New Leaf

after going to the pharmacy today (no make up lol)

right outside my building

the band at the bar on St. Patty's Day

ready to go out!

new skirt

Well, I've gotten my first illness. I had a bad sore throat at the end of last week. It felt a bit like strep so I took Thursday and Friday off and took some meds I brought from home. On Friday afternoon I took advantage of my day off to go to the bank (since it is only open from 8-5 Mon-Fri, which is when we have to be at work) to do some things and then it was a short walk to the Crescent Mall from there so I figured I'd do some shopping/walking around. I needed to get out of the house. I bought some workout clothes at the Nike store and I was shocked that they actually had three pairs of women's shoes in my size so I bought a pair. Since I threw out my sneakers at Tough Mudder I never got a new pair of running shoes so I was definitely due for some. Then I bought some other cute clothes (some for casual wear and some for work) before heading home. On Saturday I decided I NEEDED to join the gym here. I've only been here just under 2 months and I've put on maybe 10 pounds. I'm probably more self conscious of it than I should be but I hate it. On Saturday I got a 3 month membership. The gym is right downstairs and it's really nice. There is also a pool. On Saturday I worked out for about 2 hours: 40 mins cardio and lower body. Last night I met up with Kaye, her husband, and a bunch of their friends from New Zealand at the local bar for St. Patty's Day. It was fun. I had a few drinks and came home early since I've been sick. It was nice to get out for a bit, though. Today I woke up on 8:30 and went back to the gym: 20 mins cardio, upper body, and then swimming. I was there for over 2 hours. It felt great. Now I'm really hurting, though. I have decided that I am determined to work out a little bit every day. Mon-Fri I will either work out in the gym after work or swim laps and on Saturday and Sunday I will do both. I hope to be in excellent shape by the time I go to America to visit in July. These 10 pounds will be gone and I'll be fit and in shape. A year and a half ago I lost nearly 30 pounds by simply losing my apetite (heart break is a cruel thing). This time around I am going to lose the weight the right way and come home in the best shape of my life. Unfortunately since I went to the gym yesterday I have become extremely congested. I went to the pharmacy to get some things tonight so hopefully they work. I feel like I'm allergic to the gym. Each time I go I come back more congested than before. Regardless, I am going to go to the gym every day. Hopefully this congestion goes away in a few days. I'm not looking forward to work tomorrow, but oh well. Such is life. I suppose that's about it for this week. Take care all.

-Erica

I suppose it's about time for another post. I've been so busy I just haven't gotten a chance to update in a while. Well, I've been busy learning the music for next months concert (my school is onboard so I will be taking our choir!), completing my application to Kent State University, and the usual at work. My deputy principal was kind enough to arrange for my classes to be covered one day so that I could get some serious planning done. I was able to get a lot done that day but I still feel like I hardly made a dent. I think I am going to ask for another day this week to do the same. My principal has purchased the new Quaver's Marvelous World of Music DVD series (yay!) so I now have something to work with! Also, I think he has decided to purchase GamePlan (a comprehensive K-5 music curriculum from the US that I recommended) so eventually I will have that. The problem is is may take a few months to come....so I still have to figure something out for the meantime.

Here they celebrate International Women's Day on March 8 and I thought it was going to be like another Valentine's Day (which I hate) but it really wasn't. It was day for appreciating women and I actually enjoyed it. I felt valued and appreciated. I got a few flowers from students and the men at work arranged manis and pedis in the conference room during the day so that was really nice. I wish America celebrated Women's Day instead of Valentine's Day.

Let's see....what else? I had my apartment cleaned yesterday by a lady that works at the school and cleans several other teachers apartments. She came at 1 on Saturday (an hour earlier than I was expecting) and I had to leave. They don't like you to be home with they clean and if you come home early they'll stop right then and leave. So she said 3 hours and I went down to a shop downstairs and read. She charged me 125,000VND ($6). I was pretty thrilled. It's nice to have a clean apartment and I didn't have to do it! I'll probably have her come every other week.

I don't think there is much more to tell about this week.....I have completed my KSU application (except my Florida certification may take a while to process). Hopefully I'll be started class in May but the certification may mean I can't start until June. Either way, I can't wait to start classes!

Well, I need to get some dinner and get ready for work tomorrow (how does the weekend go by so fast?). I hope everyone is doing well! Oh, and apparently daylight savings time happened today? Well, Vietnam does not participate in daylight savings time so I am now 11 hours ahead of EST.

Erica

Ummmmmm.....wow.....

Wow. What a week. I suppose it is about time for an update. I can't even tell you everything that has happened this week but I will touch on the main points. On Monday they were filming a promotional TV documentary and I got to be the "conductor" of an imaginary "rock" band. It was chaos and we all probably look like fools but oh well! It was an interesting experience. Then I tried to meet with the choir during lunch periods. That did NOT work. The idea is that they eat for the first 15 minutes and then come to choir for the remaining 30. Most of the students didn't come to my room until about 10 minutes before lunch ended. I have since told the principal that it has to be an after school program. If he wants me to create a quality choir then it needs to be after school where I can have at least a solid 30 minutes of rehearsal. He was fine with that so hopefully that will make things easier. Also, my principal observed me this week. He observed me with Y6 and it went VERY well. The students were engaged and interested in the lesson and my principal was actually fascinated by that. He also learned something :) He will be observing me 2 or 3 more times coming up as part of my 2 month probation. Considering how the first observation went I think I'll be getting that permanent contract. It's hard to believe it's already been one whole month. I must say it has flown by.

Today I was sent an email by a contact of Dr. Robinson's. She asked if I would like to sing two solos and two duets in a concert next month. I will be accompanied by an orchestra and this will be broadcast on TV throughout Vietnam. WHAT?!?! I graciously accepted and I now have four songs to learn by April 20th and 21st. Wow! I am just flabbergasted! They have also invited my choir to participate. I will have to talk to my principal about this but I doubt he will refuse. It would be a great opportunity for the students to see a real concert and actually participate in the rehearsals and performance. I am still in shock about this offer. I never thought I would be a singer (more than in choirs) but this will be my big debut! It's a shame I'm so far and none of my friends and family can be there. I am hoping I can find somewhere to watch online, so hopefully you can see it (though if it is LIVE then you may have to get up really early in the morning hehe). I'm meeting with her tomorrow to talk about it further.

Another development: I have decided to begin working on my Masters degree. I am going to take advantage of my free nights and weekends and do something productive with my loneliness. I have decided on Kent State University's online Master of Music in Music Education program. It will take 20 months to complete. I begin classes in May and will graduate December 2013. I'm pretty excited about it, actually. I thought I wanted a long break from school but I'm already bored and I feel like I wasted a bunch of years on my undergrad and I want to make up for it. It will also keep me busy and make the time go by faster. I'm trying to make the most of this experience and I think earning an advanced degree would be a great accomplishment to come out of this with (aside from building up a program and choir and singing semi-professionally).

Ok, that's enough ramblings :) Night, all!

~Erica