Our travel to Thialand

February 3-8
Sunday-Friday

Katrina and I decided to leave Cambodia during our week off. We’re planning on going to Thailand to visit Phil and see the country. Prior to this trip we couldn’t decide if we wanted to go to Vietnam or Thailand because Katrina has been to Thailand. So, we ran into some problems on where to go. How ever we came to a conclusion, Thailand.
On the 3rd we headed to the bus station at 7:30 am and traveled to Sihanoukville. Upon arriving we got really confused where to buy fairy tickets.
All the moto drivers as usual were all in our faces trying to be “helpful”. I really hate it when I’m crowed with people who don’t let me think (thinking before acting is a great idea). Because what happens is you get all confused and end up going to the wrong place. Yes, that is what happened! Katrina and I were originally planning on going to Koh Chang; islands outside of Thailand, but got pushed into going to Koh Kong. You know how you know the answer to a question, but when the questionnaire asks, all your knowledge gets jumbled together. Well that kind of happened when the moto drivers answered our question to, “Where is the fairy that goes to Koh Chang?” With the language barrier they thought we said Koh Kong, and would not let Katrina and I think for at least 5 seconds. I was getting really pissed off with this one moto driver who was mocking us because we (Katrina and I) were trying to figure things out. At one point he said, “Do you understand English?”
(What a little bastard) So, after we bought the fairy tickets we found a place to sleep, and chilled at the beach for the rest of the day.


On the 4th we traveled to Koh Kong by boat. I didn’t know what to expect upon arriving. For all I knew we would be riding on the back/top of a shipment boat. Thankfully it was not like that, but quite nice. As we boarded, Katrina wanted to sit on top of the boat (no seats on top. Just sit Indian style and hold on for life). I really didn’t want to because I was in skirt and didn’t feel like climbing on top of a boat, but gave in and was happy in the end except for the sun burn I got (I should have thought about bring sun screen). The boat ride was pretty nice, we got lots of wind, sun and the view of all the little islands; very pretty! Oh! I heard French spoken for the first time in real life. I was totally thinking of the Wilkins family the whole time and how they could chat up a storm with them. I personally was intimidated by them, not sure why. Maybe because French people don’t like American to much, so as you can imagine I kept my talking to a minimum. Our boat ride was about four hours. When we arrived in Koh Kong we had no idea of where to go, so we got into a taxi that took us to the Thailand border. Getting in to Thailand was pretty easy, because we are American citizens we didn’t have to pay for an entry fee.
Our taxi man was trying to rip us off and said we had to pay three dollars each, when at the dock (where he picked us up) he said two dollars. I was not happy with him and refused to pay him the extra dollar and walked away. He kept trying to push the money back at us while saying, “You no pay!” but I just ignored him and hoped he would leave us alone. So finally we got on to a bus that was going to take us to Pattaya. A place Ben and Kim went for their honeymoon. The bus ticket costs eight hundred baht, which comes to a whopping twenty-five dollars. May not sound like much to you Americans whom make more than me, but I only had one hundred and twenty dollars to spend on this trip and had to take the cheapest routes. Anyway, our bus ride was five hours and was quite comfortable. There were two other Americans who live in Thailand and as I quote, “because I’m a dirty old man.” There was also a man from London who could speak pretty good English.
So after five hours in the bus we finally arrived in Pattaya. Katrina and I had no idea of what the hell to do. So I quickly said a pray and asked God to send us a helper. Not even five minutes after my pray the Americans (who live in Thailand) asked us what were planning on doing. The conversation ended with him helping us out. He recommended an area which was cheap and safe. One of the Americans got really pissed of with the taxi driver because he didn’t know his way around Pattaya and ended up getting kicked off the bus. Katrina and I were a little worried because we didn’t know what to do with out him helping us. So he told the taxi driver to take us to this area.
Out of nowhere the taxi driver demanded more money, fifty baht, and we didn’t want to pay for that. So, we got dumped off the bus with the guy from London. He was an older man and asked us if we wanted to get a drink before finding a place to stay. I immediately played the really tired role and just wanted to find a place to sleep. He understood and we continued to find this area, but in the commotion of everything we got separated from him because he didn’t want to pay the taxi driver the price he wanted. Katrina and I just wanted to find a place to relax and it was about eight or so by now. The taxi driver took us to a guest house called the Utid Court and costs five hundred baht a night. The guest house is ok; it’s equipped with a T.V., bathroom, fridge, closet and bed for one. There is however no window, but who cares. The price is perfect for us and it’s actually pretty nice.
The 5th we had nothing on the agenda because we came to the wrong place. If we had a chance to think before we acted back in Sihanoukville we would not be in this situation. Never the less Katrina and I were fine. We are the kind of people who can make do with what is thrown. I just laugh at us sometimes because we really are laid back and who knows if that will gets us into trouble someday.
All we did that day was go to Mike’s mall and look around. Oh, and also Katrina got a tattoo. She was planning on doing this sometime and decided to do it here in Pattaya. So we spent an hour or so at the tattoo place. The tattoo artist was so funny. His name was Jo and he gave Katrina a discount because she was part Pilipino. Katrina designed the tattoo of North and South America with ‘have’ on North and ‘hope’ on South America. Really cute and it fits her personality.

