a personal "tipping point"?!?

Seth Godin coined this term, the "tipping point", as being a time when something that is gradually building momentum, explodes exponentially.

Well, although he mainly was referring to businesses, and their products and services, I feel as though personally I am on the verge of a tipping point.

One week ago, I sat in my hotel room after my first day at the orphanage, a little overwhelmed, but more than anything, in disbelief that I had actually traveled 20 hours to give almost 3 weeks toward something I didn't completely understand.  I actually asked myself the question (silently, but a few times), "what was I thinking?!"

The way this is all working out is hard to explain.  I mean on one hand, the idea of this trip came fairly naturally to me months ago.  I love kids and I love to travel, and I needed a break.  So, when combined, it all made PERFECT SENSE.  But, the idea of it, and actually living it out, are completely different things.

My hotel room has pale yellow walls, my bathroom gives a whole new meaning to brushing your teeth in the shower, the TV has way more stations I don't understand than I do (as it should), you can't drink the water or eat veggies if not cooked, there are no traffic lights or stop signs and people drive and bike on both sides of the road, kids and babies are often passengers of motos, cows and chickens are as common on the side of the road as dogs, draft beers are 50 cents, modest dress is practiced even amongst most tourists, rice is as common of a food here as french fries are to us, ancient temples are closer than the zoo to my house, monkeys play within feet of my bike route, and the list goes on and on!

It is DIFFERENT!

But, as I am lingering on the tipping point, all of the things I was very unsure about at first, are beginning to grow on me in a big way. Even the pale yellow walls of my room are looking more like sunshine than a doctor's office.

And the kids... I could go on an on about the kids, all of them!  Here is snapshot of my first 3 days teaching solo (and a couple literal snapshots of the gallery at the orphanage of all their paintings...AMAZING!).

DAY 1 - Monday

It was pouring rain, so Vong (pronounced Wong) my trusted Tuk Tuk driver took me to the orphanage.  I got there, and from the weekend of rain and then sunshine, many of the kids were sick.  I began the lesson reviewing what I had taught on Friday, but it was a tough crowd.  With so many of them sick, others had to help with the cooking, so class was slim and we ended early.  After lunch, we read some books until Leng piled in 8 of us in his car to drive me home, and Sry On (his wife) and a bunch of the kids to the free children's hospital.  Yep, that's right. It's free for children, and even for expecting mothers as they realize the health of the baby starts way before it's born.  Pretty incredible.

Personal notes:  I was not proud of my 1st day of teaching.  I was nervous and it was hard to see so many of the kids sick.  They felt awful, but what do they do??  No chicken noodle soup and cold towels... it is just a matter of time before the sickness works itself out.   


I did venture to the Angkor Artisan School, where they teach Cambodian students how to carve wood, etch metal, weave silk, paint and so many more incredibly skilled things.  It was incredible...they employee over 1,000 workers there, and put them all through a complete apprenticeship program of 6-12 months before they are given the opportunity to work.  Great stuff and all going toward a great program!



DAY 2 - Tuesday

I started my day early (5am!) and went to 'my spot' for coffee. Starting my days off with a good cup of coffee and reading or writing, makes such a difference. It is something I am sure to adopt back home.  The lesson for the kids consisted of reviewing again the lesson from Friday (we are learning the letter 'L' and some great words it makes).  Then, I played a game with them and turned the learning into a competition.  They LOVED it!  I was having them do silly things and compete to spell words, and there was lots of laughter and smiles.  Overall, much better day of learning and the kids were all starting to feel better.

We then went out to the village schools where I sat in with the kindergarten class at School 2, and the 'middle school' class at School 4 (which is still under a house until the building is completed).  These village school kids are just as eagar as ODA.  In the 'middle school' class, there had to be at least 50 kids all sitting around one big table with their pencils and notebooks repeating everything the teacher had to say.   I am sooooo impressed with them and all that they are able to read, write and speak in English so far just from these schools!

Personal notes:  It was a long day, but totally worth it.  I had contemplated only doing the Village Schools, but can't imagine not going to ODA at this point any day while I am still here.  After all, they are why I came!  I ate cheese nachos for dinner, had a few beers on the patio as it was beautiful out, and then crashed from the 5am start.

DAY 3 - Today (Wednesday)

Today, I made sure I was ready for school! I biked in to the orphanage and it was beautiful outside!  I already wrote about it, but I started my morning with my favorite coffee, and then proceeded on my 50-minute ride into the orphanage, of which I am only scared for my life for 30 minutes of it cause of no traffic rules. :)

I had the day planned out for every 30 minutes, and it was great.  We reviewed for the last day the 'L' words, played a color game that I made up, played hangman (they love competition...who knew!?!), sang the hokey pokey...

Ok, stopping here to explain that the kids picked what body part to put 'in' next.  I think my favorites and ones that had me literally laughing out loud were 'back side', 'nose' and 'right ear'.  Although it was hot out, it was so much fun.

After that dance, I helped Leng with some emails he needed to answer, which he told me in the best English he knows how, that it really helped him.  He tends to put off answering fairly important emails because he is not 100% confident in his English and gets embarrassed.  I was glad to help and hopefully teach him a few things that will help him in the future.  Then lunch.  Then I busted out a bag of pink, red and purple finger nail polish (thank you Misty and Kelly!), and the girls all went crazy.  I spent the next hour or so painting nails of all the girls, and getting mine painted.  I didn't get photos of all the nails together, but will tomorrow.  Mine are looking... well... like they were done by young girls. But I LOVE it. :)

Personal notes:  I felt more in my element today than I have yet.  I feel as though I am teaching the kids and Leng a little bit, and in my own style.  AND, in return I have learned how to count to 20, how to say "hello"/ "goodbye" and how to say "thank you"/ "you're welcome" in Khmer.  I biked back home, took a dip in the pool, and have ventured to a new outdoor patio to enjoy wifi and another $.50 draft beer.

Love hearing from everyone... it is comforting from this far away to know I can still stay connected with all of you!

More to come in the following days!