I got a job at Sovannaphumi School teaching kindergarten and 2nd grade. My students are adorable; they all have uniforms and are really well behaved. It was kind of unbelievable to get bowed to and told "thank you, teacher" by every 5-12 year-old, several times per class. The school is about a 2 minute walk from my new apartment as well, so that works out great. MY NEW APARTMENT! which I haven't told you about yet. I now live with Susan and a great girl Shiloh in a wonderful 3-bedroom apartment with 2 stories and 3 bathrooms and in a great location! Its been really comforting to have our own place and make food for ourselves and relax. Our landlord lives underneath us and their family is really great-a grandmother and grandfather with their two daughters and their husbands and a little boy who likes to come out and play and chat when we enter and exit our flat (its a shame I can't understand him.)
I also start up an evening class today, teaching adults for an hour a day. I'm hoping this will mix up my schedule and give me a little variety.
This past weekend was Chinese New Year, which many people left Phnom Penh to celebrate, leaving the city just a bit more closed down than usual. I got a chance to spend more time with my new Khmer friends and we went out drinking and dancing a few nights to places where Shiloh and I were the only foreigners. I also got to experience karaoke: Cambodia-style. I thought this would be similar to what I've seen in pictures and movies with Japanese karaoke, but it was a bit different. While the Japanese have posh, modern, and sleek rooms with flat screen TV sets, the Khmer have tiny cement block rooms with an old tube TV and 80's style couches set up. But I had a ton of fun anyways, I imagine just as much as I would have in swanky Japan.
I am settling in quite nicely, and it feels good to be able to walk down the street and wave to a couple of locals who I can now call friends. Its also really great to have Susan back as well.
Hope you are enjoying the snow and keeping warm!
love,
Val
p.s. a Very Happy Birthday to Margot today, as well as Jason and Juliet just recently!
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