On To the Next Adventure!

So... I've been home from Cambodia for just about two months. I didn't do much traveling during the summer, I really just tried to focus on spending time with my family and friends.
I knew that I'd probably realize more about my trip there when I got home, and I guess in some ways thats true, but in others, not really. I know, I'm not making sense, but bare with me anyways.
Most of you know that when I was in Cambodia, I got word that I was accepted onto the Silver Ring Thing Tour Team. Well, you may not all know that I started this past week.

On Monday, all of the tour team assembled(inside joke) at the office and we kind of had an "icebreaker" day. We got to know eachother a bit over a table at Pittsburgh's own, Primanti's. For the rest of the week, we started out early at the office then caravaned over to our warehouse where we put together the entire show until the wee hours of the morning. Now, a week later, our entire show is put together, we have bonded like family, and we're leaving in the morning for Louisiana.

I can't even begin to tell you how blessed I've been through this job... I actually feel wrong calling it that, because really, I'm just having the time of my life. Even the nights that we were at the warehouse until 4, almost 5, AM, we were laughing and carrying on. I know that God has blessed this team with a unity and love that will enable us to travel this country and carry out our message. I've never been so content. Really, you know you're doing the right thing when you can't wait to wake up and do it again.

One of last tour team members told us that because of SRT, she's traveled to 43 of the 50 states. I'm looking forward to that, because my family hasn't traveled too much. The furthest south I've been was Virginia, and north was a five minute trip to New Jersey.(long story) I'm so excited to see this beautiful country!

I'm truly humbled to even have this opportunity. I never expected to do something this awesome.. in fact, my plans were to go straight to college in Michigan...those plans, now pale in comparison to what I've done in the past year and what I am now doing. My life is a truly a blast. I"m just blown away by God. His ways are truly higher than ours.

The end of a chapter

"When you're reading a book, and you come to the end of a chapter and move on to the next, you will inevitably recall the events of the previous chapter. You'll think about the places, the people, the events, that were significant in the grand scheme of the book. Only when you reach the end,will you realize how vital each and every word on each and every page was to the story."

I'm home...Finally. It's truly been a whirlwind experience, and right now, its hard to believe I lived away for 9 1/2 months. As soon as I landed on U.S. soil, I was overcome with a joy that I've never felt before. And as soon as I saw my dad, with his beard that he grew while I was away, my heart felt a fullness that I had not felt since saying goodbye. "It's good to be home," is the understatement of the century.

For the past five days, I've been getting reacquainted with my family and all the places that I've missed. I knew that things were bound to change, but I wasn't expecting this.
 My little brother has grown about six inches(or at least it seems). My house has been remodeled. My little sister is a senior in high school. As far as people, and personalities, they haven't so much changed, but matured. In Cambodia, we'd say, "Same Same But Different." Everyone is familiar, but its interesting to see how they've grown.

Chapters in my own life have ended, but also in the lives of the ones I left behind. While I was out, my brother moved in with his best friend, thirty minutes away. I know its not far, but to come back home, andto have him not be here, has definitely been an adjustment. He and I have grown closer over the years and even though we weren't able to talk much over the past months, absence really did make my heart grow fonder. With him being gone, I've been forced to move into a different role at home.

As I've gotten to see all my friends and relatives, the first question they ask is," Would you go back?"

Yes, I would. But honestly, I don't know if I'd go back for as long as I did. It was an amazing experience, but I don't feel that's where I'm headed in life. I'm open to the possibility, however, so I guess we'll just see what happens.

Its hard for me to really put into words,everything I've seen and experienced. Its hard to even say what I got out of it. How can you sum up a year of your life in a single blog post? I can't, so I won't even try. I think this trip wasn't all about what I did, but who I became. God has a weird way of preparing people for their futures, and I honestly think this was like "Tammy's trip for life preparation." I learned so much and hopefully grew the same. I made relationships and experienced things that most people never will. There were highs and lows. Tears and laughter.
There is something to be said for living away from home. Some would say it's an enlightening and enriching experience while others would say its essential for a well rounded world view. I wouldn't argue with either. I've come to realize just how big the world is. Its bigger than you and me. There are people and places that are being reached by those who are bold enough to step outside of their comfort zones in an effort to make the life of someone else a better place.

