New Blog!

Hello friends.

After months of silence and a few weeks of self motivation, I have created a new blog! You can find me at www.mindovermommy.com

I hope you'll follow me there.

Working can be so bittersweet

Jude's daycare posts pictures on Instagram pretty much everyday, so I can see what he's up to. Look at that: he can sit on his own!

Why don't I know that? Because in the morning I see him for about an hour while we all run trying to get ready and at night I see him for about 30-45 minutes before he falls asleep and I tend to carry him.

And look at today's picture:

He's ok sleeping with a sleep sack! At home I still double swaddle him but the amazing ladies at daycare have helped with the transition to the sleep sack -just as they helped with the transition from an inclined bed (rock and play) to a flat crib. I love that about daycare: they help you with this type of transitions. In Jude's case, they really help with everything! Today Joe forgot Jude's bottles so I dropped them off and when I got there Jude was sitting up and crying because one of the caregivers was holding another baby. My little man was jealous. He started laughing when she came close to him. And then he cried again when she wasn't looking at him, and smiled when she gave him attention, and cried again when she looked at someone else, etc. What?? It was so great to see how much he loved his caregivers, but a bit bittersweet because I am missing so much -from his progress to his personality.

When Léo was Jude's age we had a nanny at the house 2 days a week. I feel I saw him grow until he went to daycare full time at 1 -I didn't feel I missed much. Not so with Jude. I love working. I love my work. And I love my paycheck. But sometimes that comes at a price. And right now I have a bit of a hard time with that.

10 years... 10 main differences between France and the US

This past Sunday marked the 10-year anniversary of my moving to the US. I cannot believe it's been that long already! So much has happened since. One of the big changes is that I feel I belong to two cultures. I don't feel quite French anymore, yet I don't feel American at all either. So I thought I'd tell you about the main differences I have noticed between my two countries -the one I was born and raised in and the one I now call home.

1) Toilets.
What? I know. Yet ALL French people are really weirded out when they use public toilets in the US because of the space between the door and the separation wall. In France, you have a closed door, period. Here, you can see people on the loo if you look -but who would look, right? It is weird. I'm used to it now -but I remember thinking it felt uncomfortable to go at first. Also here toilets are clean. In France they're usually a dirty, smelly mess.

2) Clothes
Second major difference: how people dress. I remember owning dresses, skirts, scarves, handbags, and different pants. Now I own yoga pants and comfy clothes. I know this is due to my own laziness, but also to the fact that no one judges you here if you dress like you just woke up. In French schools for instance, you will be in trouble if you wear sweat pants, a hat, or tennis shoes in the classroom. A big no-no is to wear tennis shoes as regular shoes. Even moms of newborns dress well. And the scarf is omnipresent. I miss dressing well. At the same time I am thankful I don't have to think too much about my clothes.

3) Schools
Apart from how you dress in the classroom, there are major differences between the two systems. For one, it seems that kids in the US are expected to know a lot -fast. Most kids know how to read by the time they're 4-5. As I have said in a previous post, in France you learn how to read and write in 1st grade. This morning I dropped by Leo's school to give him his stuffed animal for nap, and they were learning shapes and colors. He learnt all that last year. That being said, I also feel that high school students in France have a more rounded education than high school students here. We study philosophy, languages, world events. Our curriculum is rigorous. But a few years later, universities in the US do a better job at letting students choose their own path, while in France you choose your path in high school (math, economics, literature), and cannot easily deviate from that. You also decide on a major when you enter university, and if you want to change, you have to start all over again. It's frustrating. So there is good and bad in each system!

4) Jobs
I am so thankful I have only looked for jobs in the US. In France it seems that you can only find jobs if you have a degree that corresponds to the job you're applying for. Before moving to the US and while waiting for my fiancee visa to be approved, I applied for secretarial jobs, but was told I didn't qualify because I didn't have a degree in secretarial studies. Um, what? Here in the US there is freedom of movement and people can change careers a lot (I am aware of limitations depending on your level of education, poverty, or color of skin. I'm talking from my point of view).

