Day 12
Today we are going to Siem Reap! Siem Reap is the old capital of Cambodia. The 5 hour car drive was super fun! I sat next to Ava and Anna. During one of our stops we met a boy that was selling mangos and on his sholder there was a Tralanchula. It had its stinger and teeth taken out but it was still scary...at least for me, Camryn and Brett decided to hold it. Back on the road Ava and I started to talk about how much we missed the kids at the orphanage. But we decided to focus on the beautiful land. At "The Hotel" we were greeted withwash clothes and iced tea. Lisa-Marie went out of her way to get us a nice hotel, were all so thankful of that. Because we had a few hours before dinner, Mallory, Zoe, and I (my roomates) decided to jump in the pool. It was so nice to wash off the days dirt. Later we went to dinner and the night market. It was such a great day!
Day 13
Today we woke up at 4:30 a.m. We went to see the sun rise at Ankor Wat. We got pictures taken for our tickets, which didnt turn out so good because I was still half asleep. After seeing the sun rise we went back to "The Hotel" and ate breakfast. After breakfast we went to see the Temples. They were so beautiful. My favorite was Tap Prohm. It had a rustic feel to it. There were huge trees and roots that towered over the temples. Our tour guide Jack told us all about the history. Inside Ankor Wat there was a mural of carvings in the rock. Ontop it was Heaven and on bottom was Hell. It was really interesting to see all of the carvings and how detailed they were. I really enjoyed today, all of the temples were amazing!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Streets...
Day 10
I woke up and thought "Today I leave my family..." It was the saddest thought I have ever had, knowing I was leaving 40 of my brothers and sisters behind. I tried to push the thought behind me but no matter what, everything I saw reminded me of the children. In the morning we went to the Russian Market. We got foods such as; chicken, sugar, rice, eggs, cucumbers, apples, party hats, and a lot more. All of the items we got were for the "Good-bye Party." While driving to the orphanage, I looked at all the buildings thinking "This will be the last time I drive down these streets for a long time."
At the orphanage, we were greeted by smiling faces. We said our hello's and started on the party. The children put on some traditional dances for us. It made me tear up at how beautiful the dances were. All of their hand movements and dance steps were so perfect and precise. All the children were so beautiful! After the dances I went backstage and saw Heang crying, I gave him a hug trying not to cry but I couldn't hold it in. I started to cry too, when our hug was finnished so many children said, "No cry! You smile." So I did I put of a smile throughout the night...until it was time to go.
Right before the saddest moment of my life, Ava, Camryn, Zoe, Mallory, Bret, Alex, Anna, Janna, Jenna, Lisa-Marie and I all met in the office. We put on glow sticks and brought out our present. It was a huge frame filled with pictures of us and all the kids. From their we mixed our sobs with loud music. I know I am glad that there was music because I have never cried so hard in my life. Niroat came up to me and said in the smallest, saddest voice, "I love you sister. Don't forget me sister." I threw my arms around Niroat. He was so convinced that I would forget him, but I told him "No! No, I will never forget you. You will always be my brother! And I will always love you!" After I promised Niroat I would say good-bye before I left I handed him a necklace my mom had given me before I left home. I knew it meant a lot to my mom but Niroat is family to me, I love him because he is my brother, there is no better way to put it. I went to look for Ret. Ret is like the older brother I never had, the older influence, the role-model I have needed. Saying good-bye to Ret was unbearable. We hugged and hugged and cried until our shirts where wet with tears. From the corner of my eye I was Ava on the ground gripping Niron. It made me so scared to see Ava cry that hard because she is such a strong girl! So many children where sobbing, I never heard one laugh or saw anyone even crack a smile. I know I was miserable and I think most everyone was too. But I was so happy inside because this experience lead me to these children. Niroat, Ret, Roy, Heang and Roat where the hardest to leave. I actually cried out, "I can't leave!" As we were loading the tuk-tuk Ret handed me a bracelet. The whole tuk-tuk ride home I held on to it like my life depended on it.
