Diary of my life in Cambodia 4

Day 19, 23rd October 2012 Tuesday

Last night I stayed up late googling & reading about Boracay (that's what I always do- googling on things I'm interested in, link here link there that's why always slp at 4/5am). Then, around 3am, I heard LOUD sounds coming from the room opp mine. Sounds that'll make ppl blush. Ok! Loud moans! Seriously? These angmohs. The last time I heard moaning in a hotel room was yrs ago when I was still doing photoshoots, in broad daylight too. I think they should be more considerate, it's such a small guesthouse, & it's 3am, & there's a sign saying 'Keep the volume down'. Then there's a loud commotion & I heard ppl arguing in Khmer. After 12am they will off all the lights, put chain locks on the property & the staff will slp on matresses in the supposedly "lobby". I guess the unabashed moaning woke them up. Didn't care so I went to slp. And then this morning when I came back from breakfast, I stayed downstairs to chat w Ramy the hotel staff. Found out he worked in the day & study uni at night. He was studying so I helped him out w the probs he have in eng. Then, a super tall, big-sized hiphop black person walked down the stairs (yes it has no lifts). Really like those kind we see in movies. Like an NBA bball player, worm-like hair under his beanie, intimidating demeanor. I can't help but wonder was it him last night in the room opp :x
Spent my whole afternoon doing artwork. I drew all the things I like on a colour paper & in the process I find myself really enjoying it! This was supposed to be an example cos I want the class to do this later. But I find myself seriously drawing, but it was so terrible I kept laughing at myself. For some reason it makes me feel v childlike. The colouring esp seems to bring me back to a time in my childhood cos I associate a large part of it to colouring. I can remember v vividly colouring w mum. In fact the colouring book is still at home :) I guess in this 'grown-up' world we're forced to face, in fast-paced SG w our work/responsibilities, there's no chance we'll experience this feeling. But here, in Cambodia, spending just another afternoon sitting here colouring-something I haven't done in ages- it touches me so much, the simplicity of it all. Initially I thought it'll be easy asking the kids draw what they like & then teaching them in eng. It'd be a good way to introduce them to verbs. But I was wrong! Not only do I have prob identifying what they're drawing, when asked "What is this?" they have prob answering me too!
Went to the supermarket to buy fruit juice cos I really really reallllllyyyy want to drink orange juice! Gosh it taste so good. I'm so sick of restraining myself & keeping to my budget. But today I just feel like eating what I want to eat. So I spent $5+, which can last me 2 proper meals. When I came back from the supermarket, I saw 2 women (Cambodian I supposed), dressed more skimpily than the normal Cambodian. They didn't take the keys on the counter, which means they must have it on them. Walking ahead of me, they knocked on room 105, the room beside mine! & kept knocking! WTF, are they call girls (is that what they're called?) Is this prostitution? Although it's only USD$13/night but I know this is a decent hotel & it says 'no sex tourism' (not sure what it means though). What the hell's going on these 2 days?




Look at my this! I think even if Daniel Wu's in my room I wouldn't even have the mood lor. Wait I take that back. No really this room really kills the mood how can ppl moan until like that -.-

Preparing the materials for my students & this is my work below. Can you make out what's that? My fav soft drink is coke, that's obvious. But there's also satay, chicken wings, sashimi, corn & potato. I know I draw terribly!









Day 20, 24th October 2012 Wednesday

Had roti prata for brunch today, been missing it ever since I had it on the 1st wk. Saw Vichea, Phalla & Vichtga when I reached the center. They went to the Royal Palace for some last day ceremony ytd, no wonder never come to class. They gave me some cakes they bought from Bayon bakery. How sweet of them! I was so surprised! Kept declining but they insisted. I feel kinda bad cos they're from poor families in the village & these must've costs around USD$1. Doesn't sound like alot to us but to them it's worth maybe 2 meals? Then I said I'll have the cake & they keep the rest, but they just said "No, no!" Sweet kids they are. We ended up sharing & I think they were quite happy to see me eat :) Continued w Time today from last wk, abit more in depth. Otw home, went to kfc to dabao. 3rd day in a row now. Met a Singaporean in the queue! He does business here & come every 2 mths. Owns a sound company & does sounds system for events in PP. He asked me to join them to eat but I already asked for takeaway. I don't see any Mac here. I miss mac icecream! I miss my family! Miss grandma. Miss bingo. Miss TMG. Miss crapping w Cheryl & star. But I bet I'll miss everything here when I go back. I'm so happy here. Even though my everyday is mundane. Morning wake up settle breakfast/lunch, go to center, come back, settle dinner, watch tv, read, write my diary, slp. Even though my room has a weird smell when I enter. Even though I have to wash my own clothes & settle my own meals. Even though there's nobody to take care of me when I'm sick. Even though I have to count & think before I buy a $1.40 box of biscuits. Even though I have to break a hershey's chocolate into 9 pieces so I can eat it 9 times. Even though I have to live out of a luggage. Even though I don't have pretty clothes & have to rotate between those few basics tees & pants. Even though I have to use the same disposable fork to eat my icecream & instant noodles, & wash it over & over again. Even though my room is small w spiderwebs at the corners. Even though I have to live on a budget. Even though I have one & only one pair of slippers- the same one I wear everywhere-to the center, on the rocky roads & on wet muddy paths in the slumps. But I come back feeling cozy everyday. Everyday is satisfying & fulfilling :)



Fried (or grilled?) bananas, first time trying street food in PP. I thought it'll taste like our gori pisang but no, I dunno what the skin is made of but it taste salty.





