Friday, June 6, 2014

Journey to my GED

Go back to my history a little bit. I came to the U.S for the first time end of 2008, worked as a nanny for an Australian's couple who have two children in Washington DC.

I work from 7am to 6pm, and take GED classes from 7pm to 9pm at the school name Academy of Hope. I couldn't drive and had a small income, so I walked to school most of the time and sometime I took the bus back home.
English is my second language, I never been to a proper English school system before, in my country I only finished grad 6. Therefore, I had to work harder than everyone else to get GED. I study very hard, and I do it everywhere I can. I study in the coffee shop, in library, in the park etc. I even started a study blog online to get commends from different people about my English writing skill. I always find the way to learn, and to get better in what I've learned.
In DC GED official test often happened in the morning, all students had to got up early and make sure they had good breakfast and be in the testing room by 7am. During my study in DC I took GED official test three times.
The last time I've took the test was on October 4th 2010. And that time I was 7 months pregnant with my first daughter. I never forget that morning, I didn't sleep at all the night before, and I had very bad morning sickness, I vomited non stop and had a strong headache. My ex-boss said to me " are you ok? you should not go for this test, you look really sick." I responded "I'm fine, I can take the test. If I don't take it today I have to wait another three months." But inside of me felt like I was dying. Somehow, I still manage to got up, washed my face and went to GED testing center and took the test.
I took five subjects that day, during the test I wasn't feel good at all, imagine being 7 months pregnant and had to site in GED testing room for 7 hours, only 5 minutes break. I have to be honest I felt awful, but I did pushed it through.

Two weeks after I took the test, my visa is running out and my ex-boss's family moved to Africa, I had no place to stay and I didn't have any family in DC at that time, so therefore, I had to move back to my country (Cambodia).
One month after I arrived Cambodia, I gave birth to my daughter Isabel, my life changed, and it's never been the same since. I was thinking about my GED tested resulted, I left the US without knowing the result of my test. I was very sad.
When my daughter was three months old, I email Academy of Hope (the school in DC) asked them to send my GED tested result by email. My tested result shown "FAILED" again! That was my third times that I failed the test, I was very disappointed, I tried really hard. But the good thing was my score grow up to 2230 and to pass GED I need 2250, that's mean I only need another 20 points to pass.
I looked at my score and thought "Oh well, there're nothing I can do about it, I am in Cambodia now, having a baby, this is my life right now, I have to focus on what I have now." But deep inside of me there was a little voice that I said to myself "If I ever have a chance to go back to the U.S again, I will try again, and this time I will try hard enough to pass this test!"
August 7th 2012, I moved back to America with my daughter Isabel and her father Michael. We got married two weeks after we arrived the US, and live in Delaware ever since. My husband has to work hard everyday to support me and our daughter, and myself is a stay at home mom. Very boring life and very difficult for me, because in Cambodia I was very active and also I am a creative person, for me not to work at all is not possible. When I moved to Delaware, I couldn't drive and didn't know the area very well. Plus, I was in the process of waiting for my working permit and permanent residency (Green Card). I wanted to take some classes and retake GED test, but it is hard since I can't drive yet. It was very frustrated at first, but everyone in my husband family very supportive and do anything they could to help out. even-thought they very busy with their daily life.

To go get back on track with my GED classes, I decided to contact Elizabeth from Academy of Hope explain her about my goal to get GED. She advised me to keep study on GED book and she signed me up on GED Online classes!
Since I signed up on online GED classes, I study as much as possible and also work really hard on GED book.

On November 5th 2012, three months after I moved back to the U.S. I retake GED official test again and I passed the test. I really proud of myself :) and very grateful to those who had involve helped me through my study. I finally did it!

Special thanks to Jenne-marie Smith, Matthew Heyward, Alan Feinberg, who had volunteer their valuable time tutored me. And also many thanks to those who hard work in Academy of Hope during my time there. Thanks to my best friend Daniel, who found the school for me and help me in anyway he could. Also big thanks to Caroline, Jolyon my ex-bosses who were really kind to me and make my work flexible and easy so that I can go to school, without your support, I have no idea where the hell I am right now! And also thank you to Kathleen Beegle and Christ who helped me out with Isabel in my graduation day in DC.

Finally, to those who live in DC area that interested in taking classes for your GED or adult education. I would recommend Academy of Hope school, the best adult education I ever experience, their staffs very helpful and friendly. The people who work in this school made me feel like I'm their family. I felt very welcome and really appreciate everyone in the school. Please keep up your good work!




Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Back after two years :)


Well, I don't know where to begin, it has been two years since my last update in my blog. And of course my writing is back to CRAP!
Anyway, it is not going to stop me from writing.
This is my first article in the last two years, so I might just keep it simple and short.

