2012: March and April and May, shabang!

The springtime months in Cambodia hit like three months with no rain.

Which, le sigh, they were.

 March.

March got really introspective up in here.  Beyond the fact that I went to a wedding in a nearby province with many good friends, I started digesting and trying to explain my daily encounters with Khmer culture.  I discussed how so much of life here happens outside, and how Chris and I have changed our ways to be less physically affectionate in public.

I baked a lot in March, and apparently it was tasty.  We went to a housewarming party for a family that runs a little mart here that we frequent.  It was hilarious and nuts and oh so fun.

Chris and I had burgers that pretty much tasted just like America.  I realized I'm an extrovert, that I like the Rocky movies and montages are the best, and I reflected on one of my favorite memories.

I gots my hairs cut for the first time in nine months, and we celebrated St. Patrick's Day.  It was fun.

I forgot to write about it, but Chris and I also were invited by our host family to take part in their Cheng Meng, or paying respects to ancestors.  A good portion of Khmer people are also part Chinese, including our family.  Once a year, they gather at the stoopa (building in which the ancestor is buried) to offer up food and other items needed in the afterlife.  By burning fake money, gold, and even paper Lexus SUVs, these items can be received in the other realm by family members.  A lot of food is set in front of the grave, incense is lit and prayers are given.
  
April.

April was the best.  We went to Vietnam, and I got to hang out at the beach AND almost collapsed from my ph-not-being-able-to-move-my-limbs-obia while crawling through tunnels made during the American War in Vietnam.

Because of the Khmer New Year, April was a big chunk of down time.  We hung out a lot with our host nieces and nephew.  I decided to give up Coca Cola, which lasted really well except not at all.

May.

May was a turning point for me. After Chris and I celebrated two years of marriage, I got really sad and then really happy.

We made pizza with Jill and it was all I dreamed it could be.

We went to the beach to celebrate Chris' 27th birthday, as well as many other PCV's birthday, including our dear friend Libby's 23rd!

By May, I began to feel very, very settled and content in Cambodia.  That feeling has lasted the rest of the year.

.....

A whirlwind of a summer, next!