Sue's journey

I can't believe it is almost the end of November and we are still here.  Life sure has a way of throwing suprises at us!!

Today we ventured out a bit. First for an afternoon walk around the lake. Evelyn was quite enthralled with the light posts and the fishermen today. She kept looking up at the big round globes of the lights everytime we passed one.
Not sure what she was thinking, but clearly it was something new for her to check out.  The fishermen seemed to be doing quite well today. So many of them had several fish lying beside their spots on the sidewalks and still others were taking many fish out of their nets.  Some people fish with bamboo poles ( and no reels..just line wound around what looks like a large spool) and still others seem to let out from the edge of the sidewalk a large net like system in which the fish get trapped.  It is fascinating for me to watch.  The primitive nature of their fishing seems like quite a challenge to me.  I am not sure that either my father or I could catch fish in Otis in this manner.  We have a hard enough time with our fancy poles and reels!!!

Evelyn and I also went out to dinner tonight. We headed over to the other Somerset Hotel...and went to their resteraunt. It is owned by an Australian who is very nice. He stopped by our table tonight to say hello and commented on how beautiful Evie is.  He has heard a bit about the problems some families are having getting Visas because several of the families are staying at that hote. He was funny describing the American politics going on! 
Evelyn is becoming quite the restaraunt goer. She sat in a high chair again...this time it had a strap. The waiter immediately brought her a large slice of italian bread to suck and asked if she would like to color. I accepted the bread, but said the crayons would only end up in her mouth. She was so good. She sat quietyl in her chair while I enjoyed and appetizer (eggplant rolled around goat cheese) and poached salmon on a bed of spinach.  Oh yeah....and one glass of wine!!  It was all in all a very civilized dinner out with my 7 month old.  She was better company than some dates I have been on.

No news today...it seems the Embassy workers are taking their time!!  I decided to replenish my diaper supply given the fact I will probably be here for the weekend. 
Thank you to all the people who sent comments yesterday.  What a great surprise to wake up to all of your kind words.  
Well..Evie is sleeping and I am not far behind her.  She goes from one good night of sleeping to several not so good...I am hoping tonight is a good one!!  She should be tired out from flirting with all the waiters at dinner!

Sue and Evie

Evelyn and I wait and wait and wait.  Now that our reply is in for the Visa the days seem to  be a bit longer.
I ponder wether to go to the store and stock up on more diapers and baby food....only to have to pack them or wether to just wait.  I think about packing and starting to organize what I have here....although it isn't much and shouldn't take me nearly as long as it did to get organized to come here.  I also think about how we are going to thank everyone here at the hotel and say good bye.  Saying goodbye to AN an Nga will also be a challenge. THey have been so helpful, so kind and such a big part of the last three months.  I have already told them both they are more than welcome to visit Boston anytime!!

Then about an hour later, I think about what it will be like if we have to stay any longer.  What will we do to occupy our days?  What will I eat...I am really craving some good old fashioned home cooking! Will I need to color my hair again? How cold will it be when I get back to the states and how will my feet survive in the sandals I have for the trip from the airport to home??  How will I ever get ready for Christmas if Iam much later?  So many questions and so many debates in my head.

It is not easy this waiting, but what keeps me going is thinking of all of you at home.  THinking about all the wonderful people waiting to share in Evelyn's life.  Knowing that she and I are so lucky to have the family and friends that have been so supportive through this whole ordeal.  Remembering all of the comments people have left for us on this blog....some daily, some occasionally, but all very, very meaningful to me! Thinking of all the little things people have done for me and all of the incredibly generous things people have done.  All of these thoughts are what keep me thinking positively. All of you is what keeps my strength and focus on the prize at the end. 

Evelyn and I will be home...it might be soon, it might take a bit longer....but in the end, my daughter and I are coming back to the states to be with all of you!!

Love,
Sue and Evie

Hi...sorry it has been a few days since my last entry.  Evelyn has had a little runny nose and we have not gone out.  I thought it best to keep her close to home so that she can get her rest and shake this thing.  My plan seems to be working. She is much better today.  The runny nose has not kept her from playing or eating.
She continues to enjoy her food and we are trying new things our on a daily basis.  This morning she had apricot baby food and some of my scrambled eggs. She loved both!!  I think that by the time we get back home she wil be eating just about anything.....too bad she doesn't have teeth because I am sure she would like to branch out and try some meat!...maybe chicken!!

