Don't Be Dissapointed In Me

Hoi An, Vietnam is known for their custom made clothing.  You can't walk down a single street without seeing dozens and dozens of tailor's shops.  This is a fashion lovers dream--custom made clothing, shoes and handbags everywhere in sight.

 Except...

I have a serious problem.

Although I can get these custom made items at very affordable prices...the bargain hunter in me keeps saying, "I know I can get this cheaper at Ross."  Isn't that lame?  I can see my friend Kyah who is a celebrity stylist  shaking her head in despair.  

I can't help it; I'm a bargain shopper.  I LOVE going through the racks at Goodwill and second hand stores; I'm pretty good at finding awesome additions to my wardrobe...like I did here.  

The other problem is the matter of taking all the stuff home; we'd definitely need to buy another suitcase.  I know, I know, I'm probably going to regret it once I get home.  But at least my bank account will thank me.  

What do you think?  Any other bargain shoppers got my back?

The Online Review...Or Lack Thereof

Until you leave the states, you don't really appreciate how efficient and customer focused, i.e., service with a smile, is.  Perhaps things would be different if I were staying in 5 star accommodations and eating at 5 star restaurants, but that's just not how I roll.  (Not that I'm against "rolling" that way...if I could I would!).  Street vendors and $10 a night hotels probably aren't too concerned about their reviews on Yelp or TripAdvisor.

The hotel's electricity ran out?  Open a window.  

My husband completely finishes his meal before mine even comes out.  Oh well.

Ants crawling in the condiments?  *shrugs shoulders*

Hotel Reservations?  Apparently there is no such thing.  

2 cups of coffee please? 

Well, first you have to let the water filter through the grinds...about 5 minutes and then you get to drink your luke-warm coffee.  Yay. 

I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, rather, I'm just appreciating some of the things back home I take for granted...like how I can write a review online that would make business owners head spin if the service/food/etc was poor.  Or how I'll refer everyone and their mother if I love a place.  

I'm definitely a research/reviewer person.  I use Yelp and currently, TripAdvisor, almost on a daily basis.  How about you?  Do you often read reviews before eating or trying out some place new? Does it sway your decision?

Birthday Recap

I've been fighting a nasty cold for about 4 days and I was hoping it would begin to ease by the morning of my birthday; but no, it's a stubborn little thing.  So unfortunately I wasn't really up to doing much.  Andy has had a tradition in his family; when it's someone's birthday, they are king or queen for the day and they are "served."  I wasn't very good at the tradition in the morning, but by afternoon I was in full swing and happy to be "served."

First, Andy had gotten us a really nice hotel for the weekend which was a great way to spend your birthday if you have to spend it in your room most of the day.  After breakfast I asked him to see if he could find a DVD player to rent so we could watch rom-coms all afternoon.  He said, "Of course honey,"  and was on his way.

 Me, pretending to have a crown.  See the DVD's Andy found?

My hubby setting the DVD player up.

By the afternoon my throat was really sore and it was hard to eat, so I said I wanted to go get some fro-yo...fortunately there was a place near by that had opened just a few days earlier.  (Later that night I needed him to run out and get me some more!)

Next, we hired a bike taxi to give us a ride around town ( I was too tired to walk anywhere!)

It was a pretty uneventful birthday, and even though I spent most of the day in bed, it was my first birthday with my husband; my first birthday as queen for the day, and therefore, the best birthday ever. 

Bloggy Award

I see these sweet little blog awards being passed around the blogosphere and today I got one from Faith!  What a cool little birthday present!



I'm supposed to share my blog philosophy; well, I'm trying to decide this second if I had to have a blog philosophy, it would be....be real...blog authentically.

Now I'd like to pass this bloggy award on to:

Kerry...I just started reading her blog recently and she's got some great stuff to share!

I'm Turning 32 This Weekend!

Now that I'm married, I'm actually excited about celebrating getting older!  There is such a relief--truly, a sense of peace about aging, wrinkles, weight gain and all the other crap you worry about as a single woman.  I'm so glad that time in my life is OVER.  I look forward to the milestones, the wrinkles, the memories (not so much the weight gain) and another candle on the birthday cake! 

I look forward to these birthdays.  

Do you feel different about aging now that your married? 

