you can get what you want or you can just get old

Packing time must mean blogging time.

My roommates and I are packing up our whole house. I am moving to another house in Phnom Penh, Maria is moving back to North Carolina, and Lorinda is moving back to South Africa.

[Meredith: 1 Mosquito: 0]

Even my classroom moved. I am now located on the second floor. There's just been a lot of packing happening. I am choosing not to deal with the fact that I have to leave my beautiful blue bedroom, and I am instead hoping my new landlords will be on board with me painting.

I am also choosing not to deal with the fact that my two incredible roommates won't be returning with me in July. I'll probably have a good cry on my long flight, and people can just think I'm really into whatever movie I'm watching. I feel like next year I'll be starting all over, but I'm excited. I'm excited for our new staff and my three new roommates. I'm just not ready to let go of life as I know it.

Can I just give a shout out to Billy Joel? His greatest hits album has gotten me through so much.

Saturday night, we depart for South Korea, where we'll be staying for a few days with Maria's friend who teaches there. I think I'll arrive in the states on Wednesday.

I don't mean to sound all Debbie Downer. I really am excited about this summer. I'm just too exhausted to express said excitement.

Soooo you should probably watch this now.

Debbie Downer & Lindsay Lohan Infamous SNL Blooper Sketch - watch more funny videos

<3Mere

happy birthday to the ground

In my younger days (freshman year of college), I probably thought turning 25 would mean I would be about to have my second baby. 

Now, I'm like

I definitely want to get married, have kids, the whole shebang. Last night I had a nightmare about my wedding dress not fitting and I had to wear a blue one. The blue dress was totally awesome, but the point is that I'm technically dreaming about my future wedding. And dreaming about all that is great. For now, I've got this little guy:

                                   

I had always been fascinated with travel, and I always said I wanted to go all over the world, but I can't remember exactly when it clicked that I could actually do all these things I had dreamt of. Maybe it was after a break up when I decided to throw caution to the wind and get on a plane bound for Egypt. Or when, on the way home, Timmy and I had a five-hour layover in Paris. We got in a cab and hopped out at the Eiffel Tower and took pictures on my disposable camera. It was so exhilarating. A new passion was discovered, and that trip sent my life in a completely different direction. I still remember Papaw Buggy telling me, "Heaven's closer than Egypt!" Mamaw Frances bought me that dress. 

The next summer, I was touring the Eiffel Tower and saw Britney Spears. No one else did. Then Timmy told everyone on our trip that he saw Britney Spears. Typical. Also, Timmy, you're welcome because that is an excellent photo of you <3

I just remembered this post is supposed to be about my birthday.

I woke up to a lovely surprise in the kitchen. My incredibly creative and crafty family had sent this banner. The bottom row is pictures of everyone with signs spelling out "happy birthday." It was a happy way to start the day, indeed. I also had my usual peanut butter and honey toast- this time with candles on top! Throughout the day, I got to open notes from friends and family every half-hour. That was awesome, and I wish that could happen every day. My kids enjoyed reminding me to open the notes.

That afternoon, my kids and Sinuon had another surprise planned for me. One of their gifts was two cans of Coke wrapped up. They know Ms. Gore so well. We also had cake! It was a great time. And then I tried to segue from the party to the Math lesson. Yeah...

Nighttime came, and it was Italian time! Several friends got to come enjoy delicious fine dining, and it was a fun night together. Afterwards, I went home and went to bed because I'm a teacher and can't stay up past 9:30. 

It was a great day. Well, two days, because as I was going to sleep, all you westerners were just waking up and realizing what a great day it was! Pretty awesome. 

I'll leave you with this. 'merica:

Countdown to USA: 39 days

M

and the moon is the only light we'll see

There's just something about a rainy day.

A rainy day in a tuk tuk, with a bicycle shoved in it, trying to fight its way through the crazy streets of the country I've come to love. I just had a rather wonderful experience, and thus ends my blog writer's block. A few people (fans) have asked when the next post was coming, and I just didn't know. There are just days like today when all the wheels turn in the same direction and out come the words.

So things have been great, and relatively normal. Here are some blips of the last two months:

Lorinda walks in and asks us, "Did your president just die?" The answer was no, of course. It was some crazy internet rumor or something. It definitely freaked us out, though, and reminded me I needed to register with the US Embassy here (still haven't...oops).