This afternoon we were playing on the floor in our room when the housekeeping ladies arrived.  They all love her so much that I wasn't suprised when the two women sat on the floor with us and began to play with her.  They picked her up, cooed at her, played with her toys with her and then one of them decided to feed her a banana. I didn't know how to tell her that Evie had already had a banana for breakfast.....and it didn't really matter because of course Evie ate it all up!!  The people here are so nice. I feel as if we will have to do something very special for them all when we leave. There is a fancy chocolate shop at our favorite little shopping mall so I am thinking we will go there and got several boxes for the entire hotel staff!!!  I think I may have to promise to keep in touch with them...I am sure they will want to know how Evelyn is doing.

I am sure you are all tired of hearing the night time sleeping saga...but I thought I would report a good night!
Evie slept from 9:30 until 3:00 last night.  It was great...and even though I woke at 1:00 and 2:00 just because I assumed she would be up, I was able to fall right back to sleep.  I am not sure if this is why..but I tried something a little new last night.  I gave Evleyn the t-shirt I had been wearing yesterday to sleep with. She cuddled it in her arms and I hope felt as if I was close to her becasue she could smell me?? Who knows....but it seems as if when she wakes up constantly at the beginning of the night she is scared and not sure of where she is....so I was hoping this might help.  I will try it again tonight and hope for the best.

It is so hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that it is almost December....given the fact that it is still approx. 85 every day. I am still thinking it is summer and half expect to wear my shorts when I get back home.  I know they are still in my closet at home and that the fleece and sweaters are still in boxes. I guess I am going to have to do something about that pretty quickly upon my return.  I am also going to have to think about Christmas shopping...although at this point I have done a little bit over here!!  I figured I might as well.....the prices are certainly right!!! better sales than anywhere in the US!!

Ok..tomorrow we are off to the post office in the morning. I have received a package but for some reason it was not delivered to the hote. I just got a notice from the post office yesterday.....of course it was in Vietnamese so I wasn't sure for a little bit what I had gotten....it could have been a notice for me to leave and I woudn't have known!!  Thank goodness the hotel staff is so nice and were willing to translate for me.  I can't wait to see a Vietnamese post office.

bye for now,
Sue and Evie

Well...I must say that this was not the best Thanksgiving I have ever had....but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting!
The day started out with lots of Thanksgiving well wishes from friends and family.  We talked to Auntie Dawn on Skype this morning, as well as Jo-ann, MIchael, the kids and Candy.  It was sure nice to start the day by seeing all of them.
We also read lots of emails from friends.
Then...because Evie has another runny nose we just stayed home for the day. I had hoped she would take a long nap in the morning, but that didn't work out so well...so she made it up in the afternoon with a 2 1/2 hr nap out by the pool.  I think I slept most of that as well.  I know..we napped before dinner!! not the traditional Thanksgiving way!

WE did go out for dinner with An, Nga an Nga's daughter.  I am sorry to say we did not opt for a traditional Thanksgiving meal at one of the hotels..but rather a more mixed meal of both Vietnamese choices and western food at the Hot Rock Cafe.
Evie loved that I ordered crab soup for a starter. She helped me to finish it and loved every bite!  She also ate her own jar of peaches and bananas...along with tastes of everything else at the table; french fries, bread, cucumbers, tomatoes and then she shared in dessert with me, Crem Caramel!!!  look out papa she loves it as much as you do.
WE didn't get back to our hotel until about 8:45, Evie took a bath, about 5 sips of her bottle and is now fast asleep.
She had a lot of excitement for her first Thanksgiving.  It might be a little difficult next year to explain to her that Crab soup will be replaced by squash bisque and the Crem Caramel will be apple or pumpkin pie!!! 
oh yeah....and that we will have a big turkey rather thant the chicken curry and prawns that mommy ate for dinner!!

Well.....I for one can't wait to sit down with my family and friends and enjoy a real Thanksgiving with all!! It will truly be Thanksgiving for Evie and me when we return home..not matter what the date is!!!

