Last Thursday morning, we got up at 3 AM to catch an early series of flights to Minneapolis, Minnesota to go to Culture Camp, which was held in Northfield Minnesota at the St. Olaf University. Northfield is actually south of Minneapolis! Go figure. Anyway, we got there just in time for 5 o'clock Minneapolis traffic, so it took us about 2.5 hours to get to Northfield, when it really should have only taken us an hour or so. It didn't help much that I couldn't find the proper exit, so we ended up taking a series of back roads, asking directions multiple times along the way. Consequently, we missed dinner... no big deal, and made it in time for a carnival... which was fun, but geared much more for older kids, plus it was so cold that we didn't want to stay outside anyway. It was record cold temperatures until the day we left, 65 degrees during the day, and 40 at night. We froze our behinds off, especially since we were staying in the college dorm, and there was no heat. I guess they didn't expect it to be so cold.
Jazzy and I went to different classes all day long so I don't have many pictures of her. On Friday, I went to a movie called "Oh, Saigon" which was the story of a families' escape on the day that Saigon was taken over by the communists. If you look in any book, you will see the historic photo of them... the last family to escape thru the crowds of people as the gate to the US rescue helicopter was forced open. It was a home video and told of their not so happy life in America since April, 1978. I also went to class on "How to Make Great Pho"- pronounced Fuh--- the common dish in Vietnam. It seems that at every restaurant I visited in Vietnam, no matter what I ordered, that is what I always got. It seems extremely complicated to make it correctly, so, knowing me.... I will not be making it. Rice, vegetables and tofu is a very simplified and satisfying version.
On Friday, Jazzy went to play Vietnamese games, made a "lucky charm", and learned simple Vietnamese phrases. Many of the camp counselors spoke Vietnamese to her. She gave them blank stares, kind of like she somewhat recognized what they were saying, but not really. There were 75 camp counselors from all over the country. Some are adoptees themselves and some actually grew up in Vietnam.
We also went to a concert titled ... we are all "Beads on One String". Jazzy really enjoyed it. She was clapping and dancing and having a great time. She slept well that night... but not me... due to the cold. The next day I had blood shot eyes and looked like death warmed over.
On Saturday, I previewed a DVD I am purchasing called Vietnam: Face to Face. It is a video made by a family who has adopted 8 Vietnamese children and has been to Vietnam many times. They made a very scenic video of many areas in Vietnam. It will be nice to show to her over the years. We also learned a Vietnamese ribbon dance that day.
On Saturday night, we had a "culture show". Each group introduced themselves and did a song/dance/skit. Jazzy was in Dragonfly-Group 1. They did a little dance with fans. The theater was not well lit, so the photos and videos didn't turn out very well. Jazzy met a very cute little friend named Kiana. They were inseparable for 3 days. Kiana's father was adopted from the same area as Jazzy, and so was Kiana. Jazzy and Kiana sat next to each other at the culture show and wouldn't settle down... laughing and goofing off. They both fell off the chairs simultaneously and started screaming, so we had to rush them outside. That was the abrupt end to Saturday night.
Also on Saturday in the adult sessions, we had some incredible keynote speakers. The most impressive, in my opinion, was Lac Su who spoke about his life as a Vietnamese "boat person" and his new book "I Love You's are for White People". I am definitely going to read that book. Lac Su is now a psychologist who works with all types of kids and adults. There was not a dry eye in the place and he received a standing ovation. There was also another speaker, Dr. Steve Kanh, a psychologist who spoke about "keeping the connection" when disciplining.
On Sunday, whoever was supposed to unlock the doors to the classrooms forgot, so we had a few of the classes outside. I went to one by mistake called "Living in Vietnam". It was outside and I got fried. It doesn't seem feasible for a foreigner to live in Vietnam unless you are independently wealthy. International students are not allowed to attend Vietnamese schools and must pay outrageous tuition. Just doesn't seem like something I want to do.
Jazzy and Kiana cried when they had to be separated. Kiana lives in Fargo, ND, so we won't be seeing them until next year.
We flew home Sunday, exhausted and flopped in bed.
Jazzy having a snack at 30,000 feet on the way to Minneapolis
Getting ready to have breakfast with her camp counselors.
Jazzy wearing her camp tee shirt and eating a cookie
Beads on One String concert
More camp counselors with Jazzy
Waiting for class to start
Coloring on the way home in the plane
Group photo
Eating Pho with her friend Kiana on the last day.
