It has been almost a year since I have updated anything on here. I'm sure if you read this then you probably know me in person and know about how my time in Cambodia ended.
What you may not know is that I am heading back to Cambodia on May 1st and in August of this year I will be marrying the man of my dreams.
Kong.
Who knew I would fall in love with him?! I sure didn't see it coming. Turns out he is only 2 years younger than me and is absolutely perfect for me. There is no one else out there who is a better match for me. I'm crazy about the guy, and even though our relationship is not the norm, I am more than ready to commit myself to him for life.
I am currently taking a TESOL class so I can teach out there and make money to support myself. Kong and I are hoping to rent a house together. I will be gone for a year or two, and hopefully by then I will be able to bring Kong home with me to Canada.
I am very excited yet sad to be leaving again so soon. It's hard for me to be away from Canada. My friends and family. But I would be more sad to stay away from Kong. I don't care where I am living, as long as I am with him.
So here I go! Another whirl wind adventure in Cambodia!
Hopefully I'll remember to update in here every once in a while for those who prefer blogs.
February 18, 2009
June 2, 2008
no big deal
Janessa is gone.
She is home in Canada.
I am here in Cambodia.
I will join her soon enough.
I'm heading home in officially less then 2 months. That seems so crazy. How can time go by so quickly??
For those of you who want to know how my last month was I will encourage you to read Janessa's blog. I've said it before but she's better at writing than me and waaaaay funnier.
http://www.leaningintosky.blogspot.com/
There is so much going on right now and although I am happy. Really I am, where it really counts, I sometimes find it hard to show it. Like right now I can tell my post is already depressing, and I really don't want it to.
So here goes with some more positive - maybe even funny - updates...
Kong's nephew has peed on me 3 times now! It seems strange but out here if you can't afford to send your children to school, you probably can't afford diapers. So most baby's don't. Today was #3.
Normally this wouldn't excite me too much for obvious reasons, but I have been told that the baby only pees on those he loves.
Now, to really get the picture here, this is the baby that used to take one look at me and scream his face off. I am very strange looking to him. My eyes might be the scariest thing about me. That and my white skin. He had never seen anyone like that before me. I think he thought I was a monster.
One day when I was over at the Lee's home I was playing with Dol and the girls tickling them. He was sitting next to me, trying to get away, and he stopped to see I wasn't attcking his aunts and uncle, but that they enjoyed it and seemed to like me. That same day he let me hold him for the first time with out crying, and I even got a few smiles out of him. Now this baby visibly lights up with pleasure and freaks out if I don't hold him.
It makes my heart melt, more than just a little...
For the past 2 months I have been whizzing around Sihanoukville on a motto. It was kind of scary at first because the traffic here is insane compared to home, but I'm an old pro now! On any given day you can catch me cruzin' the coast, driving on the wrong side of the road, weaving in and out of traffic, merging through intersections that have no street lights or stop signs and I have only been in ONE accident!!
Oh yeah...
Mom, dad, I had a little accident....
It wasnsn't my fault though. Allow me to explain..
Janessa and I had just had breakfast with Rachha and Vothanak at my favourite little noodle place and were on our way home. We were approaching an intersection and a motto pulled out infront of me. Normally no big deal. It's all about merging folks. But we both turned the corner and he wanted to turn around just as we had. He was starting to pull out to go (keep in mind this is all happening in the middle of the street, I wasn't on the shoulder or anything) and then stopped suddenly. I had just begun to accelorate after turning but we were all a little too close and I slammed on the break but the motto skid and turned and amazingly enough I somehow managed to bail off my falling motto (which was still going forward, mind you). We never actually hit the guy. And once he saw that his motto was unscathed he just took off.
Now here's the good part.
As you probably know about me, I like to laugh. And I like to laugh loud. Not a good thing in this culture. But when I bailed from the motto and I realized I was ok and everything was fine, I burst out laughing like there was no tomorrow!! So imagine this if you will:
Two young white girls at an intersection get into a bit of an accident. The driver goes flying off the motto while the passanger who is being respectful of the culture is sitting side saddle like a lady does, goes flying backwards, feet right over the head and lands on her back rolling around with her legs in the air!!
(I'm killing myself just writing this!!)
Then, and I'm sure this is a first in the history of Cambodia, these two silly girls stand (and lay) there laughing very loudy and don't stop. Shortly after 2 young Khmer boys drive up, talk to the young girls and the girls just hop on the back of their mottos, no questions asked, and drive away with them. (Rachha and Vothanak)
We had a nice crowd gathered to boot!
Oh Janessa, how I miss thee!!
She is home in Canada.
I am here in Cambodia.
I will join her soon enough.
I'm heading home in officially less then 2 months. That seems so crazy. How can time go by so quickly??
For those of you who want to know how my last month was I will encourage you to read Janessa's blog. I've said it before but she's better at writing than me and waaaaay funnier.
http://www.leaningintosky.blogspot.com/
There is so much going on right now and although I am happy. Really I am, where it really counts, I sometimes find it hard to show it. Like right now I can tell my post is already depressing, and I really don't want it to.
So here goes with some more positive - maybe even funny - updates...
Kong's nephew has peed on me 3 times now! It seems strange but out here if you can't afford to send your children to school, you probably can't afford diapers. So most baby's don't. Today was #3.
Normally this wouldn't excite me too much for obvious reasons, but I have been told that the baby only pees on those he loves.
Now, to really get the picture here, this is the baby that used to take one look at me and scream his face off. I am very strange looking to him. My eyes might be the scariest thing about me. That and my white skin. He had never seen anyone like that before me. I think he thought I was a monster.
One day when I was over at the Lee's home I was playing with Dol and the girls tickling them. He was sitting next to me, trying to get away, and he stopped to see I wasn't attcking his aunts and uncle, but that they enjoyed it and seemed to like me. That same day he let me hold him for the first time with out crying, and I even got a few smiles out of him. Now this baby visibly lights up with pleasure and freaks out if I don't hold him.
It makes my heart melt, more than just a little...
For the past 2 months I have been whizzing around Sihanoukville on a motto. It was kind of scary at first because the traffic here is insane compared to home, but I'm an old pro now! On any given day you can catch me cruzin' the coast, driving on the wrong side of the road, weaving in and out of traffic, merging through intersections that have no street lights or stop signs and I have only been in ONE accident!!
Oh yeah...
Mom, dad, I had a little accident....
It wasnsn't my fault though. Allow me to explain..
Janessa and I had just had breakfast with Rachha and Vothanak at my favourite little noodle place and were on our way home. We were approaching an intersection and a motto pulled out infront of me. Normally no big deal. It's all about merging folks. But we both turned the corner and he wanted to turn around just as we had. He was starting to pull out to go (keep in mind this is all happening in the middle of the street, I wasn't on the shoulder or anything) and then stopped suddenly. I had just begun to accelorate after turning but we were all a little too close and I slammed on the break but the motto skid and turned and amazingly enough I somehow managed to bail off my falling motto (which was still going forward, mind you). We never actually hit the guy. And once he saw that his motto was unscathed he just took off.
Now here's the good part.
As you probably know about me, I like to laugh. And I like to laugh loud. Not a good thing in this culture. But when I bailed from the motto and I realized I was ok and everything was fine, I burst out laughing like there was no tomorrow!! So imagine this if you will:
Two young white girls at an intersection get into a bit of an accident. The driver goes flying off the motto while the passanger who is being respectful of the culture is sitting side saddle like a lady does, goes flying backwards, feet right over the head and lands on her back rolling around with her legs in the air!!
(I'm killing myself just writing this!!)
Then, and I'm sure this is a first in the history of Cambodia, these two silly girls stand (and lay) there laughing very loudy and don't stop. Shortly after 2 young Khmer boys drive up, talk to the young girls and the girls just hop on the back of their mottos, no questions asked, and drive away with them. (Rachha and Vothanak)
We had a nice crowd gathered to boot!
