KidsBuildingHope's Guestbook

1st April 2008

congratulations!!
Have a great time today! This is what you have worked so hard for. Carly, enjoy this-you deserve it for all you have done. You are going to change so many children and families lives for the better with all of your hard working hands and huge hearts. Can't wait to hear about it!!!

From Blog: Not all fun and games

1st April 2008

Jan Leach
non-member comment

Thanks for sharing your trip with so many in US
Tracy,Will and Helen, Have read with interest and awe of your fascinating ,busy,and memorable trip. Yes ,Tracy you write just like you talk--much enthusiasm and very descriptive. Sue M and I have been following you all and certainly go from "ahhs" with the scenery to "I can't beleive these living and working conditions !" Truly we are so impressed with all that you as a unit have done and continue prayers for 4/1 to be a dedication beyond belief! Our prayers continue for safe journeys home.

From Blog: a little R & R

31st March 2008

KidsBuildingHope
Tracy Hoag

some answers
Fun? Yes Didn't try the cocnut filled with beef -- Helen did -- she liked the beef. I have tried coconut milk though -- didn't like the texture -- but it tasted good. I drink lots of water (it's very hot here). they make watermelon juice here -- it's OK. Guava juice is green -- I didn't like that very much. I've been drinking some Sprite here (more than my Mom lets me have at home) because we rarely eat candy or dessert -- so Pop is a real treat. Strangest thing -- I saw a blue-headed lizard at the beach and a tong lung (don't know how to spell) in our hotel. It is a little lizard who lives in buildings and eats insects. I saw some squid in the fish farm and oddly on our plates. Not speaking the language is hard and strange. Vietnam is much hotter, and it is definitely more crowded. Some kids like to play just like at home -- other kids have to work -- selling stuff or making stuff. The best thing i've liked is watching the men fish today -- it looked like fun, but hard, work. I'm having fun -- but I miss home. Will

From Blog: What a long strange trip it's been!

31st March 2008

OLP Grade 2
non-member comment

Hello!
We are back from vacation and got to see the photos and log ins as a class. Are you having fun? Did you like the coconut filled with the beef? What do you drink? What is the strangest thing you have experienced? Is Vietnam anything like America? What is the best thing you liked? Love, Grade 2 and Miss Durbin

From Blog: What a long strange trip it's been!

31st March 2008

Mady
non-member comment

coffee
hey girly- miss ya (mucho)lol spanish!! anyway thats cool that they use the park as a common space for exercise! neato!! well did the coffee taste good? i bet it was sounds good!! after you told me at school about iced coffee i got some at the store it tastes so good yumm!! Heaven's Palace was also really cool and yeah i would have liked the palace to me mine too haha!! well i will keep checking in with the blogs and the pictures!!! Carly's #1 fan love ya girly muah- mady

From Blog: David's Last Day in HCMC

31st March 2008

Baumoels
non-member comment

frustrating!
Hey Zalenski's and family - We read your 3/31 entry and felt frustrated about the local officials stopping you from distributing the noodles...probably happens more than we realize. Anyway, glad that you thought of a different way to use the food. From Livi: Hey Carly and Abby! Hope your having fun. I loved the pictures of the things you have been experiencing. Can't wait untill you get home and good luck with the school dedication! Love you guys! From Griffin:Hi Jake, I hope you're having a good time. I can't wait untill you get back so we can play outside after school again. It looks like you're doing cool things from the pictures. Jack and I really miss you!

From Blog: Eye-opening Experiences

31st March 2008

Mady
non-member comment

hey
hey girly-im glad u r having fun! that was cool how u drank the coconuts milk! i know that was random but when i was on vacation we got a coconut and we brought it home? lol did it taste good? Carly are you geting my comments?- i miss you come home well tell your family i said hi!! and i keep checking for more pictures and blogs mady

From Blog: Carly and Abby's Perspective -- Day 2

30th March 2008

JoyceAnn
non-member comment

Tracy -- I'm reminded of our trip to the senior center when we were 10 and how impacted you were! I can only imagine how these little souls have touched you now. Thank you for sharing your experiences.... it is a reminder of the wealth we have here, and how we need to be thankful. Sounds like this trip will have a lasting effect on everyone. Stay safe....

From Blog: Not all fun and games

30th March 2008

Uncle Dave
non-member comment

So glad you're safe!
Hey guys, I've been eagerly awaiting to see where you'll pop up next. I'm so happy you've made it to the school. What a great experience, for all you've been through. I love and miss you all.

From Blog: What a long strange trip it's been!

30th March 2008

KidsBuildingHope
Tracy Hoag

hello Lizzy
hey Liz -- well let me just tell you ... hot is an understatement. The worst part is -- it is so misleading because of the ocean breeze. Needless to say -- many a child was sunburned this weekend. As far as the crowding -- it is not... at all. In fact the water park felt a bit Twilight Zonish -- at least there were no lines. the beaches had a handful of people... but overall a nice break. many strange frustrations as the resort seems to be figuring the whole tourist thing out -- but who can complain in that setting??? Miss you guys. T

From Blog: a little R & R

30th March 2008

KidsBuildingHope
Tracy Hoag

emily-
hey! we are having fun! how is your break going??? miss you lots! can't wait to see you! love you, carly and abby

From Blog: a little R & R

30th March 2008

KidsBuildingHope
Tracy Hoag

hey mady!
hey girl! glad to hear from you! i know- the kids loved your bears!!! keep sending me stuff!! and tell jamie and courtney to too!! how was puerto rico???

