Last Friday - Tel Aviv beach
Yersteday - a walk in Givat Brener (hike to the hill :-))
(By the way if you wonder what it is on Osher's head, it is a crown, she was chosen to a kindergarten queen :-) ).
Be well!!!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Osher
In the grayest day Osher ("happiness" in Hebrew) always brings a smile on my face!
Last Friday - Tel Aviv beach
Yersteday - a walk in Givat Brener (hike to the hill :-))
(By the way if you wonder what it is on Osher's head, it is a crown, she was chosen to a kindergarten queen :-) ).
Be well!!!
Last Friday - Tel Aviv beach
Yersteday - a walk in Givat Brener (hike to the hill :-))
(By the way if you wonder what it is on Osher's head, it is a crown, she was chosen to a kindergarten queen :-) ).
Be well!!!
I am stuck...
I am stuck...
It is 3 months since I got back and I am not even close to have my life organized. I still live with Leika and Osher, haven't got my own place yet. The first month was all about welcoming, and I enjoyed my friends, family and Israel after a long time apart.
The second month was a questioning month, I needed to face the reality and make up some decisions. It was a very hard month with a lot of questions, but finally I have made up my mind. I decided to search for a job back in software, since it is seems to be the only option that can pay for an apartment I want on the beach and allow me to sponsor my Cambodian family, my beers, my travels, etc' (not really Dalai Lama's approach, a...).
So the third month is all about interviews :-(. For the last couple of weeks I have been in many interviews, for different companies, some are doing software for the stock market, others are in telecoms, and many more. I sit in the interviews, listen to the important man describing what the company does and bla-bla-bla, and I really don't care. I have no passion for this field, at all. I mean I know once I get to a position, there will be a challenge of getting skilled, knowledgeable, the "best", so it will grab be for a while, but at this point, I just want to get it over with. Unfortunately it is not that easy. I have decided to try and search for a job for 4 days a week , so it will give me one more day a week for myself. I could do some volunteering activity, maybe go back to University, I don't know. Anyway, this makes things much more complicated. The interviews usually go smooth, I impress the people and the atmosphere is very positive, till I say the magic words, 4 days a week! I am giving it a try, if I won't be able to find, I probably will give up, but not yet...
Let's say it isn't the best time of my life now, I feel confused and not very enthusiastic about my life. I am stuck!!!
Be well!
It is 3 months since I got back and I am not even close to have my life organized. I still live with Leika and Osher, haven't got my own place yet. The first month was all about welcoming, and I enjoyed my friends, family and Israel after a long time apart.
The second month was a questioning month, I needed to face the reality and make up some decisions. It was a very hard month with a lot of questions, but finally I have made up my mind. I decided to search for a job back in software, since it is seems to be the only option that can pay for an apartment I want on the beach and allow me to sponsor my Cambodian family, my beers, my travels, etc' (not really Dalai Lama's approach, a...).
So the third month is all about interviews :-(. For the last couple of weeks I have been in many interviews, for different companies, some are doing software for the stock market, others are in telecoms, and many more. I sit in the interviews, listen to the important man describing what the company does and bla-bla-bla, and I really don't care. I have no passion for this field, at all. I mean I know once I get to a position, there will be a challenge of getting skilled, knowledgeable, the "best", so it will grab be for a while, but at this point, I just want to get it over with. Unfortunately it is not that easy. I have decided to try and search for a job for 4 days a week , so it will give me one more day a week for myself. I could do some volunteering activity, maybe go back to University, I don't know. Anyway, this makes things much more complicated. The interviews usually go smooth, I impress the people and the atmosphere is very positive, till I say the magic words, 4 days a week! I am giving it a try, if I won't be able to find, I probably will give up, but not yet...
Let's say it isn't the best time of my life now, I feel confused and not very enthusiastic about my life. I am stuck!!!
Be well!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
What else?
My Kushkush is back!!!
Maxim is back! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!!!
I missed you so much, Kushkush!!!
Maxim is back! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!!!
I missed you so much, Kushkush!!!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
So what have I been doing?
