As a child I marked the passing of time by events that mattered to me. Friday nights: sleepovers and TGIF with the promise of Dunkin’ Donuts in the morning (this was when the chain was isolated to the East Coast). Any major holidays, birthdays, or celebrations were eagerly anticipated. Seasons were not appreciated in their [...]
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I would like to begin this post by reiterating that this is personal in nature and does not reflect the beliefs or views of Peace Corps. Onward. Let me paint a picture of my host family. My host father is 70, and lost his first wife 5 years ago. He no longer works and is [...]
I was never a fan of the show LOST. I have nothing against it, I just never watched it, and therefore was never a fan. So some of what I say might be incorrect. I was watching an episode in the hotel room of a dear friend who visited me in Battambang this past weekend. [...]
I haven’t been at site for over a week. My generation of volunteers (K5s) recently had their in-service training, and immediately following I attended the highly anticipated CamTESOL conference in Phnom Penh. I also committed to attending a wedding in Svay Rieng (a province on nearly the opposite side of the country) a few days [...]
I don’t often write about day-to-day stuff on here unless I feel it is especially meaningful to me (or hopefully to you, whoever you are). Today is different. As I am sure you are well aware of by now (especially if you are a fellow PCV or an avid reader) ones mood tends to vacillate [...]
How do we adjust? How do things that at one time seemed so new become so much a part of our everyday lives? Just another thread in our tapestry. At six months, my body has adjusted to the rise (and less often, the fall) of temperature. I have learned to communicate with my co teacher [...]
I stare out the bus window at the green whizzing by me. First sign it doesn’t feel like Christmas – the lush green outside. Leaves of banana and palm trees tossed about in the wind. Here and there the verdant scene breaks to a vast brown field dotted with lumbering water buffalo. My eyes follow [...]
December, as it is in the States, was an eventful month. After working years in a sector that revolved around two polar milestones in a year – December holidays and summer – it was strange cruising through this month without worrying about those details that could threaten to ruin an otherwise celebratory time of year. [...]
This is my first hot November. I forget it is November, the sun is bright and hot and the breezes are few and far between. I miss the transition of seasons. One of my favorite times of year is autumn’s transition into winter. I love smelling fireplaces on crisp evenings and wearing long sleeves. I [...]
I am twirling my hand around, in the air, spinning circles, wrapping invisible yarn around my fingers. My trainees asked me to gesture more, I am not entirely sure this is helpful. Somehow this compliments the word “repetition.” “You want your tongue to be inside your mouth. The tip touches the roof of your mouth. [...]
*I had to make some sort of commentary on goings-on in America. Anways… I have been living in Battambang for a little over a week. (You like that present perfect tense?!) Battambang is my sweetheart, my songsaa. Everyday I find a new little corner or street or storefront to love. The new banner picture on [...]
In Cambodia, there is a population that seemingly holds more power than the government. This group rules silently, yet their word is unwavering and their approval is sought after day by day. If they should enter a room, most bow to their authority. I am speaking, naturally, about the Yey. In America, we call them [...]
As the single bulb hums above me, I feel a heavy drop of sweat drip down my lower back. I flinch, that felt like a bug. The rain outside patters on the tin roof of the grain house. The rats are probably cowering inside, pilfering what isn’t theirs. Today was perfect, weather wise. After trolling [...]
BattamBANG, that is! I apologize for being MIA these last few weeks. Ever since practicum it’s been go go go. I have pictures to post as well, but it east up a lot of my internet card to upload photos, so I guess I am procrastinating a bit. If you couldn’t already tell from the [...]
Tomorrow is my last day of practicum The week had its ups and downs. I didn’t want to post until I felt neutral about the experience. As everyone knows I get a fair amount of anticipatory nerves prior to most events/experiences wherein I have a fair amount of responsibility involved and something is at stake. [...]
Today is my third day in a row with a low-grade fever. Either that or my thermometer is on the fritz. My body is reacting very negatively to the heat. I am clearly under-hydrating, since I am frequently sweating and rarely drinking enough to compensate. Luckily the rehydration salts are not all that nasty to [...]
