I guess it’s time I update this…. Mainly I remembered because I want to show off my new room. Maybe I like posting pictures more than actually writing stories. I just received some care packages from home that made this all possible. I really want to hang up all the Giants Championship paraphernalia I have received, however that might just make me more depressed by being reminded how I didn’t catch one play-off or World Series game.
Currently I have the most annoying bug bites, I just don’t understand how they always get your elbows. I have three mosquito bites on the same elbow. AHHH. Also I had to kill about a thousand ants just to sit down and write.
To work, currently work in the high school is slow and going. No big success to report as of yet. I can’t remember if I told you, readers, that one student gave me an ear of corn, uncooked and shucked. My host mom roasted it, then dropped it… so I will never know the quality of this gift. Also I just started teaching at World Vision in the afternoons. Last week was my first classes. I had 12 students ranging from unable to recite the ABC’s to college level knowledge. This is the same as my high school classrooms just a smaller scale. Yet, I am still completely dumbfounded on what to actually do as I stand in front of these kids.
Also to those of you who know I am an avid Community fan, I have been caught up thanks to the wonders of friends and technology. Also I have started watching Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Ugly Betty and Weeds. And have read 13 books to date, not as many as some volunteers, but I’m pretty sure more than I completed in 3 years of college. So to that I guess you realize I have a lot of free time. I mean a lot. After work today I took one nap, and can pretty much guarantee if the weather keeps getting hotter I will be taking another shower proceeded by napping. I am true surprised that I haven’t melted here, all my Christmas candy has though. I like in eternal August, however I am a little shocked at night I do want a sheet, I mean all I can handle at night is a thin single top sheet. And this is the cool season. I really can’t imagine the hot season. I doubt there will be any positive blogging during those months.
The pictures! I just moved to a new house that is a lot quieter and has two windows!
So mom sent me some close pins to hang up photos and it has made it a lot homier. I may have created a shrine to my nephew, Cannon. But I haven’t started offering incense or fruit, so I guess it isn’t technically a Cambodian shrine. I must say despite my best efforts it always seems a little cluttered, but that’s what happens when you only have one item to conceal possessions and it’s a military grade metal trunk.
[insert a messy room with a picture shrine to my adorable nephew, friends, Africa, family, and mail all hung on plastic string and mini clothes pins]
I can’t really tell you why I am posting blurry pictures, or why my camera can’t take a decent picture without a flash. But it will help you get the feel of things.
This is from my weekend in Phnom Penh where I tried to regain composure. But listening to Michael Buble and Taylor Swift play at a Coffee House in the capital just makes you miss home a bit more. Another cool thing that happened that weekend was my jeans ripped. Cambodia ages your clothes about 4,000 times faster than normal, so bringing 2-year-old jeans wasn’t my brightest plan. I’ll be going to the tailors again once I wash them.
[insert photo of an amazing pumpkin muffin, pretty vanilla latté and comfy chairs]
This was a find in Siem Reap a few weeks back. I guess Costco doesn’t know the only Cambodia grocery store chain carries its products for about 4 times the going rate.
[insert picture of cans of tuna from costco]
That’s the latest from this side of the globe. I wish I had more adventures, but I cant really think of much more to share with you. Hope you are all sleeping well under your comforters and flannel sheets.
Peace be the journey.
ps. I over-estimated my ability to be patient for photos to load. Sorry
Hi Leslie,
Love your pics and your journal. So glad your mom could join you for a couple of weeks. Think of you often. Love from Karen and the rest of the Bertoli’s:)