Almost Goodbye :( 4-28-11

Sorry for not getting to you all yesterday never had time to go to this Internet Cafe because we skyped the school. Seeing everyone made me miss them terribly but I'm going to have an even harder time leaving the kids tomorrow. All I can say is that the waterworks will be full on from everyone.I'll miss their sweet, sweet hugs that are filled with love and joy.The way they run out and greet you when your entering and their goodbye waves and kisses as you leave. I'll miss all of them dearly. Today was really fun at the orphanage we had a party because the other volunteers were leaving today and boy, the dancing was in session. Some of them really knew how to dance. Although Nina and I weren't there at the beginning of the party because we were on the side of the road by our self. Long story short, we were going to the market to buy string for the orphanage when the moto broke down and we didn't know what to do. Nuch, the girl driving us, said we were to heavy to drive all the way their so she went back to orphanage to grab tuk-tuk.While waiting we were freaking out a little but all the people are so nice here so all was good and got the string. Mission completed. Getting back we danced the day away with bubbles, some soccer, Frisbee, chalk, and painting! Fortunately we get to do this tomorrow again! Can't wait but this will have to be the time we also have to say goodbye. I love all of them so much and they will always have a special place in my heart. I hope to go back and my journey of traveling definitely won't be ending now. Wish me luck on the goodbye I might have to sneak some home in my suitcase with me.

Scrub A Dub Tub 4-26-11

Today at the orphanage we did a lot of scrubbing everywhere! We cleaned  all of the kids rooms, floors, and walls. They were matted with dust and grime and we scrubbed and scrubbed all day long. Unlike most kids these ones were eager to help and made it a lot more fun. They were running around and cleaning all so well. In most households moms will be cleaning until they can get enough, or the kids will be asked to do something and just call a maid in to do all the dirty work.  Every single kid was so greatful to see their new and improved house to stay in. After a long hard day of scrubbing we needed to scrub some heads. Almost all of  the girls have some sort of lice. Some more than others but still a very big hygiene problem here. You almost have to go through all the bits and part of the scalp and scrub so the lice can vanish. I love the looks on their face when their all done and want me to brush out and braid their hair it makes them so happy to take a shower. I know back in the states people are like,"Man I've had a hard day at work I need to jump in the shower!" Here they rarely get a shower a day and sweat and sweat in this increasingly hot weather. To them it's paradise even just to pour some water and get a little soap to wash up. Their big new thing they were awarded with today were flip flops. The insane look on their faces they thought they were amazing and they each got their own pair with their name on it! Even though they were just plain colors they thought they were the prettiest things on this planet and they were theirs. This made me think of all the times I've begged my parents to get me a pair of gorgeous shoes and I've realized our money could be saved for future necessities. Today I learned a new lesson and the one main thing is to appreciate. I know people always say oh I appreciate this or that, but do you really ever? Take a step back and take a step into important things in your life and really take the time to appreciate them. 

Stories 4-25-11

Thought y'all you might want to know some stories of the kids and how they got there. Let's start with my favorite little boy Sal. Sal was 2 months old when his mother decided she couldn't take care of him anymore.
She gave him to a close friend Naldene who now works at Cambodian Hope Association. Naldene also had a rough childhood. Through praying and hoping they almost were able to have a meal every day and were so fortunate to find CHA. Now Kin and Kim. They are sisters and use to live on the streets. Richie, the owner, found them and took them to the orphanage. That morning he go to find them and they are not there they ran back onto the streets to beg. Richie called the police and after a long period of time they found them now one is 9 and the other is 11. Sok Nei, who is 13 had nothing. He has been at CHA for three years now and says he is so happy he has people who love him deeply there.  Naldene also found him he lived with his Grandma who had cancer and found it very hard to live now he doesn't even know if his Grandma is still alive.Now I'll finish off with Top and Long who are brothers. They are the cutest little things ever so skinny. Top is 10 and Long is 12, Im not posistive but close to that age. They lived with their Aunt who had cancer but didn't even live at their house. She was staying at a neighbors who was trying to "heal" her. Top and Long had to care for themselves I believe they have been there for around a year now. It just makes you thing WOW can you imagine. You might wonder what it would be like to be in their shoes before they walked into the orphanage. The truth is you can't most if not all reading this blog have loving families.Who will be there right along your side as you grow up. Helping you take the right steps and not falling into the streets. These kids have no one, family, realtives who can care for them. They all don't care though becuase they have eachother and people like us who go and make a difference out there.I love them all so much!! So to help the kids pay for school which is not cheap at all.You can contact Lisa-Marie at childrensglobalalliance.blogspot.com to see how you can make a difference. Miss and love you all so much but am having the time of my life out here.

