Hey folks, one last blog before I head out today to Svay Rieng (province/town bordering Vietnam) for 3 days of fun-filled workshops (no email for approximately 4 days). But you're not here to read about my work-- or are you? I suspect some of you might be waiting to hear about all of the fantastically awesome people that I'm meeting on my journey (or maybe not--despite all of my claims to greatness, I'm not actually a mind reader). Well, to appease you, let me tell you a little tale about the two guys who work at the guesthouse with whom I am completely and madly in love (not like that--get your minds out of the gutter you dirty rascals).
Let us, for the time being, call them S. and R. S. mainly works in the restaurant downstairs, is 25 (although he looks 20--everyone here looks younger than they are), and is beautiful. I am in love with S. simply because he is the sweetest person alive--ever. Every morning he politely asks me what I would like to eat for breakfast, all serious like, and when I invariably order french bread with cheese and coffee milk, he shoots me a smile that could light up Vegas in a blackout (apologies, that was a horrible metaphor, I will never do it again). He never hovers (unlike a certain individual, V.) and compliments me on my Khmer, which I guiltlessly practice on all of the workers at the guesthouse. Now. As I'm sure you have guessed, and as I have previously stated, my Khmer is terrible and frightening and awkward (really haven't been practicing as much as I should b/c I've been so busy). Lesson learned? Apparently the way to Rosie's heart is through a pretty smile, flattery, and shameless lies.
R. is also beautiful, enjoys drinking Coca Cola, and is either from Kampong Chaang or Kampong Cham (to my ear, they both sound exactly freaking alike when spoken). R.'s awesomeness lies in the fact that he too is sweet, serious, and polite. R. and I spent a magical evening on the upstairs balcony having the most awkward (and magnificent) language lesson of my life. This lesson basically began by pointing to stuff, saying it in our native language and then asking the other to say it in their native tongue--everything learned was promptly forgotten because I was too caught up in the utter coolness of it all. And then, all excited like, I scampered (yes, I've been known to scamper on occasion) down to my room to get my "Cambodian for Beginners" book (like the nerd I truly am), and we went through the first 2 lessons, letting eachother know when certain words or phrases were "same same." That was, by far, the best night I've had since I've been here.
And for all of you social work fans out there, the list of fantastically awesome people I've met since I've been here would not be complete without my supervisor and program advisor. My supervisor is the epitome of a social worker, all righteous indignation one minute and all diplomacy the next--but never stopping the fight for what she believes in. And what she believes in is the client. When I grow up, I want to be her. My program advisor is this really caring (yet secretly crafty) woman who was the first to start showing me the ropes at work. Incredibly maternal (get this, she's worried that I'm not eating enough), yet she still possesses the ability to strike fear in your heart. I am truly luck to be working with them both.
Honorable Mention for Awesomeness
The British woman I met at the guesthouse who is traveling throughout the region . . . she used to volunteer in Kazakstan, working in the field of disability.
Sigh. I am so grateful to be here.
PEACE
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2 comments:
Hi Cuz,
My mom just turned me on to your blog. It's great to read stories of your experiences in Cambodia. Thanks for putting it out there.
-john
I read this post earlier but didn't want to seem to eager posting a comment on every on of your posts. But I must say Rose, you are the hotness! ;) Have fun getting lost in translation with the boys!
<3,
Chels
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