Happy 237th Birthday Marine Corps!

This weekend was our Marine Corps Ball. Per usual, it was a jam packed weekend, however, this weekend had the most beautiful days we have seen in Ha Noi.

I am feeling really grateful today.

Friday morning: Apparently my yogi tea knows it's the month of gratitude. 

I am very grateful for my husband, our new city, new home, friends and colleagues. 

I feel truly blessed.

My assistant V and another colleague decided to take me out for Bun Cha; a specialty of Ha Noi. The Embassy is near a street lined with Bun Cha shops, but the took me out to another place that was "better." 

Bun cha; rice noodles, bean sprouts & herbs, grilled pork and sauce(fish sauce, carrots & green papaya) Decent, but not amazing.

We opted to stay in on Friday and night and rest up for Saturday's festivities.

Saturday morning we woke up to the most beautiful day in Ha Noi:

WOW. Have I mentioned how much I love Ha Noi?

I had a date with a colleague who offered to show me the "best of" Xuan Dieu; a street on West Lake that has a lot of ex-pat goods; clothes, restaurants, spas, Western grocery stores, etc. Luckily, I was distracted by great company, otherwise I would have spent a ton of money.

Passionfruit lime granita from La Salsa

Drooling; amazing spread of cheeses

We almost NEVER eat cheese anymore!

Flower market on wheels

A beautiful view of West Lake--if you look closer....

...you can see the fisherman:)

After a lovely morning, my purse was full of delivery menus(it's amazing what you can get delivered here) and business cards. I headed off to the salon to get my hair did. To my surprise, several of my favorite colleagues were also there getting their nails done at Lancy's

It takes two; Ms. Lam called for backup to help brush out my curly hair

In honor of our impromptu celebration; we had sparkling wine delivered to us! 

Hairspray and bubbly: an excellent combo

After I got my hair done, I paid my 350,000VND($18), tipped the assistant and went back to the apartment where another girlfriend came over to help me with my eyeliner. As many of you know; I am the daughter of a hairdresser and therefore incredibly lazy when it comes to doing my hair or makeup. I never thought of myself as spoiled, but I really was having a mama that could do my hair so well. 

Now any girl loves a good reason to get dolled up, but the Marine Corps Ball is so much more than that:

"On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of "American Marines." Congress commissioned 31-year-old Samuel Nicholas, a well-known Philadelphian, as captain of the fledgling force of Continental Marines. Nicholas raised two battalions of Marines and began the long, illustrious history of the United States Marine Corps.

On November 1, 1921, General John A. Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. The order provided a summary of the history, mission, and traditions of the Corps. General Lejeune directed that the order be read to every command each subsequent year on November 10th in honor of the founding of the Marine Corps. This tradition has continued every year since 1921 throughout the Corps.

The first official "Birthday Ball" was probably held in 1925 in Philadelphia. No official records of the event were held prior to that date. Guests at the ball in 1925 included the Secretary of the Navy, General Lejeune, well-known national leaders, and representatives from all the military services.

On October 28, 1952, Commandant General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. directed the celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday be formalized throughout the Corps. The details were included in the Marine Corps Drill Manual approved in 1956. General Shepherd's order helped bring together the inclusion of a cake ceremony and other traditions still held every year at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball."

courtesy of http://www.usmcbirthdayball.com/history

Before the ball, we took some pictures from our rooftop:

I am the luckiest girl:)

What handsome men!

Sunset in smog: beautiful.

This is way more fun than a high school dance, but we all felt like we were getting ready for prom:)

We called severals cabs and headed to the ball. It started with cocktail hour. I must say, our Mission is one handsome group of people!

My two buddies from Language class in DC--I am so lucky to have had such fun classmates!

My assistant V, she won the raffle for a free ticket to the ball AND got her tailor made her dress for free because she was so excited to go. 

She is a great example of how good things happen to good people. She is always happy and positive.

Our table was full of handsome people....

So fun!

The program

Another good looking couple at table 6

We watched a birthday message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps on the big screen, followed by presentation of the Color Guard, Escort of the birthday cake and speeches by two guests of honor; Our Ambassador and a visiting Commander. I am incredibly proud to be an American and grateful to the services of the men and women of our armed forces.

Then came dinner.....

Onion quiche and salad

Pumpkin bisque

Table six

Trouble

Girlfriends

What's a Marine Ball without tequila?

Beef tenderloin for Hubs

Sea Bass for me

"Birthday cake"

Team CLO! I love these girls.

After dinner came dancing, the floor was PACKED and the Mission got DOWN. It was a sweaty mess of fun and we went home happy and tired. I am looking forward to many more reasons to celebrate our Marines! 

The Marine Corps ball is rich in tradition; In 1952 the Commandant, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., formalized the cake-cutting ceremony and other traditional observances. For example, Marine Corps policy now mandates that the first piece of cake must be presented to the oldest U.S. Marine present. The second piece goes to the youngest Marine. Among the many such mandates is a solemn reading of the Commandant's birthday message to the Corps. 

http://www.marinecorpsball.com/info.php?i=392

The final and most solemn toast is always to fallen comrades. Last night, this tribute was marked with a display; an empty table with a black tablecloth, inverted glass, blank dog tags, and a symbol representing tears (salt above).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dining_in

HAPPY 237TH BIRTHDAY MARINE CORPS!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION!

SEMPER FIDELIS!