The title is a joke, by the way. I have no idea what I'm doing or how to be a grown up...but I doubt any of you know how to do it either.
It feels like I've finally hit my stride here in Cambodia. It's strange that my first experience with grown up life is in a third world country. By grown up life I mean that I have a real job and a real apartment...in CAMBODIA. What?! My life before Cambo was living in a posh on campus apartment with two of the most incredible roommates, where we had weekly dance parties, cranked the AC to subarctic temperatures, and my obsession with them became borderline unhealthy. The cost of my rent here would get me a closet in the US, and the exterminator would visit the house every other day (I swear these ants reproduce 10 offspring for every one I kill). The temperature lingers in the mid 90s, and AC is a no-go. Southwestern living was a dream world.
In the mornings I teach kindergarten to affluent half Chinese half Cambodian children. They are hilarious. English is their third language, so you can just imagine what our classes are like. I've been working 2 months and literally have never successfully carried out a lesson plan. These are 2 of my favorites/ biggest trouble makers.
In the evenings I am a PROFESSOR of BUSINESS ENGLISH at a UNIVERSITY. Oh no, that's not a joke. I actually teach college classes. Who let that happen?! My students are awesome. Their teacher? Not quite there yet, Cher. On the first day of class, I fell out of my chair. In the second week of class, I wrote on the white board with permanent marker. Classic. Rookie mistake Professor, rookie mistake. I like this job a lot because I feel like I'm really helping my students make a better future for themselves.
I've far from figured it out. I would like to think I look as normal walking down the street as these Buddhist Monks...but instead my days are filled with alarming miscommunications, awkward encounters, and culturally questionable interactions. Oh and buckets and buckets of sweat. Strangely, this feels comfortable now. It only took me 13 weeks to somewhat get it together over here, and surely my last 10 will be a cake walk. That's totally not true, I just wanted to reference cake because I really miss it and could use some right now...
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Hey, Chris, first rule of teaching: if you successfully execute a lesson plan, you're not doing it right. If we listen to our bodies, they will tell us when we are hungry and we won't need to diet. If a teacher listens to her students, they will tell her what they need to know. That's a little Zen and somewhat oversimplified, but conceptually true.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get back to Texas, you will be the only constantly cold person in the state. . . .:)
Regarding your small apartment, you are learning a lesson that trucking has taught me and that Asians have known for years. The quantity of living space is overrated. . . . its quality is what counts. Make your close quarters a home, and you will quickly come to appreciate the easy maintenance and intimacy. Plus, I am sure Cambodians dance too!
Keep up the good work! Teach'em up!