126,400 minutes

It’s been a minute, or should I say ‘its been 126,400ish minutes’ since I last posted. Apologies – I’m not entirely certain on the reasoning behind the lack of contact or content.

I had planned to write a semi-political post about the political climate in Britain. I’d also drafted ideas on: the handling of COVID, the BLM movement, the potential re-election of Trump, the likelihood of independence for Scotland and a trip I took to an island here in Vietnam…. For one reason or another none of those ideas made it from my brain, to the world, via my fingertips smashing the keyboard and that’s ok.

I have found myself shrinking away from big issues and instead focusing on smaller more immediate concerns on which I can have a direct impact. ‘What sort of concerns?’ I hear you ask… Things like: finding a new house to live in, finding a means to generate an income, finding out what the next few months look like for Jack, finding out if I am able to eat a 1kg burrito (I am), finding out where to get a new motorbike, finding out exactly what it is that makes me ‘tick’.

So those immediate concerns… If you’re as nosey as me, you’d want to know about them for no reason other than to gain an understanding of life from the perspective of another person & that’s great. There is beauty in the mundane. Here is a look into the mundaneness of me!

Finding a new house

I had moved a shared house in March with three students and one traveller. The contract for that house expired in July, when the students were returning to their home countries after completing their semester abroad. We spent lockdown together and then explored parts of Vietnam together – some good relationships for life made.

I could feel the clouds of decision gathering above my dome; I had to find somewhere else to live. My flight back to the UK scheduled for 3rd July had been cancelled meaning I had about 4 days to find somewhere new to live.

I posted on the Hanoi housing Facebook group and 68 messages later I had 68 potential options. In true lazy bas***d style I viewed exactly one apartment and made a decision, I was moving in…

I now live with a South African woman and an Englishman, both a similar age to me. I moved into the 6th floor apartment, about 10 mins drive from my old house. The gaff is more modern than my previous house, has AC throughout and has a nice view of a small lake (see pic above). I have found both of my two houses in Hanoi via Facebook and I have been very lucky – no axe murderer flatmates, no nose pickers, no loud chewers. As it currently stands I plan to stay here until it is time to return back to Bonnie Scotland.

Generating an income

Like mentioned, I had planned to return to the UK in July. Due to COVID and a chance meeting, I decided that the current best scenario was to stay in Hanoi, Vietnam. This however presented a problem – how would I survive? I had some savings but every-time I found myself spending I would feel increasingly guilty… slowly watching the bank balance tick down to nil is like a knife in the chest (especially for a Scotsman). The solution? Generate an income. I had considered teaching, having completed a certification and all, but for one reason or another I haven’t decided to pursue that avenue at the moment. So what to do… After some reading and reflection I realised that I missed parts of the career I left behind (Cyber Security). Technology has an impact on all aspects of life and is constantly evolving, it is hard to keep up. After 6 months out it felt like the right time to return to the industry. Luckily through the relationships and connections I had made in my previous ~four years I was able to sort a remote consultancy role with a great firm. With the current work from home arrangements faced by many it was a natural fit. I am able to work UK type hours – I get up late due to the time difference which suits my sleeping pattern! I am very grateful to have the opportunity to rejoin an industry I enjoy, with people I respect (and respect me) from the other side of the world.

Finding out what the next few months look like for Jack

So what is the plan? I ask myself that question at least once a day. Truth be told I don’t really know… I think the best way to give an idea as to what that plan looks like (in my mind) is to leave some bullet points below:

• Travel to South Vietnam (holiday)
• Continue to work remotely
• See the sunrise
• Buy some more clothes
• Continue going to the gym
• Sort out visa for UK (more on this later)
• Continue to read
• Remain thankful for the experiences I am creating
• Write. more.
• Fly home
• CHRISTMAS

I mention ‘chance meeting’ when speaking about my decision to stay in Hanoi. I also mention sorting out a visa for the UK – ‘why’ I hear you shout? Well in one of those weird coincidences of the world while out in Hanoi… I met somebody. It’s one of the stereotypical stories that has been smashed out on keyboards by those far more able than myself, so I’ll save you cringing through the cliches and allow you to fill in the blanks with your oversaturated imaginations.

I plan to be back in the UK before Christmas. Hopefully by then things will be back to a level of relative normality; I cannot wait to sink an ice cold T in some nondescript boozer in the mighty Leith. Ideally with Hiền.

Finding out if I am able to eat a 1kg burrito

In the part of Hanoi I live in there is a burrito/taco shop called ‘Hey Pelo’ . It is delicious. They have sizes from XS – XL. The XL burrito weighs 1kg – I wanted to find out if I could eat one… I can (and have done twice). It is utterly magic. For reference, a normal Vietnamese client normally eats half a medium in one sitting.

Whilst on the topic of Kg… I weighed myself yesterday and found that I have gained 12Kg (2 stone for the Brits) since April 2020. I am pleased with this – As a big tall slim guy it’s surprisingly hard to gain weight. I’ve been going to the gym and eating hunners of rice (and burritos). Another 5Kg and I will be happy.

Finding out where to get a new motorbike

Remember that bike I bought from an Aussie in a tattoo shop back in Feb? Well anyway, it doesn’t work anymore so I had to go out and look for a new bike. I’ve decided to rent a semi-automatic vs my previously manual bike. The manual is too much hassle in a busy stop start city. 50$ a month for a safe bike that actually works seems like a fair deal…

Here’s a representation of what my face looks like while driving around:

Finding out exactly what it is that makes me ‘tick’

A note of reflection; I am still in the process of working out what it is that makes me feel good.

I think the longer I am away from the comfort and familiarity of home the more I explore me. I have developed a new passion for reading (reading this at the moment) I have dedicated more time to working on my physical health. I have rekindled my love of computers. I’ve started to have lots of positive but mad dreams & enjoy sleeping more calmly than before. I like having company. I enjoy the freedom that a motorbike brings.

Things are by no means perfect and I don’t want to paint a disingenuous picture. I still sometimes find my mind getting caught up in big issues, circling round in gears of frustration. But things are good. I still miss all my mates, I miss fresh air and I miss a proper pint in a real pub. Having said that I wouldn’t change being here, not for anything in the world.

Here’s a poem I wrote when I was pished:

Inabit x