I got really sunburned one day and my kids turned me into a Science experiment where they observed my very red skin and its journey back to pasty white.

My kids had Drama during February, and they put on a really cool play about the plague. They are wonderful performers, and I had fun putting on their stage makeup.

We get Scholastic book orders, which is awesome, and one kid ordered a magic kit. It came with a whoopee cushion. The entire third and fourth grades experienced it together, and Maria and I laughed so hard we cried. It was worse because of how hard we were trying not to laugh. You know, because we're mature or whatever.

And now for an update from Gavin:

My eating habits have drastically changed. It helps that there's not any fast food and exercise is a part of my day whether I want it to be or not. Maria and Lorinda are good influences. They encourage me to try new vegetables, I encourage them to eat more oreos. It's a good balance. Maria gets a kick out of me not knowing anything about fruits and vegetables outside of apples and corn. She made fun of me so hard when I picked up these green things and asked, "is this the zucchini?"

It wasn't. I now know that that is something called "winter melon." In my defense, the zucchini wasn't labeled! I'm learning. Please notice how big my hands look in that picture.

Lots more has happened, but my computer is being dumb and I can't deal. Hopefully it won't be another two months before you hear about how awesome my birthday was.

"My rule of thumb is, if you feel like something's crawling on you, it probably is." -Maria

Truer words have never been spoken.

M

restless hearts sleep alone tonight

The first thing I want to say is how much I can't wait to enjoy a delicious strawberry Icee. 

Moving on.

We just finished a unit on life cycles of different insects, and I was really proud of the posters the kiddos made. We are still working on the whole "group work" thing, but they were delegating tasks and solving their own problems with little interference from me, so yay! 

 My kids are currently obsessed with learning cursive. It's not in our curriculum, and we definitely don't have extra time to spare, so I've taught them a little during their "Fun Friday" time. In return, I asked Rosanara to show me how to write my name in Khmer. I wanted to show them how they see cursive like I see Khmer (except they can still read cursive for the most part). My attempt is on the top. I think it says "Necru (female teacher) Gore," but I'm not entirely sure...

And now for an update from Gavin:

 This post is coming to you because of the events of yesterday. It was just another boring day out and about in the streets of Phnom Penh...

Our first stop was Boston Books, which is sadly being dwindled to nothing so the whole building can become Steve's Steakhouse. I'm mad at you, Steve. Now where will we get affordable books for our classroom? Maria was hoping to find a book called Bunnicula, and what do you know, it was right there on top of the pile! Our first win for the day. I got a few for my class as well aaaaaand a couple for me because I have a problem. There aren't enough books in my bedroom and I think it's affecting my sleep. 

Next, we headed to Daughter's for lunch and pedicures. For lunch, I bet you can guess what I ordered. That's right, the same thing I get every single time because I am still a picky child. My caesar salad was delicious. I love my pickiness because I am rarely disappointed. It works. Maria may want to adopt my method of ordering after her meal yesterday. She decided to try one of the specials of "grilled vegetables with feta cheese," and this was what she got:

That is, in fact, grilled vegetables with feta, but it took her about five seconds to eat it and you had to use binoculars to find the cheese. The moral of this story is: it pays to be picky. From there, we decided to walk to the riverfront so Maria could get a wrap at a Lebanese restaurant. On the way, we passed the memorial built for the King's father, whose funeral ceremonies were last week.

Another something we saw on our walk was a group of tourists. Like, they put the tour in tourists. Matching sun hats, vests, t-shirts, everything. I was walking straight towards them and didn't have the heart to whip out my camera, but don't worry, we saw them again later that day. Maria got her wrap and we headed to Brown so I could get some coffee. While we were there, I realized I say, "Do it to it, Lars" at least twice a week. I also realized Maria has never once understood that reference. Oh, peaches. Just in case any of you didn't get that, locate a copy of Heavyweights IMMEDIATELY.

For now, just watch this:

From Brown, we wanted to go to Sorya Mall so we could get some DVDs and go to Lucky (a grocery store). Of course, when we don't want a tuk tuk we get asked about a million times, but when we do want one, it's like they don't exist. We walked for a ways and finally got a ride. Our Sorya experience was great! We got all the seasons of Downton Abbey and I got seasons 1 and 2 of Sherlock. Happy happy happy.