Day 21, 25th October 2012 Thursday

Crossed the road to Nike's pizza house for a tuna sandwich as breakfast. Chatted w the owner for awhile before walking up the next street. I don't really dare to walk far after the phone snatching incident. So this shop had been around for 17yrs. The owner/cook learnt his culinary skills from the westerners. I was the only customer then, but he still played some slow songs which made eating more of a pleasure. Vichtga handed me a small gift today, it's a lil figurine & a small photo of her. It was adorable really but I rather she show more interest in learning. My class have kids ranging from 6-18 so it's really hard to pace everyone. Vichtga is 15 but she's a slower learner than 8-yr-old Vichea. I'm a really impatient person but I can say I've shown enormous patience cos I know I'm dealing w underprivileged children. But today I really... almost lost my cool. Gave them a test 2 by 2 today. I can understand if they can't remember how to read 'up/down', 'hot/cold', or all the Cs 'cow', 'cloud', 'comb' etc. But I've been teaching 1-20 for wks already, with lotsa practice. I've also told Vichtga to study cos I'm gonna give a test. She said ok & wanted to go first. I wasn't sure cos I know her standard & think she need more time to study. If she did I wouldn't be so angry, but no! She wanted to go 1st & got zero! Sigh! I've been teaching her how to pronounce 15 (her age) for wks but she still get stuck whenever I asked. Sreytai too. She can read 1-10 but when I randomly point on 8, she have to start from the top again. She can read six, but not sixteen. Dead memorising is not the way I teach! I think my teaching is quite easy. At least from 1-100 it's understandable & they would've felt that they leanrt something. But I dunno why everybody can but not her. Probably gotta give sreytai some extra attention.
Had hor fun for dinner near the center. A taste of home. I'm quite sian of going to the same places for food. It's always around my area or the center or places I've been before. There's sososo many eateries/restaurants in PP, I just don't dare to try those random ones. Searched tripadvisor & reading about the food makes me salivate, literally! Lotsa french restaurants in PP, lotsa world class international cuisine, like REALLY good food at a fraction of the price of developed countries like UK/SG etc. Cos we're in Cambodia! I really feel like splurging on food, which is what I mostly spend on. There's so many restaurants I want to try, I feel like it'll be a pity if I only go to those 3-4 eateries during my 30+ days stay.





Day 22, 26th October 2012 Friday

Nat Geo was showing Megastructures: Gardens by the Bay last night, how it was built, challenges they faced till the end of the project. I haven't been to Gardens before. Ironic eh... having to learn about it in a foreign country. Do you know it takes USD 800mil to build it? I was shocked at that astronomical figure!
Stopped by Total petrol station otw to the center today, hoping I can get a hot dog bun. Luckily they have it! Comfort food :) Taught 'family tree' today, which was quite fun for me actually cos I drew those cute faces :) Recapped 'Numbers' w Sreytai by writing 7, 17 & 70, then explaining how to write them in words. Did it again w 6, 16, 60 and 8, 18, 80. Even until 9, 19, 90 she still couldn't do it without guidance. I didn't even erase the previous answer. I don't get it :(
Had mango sticky rice @ Tom yam Kung restaurant on the street opp. I love mango sticky rice!! Tried making it at home w the instant version but the result looked more like mango porridge instead haha. Tango-ed w BFF when I got back to my room. 1st time talking to her since I got here. Was great chatting w her w the usual sarcasm & joker manner! Last night, there were some weird scratching noises in the room opp. I heard it through the wall which is strange cos the room on the left is supposedly far away. It really scared me for the 1st time.




My 2 smartest students Sila & Thida





That's Darlin in green, Sreytai & Vichea




Haha I dunno why my "Father" looks like a baby. I wanted to draw him balding




Back in SG, there'll always be an "ah beng" student who's too cool for school. This boy is one of them. But for some reason I wish to convert him to want to learn willingly, so I was disappointed when he turned up one day & not the next. But I'm glad he came on the 3rd day. His name is Piakdai & reminds me so much of a friend. That's Phalla & Sila guiding him how to write self-introduction cos he miss class the previous day.






