Today was the celebration. The students and many parents, mostly mothers, showed up for the event. There is not a set schedule, so I have learned to stand around until someone tells me what to do. I am never quite sure of what is happening because even if I ask a question, the answer may not be true. Laum keeps saying we would have a meeting, but that never occurred. Fine with me. Meetings suck.
School begins tomorrow, and I have no idea exactly what grades I am teaching, which classroom is mine, who my students are, or what is going to take place tomorrow. Laum said something about handing out books, but everything else is unclear. I just don't ask too many questions and go with the flow. I'm used to kind of winging it anyway.
Cynthia and I were ushered to the fancy seats at the front of the ceremony. I felt kind of weird because we were separated from the other teachers and given special thanks. The event was a big deal, and the local t.v. cameramen filmed it. The district governor spoke (forever!), and other dignitaries such as the Rotary Club members and some military guys attended. The soldiers spent most of the ceremony playing Angry Birds on their phones. At one point, a stray dog wandered in and peed on a post. It was a riot.
The children flock to me and ask funny questions. "Where you from?" "What is your favorite color?" "Do you eat dog?"
Afterwards, we were served a delicious lunch of rice, vegetables, curry, and fries. I am known as "the mountain" because that is my name in Khmer. One of the mothers said that I laugh like a Cambodian. I think that means I make jokes, laugh a lot, and am very expressive.
The vibe during my walk this evening was different. Now, everybody knows who I am. I feel almost famous walking down the path as the villagers wave and offer me rides on their moto's.
School begins tomorrow, and I have no idea exactly what grades I am teaching, which classroom is mine, who my students are, or what is going to take place tomorrow. Laum said something about handing out books, but everything else is unclear. I just don't ask too many questions and go with the flow. I'm used to kind of winging it anyway.
Cynthia and I were ushered to the fancy seats at the front of the ceremony. I felt kind of weird because we were separated from the other teachers and given special thanks. The event was a big deal, and the local t.v. cameramen filmed it. The district governor spoke (forever!), and other dignitaries such as the Rotary Club members and some military guys attended. The soldiers spent most of the ceremony playing Angry Birds on their phones. At one point, a stray dog wandered in and peed on a post. It was a riot.
The children flock to me and ask funny questions. "Where you from?" "What is your favorite color?" "Do you eat dog?"
Afterwards, we were served a delicious lunch of rice, vegetables, curry, and fries. I am known as "the mountain" because that is my name in Khmer. One of the mothers said that I laugh like a Cambodian. I think that means I make jokes, laugh a lot, and am very expressive.
The vibe during my walk this evening was different. Now, everybody knows who I am. I feel almost famous walking down the path as the villagers wave and offer me rides on their moto's.
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