I am just starting to feel better, but have been since since last Friday (almost a full week). Definitely not fun at all. I have teased my roommates telling them they don't even know what they're in for when I am back to regular energy Corrie.
I actually haven't gone to work the last couple of days because I have been so ill, but I am going to try tomorrow. I think I have rested enough...I am missing the kids and want to get back to work. Above I have pictures of a boat cruise I went on, pictures of my apartment, and a random picture of Andrew and myself (just because I wanted to post it! :-)
As a side note, the apartments we are staying in are not characteristic of how people live here. This is one of the only countries that Projects Abroad has volunteers not live with "host families" We are very lucky to have electricity, running water, and a place so big.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Birthday party at school
On Friday I was able to see a birthday party take place at my school, it was a sight to see! The student brought in fruit, soda, and cake. I thought it was a lot, but his teacher was apologizing to me saying it wasn't a lot because his family is poor. The students hung balloons in the room filled with baby powder to decorate. All of the teachers from the other classes (5 other classes) came to watch the celebration. The question is...what were their students doing?? I think for that hour the other kids were just hanging out unsupervised in their classrooms? It was odd!
We say Happy Birthday to the boy and then a few teachers and students proceeded to spray "snow"on him and all over the cake (the fake snow in a bottle that I think you are suppose to spray on windows!). One of the pictures posted above shows this happening. Oh, I forgot to mention they closed the windows and turned off the fan for this part, I thought we all were going to suffocate. THEN the students light sparklers in the classroom and the birhtday boy uses the one to pop the balloons hanging, letting the baby powder fall out everywhere! The teachers sit and watch while the boy serves everyone and then cleans the enitre mess up. The teachers are all served first and there isn't even enough cake for the students after all the teachers are served. He picked about 2 friends to get a slice of the cake. After he sweeps and mops the floor he dances with some friends. It was such an experience!!
There are also some pictures above of the Royal Palace and National Museum. I went yesterday with some other volunteers. I am still getting use to all the different customs here, as we had to have our shoulders and knees covered to enter the Royal Palace gates.
We say Happy Birthday to the boy and then a few teachers and students proceeded to spray "snow"on him and all over the cake (the fake snow in a bottle that I think you are suppose to spray on windows!). One of the pictures posted above shows this happening. Oh, I forgot to mention they closed the windows and turned off the fan for this part, I thought we all were going to suffocate. THEN the students light sparklers in the classroom and the birhtday boy uses the one to pop the balloons hanging, letting the baby powder fall out everywhere! The teachers sit and watch while the boy serves everyone and then cleans the enitre mess up. The teachers are all served first and there isn't even enough cake for the students after all the teachers are served. He picked about 2 friends to get a slice of the cake. After he sweeps and mops the floor he dances with some friends. It was such an experience!!
There are also some pictures above of the Royal Palace and National Museum. I went yesterday with some other volunteers. I am still getting use to all the different customs here, as we had to have our shoulders and knees covered to enter the Royal Palace gates.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Sorry I have not been on top of the blogging lately. I haven't been feeling great, so I haven't made it to the interenet cafe.
I have SO many pictures that I can't wait to post. Above are some of my students. I teach 5 different classes. They arn't grouped by age, but by "ïntellectual ability." I am expected to have English lessons prepared for each class everyday. I move from class to class and the students are always eager to help carry my backpack and helmet. The students are very respectful to the teachers and most of the students are so eager to learn. Each class is 40-45 minutes long with a 15-20 min play time inbetween each class. That play time is worth it's own blog entry. If there is not a volunteer to teach the students to learn English they learn from their teachers (most of which don't speak English well). It is a challenge coming up with lessons for the students because there are no resources. I think it's even harder for me because I know what I COULD do! I am trying my best and some of the teachers help to translate some words.
The kids are SO beautiful! I'm not sure if you all want to know the sad stories...so, I won't go into it on here. I just have noticed that there are some children who are dying for affection. They get jealous, cry, hit or punch when they see me giving attention to another kid. There are some students who also cling to me. I have noticed some of the younger kids to be very violent towards each other too (mostly in class 1). I don't know if that is a defense mechanism or a way they learned to defend themselves on the street.