5) Politics
Oh that's a BIG one! Politics are so different! When my brother and his girlfriend were here, we talked about our political affiliations. My brother's girlfriend is right wing. But she's atheist, anti death penalty, anti guns, pro choice, and pro gay marriage -and most right wing people in France share these beliefs. Here she would be Democrat. One other big difference is that we have a lot of parties in France. At any given presidential elections, 10-15 people are in contention for the job, compared to your 2 or 3. Something else: you guys have the nutso tea party. We have the National Front -the racist party. This party has tried to reinvent itself lately, but the founder made jokes about sending people in trains (reference to the Shoah) and wanted to re-install the death penalty and stop immigration. And this party consistently gets 20% of voters, which is scary and maddening. I would say that Americans are super afraid of everything they don't know, but the French are, well, pretty racist. Try applying for a job with a last name of N'-something or El-something and you probably won't get hired. It's pathetic.

6) Religion
Another huge difference between the two countries. 70% of French people are Catholic -whereas you guys are mainly Protestant and you have about 106 denominations! But the French are secular Catholics. Most people actually don't believe in anything -but they were baptized so they consider themselves Catholics. 12% of the population is Muslim. France is really secular and laic. If a president finished his speeches by "God bless France" people would be up in arms (oh, that's an American idiom for sure. We don't allow firearms in France). One thing we have in common is that it's very hard for the main line to allow others to live their religion openly (head scarves, construction of mosques, for instance). There is prevalence in both country of white privilege that is more than frustrating and has dire consequences.

7) Housing
To put it simply, most apartments or houses in the US are luxurious by French standards. Washer/driers, dish washers and ovens are not usually included in any sort of rental in France. I, for one, love this luxury -which comes with a price: rent in the US is so incredibly expensive compared to France. Also, some housing developments here have all the same type of houses, which is not that common in France, where people have all kinds of different houses. But I think the more modern the houses are, the more similar they look.

8) Service
Ah French service... not awesome. Servers don't get tips so being nice to you is not part of the job. Cashiers don't greet you with a "how are you?" Government agencies are open just a few hours per day and its employees are known for their, er, lack of velocity in dealing with issues. The US wins for service!

9) Friendships
Yes, friendships are different. Here (and by here I mean in California) people are warm and talk about private stuff even if they don't know you but they're terrible at following up -I'm super guilty of this. In France, people are slow to warm up but once you're friends, that's it, you are good to go. That was quite a stark realization for me when I moved to the US.

10) Food
BEST for last, right? Food. Quite different! For one, you can find good, healthy frozen meals in France whereas here you can't find anything unless you go to Trader Joe's.Pastries and bread are so much better in France. You can buy good wine in France for just a few euros. But bad food is so much better here -hmmm burgers! Also the French don't generally eat out, and I found out that I do love eating out -and I also don't like to cook, so yeah.

So... I am French in so many ways (education, politics, secularism) but appreciate the US for a lot (finding a job, housing, everyday luxuries like house stuff and eating out). I miss French culture, especially French movies and songs and being able to discuss very deep issues at the dinner table, but I am happy here. Still, I won't change my citizenship any time soon! I am French, for ever and always.

You may say I'm a dreamer...

On Monday, I went to our first parent-teacher conference at Leo’s school. Leo is a bright student and he’s a big dreamer. Well, according to the teachers, he “doesn’t listen very well.” That doesn’t mean he’s defiant. That means they have to ask him to do something three times before he moves. That means he can stand in front of the toilet for 5 minutes and not get in or that he can sit at the lunch table and eat the cereal bar I gave him in his lunch box but not request the meal the school should give him (that has happened a couple of times). Maybe he’s too much of a rule follower, maybe he’s not autonomous enough, maybe he doesn’t care that much. I don’t know. He doesn’t tell us much. 

But I have noticed he does the same at home. If he watches TV, we have to yell at him for him to turn his head to us, hearing us call his name for the first time –when we have actually called him 5 times. You can tell he stops and thinks when we’re trying to get him to get dressed, brush his teeth, and overall get ready in the morning. 

Also, he just refuses to speak French. When we ask him if he speaks French he says “not all the words.” It’s a bit like it’s all or nothing. Either he knows ALL the words or he knows nothing at all.

Does he put too much pressure on himself? Maybe.

We’re left with a lot of questions. Nothing dramatic. He’s only 3. I just wonder what we’re doing to cause that. Maybe we rush him all the time. Maybe Jude’s arrival was more of a shock than we thought. Maybe school is not challenging enough for him, since he doesn’t really understand what is being said. It’s just hard not knowing how to help him. Then again, the teacher says he doesn’t seem to be bothered by any of this. He plays, he smiles, he talks. So maybe this is no issue? Maybe it’s just the way he is. I’m just anxious about his well-being and want to make sure he’s not afraid of trying, not afraid of asking for help and of sticking up for himself. So I’ll observe him more and see what he needs –and maybe see that yes, he’s a dreamer all right, and just let him be. We’ll see.

