lychee fruit

Would you eat this?

Apparently most Americans shy away because of the spiky outer shell. But, tear in to that and there is a sweet, refreshing fruit in the center. I had my first lychee fruit in Thailand many moons ago. I have eaten many over the years and became fond of the juice too. On a hot day in the tropics, it is refreshing! Thankfully I can still get them at my favorite grocery - Global Foods. I am attracted to them now because seeing one produces fond memories of far away lands...I have yet to experience Cambodia hot outside of Cambodia.

Recently I was hanging out with a group of people. One of them from India, one from Laos and two Americans. I was one of the two Americans. The Indian had tried to introduce lychee to his American friend. But the friend wasn't having it. Myself and the Laotian encouraged him to get past the exterior, because what is inside is tasty.

My fellow Americans hesitancy did make me question who was the first person to discover the gem inside the lychee? I certainly wouldn't have tried it solo. I tried it because I watched others eating it and I was curious.

Have you eaten a lychee? did you like it? would you be willing to try it?

just Sheri, still loving the fruits of the tropics

Ugh! Ant problem!

We have an ant problem in our apartment. They are everywhere. It irks me to no end.

This is not the first time we have had ants in a place where we lived, but my tolerance of the problem is at an all time low.

I had a flashback the other day to when we lived in Cambodia. The ant problem there was worse. My attitude was better. In fact, I just accepted it as part of life. We tried all kinds of ways to eradicate the ants - it was a futile effort. So, we learned to live with them. We had sealed off all our food, and still they would find their way in. So, my morning tea consisted of removing ants from the sugar. I wasn't bothered, I just dealt with it.

Why can't I seem to produce the same kind of patience for the ant problem here?

just Sheri, irked by the ants

re-emergence of human trafficking

I have never taken a job with a focus on human trafficking. However, this issue has emerged in every endeavor I have been a part of in the past seven years. To me, that speaks to the prevalence of this issue.

I have been writing on this blog about human trafficking since 2008. You can read those posts: here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. It is mentioned many more times, but these are the posts dedicated specifically to the topic.

In November I returned to America. Though I know that America is a destination point for humans that are trafficked and I am well aware that this is a global issue - I didn't expect to run in to it. Then BAM! There it was again, rearing it's ugly head.

Human trafficking appeared almost immediately when I started volunteering for the Community Foundation health research project. Someone suggested I include it in the report. I hadn't considered the possibility. I started asking around and the results were astounding. Yes, human trafficking was an issue of concern - even in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

At one interview I had an undergraduate intern with me. The interview subject worked for an organization helping individuals overcome substance abuse. Near the end of our interview I asked the question about human trafficking. Oh, the stories they had to tell! When we got back in the car, the intern was in shock. I told her I felt like I had robbed her of some innocence, simply by having her present during those graphic descriptions. She mentioned it for weeks.

The 2010 global Trafficking in Persons report states the need in the United States for education of law enforcement - how to recognize and address the problem. Given one local news story, I agree with that recommendation. One interviewee told me a horrible story of police behaving badly. Apparently, in an effort to crack down on prostitution local detectives were participating in sex acts with the accused. When asked why they behaved in such a manner, the detectives said the sex acts were necessary because the ladies "don't speak much English." The obvious question, at least in my mind, is - where did these girls come from? It would seem to me they were victimized multiple times - trafficked, sexually exploited, and then treated as criminals. I am not making this up, you can read this story in the Washington Post.

After I was made aware of the issue locally, I also learned that Virginia was forming an anti-trafficking task force. Good move. But, they were limiting the majority of activities to the big city of Richmond. That is unfortunate.

I have also learned that not all cops behave badly (thankfully!). In my new job I was told a story of an officer who rescued some girls from a brothel, and rather then prosecute them he worked to find them a safe place to stay. He enlisted the help of a faith-based youth residential facility. That facility has now taken on this issue as one of their own.

