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!