I
threw a small party for my Honor Society students. It was was an
end-of-the-year-congratulations thing. It went pretty well.
I
promised them that I would bring some American food for them to try, so in the
morning I bought a gas stove. It’s a pretty good one and it only cost like 10
dollars. It’s a good buy, because starting in August, I have to cook for myself
for lunch. But, I digress.
I
made spaghetti and sauce for them. Well, the sauce just came from a can. I also
brought some muffins, peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate syrup. I brought
that all to school.
The
first hour or so was for eating. I had about 17 students come to the party. 5
students like spaghetti. The rest hate it. They complained that it was sour
lol. But the 5 people who like spaghetti finished it all! I was so surprised! Haha.
The muffins were gone in like .3 seconds, so I’m assuming they liked those.
Then they were really confused as to why there were bananas. I showed them to
either dip the banana in a cup of chocolate syrup, or spread some peanut butter
on it. Well, those bananas were gobbled up in seconds flat. But the students were hungry for more! So what
did they do? Well, I caught one just drinking the chocolate syrup from a cup.
And then I saw like 6 or 7 students throughout the rest of the day with a cup
of syrup and peanut butter mixed together in a dark, gooey, delicious paste.
Brilliant, these students are. That’s why they’re in the honor society.
Unfortunately,
they ate an entire jar of peanut butter and almost all of my syrup too. And all
the muffins and spaghetti. No more comfort food for teacher… why do I share??
After
the eating, we played musical chairs, which was lots of fun. They all squealed
every time the music stopped. Toward the end, the students were cheating. They
would pick up the chair and put it under their butt lol.
I
had some things to give students at the party. My mother had sent pictures from
their visit, and also a thank you letter for each of them. So I put these out
on the table. I put the pictures from Prey Veng on the table, and kept the rest
of them in the pack. Well, when I went to go check on them, I found that
students were going through all of the pictures, and just taking whatever they
pleased! Haha, it had nothing to do with whether they were in it or not, which
I thought would be obvious for them. They just wanted to get their hands on any
picture with me in it. I managed to salvage some of the stolen photos so that I
can give those to the appropriate people.
Of
course, there was also dancing. Most of them already knew the Cupid Shuffle,
Asereje, the Macarena, and the Cha Cha Slide, so of course we did those. I also
introduced them to the Electric Slide, Cotton-Eyed Joe, and even the Hokey
Pokey! They were pretty good at the electric slide. They couldn’t do the
Cotton-Eyed Joe, but they got a real kick out of watching me do it. They
thought the Hokey Pokey was just stupid haha. I agreed.
I
also did the Chicken Dance for a little while. And, as it would be, that is the
moment (while I’m flapping my imaginary wings) that my grade 12 students
decided to come and give me gifts. So I put my wings away and paid attention.
Pamela wrapped a yellow and green scarf around my neck and gave me a cute key
chain with flip-flops. Sean gave me a bracelet that says Cambodia. Steven gave
me a notebook, with a little note inside thanking me and wishing me health,
luck, happiness, etc. It was really really sweet and unexpected. After that, I
pulled out the certificates and handed them out. I also had letters of
recommendation for my graduating seniors. I hope they will figure out good
opportunities to put those into use. So I gave the seniors my phone number and
told them to keep me updated on what they do next year.
More
dancing. Students started leaving.
I
don’t believe that this is goodbye for real for my graduation seniors, but they
seemed to think so a little. Their goodbyes were pretty heartfelt. Especially
Pamela. She came over and said goodbye and just looked at me for a while. Then she
gave me a hug, which was super sweet. I then asked her if she was going to
study with me this summer. Sadly, she said “perhaps not” and then she looked at
me for second again, and then went in for another hug. Well, I didn’t know she
was gonna try to kiss my cheek, so I went in to hug her too, and she ended up
kissing my ear. This wouldn’t have been awkward at all if the entire class wasn’t
watching this whole exchange and laughing. It’s okay, we brushed it off, and I’m
just honored that Pamela feels so much about this goodbye.
For
the record, if I believe these goodbye were for real, I’d be balling my eyes
out. But I don’t. And I won’t let myself. After all, I know where they live.