I  like to think that this journey started in my local Saint Vincent De Paul Thrift Store, on my seventeenth birthday, when my mom bought me a five piece, vintage luggage set. I wasn't quite sure where I was going, but I knew, regardless, that it'd be exciting. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd do what I have. Now its time for me to write the next chapter, and based on His track record, I'd guess that God has written some pretty crazy twists and cliffhangers in the plot. I'm just going to keep reading to see whats next.

<3tammy

There's never a right time to say goodbye

Well, its June 2, and its been exactly nine months and one day since I left home. I feel like I just left, and at the same time, it feels like I've been here forever. In less than two weeks, I'll be home.
Some people might think that I'm so ready to come home, and if you asked me two weeks ago if that were true, I would have said,"Yes" without a second thought.... but now, that is not the case.

This week was sure a busy one. We were preparing for our first annual speech competition in which a group of twelve finalists competed for the title and the grand prize of an Ipad. As part of the program, my little dancers were asked to perform.
It was during our last rehearsal, when my group of almost 20 students( one little boy) were going through the dance, that it all hit me.
 "
Open the eyes of my heart Lord... I want to see you... You're holy, holy holy."

 All the students gestured to their hearts and looked up at heaven. It was at this moment that I broke down in tears.
This has been exactly my prayer for the past month. I was feeling confused about life and  about God and His plan for my life, and I was asking him to open my eyes to see Him and the reasons He brought me here. And thats just what happened. I saw it right in front of my eyes. These students worshipping through dance and singing their hearts out. I could feel the presence of the Lord just speaking to my heart. I don't know exactly what it said, but the message was clear in my spirit. The void I was previously feeling was filled and it poured out in my tears of joy.

So now, my answer would have to be, "No, I'm not really excited to go home." This has been such a journey. Hard and long, though it may have been, it was essential, but also enlightening.  At times, I didn't see the point through the montony of the schedule but I learned something new everyday and I taught something new everyday. It has been that exchange of knowledge that I believe is the reason I came. To learn and to teach. About myself and God, and the world at large.

Just the thought of turning to the last page in this chapter of my life is enough to get me going(crying.) I'm so sad to leave my friends and students but I'm so thankful to be able to call them that. I'll never be the same after this.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

My Life is In Your Hands

Six weeks. A month and a half. Forty-six days.One-thousand, one hundred and four hours. However you phrase it, it seems like an eternity. But, eight months ago, nine months felt the same. We're coming down to the wire. I'll be packing to go home, one month from now. I'll have to say goodbye to the dear friends, who have been like family...and that makes the thought of leaving bittersweet.

This past week, I've been thinking alot...maybe too much, as I often do. I've been thinking about my life, and my time. How precious each and every moment really is. Due to the death of a close, family friend, my mind has gone to my grandfather, who at the ripe, old age of 80, has started to talk about going "home," and how much I don't want that to happen. If I could, I'd freeze my time right where it is. With my loved ones in good health, at my young, opportunity-full(yes, new word right there) age of 18, with the rest of my life ahead of me... but obviously, I can't.

Part of my thinking has gone to my hopes and dreams for my life. I've asked myself what it is that I really want to do....and doubted if what I am doing is what I should really be doing, and wondered if maybe, just maybe, I should do something else. What can I say? I'm a dreamer, albeit a naive one.

We all have a picture in mind of what our lives should be. We decide what we should do and how each day should go, but our decisions are usually based on the emotion of the moment, and more times than not, our rash decisions are met with deep regret. THAT is why WE shouldn't be making the decisions.

I've always believed in destiny...more importantly, the creator of destiny. I believe that everything that happens in my life was planned to happen that way, and that everything I do will be orchestrated by the hand of God. The hopeless romantic in me believes that there is just one special person amidst the estimated 7,003,019,800-yes I googled that- people living on this earth, made especially for me.
I've found comfort in the assurance I have in my destiny.

I've already said that I've doubted what I'm currently doing, and even what I now plan to do. I questioned the real reason that I'm here in Cambodia, being a school teacher. Its not something I'd ever thought I'd do, or even wanted to do, so of course I have to ask myself, "Why am I doing it?" I now have the answer.(scroll down)






I don't know.









I have been around this mountain a million and one times. Everytime I try to get ahead of God, I end up frustrated and depressed because I can't see the purpose in what I'm doing or where I'm going. I have become the robber of my own joy. I feel that I need to get the phrase "Carpe Diem" tatooed onto my forehead so every morning when I wake up, I'll remember to "seize the day." I must be a visionary or something, because I live in the future.