Not much...
There was the Pesah, of course. Dinner at my Mom's, the all family! It was a great evening with the closest people to me, as a real holiday should be.
Following, thanks to a very good friend, Gabi, I traveled my way to Jordan. It was so great to travel again; even if it was only for 3 days :-).
Jordan is amazing! It is so great to be able to cross the borders between two neighbor countries so easily, too shame we cannot visit all our neighbors :-(.
And of course Petra, of which I knew nothing about (I am shame to admit), Petra is exciting and so powerful! It is a combination of nature and man-made perfection!
And, I had the best partner for the journey, Gabi! Gabi told me about the special place Petra takes is Israeli history, in the hearts of Israelis ("The red rock").
Gabi is a very special person, I know him for years. He is very sensitive, caring and kind. This time I had the privilege to discover that he is also an adventures traveler, and a fun one!
Thank you Gabi! Always when I think of Petra, I will think of you.
!!!! Lucky me, such a GREAT people I know !!!!!!
What else?
Of course I spend a lot of time with my gorgeous niece; I love this girl with all my heart! She is always fun to be with, always happy, always makes me happy! Life is very simple and easy around her, the adult's world is way too complicated…
And with Pashka it is always great fun! We got really close since I got back; he understands me. He listens to my endless stories with great enthusiasm and it makes me very happy, I have been traveling for more than six month for these stories :-). He even speaks Khmer with me (Cambodian language) :-)…
I LOVE YOU Pashkin!!!
...
You know, I started by saving I haven't been doing much, but now I just spent the last two hours going over the pictures from the last month and it seems like I did not bad! A lot of happy faces, big Cambodian smiles, good people and a lot of Tel-Aviv beach.
Life is beautiful!
And I have much more to tell, next time...
Be well!!!
Bopha :-)
There was the Pesah, of course. Dinner at my Mom's, the all family! It was a great evening with the closest people to me, as a real holiday should be.
 |
| Pesah 2007 |
Following, thanks to a very good friend, Gabi, I traveled my way to Jordan. It was so great to travel again; even if it was only for 3 days :-).
Jordan is amazing! It is so great to be able to cross the borders between two neighbor countries so easily, too shame we cannot visit all our neighbors :-(.
And of course Petra, of which I knew nothing about (I am shame to admit), Petra is exciting and so powerful! It is a combination of nature and man-made perfection!
|
| Jordan, April 2007 |
And, I had the best partner for the journey, Gabi! Gabi told me about the special place Petra takes is Israeli history, in the hearts of Israelis ("The red rock").
Gabi is a very special person, I know him for years. He is very sensitive, caring and kind. This time I had the privilege to discover that he is also an adventures traveler, and a fun one!
Thank you Gabi! Always when I think of Petra, I will think of you.
 |
| From Jordan, April... |
!!!! Lucky me, such a GREAT people I know !!!!!!
What else?
Of course I spend a lot of time with my gorgeous niece; I love this girl with all my heart! She is always fun to be with, always happy, always makes me happy! Life is very simple and easy around her, the adult's world is way too complicated…
 |
| From Israel - Frei... |
| From Israel - Frei... |
| From Israel - Frei... |
 |
| From Israel - Frei... |
And with Pashka it is always great fun! We got really close since I got back; he understands me. He listens to my endless stories with great enthusiasm and it makes me very happy, I have been traveling for more than six month for these stories :-). He even speaks Khmer with me (Cambodian language) :-)…
I LOVE YOU Pashkin!!!
 |
| From Israel - Frei... |
 |
| From Israel - Frei... |
...
You know, I started by saving I haven't been doing much, but now I just spent the last two hours going over the pictures from the last month and it seems like I did not bad! A lot of happy faces, big Cambodian smiles, good people and a lot of Tel-Aviv beach.
Life is beautiful!
And I have much more to tell, next time...
Be well!!!
Bopha :-)
Monday, March 12, 2007
Home, Home, Home!
It took me almost a week to finally finish the post, sorry! Kalpesh, this one is for you, I think you are the only one who still follows my blog :-). Sorry it's so long :-).