And then.

They came, I saw, I photographed.

Leaving Sorya meant entering a sea of tuk tuk drivers bidding for our business. I usually let Maria handle the negotiating because she's better at it, but today I guess I felt brave. Here's how it works, a driver will approach you and usher you to his tuk tuk without setting a price. They don't know that we live here, so we are regularly asked to pay 3x what we will end up paying. So, one of the drivers began doing the ushering business, but I stood my ground. I told him to come back to we could haggle. I said, "Toul Kork. Two dollar half." All the drivers around me began to groan on behalf of this one driver, then they all tried to chip in with their thoughts. They were asking six dollars, like we were in Times Square and I wanted to drive three feet.

My favorite quote from that conversation: "It's Chinese New Year, so it costs more." I called shenanigans on that one and said that doesn't change anything. The thing is, Maria and I have become quite stubborn when it comes to these drivers. We will walk because we refuse to pay more than we should. Finally, one driver agreed to $2.50, and off we went. On the way, we saw the same tourist group again. Lolz.

And then.

The Toul Kork roundabout is about one mile from our house, and this is where our driver decided to pull over. He said, "2.50 gets you to here, any further will cost $4.00."

Lord. Have. Mercy.

I asked God to take control of my vocabulary and my actions in that moment, because my first reaction wouldn't have been becoming of a Christian lady. From the two of us, he probably was the recipient of the two most terrifying teacher looks in all of Cambodia. We said that's fine, we'll walk. We paid, got out, and strutted across that busy roundabout because we weren't going to let that man rip us off. We are carrying our bags and thinking a mile isn't that bad when we happen across some men sitting outside a restaurant. We get beckoned, whistled, kissed at...it was disgusting. I don't know what came over me. Maybe it's the fact that this has happened to me about seven thousand times too many in my almost 25 years, and my quota was full. I'm not even sure what I yelled at them, but they stopped. I am woman hear me roar!

Then we saw three unleavened rats.

What would Jesus have done in that situation, I wondered. "I don't think Jesus was ever whistled at on the streets of Bethlehem."- Maria

We decided we needed a picture of how this day made us feel. You can choose one, because we obviously were confused about our emotions.

<3 M

merry christmas, darling

Coming to America for Christmas was a two-week whirlwind of friends, family, a new baby, an old dog, approximately 34 trips to Chick-fil-A, and much more. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was definitely ready to see everyone, but I didn't know how I would temporarily re-adjust to life back in the states. A life full of Targets and fast food and clean things.

The day I flew home, we had our Christmas production at school. All the staff then spent a few hours working on materials for our upcoming fair, and then we were free to go. Maria and I went and got an ultimate hair wash and ate at Viva (I think...this feels like years ago). Then we had some time to kill before it our driver came to take us to the airport. I looked around at my room. The room I had just painted. I had pictures put up everywhere and London souvenirs on everything. It was all me. My room, my home, was in Cambodia. I thought about the last time I was about to get on a plane. It was July, and I was a complete wreck because I had no clue what I was getting myself into. All I knew was all the wonderful things, and people, I was leaving behind.

This time was so different. I knew I would miss Cambodia while I was gone, and I knew how wonderful it would be to spend time with loved ones in the US and then come back to my new home.

After 24ish hours of traveling, I arrived in Dallas. I had time to quickly get some Subway before boarding for Shreveport. A guy complained about his cookies not being fresh enough and a woman yelled at the girl making her sandwich. I guess she meant business about extra lettuce. Anyway, it was a good thing I had just come through customs and was on an America high. They have this awesomely cheesy video full of cowboys and front porch swings and iced tea and a really moving song that makes me want to blaze the Oregon trail. It just makes me feel so proud (to be an American...sorry), which is the point I guess. I always want to fly back into Dallas just so I can see that video.

I'm sorry to everyone on the Dallas flight with me who witnessed the first time a human has ever inhaled a sandwich. It's possible, it happened, and it. was. glorious. Subway in my belly. Happy girl on a quick flight to Shreveport. I arrived to a welcoming party of my parents, aunt, and two cousins. They had signs, but more importantly, they had a bag of CFA. You know that part when the Beast is being a slob whilst eating his soup? It was like that. Except nuggets and fries.

