Extra, Extra, PCV... Read all about It

Officailly a PCV and not a PCT 😊

So this week has been so wild! Since my last post, I had a fever that was on and off, as well as extreme fatigue for like a couple of days. Turns out those are signs of dengue, so I went to the capital to get a quick check-up outta no where. I was stressed though to make it back to my village, and luckily I did, but it was so quick how one message had me in the capital. So I noted to only message the PCMOs whenever there’s actually something I’m concerned about and not when I’m just looking for advice. Anyway, we had a mini going away event and my Grandma spoke and said a lot of nice words about me. It warmed my heart. Then we packed up and had to leave Monday morning. They were crying, but the tears weren’t there, and I couldn’t push any out. Too often, my old host family couldn’t communicate through words. We relied a lot on actions and emotions, and I worry that they didn’t think I was sad because I wasn’t crying like they were…it’s been keeping me up at night. Anyway, on Monday, I went to this Japanese chain mall think, and bought some skincare. It made me so happy to see some skincare that didn’t have any whitening products, so I could actually shop. Later in the night we went to a restaurant and the vibes just weren’t right for me. First off, I didn’t wanna go, but I went for my friend. We show up, the other volunteers are being loud and high-key tipsy. Then I ordered a margarita de Jamaica. The Jamaica wasn’t actually agua de jamaica so that annoyed me lol. Then I simply ordered a veggie quesadilla. Tell me why my quesadilla had broccoli and corn inside of it. So I was annoyed and left once I finished my meal. Afterward, my friends and I bought some snacks and boozes and chilled, but then my other friends came over after drinking from a bar for a couple of hours and were in another world. It went from a chill kickback to WWE fighting, to domestic abuse lol. It was really fun! Honestly, has to be one of my favorite times so far as a trainee. Speaking of, I’m not a trainee anymore, I’m officially a PCV, a Peace Corp Volunteer! The swearing in ceremony was nerve racking. I sang the Khmer and American national anthem with a couple other volunteers, and it surprisingly went well. Then we got sworn in, ate cake, said goodbye, maybe cried, and ever since I’ve been on this bus traveling from the south of the country to the north (I’m closer to the Thai border than the capital). It’s been a journey. There’s an emerging couple on our bus, and they’ve been giggling and chitchatting for the whole time (and this is like hour 6 of this). And I’ve been behind them, struggling not to show my annoyance, lol).

Unfortunately, I won’t be arriving to my town until tomorrow, so I’ll add those pictures next week. Also, I saw a picture of my old house from 10 years ago, and it bought back so many negative memories! I was surprised by how much my life has changed from then. If you would’ve told 13-year-old me this would be my life, I wouldn’t believe you. I spent so much time those years dreaming about leaving/traveling and being happier. And I achieved both! Mentally, there’s so much going on that I haven’t felt sad, really. Just excited and hopeful, which is very surprising for me. Because I feel like mentally, I also relapse and fall into bad thinking habits. I take it as a sign of me finally achieving good mental health.

***Our song for the morning lol***