dtgtasdjklofeif98f7fjioefio8r733r09!!!!

Opps I was slamming my keyboard, bursting with laughter.

Alec's pics are damn funny can! I made him make all sorts of faces so I can refer to his pics for his respective reactions whatever mood I'm in when he's not around. My favourite is the ke lian look, which I seek solace in whenever i'm suffering from bloody constipation or menstrual cramp. Can u guess which pic it is?

eoowfiofioeu9eerqjkff LOLz. My poor keyboard.

Anyway, I was taking an SQ flight for the first time! I was really looking forward to my Super Mario World but I was rather disappointed that they can't save my progress. =( Then I realised they had movies and I watched The Devil Wears Prada on the departure flight and Lake House on my flight back. Lake House was really good! But I think my Full House is still better ;p

It was a 3.5hrs flight and I arrived at Hanoi at 3 plus (1 hr time difference). Checked in at Guoman Hanoi Hotel and I was beginning to appreciate the privacy I'll be enjoying! No I didn't knock on the door and neither did I check if the bible was open or closed. I just threw my luggage on the floor and started watching movies on tv. Then I got a little paranoid and fished out my book and mp3 player and my handphone, and tried to cramp all my entertainment at one time. I'm addicted to fatigue.

After a good rest, Logen and I went to recee the area to find out where the Singapore-Hanoi Training Centre was and the time required to walk there. The traffic was terrible! 90% of the vehicles were motorbikes and it's quite unthinkable for anyone above 16 yrs of age not to have a bike license. There was virtually no traffic rule, and all vehicles continued to move when the light turned red. It was as though all the traffic lights were not working. It's perfectly normal for you to be stranded in the middle of the road as you're making a right turn at a big junction. Of course nobody bothered to stop when we were helplessly waiting to cross at all pedestrian crossings.

We had dinner at Saigon Hotel and the food was so-so. Bought some peaches and went back to hotel to prepare for Day 1 of training!

The omelette at Guoman was really yummy which gave a good start to Day 1! We were only given the biodata of the participants when we arrived at the training centre in the morning. There were 20 participants and their designations ranged from Executives to Lecturers, Managers and Vice Director. LECTURERS AND VICE DIRECTOR. My eyes almost popped out. They must have had a wealth of experience in training and work. I was hoping desperately that they would like (or at least believe?) the things that a sweet little 24-yr-old had to offer. The first secretary from MFA popped by to give an official opening to the program, which did I mention? is called the Public Administration Program. Well basically, we were sharing with them stories of how Singapore transformed from a sleepy fishing village to a modern city that we're living in today.

I started Day 1 with a standard ice-breaker activity and I must say the Vietnamese participants are very different from Singaporeans in many many ways. Initally, they were very reserved and appeared apprehensive when they were told to move around to get to know their fellow colleagues from other ministries. As they opened up to the trainers and made friends with the other participants, they were extremely warm and very open in sharing about their experience in Vietnam and how they would apply what they've learnt. They were really appreciative, attentive and omg, patriotic! Being public officers is really their way of serving the country and I don't think they really mind if the job pays well. It's perfectly normal and legal to moonlight after work, to supplement your income. And can I add that their working hrs are from 730am to 4pm, with a 2-hr lunch break in between? They need a long break because some of them go back home to cook lunch for their kids, and most of them catch a nap during lunch. No wonder they have good complexion.

To be continued...