-1945" of course, is "The Alchemist" which everyone here seems to be reading, and then "High Fidelity". Wow, reading is great. Perhaps reading happy books after I get home will keep me from missing Vietnam. :) Love you all.

posted by Steffanie @ 6:49 AM