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! enjoy the company and the food and know that we miss you all very much!
Love,
Sue and Evie

Hi...not much going on here.  We have been laying low and keeping to a schedule in hopes that Evie will sleep well at night. It seemed to work last night. She slept from 9:30 - 2 and then 2-5 and then 5-8:30.  Yeah!! and I took a Benadryl so that I could sleep better and not wait for her to wake up every hour. It worked also!!

We did take a walk yesterday with another family that is here. They have adopted a 4 yr old daughter and already have a 7 yr. old daughter.  The walk was o.k...for the first time we ran into a little problem.  Three or four little boys ( maybe 9 yrs. old or so) who decided to shout at us the only English phrase they seemed to know...."F" you!. They were relentless. It was so embarrasing for me because I had told this family that despite the dead fish in the lake and the somewhat rotten smell...the walk was very pleasant.  This was less than pleasant.....I did turn around at one point and say to them..."That is not nice" .  I don't think it helped at all. They continued to follow us until we crossed the street and were very near our hotel.  I was so shocked that this hapened.  I felt horrible.  I did not expect this to happen and no where else in the last 2+ months have I run into anything like this. My walks are typically so pleasant with such nice people saying hello to me and smiling at Evie.    I am going to chalk it up to little boy mischief.  I think they thought it was funny .....and how many of us remember learning to curse in a foreign language??  I guess the difference is I never followed anyone and shouted it at them.

Today was Teacher Day in Vietnam.  An celebrated this by bringing me a  little gift. It is a small charm to keep in my wallet. It is supposed to bring me luck every day!! I plan to keep it on me at all times for the next couple of days.
I am hopeful that very soon I will get good news and a Visa for Evelyn!
Keep your fingers crossed for us ...it might happen in the next week or so!!

Take care..and hope to see everyone soon.
Sue
P.S. Tricia..tell the boys I did go to see the Water Puppets on my very first day in Hanoi, Sept. 5th.  I guess I could go again!!

It seems as if I have forgotten to tell you all about the pet Evie and I have!
We have had it for quite some time.  I rembered the other night while watching it that I hadn't told you all about it.
This pet doesn't have a name yet...I didn't want to get too attached to it assuming that some day I would be going home and having to leave it here.  I don't think they allow pets Visas!!! and I am sure not going to try to get one.

O.k...so now are you wondering what type of pet we could have here in our hotel room in Hanoi??
I will give you some hints. 
It has 4 legs, is pink and makes a small somewhat squeeky noise on occasion.
It is small and lives primarily in the kitchen. 
I does not have fur but does have a tail.
Not sure what it eats...I am assuming maybe any crumbs it finds in the kitchen.
No..it does not have whiskers.

Give up????
O.k.....we have a pet GECKO.  It has been living in the kitchen for some time. I only discovered it by accident one night. I had gone into the kitchen and turned on the light when suddenly I heard a small noise from behind the microwave and then thought I saw somthing move very quickly up the wall. I did not get a good glimpse of it that night and still wasn't sure what it was.  Since then, I have seen it several times. It seems to have slowed down its reaction time in moving and now I see him almost every night.

Hi everyone,
Mom said I could tell you all about the paryt we went to last night!!!  It was my first social event!
The party was hosted by the Hotel staff and was held at the Somerset Grand Hotel ( the sister hotel of the one we are staying in). It seemed to be for their long term guests and business partners??

At first when I saw the crowd of people at the door, I was a bit unsure about this party thing. I started to cry, but mom and An told me it would be ok.  When we finally reached the pool deck, where the partry was being held, there were bright lights and loud music.  I wondered what this was all about, but began to take it all in with my big eyes.
So many people were smiling at me and talking to me. I was very friendly....smiling and laughing with them.

Soon, there was a pause in the music and I saw some little girls in bright costumes. THey went up on the stage and danced to loud drumming music. I stared at them and was mesmerized by the lights.  I don't think I took my eyes off of the stage until they were done!!

Next, mom went to get some food at the buffet while I stayed with An.  While mom was gone, the ladies decided I needed to have a bit to eat. They fed me some delicious soup.  Mom looked a little suprised to see me eating, but she didn't say anything to the nice ladies.  Finally, mom asked An what the soup was....and guess what it was??
Egg drop and Crab meat soup!!! Mom was shocked that I loved it so much. I was devouring it.  Later in the evening mom explained to An that in the states we wouldn't think of giving a baby fish because of allergy concerns.  Here in Vietnam it is a staple of their diet.  When mom was at the grocery store yesterday she noticed baby food with labels including fish stew, veg. with rice and fish, etc. etc.  It is really hard for her to find what she considers to be appropriate food for me to eat.  She did get me pumpkin and potatoe baby food....I ate it ,but didn't love it!!
I sure hope she gives me more of that soup!!! although mom did mention that Crab meat is a little expensive in the states and that I shouldn't get used to having it often.