The love you can have for someone in such a short period of time is something no one can understand until they experience it for themselves. This may sound rude but when I get home I don't want someone to say, "I know how you feel," because you don't. I have to leave behind so many members of my family, who I love and don't want anything bad to happen to. I don't have enough words to explain how much I love these children! Everyday since I have been here I have cherished everything! Every smile, every tool we have at our disposal, every lawnmower, every meal! There is no experience that will change who I am as a person more than this one.
Those few streets we took to get to the orphanage changed my life. They led me to the happiest day of my life! Without the streets, Jack and Lia; our tuk-tuk drivers, I would have never found a love so deep for my new brothers and sisters! So that is why I am thank-full for everything...even the streets.
Day 10:
I cried my self to sleep last night. I wasn't depressed but I was definitely sad. But Lisa-Marie had a great day planned for us. We went to a Cooking Class, the instructor was an orphan but graduated from a great organization called Friends. At Friends they teach children how to cook, get jobs, and they feed over 1,800 children a day! After the Cooking Class we went to the Royal Palace. The blue flag was up...that means the King was home. I learned that the King doesn't have any power, the government has all the power. I also learned that when he was a Monk he was put in one of the rooms for a year, never coming out once! There are so many interesting facts about the Royal Palace! I am go grateful that Lisa Marie gave us a day to lift our spirits. Tomorrow we go to Siem Reap!
I woke up and thought "Today I leave my family..." It was the saddest thought I have ever had, knowing I was leaving 40 of my brothers and sisters behind. I tried to push the thought behind me but no matter what, everything I saw reminded me of the children. In the morning we went to the Russian Market. We got foods such as; chicken, sugar, rice, eggs, cucumbers, apples, party hats, and a lot more. All of the items we got were for the "Good-bye Party." While driving to the orphanage, I looked at all the buildings thinking "This will be the last time I drive down these streets for a long time."
At the orphanage, we were greeted by smiling faces. We said our hello's and started on the party. The children put on some traditional dances for us. It made me tear up at how beautiful the dances were. All of their hand movements and dance steps were so perfect and precise. All the children were so beautiful! After the dances I went backstage and saw Heang crying, I gave him a hug trying not to cry but I couldn't hold it in. I started to cry too, when our hug was finnished so many children said, "No cry! You smile." So I did I put of a smile throughout the night...until it was time to go.
Right before the saddest moment of my life, Ava, Camryn, Zoe, Mallory, Bret, Alex, Anna, Janna, Jenna, Lisa-Marie and I all met in the office. We put on glow sticks and brought out our present. It was a huge frame filled with pictures of us and all the kids. From their we mixed our sobs with loud music. I know I am glad that there was music because I have never cried so hard in my life. Niroat came up to me and said in the smallest, saddest voice, "I love you sister. Don't forget me sister." I threw my arms around Niroat. He was so convinced that I would forget him, but I told him "No! No, I will never forget you. You will always be my brother! And I will always love you!" After I promised Niroat I would say good-bye before I left I handed him a necklace my mom had given me before I left home. I knew it meant a lot to my mom but Niroat is family to me, I love him because he is my brother, there is no better way to put it. I went to look for Ret. Ret is like the older brother I never had, the older influence, the role-model I have needed. Saying good-bye to Ret was unbearable. We hugged and hugged and cried until our shirts where wet with tears. From the corner of my eye I was Ava on the ground gripping Niron. It made me so scared to see Ava cry that hard because she is such a strong girl! So many children where sobbing, I never heard one laugh or saw anyone even crack a smile. I know I was miserable and I think most everyone was too. But I was so happy inside because this experience lead me to these children. Niroat, Ret, Roy, Heang and Roat where the hardest to leave. I actually cried out, "I can't leave!" As we were loading the tuk-tuk Ret handed me a bracelet. The whole tuk-tuk ride home I held on to it like my life depended on it.
The love you can have for someone in such a short period of time is something no one can understand until they experience it for themselves. This may sound rude but when I get home I don't want someone to say, "I know how you feel," because you don't. I have to leave behind so many members of my family, who I love and don't want anything bad to happen to. I don't have enough words to explain how much I love these children! Everyday since I have been here I have cherished everything! Every smile, every tool we have at our disposal, every lawnmower, every meal! There is no experience that will change who I am as a person more than this one.
