New Beginning

My momma left today.

The house feels a bit quiet and empty, but I think I'll be okay :)

Feels like a brand new beginning.

Part II of Vietnam, here we go ~

Farewell Feast

Had two lunches today......

(and still managed to eat dinner)

1. Ngon Restaurant

A restaurant located in Ho Chi Minh City, popular among tourists.

 It has an extensive menu of a variety of food from all over Vietnam.

My mom did the treating out on Sunday, and P.Paul Hahn did the treating out today.

He said he always brings guests from overseas to this restaurant, and he wanted to treat my mom out before she leaves.

It's not a buffet, but you walk around and order the food you want. There are stations circling the restaurant that are supposed to be like street vendors selling one or two special dishes. 

Doesn't it look like a family picture, celebrating our grandpa's 70th birthday? LOL.
That's P.Paul & SMN in the middle, and P.Paul's mother on the far left. (She's 90 something, but so healthy. No problems walking, hearing, eating. It's shocking and amazing.)

2. Pho Hoa Pasteur

As we were finishing up at Ngon, everyone looked unsatisfied. We decided to order pho from one of the stations, but P. Hahn suggested we might as well go to a pho restaurant.
They said Pho Hoa's the best pho place in town, and that my mom MUST try it, so we went.

Couple people shared a bowl, but I thought I might as well eat a whole one if I'm gonna eat it anyway.

It was good! The best I've tried so far in Ho Chi Minh City, but I wouldn't say it's the best of the best. 

--

We finished lunch and got dropped off back at church. 

A couple of us remained at church just to cool off, but we ended up deciding to eat dinner together.

Domino's Pizza

Tuesday, buy one get one free :)

Ate four slices......

Literally felt like my stomach was going to pop.

Ears to Hear

And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Mark 4:9

Lead Me, Oh Lord

주님 말씀하시면 

내가 나아가리라

주님 뜻이아니면

내가 멈춰서리다

나의 가고 서는 것

주님 뜻에 있으니

오 주님 나를 이끄소서 

뜻하신 그곳에

나 있기원합니다

이끄시는대로 

순종하며 살리니

연약한 내영혼

통하여 일하소서

주님 나라와 그 뜻을 위하여 

Eczema

I've been having some skin problems on my index finger..

Approximately two months ago, I noticed a small blister-like bubble on my index finger.

It was really small, almost like a dot, but it started to grow bigger by the day.

But eventually the blister popped, my skin began to peel, and it healed.

Started happening again about a two weeks ago.

But this time.... it got even bigger and nastier.

I figured it was eczema, so I asked my mom to bring me ointment from Korea.

I've been using that, but we decided it might be better to see a dermatologist.

Went to see a dermatologist today, and got diagnosed with eczema. 

Received "Diprosalic" Ointment, and a week's worth of Vitamin tablets.

Gotta go back and get checked up in a week.

2/13 - Beginning to spread
 2/16 - Getting worse
2/21- Scabbing/peeling, healing process

Hopefully it doesn't spread elsewhere..

Praise God for cheap and easily accessible hospitals in Vietnam :)

Chicken Feet

This is by far the biggest chicken feet I've ever seen.

My mom and I were still full from lunch, so we didn't eat dinner before Wednesday Service.

After service we went to go eat with a couple people that were hungry - Pastor Kim, SMN, and Deacon Baek - at a Korean restaurant.

We placed our order and as we were waiting, I noticed a dish of chicken feet on the table behind us.

I asked, "IS THAT CHICKEN FEET?!" (Not because I've never seen chicken feet before, but because I've never seen such BIG ones before!)

The waitress confirmed for us that it was chicken feet, and Deacon Baek decided to order a dish.

Chicken feet is usually steamed and marinated, but this one was grilled.

To be honest, it looked really disgusting and less appealing because it was so big, 

BUT it was super delicious.

Bún Chả

Every time I came to Vietnam for summer missions, the Vietnamese students we worked with took us to go eat Bun Cha. So I thought it was a common food all around Vietnam.

After moving to Vietnam, I've learned that Bun Cha originated from Hanoi, so it's not as common here in HCMC.

My mom and I went out for a walk around 5:30PM, having in mind that eventually we'll think of, or find, a place to eat.

I insisted we must go somewhere new, so we planned to go to a Thai Restaurant.

BUT on our way, this Vietnamese restaurant caught our eyes.

I read the sign "Bun Cha," and knowing it was something familiar, decided to go check it out.

It was good! And of course, cheap.

But... I think it's better in Hanoi.

I guess I gotta go to Hanoi to get some real Bun Cha :)

--

Bun Cha

Grilled Pork Noodle Soup

white rice noodle (bun), grilled pork (cha), lettuce & herbs, and a steamy broth of fish sauce.

Wrap & Roll

Wrap & Roll

http://www.wrap-roll.com

Ordered a bit too much.. 

but pigged out and ate like beasts.

Successfully cleared out 3 dishes with my mom :)

Bánh Xèo

The first time I ate Banh Xeo, I thought of my mom. 

For some reason it made me think of her, and I had in mind to bring her when she visits.

Finally had a chance to take her to go eat Banh Xeo today.

She loved it! 

And of course, I loved it too :)

Banh Xeo & Vermicelli 

Weirdo

The Hanoi family came down to HCMC this week, from Thursday to Saturday.

(Unfortunately, Chris couldn't come down due to last minute visa/passport issues....QQ)

It was really great seeing the Choi family, but I didn't get as much time as I wanted with them.

However, even in the midst of all the busyness - eating at church, talking with pastors, etc. - I got about
4 hours to talk to P.Choi. (Which... really isn't much, but still something!^^)

Last time I visited Hanoi I felt like I got a slight slap in the face.