It
was a fun party, although a lot of work for me of course. Maybe I’m an old
lady. I can’t host a 3 hour party without needing to take a nap afterwards.
Anyway,
this Honor Society has been exactly what I needed her at site to feel welcomed
and productive. These kids are my everything here. I am so proud of the work
they’ve done this year, and I’m looking forward to next year very much.
BTW,
sure enough, later that night Pamela called me. She just wanted to ask if I had
dinner yet. She told me she missed me already and she “wanted to hear my sound.”
Lol this is not goodbye.
*Mom, the shots of me and a student and the group shots at the end would be great to print and send to me. As per request of my students... but no rush on that. take your time. Might wanna wait for me to have posted more pictures that I'd like you to send.
yum
Reading the letter my mom sent.
hahaha she hated this picture. i LOVE it!
Peanut butter AND chocolate. After this she quit on the plates and just used cups instead.
I
can’t believe it’s been two months since my last post. I’m so sorry! Now the
best way I can think to catch you up is to do it list-style. Here we go.
In
the last 2 months:
School finished
I met my family- parents and 2 brothers at the airport
I took my family to Takeo
We stayed with my Khmer teacher from training
I visited with all my favorite students from training, and taught a few lessons off the top of my head
We rode a boat through the canals to an ancient temple Phnom Da
I got to introduce my real family to my training host family. My host family fed us delicious food and even beer and shots of rice wine. Cheers! Bingo!
I went to Sihanoukville for the first time
We spent a lot of time at our beautiful hotel pool
We swam in the gulf of Thailand
We ate at a restaurant where there were snakes, crocodiles, fish, turtles, birds, etc all on display. There was even a living snake inside our table.
I got to show my family where I live here in Prey Veng
We hung out with the monkeys at monkey island in Prey Veng.
We taught the Cha Cha slide to my Honor Society students
We worked on my world map project all together with my students
My family watched me teach a few classes
My purse was stolen, resulting in a loss of nearly 200 dollars and 2 ATM cards and my drivers license.
I taught my family to wash clothes by hand
We spent 2 days exploring the temples of Siem Reap.
We rode on the “bamboo train” in Battambang
We missed our bus to Phnom Penh
We got another bus to Phnom Penh, one that showed the reality of transportation in Cambodia
We visited the Royal Palace
We watched the sunrise over the Mekong
We said another goodbye.
I went back to site.
A student and her mother invited me over for lunch one day
While in the students village, I learned that riding a bike with no hands means you’re a gangster, and that the entire village believed me to be a foreign gangster, as I practice riding my bike with no hands through that village almost every week.
Another student invited me to see her home. She showed me her parents, her rice fields, her cow, and her secret place where she watches the sunset almost every day. So cute!
I finally called the medical officer after over a month of diarrhea and learned that I had Giardia.
I took Giardia medicine, and then I had a reaction to the medicine which made me feel worse for about 2 weeks.
I accidentally gave giardia to my parents. Woops.
I visited my training host family in Takeo again.
I was asked to organize music for the 4th of July celebration for the embassy
I made arrangements of America (My Country Tis of Thee), America the Beautiful, and a You’re a Grand Old Flag/Yankee Doodle medly.
The ambassador cut America.
We performed both national anthems, America the Beautiful, and You’re a Grand Old Flag for all the head honchos at the embassy, and some top Cambodian politicians.
We ate American food, American desserts, and even American wine and beer!
It all went so well that people were actually asking me for my business card! (not that I have one). I was so proud of the singers.
During that time I stayed with an Embassy worker at her beautiful house. It was a real house. Like it could be in a suburb somewhere in America. It just felt like home to me. Especially having access to a real kitchen! And a washer and dryer!
I had my mid-service medical check up. Woo….
I met Brian and Sunshine, 2 friends from America in Phnom Penh!
We went to the National Museum and Wat Phnom
We saw Madagascar 3 at a movie theatre.
We went to Siem Reap.
We spent 2 days exploring the temple, real tomb-raider style. Or actually.. more Temple Run style.
We recorded videos of real Temple Running.
We rode an elephant around Bayon temple.
We hung out on Pub Street eating, drinking, dancing, and shopping.
We did not let the fish eat our feet.
We took a bus to Bankok Thailand!
I ate McDonalds about 4 times, Burger King twice, and Starbucks twice.
