My plan is to travel the world in a panda suit

1 July, 2008.

My diploma finally arrived yesterday. It is the most expensive sheet of paper I am ever likely to behold. But it’s official, only two months after I walked across the stage. But two months of unemployment lead to boredom, and no money with which to alleviate said boredom, so thankfully I will start work soon. I’ve spent the last two months visiting people, and twiddling my thumbs. The frustrating part of boredom was that I knew there were things I had to do. However, the Peace Corps hadn’t given me any clue as to where I would be spending the next two years, making preparation next to impossible. I do, however, know where I’m going now. After being told I would be placed in Latin America, then the Middle East, then Eastern Europe, the Peace Corps has finally made up its mind. Cambodia. I couldn’t be more thrilled or freaked out. At the moment, I’m vacillating between “I’ll be in Cambodia in three weeks!!!!! *high pitched happy voice*” and “I’ll be in Cambodia in three weeks!!!!*super stressed out voice*
Most of the stress has to do with clothes. Boo. When I thought I was going to the Middle East, some of you might remember that I quite excited about the prospect of being completely covered. I mean, you don’t have to worry about clothes or hair, just roll out of bed, throw on a chador (the full body veil many Muslim women wear) and no one will know that you’re still in your pajamas. My mom said that if that happened, I would become a total slob. She didn’t want that to happen. So mom got her wish. Cambodia is a very formal country. I will be teaching in collared shirts in long skirts. These are quite possibly my least favorite items of clothing ever. Finding appropriate clothes has been pretty hard.

However, Cambodia’s other attributes far outweigh this challenge. Here are a few things I have gleaned from my research:
· RICE!!! Rice makes me happy. I will be expected to eat tons of my favorite food.
· A bike. I will receive my very own mountain bike. I don’t have to worry about buying gas or getting ripped off by local moto drivers.
· Hammocks. It seems that every home has a hammock, and that a great deal of time is passed reclining in them.
· Architecture. The Khmer empire was influenced by the Ottomans, Arabs, Chinese, Hindus, etc. Their buildings are a fusion of these styles, and they are magnificent. I can’t wait to see them up close.

Overall, I’m super excited. There are some things I will miss. I went to my hairdresser for the last time today. It was kind of sad. On the way back I had to slow down for the tractors and combines that are on the road, trying to get in the field and finish while the weather holds. I’m sitting in my mom’s garden as I write this. These pictures were all taken there. In a way, it seems like I’m crazy to leave my amazing family, but it’s definitely time to go. I’ll miss my dad singing along to the free credit report commercials and watching him scare mean cats with a nerf gun (don’t ask, you just have to know my dad, I swear, no harm came to the cats). I’ll miss hanging out with mom while she works in the garden and having debates with my brother.

It’s all a little overwhelming, but I think that’s a good thing. I know that I don’t really have a handle on it, and that the people I’ll meet in the next two years have just as much to teach me as I have to teach them. I’m not gonna lie, I feel kind of inadequate. While that expensive piece of paper says that I’m skilled in international relations, I’ve never really worked with SE Asia before. Latin America, that would be much easier (gracias a mis amigos bolivianos). I‘ve taught ESL for four years, but this is first time I’ve ever been out of the country. My family has been amazingly supportive, and school friends, I miss you guys like crazy. PLEASE keep in touch. I will try and get you all cool stuff from Cambodia, just tell me what you want.