So, I don't know. And since I can't see whats in the future, my only option is to look at the past. I remember the time that my deepest desire was to dance again, and God miraculously, out of nowhere provided a full scholarship to an amazing ballet school. I remember when my family was moving, and because of my dad connecting with my best friend from kindergarten's mom, we moved into the perfect house not two weeks later. I think of how God has in one way or the other, answered my prayers and guided my steps. God is faithful.

One of Kirk Franklin's most popular songs, "My Life Is In Your Hands," has literally been on repeat in my head and on my computer this entire week, as well as Brooklyn Tab's,"He's Been Faithful." These songs are reminders of what I already knew in my heart and spirit.

Last night, I was reading Matthew chapter 14, the story of Jesus walking on water and calling Peter to walk with him.
"
²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.


²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.


²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”


²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”


²⁹ “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”


³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”


³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Basically, I've been Peter. I totally get the dudes psychy. He trusted Jesus enough to get out of the boat, but when this huge wind came, he decided that the wind was more powerful than Jesus, who was standing right there with him.

The "winds", or doubts of my heart, have at many times taken presidence over the presence of God.  He's right there in the water with me, but I've often decided that the waves are just too big, and have started to sink.

Why do I doubt? Why, when I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is orchestrating everything in my life, do I freak out about the future? Oh, me of little faith.

If you recall the first or second paragraph, I said I was so worried about MY life, and My time, but since when is it mine? When I become selfish and completely focused on myself, I begin to sink. Was I not called to serve? Another reason I love Kirk Franklin's song. "My life is in your hands...No matter what will come my way, my life is in your hands."

If I could just get this straight, half of my problems would be completely eliminated. If I would realize that I'm not going to go through the same things as others, I'd probably start to enjoy my life a whole lot more. My prayer and deepest wish is that this will begin to take root deep down in my heart, and everytime I start to sink, I'll remember that Jesus is right there on the water with me, close enough to touch, and then, no wind will scare me, let alone blow me over. I'm beginning to see that even though some of the things I'm doing aren't the exact picture of what I thought my life would be, they are enabling to use my gifts and all the while, glorify the name of God and further his kingdom, and that is enough for me. So what, I don't know why I'm here, but do you ever know what the puzzle looks like until you put all the pieces together? Uh uh. Cambodia is my first puzzle piece. Silver Ring Thing will be my next...and after that, who knows what. For now, I know that my life is in your hands and I will take courage.<3

Dedicated to Marilyn Clare Carter who always helps me to get my head straight.

Best Friends, New Years, and Silver Rings

It's been an exciting couple of weeks! I have much news to tell.
Late last week, it was officially confirmed that one of my bestest friend's is coming to Cambodia at the end of this month!!! Yep, Miss Victoria Ann Gideon will be here for my last month and a half. How cool is that?! (Random shoutout, Happy Early Birthday, Tt! You've gotten more gorgeous with age. Get ready for the time of your life<3) So yeah, anyways, my lovely lady friend will be here sooner than I think I even realize!
 Less exciting but still exciting, this week was Khmer New Year. Yes, Its in April...not sure why, but I didn't really care what it was for, I got six days off of work/school. I have used these 5- tomorrow is the last day- lovely days to relax. I'm talking real T-L-C<Tammy Loving Care>. I haven't watched this much tv since I was sick for two weeks with Tonsilitis and Rhubella. It's been great, but some good news from home made it 9 million percent better.
I'd like to let you all know that my travel blog will be continuing on after I return to the states. Why, you ask? Because I was accepted to tour with the Silver Ring Thing National Touring Team:] Starting in August, I'll be training for our nine month tour. I'm not sure of the details, but I do know that I'll be traveling all over the states, hence, the continuation of this blog:]

It's really getting down to the wire, now. I think of how soon I'll be leaving(in comparison with the time I've already been here) and I actually find myself getting sad. God has done great things through me and for me here. I don't think I'll be able to fully appreciate the impact that this experience has had on my life until much farther down my road. This is one of the most incredible opportunities that I'll ever have. I'm blown away by God and His hand on my life. I've learned to trust Him, and He'll take you places that you've never imagined. Can I scream?? I'm just so in excited about my life... sounds weird, but its true. Maybe I should say, I'm so excited about what God is doing with my life!

