Busy, busy, busy, like a beeeee.

Apologies avid readers! I've been super busy these last few weeks, what with preparing my students for their exams and generally freaking out about having to test them myself. I've had a few emails and messages from people, and have tried to reply to them as swiftly as possible, but sometimes it's hard to keep track. So if I haven't answered your question yet, please be patient :) I'll get to it soon.

I did a poll last month on my Chalkboard blog to see what people want me to write about. The votes came out pretty evenly, so in the next few weeks you should be seeing three blogs: one about food (which I've been dutifully taking pictures of), one about coping with culture shock, and one about medicine in Vietnam (which I've had some VERY personal experiences with... All will be revealed soon).

Christmas is swiftly approaching, and I'm missing the chill in the air back home, and my mum's roast dinners; make the most of it before you come out here! A bunch of us interns are getting together for a roast on Christmas Eve, but being vegetarian my options are limited. I may be making do with a plate of roast potatoes and a few veggies. But that's fine by me >.<

I've had the official meeting with my principal to discuss my plans to stay. I've been told I'll be getting a fantastic pay rise, and won't have to start paying for my accommodation if I want to stay where I am (however, I hope to move out soon as I want my own kitchen. I miss cooking, and I hate living off instant noodles!). I was also told that we're getting two new interns through TTV in February. It could be you! XD

Illness, and what must be culture shock.

Hello boys and girls,
It's a hot, hot day in Vietnam, and I haven't eaten properly in days! I find myself suffering from a complete loss of appetite, meaning I can manage just a few spoonfuls of rice, and then I feel so full I'm almost sick. Everyone is very concerned at the school, and I've had deliveries of cake and milk and medicine to my door by concerned friends with furrowed brows.
Eventually, the worry got to such a level, that I was whisked from my room on Friday night and taken to a doctor friend of the Chairman. She runs a specialist maternity unit, but agreed to see me at short notice. It was a very surreal experience. I had my blood pressure taken as I sat sandwiched between two heavily pregnant Vietnamese women, each with their bellies hooked up to monitor the babies' heartbeats. Then I was given an ultrasound, while a crowd of women stared at my stupidly pale stomach. Odd. Very odd.
I had to be held down when they took blood from my hand, because I really, really hate needles, and started freaking out as she came towards me brandishing one.
I was prescribed medicine to get my stomach back to normal. But sadly, it hasn't worked, and I am still not eating.

Now comes the diagnosis from the Principal and Vice Principal: I'm lonely, suffering from Culture Shock, and need a boyfriend - they're very obsessed with me getting a boyfriend.
I think some of what they say could be true, although it's unusual for me to turn my back on food when I feel sad. I'm definitely a habitual comfort-eater.
Apparently, I'm being taken to another doctor this week some time, and hopefully they'll be able to help me more. And I think taking a translator would be a good idea next time.

As for Culture Shock, I think that I could be suffering from some form of it. I love this country, and the people, and it's not as if I don't want to eat the food. But yes, I do feel lonely sometimes, in the evenings, when I am sat in my room and realise... I don't have any friends that live close by, and I don't speak enough Vietnamese to make local friends...
It can be frustrating. BUT, I am learning more Vietnamese as time goes on, and I am absolutely determined to master it. I hope this 'not eating' thing goes away soon, because I'm craving some noodles and prawns in spicy sauce!