Seven months Pregnant. DC. USA.
First I would like to say thanks to people who had follow up my blog. And sorry for not updated and not respond to your emails. I saw more than one thousand viewers and I also got a few emails from strangers who likes to read my blog, I really appreciate that.
I am back, and I will keep writing something and add more photos whenever I can.
Keep up with me for fun article :)


OK, here is something important for me,  please everyone who read articles in my blog, can you give me your honest feedback, what you think about the articles and my english writing skill. My main goal of writing this blog is about me learning to be a better writer, so that I can pass my GED (I had mention it two years ago when I first started this blog).
Talking about GED, I still didn't get it yet... I know, I know, I know, I should get it two years ago, for million of reasons I didn't. And guess what?? I'm going to get it this time!!!
Below are summary about what have happened in the last two years that I haven updated in my blog.

My DC's family had moved to Nigeria. After they left I had moved back to Cambodia for two years. In those two years there were a lot going on, some were up, some were down, some were lessons and some were miracle.

The up and down, is always apart of human being life, it is normal I guess. Well, at least I took two years off without work hard as I used to do. That was never happen before, and I am glad that I did. It helped to slow me down from everything I have been through.

Isabel likes to smile like her mommy :). PP. Cambodia
Lessons, I had learn from those two years of break were, trust myself without MAYBE or IF, and move on with forgiveness. And another thing is, decision that I've made with a strong capacity is happen to answer all questions that I always afraid to ask.

Last but not least, is miracle. And that miracle was giving birth to my daughter Isabel Adler Oberly on 11-11-2010 at 11:11pm in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 
Isabel was conceived in a really complicated time of my life, but she present in a perfect moment. Her appearance not just changed my life, but also changed my family life and their behaviors.
Isabel makes me want to be a better person than I ever wanted. She makes me think a lot of things that I never ever think of. She taught me a life lesson that someone else has no ability to reach to me. She makes me want to lead my life to positive and creative path, so that I can keep her safe in long run. She brings the simple truth to my world and make it full of joy. I never ever thought I can experience something that indescribable. It makes my heart smile all the time from just looking at her.
Talking about her I can go on and on and on....

I feel weird sometime, because I don't understand why my heart keep smiling from just looking at one little person, even when she wasn't funny.... 
I guess, that thing call L-O-V-E :).
Isabel Adler Oberly. PP. Cambodia.


Thursday, June 24, 2010

California Holiday. June-2010. (2)



























California Holiday. June-2010.


Mendocino


With uncle Bert















San Francisco, June, 2010.










Nile and Alassandra.


Kirt and Nile. Bekerley Park. June, 2010



Alassandra and Kirt. Bekerley Park. June, 2010








Camping in Hendy Wood California National Park. June, 2010

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Bobilee and Micka's wedding

Best-men

Bride's mate

With my friends, Phebe, Andy and Lize 2010


21th March 2010 was the date that I supposed to leave to Australia. With one big suitcase, one computer bag, one big purse getting ready to go to Dullas Airport for my friend Bobilee and Micka’s wedding, because that what my ticket said. Unfortunately I missed my flight so I had to rebook my ticket, because that day the flight was too full, they can’t gave me the next flight, and I had to carried all my suitcase and bags back home with exhausted feeling!

One advice about international flight, never take public transport to airport!!!!



Dancing with the bride


I’ve arrived Melbourne’s airport around 10:30am my friend Rachel picked me up and dropped me at Sharni’s house. After spend a few days at Sharni’s house on 27th of March all of us went to Bobilee and Micka’s wedding. It was the first time that I’ve joined western wedding; I was very excited unexplainable, because the bride was my Aussie sister Bobilee Sharhine and her wonderful boyfriend Micka Etheridge. The wedding took place at Micka’s parents’ grapes farm house (where Micka has grown up).



The farm house looked wonderful, it was the best choice to chosen for their wedding.

The wedding went perfect! There were five lamps, three pigs, one cow, campaign, beers, red and white wine, etc. The guests drank and dance the whole night through… Families and friends given speeches about the past and present of new couple, and Alex’s (Bobilee’s dad) speech brought me to happy tears.

I had such a great time, got to meet all my friends and their families shared the best moment of Bobilee and Micka with everyone… I can’t ask for anything more in this wedding. I’ve never been to any wedding party so much fun like that before.


Breakfast the next morning


Lebanese's traditional dancing

Bride and groom families

However I would like to thanks to all my friends that taking care of me when I was in Australia, you guys been great as always!! That’s making me love Australia even more!

Big thanks to Bobilee and Micka that invited me to join your wonderful wedding, you both is perfect couple that the world created for love.

Your wedding made me feel that life and love is worth living… Thanks you!! And welcome to the married world.

P.S Will have a big surprise for you both soon!!!!!!!!!










With Iccy, Phebe and Kirk