I would have gotten one too, but didn’t because I don’t want to have to wear pants all year long to cover up my ankle.
After that we went down to the beach and got fruit from the street vendors and chilled out there. We also chilled at Starbucks for awhile, and ironically enough we saw the French man drive by on a moto looking really lost and confused; we laughed at this. That evening we didn’t want to spend much money so we bought a half chicken and rice from another street vendor, and spent the rest of the night chilling in the room watching Eva Almighty. We are planning on going to Bangkok tomorrow to visit Phil.
Alright finally I have caught up on my blog (Jan 6th). So, today we left from Pattaya at 9:30 a.m. which will put us in Bangkok around 11:30 a.m. While on the bus I really had to pee the whole time, and would have gone if I would pull myself to get up and go. You see the first time I tried to go (on the bus) I didn’t think the door could open any farther than already opened. I knew I couldn’t fit in through little space so I just went and sat back down, but quickly hoped I hadn’t. I also gave a disgusted face to the others sitting by me which gestured to, no way in hell! So, as I sat their in agony one person after another went to the bathroom and pulled the door open all the way. “If I only had pulled the door open more, than I wouldn’t be in this situation”, I thought. None the less I couldn’t pull myself to get back up and go to the bathroom. I didn’t want people thinking, “Oh well now she really has to go.” Stupid I know!

We were supposed to call Phil when we arrived, but ended up having trouble getting the pay phones to work. I finally gave in and asked someone; I’m such a man sometimes. After Phil took us to his humble-abode I was really overwhelmed with the city. Phil and Katrina were laughing at me because I wasn’t talking and looked perplexed. Truthfully I hate cities and get really uncomfortable with so many people. That afternoon Phil took us to one of many malls. I was blown away with Bangkok. At the mall you have Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, and crazy food prices. I wanted the cheapest thing I could find and figured it would be fruit; how I was wrong. A freaking guava costs me thirty five baht; ridiculous! I could have gotten that from a street vendor for maybe ten baht. Also in the mall they had an aquarium on the bottom floor. I couldn’t pass this up. Katrina didn’t want to go because she has been to this kind of thing before and me, whom lives in Montana has only gone one other time; eight grade year in Seattle. I felt weird being in there all alone among couples and parents, but figured I can’t do everything with people. I need to things I want to do even if that means doing it by myself. Oh! You should be proud because I held my first snake. It was called the corn snake (I think). I would look it up, but I don’t have internet right now and it’s not that big of a deal to me. All I care about is that I held a snake! So exciting! The people were laughing at me

because I looked so scared. The picture tells it all. For the first time I got to walk in an underwater tunnel. It was so cool. I also got to ride in a glass boat, which is a boat with glass on the bottom so you can see all the fish; saw lots of sharks. After touring the aquarium I got to see a 4-D show. It was really cool because the seats moved and puffed air in our faces. After leaving the mall Katrina and I had to head back to the apartment to see Phil off. He has to travel to Chang Mia to renew his visa. He was kind enough to let us stay in his place. Anyway, on the way back we got lost. Phil told us to take the 71 bus, and after two over head walk ways to count to ten then push the bottom to stop the bus. We ended up counting to fast and got totally lost. I don’t know how many times we walked up and down the streets before we figured it out. It was comical.

Dinner we walked down the street where Phil showed us earlier to the street vendors. Our dinner consisted of chicken, fish, rice, and some kind of papaya, but with a twist. Just think our dinner cost 95 baht and a latte at Starbucks would be 145 baht. You see what I mean by the street vendors are really cheap and really really good. So far this trip was been anything but boring. I love it and only hope for the next two day it will be just as good.