So happy to see her stupid face




Day 23, 27th October 2012 Saturday

Dreamt that I went to Taiwan on holiday w my family & there's this huge water fountain in the center of a shopping mall. Kids in our tour started swimming in it & suddenly there's monsters surfacing. I remember saying "reptiles". End. Hahaha.
Walked to the supermarket to buy some chocolates & a donut. Now whenever I need to go anywhere, I'll just put cash & keys in my pocket. This way I don't need to be afraid of my bag being snatched & I'll feel safer, & bolder. When I reached the center today, the kids covered my eye & led me to the back, where I was presented with a bdae cake w candles! Thing is it's not even my bdae. Seth say they just wanna thank me. Whenever they do such stuff the 1st thing that comes to my mind is never surprise, it's always how much it costs & their family condition. My mind automatically flash back to the slumps. Monday is a ph & Sila asked if I'll be teaching. They seem disappointed when I said no, but I do need a rest too. Some things happened at the center today. Firstly, Sreytai came w her sis & dalin. They talked to Seth in khmer w the other students surrounding. Only I wasn't in the situation cos I couldn't understand! But from the sad look on Sreytai's face I could somehow guess she wanted to quit. Probably cos it's too hard. Did I force her too much? :( And if she quits, dalin quits too cos they're like siamese twins. It's such a pity! In the end Seth managed to convince her to continue. About 1hr later, dalin's grandmother came. Seth went out & there's nobody to help me translate! She started crying while talking & I asked the kids "???" with a palm up sign & confused face. They could only say, along w hand gestures 'dog bite', 'no father', 'yes mother'. Then, Seth came back at this time. Thank goodness! Turns out dalin's grandma was saying she got bitten by a dog severely when she's young, that's why brain abit slow, to which I was shocked! I shook my head & disagreed vehemently saying she's v clever! & the man we saw when we went into the village to look for dalin is her stepfather, not blood father. Dalin's a really obedient girl. Sometimes after afternoon class end at 4pm, she'll go home to wash dishes, do household chores & come at 5pm again for my lesson. So sensible! Even I'm inferior to her. Quite a long lesson today cos I started earlier. But I'm glad we advanced to verbs & construct sentences now. Played hangman towards the end of class & gave out more clothes, of cos they have to get the answers correct first. My style :) I always make sure each & every one learnt something from that evening's class before giving them a sweet. It makes them rem & it's more fun too!
And I've decided! Since it's my last wk here I really want to just eat what I want. Starting from today. No more $1.80 congee & spending 40min eating half a bowl cos the time's spent picking out ginger & onions. Went to Laughing Fatman on st 172. Had a USD$5.50 stuffed chicken which was so-so, not as great as the reviews said. When I got back, chatted w Ramy, the hotel staff who'd become my friend now. He's currently in his 4th yr in Bachelor in Eng & would like to know more about the organisation I'm volunteering w cos he wants to teach after graduation. Now he earns less than USD$100/mth. I think it'll be good if he can teach cos Ravy & Julie earns USD$200 which is above average. Tango-ed w mum after bathing. She told me she bought an iPad & changed sis' phone cos she dropped it in the toilet bowl. Cost $700+ without line cos 16GB is OOS & sis don't wanna wait so she got the 32GB. All in all, they spent $2000+ today. I hear already totally didn't know what to say so I just went silent. Speechless. Here I am scrimping & saving.. want drink a $2.50 fruit juice also don't bear.. & there they are splurging. I'm not angry about the iPad it's not cannot buy. But why must get a 32GB iphone5? Cannot go other outlets check for 16GB? Sigh. And here I feel guilty for spending USD$11 today cos this amt can use for 3 days if I scrimped.


Looking more like a home now :)



Hahaha they dunno how to spell my name. People here their birth certificate/student pass are all in Khmer. So when they grow up, they tell the teachers their name & they will tell them how to spell & the children will stick to it. But not exactly accurate. For e.g Seth need to do a visa when he was a student & told the authorities his name, & they just spelled it as "Sit", if he wants to change it it requires alot of money so till now it's still the wrong spelling.






I know I know my drawing is very amateur. My banana doesn't even look like one :(















That's me apologising to them becos as you can see strawberry has a 'w' but when they guessed 'w', I added a stroke to hangman. Hahaha this lesson was fun!




Day 24, 28th October 2012 Sunday

Sunny Sunday! Woke up at 10am & went to a cafe on st 278 for breakfast. Had fresh fruit w yoghurt which was surprisingly yummy! Healthy eh? This is the kinda lifestyle I crave. I'm kind of a split when it comes to my personality. I can be the homely, simple me... Or the shallow bimbo party animal me. Yes I like partying. But sometimes waking up early to a healthy Sunday can be more rewarding than sleeping in after a crazy party sat night. Saw pics of Halloween/flugtag from fb & twitter & honestly... I don't feel a thing. Sure I miss having fun w the girls. But I don't feel like "Oh shacks I missed out on the fun!" When I planned to come here I already know I'll be missing halloween & other parties. & I wasn't for a moment wavered or deterred. These days, I'm used to just putting on a 3-in-1 tinted mosturiser & off I leave home. So easy to remove! Dunno isit becos I'm here for too long? I'm kinda used to this simple routined life. But of cos I miss dolling up too.
Cafe Soleil's a v relaxing place w warm orange tones, which makes ppl feel comfortable. Just 2min walk from my place. After breakfast, rested for awhile & off I go to the National Museum. Was deciding between this & Royal Palace cos I wanted to visit the tourist attractions. Guess I'll leave the palace to next time, maybe when I come back w Cass & Justin ;) I love visiting museums! Love reading & knowing about the exhibits, no matter what they are. But not many of my friends do. I think none of them like sight-seeing, they all just like shopping shopping shopping. Entrance is USD$3 for foreigners & 500riels (USD$0.25) for locals. But this museum is quite small, I feel. Unlike the British Museum in London which is freaking huge. Unfortunately we only spent 1hr there, which was so rush to me. I was running up & down trying to take in as much as possible. Esp the Money Creation & evolution it was so intriguing! The national museum of Cambodia, in contrast, doesn't have much. I intended to allocate 3hr for it but was done in an hr 1/2. They just show the artifacts & the yr, without much descriptions. There're alot of tours though, most in french. Up till now there's still a portion of Cambodian who can speak fluent french cos Cambodia used to be ruled under the French colony before gaining independence thanks to King Norodom Sihanouk (who recently passed on). Hehheh know abit from reading the newspapers at Spinelli during morning breakfasts ;) Had a nice dinner at Ocean on st 288. Expensive for PP. The owner is a German. Halfway thru my meal a cambodian lady arrived w 2 adorable boys. That's his wife & kids. I ordered a seafood platter (USD$13) cos I really really REALLY want to eat bbq squid & prawns, & a carafe of Sauvignon blanc from Chile (USD$4.50). It filled about 3 glasses. Even for 1 glass it's still cheap! Where can you get wine for SGD$6 in sg? I got a complimentary starter: tomato something on toast. It's the 1st time I eat tomato. Not surprising.. ppl who know me know I'm a carnivore. I don't dare to eat vegs (except for some) :/ Everything was delicious!!! Except the portion is a lil small... for me :x After finishing my food, I chatted w the owner for awhile & practised my 1/2 bucket German. He offered complimentary desserts but I refused. Found out he has 3 restaurants! Opening a French restaurant is one of my dreams. This encounter made me want to start in PP :)


