Where The Streets Have No Name

I do not think this is the place they were singing about, but street names are barely in use in my neighborhood. This is the street I live on right now (going to change in 2 months or so). That brick building on the left side is a little store that I never go to, but could if I wanted to buy a Coke, candy, or snack (those of you who have been to Mexico have an idea of what these look like -- they ain't no UDF!). Also, you will understand why I wish I would have brought dark pants rather than tan khakis. Live and learn.

Photos from Koh Kong Vacation

The first two photos were taken at Safari World which is basically like Sea World on a tighter budget, but still fun despite being somewhat run-down.

The next photo is me standing at a place we stopped for lunch on the way home, somewhere between Koh Kong and Phnom Penh (a four hour drive).

The last two photos were taken at the resort where we stayed. This place was very nice and new (though we stayed across the street in the cheaper rooms -- still nice but half the cost). The ocean was great -- it had surprisingly large waves (not pictured, mind you) due, I think, to a Tropical storm off the coast of Thailand. It was the best time I have had body-surfing.

By the way, and in case you did not realize, you can zoom these photos by clicking on them.

Thanks for reading/viewing. Adios.

Suspended Animation

Ok, ok. So I have been lame in terms of updating this blog lately. I will get some new photos posted soon - really.

Part of the lameness is due to a reduction in the newness. When I look out the window of my school now, it does not look all that alien any more. It used to be somewhat surreal. I am used to the muddy roads I travel (for about 400 m - that's a quarter-mile to all you die-hard non-metric fans) around my house; I plan to get some pics of them before rainy season ends and the fun is over. I know where to get a haircut for $0.75, buy my groceries, get office supplies, buy an Apple (I am now the proud owner of an iBook), etc.

I just got back from a long-weekend vacation with Doug, Heidi, Taylor, KC, and a second family (the Liddle's) of 5. We went to a place called Koh Kong which is right on the coast and the Thai border but still in Cambodia. It was a really nice resort -- in other words, it would be a very nice place even in America. I will try to get some photos showing you what I mean.

That is all for now. I want to say "thanks", to those of you who have been checking this out and have asked me "whah happen?"

What Does a Normal Day Look Like?

A typical day involves waking at 5:30, doing some back and stomach exercises, eating breakfast, making lunch, feeding the dogs and getting them fresh water. I leave around 6:30 and can get to school in about 10 minutes.

I arrive and we have morning devotions at 7am. Then we have about 30-40 minutes until the students show up at 8. Everyone in the school (200 students) lines up in a covered area and then disperses from there. I have a pastoral group which is the year 12 & 13 (11th & 12th graders) that I see 3 times a week - and do devotions w/ them (or at least that is the idea) 2 times b/c there is another guy who does it the third day. I typically teach 3 different classes each day for about 4 hours total (I have double-period classes on many days). We get a 20 minute break at 10am and then a ONE (whole) hour lunch at 12. So, really, it is a great schedule. Obviously there are all the other things that have to get fit in -- staff meetings, homework grading, planning, creating quizzes and tests -- this takes a fair amount of time b/c practically nothing is available for years 10, 11, and 12/13. I typically leave around 4:30 or so.

I will eat w/ Doug and Heidi a couple times a week and have tended to have one other invitation each week to someone's house for dinner which has been nice. I get home, make sure I have everything ready to go for the next day, shower, watch some DVD (lately I have been watching 'The Unit' season 2), put the dogs up on the upstairs deck, and go to sleep around 9:30. That is pretty much a day in the life. Queue the music... I read the news today, oh boy...

Schumacher Wanna Be

These pics are from a week ago when Doug, Heidi, Taylor, KC, and I went to a really fun gokart track that is about 45 minute drive from the city (due to traffic).

My World Within HOPE School

These photos show my sparsely decorated classroom (I have not had time to paint vines and flowers yet) and a shot of the highschool building taken from the far side of the basketball court.

Ants -- Cheaper by the Thousand

I made the mistake of leaving a bowl with some soymilk in the sink. A few ants showed up for the party -- sort of like U2 playing for free at Slane Castle or Simon & Garfunckle in Central Park.

Lesson learned.

Oh, and I did drown all of them with minimal regret. Hey, at least they died happy.

p.s. you can click any of these pics for a larger view.