Going to miss this

June 2
Monday

You know everyday a group of kids come and sit on my desk and just have fun. I literally have kids crawling on me all day long. I still can remember being fired from my babysitting job with my AUNTY! I know what your thinking; family….? Well, needless to say I was not very good at it (got fired) because I didn’t know what to do with little kids. I was completely hopeless. I have never been to good with kids. I just don’t understand there way of thinking, but after being forced to work with kids all day, I think It have a better grip on the handle. Ok, I am getting better with kids, but I’m not the kind of person you want to go to when you cry. I just don’t know what to do. Today, I made Pagna cry because he was not showing respect to God when we were praying. My kids know that when we pray your suppose to bow your head, clasp hands, close your eyes, and be quiet. Well, unfortunately Pagna was not showing respect. So, I asked him to pray for us again so that we could eat lunch. He didn’t pray and I finally let the other kids eat lunch and Pagna didn’t get to eat lunch until he prayed with me. Needless to say he didn’t pray with me, but rather cried until he got his way. I didn’t give in! I literally folded his hands, closed his eyes and made him repeat after me. If he didn’t repeat then we would not continue in the pray. Pagna was not happy with me for the rest of the day. In fact all the boys, which is the whole class, was calling me bad teacher. I was mad about that and I explained that when you disobey me you’re going to have consequences. I don’t like it when you don’t show respect to God. I used the example, that if I came into a temple and was disrespectful; they understood then.

Nothing much...

June 1
Sunday

All this week I have been having troubles with my computer. One day after school I turned my computer on and found that everything was reformatted. I seriously thought that I lost everything; thankfully I didn’t. Nonetheless I decided that I was going to have our computer guy at school look at my school. He said that there was no virus, but probably the best way to fix the computer is to reformat the whole thing. So last night Boramey stayed up all night reformatting my computer. I was so happy for that. Right now I’m using my computer and it works so much better. I guess Rith (who looked at my computer) was right about refreshing the whole computer.

On the weekend I didn’t do to much, but chill out with Boramey. She stayed at my house on Saturday night and we got up early and meet Nylee to go running at the riverside. Well, actually Boramey didn’t run because she stayed up all night to fix my computer, but Nylee and I ran about 3.5miles. This was the first time I ran out in public here. I usually just run on my balcony, which I haven’t because I’m so tired. I think I’m overwhelmed with school and figuring things out before I go home. I have been having headaches every night. I’m going to see I if I drink more water if that will help and go to bed earlier. If that doesn’t help then I think I’m going to go to the doctor up here to see what the deal is. I hope nothing major is happening. I actually just think its stress. Even when I sleep I feel like I got a good nights rest, but half of the morning I’m yawning.

Before I forget ‘rabbit, rabbit’, all your luck is mine now. Today, I dyed my hair back to brown again. Last time I dyed it Katrina did it and it looked GREAT! I loved the color and it was nice and even. I got it done to day and it was nice too, but I sure do miss talking to people while waiting for the dye to settle. Boramey took me to this shop on the corner of pa-sa-ma-oug. I’m really picky with my hair so I was hesitant to trust the people to do my hair. In the end it turned out nice too. While I was sitting there four others girls talked in Khmer (obviously) and I just minded my own business. I miss being able to sit in a barber shop and at least make small talk with your beautician. The beautician shop was not clean and I started to wonder if they ever change/wash the brushes after each use. I decided to block that thought out of my mind considering the fact that she had already started to put the dye in. It figured if I got lice I bought two lice packets from home to be ready. Surprisingly I didn’t have a run in with it, well, that one time before Christmas break. I was holding Mara in my lap and I noticed a whole bunch of white specks in her hair. I didn’t realize what it was until Savoun (KA teacher with Kim) said something to me. That night I was to fly out of Phnom Penh to Korea and I didn’t want to have lice. So I told Klaralyn about it and she let me use her Tea Tree shampoo while I was there.