 





This mother carrying a child was at the entrance & was still there when I came out, begging for money from tourists. Sometimes I will give but not this time. I think the ppl here have problems w priorities? They got money let their child dye hair, why not save the money for food? It's so common around here. Even in the villages there are alot of children with their hair dyed. So becos of this reason, no matter how pitiful they appear to be, I don't think ppl will donate.










Descriptions are in Khmer, French & English




The King of Cambodia in the nineteeth century.


This grp of french tour came over which I was resting on the bench. Then the tour guide, a cambodian lady started speaking animatedly in fluent french. I like listening to them cos I could pick up some words, perhaps 2-3 words in a sentence. I think it's interesting! Not enough to understand of cos.




A woman doing cross-stich on top & people praying their respects to King Norodom Sihanouk below.






Not sure its real marriage or a television show.

Diary of my life in Cambodia 3

Day 13, 17 October 2012 Wednesday

On the way to the center today, I see HOARDS of ppl in white lining the street, all the way from central PP to the airport. I know the King's father's body is coming back from Beijing today but I didn't know there'd be SOOOO many ppl. They say 3pm but ppl are waiting since 12+! Julie said there'd be no Cambodia today if not for him. I could see they really regarded him w reverence. Coincidentally, I was wearing white too! So I joined in the procession along the main street & stood for 1.5hr waiting! Under the hot sun! I feel like I'm about to get heatstroke alr. Suddenly, everybody cheered when a plane flew v low over us. I thought it'd started! Turns out the plane just arrived! After 1.5hr of standing! I'd not done this, not for national day or anything. But when the coffin car finally drove past, everybody was praying for the King's late 90yr old father, me included. Officials were in their luxe cars, soldiers in official smart uniform, monks chanting. I feel honoured to be able to witness this historical moment & participate in their custom. So technically there's no classes today cos every family were waiting for this. Only my evening class. Super tired today!




Day 14, 18 October 2012 Thursday

Confession: I'm afraid of slping w all the lights off in an unfamiliar place. That's why I've been slping with a dim orangey light on for the past 13 nights. Ytd was the 1st time I off the toilet lights haha! Although I always say I'm not scared not scared, act brave & all, deep down in my bones, I'm actually a vvv timid scaredy cat :/ Like... I'll always imagine scary things. The eerie wardrobe & weird noises makes me uncomfy, but dunno why I'll MAKE myself take a deep breath, be mentally prepared & look inside, just to prove that there's nth maybe.
Today, I came back v happy :) I feel so satisfied w my evening class students. I feel proud seeing them improve each day. I feel pure happiness as I stand by the door watching little Vichea w his schoolbag waving & walking towards me. I feel exhilarated seeing Thida spell correctly without copying this time. My class has more & more new students, which encourages me tremendously cos I know they're here becos they like my lessons. I have so much hope for them becos they really wanna learn. After public sch in the day, they're still willing to come to the center. Most kids just want to roam around & play. Having been to The Killing Fields, I now und part of why parents don't want their kids to learn is becos of the Khmer Rouge era. Can you imagine how this man Pot Pol affected ppl even until today? Infuriating! Good thing these kids are sensible. As compared to those who came but quit, those kids who rather pick rubbish, & those who're playing w mud just outside while we're learning, I'm vv sure they will grow up to be v diff.
This wk, I noticed there's much lesser students in the afternoon. I only come at 1pm everyday so I'm not sure about morning class but Seth said there's hardly any students. Could be becos of the festival or the king's father's death. But today, Julie & Seth got into an argument! Supposedly becos Ravy gotta leave early but Julie don't wanna teach his class. But he took over her last wk when she left sick! She asked the kids to go home at 3 when class is supposed to end at 4. How can a teacher be reluctant to teach?! She's getting paid but she just wanna slack. I think her working attitude is so wrong. Had a talk w Seth & he says that when she comes in, she hopes there's no students so she can do nth, maybe that's why some students stopped coming. & he made reference to my class saying the kids like me so they look forward to lessons & like coming to the center everyday :)
Went into the village today to look for Darlin cos she'd been missing lessons for 2 days alr. It'd be a pity & I don't want her to quit. Actually was kinda afraid of stepping on dead rats this time haha! Had rice for dinner today! Probably the 2nd time I had rice these 2 wks.






