It's been a while since I sat down at my desk and picked up the story of my life again—one week and three days, to be exact. Not that long, but long enough for people to think I'd given up right after I started writing.

Last week was pretty packed. Besides work at the office, I started going back to the gym. Kind of annoying that I had to pay upfront for four months at around 400K a month. It's a bit far from where I live and a bit pricey, but the upside is I get to work out with my buddy—company makes it more fun. Another plus: the route to the gym is convenient. On the way home from work I go straight to the gym, then home, so when it rains the gym doubles as shelter from getting stuck in traffic. I managed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; Thursday I had plans to hang out with friends; Friday was a company dinner; Saturday and Sunday were full-on days.

On Friday the company ate at The Gangs Central. I was too lazy to take photos—or honestly I meant to, but nothing looked worth shooting. While we were eating, a fairly handsome guy sat down at a table. At first I was pretty annoyed: when a stranger joins a table, everyone pays attention to him and the real point of the party—a farewell for a colleague—gets ruined, or so I felt. I'm really not that selfish or unfriendly, but when he just sat at that other table and didn't come over to greet ours, I figured his intentions weren't friendly either—probably trying to hit on the girls at the company. Guys like that, I've seen plenty. A little later I got called over to switch seats. For what? To sit next to that guy and talk to him, because my coworkers couldn't take it anymore. Sure, why not. I went over, greeted him warmly, asked questions, and listened to his stories—even though, truthfully, I wasn't excited at all given the grudge I'd already built. The upside was sitting next to a cute intern. But the main thing was I still couldn't really focus on wishing my colleague well—someone I'd probably never see again. The drunkness made me forget everything, and I only focused on the Hong Kong guy sitting beside me (that's him). After chatting with the Hong Kong guy for a bit, I asked for his Instagram and we set a Sunday coffee date before he flew back home. I was fine with that. Then, tipsy, I got up to dance and tore up the floor—too bad everyone else chickened out; only about three or four tables danced with ours while the rest just watched and laughed. Whatever—I dance if I want, they sit if they want. Just funny when so many people sit; I thought it'd be wilder. We drank and danced until around 11 p.m., then everyone left. I was the first out. I decided to walk a bit on the walking street—and that was a pretty... bad call. I made it about 300 meters with a spinning head, eyes rolling up and down, people blurring in and out—where was I even going? So I sat on a roadside stone bench and lay down... to sleep. Yeah, I know that was stupid, but when you're that drunk, what can you do? Catching a chill would be bad luck, but luckily I didn't get sick? Sigh~~~! I dozed a bit until security probably came and told me I couldn't sleep there. OK, I still listened, stood up, and crossed to the sidewalk on the other side. By then I was completely out of it and couldn't see the road. While walking I stepped into a pool of water—only my right foot went in, my left stayed dry—but my right shoe slipped off and fell into the pool. I vaguely knew I'd dropped a shoe in the water, but I was too drunk to care, crossed to the sidewalk, and lay flat there. If anyone had seen me then, I wouldn't know where to hide my face.

I'd only been lying there a short while when some burly security guys came and told me to move somewhere else. Sigh, fine—I grabbed my phone and booked a Grab home. Still made it home, which is something. In the car I was fine; I just had to rely on the driver. Thank you so much, sir. After getting out I opened the door to go in, but before I could I threw up four or five times. That feeling—honestly I don't think I'll ever get used to it—sour mouth and a throbbing head. I stumbled into the room and don't remember anything after that. Probably collapsed straight onto the floor. Yet when I woke up I was under a blanket with a mattress underneath—my roommate helped. There really are a lot of good people around me. OK, so that night I still crawled home. Lucky. I'd been on a company outing before that was a bit worse; maybe I'll tell that story another time.

I woke up that morning with a head that couldn't possibly be more hungover, but I still sat up and checked my phone for messages...? None, OK—but the fog in my head got clearer and clearer. Still, I didn't forget Cinderella, when she dropped her slipper, and I dropped my shoe... The difference is the princess gets a prince to find her; I had to get up and find my shoe myself. After getting ready a bit and eating breakfast, I Grabbed to the Metro. I'd planned to walk but was too tired and it was too sunny. I'd taken the Metro a few times so no problem. Funny thing: I stopped by my company to pick up the milk tea a colleague bought me—I hadn't drunk it to save room for dinner. It tasted a bit off after sitting overnight, but I still got a few sips for the long trip. From leaving my room to reaching the HCMC Opera House Metro station took over an hour. Then I walked to the street from that night—Nguyen Hue Walking Street. After wandering a bit I spotted where I might have lost my sandal, right next to Uncle Ho's statue. Embarrassing to think about. I searched and searched but couldn't find my shoe. Then I noticed a cleaner watering plants nearby and took a chance to ask. Oh thank god! Heaven was on my side—I found my missing shoe in a trash bag she was about to throw away. She also said I'd stepped on and broken a flower pot in the water below, but she didn't make me pay. I was so happy, thanked her, and left. I'd planned to sit at some coffee shop, but my phone was almost dead so I only walked around a few places and headed home. Along the way I snapped a few photos (I think I need to improve my photography).

Saw this while hungover—hilarious, who designed this, trolling blind people?

Pretty alley, so here's a shot

By here I was pretty wiped—time to head home

After getting home I gamed with my buddy until late afternoon, then we planned to hit the gym a bit. I figured I'd be out all day tomorrow, so I decided to walk over to combine walking and gym (I'd been thinking Saturday or Sunday I'd do a long walk). It was already getting dark when I left, but I didn't care much and kept going—and then it came. A downpour like you wouldn't believe hit me on an empty street. I only had time to duck into a small spot; I still got splashed but had no choice, because I was being dumb. A Grab driver was standing there too. He kindly offered me a rain poncho but I declined—I wasn't in a hurry and he might need it for passengers—but he said he was heading home and had turned off the app. He waited with me about 20 minutes, then left; couldn't wait anymore. After about 45 minutes the rain eased. I still walked toward the gym, two or three blocks away. I'd gone a bit when the rain started again, so I gave up and Grabbed home again. I'd had enough—honestly way too clueless. Back home I just sat around doing nothing, didn't do anything else, got ready to sleep early for my coffee date with the Hong Kong guy I'd just met and a hangout with college friends. I'll write another post about that—there's a lot, and I was really happy that day too.

Pouring rain and a kind Grab uncle

Someone give me an anti-stupidity pill!