I tear up every time I think about the best experience I've ever had in my life; visiting an orphanage in Cambodia. The kids there stole a piece of my heart that no one can ever take away and I think about them all the time. I've learned so much from the kids in Cambodia and learned even more from my visit to a thrid world country. I'm definitely not the same person I was and I am so glad to say that. I don't care for TV, my phone, or electronics - just family and friends. I've learned to appreciate every single little thing in my life and I am glad that I got to experience this at a young age so I can begin to make changes in my life now.
My first mission to complete after this trip is to share. I am not just talking about my experience, but I want to share with everyone how to not take anything for granite and cherish every little thing you have. I don't understand how people don't say a simple thank you when people in Cambodia have a lot less to be thankful for and they say it all the time. Family, food, love, education, hygienic products,water etc.. are things we take for granite. These are precious resoures to the people in Cambodia and they are so thankful for even the smallest things. More than half the world live without the simple things in life that we have and they enjoy life to the fullest each and every day. Please take everything in and realize you live an amazing life compared to many kids that have to beg on the street for food or sell trinkets just to get money for an education. These are the simple things they want and they live in dirt, without shoes, without tootbrushes, without showers and still smile and show respect to everyone. They never complain or shed a tear, even when they are sick with a terrible disease and are scared of what might happen to them.
Kids in the US complain about not having the best phone, the best clothes or being able to go on wonderful vacations. Everyone here, including myself, are always complaing about going to school. The kids in Cambodia would love to go to school and get an education. They want to make a better life for themselves but they don't always have the opportunity. In Cambodia, and many other third world countries, people would die to have an education. All of the kids have great potential to do many things out there and my personal job was to make them realize what they can do in this world. I whole heartily believe these kids can accomplish anything if they put their mind to it. They are some of the strongest people I have ever met. I can't imagine doing half of the things they do each day.
This trip has changed my life forever and I can't wait to go back. I've learned to appreciate all things in life, good or bad, because some day they could just disappear. These kids had no idea what was coming there way when they were brought into this world. They were almost starving everyday and had to take care of themselves when they were just infants. They went to hell and back to live the life they are now and their life now is nowhere near as good as we all have it here. Every single kid is self sustainable and can do anything and everything if they have the right people to give them a push. That is why I ask every single one of you to encourage the people you know to be their best and work hard each day; live life to the fullest each and every day. My life has changed forever and I owe it all to those kids at Cambodian Hope Associationa and to the wonderful people that made this trip possible. Before you know it life will be over. Don't take the days for granite or others for granite as it can be gone in a flash; make sure your life is worth watching before it is too late.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Goodbye Cambodia, (this weekend)
After a long dreary ride to Siem Reap we went to Angkor Wat, a beautiful temple that used to be a city a King lived in. It is gorgeous and if you go to the top of the temple you get to see a great view of Siem Reap and we were fortunate enough to see the sunset and sunrise. We also went to Angkor Thom, another jaw dropping temple that is made out of sandstone. All the intricate designs of things they worship are so detailed and astonishing to think it was built hundreds of years ago and it is still here looking prettier than ever.Another interesting fact was that there were stensils of dinosaurs in the rocks. It is mind puzzling to wonder how they knew about dinosaurs if they were extinct thousands of years before that. Still a top question scientist are trying to figure out. After this we went to our last temple, Thom Poot, or something that sounds like that not sure about spelling. It was amazing. It was also a movie set for Tomb Raider. Many of the temples were built with trees as there main support system. It is hard to describe so will have to show you all pictures but basically it is like a forest but with crazy vines everywhere. Also, these trees were abnormal size. Bigger than you can imagine it was just so pretty. Now here I am in the Korean Airport about to head to Seatle then home. Wish me a good and safe 10 hour flight! Can't wait to see all if not most of you.
Goodbye, 해ㅐ유ㅛㄷ
Goodbye, 해ㅐ유ㅛㄷ
My Life is Changed 4-29-11
This whole journey and experience with the kids and Cambodia in general is an experience I'll never forget. I've learned so many great values and realized I need to appreciate even just the little things in life. These kids changed my life just as much as I did theirs.
