July 2018 Reena's Diary

July was Reena's month.  She turned 12.  She hates all things teenagers so she is really celebrating this year before she's a teen.  She said I just want to be a kid just continue to grow tall and get all my privileges of being a happy kid without having to wear a bra (she calls it "the forbidden b word", no PMS please.  She's funny like that and we love her immaturity but she matures in such a way that's subtle so she's denying the fact that she is becoming more of a teenager than she actually wants to accept. She doesn't like it when we point out the teenager in her.  But let's leave it right there and talk about the touristy things she got to do for her birthday.
    Her birthday happened to fall right in the middle of summer camp. Yes we got her signed up for a camp here where she got to spend 2 days away from home with her friends from drama class.  They did so many fun things and the moms in charge updated me with pictures. Consider this her scrap booking album of her camping experience.

Here Reena and Debrie are making an art piece using crushed up bamboo mixed with water
                                        

                                         

                                          
The next day they gathered for onsite camp bonding activities.  The kids were organized in groups and they came up with their own songs and most were in English as all these kids are still learning English.  Our girls were in a way little English teachers to these kids.

They went to a village where they made things out of wood.  We showed up to be chaperones for the afternoon.  Very impressive things were taught to these girls.

For those following our instagram here is where you can find info on this place:
https://www.facebook.com/TBWorkshop/ http://taboobamboo.com/

How about this for your backyard?!! This homestay in Hoi An is cute on the inside and so gorgeous on the outside, complete with a pool at this scenery just made it one of the best.
Here is info on the homestay:
http://hoiannewsunshinehomestay.com/

After a long day full of activities they had a dance instructor came and teach them how to dance

We took Reena out to eat some of her favorite treats..brownies and mousse.  We found this cute shop in the ancient streets of Hoi An that served American goodies.  We had a lot of fun trying new food like oc que ice cream

This is how they make oc que ice cream.  It was very tasty and they had many flavors

Reena was lucky to be surrounded by friends on her birthday.  My girl is 1 year away from her teenage years and so far she is still as sweet as the day she came.  We adore her and all that she is.

We got two cakes because there were a lot of people there.  We provided the sweets and they provided the food, including a bbq so we can't complain.

We provided the music for the night

On the third and last day of camp they set sail through the water coconut forest, what Hoi An is known for in those bamboo weaved canoes. They also did some pottery and got to bring that home as gifts to their families.

Everyone survived and everyone had a great time bonding and creating memories.  Thanks to the lady in the hat who started the program and made it a special one for us, one in which we may fly back to Vietnam for once we go back to the States.  The boys were very happy when their sisters came back.  They got to see their sisters in the middle of camping but 3 nights without them was long.  It's like they love each other or something.

 

My elementary school bestie came and visited us for dinner.  I feel so happy and lucky to be back and meet up with these friends.

We have a great number for church.  3 American families and a few locals.  WE loved all the digital nomads that come by and we connect with them in a way that only expats understand.  We feel as though they understand us and share the same love for travel as we do.  Living abroad exceeds all other adventures and travels we've ever experienced.  It's been a very rewarding experience and we've met so many amazing adventurers.

One of the most amazing families we've met living here is this sweet Korean LDS family.  They took us out to eat at this yummy Korean restaurant and it was then that we decided we need to go to Korea when they go next...November news :)

My friend and neighbor from Issaquah came back to Vietnam to visit her family and to vacay so I got to see her and hung out with her for a few days.

Another friend, Damian and Fengmei came from Philly and was here for a few days on his honeymoon and we got to swim and played with him and his wife for a day as well.

Dan has been trying to lose some weight and has been running everyday.  He is the most fit in his entire life! I have been a bit of a slacker mostly because I just don't like running in the heat and humidity, but I try my best to stay fit with him.

Here is a little excerpt from Dan.  Enjoy!

Kamusta,

We had visitors this month. There was a British man and his son who came to our little church group while here on a scouting mission for possibly starting a tour group business. Later in the month, a young couple here on their honeymoon came to our church group. In keeping with the Asia/British theme, he’s an English bloke who had served in Taiwan and eventually married a girl from there (he did not meet her while serving). We met up a couple of times to show them some stuff around Da Nang. Thuan also had some Viet friends she knew from America. Each were coming to visit their respective families. We had lunches, dinners, and other good times. They were both in Vietnam for a long time so more on them in August.

Reena turned twelve. She had a friend that invited her and Debrie to a multi-day activity in Hoi An and her mom suggested we hitch Reena’s birthday to that wagon. They made some bamboo crafts, did some fishing, and generally had a good time. They stayed in a hotel and the friend’s mom hired an Ozzie dance instructor to teach all the kids how to dance to some popular Western songs. This worked for a while, until all the kids decided they’d rather swim. We came down on the first night for the BBQ, which was delicious. The second night we came down for the birthday. Good food, amazing cake. The girls stayed one more night while we headed home.
The girls’s drama class came to an end and so had a performance. The class was divided into groups and each had a short group performance of a story of their choice and then also individual monologues of their own creation. Reena won some award for most expressive. She and Debrie were about the only ones that could be heard. Probably because they’re loud Americans.

*Their performance will be shown on our Youtube channel and pictures on our next post.