On the seventh we had nothing really planned. So the night before we stayed up until two or three o’clock in the morning figuring things out or just taking the opportunity of wireless. Anyway, we finally figured out we would go see some museums, go to the park, and at night we would go see Jeanie (our SM coordinator from WWU). Jeanie was in Bangkok for some meeting with other SM coordinators from SDA colleges.

We finally got out of the room around nine-tenish. We took the sky train to Limpini Park. This was one of the bigger parks in Bangkok. Katrina and I decided to spend our time there because we don’t have parks in Phnom Penh, and were broke. After getting off the sky train we crossed a street and made our way into the park. I really wanted something to eat and was looking forward towards the street vendors, but nothing was there. So, I settled for an ice coffee.

Sitting by the big pond, which stretched throughout the park, we notice duck boats on the water and wondered if we could rent one. I really wanted to do it so we walked over and paid eighty baht. If we returned the duck boat on time (half an hour) than we would get our forty baht back. At the time there were fountains in the water and I got the bright idea to get wet. Approaching the fountain I realized I didn’t want to get that wet, but it was already too late. Katrina freaked out and stopped peddling which turned the duck around and got me soaking wet. There was a security man on the shore with his hands on his hips grinning at us. I couldn’t help but laugh at him. It was really funny! We got our butts soaking wet, which didn’t dry until we left the park. While flaunting about on the water we saw these really huge lizard looking like things; Komodo dragon (?). One was right on the shore of the water and I didn’t realize how close we got to it until Katrina said something because I was looking through my camera. After returning the duck we walked over to the playground. The security man blew his whistle while we were swinging (They use whistle for everything here. Like at the Sky train, if so much as your sleeve crosses the yellow line he will blow his whistle. Everyone looks at you like, didn’t you know; stupid foreigners.). I guess in Thailand older people can’t play on the toys.

We left the park about twoish and headed out to the museums. Since Katrina and I didn’t know how to speak Thai and their language is mostly tonal it was really hard to get around other than the Sky train. So for the most part we stuck to the places the Sky train took us to. Our first stop was the Thai Culture Design Center (TCDC). It was located in one of the many malls on the 6^th floor. After locating the elevator we noticed there was not a 6^th floor. So we got off on the 5^th floor and asked someone where the TCDC was. She looked at me like, you are on the 5^th floor you need to go one more floor up. But I responded, “There is no 6^th floor. So do you know where the TCDC is?” She said we were in the wrong part of the building. How the hell was I suppose to know there was two parts to this mall. None the less she said to go to the ground floor and we could find our way from there. We did find the building and the elevator, but when we got into the elevator which was suppose to take us up to the 6^th floor we didn’t see 6^th floor on the button thingy. So we waited until the next person got into the elevator to ask where the TCDC was. After pushing the button to our destination he said, “Not very well designed, huh?” He was totally right. Who would have ever thought the 6^th floor button said TCDC. I felt so stupid and irritated. The TCDC was pretty nice. Not very many exhibits to see, but it was something to do for free. We didn’t get to see the other museum I wanted to see because we could find it. So we decided to go check out movie times. After that it was time to go see Jeanie. She provided free dinner so we decided not to eat all day so we could save some money. On our way to the Sky train we got to see a mini show of Chinese New Year celebration. I have never seen a big dragon before, so I was really excited.