Those few streets we took to get to the orphanage changed my life. They led me to the happiest day of my life! Without the streets, Jack and Lia; our tuk-tuk drivers, I would have never found a love so deep for my new brothers and sisters! So that is why I am thank-full for everything...even the streets.
Day 10:
I cried my self to sleep last night. I wasn't depressed but I was definitely sad. But Lisa-Marie had a great day planned for us. We went to a Cooking Class, the instructor was an orphan but graduated from a great organization called Friends. At Friends they teach children how to cook, get jobs, and they feed over 1,800 children a day! After the Cooking Class we went to the Royal Palace. The blue flag was up...that means the King was home. I learned that the King doesn't have any power, the government has all the power. I also learned that when he was a Monk he was put in one of the rooms for a year, never coming out once! There are so many interesting facts about the Royal Palace! I am go grateful that Lisa Marie gave us a day to lift our spirits. Tomorrow we go to Siem Reap!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Sad Goodbyes
Day 8
Today Camryn's, Anna's and my room was the cleanest so we got to go the Russian Market. We got food for the kids at the orphanage. Whenever we buy food for the kids we make sure they have a vegetable because some days they go with out them. Later, we met the other group at the orphanage, we hung out with the kids and painted their nails. The boys wanted their nails painted too, which we thought was hilarious, and now they all have pink, green, and orange nails. After the nails, we made our own slip 'n slide! Which felt so good in the hot weather. We made it out of a tarp, and water from the well. Naroon, Rot, and Niroat all tried to make me soaking wet.
I don't know how I'm going to leave all these children when they're all my family.
Day 9
Today we played with the kids. ALL day. It was one of the most fun days I've had with the kids. Niroat, Rot, Srey Nuan, Raksmey, and Houen all asked to be either my brother or sister. So now I have so many brothers and sisters, which is going to make it harder to leave it behind.
During the day, Sambo, a 12 year old boy, was playing volleyball, when he stepped on a nail. Johnny, the Doctor and Lisa-Marie had to restrain him while they pulled the nail out of his foot. It made me feel sad to see him cry, but I knew that he would be okay.
Today is the last day we were able to say, "I will see you tomorrow." As soon as we got in the tuk-tuk, I started to cry, and I knew tomorrow there would be more tears. I love all these kids like they're my own children. I think it will be the hardest to leave Niroat behind. He reminds me so much of my little brother Jaden. They are both my little monkeys, except for Niroat is 13. Tomorrow we have a party, so I will be spending my last day with the kids.
"Awaken your sense, your intuition, your desires.
Awaken the parts of yourself that have been sleeping.
Life is a dream, and to live it, you must be awake."
Lia suhn hao-y
Today Camryn's, Anna's and my room was the cleanest so we got to go the Russian Market. We got food for the kids at the orphanage. Whenever we buy food for the kids we make sure they have a vegetable because some days they go with out them. Later, we met the other group at the orphanage, we hung out with the kids and painted their nails. The boys wanted their nails painted too, which we thought was hilarious, and now they all have pink, green, and orange nails. After the nails, we made our own slip 'n slide! Which felt so good in the hot weather. We made it out of a tarp, and water from the well. Naroon, Rot, and Niroat all tried to make me soaking wet.
I don't know how I'm going to leave all these children when they're all my family.
Day 9
Today we played with the kids. ALL day. It was one of the most fun days I've had with the kids. Niroat, Rot, Srey Nuan, Raksmey, and Houen all asked to be either my brother or sister. So now I have so many brothers and sisters, which is going to make it harder to leave it behind.
During the day, Sambo, a 12 year old boy, was playing volleyball, when he stepped on a nail. Johnny, the Doctor and Lisa-Marie had to restrain him while they pulled the nail out of his foot. It made me feel sad to see him cry, but I knew that he would be okay.
Today is the last day we were able to say, "I will see you tomorrow." As soon as we got in the tuk-tuk, I started to cry, and I knew tomorrow there would be more tears. I love all these kids like they're my own children. I think it will be the hardest to leave Niroat behind. He reminds me so much of my little brother Jaden. They are both my little monkeys, except for Niroat is 13. Tomorrow we have a party, so I will be spending my last day with the kids.