08 March, 2007 (11:10)
WOW, life is very fast and hectic here! You are sucked in so easily that you don't even notice. Just now, as I finally set down to catch up with you, water started to get up the sink in the kitchen, some plumbing issue. It is the second time it happens (I live in Leika's place) and it means the whole kitchen gets flooded. Today we are lucky, last time it happens at night, so we woke up in the morning to find the living room full of water. Now, every five/ten minutes I manually take the water out from the sink so we won't get flooded again, and in between I write to you…
Only 3 weeks since I am back home, but it feels much longer. Every morning I wake up and carefully ask myself "Am I still happy?" and Yes, I am. I was so afraid that once I get back home these feelings I had for the last three months will go away. But in the mean time I am pleasantly surprised.
It is great to see all my friends and family. With some I realize how important and real the relationship is; with others I no longer have anything in common.
Israel is very pretty at this time of year, it is green and fresh after the rains and it is a real joy to be outside, unfortunately I don't spend enough time out. The sunsets are beautiful; unfortunately I don't see enough of them either.
I don't have enough time for myself! The phone is always ringing, or you are in a car, or the TV is on and you spend so much time doing nothing.
Need to go, the plumber is here…
10 March, 2007 (15:35)
People definitely smile less in Israel, this is for sure! Everybody's life is so difficult. My friends have to deal with jobs, bills, love life problems, some even with kids (the biggest job ever, FUN but hard).
I walk the streets and people don't even look at each other, or if they do, they look through. Exchanging smiles is very rare, and usually more accepted with old people or kids. I understand, life is hard!
Need to go Leika, is back…
11 March, 2007 (23:00)
Now I have Tracy Chapman on, like the long evenings in sunset bar Siem Reap, Cambodia. Leika and Osher are sleeping and I set down to finally finish this post. I promised myself I will not change at home, but I have. This is the longest time I haven't blogged since I started my blog. The routine is less exciting to write about, unless you want some stories about people problems at work or home, etc'. I am not reading a book (for a first in the last months), I watch too much TV and spend too much time on the phone!
But I am happy!!! I am!
I am not working yet, and not sure whether I should search for a job, or just buy a ticket (I have enough money for a ticket) and fly back to Cambodia. I don't know.
I don't want to go back to the real life; I don't want to live like my friends, like I did before. I got angry for the first time couple of days ago, I shouldn't. My smile is fading away and I miss happy, smiling people around me.
On the other hand, something stops me from buying the ticket. Can I, is it really me to spend my life on the roads? Can I really disconnect from the real world and be happy earning my rise in Cambodia? I will never own a house, important carrier, savings… What about tomorrow??? - Everybody asks…
The same part of me always reminds me that till now I didn't really lived Cambodia through They are happy with what they have, I was happy with money. If I will go this time, it will be different, I am not coming as a tourist and I have no money, will I still be happy living the real life in Cambodia?
Anyway, I miss the person I was there, I miss Bopha! And I miss my friends and family. And I miss the Khmer smile a lot!
I have time, so I think. And maybe I should go back just for some time, until I will figure it out… Maybe there is another way, in the middle, I just didn't think of it yet…
Need to go Leika, woke up, it is coffee and conversation time, I promise to be back soon…
12 March, 2007 (00:21)
It's late and I am tired… I want to finish my post with some pictures of pretty Israel and my friends.
Tel-Aviv sunset
Me, Olga and the sunset - Tel Aviv
Me, Olga and Pashka - Tel Aviv
Very HAPPY ME - Tel Aviv
Me, Pasha and Oly in the desert
Me & my Pashka
Oly and Pasha - Lahav forest
Me - Lahav forest
Me & Osher - Osher's first train trip
The mother and the daugther
Look at them again!!!
Me and Mishka in Jerusalm - Mishka left now back to Japan :-(
With Love!