You'll be hearing from me<3

Different. But Same. Same.

It's Sunday. And I'm writing again, exactly one week from my last post, but can I tell you it feels like a couple months, at least. This week was literally jam packed. We sent home our beloved Pastor Mauti, or as I call her, "Ming," after her two month stay on my side of the world. I went to the gym everyday, volunteered to help the international church with their Easter program, taught nine hours a day, and went to the market. I'm glad for this time that I can sit back and reflect on the week.
Today I'm writing from the parking garage of my apartment. My landlord's wife, Seda, is wonderful little gardner and she's transformed what would be like any other parking garage into a flourishing, exotic haven. Two days ago, I came down to this very garage and one of my co-workers who just so happens to live on the floor above me and be from China, was sitting in the garage. She was on her computer watching a movie, so I noticed her before she noticed me. As I was walking out she smiled hugely, and me being the ego freak that I am(sarcasm, people) thought she was smiling at me...only later did I find that she was smiling at her movie. "I'm watching a love story," she said as she giggled. It was then that I realized something about myself, and the world at large.
There are I don't know how many countries in the world and none of them are the same. Each country has its distinct traditions, customs, and beliefs. But even in the vastness of the world and the exentricities of each place, all people are the same. We, humans, may come from different places and believe different things, but we all have the same inborn desires.  We want security, financially and emotionally. We desire knowledge. We hope for love. This is what I realized.
So, as I sit here, I can only wonder if I'm the same as all the other aspiring writers who've poured out their hearts, only to be admired after their respective deaths. If you're there, and reading...why don't you leave a little note. Tell me your perspective.

<3Tammy

Seven Months and Me Time

So today is my seven month "anniversary" of leaving the states. I know, I can't believe it either... but I say that every month. Today, I'm sitting in one of my favorite spots, a quaint, little French/ Belgian restaurant that serves healthy, but tasty, food. As I sit here, I here many languages and see at least 4 different nationalities. I've so appreciated the diversity of travel. I never expected to see all that I have. My mind decided that Cambodia was full of Cambodians. WRONG. I am alone, but because of my own choice. I decided that today was going to be all about me. Being in the mission field, you give and give of yourself but sometimes you forget that YOU are important too. Henceforth, my taking this lovely Sunday afternoon to be 100% selfish....just this once.

 It has been such a whirlwind, surreal, challenging, enlightening, mindblowing journey, thus far. I haven't been able to accurately put into words how I've felt, or changed, or grown, but I know it in my heart. I know from hindsight that A.) nothing is too hard. Nothing is impossible. B.) No one can limit you but you. I guess some people wouldn't expect that these are the things you'd learn in a third world country, but everyone's different, I guess.
When I got here, I had a very limmited viewpoint of the world... as I've already said. I also, apparently, had a very limited viewpoint of my life. I saw the things that I'd done in the past and determined that my future would pretty much be the same. I had predetermined that I was going to feel completely homesick and that this nine months would be a real stretch... but I couldn't have been more wrong. Yes, at times it has been difficult and at times, I've wanted to go home, but it was never to the point that I seriously considered it. I limited myself, my life, when all there really was was a world(at least country) of opportunity.

Each month has meant something different. Month one: "I love it here. I can see myself staying for a long time." Month two: "What was I thinking. There is no way I can stay here for nine months....I want my Mommy!" Month three: "Okay, I've got to just do this. There is no choice. Suck it up, Baby." Month four:" I think I can, I think I can." Month five: "I'm on the downward slope. UGH.. I don't know if I can do this." Month six: "Its six months, already?! I can't believe it. Only three 1/2 more months til I go home! *enter constant waves of excitement.* Month seven. "Wow, the time has really flown. I can't believe there's only two more months until I go home...I'm actually sad. I've built a life here, a good one. It's going to be hard to leave this behind. Home is going to seem so weird. I wonder how much adjusting I'll have to do. Everyone's proabably changed. I'm going to feel like an outsider in my own home. I hope life goes back to normal. I hope I'm able to seemlessly resume where I left. *inward sigh* I'm so torn between sadness and excitement."

I haven't written near as much as I originally wanted...there simply hasn't been time. I want to try to write at least once a week for the rest of my trip...thats only 10 more weeks:DDDDDD

<3Tammy Rose

Oh, Happy April Fools:p

What is it exactly that you do, again?

