Well, folks, I've been back in Cambodia for almost three months now. Sorry I'm just now blogging about it! Life has been crazy busy. I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll start by saying how incredibly happy I am here. I love my job, I love my roommates, and I love what God is doing in my life. I am learning to be content in Him, not in my surroundings or possessions. I am learning to completely trust His path for me and not hold on so tightly to the plans I had made for myself. I am loving the relationships I am building with my coworkers and others within Asian Hope. Life is good.
We are three months into school, and I finally feel like I know what I'm doing. I am challenged every day, but I am working hard to meet the needs of my little darlins. Oh my goodness I love them. Even when they are loud, forget to do their homework, or do whatever else is guaranteed to happen every day. They are so precious and I am so blessed to be their teacher. This week is Book Week, and though it has been bordering insanity at moments, it has been so fun to do special activities with them. All of them love to read, and that makes me very happy!
I am also incredibly blessed with wonderful friends. My roommates, Maria and Lorinda, are so much fun. Maria is another southern belle, and I'm so thankful I e-mailed her months ago about this job and thus began our friendship. She has been the best mentor I could have asked for, as well. I'm constantly asking her questions about everything related to teaching and living in Cambodia. She also introduced me to Modern Family, so I will forever be grateful to her. Lorinda is from South Africa and is a first year teacher, too, so we can relate on a lot of things. She just got a moto and is incredibly brave! I love learning about her country and attempting to pronounce her name the way it's supposed to sound. It ain't Luh-rin-duh, which is how it sounds when my Louisiana is acting up.
I miss Fall. And I forgot that I would be missing Tech football and the Revel. Homesickness is usually for really random things, like Chick-fil-A. Oh my GOSH you don't even know how much CFA I'm gonna eat when I'm home for Christmas. Technology has been incredible for keeping me in touch with family and friends, but I kind of forgot about what it would be like without other things. Like being able to watch TV shows online (won't work here). Saturday Night Live, I still love you. I just can't be with you right now.
I'm also incredibly sorry for the thousands of times I have hated on Wal-Mart. A greeter may have to restrain me from kissing the floor next time I step inside those automatic doors. Now I can't even imagine a store where you can get everything you need inside one building. That's air conditioned. With every variety you could ever dream of. And it doesn't smell of raw fish that have been sitting out for days (I'm talking to you, Russian Market).
first day o'school. I just realized I haven't named my bike! we've been through a lot together.
I'm definitely still me. grilled cheese happens at least four nights a week. with ketchup!
the Laid Back Lunch crew for this year! I think about LBL every Thursday morning. One time I woke up in a panic thinking I forgot to buy something for lunch. No lie. It's still got a hold on me : )
on the rare evening i don't grill some cheese, miraculous things happen, like this lasagna.
a day which will live in infamy.
I was showing them the blog post from our pen pals, my cousin Leigh Anne's class in Texas.
view from my deck chair in Koh Chang, Thailand, aka Heaven.
our table at dinner one night
Louisiana Tech I love thee!
this is a real place, y'all!
vacation buddy. the journey was pretty interesting, but it was totally worth it!
fabric shopping at Russian Market
one of our Book Week activities!
I still haven't gotten a good shot of the madness that is Phnom Penh traffic. Stay tuned.
Thanks for reading, and I'll share some more adventures soon.
(maybe)
<3 Mere
