Homestays pt 2

Now to return to the Cambodia blog: 

March 13, 2011: 

#2: 

This morning we did a bunch of get to know yours as well as some Kymai phrases. I’ve been thinking about how much I have and how much the people in the homestays don’t have. It almost makes me feel disgusting. I feel blessed, but want to give back so much. 

We just got back from swimming in a river. Oh my gosh! The best experience so far! It was so hot hot outside and the river was so cool! It was absolutely beautiful. The country is gorgeous. Words cannot describe how at home I felt. The gang swam out and had races, I got 3rd. Then Oregeno and Sage* were flipping people in the river. They flipped Yut and Chor too - it was cool to see them laughing. I love Cambodia. 

I love seeing the people as we drive by - they are so happy to see us, as if it is their highlight of their day to stand on the street and wave to us. 

Chili and I had a heart to heart on the bus ride back. It was cool to hear about Chili’s future dilemma. They are wanting to move in with their significant other this Summer. However, Chili is worried about marrying them and just being a stay at home person. Chili wants to do a lot with their life. Has a drive to be a USDA lawyer or travel for international agriculture. I told Chili that I think they have a lot of drive to do many things in life and has to decide what they want. I hope this trip helps them. 

Moving Forward with Fear

February 22, 2010: 

We had the Cambodia class today and it was eventful. Students presented their ideas on women’s issues today. I thought they went well and showed the group different aspects of things. 

Bay Leaves* finally broke from their shell! They made jokes during the presnetation and seemed to be engaging more. 

We signed waivers and such from PEPY (the organization that we are going with/taking us around). I also brought in the XL2 camera to show them what it looks like and to get some footage of our class. 

After their presentations, I played the Africa documentary for the class and went though the filmmakers pledge. I talked about what I’m going to do with it and how I’m balancing the role of peer leader and filmmaker. I feel like I got a lot of good classroom shots today. I got some nice rack focus’ of students’ faces as they watched the presentations. 

Ginger also made it to class today! Ginger seems to be feeling a lot better and looks good. I was so happy to see them, I feel like they are almost a parent away from a parent. 

After class some of the freshmen, Paprika and I went to the soda shop on the square for ice cream. It was nice to hangout with everyone outside of class. We all cracked jokes about Bay Leaves’ jokes and Saffron had some questions for me about what counted as a logo on a shirt for documentary copyright issues. 

I really really like the 12 remaining students. We all get along well and have formed our little Kruesa. 

The blog seems to be running smoothly. Everyone seems to understand the gravity of this trip. I made Garlic do a vlog before class so I’ll be posting this on the blog. 

I’ve had my first friend change issue already and we haven’t even left yet. Today I was texting one of my friends Nutmeg about how I was scared of the personal change I’ll be making with this trip. Basically Nutmeg said that they doubt I will change and I’ll just go back to the same old me like two weeks later. Uhh, really? Hell no. I’m not traveling overseas to see firsthand the impacts of human trafficking and then just “oh well” the rest of my life. Vanilla, another friend, also agreed with Nutmeg which upset me even more. People have ended relationships from the trips, stopped drinking, and changed their thought process altogether. I called Pepper about this and they said they had completely changed. Pepper doesn’t hangout with the same friends - those that didn’t get it. Changed how Pepper looks at the world. 

Pepper also said that there isn’t a point in changing their minds. They aren’t in my shoes. They aren’t going on a trip to another country. I just wonder about what my other friends think. How many will I loose? Life happens. Growth is for the good. This trip WILL impact my life. 

*all names have been changed for privacy 

Here is 2011

January 27, 2011: 

Here is 2011! So much has happened! Over the Christmas break my passport came in. I can’t wait for the first stamp to be Cambodia. Life is great right now. I have several projects on the rise from Cambodia, TOMS, to presenting at a national conference in Las Vegas. I got my car fixed over the break, have an amazing roommate and best friend (Cinnamon/Pepper*), and school is going well! 

Speaking of school we had our first Cambodia class on Tuesday. It felt like home. I honestly can say I don’t dislike anyone. The class started off with previous ambassadors coming and talking about their journey, which I thought was neat and I could tell the other Cambodians liked it. The previous ambassadors challenged us to find the word for family in Cambodian (in Africa it’s Banja). So far, I’ve looked online and cant’ find the translation. They said through this experience we will become a family and I fully believe this. 

After they left both Paprika and I led them through some get to know you’s. I think I can officially say that I know everyone’s name. It was really fun to see everyone interacting together and forming bonds. I then asked about the Facebook group and added Bay Leaves in there today. I also created our blog for Cambodia! It’s at: readershipwtcambodia.wordpress.com. Today, I added some of them so they can blog about where they came from and what we’ve done so far. I also posted Paprika’s reaction video to meeting Somaly Mam on that blog. 

Speaking of videos, my advisor and I met about what I’ll be doing. Basically it’s whatever I want. Something about 1:45 and good quality video will work. They are super excited about my trip and wants to set up a meeting with Ginger and I about specifics. I’ll be bringing a Canon XL2 (same one they brought to Africa) to shoot. My advisor said the more I shoot the more I can do, so we’ll see how things go. I still want to do a PSA when I get back. My advisor also gave me a graphic as to help with the idea on how to represent human trafficking. All in all I’m super excited to be going. 

I’m thankful and lucky to have this opportunity to help lead students through this journey. I can’t wait to get to know everyone these next few weeks before the trip. The official travel dates are March 9-21, 2011. The weird thing with the time changes, I basically loose a day going there and then go back a day in time on the return trip. We fly from Amarillo to Dallas to L.A. to Seoul, South Korea, to Penohm Pehn, Cambodia. Paprika and I have another meeting with Ginger on Monday. As of right now our jobs are just to engage and get to know students. As the song goes I’m ready for my “holiday in Cambodia!” 

Organized Crime

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