Day 15, 19 October 2012 Friday

Woke up feeling weak all over. The dreaded feeling I get before it develops into full blown fever/sore throat back home. I really don't think I'll get sick on this trip, cos I always think I'm v strong. I only brought the medicines to put ah ma & my parents' mind at ease. Guess I'll have to eat them now. Sigh but this run-down hotel don't have spoon/cup/water boiler... how to eat Chinese medicine? :(
Already thought of what to teach today so I didn't wanna miss a lesson. Stopped by the supermarket to get a bread- my 1st meal of the day. But I can't even take a bite. Just feel like vomiting. Shawn's friend's Ian was at the center when I reached. Heard his name so many times but it's the 1st time I see him. Really can't take it so I slept in the car for an hr. Unlike my usual energetic self, was feeling really bad during lesson. Had a couple more new students. After lesson I just wanna go back rest so I went to dabao fish porridge. After I ordered then I remembered Ian's cooking my share for dinner. Don't wanna waste his effort so tee & I headed back to Ian's place. Tee is so cute, he asked Ian if he can dabao the leftovers for his wife when he know that's spaghetti. ATM it suddenly struck me.. they might never eaten this before. The average Cambodian only earn USD60-150, and food alone costs USD2-4 for a decent meal. So it bewilders me how they survive, accommodation & all. Now I know they mostly eat @ home & cook mostly vegs. I think it's v nice Ian invited tee to dinner & not just treat him like a driver. I really couldn't eat, but also didn't wanna make the host misunderstand so I forced myself to eat more. Did the dishes for Ian as thanks for his hospitality. I think that's only right. But my god I actually did dishes! Can't believe. Erm when I wash dishes I'll use ALOT of water, even for 1 spoon. I noticed ppl who're seasoned will wash v fast & it looks anyhow. Not for me I'll really rinse it alot of times, use alot of water & make sure it's clean. Dunno why.
After dinner Ian suddenly wanted to go elsewhere, have a drink or massage. Wanted to call it a night but too polite to decline. Put the fish porridge in my room & made myself vomit, which at least relieved myself abit of the discomfort. Riverside is closed. The whole stretch of restaurants? Becos of the King's father's death no drinking or merry-making is allow for 3 mths before it's cremated. Really? There's hotels on the riverside so how are they gonna get out if the road is blocked? Don't want alcoholic drinks so I got fruit juice at Skybar. Wow my eyes literally twinkle at the names of fruits. I haven't eaten fruits since I came here! In so much pain now I'm writing this lying down. My stomach's so painful I can't stand straight, have to bend down like an old man w his cane :(



Day 16, 20th October 2012 Saturday

Was afraid to stand up when I woke up today, cos I'm afraid I'll feel the unbearably sharp pain in my stomach. Only got out of bed at 2+, that's a full 12hr lying down! Luckily the pain subsided a huge bit. I dunno what's wrong w my stomach! Is it the Cambodia brand mineral water I drink? Or the char siew rice I ate that night which left me feeling bloated ever since. Or I've been drinking too much coke that thins my stomach lining? But in fact I drank coke today & it actually made me feel better! Eventful day! My plan was to go to the center for my lesson. But Tee called me 10min after I inform him that he gotta bring his son to the hospital. I suspect it's an excuse cos Ian said he always go MIA after he tipped him. Ian brought me to central market, which is one of PP's attractions. It reminds me of lau pa sat, mustafa & bugis street combined. We had beancurd at this stall opp sorya sc opened by a singaporean. He always go around eating beancurd cos he want to bring this biz into PP. Then Ian suggested a movie. I decided on Taken 2. Usually by this time I'll start being on guard.. like "radar on". I'll start shutting down & not being myself. But I try to be neutral & also I wanna watch that movie v much. After that, had dinner at san duo, whose name reminds me of 126. There's a F.O.S opp. The branded apparels are so cheap! Been to the export shop @ Sihanouk blvd but I don't even bother to browse. Shall come back here before I go back SG!









So cute right the kids clothes! If I have money left I'm coming back to get for teng teng


The Independence Monument. Look so gorgeous at night



Day 17, 21st October 2012 Sunday

Slept v late last night @ 6am+ watching tv & googling on visas cos I needa know how many days I can stay in Cambodia. Turns out it's 30. Was kinda shocked when I looked into the toilet at 5.45am & saw sunlight shining into the tinted glass. It's daybreak alr! Here in Cambodia, it gets bright v early. Same for night, their 6pm is like our 8pm. Watched Red Riding Hood on HBO when I woke up surprisingly early. I always thought that's a horror film & whenever I see horror on a movie's genre I'll steer clear of it cos I don't dare to watch. But IMDB said it's not scary so... braced myself up a lil. Ordered pizza delivery @ 4pm, that settles lunch & dinner. It's 9.30pm now & I just finished bathing & washing my clothes. Same for washing clothes I can't help rinsing & twisting, repeating them umpteen times for the same piece of cloth to make sure there's no more soap. Inception is playing now. It's the 1st time I watch it. Didn't watch it in the cinema & I've been wanting to watch it online but haven't got to doing it. I'm a dreamer. V much so. I swear I've dreamt that I'm in a dream before, even before I know what this movie is about. In that dream, I had woken up, but I know I'm still asleep. In short, I'm dreaming that I'm in a dream. It was SHOCKING that feeling. Even after I wake up I lay there stunned at this revelation, unable to retract myself. I dream almost everyday, some v nonsensical stuff. Crocodiles, my grandma, funfairs etc. Some I can even rem clearly after I wake up. The most random one just last wk is playing captain ball w kl & Aldrich LOL WTF.


