Hiatus!

All I have to say is, who is NOT surprised I fell off the bloggin' wagon? I realize it has been a month and a half since I posted anything, and my only excuse is that I can be pretty damn lazy. Really just impressed at how long I was posting regularly. I always say, set the bar low and you wont be disappointed. Words to live by.

A lot has happened since the end of May. I went on a really incredible yet short trip to Cambodia in June, which was beautiful and eye-opening and super educational. I went alone, and found out that I enjoy traveling on my own. I can't even begin to explain Angkor Wat, it is huge and amazing and insanely cool. I can't believe I never learned about it, this amazing civilization during the European 'dark ages'. We are really euro-centric in our education. Along those lines, going to the killing fields and the genocide museum was one of the more depressing things I've done in a while. I hadn't known anything about the Khmer Rouge until a few years ago when I watched The Killing Fields (aptly named) on TCM. Actually going to the prison and seeing the mass graves was really intense, especially because the guides are all survivors, and most of their families perished during the reign of Pol Pot. They are so emotional and determined to have their stories heard. It's almost like having a holocaust survivor show you around a concentration camp, its just eerie. But, I also saw some amazing things, palaces and incredible art, and ate some delightful food. My friend Amy lives in Phnom Penh, and we met up for some delicious food (including Taro fries, AMAzing) and went to a modern art exhibition, which was nice to see, as art is very censored over here in 'Nam. All in all, it was a great trip. I will put up pics asap.

I am working hard and often, but am making time for VN lessons, voice-over for CNBC, Wednesday night dodgeball club, and I just started volunteering at a children's HIV shelter. My friend Rhona and I are taking a week off at the end of August and going to Dalat, a city in the mountains, where the French used to holiday during their occupation. It sounds beautiful and outdoors-y.

I am coming home for the holidays! Working until mid-December, then coming to the US for 3 or 4 weeks, then back to VN and on to a few weeks in Laos with my friend Hannah before coming back for another 6 months working at Apollo. I've made a list of places I am considering moving to after I leave here, and Turkey is still on the list, along with Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Brazil, Bosnia, Romania, Morocco, Russia, and Portugal. Open to other places, but these are places that I'd love to explore. South America is tough, because I don't speak Spanish and so many EFL teachers probably do. I was thinking Egypt for a time, but I think I'll steer clear for a few years. It's funny, I really thought I'd spend a year abroad to figure things out, and then head back. However, things are not very figured out as of yet, so I might as well keep on keepin' on with living abroad. Considering applying for a fulbright or peace corps (if I don't have a plan in the next few years, PC seems like a smart option, as that way at least I'm preparing to fund my grad school), and even thinking about looking into foreign service with the government, although I don't know if I'd get a security clearance. Apparently they like super straight-laced people to have those. Can't imagine why. At any rate, I'm happy just knowing my plans for the next year (will be back in the good ol' USA in time to be a maid in Lizzy Brouwer's wedding in August before moving to my next destination), and with 2 trips back home to see everyone in the next year, it really sounds like a good 'un to me. So many places to go. So little time.

This month is a poor one for me, since I'm trying to save money like CRAZY. Life is hard. Also, I would just like to say that it sucks to live outside the US when HP7(2) is out there but not over here. Really stings.

Also, you don't need a prescription for any drugs here. You just go in and tell them what you want. It's crazy. If we did that in the States, it would be drugged-out pandemonium. Ah, developing countries.

that's all for now, but I will REALLY try to not be a lazy ass anymore. we'll see...