Our last night in Thailand we decided to see a movie. We orginally wanted to see Beowulf but thetiming never worked out, so we watched American Gangsters. It was really good. But as always the movie theater was freezing. On our way home we had to take taxi because the Sky train closes at midnight. Just to let you know it’s safer in Thailand than in Cambodia so we could be outside at this time of night. When we got into the taxi I said where to go from the paper Phil gave to us. I didn’t know if I told him right because I thought we were going the wrong way the whole time. Katrina and I got mad at each other because I was freaking out. Understandable, I was freaking out and not doing anything, but I didn’t know what to do; I don’t speak Thai. It turned out I must have said it right enough for the taxi driver because he took us to the right place. Phil was supposed to arrive back from Chang Mia that morning so, I cleaned up our stuff a little bit.
Our last morning in Thailand; we thought. It turned out that if we left that morning to Koh Kong we would have to spend the night there until the bus left the next morning. So we decided to say one more day so we could save the little money we had left. That final day we went on a boat tour with Jeanie and whole bunch of other SM coordinators. We got to see some temples and mini museums filled with old battle boats. They were pretty cool. Sadly I don’t have pictures because we had to pay extra money. After the boat tour we went to one of the malls and Jeanie treated us to lunch. It was really good. Once we parted with Jeanie Phil, Katrina, and I all decided to go to a park and chill. No money is a bummer. This park was not nearly as big as the one Katrina and I went to, but it didn’t matter because we just sat on a bench for a couple of hours and talked. It was about 5is before we left the park and headed to the bus station to see when the buses leave. Looking at the times, we decided to leave at eleven thirty. This way we would not have to wait at the border for so long before it opened at seven.
Leaving was stressful because our taxi driver was as slow as molasses. We figured a taxi would be faster than the sky train; how wrong we were. It took us almost thirty minutes to drive three to four miles. Our taxi driver was so relaxed listening to his radio while Katrina and I were freaking out in the back seat. We only had five minutes before the bus left and not an end in sight. We were seriously thinking of getting out of the taxi and running to the bus station, only problem we didn’t know where we were. Needless to say we made it to the bus station with a few minutes to spare. Getting on the bus we had assigned seats. It was a quit comfortable bus. We both fell asleep. Trat was our next destination. The travelers guide said there was a bus to Hat Lek to Koh Kong which left at four thirty in the morning. Our bus from Bangkok arrived at Trat around fourish. Just enough time to figure our next step.
I left Katrina with all the luggage while I left to figure things out. I figured out where are bus was and how much it was. Thank goodness there was an English speaker near our bus, without her we’d still be in Trat. There were about ten people in the van. We would be in this bus for about an hour. Once we arrived at the boarder it was still dark and things were looking a little familiar. At the boarder we had to wait for about an other hour before it opened. So, we just cuddled up in a blanket and read our books. After crossing the boarder we saw the same man who tried to rip us off at the beginning of our trip. I just laughed at him because he was glaring at us. Thankfully we found a good English speaker who understood that we didn’t have much money. He took us to Koh Kong for one hundred baht. We asked him about a bus to Phnom Penh and he said since it was Chinese New Year everything was full. We were really freaking out because we didn’t have enough money to stay somewhere and got home. So the whole moto ride I just prayed that God find us a way home. I didn’t care if we had to ride in the back of a truck with the animals; I just wanted to get home. The first bus station was full and I was really worried, but the moto driver said we have one more place to check, but was not sure. As we drove to the next one I really prayed that God get us home. I all of a sudden heard something say, “My child have faith.” It kind of freaked me out, but I knew we were in God’s hands and that he was going to provide. Sure enough He did find us a ride home. The last bus that left for Phnom Penh and it only had room for two more. The van was completely full of Khmer people (15) and all were staring at me, but I didn’t care. I was just happy to be on a bus home. The ride home was about six hours. On our last stretch home we were extremely tired so we just slept. This older woman was sitting behind me and pulled my hair and yelled at me in Khmer because my head was bobbing while I was sleeping. I was a little pissed, but to tired to do anything about it. Also in the bus this man behind me kept playing with my hair; creepy.
Arriving home I asked the drive to drop us off near Toul Kok. This is the area we live. I was so happy to be home! The trip to Thailand was really fun but I think next time I want to plan it out more. It was my fault for not helping Katrina with the planning, but I know if we go anywhere anymore I will surly help out.

Senior outting

January 27-31
Sunday-Thursday

All this week I have gone on an adventure out in the jungle with the senior class. It was so much fun! I forgot how much I loved being out in the wilderness. I really do hate living in a city. I love waking up in the morning and seeing huge mountains in the distance. Ever since I left Montana I only see houses and people; nice, but nothing compared nature.
Prior to the trip I was not sure if I wanted to go because I didn’t want the class to make suggestive remarks about my size. So, a couple of day before I left I talk
ed to Sharon about it and she too has been having problems. You see, in the Khmer culture its not a bad thing to call someone ugly or fat. So, I really was struggling if I wanted to put my self in a situation where I can be susceptible to this kind of humiliation. Sharon talked to the senior class about our culture and just gave them a heads up from where we Americans are coming from. Anyway, so I was having a hard time deciding if I wanted to go and the time came when Sharon needed to know. I said yes and hoped to God I wouldn’t regret my decision.

