Miscellaneous observations since returning to Phnom Penh two weeks ago:
-Returning is so much nicer than arriving for the first time! I've loved reuniting with staff and students and rediscovering quirks and fun things from last year.
-It's rainy season, so there's a storm every afternoon. The heat is SO MUCH more livable as a result. Rain is fun! Except when you're driving a moto and it's up to your knees. Thankfully, that was my housemate, not me.
-To prevent flooding in the classrooms, they poured concrete strips for the cracks under the classroom doors. (Our school is California-style, with open-air hallways.) Mine and my neighbor's already broke when people accidentally kicked them...not hard, either. Note to self: move new books off the floor!
-Students have so much more energy and motivation when they're not melting in heat waves.
-In some contexts (ex. restaurants and grocery stores), Cambodia's customer service is phenomenal. In others (ex. Internet installation), it leaves something to be desired.
-Cambodia is awfully far from Pennsylvania. This is sad.
-Teaching wears you OUT!
-Life in Cambodia sometimes feels extraordinarily hard. And I'm not always sure why.
-Little things quickly become big things if you let them, maybe more so here than at home. If I let myself become minorly stressed or annoyed, it can turn into a crisis in no time flat. I know too many missionaries who have struggled with bitterness and burnout. I need to guard my thoughts and not give into anxiety and frustration.
-Helpful people (and they are many) keep me sane. They're like a direct injection of God's grace.
-Something I failed to notice last year: using a moto to tow a wheelbarrow. No trailer hitch or bungee cord needed, just have your passengers hold the wheelbarrow handles. Brilliant.
-When it's in season (ex. right now), dragonfruit is fantastically delicious.
-Speaking Khmer is so much more fun when you've learned a lot more words recently. I want to keep up both the studying and the speaking this year, in contrast with last year.
-God is so faithful, even when we can't see it right away!
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1 comment:
Yippie! I was finally able to connect to your blog. My first blog experience!
I hope all is well and I am praying for your two request: counseling seniors and helping them with college enrollment! I am praying for your friend and it might help if the two of read Psalms 145 & 139 over and over again till the Lord gives strength and victory over anxieties.
I know teachers taht have taught for years that still are anxious those first few weeks of school. Many never sleep Sunday night or the day before school opens.
In my position ed. asst. I can finally sleep the day before school starts!
Rachel is living in NJ with Kristy Cannon and Kristy's friend Jess. They have a house one block from the beach. Rachel got a 9th grade job teaching English at Wall HS in Wall Township. She lives in Bradley Beach, NJ. Yes, she is happy and scared but that is very normal.School starts after labor day so she has sometime to adjust and pray often!!
I feel very techo.. now,
Blessings,
Lu Ann
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