they call me "teacher."

3 days left. i can't believe i am about to come home. it boggles my mind that i will be on the other side of the world again soon. hah.

i'm definitely having those bittersweet feelings right now of not wanting to leave, but wanting to leave at the same time. i absolutely LOVE these kids. they are so beautiful. and my team is great. it will be strange to not be with 9 other people constantly when i get back. on the flip side, i am stoked to see all of you and catch up with you about life.

a few highlights of the trip:
1. the beautiful mountains and people of Sapa
2. the pottery village... teapots and coffee mugs everywhere!
3. the waterpark we went to today... the water felt so great!
4. getting to know my teammates.
5. flying kites at night, making hot air balloons, and going to the night market
6. hanging out with some really awesome kids. :)
7. realizing how much i love everyone back home.

okay, so that was kinda cheesy, but just wanted to give you a quick overview of the stuff i'm doing. thank you all for the comments and messages i have been getting! they are so encouraging to me and have kept me going. :)

i get home august 4th... so i will see you all soon!! (that still is crazy to me)

love you,
mal

vietnam is just my size.

HELLO EVERYONE!!

ah.. i am so excited to have communication with the outside world. i am currently in a place with Gelato and WiFi that we traveled all the way across town in the pouring rain to get to. :)

i love veitnam. the people here are beautiful.

i am working with 14 and 15 year old students. they are so great! i am loving getting to know them better.

each day is a new struggle. i miss my community of people back home. i miss good coffee and food that doesn't involve rice or noodles. hah. i can't wait to see all of your lovely faces again and go to QT with you and hear about what is going on in your life.

however, i absolutely love it here and i cannot wait to tell you all about it. :)

i will tell you one thing that i find hilarious here. the traffic. haha... everyone rides motorbikes (or a bicycle if you are less wealthy). the taxi's are about the size of my car, so you have to pile in. there are no lines on the road and i think i have seen 2 traffic lights since i have been here. they drive like crazy people. and when crossing the street, you just walk right out there and the cars just dodge you. its hilarious!!

welp, i have to go now. i love you all so much!!

mal

crossing the dateline.

the time is near. i will be leaving for asia in approximately 6 hours. wow. i still can't wrap my mind around that.

i have been in california for the past 2 weeks. first week was on an island right outside san diego with my family. it was a really nice and relaxing week. perfect for spending lots of quality family time before i leave. and the people there ride their bikes everywhere... beach cruisers especially (which reminded me of my dear katie). it was grand.

this past week was spent in riverside, california. there are lots of us, but my team consists of 9 other teachers; we have been training and preparing for this adventure. they are great. :) each one of them has a beautiful heart and we work together really well.

i cannot wait to meet my students. to see the streets of hanoi and the people there. ah... i am ready, but so inadequate at the same time.

you all will be deeply missed. but i cannot wait to come back and share my pictures and stories with you all. you are near and dear to my heart. and i hope your summers are so great!

love. looooove you.
mal