July 9, Monday
Today a pretty mellow day we got to sleep in. We drove to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat this drive was 5 hours. When we got there we checked into our hotel, I got to go swimming for about 10 minutes with Zoe and Nikko, and then we left for dinner.
July 10, Tuesday
This was a very early morning, to our understanding we were leaving at 4:30am to watch the sun rise but I was wrong it was 5am, so we ended up getting down to the lobby 30 minutes early. Today was a good day. We didn't really get to watch the sun rise because it was cloudy, but it was still very cool. The first temple we went to was called Toprahm, this temple was my favorite because there we so many tree vines everywhere, they would hang down over the rocks, and it was just beautiful. Next we went to the actual Angkor Wat we got to go inside the building, it was so beautiful, it was different from anythingels I had seen, there we just so many boodas everywhere, and they were all so unique. We got to see a temple, that where ever you look you will see a face, it was so incredible. Sadly we did not get to see any elephants, but we got to see pictures and statues. When we got back to the hotel, jumping in the pool felt great. We went to a place called Fathers for dinner and it was really good.
July 11, Wednesday
Today is our last day. I'm so upset. We left the hotel at 8:30 and we are now back at the Tattoo. We are getting ready to clean, pack, organize etc. Thank you everyone so much for your support towards me and my trip to Cambodia. It means the world.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
July 7&8 Saturday and Sunday 2012
July 7, Saturday
I am crushed. In the morning we went to the market to get food for the kids and any additional party supplies. We got to the orphanage at around noon, so the first thing we did when we got there was greet the kids and have lunch. After lunch we spent quite a lot of time just hanging out with the kids, talking, playing volleyball, and just having fun. Next they preformed an amazing show, they had costumes, makeup, the set it was just incredible. Next we had dinner. After dinner we danced for about an hour while it was getting dark. We had a special call, all of us to the office, it was time for the glow sticks, balloons, and party horns!! When we walked out of the office glowing, the kids went CRAZY!!! They were so exited, in about 15 seconds all of our party stuff ended up on the kids!! The part I had been waiting for, for a long time was giving them our present, our frame with all the pictures in it! Now we can hang it up right next to trip 1's. And for the part that I wished would never come, the goodbyes. I did not know what was quite going on, but when Lavin pulled me aside to tell me goodbye.. that is when I lost it. All the joy inside me just came pouring out, he gave me a beautiful bracelet with bells on the end, it meant the word to me. As I walked around the stage all I could here was just kids ages 2- 25 just all crying like babies, Ava, Zoe, Nikko, Camryn, Bret, Alex, and my self I am pretty sure cried harder than we ever had before. We started saying good bye about 30 minutes before we were leaving because we new it would talk a long time. It was so hard to get around to each kid, give them a kiss and tell them that you WILL be back. There groups of kids all around the stage crying together. I had the 18-25 year old boys wipe my tears off my face and tell me to be happy, I promised them I would be back and I would be better at volleyball when I came back. When it was time to really leave I was freaking out. When I was sitting in the tuk-tuk I was holding about 3 kids hands in each one of my hands. When we started pulling away, all the kids chased after us like they always did, I just could not let go of Lavins hand.. I thought my arm was going to rip off. Picture trying to leave one of your brothers and not no when or if you will ever see them again. All Camryn and I could say was "Noooooo, please please turn around go back!!!! Please!" Noooooo! It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do I'm my entire life. CPO is my family that I will never forget, I love you. And I promise to be back, even if I have to walk.
"Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."
