Just Hanging Out...

Been pretty busy the past couple of days. Yesterday, I interviewed some teacher candidates for The Azziza School. One woman, Pahna, is going to work out for the morning shift. She's from the Employment Center I went to on Tuesday. It's headed up by the Church of Ladder Day Saints. They help out anyone which is a great thing. Funny thing about Pahna, when she told me her name I thought she said "Pamela". Her English is amazing but on the phone, that's what I thought I heard. So, now we jokelingly call her Pamala and Sokchea (the head teacher at Azziza) Charlie. That's pretty good humor for Cambodia. Anyway, today we hired the second teacher for Azziza, also from the Employement Center. His name is Chai and he recently spent 2 years in the US with LDS. His English is so good, I couldn't believe he was from Cambodia. So now, between the three teachers, Azziza will offer 7 English classes of all levels. One project completed.

I also took Sraynaut and Lakana to get new outfits. They had to boil everything they own because of the Scabies. Shopping with girls is universal. Sraynaut is a girly girl and wanted something frilly:


Lakana is the tomboy so she got a bright yellow mickey mouse t-shirt and baggy surf shorts:



This afternoon, I'll complete my locker project. 26 more lockers to hand out and that project is done too!

Yesterday evening was a lot of fun. Drew had a meeting at the Center so I hung out with the kids to wait for him to finish so we could go to dinner. I watched boxing practice and began to realize that I was no longer a tourist. I had, at some point, become a regular fixture at the center. The guys talked to me (as best as they could) about boxing, music, and their tattoos vs. mine. Mine was done with a clean machine, theirs were done the old fashioned way with ink and a pin. Very painful. Some of their art work is pretty amazing for having been done in such a primative manner. It was a bit surreal, because I was completely comfortable with this group of people who speak no English but could communicate so easily with me. Even when a group of Missionaries came in, they didn't see me sitting their with the guys. It was so cool to just be a part of the regular goings on in the Center.


After the boxing ended, I played some football (soccer) with the kids. We just kicked the ball around and tried to score goals against each other. It was fun but I quickly got very hot from running around. They really love football and play an organized game every Sunday. I've decided to sponsor their team which means I buy them shirts, shorts, shoes, and whatever else they need. The currently play without shoes and don't have uniforms. So now I'm officially going to "own" a Cambodian Football team. Gotta get them to name the team after me LOL!!!!

All in all it was a really fun evening. I've decided not to go to Vietnam so I can have more time here with the kids. I just can't see myself going to a luxury hotel for a even a few days if it takes me away from hanging out here. I know! I know! This place has changed me for ever! Instead, I am going to go to Sihanouk Ville (a beach town) for the day tomorrow. Gotta work on my tan...'

I'll leave you with some pictures of the cuties that are keeping me from my luxurious vacation :-)

There he is again, Ratanak, the little one I want to bring home with me!


One of the boys I was playing football with. He has a great smile.


Caught peeking through the rafters...