Gym membership at JUST the right time

Yesterday I gave my first EVER voice lesson. My student is an 8 year old girl named Lucy, who attends the American International School. Of course, I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing, but then again that's pretty much how I feel with teaching across the board. Learn fast, and never show how fraudulent you actually feel. Besides my feelings of inadequacy, I actually had a good time teaching voice, and I think the age-old adage 'learn by teaching' is true in respect to my vocal technique. We'll see how it goes. I will also have a short-term student after Tet, the music teacher at AIS. While he has a degree in music education, he is eager to learn vocal technique and pedagogy, as his concentration was in clarinet.

This afternoon I went to the Chu bar to meet Chinh in order to try to obtain a piece of mail (pattern?). Maikhoi and some other friends were there, and after our greetings, she said 'Liz, you are getting fat!'. Really? REALLY?! Now, I must say I find honesty as refreshing as anyone, but seriously. She goes on to ask me if I'm hungry. 'um, no, not after that comment.' Still trying to get used to this culture where it's totally socially acceptable to say things like that to someone. Jesus. We had a nice conversation about her daily abs routine, and how I should try it. I let her now I 'd just joined a gym, and was doing yoga and running. She went on to inform me that you don't get skinny by doing yoga. Thank you, Maikhoi.

Perfect timing, as I DID just join a gym. I'm a part of a group of other teachers from Apollo, so it's a discounted rate. $35/month gets me access to cardio and weight machines, multiple classes in yoga and other things, pool access, and a locker room complete with steam room and sauna. I feel fine about the situation, especially because it is a great place to while away the hours of my 3 week staycation, and apparently I'm getting fat (in an adorable attempt at backtracking, Maikhoi said 'no, I meant you are GETTING fat, not that you are fat'). Star Fitness is located in a monstrous residential complex, which could be its own town, and may well have its own zip code, except they don't have those here. It takes about 3-5 minutes to get there from where I live, and I can't walk, which means its a  bit of a pain in the ass. But, I finally get to start running again, and I couldn't be more thrilled.