Oh Janessa, how I miss thee!!
May 8, 2008
a much needed update!
Hey all!!
I apologize for not posting for a while, it's been pretty busy lately.
Janessa is finally here!!! YAY!!! We are having so much fun together!! She is completely undoing all my Cambodian training, and I'm becoming a North American girl again. I don't know if this is good or bad yet...
Anyways, she will probably post more regularly than me because she's good at that kind of stuff and I am not...
Her blog is www.leaningintosky.blogspot.com
A few tidbits for you:
I am driving like a pro with some only minor bumps along the way....
Staying with Lily was a dream! SHE HAS HOT WATER!! I think it was my second time having a hot shower in the past almost 8 months.
I come home in about 2 and a half months - whoa....
Janessa and I are working at an orphanage for the next week and a bit and it's lovely!! I love those kids!!
We are planning on going to Vietnam!! Let's hope we can actually do it!!
Janessa brought me maple fudge from the forks, sooooo good!
I have pink eye. =(
I had Laryngitis during Khmer New Year. I don't remember if I posted that or not...
That about does it for now.
Until next time (which hopefully won't be too far away)!
I apologize for not posting for a while, it's been pretty busy lately.
Janessa is finally here!!! YAY!!! We are having so much fun together!! She is completely undoing all my Cambodian training, and I'm becoming a North American girl again. I don't know if this is good or bad yet...
Anyways, she will probably post more regularly than me because she's good at that kind of stuff and I am not...
Her blog is www.leaningintosky.blogspot.com
A few tidbits for you:
I am driving like a pro with some only minor bumps along the way....
Staying with Lily was a dream! SHE HAS HOT WATER!! I think it was my second time having a hot shower in the past almost 8 months.
I come home in about 2 and a half months - whoa....
Janessa and I are working at an orphanage for the next week and a bit and it's lovely!! I love those kids!!
We are planning on going to Vietnam!! Let's hope we can actually do it!!
Janessa brought me maple fudge from the forks, sooooo good!
I have pink eye. =(
I had Laryngitis during Khmer New Year. I don't remember if I posted that or not...
That about does it for now.
Until next time (which hopefully won't be too far away)!
April 16, 2008
I've never had so many mens hands on one part of my body before..
My head.
It's Khmer New Year!! And I have to say it has been one of the MOST fun times!! Khmer New Year is unlike anything I've ever seen or even dreamed of. Traditionally, water was used for washing your Buddhist statue at home. Then you washed yourself as well. Now it is one great big water fight all over the country!! Seriously. It's unbelievable. It's like someone sent a memo out that nobody missed. Everywhere you go you people are lined up on the streets with water and baby powder. It doesn't really matter who you are. You're going to get soaked if you leave your house during the holiday.
On Monday my boys took me out to help me experience my first Khmer New Year. Myself, Kong, Tongpang, Seyha, Seyha's friend (I don't know his name) and Kong's older brother Riti went out on 3 motto's and hit the town!
But first we made possibly close to 100 water "balloons". They were really just small plastic bags filled with water. Everywhere we went there were people stopping us in the middle of the road to either drench us in water or powder us. Usually both. Sometimes there were like 5 or 6 pairs of hands on my face/head at one time. I've never swallowed so much baby powder!! Ugh. But it was well worth it!
It was such an incredible thing to see every one getting along so well. There was this strange unity among the Cambodians. It didn't matter who you were, what you looked like, you were going to get bags of water thrown at you or stopped on the street so people could shout "Happy New Year!" and cover you with baby powder. Honestly, it was very beautiful.
One of my favourite moments was going to the pagoda! Oh man!! It was like party central!! Think of a movie where there's a wild party happening at a University. That's what it felt like at the Pagoda. There were SO MANY young people and EVERYONE was covered with powder and absolutely dripping with water. It was the most fun place to be I guess. But what gets me is that the Pagoda is supposed to be sacred ground. It's the monks home. That's where these people go to worship. Didn't they feel as though they were some how defiling this sacred place?
Hmmm...
Anyways, that was Monday. Such a fantastic day!
Tuesday I woke up and I was feeling pretty lousy to be honest. My throat was very sore and my body was strangely achy. As the day wore on I began to notice I had a head ache. I decided to stay at home and let the boys have some fun on their own this time (the water fights last for at least 3 days!) and I became very ill during the afternoon. I thought maybe it was from being wet and driving around all day on the back of a motto. Well, I slept terribly and in the morning I decided to see a doctor. My tonsils were so swollen and sore I was terrified that they needed to come out. Now, going to the doctor isn't a big deal, right? But if you're Brianna Siis and in a third world country, yeah, it is a big deal. I have not gone to a doctor once since I arrived. And let me tell you, I've been pretty darn sick.
Anyways, long story short, I have laryngitis. =(
I'm on meds for the next week. I am pretty bummed out because I was supposed to go with Kong and his family to the waterfalls on Thursday but now everyone is cancelling because I'm sick.
The doctor gave me something for the pain and fever. I'm surprised at how much pain I'm in! Like, it's even hard to breath at times. Not so much now that I have the medicine, but boy-oh-boy was I miserable before...
OH!! Tonight Kong signed up for a Facebook account!! So if you're a Facebooker and you feel like you know Kong already because I talk about him so much, go and be his friend!! It would make him very happy! Just let him know you're a friend of mine. Look for Kong Lee.
18 days =D
It's Khmer New Year!! And I have to say it has been one of the MOST fun times!! Khmer New Year is unlike anything I've ever seen or even dreamed of. Traditionally, water was used for washing your Buddhist statue at home. Then you washed yourself as well. Now it is one great big water fight all over the country!! Seriously. It's unbelievable. It's like someone sent a memo out that nobody missed. Everywhere you go you people are lined up on the streets with water and baby powder. It doesn't really matter who you are. You're going to get soaked if you leave your house during the holiday.
On Monday my boys took me out to help me experience my first Khmer New Year. Myself, Kong, Tongpang, Seyha, Seyha's friend (I don't know his name) and Kong's older brother Riti went out on 3 motto's and hit the town!
But first we made possibly close to 100 water "balloons". They were really just small plastic bags filled with water. Everywhere we went there were people stopping us in the middle of the road to either drench us in water or powder us. Usually both. Sometimes there were like 5 or 6 pairs of hands on my face/head at one time. I've never swallowed so much baby powder!! Ugh. But it was well worth it!
It was such an incredible thing to see every one getting along so well. There was this strange unity among the Cambodians. It didn't matter who you were, what you looked like, you were going to get bags of water thrown at you or stopped on the street so people could shout "Happy New Year!" and cover you with baby powder. Honestly, it was very beautiful.
One of my favourite moments was going to the pagoda! Oh man!! It was like party central!! Think of a movie where there's a wild party happening at a University. That's what it felt like at the Pagoda. There were SO MANY young people and EVERYONE was covered with powder and absolutely dripping with water. It was the most fun place to be I guess. But what gets me is that the Pagoda is supposed to be sacred ground. It's the monks home. That's where these people go to worship. Didn't they feel as though they were some how defiling this sacred place?
Hmmm...
Anyways, that was Monday. Such a fantastic day!
Tuesday I woke up and I was feeling pretty lousy to be honest. My throat was very sore and my body was strangely achy. As the day wore on I began to notice I had a head ache. I decided to stay at home and let the boys have some fun on their own this time (the water fights last for at least 3 days!) and I became very ill during the afternoon. I thought maybe it was from being wet and driving around all day on the back of a motto. Well, I slept terribly and in the morning I decided to see a doctor. My tonsils were so swollen and sore I was terrified that they needed to come out. Now, going to the doctor isn't a big deal, right? But if you're Brianna Siis and in a third world country, yeah, it is a big deal. I have not gone to a doctor once since I arrived. And let me tell you, I've been pretty darn sick.
