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What a week it was last week! As always it flew right on by me. Thankfully my cough lessened each day that went by. I have to say the week had a little bit of everything wrapped into it.
The beginning of the week kicked off with some costing meetings, those are always fun. I did like seeing how costing was handled on this end and how the OC merchandiser really does have the PjM’s pre-costing interest at heart. The negotiating is intense and on a couple of styles some fights were about to break out.
Wednesday I felt as thought I was on the set of and SNL skit the entire day…I had to go to an all day training about PEP – that’s our assessment form we are evaluated on. Apparently some of the staff here is not certain of how the form is supposed to be filled out so I got to sit through an entire day of what it means if you are “graded” at being below performance or outstanding….We were broken up into 5 groups of 5 and had to come up with different examples why someone would be classified under met some expectations or met all expectations….all I have to say it was a very interesting day.
On Thursday the US lifestyle team made it here and we all worked at Esprinta! It was such a treat having them here. While they worked on their styles I was busy getting a more in depth training on bonding and print screens. I made my own bonded pocket and Reebok print screen, it was such a blast. Once we finished with the day and freshened up a bit it was dinner time. Megan, the birthday girl had been to Tandoor (Indian Restaurant) before and could not wait to go there for her b-day dinner. Luckily, the food was just as good as she remembered. Kendall told the owner it was Megan’s birthday and at the end of the meal all the lights in the restaurant were dimmed and “So it’s your Birthday” came over the speakers as the owner came out with ice cream and candles. I’m pretty sure Megan loved it.
After dinner Elke bought her friend a handmade boat from a little store near the restaurant and everyone was in a hyper mood. Luckily they all finished what they had to do on Thursday so a free day was in store for the team on Friday, except for me! I had to wake up early, still one more day in the work week for me. Friday would not be a normal work day though. Vikram and Karen (the BMM of Taylor Made) had planned an offsite outing focused on “being green” for the apparel teams from Reebok, Adidas, and Taylor Made.
While they all continued on into the night, I went home and tucked myself into bed so I could wake up the next morning.
We left from the LO at 9 AM headed for Binh Quoi, which is where the offsite was scheduled for. The venue that was chosen was so beautiful. Very green and on the water. In one of the ponds there were the biggest lily pads I ever saw. I wanted to go float on them and decided that probably wasn’t the best idea.
It’s typical for Vietnamese brides and grooms to take their wedding photos before their actual wedding and change into about a dozen various gowns. This park where we were was full of dozens and dozens of brides and grooms taking pictures. There was also a group of kids that were dancing and singing being filmed for some kids show. As you can imagine, there was a lot going on! It was so hot though, there was no breeze whatsoever. And we were all wearing these bright green shirts over our regular clothes to promote being green. I lasted about an hour with mine on because I was just too hot. I completely sweat through my clothes!
Vikram and Karen tried to really motivate the team and they did. They grouped us into 3 groups and we had to go on a scavenger hunt for “trash”, then we had a trivia game, a nice lunch, and then had an early release. I was quite happy that I could get home early and meet up with Kendall and Megan – they were staying an extra night to play in Vietnam with me.
After a refreshing shower and major freshening up, Kendall and Megan met me at my place. They were a bit tired from their day of shopping and roaming around Ho Chi Minh City. After I got a sneak peek at all of their purchases from the day, we made a plan for the evening, got ready and headed out to a French bistro we decided to try. Well, we pull up to the restaurant and it’s not even there, the address was correct but nothing was there…So I had written down the name and address of another place and we had the taxi take us there instead. Strike #2, it was completely packed and it was all outdoors, it didn’t seem too sanitary to us or relaxing. I knew the area we were in and thought we should just walk down the street; there were a ton of places. In fact there was one place I had wanted to go. Cepage, it’s a lounge type of restaurant where there is formal dining upstairs and a more relaxed atmosphere downstairs. The girls took one look and were sold. Third times the charm!
We had such a fun time there. The atmosphere was great, the drinks were delicious, and so was the food. I cannot wait to go back. There were also lots of good looking guys – lol! I definitely will be going back before I come home.