This time... he warned me that he was going to give me 맨붕.
(If you're Korean-ized, you know what I'm talking about).
He surely did give me 맨붕. I kinda just felt like I got punched in the face.

But it's weird.
I'm weird.

We, Christians, are weird.

It hurts, but still feels nice to get slapped and punched (once in a while).

-- 

30 minute walk to....

Coffee Bean :)

Vietnam goes ALL OUT with Chinese New Year decorations -

Shaaron SMN & P.Choi

Started talking about chicken during dinner, so decided to go out for Round 2 -

late night chicken - 10PM @ Popeyes

HCMC Tour

Spent a whole day touring a couple places in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mother & Daughter

Momma Rho

Daughter Rho

I think that'll be the end of touring Ho Chi Minh City.. lol.

(Well at least for my mom it is. Maybe I'll go somewhere else later?)

We were actually supposed to go today too but we decided to stay and help cook for and greet Bethel family returning home from retreat.

My mom and I both are not big travelers, so even a whole day of touring was a big step for us.

"Good job Anna!" :)

Social Butterfly

Its been a week since my mom arrived, and she already invited people over.

Social butterfly or what?!

They came for lunch at 12PM and stayed 'til 6PM.

Ahjummas can talk ENDLESSLY.

Highlight of the day:

Yeajun, a six month old baby boy, peed on my bed.

GG

Bún Bò Huế

Bun Bo Hue

Vietnamese Soup w/ Rice Vermicelli and Beef

137,000 VND - $7.00 meal

SOOO delicious :)

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is really big in Vietnam.

Stores close and people go on vacation for days, even weeks!

I was lying in bed last night, about to go to sleep, and it was REALLY noisy outside.

Because there's a funeral place near my apartment, and I'm used to the loud noise, I thought it was just coming from there.

But my mom decided to get up and look out the window,

and whatdayaknow... It was the sound of Fireworks!

They were shooting fireworks exactly at 12:00AM to celebrate new years.

I see fireworks in America too, so it wasn't awe-stricken, but it was amazing to watch fireworks 

from my HOUSE, on my BED, through my very own WINDOW!

What a blessing it is to experience this kind of luxury in Vietnam :)

Hand in Hand

During Friday Service yesterday, the pastor had us hold hands with the person next to us.

My mom's here, so the person next to me happened to be my mom.

We were told to pray for one another and even sing a song with our hands held.

I think it was the first time (to my memory) holding hands and praying with my mom.

(So yes, to be quite honest, it was a bit awkward..)

Although we attend one church, we don't get these kinds of opportunities because we're both busy doing our own things, serving in our own respective ministries.

I guess God had these kinds of things in store as He brought my mom to Vietnam. 

Praise God? :)

-- 

this is the song we sang..

it really touched my heart even from the beginning of service

" 누군가 널 위하여 "

마음이 지쳐서 기도할수 없고

눈물이 빗물처럼 흘려 내릴때

주님은 우리 연약함을 아시 고

사랑으로 인도하시 네

누군가 널 위하여

누군가 기도하네

내가 홀로 외로워서 마음이 무너질때

누군가 널 위해 기도하네 

100 Days

Today marks my 100th day in Vietnam!

Craziness....

Bến Thành Market

Downtown HCMC

Took a city bus downtown to go shopping at Ben Thanh Market.

Ben Thanh Market is popular with tourists shopping for local souvenirs.

Got off the bus and chose to walk to Ben Thanh (about a 20 min. walk) instead of taking a taxi.

Bad choice? We got lost.. lol. Ended up taking a taxi anyway.

As we were looking around, we saw a food stand in the market crowded with Vietnamese people. 

So... we figured it must be delicious! 

Ordered a plate for 15,000VND ($0.75) and gave it a try.

Pretty good~ (but a bittt too saucy)

The same store was selling sugar cane juice too! (yipeee~)

So OF COURSE i purchased a cup!

My first sugar cane juice after moving to Vietnam. Yummm~

Had a great time just walking around, shopping, and eating unfamiliar Vietnamese food :)

Rho Family

Happy Birthday Poppa Rho :)

we love you !

Steak & Egg

Vietnamese Steak & Egg

50,000 VND ($2.50) Vietnamese Steak & Egg

In America we call it Steak & Eggs.

Here, there's only one egg..

I ate everything (including Bahn Mi, bread, that comes with it) except the cucumbers and tomatoes.

However, it filled up maybe about a fifth of my stomach.

I want some REAL Steak & Eggs!

Momma Rho

Mrs. & Ms. Rho 

My mom's in Vietnam! :)

She was supposed to arrive at 11:50AM, but when I got to the airport, I saw that the plane had been delayed and her arrival time was postponed to 1:11PM.

I waited... and waited.... and waited. 

The plane arrived at 1:31PM, and my mom came out by 1:50PM.

I waited for 2 hours at the airport, STANDING.

GG.

But! Praise God she arrived safely~

It's going to be an exciting month of February :)

Year End Party

In Vietnam, it's all about the Chinese New Year.

A lot of stores close for days, and some employees even take off 2-3 weeks of work because they have to travel far to visit home. 

Chinese New Year is next Sunday, so we'll be closing Donut's Donuts from Saturday to Tuesday.

Since today was the last Saturday before closing, my employees threw a small lunch party in the kitchen.

I had eaten an early lunch so I told them it was okay, but I was dragged in there to join the party.

And of course, I ate Anna Rho style - as if I haven't eaten lunch already :)

Duck meat, ban xeo, bread, veggies..
MMMMMmm~

Yummy in my tummy :D