We checked out the Royal Palace in Bankok. So shiny!
We also saw Wat Pho, home of the giant reclining Buddha.
We took a plane to Phuket.
We watched the sun set over the ocean
We saw real, international boxing matches at the stadium
I bought a chicken Kebab. And it was so good that I went back 2 hours later and got another.
We took a boat out to Koh Phi Phi island.
We swam in the beautiful, crystal clear bay
We watched fire dancers at night putting on a show.
I jump roped with a rope on fire.
I played limbo with the pole on fire.
We hiked up a mountain/hill to see the spectacular view.
We got attacked by a monkey.
I learned a bit of Thai and was able to have short conversations
I pet a lot of cats.
I came home back to Phnom Penh by another flight
I taught my honor society a few more times.
I bought a basketball, and it has been the best decision ever. I play basketball with the local kids about every other day now.
My sister asked me to help her name the baby, due in October. She wants an American name.
I went to my students’ awareness event for human trafficking, where they did a role-play
To intrigue the crowds, my students made me do the cupid shuffle and the asereje dance in front of about 100 villagers, including the local politicians.
Then they made me sing KPOP
I passed the one year mark. I’ve been in Cambodia for over a year.
I scheduled a day for students to come take a placement exam for one of 4 of my summer classes, ranging from beginner to advanced. Over 50 students showed up to take the exam.
I built a contraption in my room that allows me to keep fresh fruit without the ants OR the rats getting into it.
While I was so worried about my fruit contraption, the ants infested my Frosted Flakes.
I ate them anyway.
I rode my bike to my friend Leah’s site, which is about a 2 hour bike ride.
And
that’s where I am now! We’re finally all caught up. Here are some pictures that are completely unrelated to this blog post!
These are from way back in December, when my co-teacher had a "christmas party" at his house
I brought my little Christmas tree to make it seem a little more like a real Christmas party. It didn't work. But my students were really interested in the tree.
Cambodians love their speakers. I've mentioned before how LOUD they like to have their music. Well I could hear this music all the way at my house, and I live about a mile away.
A tent for dancing
My 7th graders
More of my 7th graders
cool dudes
one of my favorites, with the Christmas gifts he was going to give his private teachers
I hate going to the market. It’s
cramped and muddy and stinky, but really the main reason why is because of the
unwanted attention. EVERYONE stares at you and talks about you like you can’t
hear them. And it’s not even because they don’t know me. They do! I’ve been in
this village for over 8 months now. I know that I am often in the forefront of
the market gossips. But when I show my face in the market, it’s like no one
ever saw that coming.
I’m digressing before I even really
start my story.
I had to go to the market to buy a
broom for the new library. So I parked my bike, and started walking down the
side of the market looking for a likely stall to have a broom, and trying to
ignore all the people saying “look! Look over there! Look who it is! Where is
she going? Does she speak Khmer? Watch what happens when I say this… HELLO I
LOVE YOU.. hahaha, etc”
I finally arrived at a likely stall
and walked in
“I want to buy a broom.” I said with
a smile. She pointed to a stack of brooms in the corner. “How much?”
“Different brooms different prices,”
she replied. So I walked over and grabbed the cheapest looking broom, brought
it back, and asked “this how much?”
“2,500”
At this point, a woman who was
likely the sellers mother came outside to watch the foreigner make a purchase.
The seller looked at her mother and
said “works at school. don’t take money.”
“Don’t take money?” she questioned.
“Don’t take money” the seller
repeated.
I looked back and forth between them,
and checked my understanding by asking “don’t take money?”
The seller repeated for the third
time “don’t take money.”
I smiled enormously for their
generosity and started putting my wallet down, thanking them for their
generosity.
“Work at school?” the older woman
asked.
“Work at school.” I affirmed.
“Don’t take money.”
“Thank you aunt so much! I will use
this broom for the new library at the school!” I started walking out and the
shopkeeper looked at me like I had 3 heads. She firmly stated “2,500!” and she
put out her hand.
And that’s when I realized that they
were talking about how I don’t take money from the students. The statement had
nothing to do with the purchase at hand.
So yeah, I looked like a fool back
there, but this (and countless other similar confusing conversations) could
have all been avoided if we just added some pronouns. You know, an I here and a she
there never hurt anyone.