July 8, Sunday
I woke up this morning with a really sore throat and I know exactly why. The first thing we did this morning was a cooking class, we first went to the market to see what ingredient we need, then we went back to our stations. First we made spring rolls, they were very different my in a good way. Then we made fish amok, that was.. umm... well I did not like that very much I don't know why. After the cooking class was over we walked to the Royal Palace. This was amazing. We had a very nice tour guide. The RP was so beautiful, and I learned so much about it. After the RP, we walked around for a little bit, I got some food for the road trip and a scarf at a really neat little shop. After that, Lisa Marie took us for dinner, at a restaurant called Friends. The restaurant is amazing, not just for their food. Friends: a trained restaurant run by former street youth and their teachers. All profits go back to Mith Samlanh/ Friends training center. Many of the graduates go on to work at well known hotels and restaurants in Phnom Penh. They work with an average of 1,800 children and youth per day, some of the children/youth are from the streets. It was a very cool restaurant, thank you Lisa Marie!! I love you. Well that concludes day 11, exited for our trip to Angkor Wat tomorrow :-) Thanks everyone
I am crushed. In the morning we went to the market to get food for the kids and any additional party supplies. We got to the orphanage at around noon, so the first thing we did when we got there was greet the kids and have lunch. After lunch we spent quite a lot of time just hanging out with the kids, talking, playing volleyball, and just having fun. Next they preformed an amazing show, they had costumes, makeup, the set it was just incredible. Next we had dinner. After dinner we danced for about an hour while it was getting dark. We had a special call, all of us to the office, it was time for the glow sticks, balloons, and party horns!! When we walked out of the office glowing, the kids went CRAZY!!! They were so exited, in about 15 seconds all of our party stuff ended up on the kids!! The part I had been waiting for, for a long time was giving them our present, our frame with all the pictures in it! Now we can hang it up right next to trip 1's. And for the part that I wished would never come, the goodbyes. I did not know what was quite going on, but when Lavin pulled me aside to tell me goodbye.. that is when I lost it. All the joy inside me just came pouring out, he gave me a beautiful bracelet with bells on the end, it meant the word to me. As I walked around the stage all I could here was just kids ages 2- 25 just all crying like babies, Ava, Zoe, Nikko, Camryn, Bret, Alex, and my self I am pretty sure cried harder than we ever had before. We started saying good bye about 30 minutes before we were leaving because we new it would talk a long time. It was so hard to get around to each kid, give them a kiss and tell them that you WILL be back. There groups of kids all around the stage crying together. I had the 18-25 year old boys wipe my tears off my face and tell me to be happy, I promised them I would be back and I would be better at volleyball when I came back. When it was time to really leave I was freaking out. When I was sitting in the tuk-tuk I was holding about 3 kids hands in each one of my hands. When we started pulling away, all the kids chased after us like they always did, I just could not let go of Lavins hand.. I thought my arm was going to rip off. Picture trying to leave one of your brothers and not no when or if you will ever see them again. All Camryn and I could say was "Noooooo, please please turn around go back!!!! Please!" Noooooo! It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do I'm my entire life. CPO is my family that I will never forget, I love you. And I promise to be back, even if I have to walk.
"Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."
July 8, Sunday
I woke up this morning with a really sore throat and I know exactly why. The first thing we did this morning was a cooking class, we first went to the market to see what ingredient we need, then we went back to our stations. First we made spring rolls, they were very different my in a good way. Then we made fish amok, that was.. umm... well I did not like that very much I don't know why. After the cooking class was over we walked to the Royal Palace. This was amazing. We had a very nice tour guide. The RP was so beautiful, and I learned so much about it. After the RP, we walked around for a little bit, I got some food for the road trip and a scarf at a really neat little shop. After that, Lisa Marie took us for dinner, at a restaurant called Friends. The restaurant is amazing, not just for their food. Friends: a trained restaurant run by former street youth and their teachers. All profits go back to Mith Samlanh/ Friends training center. Many of the graduates go on to work at well known hotels and restaurants in Phnom Penh. They work with an average of 1,800 children and youth per day, some of the children/youth are from the streets. It was a very cool restaurant, thank you Lisa Marie!! I love you. Well that concludes day 11, exited for our trip to Angkor Wat tomorrow :-) Thanks everyone
Friday, July 6, 2012
July 5, Thursday& 6 Friday 2012
July 5:
Today started out a bit different. We split up into two groups. The first group went to the market to get some food for CPO that was Jana, Anna, Camryn, Nikko, Gena, and Johnny. The second group went with Lisa Marie to run some errands. This group was Zoe, Ava, Bret, Alex, and myself. When we got to the orphanage, we started cleaning the stage, Ava and I swept, and then the rest of us scrubbed. After the stage was done, Zoe and I then cleaned the adult bathroom again, it was pretty clean, there was not much work to be done. Then we all cleaned up the extra trash that was left from the pig pen roof. And for my favorite part of the day... our game!! Today's game was just like heads up 7 up, but instead of putting down the thumb you slap their hand. Everybody joined in even the chaperone's! Then we had lunch which is always very good. After lunch it was getting pretty hot out so the kids laid down one big tarp, then they covered it with water and used it as a slippin slide. We all got so wet! After the slippin slide we did nails! It is kind of funny here all the boys want there nails done as well, at first we all thought it was so weird but it ended up being fine. Now all the boys have pink and green nails. The good bye party is on Saturday! I am starting to get sad and nervous! I don't want to go home! I love it here!! Over the past few days we have been trying to go to the Olympic stadium, but we had always left the orphanage to late, but today was our day! It was so much fun, so different but in a good way, there is a big field, with a track around it. At the top of the stadium there is tons of aerobic classes going on I think this is how the old people get their work out!:) It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen and we took so many pictures. The track was pretty fun, I ran around it 2 with Bret and Zoe. Well that was day 8!
