Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Central Market and Lunch with Louise


Lots of Fresh Crabs


More Seafood


Fresh Vegetables


I am definitely going to shop at the market more often.  I got this basket of veggies (3 cucumbers, a green pepper, 2 carrots and a zucchini) for 8,500 riels if I remember correctly.  That is just a little over $2.00!  (4,000 riels = $1.00)


I thought this made for a funny photo.  :)


Fresh Fruit

I noticed this lady had black cherries...out of curiosity I asked how much they were.  My jaw dropped when she typed 18 in the calculator.  


Dragon Fruit - The texture reminds me of a kiwi and although they are not my favorite tropical fruit here I think they taste pretty yummy.


Louise posing for a picture as she buys a new bag.


Louise was craving an Indian dish so we stopped for lunch and had dosas (they are similar to crepes).


Louise insisted that this was the artist's way of taking a photo. :)



View behind me as I was riding home from the market in the tuk tuk.  Notice the rickshaw on the left.


Beautiful Day


This is Thouen who is an excellent tuk tuk driver.  

Friday, September 16, 2011

Finally an Update!

 My students painting a picture of one of the four seasons.

Jessica (one of my housemates) and I enjoying an iced coffee along with a brownie and muffin at a place called http://www.daughtersofcambodia.org/.  The iced coffees here are AMAZING!!  The creamy liquid at the bottom is sweetened condensed milk! :)  Delicious!

 On our way home from Daughters we got caught in the rain and bought some ponchos.

 It never ceases to amaze me all the things a Cambodian can haul on their bike or moto.  I don't know if you can get the complete idea here or not, but the guy on the left is hauling all kinds of brooms, baskets, etc. 

 I have found a bookstore = one very excited teacher!!!  I have only been to Boston Books once but am so glad it is here in Phnom Penh.  I will definitely be visiting often.  It is a used book store with a very good selection.  These are all chapter books which are kind of advanced for most of my students; however, I do have a few that are ready for beginning chapter books. 

 Big smile for my purchases The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - Because of Winn Dixie - The Mouse and the Motorcycle - a few beginner's chapter books and my all time favorite - Charlotte's Web.  I thought one of these would make a good read aloud.  Oh the big smile is also for the very fun chair on the patio of Boston Books. :)


Jessica and Louise - I have really enjoyed getting two know these girls. :)
 
 After Boston Books I enjoyed a healthy meal at Vego with some of my fellow teachers/friends.  Vego has AMAZING salads and wraps.  I have missed salads so much over the past 2 months.  I have tried to follow the advice..."if you can't peel it or cook it...don't eat it."  I haven't gone to the trouble of thoroughly cleaning the lettuce like you need to in order to get off all the pesticides and whatever else might be on it so this was a big treat.  

My class started having swimming class this week at my school's sister school - Logos.  My kids as you can imagine LOVED swimming.  (above picture - Vutha and Sothun)

I know it took me almost a month to give an update. :(  I will certainly try to be better about posting more frequently!  I'm pondering what else to share...so many thoughts are running through my mind...where to start?  I think of things daily that I think may interest those reading this but then of course I sit down to verbalize it and can't remember that "thing" I thought you may want to know. :)  I think I will make a list below of just some random thoughts that may give you a bit more perspective on some things that have happened over the past month.  

1.  I had my students write a letter to their parents for their parents to read at Open House.  I had a huge smile on my face when I walked around the room and noticed that several students were putting Bible as their favorite part of Grade 3. 

2.  Many of you know I like to run (or jog I should say).  Well I have slowly gotten back in a routine of doing just that.  Running here is a bit different for multiple reasons.  There are many dogs roaming around and obviously it is best to keep a distance from them as many of them carry rabies.  I was told not long ago that I may want to carry a rock with me so in case one tried to run after me...I guess I would be ready with ammunition. :)  Well it is a bit annoying to carry a rock so I hadn't been doing that until Jessica and I went for a run and some dogs came after us. (We both carried a rock the remainder of our run.)  I'm not generally scared of dogs, but I don't particularly like shots and if you get bit by a dog here and haven't had a rabies shot I think you have to get like 5 shots.  Needless to say I don't want that to happen. :)  Oh the other interesting part of running here is just never knowing what you may observe or run past.  I usually see cattle hauling a big load of pottery every evening.  I'm guessing they are bringing it in from the provinces....definitely don't see that on my runs in NC.

3.  I have learned to deal with some unwanted visitors in my house here.  This past month my housemates and I unfortunately had the privilege of taking care of some RATS!  Four have been captured and killed...hoping and praying no more decide to visit. :)  

4.  I had to laugh when I was helping one of my students correct a mistake and his reply was..."my bad."  LOL  I'm not sure how he picked up that slang, but it made me laugh that he used it in the right context. 

So my list was random I know...but it was all that came to my mind at the moment.  I want to say a huge thanks to all my friends and family at home who are keeping me in your thoughts and prayers!  It has been such a blessing to me to have such an incredible support network.  God has definitely been faithful in helping me through each step of this journey.  I am thankful for the comfort, strength, grace, and wisdom He provides daily.