Mommy brain

Jude has been spiting up a bit more than usual lately. I was wondering if maybe it was the introduction of formula into his diet. And then I realized that I have been eating Haagen Dazs (yum!) like it's my job and ice cream is made with a ton of milk, and Jude doesn't do well with milk, and... What was I thinking? Well I was not thinking. Mommy brain!

School decisions

Last year we decided to enroll Léo in a French school. We moved a bit south (still too far from the school. Well, only 10 miles but round trip, picking him up takes me about an hour) and off he went, just 3 days after his little brother was born. Talk about transitions! Tomorrow we need to bring his re-enrollment paperwork to school. I think we're going to keep him in that school. The teachers are really nice and the philosophy of the school (students first) is definitely attractive. But two things have me wonder:

1- He still doesn't understand much French and is VERY frustrated. He doesn't listen during class because it's hard to focus when you don't understand what is being said. I am trying to talk to him in French more but he says "Mama, speak English (which sounds like "Enguh-lish!")". He cries almost every morning and finds new excuses not to go to class. He's really not liking this school too much. To be fair, he also had issues with his school last year, so it's not this particular school that he doesn't like, but the fact that he doesn't understand anything 3 hours per day is not helping.

2- The French system focuses a lot on play. I think it's great. Kids have plenty of time to focus on schooling. But if we decide to put Léo in public school when he's 6, I'm afraid he's going to be late. In France, you start learning to read and write at 6, in 1st grade. Here in the US, you start to read and write at 4 or 5. You arrive in 1st grade ready to learn math, pretty much. This year for instance, Léo's teacher told us students learn to recognize numbers from 1-3. Great. Except Léo had done that last year, from 1-10 pretty much. I see friends' kids the same age as Léo already adding numbers. And as much as I don't want to compare, I also don't want him to be late and made fun of when he arrives in public school.

So I think we're going to re-enroll him, because, well, it's too late now that the deadline is tomorrow (resolution for 2015: be more organized. No kidding. That's my resolution. Case in point!). I hope he's going to like his school, learn French, let me talk to him in French, watch cartoons in French, and learn as much as his American peers. The pressure. And he's only THREE!

Well that was a tough transition -and Happy 2015!

Happy new year!!

I went back to work a month and a half ago and man... that was tough. Organization-wise, we pretty much sucked. We had a nanny for a bit but she's so awesome she got a job and left (fortunately she's now a great friend), and the nanny who replaced her was not available all the time because of previous commitments or illness. So I had to take time off a few weeks after being back already, which was not the plan. Jude's daycare will open full time next week, so this right there should make our lives easier.

Work itself has been rough. I can't really focus or understand very deep conversations. My brain goes blank a few times a day. It's quite annoying. Also, one single project has now become my main priority -I'll spend 70% of my time managing it. Overall I still love my job and my team but my motivation is not quite back to what it was pre-Jude. I'm a bit over it right now.

Good news: my brother and his girlfriend have been here since Christmas Day. They're staying until January 12th, which gives us a lot of time to hang out and talk. I love this time together. Last time we saw each other was in May 2013. Too long without seeing my favorite person in the world -the 3 boys in my house excluded.

I'm enjoying the last days of vacation with everyone. I hope you had a great holiday season!

Going back to work

I am going back to work in one week. Jude will be 2 months and 2 weeks old. I am so conflicted about this. One the one hand, I love my job yes (well, right now I'd be inclined to say I like my job, but I'm a bit bitter). On the other, I am so in love with my baby that it pains me to leave him. I went back to work with Léo when he was 3 months and 3 weeks. My mother-in-law flew to Seattle the first week to take care of him, so he went to daycare when he was 4 months old, which at the time seemed young, too. This time around, the daycare we have chosen is not yet licensed, so we're going to hire a nanny until the infant room opens. This was cause for stress, but now that we've almost secured a nanny I want the State to take a loooong time to visit and license the daycare facility. I am so so happy to know that Jude can stay home with me for a bit longer. I just want to hold him and see him smile. Also I know what I'm doing (kinda) with him and I feel like writing a 10-page instruction manual to his care-givers. With Léo, it was more "please raise him for me because I have no clue how to raise a human being." It's different with Jude obviously because now I know what I'd do if I didn't have to go back to work, in terms of talking to him in French, carrying him (because it's nice and because of his flat head... which I'll talk about in another post), and just experiencing his growth.