Day 18, 22nd October 2012 Monday

Dreamt of my family last night, but now I forgot about what -.- Still feeling v bloated when I wake up, even after a weekend! I swear it must be the char siew rice, but I dunno why? It's just plain rice & char siew. Now I don't dare to eat there anymore :( Couldn't finish my breakfast @ Spinelli today- 1st time. And I usually order more. Today I only had bread, eggs & ham & I couldn't finish half my eggs. Was SO full I feel like vomiting. Everytime I eat at Spinelli, I'll always go to the toilet immediately after. Everytime. But the good kind haha. Booked my flight tickets back to SG today. Seth started his part time 5-7pm job @ another sch, so there's nobody to help me translate. It's esp hard to communicate & they haven't learn to construct sentences so can only use one word one word. & even then it's so tough to und. Taught 'Opposites' today. On the way back home, all I could think of is what to teach the class tml. I think the lesson today is quite boring so thinking how to improve. This afternoon I was just thinking how good the weather is recently, unlike the 1st few days I come, & it started raining in the evening -.- Dabao KFC as dinner. Their chickens are so puny! And their whipped potato is scooped on the spot unlike SG's. Plus the gravy is saltier too. Now I know why coke makes me feel better. Cos it's gassy & makes me want to burp. I always thought indigestion & constipation goes tgt. But I don't have problems w the latter leh. Just indigestion which makes me vv sick :(





Tee can barely speak eng (but I can agar agar und), the kids can't, & I can't speak khmer. So he was checking the eng-khmer dictionary, saying it out in khmer & asking Thida to write it down. V messy & clumsy lesson for all of us.

Diary of my life in cambodia 2

(cont'd)

Day 7, 11 October 2012 Thursday

Menses came last night :( Arggg I know it's around this time but was hoping I could miraculously escape it this month. V troublesome considering the sanitary conditions here & I'm v particular about cleanliness when it comes to this. When I went out for breakfast this morning, I held on to my bag REALLY tight! Was frightened & traumatised by what happened ytd. So looking forward to seeing the kids having missed them ytd. They're excited to see me when I reached! There're 2 classes going on at the same time, & I took over Julie as she left sick. Playful Jimmy scared me with a rubber mouse today! & they were all amused at seeing me jump -.- Handed Ravy the dictionary I bought him, hope it'll be of use! He's a small-sized guy (shorter than I am) who looks like a big kid. Really nice, sincere, down-to-earth guy who has the brightest kindest smile, so the kids are not at all afraid of him. Showed him the pic of TMG I brought along. Kx printed photos of us 9 girls & wrote a sweet msg behind. Ravy then pointed to kl & asked if she's Cambodian, exclaiming "looks EXACTLY like one!" This made me laughed so bad cos kl is the darkest among us. He also said kx looks Thai. During my eng class today, I taught Colours & we had so much fun w them! I could see they really liked me! Even ask me to teach on sats. Was alone w the kids till 6+ cos Ravy had to leave. The sky gets dark really early here. Tml, Shawn's friend's coming but he's leaving for SG. Ate pizza for dinner & stopped by the supermarket for mineral water. Wanted Evian but it was too exp, so I bought a brandless one at $0.55 for a big bottle. Don't need to drink so good right? Bought 2 small cakes too. One for Tee & one for the nice staff at my hotel :)





Day 8, 12 October 2012 Friday

I think I'm really traumatised. I have a phobia now, like when I go out for breakfast this morning I got really fearful whenever a car or motorcycle zoom pass me. Sigh.. & I'm so drained the whole of today. No energy. Wasn't feeling too good, esp when darlin wasn't in class when I reached. Heard from her friends she lost her shoes & isn't coming, might not ever come again. I was so upset! She's my fav student! Thank god she came for evening class, I was so relieved. It'd be a pity if her parents made her quit. Continued w colours & taught the kids how to say their fav colour. So now they know basic introduction: 1) Name 2) Age 3) Fav colour. Feel kinda proud of my students :) From nothing they learnt alot this wk. Gave them some spelling & gave out clothes xy brought. Shawn's friend Cass arrived today, w her friend Justin, while Shawn went back SG. Stayed @ the center till quite late, then went to the riverside for dinner @ this German bar. Abit outta my budget (per day) but figured it's ok since they're only here till mon. They broke my abstinence! We had beer. I thought I wouldn't touch alcohol this 1 mth. Talked ALOT. From siblings to work to religion etc. Glad we could really click! Reach hotel @ 1am+, & gotta leave for center at 9am





Day 9, 13 October 2012 Saturday

Early in the morning, we went into the slumps & villages nearby the center. No students at all today, probably cos it's nearing the big festival. The slumps were really really REALLY down-in-the-mud, dirty, unsanitary, inhabitable even. A tiny room w no lights (~USD$14/mth) & filled w lotsa stuff can slp 3ppl. Rubbish of all kinds (unfinished food, wrappers etc) are just thrown casually along the road. I even saw a dead rat on the common road ppl use, w beetles & flies feeding on it's headless corpse. Talked to the village chief too. We're giving free education but the children & parents don't want them to learn. They rather go pick rubbish to earn a few cents. Mindset. Next, we went to The Killing Fields, where more than 3mil ppl were mercilessly killed in the Khmer Rouge era, esp those who're educated. A visit here can be v disconcerting cos there's thousands of skulls you can see & the mass graves they were buried in. All in all, a depressing afternoon. Went for massage w case & Justin near our hotel. Was apprehensive cos of the exp in dongfang, but this was much better. They wanted to go Dreamland. Didn't want to cos it'd be a waste of $$ since I just went last wk. But didn't wanna be a cold blanket. Not as afraid of the rides anymore!