P.S check out the Albums, I have created another one:
1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/oksana-s/
2. http://picasaweb.google.com/oksanasemenov
08 March, 2007 (11:10)
WOW, life is very fast and hectic here! You are sucked in so easily that you don't even notice. Just now, as I finally set down to catch up with you, water started to get up the sink in the kitchen, some plumbing issue. It is the second time it happens (I live in Leika's place) and it means the whole kitchen gets flooded. Today we are lucky, last time it happens at night, so we woke up in the morning to find the living room full of water. Now, every five/ten minutes I manually take the water out from the sink so we won't get flooded again, and in between I write to you…
Only 3 weeks since I am back home, but it feels much longer. Every morning I wake up and carefully ask myself "Am I still happy?" and Yes, I am. I was so afraid that once I get back home these feelings I had for the last three months will go away. But in the mean time I am pleasantly surprised.
It is great to see all my friends and family. With some I realize how important and real the relationship is; with others I no longer have anything in common.
Israel is very pretty at this time of year, it is green and fresh after the rains and it is a real joy to be outside, unfortunately I don't spend enough time out. The sunsets are beautiful; unfortunately I don't see enough of them either.
I don't have enough time for myself! The phone is always ringing, or you are in a car, or the TV is on and you spend so much time doing nothing.
Need to go, the plumber is here…
10 March, 2007 (15:35)
People definitely smile less in Israel, this is for sure! Everybody's life is so difficult. My friends have to deal with jobs, bills, love life problems, some even with kids (the biggest job ever, FUN but hard).
I walk the streets and people don't even look at each other, or if they do, they look through. Exchanging smiles is very rare, and usually more accepted with old people or kids. I understand, life is hard!
Need to go Leika, is back…
11 March, 2007 (23:00)
Now I have Tracy Chapman on, like the long evenings in sunset bar Siem Reap, Cambodia. Leika and Osher are sleeping and I set down to finally finish this post. I promised myself I will not change at home, but I have. This is the longest time I haven't blogged since I started my blog. The routine is less exciting to write about, unless you want some stories about people problems at work or home, etc'. I am not reading a book (for a first in the last months), I watch too much TV and spend too much time on the phone!
But I am happy!!! I am!
I am not working yet, and not sure whether I should search for a job, or just buy a ticket (I have enough money for a ticket) and fly back to Cambodia. I don't know.
I don't want to go back to the real life; I don't want to live like my friends, like I did before. I got angry for the first time couple of days ago, I shouldn't. My smile is fading away and I miss happy, smiling people around me.
On the other hand, something stops me from buying the ticket. Can I, is it really me to spend my life on the roads? Can I really disconnect from the real world and be happy earning my rise in Cambodia? I will never own a house, important carrier, savings… What about tomorrow??? - Everybody asks…
The same part of me always reminds me that till now I didn't really lived Cambodia through They are happy with what they have, I was happy with money. If I will go this time, it will be different, I am not coming as a tourist and I have no money, will I still be happy living the real life in Cambodia?
Anyway, I miss the person I was there, I miss Bopha! And I miss my friends and family. And I miss the Khmer smile a lot!
I have time, so I think. And maybe I should go back just for some time, until I will figure it out… Maybe there is another way, in the middle, I just didn't think of it yet…
Need to go Leika, woke up, it is coffee and conversation time, I promise to be back soon…
12 March, 2007 (00:21)
It's late and I am tired… I want to finish my post with some pictures of pretty Israel and my friends.
Tel-Aviv sunset
Me, Olga and the sunset - Tel Aviv
Me, Olga and Pashka - Tel Aviv
Very HAPPY ME - Tel Aviv
Me, Pasha and Oly in the desert
Me & my Pashka
Oly and Pasha - Lahav forest
Me - Lahav forest
Me & Osher - Osher's first train trip
The mother and the daugther
Look at them again!!!
Me and Mishka in Jerusalm - Mishka left now back to Japan :-(
With Love!
P.S check out the Albums, I have created another one:
1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/oksana-s/
2. http://picasaweb.google.com/oksanasemenov
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
One more unforgetable meeting!
Today was my fifth day back in Israel, but before I tell you all about this, I want to introduce you two very special people I met on my way back home.
