Calmness, consistency and compassion

This week started off with me really trying to find the balance between work and personal time. On Sunday evening , I had a long chat with one of my favourite people here and I realized just how much living in community is such a wonderful aspect of my life here. I've been so lucky with all of the people that I'm meeting and the friendships that I'm forming... I mean I could have come all the way to Cambodia and not had a connection with anyone and felt very lonely but there have been very few moments where I have felt homesick and the main reason is the people... And then there's Mike ( one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met)...

I woke up on Monday very excited for the week and when I got into my classroom and saw how excited the kids were, that made me realize how important the work is that I'm doing. I had come up with a new reward system over the weekend and my little ones were so excited. We practiced some Pre Primer words in English and one boy wrote a heartwarming sentence for me.

That afternoon we played duck duck goose and I let my competitiveness get the better of me. I mean I couldn't lose against my grade two class... So I left that game with a bruised ankle... The most deadly game of duck duck goose in history.

That evening , I chatted with Mike about all things work , Cambodia and how little control we really have over the twists and turns of life. It is a wonderful feeling to live in community with someone who you can pretty much bare your soul to and you don't feel like you're over sharing and they just listen and do the same. Talking with Mike is like talking to someone from home who you have known for years who keeps you humble yet encourages you and boosts your confidence.

On Tuesday morning, I woke up and I was not feeling my best. We all have off days and I guess Tuesday was mine.

During snack time , I found out that Mike had to go back home to America for a bit. I ran to go and give him a hug

( bruised ankle and all). It was sad to see him go because he is such a good person. But he'll be back soon and I can't wait to run and give him a big hug again... This time no bruised ankle and a happy hug instead of a sad one.

The rest of the day felt kind of weird.. I also said goodbye to my friend from Denmark. So it really was a day of goodbyes.

On Wednesday I woke up and I was determined to have a GREAT day!!! And it was definitely a better day. It is such a beautiful thing to see how my class' English is improving day by day. That evening I played with my kids after dinner and it was such a special time.

On Thursday , I had a ball with my class. Singing all day and the biggest reward being that they all did so well in their spelling test on Pre Primer words that we had just learnt. These children are so eager to learn.. It is a beautiful thing. I gave out my first star of the week to a boy that I am so extremely proud of.

On Thursday afternoon I went with some other teachers to Phnom Penh for two nights because Friday was a public holiday. That evening we all went for a drink at the Anise and had some good laughs. A few of us then went for Pizza at Luigi's (which I highly recommend).

On Friday my friend Tynah ( from Australia ) and Camille ( from France) and I went to the Russian Market.. Which is such a unique experience and definitely something that is a must when coming to Cambodia. I bought some lights for my house for just 4 dollars.

After that we headed back to our hostel ( Envoy - which is fabulous and the staff are just lovely... Not to mention their pancakes)! We had some down time for a bit and then headed to Vibe , a delicious health cafe. Their coconuts are so good and their food makes you feel less guilty while still be extremely delicious. That being said , they are a bit pricier than some other places.

I spent the rest of the afternoon drawing and went to a western supermarket with Tynah to buy a few necessities and then we headed to dinner at the Anise.

After dinner , Camille and I went to go and get coconut Ice Creams at the night market... Our Tuk Tuk driver ended up going in the complete opposite direction and then ended up going down a one way road .. But in Cambodia this is the norm. Eventually we arrived and the Ice Cream was delicious and a good end to our day in the city.

On Saturday we had breakfast and then headed to Lucky's where the bus was going to fetch us. I was so happy to see Hannah. It's incredible how we form immediate bonds with some people and Hannah is just someone who makes my days here happy and full of laughs.

When I got back to the village , I did some preparations for the week and cleaned my house before going to dinner. After that Hannah and I started planning our trip for water festival... Exciting!

As I am writing this .. I am sitting in my house which feels so much like home and I've just had breakfast with Hannah who has become such a special friend in the short time we have known eachother... Listening to the birds and looking out of my door and seeing the green green rice fields.. So very grateful.

Now all that Sunday is missing is Mike going for a "saunter" and giving Hannah the baby cup... We are missing you Mike!

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