The Final Push...

It's Sunday in Cambodia, and that means two things: one, the writing of this blog, and two, the start of my last week in Southeast Asia. I am little amazed that my time here has gone so fast, and that a year has come and gone. On Friday night, to commemorate my time at NPIC, the Korean staff took me and Bryant out to dinner. It was a crazy bunch of people kicking back sipping on green tea. They said some really nice things, we said some really nice things, and then we broke bread (well, actually, we broke the octopus soup—an Asian staple). Speaking of nutty foods, they also happened to mention that they regularly enjoy duck embryo, dog, and deer blood. According to the Koreans, these rare delicacies of the Asian world are not only anti-cancer, but slimming as well—bon appetite!

This weekend I hung around Phnom Penh for the last time. I was able to hit up the Russian Market for cheap goods, and get a much needed haircut totaling a dollar and fifty cents. It was a productive weekend. I am about to wrap things up here and make the hour long drive back to NPIC for what is sure to be the penultimate time. I’ll teach through Wednesday, pack on Thursday, and fly out late Friday night. It should be an eventful week.

Well, I miss you all and really looking forward to seeing some of you next weekend. Take care,

Ben

She eats!

Although I was not there as a direct witness, my sources tell me that Regan consumed solid food yesterday morning—oh, miracle of miracles, what a wonderful day. My sources also tell me that Regan then proceeded to urinate in the bed—oh, how sad I am to have missed the wetness.

In the sporting world: yesterday NPIC played an official soccer game against the Cambodian Department of Labor. It was an exciting game on a hot afternoon, but sadly they were obliterated by a much stronger side—maybe next year NPIC, maybe next year.

In other news: the semester is quickly winding down, and my students are readily preparing for their finals. Yesterday, after my IT class, Roat (the student I tutor) asked me if I could help him in the computer lab (which is rarely functioning) to look up American Masters Degree programs. It turns out there is a school very close to his relatives that he could attend to pursue further work in his academic area of interest, but he and I both were daunted by the overwhelming costs and red tape. It was a strange position to be in as a teacher as I wanted nothing more than to say, “If you believe, then you can achieve.” However, the reality of his situation is far more nuanced. While I was able to download and print all of the materials he needed to begin this process, it truly will be a miracle of all miracles if he ever makes it state side.

Well, that about wraps it up. I have a test to grade and some Korean red-sticky rice to eat, yum! The Liberal Arts Department head loves to cook for me and Bryant and regularly brings in Korean delicacies to please our platter. Today she brought in sticky rice.

“Enjoy,” she said, “maybe it will make for you a full lunch.”

“Yes,” I said smiling, “maybe it will.”

Alright, I miss you all and can’t wait to see you.

I’ll be headed back in nine short days. Take care,

Ben

Another Java Sunday...

Well, here I am, eating my Big Breakfast Combo Number One and writing my Sunday blog. It has been an eventful week: I taught, I tutored, I went out to dinner with the Korean staff at NPIC, and I talked to Andrea three times! Yeah! Today I am planning on updating the blog and shopping for groceries—it’s all pretty exciting.

This week I told my students the news that I would be leaving in two weeks and not be coming back; they were all a bit downtrodden. Yes, we have had a good year, but it’s time to move back home.

In tutoring this week, Roat, my student, brought a new friend of his to partake in the English tutoring. His little friend was a girl. I didn’t ask, but I wondered if there might be some summer magic in the air. Interesting fact: if there is some love fever going on, the Khmer kiss by sniffing, not touching lip to lip—yet another reminder that I am very far from home.

Anyway, this is a short update. I am doing well, finishing strong, and ardently looking forward to the journey home.

Take care,

Ben

Revenge of the ants...

This morning all I wanted for breakfast was my Frosted Flakes. I eagerly woke up, threw on a t-shirt, and walked over to the adjoining room (which is currently doubling as Bryant’s room, because his air-conditioning is out, and our kitchen). I opened up the ant cabinet—efficiently designed to keep the little buggers out—grabbed the blue box of deliciousness, opened it, and found an infestation of ants. Oh, the anger! Rage! This was not an acceptable way to welcome the day.

I quickly changed tactics though, fried an egg, and read a month old copy of The Atlantic—it would have to do.

Well, I have had a very busy week of teaching and grading. My students are chipper as always, and diligently studying for their chapter four test. The other day in class a very funny thing happened to me, however, due to the “G” rating of this blog I am hesitant to recount it in full. Basically, I have of late been breaking my classes up into groups and pitting them one against the other in vocabulary and grammar review games. It’s fun. The winner is dubbed the champion of the English universe and given all sorts of yummies (candy, Chuppa Chupps, Snickers, whatever). Yesterday I decided to branch out a bit and not only name the winner only the champion, but also the master of all things great and English. I won’t go into detail, but this led to a rather base question asked by one of my students referring to the second epitaph in my victor’s title. That is all I can say. It was funny; actually, awkward is probably the word for it.

In other news, we don’t have school on Thursday because it’s the Queen’s birthday. My students have no idea how old she is, but if I had to guess, I would say she’s pushing seventy. Way to go Queen! I hope you have a great day.

Anyway, I miss you all and can’t wait to see you.

Missing Andrea/Regan meter: the other day I wrote a song on my guitar called, “Missing Shoolies.”