It's March 7, 2012. I've been in this lovely country for exactly 6 months and 6 days, and I'll be leaving in exactly 3 months and 8 days. I know, I can't believe it either. This has definitely been a whirlwind experience, but I feel like I haven't blogged enough/ blogged, just to blog. What I mean, is that I only write when I've done something super cool, or been somewhere super neat. So, this time, I'm just going to share from my heart, the things I've been learning and seeing on a day to day basis, no waterfalls or elephants involved, I promise.

Anywhere I go, I inevitably attract the stares of just about everyone around me. One, because I'm about half a foot taller than everyone.  And two, because I have curly, blonde hair(basically every Cambodian's dream). To foreigners, I'm just another girl. Cambodians most likely see me as any other tourist, just traveling through on my journey through southeast Asia...but obviously, thats not the case. When I see foreigners, depending on what part of town it is(most tourists hang out on the riverside with the western restaurants) I can't help but wonder what they're doing here, so alot of the time, I'll just ask. Then a discussion of our respective projects pans out. I'd say the overwhelming majority of foreigners/white faces, work with some NGO...alot of them working with trafficking and prostitution...some work with the prevention of HIV/Aids, and others with a church, working to spread the gospel here. When people ask me what I do, they're almost shocked when I say "school teacher." They're interested in hearing about the school, what I teach, whether or not I volunteer, so I thought the everyone back home may be asking themselves the same questions.
Well, as most of you already know, I'm teaching at the Cambodian branch of my alma mater, Abundant Life International School. I get to school about 7:30 every morning, our day begins at 8:00, and we don't finish until 4:30. I have the great privilege of being the first grade homeroom teacher as well as their English teacher, teaching: reading,writing,spelling, and language arts. I also teach third grade...language, spelling, writing, science, and history.
So the next question, do I enjoy it? Yes, I really do. The kids are great. I'm seriously their hero(and that's not an egotistical comment) They just really love me, and I love them right back. They're absolutely adorable, I mean, have you ever seen an Asian baby? Yeah, they get cuter with age. But I have to be honest, its not all roses and lilies. They're kids, so I obviously have to be a disciplinarian, and sometimes, it just kills me.... Their little faces just crumble when I have to take a monkey money( our reward system) but I know its for their own good. Thankfully, though, its not very often that I have to really crack down.Most of the time I can just look up and one of my students, You Yu( pronounced You We) will just smile at me, and the world is turned right.
Our school has really strived to offer a well rounded education, including three languages, English, Khmer, and Chinese, as well as extracurricular activities, such as dance, art and basketball. The parents and kids love it, and that makes teaching it all the more worthwhile.
On a day to day basis, I ride my bike to school for my 5 minute commute-never underestimate the power of leaving near to your work place- I teach all day, come home and right away turn on the air con(its hot as Hades due to the entrance of the "hot season") watch some tv, mostly American Idol, grade papers, make dinner, brown rice and something, facebook, have bible study, go to bed. Repeat.
I know, it sounds similar to your life,right? Thats because it is. Most people have the preconceived notion that I'd be living in a shack with no power, eating canned food(actually more expensive than fresh, here) calling home from some shady internet cafe. I'll admit, I was one of those people, but really its not extremely different than America. Yes, there are things that would only happen here- 4 people riding on one moto- but my life here is very comfortable. God has provided more than what I need, and blessed my efforts. I'm beyond thankful for this experience because while I live comfortably, most people don't have that luxury. I see lack and want in the lives of alot of people, and its taught me to be thankful, whatever the circumstance. Americans are so confined to our borders. If something goes wrong with our internet, we about have a cow until its turned back on and they've refunded the last month's payment. Here the internet may turn off for three days and you have no choice but to wait it out, because you can't speak the language, which means, you can't call and yell at them or demand that they turn it back on. This equates to carefree living...going with the flow....being content. I've learned to just let things happen... its been so liberating to my Type-A, control type, American way of living.

