Greetings and Farewells ~

So excited to have Kyle and Herrie with me today.  Only missing Devin and Casey to make it perfect.  We took a walk around town and look what we found!

Drinking a carton of milk..

Family just cruising past the Children's Hospital!

Kyle and Herrie came with me to my last class with these incredible girls.  Kyle filmed them singing a Taylor Swift song that I hope to get to her producer.  Then he took this goodbye picture.  Herrie is second from the left.  They fit in great with the class.  So very sad to be leaving them…hard to believe how quickly they filled my heart.

I'm setting my sights on Wednesday.  We get to take out three children for lunch and shopping.  My newly sponsored student, Pha Bros and his sister Channa.  I'm so grateful to my parents for recognizing how significant being a sponsor is and signing up.  Their young man, Chhiana will be joining us on Wednesday as well.  And they are taking on a second student so I get to choose him or her for them.  So tough because they are all so deserving and the sponsors mean so much to them.  Chhiana speaks very good English and he told me that having a sponsor makes them feel like someone really cares about them and their studies and it helps students excel.  I think their parents, if they have parents (many do not), are more focused on basic needs and don't give them the academic attention they need.

Pha Bros - can you believe he's 15 - so small.

Chhiana with a friend - another great kid...

               

This is Pha Bros older sister and I don't know who this
adorable little girl is but she just wanted to keep
hugging me.

Oh my heart….

Cheers!

Last night I was treated to an invitation to a cocktail party where I met the who’s who of Phnom Penh.  With a very gracious host who introduced me around, I met an engaging young woman who has published a very successful book:  Shattered Glass.  She is Cambodian and studied for her master's degree at Williams College.  She told me she spoke at the Northshire Bookstore last year in Manchester Vermont!  And then another man, of Cambodian decent but raised in Boston told me his sister lives in St. Johnsbury. VT.  He even called it St. J.!  So crazy to be this far from home and yet find people familiar with Vermont.  I made it clear that I want to be back here in some capacity so…the head of the only life insurance company here now knows, the head of Coca Cola now knows, the president of one of their Universities know knows and the head of Microsoft here know knows…..hmmmmm wonder if anything will come from cocktails!

I  was struggling with ideas to engage the students in these last few weeks.   Thanks to Heidi Scheuermann (my partner in crime in Montpelier) who was a Peace Corp volunteer, I introduced music to my classes.  So.  Much.  Fun.  Here is a group getting together to sing “My Heart Will Go On” .  My absolute favorite it the rendition they all sing of “Hey Soul Sistah”.  I'm humming that ALL the time:)))

The more I get to know these kids the more of their history I learn.  Each one has a truly Dickensian tale and now they are working to overcome their past and create a better future. But all continue to talk about how much they want to help their families.  

When they begin to tell a bit about their past I have to block out any emotion because it is beyond anything we can imagine.  One of these girls told the story of how, before coming here, she worked for a Vietnamese family and had to cook, clean and take care of their children.  She had no time to study and was tired all the time.  She said she needed to work to help support her family.  She was thirteen.  

And look at them now:)))

Tomorrow morning my oldest son Kyle and his girlfriend, Herrie arrive.  I am beside myself with excitement to share this wild, most wonderful place and people with them.  But first I thought it right and significant to end up pretty much where I started off on this journey of self.  At a bar… okay…a very nice bar:  The Elephant Bar at the Raffles Hotel.   

The adventure isn’t over but this little repose allows me to think how much I’ve learned in this last month.  I’ve picked up some Khmer, definitely picked up some weird broken English accent, learned to cross the street, balance on a motor scooter taxi with arms’ full of grocery bags.  Learned when my tuk tuk driver lost and how to direct him to my coffee shop or the market.  Learned to be comfortable in my own company for long stretches of time and I learned that we can all keep on learning…But most of all I've learned about the resilience of the human spirit through the greatest teachers I have ever met.  My students.  

