s is for september....s is for selfie?!

It has been officially decided that upon my return to the U.S. (which is quite imminent, dear friends), I will slide seamlessly into instagram culture, as I have quite mastered the selfie.  My fellow technical trainer agrees, and she would know, as she has witnessed quite a few of my selfie pics these past eight weeks, and has happily not let it affect her opinion of me, as it would far too easy to do, given that selfie-picture-taking-skills are not exactly something of which to be proud.

In other news, happy September! Did you remember to say 'rabbit, rabbit' right when you woke up this morning? No, me neither.  September is my third favorite month (right after May, which is right after October.)  September is the best beginning of the wonderful season called AUTUMN! FALL!  Even, LEAF-TREE-DROP in direct Khmer to English translation!

So, the training for the new group of Peace Corps Cambodia trainees has nearly come to an end.  My direct involvement, as the new group of education trainees' trainer, ended last Friday and I am wrapped up in all sorts of bittersweet emotions.  The new group here in the 'bode are really fantastic- I've said it before but it's honestly just so damn true.  It was quite a privilege to train them, witness and play a part in their growth as an educator and development worker, and prepare them for life as a PCV.  I am pretty excited to hear about the good work they do in their communities because I know they are equipped with the invaluable tools of patience, humility, humor and graciousness.  You so got this, K7s!

Yesterday, I left Takeo, my home for the last two years, for the final time.  In the end, I had what felt like two goodbyes with my community- one with Chris and one by my lonesome.  Neither was easier than the other, and both filled my heart with such happiness that it literally made my chest ache.  The second time was full of more beauty perhaps, because now that I can ride a moto, I was taken on two outings to observe the natural landscape of my community.  It was such a high to take in the lake in our town, with lily pads sprouting through to the surface and the rays of sun reflecting off the water, without having to peddle my bike or sweat or do anything except look, and look and look some more.

I'm currently in Phnom Penh through Friday, when I will welcome the K7s I've trained to the PCV Cambodia club alongside other staff members before jumping on my 28 hour journey to that sweet land called home.  I'm reveling in lots of fantastic coffee, cheap massages and little bits of final projects for work before I go home.

Home.  That place I am lucky enough to both be leaving from and arriving in this coming weekend.