  

I didn't know that one day would be spent building Wesley's new ping pong table with some of my favorite guys. I got to play on the old table one last time, and then we got to break in the new one. If you aren't aware, playing ping pong at the Wesley is how I met and became close with some very dear friends. It was also a great way for me get connected when I was too scared to talk to a room full of strangers. Oh, I've come so far. It was also what kept me sane during the internship, I think. Ping pong breaks were an essential part of every hour...um..day. Anyway, it was really fun. 

be afraid. be very afraid. 

The best part of the trip though, what made traveling halfway around the world for two weeks totally worth it, was this little guy right here:

That's Gavin! He wasn't supposed to be born until a few days after I was going to come back to Cambodia, but he came early. He was born a few days before I left Cambodia, and I am the proudest aunt in the whole world. Because he's the cutest baby ever, and I'm not just saying that. I know every says that, but I'm not. He really is. Just look at the perfect wittle face. I don't know how to type out the baby voice I'm making, but just use your imagination.

my brothers: Reed is holding Gavin, and Ryan is the baby daddy. 

My parents kept saying over and over again what a blessing it was to have us all together, and it really was. The whole time I kept having to remind myself where I was. You aren't dreaming, Meredith, you are actually in Wal-Mart. Or, you aren't seeing things, that really is Diet Dr. Pepper for sale. It was all so surreal, but it was all so great. I was right, I did miss Cambodia. Leaving the US this time was so peaceful because I knew I was coming back to exactly where I belong. 

<3M

the pavement shines like silver

Mmk...this one is going to be short and sweet. At least, it should be. Who am I kidding? I'm supposed to be packing. This may be the longest post of all.

Let's see, oh for a while I had developed a habit of falling down stairs. Ok, it happened twice. But it's left my back in pretty rough shape. The first time happened at home, and that's when the back problems started. The stairs here are completely ridiculous and made for people with tiny feet. This little gem was from the fall at school, which didn't help things. My roommates named my bruise Brutus. 

Brutus says hey.

All jokes aside, I got some x-rays done and now I'm seeing a physical therapist on the reg. The flight home should be interesting. Also, Zack Pittman, my doctor says you are not allowed to pop my back when I come home. I already asked her. She did say the break from school should help since I won't be on my feet all day. Oh, that already sounds so glorious. 

My new favorite thing is my commute to/from the doctor. It takes at least 45 minutes to go three miles, so I've been using that time to listen to music and take in the city. It's the alone time I've been forgetting to give myself. Tonight's ride home was just perfection. 

Enough about me, I got a nephew last night! Gavin Lucas Gore, born on his parent's wedding anniversary. Ryan and Christina also share a birthday. And they were all born on the 19th. They are just stealing thunder all over the place. 

A conversation this afternoon:

Student: Does having a baby hurt? 

Me: Yes.

Student: Like, worse than a tummy ache?

Me: (inaudible due to laughter)

Judging from this picture, I'm thinking he's a lefty

I fly home tomorrow....huh? Five months have totally flown by. I can't wait to see everyone and spend hours appreciating Target. I know the next couple of weeks are going to be totally insane, and I'm sorry in advance for falling asleep at random times. Cambobo jet lag is the WORST.

Before I go, Dararaksmey wants to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

He wore that sucker all day.

<3 M

sweet november

Celebrating Thanksgiving in good ol' Cambobo turned out to be pretty great. Maria whipped up Cracker Barrel Chicken, green beans, cornbread, quiche, pumpkin pie, and stuffing. Lorinda and I contributed mashed potatoes, apple crunch, and decorating/cleaning up skills. Our friends sat around our humble little table and we all gave thanks. Maria had placed two corn kernels on our plates, and as the bowl went around, each person was to say two things they were thankful for and place the kernels in the bowl. It was a very special evening full of delicious food and wonderful fellowship. My "family" enjoyed it, as well!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Gore's and the Scott's

Wonderful roomies!