When discussions began with this youth facility and they mentioned human trafficking as one of their focus services, I shouldn't have been surprised. It seems to come up so often I should expect it by now. But, I didn't. The issue of human trafficking had, once again, found it's way in to my work.

just Sheri, beginning to think this is more than coincidence

P.S. One of the largest, and most effective, organizations addressing this issue right now is Polaris Project. Click on their logo to learn more about their work.

Demonstration Farmer

In my old life as an international development worker I was involved in a few agriculture projects. The most effective projects would find individuals who had a knack for growing things. We would invest in them, teaching them about soil cultivation and new crops. Then ask them to invest in others. These individuals were called "demonstration farmers."

Saturday, I met a man originally from Thailand who would have (absolutely!) been selected as a demonstration farmer. However, he now lives in downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia. He is Phim's dad. His name is Lope. I am not sure if that is how it is spelled, but that is how it sounds.

Lope has turned a small plot of land in to an amazing garden. He has fruit trees, herbs of all sorts (including some exotic varieties), vegetables and more. The front of the house is also surrounded by an impressive wall of bamboo.

One of the most notable things about his garden is how "green" it is - and I am not just talking about the color of the plants. He uses natural fertilizers and other environmentally friendly tricks. He doesn't do this because it is trendy. He does this because this is the method he knows for growing a garden. He also has a number of reused materials. This is a garden seating area with a canopy of bitter melon growing over it, made out of scrap metal and chicken wire. It is beautiful and serene.

Phim and I had free reign of the garden. We could harvest to our hearts content. I was allowed because of my association with his oldest daughter. After wandering the garden for a few minutes, mostly admiring it and not picking. He told me to pick. Apparently I did not do well enough as he came to me with a load of fresh cucumbers and even offered a full basil plant if we dug it up. If only I had a place to put it...

I would love to learn gardening tips from Lope. Maybe someday that will be a reality. When we were happy with our bags of fresh vegetables and herbs, he equipped us for our next adventure that day - fresh water fishing.

I had to sneak this snap while he was sifting through his tackle box with his grandchild standing by. Phim's mom said the grand-baby likes to walk around without a shirt so they can be like their grandpa.

You can take the man out of Thailand, but you can't take Thailand out of the man. You can take the international development worker out of the field, but...

just Sheri, inspired

bits of my weekend: Laotian festival

This weekend Kenyon and I participated in a great festival. It is an annual celebration held at a local Wat (aka Buddhist Temple).

This photo is taken from our old home in Cambodia. Wat Lao Buddhavong looked similar, but it was out in the middle of the countryside of Virginia.

There were all types of fresh vegetables, meats, food vendors and cultural dances.

It had been raining earlier in the day, which made the place muddy. The mud made it feel even more authentic.

As we were sitting at a picnic table of one of the vendors; eating noodle soup, green  papya salad, and fried fish; I was drinking iced coffee with milk - suddenly it was as if I had been transported to another world. I was back in Asia (without the two days of air travel). Even Kenyon said it reminded him of Psar Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market).

We walked around and I snacked on Cheik Chien (fried bananas). I was so full I could burst. Then I saw Krolan (sticky rice and beans in a dried bamboo shoot). I had to have some. This was a regular snack on the drive between Phnom Penh and Poipet when I lived in Cambodia. The best Krolan came from vendors on the side of the road.

The experience was such a special treat. The little bits of Khmer that I had learned were coming back to me. Kenyon started quizzing me - how do you say "hello?" how do you say "thank you?" how do you say...thankfully, I could answer his questions.

It was such a wonderful day. My friend Phim moved to the US as a refugee from Laos over 20 years ago. She was our hostess and tour guide at the event. She bought me a sticky rice steamer as a souvenir. It sits proudly in a china hutch since I have no idea how to use it. She has promised to teach me...that may be the subject of a future post.

just Sheri, exploring Virginia

I saw what I saw...and I can't forget it

There is a song that has been on repeat in my car for days now. It accurately describes my feelings these days. The artist is a young woman by the name of Sara Groves.