Dav and Laura
I met them on my way from Ko-Chang to Bangkok and we had one-hell of a ride together, the best end for a wonderful journey one can ask for. We clicked right from the beginning and had an amazing time together in Bangkok.
Laura (21, England) - is one of the more interesting people I met! She is funny, smart and happy!
Dav (30, North England :-)) - is a real English prince who curses non stop. He is funny, smart and very COOL!
We knew each other only for couple of days but it felt as we were old friends. Each day we spent together was a "week long day", with a lot of jokes about Russians :-) (Dav: "She is Russian, Don't rush her"...), a lot of English slang which improved my grasp of English :-) (private joke), a lot of drinks and most importantly a lot of deep conversations. Conversations about books each read, about Cambodia, about ourselves, our weakness and strength ,and other important subjects. We talked about life, about chances, changes, and new beginnings.
It was an inspiring meeting which I will always cherish! And it was another amazing experience along the way! From my experience I can tell you for sure PEOPLE ARE GOOD!!! Or maybe I am lucky, but on my way I met only the BEST!
Dav, Laura - I LOVE YOU!!!
Dav and Laura
I met them on my way from Ko-Chang to Bangkok and we had one-hell of a ride together, the best end for a wonderful journey one can ask for. We clicked right from the beginning and had an amazing time together in Bangkok.
Laura (21, England) - is one of the more interesting people I met! She is funny, smart and happy!
Dav (30, North England :-)) - is a real English prince who curses non stop. He is funny, smart and very COOL!
We knew each other only for couple of days but it felt as we were old friends. Each day we spent together was a "week long day", with a lot of jokes about Russians :-) (Dav: "She is Russian, Don't rush her"...), a lot of English slang which improved my grasp of English :-) (private joke), a lot of drinks and most importantly a lot of deep conversations. Conversations about books each read, about Cambodia, about ourselves, our weakness and strength ,and other important subjects. We talked about life, about chances, changes, and new beginnings.
It was an inspiring meeting which I will always cherish! And it was another amazing experience along the way! From my experience I can tell you for sure PEOPLE ARE GOOD!!! Or maybe I am lucky, but on my way I met only the BEST!
Dav, Laura - I LOVE YOU!!!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Coming home for a visit...
My flight is booked for the end of next week, I am spending my last week in Ko-Chang island, Thailand.
I spend my time on the beach doing a lot of thinking on how I can be back in Cambodia as soon as posible...I was happy there, for the first time in my life I felt complete.
Some doors once they opened cannot be easily closed!
See you soon!
I spend my time on the beach doing a lot of thinking on how I can be back in Cambodia as soon as posible...I was happy there, for the first time in my life I felt complete.
Some doors once they opened cannot be easily closed!
See you soon!
I left my heart in Siem Reap, Cambodia :-( :-( :-( !!!
The time have came and after two months in Siem Reap, six weeks in school I left Siem Reap on Sunday (4/02/07). It was, still is, very hard. I left my heart in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I left my heart with my students, my friends, my Cambodian family... We did not say goodbye, but see you soon.
Six singing Fridays later, we sing again, till the next time!!!
Friends will be friends - Freddy Mercury
"Friends will be friends,
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends,
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hands because friends will be friends,
right till the end "
I miss you all ! I hope to be back soon!!!
Your always,
Bopha (I love this name!)
Six singing Fridays later, we sing again, till the next time!!!
Friends will be friends - Freddy Mercury
"Friends will be friends,
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends,
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hands because friends will be friends,
right till the end "
I miss you all ! I hope to be back soon!!!
Your always,
Bopha (I love this name!)
Monday, January 15, 2007
I AM doing GREAT!
This post is a reply to several emails I got wondering where I am... I am still in Siem Reap.
Last week I have extended my Cambodian visa for the second time (which means third month), originally I asked for 3 months extension this time, but eventually I was granted with only one month with an option to extend more.
