WTH? Today's runner bummer...

Just thinking about that has raised by blood pressure...I would have been so p*&%ed. 

Reading about the recent air quality nightmare in parts of China makes that sound like a living hell.  I know I have a Western viewpoint, but I think I would be doing whatever I possibly could to get the hell out there.

I have a Western viewpoint, too, but I also have a steady, reasonably well--paying job here, and I'm a teacher from a state where nearly every district has laid off over the past few years. It gives me pause. Will a probably recruit next year but no guarantees I'll end up somewhere cleaner and more tri-friendly..... sure hope so! Basically I'm one of a growing number of American economic refugees working overseas because we can earn more and spend less there.

Seriously considering a career change but in this economy that, too, is a big, expensive risk that I'm not sure I can afford right now.

That does suck.  Last year they completely drained the lake I run around to kill of an invasive species (zebra mollusks I think).  I'm not sure if it was toxic or not, but there is nothing worse than running with the smell of rotting fish all around. 

Plus, one can claim up to 250 grand of overseas income from US taxes. Is that still the case? Do you have to pay Vietnam taxes? I know off topic, but curious. 

Bummer about the trash. I really  miss rural running though.. I used to live in the stix, but I  live in suburbia now. 

Uh, yes, I pay Vietnamese taxes and this exempts me from US taxes at my income level. Pretty much the same as, or even slightly higher than I would at home. Have yet to figure out what benefit I get from those taxes (certainly not representation LOL) beyond the right to live and work here, which I guess is something. A lot of locals probably wonder the same thing! But I save a lot more as cost of living is much lower (at least till we factor in my tri habit!) while the salary is competitive with US schools. My last overseas job was in Beijing; Saigon is clean by comparison.

The overall air quality here isn't great, but it's much better than Beijing. Really serious issues tend to be localized and short-term (riding past burning rubbish or field burning). I also live outside the city center, and the industrial area is downwind and miles away, so that keeps things bearable most of the time.

I've heard great things about Vietnam.  A friend of mine spent a year traveling around the world, and his favorite place--by far--was Vietnam.  I have always wanted to visit since hearing his stories. 

Do you teach English?  Have you learned Vietnamese?

So you live on the Little House on the Prairie, but you are in Iowa?  I thought LHOTP was in Kansas?

I live in my LHOTP;) but you're right, Laura Ingalls Wilder's was(is) in Kansas, though she did live in Iowa. 

We just read the whole series to our kids, and they loved it. 

Congrats on your acceptance to the judging show.  Your stuff looks really cool.  I took a metalsmithing class as an adult, and thought it was awesome.  It definitely gave me a great appreciation for the challenges of the medium.