ASEAN Delegation

A common occurrence in Hanoi is finding the streets have gone from no police to a billion. Usually the swarming of cops/army guys is an indication that someone important is in town. Recently there have been a few ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) conferences here which has meant a lot of important people have been in town. This also means the cops have been out in full force to establish some order with the traffic. As I was driving home from the gym the other morning I recorded a typical delegation getting escorted through the city:

Dong Da Train Update

(PICTURE: You can see the pillars which I'm assuming will hold the train.)

For those three people who care: They are officially building a train station in what used to be Dong Da Lake. The lake is still drained (and now filled with trash) and they've started construction on a giant pillars that apparently will hold the train line. Here's a picture I took next to the lake:

(PICTURE: Very interesting how the picture of the future has no motorbikes.)

I guess the good news is that Vietnam is starting to invest in mass transit. The bad news is that they had to do away with Dong Da Lake...which in truth wasn't one of the nicest lakes in Hanoi anyway.

A Monumental Moment In Relationship History

(PICTURE: This picture is backwards. I usually get the amount on the right.)

Like we do all the time, two weekends ago Huyen and I went to her parents' house. Per usual protocol, after dinner/showering/brushing teeth, I went to the top floor to sleep in a bed with Su. However, after a few minutes I was pleasantly surprised when Huyen popped into the room and said, "My parents told me to come sleep up here!" This was the first time in my life that parents (including my own) have allowed my girlfriend/legal-wife to sleep in the same room as me. It only took 31 years and getting marriage!*

That said, yesterday we went back to Huyen's house for the day and, after lunch, I found myself napping with her father. Small steps!

* This asterisk is for future August/Nguyen children who come home from university with their girlfriend/boyfriend and attempt to argue with Huyen and me about not sleeping on the pull-out couch while their girlfriend/boyfriend sleeps in their bedroom. I always lost this argument and so will you.

Gym Peeves

I've got a lot of little gym peeves. Just to name a few:
1. Talking to me when I'm on a cardio machine...
2. Not wiping down your cardio machine after you sweat profusely on it...
3. Changing the TV channel when I was clearly watching...
4. Standing butt naked next to me in the locker room...
5. Working out in your boxer shorts so that I can see your junk when you do sit-ups on the bench press bench...

Recently though there's been one thing that has been annoying me more than anything else. Now look, I know I'm a Vietnamese TV star with a pretty sexy 1-pack so I really shouldn't complain. However, I'm going to. You see, I like to work out in the morning because there is nobody at the gym. Usually the gym has between 1 (me) and 8 people before noon. With that few number of people, there shouldn't be any issue with finding a machine or weight lifting station to use. Well, despite the 95% empty gym, there's this one woman who constantly likes to use the same machines I'm on. Here's an example of what this lady does:

I start to use a machine for my ___. After I finish my first set, I stand up and go to do some sit-ups. Within ten seconds the woman is now using the machine I was using thus not allowing me to do my second set. Okay, no problem. I then go to another similar machine and do a set at that machine/station. As soon as I finish my first set there, the lady strolls over and starts to use it. I then go back to the first machine and readjust the weights/height level and do my 2nd set. Sure enough, as soon as I finish she's back on that machine again.

This may not sound too annoying but trust me, it is. She does this every day no matter what exercise I'm doing. Honestly, it's like she thinks I'm a personal trainer and that if she copies what I do, she too can end up with a sexy one pack. What she doesn't know is that I'm clueless about what I'm doing at the gym. Also, there's no way we happen to be on the same training schedule because I've tried to change my schedule a couple times hoping she would stop mimicking me. And finally, no, it's not like this woman likes me or even wants to be friends with me. She doesn't make eye contact with me -- ever. She just watches what I do and then snags the machine the second I get up. This has truly become my biggest gym pet peeve.

Hanoi In The Fall

(PICTURE: You can't beat the fall.)

I've got to tell you, I love Hanoi in the fall. The weather has cooled significantly over the last couple weeks making it absolutely perfect outside. Sure there's the sporadic downpour of rain but, in my opinion, that only adds to the splendors of this season.

Recently I've been wearing sweatshirts and cardigans while riding my motorbike. It not only makes me feel a tad more fashionable but it also makes me feel nice and cozy as the cool winds blow on me through traffic.

If only fall could last a few months longer than it does...

That said, I'm also really missing Japanese fall as well as northeast America's fall. I guess I just love autumn weather.

Hand Me Downs

My parents love to tell the story of how badly I wanted a little brother when my mom was pregnant with my sister. My brother on the other hand, wanted a little sister because he was scared I would team up with my new little brother and beat him up. True story.

Well, after 26 years, I've finally gotten a little brother -- Su. Besides the fact that I'm Su's legal brother-in-law, I've just felt like a big brother since he moved to Hanoi. I could go into detail about all the big brother things I've done recently but perhaps the biggest example is the case of hand me downs. As a little brother, I loved to inherit my brother's stuff when I was young (and actually my dad's stuff too which was just a tad baggy on me). Well, Su has taken a liking to my hand me downs too. As I'm sure you can tell, Su and I aren't exactly built alike. Up until the other day, the hand me downs Su's been enjoying aren't my clothing but rather some objects like my badminton rackets and bicycle. However, the other day Huyen asked me if I ever wear the undies I bought in South Africa. I told her that I hadn't worn them since South Africa and she asked if I could give them to Su. Naturally I said, "Are you serious? Su wants my underwear?"* Well, the answer was yes. Su is now wearing my hand me down undies! I sure am a great big brother! Zev, why didn't you ever give me your underwear!


* In Su's defense: a) I don't think he asked for my undies; Huyen just thought he'd like them b) They are brand new and have only been worn once c) they're tight on me and I'm assuming fit Su nicely.

VOTE!!!!

(PICTURE: My dad and me marching in the 2009 Memorial Day Parade.)

Americans,

Go vote tomorrow!! And specifically people from Livingston, go vote for my father!!!! Nobody (well, except maybe my mother) loves Livingston more than my dad does. He's up for re-election on Town Council and I'm sure would love to have your vote. If my Dad is reelected this means two great things for Livingston:

#1: My dad will put his heart and sole into continuing to make Livingston such an amazing place to live.

#2: This means Huyen and I can march in the 2011 Memorial Day Parade which I'm going to tell her is really a parade welcoming her to America!!!!

Exercise you're right today as an American -- go vote!

Ben