Anyways, long story short, I have laryngitis. =(
I'm on meds for the next week. I am pretty bummed out because I was supposed to go with Kong and his family to the waterfalls on Thursday but now everyone is cancelling because I'm sick.
The doctor gave me something for the pain and fever. I'm surprised at how much pain I'm in! Like, it's even hard to breath at times. Not so much now that I have the medicine, but boy-oh-boy was I miserable before...
OH!! Tonight Kong signed up for a Facebook account!! So if you're a Facebooker and you feel like you know Kong already because I talk about him so much, go and be his friend!! It would make him very happy! Just let him know you're a friend of mine. Look for Kong Lee.
18 days =D
April 9, 2008
man it's getting hot..
April is the hottest month in Cambodia. The sun is brighter and stronger. I am horribly sunburned right now. And, my skin hurts. =(
This week we had a lady come and stay with us here at SLM for two nights. Her name is Lily and she is from India. She has her PhD and is working in Phnom Penh for two years on contract. She is one of the most delightful people I have met on this journey so far!! I love her!! She's funny, adventurous, extremely intelligent, gentle, kind, loving, sweet - man, I just loved her! I took her around for the past two days (hence the burn) and we had great fun together!! She says she lives in a great big apartment in Phnom Penh and insists that I stay with her whenever I am in the city. She is also going home to India for 1 month in June and said she's going to bring me back a gift!!
=)
Guess what all??! Brianna Siis has rented a motto for the next 6 weeks!
Yessss!!!
It's blue and made in China. I think it's called Smart-1. I'm not sure what year it is...
Anyways, I'm pumped! I've been out practising (part II why I have the burn) and I'm getting better!! It's still very scary driving in this traffic...
Today I looked through dress magazines and was measured for a dress!! I'm actually having two made for me! One will be a more traditional looking party dress, and the other will just be a fun dress to wear. But it will have a Cambodian feel to it I think..
Khmer New Year is almost upon us! Therefore, the students aren't showing up for classes now. But hey - I'm not complaining!
As I type, I can hear mice running around behind me in Jonah's office. It's getting late at night and I'm the only one still awake. Kind of makes me feel a wee bit frightened...
Oh! Yesterday, a package arrived in the mail for Tongpang, and it was from him mother. She gave me a traditional shawl! It's great!! Too hot to wear in Cambodia, but I'll try and give it some good use once I'm back in Canada!!
Umm, I'm not too sure what else to say right now. I'm pretty tired and I think I need to go to bed..
J-lady is 25 days away....
April 1, 2008
shoot the moon, eh?
So, you know how sometimes you get very busy and certain things get pushed to the back of your plate?
Sorry...
There are many exciting things happening!! Khmer New Year is coming up!! Actually, I have to admit, I'm getting less excited as the time gets closer. Rachha, Seyha and Vothanak are going away for the time, so it's going to be very lonely around here. Kong will be here, but he's trying to spend more time at home, and to be honest, it's just more fun when we're all together in a group. I will enjoy the time off from teaching. Morning classes will stop for 2 weeks, and evening class will stop for only 3 days. At first I was planning on going to Vietnam with a few friends, but those plans fell through. Then we were going to go to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, but that's not happening either. So I decided (I didn't end up buying a motto) that I'm going to rent a motto for Khmer New Year! The only thing is that Sihanoukville will be very busy and crowded so the driving will be more dangerous than usual.
Today I walked to Sokah Beach and back. It's about a 45-50 minute walk. Normally nothing difficult, but the temperature is rising here. We're getting into the hottest month. I am sunburned and for some reason my leg really started to hurt on the way home. Now I've got a limp. =( The walk was very difficult, yet much easier than usual today. Difficult because it's so blinking hot out! Easier because I decided to wear shoes today! I haven't worn a pair of shoes in a few months. Just my flip flops. =) Except now I have blisters all over my feet!! What the heck??! I'm going to have to retrain my feet for normal shoes when I go home - which, by the way, is in less than 4 months.
Oh boy...
I just finished reading a book recommended to me by Nick Mullin. "Red Letters: a faith that bleeds" by Tom Davis. Oh. my. word. SO GOOD! Nick said it was life changing, and I agree. For anyone who calls them self a Christan, you need to read this book! It is so challenging. I'm not even going to go into too much details, but it's full of information about world poverty, and the pandemic of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Seriously, go right now and buy this book!
Last week Gil left for America. Who is Gil you might ask? Well, good question...
Gil sponsors the school we run out in Buffalo Village. He's from Wisconsin and he's come to Cambodia for 3-4 months every year for the past 8 years (I think). He's a super good guy, I really enjoyed having him around. It was nice to have another white person around the school most days. Anyways, he's gone home to America now. We had a goodbye party for him at one of my favourite beaches, Treasure Island. It's the most fantastically beautiful beach! I'll tell you all a secret... I hope to someday have a wedding ceremony on that beach. Shhhh....
=)
Easter was good. SLM hosted a big music concert/celebration. I think the night went over really well. I taught some of my grade one students the song "We Wanna See Jesus Lifted High". They did a fantastic job! If you have Facebook, I uploaded a video from my camera of them on there..
GUESS WHAT?!?!?!?! My delightful friend Janessa from Winnipeg is coming to Sihanoukville for 3 weeks!!! She will arrive in 33 days!!! She's going to be volunteering around here in Sihanoukville for 2 weeks, and then her and I will travel around Cambodia for 1 week. I am beyond pumped!!! The motto I'm renting for Khmer New Year, I'm going to keep until Janessa and I go traveling. So I'll hopefully have a motto for about 4-5 weeks! =D
I wear a uniform now. Yep. Me. A long black skirt, and short sleeved sky blue blouse. I don't have any pictures of me yet, but I'll put one up when I do. It's pretty funny to see me in it!
Hmm, there's so much that has happened in the past months. I don't even know what to say. I've been learning so much lately. God has seen me through so much! My heart has been totally and completely destroyed in this country, and He's slowly putting it back together in such a way that it's looking more like His. My prayer lately has been that what matters to God, what's close to His heart would be what is on my heart. I want to care for the things that God cares about. I want to love what He loves. Hate what He hates. Being here in this country is by far the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. The scary thing is that I know it's only the beginning. God's rebuilding my heart and mind so that I can handle what's to come in the future. Right now, as I am, I'm not strong enough to handle what's to come. I have to experience more, learn more, LIVE more!! Only then, by the grace of God, I will be able to face my future head on. I have to admit, there's a VERY good chance that I will live here permanently in the future. I'm hoping maybe around the age of 30 to move here. I'm not sure what the future looks like, but I know it looks promising. There is so much that God can do with me. I just have to let Him. I need to be obedient. When He tells me to do something, I just need to do it!
Ok, rant over.
I'll try and post more regularly on here again.
Sorry...
There are many exciting things happening!! Khmer New Year is coming up!! Actually, I have to admit, I'm getting less excited as the time gets closer. Rachha, Seyha and Vothanak are going away for the time, so it's going to be very lonely around here. Kong will be here, but he's trying to spend more time at home, and to be honest, it's just more fun when we're all together in a group. I will enjoy the time off from teaching. Morning classes will stop for 2 weeks, and evening class will stop for only 3 days. At first I was planning on going to Vietnam with a few friends, but those plans fell through. Then we were going to go to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, but that's not happening either. So I decided (I didn't end up buying a motto) that I'm going to rent a motto for Khmer New Year! The only thing is that Sihanoukville will be very busy and crowded so the driving will be more dangerous than usual.
Today I walked to Sokah Beach and back. It's about a 45-50 minute walk. Normally nothing difficult, but the temperature is rising here. We're getting into the hottest month. I am sunburned and for some reason my leg really started to hurt on the way home. Now I've got a limp. =( The walk was very difficult, yet much easier than usual today. Difficult because it's so blinking hot out! Easier because I decided to wear shoes today! I haven't worn a pair of shoes in a few months. Just my flip flops. =) Except now I have blisters all over my feet!! What the heck??! I'm going to have to retrain my feet for normal shoes when I go home - which, by the way, is in less than 4 months.
