My Emotional State Update

CanCan, 30 December 2009,
Categories: CanCan, Vietnam

This week got off to a rough start. On Monday morning, some one attempted to rob me.

On Monday night, someone burglarized my house, as I am away on vacation.

Having been in Asia for 8 years, I’m no stranger to what I have heard another expat refer to as “bad Asia days”.

Like the time when I burst into tears on my bicycle because the fruit vendor ripping me off over a bunch of bananas was the last straw.

It isn’t always about the exact incident at hand, but usually more of a snowball effect of uncomfortable and conflicting cultural situations.

Not that robbery or burglary is acceptable in any culture (that I know of), but in my own culture, I know what channels to go through and how to find justice.

Away from my home culture, I’m at the mercy of laws I don’t understand, officials who may or may not be corrupt, and my unshakable stigma as an outsider.

Being uncomfortable is good. It helps you to stretch and grow. But if you are being stretched, you can also SNAP.

I still haven’t been home yet so I only have emails from my neighbor to update me on the burglary situation.

Here are the wonderful things:

My landlord’s brother is sleeping in our house every night until we return. I’m really happy that he cares to take that kind of responsibility.
Our computer, 2 external hard drives, our TV, DVD player, my teacher bag, and a notebook/diary containing $50 were stolen. I think the teacher bag was used to store the loot. The thief dumped out the contents, which was considerate. I guess. For a thief. He also didn’t take a huge binder of over 200 DVD’s, and even took the time to unplug the webcam. My neighbors said that it seems as though he didn’t go through the whole house, but just took those few items and ran.
My husband remembered that 5 months ago he backed up our photos online using the website Mozy.com. So that means we only lost photos from the past 5 months, instead of the past 5 years. I’m really relieved to have newborn pictures of both of the boys.
I was very blessed to be encouraged, prayed for, and “talked down from the ledge” by everyone that left thoughtful comments about the burglary. It is true that I don’t mean to over-generalize my feelings about “Southeast Asians”. Have I met people in Southeast Asia who view me as a caricature and a dollar sign? Yes! Many! Have I met people in Southeast Asia who are kind and decent? Yes! Of course!

Meanwhile I’m really enjoying our time in the beautiful city if Hoi An. Tomorrow we are going on a bicycle tour led by a fantastic English expat who is even bringing his 3-year-old daughter along.

I have been joking with Nick that no one will believe that I am actually on this trip, since these are the only pictures of me from the past 4 days:

proof

This one is more of the noodles but if you look hard you might be able to spot me:

proof2

Those noodles were pretty good though.

And this one I forced Nick to take during dinner tonight. Since this definitely proves I am in Vietnam. Beyond doubt.

proof3

I should have taken a picture of Deeds’s HIGH chair at that restaurant, a locally made baby chair that was so tall the tray was even with my chin when we were sitting. Like the toddler version of Carnaval.

I need some kind of assistant to follow me around and chronicle my life in photographs.

I’m breathing easier now; I know I will still have emotional baggage to deal with when we get home and see the damage done by the burglar. But right now I am in a good place.

Thank you!

From Hue to Hoi An »

Comments

14 Responses, Leave a Reply

1 Emily E.
30 December 2009, 12:09 pm

oh- thank goodness about the baby pictures! That’s a big relief, I’m sure.
2 Nancy M.
30 December 2009, 2:20 pm

I’m so glad you didn’t lose all the pictures! It’s good to hear you’re a little calmer now, though I can’t blame you for being upset at all!
3 Kathleen
30 December 2009, 5:06 pm

What a relief that you backed up on Mozy! It’s funny that my husband bought me an unlimited subscription for Christmas (such a romantic gift), since I’m waiting for my laptop to skitz out any moment.

At least they didn’t get your camera! I hope you’re enjoying the trip, and thanks for the update.
4 Jennifer
30 December 2009, 6:06 pm

Oh Candice what a nightmare! Thankfully the pictures were backed up and now someone is staying at your house. I am so sorry for all you have been through. I remember our home being burgled and it was such a feeling of violation. (hugs) I do hope you enjoy your trip, you look lovely and those noodles do indeed look delicious!
5 Naomi
30 December 2009, 6:20 pm

I am so glad Nick backed up the pictures. And that you post so many on your blog, too…
6 Queenie
31 December 2009, 12:02 am

OMG! How terrible! I know it must be scary and frustrating to not understand ‘their’ laws & jurisdictions fully…I’m SOOOO sorry this happened. But there’s always a silver lining in every cloud, at least you guys weren’t home or got hurt! Who knows what kind of sicko this was, you know? Enjoy your vacation; I’m glad to hear you’re better & in your good place now. xoxo
7 Shannon (@Cajun_Mama)
31 December 2009, 6:46 am

Hey Chick! Sorry to hear about this poo-poo going on. We’ve had our house broken into and it’s a scary thing. You feel violated. I’m so glad you didn’t lose the baby pictures. Here’s hoping your yuck times are over and that 2010 will be rocking for you.
8 Ann W.
31 December 2009, 10:31 am

I am so sorry all this stuff has happened to you. I am glad your husband did back up photos and that you didn’t loose them all. I hope the New Year is better for you!
9 Devin Knighton
31 December 2009, 11:47 am

I work at Mozy and am happy to help you with the restore of your files if you need it. Feel free to contact me directly.

Devin Knighton
devin@mozy.com
http://www.mozy.com
10 Nikki
31 December 2009, 8:05 pm

And how does holding a Lonely Planet Vietnam prove that you’re in Vietnam? Just kidding! I know you’re there. I’ll gladly be your travel assistant: if it includes room & board and travel costs ;-D
11 The Jacobsen Family
01 January 2010, 10:44 am

I am glad you are feeling a bit better. Hoping things improve more before you get home! Glad you are enjoying Vietnam! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
12 Heather
01 January 2010, 2:30 pm

I had to stop reading your previous post when I got to the part about the pictures and I was so relieved to see that you will not lose the baby ones. Our old hard drive broke after our 3rd daughter was born and we lost all of the pictures of her from 10 days to about 3 months and unfortunately all of the pictures of my grandmother with my kids and then she died shortly after. Even though its awful to lose what you did and feel violated, I’m just so happy you didn’t lose those precious pictures!
13 Rhonda Martin
02 January 2010, 1:37 pm

What a horrible train of events!!! Just be glad you were not hurt in either attempt well except emotionally that is.
I don’t like to use the word hate but I do HATE thieves. What makes them think they can waltz through life taking what does not belong to them is beyond me. Glad you and your family are safe and sound. Take Care
14 Stacy
12 January 2010, 11:41 am

While I just want to say I am so sorry you had to go through this, I am also glad that you decided to share with your readers. You have seriously gotten me thinking about my family pictures. I too, have several back-up drives and have our photos on two computers, but I am now going to spend a little bit of money each month for an on-line back up site just so I have the additional piece of mind that should anything happen–fire, flood, theft–anything, my photos will be stored somewhere else off site. Again, I am so glad you got us all thinking about the “what ifs” because you just never know what can and will happen.