All in all...it was a fun night!! and a late one. WE didn't get home until 9:00. Mom thought that was great. She hoped that I would be so tired she would get a good night sleep.  WEll..I tried....but woke up every hour from 9:30 until 12:30 and then....I did sleep from 1-5.  Yeah!!  That was good!  I will try to do it again tonight, but without the crab soup I am promising nothing!!

Have a nice day eveyone and we will tell you more of our tales tomorrow or Sunday!
Love,
Evie

So once again I am a day behind in my writing.  There are some nights that as soon as Evie goes to sleep I can't bear to stay up one minute longer....last night was one of them.  She hadn't slept much during the day and I was tired.
Tonight...she took a late day nap from 6:00 - 7:15, so she is wide awake right now and watching me type while she is playing with her new toys from her Auntie Dawn and Uncle Chuck.

Yesterday we went out for yet another (oops..a pause as Evie spits up her dinner a bit) afternoon of lunch and some last minute shopping ( that is if we get out of here soon).  I keep thinking maybe some day I will get a call and then I won't have gifts for everyone.  But now we are all set.  I think I have finished my Christmas shopping...(no not completey, but I do have a start!).  
On our way to the Old Quarter, we saw a Vietnames funeral in progress.  The mourners were gathered outside of a home.  There had been built a small covering over their door way out of thin plywood and cloth.  Many wreaths adorned the sidewalk and many people were mingling out on the sidewalk.  They were mostly dressed in black and  the woman all had their heads covered ...some with veils.  I saw all of this as we passed in the taxi. 
Again later, on our cab ride home we saw another funeral car procession. I don't think it was the same people..but not sure.  The mourners were all being transfered to the church, temple or cemetary in several large vans...or small buses.
As I peered into the windows I saw a variety of dress.  Some people were actually wearing white head dresees that were similar but not as opaque as the KKK might have worn.  In fact they seemed to have been made of guaze.  Other peopel had white pieces of cloth tied around their heads.  And still others wore the more traditional black.
I have yet to ask what the meaning of all of this is, but hope to learn more from An when I get the chance.
I once again felt as if we had walked into a part of the Vietnamese culture we might have other wise missed had my trip not been extended.

At lunch, Miss Evelyn had her first experience in a high chair. Now you have to understand...that like their cars and motorbike transportion for children..these high chairs come without any restraint system. At first,  I considered telling hte waitress that we wouldn't be needing the chair, but thought twice about this because I didn't want to hurt her feelings.  People here are so kind, I didn't want to offend her.  So, now Evie is in the chair and I am certain she is going to fall out so the mechanism that should be making my lunch out a bit easier has now made it a bit harder. I have one arm around her and presumably one arm to eat with.  The only problem with this scenario is the high chair had been placed on my right side, therefore I was going to have to try to eat with my left hand.  Not so easy for me...so I had to figure out another plan.  I realized i had the baby sling over my shoulder  and that it was empty now that Evie was in the chair. I also realized that the strap which goes over my shoulder might actually be just the right length to put over the back of the chair and around her.  I didn't see any harm in trying......and what do you know it worked.  I had to pull the bulk of the sling up under the back of the chair and behind Evie in order to make it work, but it was very reliable and I was able to remove my grip on her without worrying she might slip right out.  All in all, it was quite nice.  I had a free lap for one of the rare meals I have eaten here and she was quite happy on her own in the chair. Of course, she played the drop the toy game many times to entertain herself, but that was a minor distraction for me.

So...today we just stayed at the hotel.  We decided to rest and enjoy the afternoon by the pool. It was quite warm today...probably back in the 90's. 
We also got good news this morning. Our attorney sent me a draft copy of his reply to the Embassies NOtice of Intent to Deny....and we are hoping he will file the final version in the next couple of days.  Maybe, just maybe we will get to have Thanksgiving leftovers in the states!!