July 6:
This morning my tuk-tuk was Ava, M'ng, Lisa Marie and Johnny, first we dropped off Johnny, so could go see the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. Next we stopped by a very nice house for girls 16 and up. There we 2 girls that we got to see from CHA, we also got to see Little MiMi and Visal. There are only 5 girls living in this home, and this is a place for them to really work on their studies. The home is so nice! When we got to the orphanage I immediately started playing Volleyball with Labin (15) Then we picked up trash around the orphanage, and then something amazing happened, a little girl that I had been talking to her name is Srey Nune, she asked me if I wanted to be her sister! It was amazing she is so beautiful and sweet
I said of course!! I love you. The next big event was the pig arrived!! All the kids were so exited about it, after all we did build her a really nice pen, the pig went right for the "bath tub!" After we were done watching the pig we were just hanging out with the kids for a while. I am listing in with Lisa Marie's lesson, when we here M'ng from across the yard yelling "Lisa or Johnny help!! Lisa come quick!!" So Lisa Marie was running as fast as she could to find the sweetest little boy with a nail stuck in the bottom of his foot!! He was not crying he just looked to traumatized! I felt so bad, Lisa Marie and Johnny took him into the office to help him they shut the door and I heard a few little yelps here and there from the other side of the door! I was crying inside. This little boys name is Sombow. When he was done and they got it out, he was okay, thank god! So I picked him up and brought him to a suite case full of books, we read about 7. He doesn't know much English but it was fun to help him. It gave me such a good feeling to see him smile again!! When we got back to Tattoo, we spit up into 2 groups again half of us went to the super market to get anymore snacks that we might need for our trip to Angkor Wat! Tomorrow is the goodbye party, I am crying already I really don't know how I am going to say goodbye to all my brothers and sisters. <3
"They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
Thank you everyone.
Today started out a bit different. We split up into two groups. The first group went to the market to get some food for CPO that was Jana, Anna, Camryn, Nikko, Gena, and Johnny. The second group went with Lisa Marie to run some errands. This group was Zoe, Ava, Bret, Alex, and myself. When we got to the orphanage, we started cleaning the stage, Ava and I swept, and then the rest of us scrubbed. After the stage was done, Zoe and I then cleaned the adult bathroom again, it was pretty clean, there was not much work to be done. Then we all cleaned up the extra trash that was left from the pig pen roof. And for my favorite part of the day... our game!! Today's game was just like heads up 7 up, but instead of putting down the thumb you slap their hand. Everybody joined in even the chaperone's! Then we had lunch which is always very good. After lunch it was getting pretty hot out so the kids laid down one big tarp, then they covered it with water and used it as a slippin slide. We all got so wet! After the slippin slide we did nails! It is kind of funny here all the boys want there nails done as well, at first we all thought it was so weird but it ended up being fine. Now all the boys have pink and green nails. The good bye party is on Saturday! I am starting to get sad and nervous! I don't want to go home! I love it here!! Over the past few days we have been trying to go to the Olympic stadium, but we had always left the orphanage to late, but today was our day! It was so much fun, so different but in a good way, there is a big field, with a track around it. At the top of the stadium there is tons of aerobic classes going on I think this is how the old people get their work out!:) It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen and we took so many pictures. The track was pretty fun, I ran around it 2 with Bret and Zoe. Well that was day 8!