Oh boy...
I just finished reading a book recommended to me by Nick Mullin. "Red Letters: a faith that bleeds" by Tom Davis. Oh. my. word. SO GOOD! Nick said it was life changing, and I agree. For anyone who calls them self a Christan, you need to read this book! It is so challenging. I'm not even going to go into too much details, but it's full of information about world poverty, and the pandemic of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Seriously, go right now and buy this book!
Last week Gil left for America. Who is Gil you might ask? Well, good question...
Gil sponsors the school we run out in Buffalo Village. He's from Wisconsin and he's come to Cambodia for 3-4 months every year for the past 8 years (I think). He's a super good guy, I really enjoyed having him around. It was nice to have another white person around the school most days. Anyways, he's gone home to America now. We had a goodbye party for him at one of my favourite beaches, Treasure Island. It's the most fantastically beautiful beach! I'll tell you all a secret... I hope to someday have a wedding ceremony on that beach. Shhhh....
=)
Easter was good. SLM hosted a big music concert/celebration. I think the night went over really well. I taught some of my grade one students the song "We Wanna See Jesus Lifted High". They did a fantastic job! If you have Facebook, I uploaded a video from my camera of them on there..
GUESS WHAT?!?!?!?! My delightful friend Janessa from Winnipeg is coming to Sihanoukville for 3 weeks!!! She will arrive in 33 days!!! She's going to be volunteering around here in Sihanoukville for 2 weeks, and then her and I will travel around Cambodia for 1 week. I am beyond pumped!!! The motto I'm renting for Khmer New Year, I'm going to keep until Janessa and I go traveling. So I'll hopefully have a motto for about 4-5 weeks! =D
I wear a uniform now. Yep. Me. A long black skirt, and short sleeved sky blue blouse. I don't have any pictures of me yet, but I'll put one up when I do. It's pretty funny to see me in it!
Hmm, there's so much that has happened in the past months. I don't even know what to say. I've been learning so much lately. God has seen me through so much! My heart has been totally and completely destroyed in this country, and He's slowly putting it back together in such a way that it's looking more like His. My prayer lately has been that what matters to God, what's close to His heart would be what is on my heart. I want to care for the things that God cares about. I want to love what He loves. Hate what He hates. Being here in this country is by far the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. The scary thing is that I know it's only the beginning. God's rebuilding my heart and mind so that I can handle what's to come in the future. Right now, as I am, I'm not strong enough to handle what's to come. I have to experience more, learn more, LIVE more!! Only then, by the grace of God, I will be able to face my future head on. I have to admit, there's a VERY good chance that I will live here permanently in the future. I'm hoping maybe around the age of 30 to move here. I'm not sure what the future looks like, but I know it looks promising. There is so much that God can do with me. I just have to let Him. I need to be obedient. When He tells me to do something, I just need to do it!
Ok, rant over.
I'll try and post more regularly on here again.
February 5, 2008
announcement
Ok, two things:
1) I actually was driving a motto today!! Not around the yard or for 5 minutes on a quiet road, but I drove for a few hours today! Kong borrowed his brothers old beater of a motto and I began on a quieter road. I basically drove up and down the coast and sometimes I was even driving on the beach! At one point we ran out of gas and had to walk a little to get more, but it made the whole experience ever better for me!!
2) I finally changed my flights. I will officially be in Winnipeg again July 31st, 2008 at 7:08 pm.
I am happy and sad all at the same time. As of today, I have 175 days until I leave....
1) I actually was driving a motto today!! Not around the yard or for 5 minutes on a quiet road, but I drove for a few hours today! Kong borrowed his brothers old beater of a motto and I began on a quieter road. I basically drove up and down the coast and sometimes I was even driving on the beach! At one point we ran out of gas and had to walk a little to get more, but it made the whole experience ever better for me!!
2) I finally changed my flights. I will officially be in Winnipeg again July 31st, 2008 at 7:08 pm.
I am happy and sad all at the same time. As of today, I have 175 days until I leave....
February 2, 2008
it is time
Ok, quick recap of the past month:
Christmas was great!
New Years was even better!! =D
On December 31st, we (the staff and friends of SLM) went to some water falls and spent the afternoon playing and fellowshipping. It was beyond beautiful!
The same day, Brianna was greatly blessed by God: I met monks and even had my picture taken with them!!
December 1st 2008, myself and a few of the guys went to see some monkey’s. We bought bananas and fed the monkey’s.
Many trips to the ocean. Either for swimming, for hanging out/playing or just to watch the sunset. My favourite are when we go to the beach at sunset to swim and we end up going to hang out or just drive around afterwards. =)
I DROVE A MOTTO!! Yeah! Not just around the yard, but Seyha let me drive his motto on the road. I stayed in fairly low traffic areas, but it was still great!
I went fishing!
We had a team from America this past month. The main reason why I was so busy and had little contact with anyone for so long. We went to many villages and did alot of medical work. The American's were fun, they were white, and they gave me coffee!!!
New classes, new and old students. My class is big, almost 40 kids (evening class). My kids this year a more unruly than last year so I’m a much tougher teacher. I never thought I could be mean in the classroom, but apparently I can…
I am now in charge of Sunday School, but I think/hope/pray that will change soon. It’s not an overly good thing that I’m in charge.
I’m making some female friends!! It’s wonderful! But their all bent on finding me a Cambodian husband, eek!
I have been taking guitar lessons for a few weeks now. My fingers are delightfully callused up and I’m learning quickly!
Just after Christmas I began going to Phally’s cousins home to learn Khmer. I teach her English in return. Her name is Lyhouy and she’s 20 years old. Believe it or not I’m actually learning! I can speak a little Khmer! I know the basics, I can introduce my self and talk about me. I know many random words and animals, I can count. It gets me by. When I try and use my Khmer with motto drivers and at the market they love me and discount the prices! =D
Tomorrow I am going to Phnom Penh to see Dean and Samantha Stamler!!! Canadian’s!! I am so excited!! I’ve also invited my friend Tida to come along with us. He is the Cambodian who lived in Winnipeg for a year. I rarely see him, but I sure like talking with him!
As it happens, I found out that Kong is actually turning 20 this year. People in Cambodia don’t find birthday’s to be special occasions. Some people celebrate, but many don’t. I know many Cambodian’s that aren’t sure which day or even year they were born. Their mothers don’t remember! They pick random days (or years) and say that's their birthday. So Kong has 3 different birth certificates. But the one recorded in his family tree and that’s in the official Cambodian census says he was born in 1988. Who knew?
Anyways, that’s all I have to say for now. This upcoming week is the Chinese New Year. So most schools have the entire week off. We, however, only get Wednesday-Friday off. And Rachha and Vothanak are going to a different province for most of the week. On Thursday I am going with my friend Cham Reuon on his fathers boat and a bunch of us are going to some islands! We’ll go fishing, swimming and just have lots of fun! Yay!
=D
Christmas was great!
New Years was even better!! =D
On December 31st, we (the staff and friends of SLM) went to some water falls and spent the afternoon playing and fellowshipping. It was beyond beautiful!
The same day, Brianna was greatly blessed by God: I met monks and even had my picture taken with them!!
December 1st 2008, myself and a few of the guys went to see some monkey’s. We bought bananas and fed the monkey’s.
Many trips to the ocean. Either for swimming, for hanging out/playing or just to watch the sunset. My favourite are when we go to the beach at sunset to swim and we end up going to hang out or just drive around afterwards. =)
I DROVE A MOTTO!! Yeah! Not just around the yard, but Seyha let me drive his motto on the road. I stayed in fairly low traffic areas, but it was still great!
I went fishing!
