Frenchy Hanoi

 A short trip was what I needed to break the mundane routine and also of course to tell stories again.

Where can you go except a neighboring land which I have not seen but heard.

This time we picked Hanoi.

 The airport greeted us with this reminder.

A visitor will detect the tone of the language used commonly here; definitely not English. 

The French occupied this land for a good 90 years and French is taught and spoken in schools.

So it's French speaking Hanoi and if you know the language you can find your way around quite effortlessly.

Knowing English is not a guarantee of  you being understood.

It is good to see how people thrive under this communist party led land and their common practices.

 Meet Quan; our guide. He speaks American English quite flawlessly. 

Quan is friendly, young and a graduate of Arts and tourism.

He says he is from the often used term; skinny land. 

Vietnam covers a strip of coastal land and definitely 'skinny' in measurement.

 Look at the ladies, men as well. All so skinny and healthy. The buildings are skinny in image too. The width of most buildings are no more than 16 feet but it has at least 4-5 floors.Quan says Vietnamese still practise extensive family living and each family would occupy a floor. So your eyes have to get used to skinny looks.

The first day after a night's rest saw us visiting the highest Pagoda recorded in the city.

Before reaching the temple, we had to go through ponds of the lotus species.It was a sight to behold as we had never seen such a spread before. Beautiful blooms popping out naturally with little fuss.

 The temple is hidden among lush landscape amidst flora and fauna; truly a perfect place for meditation.

 Of Chinese architecture, one would assume that Buddhism has long parked itself deeply among the people and we were told that the religion is the main practice of the Vietnamese.

 Here we also witnessed a thousand year old tree; I hope I am not wrong. The jack fruits are the produce of the tree and it is a very tall tree indeed.

 To reach the place meant a lot of climbing too. Pa says no problem but the knees have tales to tell. Notice the young lass helping the mother? She is a good girl and looked after the interests of her mother well. 

We met them on the trip.

The steps reminded me again that trips to lands should be made as quickly as possible when my legs and heart are strong . I am afraid I cannot bring my mother along.

 The caves among the landscape are beautiful.

Every curve has a story to it.

 With such a ground for the lotus plant, the locals are directly involved with this activity; picking fruits of the flowers. The kids grow up with them and know what to do with them.

 These are the seeds; very versatile as they can be used as the paste for Chinese cakes .

When fried they can be eaten as nuts.

 When used as ingredients for drinks, they give that extra difference. 

Indeed the lotus is the symbol of life for the Vietnamese.

Vietnam Airlines has the Lotus as its national trademark.

So much for the short walk up the temple and the sight of lotus.

Season's Greetings

Greetings 

To all my friends, colleagues, students and acquaintances...

May all enjoy meaningful moments with loved ones during this festive season.

A happy time of togetherness indeed.

Budding Scientists

 Today I was asked to witness some experiments. 

I learnt some good things. 

It proves that we do not stop knowing something new each day; whatever age.

It also says that it is inspiring to know the students are trying out some interesting acts.

It is also encouraging to see some serious learning among students.

 Diapers and babies.

Why? Today I learnt the principle behind diaper making.

I also now know why some magicians manage to trick onlookers so convincingly.

 First, Heng Yee of 5 Science 1 filled a cup with water.

 Like a magician, he started to switch the position of the cup among cups without water and asked blatantly; which is the cup with the water...

You can point at any cup...the answer is still ?

 The missing water. Where is the cup with the water?

The magic word is sodium poly acrylate powder !

A super absorbent; it absorbs water up to 300 times of its weight; the water then becomes a mass as shown.

This powder must have been applied to baby diapers too; that's how babies are kept dry even after peeing...

 Heng Yee says; now you know.

Yes, now I really know.

Next, the fourth formers also want to show off some skills.

 This time it's Borax powder !

Jonathon told me that the toughest job of the experiment was getting Borax ! He finally found it at IOI mall.

 The group are into making Borax crystals and the order for them is a long list.

 Some super saturated solution is created by heating borax powder over a fire.

 Next, strings of pipe cleaners are placed into the solution.

As the solution cools, the borax particles stick onto the rough surface of the pipe cleaners; attracting more particles each time.

After 6-12 hours, lo and behold crystals ! Yes, crystals are formed and like magic...they become decorative items for the home.

Priced at RM3, RM4 and RM 5 depending on the look, these borax crystals are a hit among the students !

The excited ones next has this to display.

 Ashley and Kyshanty eagerly ushered me to share their excitement. They told me that a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, food colouring, potassium ioxide and the popular dish washing soap will entertain us well indeed !

 See, the potassium iodide acts as a catalyst to remove the oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide and while trapping the oxygen and creating bubbles, the mixture next transforms into foam ! Real long foams !

 The term they used to describe the foam is : Elephant toothpaste. Quite an appropriate one.

Kishen, Dharisiny and Yun Mun have something for us to ponder.

DNAs...

 Kishen says the banana is best used for this experiment as it has properties so close to the human for DNA findings. He says if he were able to change the chromosomes of the fruit, it would be like extracting human DNAs. Can we believe him?

 Crushed banana is mixed with table salt and distilled water. Now they use the famous dish washing solution again; just a mere teaspoon. I asked the students why they love the dish washing solution? They replied that is has many properties suitable for experiments.

 The dish washing solution breaks the nucleus of a cell and releases the diluted DNA into the solution.

Then a few drops of pure alcohol are added and when they coagulate the DNA, it will form a mucus-like substance on top of the solution.

 Now, the testing begins. Whose DNA is this ?

This method can be used in forensic science to find the DNA of a murderer !!! Wow.

Learn, children learn and do not make the teachers go round the school like in a circus...

Learn right things .

What a learning experience today.

Tahniah!

Happier Times.

 Robin understands the Malay term well.

After all he has mingled among Malaysians for many months during his teaching practice here last year.

He is a hit among teachers and students and we remember him with great fondness.

 His famous daily delivery of learning a word a day had Shakir holding that placard almost everyday for months. But it was good fun; someone teaching the language in a different approach.

 Even after he has left; his impact is still missed.

 This is also his silent way of observing how the children come together in co-curricular activities. He must be wondering at their commitment and if that could be practised back home? I hope he has brought home some best practices he observed.

 School is fun when we have guests from other countries; the children love to see variety and there was this time when Robin had his entourage in town! They came for the assembly and shared their delights with us. Good memories; Robin.

It was real fun and joy while it lasted.

So, how not to say "tahniah" when you have finally found your beautiful, graceful wife?

May you have eternal years of a good marriage and do not forget to have many children. 

Then bring your family to Malaysia and visit us.

 This time, be my guest.

Congratulations, Robin and Nele.