Christmas Traditions

licking the spatula

Giving thanks

for my husband, our daughters, our families, my girlfriends, our health, our home -

an overwhelming abudance this and every year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble, gobble!

No one told me.....

that when you join the FS, your sense of what warrants a strange medical diagnosis completely becomes dependent on worst case scenario - parasites in my intestines?? no big thang!!

today the Doc at the Consulate told me I most likely have a parasite and then proceeded to describe all that it involves, as well as what may come - she then handed me super-strength antibiotics and told me to check back in with her a week.

in the States, a parasite would seem like a big deal - but here, I would say a parasite is pretty mild when compared to dengue fever or TB, which are other options, so in the spirit of welcoming everyone to the proverbial Thanksgiving table, I throw open my arms to this parasite.....wait.......what do you mean I can't drink alcohol with one of the medications?

Parasite - you are totally sitting at the kids table on Thursday.

Bia Hoi

Hanoi enjoys almost four seasons, so we enjoyed the fall-ish temperatures and the wonderful "Bia Hoi" culture - Bia Hoi means fresh beer in Vietnamese, and it is served, ice-cold, at sidewalk cafes. The beer is fresh-brewed every day and the light lager costs around 50 cents for a glass. Sitting for as long as you like, people come to catch up with one another, enjoy some pre-dinner snacks and literally, watch the world go by.

Faces of Vietnam

I really enjoy taking photographs of the beautiful faces and people of Vietnam and thought I would begin to share some of them.

Postcards from Hanoi

Erik and I travelled to Hanoi for the weekend, sans children, and enjoyed exploring the capital city together - cooler temperatures, wonderful people, beautiful streets designed for roaming. It was a chance to visit with friends, reconnect and explore more of this amazing country. Below are scenes from our walks - Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, changing of the guard at Ho Chi Minh's tomb, colonial homes.

235th Marine Corps Birthday Ball - Hanoi

All U.S. Embassies across the world are guarded by a Marine contingent, and each November, on the anniversary of the Marine's birthday, a ball is held to celebrate and remember the hard work and sacrifice of the corp in their unwaivering protection of the members of the Embassy families. This was my first Marine Ball and it was a fabulous evening full of wonderful people, handsome soldiers, beautiful fashion, delicious cake, lots of wine and dancing until you drop. I brought the bagpiper.

Bathing Beauty

Saigon Central Post Office

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

Tour Guide

Nice to play tourist in our own town with my in-laws and this little lady as the guide.

Eat your heart out Mary Kay

Image0273
Originally uploaded by meredith w page

We went to the launch of a new (to Vietnam) company - if you end up selling enough of their product, this is what you get to cruise around town on - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than a silly Cadillac!

Cheerleader

Wouldn't it be nice to always have such a great cheerleader?

4 years

e - i love you babe - happy anniversary - xo - m

bangs.......

yes or no?

please vote over on the sidebar!

p.s. yes, I may be having a mid-life crisis......

selling like hotcakes!

Originally uploaded by meredith w page