So cheers to self-discovery, cheers to health (which enabled the trip) and cheers to you for continuing to keep me company.  Salut!!! 

"When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block:  Life is Fun." ~ The Tao of Pooh

A new friend has introduced me to the Tao.  I've quoted Lao Tzu before and realize I should be looking a bit deeper than "Pooh" but it's a start.  And this passage seemed to be appropriate for the day.   I brought with me two parachutes because I thought they'd be fun for the children.  Well they were a hit but they also put them into a playful frenzy.  

Life is indeed fun!!!

"Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit" ~ Bernard Williams

Vermont Strong. This was Vermont's motto in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  Our state was devastated and, for a short time, we were brought to our knees.  Very quickly, we rolled up our sleeves, got to work rebuilding our roads and bridges and helped those whose homes and businesses were hit hard.  Some are still dealing with the FEMA bureaucracy but for most, life got back on track fairly quickly.  We thought this was a pretty big deal and so patted ourselves on the back and talked about being - "Vermont Strong".   

Two days ago it merely rained through the night and you'll see below the results.  From a regular rainfall.  This isn't even the rainy season.  And everyone just goes along barely giving these conditions a thought.  The video below is just a few seconds of the drive.  It was so much worse.  I also added a clip from one of my classes that day just to show you the spirit in these beautiful kids.  (We were playing vocabulary charades and the phrase was small boy.  You'll now be able to understand the clues!)

After seeing the results here from a little rain I am even more saddened following the news in the Philippines.   I read a pre-storm interview with an ex-pat there doing mission work.  He said they don't even have nails securing the metal roofs on their homes.  They are held in place by tires.  I have no doubt that these resilient souls will pick themselves up and carry on, but I struggle at the unfairness of their misery.  I'm hopeful that we would do the same, but we have never had to.  We can't know what the resilience of spirit is because we haven't been tested.   We really haven't yet been called upon to be Vermont Strong…and for that, we should be truly grateful.

Mr. Thun driving me to work and trying to keep dry.  All manner of
creative rain blocks were being used.  But mostly people were just hunched
over their motos getting absolutely drenched.  

This was in the pouring rain.  I also saw two people on a moto and between
them was a tall bamboo pole with an IV bag and tube hanging from it.  Can
you imagine being sick enough to need an IV and then getting on a motor-
scooter in the pouring rain?  Beyond our comprehension.

"It's a bizarre but wonderful feeling, to arrive dead center of a target you didn't even know you were aiming for." ~ Lois McMaster Bujold

Last night I took myself out to dinner.  This is getting so much easier to do.  I found a place earlier in the day that looked interesting so decided to check it out.  As I was seated, outside beside little fairy lights, on the busy river strand I heard, and felt, a huge boom.  The guy next to me jumped and scenes from The Killing Fields flashed through my head.  Before I dove under my table the fireworks began.  Real fireworks, right over the river and I, with my front row seat sipping my frozen margarita.  It was incredible.  And look who just moseyed on by...

I would have missed this had I decided to do the secure thing and stay home with a book.  I will never choose to do the secure thing again!  Well, maybe once in awhile, like tonight after a long day at work.  But not very often, I promise myself that.

"Don't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes." 

Well perhaps.  But if you suspect he's walking in your Teva's you might feel differently...
Each day I leave my shoes at the door to the school building.  Barefoot is the custom here.  So my well traveled, yet clean-ish Teva sandals are placed, neatly lined up with the other shoes, looking like this.  And....

This is what greets me when I leave at the day's end.  Seriously?!?  I have a feeling that my shoes are having daily adventures of their own.  If they could only talk...but do I really want to know where they have been or what the heck they have been up to!!!  What's life without a little mystery....

