Keeping myself busy

I've been at my site for a total of five weeks straight. This is the longest I've been at my site since I started as a volunteer. Five weeks ago I told myself that I wanted to stay put at my site, save up on money, work on developing some projects and get to know my community a little better. Five weeks later and I'm so ready for ice-cream, pizza and friends.

I'm finally going to get to see some friendly and familiar faces in a few days in Phnom Penh for a peace corps training. Being at site for this long was definitely challenging. Fortunately, I've been able to bike up and meet with some fellow volunteers who live in close proximity. It may be a thirty minute ride to meet up in the district town but it's always worth it. Even though these visits always seem to be cut short it's nice to take a moment to sit down and talk about the frustrations and rewards that happen during village life. It's a good breather.

So to keep myself from not going completely mad or completely bored I try to fill my schedule up with English classes, clubs and projects.

For the past three weekends I've been consumed with the world map project. The art club has really out done themselves and have done an excellent job with the map. I promise, pictures coming soon. They only need one more day to finish.

My English class for adults have also been a lot more fun than what I was expecting it to be. I try to keep my class entertained and interested so I incorporate a lot of interacting teaching methods. I've been teaching them for about two months and they're still coming so I'll take that as a good sign.

I've also started working with a group of seventh grade girls. What's really great about these kids is that they approached me and told me that they really want to learn English. So during my library hours these students have been coming by. For two hours we'll do a combo of puzzles, reading and games. These are some of the things that they really don't get exposed to while learning in their public school classes. In cambodia, learning is not associated with fun or creativity. The lessons are taught and that's it. The other day, right before one of the girls left she told me that learning with me made her feel happy. My heart swelled with glee. This group of kids are a unique and clever bunch and I can't wait to try different teaching methods with them. This is definitely a good opportunity to expose them to art and games. I'm already looking forward in the upcoming months.

As long as we have each other...

Now that my yay is gone the gambling games have come to a complete halt. That's ok, as long as I still have my other yay I will manage to get by ok. My yay, who lives with us, is my host father's mom. Most of the time I still have a hard time understanding her. It's usually because she either grunts or speaks to fast. Not having her teeth might also have something to do with that. But no matter! We still get along great and every time she smiles it brightens up my day. She has this kind of smile that reminds me of a young child that is filled with nothing but joy and wonder.
:)

Until we meet again

My other host grandparents left today and I have to say I'm a little saddened by that. They had been staying with us for the last two months and the other day my host family tells me that they're returning back to their home. My yay (grandmother in khmer) spent every moment tending and caring after her fragile husband(who is unable to speak or to move around on his own but is still coherent) while they were here. I saw the patience and love that drove her to take him by his hand and help carry him along the way as they strolled around everyday to get a little exercise.
In so many ways it was a great comfort to have her around and just to see her smile.
She was also really sweet to share her cookies with me.
Just these past couple of days I felt like our communication had a break through. We've been able to uphold more conversations and I always appreciated the patience she spared when I couldn't remember how to translate some words.
I'm also going to miss her gambling.
My host family and their neighbors like to get together, on a daily basis, and gamble. After spending a few times watching them and trying to learn I was amazed to see how good my yay is. Her money stack was always bigger in comparison to who ever else was playing.
Yes indeed, I'm going to miss them and I'm already looking forward to visiting them with the fam.

The Return of the Hipstamatic

It's been about six months since I photographed with my hipstamatic. I guess that has a lot to do with getting my iPhone unlocked. I'm really glad to have the ability to take photos with it again. It's such a fun app to play with. I almost forgot how much I missed photographing with it.
I like taking these kind of pictures because I think it will help me keep up with my photo diary.
So many thoughts run across my head everyday that if I can just capture it all in a few images than I'll be able to have a better reflection on projects, things, love, family, everything.
Cambodia has been going great. It's incredible that we have been in Cambodia for six months already. Yesterday marked our four month anniversary for being an official volunteer.
It's crazy to think that I've already been here for half a year and yet it still feels like I left home yesterday. I feel like I've learned so much but there's so much more I want to do and see. Some projects are finally starting to pick up momentum.

*The art club will be painting the world map at the high school. I'm excited to see how this goes. I'll be pairing up the project along with a lesson plan on mural art projects from across the world.

* I've been spending more time in the library for those kids who want to hang out and practice their English in a non intimidating environment. I made a flyer and posted it around school about joining the spelling bee contest. I'm also trying to lure the students into the library with fun activities such as, games, puzzles and books. This past week was the first week and so far students have been going. I get excited to meet other students I haven't met before. This school has an enrollment for over a thousand students. Each class has a range of 25 to 35 students. I have yet to remember their names.

*I'm starting to get the hang (a little bit) on teaching english as a second language. I finally realize the importance of lesson planning. I also realize what my sisters and cousins go through and appreciate how much dedication and love they put into their teaching. Its still a learning process as I go. But I've had about the same group of students that have been coming for 6 weeks straight. I try to mix up the lessons with games and other learning activities. Haha it's like some days I've got it and some days I don't.

Ok, it's getting late and i'm starting ramble.
Ill do some more rambling later.