Kittens are not the answer

I've been in Cambodia for a month...

...just let that sink in for a moment.

The last two weeks have gone so by so incredibly quickly, but I guess that's what happens when you're busy.  Work's been a bit insane - I've been traveling around with a visitor, so it's been catch-up time since I've been back. Plus, there's fun to be had!

All work...


My trip up to Siem Reap and Poipet was interesting.  I got to stay in a 5-star hotel in Siem Reap...

...which looks like this:

And the nicest place in Poipet...which includes a toilet in the shower...

Ironically, that was exactly what I needed at the time. The food poisoning also helped me sleep for the entire 12 hours I was there (but not working). So nice, they don't accept reservations or any form of payment other than Thai Baht (we were in Cambodia).  Sometimes I guess eating street food has its up sides!

...and All Play

 Siem Reap wasn't all work.  I managed to carve away some time to get to the famous Angkor What? (bar), see the temples with PCV... and ride this guy...

It was strange being at the temples again.  In 2006, the last time I was there, there were no safety precautions.  No handrails, fences, or tourist-friendly stairs.  Back then, there was no one else around, and we were able to climb on anything and everything.  These days, restorations are underway and the whole place has been a bit Disney-fied...which is a little disappointing but probably for the best.  Angkor Wat and the rest of the ruins are beautiful, amazing relics from the past and tourists running around with reckless abandon are probably not the best thing for sustainability.  

My return to PP was bittersweet.  AF went home to Hawaii, so there were lots of farewell parties (fun) but now no AF (sad!).  New friends entered the scene, and we found the best burgers in Cambodia - or at least in Cambodia after 0400 - so that's fun too...but the sunset cruise on the Tonle Sap was a bit less fun when we passed the Himawari...

As for the title of the post...

...if you recognize that, know that there are always options. even in Cambodia. And that's all I have to say about that ;)

Sad news

You may have seen news stories about the tragedy in Phnom Penh last night - hundreds dead in a stampede during Water Festival...first of all, please don't worry; I'm fine.  I was safe at home when this happened, dealing with tons of scared Cambodians dialing the wrong number in search of their loved ones.  Secondly, I'm not so surprised that something terrible like this happened.  Millions of people flooded into a city lacking the infrastructure to deal with them.  Too many cars, tuktuks and motos literally clogging the streets by facing the wrong direction leave no room for pedestrians who have to resort to walking in the street in this sidewalk-less city.

Just like the Bowdoin Rooftop...except with palm trees

where to begin?

Let's start with work

After my first week on the job, I can honestly say I'm excited. Everyone is friendly, smart and capable.  Brain function is encouraged, and there is no expectation of being in the office just for the sake of being there.  All in all, it's nothing like EY!

Now to the fun stuff


The jetlag was a bit brutal during the week, so I didn't end up doing much else aside from working and sleeping, but I did manage to locate a gym (which I have not yet joined), find my building's pool (which I have yet to swim in), and make some dance contacts (some of which I did actually meet!).  Other than that, I basically fought the Water Festival traffic and enjoyed my bed until Friday night when things started to get silly.

A side note on Water Festival - Water Festival is the Cambodian equivalent of Mardi Gras.  Millions of people come to Phnom Penh to celebrate the time of the year when the Tonle Sap changes direction, signifying the end of rainy season, and causing massive traffic jams and parks full of sleeping families.  and lots of fun. End note.

OK, now to Friday night.

I volunteered to help KNG with a concert she was putting on for work because (A) it's the nice thing to do and (B) Pou Khliang!!! plus Meas Sok Sophea and an American band called Johnny Rogers Band.  Pou Khliang and Meas Sok Sophea are kind of like the Cambodian Kanye and Taylor Swift, so it was actually kind of awesome. The crowd was huge, the concert was fun, and there's nothing like being backstage with the bands!

After the concert, KNG, a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV), an Air Force guy (AF), some Marine Security Guards (MSGs), and I headed over to Darlin Darlin (DD) at Naga World and then a few other places via a lights-and-sirens Suburban so we could actually make it through the crowded streets.  That night, I discovered a few things:
1. The best way to get over jetlag is to stay out late enough to be able to sleep in
2. Cambodian bathroom signs look like this:

Saturday


KNG and I braved the insanity and went over to Soriya mall so she could find something to wear to Bar JoeEyeng (BJE).  If you've never seen large groups of people trying to figure out how to use an escalator, come to Soriya during Water Festival.  hilarious.  I also bought a super silly super chinese pink cellphone to replace the boring one I got from work.  I'd put a link up for it, but I'm pretty sure the model doesn't really exist. seriously.  The only non-chinese writing on the box says it's a Nokia ES20, but google says that's a camera...

Anyway, after that, KNG, PCV and I stopped by BJE before meeting up with AF and an MSG at a jazz lounge called Studio 182.  That place is cool, but the couches were way way way too comfortable for a night following DD.  Someone knew of a great place called Saint Tropez where we could either get a table to be chill or dance inside. Obviously we opted for the dancing where we caught sight of this gem...

PP may just be the best city in the whole world for people-watching.