I have seen the ugliness of humanity - the effects of civil war, displaced people groups due to corruption or natural disaster, death and dying, abandonment, exploitation, violence, isolation, insatiable greed, destructive arrogance, struggle and oppression.

I have also seen the beauty of humanity - deep relationship, abounding kindness, love and generosity, unwaivering hope, joy in spite of circumstance, peace that surpasses understanding, inspiring compassion and undying faith.

These experiences changed my life. Along the road, they changed me. I don't know what I left behind that is of value, but I hope to pass on what I have learned from those I met on the road.



just Sheri, witness to humanity

palm trees. sunshine. winter?

We now live in the Southern Hemisphere. What does that mean? It means it is winter here in Mozambique. We went from the heat of summer in Cambodia to the start of winter in Mozambique. The difference between the two is really just the amount of humidity we experienced - the sun just keeps on shining. I still walk around in t-shirts and sandals.

With a lack of clues like colored leaves to tell one that winter is coming - how does one know?

Without snow or sweaters - how does one define winter?

I realized recently there is a clue. It isn't in fall leaves and pumpkins. It isn't in gloves or wool. It has to do with the sun.

There are shorter days in winter. It is dark by 5:30pm, thus, it is winter. I look forward to the summer, when I can get home before dark.

Could you live without fall leaves, snow, or spring blooms?

waffles?

Where I am from waffles are simply a breakfast food. We eat them with butter and/or syrup. I am partial to Belgium waffles with fruit and whipped topping. Until I moved to Cambodia I never imagined waffles being anything more.

In Cambodia waffles are sold similar to a sandwich. They have meat fillings. Can you read the signs in these? Tuna, ham with cheese, and tuna with cheese.

Appetizing? What do you think?

Rome wasn't built in a day...

Before leaving Cambodia I had one last training session with the staff teams there. At the end of the session is when I announced my departure. There were many tears. For training in the northern province I needed a translator. We hired a young Khmer guy who works with the local church. He is studying business at college and does translation on the side to earn money. English is his second language.

One evening Wayne and I were talking about our struggles with learning the language. My progress did not meet my expectations and neither did his. Wayne said, "I could be in Cambodia 10 years and I will probably still be trying to learn the language."

Without hesitation the translator responded by saying, "Well Wayne, Rome wasn't built in a day."

I was so surprised by his use of this statement. It was perfect timing. Both Wayne and I laughed histerically at his comment. In case you are confused by our amazement, it is unusual for those who speak English as a second language to make those kind of jokes. Usually one must have a deep understanding of a language to be able to be so clever in its use. I can't even carry a conversation in Khmer, much less try to be clever in the use of language!

The next day I complimented the translator on his application and timing of that statement - Rome wasn't built in a day. I also decided that it was something I must teach the English class. At my last full class, I tried to explain how the statement means learning is a process or things take time. I shared with them my story of the translator. They took notes. I wasn't sure it sunk in. Then I got this email from Jenni...

hi sheri,

you will love this! tonight at english class, nimol, told us this story. the other day she was talking with one of the students there who is struggling with learning khmer. and she turned to him and said, "rome wasn't built in a day, you know!" He was so surprised and went on about "who taught you that?? how do you know that??"

Jenni is right. I love it...and I totally understand that guys reaction.

Here is a picture of the English class. We left on a Tuesday, they got together on Monday, so I stopped in to say good-bye.

They said good-bye in a very Asian way..."see you when you see me." I still don't know where they learned that, nor what it means. But, just about everyone says it.

See you when you see me, Cambodia!

Mango cobbler

I recently tried out a recipe that I would never have conceived of in America. It is ripe mango season here. To me that is a very good thing because I like ripe mangos. I have discovered all kinds of ways to eat (and serve) a mango. The staff gave me a lesson on cutting mangos at the office one day. It caused many laughs (mostly for them) as I am quite an amateur. They taught me two methods: 1) there is the easy cut method with the peel still on, scoring it in to cubes and eating it right off the skin (my preferred method because it is fast and easy). 2) the tradition peel, cut and slice method which is how mango is usually served in restaurants. I have watched ladies at stalls do this in a blink of an eye. They obviously have more mango slicing experience than I.

