It has been a very long month of problem solving. When I arrived, the school had no classroom for me, no desks, no filing cabinet, no stationary, no bookcase, no timetable, no resources (like puzzles or games) , no budget and no assessments or even the names of the students I was to teach. I had lots to do to get that organized. It was like they didn't know I was coming! Initially, I had one room, but it was too small for 5 large Grade 4 students. Then another room that was more like a greenhouse, as it heated up to 32 degrees in the afternoon as the air con didn’t work and there was no wifi. I did get a baby change table that could be used for a bookshelf though. I held it together until last week when a kind kindergarten teacher asked how I was doing, and I cracked. I had a good cry in her classroom, and was given lots of support and hugs and off I went to my greenhouse (I mean, classroom). A few hours after I got back to the room, the principal stopped in and I was still a bit teary. I think they finally got the picture. The Head of Schools and Student Support then came to see the room, and a decision was made to move me to another room…Finally! I am now settled into my third space and it is working well. Last week I spent assessing students. I have 20 students in total from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 4 that I pull out of the classroom by grade level to teach English to. They are amazing students and most have settled in well, considering they have all recently arrived from another country to a school where they have no English and no idea what is going on for a good part of their day. So now that they have all been assessed AND I have a room, I can finally start really teaching. Last weekend some friends I taught with in Macau came to visit, so I finally got the full tour of the school, and got to revisit/discover some places in Phnom Pehn. The teachers and admin (except for the space issue) at the school have been so supportive. One night after school, one of the Grade Teams had a get together with beer/wine, pizza and charades which I was invited to. Next night was a ladies night (all of us over 60 years old) with more beer/wine and pizza. As I mentioned in a FB post, the Southeast Asian Pacific Games (SEA Games) will be here in May. It has been decided that all local schools will be closed from April 20 until May 17 however, as we are an Alberta accredited school with final exams at that time, we are able to stay open. These closures are to help alleviate traffic congestion (it is already craziness) and there will also be a lot of security everywhere with roads blocked off. I happen to live in Olympia City Hotel next to Olympia City Stadium. It is likely I will be affected by traffic and security trying to get to school, so today I went apartment hunting. I found a cute apartment just blocks from the school for $200 less than I am paying now. Now the problem is that I signed a 4 month contract where I am, so I’m waiting to hear if I can break the contract and move. Crossing my fingers. After a few glasses of wine, a foot and body massage and a pedicure, I feel I am ready to face whatever challenges are coming my way next week! Below are random photos from my week.
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March 11/23 Well, I have survived my first full week of school. I can’t believe I have only been in Phnom Penh for just over 2 weeks and at the school for just over a week. I have been on a steep learning curve figuring out the ropes and problem solving, both at the apartment, the school and learning to navigate Phnom Penh again. My Mastercard has been locked twice, and Duane has had to deal with that. I’m unable to access money, as my bank account is not up and running, and add to that, no wifi on my phone, so some things have been frustrating, and exhausting to deal with. However, there are definitely perks about being back in Asia, in that some things are very easy. There are many great, inexpensive restaurants, pubs and wine bars, many are in lovely settings like gardens or trendy buildings. Massages are inexpensive. I pay $27 for an excellent massage at the hotel. The staff at the school have been amazing and very friendly, and I have been invited out to many events. Transportation is easy in that there is a phone app, similar to Uber, where you order your tuk tuk and they have your pick up point, drop off point and there is the cost shown. It’s not always reliable, as many drivers are not familiar with how the maps work but in theory, it’s good. Paying for things here is also easy. If I go to pay for something at Starbucks, or go to pay for a tuk tuk, a QR code comes up, you scan the QR code, and money comes out of your account, similar to a debit card. People also have their own QR codes, so if I want to transfer money to a friend, I scan her QR code and done. Seems so progressive. I wanted a guitar here so I can practise. I sent a Facebook message to a music store, asked about an inexpensive guitar, and within an hour, a guitar was at the hotel for a $1.00 delivery charge. Now, after a massage, room service and a glass of wine, I’m ready to take on whatever challenges next week has to offer!
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BerniceAfter being retired for 4 years, an opportunity came up to go back to the Canadian International School Phnom Penh, where I had worked for 2 years before retiring. Of course, I jumped at the chance. Here is where I will be posting the everyday and often mundane events of going back to work and going back to Cambodia! Archives
April 2023
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