Cambodia = Love

December 13
Thursday

Usually Thursday’s are easy going because of testing, but today was a disaster. First the kids were fighting in flag line up then Sarat’s parents came to the room to discuss his behavior. Yesterday he and Raksa got into a fight, over a stupid mat. I was not in the room at the time. Apparently Sarat had the mat (to sit on during lunch, only 2) and wouldn’t let him sit on it because he had a group of people already to sit with. In the end Sarat pounded on Raksa head. Raksa then took off his shoes and started whaling on Sarat; not good. I took them to the office to be punished by Sophek. This was the first time I actually had to bring a kid to the office other than for a tie.
Anyway, back to my day. It has finally hit me that Yeema is going to leave me for the year. I only have one more week with her. It’s sad to think I won’t have someone else in the room to laugh with me. Yeema has been such a good helper in more ways she thinks. One, she has kept me sane. Two, she keeps me informed about what is going on in the classroom. Three, I don’t have to run around like a chicken who’s just lost its head to find a translator, and finally, befriending me. I will miss her so much. I was telling her that it’s going to be really different without her around. I’m not worried about handling the kids, that’s the easy part, but someone I can talk to other than my room mates.
You know when I first got here I couldn’t believe I would be here for 10 months, but now I can’t believe I only have 6 more months left. Katrina says I shouldn’t dwell on the time left, but think how many more memories I can make. I really love having Katrina here with me. We seriously laugh our way through the hard times. She is great for me, because I can be pessimistic sometimes. When I left home I always knew I would be coming back, so that eased my nerves. Leaving here is going to be difficult. I have made life long friends here; Yeema, Lao boys, Ben, Kim, Angie and so many more. I just don’t want that day to come when I have to leave them for good. My realization of this is finally hitting me because Yeema is leaving me for good. I told her that when and if I go to Thailand I would stop by Mission College to take her out to dinner. She just laughed and said she would hold me to that. I love my life here in Cambodia.

Random….Riding the moto to T&C I saw my first Mormons (Asian, White, and Black). They had the whole out fit; down to the helmet. Funny.