Cure for the Mondays. Vietnamese Cats. Cool Hats.

Hi friends!! 

It's Monday, and I hope that none of you are experiencing a case of the Mondays, because those really suck. Like, hardcore. 

Anyway, if you are experiencing a case of the Mondays, I have a quick fix for that. Get a sister-in-law who is an extreme couponer. I have me one of those, and she is awesome - she's even going to teach me her ways. See? I have a binder (and a pimple the size of Texas next to my mouth). 

It's pretty incredible to see the kinds of deals she gets, and she is so good about the way she does it, too. She never clears the shelf, only buys stuff that she will actually use or can donate, and doesn't resell any of it for profit. I know a lot of extreme couponers aren't very ethical about the way they do things, and she is - I think it's awesome. She got a bunch of packs of Venus razors for pretty much nothing, and shared the wealth. I was pretty excited. 

Moral of the story: when you have a SIL who gets awesome deals and is generous, she will share the wealth and it will cure your case of the mondays. 

On a totally unrelated note, I know a girl. Her name is Emily. She has a kitty that is almost as cool as mine (come on, mine has thumbs - totally unbeatable... or maybe not, since her cat is Vietnamese. We'll call it a tie). She is hilarious. She has a Canadian accent (don't let her tell you otherwise). 

Oh, I totally forgot to tell you - she lived in Vietnam for a while. How freaking awesome is that?! Answer: very awesome. 

But... since I don't know anything about Vietnam (except that they wear cool hats), I'm going to let her tell you about it. 

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...and this is not going to be a post about how awesome I think Canada is - sorry about that!  I know you all needed to know that we drink milk from a bag (or a sleeve) and that our national animal is a beaver.  I shall save those gems for another day.  Because today I want to share something else with you.  For two years I lived and worked in Vietnam.  In Ho Chi Minh City (or to some Saigon).  As an English 'Teacher' - basically as a conversationalist.

 These were probably two of the best and interesting years of my life. In case you are wondering Vietnam is unlike Canada.  In some ways Vietnam is unlike anyplace I have ever been. Let me explain.
1. The traffic doesn't stop.   The traffic in Vietnam is chaotic. Organized but CHAOTIC.  In the morning. In the afternoon.  In the evening.  All night long.  There are people going everywhere all.the.time.  People on foot.  On bikes.  On motorbikes.  In cars. On buses.

Maybe this picture isn't providing you with an accurate picture.  It's like this EVERY DAY.  And I think it's awesome.  Try crossing the street.  I did. And got the t-shirt.


2. Siestas are normal - and encouraged. It's not unusual to go to a shop and find an employee sleeping amongst the rack of clothes.  Teachers sleeping under their desks.  Construction workers - taking a snooze to beat the heat.

   3. Bikes are just as good as a pick up.  It's not unusual to see a family of 5 on a small scooter.  Or to see a someone balancing a large flat-screen on the back of their bike.  Heck I used to carry at least six grocery bags home while holding on for dear life.  It's so normal that there was a book published called Bikes of Burden.

4.  Water buffalo are mans best friend.  Maybe not in the city - but in the countryside everyone and their grandma owns a water buffalo.  They are the pugs of Asia.   

5. And once you've been there long enough - you can't help it but immerse yourself in their customs.  Their style of dress.  Before long you are flashing peace signs at the sight of the camera. Fishing for crabs.  And sporting a non la {conical hat}.  

And that's about all the nostalgia I can handle.  I seriously miss this amazing country - as odd and different as it is.  If you ever have the opportunity to visit - do it!  Tell them Emily sent you.   Thanks for reading - or at least looking at my awesome pictures.  And if you're into it - hop on over to Hope Squared and check out my corner of the interweb.  But only if you want to. 
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Believe me - you want to. This girl has ridden a freaking elephant (aka my dream... and number one on my bucket list). And she's hilarious (I've said that twice now, so it must be true... it is). And she's obsessed with her cat (like me... because all the cool people are).

PS: I had to choose a new giveaway winner. SARAH FONTENOT, it's you. Please contact me within 48 hours to claim your prizes!!