Now, for a complete mood shift. These are pictures from the Killing Fields in Battambang. They have done a beautiful memorial here. Inside the temple are the bones and the skulls all stacked up. All around the temple are stone reliefs depicting the types of things that happened during the Khmer Rouge Regime. The reliefs are really well done and are extremely descriptive, using little to no words.
Last
weekend was the festival we have been working on for months here in Cambodia.
It was our 1st Annual Create Cambodia Fine Art Festival. And it went
WONDERFULLY.
Saturday
morning, we met at my co-teachers’ house- Lina and Daly. I thought the students
would all be late because this is Cambodia, but I was actually the last one
there! Well, the last one not including the no-shows. Unfortunately, 2 out of
my 3 female singers didn’t show up. But everyone else was so excited, I was the
only one who seemed to care. So we piled into the 14 person van- all 20 of us.
I brought 15 students, 3 co-teachers, and myself (plus the driver).
The
van ride there was just like any other high school field trip. The students
were basically bouncing in their seats with excitement. Conversations and jokes
were being shared from the back of the van to the front. They were singing
along with the music at the top of their lungs. The choir kids even sang their
concert pieces. It kind of reminded me of when I was in Italy EXACTLY a year
ago on tour with the chorus and we did the same thing. We sang on the bus- as
if we didn’t sing those pieces enough in rehearsals and at concerts. Except in
this scenario, I was the Mark Shapiro to their music tour.
The
festival was right on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, so we had to go through
Phnom Penh. As we were approaching Phnom Penh, I realized that this was the
first time for almost every person in the car to see any piece of their capital
city. The first thing that amazed them was the Mekong River. We were crossing
over the river and they were all pressing their faces against the window. One
student said “teacher! Teacher! Look! BIG river!” Yeah, that would be the
Mekong. Then once within Phnom Penh we took the most round-a-bout way through
it, but I’m not complaining because the students got to drive past Wat Phnom,
Central Market, the riverside, and tons of fancy stores and restaurants.
We
finally arrived at the beautiful Khmer Arts stage, and my students were in awe.
The stage is huge with temples and plants backing it up. My students poked
around and watched the rest of the students from other provinces arrive. They
had a welcoming greeting from a professional and famous Khmer dancer in
Cambodia, and also one of the owners of the Khmer arts space.
After
lunch students had a workshop led by the Royal University of Fine Arts, which
is one of the best universities in Phnom Penh, and also one of the only ones
with options in the Fine Arts. Representatives from the university talked about
educational paths that many Khmer students don’t even know about. For example,
they can major in architecture, art and temple preservation, and other stuff. I
think it was good information for the students.
Then
students were broken up into groups, given art supplies, and told to make
masks. Each volunteer had about 10 students. I sat down with my students and
they just stared at me at first. They kept asking “teacher… how? Do we cut it
first? Do we draw it? Should it cover our whole face? Should it have a mouth?”
I just kept telling them it’s up to YOU! Every mask should be different. So
they stared blankly at their masks for about 5 minutes. Then they started.
Within minutes, the most creative wonderful masks were being made. It was so
simple, but it was something they’ve never been asked to do before. “Here’s
some paper. Make something.” There has never been any reason to do that before.
But they did it and they loved it and they came out great. Then we had a sort
of parade with the masks. Later on, one of my students said it was his second
favorite part of the festival.
I’ve
waited too long in writing this blog, so now I’m getting a little fuzzy on the
finer details and exact order of things, but I’ll proceed as if that’s not
true.
After
the masks, students went back to their seats for another workshop, this time
led by Make Maek art gallery from Battambang. This was really cool for the
students. The presenter was a real artist who makes his living from being an
artist. He brought some of his artwork with him, and let the students critique
his work. Also, his PCV counterpart, Arnoldo, brought a horse costume that he
made. Two of his students walked around in the horse outfit. Then all the
students were given an opportunity to discuss what they saw and how it made
them feel.
I
think after the workshop we had dinner.
Now..
to be honest we didn’t really have after dinner plans. We thought about
possibly organizing a talent show, creating self portraits, or even just
playing games. We played a couple spontaneous games of musical chairs. Then we
just… left the music on.
