Today was our last full day here at NHCC (New Hope for Children of Cambodia). It has been an amazing experience so far. Today was definitely the hottest day and what felt like the longest day. The kids are rambunctious because it is almost the Khmer New Year, which means a 10 day school break! This Saturday the whole school, the kids who live at the orphanage, are going to the beach to celebrate. 


Kate and I made the rounds to different classes again doing what we do. We went to one amazing class, which was Christopher’s class, grade 3A. They were so wonderful! They were excited, involved and just the best class. We had school allllllllllll day. 


Lunch we had rice, veggies, and some meat but for dessert they had dragonfruit. Oh my goooodd it was so good! I didn’t even realize I had never seen dragonfruit until it was in front of me and I was asking what it was. It was delicious. I can’t even explain. It doesn’t have a strong taste, but is refreshing the way watermelon is.

I got to watch the kids in PE today, which was absolutely fun. The teacher, Danny, had created this new game for them and they were running around screaming and playing. I was headed back to kindergarten when they were leaving for lunch. So I headed toward Amy’s room where Kate was. As I was walking in, I looked at the whiteboard and could long division math problems on the board as Amy and Kate were setting up. Amy said, “We’re about to do math” and they both gave me this look of exhaustion. I said “Uhhh…I’m not sure I want to stick around for this” and Amy said, “No really, don’t. It’s too much, get out while you can” so I turned right around and left! 😂

Kate came back. Still hates math. Still thought it was awful and hard. Still doesn’t understand how teachers do it. I was happy I didn’t go.

After school we went over to Debbie’s and ate some hard boiled eggs (yum!). Debbie also took us to see a young Cambodian man who stays on the grounds named Chivoun. He is a fabulous artist! It is unbelievable the work he does with just black ink pens. The dedication and commitment is unreal. I can’t even begin to explain. He needs to sell his work and they are working on making prints soon. The images in his head that he can create and put on paper is unbelievable. I wish I could have taken photos to show you. 

We also ate TONS of chocolate. Awful. I keep telling Debbie I don’t want it, but she gives it to us anyways. We FaceTime with Lisa (Hi Lisa) and promised we would take video of the orphanage. We took one video of the outside of the volunteer cabin and then… did nothing else. We forgot and had to go.. and.. I think it rained.. and I don’t remember. But. Sorry. 😬

Kate said you’d be mad if I didn’t mention our FaceTime. Sorry, Kate.

After dinner went to the library to help with DVD rentals. Debbie opens the library so students in grades 3+ can come rent DVDs and enjoy them. It really is a great opportunity for the kids but truly takes a village to complete. Amy was at the door, managing how many kids could come in at a time and was absolutely marvelous. Hysterical. She kept telling the kids if they put their feet in “I’ll chop your foot off and put it in the bin!” And they would giggle being anxious in line. She is so great with them. They would come in, Debbie and Kimmy would help them sift through DVD options and once they had what they wanted and it got marked with a sticker and Debbie’s log, they told McKenzie who got the DVD, and came to Kate and I where we managed the hardest part: stickers. But really, kids were only allowed to take 4 stickers… but you know kids! They tease and want to take more! It was stressful and fun.

After, Kate and I got more bracelets! Vutha, Soksan, and Sreymeas made more bracelets and gave them to us in the library. It was adorable and very sweet.

It POURED today! So much. On and off from the mango rain I guess. Kate and I showered and got soaked running back, it was so fun. Debbie offered an umbrella but we decided to risk it. We got soaked. And here’s a frog. There’s frogs in rooms, bathrooms, wherever. Little tiny cuties.

So, my mom and Kate’s mom went on a road trip.. last year? They went all over the Midwest/Eat coast. On this road trip of theirs, they each bought us a pair of “soul socks” which are the same colors but mismatched socks. Mine were purple based, Kate’s were blue. We both brought them on this trip to wear them together and take pictures. Which we did tonight, which turned into this weird photo shoot thing of our socks. I’m only posting three. I’m ashamed to admit how many there actually are. So enjoy. Tomorrow, into Phnom Penh.