It's so bittersweet. I am quite upset at the lack of paid leave in the country. It's ridiculous that I had to forego vacation for more than a year to have a decent "maternity"leave. This time around I really feel like I'm letting someone else raise my child. I am so heartbroken. I know he'll do fine and he'll know I'm his mama no matter what, but I also know I am trusting other people with Jude's development and it's a bit hard for me to accept this time around.

So I have one more week of talking to him In French and making him smile (for the 20 minutes he's awake between feedings!), of holding him close and smelling his soft hair. I can do that in the evening when I come home, I know that. I can also see the 2nd or 3rd (or 101st) time he does something if I miss the 1st. It's just that I know what I am missing now and it's hard to leave him, so young, to someone else.

That being said, I'm glad someone else will be getting puked on 5 times a day. Let's see the positive here, ha!

Anyway... One more week and I'm back at work. We'll see how it goes!

Talking to Jude

I have never felt comfortable talking to Léo or Jude. I don't know what to tell them. I end up saying "Hi baby!" 103 times in a row. But last week I read this blog post and it clicked! Talk to your baby not to increase their vocabulary but to tell them what is happening to them before or as things happen. That has helped tremendously. I still say "Hi baby!" too much, but I also make sure I talk to Jude as a human who deserves to know what is happening around him, not a mere participant in my life.

(I know the site is affiliated with the RIE method, which stands for Resources for Infant Educarers. I haven't read much about that because I don't want to feel like a failure for not following such and such method.)

Loving two children: same but different

I was wondering how it would be to love two children. While pregnant, I knew I loved Jude but it was nothing compared to what I felt for Leo. Actually I didn't feel as close to Jude as I did with Leo, even while pregnant. It's probably because I was so busy with life and Leo and didn't spend every waking second thinking of the baby growing inside me. It all changed when Jude was born of course. Well,  a few days after he was born!

As with Leo, I didn't feel much for the baby right away. With Leo people said "aren't you loving him so much?" and I didn't know how to answer because, well, no I didn't. I mean I did. He was my child, but he was also a stranger. Sane with Jude -with the added "bonus" of major guilt over having to share my heart, time, and arms between the two children. Actually on the first day I only held Jude when we were alone, not in front of Leo. Joe was a bit afraid I would reject the baby. I was just cold.

And then, as with Leo, the overwhelming feeling of love came. I was dealing with quite a bit of hormonal craziness with Leo, so my love for him was a bit too much. I cried and cried because I just loved him so much and was afraid to mess him up somehow. I held him a lot. I cuddled him all the time. And I had plenty of time to "bond" at night, since he didn't sleep much for the first few weeks. It was really intense love. It was different with Jude. After a day or two, I just... loved him. A deep and strong love. So deep and so strong. But this time I am level headed, Jude sleeps well at night, and he doesn't like to be held that much (how different they already are!). There is no freak out about my love for him or my fear to mess him up (I will mess him up somehow and it's ok!).

(By the way, the guilt I felt about sharing was gone in about a week. I thought I'd have a lot to say about that, but no. It just went away in a snap)

I love them both to a level that words can't express. They are my life. But the love I have for them feels different. It is not different in intensity (both are 20 on a scale from 1 to 10) but in how I think about that love. I don't know if that makes much sense. In a way I feel my love for Leo was all over the place and my love for Jude is very steady, almost calm. Might have to do with hormones!

I'm just so happy to love these two little guys. And I'm happier to see who they are, how they will interact, who they will become.

