5-minute poetry: autumn

Fall originally uploaded by Robin Thom

Cycle of Leaves
Trees
Leaves
Change
Yellowing
Browning
Redding
Oranging
Turning
Dropping
Blowing
Rake
Pile
Jump
Repeat


Pumpkins originally uploaded by Only in Cambodia

Pumpkins
Pumpkins all around
Stacked in piles
on th eground
Cut-out faces
Smiles and frowns
Upon my doorstep graces
Tall and slim
Big and round
Neatly cut along the rim
Glowing in the darkest night
May the children
Not take fright
Welcomming warmly to my home
Later for pie, cakes or scones
Baked up in goodies
Oh so tasty
Don't leave now
Why so hasty?
Back to the farm
Gourds to mush
Fields lay fallow
For the post-autumn hush.


Boston Terrier Spice Rack originally uploaded by All-Mighty

Spice of Fall
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Ginger
Allspice
Ground up
And mixed up
One bottle
One price
Add to some pumkin
For a traditional pie
Put in some oats
For porridge with a sigh
Warm and tasty
Definitely homemade
For these special treats
A baker can't be paid

Easy Chocolate Truffles

This recipe was first passed on to me by my Camp Fire Girls leader in high school. It is probably the easiest dessert recipe for such a rich result.

Ingredients
1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips (or 2 cups)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Coatings
chopped nuts
cocoa powder
shredded coconut
chocolate jimmies
or anything else you can imagine

Method
Melt chocolate in a saucepan over low heat or in a double boiler. When thoroughly melted, remove from heat and add milk and vanilla. Stir well then chill in the fridge.

When you remove from the fridge it will be a bit hard, so you'll need to work it in your hands for awhile until it's pliable. Roll into 1-inch balls, then roll in desired coating.

Enjoy!

Horse head violin

Mongolian band "Ensemble Khan Bogd"

I head some music today that reminded me of my absolute most favorite instrument in the world: the horse head violin. This instrument is so moving. It takes you on a journey at full gallop across the expansive grasslands of Mongolia, or into the warmth of a family's yurt at dusk. From excitment to deep sorrow, all ranges of emotions can be touched upon.

I fondly remember my summer of 2002 spent in Inner Mongolia, the autonomous region in northern China. I felt I could have been a Mongolian in another life. I wish I could be more musicially talented to be able to play a horse head violin. Despite the lack of skill I will always remember the melodies I heard from the live musicians in that wondeful Mongolian night club in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.

Color Quiz Me

Free personality analysis of Nikki.
Generated on Tue Apr 24 03:42:48 2007.

Nikki's Existing Situation
Imaginative and sensitive; seeking an outlet for these qualities--especially in the company of someone equally sensitive. Interest and enthusiasm are readily aroused by the unusual or the adventurous.


Nikki's Stress Sources
Wishes to be independent, unhampered, and free from any limitation or restriction, other than those which she imposes of herself or by her own choice and decision.


Nikki's Restrained Characteristics
Feels she is receiving less than her share, but that she will have to conform and make the best of her situation.
Has high emotional demands and is willing to involve herself in a close relationship, but not with any great depth of feeling.


Nikki's Desired Objective
Shelves her ambitions and forgoes her desire for prestige as she prefers to take things easily and indulge her longing for comfort and security.


Nikki's Actual Problem
Fights against restriction or limitation, and insists on developing freely as a result of her own efforts.

Take the ColorQuiz yourself right now!

Recipe: Fried Beetles

How to make fried beetles:

Boat Races at the Siem Reap Water Festival

1. Collect fresh squirming diving beetles either from your recently harvested rice paddy, or from a neighbor who senttheir children to go frolicking in the field for a fresh catch.

2. Bring your bag of wriggling beetles back home to be rinsed.

3. Place in a large wok (legs and all) with water over a high burning wood fire. Stir continuously while the beetles are attempting to crawl out so that they are evening scalded and stop moving.

4. Continue stirring until the water is evaporated, then add oil to fry them up nice and crispy. Keep frying until the fire dies out. Season as desired with MSG, salt or fried garlic.

