Christmas in England 2015

Happy Christmas!!!!

Okay, so one last surprise blog of the year - I'm breaking with my current tradition of going home every other Christmas. I have decided to fly home for a relatively last minute Christmas break in England!. I'll still be working in Vietnam on Christmas eve but have booked a flight with Etihad at around 8pm on Christmas eve which arrives in London on Christmas morning. My parents will be picking me up from the airport and I'll be spending Christmas day with them.

I've not told any of my brothers and sisters that I'm coming home so it will be a nice surprise for them when I see them on Boxing day (This blog has been timed to be published on boxing day). I'll be flying back to Vietnam on 6th January so its only a quick, two week break. Other good news its that its TET holiday in February so it will be like having two Christmases.

End of year work Christmas Party 2015

We had our end of year Christmas party last Friday. It was a very enjoyable occasion and a nice way to end what has been a very enjoyable year. Our party was held on campus as we have a nice outdoors area (its always warm). Food was finger food and provided by a very good local restaurant and the music was courtesy of YouTube plugged into some speakers. It started at 5pm and I got home at 3am. The next day was a right off.

This may well be my last post of 2015. Next year my blog runs into its 6th calendar year which I'm amazed at. Firstly, because I've been away for 5 years and secondly because I've kept it up. Its been a great 2015. I finished my delta and got a promotion at work. I'm looking forward to some new challenges in 2016!

Christmas Tree at RMIT 2015

I took this photo of the Christmas tree at the gym in my University this morning. As you can see its nice and big but does not have any presents under it. It's starting to feel festive here even though its always hot.

 

I also took this other picture of an area of the gym. It's got some pretty cool equipment. As I've said before its great having this facility for free and its something I try to use as much as possible, its always nice and quiet in the mornings.

Victoria Phan Thiet Beach Resort and Spa, Phan Thiet, Vietnam

Just got back from a long weekend at a resort in Phan Thiet. I've been here a number of times now and choose a different resort every time. Phan Thiet is only about four hours from HCMC so its a nice place to escape to for a long weekend.

As you can see the view from our room was lovely, it was right on the sea. Also the grounds and room were amazing.

It also had a really good swimming pool which was where we spent most of our time. It was a much needed rest as I hadn't had a break since before doing my studying earlier in the year. 

Anyway, back to work tomorrow.

Final Darts match of the season

Last night was the final darts match of the season. I've not been updating my matches on a week by week bases this season but all I can say is it's been tough in division 1. I've played a total of 7 games and only won one match.

Anyway, going into the final match we were battling to avoid relegation. We needed to win or draw to stay up and we were playing our relegation rivals.

After the first 5 matches they were winning 4-1 and it was not looking good. In the singles I'd been matched against the second best player in the division - so really he's the second best player in Vietnam. As expected, he beat me comfortably but I'm happy to say that the rest of the team won all their matches and we ended up drawing 6-6. This means that we get to stay in division 1!!! 

It was a very dramatic and enjoyable evening and a nice way to finish the season. We will be having an end of season party at some point but there will be no trophy this time. The season will begin again in February.

Teachers day 2015

Today is teachers day. This happens every year in November in Vietnam and students give cards and, if your lucky, prezzies to the teachers to say 'thank you' for passing on their vast quantities of wisdom and knowledge. My best present given to me a few years back was a big bottle of shampoo from one of my students at ILA which lasted me roughly a year. 

Anyway, this year in my new role I don't have any students but it was nice to receive the above presents from my university. 

5KU BBQ in Ho Chi Minh City

Not much to report so I thought I'd write about another one of the nice eateries I go to regularly here is called 5KU. It's a BBQ place where they stick a coal fuelled BBQ on the table and you can choose the meats you want to eat. I opted for beef and chicken. Its really nice and cheap. A plate of beef and chicken with rice and beer like in the picture below costs around $20.