Transitions

Ah, I wish I had a great blog post telling you about my 10 tips to ease transition from one child to two, but for that you'll have to go on Pinterest. Let's be honest: it has been a bit chaotic at home lately. Léo is having a difficult time with his new school and Jude's arrival. Latest example: last night and this morning. He came to our bed at about 4:30, right as I was done feeding Jude (and cleaning us up. Little man has major reflux). Léo told me that he wanted his car blanket back -the one I put under Jude's rocker material. I told him that was not possible and he screamed and cried "I don't want Jude to have any of my blankets." Ah yes, it is starting. Then this morning he screamed and cried because he didn't want to go to school. And during the day he screams and cries (really screams -high pitched and loud) about a lot of things: wanting to go to the pumpkin patch NOW, wanting yet another toy, not wanting to eat, etc. It's been rough to be collected and answer like an adult (I have heard myself say "FINE!" like a teenager. Not my finest moment). It's also been tough to find a balance between respecting his feelings and saying no, once and for all, on any given issue. I'm reading Siblings Without Rivalry and hopefully that'll help some. I just think it's been a lot all at once and it's hard for a 3-year old to process. And it's hard also to be in class and understand nothing of what the teacher says. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa on that one.

Hopefully in a few months I'll have that 10 tips blog post. In the meantime... I'm trying to find a balance one day at a time!

Mothers from abroad - I am featured on a splendid blog!

Check this out -and generally stalk her blog (she is my favorite blogger these days): 24 Surprising Things About Parenting in the United States.

At last an update!

It's been too long. Way too long! An update is in order.

JUDE IS BORN! Well that's an update all right. Our little guy was born 3 weeks and 2 days early on August 29th. He's been a delight since. I am quite in love with him. Léo has had to adjust (whole post coming on that one) but overall we're all doing pretty well. A few things:
- I started feeling strong contractions at 3:30am -they woke me up- and gave birth at 6:10am. Yup, fast. And painful. Oh my word, painful. But fast. Yay!
- He eats every 3 hours (4-5 during the night! That didn't happen with Léo and I'm overjoyed, but I am not controlling anything and am so afraid he's going to start waking up in the middle of the night and stay awake). He's quite a chunky baby now. He went from 19 inches and 6 pounds to 21.5 inches and almost 10 pounds in 3 weeks. I love his baby fat rolls!
- He sleeps the rest of the time. He's just starting to be awake during the day, now at 6 weeks. And he's also starting to resist naps. Awesome.
- He loves his pacifier. He eats super fast (I have a fast flow) so he needs to suck on something. Léo did, too. Pacifier to the rescue! That being said, that thing should have its own circle of hell. It's great when it sticks in his mouth but all hell breaks lose when the thing falls. Oy.
- I love not working. I love my job but I am already really sad that the thought of going back to work in 5 weeks. Jude will only be 2.5 months. Léo was 3.5 months when I went back to work and I thought it was early. Jude will most likely be in daycare for 8-9 hours per day right when he starts being an awesome baby who smiles and cooes. The US and its lack of paid leave... Infuriating.
- Léo did really well the first 2 weeks despite having a brother and starting in a new school all within a few days. But he's having a hard time now. Tantrums galore. That is a bit hard, but understandable. I love my cool a lot, so I apologize a lot. We're all learning here.
- It seems that whenever I start drinking my coffee or eating he wakes up. Uncool, child.
- Speaking of drinking... Wine has returned into my life. Ah, the joy.
- Raising a newborn can be quite lonely. Good thing I am an introvert who loves her books and TV. Still, I wish I could see more people and make new friends (but actually just typing that makes me cringe. I wish I could see my current friends more). Maybe I'll start going to museums during the week. The Baby Bjorn should help (I splurged on the new one that's better for babies' hips).

Léo likes his new school. I love his teacher and am amazed at how fast he learns new French words (he counts to 12 and knows the days of the week). I am so excited about having Jude start in 2 years (already!)

I want to go on 2 date nights before I go back to work. I also want to spend one-on-one time with Léo. I'm planning those events and I'm quite excited.

Finally, I might have another blog or change the name of this one. I need something new that will fit with the phase of life I am in and something that will encourage me to post more. I have a crapload of stuff to say, but I never write. So... blog update / renewal in order soon!

And finally, a few pictures, of course!

Meeting baby Jude.

First time holding his brother.

Ah, proud little man!

Resting with his little brother.

Morning of his first day of class in his new school! That was only 4 days after Jude's birth and he did so well!

First day of school! I was probably as or more nervous than he was.

At one week. Picture courtesy of Incandescent Photos.