A friend of mine who recently moved here from the US showed me a tool I never knew existed - it is a mango corer slicer (similar to the ones you can find for apples, but made specifically for mangos). Who knew? I wish I had one. Maybe on home leave I will hunt one down as there will be a mango season in Mozambique.

Mangos are the talk of the town. At a breakfast with girlfriends last weekend we were talking about the yummy mangos, we went through a list of things to do with a mango. One girl mentioned it was like Bubba on Forrest Gump listing the ways to prepare a shrimp...we had sliced mango, mango sorbet, mango salsa, grilled mango, mango smoothies, mango bread, mango pudding, the list went on and on, then I told them about this recipe I was going to try - a mango cobbler. Hmmm, we all wondered aloud what that would be like.

The conversation inspired me to try that evening. My other motivation is that Kenyon has tried one piece of a not quite ripe yet mango and decided he doesn't like them. I wanted to present ripe mango in a way he might reconsider his opinion. I shared this dilemma with a colleague and she shared a recipe with me that her mom used to make when she was growing up in the Phillipines. She told me the recipe, I did the following with the mangos, then followed an online recipe for the cobbler (I'd share it with you, but it is currently in a box on it's way to Africa).

Fruit filling:
3 cups ripe mango (approximately 4 medium sized)
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar

Bring water to a boil. Add sugar then the fruit. Boil for a few minutes to let the ingredients mix.

Kenyon will still tell you that he isn't a fan of mangos, that he doesn't like the fruit at all, but that night he ate half a pan of cobbler!

NOTE: if you'd like the official recipe, let me know and I will post it once our boxes arrive at our destination, or you can email me and I will send it to you.

chum-reap-lee-ahh (good-bye in Khmer)

Today, we leave Cambodia on our way to Mozambique, Africa.
This was not part of the original plan. I originally thought we would be in Cambodia at least one year...but plans can unexpectedly change.

In Cambodia, the formal way to say good-bye is hands together in a praying position and say, "chum reap lee ahh." (Ronald McDonald, from Bangkok, and I are demonstrating this on the right) So, I find myself formally saying good-bye to Cambodia.

In my old role I visited Mozambique a few times. In fact, it was the last country I visited before making the move to Cambodia. There are many things to like about Mozambique and I look forward to discovering this new location and getting to know the staff teams there.

Change seems to be a constant in our lives. I can tell you - no matter how many times I have to do it - saying good-bye never gets easier. Many tears have been shed about this change as I have really enjoyed serving with the staff teams here. I will miss them dearly.

Good-bye, Cambodia! Thanks for the memories.

bits of my weekend - volume 1

A few months ago Kenyon and I were weighing our options and one strong contender was a return to the United States. At that time I found this blog. New York City was a strong possibility as we could both find the kind of work we want to do there. As we considered the cost of living, the taxes, the possible commute times, etc, we were less excited. I continue to read this blog and like the idea of sharing photos from the weekend. Here is my first installment of bits of my weekend...it may continue as a weekly event or show up from time to time. We'll see...

This was an unusual weekend. Our last in Cambodia and also Easter weekend. I had intended to take lots of pictures. I failed to do that, but this small selection gives you an idea of my last weekend in Cambodia.

movers came, our stuff is on the way to Africa

attended a joint Easter service with some girlfriends - Jenni and Erin. I am gong to miss these ladies!

following lunch at a great Mexican restaurant we visited the local foot massage parlor. following the foot massage we visited Beautiful shoes. each of the ladies had a pair shoes made  like the ones I am wearing in the picture. These are a copy of one of Lesley's shoes - handcrafted shoes, $5 one hour foot massages, good friends - there are so many things I will miss about Asia!

 Saying good-bye is rough! We haven't been here long, but I had a great community of ladies to hang with. We support each other in many ways. Going through this experience, of trying to live in a foreign land and learn a new language, is very bonding. Their friendship has sustained me many times. Ladies, thank you for the gift of your friendship!

