Team Jounal ~ It's Hard to Say Good Bye

Vietnam Team Journal: Thursday, December 2

Quote: “Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.” Rilke

I am becoming friends with Miss Van Ahn and Miss Linh, the first – third grade teachers who I have been with so much. They give me my assignment when I come in and I’m getting used to the routine and the workbook the students use. I pretty much follow it, but sometimes the opportunity presents to do something else, like today when several of the little girls had “baby dolls” in little soft “cradles.” I taught them the Rock-a-Bye Baby lullaby (with some animation) and I think they got a kick out of it.

It was very nice to have the opportunity to chat informally with Miss Linh and Miss Van Ahn as I was waiting for Roger and Pam for lunch. I learned more about them and asked them directly if they think the children learn from us, the volunteers. They said “oh yes!” so that made me feel good.

This afternoon I went to the water puppet show which was totally unique and delightful. Pam met me outside the theater afterward and we walked to a wonderful café which had a third floor balcony overlooking a busy intersection. We had a very good conversation over coffee and I had mango ice cream for the first time in my life. It was delicious.

We returned to the hotel and I had just a short while to work on the computer before going out to dinner with Pam and Roger and his friend, Tang. We went to a very nice little restaurant and sat upstairs, this time at a table overlooking a small narrow dark street. Now they are out having coffee somewhere and I am very content to be in my room typing this journal.

Tomorrow is our last day. I have mixed feelings—it will be hard to say good-bye to the school and Miss Van Ahn and Miss Linh, who I will be working with all day, and yet I am ready to go home to snowy Minnesota.

Karen Alseth