Mid-October Update

Today marks one month and 3 days since I've been in Cambodia.  Surprisingly, to those who know how short my attention span is, I still love every day!  I feel (physically and mentally) my life becoming less complicated with post-college angst and becoming more productive for Sustainable Cambodia.  Trying to keep with my new found productivity, I am venturing to Battambong province (by myself!  a first) to work on job applications, updating my resume, writing persuasive cover-letters, and hopefully a first draft of a personal statement.  I am crossing my fingers that I accomplish all of these tasks.  One of my co-volunteers found a guest house in Battambong that has free Wi-Fi for all of their guests in their rooms, .  It's a bit pricey for a guest house (the last place I stayed costs $5 per room) but the Wi-Fi in my room is a luxury I am willing to pay for. 

Next week, two other volunteers and I will venture to Ko Samet, Thailand.  It's this small, sort of mainstream beachy resort island.  I don't know if I would usually go to a place like this but I think after a month of hard work, this is a well-deserved treat!  

Apparently, the tensions between Thailand and Cambodia are increasing.  Thailand has been making claims on established Cambodia lands and provinces and temples...WTF.  I am hoping I read that incorrectly on the BBC website.  

I taught my first volunteer class yesterday.  The students I teach are the top english speakers in the school.  I wanted to see how far I could challenge their comprehension skills so I printed off fact sheets from the UN website about the 8 Millennium Development Goals and assigned one goal per group.  I also asked them for suggestions for class themes and here are some of their sggestions:

I was pretty amazed at their enthusiasm for learning.  It made me appreciate how scarce education here in Cambodia is and how available it is in Western countries.  Upon further reflection, I feel almost spoiled to have so many great educational opportunities at my fingertips.