I am teaching 5 groups a day, from 12:00 to 17:00. The groups are getting bigger and bigger everyday. Today in totally I have around 80 students, unbelievable, I started with 15. I spend most of my free time during the week working on my test plans, checking homework, vocabulary tests, etc'. I have started singing Fridays tradition in the school and we already did "Imagine" - John Lennon and "Get up, Stand up.."- Bob Marley. Today, my students started the lesson with "Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!", I was so happy to hear them singing, but they were disappointed I asked them to open the books "Today is Monday and not Friday" - I said...
Evenings, I spent with my friends. Weekends are usually are for roaming around. This weekend, on Saturday we (Me, Mattew, Da) went to a country side. And on Sunday I was taken by one of my students to the lake, we spent a lovely afternoon talking and spelling every new word :-).
I have a big family here. I live (share a room) with my Cambodian sister, Seni. I know her from my first day in Siem Reap, and now we share a room. She is an amazing girl, I will tell you all about her next time. I spent almost every night with my Garden Village (a guest house I stayed when I first got to Siem Reap) family. Saon, a woman who manages the pub is like my mother. If I miss an evening she worries, and always, always she feeds me (this is because I look so skinny :-) ). And of course, my friends: Long - my Cambodian brother, Da- who rolls the best joints and have a special place in my heart. Yan (or Coffee, nickname), Tea (nickname), and many others. For the last ten days or more, there is also Mattew, from Australia, who also "got stuck" in Siem Reap. He is a great guy and we spend a lot of time together, but Mattew is to leave home soon, I think this weekend.
So for your information, I AM doing GREAT!!! Still don't know when I am coming back. But from my last budget calculation it will be sooner than I want (2 months top). In the mean time, I enjoy every moment and try not to think about the day I need to leave here.
Be well!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
I am staying...
I have finished the amazing Angkor site a week ago and every day for the last week I said I am leaving the next day, but I never did. First it was Christmas . As a good Jewish girl I stayed to celebrate Christmas with Jamie (21 Australia) , Diana (~20 USA), Sarah (~20 New Zealand), and my local friends, the tuk-tuk and motorbike drivers gang. Jamie, Sarah & Diana left yesterday, but I still couldn't...Instead I went to search for a home and something to do with my free time (which is all my time :-))...
Today I have moved to my new HOME, first home since I am away! I have rented a room in Yan's mom house (my good friend) . It is in the heart of Siem Reap local dirty and poor neighborhood, two rooms house. Yan and Sunny live on the first floor room and I rented the room on the second floor. It is a nice big room, with shower and toilets inside (not flushing toilets of course). There are two more houses on the same property, more accurate wooden huts where Yan's family lives. So I am surrounded by friends and family!!!
Teacher Bopha (my new Cambodian name, it means flower :-))
Today I have moved to my new HOME, first home since I am away! I have rented a room in Yan's mom house (my good friend) . It is in the heart of Siem Reap local dirty and poor neighborhood, two rooms house. Yan and Sunny live on the first floor room and I rented the room on the second floor. It is a nice big room, with shower and toilets inside (not flushing toilets of course). There are two more houses on the same property, more accurate wooden huts where Yan's family lives. So I am surrounded by friends and family!!!
Teacher Bopha (my new Cambodian name, it means flower :-))
I also had my first lessons today in Jay's school. It is half abandoned wooden hut that serves as a FREE language school for all who want to study. There are one hour long language lessons supposedly running the all day, English and Japanese. Many people need Japanese because they work with tourist from Japan.
Anyway Jay asked me to take the class at 12:00 and 15:00, and any other hour I want if I can fill in a classroom. I got to the school today at 12:00 and found a full class of students ages from 15-30. Some are waiters, others still in high school, of course, tuk-tuk and motorbike drivers, etc'. They come to learn because they need English to provide themselves and their families. They all are working and/or studying and it is very hard for them to find this hour a day to come to school. We had an introduction session and starting from tomorrow, present simple.
I stayed in school after my lesson to clean the hut a bit and to prepare the lesson plan for tomorrow...
My second group, at 15:00 started with one student, but by 15:30 I had 8 students, one man and the rest are girls, the same characteristic as Group 1.