From Blog: Not all fun and games

30th March 2008

KidsBuildingHope
Tracy Hoag

hey mady!
hey girl! glad to hear from you! i know- the kids loved your bears!!! keep sending me stuff!! and tell jamie and courtney to too!! how was puerto rico???

From Blog: Not all fun and games

30th March 2008

Baumoels
non-member comment

this is so great
Hi Zalenskis and family! We caught up on your adventures and you seem like you are doing great. We especially like how Jake and Will jumped right in there to play with the kids. Here are a few questions: What are your favorite dishes to eat so far?? How many people took care of the kids at the orphange and how old can the kids be before they have to leave?? Are you learning any of the language?? We look forward to the school dedication (you know...the school that Nathan insists that Carly owns) and we hope that you stay safe and sound until you reach good old Canton. We love you guys...

From Blog: a little R & R

30th March 2008

Liz
non-member comment

beautiful!!!
WOW--what else can you say? I am sure that was a welome switch from the craziness of HCMC. How hot was it? Were there many other people there? Good luck this week-you know we are all thinking and praying for you. Keep up the good work!

From Blog: a little R & R

30th March 2008

Mady
non-member comment

i see my bears
CARLY :)- hey looking at the pics of abby at the orphanage!!! that makes me really happy!!! you have no idea!!! that made me tear up well thats VERY sad that there are many severely handicapped children!!! CARLYS NUMBER ONE FAN love ya girly muahhh!!!

From Blog: Not all fun and games

30th March 2008

Mady
non-member comment

love
CARLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! i am so proud of You. wat u do is amazing i mad cause i cant call you.:( and well tell your family hi for me and tell them that i miss them too!! Oh and for everyone that commented.. well.. im carlys number one fan so ha.. lol. but serious that was sad ok well i guess its morning for you there idk but i love ya girly miss ya lots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From Blog: Not all fun and games

29th March 2008

emily
non-member comment

hey guys... its emily... wow! it looks like you guys are having fun...and that place (the beach) looks beautiful!:] hope all of you are having fun...:]

From Blog: a little R & R

29th March 2008

The Knochs
non-member comment

Hope You Are Having Fun!
Thanks for sending these great photos. We anxiously await everyday to see more exciting things! So proud of our cousins for what they are doing! Keep up the great work! Love Sarah and Kristina

From Blog: A day about the town

29th March 2008

Dzia Dzia, Nana and Jim
non-member comment

Glad that you are enjoyin some R&R
After not hearing from you for a couple of days, we wondered what was going on and are glad to hear from you again. It sounds like everyone is doing well and enjoying themselves. We look forward to hearing first-hand about your adventures. Is Jake getting in any baseball practice?

From Blog: a little R & R

29th March 2008

Jennifer (Hospice)
non-member comment

So Interesting
Hi Tracy, Will and Helen I am thoroughly enjoying reading the blog - you are a great writer and story-teller Tracy! I can't wait to hear more in person when you get back. It's like a good book I can't put down. I hope you continue to have a great time with great experiences - awaiting the next entry, Jennifer P.S. I'm with Will - I'd have eyes wide open for the Pizza Hut. Ate at NorthStar last night and thought of you!

From Blog: a little R & R

29th March 2008

Mrs. Gruber
non-member comment

What a beautiful place!
So thrilled to hear from you and be in on all you are doing! Love the "cute" little creature!

From Blog: a little R & R

29th March 2008

KidsBuildingHope
Tracy Hoag

Good point
I didn't mean in any way to imply that it was the taxi driver's problem... it was ours! We are constantly amazed at how willing everyone is to try hard to communicate with us, work with us, help us -- even though we cannot speak the language. I guess I was just trying to illustrate how much we take for granted in the US. And, as I said before -- Will wanted the comfort and security of home -- he just didn't know how to say it. Not once have any of us felt unsafe -- unsure definitely -- but always very safe. Being outside of one's comfort zone only means one thing for sure -- growth!! Thank you for your perspective. Much love, T

From Blog: Not all fun and games

29th March 2008

Jess
non-member comment

I think it's really great you guys got to visit them there! I never even realized how bad it is!

From Blog: Not all fun and games

28th March 2008

Neo
non-member comment

positives
I am sorry in advance if my comments offend anyone. I would imagine that the kids at the orphanage were very happy that they had nice and kind visitors. They would probably thank you for entering their orphanage and entering their life...As for the taxi driver who said "no" to Pizza Hut: I think he may have meant he didn't know where the store was. Not many Vietnamese people eat pizzas because foreign food like pizzas and burgers are more expensive than Vietnamese food. I believe Pizza Hut opened its first store in Vietnam last year and perhaps a few Vietnamese out of every thousands would know where a Pizza Hut store is, especially migrant taxi drivers...As for the safety comment, I think it is not about safety but more about comfort. As you guys are venturing outside/on the border of your comfort zone, it's not easy. Especially when you don't know the language, it's not uneasy not knowing what is going on. I hope the rest of your trip will be smoother and more upbeat :)

From Blog: Not all fun and games

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