We had a team from America this past month. The main reason why I was so busy and had little contact with anyone for so long. We went to many villages and did alot of medical work. The American's were fun, they were white, and they gave me coffee!!!
New classes, new and old students. My class is big, almost 40 kids (evening class). My kids this year a more unruly than last year so I’m a much tougher teacher. I never thought I could be mean in the classroom, but apparently I can…
I am now in charge of Sunday School, but I think/hope/pray that will change soon. It’s not an overly good thing that I’m in charge.
I’m making some female friends!! It’s wonderful! But their all bent on finding me a Cambodian husband, eek!
I have been taking guitar lessons for a few weeks now. My fingers are delightfully callused up and I’m learning quickly!
Just after Christmas I began going to Phally’s cousins home to learn Khmer. I teach her English in return. Her name is Lyhouy and she’s 20 years old. Believe it or not I’m actually learning! I can speak a little Khmer! I know the basics, I can introduce my self and talk about me. I know many random words and animals, I can count. It gets me by. When I try and use my Khmer with motto drivers and at the market they love me and discount the prices! =D
Tomorrow I am going to Phnom Penh to see Dean and Samantha Stamler!!! Canadian’s!! I am so excited!! I’ve also invited my friend Tida to come along with us. He is the Cambodian who lived in Winnipeg for a year. I rarely see him, but I sure like talking with him!
As it happens, I found out that Kong is actually turning 20 this year. People in Cambodia don’t find birthday’s to be special occasions. Some people celebrate, but many don’t. I know many Cambodian’s that aren’t sure which day or even year they were born. Their mothers don’t remember! They pick random days (or years) and say that's their birthday. So Kong has 3 different birth certificates. But the one recorded in his family tree and that’s in the official Cambodian census says he was born in 1988. Who knew?
Anyways, that’s all I have to say for now. This upcoming week is the Chinese New Year. So most schools have the entire week off. We, however, only get Wednesday-Friday off. And Rachha and Vothanak are going to a different province for most of the week. On Thursday I am going with my friend Cham Reuon on his fathers boat and a bunch of us are going to some islands! We’ll go fishing, swimming and just have lots of fun! Yay!
=D
January 2, 2008
good morning 2008!
Hello all!!
I am sorry I haven't updated yet! I have been very busy this past week.
All I can give you right now is a glimpse of how my New Years was spent! It was beyond awesome!
Waterfalls, Monks and Monkey's!!
December 26, 2007
glad tidings we bring
Ok, so I wrote this a few days ago and I am only posting it now. Please forgive me. We've been really busy here. I'll update more about my Christmas day tomorrow hopefully.
That's Kong and our sunset in the pictures
-----------------------------------------------------
I can barely believe that today is Christmas Eve. It’s been such a normal day, nothing special. I woke up late (ugh) taught my children, made a few phone calls to Canada, finished marking exams and filling out report cards, wrapped some pens with the other teachers, did some laundry.
Seriously, it’s Christmas today?
I can’t complain though. I’m happy. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and our big Christmas program. Rachha and I are the MC’s. He’s very nervous. I think it’s cute. I still have to write that “Christmas in Canada” speech. I better get on it.
I had the best weekend! God totally knew that I needed it, and I am so happy He gave it to me.
It kind of began on Thursday. I had to catch a bus to Phnom Penh at 8:15 am. It was a good time in the big city. I stayed with Rachel for the night. In the morning we caught the 7am bus for Sihanoukville. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. In the evening I had to give my final exam. It went well. Saturday morning we decorated the chapel for Christmas. In the afternoon Kong, Seyha and myself went for a walk up the mountain behind our home. It was not quite what I expected, and that’s ok with me! I was under the impression that there was a little road we would walk.
Not.
At certain points I was actually rock climbing, a first for me. No net, no support straps. Just me and nature.
We eventually made it to the top. It didn’t take that long. We took a short cut, that’s why I was walking through grass that was almost as tall as me. I prayed so hard that there would be no snakes or landmines.
Eek!
We hung out at the top of the mountain for about half and hour, maybe more, before we went back down. When we made it back to SLM Vothanak joined us in our adventures. They were far from over!!
We all went to the beach to watch the sunset. It was so much fun to just go and goof off with the boys. At one point we were throwing Vothanak’s sandals as Frisbee’s.
Hey, you work with what you’ve got…
It was too cloudy, so the sunset wasn’t as spectacular as it could have been, but it was still good.
From there we drove around for a long time. We went to a few different places at the port. Finally we returned around 8:30pm. In Cambodia, that’s pretty late.
Sunday was equally as good. Rachel, Tongpang and myself went out for breakfast at a very western type place. It was good. They had very good coffee.
We walked home and stopped at a music store. I bought a Christmas CD and a Khmer wedding music CD. All together it cost $2. I love Cambodia…
I corrected some exams and got ready for church. After church the staff of SLM were invited to a few different church Christmas programs. So we went to two different churches. After when we came home Vothanak let me drive his motto around the yard! Yesss, I have now officially driven a motto!
Sweet!!
And this week when we have some time off, he’s going to take me to some lesser travelled roads so I can really learn! I am very excited!!
Ok, I better go and finish wrapping Christmas presents and prepare that speech of mine!
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CAMBODIA EVERYONE!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------
I can barely believe that today is Christmas Eve. It’s been such a normal day, nothing special. I woke up late (ugh) taught my children, made a few phone calls to Canada, finished marking exams and filling out report cards, wrapped some pens with the other teachers, did some laundry.
Seriously, it’s Christmas today?
I can’t complain though. I’m happy. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and our big Christmas program. Rachha and I are the MC’s. He’s very nervous. I think it’s cute. I still have to write that “Christmas in Canada” speech. I better get on it.
I had the best weekend! God totally knew that I needed it, and I am so happy He gave it to me.
It kind of began on Thursday. I had to catch a bus to Phnom Penh at 8:15 am. It was a good time in the big city. I stayed with Rachel for the night. In the morning we caught the 7am bus for Sihanoukville. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. In the evening I had to give my final exam. It went well. Saturday morning we decorated the chapel for Christmas. In the afternoon Kong, Seyha and myself went for a walk up the mountain behind our home. It was not quite what I expected, and that’s ok with me! I was under the impression that there was a little road we would walk.
Not.
At certain points I was actually rock climbing, a first for me. No net, no support straps. Just me and nature.
We eventually made it to the top. It didn’t take that long. We took a short cut, that’s why I was walking through grass that was almost as tall as me. I prayed so hard that there would be no snakes or landmines.
Eek!
We hung out at the top of the mountain for about half and hour, maybe more, before we went back down. When we made it back to SLM Vothanak joined us in our adventures. They were far from over!!
We all went to the beach to watch the sunset. It was so much fun to just go and goof off with the boys. At one point we were throwing Vothanak’s sandals as Frisbee’s.
Hey, you work with what you’ve got…
It was too cloudy, so the sunset wasn’t as spectacular as it could have been, but it was still good.
From there we drove around for a long time. We went to a few different places at the port. Finally we returned around 8:30pm. In Cambodia, that’s pretty late.
Sunday was equally as good. Rachel, Tongpang and myself went out for breakfast at a very western type place. It was good. They had very good coffee.
We walked home and stopped at a music store. I bought a Christmas CD and a Khmer wedding music CD. All together it cost $2. I love Cambodia…
I corrected some exams and got ready for church. After church the staff of SLM were invited to a few different church Christmas programs. So we went to two different churches. After when we came home Vothanak let me drive his motto around the yard! Yesss, I have now officially driven a motto!
Sweet!!
And this week when we have some time off, he’s going to take me to some lesser travelled roads so I can really learn! I am very excited!!
Ok, I better go and finish wrapping Christmas presents and prepare that speech of mine!
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CAMBODIA EVERYONE!!!!
December 19, 2007
Christmas talk
I need your help. Rachha and myslef are hosting our Christmas program here at SLM on December 25th.
That's not what I need your help with...