Completely off subject, but lately I've recognized how fickle time really is. When I was younger, all I could do was look forward to being older. When I go here, all I could do was look forward to going home(not because I didn't enjoy it, but because of missing my family/ America etc.,).  I guess what I'm also realizing how fickle the human brain is. We look forward to something, only for it to get here, to then experience it, to then be upset that it came and went so fast. As I look back on the past 6 months, I can tell you that I barely remember it. It seems like a memory of a long ago happening. Everything is vague and unclear. I can't articulate most happenings, each one has run into the next. That's exactly what I mean. The moment is better than the memory...obviously, since my brain is failing to remember a lot of what I've done. My point is, I've learned that looking forward to something is fun, and exciting, but if I gain nothing in my experience, accept a temporary high that fades as soon as I've gotten what I was looking forward to, then everything I go through in life will be  utterly pointless. I'll never gain anything from anything because I'll be looking forward to something.
                "Live in the moment,
                            not in the memory."
Thats all I've got for now:] Stop back in for more updates, you never know what I'll write. next!

 <3yours truly

Yet another wild adventure:Mondulkiri Province

Yep. Perfect time for
karaoke.

This past week we, here in Asia, celebrated Chinese New Year.(Happy New Year!) That meant that I got a whole week off of work. Score. For the holiday, my boss arranged for me to take a tour to Mondulkiri Province-the mountains. I was really excited to go and see trees and forests and waterfalls, and basically be away from skyscrapers(ok, for Cambodian standards) and smog.

We started out on Tuesday morning at about a quarter to six, I'd been up since three. So, you could imagine that I snuggled down into my nice air-conditioned seat, with my neck pillow blown up and my eye mask in place to catch a good 7 hours of z's. Yeah, well... my fellow busmates decided differently. There's no time like the present to sing Khmer karaoke, right? Wrong. And, what makes it worse, I barely got a drop of sleep, because they just kept the goodtimes(karoake) going.

It was a beatiful ride through the country side. What started out as expansive rice fields, soon turned into miles and miles of rubber trees. And while I'm on the subject, since when does rubber grow on trees? Did. Not. Know. This. At. All. Anyways, after 7, maybe 8, long hours, we reached our hotel! We were allotted about a half an hour to get settled in and freshened up, and then we headed to Monorom Falls.

I knew this place was going to be interesting when we pulled up and there were elephant rides taking place...little did I know what true splendor awaited below.
To reach the falls, we had to climb down this treacherous hill, but I can tell you that it was so worth it. When you got to the bottom and looked up, you saw this beautiful tree that looked as if it were growing right out of the cliff, and beside it, you saw a gorgeous waterfall, pouring over the edge. (Yes, I jumped off the cliff. http://tammyrose.blogspot.com/ read about it there:])

After we visited the falls, we had dinner at a cafe in the woods.(legit.) For entertainment, the indigenous minority people did a traditional dance around a campfire.

Day 2 in the great mountains, we visited the most popular of the falls in the area, Bousra. Now this, was a spectacle. I'd never been to a real waterfall before, so when we finally got to the sight(after an hour of driving up and down a winding mountain road) and all you could hear was water, I was awestruck. These falls were probably 50 to 60 ft. high and at the bottom were small rapids and a shallow place where people could wade or swim.
Also, on day 2, we visited a coffee plantation... Again, since when does coffee grow on trees?! Did.Not.Know.This.At.All. Next they're going to tell me that money grows on trees.(No, just on rice plants.) I didn't do much exploring but I mean, would you when you could sip delicious iced coffe in a beautiful garden? Yeah, thats what I thought.
That night, we had dinner at this really neat restaurant where you sit on the floor of a raised hut on a grass mat and they put a variety of serving dishes in the middle  and then everyone takes what he wants. Basically like a private mini-buffet:D

Day 3, we woke up bright and early before we had to drive on our bus for 8 hours, and my compadre, Zachary, and I went on a morning run with the only other two people on our tour that spoke English.
After a quick shower and pack, we were on the fast track to reaching home. Two hours in, we stopped for a quick lunch and got right back onto the road...well, the other bus did. Our bus decided that it was time to get rid of a tire. Alas, the front, left tire blew up and flew all over the road. Delay # 1. Our drivers had to put on the spare in the beating,afternoon sun, so I really did feel bad for them, until I heard that they'd been tightening the old tire, instead of loosening it. Let's just say, my heart danced when an hour and a half later, the new tire was in place, and we were back on the road.
It was smooth sailing, or so we thought.
We were about 18 kilometers from the city when traffic literally stopped. Our bus was directed onto a back road to evade the apparent blockage only to be turned right back around because we were too big to fit. So we were back on the same road, in the same place that we sat at for 20 minutes, before! After ANOTHER hour, we finally got through the traffic, and get this, the traffic was caused by a street fair being held for a funeral of a god. What?!... Only in Asia.
Almost 12 hours later, we reached home sweet home. 