Serve with rice.

Eating instructions
Pull off the legs and tear off the outer shell of fused wings. Pop into your mouth and crunch down with delight! Yummy!

Great as a side dish or afternoon snack!

Out of beta into the blog beyond

I finally did it! It wasn't so hard. Sometimes I think that updating will take longer and be more complicated than as promoted.

I had a really neat idea to write about, but alas it escaped me. I was without my handy dandy notebook (a la Blue's Clues), so if it doesn't get scribbled down, it doesn't get remembered at the right time.

For now I'll play with the font choices and colors.

Locks of love: 10 inches shed instantly

Well, I can't wait to post a photo cause I'm sure it'll shock a few people. Though I've had nothing but gratuitous comments from my Cambodian students. Being adored is always fulfilling.

"Oh, teacher. You are beauty!"

"Teacher you look very pretty!"

On and on they effuse.

In case you're still wondering what's all the fuss. I got my hair cut. Whoop-di-doo-dah, you say? Well I spent more than 4 years growing my mane, and I had lots of golden locks to spare. Originally I was thinking of just a trim, but somehow I was inspired by k.d. lang's very short cut and the trimming started.

I'm always taken aback by hairdresser's going gaga over my hair. They love it! I guess cause it's so natural: meaning I use absolutely no products on my hair to hold it or artificially change it's color to be more "natural". Plus, it is thick and has it's own natural wavy curl. Sorry guys, I'm taken :()

Re-entry shock: Episode 3-family

Family is wonderful when you don't have to live with them day in and day out.

It was yet another excessive Christmas. I asked for no gifts, and yet there were more for me than everyone else except the baby. What part of "no Christmas presents" is not understood? It was a lot of lovely stuff that I probably won't be able to take with me since I am limited by baggage weight. And by golly, I just don't want to haul it all back!

Dinner was the new Amnerican style: boxed and instant mixes. Yep, that's right, the turkey came in a box with its own cranberry basting sauce and a "festive mix" which was rice with seasonings. Add to that a tub of microwavable mashed sweet potatoes, instant Stouffer's stuffing and frozen vegetables in a cheese sauce. Is this the new homecooked meal? Calgon, take me away! The dessert was a frozen (though we thawed ours) Creme Brulee cheesecake with the option of adding French vanilla cool whip on top.

I think all the meals at my sister's will come out of a box, bag or can. I guess I won't be cooking after all.

Re-entry shock: Episode 2-food

Staying with Camille is always a treat for victuals. We are kindred cooking spirits and we always manage to eat very well when we're together. Those who join us also reap the benefits of our gastronomic adventures.

Wednesday was the arrival and we began the evening with pumpkin and cheese tamales. Anything Mexican always hits the spot for me since that is one thing that is not really offered properly in Siem Reap. Although I must admit that Jim's California 2 fish tacos are the best thing on that side of the Pacific after Ensenada street vendors.

Thursday it was homemade salsa (with an /s/ not /z/ sound) and pumpkin tamales. Dinner was more salsa and baked delicata squash washed down with a pumpkin ale. And, lots of tea.

Friday it was a morning of omelets with chard and salsa, then lunch was a very filling Sri Lankan meal complete with a Sri Lankan coffee with milk. Ginger rice with cauliflower and cashews, chard and grated coconut plus chutney and a lovely paan bread with a garlic butter dipping sauce. So tasty!

In the evening we enjoyed a lovely party with lots of party snacks. I baked a non-traditional banana bread with flaxseeds and blueberries. Unfortunately the bread did not cook completely and was left with a huge sink hole of uncooked mush. What to do but fill it with pudding! Yippee. Maybe an unusual combination, but it worked and was a hit.

Re-entry shock: Episode 1-temperature

Having just arrived back in the USofA in SF yesterday, I find I am in a constant state of chill. Going from the tropical climes of SE Asia where it's cold when it hits 20 (C that is), or for you Americaners, 50ish.

It feels like I am laying in a bath full of ice cubes and water that I cannot escape from no matter how well I bundle up. It is so strange to be so unaccustomed to this chilling effect, when I used to love the cold. Now it is the reverse. The heat is nearly unrecognizable.