July 6:
This morning my tuk-tuk was Ava, M'ng, Lisa Marie and Johnny, first we dropped off Johnny, so could go see the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. Next we stopped by a very nice house for girls 16 and up. There we 2 girls that we got to see from CHA, we also got to see Little MiMi and Visal. There are only 5 girls living in this home, and this is a place for them to really work on their studies. The home is so nice! When we got to the orphanage I immediately started playing Volleyball with Labin (15) Then we picked up trash around the orphanage, and then something amazing happened, a little girl that I had been talking to her name is Srey Nune, she asked me if I wanted to be her sister! It was amazing she is so beautiful and sweet
I said of course!! I love you. The next big event was the pig arrived!! All the kids were so exited about it, after all we did build her a really nice pen, the pig went right for the "bath tub!" After we were done watching the pig we were just hanging out with the kids for a while. I am listing in with Lisa Marie's lesson, when we here M'ng from across the yard yelling "Lisa or Johnny help!! Lisa come quick!!" So Lisa Marie was running as fast as she could to find the sweetest little boy with a nail stuck in the bottom of his foot!! He was not crying he just looked to traumatized! I felt so bad, Lisa Marie and Johnny took him into the office to help him they shut the door and I heard a few little yelps here and there from the other side of the door! I was crying inside. This little boys name is Sombow. When he was done and they got it out, he was okay, thank god! So I picked him up and brought him to a suite case full of books, we read about 7. He doesn't know much English but it was fun to help him. It gave me such a good feeling to see him smile again!! When we got back to Tattoo, we spit up into 2 groups again half of us went to the super market to get anymore snacks that we might need for our trip to Angkor Wat! Tomorrow is the goodbye party, I am crying already I really don't know how I am going to say goodbye to all my brothers and sisters. <3
"They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
Thank you everyone.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
July 3&4 Tuesday and Wednesday 2012
Tuesday, July 3
Today was a very productive day, when we arrived at the orphanage of course we had our morning greetings but we got right to work after that. Today was the pig pen building day!! First we cleaned off each brick leaving it just about spotless, for me it hurt, instead of filing my finger nails, it felt like I was filing my hands. It was hard for our team to do the work because they wanted to do it, they wanted it their way, and it had to be perfect. We first started cementing the bricks together, after that we cemented the entire wall, it was so much work, but it was all worth it! This took just about the entire morning. During lunch, of course it started to rain again. The cement that we had put down was not dry yet so it started to get wet, and it would slide down the side of the wall, so tomorrow we would probably have to end up redoing, 1 wall. After lunch it was time to play with the kids, Zoe and I were trying to get good pictures of this little girl named Strey Pi, she is my favorite little girl in the world. About an hour before it was time to leave, another rain storm picked up, this one was worse. Everybody who was out in the rain for just 45 seconds looked like they had just got out of the shower! All the bigger boys even Bret were trying to get me to come in the rain, they were pulling my arms, and lifting up my legs. After that, Nikko and I started talking about how bad the fires are getting at home, and so we decided to sing as we push the rain "go home rain! they need rain! go home rain! they need rain!" It was so funny. On the way home one of the roads was completely flooded, the water was above the tuk-tucks wheels! Some people who I felt so sorry for and to get off there motto and push it out off the street! It ended up being quite funny! That's all for today!
Wednesday, July 4
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! When we woke up this morning, we all decided to represent America! So I wore a red bandanna, white shirt, and blue pants! It was great! On the tuk-tuk ride to the orphanage, I dropped my water on to the street, that was a huge bummer! But when we got to the orphanage there was an extra unopened water bottle there, so it ended up being okay. Today was a big day, today we were making the clothes line, I am so thankful for a lawn mower, we used machete knives to cut the grass! And the one day of crazy hard work of course the sun had to come out. We did not mind the heat, the only thing that was holding us all up was the ants, those little suckers hurt so bad its crazy!! By the end of the day my feet were on fire! Next came lunch!! Yumm, during lunch we got to play with the kids, I read a bunch of stories with kids, I also got to sit with Lisa Marie and she told me a few kids stories, how they got there and why they act the way they do. After lunch we made our last minute finishing touches on the clothes line area. For a lot the second half of the day I played lots of volleyball with the boys and Ava it was so much fun. About 10 minutes before we were leaving another rain storm hit, and there was 1 time on the way back there we got stuck and Ly had everybody get out of the tuk-tuk and pushed us out of the water. When we got back we ate dinner, Zoe, Anna, and I went across the street to get 5 dollar massages. It was well worth the price! It was so weird but felt so good! Zoe and I were laughing the entire time!! Well I am exhausted and ready for bed!
Thank you for your time!! Write again soon!
Today was a very productive day, when we arrived at the orphanage of course we had our morning greetings but we got right to work after that. Today was the pig pen building day!! First we cleaned off each brick leaving it just about spotless, for me it hurt, instead of filing my finger nails, it felt like I was filing my hands. It was hard for our team to do the work because they wanted to do it, they wanted it their way, and it had to be perfect. We first started cementing the bricks together, after that we cemented the entire wall, it was so much work, but it was all worth it! This took just about the entire morning. During lunch, of course it started to rain again. The cement that we had put down was not dry yet so it started to get wet, and it would slide down the side of the wall, so tomorrow we would probably have to end up redoing, 1 wall. After lunch it was time to play with the kids, Zoe and I were trying to get good pictures of this little girl named Strey Pi, she is my favorite little girl in the world. About an hour before it was time to leave, another rain storm picked up, this one was worse. Everybody who was out in the rain for just 45 seconds looked like they had just got out of the shower! All the bigger boys even Bret were trying to get me to come in the rain, they were pulling my arms, and lifting up my legs. After that, Nikko and I started talking about how bad the fires are getting at home, and so we decided to sing as we push the rain "go home rain! they need rain! go home rain! they need rain!" It was so funny. On the way home one of the roads was completely flooded, the water was above the tuk-tucks wheels! Some people who I felt so sorry for and to get off there motto and push it out off the street! It ended up being quite funny! That's all for today!