And
thus, Cambodia’s first prom night was born. The students DANCED like their
lives depended on it. And it was HOT out. I thought their energy would last 3
songs, top. They danced for 2 hours. I thought MY energy would last 2 songs
tops. I had the time of my life. It was just a completely comfortable space.
Everyone danced and had a good time. They were free to MOVE and not have anyone
judge them for it. They LOVED dancing with the foreigners, and I got really
into. I even broke out the worm for them THREE TIMES! It was very much like
prom, minus the “date” portion of it, and minus air conditioning of course.
This was everyone’s favorite part of the festival, and it wasn’t even planned.
But as our mission was to give these kids an opportunity to express themselves
in a safe and welcoming environment, we found no reason to shut it down with
any haste.
As
we were approaching bedtime and the sweaty dancing was still persisting, we
finally lowered the music, and asked everyone to form a circle. We gave out
more art supplies and asked them to draw self portraits. This time wasn’t like
when we asked them to make masks. They knew the deal, were excited, and got
started right away. I sat there completely exhausted watching them with such
pride. I felt like a mother lol, especially when all my kids came up afterward
with their picture and said “teacher! Teacher! Look what I drew!”
Finally
at around 10/10:30 all the students were in bed. The boys slept under mosquito
nets under the roofed facility, and the girls slept in the dressing room.
Sounds good for the girls, except it go SO hot and humid in there. With so many
bodies lined up in there, it was difficult to BREATHE let alone sleep. Finally
at around 2AM I started to drift off… barely even thinking about our 6AM
wake-up call.
Then
came 3:30AM. A few of the girls decided that was wake-up time. So they got up
and took their baths and started doing each other’s hair to get ready for the
day and the concert that wasn’t due to start until 10AM. I was FURIOUS! By 4AM
more than half of the girls followed their lead and got up. Ok, I know this is
Cambodia, and these are village girls used to getting up with the sun, but this
was ABSURD! We set a curfew, and now for next year we know we have to make a
quiet time rule. NO MOVING until at least 5AM!
Eventually
us PCVs got up and stopped being cranky. Coffee helped. Then I let one of the
girls to my hair. I was lookin good.
I
feel like stuff happened between the breakfast and the concert, but I can’t
remember it. Oh wait, yes I do. We had time to rehearse with our students.
Then
at 10AM the concert started. My chorus kids went first. My chorus consisted of
7 boys and 1 girl. They started with the Khmer National Anthem. Then it was
showtime. They sang a song in English first. I think it’s called Cambodia,
Kingdom of Wonder. It’s a tourist advertisement song, but it’s very beautiful.
Plus it’s a song in English about their country so it was perfect. Then two of
my singers sang solos a capella. Next was The Lion Sleeps Tonight. This was
where I was particularly worried about having only one girl, because that meant
half of the song was a solo for her. But she is a fantastic singer, and it came
together quite well. The PCVs were particularly moved by this song. Then I had
one more student solo, and we finished with a Khmer song. The boy I taught to
play guitar accompanied his classmates. Now, from reading this paragraph it
probably sounds like it went smoothly. In fact though, the students were like
deer in headlights the whole time. I had to physically go on stage and form
them into an arc, because they apparently lost the ability to understand
English AND Khmer. And between every song they looked at me like “now what!?!?!”
even though we went over it a million times. BUT all that shows is that clearly
these kids have never had this opportunity before! Hey kids, this is what it
feels like to perform!
Also
at the concert were dancers and actors from other PCVs and other provinces. The
dancers were really cool. They did traditional Khmer dancing, then had a
costume change and did the Cupid Shuffle. All the role-plays were very well
done (however very long). One particular role-play stood out. It was about the
Khmer Rouge. The acting was really good, and the story way very moving.
I
also had a role-play group. They win at being the longest performance
(something that I tried so hard not to make the case). Actually, I think I
wrote about this role-play group before. Go back and check my International
Womens Day post. However, the role-play changed very much since I invited them
to perform at the festival. It went from being 15 minutes long to 50 minutes
long. It went from being about womens rights to being about domectic abuse,
drugs, peer pressure, bullying, and human trafficking. It is a very good story
and it was very well done. They even had comic relief. The human trafficker was
a male student in a dress, wig, and make-up. Haha he was hilarious, squeaking
all over the stage. He was a big hit.