On Saturday, Lorinda and I took Maria to Daughter's for some early birthday celebrating! We got pedicures and ate lunch in the cafe. Sunday was her actual birthday, and we continued the celebration by going to the Italian restaurant of all of your dreams. It's that good. Afterward, we went to Brown, which is like Starbucks' distant cousin. 

One of Maria's friends sent her funfetti mix and icing, which 

reminds me, it's almost time for me to eat another one.

It's Water Festival time, which means we have the whole week off of school! Holla! The downside is that a lot of places around the city are closed. The biggest downside has proved to be the fact that our beloved tuk tuk driver is out of town. He's the one who removed our rat. He also knows us well, drives cautiously, knows all of our favorite places, and is just a very sweet man. He also doesn't charge us very much, which is greatly appreciated. Yesterday, Maria and I ate at The Shop and then went to see Breaking Dawn. It had been several years since Maria or I had read the book, so we were in for a few surprises. It was cool getting to see the last movie over here, where we have been spared all the hype. Bye, Twilight. I'm already over it. I was never even sad. 

I'm still not ok with the fact that there's no more Harry Potter, and I never will be. Maria just finished HP6, and getting to live with someone who is experiencing Harry Potter for the first time is quite interesting. She has never read the books before and hasn't seen the rest of the movies. I think she's the only person I know who hasn't seen or heard any spoilers. Therefore, I need to make lots of desserts to prepare for her imminent book 7 depression. It's gonna be a rough couple of weeks. 

Today! 

This afternoon, we decided to head to Oressay (?) market and hunt for fabric. We are both trying to Martha Stewart our rooms by getting curtains and pillows made. We didn't want to call the same driver we used last night because he tried to charge us $10. Let me think of how to explain how ridiculous that was...um...I don't think I can. Just know that it was. Anyway, we decided just to walk in the direction we wanted to go and pick up a tuk tuk on the way. After a few failed negotiations, we finally grabbed one. We stopped to pick up a few iced coffees, but they tasted...well, they tasted terrible. Like dark chocolate gone horribly wrong. And then we saw this:

Yes, that is 34356 balloons attached to one moto. 

We kept waiting for it to fly away.

We made it to the market and were dropped off at an unfamiliar part. No worries, we thought, we'll just go on inside and figure it out. Welp, we couldn't find the fabric, but we did find the meat section. I wish smells didn't bother me as much as they did, and I was trying just to breathe through my mouth and not seem incredibly rude/touristy, but I honestly could not help covering my mouth and practically running out of there. We then realized we were at the wrong market, so we hightailed it outta there and headed to Olympic. 

On the way there, we were stopped at a red light for what felt like five years. It probably felt so long because a man on the moto next to us was checking me out. Now, I'm totally used to being stared at. I'm really pale. I'm tall. It's cool, whatever. This dude, however, let his eyes go up and down about twelve too many times. Normally I would just ignore it, but I guess my Sonic past came rising up. See, I spent a lot of years working at Sonic, and I dealt with creepers all the time. I had no problem addressing it at home, but here I feel so awkward. Even after I had given him the, "I see you, so cut it out" look a few times, he was still looking. So then I looked him in the eye and said, "Hi. You can stop staring at me now." Doesn't that sound very Regina George? That's what it felt like. Anyway, say what you will about it, but I refused to just sit there and be subject to whatever he was thinking without doing something about it. Thankfully, the light turned green and he sped off through the intersection. 

We got some fabric fabric and called it a day. Java, a wonderful little restaurant near Independence Monument, was still open so we headed there next. My sweet tea was sweet, my grilled cheese was incredible, and the wifi password was "pecanpie." Java was a good choice. Also, at one point my bag of fabric resembled the wrapping of a McDonald's cheeseburger. I think I'm ready for a visit home. 

After Java, we walked to Miss Care spa and got foot massages. Foot massagesssss y'all! It was incredible. We also figured out how for the price one one massage at home, you can do all of these things in Cambodia: go out to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, go see a movie, get a pedicure, get a haircut, and get a massage. Everyone come visit me! One the way home, it started to pour. Water Festival is supposed to signal the end of rainy season (I think), so we are definitely looking forward to some dry weather. 

Trying (and failing) to unlock our gate from inside the tuk tuk and not get drenched.

Just another day in the life.

<3 M