I called my mom this morning at Boramey’s house and I figured out that I miss out on my job at Papoose. I guess I’m not suppose to go….nonetheless all morning I stayed at Boramey’s house and looked for jobs in Bozeman. I was almost thinking about becoming a nanny for the summer. And work part time in the spring while going to school. Unfortunitely I didn’t find one, so then I remember about Big Sky Resort in Big Sky near Bozeman. Its just like Papoose, but bigger. I started looking online and found some stuff I’m interested in. Most of the jobs are full time, which is nice, but I only need full time during the summer and winter time; during school time part time.

Riverside in the morning

May 25
Sunday

Over the weekend I pretty much spent my time with Boramey. After our regular lunch on Friday we went to the Russian market and I finally bought new flip flops. She took me to a new part of Phnom Penh. I bought black and white ones. All the shoes made here are hand made. You can find shoe repair places everywhere here, but unfortunately they couldn’t fix my old flip flops; man, if they only would have lasted me one more month! Nonetheless I like the new ones I have now.

Back to the long weekend; yes, we had another long weekend. It was Plowing Day in Phnom Penh on Friday. This particular holiday they bring cows to the King’s Palace and the first cow that eats the grass is blessed (I’m not totally sure about this, but this is what I have gathered). I stayed the night at Boramey house on Friday and Saturday. It was really nice, and relaxing. She has this relaxing area out behind her house with hammocks and a place you can plug your computer in to check the internet or do whatever. I really like just sitting in the hammocks and chill’n. We had pancakes for Sabbath breakfast while sitting outside. What I love the most about it is, her house is set apart from the busy Phnom Penh I live in and it’s nice to hear roosters and birds instead of cars and moto’s. I am truly a country girl.

Oh! On Sabbath afternoon we had some of the Lao boys at the house to just chill out. We didn’t do much but talk and enjoy the fresh air. I was responsible for making sure the boys made it back for church service on time (5:00 p.m.), but it started to rain and no one wanted to get wet, well, except for Singphor. So I called and asked Ben what to do and he didn’t say anything and I just decided to wait until the rain died down so bring them home. We were late and I think Ben is mad at me, but whatever I tried to do my best.

Saturday night I just updated my blogspot and chilled at her house. Boramey, Nylee and I have been planning on going to the riverside in the morning to see the people to exercises. So, we finally made a plan to. On Sunday morning we got up at 4 a.m and headed out to the riverside. At first Nelee didn’t get out of bed, but while Boramey and I were driving there he found us. After seeing the sunrise we went out for breakfast. For breakfast we all had noodles. This is the typical breakfast in Cambodia. I have really become a custom to what they eat. Before I would never eat noodle for breakfast. I ate a big meal once before and I felt like I had a rock in my stomach, but now I love it! One more thing that happened while at the riverside, before Neele caught back up with us Boramey and I had a run in with some boys. We were turning onto a rode, but soon found that is was under construction so we stopped to turn around, but so did two other moto’s. Now, I was not because we in the way of traffic or anything they stopped because they wanted to fool around. I really didn’t know what was going on at first, but once I noticed that they stopped and Boramey sped up I figured it was for a good reason. We drove really fast over bumps and I just grabbed onto the moto and held on. Nothing would have happened anyway because we were so close to where people were. I just held on an prayed that I didn’t fall off.
On Sunday afternoon I finished my midterm grades and updated my antivirus. Nova and Khamphia came to the house in the afternoon. It was just a really relaxing weekend. I’m so glad that I decided to step out of my comfort zone and made more friends. Boramey is such a good friend. I will miss her when I leave. I have only a little more of a month left! I have mixed feeling about it all.

The end is coming to FAST!