The man in charge

Leaving Cambodia, there are two options: fly or overland. Flying is much much easier, though very expensive considering the departure tax is $25. Overland is much much cheaper, though rarely easier. It is a nearly 20 kilometer long stretch that takes up to 6 hours sometimes because the road condition is very unstable. It's usually riddled with pot holes and collapsed bridges due to the constant traffic of oversized and overloaded trucks bringing in cement and goods from Thailand.

I opted for the cheaper option since cash is low at the moment and I want to have enough for spending money in the expensive US of A. I could have spent more on flight tickets direct from Cambodia and had a little more time with the family and friends, but why not have a little adventure, too?

On the drive to the border of Cambodia and Thailand, we stopped to have a bite to eat. The "fam" was famished since they probably didn't have breakfast before departing. You see we took along another teacher and then picked up Ma, sister and boyfriend for a total of 6 bodies in the Camry. I was in the back, which probably wasn't a good idea since our car already rides low and my extra kilos don't help. But it was either me in the back for 3 people there and Ma and sis sharing the front, or me in the front with 4 people squeezed in the back.

Anyhow, at the restaurant, everyone was waiting for Da to order the food since he's the ne they look to to make decisions. It didn't matter that the mother was there, as long as Da was driving and was around, he should choose the food. So, this meant I had to get up and inform him of his obligation since he was stretching his legs after the intense driving. I was handed the menu in his absence, but since I don't read Khmer, it would work.


The t-shirt says "I'm not BIG, but I'm clever"

While Da is not the oldest son, he is treated like one, since the oldest is actually considered to be very feminine, preferring to stay at home and cook rather than do boy things like driving around or playing sports. It makes for a difficult relationship between the brothers, but the family always looks to Da for the important family decisions, such as if and when his sister should get married. It's a huge burden for him at times, but he can't shrug it.

What would Jesus bomb?

This was on the T-shirt of one of the characters in the final episode of "Six Feet Under", an HBO series. I was watching it in a Bangkok guesthouse with a couple of Aussies who were waiting to go home after 6 months of travelling around Asia and Europe. When we saw the T-shirt we all had the same reaction of awe and humor.

She even wanted to go so far as to have some printed to take back home to friends.

What ever could that shirt mean? There are some interesting implications that need pondering. I think it's rather poignant considering Jesus did tear through a synagogue that was being used for profit and personal gain rather than for worship.

If Jesus were alive today, would he bomb certain countries that were hypocritical and living double standards?

Baking up a storm

It’s hard to believe it’s now December. I’ve spent a lovely Sunday morning baking pumpkin treats: some pumpkin loaf cakes and a square pumpkin pie. Apparently my first round of baked goods went over so well, that people were making requests for more. Since I had leftover flour, sugar and other spices I figured that I might as well go ahead and do it.

All it took was buying pumpkins: 2 for $1.75, which was more than enough for 5 pumpkin bread loaves and the 8” square pie. I borrowed my neighbors baking oven that has a thermostat. My little toaster oven is only good for toasting. I can use it to toast up my pumpkin seeds, and this time I’ll make sure to watch them more closely to avoid charring them like last time.

We’ve had some overcast skies due to the typhoon that hit the Philippines and it even rained. Rain is rare at this time of year since the dry season began officially in November during the Water Festival. It’s very refreshing. Not only that, but my potted palms and other plants are happy to have rain to water them.

Traffic Woes

Sometimes I just wish that Cambodians actually learned to drive properly. I am so tired of making a right turn properly and finding myself head-on with a car or a motorbike taking the lazy left turn into the opposing flow of traffic. I have seen so many accidents caused by this lack of understanding of the rules of the road. I figure if I keep forcing them to turn out of my way, then eventually someone will learn.

Travel log from times past

I was cooking tofu and vegetables for lunch today on my one-burner camp stove when I was reminded of an enjoyable evening outside of Kuala Lumpur with a friend of a friend.