Traveling 4-24-11

Traveling around Phom Penh is not at all like driving around in America. The people are crazy on the roads with their tuk-tuks and motos. Unlike your cars and buses. There is a line to separate the roads from one another but they honestly don't follow this line. If their destination is on the right side and their on the left they'll dive right into traffic dodging everything. A bit nerve racking but almost like an amusement park ride. Also, to drive anything you just have to be 18. When you turn 18 you are allowed by the law to do anything drink, smoke, drive, etc... It is so different and doesn't sound that safe but probably even more. Seeing as the roads are insane the drivers have their eyes wide open and aware of every little thing. So to cross or to let your kids play near the sides of the road is ok.There are rarely any accidents especially no one getting hit by a car.Had so much fun with just hanging out and can't wait to go to the orphanage tomorrow.

Khmer Rouge 4-23-11

Today we visited S-21 a school that was transformed to a prison during the Khmer rouge. The Khmer rouge was much like the Holocaust, the ruler Pol Pot transferred people in to kill Cambodians. They first went for the intellectual, ones who went to school because he thought they would be too smart for the country. Also, babies because they thought they would grow up and have revenge against Pol Pot. Pol Pot wanted to wipe out all the people so he could have people with fresh minds and ones who would follow his rules.During this time many fled the country but only a few made it. The torture at S-21 was so cruel and depressing. Some things the soldiers would do were drown people. Tie their hands behind their backs and drown them in a bucket of water until they would suffocate and die. Beat them in the heads with shovels until they would bleed to death. Pull finger nails off and pour alcohol while doing this just to play with them. Make them sniff up rubbing alcohol and cause them not to breathe. Pull the woman's nipples off then rape them. Although two of the leading ways to Cambodians deaths during this time was starvation, and diseases. This was much like the Holocaust also referred to as a genocide. That explains why there are so many orphans here because their family's got killed and when they came back there was no one for them. It  happened not to long ago, the late 70's.It is a wonder to me why no one teaches it in history. Before going on this trip I had no idea about it and many don't. This type of genocide was shocking and should be remembered by everyone. It is a wonder how Cambodia is as happy and peaceful of a country as it is. I believe it is because of forgiveness and sometimes to get on with  your life. You need to forgive and forget that is the only way.

Meat Meat and Meat. 4-22-11

The beginning of the day didn't start out too fun. Let's just say I almost threw up! We had to go the market and get fruit, vegetables, and MEAT.  The meat basically is being butchered and cleaned right there. There are very many different kinds of meat so it smells awful.One of the worst things I've ever smelt, plus I had to carry a heavy bag and try not to gag watching the girl take the guts right out of the chicken and slaughter it's head off. Although I just kept thinking it's for the experience buck up and BREATHE. The kids were over joyed with just some apples, vegetables, pork, and chicken. It felt good to see how happy they were with their big smiles on their face chomping away at the food.Today at the orphanage we didn't do much at all. Read some books to the kids and gave them new clothing. Once again thanks to all who donated to my trip because without you I wouldn't be able to put the smile on their faces and give them the clothes you didn't need anymore. After our relaxing fun day at the orphanage we went on a city tour through Star Kampuchea,. our organization. We visited many things like the riverfront, National Museum, Olympic Stadium, and many more beautiful temples and such.I'm very much glad hat my Aunt Brett came out here that was just a bonus. I haven't been able to see her for two years because several years back she moved to Australia and started a new life there. When I was young and my parents went back to work she took care of me and I've been so close to her ever since. She probably is the one piece keeping me from getting homesick and I appreciate that a lot. Seeing everyone cry talking to their parent makes it depressing but they'll get through just like I've done. Can't wait to see many of you soon miss all of you bunches. I love you pumas.


(Friends)

Funny Day 4-21-11

Today was just a good relaxing funny day. First of all, we just went to the orphanage and colored with the kids. They were very artistic and knew many origami figures by heart.It was astonishing how the 5 year old were drawing and coloring in the lines perfectly.  Shortly after we just chilled at the sports club and had an amazing time with everyone swimming and  sitting back with a delicious shake. After this everything turned out weird, all I can say is that there was something in the air. After building the chicken coop and putting a new roof on we saw many crazy things. To begin we saw two ducks having fun on each other in the water. Nothing like I've seen before; the puzzle pieces just didn't fit together quite right. Soon after this we went outside to get on the tuk-tuk and visit some neighboring friends. Although, these neighbors weren't people; they were goats. One goat had quite a strong attraction to Jack; those are all the details you probably want to know about that. So after this we went driving on the tuk-tuk back to the guest house, after seeing and smelling peculiar things we were ready to eat and take showers. So here I am half asleep ready to go to bed. Can't wait to see all of you!!!!

