1st Anniversary

It's been exactly one year since The Alpha International Kindergarten was opened. It's been a short, and yet long, year. We've been through so much - the worries of whether we'd be getting students, the problems with authorities, management of the school, the language etc etc...it's a wonder that we still have hair on our heads! It would have been a much, much easier process to just start a kindergarten in efficient and clean (in more than one aspect if you know what I mean) Singapore but we chose to venture out. So we have to be happy and live with our choice.

Today, we have 2 kindergartens with almost a hundred kids - guess it's not too bad a start after a year's work. There was a time when we worried whether we'd ever hit 10 students! We are thankful to God (who has seen to everything for us despite all our doubts), our families (for being so understanding), our partners and friends (for their very staunch support) and especially our 3 kids, Nicole, Adeline and Bryan for understanding despite the disruptions we brought to their lives with this shift.

Our plans for 2010 are to open at least another kindergarten and a primary school. We pray that God will continue to guide us and give us strength to face the new challenges ahead. It's very exhausting and frustrating at times, and we need to rely on more than just our own strength and effort to move on.

See what we bought

Went to Ben Thanh Market tonight - the kids had to do some shopping. This is what was bought :

2 Crumpler bags for 800k (S$60)

Socks @ 10k/pair (S$0.75)

Eagle long-sleeve Shirt @ 120k (S$9)

Bag @ 70k (S$5.20)

2 VN wallets @ 15k (S$1.20)

Bryan's boxers @ 35k (S$2.60)

10 Magnetic Necklace @ 30k (S$2.30); 35k if bought per piece

Adidas @ 50k (S$3.70) & 60k (S$4.50)

Long-sleeve shirts

Took a pix of this when I was walking past - Abercrombie slippers

Boxers @ 35k

Nicole buying magnetic necklaces (35k each)

This stall sells the cheapest Crumpler Bags

This money-changer (jewellery shop) gives good rate

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More updates :

"Samsonite" bag - 200k

Metal Robot - 250k

Dragonfly (medium size) - 10 for 50k

Egg Lacquer coasters (pack of 6) - 65k

Lacquer box - 40k (Painted box), 50k (egg shell dragonfly), 60k (Painted box with eggshell)

Billabong Shirt - 60k

"Adidas" t-shirt - normal 55k; with printing 60k

"Levi's" bermudas - 90k; buy 2@80K

3m embroidered table cloth with 12 emb napkins @ 250k (Saigon Tax Trade Center)

"Saigon" emb t-shirt XXXXL @ 50k (Roadside)

Filigree picture @ 120k (Central Post Office)

2 Magnetic necklace @ 25k (Saigon Tax Trade Center)

 

Phu My Bridge & East-West Highway

Decided to recce the newest bridge across the Saigon River while waiting for Adel to finish at the hairdresser's. Had been wanting to do this since its opening on 2 Sep 2009, Vietnam's National Day. This cable-stayed bridge is about 2km long and connects Dist 7 to Dist 2. It is the 3rd bridge across the Saigon River. The road leading to the bridge is still under construction (from Dist 7 side). Access to the bridge is via the side roads for now. It is the world's most modern bridge in terms of suspension cable technology, so claims the project co-investor Phu My Bridge Corporation. (Note : If you want to see the bridge, better go now as it'll be open to big vehicles after Dec 09.)

A 4th crossing, the Thu Thiem Tunnel, is still under construction. This 1,490m tunnel will be the longest in SE Asia when completed, with 371m running under the Saigon River. I have already biked on the new East-West Highway that leads to the uncompleted Thu Thiem Tunnel. Originally slated to open in 2007, the highway was finally declared opened on 2 Sep 09 (auspicious date, huh?) and spans 8 districts...well, better late than never. It's a nice piece of work for Vietnamese standard; traffic is light along this stretch (about 14km for now) which is a blessing indeed. It links Binh Tan to Dist 1, passing Binh Chanh, Cho Lon (Dist 5), Dist 6, Dist 8 and Dist 4. Problem is that the bike lane gets flooded in heavy downpours - poor drainage again.






































































The new Phu My bridge is a place for lovers, vendors and sight-seeing - yes, you just park your bike at the side, buy a snack or just "makan angin" and enjoy the view ... until the police comes!!!

Ref : Baovietnam

It's that time of year again ... for visits

Let's count the visits for Nov and Dec 2009 :

David Kuoh - 9 Nov to ?

Nicole - 26 Nov to 1 Dec 

Roderick - 26 Nov to 7 Dec

Vincent Lee & Family - 26 Nov to 1 Dec

Raj - 1 Dec to ?

Fong & friends - 3 to 7 Dec

Chris & friends - 17 to 22 Dec

A warm welcome to everyone.

Vietnam's Teachers' Day

It's Vietnam's Teachers' Day today, and Vietnamese parents put their international counterparts to shame with the gifts and flowers that they send to the school and teachers. Even the principal gets flowers and gifts! In my school back home, I'll be in seventh heaven if 2 parents were to wish me a Happy Teacher's Day, let alone buy flowers and gifts. It's good to know that teachers are held in high regard here and that regard is outwardly expressed on Teachers' Day. No point having nation-wide surveys showing that teachers are highly regarded but everyone keeps mum about it. Keep it up, Vietnam!

Life and weather

Life is different in HCMC. There were floods here the last few days even though there was no rain. Strange phenomenon to a SIngaporean - but I've got used to it by now but no less frustrated. The tides were exceptionally high and broke the banks. Coupled with the backward drainage system of the city, many streets (and homes) flooded. Had to divert from my usual route to school yesterday (if I'm not to get my shoes and trousers wet) but unfortunately ran into an exceptionally dusty highway - still can't figure out why it was so dusty on Sat. As if that's not enough, there came a sudden 10-minute downpour at noon ... on a sunny afternoon ... just when I was all packed and ready to go home. That's life here.

Today's weather was hot and humid, no rain to cool down. But it can come anytime. There's a lovely sunset today, though ... will never have such views back home in Singapore - I appreciate that here.

... half an hour later

Purse picked @ LotteMart

Joyce had her purse picked last night - 2 VN women had her constantly sandwiched between them while she was buying vegetables at LotteMart, moving where she moved and picking the same vegetables. While waiting for the vegetables to be weighed, the 2 women left their vegetables and took off, with Joyce and the weighing staff shooting them dirty looks. It was only a while later that Joyce realized the 2 women had unzipped her purse and took off with her cash. Looks like they've been eyeing her for a while.

LotteMart is new and about 5 minute's walk from where we live. There's a huge supermarket on the ground floor, with shops, apparel outlets, food courts, a bookshop and cinemas on the 1st and 2nd floor. It's convenient for us as they have a free delivery service. So we just buy our groceries and they send it up - this is one good thing about VN supermarkets - they all have free delivery service. Prices are reasonable at some outlets although there are one or two expensive shops too.