Happy New Year! (a little late)
The New Year passed by rather uneventfully in my house. I went to sleep at 9pm and woke up the next morning and washed my clothes. I did spend a few minutes before falling asleep thinking about where I was last year around that time….just graduated from college, working at a bookstore, frantically making packing lists and trying to learn a few Khmer words. The ways my life has changed in the past year are far more drastic than any other year of my life! What a whirlwind of joy, struggle, love, homesickness, adventure, sadness, and discovery. In the past year I have gained another family, traveled to two new countries, learned a new language, fallen in love, become a decent English teacher, and so many other things that I can’t even begin to write down.
The big event of the end of the year here was the birth of my new baby sister (see pics above) whom I affectionately call “baby oun” or “baby darling.” “Darling” or “oun” is used to address children or girlfriends/wives or basically anyone younger than you. It is funny sometimes to hear my sister yell in Khmer “DARLING….GET IN HERE AND WASH THE DISHES!” to my younger brother. Baby oun, whose name is Sou Watana, was a Christmas Eve baby and has been a great delight to my whole family. She’s finally starting to get a little more interesting after almost a month has passed and is definitely stretching those vocal chords at night….she and my mum sleep under my room. Joy.
On January 7th, Cambodia celebrated its Victory Over Genocide Day. I never thought I would live in a place where that would be a holiday. Cambodia had many rough years but it’s great to be here now and seeing the changes that are taking place. In my village we had a big meeting in the morning to remember the past genocide and the victory over it and then a party that evening to celebrate. It was quite the happening place as all civil workers (teachers, nurses, police, and government staff) were invited to attend. Anytime free food and drinks are offered here, you’ll get a full house! We danced the night away (until 8pm) with many teachers trying to give me lessons in Khmer dancing. When I arrived at school the next day several of my students made it a point to say “Oh…last night…teacher dancing! Hahaha!” At least I amused someone. J
And that about wraps up my fairly uneventful month of January. I’m in Phnom Penh this weekend for another shot. One more next month and I’m officially finished with shots from Mother Linda our nurse. I can’t wait!
Until February….
The New Year passed by rather uneventfully in my house. I went to sleep at 9pm and woke up the next morning and washed my clothes. I did spend a few minutes before falling asleep thinking about where I was last year around that time….just graduated from college, working at a bookstore, frantically making packing lists and trying to learn a few Khmer words. The ways my life has changed in the past year are far more drastic than any other year of my life! What a whirlwind of joy, struggle, love, homesickness, adventure, sadness, and discovery. In the past year I have gained another family, traveled to two new countries, learned a new language, fallen in love, become a decent English teacher, and so many other things that I can’t even begin to write down.
The big event of the end of the year here was the birth of my new baby sister (see pics above) whom I affectionately call “baby oun” or “baby darling.” “Darling” or “oun” is used to address children or girlfriends/wives or basically anyone younger than you. It is funny sometimes to hear my sister yell in Khmer “DARLING….GET IN HERE AND WASH THE DISHES!” to my younger brother. Baby oun, whose name is Sou Watana, was a Christmas Eve baby and has been a great delight to my whole family. She’s finally starting to get a little more interesting after almost a month has passed and is definitely stretching those vocal chords at night….she and my mum sleep under my room. Joy.
On January 7th, Cambodia celebrated its Victory Over Genocide Day. I never thought I would live in a place where that would be a holiday. Cambodia had many rough years but it’s great to be here now and seeing the changes that are taking place. In my village we had a big meeting in the morning to remember the past genocide and the victory over it and then a party that evening to celebrate. It was quite the happening place as all civil workers (teachers, nurses, police, and government staff) were invited to attend. Anytime free food and drinks are offered here, you’ll get a full house! We danced the night away (until 8pm) with many teachers trying to give me lessons in Khmer dancing. When I arrived at school the next day several of my students made it a point to say “Oh…last night…teacher dancing! Hahaha!” At least I amused someone. J
And that about wraps up my fairly uneventful month of January. I’m in Phnom Penh this weekend for another shot. One more next month and I’m officially finished with shots from Mother Linda our nurse. I can’t wait!
Until February….
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3 comments:
Hey. So glad to hear things are going well and that you got to dance a bit. hehehehe. I remember when the kids tried to make me dance. Not the prettiest sight. hahaha. As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers! Miss you lots! =)
I am looking foward to your visit with us. I want to hear lots about Cambodia.
Hey,this is zachery you can call me an ball player.I play basketball soccor an football.i'm looking foward for you to come bye!
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