Wednesday, July 4
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! When we woke up this morning, we all decided to represent America! So I wore a red bandanna, white shirt, and blue pants! It was great! On the tuk-tuk ride to the orphanage, I dropped my water on to the street, that was a huge bummer! But when we got to the orphanage there was an extra unopened water bottle there, so it ended up being okay. Today was a big day, today we were making the clothes line, I am so thankful for a lawn mower, we used machete knives to cut the grass! And the one day of crazy hard work of course the sun had to come out. We did not mind the heat, the only thing that was holding us all up was the ants, those little suckers hurt so bad its crazy!! By the end of the day my feet were on fire! Next came lunch!! Yumm, during lunch we got to play with the kids, I read a bunch of stories with kids, I also got to sit with Lisa Marie and she told me a few kids stories, how they got there and why they act the way they do. After lunch we made our last minute finishing touches on the clothes line area. For a lot the second half of the day I played lots of volleyball with the boys and Ava it was so much fun. About 10 minutes before we were leaving another rain storm hit, and there was 1 time on the way back there we got stuck and Ly had everybody get out of the tuk-tuk and pushed us out of the water. When we got back we ate dinner, Zoe, Anna, and I went across the street to get 5 dollar massages. It was well worth the price! It was so weird but felt so good! Zoe and I were laughing the entire time!! Well I am exhausted and ready for bed!
Thank you for your time!! Write again soon!
Monday, July 2, 2012
July 1&2 Sunday and Monday 2012
July 1, Sunday
Today was a pretty good day, we woke up, same as usual. Today we went to the market, we were getting food for the orphanage that we were going to in the morning, this orphanage was called SFODA. The market was..... WOW! The first thing I can say, smells disgusting! I was gagging behind my bandanna. I could not compare it to anything like we have back home.It was extremely crowded with bugs everywhere, and the meat was absolutely disgusting it was everywhere, hanging, laid out etc.. Other than the smells and the meat, it was not that bad, it was also really fun to bargain.
We went back to the Tattoo Guest house for lunch, and then went to the internet cafe for anybody that needed to catch up on blogging, email and so forth. In the afternoon we went to an Orphanage called PIO, that was absolutely amazing. The kids were so welcoming and thankful for the food we brought them. We started off playing with the kids, getting to know them, and just having fun. Then the kids put on a dance for us, it was really good they were all really good at dancing, it was interesting music but fun to watch and listen to, for sounds the kids had cut open coconuts that they would bang together, and it would make a very cool. sound. After the dance was over, on of the ladies that worked at the orphanage, told us a little bit about the place, herself, and the kids. Now the fun has begun!! DANCE PARTY!!!! We all danced for about 2 hours straight, macarana, today's hip-hop, etc. As we were dancing I would look over at Lisa Marie and we would watch the sweat drip down from our faces! It was so hot!! Like every good time, there has to be an ending. As we said our good buys I had tears in my eyes, I was desperately trying to hold them back. In the begging the first little girl I saw was Rachana, she was so beautiful, and I loved her from the second I saw her, it was one of the hardest things to do, say goodbye to somebody that you love so much and know that you might not every see them again. The entire tuk-tuk ride home I had my bandana over my face, crying. I will have the drawling they gave me till the day that I die.
July 2, Monday
Back to our original schedule. We went back to CPO. When we got there all the kids were so happy to see us like always!! We had so much fun for about an hour, today was also the day that we give out clothes to each kid! They were so thankful! Now it was time for work. First we cleaned up all the trash in the back area of the orphanage, by the time we were done my feet were totally black. After that I had cleaned to breakfast, lunch and dinner tables, they were so dirty but not anymore!! After I was finished, Zoe and Camryn were still working on the bathrooms, so I decided to help them out. Next came lunch, I had just plain white rice, and one of the men working there was so confused how I got all my energy, so about 2 minutes later he came out with a place full of chicken and green beans, it was soo hard saying no. In the beginning Lisa Marie told us not to eat any food from the orphanage, which we all get constantly asked. After lunch we played a very fun game with some of the older kids. There would be 2 teams and 1 person from 1 of the teams would run out tag on of the people from the opposite team and try to run back to their side, sounds easy right? Well here's the trick you have to run out constantly saying "ooooooo"and when you tag somebody they tackle you and you have to make it back to the other side with out running out of breath! It was so much fun. Next we had a bath party!! Me and Zoe would love to clean/ play with this little girl named Srey Paul, she is not part of the orphanage but she comes to the orphanage a lot with her brother. Today we also had a fun little dance party, small but so much fun the kids are amazing dancers!! I am horrible, but I tried and they don''t care, so that's all that matters!! When we got back to the Guest House we were so tired, so all the girls decided to do some fun riddles for each other.
