Cambodian driving tip

If you've traveled to other places (or watched Amazing Race) you know that one of the first things people notice when traveling is traffic. What side of the road is used? Do there seem to be any noticeable rules to follow? How congested are the roads?

In Cambodia, there are lines painted to suggest traffic lanes, but the lines are ignored. Large SUV's mix in with cars. Tuk-tuk's, motos and bicycles fit in where they can. There are stop lights and people do seem to adhere to them, but as far as I can tell that is the only rule exported from my old life to my new life.

I've started driving. It takes some courage the first couple of times, but I came to a point where my desire for freedom outweighed my fear. I was given one driving tip that has proved very helpful - just worry about what's in front of you. There is chaos all around, it is impossible to keep tabs on it all - monitoring who's going which direction and trying to predict if they will cross a chosen path would just be exhausting. I make sure I don't hit anything in front of me, everyone else does the same, and it seems to work out fine.

It also helps that I am driving a big car and most things on the road are smaller than me - when I am moving, they usually just get out of my way. Which I am grateful for, because there is no way I could maneuver around them!

Have you driven overseas? What is your driving tip?

normal life?

There are days I wake up and long for a normal life. You know what I'm talking about...the kind of life where you wake up in your own bed, in the home where you pay a monthly mortgage, go to the job that pays that mortgage, eat breakfast at the table where you ate dinner the night before, work an eight hour day, and do it all again tomorrow. I know many who live that life struggle with the redundancy of it. I know they long for adventure, excitement, and change. I just wanted to share with those of you who read this blog and dream about the possibilities - the grass isn't always greener.

I have been afforded the opportunity to live an adventurous life, an unconventional life. It may surprise you to learn there are days I would forgo it all for the comfort of having "normal." There are many days when I'd like to wake up in my own bed with a pillow top mattress and fluffy pillows, but instead I am in a bed owned by my landlord that offer very little comfort and there really aren't more comfortable alternatives available. Instead of being in a home where I pay the mortgage, I am in a rental, building no equity or financial stability and wondering if the American dream will ever be a possibility for me. I have a job that pays the bills, but my job is incredibly unpredictable and I can be called up at any time to serve anywhere in the world. I don't know anyone in this line of work that plans more than 1 year out and possibly don't know the future more than a few months out. My schedule is irratic, meal routines have completely vanished from my life and I am working hard to resurrect them since moving to our new location. Work an eight hour day. Ha! A light day in this line of work is 10 hours, but usually it consumes you 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

I think the lesson I am learning, again, is to be content whatever the circumstance. It is our human nature to wish for what we don't have, but in that dreaming we miss out on the blessings right in front of us. More and more I am trying to embrace the moments life offers - regardless of location. This is my one and only life and I want to embrace the blessings I am given every day. What blessings have you noticed in your day?

fork and spoon

In the States, when we set the dinner table it usually consists of a plate, a spoon, a fork and a knife. The knife is used to cut things. The fork is the primary instrument for eating. The spoon is used for soupy things generally found in a bowl. Correct me if I'm wrong.

In Cambodia, a place setting usually consists of a plate, a soup spoon and a fork. Rice and a saucy meat is often served. Which might lead a foreigner to ask - where's the knife to cut? If that is what you want, you will be hard pressed to find one. The edge of the spoon is used to cut. If it is tough meat, then stab it with the fork and pull it apart with the spoon. The spoon is the primary instrument for eating - yes, even fried rice with no sauce.

It takes some getting used to, but I've found that I rather enjoy just having two eating utensils. No need to wonder if I am using the salad or desert fork for the main course - there is only one fork and it is mostly used to help pile things on the spoon in order to shovel them in to the mouth. Very efficient and practical. It works. The only exceptions I can think of are thick meat steaks or hamburgers - but Cambodian's don't seem to really prefer these foods anyway.

If you live outside of the Asia region. I recommend trying to eat with a spoon and fork only. You might like it. You can report back on the results of your experiment.

Khmer Rouge trials

I've written before about the genocide that happened in Cambodia in the 1970's. I believe I have also briefly mentioned the human rights trials that began this year in response to those horrific events. This week I read a news update to these trials. You can read it too here.

The article captured the distrust and fear we encounter in our work everyday - not just when they are talking about the horrors of the past.

Going on record rattled 62-year-old Man Maisan - under the Khmer Rouge, having your name on a list meant certain death, and for her, the terrifying association had not faded. “Are others doing this, too?” she asked. Despite her initial trepidation, she had plenty of reasons to come forward: her parents and only child died under the regime.

I am still trying to figure out how to gain the trust of Cambodians. I am told it is never fully given. Is it possible to truly build relationship without trust? I ask myself that often. What do you think?

craving corn syrup? a sugar substitute

Since moving overseas a lot has changed in our lives...more than just the scenery. A few weeks ago I posted about meals I had made at home. Cooking is a new phenomena for me.

One welcome change - our food is fresher. The vegetables we buy are fresh from a garden, definitely not mass produced. Much of the meat that is available was butchered that morning. Today, I know the ingredients of everything we eat at home because it is made from scratch.

I noticed something recently. I am craving, craving, craving sugar. After a month of being here I started to crave sugar and couldn't really figure it out because when I lived in the States I wasn't much of a snacker. I didn't drink soda. I didn't buy candy. I didn't bake sweets. If it was around I would have these things, it wasn't like I was on any kind of strict diet...but I didn't feel any need to have sugary snacks.

Moving here all of that changed. I salivate for soda. I long for candy. Baked goods - I eat them up. There were days I would seek out something with sugar in the ingredients. It got me thinking...why am I craving sugar so badly? The answer I came to - sugar must be added to the food we eat in the States without my realizing it.

I did some research - high fructose corn syrup is the ingredient I am craving. Read your labels, it's in nearly everything. I'm going through withdrawls now, but maybe it will be a long-term lifestyle change? Maybe I will create the habit of eating more healthy now? I hope so.

Can you eat without consuming corn syrup?