Merry Christmas Eve!

When we came back from the wedding and tour of the city last night, my neighbor Mrs. Richards called me to say she was thinking of me and Merry Christmas! I feel like I am doing shout-outs or ads for people..haha..but it was so sweet and I really appreciated the thought!

I took a quick shower and KNEW I needed to sleep right away. I realized I was sick and there was a problem when I had to turn off my fan and put on a sweatshirt, sweatpants and heavy socks. Friendly reminder, I am in Cambodia with no AC! I really felt like I was coming down with the flu..I was just so achy and felt awful. It took me a while to get to sleep and I was bundled up in all my clothes and blankets.

I woke up feeling a bit better but knew something was wrong since I felt the need for all those clothes in 80 degree weather. I didn’t really want to skip Home of Joy and I had a lot of errands to do, so I figured I would try the morning and see how it went.

As I was finishing up breakfast my phone rang! Woo hoo I love phone calls! It was Steve’s sister Mary and his mom! (Steve and Christine..still waiting for a phone call from you..) They were calling to say hello and wish me a Merry Christmas as well! I was LOVING this -- everyone calling me thing! I really could get use to all these phone calls! It is SO nice to hear peoples voice and know they are thinking of me. I really can’t express how much it means!

I rode my bike to the laundry (so I can wear red tomorrow for Christmas) and then to the Home of Joy! I feel like my time spent there is holding crying kids who usually stop once they are held! I can’t tell you how sore I am from doing this..haha! Mom’s out there..I give you props!

I always make sure to check in with the two disabled kids since I feel more comfortable with the disabled after my experiences in Vietnam. The older girl can walk on her own but I usually dance with her and I take the boy out of his crib and move his legs and arms (I think he likes this!)

I felt awful but I had another frustrating English time. One of the workers there is from Vietnam (I think her name is Maria) and she brought out a list of English words to have me say them to her. Again, I realize they are trying to learn to make a better life for themselves, but I think I am worn out from teaching English. Also, one of the reasons I love Home of Joy is because I DON’T have to teach English. I tried to be patient with her, but the other problem I run into is that they just can’t make the same sounds. It’s just like me trying to speak an Asian language..I can try but I won’t ever sound like them. So I never know how much to repeat it before moving on. I really try to be patient but I just felt like I am there to play and help the kids, not to teach English. Ok enough of me complaining about that.

10:00am came and went and I had no clue why we weren’t feeding, but I just waited to see what happened. A little later a mother and daughter from Singapore arrived. I guess we were waiting for them to arrive as we were having a small party. I found out more later, but they are from Singapore and I believe they are church partners with the one here so they have been to the Home of Joy a number of times to donate and help out. They brought party hats for the kids, which were cute, and some sweets! We all hung out and there was music playing.

I guess some of the kids were hungry because then we just had feeding time in the small little gathering room! The mother and daughter also brought a blow up Santa but it only had a foot pump and was taking forever to blow up. By that time it was around noon (I usually leave at 11:00am) so I decided I would take off. I still wasn’t feeling great so I called Leng to let him know I wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t make it in this afternoon.

I had to go to the bank, but the first one I stopped at didn’t have an ATM. I found another one, went to the ATM and then needed to change it into smaller bills. The place was PACKED! I think you needed to get a number, but I had no idea where to find them and it seemed like it would take forever. The first bank I stopped at wasn’t busy so I went back there. However, once I got there she said they don’t give out smaller bills. “WHAT? YOU ARE A BANK!” I yelled at her. Ok ok, I didn’t say that but rather “thank you” and left..but come on isn’t that what banks do? I then went BACK past the other bank (I was just doing laps up and down this one road) and found a REAL bank that gave me smaller bills!

I then got a call from the BIRTHDAY GIRL (my mom’s friend Deb) which was SO nice. I was so spoiled with phone calls today! We had a great chat and I was already feeling better.

Before I rode my bike back to the homestay I wanted to stop at the grocery store to pick up some snacks for the kids tomorrow for Christmas. I got some doughnut type things and some candy canes so I hope they like them!

I made myself PB&J for lunch and took a well needed nap! As bad as I felt about missing the afternoon volunteering, I also knew I NEEDED to rest and catch up on sleep before I got any worse.