I am so tired now, thank you everyone for you time, and donations!! Write more soon!!
Today was a pretty good day, we woke up, same as usual. Today we went to the market, we were getting food for the orphanage that we were going to in the morning, this orphanage was called SFODA. The market was..... WOW! The first thing I can say, smells disgusting! I was gagging behind my bandanna. I could not compare it to anything like we have back home.It was extremely crowded with bugs everywhere, and the meat was absolutely disgusting it was everywhere, hanging, laid out etc.. Other than the smells and the meat, it was not that bad, it was also really fun to bargain.
We went back to the Tattoo Guest house for lunch, and then went to the internet cafe for anybody that needed to catch up on blogging, email and so forth. In the afternoon we went to an Orphanage called PIO, that was absolutely amazing. The kids were so welcoming and thankful for the food we brought them. We started off playing with the kids, getting to know them, and just having fun. Then the kids put on a dance for us, it was really good they were all really good at dancing, it was interesting music but fun to watch and listen to, for sounds the kids had cut open coconuts that they would bang together, and it would make a very cool. sound. After the dance was over, on of the ladies that worked at the orphanage, told us a little bit about the place, herself, and the kids. Now the fun has begun!! DANCE PARTY!!!! We all danced for about 2 hours straight, macarana, today's hip-hop, etc. As we were dancing I would look over at Lisa Marie and we would watch the sweat drip down from our faces! It was so hot!! Like every good time, there has to be an ending. As we said our good buys I had tears in my eyes, I was desperately trying to hold them back. In the begging the first little girl I saw was Rachana, she was so beautiful, and I loved her from the second I saw her, it was one of the hardest things to do, say goodbye to somebody that you love so much and know that you might not every see them again. The entire tuk-tuk ride home I had my bandana over my face, crying. I will have the drawling they gave me till the day that I die.
July 2, Monday
Back to our original schedule. We went back to CPO. When we got there all the kids were so happy to see us like always!! We had so much fun for about an hour, today was also the day that we give out clothes to each kid! They were so thankful! Now it was time for work. First we cleaned up all the trash in the back area of the orphanage, by the time we were done my feet were totally black. After that I had cleaned to breakfast, lunch and dinner tables, they were so dirty but not anymore!! After I was finished, Zoe and Camryn were still working on the bathrooms, so I decided to help them out. Next came lunch, I had just plain white rice, and one of the men working there was so confused how I got all my energy, so about 2 minutes later he came out with a place full of chicken and green beans, it was soo hard saying no. In the beginning Lisa Marie told us not to eat any food from the orphanage, which we all get constantly asked. After lunch we played a very fun game with some of the older kids. There would be 2 teams and 1 person from 1 of the teams would run out tag on of the people from the opposite team and try to run back to their side, sounds easy right? Well here's the trick you have to run out constantly saying "ooooooo"and when you tag somebody they tackle you and you have to make it back to the other side with out running out of breath! It was so much fun. Next we had a bath party!! Me and Zoe would love to clean/ play with this little girl named Srey Paul, she is not part of the orphanage but she comes to the orphanage a lot with her brother. Today we also had a fun little dance party, small but so much fun the kids are amazing dancers!! I am horrible, but I tried and they don''t care, so that's all that matters!! When we got back to the Guest House we were so tired, so all the girls decided to do some fun riddles for each other.
I am so tired now, thank you everyone for you time, and donations!! Write more soon!!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday& Saturday June 29, 30, 2012
Friday:
Friday was our first day of work. The day started out hanging out with the kids of course, which was really fun. Here in Cambodia every body loves angry birds. So I started off the day with coloring angry birds with Sambo and Sokheng. After that I started to play some volleyball with Anna, then Nikko joined and then all the boys joined, the boys are so good at volleyball here its amazing! Play time is over and it is time to get to work, we started off doing gardening work, we made the soil beds, it was really hard work and it had to be perfect. This took quite a while a couple hours. Next came lunch time! After lunch me and Nikko had to clean the bathrooms, it was very gross, the bathroom is just tile and then a big hole, with a bucket of water on the side to clean yourself with and to 'flush'. After we were done we joined in on the fun -- everybody was doing the limbo! The kids are so good at it!! It is just so much fun to watch.
