Happy Valentine's Day!

NOTE: I tried to upload some pics but the system is running slow today. I will try again soon!

Well friends, Valentine's Day passed rather uneventfully as most of us even forgot what day it was until we got text message from Peace Corps staff saying random Happy Valentine's Day things. :) Fun times.

Things here are still going well. I haven't been sick, no injuries, and so far the rats have stayed away from me and my things.....unfortunately my friend Fel had a rather unfortunate experience with 2 rats fighting over a banana she mistakenly left out in her room. We learned later that rats especially love bananas....yikes.

Today begins the Chinese New Year and Tbong Khmum is all full of family visiting from the cities, fire crackers exploding, and some carnvial rides set up in the market. I have a feeling there will be little sleep tonight and the next 2 days as this is a 3 day event. Yippee! :) Cambodians love to party! :) Every night I have music to sleep....or not sleep...by. :)

This afternoon we had a fun language class and played games with all 12 of us living in my town at one of the local temples. We had a great time and quickly attracted a crowd of children that laughed at our poor use of Khmer. It was a good time which we finished with some "tuk Ampel" or sugarcane juice....which is always a good way to end any afternoon! :)

Tomorrow a group from my village is heading to the city for some American food and fun away from all the stares. :) I'm looking forward to a day away, but that is only after a morning of some serious laundry again. They gave us some awesome mosquitoe nets that actually kill bugs when they land on it which is great...minus the dead bugs that somehow get all over my sheets. Yuck. Wash day....*sigh* What a chore sometimes. Those of you with washing machines, say a little THANK YOU to God for them this week! :)

This next week also brings our midterm oral exam on the language, a wedding of one of our language instructors, new language groups, and a loevely trip away to the area of Lake Tonle Sap. Actually everyone is going to different places in pairs for a "self-experience" to try out our language skills and such. It should be a lot of fun....I'm looking forward to it.

Well it's time to head home to meet a friend and then wander back to the market to check out some New Year's Happenings. :) I hope things are going well on the homefront! Remember, e-mails are always enjoyed! :0 )

Before I go....a quick FYI. If you leave a comment on my blog and later find it deleted, there are reasons. Because of the cultural sensitivity required of volunteers and our positions in our communities, we have to be extra careful about what we say in our blogs and the comments that are left. I love funny and honest comments and will enjoy reading them, I just might have to delete it later. Pelase do not be offended....it's just one of those things. :)