Oliver Twist in Phnom Penh

These children work the tourist area selling bracelets.  I was taking photos from a distance and when they spotted me they headed over.  I was prepared to buy some of their wares but naively thought they would be like the hundreds of other children I have talked to.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  I told them I'd buy equal amounts of bracelets from each of them and then the jostling ensued.  They surrounded me and one boy started yelling saying I hadn't given him any money.  I told him I thought I had but I'd give him back the bracelets ('cause I was out of singles and wasn't going to pull out a twenty dollar bill in front of these ruffians).  

The little girl of the group pulled me aside and said, "he cheat you - you give him dollah and he cheat you.  So now I tell you, so now you buy more from me when you see me next time sista.  Pinky swear yes???"

Well it was sort of cute in a weird way and you can see that they made out alright.  Guess what everyone is getting upon my return.  After I left I felt I had been in Oliver Twist 2013.         Little did I know...

Once I managed to get away from them I noticed my well-worn map was missing from my backpack.  Which was odd as that has become my "wooby" (aka security blanket) and therefore I keep pretty good track of it.  Then, when I got home I was surprised at how much money I had gone through.  Too tired, and fighting off a cold, I didn't work hard to calculate my day's spending.  Today,  someone told me that these kids are sharp pickpockets soooo - while everyone warned me that Cambodia is dangerous I find it very ironic that the only problem I have run into so far is with a band of children.

 I can see the difference in their eyes.  So sad for them but it shows me what the Cambodia Children's Fund is accomplishing by giving these children an education, hope, and the chance for a better future...   

"Oh the places you'll go!  There is fun to be done!  There are points to be scored.  There are games to be won. " ~ Dr. Seuss

I left class and wandered down the street to the Cambodian Children's Fund Community Center and Lordy day what a celebration!  Today was the day the Student of the Year awards were being announced and presented.  Families were EVERYWHERE.  Handmade signs were being held to identify the different school "campuses".
Look at these crowds.  The students ranged from age five through seniors in high school and all were jubilant and in high celebratory spirits, cheering loudly for each other.

These aren't great photos of the Director, Scott Neeson but I hope they convey the joy he brings to his organization.  He is definitely doing what he loves to do and the event reflected how transformative CCF is to this community.

This young man received an award along with $5.00.  The #1 student in each class receives $10.00.  When I asked each student what they were going to do with their money each one proudly replied they were going to bring it to their mother.  I have never, ever, seen children so excited about anything.  Ever.      

And - guess who found me - in that crowd!  I felt a gentle tap on the shoulder and there he was.  My needle in the haystack!!!  I asked him to write down his name for me.  Which took a lot of charade-like antics because he really doesn't understand English. And I grabbed some scrap paper and marker.   So now I have this picture and his name.  I'm making progress!  

In search of...

I've had my eye out for the child here who I want to sponsor.  When I went on the Shoe Distribution Expedition there was one little boy who was a "junior leader" from CCF who came with us and followed me around the whole day.  When I'd turn around he'd smile shyly and talk quietly in Khmer.  He worked very hard helping the other children get their shoes and at our lunch break I gave him my camera to take pictures.  At the end of the day he gave me a huge hug, so totally charming.  I have this fuzzy photo of him.

Well today we crossed paths and he gave me a big smile and wave.  I've learned that the students who speak no English are usually newcomers.  It doesn't take them long to learn the basics so I can only guess that this little boy, about eleven or so, is a new student.   Later on today it hit me that THIS was the boy to sponsor.  Why it didn't occur to me earlier I don't know so now I am obsessed.  My stint here ends in a few weeks and I need to find my little guy and only have this picture to go on.

I had dinner with the head of the sponsorship program.  There are 800 children still needing sponsors so I will be spending time over the next few days scouring their photo list like someone looking at mugshots.  Wish me luck and send me lots of positive mojo to help me find him!