I am giving a talk about Christmas in Canada. I am finding it very hard to say good things that are unique to Canada. As of right now all I can think of telling them is that North America is a selfish materialist place, we have long forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and it has become nothing but a comercialized holiday.
Now, I know that if I look deep down inside of me, that's not how I really feel. But I am having a hard time writing anything.
This is where you come in.
If you can think of anything special about Canadian (or North American) Christmas, could you please pass it on to me? I'd like to say something that might be interesting or inspiring to hear.
Som au-kun (thank you very much)
PS. I decorated the Christmas tree for SLM today. It's such a Charlie Brown tree, it's not even funny. It's small and fake. It took about 5-10 minutes for me to decorate. And I'm talking lights, tinsel,decorations, evertything!
Shoot, I could really go for the smell of a real Christmas tree right now...
That's not what I need your help with...
I am giving a talk about Christmas in Canada. I am finding it very hard to say good things that are unique to Canada. As of right now all I can think of telling them is that North America is a selfish materialist place, we have long forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and it has become nothing but a comercialized holiday.
Now, I know that if I look deep down inside of me, that's not how I really feel. But I am having a hard time writing anything.
This is where you come in.
If you can think of anything special about Canadian (or North American) Christmas, could you please pass it on to me? I'd like to say something that might be interesting or inspiring to hear.
Som au-kun (thank you very much)
PS. I decorated the Christmas tree for SLM today. It's such a Charlie Brown tree, it's not even funny. It's small and fake. It took about 5-10 minutes for me to decorate. And I'm talking lights, tinsel,decorations, evertything!
Shoot, I could really go for the smell of a real Christmas tree right now...
I see Stars =)
The past two days have been crazy!!
On Monday morning Jonah called me out of my nursery class at around 10:30 and told me I had to go to Phnom Penh that afternoon and pick up my Visa. The bus would leave at noon.
“Okaaaayyy“. I thought.
So I got ready and was on the bus. It felt like no time before I was in the capitol city. The quickest 4 ½ hours of my life! Anyways, I got off the bus and some tuk tuk drivers and motto drivers haggled me to go with them for outrageous prices. Finally a motto driver said he would take me to the Long Beach Plaza Hotel for only $1.
I am getting much better at bartering. =)
The travel agency that had my Visa was in this hotel, and then after that I would go to Rachel’s for the night. As it turns out the travel agency was about a 5 minute walk from Rachel‘s house! It was great!
It was a great evening of fellowship, girl talk and just being able to be myself.
Now, I should mention that I had specific instructions from Jonah. If my Visa was good for at least 1 week or more, I was to come home the next day. But if I only had a few days I was going to get on a bus/taxi/van thinger and go to Ko Kong where I would travel to the Thai boarder. Jonah said he’d meet me in Ko Kong.
My Visa was only good until December 19th, and it was already the 17th.
Looked like I was going to Thailand.
I told Rachel and her house mates about my plans and they all strongly advised me not to do it. That Van thing wasn’t the safest (or most comfortable - think 25 people crammed into a regular sized van, People spilling out the windows and sitting on the roof for 5-6 hours) way of travel. Plus the boarder is sketchy. There’s a lot of drug and human trafficking going on there. They told me I should think about flying into Bangkok. It was safe and cheap. Turns out that a round trip was only $69. So I decided to do that. But unfortunately you can’t book flights online within 23 hours and 59 minutes of a flight (apparently). So I woke up at 5am and made my way to the airport (and more good bartering was done for the ride there!). There was a flight to Bangkok in less than 2 hours, and they had room!!
The kicker: it would cost me $79. One way.
Have I mentioned that it’s exam week and I was supposed to be at SLM doing a review with my students?
Well, in light of the situation I just took it. I had to be back in Sihanoukville as soon as possible.
I had a delicious sandwich for breakfast. And a latte.
God bless airports…
Before I knew it I was sitting alone on an airplane heading for Thailand.
Say what?!
Me. Little Brianna going to Thailand all alone, no agenda, no one to help me. Well, that’s a lie. God was there. Like, completely!! At every terminal and passport control counter and security search I went through I prayed for God’s blessing and favour on me wherever I went, and boy did He put His favour on me! It was great!
Anyways, back to Thailand…
They have STARBUCKS!!!!!!!!
God bless Thailand…
There was no eggnog , so I had a peppermint mocha instead. I don’t even like Starbucks mocha, but this was delicious!
Anyways, I hired a taxi to take me into the city. All he did was take me to the enormous mall. I bought all my Christmas presents there, so that was good. I made it back to the airport in time for my flight home (did I mention that once in Thailand I bought a ticket home? For too much money again, ugh.) and even had time to eat Burger King before flying out!!!
I’ve never enjoyed Burger King so much…
I was in Thailand for about a total of 5 hours. I met an Australian guy named Michal at my gate. He was 24 and really nice. We ended up sitting together on the flight home (rush seating). Once in the city my problems/adventure was not over….
The guy wouldn’t give me a 1 year multiple entry Visa on the spot. I have to go back tomorrow and get it at 3pm.
Ugh.
BUT!!! My sweet bartering skills were put to the test even more once out of the airport!! I needed to either hire a taxi to drive me home, or I could crash at Rachel’s again. If it wasn’t exam week, I would have crashed, but I can’t do that to my students. I love them too much. Normally you can hire a taxi to take you to Sihanoukville for $30. But gas has gone up so they were asking $80! I said “NO WAY!” I told them that just because I am white that does not mean I have lots of money. That was just too much. So then I had all these men surrounding me trying to get me to go with them in their tuk tuk, motto or taxi to the city center. One guy spoke really good English and we were chatting up a storm. He wanted me to pay $7 for his taxi, and from there he was going to take me to his brother, who was driving a taxi to Sihanoukville that night. I had to clarify with him a few times, but it was a lot of fun talking to him. He was a funny guy, and I’m a funny girl. We had all those men around us cracking up with laughter! I think they were impressed with the little white girl that was so firm.
=)
Anyways, I went with this guy and his brother took me home to Sihanoukville for $25. There were others in the taxi, but I was more than ok with that. I was soooo exhausted!! I just wanted to go home.
And home I went!!!
But now I’ve been stupid busy all day and I still have to teach for a few hours tonight. Then first thing in the morning I’ll be on a bus again heading back to Phnom Penh. I’m probably going to stay with Rachel Thursday night, and then she’s coming back with me to Sihanoukville on Friday morning.
Alright, here we go!!
On Monday morning Jonah called me out of my nursery class at around 10:30 and told me I had to go to Phnom Penh that afternoon and pick up my Visa. The bus would leave at noon.
“Okaaaayyy“. I thought.
So I got ready and was on the bus. It felt like no time before I was in the capitol city. The quickest 4 ½ hours of my life! Anyways, I got off the bus and some tuk tuk drivers and motto drivers haggled me to go with them for outrageous prices. Finally a motto driver said he would take me to the Long Beach Plaza Hotel for only $1.
I am getting much better at bartering. =)
The travel agency that had my Visa was in this hotel, and then after that I would go to Rachel’s for the night. As it turns out the travel agency was about a 5 minute walk from Rachel‘s house! It was great!
It was a great evening of fellowship, girl talk and just being able to be myself.
Now, I should mention that I had specific instructions from Jonah. If my Visa was good for at least 1 week or more, I was to come home the next day. But if I only had a few days I was going to get on a bus/taxi/van thinger and go to Ko Kong where I would travel to the Thai boarder. Jonah said he’d meet me in Ko Kong.
My Visa was only good until December 19th, and it was already the 17th.
Looked like I was going to Thailand.
