Happy “Friday’s Fave Five” blog, hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story. Click on the linky to see what 5 things other bloggers found pleasurable this week!
First things first, I love Cambodia. It is absolutely my favorite place in the whole entire world. With that said.. I've been thinking a lot about Cambodia this week, as I do most weeks, but this week especially. So, I have chosen 5 things from Cambodia to blog about. =)
2.) If you know me well at all, you are probably very surprised [and you should be] to see a picture of an animal on a
post of "my favorite things" for I am quite far from being an animal-lover. I love the zoo and especially walk-through aquariums, but my pleasure for animals stops there. However, I have found 1 exception: this lovable mutt Shrek. Shrek belongs to Vandy, and while I lived in Kratie, he would walk me to school most evenings. Tess knows my love for Shrek, 
and in a recent email she wrote, "Shrek is fine too! I showed him your pictures.. he wiggled his tail hehe.. he still knows you!" When I live in Cambodia, I plan on raising a Shrek puppy or two!
3.) Have you ever ridden an elephant? I've done it twice, and it has been two of the most incredible experiences of my life! The first time, my adrenaline was rushing like a barrel over Niagara Falls. Last year we rode around some old temples at Angkor Wat, but this year we climbed a mountain! Even on the steep and narrow paths, I was too excited to be nervous and it was absolutely beautiful.
4). Teaching English. I love standing alongside the pastors, the excitement in the kids' faces, and the students' deep cravings to learn. I love that I can teach 5 lessons using 1 children's story book. I love hearing the funny mispronunciations, and I love hearing my students FINALLY grasp the correct pronunciation! Teaching English is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, and can be an opportunity to share my faith.
Back in June, in my exam/scholarship prep. class, I used simple stories to focus on pronunciation and vocabulary, and I also tested comprehension. I would ask my students to find the moral of the story; I still remember this one, "Even as the dog keeps barking, the moon keeps shining" and our conversation about the deeper meaning.
5. With the exception of my friends the the people of CAM., what I miss most is hearing and learning Khmer [the language of Cambodia.] Here are a few useful phrases written phonetically: Knyom cha-muah Jewelle [My name is Jewel]. Knyom moak pey praw te Ameleka [I am from America.] Knyom m'peh ch'nam [I am 20.] Knyom chang rien phiasaa khmer [I want to learn Khmer] pruah knyom chang ban p'dai Khmer [because I want to marry a Khmer man.] I learned two Khmer songs while I was in CAM, and I sing them everyday!
This isn't one of the two, but it is in Khmer:
If you're interested you can follow my "Cambodia 2009" tag to read more about my most recent adventures in Cambodia.
First things first, I love Cambodia. It is absolutely my favorite place in the whole entire world. With that said.. I've been thinking a lot about Cambodia this week, as I do most weeks, but this week especially. So, I have chosen 5 things from Cambodia to blog about. =)
2.) If you know me well at all, you are probably very surprised [and you should be] to see a picture of an animal on a
post of "my favorite things" for I am quite far from being an animal-lover. I love the zoo and especially walk-through aquariums, but my pleasure for animals stops there. However, I have found 1 exception: this lovable mutt Shrek. Shrek belongs to Vandy, and while I lived in Kratie, he would walk me to school most evenings. Tess knows my love for Shrek, and in a recent email she wrote, "Shrek is fine too! I showed him your pictures.. he wiggled his tail hehe.. he still knows you!" When I live in Cambodia, I plan on raising a Shrek puppy or two!3.) Have you ever ridden an elephant? I've done it twice, and it has been two of the most incredible experiences of my life! The first time, my adrenaline was rushing like a barrel over Niagara Falls. Last year we rode around some old temples at Angkor Wat, but this year we climbed a mountain! Even on the steep and narrow paths, I was too excited to be nervous and it was absolutely beautiful.4). Teaching English. I love standing alongside the pastors, the excitement in the kids' faces, and the students' deep cravings to learn. I love that I can teach 5 lessons using 1 children's story book. I love hearing the funny mispronunciations, and I love hearing my students FINALLY grasp the correct pronunciation! Teaching English is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, and can be an opportunity to share my faith. Back in June, in my exam/scholarship prep. class, I used simple stories to focus on pronunciation and vocabulary, and I also tested comprehension. I would ask my students to find the moral of the story; I still remember this one, "Even as the dog keeps barking, the moon keeps shining" and our conversation about the deeper meaning.
5. With the exception of my friends the the people of CAM., what I miss most is hearing and learning Khmer [the language of Cambodia.] Here are a few useful phrases written phonetically: Knyom cha-muah Jewelle [My name is Jewel]. Knyom moak pey praw te Ameleka [I am from America.] Knyom m'peh ch'nam [I am 20.] Knyom chang rien phiasaa khmer [I want to learn Khmer] pruah knyom chang ban p'dai Khmer [because I want to marry a Khmer man.] I learned two Khmer songs while I was in CAM, and I sing them everyday!
This isn't one of the two, but it is in Khmer:
If you're interested you can follow my "Cambodia 2009" tag to read more about my most recent adventures in Cambodia.
8 comments:
What an awesome and interesting post.
The picture of you riding the elephant is very cool. No, of course, I haven't done it but my 2 year old would think you rock the world! =)
And HA on your comments on not being an animal lovers. I identify.
Have a great weekend!
So interesting reading this post!
I have to say I have so far in my life never ridden an elephant.
It must be very satisfying to have students who just soak up and draw out what you are trying to teach.
Wonderful post. I truly enjoyed it. Cambodia is Thailand's close neighbor but until now I still have to go down there to see the Angkor Wat. I rode on an elephant 12 years ago, it was fun but I've never had a ride that goes up a mountain like yours. Lucky you you have students who are interested to learn. Happy weekend.
P.S. I enjoy your visits to my blog. Come visit anytime.
I have some dear missionary friends in Cambodia right now. They fell in love with the country a few years ago and are now raising a family there. So I really enjoyed reading your post; it reminded me to pray for them and their work there. Blessings to you!
I am so glad I found your blog through Susanne! It is fascinating to me to be able to read about work in the mission field. A dear friend's daughter just left to teach in Korr in the mission field. Seeing your stories makes me feel closer to the work you all do.
Hi Jewel, so nice to meet you.
I've never riden an elephant, but I have had my picture made on one when I was twelve. Ummm, no, on second thoughts, that was a camel! LOL!
Have a wonderful weekend and a lovely week Jewel!
Very nice to meet you Jewel.
This is a lovely post - sounds like you miss Cambodia a lot.
I know what you mean about riding the elephants. I remember the first time I got on an elephant I was so scared. Of course it didn't help that I watched a documentary 2 days before about how wild and dangerous they can become!
Once again great post. And Shrek is a cutie how can you not love him.
I know what you mean about not being an animal lover -- I don't hate them, but I don't want them around me, either. :-) But there are a couple of special ones in my life.
I can't imagine riding an elephant!
But I can imagine the joy of teaching English, especially in a mission setting.
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