There is a man who is 28 years old and blind his name is Sopia. Sopia is absolutely amazing, his english is almost perfect. I could talk to him forever, I love him so much. He told me, Zoe, and Camryn a little bit about himself, then told a few stories. Sopia became blind by a fire, explosive land mind when he was only 4 years old. He had joined the orphanage in 2004. In his mind he likes the colors blue and red.
When a child doesn't know my name they will call me 'sister Jack'! That's about all for Friday!
Saturday:
Today I had a really awesome day. It started with gardening, after the soil beds were made it was time go plant, they had a very interesting way of planting that I cant really describe, but it was really fun. Today's weather was really nice it was cloudy all day. After the planting was done we played with the kids some more. I talked to Sopia again, but this time I was with Jenna. Sopia showed us the days of the week in Khmer. This is the best part of the day, the WATER FIGHT!! At CPO the have a well, where they stick a bucket down the well and that is how they get there water, we would to take the buckets and splash them all over each other! There is a boy named Ruha, he is 18 he would tell all of us to sit in a line and he would carry the big bucket and dump it on each one of our heads! It felt so good. After that the kids have these long round pieces of wood, that they would sing and we would have to jump through them, it was so challenging but so much fun. After lunch we toured the slums, it was so gross, there was just trash everywhere, but we got to see the school, library and Slymi & Yomas houses. When we got back it started pouring down rain, so Anna, Lavin, Dara and myself decided to keep playing volleyball, and when the ground gets wet so does the mud, and that's when the kids start sliding around in it!! It was great! There is so much talk about all the kids who were on the first trip -- they really miss you guys! Having so much fun and just can wait for tomorrow!! Write again soon!
Friday was our first day of work. The day started out hanging out with the kids of course, which was really fun. Here in Cambodia every body loves angry birds. So I started off the day with coloring angry birds with Sambo and Sokheng. After that I started to play some volleyball with Anna, then Nikko joined and then all the boys joined, the boys are so good at volleyball here its amazing! Play time is over and it is time to get to work, we started off doing gardening work, we made the soil beds, it was really hard work and it had to be perfect. This took quite a while a couple hours. Next came lunch time! After lunch me and Nikko had to clean the bathrooms, it was very gross, the bathroom is just tile and then a big hole, with a bucket of water on the side to clean yourself with and to 'flush'. After we were done we joined in on the fun -- everybody was doing the limbo! The kids are so good at it!! It is just so much fun to watch.
There is a man who is 28 years old and blind his name is Sopia. Sopia is absolutely amazing, his english is almost perfect. I could talk to him forever, I love him so much. He told me, Zoe, and Camryn a little bit about himself, then told a few stories. Sopia became blind by a fire, explosive land mind when he was only 4 years old. He had joined the orphanage in 2004. In his mind he likes the colors blue and red.
When a child doesn't know my name they will call me 'sister Jack'! That's about all for Friday!
Saturday:
Today I had a really awesome day. It started with gardening, after the soil beds were made it was time go plant, they had a very interesting way of planting that I cant really describe, but it was really fun. Today's weather was really nice it was cloudy all day. After the planting was done we played with the kids some more. I talked to Sopia again, but this time I was with Jenna. Sopia showed us the days of the week in Khmer. This is the best part of the day, the WATER FIGHT!! At CPO the have a well, where they stick a bucket down the well and that is how they get there water, we would to take the buckets and splash them all over each other! There is a boy named Ruha, he is 18 he would tell all of us to sit in a line and he would carry the big bucket and dump it on each one of our heads! It felt so good. After that the kids have these long round pieces of wood, that they would sing and we would have to jump through them, it was so challenging but so much fun. After lunch we toured the slums, it was so gross, there was just trash everywhere, but we got to see the school, library and Slymi & Yomas houses. When we got back it started pouring down rain, so Anna, Lavin, Dara and myself decided to keep playing volleyball, and when the ground gets wet so does the mud, and that's when the kids start sliding around in it!! It was great! There is so much talk about all the kids who were on the first trip -- they really miss you guys! Having so much fun and just can wait for tomorrow!! Write again soon!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
All i can say is wow!! Everybody here is so nice and welcoming its incredible. The people at the Tatoo Guest House are just amazing! So sweet and always do their best to make sure your satisfied!
Today started out with Orientation. Orientation was at the STAR kampachea, it was a really nice area with a big table for our meeting. After we introduced ourselves, we started off with a game, Liam one of our ''teachers'' gave us a big stack of paper and we had to make the biggest tower/ building we could in 3 minutes. I was with Zoe and Ava it was so much fun! We had a very big tower until the wind blew and it collapsed in the last 5 seconds. After that we learned to much about the country, history and of course the language.