May 22
Thursday

Today was a really good day. I printed off the majority of my tests and gave them to Sopheck, and all of my kids did quite well on tests. We only had three day of school this week and I was pressed for time for tests and quizzes, but my kids did well. Although this whole week I felt overwhelmed with finishing the final tests, midterms, and no lesson plans. I’m a little frustrated with Kim right now because she has not made lesson plans for almost a month. It bothers me because she is supposed to make lesson plans for both of us, and without them I feel disorganized. Most of you know that when I’m disorganized things go wrong and I get behind. Truth be told we are behind in our English magic time book because she didn’t take the time to calculate out the timing. I have been rushing through our English book to get it all done. I know my kids can do it, but I had to do this last time with my Off We Go books and now I’m having troubles with my kids remembering the last six letters of the alphabet. Remember when Sharon wanted Kim to start making lesson plans for both of our classes and I had to either speed up or slow way down. Anyway, I am having problems again, but you know what I should do is just stop and think. I can do it myself. If Kim gives me lesson plans then I will use them, but if she doesn’t then I will have my own and if Sharon asks me why I’m teaching different things from Kim I will just tell her why. I have not talked to Kim about it, but every Monday I go to her room and ask for the lesson plans and every time I leave empty handed I make it clear that I’m not happy. I should not do this, but rather talk to her and say that when she doesn’t make them if causes problems for me.

If I have learned anything from my past experiences, it’s that when there is a problem I need to tell it out. Keeping it inside does nothing, but cause bigger problems. The end of the year is approaching fast and I’m not sure how to feel. I know that when the day comes to leave I will be very sad. I was talking to Dream last night about leaving and I said that I might come back in June again to see them, Ben, Kim and the baby. But, that is just an idea. I would love to, but theoretically I probably won’t happen. We will see. Tomorrow I’m going to hang out with Boramey. My flip flops I bought while in Thailand with Katrina have developed a hole. I would just buy another pair, but I’m big foot and they only make size 40 and I’m a size 42. Boramey is going to take me to a place she thinks will work. I am also going to try and finish my tests. Pray that I get them done because the end is coming soon and I want to get organized. I want to make lesson plans for the rest of the year so that I can make sure my kids know all the information on the tests. Pray that they can remember all of them and that all the teachers at CAS can finish strong.

Papaya Salad!

May 13-19
Tuesday-Monday

We had another holiday. This holiday was for the King’s Birthday (Tuesday through Friday off). Even with the holiday I was going to work to get my tests done and I still have not finished. I only have to do Science and Math. Math is going to take me the longest because I have to make lines and draw things; not to hard, but very time consuming. Last quarters test I did and it took me for ever to do, and it didn’t even last me an hour. I need to add more and make it a little harder.

I have to say. I’m really proud of one of my students. Bunthorng (Bun-thong) He has made huge improvements. At the beginning of the year; no, throughout the whole year he has never done to well in my class. Its not that I don’t try and help him, but rather that he doesn’t pay attention in class. But recently I have been putting him with kids smarter than him and I think its starting to rub off on him because he is starting to learn how to phonetically spell words. Meaning if I say the sound he can write the letter and spell the word. I first noticed this earlier this week. I was giving a mini quiz to see where they are in spelling and reading and he did quite well. But you know what; I guess he has been doing this for sometime now because when I would correct his quizzes/tests he would do better than usual. I guess I just never thought too much about it, but now I know what I need to do to help him out. I’m really proud of him. Its little things like this that makes me want to become a teacher. I love knowing that I have helped this child learn to read. Maybe I will get something for him and have a Khmer teacher translate for me when I give it to him and explain why.

Ok, now back to what I did over my holiday. I didn’t do too much, but I hung out with Boramey and the Lao boys a lot. During the day I would get up and head right over to their house with my computer and work. At night we would watch a movie or play cards. Oh! On the 15^th we celebrated Nova’s birthday. If it wasn’t for Lakena (Senior) bringing a present to him we would of never known. It just so happened that I wanted to learn how to make papaya salad that night. I had promised Khamphia that we would do it last weekend, but I just forgot, but he reminded me that day. So, Boramey and I went to Pa-sa-ma-oung (market by our house) to buy all the ingredients. I want to make it for my friends and family when I go home. It’s really good! Every time I go out to eat I order it; Som tom. That night was one of the best nights ever. We made papaya salad, watched a movie and took lots of pictures. Also Boramey stayed at my house for the first time. It was just an enjoyable night. I am truly going to miss those boys. I love each and every one of them for different reasons.