We had such a fun party today with the kids. I've never seen them so happy we got them pizza and banana splits, they went wild. It went frm crazy face painting, chalk, bubbles, hula hooping, and much more. Before we knew it we had to start making our hard, long, sad goodbyes. I feel like I personaly bonded more with the littler ones compared to ones my age and older. So many of them didn't know what was happening and I still don't know if that is a good or bad thing. Good for them and bad for me because saying goodbye and their saying ok see you tomorrow. I can only dream that they were right and I'd see them tomorrow. Soon after hugging a few of them the older girls and a boy Kea, that I love, came over to say their goodbyes. They were all sobbing which made me start to cry. I just couldn't help thinking I won't see all these cute faces, and hysterical laughs, the way we drive in and see all of them there waiting for us. It just won't be there, and that is almost impossible to think of without crying. After the many hugs and tears that hit the floor from everyone we had to drive off. I will miss and love these kids forever.
The way these kids changed my life was teaching me a good value in appreciation. Here they don't have a lot almost nothing at all, but no matter what they have the biggest smiles on their faces all the time. Most of these kids were just unwanted or were taking care of themselves because there gaurdians couldn't seem to be able to. It really makes me appreciate family and the way all my freinds and family look out for me and would never let me down. All these kids know how to do everything themselves without any help. If they need to go somewhere to get stuff they drive or ride a bike, just leave and are trusted enough to the point where they can just come and go as they please. Many of the younger kids like 3 year olds even know how to take their own baths. Fill the plastic like pool thing sit and scrub, they think it is incredibly fun. It astonishes me and makes me think that I also can do many things around my house without having my mom do it or help me. Although, the letting me come and go as I please probably won't go by as easily.
These kids are in my dreams and prayers for a better future. A future they don't have to regret, one where their memories were astonishing. These kids have enough potential to do many great things in their life and with a push or shove here and there they can do anything. I will always remeber these kids and am determined to return to this orphanage.I love the kids all so much and my journey to help better lifes definetley isn't stopping now.
We had such a fun party today with the kids. I've never seen them so happy we got them pizza and banana splits, they went wild. It went frm crazy face painting, chalk, bubbles, hula hooping, and much more. Before we knew it we had to start making our hard, long, sad goodbyes. I feel like I personaly bonded more with the littler ones compared to ones my age and older. So many of them didn't know what was happening and I still don't know if that is a good or bad thing. Good for them and bad for me because saying goodbye and their saying ok see you tomorrow. I can only dream that they were right and I'd see them tomorrow. Soon after hugging a few of them the older girls and a boy Kea, that I love, came over to say their goodbyes. They were all sobbing which made me start to cry. I just couldn't help thinking I won't see all these cute faces, and hysterical laughs, the way we drive in and see all of them there waiting for us. It just won't be there, and that is almost impossible to think of without crying. After the many hugs and tears that hit the floor from everyone we had to drive off. I will miss and love these kids forever.
The way these kids changed my life was teaching me a good value in appreciation. Here they don't have a lot almost nothing at all, but no matter what they have the biggest smiles on their faces all the time. Most of these kids were just unwanted or were taking care of themselves because there gaurdians couldn't seem to be able to. It really makes me appreciate family and the way all my freinds and family look out for me and would never let me down. All these kids know how to do everything themselves without any help. If they need to go somewhere to get stuff they drive or ride a bike, just leave and are trusted enough to the point where they can just come and go as they please. Many of the younger kids like 3 year olds even know how to take their own baths. Fill the plastic like pool thing sit and scrub, they think it is incredibly fun. It astonishes me and makes me think that I also can do many things around my house without having my mom do it or help me. Although, the letting me come and go as I please probably won't go by as easily.
These kids are in my dreams and prayers for a better future. A future they don't have to regret, one where their memories were astonishing. These kids have enough potential to do many great things in their life and with a push or shove here and there they can do anything. I will always remeber these kids and am determined to return to this orphanage.I love the kids all so much and my journey to help better lifes definetley isn't stopping now.
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