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This blog is an account of active Peace Corps service in Cambodia from 2008 to 2010. Please be advised that what I write here are my own opinions and observations, which do not reflect the official views of the Peace Corps.
Blog Archive
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2008
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December
(12)
- Pictures of Water Festival In Siem Reap
- Christmas Day
- "No thanks, I don't want a Khmer wife."
- The Assignment So Far Part Two
- The Desire To be Understood
- Conversations With Monks
- Another Buffalo
- Sunset Over Norodom Sihanouk Boulevard in Phnom Penh
- The Hospital Room in Phnom Penh
- A Man and His Water Buffaloes
- This is Lunch
- This Is My Brain On Dengue Fever
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December
(12)
1 comment:
Dear Adrian,
I found your blog through Details are Sketchy, which I found through 2008 Weblog Awards Nominee for Best Asian Blog. Naturally, I gravitated towards it because 1) I am Asian but then upon seeing 2) a Cambodian blog up for the award, I was truly excited.
I am 22, and am currently finishing my undergrad in Southern California. My major is Global Studies and part of our program includes an independent semester in the country of our choice. During an internet search one day, I found an NGO that fit the bill for what I was looking for and it so happened that it was smack dab in the middle of rural Cambodia.
I was in the province of Pursat from January to May, and albeit the time was only four months, I have been changed because of my time there. A girl from L.A. out in the rice fields. I came back and have written and studied extensively on my experiences and observations of the culture. I did intensive language learning (5 days a week) and it's true, you can really be on the way to mastery if there is determination and discipline. I was devastated to have to leave but am anxious to find out when I will return.
I have a dream of moving there, to really become fluent in Khmer so I can train teachers and build schools.
I guess I disclosed all of this because I just spent a good hour reading through some of your entries. I can't believe people are not commenting here! The details of your insights not only bring back tremendous nostalgia and sentiment, I really appreciate information about the Peace Corps, as it is also something I have entertained.
I guess I also wanted to send out some US-based support from a stranger who might as well not really be one. Our shared experiences, even on opposite ends of the country in the US and in Cam, tie us together. I hope you will be encouraged that there is someone who can understand a great deal (though not all) of what you are going through. Cambodia is such a beautiful place. And the people, even more beautiful.
April will be a fun month when you get to experience Suosday Chnam Thmey!
Sup bun la aw. (Not accurate but I made up my own phonetics to speed up my speaking skills.)
Wendy
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