It's time for dinner or else I would write more...I promise! I will be back in two days.
ps. A karaoke bar just opened next to our apartments...It's not the usual kind if you catch my drift. Really sad actually, I just want to rescue the girls..
I have SO many pictures that I can't wait to post. Above are some of my students. I teach 5 different classes. They arn't grouped by age, but by "ïntellectual ability." I am expected to have English lessons prepared for each class everyday. I move from class to class and the students are always eager to help carry my backpack and helmet. The students are very respectful to the teachers and most of the students are so eager to learn. Each class is 40-45 minutes long with a 15-20 min play time inbetween each class. That play time is worth it's own blog entry. If there is not a volunteer to teach the students to learn English they learn from their teachers (most of which don't speak English well). It is a challenge coming up with lessons for the students because there are no resources. I think it's even harder for me because I know what I COULD do! I am trying my best and some of the teachers help to translate some words.
The kids are SO beautiful! I'm not sure if you all want to know the sad stories...so, I won't go into it on here. I just have noticed that there are some children who are dying for affection. They get jealous, cry, hit or punch when they see me giving attention to another kid. There are some students who also cling to me. I have noticed some of the younger kids to be very violent towards each other too (mostly in class 1). I don't know if that is a defense mechanism or a way they learned to defend themselves on the street.
It's time for dinner or else I would write more...I promise! I will be back in two days.
ps. A karaoke bar just opened next to our apartments...It's not the usual kind if you catch my drift. Really sad actually, I just want to rescue the girls..
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Transportation
Let's talk about the traffic here...words cannot describe what driving down the street is like here! I wish I could teleport you all, so you could take just one moto bike ride down the streets of Phnom Penh.
**Disclaimer** Mom, you might not want to read any farther.
There were a few times today that I was thinking my mom wouldn't want to see me right now. I have my own personal moto driver that takes me to work in the morning, home for lunch, and then back to work in the afternoon. There are no traffic lights here, no traffic laws, the motos drive anywhere they want, the streets are filled with moto bikes, tuk tuks, bicycles, cars, and people. I don't think I have ever sweat, gripped, and had as fast as a heartbeat that I had at 7:30am this morning. Not to mention the fumes from the exhaust are awesome. I am going to try to take a video so you all can virtually experience it!
On a side note, my moto driver is super sweet (well, he doesn't speak English, but he seems nice :-) He is in business school and is driving to make some extra money. He apparently learned English in school, but has never spoken it at all. He said "Thank You" today in English and I was so excited I think I gave him a heart attack.
I was planning on writing more, but I am EXHAUSTED. It was my first day at my placement...more on that later. A huge group of people went out tonight and I actually turned it down. I decided that reading, sleeping, and planning my lessons for my classes (Mrs. Carhart you would be so proud!) sounded better.
Night night! (Or good morning to most of you!)
**Disclaimer** Mom, you might not want to read any farther.
There were a few times today that I was thinking my mom wouldn't want to see me right now. I have my own personal moto driver that takes me to work in the morning, home for lunch, and then back to work in the afternoon. There are no traffic lights here, no traffic laws, the motos drive anywhere they want, the streets are filled with moto bikes, tuk tuks, bicycles, cars, and people. I don't think I have ever sweat, gripped, and had as fast as a heartbeat that I had at 7:30am this morning. Not to mention the fumes from the exhaust are awesome. I am going to try to take a video so you all can virtually experience it!
On a side note, my moto driver is super sweet (well, he doesn't speak English, but he seems nice :-) He is in business school and is driving to make some extra money. He apparently learned English in school, but has never spoken it at all. He said "Thank You" today in English and I was so excited I think I gave him a heart attack.
I was planning on writing more, but I am EXHAUSTED. It was my first day at my placement...more on that later. A huge group of people went out tonight and I actually turned it down. I decided that reading, sleeping, and planning my lessons for my classes (Mrs. Carhart you would be so proud!) sounded better.
Night night! (Or good morning to most of you!)
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