News about our new Blog.

Hello all, I have started a new blog to chart Uyen's life and times in America. You can view it at the following address. We hope to post three to four times a week. Chao.

www.uyeninusa.blogspot.com

End of Chapter 3

The ending of another awesome visit to Vietnam and the begining of a new life's journey. The bolg will continue to follow Uyen's adventures in America.

Mom, Dad, & Sisters seeing us off.
More of the gang at the airport.
The surprise going away party at Uncle Son's home. I can't believe my knees held out from sitting cross legged.

Making final prep for our fiest.
Most of the group traveled three hours to join us for this special treat. I was truly honored!

Wow, What a send off !

Uyen advised me that we needed to stop by her Uncle's home before going to the airport because her mom and dad are coming down from Dong Nai to see us off. It turned out to be a huge gathering of family from all over the area, ( most were at the engagement party). We sat on the floor of Uncle Son's dining area and enjoyed a four course lunch. The love that has been shown to me by these wonderful people cannot be put into words. I am writing this post from the EVA Airlines Lounge in Taipei, while we wait for our connection to Seattle. I have some great shots of the going away party, and I will post them after the jet lag is past.

Preparing for the long trip home

The last couple of days have mainly consisted of handling all the moving details for Uyen. Today she is running around town on her motorbike, picking up and dropping off papers. She will stop by the US Consulate this afternoon to pick up the hard copy of her Visa and we should be completely ready to go on Friday. Uyen's parents and a few other relatives plan to see us off and I plan to get some pictures of them all. I am somewhat concerned about the weather forecast in Seattle. It looks like we will have 37 degrees and rain when we land. Oh well, I'm sure she will tough it out. After the last two weeks of 90+ temps., I'm the one that may not fair to well. Chao.

Quiet Monday

Went swimming first thing Monday morning and for a change, we had the pool to our self. Last night I visited Bill Seeberger's family. We ate another wonderful meal and talked about past times, even though they are not so distant. The twins in the first row are four years old and are bound to be Sumo wrestlers by the time they are ten. Back to Monday. We found a super market and purchased some spices, teas, and a few other items that we may not find in the US. We plan to swim again this afternoon, just call her Uyen Spitz.

Sunday morning

Here is a shot from my first visit. I will be joing these folks, (and others of the family), later today for Sunday dinner.

I woke up at 5:00 am to watch the last hour or so of Saturdays round of the Masters. It looks like I will be up even earlier Monday because the tourney is looking pretty exciting. Coverage begins at 2:00 am. This morning, Uyen and a couple of her friends are preparing to move the things from her apartment to her brothers place. I offered to help but she said it would be to hot. Later this afternoon, I plan to visit Bill Seeburger's in laws and join them for Sunday dinner. Those of you that have followed this log will remember them from my first visit to Vietnam in March 07.



For those of you that are new to my blog, you can view pictures and comments of all three trips that I have made. At the bottom of each post is a "older posts" option. Just click that and it will take you back. Also, the first post that you see is the most recent.

Visa party with family

Friday found us on a nice bus bound once again for the family home in Dong Nai. A wonderful dinner, hand shakes, hugs, and conversation for those that speak the language. Uyen's dad and I however, had another wonderful conversation. His English is getting better and better. He spoke English when he consulted our troops near the end of the war and he told me that I am the first person he has even tried to speak to in over thirty years. We have become great friends. I was honored with a invitation to sleep in their home that night and our plan is to return Sat. afternoon.

Woke up Sat. morning to the sound of chickens, dogs, motorbike horns, and truckers that have a on going compitition to see who has the loudest horn. It's enough to shake you right out the bed. Pictures of the return follow. Chao