The first day of our activities we did group things such as putting fifteen nails or so on top of one nail which was nailed to a block. Our rules: can’t use anything to hold the nails together and you only have one minute to so this. No one succeed in the activity, but the leader connected the nails together in a weird way and it worked. We were all pretty amazed. The second activity: we were given blue pipes cut in half and marbles. Our objective was to pass all the marbles (500 some) through each pipe and into a bucket with in one minute. Our first try failed, but we came up with another plan and it worked out nicely. Our time was 28 seconds; very nice. Third activity: the blind man walk. We were blind folded and had to follow a sting in to the jungle. It was really cool!
Fourth: I call it the dancing cables. There was one cable looped around one tree and tied to two different trees. So it makes a ‘V’ shape. Our objective was to balance with one other person, you on one side of the cable and he/she on the opposite side. You had to reach a certain point down the cable to pass the activity. I looked pretty easy at first, but when you actually got on it was quit hard. Your partner had to hold your weight and keep balance. I did it with Rithy and then Kham Phai. The further you walk the farther the cables spread. So you end up pushing (parterners) on each other to keep the balance.
After lunch we did activities that involved more cables. But first we all got on a long log and had to separate boys and girls without touching the ground. This was called the giant toothpick. I sometimes feel this activity is over used, but I guess it would be if it works in team work. The senior class succeed and we moved on to another one that involved more cables. Heads-up: After worship every morning we numbered off one and two, but I found that after lunch we ended up all being together. Our objective this time was to go on this course that involved balancing on a long cable that wind’s through trees and over cannels. We all had to balance each other by holding hands and moving from tree to tree.

It was a lot harder than it looks, but so much fun. I was standing between Porm and Sophie. Porm really helped me and Sophie out a lot. When I thought the course was over we had to jump from stump to stump. Some of the stumps were really far apart from each other and white people can’t jump. LOL! This one time I tried to jump and missed, but grabbed on to a vine and almost hit a tree head on; fun times. Everyone was like, “Are you ok?”, but I just gave them the big thumbs up.

The next activity involved a rope and two platforms. Their objective was to get from one platform to the next by swinging from a rope. Pretty easy, but all the class was on one platform and had to balance each other while one by one they swung. I chose not to get involved into some of the activities because this was not my trip and I already had my experience. There was one problem though. The class had to get the rope from the middle without touching the ground. Their first idea to get the rope was pretty good if they could aim right (throw a shoe). In the end Heoup jumped for the rope and it was a good ten feet. Fay and I were amazed Heoup could jump that far. Oh, one other thing Fay (older person) did the activity and it was really funny to see her swing from a rope. Tim, her husband was on the landing platform and almost couldn’t catch her. It was a sight to see.

On the second day we did activities that involved trust. Alright let me remind you, Asians are small people and I remember my senior survival. My class was not filled with weak people but I still had doubt. So you can only imagine how I was handling the fact of ten Asians would catch me. The activity was called trust me. Our goal was to trust the people to catch you and lead you up to the platform while blindfolded. Let me explain more. You were blindfolded and the people catching you had blue pipes. These pipes were held by them and you had to walk on the pipes like steps to the platform where you would fall. It was pretty scary stuff. I was really worried they would not be able to hold my weight. The class really wanted me to go, but I told them I was to scared. Kham Phia was trying to comfort me by saying your not that heavy and we are strong people. In the end I gave in and was pretty amazed how they handled the whole thing. The first step was the hardest, but after that I just walked right up to the platform and fell into their arms with no problem. In the previous years Rithy did this and they dropped him on his head.