Sweat:Work:Paradise 4-20-11

Sweat, work and paradise are the three things to describe my whole day. First I sweat miles and miles in the Cha's farm. It was still not that hot but I was also breaking my back working on the ground and around the trashy farm. Our goal today was to turn the farm upside down to go from crappy farm to fancy farm. There was an insane amount of glass, plastic wrappers,and trash all over the farm. We needed to make it a safe and clean enviroment for the kids and animals to play in. We worked for hours and hours of doing hard work such as: picking the trash up, taking rocks to fill holes, and levating the ground with mud. Doesn't sound like much but doing it for five hours and its 80-90 degrees outside, wow way too much sweat. It all payed off though because in the end the kids were happy and now we can buy pigs and chicken and fish without having to worry they'll get dieseases or hurt. Now it's time for my paradise part of the day. We went to the VIP sports club, yep that's right delicious food, swimming, and fish massages. Let me just say I had the best drink of my life there a pineapple smoothie it was so delicious and the best fried rice EVER. Then just to top it off I got to stick my feet in a fish tank!! Sounds amazing right? These little tiny fish suck all the gunk off your feet and smooth them out. Tickles here and there but very relaxing. The HUGE pool with an amazing patio is where we spent all of our time.The water is great tempature to cool off and make the sweat vanish. Badda Bing Badda Boom and now i'm here at the internet cafe. Watching the crazy tuk-tuk and moto drivers crowding the street. This may not seem like much but it represent the Khmer culture to me. There all close and friendly, and loving eachother in this peaceful country of theirs. Well so excited to go work at the orphanage again and spend more and more time with my sisters and brothers that I love. Wish me luck on not getting eaten alive by the bugs here while I try to enjoy my dinner by the riverside.

Final Destination 4-19-11

So after a long, tiring, sickening flight I made it to my final destination Phnom Penh.It is just very different here in words I cannot describe. Basically your either very poor or very rich no middle class. You look at one part of the street and it is this gorgeous house, then you turn your head a foot and there is a pile of trash and a dump. The Khmer culture that is based in Cambodia is no where near the American culture. Rules and customs are so different: men show public displays of affection but not men and women, never touch and elders head or shoulders, never point the souls of your feet at anyone, so many rules you just can't imagine. Even though the rules are a bit crazy the people are not. Everyone greets with a smile, they are all so friendly, no dirty looks. Later after our orientation for the Cambodian Voyage we stopped at a market, the Russian Market. This place was just astonishing. This little building has hundreds and hundreds of shops. Anything you could ever want or imagine: jewelry, toys, fans, lamps, engine parts, tires, meat, fruit, drinks, clothing, and on and on it is a shopaholics dream place. While here I got to start using my Khmer language with simple phrases and bargaining while shopping, After this fun stop we were all ready to head to CHA, the Cambodian Hope Association, our orphanage. No one I mean no one could understand the transportation here unless you have visited, it is out of this world. There are 4 types of transportation cars, tuk-tuks, motos, and bicycles. For the most part everyone is on motos or a tuk-tuk.  We take a tuk-tuk it is simply a carriage hooked onto a moto, a moto is somewhat like a small motorcycle. Any who, the streets are insane there are at least 5 motos or tuk-tuks lined next to each other in one lane. It is very nerve racking but so much fun at the same time. So we take a tuk-tuk to CHA as soon as we get there we are greeted with a few orphans who live here. With the smile and hugs they gave us it would never seem like they were orphans without parents and lonely. None of that matter to them they don't need a family because they already have one there at the orphanage. Every single kid there was so friendly some shy but most came up and started talking to us they ask you simple things like name, age, and where we live. The first person I really bonded with was an eleven year old girl named chtidda don't know how to spell but basically you pronounce as (teedaa). The size of her probably stoke me as first as a seven year old then she tell me she is eleven and I couldn't believe it. She took me to the farm to see their crazy livestock. It was pretty gross and tomorrow I have to clean it.....GREAT. When we got English but was so kind and always was laughing and smiling. Then I started to read with  a little boy or girl we couldn't tell named Whicta. It was so funny and nice he couldn't let go of me when I had to leave.I'm so excited I get to work with these amazing people and amazing orphanage.  Cham Reap Lau goodbye.

2 weeks!!!

Leaving in 2 weeks so excited to go with the 6 coolest people ever! Follow me while there love and miss you all!!