Go Obama….I am more impressed every day.

Love
Linda

Piper

Enough said

Remember how miserable you were in Nepal at first when you truly had no English speaking contacts? Give it some time before you make a decision. Things will turn around for you.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s not made from a position of fear and panic. You would inevitably regret any decision made from that mindset.

If you truly do want to get back into a career that utilizes your experience and education as well as teaching/helping others, you may find this idea useful. I am currently in IT like you were in your former corporate life. My company decided to outsource some work, and we interviewed a firm located in HCMC. During the interview I had the idea that what they truly needed (their English was terrible and my Vietnamese was worse we really could not understand one another) was a liaison who could do the specs and deal with the clients for them and to teach them the language of business which is very different than learning how to buy an umbrella or order a beer.

We have faith in you, and as always look forward to following whatever path you choose
Brian and Amy

Most people suck at golf, or they think they suck at golf. They continually question why they play – why they keep going back for more. And then, purely by luck, they sink a 20 foot putt.

Every round of golf contains that one shot that makes you want to play another round.

Find that one shot in whatever you choose to do. Every day.

I do agree that there is no shame in using the skills and talents that you’ve spent years developing to make a living that is comfortable for you. You don’t have to experience Asia like a backpacker – it will not take away from your experience to have a home base and a lifestyle that makes you feel comforted.

So yes – stick it out – and see what happens. You may start to really like it – and if you don’t – you don’t have to stay. The world is your oyster and it’s a big one…you can live anywhere and do anything you want!

Love you!

Take my two cents for whatever it’s worth to you. Stay for a bit – give it some time. Do your teaching thing and try to find SOMETHING you love about it every day, even if it’s just the fact that you had a non-babysitter moment for an instant. See what happens from there.
But with that said, GO FULL FORCE ON YOUR INDEPENDENT STUFF. That means that you need to make time to keep up on your blog, your photography, your business plans, the whole works.
Somtimes I think we need to be in a place that is like a springboard – that can “set us up” for the next chapter in our lives. For me, this is Taiwan. I won’t be here forever – I know that. I don’t love everything about being here. I don’t even know if I want to be a teacher – and that’s after 6 years of teaching! But for me, Taiwan is giving me so many gifts: yoga teacher training, free university courses, resume building, and time to write. These are things I value for later. I think Vietnam will be cheap, and give you the space and ability to think deeply about your questions.
Your friends are right – you don’t need an answer right now, and you needn’t look so hard for one. It will come to you if you keep getting up to make some money, and spend the rest of your time doing what is instinctual to fulfilling your happiness.
I hope some of that makes sense….
And if you ever need a break or a reminder, come see me in Taiwan. We’ll have some girly fun getting our hair washed and styled Taiwanese style.
Much love,
Janelle

Option One. You obviously have a non favourable perception of what teaching is, who teachers are, and of the students themselves. Should you really become a teacher? Do the students deserve to be ‘babysat?’

” However, should I get a corporate job here in Vietnam or go back home”

Option Two. If you can get a job like that here, go fot it. This would be the best as I see others living out here. If you do find it though, please tell me where you got it from!

““Maybe I should just not teach or do a corporate job and instead try to really work on my freelance writing and photography career. Work on my book proposal, publish more photography books, do some freelance portrait photography, raise money to do volunteer work, etc. I can do that here in Vietnam as it’s cheap to live while I figure things out.”

Option Three. Remember also, HCMC is becoming one of the most expensive cities in the Asian region in which to rent and buy properties. Since inflation, things have become more expensive, around 27% is the OFFICIAL inflation rate. Do not get confused with the cheapness of Pham Ngu Lao and what it actually costs to live here, especially if you are by yourself and are looking to get out and about to socialise, which will normaly be expensive places.

Please don’t think I’m deliberately raining on your parade, and you don’t know me from Adam! I just think that you may have some hard considering to do. Vietnam is no longer a hardship posting, but it can be a difficult place when you have little money and no direction.

It is a great place though,and if you could be financially secure and happy in you work,then I’m sure you’d love it.

Good luck!

I’m not voting in your poll, and here is why. I do not think you should make ANY decision whatsoever until you have been in Vietnam for 6 months. You have got to give yourself time – to make friends, to get over the culture shock, to really evaluate how you feel about teaching. Is it really teaching that’s got you down, or is it just your current teaching situation? Only time will tell….and, while waiting this out is hard, its NOT wasting time. Hang in there! Breath deeply! Look for small positives everyday – they are there. Then come visit us in Hong Kong at New Years and we can talk, talk, talk…

Hugs, Lynn

In an effort to help I’ve blogged about your vote on my site backpackingteacher.wordpress.com ….perhaps we can bring a few more votes to the party.