It's My Birthday!!

Well, it is my birthday today. Wonder what kind of trouble I can get myself into. Fat chance at my age!

I spent two days "observing" at my new school. He only told me I had to be there one day, but talk about "throwing me in the deep end of the pool." I honestly thought that I would only be teaching only English classes - but I am their full-time kindergarten teacher. Now, what in the heck do I know about that?? So, I went back another day to observe again. I would keep going back until I actually start on November 4th but the school is on holiday for their annual water festival (whatever that is), but it is a big deal here. So I will be doing a lot of studying an praying between now and then.

I cannot believe my good fortune to have been hired at American Pacific University. All of the teachers have to be native English speakers to even be interviewed. For some reason the principal hired me right away. I think it had to do with the fact that I have small grandchildren, so he knew I knew something about children,

I think he was also impressed that I raised a handicapped child as long as I did. He told me his brother also had a handicapped child and the brother told his wife that "It must be something on HER side of the family, because there is nothing like this on HIS side." I nearly threw up. Then he tells me the brother held that child once in 13 years before she died. I wanted to cry. So many times I just want to get down on my knees and thank God that I have been so blessed in so many ways.

I am still looking for an apartment and it is quite discouraging, Found one that could have worked, but by the time I made up my mind, they rented it to someone else and it really was too expensive for as small as it was. Looked at another this morning. Would be perfect if I had a roommate, but hate to spend that much money on rent by myself. I can live in the hotel for about the same money, but no kitchen and have to spend at least $2 a day getting to and from work everyday and the moto drivers never know where they are going even though they say they do.

You are not going to believe this!

So there I was the other day feeling sorry for myself and crying in my root beer (okay,my Pepsi) and wishing I could go back to my comfort zone. I am on my way to my interview and I didn't even want to go, and (I think) even hoping that I would not get the job so it would be my "lightening strike" to tell me to go home. I meet the principal. He is probably a few years younger than I am. He is Canadian and he is single. He takes Lorna and me around the school. It is brand new private facility that will only hire women who are native English speakers. (Lorna is from the UK).

I leave the interview and have the tuk-tuk driver let me off at the Russian market so I can walk the rest of the way home (about six blocks) and I cried all the way. By the time I got home, I was over the emotionality of it all. I fell asleep and when I wake up and check my e-mail - I was offered the job. I mean - who'd a thunk? The oldest in the class and the first to get a job. The school is called American Pacific University and I will be a kindergarten teacher.

Cheryl

Tougher Than I Thought

It has really been hard for me. Cambodia was what I expected, and the school was pretty much what I expected and even the food was what I expected. I just didn't expect to feel this way. I feel so inadequate and stupid and insecure, which is not like me; so, maybe I needed this experience to knock me down a few pegs and show me I am not as brave as I thought I was.

I just did my last job student teaching today. I would like to stay here in Cambodia and work for awhile, I am just not sure about this teaching thing. But I asked for K-5 aged kids, so I should be okay. Those are the ages I have been teaching the last two weeks.

I have changed my mind 100 times whether to stay here or go home. I really would rather go home, but I hate to be a quitter and everyone keeps telling me that I need to give it a chance. So, okay, I will see how the next couple of weeks go. I actually have an interview tomorrow, but I am not the only one interviewing for it either.

The reason my stomach has been in knots since I got here is because I feel so alienated.. . . like I want to live in a third world country by myself not knowing the language ? At my age, it is a whole different story than the smart-ass 20-year-old somethings I went to school with. WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Cambodia only gives you a month visa for tourists - so I had to go down to get it renewed. Had to go through three security screenings. Then they kept my passport and I have to go pick it up at the American Embassy tomorrow. Then when I get a job you have to get a business visa which means you have to leave the country and re-enter. Is that stupid or what? I will have to take a bus to Thailand and then re-enter Cambodia.

I tried to send my son-in-law some pictures to put on the blog, but I gave up after a couple of hours. I have been frustrated 85% of the time since I have been here.

More later, Love, Cheryl

Finally Student Teaching

I finished my first week of student teaching. It was only for an hour a day for five days. I loved the kids and they were bright ESL students. It was an orphanage school. When I left I gave them each a stick of gum. Get this - they didn't know what it was. The teacher had to explain to them that you are not to swallow it but chew it until the flavor is gone and throw it away. (I can't help but wonder just how many of them swallowed it anyway.) It never crossed my mind they would not know what chewing gum is.

This week I am student teaching at another orphanage. It is a lot poorer and the kids are not as nearly advanced. It's down by the Mekong River and you wouldn't believe the poverty. Families living on small boats. It never ceases to amaze me the things I see.

Cheryl