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Published On: Oct 30, 2006 02:28 PM
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Oct 30, 2006 02:28 PM
Sat - May 27, 2006
Toothpick Holders 7
Ah, the magic mushroom toothpick
holder.
I'm SURE this is part a Vietnamese folk tale, just HAS to be.
But inside hides a surprisingly functional tool of the toothpicking trade. Pressing the pink button, you lift the small arm inside the holder. At the end of the arm is a little v-shaped gap which is just big enough to hold a toothpick. So when you press the pink button, a toothpick is raised up through the hole in the roof of the mushroom. Genius! Someone has put a LOT of thought into making this toothpick holder. Hope they patented it.
I'm SURE this is part a Vietnamese folk tale, just HAS to be.
But inside hides a surprisingly functional tool of the toothpicking trade. Pressing the pink button, you lift the small arm inside the holder. At the end of the arm is a little v-shaped gap which is just big enough to hold a toothpick. So when you press the pink button, a toothpick is raised up through the hole in the roof of the mushroom. Genius! Someone has put a LOT of thought into making this toothpick holder. Hope they patented it.
Posted at 02:52 PM
Thu - May 18, 2006
Toothpick Holders 6
What can I say... simple, practical, useful
and - in pink - pretty.
Posted at 02:46 PM
Sat - May 6, 2006
Toothpick Holders 5
If you've been in any mid-range restaurant
in Hanoi, you've probably seen one of these toothpick holders. Not the bad,
plain plastic street-stall variety, or the designer TP-holder in some snazzier
joints.
This is kind of like the family sedan of TP-holders. Solid wood body with inlaid mother-of-pearl.
The version pictured actually has a hinged lid. This variation may seem insignificant, but if you've ever *thought* you were picking up the hinged-lid version only to find, that, in fact you had semi-picked up the separate-lid version... well, let's not go pointing fingers about who may or may not've spilt toothpicks all over the FoodShop 45's lunchtime crowded dining room...
This is kind of like the family sedan of TP-holders. Solid wood body with inlaid mother-of-pearl.
The version pictured actually has a hinged lid. This variation may seem insignificant, but if you've ever *thought* you were picking up the hinged-lid version only to find, that, in fact you had semi-picked up the separate-lid version... well, let's not go pointing fingers about who may or may not've spilt toothpicks all over the FoodShop 45's lunchtime crowded dining room...
Posted at 10:15 AM
Fri - May 5, 2006
Moving along
We have a new neighbour downstairs. I had to
do the 20-questions thing I always feel compelled to do when I meet someone new,
and asked him - as he has recently arrived from Singapore - what he thought of
Hanoi.
"It's just like Singapore 20 years ago," was his answer.
"It's just like Singapore 20 years ago," was his answer.
Posted at 02:04 PM
Tue - May 2, 2006
Question about "Uncle Ho"
I'm confused by
something.
Vietnamese names are in this order: 1. Family Name 2. Middle Name 3. Personal/"First" Name
People refer to each other, politely, in this order: 1. Salutation 2. "First" Name.
For example, Russell is referred to as Mr Russell, rather than Mr and then his surname. The famous military hero, Vo Nguyen Giap is called General Giap, not General Vo.
But one exception to this rule seems to be Uncle Ho. The full name is Ho Chi Minh. Following the normal rule, wouldn't/shouldn't we refer to him as Uncle Minh? Is Uncle Ho so-named for a particular reason?
Apologies for my ignorance but I'd love to know.
Vietnamese names are in this order: 1. Family Name 2. Middle Name 3. Personal/"First" Name
People refer to each other, politely, in this order: 1. Salutation 2. "First" Name.
For example, Russell is referred to as Mr Russell, rather than Mr and then his surname. The famous military hero, Vo Nguyen Giap is called General Giap, not General Vo.