On Becoming The Wife Of A Pastor

I never in a million years would have thought I'd ever be a pastor's wife.  Apparently that is what the good Lord had planned for me though, and as Andy searches for jobs, the anxiety excitement about what's in store for me is slowly starting to sink in.  I know I'll go back to work...doing what, I have no idea.  I will discuss this topic at length in future posts, but in the mean time, I wanted to share with you my husband's response to a question that was on one of his applications.  Seriously, I love this man.  

What relationship does your spouse and/or children have to your ministry?

According to scripture, my wife is my ministry. I believe that too many Christian men involved in “church” ministry easily forget this fact. My wife is my spiritual accountability and sounding board for all of my theological dilemmas and my personal exhorter. However, on a more practical note, as far as my wife's involvement in ministry goes; this has all yet to be determined. Before being married my wife was a professional woman who never had the aspirations that so many girls do to one day be a “Pastor's wife” with all the responsibility and ceremony that goes with the job title. My wife has a fiery conviction that makes her an evangelist wherever she goes, she is a fabulous hostess and loves to throw parties and entertain audiences. In my mind she would fulfill all the roles and responsibilities wonderfully of a “pastors wife.” However, this would never be a role that I would assume for her nor allow a church body or women's ministry team to expect from her. She is my wife and my best friend. She is the wife of a pastor. If she so chooses to be a “pastor's wife,” than that would be her choice.

I love how he answers this question.  

He's going to be an incredible pastor. 

A Beautiful Letdown

Andy and I have been married just over four months.  We were talking one night and he said that we've come to the point in our marriage he phrased as "a beautiful letdown."  I didn't quite understand.  

He said that there was so much emotion leading up to the wedding..."all the desires, hopes, and dreams of what my wife would be like and when I would find her."  

Then there is the build up of the actual wedding day...friends, family, celebration, union...(finally!)

Next is the high of the honeymoon and trying to figure out how to be a husband and a wife and getting used to sharing the same space and what it means to be married...and of course, sex!  (We waited...so there was a lot of anticipation about the sex!)

Now, four months later he said, "referring to you as my wife feels natural.  Our life has a rhythm, and things feel normal with you by my side."  

The high of the wedding and honeymoon is over...and it's "a beautiful letdown."

I think it's up there with the top 3 most wonderful things he's said to me. 

My God, how I love this man.

Questions About Blogging

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments, feedback, encouragement and new followers (wahoo!) I received from last week's post about blogging.  I thought I would follow up with some other blogging questions that maybe you have been wondering about too--or perhaps (hopefully) you'll have some insight and wouldn't mind sharing with me and my readers.  I'm curious because blogging is something I see myself doing long term and I want you (my wonderful readers) to get as much out of my posts as I do posting them.  So here goes:

1. Do you have a blogging schedule?  If so, what is it?

I ask because my life currently has absolutely no routine while I'm traveling.  Sometimes I'll spend hours and hours online, and some days I don't have internet access.  When I get back to the real world I know I won't have the luxury I do now to spend hours each day online.  

2.  How much time do you spend reading other blogs and commenting?

My Google reader list is growing and growing every day.  How do you find the time to read so many blogs...and I know you do because I follow a lot of the same blogs as you and I see your comments EVERYWHERE!  

3. How do you feel about advertisements on blogs?  Do you have ads?  Is your blog making money?
I would love it if I earned some extra cash on the side from my blog, but I don't want to have ads ALL over my blog.  Currently I have adsense (which I've made a whole $1 with) and I just added two affiliate ads to the right that I thought might be useful for brides to be.  

If you'd like to comment I'd love as much or as little advice as you'd like to offer.  Thanks again for all of your comments...you readers make my day!

Winter Wedding: Banff Springs, Canada

I love seeing shots of other winter weddings.  When I was planning mine, I felt there were so few resources and ideas online since winter is not the "high season" for weddings.  But I know there are other winter brides out there looking for inspiration.  Check out these shots of this gorgeous winter wedding in Banff Springs. 

All images via {Orange Girl Photographs}

Father's Day x's 2

The Original.

 Lucky number 2.

My first Father's day celebrating 2 wonderful Dad's.  I love you!!

You Have To Read This Book

Shantaram

It's almost 1000 pages...but I read it in 3 days.  

Then my husband read it...he also read it in 3 days.  