After some well needed rest I got to be LAZY. I had taken about 2 steps on the road outside the homestay when I got a “motorbike?” I hopped on and did a quick email check before grabbing dinner. I just got pasta (easy on the stomach) but it took FOREVER. The woman seemed very confused that I wanted dinner and then insisted the only menu was the one on display. I guess this could be true but it was a western place so who knows.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to make it to Christmas Eve Mass in time so I took a motorbike there. It’s so funny when I say yes I want a ride and then try to explain where I want to go. I don’t think ONCE someone has known where I wanted to go and tonight the Catholic Church was no exception. Once I started talking, all the other drivers SWARMED in. This always happens and I don’t know if they are trying to help their friend in making sure he knows where he is going. I would love to have someone with me who could understand what they are saying. I pointed in the direction, said I would show him the way and off we went!

I wore my Sunday best seeing as I had already embarrassed myself at the wedding reception. I still had on flip flops (but the nicest ones I have with me!) and I wore my fancier khaki capri’s and the one nice shirt I brought with me!

The church was happening! It was an older, wooden-looking building and the actual church was on the second floor. It was beautiful in a Cambodian way. I ran into Sister Nazarene and said hello and then took off my shoes and left them outside. There were mats on the floor and everyone was sitting on mats, so I found a seat. It was such a different way to celebrate Christmas Eve. The church was full with Westerners as it was the only Christmas Mass in English.

There were three Priests, a local one, one from Indonesia and one from France. They introduced themselves and then there was a small Christmas “play”. It wasn’t in English, and I don’t think it was EXACTLY the Christmas story, but something like that! It was put on by local children and most of them looked like they were between 8 and 15. The lights went off a few times so it was fun to sit in the dark, but luckily it didn’t last long so the show could continue!

After the play the Priests each spoke and then we sang a few more songs. The Mass was a bit long for me..almost 2 hours, but I was so happy I went. It was a GREAT and different way to celebrate Christmas Eve!

Afterwards they had some refreshments in the lower level of the church so of course I had to check them out! The hard boiled eggs were a big hit with the locals, but I stuck to the sweets!

I headed off to pick up my laundry (a clean red shirt..wahooo!) and quickly checked my email before returning back to the homestay. Since I now feel comfortable with the area, I do feel safer at night. Normally I have to take the closest tuk-tuk or motorbike driver so I just tell them I will show them where to go. I always have my money ready and my key out so once we arrive I can pay them and leave. Although, sometimes the gate is shut and it takes a couple tries to open, so I don’t like that. Even though I am more comfortable I still don’t like coming home alone after dark, but it’s not as bad as the first couple of days.

I took a shower to make sure my hair would be clean on Christmas and then I had some tea with Payal and two of the brothers. I actually really enjoyed talking with one of them since I was asking lots of questions. Again, while I don’t really ENJOY the homestay (being so remote..not being able to come back during the day..not feeling safe at night) it is nice to have a local family to talk to.

I asked every question I could think of (if anyone has more let me know). He has never left the country. It isn’t TOO expensive to get a passport (the more you pay the quicker you get it) but it’s expensive to travel so most people can’t afford it. There are public schools and if you are smart enough and have enough money you can continue to college, but most people don’t have the money so they get a job. The richest people here are businessmen who have branches in Phnom Penh.

The wedding we went to wasn’t a love match. The groom was about 30 and the bride 21. SOME girls get married at 16 or 17! Holy moly! The groom has to bring his parents to meet the bride’s parents and if everyone agrees the groom’s family has to pay the bride’s family money and then the bride’s family decides how to allocate the money for the wedding. McGunnigal family..start saving up because I aint cheap!

I asked if that was a typical wedding and he more or less said that couple had a lot of money so it was one of the nicer ones.

I asked a little bit about hospitals and he said a lot of the doctors aren’t good and lie so they can take your money. The Government doesn’t seem to do much either but I didn’t push that topic too much.

Overall I had a really nice Christmas Eve and I am excited to celebrate Christmas tomorrow in a very different way with the kids at the Home of Joy!

Hugs and kisses and Merry Christmas Eve from Cambodia!