Also,
during the whole festival there was an art gallery with beautiful pictures from
students who have an art club.
After
the concert it was simply clean-up time and goodbye time.
Our
van was the last one to arrive, by 2 whole hours. But still, I allowed my
students to stop and explore Sorya Mall in Phnom Penh for a half hour. Just
walking in was hilarious. “Teacher, it’s very cold!” “Yes, that’s what air
conditioning feels like.” I have a video of them taking their very first
escalator ride. We were going to go on the elevator too but it was too busy.
They were most impressed with the roller skating rink on the top floor of the
mall.
Finally,
we were back on our way. I arrived home at almost 9PM.
The
festival was a huge success. To me, one of the most amazing parts was how the
students all interacted with each other. We were worried that the kids would be
too shy to socialize outside of their provinces, but that wasn’t the case at
all. They all became friends in such short time. Before they parted ways, they
said the most heartfelt goodbyes, exchanged phone numbers, took pictures with
each other, and even joked about stealing away on the wrong vans to be with
their new friends. It’s just amazing how art and creativity can bring people
together.
I’ll
end this post with a quote from one of my students’ facebook.
Hello Everyone! I want to tell all of u about my best happy
time that i never meet in my life. On May 12-13 2012 in Kandal with Create
Cambodia Arts Festival there are a lot of high school student from 6 province(
Prey Veng, Kompong Cham, Kompong Chhnang, Porsat, Battambong, Kompong Thom).2
days and 1 night we dance, sing, make the mask, eat rice together, sleep, take
photo with the best view at Khmer Art and... we are very very very very HAPPY!
when the festival finish i do not happy i don't want it finish. When my friend
leave to the province i feel very sad i don't want they go( នៅពេលដែលពួកគេចាក់ចេញទៅខេត្តរបស់ពួកគេខ្ញុំមិនចង់ឲ្យពូកគេចាក់ចេញនោះទេ). I said
GOOD BYE to them with my hand at that time my tear wants to drop "pls
don't go don't leave me" ខ្ញុំបាននិយាយថា “GOOD BYE” ជាមួយនិងដៃរបស់ខ្ញុំ ខ្ញុំមិនដឹងថាហេតុអ្វីទេ ខ្ញុំចង់ស្រក់ទឹកភ្នែក. last morning when i see our photo our video clip i feel
very very miss them and my tear was dropping (កាលពីព្រឹកមិញខ្ញុំបានមើលរូបភាព និង ខារ៉ាអូខេ ខ្ញុំនឹងអ្នកទាំងអស់គ្នាណាស់ថែមទាំងស្រក់ទឹកភ្នែកទៀត. What time
am I going to meet u again? I want all of u see the message(ពេលណាទៅបាចជួបគ្នាទៀត? ចង់ឲ្យអ្នកទាំងអស់គ្នាឃើញអត្ថបទនេះ) . I MISS
all of u so much next year i must go. ខ្ញុំនឹក all of u… Khmer Art you are the best view make me happy with
my friend.
AND another friend was kind enough to take videos of the chorus for me! She's uploading them onto youtube for me THANKS CHRISTINE! The first one is up already. Check it out:
This is the song Cambodia, Kingdom of Wonder
This is not from the festival. This is from the fundraiser concert I had at my school in order to help pay for the festival. We had over 300 students come to the fundraiser concert!
These are shots from the role-play. Here's mommy and daddy.
Mom and Dad with the kids
Bad influences- apparently this is what Khmer druggees look like.
Real. tears.
hey there! fabulous!
The redemption scene.
Okay, the rest are from the festival. This is Channy (Shannon), the female singer and also the real-tears girl.
The workshop with the Royal University of Fine Arts
....that's me behind the mask on the left hahaha. i win.
2 of my co-teachers, Rithy and Lina. Rithy is an artistic minimalist. He just cut holes in the bag that the markers came in...
I love my students!
The horse Arnoldo made
Check out that banner!
My kids rehearsing and warming up in the morning
The whole group!
My singers
The role-play about the Khmer Rouge
I love this kid. Where has he been this whole year and why have I only known him the last month or so??