Sunday

KNG, PCV and I went over to the super-local market where we were the only expats to buy KNG an outfit for a Khmer wedding in Kampong Cham. so fun! The fabric ladies were so nice and funny! I think when we go back to pick up KNG's outfit, I'll get one made just for funsies.  

Of course, we couldn't spend the whole day shopping, so we went over to the Himawari where AF is staying to chill out at the river-front pool.  Since the roads around the river were all blocked off, the tuktuk could only take us part way so we got to experience the craziness on the walk over! 

After some quality pool/jacuzzi time, we made it back to home base and thought it would be good to have a relaxed evening watching the fireworks with food and beverages on the rooftop.  That's how it started.  It ended with the MSGs realizing the holiday on Monday meant their curfew was 0500 while we were hanging out with the security, managers, staff and band at DD. That means the only thing I'm doing today (Monday) is getting a great $10 massage at the spa across the street and watching some of the DVDs I got at Soriya...

The moral of this story is that I get to spend the next 2 years living a lifestyle I would never be able to lead back in the States.  And I think I'm OK with that.

First weekend In the Penh

To answer your questions, this is what I've been up to since Wednesday...

Thursday and Friday - Flying, flying and more flying.  


After the long DC - PP trip, I was greeted at the gate by a nice Cambodian man that ran around the airport with my passport getting my visa and ushering me through customs.  When I say "ran," I mean it.  I flew through customs like it didn't even exist with a visa in my passport that just magically appeared.  Of course, this was totally unnecessary since my third bag was the last one on the belt.  After we finally got all of my bags, I was escorted through Phnom Penh to my apartment - which, btws, is kind of ridiculous:  2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 3 balconies.

The view from one of them:

yes, mom. those are palm trees!

Saturday - Lucky


After waking up at 6:00AM (thank you, 12 hour time difference and loud monkeys), I unpacked a little bit before connecting with Kitty Non Grata (KNG).  It's so nice having a friend that lives in my building - especially one that's already been here for three weeks and knows what's up.

We decided to walk to a place called The Living Room for brunch where I got a Vietnamese iced coffee and perhaps the most delicious omelet I've ever eaten...cheese, mushrooms and BACON nom nom nomnom nom...

After brunch, we headed over to Lucky Market to get some supplies and a $15 spa mani-pedi.  be jealous.

One quick nap later, it was time for dinner and people/gecko-watching at the FCC. Drinks at an Irish bar called Paddy Rice on the Tonle Sap quay came later, where we ran into an acquaintance of KNG.  We decided to join him and his friend at a swanky martini bar called Metro before finding our tuk-tuk driver and heading home for the night.

The view from the FCC balcony:

Things I learned during my first day in PP:

1. No one walks anywhere during the day
2. Crossing the street is a feat of strength, but not impossible
3. Things are oddly priced...some things are cheap, some are really expensive
4. It's really hot here
5. Geckos are cute

I think the plan for today is to get to the Russian Market and maybe a massage to get myself ready for my first week of work!

...oh right, I have a blog

I've been pretty bad about updating this sucker.  I kept thinking I'd get around to writing some more DC posts but...

All of the sudden, I'm packing out of DC!  so weird.

Even though I moved down here with the knowledge/intention that it would be temporary, I can't believe time has gone by so quickly!  This year started out a bit rocky, but thanks to the FSI Time Warp and some ridiculous adventures in DC's shallow dating pool with MD, Esq, it feels like I'm leaving as soon as I'm getting settled.

That said, Phnom Penh is calling, and when an exotic tropical locale asks you to live in it, you don't say no...or at least I don't.

Tomorrow is my packout, I said "see ya later" to Thor the Barbie Jeep Jungle Cruiser today, and I get on a plane to yet another new life on Thursday!  It kind of doesn't seem real, but I am definitely looking forward to it.  Warm weather, dream job, amazing perks, proximity to everything super fun in PartyPartySouthEastAsia, blah blah blah...

Basically, I'm going to have a ridiculous time.  And I'm going to write about (hopefully).  Stay tuned!!

On a side note, thank you to all my amazing friends who came out to send me off in style in both Boston and DC!! love you long time!

Som kum bañ khñom; khñom jia montrai toot!

Please don't shoot me; I'm a diplomat!

So I've been a little busy and haven't had a chance to update my blog. Sue me.  Really, it's just that I've been spending my days learning Khmer and my nights dancing/dominating at Buck Hunter - and I have a hard time expressing how ridiculous my language instructors really are.  As much as I would love to share the English translations of some of the best tidbits I have learned, this is a public blog and children might read it.  Yes, my little old Cambodian lady instructor taught me how to say very vulgar things. Things that would make even a girl from Jersey blush...or at least giggle a little bit. I love my job.

So instead, I will share a photo I took in Georgetown when there was still snow on the ground.  Now get off my back (Kat).

The results are in...

In October, I'll be going to Phnom Penh, Cambodia!

 

 

Don't feel bad if you can't remember where Cambodia is - that's what the map is for

Until I leave, I'll be doing some job-specific training and getting paid to learn a language that doesn't match my ethnicity (Khmer)...which I'm pretty excited for.

