The morning started off with Sophia wanting Pho and bread. My uncle of course spoils her, and gives it to her. She devours the whole bowl, and people are impressed that this half white girl knows how to use chopsticks. She thinks it delicious, even better than America and I would have to say I agree on this one. She got her bread which was really good. While she does not have any butter she still pretty much devours the bread plain.
Today was off to the temple we go…to read a chant for my father. He passed away in May. On our way to the temple, we stopped for some sugar cane drink. It is one of my favorite things to drink and obviously one of Sophia’s favorite as well considering she drank both of ours.
We arrive at this temple and my uncle gets a flat tire on the way, so my cousin has to come back and get us. He jokes that its because of my weight that the tire goes flat, and I joke back and say it’s because your bike is too low quality to handle American cargo.
My nieces and nephews meet us there and of course when they meet up its a little group of laughter and chaotic fun. I know I’m biased, but that’s a group of pretty good looking kids.
At the temple, random kids are facinated with my camera and so, they ask me to take pictures of them, here they are. The kids here like to ask random people for money, and they are very bold and talk or yell at you like adults. I’m not sure I like that, but it doesn’t phase me. It does however make a little sad as I believe kids should be kids not miniture adults.
After the prayer is done, I do not stay for the vegetarian food even though it looks delicious. I save that for my aunts, there are plenty of meat to eat in Vietnam without the vegetarian stuff. I will be gaining enough weight as is. Especially since my whole family are foodies, specifically my cousins. Dinner is with my cousin buying us these things.
Oh no, dinner is not complete without a home cooked meal. I can’t resist. It’s thit kho, with lots of fat and lots of eggs. Canh Mang which is bamboo shoot soup with pigs feet and sautéed lotus root to shrimp and pork. The ones pictured are not yet sautéed, because after they were sautéed I was just eating and forgot to actually take pictures. I love eating with my uncle. He is a fantastic chef. Some days I am glad I live in America where I don’t cook, cause if I lived here, I would keep gaining weight.
As soon as we hit the plane Sophia was out. Kids sleep so easily…if only I could sleep anywhere that easily. It doesn’t hurt that they can fully lay down on the seat with legs on my lap.
We then had about a 12 hour flight to Taipei, Taiwan. It was the first time Sophia had ever seen Asia. She was so excited to actually take the pictures from the plane. She was in awe of all the lights, and asked to go to China. Its not so clear, but Sophia was proud of it, so as a good mommy, I need to show it off. We had the most delicious porridge on the plane with pork, shrimp, ginger and fish floss that she wanted to add. Its shredded fine fish and absolutely yummy. Sophia pretty much ate my fish floss, so I got about a quarter of the bag. 
I spent time with my baby girl, whose not much of a baby anymore. She has grown up to be a very opinionated, strong, sassy little girl. I don’t mind sassy with manners and a brain. I’m introducing her to photography, so we decided to go to downtown Olympia, to take advantage of the soft warm light of the setting sun which casts a very warm glow in pictures. I think this picture is one of my favorites for this very reason. My daughter seems to like to model rather than photograph. 
The rustic wear of wood and rusty nails, along with the blooming flowers are perfect subjects for random pictures. I love close-ups because they show details of the intricateness of nature’s handiwork, and the vibrant colors of nature itself.
Meaningful Tea 