The Stand
To preface, I love it here. Things are good, but there are things which drive me insane, and this is one of those times I just feel the need to share. I have a host family of 6 people: -The Mum: Great lady, lets me do what I need to do and is fun to talk to -The Dad: Deputy School Director and a true gent -The kids: 3 of em and they’re good to have around -The aunt…: I’m assuming very well intentioned, but for the love of God does not know the meaning of boundaries, privacy, or what a closed door means. For the past few weeks has taken to force feeding me, barging in my room at all times of the day, getting mad when I’m exercising and should be showering ” Why would you do this now, it is time for showering” or my favorite…unlocking my door at 5 am this morning to barge in and tell me I’m sleeping too late. I don’t have anything to do today, there are no classes I need to attend, and I was rather excited to have a relaxing morning…bye bye I get the whole integration of family, I definitely get the need to make this seem like the best place in the world, but I am being rather worn down by her. I don’t play well with others when I want alone time, as many of you know about me. When I put my face out in public, I try to be as polite as possible, but it’s like going into a panda den. You may find Pandas nice and cuddly in person, but don’t fuck with their den. That’s their place. I get officially an 8x8 room to have to my own and it is constantly being bombarded like Dresden. The food she left in my room that I was not made aware of (she thinks if she places it in here without me knowing it, I’ll eat it) was eaten away by mice last night and is now all over my floor, and it’s only 6:41am and I’m already peeved. Trying to remember the things she’s gone through having survived the Khmer Rouge time, but there are times when I can’t just be as conciliatory. This whole science project is about finding balance and while I am trying to do that, I don’t know where I should concede or where I should politely ask for her to butt the f out. Oh…and school is a joke as of now. -Teachers: Don’t like teaching English. My Counterparts don’t have their books and seem fine with showing up 30 minutes late to a class that only lasts 1 hour. -Students: Don’t speak a word of english, even the 11th grade students. No books, no interest, no attendance. If you read this and rolled your eyes, I know it sounds trivial, but when it’s your entire life, it seems just as important as getting a pop-tart is to a 6 year old. (pretty important) So, I’ll try and keep the bitching to a minimum, but in a land where already so much of your every day has been taken from you and you’re attempting to find a new balance, these seemingly trivial things take on a whole new meaning. Now to debate if taking a shower is worth it to have to be berated by her or just run for the cafe for breakfast….decisions decisions. Be easy, -Matt