Every time I run into another traveler at the book exchange I tell them they have to read it.

Seriously, go get this book...you won't be able to put it down. 

What are you reading?

Scuba, Beach, Lounging: Nha Trang, Vietnam

Vietnam keeps getting better and better.  If you haven't thought about Vietnam as a travel or honeymoon destination, I think you should reconsider...so far we have been blown away by this unbelievable country.  We arrived in Nha Trang, a beach town on the South Central Coast of Vietnam and have been hard pressed to leave the lounge chairs that sit on one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen.  The water is incredibly clear and the prettiest blue.  We spent the first two days lounging beach side with good books...

and then decided to go scuba diving!  

 This was the sort of place I wish I had one of those fancy, professional cameras, because my little dinky digital camera does not do this place justice.   

Things You Wont See In The US

A family of 4 on a motor bike.

This is the front of a church...I'm not sure what the sign means, but if you pronounce the last two words phonetically...it's kinda funny--and it's sort of the point of Christianity right?

I'm sure there is some place in the back woods of Arkansas (no offense) were I can order "wild beast" specialties...but I don't think I could even find Fried Ant-Eaters in Texas.

OK, I actually see Asians squatting like this all the time (my mom does)...but it still bewilders me how they can bend their legs like that for hours!

A gazillion electrical wires above my head as I enjoy my tea...and the thunderstorm brewing in the background.

The evening news brought to you by a chick in a communist military uniform.

Yeah...that's a Minnie Mouse tile.  Her and Micky are often found on the tiling in the bathrooms at hotels.  The tiling companies and Disney must have some sort of "thing." 

This really perplexed me.  This is a public bathroom in Vietnam at a gas station.  They make you take off your shoes and put on slippers (see the white ones on the tile floor?)  It's so interesting how different our gas station bathrooms are in the states!

Blogging: Rants and Raves

I've been blogging for about 9 months now and I have to say that I REALLY love it...but I have some: 

RANTS:

I seriously lack techie skills.  

I LOVE some of the blog designs and the look of so many blogs I read and I've tried to Google "how to" stuff with the design of my blog, but html is like a foreign language to me....I just don't understand it!!

I am not the most creative writer.  

I think I'm true to myself in my writing...but I wish my writing was funnier, or smarter or more eloquent.   

I'm still trying to figure out my "niche:"  it's kind of evolving.

It was easy to write about wedding stuff when you're planning a wedding; it's easy to write about travels when you're traveling...but when I get back to the "real world,"  I'm concerned about my followers interest in continuing to follow my blog...

And speaking of my followers...how come I don't have more?  

I know, I know...it's totally an ego thing.  I am SO thankful for the 50 followers (well, 49...I'm following my own blog...lame huh?) interested in my posts who leave me comments every day. BUT I WANT MORE!!!  So if you're not already a follower, could you pretty please click on the "follow" button to the right?  It would totally make my day big time.

RAVES

Connections

While I was planning my wedding I was alone...none of my friends or family were near by.  I felt I developed a sort of "blogger family."  I got so much encouragement and support from total strangers who somehow became "friends."  It was and is so cool to continue to develop a blogger family.
Ideas
Reading your blogs have given me ideas up the wazoo...for practically everything, wedding stuff, recipes, projects, finding a home, being a mom (in the future of course), and so much more!
Enjoyment and Entertainment
Ok...I know this is totally nerdy, but when I check my email and see that I have new comments I get super duper excited.  It makes my day...as does having a new follower (hint hint...did you click that button yet?)
I also enjoy reading about what is going on in your lives across the globe, and I really love writing about what is going on in mine.  I keep thinking that my future children might think it's pretty cool to read about their parents wedding and lives.  


What do you love most and least about blogging?  How did you grow your following?  Any other advice or comments?

Why You Have To Visit Ho Chi Minh City

Imagine New York City being completely Vietnamese...that is what Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon as Westerners call it) turned out to be...except even better.  I know, dare I even say it without the backlash of NYC folk?  Except it's true.  How could it be better you ask?  Well for starters, this city is like a gargantuan dollar store; just about everything is a dollar.  Like:

• My Pedicure

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner 

• And taxis---well, moto taxi's that is. 

And the things that aren't a dollar, aren't much more...like my awesome full body massage for $6, or my knock off Burberry Bag for $20 (please, no lectures). 

