Morning Chatter

This morning when I came to work the three côs were energetically chatting in the kitchen. Cô is the form of address for someone about the age of one's parents, similar to aunt. So when I say the three côs I mean the three woman who are all about the same age in the office. Sidenote: it is highly incorrect to make any Vietnamese word plural. Please excuse my liberal use of "vinglish". If you were to imagine a family get together where all the aunts have gathered in the kitchen under the pretense of busily cooking but are really just gossiping away, you would have you an accurate visual. I popped my head into the kitchen to say hello, but my appearance went unnoticed because all three women were enthralled in whatever new tidbit of information was being shared. I laughed with my new co-worker, who was in the room but not included in the chatter because he is an anh, older brother, and decided to come back to say good morning later.

It was just a few minutes before I went back downstairs for my ritual morning tea; I debated about earl grey for a while, which I greatly enjoyed yesterday, but in the end decided to go for my new favorite, artichoke. By then they had dispersed and were more casually chatting. I said my usual morning greetings just as both Hannah and Calah appeared. Today is my MCC birthday lunch*, so like any special occasion, the office is particularly full. Before I knew it, the côs and everyone else had left and it was just the chaus (aka, Hannah, Calah and I), gossiping over our cups of tea. We caught up on all that has happened since we saw each other 2 whole days ago, told stories of our host families and just chatted away.

I tell this story not for any great purpose, except that as I walked upstairs to actually begin working I just laughed to myself. We, being people all over the world, are all so similar. I like that fact.


*did you notice how well I managed to casual mention that it is my birthday this week?! I love birthdays!