I think we giggled the entire way home. As we were walking up to my apartment I was telling them sometimes there are these huge snails in the walk-way, sure enough we found one and they believed that I was not exaggerating at how big these snails were. I then went on to warn them that sometimes the little gecko’s get into the apartment; this kind of freaked them out bet felt I had to warn them. These things are so fast and have no spine whatsoever; I swear they just slip right in through the cracks. Well, sure enough we walk in and I went to get some water from the kitchen and one was scurrying up the wall. First I tried to get it with a Tupperware container and it scurried away super fast. Kendall was the winner after standing on a chair and getting it! It was quite a funny sight. After all that excitement, we all realized how pooped we were. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out.
The next morning we woke up early, a lot was on our agenda for their last day! Their time here went way too fast! First I brought them to my favorite smoothie place, Juice for breakfast. There are lots of cute little shops that we went in and out of after a nice power breakfast. We then made our way to Ben Than market and Saigon Square. The bargain of the day was by far finding a booth that sold DVD’s for less than a $1. Of course we made sure to check the quality as soon as we got home and they are great! So great, I went back the next day for more!
We then had a great lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant, I have another new favorite dish that I ordered for us to all share. It was gone pretty fast! It’s called Goi hai san kieu thai, it’s basically this pickled salad with shrimp on top in the yummiest sweet/sour vinegar and you dip these rice crackers into it. So good!
After lunch and a re-boot I took them to get a foot massage at my favorite place. For 70 minutes it’s only $10 with tip! They start rubbing your temples and shoulders while your feet soak in this hot water tub. Then they wrap your feet up in towels and start massaging one foot and leg at a time! I think they spend about 50 minutes just on your legs and then they have you flip over and they press pressure points on your back – I’m telling you it is instant relaxation!
Before we knew it, it was time to head back to my place for them to re-pack everything and make their way home! I was such a treat having friends here and the weekend totally flew by. I have to say it was good timing them coming, right in the middle of my trip and now I only have 3.5 weeks left. I am not ready to leave yet though, my time here as been so amazing and I’ve learned so much professionally and personally! I am so lucky!
After I said my goodbyes to Kendall and Megan I had a nice workout and was ready for a relaxing night. It was a perfect movie night and since I now had a nice selection to choose from, I did just that.
Sunday came and it was perfect pool weather. I worked out, lounged by the pool, and then walked around the city for a bit. Pam went to a nail art place on Saturday and her nails came out awesome. She had the card and recommended I check it out. I walked into Jolie Pang and it was all cream lace and beads, super girly and frilly. After paging through pages of choices and boards I found a design I liked. The place was really cute, they did a good job and I like how my nails came out. The only issue was it took FOREVER! I was there for 3 hours – way too long if you ask me, but at least I am happy with the product I got.
So far this week has been super busy and it’s not going to slow down anytime soon. The past two days I’ve looked at PFR samples at two different factories. Yesterday, I was at QVE with Vy and Thanh looking at down filled winter jackets. It so happened the AC was not working on a super hot and humid day and I was trying on the women’s jackets as I was inspecting them to see how they fit. Overall the product looked really good and I left there feeling very happy.
Today I was at QMI with just Thanh looking at tennis and running styles. What a difference between the two factories! Workmanship today was not up to par, they better get it right before the samples are sent out to HQ! I also experienced my first crazy thunderstorm here. I am telling you the thunder was non-stop and at one point I thought the rain might come right through the ceiling above me. I had a flashback of how I used to sit on our porch in Onset and be mesmerized by the falling rain and lightening strikes, I found myself doing that for a couple of seconds and then snapped out of it.
Last week I wasn’t able to make it to any of my MMA classes. At the beginning of the week, I was still getting over my cold and at the end I was just too busy. So it felt good to get back into the swing of it this week. I really have to find a place like this at home. Any takers to join me, it’s so fun!
The rest of the week will be just as busy. Tomorrow I get to go to an accessory and gear factory. Thursday and Friday are my costing meetings with the factories. No wonder my time has flown by here! This weekend I am headed to Phu Quoc, it’s an island that is on the list of the top 5 hidden beaches in the world. AGHHHH I can already imagine basking in the sun on the beach and cannot wait to get there!
Then next week is my last full week here! It’s so hard to imagine going home soon! I know when I get home things are going to be great and I am looking forward to finally enjoying my time at home. For whatever reason I could not relax over the last year and I my time here has finally unwound me. So be prepared for the new and improved, relaxed Jennie!
Have a great week all and see you soon!
xxoo
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