I need to work on my lesson plans now, so I will talk to you later...
Be well!!!
Yours always, Bopha, from Siem Reap, Cambodia
P.S the Internet connection here is impossible, so no pictures :-(...
Anyway Jay asked me to take the class at 12:00 and 15:00, and any other hour I want if I can fill in a classroom. I got to the school today at 12:00 and found a full class of students ages from 15-30. Some are waiters, others still in high school, of course, tuk-tuk and motorbike drivers, etc'. They come to learn because they need English to provide themselves and their families. They all are working and/or studying and it is very hard for them to find this hour a day to come to school. We had an introduction session and starting from tomorrow, present simple.
I stayed in school after my lesson to clean the hut a bit and to prepare the lesson plan for tomorrow...
My second group, at 15:00 started with one student, but by 15:30 I had 8 students, one man and the rest are girls, the same characteristic as Group 1.
I need to work on my lesson plans now, so I will talk to you later...
Be well!!!
Yours always, Bopha, from Siem Reap, Cambodia
P.S the Internet connection here is impossible, so no pictures :-(...
Monday, December 18, 2006
LUCKY ME!!!
“Angkor is not orchestral; it is monumental. It is an epic poem which makes its effect, like the Odyssey and like Paradise Lost, by the grandeur of its structure as well as by the beauty of the details. An epic in rectangular forms imposed upon the Cambodian jungle.” - Arnold J. Toynbee
Today was my forth day of adoring every little corner of this lost "city". Nothing I ever saw before grabbed me as this place (maybe except Jerusalem), it is magical!!! Every day as we cross the entry gate, I am excited all over again...
I am very lucky to be here!!!
And, I have the best motorbike driver, Puty! He & his family are very kind to me. And in general, everywhere, I am surrounded by friends and family. Good people!!!
Be well!
P.S I will upload some pictures later, now I am going to see the sunset...
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Still in Phnom Penh ...
I am staying in the worst room I ever stayed in, for sure. It is in a size of a cell, just a bed, and small shower and toilet space, but it is cheap (only 3 $) and I need to start saving now. I got to the lakeside on Friday, after a very emotional day of farewell parties in the school. The kids mad a lot of presents for me, wrote cards with wishes, etc'. It was very touching. I bought a lot of sweets and blew a balloon for every child, on each wrote I love ... and the name of the kid. The smaller kids were very happy, balloons are fun and always add to a party atmosphere.
Now, since I am here I had done absolutely nothing. I am so lazy, it is unbelievable. I move from one hammock to another. The only effort I do is roll a joint from time to time, or go eat somewhere.
I have not planned to stay in Phnom Penh after I finish with the school, but I must stay now, till I get my passport back, which as usual I sent for visa extension too late and now I need to wait till the end of the day on Wednesday to get it back.
The sunsets in this place are amazing! I am too lazy to take pictures, but every day it has new colors, new shapes. This is the only mandatory task on my daily to do list, NOT TO MISS the sunset. It is very hot during the day, and the sunset brings a nice breeze with it, which makes it even more magical.
People are very friendly around and it is very easy to hook up with people for an evening of beers, for a pool game, joint, munches, etc'.
All the guesthouses, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, have TV corners where you can choose a DVD and see it, different kind of table games, some even have PlayStation. Pool tables everywhere, happy hour for drinks and more...
Just relax, do little, have fun!
Be well!
Now, since I am here I had done absolutely nothing. I am so lazy, it is unbelievable. I move from one hammock to another. The only effort I do is roll a joint from time to time, or go eat somewhere.
I have not planned to stay in Phnom Penh after I finish with the school, but I must stay now, till I get my passport back, which as usual I sent for visa extension too late and now I need to wait till the end of the day on Wednesday to get it back.
The sunsets in this place are amazing! I am too lazy to take pictures, but every day it has new colors, new shapes. This is the only mandatory task on my daily to do list, NOT TO MISS the sunset. It is very hot during the day, and the sunset brings a nice breeze with it, which makes it even more magical.