"So close your eyes and dream of all the wonderful Trash that's yet to come." ~ Oscar the Grouch

I was stunned yesterday as I was walking around town to discover this.   The Lone Trash Receptacle.  I have done a lot of walking and would have noticed another.  This is it.  And it was empty.  Trash was strewn all around it but none had made it into the little dustbin.  Cambodians really don't think of trash the way we do.  I'm not sure they even have a word for it.  I tried, diplomatically,  talking to one of CCF's teachers about the trash.  She looked totally confused.  Could not understand what I was talking about.  I went on to say that while I was surprised at the amount of trash around I was relieved that I hadn't seen any rats.  She cocked her head to one side with a puzzled look on her face and said quizzically, "Why?  You no like rats?".

Today I was helping a teacher with his resume and what I thought at first was a very large mouse, ran through the class room.  The teacher just chuckled.  We were sitting on floor, barefooted and I was not thinking this was funny.  We continued to work but it kept scurrying out from behind a stack of cushions, it's beady red eyes glowering at us.  I asked if it was a mouse or a rat.  He replied, "what's the difference".  That was it for me for the day.  Because mouse or rat..."I no like rodents!"

"Bloom where you are planted" - mmmm - maybe not.

We've all heard that quote.  Sounds good right?  I have a passionflower plant.  It was a scraggly little thing I bought from the grocery store for $9.99.  Brought it home, repotted it, dusted off its leaves and sat it on my back porch.  It grew well and is healthy.  As I gave it to a friend to tend for me while I'm gone (thank you Liz), she asked where it would thrive best.  That gave me pause.  It is growing well but it is NOT blooming.  So is it thriving?  I told her to put it anywhere and perhaps the change of location is just what it needs.  Not sure if my passionflower is blooming but I do know that the same type of change was just what I needed.  

This is a video clip of a short portion of my commute to work which I posted on Facebook a few days ago.  Click on this link to see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF8zAW2tGSQ

This is the best gift I've ever given myself and also the most selfish thing I think I've ever done.  But it is as it should be.  Just because you are going along fine may not mean that's enough and just because you are "planted" doesn't mean you are stuck.  If you aren't blooming perhaps it's time to take another look at where your roots are settling.  

Hope I can find my place back home because once you find that spot where your passionflower begins to bloom why would you ever want to move it back to its old windowsill.

"You weren't born a person of cringe and contraction.   You were born as energy, as life, made of the same stuff as stars, blossoms, breezes." ~ Annie Lamott

This was a quote posted on Facebook by my good friend Margot Page and it fits this heartwarming video.  He.  Is.  Adorable!

I was early to class and had some speakers with me which inspired Mr. Bustamove.  After he finished he took a look at me, as I was melting in the heat and ran and got a fan.  Three boys then got to work to plug it in and aim it directly at me.  I am in love with these kids.  They keep me after class asking for more English help and practicing what they know.  How will I leave?  That question is beginning to grow louder with each passing day.  I am meeting today with the Director of the Sponsorship Program.  Can't wait to find out more. 

Holy Monk Day!

I just found out that last Sunday was monk day.  Monk Day.  MONK DAY!!!  And I missed it.  No one can tell me exactly what Monk Day is, so I don't think I missed much.  I thought that perhaps, similar to our Presidents' Day it might just involve a sale on saffron sheets ~ but still... Monk Day.  Yes I continue to be obsessed, and in case you think I'm exaggerating...

I will be going to Angkor Wat in a couple of weeks with Kyle and Herrie so I looked into signing up for a Photography Tour while there.  I sent an email to a photographer and this was part of the email response I received from her, "we can explore the outlying villages in a tuk tuk, visit some city pagodas and wats, practice some sunset photography and I know a few very kind monks and nuns who would be happy to pose for us."

See that last line!  Zip-a-dee-do-daa - I'm going to be in Monk heaven.(Well I think technically that would be Monk Nirvana -right?  But you get the idea.)  I can't wait!  And in order to get ready for that photo workshop I'm taking one here in Phnom Penh this Saturday.  Can never be TOO prepared.  Hope to see a difference in my photography next week.