What I just remembered one more thing. One night Singkham and I went to the internet shop with Boramey’s moto and while we were there it started raining like crazy! Singkham didn’t want to go out in the rain, but I really wanted to get all wet. So we headed out! We drove around on the moto for about 20 mins in the rain! Once we got home Boramey and I played in the rain for awhile. The rain is so warm here that you don’t have to worry about getting sick.

During the holiday we talked a lot about my trip to Loa’s. So far I have figured out that I’m going to stop at Dreams province first with Khamphia and Nova; stay their one or two day then travel onto Porms province with Khamphia and Nova for sure. Dream might have to stay at home to help for the rest of the week, but we will see. Oh, and interesting thing, I have to ask Porms village first before I can stay, not sure why, but I just hope I can. After Porms province Khamphia, Nova and I will travel on to Venetian (Capital of Laos). I will then go to see waterfalls, and travel onto another part of Laos with Khamphia and whoever wants to come. I’m really excited to see how this all plays out. At first, when I was thinking of going, I was a little worried because I was going to be by myself, but they keep assuring me that they won’t leave me. I went and talked to Fay about it earlier and she said that when they went Khamphia was their helping the whole time. So that gives me some assurance that he won’t leave me. When I fly back to Phnom Penh from Laos I’m hoping to visit Siem Reap (Ankor Wat) with Boramey. I will be really short on time, but I am going to try and make it all happen. If I start to pack before I leave for Laos I will have more time. Because as of right now I am coming back from Laos on the 11^th (Friday) and the following day I would leave to Siem Reap with Boramey then come back on the 13^th (Sunday) or 14^th (Monday) and then pack to leave on the 16^th (Wednesday). Not much time to get ready to leave, but I will try and make it happen. Man, am I going to be really tired of traveling. Once I leave on the 30^th to Laos I will be doing nothing but traveling until I get home! I hope I’m not too cranky when I come home. You know, if I’m correct I arrive in Bozeman at night, like 10 or 11:30ish. You all will be tired and I will be set to go. My mom says that she is going to drive my car up so that I can drive it home. I really can’t wait to be able to drive myself to places. I do love riding moto’s, but at the same time I miss being able to drive myself.

So, that is what has been going on in my life right now. I have only a few more weeks of school left and I have mixed feeling about it. I am going to miss all of this. When I go home please be understanding if I want to come back. Its not that I don’t love you, I just love being abroad. I was talking to Darren Wilkins about this a long time ago and I still can remember what he said to me, “Once you get the travelers bug you don’t want to stop.”

Sambo

May 18 (May 11, Sunday)
Sunday

Like I said I’m really getting behind on my blogspot. Anyway, last Sunday afternoon Boramey and I went to Wat Phnom to ride an elephant. Remember when I said we would do it awhile ago, but we just never could make a good time for both of us, so a couple of weeks later we finally did it. I was so excited too! We arrived there just about the time it was scheduled to rain (3-4 p.m), but thankfully it didn’t rain. What I was so surprised with was how easy it was to get onto the elephant. Sambo (his name, which means a lot) just walked right under stairs, which you climb to get on. The forty year old elephant must have done this so much that it all comes natural. Sambo could probably walk around without someone leading him and be perfectly fine. As we were getting on and getting situated I dropped my camera! I was really worried someone would run under Sambo and take off with it, but fortunately the man in charge just picked it up and gave it back to me on a stick that he uses to guide Sambo. Just as we were ready to take off a man approached us and asked if a little boy could ride with us. It didn’t matter to me. So, he climbed on and we headed off. The ride was really fun. Sambo of course had to walk right into the branches. LOL! Everyone was looking and smiling. The ride lasted for about 20-30 minutes. What I loved was how we all moved to one side of Sambo with each step. His head had long grayish hair. I wanted to touch him with my feet so I took my shoes off and felt every movement on top of his neck; soft and squishy. Before the ride I had bought some corn from a street cart (1000rel; 25cents) and started to eat it. I offered the little boy and Boramey some, but none takers.