This friend had picked us up for an afternoon of seeing something more than just was KL urban center had to offer. We got a tour of the Carrefour department store and supermarket, then drove around the suburbs. For dinner we were given the choice of Indian or Chinese food. Since Indian food in Malaysia would probably be too spicy, we opted for Chinese food.



My friend ordered for us and the dishes just started coming in Chinese tradition. Fried Frogs legs, some kind of a fish, another seafood type thing, vegetables and on. The frog's legs were different, yet had a taste I could get used to. Overall the food was really delicious though not what I normally would choose.

What we didn't know until after the meal was finished was that it was a completely vegetarian Chinese restaurant. So, it wasn't frog after all, but a soybean version. What a pleasant surprise, and yet how foolish I felt getting disgusted at the seafood and frog's legs.

I like dining experiences like that!

Forgotten birthday

Yesterday was a birthday that was supposed to be important, but forgotten by most. The birthday boy didn't say that it was important, merely that it was going to be his birthday. Admitedly, I forgot until 7:45pm on the birthday night, but it was too late. He already was at another person's birthday (and apparently didn't have any fun - boo hoo!).

The next day it was announced that nobody remembered his birthday and therefore he was unimportant, so he will no longer think of the 28th of November as a special day.

What is the lesson learned? Him: don't make this day special anymore. Me: Tell people when something is important to you and what they can do to make it special. Don't expect them to do your thinking for you!

If it's going to be your birthday, or any other special day, PLEASE, let me know about it and what you'd like done!

Too much or too little

What can I say? There's either too much happening or not enough things to do. I just don't have the time to journal every single last thought in my mind. Where's that brain plug that I need so I can just download, or is it upload, my thoughts directly to my blog?

School: going well. I don't feel so inundated with stuff. There's only 4 weeks left!

Pig Project: The fundraiser's coming along well with the products sorted out and pictures taken. Just waiting for all the products to be ready for final organizing and packing for the sale in January during my holiday tour. By the way, I'm going to be selling some locally made handcraft items when I come through Cali in Dec/Jan. All proceeds go directly to the village families for buying and raising piglets for fattening and sale. It's an investment in providing alternative profit-making ventures beyond the rice growing and harvesting.

Umbrella Tours: There's a 20 person group arriving on Dec 20 from Singapore. It'll be our official first customers. But it can be a real headache to manage the finances of this.

Personal: I'm happy, I'm sad. It's a little of both because there are so many ups and downs of life, especially in Cambodia. But overall, I'm content with what I'm doing. There's always plenty of opportunities for growth and character-building.

Suffering is character building!

Some days it just feels like I'm riding my bicycle through a continual dust bowl everywhere I go. Yesterday was one of the those days. I really enjoy when the dust settles and I can breath much easier.

Sunday evening provided an excellent lesson on suffering in ministry from a wonderful person who had just gone through a bunch of it. It was refreshing to hear a biblical viewpoint of lamenting (see the book of Lamentations) over our suffering rather than pushing it aside as ungodly.

There is a time for every season of life.

Holiday log: Cambodian Independence from France Day

I don't really know what to do with myself today since I don't have to teach and it's a Thursday. A friend just left who was in town for a week, but he'll be back in December for about another week. It's good to catch up.

I've been waking up before 5:00 am lately, and today wasn't any different. However, I decided to lay in bed since I didn't have to be at school for my 6am class. It was nice, though I felt lazy since I could have been starting my laundry, taking a shower or folding clothes rather than zoning out flipping through TV programs, none of which were really that interesting.

I managed to take a shower and start folding clothes that had been piled up. Then it was time for breakfast at the Soupie.

The rest of the day is wide open.

A walk along the river

I've been walking along the river the past couple of mornings for some exercise. The only problem is the constant staring, and what would be considered rude comments in America (ohh, so big!), by the the Cambodians.

Most of them have come from the countryside anyway to race their boats in the competitions over the weekend. It is understood that countryside folks don't know what us foreigners look like and so we're all BIG to them.

I pretend like I am deaf and keep walking and looking elsewhere so as not to acknowledge the ignorant comments. It is for this reason that I know why I prefer to stay indoors during these festival days. Too many people, too many vehicles and too much junk!