Too many things to blog about

It's really been quite an eventful year for me that there really has been too little time to blog or post pictures here much.  Of course, there's also the Facebook craze and yes, i have been uploading pictures there more recently.  Of course, it doesn't make up for the many stories i wish i could share with you face-to-face and so, here's an attempt to give you a gist of what's been happening with me ;)  

I'm looking at my 'To blog' folder of pictures and it appears that i've not even posted pictures of my visit to the junior youth groups in Preah Vihear...which I had such an adventure with :)  It was during this trip that i began to understand the need for accompaniment in each area.  It was also during this trip that i resolved not to lay my expectations on the coordinators or cluster agencies in the places i visit and to be as objective as possible to the situations faced in each cluster.  And now, after having traveled to 5 different clusters, i guess i can say that no 2 clusters are the same and i wish i can spend more time in each area, on regular visits throughout the year.

Junior youth group in Roveang district, Preah Vihear

Junior youth group in Songkom Thmei District, Preah Vihear

Junior youth group in Songkom Thmei

A new junior youth group in Songkom Thmei.  It took us one hour on a motorbike to get to this village.  When we arrived, we had a chance to talk to the youth who brought the group together and he mentioned that he hadn't started them on Breezes of Confirmation because he felt they wouldn't want to learn it because it's not an English Class.  Well, we've had such experiences before and learnt that it was just a matter of how the program is introduced to the junior youth and their parents.  So, we did a little introduction for the group (all of whom were 12 and 13 year olds) and they were eager to know more about Musonda!  

On the way back, we visited yet another youth who was very willing to serve. He'd started out with a few junior youth in his house and when the village leader found out about what he was doing, requested him to carry it out in the 'community hall' for all the junior youth in the village.

For some reason, the Cambodians find this picture fascinating.  I always get a reaction from this photo.

Adventures around Songkom Thmei

This is by far the most arduous road trip i have ever taken.  Part of the journey into Songkom Thmei involved riding at the back of a motorbike, with 2 boxes of books and my luggage, over slippery and muddy roads (thanks to the rain the day before that).  There were stretches along that 2 hour ride that i kept thinking to myself "How can i describe this journey over the days to come, when i felt like sharing about it with others?"  I obviously couldn't take out my camera to get a shot for fear that i may drop the camera on one of the bumps, which anyway, i needed both hands to hang on to the bike.  Ever wonder if you need to learn how to make sure your ass gets back on the seat once it's lifted off the bike?  Well, i had a crash course here! The other feature about this ride being the 'most arduous' for me is the fact that we were actually riding in the river at some point.  Thankfully, the rain that poured the day earlier wasn't enough to fill the river, allowing access into the district.  Of course, we had to get off at times and walk behind the bikes, which felt much safer.

That was my Preah Vihear trip for you.  I hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as i had the adventure of living it.  Thinking back, i had a great time.  I have however, decided that I do have a threshold for how much i can endure.  3 days and 2 nights in a place without a toilet or only taking a shower in the late night just so it's dark enough no one else could see u in a sarong looking silly trying to get clean is something i'd never do, if it weren't for the love of this program.

Anyway, after that, i had a 2 week trip to Malaysia, which was supposed to be spent elsewhere but for visa issues.  I had a good time anyway.   Mom and i went away to Redang and had a great time snorkeling and watching episodes of Heroes together.  What's better than sun, sand and sea to rejuvenate the soul and pamper oneself?! 

Where we stayed

Sitting on the deck chairs enjoying the blue skies

And when i wasn't looking up, i was reading this book, listening to music...ahhh, the life ;)

Lovely time in the water.

Catching the sunrise on the morning before we left.  That's me, sitting on the rocks in the corner of the picture.

Memorable 'porter services' from the resort to the jetty.

We also spent an afternoon wandering around Kuala Terenganu, as we waited for our flight back to KL.  Mosques, durians and China town

These pictures were taken on the way back to Cambodia, flying over Phnom Penh.

Returned to Battambang just in time for Melvene's birthday celebrati

Ok, I had last blogged about the training sessions that were gonna happen at the end of July.  The first session (3 weeks) went on well, with the same group who attended in March (except 2) and a few more from around Battambang, returning to share the activities they carried out in the 3 months on their own, reflecting on the learning they have gained based on their experiences and of course, learning more which they will take back and practice further in the coming 6 months (before their next session in March 2010).

Thinking in pairs about the work of a coordinator

Going over all the information we can gather together about the JYSEP and preparing our own answers to 'Frequently Asked Questions'

Mindmaps - to organize all the information we could gather

I love the youth i serve

Animator gathering with the Prek Norin community (part of Battambang cluster) where there are about 10 junior youth groups going on

After the animator gathering, the training participants and the organizers went to the Ek Phnom temple ruins and had a little prayer session together (and photo session, too, of course!)

Then, there was another 2 week training with another group of coordinators from clusters where the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program is more established (meaning 20 to 50 junior youth groups in a cluster, with up to 500 junior youth participating).  Unfortunately, it was at this point that my camera started to give way... :( 

Anyway, i'll blog more soon cos there is just too many things to blog about to fit them all in one post.  Later!