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.

now I know why they are called care packages

Kenyon and I have been the grateful recipients of a few care packages recently. Some were sent at Christmas time and only one has arrived by mail from the Jones family (sorry to those who sent one and they have not been received, we keep hoping it will arrive soon).

The others came in Bob's luggage from my family. Whatever the form, I now know why they are called "care packages." Receiving little gifts from home is wonderful. It makes us feel cared for to get something as simple as some familiar candy or snacks.

Not that I really thought about it before, but I now know why they are called "care packages." Thank you to those who sent them (even if they did not arrive), we appreciate the care that went in to creating them from the other side of the world.