Day 83: ...One Last Throw, One Last Catch, One Last Time, One Last Goodbye.

This is it. My final day in Cambodia. I have had the time of my life and wouldn't take back a second of it. There have been 2 main things that have made the past 3 months such an incredible experience though: COCD and dodgeball.

Interning with COCD is the reason I am here and without their generosity in taking me in, I probably would not have had the opportunity to come to Cambodia. I have learned a lot from all the COCD staff about how to work and manage an NGO, about working abroad, about the Cambodian culture, and about my personal interests in the human services work field. The Executive Director, Mr. Pola, told me that I was one of the best interns they have had so far. Maybe he says that to everyone but I am so glad I was able to leave a good impression and contribute my skills and abilities to this wonderful organization. 

Most of the COCD staff :)

My boss, Mr. Pola.

Me and Kimchhea, we go to lunch together with Bopha almost every day at work.

Bryan, my supervisor Kimna, and Sangva from COCD.

And dodgeball. Ah dodgeball... Without it, I am sure I would still have had a great time in Cambodia, but joining the dodgeball group and getting to know all the wonderful people that come out to aggressively throw balls at each other every week made this adventure the best it could ever have been! I have had the opportunity to make friends elsewhere in Cambodia too, but the people I have connected with and became closest to were those who played dodgeball every week. Last night was my last dodgeball night. Bittersweet. If there was one thing I could bring back with me it would be this wonderful group of people even if it's just to continue joining in this thrilling sport with them.

Sophorn and Mervin :)

...and Hallie!

I gave Mervin my camera so he tried to get his head in all the pictures... haha!

Rachel, Mervin, Me, Ruth, and Brian, all some of my closest friends from this trip :)

Awh yeah, my action shot..kinda. I'm sure I was about to hit someone!

Rachel, Mervin, and Hallie.

Tony, baseball player as you can see and one of my other best friends that I made here... half the bruises I accumulated over the past 3 months are from this guy :)

Here you've got John in the yellow, the genius man who brought this group together.

Fruit shakes after dodgeball :)

One night a bunch of us got together and watched "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" the movie! It had to be done.

I have sadly said my goodbyes though to both COCD and dodgeball and I will miss them both and all of Cambodia so dearly. Getting to Cambodia wasn't easy. Being in Cambodia wasn't easy. And now leaving Cambodia won't be easy, but I wouldn't change this experience for anything. I have had the time of my life! Now I am on to my next adventure, wherever that may be.

...but let's start with Thailand.

Good bye Phnom Penh and Cambodia! I'm glad you all could fly on this adventure with me :)