the world for more than it simply is

Hatred. I usually consider this emotion to be a waste of time, but alas it lingers within thoughts and is reflected in action. For these unintentional actions, I apologize to those unjustly affected by my hatred not only today, but also over the course of time past. The reason for my daily disdain grows and will probably continue to. However, by little measure will this have much of an impact on my abroad experience. Perhaps by the time it is to part ways, amends will take place. Better to understand than to make war eh?

Digressing from the initial topic, I would like to make mention of a friend here in Ha Noi who got the short end of the stick from sketchy business deals which caused her to lose a substantial amount of capital. The system works differently here–verbal agreements rather than contracts, payment after rather than before services. Working this system, her business partners screwed her out of her investment it seems. My sympathy goes out to her. My advice: to never give up, and to rebuild and relearn when needed.

On a lighter note, one of my language teachers contributed the idea that the flavor of foods improves as one heads southward. This might true in my case, as I am more accustomed to the cuisine of South Viet Nam. Mono-sodium glutamate can only take you so far.