Thanks to the gloriously spotty metfone internet stick, I am online and able to update you all. Thank you for being loyal readers. I would like to lay out a detailed email about Cambodian life thus far… however, my days are so jam-packed with language learning and English Teacher training, once I get home my [...]
FYI, the Blog title is from a Keane song. Been stuck in my head. This is probably going to be my last post for awhile, our training is 9 weeks and my internet access will be extremely limited, if not nonexistent. If you click on my Contact me page, it has my address so you [...]
I am sitting at the San Francisco Airport, waiting to board my 21+ hour flight to Bangkok. This might be my last chance to post for a little while, and I am somewhat crunched for time, so I apologize if it’s rather disjointed and not up to my usual narrative voice. In this exact moment, [...]
Quick note. After my requested final home cooked meal of baked ziti, garlic bread, red wine, and ice cream, I need to figure out the following: How to fit this: and this: Into this: ……………
Ahh, it sure has been awhile, hasn’t it? Right now I am sitting on my bed in the guestroom of my parents’ new house in Discovery Bay. I already miss San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma County, and my friends. I feel like it’s all a world away, and I haven’t even left you. I am leaving [...]
Hello, readers. The time has come. The moment I have been waiting for since late October. Maybe even since I graduated from college. I received a package from the Peace Corps via UPS with my assignment: Teaching English and Youth Development Advisor in Cambodia!!! From the beginning of this journey, I have been on so [...]
I realize that I was to elaborate on the last post, but in all the hype and excitement over the past couple weeks, I haven’t had the chance. So I finally received Medical Clearance on May 6th. After consulting with my recruiter, I quickly emailed my placement assistant an updated resume. I got a rather [...]
That’s right, biotches. I arrived home yesterday to find a nice letter from the Peace Corps informing me I had been medically cleared, and that my application is moving onto the placement stage. Holy, holy shit. I haven’t fully processed this news, and I am running late for work, but rest assured more info and [...]
So, as we last heard, on WEDNESDAY 5/4, my file was placed on HOLD which meant it was most likely under review. In the fastest turnaround I’ve seen in days (I work for nonprofit, remember?), I then receive an email on Saturday morning that my application status had changed. I logged on to see this: [...]
Status A hold has been placed on your file. This may mean simply that your file is under review. See below for further information. Medical HOLD. All nominees have a medical hold while they are under review. No further action from you is required, unless the Office of Medical Services contacts you to request additional information. [...]
It’s been awhile, I know. I wanted to post when I had something significant to report, which I do and I don’t. As of today, my nurse has yet to look at my medical packet. I know what you’re thinking: “Wow, isn’t this cutting it a little close? Shouldn’t the Peace Corps give you at least [...]
Every word is beautiful in Spanish. Por que? Some of my favorites thus far: Palabras: Words Siempre: Always Alegre: Glad One that intrigues me is guapo – “handsome”. It does not have the light, playful tone of bonita (nice) or the slyly seductive tone of hermosa(beautiful). Guapo is a deep, penetrating word that cannot be rushed… the pursing [...]
So as many of you might have guessed, the Peace Corps operates mostly by snail mail. Other than my initial application, all correspondance is through s n a i l m a i l . Thanks to handy dandy Delivery Confirmation receipts, I know it took my packet almost 2 weeks to arrive, and [...]
Evaluations required to become an Invitee Dental Complete. Peace Corps has completed your dental review. There are no dental holds on your account at this time. Yea Baby! 5 cavities be damned! I’d like to thank Dr. Daw and everyone at his office for helping make this happen. I also got my MMR2 and second Hep [...]
My Medical Packet was officially received by the Pre Service Office yesterday morning at 9:00 AM. They also received a little surprise – 2 tickets to the Academy of Sciences Nightlife for Thursday, Feb 24th. I guess I might have included them with all my medical information in my haste. Oooopsies…
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