Revelations? Well, Somewhat

Today was a day for revelations. Well, bit of an overstatement. But I don't lie - I did have somewhat of a revelation. And here it is:

Teaching the kids here is like that part in Friends where Phoebe tries to teach Joey French.



The point of me telling you this? Surprisingly it's not to suggest that my teaching has caused kids to speak to the same level that Joey speaks "French", though that's what this is implying. It's more to just show how difficult it can be.

Then again, when they realise that your name is actually Juliet as opposed to Julian after almost 10 weeks of daily classes, then maybe you have made a small impact. (Ahhhhh this has just reminded me - the kids have also taking to switching round the vowels of our names, so Juliet comes out as Jet Li Oo, almost making me a famous Kung Fu master, and William becomes Wam Li Ear. Just a fun fact)

Sadly enough 10 weeks marks two thirds of my time into my Cambodia stay. 5 more weeks and I'll be saying "Lia howie!" (or "...hia lowie," even).

Do you know what I reckon this most recent 'monthiversary' begs? That's right. Another list. For now it's time to soak up the rest of my short life here in Cambodia. This adds a checklist that I need to fulfill before my departure, and that hopefully I will be able to update before it's time to leave!

To Do List:

1. Having Khmer-style  BBQ (been saying we'd do it for ages, but never did)
2. Dressing up as Khmer Princesses (yes, for 10 dollars, you get the most dolled up look of your life in a mere 2 hours. Funky, no?)
3. Getting through the entire alphabet in class (we're on W - so close!)
4. Going to the shooting range (courtesy of Will)
5. Having crab in Kep (a province with another BABC project that we are visiting next month)
6. Having Khmer-style dessert (looks delicious)

Okay so it's a pretty short list, and most of it involves food, but in my opinion that shows how much I feel like I've already done since I've been here - and that really is a great deal. 

If anyone was curious, the impact of the floods has almost cleared out of the Phnom Penh towns and villages that it has been affecting, although it is still a danger to many of the outer provinces. Today I took a picture outside Youth School to demonstrate how the area has changed in a week.

Last week

This week

Though the water is almost gone, the area continues to be ripe for disease and these floods have had quite a disastrous affect on some of the housing. 

So I guess I wasn't lying about the revelation thing before - because here's another. It's amazing how my concerns have changed since I've been enveloped in such a different world to any that I have ever known.

Much love to all,

Juliet