"Awaken your sense, your intuition, your desires.
Awaken the parts of yourself that have been sleeping.
Life is a dream, and to live it, you must be awake."
Lia suhn hao-y
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Children
Day 6
Today we made a pig pen, it was really hard work but it was all worth it. It also rained which made the cement leak. It rained so hard that we had to put a tarp over the whole pig pen. The rain was good for the soil so that helped them with the plants that we had planted on the previous days. I got a bracelet and a few pictures from Heang and Rot, they were so beautiful and I am so fortunate to get to know these kids.
Day 7
Today was hot, hot, hot! We worked in the backyard to build the clothes line. It seems like everywhere we stepped there were red ants. After working and sweating, most of us went straight to the well to cool off. Unfortunately for me, that didn't help because I am now sunburned like a tomato. Around lunch time, Nirot gave me a package filled with a picture of him, some drawings he made, and a notepad. It was so sweet and considerate of him to think of me. Nirot is one of the sweetest, funniest, and super-talented-at-soccer kid I've ever met. Again today it rained, which didn't feel so great on the sunburn. Today we also de-loused kids which was kinda gross, but I was glad to help. I can't believe that in less than four days I will have to leave these sweet and happy faces that I have loved ever since I laid eyes on them. I think... I know this will be the hardest thing I will ever have to face. But on the happy side I know someday I will come back, and that is a promise.
Lia suhn hao-y
Today we made a pig pen, it was really hard work but it was all worth it. It also rained which made the cement leak. It rained so hard that we had to put a tarp over the whole pig pen. The rain was good for the soil so that helped them with the plants that we had planted on the previous days. I got a bracelet and a few pictures from Heang and Rot, they were so beautiful and I am so fortunate to get to know these kids.
Day 7
Today was hot, hot, hot! We worked in the backyard to build the clothes line. It seems like everywhere we stepped there were red ants. After working and sweating, most of us went straight to the well to cool off. Unfortunately for me, that didn't help because I am now sunburned like a tomato. Around lunch time, Nirot gave me a package filled with a picture of him, some drawings he made, and a notepad. It was so sweet and considerate of him to think of me. Nirot is one of the sweetest, funniest, and super-talented-at-soccer kid I've ever met. Again today it rained, which didn't feel so great on the sunburn. Today we also de-loused kids which was kinda gross, but I was glad to help. I can't believe that in less than four days I will have to leave these sweet and happy faces that I have loved ever since I laid eyes on them. I think... I know this will be the hardest thing I will ever have to face. But on the happy side I know someday I will come back, and that is a promise.
Lia suhn hao-y
Monday, July 2, 2012
Cambodia
Day 4:
Yesterday we went to SFODA and PIO. I bonded most with the kids at PIO. I ment one kid named Visna. He made me a origami heart out of real (money). He was such a sweet heart! Everything he said was so polite and he spoke English very well! Ava and I spent a lot of time talking with him. We also had a dance! The kids were amazing! I swear one of the kids, whose name I cannot remember needs to be on MTV, he can pop and lock and every kind of dance move. A few of the kids showed us a traditional dance. It was so beautiful how they moved their bodies to tell a story. After so much sweating and dancing we had to say goodbye. One sentence that made me cry was, "don't for get me." I got so many hugs and goodbyes. I was able to hold in my cries until we got to the Guest House. I was in Ava's arms crying, which made her and Camryn cry also. I don't know how I am going to leave children that I have known for more than a week when I bawled for kids who I knew less than an hour. It "will" be the hardest thing I will ever have to do.
Day 5:
Today we went back to CPO after being away for one day. I missed them so very much! I loved seeing the huge smiles on their faces as we pulled up in the tuk-tuk once again. It was hotter than it has been in the past today to we sweat a lot more. Near the well Lisa Marie and had the idea to make a clothes line for the children so when wouldn't have to put their clothes on the fence. So for most of the day we cleaned up the back yard where the line would be. But after the work was done...we had another dance party! And these kids we amazing at dancing too! They can do the worm, flips, hip-hop, they can do it all! Unfortunately another day has to end and thank god there is a tomorrow.