I told Rachel and her house mates about my plans and they all strongly advised me not to do it. That Van thing wasn’t the safest (or most comfortable - think 25 people crammed into a regular sized van, People spilling out the windows and sitting on the roof for 5-6 hours) way of travel. Plus the boarder is sketchy. There’s a lot of drug and human trafficking going on there. They told me I should think about flying into Bangkok. It was safe and cheap. Turns out that a round trip was only $69. So I decided to do that. But unfortunately you can’t book flights online within 23 hours and 59 minutes of a flight (apparently). So I woke up at 5am and made my way to the airport (and more good bartering was done for the ride there!). There was a flight to Bangkok in less than 2 hours, and they had room!!
The kicker: it would cost me $79. One way.
Have I mentioned that it’s exam week and I was supposed to be at SLM doing a review with my students?
Well, in light of the situation I just took it. I had to be back in Sihanoukville as soon as possible.
I had a delicious sandwich for breakfast. And a latte.
God bless airports…
Before I knew it I was sitting alone on an airplane heading for Thailand.
Say what?!
Me. Little Brianna going to Thailand all alone, no agenda, no one to help me. Well, that’s a lie. God was there. Like, completely!! At every terminal and passport control counter and security search I went through I prayed for God’s blessing and favour on me wherever I went, and boy did He put His favour on me! It was great!
Anyways, back to Thailand…
They have STARBUCKS!!!!!!!!
God bless Thailand…
There was no eggnog , so I had a peppermint mocha instead. I don’t even like Starbucks mocha, but this was delicious!
Anyways, I hired a taxi to take me into the city. All he did was take me to the enormous mall. I bought all my Christmas presents there, so that was good. I made it back to the airport in time for my flight home (did I mention that once in Thailand I bought a ticket home? For too much money again, ugh.) and even had time to eat Burger King before flying out!!!
I’ve never enjoyed Burger King so much…
I was in Thailand for about a total of 5 hours. I met an Australian guy named Michal at my gate. He was 24 and really nice. We ended up sitting together on the flight home (rush seating). Once in the city my problems/adventure was not over….
The guy wouldn’t give me a 1 year multiple entry Visa on the spot. I have to go back tomorrow and get it at 3pm.
Ugh.
BUT!!! My sweet bartering skills were put to the test even more once out of the airport!! I needed to either hire a taxi to drive me home, or I could crash at Rachel’s again. If it wasn’t exam week, I would have crashed, but I can’t do that to my students. I love them too much. Normally you can hire a taxi to take you to Sihanoukville for $30. But gas has gone up so they were asking $80! I said “NO WAY!” I told them that just because I am white that does not mean I have lots of money. That was just too much. So then I had all these men surrounding me trying to get me to go with them in their tuk tuk, motto or taxi to the city center. One guy spoke really good English and we were chatting up a storm. He wanted me to pay $7 for his taxi, and from there he was going to take me to his brother, who was driving a taxi to Sihanoukville that night. I had to clarify with him a few times, but it was a lot of fun talking to him. He was a funny guy, and I’m a funny girl. We had all those men around us cracking up with laughter! I think they were impressed with the little white girl that was so firm.
=)
Anyways, I went with this guy and his brother took me home to Sihanoukville for $25. There were others in the taxi, but I was more than ok with that. I was soooo exhausted!! I just wanted to go home.
And home I went!!!
But now I’ve been stupid busy all day and I still have to teach for a few hours tonight. Then first thing in the morning I’ll be on a bus again heading back to Phnom Penh. I’m probably going to stay with Rachel Thursday night, and then she’s coming back with me to Sihanoukville on Friday morning.
Alright, here we go!!
December 16, 2007
7 more days...
I did not go to Thailand this weekend. I will be going either early this week with Jonah, or on Friday with the Secretary of State. This poses a problem. It's exam week. I am supposed to be going over a review with my students to prepare them for the exam on Friday. Friday. How can I go to Ko Kong when I am supposed to be conducting an exam? Jonah said he'd cover it for me. But I adore my students. I want to be there for them!
This is frustrating...
I preached another sermon today. I talked about how God uses regular ordinary people to do great things. I used Mary as my example and talked a lot about her. I also threw Noah in there for good measure. I talked about obedience and how these people had a choice to let God use them. God doesn't promise that life will be easy when you obey Him, but he will be with you through it all, and He will bless you because of it.
Kong is home!!!
He went away to Phnom Penh for the past 4 days and I missed him greatly! It was funny, he said after the first day he wasn't happy and he wanted to go home. Now, I should tell you that Jonah and Tongpang were also in Phnom Penh, but none of these people traveled together. Kong did however get together with them at one point, and after that he told me all he could think about was how his sister was at home alone (which I wasn't really, Rachha and Vothanak were home as well). He said he wanted to go home immediately. Everything in the world would be perfect once him and his sister were back together.
I feel so loved. =)
Tonight I finally got behind the stove and cooked a meal for my boys! It was OK. It was harder to cook here for several reasons. One being that I didn't have the same utensils, or the same ingredients (I threw in a bunch of things that I didn't know what they were) and I didn't have my spices!! When I cook at home, I use like a dozen different spices! But!! There was garlic. I used a little too much I think...
Does an entire bulb sound like too much...?
The highlight of my weekend was talking to Nick for hours on msn!! I love that boy! (not romantically, of course..*ahem*coughcough*pulls collar to side*uhhhhh*)
=D
This is frustrating...
I preached another sermon today. I talked about how God uses regular ordinary people to do great things. I used Mary as my example and talked a lot about her. I also threw Noah in there for good measure. I talked about obedience and how these people had a choice to let God use them. God doesn't promise that life will be easy when you obey Him, but he will be with you through it all, and He will bless you because of it.
Kong is home!!!
He went away to Phnom Penh for the past 4 days and I missed him greatly! It was funny, he said after the first day he wasn't happy and he wanted to go home. Now, I should tell you that Jonah and Tongpang were also in Phnom Penh, but none of these people traveled together. Kong did however get together with them at one point, and after that he told me all he could think about was how his sister was at home alone (which I wasn't really, Rachha and Vothanak were home as well). He said he wanted to go home immediately. Everything in the world would be perfect once him and his sister were back together.
I feel so loved. =)
Tonight I finally got behind the stove and cooked a meal for my boys! It was OK. It was harder to cook here for several reasons. One being that I didn't have the same utensils, or the same ingredients (I threw in a bunch of things that I didn't know what they were) and I didn't have my spices!! When I cook at home, I use like a dozen different spices! But!! There was garlic. I used a little too much I think...
Does an entire bulb sound like too much...?
The highlight of my weekend was talking to Nick for hours on msn!! I love that boy! (not romantically, of course..*ahem*coughcough*pulls collar to side*uhhhhh*)
=D
December 14, 2007
fact
I found an article through my student Nin. It's from The Cambodia Daily. I can't seem to find it online so I'll give you the gist of what it talked about....
The title was "Phnom Penh Listed Among Least Livable Cities".
A study was done on the living conditions of 132 cities around the world, and Phnom Penh (the capitol of Cambodia) was listed in the top 10.
We rank #8. Out of 132 cities we came in 125th.
We are right below Bogota, Clolombia (123) and Tehran, Iran (124) and above Dakar, Senegal (126). Algiers, Algeria was listed as the least livable city.
We are below Iran. Oh my....
The study is based upon standard of living, traffic, crime, poverty, cleanliness, etc...
There was also an article that said Phnom Penh was getting a KFC. This will be the first major fast-food chain to enter the Cambodian market.
I'm not excited about that...
The title was "Phnom Penh Listed Among Least Livable Cities".
A study was done on the living conditions of 132 cities around the world, and Phnom Penh (the capitol of Cambodia) was listed in the top 10.
We rank #8. Out of 132 cities we came in 125th.
We are right below Bogota, Clolombia (123) and Tehran, Iran (124) and above Dakar, Senegal (126). Algiers, Algeria was listed as the least livable city.
We are below Iran. Oh my....
The study is based upon standard of living, traffic, crime, poverty, cleanliness, etc...
There was also an article that said Phnom Penh was getting a KFC. This will be the first major fast-food chain to enter the Cambodian market.