But one exception to this rule seems to be Uncle Ho. The full name is Ho Chi Minh. Following the normal rule, wouldn't/shouldn't we refer to him as Uncle Minh? Is Uncle Ho so-named for a particular reason?
Apologies for my ignorance but I'd love to know.
Posted at 11:30 AM
Tue - April 25, 2006
Toothpig
Toothpig
The toothpick holder of the week this week is an absolute beauty. This guy is a pig that serves toothpicks from the nose. Emma found this particular treasure in the Fivimart, which has a dazzling array of toothpick containers. We get all giddy with excitement every time we go in there. Now I’m really hoping that we are not offending anyone and there is not some ancient story out there about a mythical pig with timber dispensing nostrils. If so please let us know!
This little piggy went to market,
This little piggy went home
…
And THIS little piggy said “I’ve got splinters up my nose!” and cried all the way home!
We found it amusing...
The toothpick holder of the week this week is an absolute beauty. This guy is a pig that serves toothpicks from the nose. Emma found this particular treasure in the Fivimart, which has a dazzling array of toothpick containers. We get all giddy with excitement every time we go in there. Now I’m really hoping that we are not offending anyone and there is not some ancient story out there about a mythical pig with timber dispensing nostrils. If so please let us know!
This little piggy went to market,
This little piggy went home
…
And THIS little piggy said “I’ve got splinters up my nose!” and cried all the way home!
We found it amusing...
Posted at 08:06 PM
Tue - April 18, 2006
Toothpick Holders 3
You know what they say: "another week,
another toothpick holder" (or, y'know, what *I* say). And here she is. Believe
it or not, we bought this last week and I've only just realised that it has a
bit of an Easter motif to
it.
Posted at 11:58 AM
Sat - April 8, 2006
Toothpick Holders 2
For 6600 Vietnam Dong, or 42 cents US, or a
whopping 58 cents Australian, you too can have a toothpick holder like this.
Talk about thing of beauty, joy forever, yada yada. Available from an Intimex
supermarket near you.
Apparently this monkey REALLY likes toothpicks.
Apparently this monkey REALLY likes toothpicks.
Posted at 10:39 AM
Tue - April 4, 2006
Toothpick Holders 1
One difference between Vietnam and Australia
is the range of items found on a typical dining table. In Australia, you've got
the cutlery, salt, pepper, napkin, maybe sugar bowl. In Vietnam, there are
different condiments like chilli sauce or fish sauce, normally a whole container
of napkins, and always - a toothpick
holder.
Everyday after about 11am (lunchtime starts early here), you see people walking down the street, riding their motorbikes, etc. with toothpicks sticking out of their mouths. At the end of a meal, people put the toothpicks right in the middle of the table and it signals the end of the event. Clean your teeth, then outta there.
So we decided to embrace the whole toothpick thing. First, we decided to get toothpicks for home. Just in a packet. But then I convinced Russell that we needed a proper holder for the toothpicks. Here it is:
And the supermarket has MANY MANY different choices... so we're starting a toothpick holder collection! What could be more Vina?! We do have another one which is total class, but you'll have to wait until next time.
Everyday after about 11am (lunchtime starts early here), you see people walking down the street, riding their motorbikes, etc. with toothpicks sticking out of their mouths. At the end of a meal, people put the toothpicks right in the middle of the table and it signals the end of the event. Clean your teeth, then outta there.
So we decided to embrace the whole toothpick thing. First, we decided to get toothpicks for home. Just in a packet. But then I convinced Russell that we needed a proper holder for the toothpicks. Here it is:
And the supermarket has MANY MANY different choices... so we're starting a toothpick holder collection! What could be more Vina?! We do have another one which is total class, but you'll have to wait until next time.
Posted at 10:56 AM
Mon - February 27, 2006
Fashion
In Australia, staying vaguely in fashion was
easy. I could walk into a Sussan , Sportsgirl or Portmans
store and pick pretty much anything and know it was mainstream-acceptable and
would fit.
