All I need to do is paint flames on my helmet so it looks like I'm going fast.

I just realized today that I'm pretty content with how things are in my life. Sure, I don't want to live in Vietnam forever, but life right now is really great. I get to speed around Hanoi on my silver motorbike, wear scuffy boots and pretend I'm Indiana Jones, eat lychees all day (at 25 cents a kilo, who wouldn't?) , live with interesting and unpredictable roommates, my Vietnamese is noticeably better and my job is something I look forward to everyday.

It figures that Vietnam is one of the only places where I can get by as a writer without also being a waiter.