Happy Canada Day

Seeing as we are a Canadian school it was only logical to throw an event for over 200 people, including parents, students, Ambassadors, media networks, photographers, teachers and staff. To prepare for this extravaganza all foreign teachers spent weeks prepping our kids, teaching them music performances, making costumes, learning how to line up and walk at appropriate standards.  My grade one students had the gruelling task of learning two music performances (four students even played piano), a play based on the children's book "we're going on a beat hunt", as well as there graduation from kindergarten into my class which had yet to be celebrated.  As I am the principal in the publics eye I was required to write a speech to commemorate this event. After all the blood, sweat, tears, and sleepless nights the event was upon us. I dressed to impress in my new Principal-esk dress which I purchased specifically for this event.  My students being the kind hearted, confidence boosters that they are gave me all the compliments in the world on my new dress making the day bound to be wonderful. The rest of the day was honestly a blur after that, filled with excitement and activity. My kids performed amazingly and I could not have been more proud of them!! It melts my heart to think that I've been able to share these memories with them, to watch them grow and to know their journey to success has only begun.

After all the performances were over and the crowd dwindled down we only had a couple of hours to recover and regroup as we then had a staff party that evening.  Keeping up with the Cambodian ways we dressed to the nines and took more than enough selfies for a lifetime.  The night was just as good as the day if not better. We were able to let loose and really appreciate what we had accomplished earlier in the day. The best part by far though was an unexpected speech delivered to us by our employer. Although he is not one to give praise often he wowed us all with his kind words.  Reminding us that our efforts are shaping the lives of our students; that we are creating memories and feelings that these kids will carry with them throughout their lives; and they surely won't forget us for giving them these gifts that too cherish so greatly. His words rang true within all of us, moving us beyond measure and re-energizing us for the months to come.

Happy Canada Day to a Country I love and miss; the Country that provided me with all of the possibilities I could have ever asked for, which is essentially how I ended up here in Cambodia.  And more importantly Happy Canada Day to a Country that has shown me they are not as different from Canada as I may have first assumed. Together we celebrate prosperity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78s-evCv8Vs

 Dawin and Virakyuth ready to Graduate

 My Boss Mr. Virak, the Ambassador of the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, and myself during the National Anthem

Making my Canada Day Speech and Sok Eng translating

 My kids performing twinkle twinkle little star

four of my kids on piano. Jonah, Jenny, Olivia, and Sawa

 Pre School performance of "Five Little Ducks"

 Pre School Performance of "One, Two, Three, Four, Five"

 Pre-Kinder Class "Wheels on the Bus"

 Pre-Kinder "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear"

Kinder Class "The Color Song"

 kids are ready to perform the Bear Hunt

 "We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a big one.  What a Beautiful day we're not scared! uh oh grass, long wavy grass.  We can't go over it, we cant't go under it.  Oh no we've got to go through it"

  "We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a big one.  What a Beautiful day we're not scared! uh oh a river, a cold deep river.  We can't go over it, we can't go under it.  Oh no we've got to go through it"

 "We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a big one.  What a Beautiful day we're not scared! uh oh a forest, a deep dark forest.  We can't go over it, we cant't go under it.  Oh no we've got to go through it"

 uh oh its a cave

 "one shiny wet nose, two big furry ears, two big goggly eyes, ITS A BEAR!"

Quick back through the cave, back through the forest, back through the river, back through the grass, into the house, WE ARE NOT GOING ON A BEAR HUNT AGAIN!