People are very friendly around and it is very easy to hook up with people for an evening of beers, for a pool game, joint, munches, etc'.
All the guesthouses, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, have TV corners where you can choose a DVD and see it, different kind of table games, some even have PlayStation. Pool tables everywhere, happy hour for drinks and more...
Just relax, do little, have fun!
Be well!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
What's next???
Tomorrow is my last day at school. I ended up staying here till the end, in some part because I felt obligated, but most importantly because of my small kids. I realize I am not a very good teacher, I don't teach them a thing. I am there so they can sit on my laps, hugs, kisses, etc'. I am the only teacher who happily spends the time outside when the smaller kids play with water and sand. We make sand cookies and splash water on each other...
It will be hard to leave tomorrow, the kids probably won't even notice. They are used to people coming and going. Last Friday, most of the teachers left (except Becky) and during this week, none of the kids even reminded them. I will definitely remember them!
Now, What's next?
I am trying very hard to resolve this one with myself. I mean I will stay in Cambodia to do some travelling for the next couple of weeks, but what next?
I decided to skip Australia & New Zealand in this round. So the question is should I make the arrangement to go back home, OR should I STAY? I mean, stay somewhere in Asia, there are so many places I loved. Stay for as long as I can, maybe try to find a job or something... I love the Asian pace of life, although it is rapidly changing, and the big cities loosing their Asian charm. There are still places, like Pai, Ninh Binh, Sihanokville, or even Phnom Penh's lake side which make me want to stay.
Well, in the mean time, I have started to prepare my mother, just in case. Yesterday, when she asked me when I am coming back (she asks this question every time we talk), I said I do not know. I am still out, and maybe will stay for much longer. I defiantly will not be home for the New Year, I said. She said she misses me a lot, but I am not sure how I feel...
"Leaving will be like waking from a dream, I think, the most intense and wonderful dream, knowing you'll never be able to dream again.
The only way to avoid waking is to avoid leaving. I will not leave here until I have lived here thoroughly, until it seeps into me, into blood, bone, cell, until I am full of it and changed by it, and maybe not even then." - from a great book I have just finished "Beyond the sky and the earth" by Jamie Zeppa.
That's the biggest fear, once you are there, you are not here anymore...
Be well!
P.S as always you can check out for pictures here http://www.flickr.com/photos/oksana-s/. Some are really bad, they were taken by really stoned people :-).
It will be hard to leave tomorrow, the kids probably won't even notice. They are used to people coming and going. Last Friday, most of the teachers left (except Becky) and during this week, none of the kids even reminded them. I will definitely remember them!
Now, What's next?
I am trying very hard to resolve this one with myself. I mean I will stay in Cambodia to do some travelling for the next couple of weeks, but what next?
I decided to skip Australia & New Zealand in this round. So the question is should I make the arrangement to go back home, OR should I STAY? I mean, stay somewhere in Asia, there are so many places I loved. Stay for as long as I can, maybe try to find a job or something... I love the Asian pace of life, although it is rapidly changing, and the big cities loosing their Asian charm. There are still places, like Pai, Ninh Binh, Sihanokville, or even Phnom Penh's lake side which make me want to stay.
Well, in the mean time, I have started to prepare my mother, just in case. Yesterday, when she asked me when I am coming back (she asks this question every time we talk), I said I do not know. I am still out, and maybe will stay for much longer. I defiantly will not be home for the New Year, I said. She said she misses me a lot, but I am not sure how I feel...
"Leaving will be like waking from a dream, I think, the most intense and wonderful dream, knowing you'll never be able to dream again.
The only way to avoid waking is to avoid leaving. I will not leave here until I have lived here thoroughly, until it seeps into me, into blood, bone, cell, until I am full of it and changed by it, and maybe not even then." - from a great book I have just finished "Beyond the sky and the earth" by Jamie Zeppa.
That's the biggest fear, once you are there, you are not here anymore...
Be well!
P.S as always you can check out for pictures here http://www.flickr.com/photos/oksana-s/. Some are really bad, they were taken by really stoned people :-).
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