Number 10

A brief serious note. For those of you following the escalating violence in Bangkok, please understand that we are in no danger here. Rather then being a situation where it is likely to spread throughout the country, it's more like being in Minneapolis and reading about a contentious strike in Chicago. I won't go into the details of the why's and wherefor's behind the occupation of the Government House and the demonstrations, but suffice it to say the fellow they're unhappy with is very popular in our province and there's absolutely no concern here.

On a less serious note, the headdresses have been completed and they are magnificent. Aom and Porn decided one feather each was not enough so each headdress has several feathers of different colors. I went out once again today to a different market to get sour cream, apple sauce and baking powder for the latkas. I stopped in a coffee shop near the market for an iced coffee and saw two items on the menu (in English) that I hadn't seen before. One was called Liver Flush and one was called Lung Flush. I was tempted but... When I got back they had spray painted the Pilgrim hats to cover the white of the paper plate brims and tops and had glued a hat band and contrasting buckle on each hat. I was so proud of them. It reminded me of when Sam or Abby would bring home and art project and how impressed I always was with their artistic skill.

Today I sent an email to the head of the Law faculty and other assorted Professors at Vietnam National University introducing myself and outlining some of the things I hope to do. I also spent quite a bit of time learning how to do Power Point and modifying some presentations Bruce had done here and in Cambodia. Then I spent awhile finalizing the course outline I need to provide to the faculty and the syllabus that I need to provide to the students. Took a walk to stretch my legs and clear my head and came back to spell check, proof and "present" the table of contents for the Clinic Manual in a meeting with Bruce and Wendy. They were impressed and I was somewhat relieved. While I don't lack for confidence I am venturing into a relatively new area and I appreciated the positive reinforcement. Despite my responsibilities involving Thanksgiving it looks like I'll be ready with all my materials when I leave on Monday.

Aom has arranged for Mark and me to observe a criminal case in Court tomorrow morning. In the afternoon, Mark is making a presentation at the Law School at Chiang Mai University and I've been asked to go along. I'm not sure what I'll be doing but I've learned, in my short time here, it won't be just to watch.

That's about it from here. Not an exciting day, but a good one.