Our next activity involved a log sticking straight out of the ground pointing to the sky and a tube. Our objective was to get the tube over the top of the log (20 feet or so) with out letting the tube touch the log and we could not let our knees touch the log either. The kids asked me if I had any ideas and I suggested having people stand on top of each other. We did this and failed several times because ironically enough the smallest kids in my group were the ones that could hold two people on top of their shoulders. Either way it was a good experience and I loved watching the kids work together.
Next, The Slippery Snake. We were challenged to climb up a log that was propped up against another tree at an angle of 45 degrees. Rules: no touching the log with our hands and no shoes. At first this looked really easy. I was saying, “Ok, I just have to walk right up and jump down. Easy.” NOT! When it came my turn I got all harnessed in and started to climb. I didn’t get more than three feet and lost my balance. I learned that it was called slippery snake for a reason. Second trial, I got a little father, probably about half way and lot my balance again and this time I grabbed onto the tree and slid underneath. Third try, I learned that I needed to give my feet some kind of traction. With that, I spit on my feet and rubbed dirt on them. I also decided that I just needed to run up the log. So, that is exactly what I did. I took no more that four steps and bolted for the top, I did however hesitate towards the top because there was kind of a hump, but then just jumped over that and ran the rest of the way. It was really cool to know that I can concurred my fear of heights and know that just because I am bigger doesn’t mean I can’t do the same as others. I was really excited!
Our final activity before lunch involved partners and sticks. We were to sit back to back and have one partner make a figure with the sticks and then verbally explain how to make the same object to the other partner without looking. I was with Kham Phai and it was good. Besides our language barrier I feel we did fairly well.

After lunch we did the giant swing. This was so much fun. You all know how much I’m afraid of heights, right? Back in fifth grade I went to a D.A.R.E camp and one of our activities was to climb up a tree and walk across to another tree. I didn’t even get ten feet off the ground before my knees were shaking and my hands all sweaty; never made it to the top. Anyway, I was really scared to do this activity. We had to get all harnessed in and climb up on a platform. Once there we were attached to cables hanging down from two trees on either side of you; making a swing type of deal, and also attached to a rope. The rope was pulled by the remaining students to get you to the top of trees. Once you were at the top you have to pull a lever which released you. I will try and get the video on here, but it takes forever.

That night we got to camp out underneath the stars. After dinner we got our stuff together and headed out into the jungle to our destination. We hiked about a mile or so. It was pretty exciting to be hiking around in the jungle at night. After setting up camp, which involved hammocks and mosquito nets we had worship. The senior class heard Katrina and I sing for Khmer church last Sabbath and asked me to sing for them tonight. Since Heather was there with me I asked her to accompany me. She was happy to and we did really well. The Lao boys and I just chilled out by the fire telling jokes and laughing. I didn’t realize how funny Porm can be. He had some funny one, or maybe I was just really tired when everything is funny. Hammocks did not turn out to be all that comfortable. I mean it was not to bad, but if I had a choice I would rather sleep on the ground. The next morning I woke up in a cocoon. Fay wondered if I couldbreath. None the less I really liked sleeping out in the jungle and would do it again if I had the chance to.

Our last day. This was the big shebang. I kind of knew this day was going to be the worst because everyday the actives got harder and higher. None the less I succeed in all. Our first challenge: to climb twenty-eight meters to the top of a tree and propel down the other side. OH MY! I took one look and didn’t think I could do it. I just kept thinking about my experience at D.A.R.E camp. As the students went one at a time down I knew I was going to have to do this sooner or later. I said a quick pray and asked God to help me climb the tree and make it down safely. I was not worried if I couldn’t climb, but rather if I looked down. As I reached the top I felt really sick to my stomach and wanted to throw up. There were four other people, and all to scared to go. I knew that the longer I stayed up on the top the more freaked out I would be. As I stepped of the platform I realized my whole body was shaking. The man on the top was worried I would be able to go down because of this. He calmed me down and said, “You won’t fall. I have you connected to this tree and you’re harnessed in. All you have to do is kick off the tree and give slack every time.” As he guided my foot to the knot in the tree he let me go and off I went down the tree. It was reallyfun and I got a hang of how to kick off the tree and give slack. Once I kicked off with to much of one leg and accidentally swung around the tree. LOL! As I touched the ground I could see shaking through my gloves. I stood there in shocking thinking, “Did I just climb up that tree and propel down? WOW!”

Our final activity was the zip line. After lunch we hiked to area and got the low down. It went something like this: Climb this tree (22 meters). Get to the top. Get hooked up to the cable. Either you can be superman/superwoman, or sit old man style. You will fly/sit for about six hundred meters. Climb down another tree. And finally hike back up through the jungle to the lift off area. I was so excited to to this! I knew that if i could climb the last tree I can do it again. I chose to be superwoman and fly through the air.