Day 10, 14 October 2012 Sunday

I feel guilty today. Few days ago before cass & Justin came, I did some calculations. With the amt of cash I have, I can only spend USD$7/day. It's not that I can't spend more. I just wanna stick within my budget & lead.. well not so much Cambodian.. but a simpler lifestyle without any extravagance. But these 2 days I spent so much! Today is indulgence day. Cass wanted to go for another massage. I don't even wanna spend another USD$8 on one, but ended up spending USD$35 on a GOOD one. Partly cos it's hard to be a wet blanket, partly cos I needed one after backache from my slp ytd. Can't possibly wait 1.5hr for them there. Then, we went to the riverside Karma/Anjali restaurant for a good dinner. V affordable in sg terms but... That's another USD$13 gone. Heck we'll just indulge today since they're leaving tml. Tml onwards, I'll be alone by myself :(





Day 11, 15 October 2012 Monday

Cass & Justin gotta reach airport at 6.30am this morning, so we hung out at their hotel till 5am+ at their hotel. It's so great knowing them! Amazing even. How we've just met 3 days ago & the next thing we know we're chatting & laughing over beers on their balcony overlooking this area, in Phnom Penh. Cass is a v lively girl who has so much ideals about the things she could do to help. V mature & takes a firm stand for what she believes in. We're of the same age & clicked v well! Shared quite alot w them these 3 days, surprisingly, given I rarely open up. They both said that I have a strong character, from the way I behave & react towards things. I do admit I'm the kind who is 'like means like, don't like means don't like'. I can be blatant & sarcastic (jokingly) towards ppl I feel comfortable with. Then, Cass gave us a personality test & said our character quite similar. I have a feeling this might be a lifelong friendship! :) Discussed abit about the center before I went back my hotel & watched the Kony vid before I concussed at 6am+.
Didn't do much today. Stayed in the whole day other than going opp the street for dinner.


Day 12, 16 October 2012 Tuesday

Watched Hollow Man on tv when I woke up. A thriller! My initial plan was to go to the supermarket, but Ravy called me around 3.30pm asking if I want to go explore. He just came back from the province- a 6hr drive from central PP. I wanted to go to the Royal Palace but Ravy said it's closed due to the King's Father's death in Beijing ytd. National museum is out since it closes at 5pm. Headed to Wat Phnom, supposedly a tourist attraction but imo nothing much. Had dinner opp Orussey Market. Ravy said the noodles are famous & it's expensive to him but yummy. The place is really PACKED! Treated him for the meal as thanks for bringing me around, not v exp. Halfway thru, he went out for a long phone call, & when we're leaving by his motorbike, a girl on another bike asked me "Can you sit on my bike?" Ridiculous, I thought she's a motortaxi & of course said no, with a taken aback frown. And she threw her arms & legs in tantrum! "What a weirdo go to such extent to snatch customers", I thought. Turns out she's Ravy's gf! Omg I certainly don't want any trouble. I want to leave Cambodia safely ok. Ravy dropped me at the supermarket & I bought some snacks home. Never thought I'd need to count & add the cents so as to not overspend. Still gotta compare to see which one is more worth it -.- Back home, watched a touching & thought-provoking movie- Hereafter.

Diary of my life in Cambodia

Decided to write a diary of my life here in Cambodia so I brought along a small notebook w me. Here's what I've written over the past few days. Something terrible happened an hr ago, read on:


Day 1, 05th October 2012 Friday

Usually when I go on holidays, I'll go to the airport myself. But this time, my parents & sis insisted on sending me. Probably cos I'm gg longer than the normal 4-5 days. Star's gg w me too, but she's only staying for 5 days. Had fish&co for lunch at T2. I intended to call ah ma before I board but she beat me to it. She'd been calling & telling me the same reminders over & over again. And everytime she start crying I can't help but burst out crying too. This time esp. When I hear her quivering voice my heart ache so much... I just can't control myself from crying. And I rarely do. Shawn picked us up & we headed to the center, but it was 4pm & closing alr. We then drove around looking for accommodation. The service appt Shawn recommended was out of rooms, & others were too exp. So I chose the cheapest I could find at USD$13/day. They stayed at the better one across the road at USD$35/day. I realised everything is so exp here! A normal table costs USD30+(& that's the cheapest around), & a chair can costs USD15-70! We then had dinner at Nagaworld & they sent me back to my hotel & waited for me to bathe cos I was too afraid for the 1st night. My hotel is a v small basic one, w 2 dirty floor mats, no water boiler, spiderwebs in some corners, eerie wardrobe & dark corridor, scary reception area & stairwell & a mirror in front of my bed. But its ok I just need a basic place & acceptable toilet. I expected it to be worse & alr made mental preparation for a rustic lifestyle before I come. This is going to be my home for the next 1 month.


Day 2, 06 October 2012 Saturday

It's a rainy sat! Had a good 12hr slp from 10pm to 10am on my 1st night at Phnom penh city hotel. Had breakfast at the nearby Spinelli- USD2.80 which is cheap. The sky poured shortly after, & I had a little tummyache. I was thinking "If food at an international chain spinelli can give me this, what would street food do to me? :(" I thought I had vaccination alr? Supposed to give me more immune to food here. Was ok once we reached Russian market, a place which sells lots of stuff. It was vv dirty & even flooded a little, combined w the dirt it made me cringe a little & xy complained big time. Haha! Visited shawn's new place before that & we got some new locks. Browsed around the shops (spent only about 30s in each), went back hotel rest (they slept while I watched shows), had dinner at this restaurant called shabu shabu & sushi buffet (USD7 value for $) & went to Nagaworld. Didn't gamble but I watched them, they won about USD 200 each!