The three Shoolies—we go together like spinal cords and car seats…

Well, what can I say? The internet and power were totally shut off all day at NPIC yesterday (Saturday—which means no students on campus), so I read a lot, played the guitar a bit, and ate some food. I also did some sit-ups and push-ups, but I don’t want to brag about it too much; I’m just trying to stay in shape for the American soccer season. What else? I am now sitting at Java (surprise) and it’s a hot muggy day. I woke up early this morning, shaved, dressed, and drove the old diesel all the way into town: it only died on me three times. I then dropped my chapter four and five tests off at the copier, headed to Java where I ordered the Big Breakfast Set #1, and Skyped Andrea. Yes, it’s been a productive day.

Tomorrow I start early with my Automotive class. They are always fifteen minutes late on Mondays, because, as they say, “Our real subject before this class Cher, so we must come late.” Awesome, what does that make English then, your fake subject? Yeah, I’m trying not to be hurt by it. So, after Auto, I have my IT class (my best class), and will have a good time reviewing for their upcoming test. If you’re reading this and thinking to yourself, “Sounds like a whole lotta fun,” then you’re in good company. It’s going to be a blast.

What else? Well, not much really. I am currently reading James Joyce’s Ulysses, it’s a whirlwind. Actually, it’s like wrestling an ancient Irish bear—the preface said, “Ulysses, an extremely difficult book to read, but well worth the effort.” To which I say, “If by extremely difficult you mean: I’ll have absolutely no idea what’s going on, then yes, I whole heartedly agree.” So, if any of you out there in blogland have any pointers feel free to let me in on your secrets.

Alright, not much else is going on. I’ll try to update the blog again when I get a chance, but who knows when that will be. Until then, have a great Sunday.

I look forward to seeing you soon,

Ben

Missing Andrea and Regan meter: I did all the dishes and sprayed for ants (again, Andrea will understand).

Barney Stinson...

Yesterday was Thursday, and you know what that means: tutor day! My student Roat (Row-aught) came over and studied the finer points of verb usage, followed by an intellectual stroll through his latest weekly essay. He is of an average height for a Cambodian, meaning, four-foot two-inches. He has dark curly hair, a wispy black mustache, and bronze skin. Last week it was awesome because he wanted to know how much I liked Michael Jackson. I couldn’t tell him the truth—he’s a huge fan; it would break his heart—so I said, “Oh, all Americans are huge fans. He’s like pop star number one; America’s musician extraordinaire. In fact, my Dad has a Michael Jackson autographed white glove he picked up on his trip to Neverland just last year.”

This week his essay question was: If you could change anything about your hometown what would you change and why? (I get the sample questions from a TEFOL book). Well, he understood hometown to mean Cambodia, and “what would you change” to mean systemic reconstruction—what can I say, the man has vision. He wrote: “When I am Prime Minister I will fix the Education System. I will pattern it after European systems. It will be the best Education System in Southeast Asia. When I do this there will be no more poverty and corruption, and Cambodia will never again repeat the living hell of the late seventies.” Dang! Roat isn’t messing around, so I did what any self-respecting teacher would do: I gave him my English Grammar Spark Note flash cards—study hard baby, cause you gots a whole lotta work to do. He was stoked. He stood up at the kitchen table, bowed, and shook my hand with both of his.

In other news, apparently Andrea and Regan (and Sophie too) made it home safely. I know this because they briefly turned the internet on yesterday at NPIC, and then, following a quick reading of my email, they turned the power off. One hour later when the power came back on, the internet was still off. I am writing this in Word with the hope that I can post it at some point in the near future.

I miss you all, and can’t wait to see you.

Ben

Missing wife/baby meter: today I made the bed (Andrea will understand).

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye...

Today is the day: Andrea, Regan, and her sister Sophie all leave for America. Yes, yes, I know; how sad, you say, that Ben will be left all alone for three and a half weeks in the simmering Cambodian heat. But, I say, rejoice (!) for Andrea and Regan will once again be among friends and family. The fearsome threesome is all packed and ready to board JET 5280 bound for Denver. Needless to say, it’s an exciting time for all; and what will Ben be doing while his right arm is in Denver? I’m glad you asked. He’ll continue his busy teaching schedule, trying to get his students up to Finals speed before he leaves; he’ll consume food, sleep, and use the restroom of course, but, and he’s most excited about this, he’ll get through the rest of his books—seventy-four books down, six to go!

~

Well, since the above a night and a day has passed, and I am now sitting at the Java Café in the heart of Phnom Penh. It’s not terribly hot, as a quite breeze is gently blowing through the balcony, but the humidity is high and my shirt is thoroughly pitted. The waitress here just approached me and asked where my baby was—we come here all the time and the waitresses regularly hold and play with Regan—and I had to tell her that Andrea and baby left at the last minute to head back to America for good. She was heartbroken. She loved Regan.

She said, “Oh, not so good. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

“Yes,” I responded, “not so good.”

This morning I woke up to find one of Regan’s blankets left behind, and I found myself doing the strangest thing: smelling it. Yes, Andrea and Regan, Cambodia will miss you.

Well, that’s all I have for now. I will try my best to keep an updated blog, but I fear the fates are against me. NPIC was going to put High Speed internet access in each of the teacher’s rooms, but they forgot about the American teachers and have since shut off the wireless access. It would seem that I am internetless (sp?) during the week then, but I will try my best to keep you faithful blog readers up-to-date on my exploits.
I hope to see you all soon,

Ben