twenty eleven, in review: cambodia

Upon reflection, the second half of this year came to pass alarmingly fast.  Startling so.  Even now, it seems that I can scarcely believe that I spent the final five and a little months of this year living in a new country.

July

On July 2nd, the day after Topher and I finished work, we drove down to Carolina to spend some final time with my family.  My parents took us and my brother and his wife to dinner at the locale that has quickly become our family's restaurant of choice for all momentous occasions.  It's right on the water, and quite perfect at sunset.  And the steaks, normally something neither Topher nor I crave, are dripping in butter and so.freaking.good.

While in Carolina, it also began to sink in that in two short weeks, we'd be flying away from these lovely people, and even our child-dog.  Some days, it felt like this.

After some time with my family, we trekked back up to spend a final few days with Topher's family, including attending a goodbye party thrown by his mother.  Here, we say goodbye to Topher's cousins.

We also took Scott and Jenny out to dinner at our favorite cheap Italian eatery outside of DC, and it hit me how much I'd miss these two.

Near the middle of July, we said goodbye to Topher's family as they left for the cruise we were supposed to join them on, save for the fact that we were invited to Cambodia in July, instead of being sent abroad in August as we were told.  Here we sit at a typical Sunday morning haunt of a diner where I've eaten more chocolate chip pancakes and bacon than I care to remember right now.

Actually, I'd kill for some chocolate chip pancakes and bacon.  And a cruise.

That very afternoon, my parents took Topher and I to our last baseball game for two years.

Over beer, we celebrated a O's win over my dad's team, the Indians.

To prepare for a completely changed way of living, I cancelled my credit card and cut it up for good measure.  Mostly for dramatics and the fun of it though. I even documented it to write a blog post about it!  Here you go!

And then it was time to go.  For our final meal in America for many, many moons, another planned blog post on the joys of Whole Foods' many ready made foods. Including three desserts of chocolate mousse, strawberry frosted white cake and cheesecake.  Plus some fruit and greens in there.  

August

And then, we were here.  Our new life was a hot one, full of learning new languages, riding bikes, and meeting wonderful new people.

One of the most memorable parts of August was a bike trip I took with Topher and a few others to a nearby Killing Fields Memorial.  

That month, we also studied a lot, practiced teaching in a Khmer classroom, and got to see the King, who bears a striking resemblance to one dear husband.

Or is the other way around, since the King was born (way!) first?

September

There was a lot of this in September this year.  Hours at the wat (pagoda), discussing the ins and outs of teaching with the Volunteers who came before us.

September was busy.  I only had time and internet to update once.  But! I did take my first trip to a wonderful little place called Kampot town and got a pina colada!

And you'll be pleased to know, I'm sure, that Topher and I remained the same, despite becoming sweaty Peace Corps Trainees.

October

And all to quickly, it was October and we were wearing itchy clothes (or was that just me?) getting sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers.

We thanked the man who gave us the powers of communication- our language teacher, Savin.

And we moved to site, and got very familiar with our new home, including the joys of the three air-conditioned marts.  Having just traversed to each of these three marts just today, I can now tell you I am a true resident of this town, because I now know: The I Love You Mart has the cheapest Coca Light and nicest atmosphere to sit and read, the Tela Mart has the best ice cream selection, and the Cool Mart has the largest selection of juices and goods in general.  Cool Mart also has the choco-pies, which is important.

Then, in October, Peace Corps allowed us to attend a TEFL Conference in Phnom Penh. 

I was lucky because I got to spend my twenty-sixth celebrating with friends and champagne.

At the end of October, we attended our very first Cambodian wedding, wherein the beer flows like the Tonle Sap...

and sparklers are brought out at the same time as the silly string, fire hazard concerns be damned.

November

In the eleventh month, Topher and I hit a bit of stride in teaching and learning. Many hours were spent doing the above: riding a bike in a skirt.

We took our first trip back to our training site, which helped re-set my mind and focus.

I also started volunteering a decent amount of time at a new library in our town and realized how much I love doing simple things like organizing books.

I even learned how to make one of the most challenging Khmer recipes: curry!  I've yet to make it on my own at home, but I think you'll see the fruits of that in twenty twelve.

November was about learning to love the speed of life in Cambodia, and not project my American need to be overwhelmingly busy onto my new world.  Lying in hammocks is quite a part of this speed of life.

December

And then it was the final month of the year and I was doing crazy things like planning and executing my first workshop...

...traveling to Kampot town (i.e. eating brownies and barbecue) for a weekend adventure with the hubs...

...heading to Phnom Penh for meetings but indulging in a real movie theater and enjoying that which is the fourth Twilight movie...

...and going to the Embassy in Phnom Penh to admire garish light shows, while battling giardia.

You know, it was your typical holiday season.

Of course, we spent Christmas Eve and Day at this little place, on the Gulf of Thailand...

...with these beautiful people.

And then, Topher went out on his bike, after his shower, to buy a internet card for me so I could tell you all about my year.  And all he requested was that I blog about it, because clearly, he's a dang good husband.

To which, I had to say, I agree most certainly, and golly, anyone who reads this here year in review would know its truth.

And that's how you have six and a half months of complete normalcy and and five and a half months of a completely upside down version of all that you've known, with just a few remaining constants: love, family, friends, and human compassion.

Happy Twenty Twelve everyone!