I'm not excited about that...
December 12, 2007
Much has happened since my last entry. I don’t even know where to begin. Umm, I guess I’ll begin with my sickness.
I was sick.
I came down with a nasty flu last week. It came upon me Thursday evening right after I went to Kong’s fathers 7th day party. I came back to the school to teach my classes, and half way through the 6:30 class, I felt very hot and weak. Then I became very disoriented and confused. I had a high fever. I had a headache. My body screamed at me in pain. My skin was very sensitive and sore, while my muscles and joints felt like an extreme case of arthritis. My head felt like a balloon and I had trouble speaking to anyone. Tongpang covered my last class for me and I went to bed feeling terrible. I awoke in the morning feeling a bit better, but not well enough to teach class. I spent the day in bed drifting in and out of sleep. I felt pretty ok, fever was down, I had a little bit of strength. That was until around the exact same time Friday evening. It hit me again but this time it was even worse. My body was so extremely hot, it hurt to touch the skin on my stomach or back it was so hot, my face was on fire but I was shivering, I was under blankets in this plus 30 degree weather. I also had the pleasure of almost no sleep because I was hit with some bad diarrhea . I was up running to the bathroom every15-30 minutes from 1:30am until about 7-8am. It was terrible. I was also sweating excessively. I had all the symptoms of malaria. I was scared. Very scared. Jonah told me that I had to go to the hospital that night if I wasn’t feeling much better. One of my biggest fears is getting seriously sick in Cambodia. The hospitals here are terrible. People in Canada should never complain about our health care system. I cried Friday night when I was trying to go to sleep, and I called out to God for some serious healing here if it was indeed malaria. Kong also told me about someone in his school who had some type of fever with all the same symptoms I had, and he died. I was beyond scared.
After a few days I felt better and I didn’t go to the hospital (praise God!!). Now a few more days later and I’m coming down with a cold. I can’t believe how sick I get here. It’s ridiculous!!! I am never this sick! Ugh.
Now, fast forward a couple days and I received the most amazing blessing!! I received TWO packages from home on the same day!! One from my mom, and the other from Nick (and many other friends). I am terribly home sick right now, getting the packages was such a joy! There was a card in Nick’s package from people from my church and a bunch of small notes.
I cried like a child. It was beautiful.
As I was opening the packages Jonah came into the room to tell me something. He told me he just got off the phone with the Secretary of State and he had some good news and some bad news.
I knew what it was before he even said it.
It turns out he couldn’t get me the one year visa. Instead, he is travelling to Ko Kong this weekend and I am to travel with him. It’s a 4 ½ hour boat ride from Sihanoukville, and once I get there I have to go a little farther on land to the Thai boarder.
Yep. I’m going to Thailand.
Here’s the kicker: I’m only going for a few minutes!!
I’m just supposed to get the stamps saying I left the country and come back in to get my business one year Visa.
Boo.
I do however, have the option of staying in Thailand for a few nights alone. I’m brave, but I’m not sure if I’m that brave (or stupid) to do that. I will however see if I can stay in Thailand for a few hours, maybe even spend the night. I don’t want to make that journey in one day. Who knows, the boats might not even run that late in the day for me to get home. Plus, if I stay for a few nights it will cost me at least $100. Probably more knowing me.
Please pray, this is all very nerve racking. I’m still weak from my flu, I am supposed to preach on Sunday, and need to write my sermon still, and I have to create the final exam for my English students this week. I am supposed to go to Crocodile Hole Village for some ceremony stuff, and Phi Run specifically asked me out for Saturday evening. We have not spent any time together in a several weeks. I was really looking forward to going out with him. He always takes me to the best hidden little places in Kompot Som (Which is the Khmer name for Sihanoukville). Oh, and I think Alila is coming to SLM this weekend to stay for about a month, and she’s staying in my room. I still have to clean out half of the wardrobe and dresser and get everything ready.
It’s already Wednesday.
BAHHH!!!
It’s ok though. I’ve been incredibly bored and restless lately, so now I have non-stop excitement, right? This is good, right?
Eek…
I was sick.
I came down with a nasty flu last week. It came upon me Thursday evening right after I went to Kong’s fathers 7th day party. I came back to the school to teach my classes, and half way through the 6:30 class, I felt very hot and weak. Then I became very disoriented and confused. I had a high fever. I had a headache. My body screamed at me in pain. My skin was very sensitive and sore, while my muscles and joints felt like an extreme case of arthritis. My head felt like a balloon and I had trouble speaking to anyone. Tongpang covered my last class for me and I went to bed feeling terrible. I awoke in the morning feeling a bit better, but not well enough to teach class. I spent the day in bed drifting in and out of sleep. I felt pretty ok, fever was down, I had a little bit of strength. That was until around the exact same time Friday evening. It hit me again but this time it was even worse. My body was so extremely hot, it hurt to touch the skin on my stomach or back it was so hot, my face was on fire but I was shivering, I was under blankets in this plus 30 degree weather. I also had the pleasure of almost no sleep because I was hit with some bad diarrhea . I was up running to the bathroom every15-30 minutes from 1:30am until about 7-8am. It was terrible. I was also sweating excessively. I had all the symptoms of malaria. I was scared. Very scared. Jonah told me that I had to go to the hospital that night if I wasn’t feeling much better. One of my biggest fears is getting seriously sick in Cambodia. The hospitals here are terrible. People in Canada should never complain about our health care system. I cried Friday night when I was trying to go to sleep, and I called out to God for some serious healing here if it was indeed malaria. Kong also told me about someone in his school who had some type of fever with all the same symptoms I had, and he died. I was beyond scared.
After a few days I felt better and I didn’t go to the hospital (praise God!!). Now a few more days later and I’m coming down with a cold. I can’t believe how sick I get here. It’s ridiculous!!! I am never this sick! Ugh.
Now, fast forward a couple days and I received the most amazing blessing!! I received TWO packages from home on the same day!! One from my mom, and the other from Nick (and many other friends). I am terribly home sick right now, getting the packages was such a joy! There was a card in Nick’s package from people from my church and a bunch of small notes.
I cried like a child. It was beautiful.
As I was opening the packages Jonah came into the room to tell me something. He told me he just got off the phone with the Secretary of State and he had some good news and some bad news.
I knew what it was before he even said it.
It turns out he couldn’t get me the one year visa. Instead, he is travelling to Ko Kong this weekend and I am to travel with him. It’s a 4 ½ hour boat ride from Sihanoukville, and once I get there I have to go a little farther on land to the Thai boarder.
Yep. I’m going to Thailand.
Here’s the kicker: I’m only going for a few minutes!!
I’m just supposed to get the stamps saying I left the country and come back in to get my business one year Visa.
Boo.
I do however, have the option of staying in Thailand for a few nights alone. I’m brave, but I’m not sure if I’m that brave (or stupid) to do that. I will however see if I can stay in Thailand for a few hours, maybe even spend the night. I don’t want to make that journey in one day. Who knows, the boats might not even run that late in the day for me to get home. Plus, if I stay for a few nights it will cost me at least $100. Probably more knowing me.
Please pray, this is all very nerve racking. I’m still weak from my flu, I am supposed to preach on Sunday, and need to write my sermon still, and I have to create the final exam for my English students this week. I am supposed to go to Crocodile Hole Village for some ceremony stuff, and Phi Run specifically asked me out for Saturday evening. We have not spent any time together in a several weeks. I was really looking forward to going out with him. He always takes me to the best hidden little places in Kompot Som (Which is the Khmer name for Sihanoukville). Oh, and I think Alila is coming to SLM this weekend to stay for about a month, and she’s staying in my room. I still have to clean out half of the wardrobe and dresser and get everything ready.
It’s already Wednesday.
BAHHH!!!
It’s ok though. I’ve been incredibly bored and restless lately, so now I have non-stop excitement, right? This is good, right?
Eek…
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