The first set of falls we visited.

I guess this is the lighthouse?... Located right off the Mekong river.

Monorom Falls

Where we ate dinner!

Bousra Falls

Our bonfire at dinner

Magical rubber trees(lol)

The tour group.

Clouds for miles...

It only took an hour and a half to change the tire in the scorching, beating sun...No big deal...all part of the adventure, right?

While the tour guide change what was left of our tire, we got to admire the expansive rice fields. Aren't they beautimous?

It was a great time, and all these adeventures are only serving to make me want more!! Write soon.<3

Siem Reap: the experience of a lifetime

Cambodia is known for many things, the Khmer Rouge, the Killing Fields, Pol Pot, but most of all, Angkor Wat. The icon of Cambodia is this wat that is more than 2,000 years old. Well, this weekend I got the opportunity to visit Angkor and all of the surrounding temples, and what a life changing experience it was.
For New Years, I was whisked away on a 10 passenger tour van to see all that Siem Reap province has to offer. I really wasn't sure what to expect, and the fact that our tour guide only spoke Khmer(native language of Cambodia), didn't really help me to better understand everything that I did see. That being said, I think my general lack of knowledge actually contributed to the greatness of this experience. I went in completely open-minded and unexpecting and I came away amazed.

On the first day of our three day tour, we visited Cambodian Cultural Village. We walked through a wax museum that portrayed the history of Cambodia from the very beginning. We also saw a play about a Khmer girl's choice of fiance that was completely hilarious. The village was a beautiful, picturesque tourist attraction and I was able to experience some really neat things there.



      The second day, we rose bright and early to go view Angkor Wat. Our first stop in what I would describe as a state park in the states was Ta Prohm temple. Its this amazing temple that has broken down over the years. The main factor contributing to the ruins are the huge trees that have overgrown the temple and are now draping the walls with their roots. All I can say, is WOW. That was hands down one of the top 10 coolest places I've ever been to or seen in my life[or maybe in the world!]. From there we visited two other temples in the woods surrounding Angkor Wat: Angkor Thom(Bayon) temple, which was huge in mass and made of these beautiful,stone steeples with smiling faces carved into them and Baphuon temple, which is a pyramid shaped temple and on the west side, is the "Reclining Bhuddha" constructed out of huge sandstones.
After a quick lunch/hotel break, we headed to the main event, Angkor Wat.

Driving up to the wat, you actually don't see the iconic steeples that are usually shown in pictures. Surrounding the wat is a moat that is 5 kilometers wide and 20 kilometers long. The moat was built to support the center structure where the wat sits and also, to bring the huge stones to the site when it was being constructed, more than 2,000 years ago. Another intersting fact, Angkor Wat is the largest religious structure in the world.
After you cross over the bridge that runs through the moat, you must walk through the structure that is positioned outside of the actual wat. Once through there, you're able to view the entire structure of the wat set back on a lawn with smaller structures and a land bridge that goes straight up to the main structure. On this "lawn" you see monkeys, you can take a ride on a decorated white horse, you can even buy t-shirts at the vendors situated on the south side of the lawn.
We weren't able to climb all the way to the top, due to construction, but just being there and getting to see the beauty and splendor of one of the Seven Wonders of the World was simply mindblowing.

The last day of our trip, we visited the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. It was a cloudy, chilly day, seemingly perfect for sailing. We got onto our little covered motorboat and from my perch I got to view the "village on the water." People's houses were literally floating on the banks of the lake, some of them were even boats! The prosperity of this area is obviously due to the huge fish population of the lake.
Funny story, while we were on the lake, families would pull up next to us in their precariously constructed boats, trying to sell us live snakes. Three year old baby boys would have these medium sized snakes draped over their shoulders like they were a stuffed toy. It was defnitely one of the saddest, but most fascinating things I've ever seen. These people are doing anything they can to survive in the world...even their young children. These children don't really ever have  a childhood.

All I can say, is that my eyes were opened up this weekend and I have a greater hunger to travel the rest of the world to see the rest of the "Seven Wonders."

Until Next Time, lia seu!n haeay!(goodbye!)