I broke into my own room...

There really is not much more to write then has already been written.

This morning, upon leaving my room I forgot to grab my key. SO for about 10 seconds I start completely flipping out, and then I realize that my window is still open. I realize how to open it further and stretch my arm in just enough to move the door knob and unlock it. If I could get in that easily, surely someone else could. That worries me. Yet I talked to the other volunteers and they said that its completely safe.

I spent yesterday afternoon at the beach. There were lots of other groups of tourists intersperced with Vietnamese. I read. Yet, every 20 minutes or so I was interupted by traveling vietnamese selling everything from gum and cigarettes, to food and sunglasses. I pretend not to understand their English, or just ignore them completely. The hardest to ignore though are the children peddling postcards. Picture the Newsies(ya know the movie, or history) from the 1920's. They put their lip out and in a whiney voice tell you how they have no food to eat for dinner and buying poscards will help them. At first I tried telling them I had no money, so they would point to my pocketbook, then I would tell them I had no DONG(the local currency) and they would say they'd accept US dollars. Then I realized that a curt No and ignoring them would be the best way to deal with it. But then they sit there with you while you ignore them, just to wait it out to see if you will finally give in. Its heartwrenching, but you are not supposed to give in. Giving them money, reinforces the bad behavior of badgering people on the streets(and on the beach front) instead of having them go to school, or find a trade. I know I sound heartless but on issues of handouts, I'm a conservative through and through. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for one day, teach him how to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime."

So yeah, things are starting to look up. I have to keep reminding myself that it took a few days before I fell in love with Nongkhai and it will probably be the same here.

All the volunteers got together yesterday for "tea" and one of them mentioned that this was the first time they'd all been together in weeks. That worries me. It seems that they spend most of the time doing things on their own. This has to do with the fact that they work opposite each other, so they are all on conflicting schedules.

I'm thinking of getting my Scuba liscense, for something interesting to do. If I do take the job in Cali, there are bound to be plenty of places on the coast to dive into.

So it looks like I'll have to get used to the solo thing. Luckily I brought lots of books with me. Plus I do have my Oakland stuff to do more research into. So now I should have plenty of time to do so. It's a shame that I'm not too good at really enjoying somewhere like this on my own, but maybe I'll learn?!?!

I'd really love to hear from you guys. I actually finally sent out a bunch of emails to people I have heard from recently and would love to hear from more. I'm definately the most homesick now and could really use some support!

Miss you all!!!