Switching up the format yet again! Hope this isn't too confusing but I thought I would experiment with some different ways of keeping you all updated - like using a video - and uploading a PDF would not have been the best way to do that.
I was reminded through recording this video that my face CANNOT HIDE EMOTION and it was quite startling to witness. I guess you all are used to that so there's no need for me to explain it but I thought I would just say that...yes...I am aware of how expressive me face is LOL. At least now I am. Anyway! Here's a little overview video of me talking to my camera about my trip since the last update since I didn't do too much writing this time around.
A few things I didn't mention in the video...since the last update I have had my 23rd birthday, moved into an apartment that I will be sharing with the other Tonle intern, and can now officially make it to work without getting lost. Very proud of that last one. Here are the journal entries I've done since last time!
Day 17
I can make it home from Tonle without looking at google maps…pretty close to being able to make it there without looking as well LOL. That has been one of the MOST frustrating things I have ever experienced. Nothing like experiencing Cambodian traffic on a peddle bike crossing a one way bridge that is being used both ways and is more packed than Vancouver at 6pm to give you a little anxiety. Super fun. Fortunately everyone goes fairly slowly.
It’s so weird to getting used to being able to do whatever I want with my time when I get home, and not really having much that I MUST do. It is quite disorienting. The “I feel guilty when I breathe cause I could be doing homework” feeling apparently is not dependant on actually having homework. I’m a productivity monster who can’t enjoy life even when there’s nothing that I could do that would be productive. Haha I’m trying to retrain my brain but it’s definitely a struggle.
The past few days haven’t been quite so hot and that has made things significantly more pleasant. I almost felt like I might need a blanket to sleep the other night. Today when I arrived at Tonle there actually wasn’t a continent of sweat on my back. I call that a win!
It’s so weird to getting used to being able to do whatever I want with my time when I get home, and not really having much that I MUST do. It is quite disorienting. The “I feel guilty when I breathe cause I could be doing homework” feeling apparently is not dependant on actually having homework. I’m a productivity monster who can’t enjoy life even when there’s nothing that I could do that would be productive. Haha I’m trying to retrain my brain but it’s definitely a struggle.
The past few days haven’t been quite so hot and that has made things significantly more pleasant. I almost felt like I might need a blanket to sleep the other night. Today when I arrived at Tonle there actually wasn’t a continent of sweat on my back. I call that a win!
Figuring out graphic-t designs
Working with Turmeric dye!
Srey-Boun
View from the balcony of the apartment!
Tonle
An overcooked cob of corn soaked in a coconut cream sauce of some kind!
Day 26
Another week down! There has been more rain this week, meaning things are getting even cooler. So like around 30 degrees instead of 36 haha. I moved into the new apartment at the beginning of the week so I spent most of my afternoons settling in and getting to a point where I had enough dishes to actually make food for myself. As I mentioned in the video, I'm feeling much more in routine now in terms of Tonle, which is weird but also really nice. I think by the end of the summer I will have tried every variation of Cambodian soup just from having lunch at Tonle! There are quite a few. Street food is another new world to experience, so far I've tried the corn dipped in coconut sauce (pictured above), some deep fried blobs of corn and mushroom, fresh sugar cane juice (literally the best thing in the world) and banana bread. It's all quite exciting. This week we moved on from grading (at least I did) to working on spec packs for the new collection so I've been doing lots of little detail work while sitting at my computer which has been cool.
I think that's about it for this time around, you will all have to let me know what you think of the new format :)
Have a great weekend everyone! Till next time...
Hannah
Thank you!