After the ride we got a picture with Sambo, and a little more. The man whom approached us at the beginning came to say thanks and explain the little boy. It turns out that the he has Aids. His parents died because of it and now the boy is going to face the same fate. I was completely blown away. How could a little boy have Aids? Why? He is only twelve years old and will never get to even have the option of having the joys of growing up. The man was running an orphanage filled with children like this little boy. He was French and could speak Khmer. At first he started talking to me in French, but I said I’m American. He couldn’t speak good enough English so I asked him in broken English if he could speak Khmer; thankfully he could. Boramey translated for me and I got the whole story. The man (father) was taking him around Phnom Penh to do what he wants for his last weeks on earth. I didn’t know what to say to the man. I was so blown away with the little boy. WHY? Why, was he burdened with this?

After the elephant experience we went to the Olympic Stadium. I have driven by it so many times and always wondered what went on, that day my questions were answered. As I walked in there were at least 20 games of football (soccer) go on. In order to keep the games divided they would use their shoes as goalies and boundaries. We had to run in between people to get across the way. We walked up lots of stairs to get into the bowl of the stadium. At the time there was a college football game going on. I’m not much of a football fan, but it was nice to see all the people running along the stadium stairs. At four o’clock people start dancing for exercise. They set up different stations for you to choose. It only cost 500rel (13cents) to participate. I saw anywhere between twelve years of age to forty. It was pretty nice to see a different part of Cambodia. It’s nice to know that some people actually work to stay small.

David's house

May 14 (April 16^th or 17^th)
Wednesday

I have been intending to write about my visit to David’s house for a long time, but just never go around to it. During my last break (Khmer New Year) all the Lao students, Ben, Kim and I all went to David’s house. David is a tenth grader at the school and his sister Pon-luor (no idea how to spell) is in twelfth grade. Their father (Tendou) is the pastor in the Kal Dal province. It took us about 30-40mins to get there. David rides his bike to school everyday! The whole family is really good in English. This is the kind of family where the parents study with the kids. Tendou knows not only Khmer and English, but also Thia and Lao. Ben asked him how he learned so many different languages, he responded, “Learn little by little from people and put it into practice.”

We made lunch and ate together. I was most excited about the food because it was really different. Ok, just have to say when they eat fish they don’t cut the scales off or head. All they do is gut it and then stick the whole thing in to a pan, plop it on a plate and eat. I was first introduced to this when the Lao boys made me dinner way at the beginning of the year. I didn’t know how to eat it, but Katrina showed me how; thankfully. I’m not a fish fan to begin with, but its starting to grow on me. Anyway we had chicken, fish, vegetables, rice (given), and mango. It was delicious!

After lunch we went outside in front of the house where they garden (sell) mango trees. We laid down bamboo mates and all chilled out for the afternoon. I was so stuffed from lunch I fell asleep while everyone else played games. Once I woke up I felt like I had a rock in my stomach so I decided to go for a walk around the village with Mia (Lao girl). We walked for about an hour around the whole village. We crossed a really sketchy bridge, but I figured if moto’s can drove on it then why can’t we.

Tendou invited us to stay for dinner, but I was still stuffed from lunch and I don’t eat dinner so I was not up for the idea, but I kept my mouth shut. Ben talked to the Lao students and they all wanted to get home for the night. The day at David’s was relaxing. It was nice to get out of the house and the city for the afternoon. I can’t wait till I get home and look out my window to see mountains!