In case my excitement doesn't translate in writing, I've compiled a list entitled Reasons why this posting is amazing.

Here it is:


Reasons why this posting is amazing

1. Phnom Penh has a huge, young, socially active expat community 
2. The city offers everything you could possibly want...mostly costing $1
3. My house/apartment will be big enough to host all of my friends on their South-East Asian travels
4. Cambodian food
5. I get to spend the summer in DC living in my free housing...which includes a pool
6. I'll finally get to drive a scooter
7. Unless by choice, I won't see another winter until 2012
8. Travel to see colleagues in other SE Asian countries will be cheap & easy
9. I'll be going to post with a friend from A-100
10. I don't think I'll ever get tired of surprising people with my amazing Khmer which I will obviously have

I have more, but the list looks better as a set of 10.

On the Eve of Flag Day

In less than 24 hours, I'll know what I'll be doing for the next year at the minimum - and 3 years at the max. This is insane...I haven't had that much stability since high school!  I'll have to adjust a bit, but it might be nice to actually be able to plan for my not-so-immediate future.

and of course, it will definitely be nice to know when I'm leaving and where I'm going! 


For now, on this eve of Flag Day when I am still completely unaware of my pre-determined future, all I can do is have faith that those who are making the decisions will treat me kindly.  I must have faith in my ability to make the best out of any situation, and I must remember that even the worst tour will only last 2 years. 

Wish me luck!

...unless you're Russian...then think bad thoughts about me!

...like off a menu in a restaurant

Just as I submitted my bid list, a colleague reminded me to cherish this moment and to:

"take a moment to really consider the unique and extraordinary opportunity you have today - you are poring over a list of exotic, mysterious, and romantic locations around the world and you get to pick, like off a menu in a restaurant, where it is you want to go!"

...so lucky in so many ways.

And now the waiting game begins - Jan 29 can't come quickly enough!

Back from Boston

Going back to Boston and falling back into (2-week) old habits this weekend helped me realize two things:

A.  I am actually excited for my new life
B.  My friends are ridiculous and amazing and I love them

Also, my bid list is due in less than 48 hours, and 9 days thereafter I will know what I will be doing and in which country I will be living for the next 1-3 years.  No pressure.

If Procrastination was a country, I'd be Ambassador

A-100 is a bit of a black box: Input Human -Output Diplomat/Bureaucrat/International Person of Mystery

Before I started, I kept thinking that I would include a detailed description of what goes on during this magical five weeks at FSI.  Of course, that was before I started.  Even though I get home by 6:00PM every day and have much fewer distractions down here in DC than I did in Boston, finding the time to blog isn't as easy as it seems.  Between preferences, post research and the ever-daunting bid list, I can barely find the time to unpack! The good news there is that I'll probably have to do another packout soon anyway.  Fortunately, I also have lots of required reading to do. Years of graduate study have helped me to perfect my procrastination skills, and thus I am blogging (with some wine and old SVU episodes) instead of reading about how to write.  Now comes the challenge of finding something to blog about...

...how about DC?

Culture Shock :: Back to Reality

Last Thursday, I made it to the Culture Shock DC weekly class with Cecile.  I don't know if it was the company, the class or the fact that the combo spoke to exactly what I was feeling at the time, but it was like an instant sanity check.  Suddenly, everything seemed to make sense - including the importance of dance in my life. I just hope my CDO sees it the same way and sends me somewhere with a good class to take!

The class itself was great - the instructor was hilarious and the combo was challenging but not impossible.  It was also great to see that the hip hop dance community is alive and well in DC - I will definitely be taking more classes with them as long as I'm in the area.

Friday was a failure - Saturday not so much...depending on your definition


Since I didn't go out on Friday, I had to make up for it on Saturday.  It started as a dinner with some new colleagues at Souk on H st.  The original plan was to go to Sticky Rice, but the place was way too packed for a group of almost 20...the change of plans ended up being for the best, as Souk hit the trifecta: delicious, authentic, and cheap.  Next up was The H St Country Club for some skee-ball, Big Buck Hunter (Pro!) and bonding.  By the end of the night, I had:

1.  Showcased my mad Big Buck Hunting skilzzzzzzzzz
2.  Discovered the fratty Hong Kong of DC in Rock and Roll Hotel
3.  Danced with Teeny/Polly Pocket/TamTam
4.  Met a lumber jack
5.  Investigated yet another escalator mystery
6.  Met some really fun people
7.  Became convinced that, while not as fun as Boston, DC can actually be a good time.

ok - now it might actually be time to earn my keep and do some reading.

Back to Boston this weekend!

New Year, New Life

It's Friday night and I'm staying in...this might be a first. It's also the end of my first week in the Foreign Service, meaning that I'm 20% through the basic training and less than a month away from knowing where and when I'll be going next.  Thanks to that realization, moving into a big apartment all by myself, getting my bid list, finally getting to a dance class, and a visit from my parents, I've been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster.  In the past seven days, I've been nervous, excited, completely overwhelmed, relieved, desperately lonely and surrounded by friends and family - sometimes all at the same time. I think I deserve a night in with some trashy TV.

Hopefully I'll have the energy for an actual update soon!