I have some problems in Hanoi with fashion.
1) Who am I trying to fit in with? Do I want to have the same fashion as the Vietnamese girls, or will I just look like a loser if I do that?
2) I probably wouldn't find anything to fit anyway. Whilst I'm not fat, my body shape is so different to the majority of Vietnamese girls, it just wouldn't work.
3) Different taste. When we moved to Hanoi, the trend was for a kind of "80s neon punk" kind of thing. There was no way I was going back there!
4) No fashion exposure. We don't watch the local TV stations or read Vietnamese fashion magazines, so I miss out on seeing the current fashions anyway (until I see them on the street, of course).
I did think about following the Australian trends and maybe even ordering clothes over the internet. But the seasons don't line up and now, whilst it's cold here, it's summer in Aust.
My one saving grace has been a store called Things of Substance. It's on Au Trieu street next to the cathedral. It looks like another store has opened just around the corner on Nha Tho street. It's motto is "western sizes, Vietnamese prices". It's pretty good and the clothes do fit. The funny thing is that so many female teachers have the same problem as I, so we all shop there and all end up wearing the same clothes! It's one thing following a general fashion trend, but exactly the same items of clothing? Tragic!
So fashion is one thing I miss about Australia, but I really can't think of a good way to improve my fashion-less state.
I have some problems in Hanoi with fashion.
1) Who am I trying to fit in with? Do I want to have the same fashion as the Vietnamese girls, or will I just look like a loser if I do that?
2) I probably wouldn't find anything to fit anyway. Whilst I'm not fat, my body shape is so different to the majority of Vietnamese girls, it just wouldn't work.
3) Different taste. When we moved to Hanoi, the trend was for a kind of "80s neon punk" kind of thing. There was no way I was going back there!
4) No fashion exposure. We don't watch the local TV stations or read Vietnamese fashion magazines, so I miss out on seeing the current fashions anyway (until I see them on the street, of course).
I did think about following the Australian trends and maybe even ordering clothes over the internet. But the seasons don't line up and now, whilst it's cold here, it's summer in Aust.
My one saving grace has been a store called Things of Substance. It's on Au Trieu street next to the cathedral. It looks like another store has opened just around the corner on Nha Tho street. It's motto is "western sizes, Vietnamese prices". It's pretty good and the clothes do fit. The funny thing is that so many female teachers have the same problem as I, so we all shop there and all end up wearing the same clothes! It's one thing following a general fashion trend, but exactly the same items of clothing? Tragic!
So fashion is one thing I miss about Australia, but I really can't think of a good way to improve my fashion-less state.
Posted at 02:56 PM
Sat - January 21, 2006
The Moo-fees
The head-office of Russell's work is
directly across the road from the National Cinema Centre. Check out the latest
movies (or, "moo-fees" as many Vietnamese say
it).
I liked the look of the latest offering "Kinh Kong"! I guess since in VN-ese you pronounce "h" at the end of a word as a soft "g" then when you say it, it sounds like King Kong...
I also like how underneath the name of each movie they say where the film ("phim") came from: Phim My (American film), Phim Viet Nam (Vietnamese film).
I liked the look of the latest offering "Kinh Kong"! I guess since in VN-ese you pronounce "h" at the end of a word as a soft "g" then when you say it, it sounds like King Kong...
I also like how underneath the name of each movie they say where the film ("phim") came from: Phim My (American film), Phim Viet Nam (Vietnamese film).
Posted at 12:36 PM
Thu - January 19, 2006
Not Yet
Every single day I get asked the same set of
questions.
Where you from?
What your name?
How old are you?
How long you been in Vietnam?
Where you live?
And my favourite... do you have children?
I say it's my favourite because when I used to get asked this, I would just answer, "no". Then I would receive this look of absolute and utter shock. My seeming lack of concern at not having any children just completely horrified people.