The things we need to do

In the next few weeks:
- Introduce Leo to French. I don't even know where to start. Yes, it is my mother tongue, but I haven't taught it to anyone ever, so I don't know how to start with him. Maybe I can just introduce some terms he'll hear at school.
- Tell him he's going to a new school. It's difficult to find a balance between wanting good timing (not too early, not too late) while waiting to make him read by talking about it a lot and speaking French. He's starting in THREE weeks. Oh my word. I'm SO stressed about his first few weeks there. I'm hoping we can visit the school before he starts but they're all on vacation until the 22nd, so I don't know what they're willing to do in the last week of August -I'm sure all teachers will be busy prepping their classrooms. I'll harass them on the 22nd! Ok, maybe the 23rd.
- Talk more about the baby! We need to get going. He obviously knows a brother is coming, but we need to get into the details -hospital stay, what to expect from the baby and the first few weeks, etc.

I feel unprepared!

When my love language and raising a grateful child collide

In the midst of all world tragedies and all that is heavy, let me offer you this first world problem post. (I can't write about the world right now. Too much to say, no adequate words to express feelings).

One of my main love languages is gifts. I don't think I grew up with a lot of gifts when I was very young, but I remember getting gifts for good grades and birthdays, and those gifts were always special. As I grew up, the gifts my parents chose for me and my brother (ok, mostly gifts my mom chose for us because she was the one shopping) were always personal and spot on. To this day, I try to choose gifts that mean something to people to show i know and love them and I do like receiving gifts that correspond to my personality. That makes me feel loved.

So it's no wonder I do the same with Léo. I show my love for him by giving him little gifts all the time. And that has created a huge issue. He expects gifts. He expects a toy when we go to Target. He expects a lollipop when I pick him up from school. And if there is nothing, a huge tantrum ensues. I need to stop that -but it is difficult for me because I need to change the way I show love, and I need to do it in a way that I know will be positive for Léo but that won't bring me as much joy. I know parenting is not about me. It's really about who I want him to be. And I want him to be grateful, to appreciate Joe's and my presence rather than presents ( yeah yeah I read that on Pinterest.... and it stuck), to enjoy the little things in life, etc.

And I need to change the way I do things stat because he's already 3, a new little one is coming who will most likely rock his world for a few months, he's going to change school and hear a new language for 9 hours a day (not a good time to change things in his life). I know he won't remember much about what happened when he was so little. Now is the time. And I mean now, as in this month and next. So August might be challenging for us. For me because I need to learn to express my love in new ways. For him because he's 3 and toys are fun and tantrums easy to throw. Wish us luck!

Choices!

I am quite stressed right now and faced with many choices. Mind you, first world problem choices –all good choices in the end. But I do not like making choices. I really take forever to make any decision in life. I like change in theory but in reality change leaves me exhausted, feeling like I need therapy.

We have had to make three main choices lately: whether Leo’s new school was really a good fit for him, where we’d move (in order to be closer to his new school), and whether to start him in the new school in July or September. I think we have all decisions made, but my heart is still fluttering thinking about the other options and I feel less confident than ever. And I am stressed about all the changes ahead for Léo (in chronological order: new apartment, new school, new language, new brother). I need a nap!

How do you deal with making big decisions in your life?

Wordless Wednesday (Joy!)

A hard week - Links (updated)

Because I cannot talk about this -HR policy and all. I'll let others who write better speak into it, and express some of my thoughts beautifully. All these posts were written after WV reversed the policy they made public on Monday.

When Everyone Gets Wiplash (Neon Fresh).

World Vision, Gay Marriage, and a Different Way Through (Jen Hatmaker)

I Don't Blame World Vision. I Blame Homophobia and Hate (Patheos)

World Vision Update (Rachel Held Evans)

When World Vision Drops Me (Benjamin Moberg)

World Vision's LGBT Problem Comes Out Of the Closet (Edward Carr) - Legalistic look at USAID funding for WV

When Rules and Sanctimony Are More Important Than People (Intellectual Liberation)

Wordless Wednesday (Cambodia)

I'll just add explanations...

Street Kids Center. The little girl at the top is only 2.

Street Kids outreach Activity at night. These children work in the street -but live at home. They're all ages -and love this time of rest and learning.

Interesting tree at the Killing Fields.

Clothes from the dead keep on coming out in the Killing Fields.

Killing Fields.

Killing Fields.

Drinks, anyone? 

Royal Palace.

Royal Palace.

Royal Palace.

View from a community room in one village we visited.

Typical houses.

Mekong.

Ah, coffee!

Plagiarism...