Day 3, 07 October 2012 Sunday

Lazed in bed till 11.30am today cos Shawn had a guest in town & xy & him are checking out. Had lunch at this Thai place- glass noodles w pork USD1.50. Waited for shawn & his friend & we head to dongfang massage. I didn't want to massage! I'm here to volunteer but the center isn't open on weekends. Feel guilty when I eat too exp food but no choice xy & shawn's friend in town. We chose a Chinese masseuse thinking it'll be easier to communicate. Hell, it was TORTURE! The worst massage I've ever had. It was so painful everywhere she pressed & there's no technique whatsoever. USD10 incl $2 tips which I didnt wanna give. Then, we waited again cos the guys did foot massage as well. Went to Nagaworld again, & this time I played. I really have no clue how to play cos I've only played once at genting's casino 2 yrs ago. Joined xy in machine roulette, almost lost but won USD100 in the end. Tee came to fetch us & we went to pick Shawn. Takeaway KFC (yay!) & went back hotel. Finally tml gonna start the volunteering w children!


Day 4, 08 October 2012 Monday

Had breakfast at a small eatery near KFC w Shawn, xy & louis (shawn's friend who's 50+ but look 40!). They serve surprisingly good prata at USD1.80. I can see myself coming back, maybe everyday hehheh. Talked alot on business, economy & diff countries/industries w louis otw to fetch Shawn & xy. When we reached the center, it was 11am & the 1st class just ended. The next batch of children came in a little after 12pm. The feeling I experienced atm... I just can't put it into words. Everytime a kid appear at the entrance, looking shy & holding an exercise book & pen, it's just inspiring. I can't wipe that grin off me. Played w bubbles & colouring during playtime & they looked SO happy. 2 girls were esp smiley & lovable. It's hard to communicate but they were hungry for knowledge. Some stayed back wanting to learn more. I'm to teach eng classes for older kids/parents 5-7pm starting tml. Tee came to fetch xy & me, went back hotel rest awhile, then to Nagaworld, then to dreamland, a theme park opp naga. It was so so so fun! Like old funfairs we have in SG. Sat on the Viking & I was so scared I cried (I'm pretty sure it was from laughing too much & not from fear :x) Bumper cars were awesome! I feel like a kid again :)











Day 5, 09 October 2012 Tuesday

Today... is adventure day! I sat on the back of a motorcycle (my first time on one too), on the highway, w no helmet. WHAT?! I must be mad or something. Left hotel early in the morning at 6am send xy & louis to the airport. Had spaghetti at The Pizza Company (just like our pizzahut) & headed to the center. Morning class was good! Kids started coming at at 8am+. Saw some familiar faces which appeared in the afternoon again. During the 2hr break, acc Ravy to the nearby market to buy food, then to a monastery to see, then to Caltex. Bought Julie lozenges seeing she'd been having serious sore throat all week. My first official gift. Stayed at the center till quite late at 5pm+. Taught a class Aa to Zz, & another 1-20. Some learnt fast & some vv slow. Ytd Julie took 2hr to teach A to H! I could alr recognise a few kids. There's this sweet little girl Suodalin who's studious & likeable, another girl who's way ahead of others but doesn't smile, & there's playful Jimmy. After my class ended, acc Shawn for his meeting w seet & friends for the webpage. Had a real scary & dusty ride back home going round the city trying to find my hotel. Been out for 15hr today!





Day 6, 10 October 2012 Wednesday

I didn't go to the center today. Instead, I explored my area. Was too tired ytd so I slept early, for almost 12hr till 11am! Then, I tango-ed w mum & surf the net on my phone on "Things to do in Phnom Penh" & bookstores in the city. I then head out at 3pm. Bought a Cambodia sim card ytd, not sure if it had 3G but google map worked. The weather was good today! Sweltering hot but def better than rain. Found a bookshop, happy!! Spent some time browsing in there & bought Ravy an eng-Khmer dictionary cos ytd I brought my book to the center to read during breaktime. It was on body language & he was vv interested so I offered to leave it at the center this one month for him to read. But the english is too hard (even though he's teaching eng & holds a degree) & he commented how nice it'll be if there's a Khmer version so he could und better. I couldn't find a similar book so a dictionary would be best. Chose v long before i decided on which to buy. Wanted to find a place to eat lunch first but I didn't dare to walk into dubious dingy shops, so I just kept walking, for quite a distance, following my map: The Flicks. And I found it! So proud of myself. It's a place ppl recommend on tripadvisor which shows movies for just USD3.50pp/day. Next, I head back to my place, stopping by Lucky supermarket along the way. It's the largest chain in PP, & pretty extensive, way above my expections which is a pleasant surprise! They have magnolia fresh milk yay! Bought chocolates too. Then, steps away from my hotel, I stopped by the roadside to check google maps. A motorcycle zoom past & the motorcyclist tried to grab my phone!! It was in a split of a second. I screamed & for a moment I just stunned there watching the motorcycle turn the corner. Someone ran out saying something in Khmer, trying to help. After about 20s then I realised my phone had dropped on the gravelled road. I really thought it was snatched! If it was I dunno what to do. I don't have much money w me & my contacts were all in there. I always imagine scenarios like that & thought up how to react. I'd give them a good hard kick & hold my belongings tight. But it's all before actual scenarios happen. My arms & legs were still trembling when I walked into my room. Initially I wanted to go across the road & have pork porridge. Now I think I'll just fill my hunger w the snickers bar & go to the minimart downstairs borrow hot water for my Maggi mee.