So now, when I am asked if I have children, I put on a sad face and say, "not yet". Somehow, I find the sympathetic looks a little easier to take, since this way I'm not being seen as some sort of freaky-child-hater!
BTW, in Vietnamese, there doesn't seem to be a simple "no" for getting married and having children. You're either married/have kids: "roi" - already or "chua" - not yet. "No" is not an option!!
Where you from?
What your name?
How old are you?
How long you been in Vietnam?
Where you live?
And my favourite... do you have children?
I say it's my favourite because when I used to get asked this, I would just answer, "no". Then I would receive this look of absolute and utter shock. My seeming lack of concern at not having any children just completely horrified people.
So now, when I am asked if I have children, I put on a sad face and say, "not yet". Somehow, I find the sympathetic looks a little easier to take, since this way I'm not being seen as some sort of freaky-child-hater!
BTW, in Vietnamese, there doesn't seem to be a simple "no" for getting married and having children. You're either married/have kids: "roi" - already or "chua" - not yet. "No" is not an option!!
Posted at 07:54 AM
Sun - January 15, 2006
Jumping the shark in Vietnam
The phenomenon known as jumping the
shark has really grabbed Emma's interest. As a slashdot reader and certified geek
this is no new concept to me but I introduced Emma to it last year. She was
actually describing to me one of her "go to" tactics in her English class. I
said to her that when she deployed one of these tactics we know that the class
has "jumped the shark". She had no idea what I was talking about and so I told
her all about it. She's been fascinated with the concept ever
since.
Jumping the shark is predominantly about television series, of course, and literally refers to the exact point in time when the classic series "Happy Days" reached for a ridiculous plot device to rescue an ailing show. In the case of Happy Days they had a leather-clad Fonzie jump over a school of sharks, on water skis no less! Obviously this was a far cry from a show basically about growing up in the 50s. There is a very entertaining site about the concept that can be found here . This site lists a huge number of TV shows and attempts to identify exactly when they made the jump.
Has our blog "jumped the shark yet"? If so the story about our dog resembling a slipper has my vote as the moment it happened!
Jumping the shark is predominantly about television series, of course, and literally refers to the exact point in time when the classic series "Happy Days" reached for a ridiculous plot device to rescue an ailing show. In the case of Happy Days they had a leather-clad Fonzie jump over a school of sharks, on water skis no less! Obviously this was a far cry from a show basically about growing up in the 50s. There is a very entertaining site about the concept that can be found here . This site lists a huge number of TV shows and attempts to identify exactly when they made the jump.
Has our blog "jumped the shark yet"? If so the story about our dog resembling a slipper has my vote as the moment it happened!
Posted at 08:00 PM
Mon - January 9, 2006
Magi-Knot (TM)
All the storeholders in Hanoi seem to do
this same knot whenever they bag something up. I'm sure - positive! - that I
never saw this in Australia.
See pic. The top knot is to hold the bag (#1). The bottom requires just a little pull to undo the knot and undo the bag (#2).
How did everyone learn this knot and why have I never seen this before being in VN????
See pic. The top knot is to hold the bag (#1). The bottom requires just a little pull to undo the knot and undo the bag (#2).
How did everyone learn this knot and why have I never seen this before being in VN????
Posted at 04:35 PM
Tue - January 3, 2006
Warm Winter
The past couple of weeks, we have been
talking about how warm it is this year compared with our first Christmas in
Hanoi, last year.
It was playing in my mind to such a degree that I had to check out whether it was my imagination or reality. And it's real! Today is lovely and sunny and it's supposed to get to a max of 23C. Last year, a whole 10 degrees colder!
I wonder why...
This year:
Last year:
It was playing in my mind to such a degree that I had to check out whether it was my imagination or reality. And it's real! Today is lovely and sunny and it's supposed to get to a max of 23C. Last year, a whole 10 degrees colder!
I wonder why...
This year:
Last year:
Posted at 11:25 AM