I don't think I can drive in America again

I hadn't realized it, but I have become very comfortable driving in Phnom Penh traffic. I was recently with a colleague from America and she commented that I calmly drive through the streets, while at the same time being quite aggressive in how I drive. To get anywhere here, one must be aggressive. After her comments I started to realize the things I do while driving that would never be acceptable in America.

In Cambodia, it is not uncommon to drive up the wrong side of the road simply because it is more convenient. I would certainly get a ticket for that in America.

In Cambodia, it is expected that drivers will push their way in to whatever space is available in front of them, regardless of the size of their vehicle or how this might affect the flow of traffic. This would be considered extremely rude in America.

In Cambodia, the proximity of my vehicle to that of others on the road is close enough to touch - this is necessary so someone doesn't do what I mentioned above (squeeze in to whatever space is available in front of them). Yes, this all happens while moving or stopped. This would be considered dangerous in America.

I rather like that lanes are suggestions, stops signs are ignored, that there is nothing wrong with going the wrong way, or cutting through some place like a gas station is perfectly acceptable. I've wanted to do these things before in America, but knew the social conventions wouldn't allow it. Sure, intersections are a little more risky and I still fear the possibility of running over a family of five on a motorbike - but, all in all, I like the steady flow of traffic and the diversity of vehicles that I see around me.

Without my realizing, I have become calmly aggressive while driving in Phnom Penh. I will have a vehicle to drive in Mozambique. I wonder what that will be like? Will my newly acquired driving techniques be unacceptable there?

another cross-continent move - not an April fool's joke

In an unexpected turn of events, Kenyon and I are making another cross-continent move in less than a year. Next week, we are moving to Mozambique, Africa. I can tell you from experience frequent moves of this caliber are NOT recommended. I am in the midst of "fun" transition stuff - trying to wrap-up my current job, sort and pack our belongings (again), try to think of all the things I'd like to know about our new location (again). It doesn't matter how much I do it, saying good-bye is never easy. I have shed many tears about this move, it is the people I will miss most. I have grown close to many of the staff over the years (including my time prior to relocating here). When they ask, "will you come back to visit?" It is very hard to answer that question. I simply say, "I don't know."

It isn't all bad. As is common in life, this is a bittersweet experience (good and bad at the same time). There are many things to look forward to in our move. I like the people that I know in the Mozambique office. I like the scope of work they are doing. The times I have visited before, I found the places very beautiful and the culture very welcoming. The coast is supposed to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And, I am quite certain I can learn Portugese (Moz was colonized by Portugal) much easier than Khmer.

Kenyon is looking forward to some things too - he has vowed not to get a haircut until he arrives in Africa. He is already in need of a good cut, but he doesn't care how nappy it is getting, in his opinion no one on the continent of Asia can cut hair as good. I hope there are other things he will find that he likes besides a good barber.

Thanks to those of you who continue to follow us on life's journey - looks like we get to explore a different part of the world soon and discover what it is like to live there.

Amazing Race: Siem Reap version

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know there is one television show I love. It is really the only show I watch regularly, season after season. What is it? The Amazing Race. Love that show!
Recently, we were planning a staff retreat and wanted a fun activity one afternoon. Of course, I thought a version of the Amazing Race would be the best way to spend our time. A few years ago I participated in a Kansas City version of the Amazing Race with my friend Fiona. We did well at the competitions, except we had a slow driver who took a wrong turn once and ruined our chances at a strong finish. I wasn't sure how this would go over in Cambodia - would they like a scavenger hunt that has them running all over town doing crazy things, or would they just look at us like we were stupid for suggesting it? Much to my delight, they loved it! Here are some pictures from my teams perspective of the Amazing Race adventure.

This is my team - Ratana, Phka, Serei, Chetra and me. Siem Reap is home to Angkor Wat temples. Our first clue was to get a photo of our team and Angkor Wat. Most teams drove all the way out to the temples to snap the shot. We (and one other team) opted for the painted version.

