JUNE 4, 2009. Adopted regionally appropriate pseudonym, well-received by fellow members of the BFDC, as evidenced by approving smiles in members-only Vietnamese class (June 9) when subtly integrated into “tên là gì” exercise. Further confirmation of its merit as an accurate indicator of identity can be accessed in the contact lists of member's mobile phones. *(6)*
JUNE 5, 2009. Revelry unmatched discovered in regional delicacy: yogurt, and pho. *(8)*
JUNE 6, 2009. Attended historically and culturally rich sites in Ha Noi like Army Museum, HCM's Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, one-legged pagoda, and Bar Tunnel Club. Sought funky, alas, fruitless, otherwise merry and rewarding day. *(8)*
JUNE 7, 2009. Joined Lake-side aerobics classes. On any given weekday, from 5-8am, locals stream in from the capillaries of streets surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake. On June 7, KA walked the 3 minutes from the hotel residency through the dense community of shops, restaurants, homes, and even temples concentrated around the lake’s edge, seamlessly joining the mass movement of people. Even in the early morning, when the air is pleasantly less polluted, the humidity is not as stifling, the honking of motorbikes is less frequent, and many residents are still sleep, the circle retains its dynamicism. The migration of people? Incredible (see Prof Leheny’s narration below for more). Even more incredible? The tacit self-designation and the creation of order among the cluttered masses. They systematically arrange in organized exercise. Between the games of hackie-sack on the sidewalks, the weightlifting on testosterone row (distinctly separated from the rest by boundary in the road), and the endless current of pedestrians circulating the lake, chi Kate dabbled between groups of people practicing tai chi, yoga, and heart-pumping, sweat-inducing, endorphin-releasing aerobics. Camouflaged among the other fit people—mostly elderly ladies—aerobercising, each cluster slightly different in difficulty, average age, size, or technique, our subject successively fit in with each group she joined (as measured by the response from other class participants-- all very encouraging, even possessive!) Some, the eldest group, more focused on belly-massages than the upper-body-twists and kicks of the more vigorous troupes, teamed together to shoo away a shirtless and shoeless friend that kept following Kate, unusually attached, offering his hands with open-wounds for her to shake. Clearly, alliances, of many degrees, were forged. *(8)*
JUNE 8, 2009. Hawaii-chaired. Enriched lives and made memories at Chim Sao, delicious dining experience. *(8)
JUNE 9, 2009. Took first Vietnamese Language class. Never has been the thirst for knowledge so desperate! *(7)*
JUNE 10, 2009. Taught ballet class. Language barriers minor obstacle in disciplining 
the 30 tutu-clad 6-year-olds, however, weaponry of excessively-animated facial expressions, Looney-tune limb-gesturing, pianist, and a young assisting teacher translating the interpretive “universal language” of movement all worked to combat the deficiency of shared spoken language. All and all, trying, but curious experience. Class given a 10 min break, and within the first five, assisted learning exercises in hand games culminated in harmonious and pleasant pointing and laughing. Everyone was having fun. It was much like college at Princeton. Dance moves exchanged, friends made, and smiles shared. *(6)*sunset at Ha Long Bay
the 30 tutu-clad 6-year-olds, however, weaponry of excessively-animated facial expressions, Looney-tune limb-gesturing, pianist, and a young assisting teacher translating the interpretive “universal language” of movement all worked to combat the deficiency of shared spoken language. All and all, trying, but curious experience. Class given a 10 min break, and within the first five, assisted learning exercises in hand games culminated in harmonious and pleasant pointing and laughing. Everyone was having fun. It was much like college at Princeton. Dance moves exchanged, friends made, and smiles shared. *(6)*sunset at Ha Long Bay
formations, chi Kate descended from the roof of the imitation ancient shrimp junk into the only mildly-polluted, but richly jade colored, waters of Ha Long Bay. Creation of many karsts in the process. Also, she explored caves (above), kayaked, ate stuffed crab and cooked fish fresh from the sea, and soaked up lots of beautiful views (below, like the dragon.) *(6)*
JUNE 13, 2009. Regional garb sported, among emerald-green rice paddies. *(5--did not qualify for higher rating because purchase was at least two sizes too small, which is tacky)*
JUNE 14, 2009. Lost in the crowd of ~300 residents from the city attending evening Mass. Inconspicuously seated on the right side of the aisle with other conservatively-dressed, young ladies present at the service-- the demographic all very petite, with Westernized dress-- and then and also next to Charlie, the 6’3” Aryan male, (not fitting in. Men were to be seated on the left of the aisle.) *(6)*
JUNE 15, 2009. Snake Village, ritualistic practices of snake-consumption. No parts went to waste. *(9)*
*sliding scale môt - mu’òi’ (1-10) for how well she fit in
This documentation is by no means nearing termination or closure, but this day certainly is!! Until the next installment of Kate Adamson: Fitting In..... chao!!! Much more to come, so, Mom, tune in for more later!
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