Vietnam is so NOT what I expected it to be...for some reason I was thinking a communist country would be more...I don't know, poor.  We've experienced the exact opposite; there is an area here that is just like Manhattan where the women are dressed to the nines.  I swear I was watching Vietnamese Sex and the City while sitting at a coffee shop.  Guess what else I saw while sitting at a coffee shop?  Two more Vietnamese brides!  Check it out...this is in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral.  

I guess the grooms here all wear white.

So, I'm still a huge fan of NYC, but minus the cost of getting to HCMC, you can save some mad cash and this city is SO freaking cool!  DO put this on your top 10 destination list!

For The Love Of Banh Mi

Before Discovery Street, I used to write a food blog; one of my posts was dedicated to the mouth watering, super tasty, super delicious Vietnamese sandwich called Banh Mi.  Because I consider myself a "foodie"  (minus the snobbery associated with that word) I'm embarrassed to admit that I had never tried one of these delectable sandwiches until last year while living in Seattle.  If you too have never experienced this flavor explosion, I'm telling you to run, not walk to the closest Vietnamese restaurant you can find and order one!  What's in it you ask?  Well, I'm not sure exactly.  It starts with a crunchy/chewy french roll, with some sort of wonder spread inside; you can choose pork, chicken or tofu, and its topped with some pickled veggies, cucumber, and some spices. Give or take a few ingredients...that's pretty much it.      

You can spot these carts on every street corner here in Vietnam...and get this, they are about 50 cents; eat your heart out Subway! 

Giveaway!!

My bloggy friend Salt is hosting an uber cool giveaway of this owl necklace.  I totally wanna win it.  But you can try to win it too.  Go visit her blog here!

Boys to Men....Kinda

Andy and I were stoked to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City a few days ago, but by the time we found a hotel we were feverish and feeling the aches creep into our bodies.  Strep throat.  Andy was far worse than I was, his fever didn't break for almost 24 hours.  Fortunately you don't need a prescription to get medication here...we just walked up to a pharmacy, wrote down the name of the antibiotics, lozenges and a pain relievers we wanted and we were off...and only $4 in the hole.  (Seriously, the medication is SO cheap here, and no, I won't bring you back any.)

We were hibernating in our hotel room for 3 days with brief visits to the outside world only to get some food.  What I discovered in this time is that when my husband can't sleep he likes to watch cartoons.  I would wake up at 3am to his laughter while watching Tom and Jerry.  I found this to be incredibly endearing and as silly as it may seem, I thought it was awesome to learn something new about my husband.

When we were finally feeling a bit better, we went to the Cinema to watch Robin Hood, and below the cinema was an arcade which of course we had to go visit because, well, every guy loves the arcade right!?  (Not as endearing as the cartoons) But seeing him so playful makes me realize what a great father he will be some day.

Have you been surprised to discover new things about your husband?

Reflections on Self Image

I don't consider myself a high maintenance person; I can be ready and out the door in less than 10 minutes.  In those 10 minutes however I would always find time to put on concealer and mascara...I used to not be able to leave the house without those two items.  I do love makeup though....If I have more than 10 minutes then I'll pull out my makeup bag and put on the rest of my "face." 

When I was packing for our travels I new it would be too hot to wear much makeup, but I decided to pack my makeup bag regardless. 

In hindsight, this was a dumb idea.  I haven't worn makeup for about 3 months now...but I don't want to throw the stuff out because it was expensive!  I've noticed that I never see female travelers wearing makeup, and I've also noticed that I've gotten used to how I look without it.  Being away from designer fashions, full length mirrors, and conversation revolving around weight and image has been sooooo good for my self esteem.  I know I've put on a few pounds since the wedding, but it doesn't matter when you're traveling the world, I want to experience all the food I can out here!  It also helps to have a husband who tells me multiple times a day that I'm beautiful.

When I told him I was blogging on this topic he said, "wait...you stopped wearing makeup?  You look gorgeous...how can you be this beautiful without an ounce of makeup?"  I was shocked that he didn't realize that I wasn't wearing makeup anymore.  It made me realize how critically we see ourselves...the dark circles, the zits, the freckles we try to hide...no one notices them but ourselves.  Plus, he loooooves my freckles.