One of the things we had to collect along the way was a photo of a team member and a foreigner (barang) in a white shirt. As we are riding around in our tuk, the three guys would yell "white shirt!!" and point every time we saw a foreigner in a white shirt. There were many as Siem Reap is the largest tourist destination in the country of Cambodia. Eventually, we stopped at a stop light and a tuk pulled next to us with two foreigners in white shirts. I asked them if we could get a photo with them, this is the result. My teammates continued to yell "white shirt!!" and point even after we had taken the picture, it made me laugh every time.

We were given a photo of a concrete crocodile and told to get a photo with our team there. Luckily, I had been walking the town the afternoon before and seen that near the river so we knew right where to go. I think I was one of the few that actually rode the crocodile. Chetra's pose (in the back) makes me laugh every time I see it. While there we tried to accomplish another task, which was to pick up 15 plastic bottle tops. We hit the jackpot in bottle tops at the local volleyball court (sand volleyball is VERY popular in Cambodia).

Though we had many laughs, we did not emerge the victor. I blame the slow tuk driver we had. At one point we needed to go and find a stop, he stood there smoking a cigarette and looking at us like we were crazy for trying to rush him - he certainly wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere. It seemed everytime we were in a race with another team on the same road, we got passed up and left in the dust. I have learned my lesson, if you want to win the Amazing Race, a good driver is essential! Can you tell which team won? That's okay, I like these people so I can celebrate their win with them, even when I am the looser.

All in all, it was a fabulous afternoon. Thanks for the memories!

Andong community

We are currently doing work in a couple of urban resettlement communities. This is Andong community. There are over 700 families living in this community. We recently conducted a nutrition assessment on kids under five and found that around 38% of the kids are malnourished. That is an astonishing percentage! We are working to remedy that situation. There are many problems in this community, many, we cannot solve them all. We will do what we can for these kids.

Bloom...mmm, good!

A new cafe just opened up in Phnom Penh. It is called Bloom. They serve specialty drinks and cupcakes - both are a work of art as far as I am concerned. An Australian opened this cafe with the purpose of giving women an alternative to commercial sex work. The atmosphere is so cheery and bright. The girls are so welcoming and smiley. The cupcakes are indulgent. It is fast becoming my favorite place to spend an afternoon working on the computer away from the office (where I do my best work). If you ever visit Phnom Penh, I highly recommend you visit Bloom.

banana pancakes

I am obviously back to posting about food again. I wanted to share with you my new favorite breakfast - banana pancakes. Mmm, good!

The first time I ordered them I was with Lesley. She said I had "a plantation of banana's on my plate." Whatever. It's tasty.

dinner and a movie

I found a flier at a local restaurant announcing dinner and a movie. I didn't know what the movie was or what would be served for dinner, but I liked the idea. So, I got a couple of friends together to check it out. Turns out the dinner was hot dogs. Here is a picture of Jenni enjoying hers with cheese on top.

The movie was projected on a hanging sheet in a garden courtyard. What were they showing? Avatar! I didn't think I was going to like that movie, but I got completely sucked in.

I've adopted the hissing sound from the characters in the movie - when I am frustrated or just want people to back off, hissing seems like a great response. Don't you agree?

the luxury of a library

Do you consider having a library in your town, easily accessible to you or your kids, as a luxury? Well, it is.

I have memories as a kid going to the library to check out books and hear stories being read. I have memories in high school of going to the library to check out resource books. I have memories in college of using the library for internet access and all of the above. Having access to a library is an incredible luxury.

I have only seen one library since moving to Cambodia. This picture is of the sign outside. The library is housed in a small shop. The books are donated. It is funded by an NGO. It is staffed by national volunteers. Every time I have stopped by there are kids doing puzzles or playing with blocks. I love the idea.

If you have a library in your town, appreciate it for the gift that it is. Like me, do you have memories at a library?Imagine how your life would be different if something like a library didn't even exist. It is just one of the many luxuries I took for granted in my old life, but the perspective offered in my new life has helped me to appreciate such gifts.