The second thing we did was the Genocide Musium. I do not have words to describe it. It was so sad it was unbeleavable, just looking at the pictures just made me cry. Throught the tour it just kept getting hotter and hotter. After that we headed back to the Guest house for lunch, lunch was so good, different but good. After lunch we headed over the the killing fields it was an audio tour, the man talking had family apart of this horible sutuation, and half of his family was killed. This was so crazy, educational, and sad. As we walked on the path from sight to sight, you didnt notice but you were stepping of bones, teeth, and cloths. We walked through a path that had a fence on both sides, and a little boy was on the other side of the fence walking with us, saying "water me, water me" it was so hard just walking by. At the end of the tour we went in the Stupa, this had layers and layers of sculls just stacked on top of each other. I could not believe what I was looking at! I hated seeing pictures of people be tortured, and sculls, bones ect. but I know it was good for me to see.
The part that we have all been waiting for... the orphanage!! When we arrived, the van was swormed with kids, it was so awesome! When we got out they acted like they have seen us before, giving us huggs and kisses, I had an instant connection with a few kids. All the kids would say "whats your name? how old are you?" But to me all they would say was "sister jack!? sister jack!?" It was awesome!! they were so loving and welcoming. There were two kids that i have just folling in love with, the first one is a boy, he is 15 and his name is Lavin, he is the nicest kid you will ever meet, always willing to talk to you, give you hugs when you need it. He has a brother and two sisters at the orphanage as well, they are amazing as well. One of his sisters is 13 so close to my age, I tried to talk to her as much as I could but it was hard, she did not speak much English at all. The whole hour we were there, all the kids would be talking about the kids from last trip! "you know Haley, you know Keavy, Aj?" They love and miss you guys so much!! The other little girl I had a connection with was Jani (Cha Ni) She was 8 but she looked like she was 4! she is the sweetest thing in the world she would not let go of my hand the entire time! It was so hard saying goodbye, but we will be back tonorrow!!
Well this is about all I have to say for today! So exited to be here!! Thank you all for your support!! Blog soon!
Today started out with Orientation. Orientation was at the STAR kampachea, it was a really nice area with a big table for our meeting. After we introduced ourselves, we started off with a game, Liam one of our ''teachers'' gave us a big stack of paper and we had to make the biggest tower/ building we could in 3 minutes. I was with Zoe and Ava it was so much fun! We had a very big tower until the wind blew and it collapsed in the last 5 seconds. After that we learned to much about the country, history and of course the language.
The second thing we did was the Genocide Musium. I do not have words to describe it. It was so sad it was unbeleavable, just looking at the pictures just made me cry. Throught the tour it just kept getting hotter and hotter. After that we headed back to the Guest house for lunch, lunch was so good, different but good. After lunch we headed over the the killing fields it was an audio tour, the man talking had family apart of this horible sutuation, and half of his family was killed. This was so crazy, educational, and sad. As we walked on the path from sight to sight, you didnt notice but you were stepping of bones, teeth, and cloths. We walked through a path that had a fence on both sides, and a little boy was on the other side of the fence walking with us, saying "water me, water me" it was so hard just walking by. At the end of the tour we went in the Stupa, this had layers and layers of sculls just stacked on top of each other. I could not believe what I was looking at! I hated seeing pictures of people be tortured, and sculls, bones ect. but I know it was good for me to see.
The part that we have all been waiting for... the orphanage!! When we arrived, the van was swormed with kids, it was so awesome! When we got out they acted like they have seen us before, giving us huggs and kisses, I had an instant connection with a few kids. All the kids would say "whats your name? how old are you?" But to me all they would say was "sister jack!? sister jack!?" It was awesome!! they were so loving and welcoming. There were two kids that i have just folling in love with, the first one is a boy, he is 15 and his name is Lavin, he is the nicest kid you will ever meet, always willing to talk to you, give you hugs when you need it. He has a brother and two sisters at the orphanage as well, they are amazing as well. One of his sisters is 13 so close to my age, I tried to talk to her as much as I could but it was hard, she did not speak much English at all. The whole hour we were there, all the kids would be talking about the kids from last trip! "you know Haley, you know Keavy, Aj?" They love and miss you guys so much!! The other little girl I had a connection with was Jani (Cha Ni) She was 8 but she looked like she was 4! she is the sweetest thing in the world she would not let go of my hand the entire time! It was so hard saying goodbye, but we will be back tonorrow!!
Well this is about all I have to say for today! So exited to be here!! Thank you all for your support!! Blog soon!
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