As I reached the top of the tree and got hooked up to the cable I had doubt, but knew that if I didn’t do now if would not happen. So with that I leaned forward over the edge and grabbed edge of the platform and launched my self off. It was so much fun. I screamed all the way down. If I could give you one word for what I felt it would be, exhilaration. Reaching the destination point was depressing; I wanted to do it again. So, as I hung from the cable (20 meters or so) Dream thought it would be fun to pull me back out from the tree. It was, but I was starting to hurt because the harness was not that comfortable. Climbing down the tree was another story. I had to climb down five feet and then jump to the ground. Don’t worry I was harnessed in and connected. The man who was leading the rope told me to jump and when I did I forgot that I was doing superwoman style, which means the rope was tied to my backend. I seriously thought I was going to fall fifteen feet, but the rope pulled and I slammed into the tree. If this was not enough, the guy didn’t give me enough lack to touch the ground so I couldn’t stand up. I was only inches from the ground, but couldn’t stand up, body horizontal to the ground. I ended up going almost around the whole tree before be gave me more slack to stand up. Everyone thought it was pretty comical, which it was. I loved it all. If I could I would do it again.

All around I loved the whole trip. I don’t think I told you, but on our way their and home we had vehicle problems. The tired were blowing out or our brakes gave out. First it was the tires then our brakes. On our way home we had to stop five hours from Phnom Penh and get taxi’s to take us the rest of the way. Other than this the whole trip was fun and I loved getting to know the entire senior class. They are already thinking about getting together again and hanging out. I hope I continue to be good friends with them all. This was an eventful week, and I’m really happy with my decision to go. Everyone was so nice and enjoyable to be around. I know that if I was in the states I would not do any of this stuff, but now I can say I have already done that while I was in Cambodia!

To fail or not to fail?

January 26
Saturday

I could not sleep for the life of me. Katrina alarm clock went off and falling back a sleep was out of the question. So, I figured I would stop fighting and blog or read my new book, Prep. Its out a girl experience during here high school years at boarding school. So far I really like the book. I can totally relate.
All last week we had semester tests. My kids did ok. I was a little frustrated at W because he would not do a test, but I couldn’t make him do it. So, I just let him fail. The next day I talked to Sharon what I should do with the kids that are failing my class. She pretty much said you can only do so much, and use the test as a way to know what you, the teacher, should review. My only problem is I have lots of kids and a huge diversity between good and not so good, understand and no understand. I know I can work more with those kids, but I’m just so tired. I can’t carry a kid through to the next grade. I don’t have the time nor the energy to do so. If I had an assistant then yes it would be easier, but I don’t have that I have to do with what I have. I have to remember that I’m not a teacher. I don’t know what I’m doing. I still can remember my first week or so of school. I was so flustered. I didn’t know what to do, but now I feel I have a hold of the handle. My kids know what I expect of them and do it most of the time. They very well know the consequences if they don’t.

Size

January 23
Wednesday

Today is an exciting day. When I came home I decided to try on some pants from home and the outcome was so relieving. For the past couple of week I have been really watching what I eat and when. My problem here is when I eat; sometimes I will eat at eight or so. While in Korea I found out that I have already lost forty pounds and I want to lose more. Klaralyn and I figured it out and decided on forty pounds. Anyway, so for the past week or so I have noticed I lost more weight because cloths I wore in Korea are already big on me. What I have been doing is not eating after lunch. So I only have two meals. If I eat anything after lunch its fruit or vegetables, nothing big and before four o’clock.
Losing weight here is a lot easier because I am continually reminded how much bigger I really am. I know down in my heart I won’t ever be a size 0 because of my bone structure, but I know I can get down to a more healthy weight and be more confident. One thing I have missed about home is people’s comments. Losing weight for me is a huge deal, and though little comments here and there are nice to have. No one here comments me. Ben and Kim did at the beginning of the year, but now all I hear, “Katrina you are really losing your weight.” I guess it sucks that people don’t comment, but at the same time it’s nice because I know without the comments it makes me strive for them, if that makes any sense. None the less I am losing weight and it makes me happy. I just wish I could find more clothes at the Russian market. The Russian market is where Katrina and I buy all our clothes. They make American sizes for really cheap. The only problem is that you literally have to fight your way into the market and grab what you want. Setting clothes down is not an option. Just think of the huge sale days at home. Just imagine how the women are literally fighting over a dress, this should give you an idea. Barging is my favorite. I have gotten to the point of getting things down half the price they want; love getting nice clothes for cheap. I guess I just get so tired of being ripped off that I want what I want at the price I want. If any of you come to Cambodia for a visit I can take you their and get you want you want at the price you want.