Lia suhn hao-y
Yesterday we went to SFODA and PIO. I bonded most with the kids at PIO. I ment one kid named Visna. He made me a origami heart out of real (money). He was such a sweet heart! Everything he said was so polite and he spoke English very well! Ava and I spent a lot of time talking with him. We also had a dance! The kids were amazing! I swear one of the kids, whose name I cannot remember needs to be on MTV, he can pop and lock and every kind of dance move. A few of the kids showed us a traditional dance. It was so beautiful how they moved their bodies to tell a story. After so much sweating and dancing we had to say goodbye. One sentence that made me cry was, "don't for get me." I got so many hugs and goodbyes. I was able to hold in my cries until we got to the Guest House. I was in Ava's arms crying, which made her and Camryn cry also. I don't know how I am going to leave children that I have known for more than a week when I bawled for kids who I knew less than an hour. It "will" be the hardest thing I will ever have to do.
Day 5:
Today we went back to CPO after being away for one day. I missed them so very much! I loved seeing the huge smiles on their faces as we pulled up in the tuk-tuk once again. It was hotter than it has been in the past today to we sweat a lot more. Near the well Lisa Marie and had the idea to make a clothes line for the children so when wouldn't have to put their clothes on the fence. So for most of the day we cleaned up the back yard where the line would be. But after the work was done...we had another dance party! And these kids we amazing at dancing too! They can do the worm, flips, hip-hop, they can do it all! Unfortunately another day has to end and thank god there is a tomorrow.
Lia suhn hao-y
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Cambodian Children
At the orphanage there are so many kids, Seng Lay, Sok Heng, Srey Tok, Nirot, Sopiea and Roat have caught my attention. Seng Lay is 22, Sok Heng is 14, Srey Tok is 8; she has a sister and a brother but she never sees them, her father ran away when she was young and her mother died giving birth to another man's child. Nirot is 13 and is the biggest ball of energy; we call him "Monkey" because he can climb anything. Sopiea is 28, when he was four a land mine exploded killing his friend and leaving him blind but that hasn't stopped him. He has the most amazing voice and speaks English very well. Roat is 18, he makes the most beautiful bracelets and gave us one.
Day 3:
We worked in the gardens and planted a vegetable for them. Ava and I went to the children and got to know them. We also helped them read English books! Later in the day we went to the slums where we met Yoma's parents, we also went to a school in the slums. If the kids attend Monday through Friday they get a bag of rice for their families. In the slums there is standing water and lots of trash; imagine the whole underside of your house being filled with swamp and trash, that's what these people live with everyday. When we got back to the orphanage, it started to rain which doesn't happen a lot in Cambodia. We got to play in the mud with the kids and they got us even more wet then we already were by dumping water on us from the well. The day was one of the best days I've had with those kids, when I saw where their parents were from and where they've lived, I'm astounded that they can still smile everyday.
Note to Family:
Mom and Dad, I miss you guys and we just wanted to let you know we're having so much fun here. All the kids love my name because there is a famous Japanese singer named Nikko too. I hope you all are doing fine, I love you and see you soon.
Lia suhn hao-y
Day 3:
We worked in the gardens and planted a vegetable for them. Ava and I went to the children and got to know them. We also helped them read English books! Later in the day we went to the slums where we met Yoma's parents, we also went to a school in the slums. If the kids attend Monday through Friday they get a bag of rice for their families. In the slums there is standing water and lots of trash; imagine the whole underside of your house being filled with swamp and trash, that's what these people live with everyday. When we got back to the orphanage, it started to rain which doesn't happen a lot in Cambodia. We got to play in the mud with the kids and they got us even more wet then we already were by dumping water on us from the well. The day was one of the best days I've had with those kids, when I saw where their parents were from and where they've lived, I'm astounded that they can still smile everyday.
Note to Family:
Mom and Dad, I miss you guys and we just wanted to let you know we're having so much fun here. All the kids love my name because there is a famous Japanese singer named Nikko too. I hope you all are doing fine, I love you and see you soon.
Lia suhn hao-y
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