food that won't make me sick; a bathroom that has a separate shower from the toilet; a dry bathroom floor and toilet seat; Swiffers (the floor mop); good friends; good beer; the beach; good friends, good beer, and the beach together; my Honda; earthy, crunchy granola; raw milk; fresh veggies; drip coffee; Sushi Thai; my comfortable couch; non-sweetened yogurt; my Seychelles water pitcher; my juicer; central a/c; a dryer; having no cable; a full-size refrigerator; friends; family.
Since I have been sick, the desire for all that is warm and good at home has hit strong. I figured writing about it might make it better.
The other option is to splurge when we go to Siem Reap (where Angkor Wat is--see Tomb Raider), which should be fabulous! A boutique hotel, four days, and $135 total! Hopefully it is as good as it looks online.
I'll post again once that trip happens, but until then, I will just leave everyone with some great pictures of good times from the states. And remember to love the life you're living!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Vermont, 2012
FM Beach
New York with the Phipps-Millers
A little KrisBob Adventure
Playing harmonica with Gramps
The bubble dude at Wanee
Ferris Wheel at Venice Beach
Uncle Sila and Morgan surfing: Fort Walton Beach
Serious talks with Captain Ron
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
A** and Mouth Explosions
Well hello, friends. I know it's been awhile since I've written, but we've been busy teaching everyday and settling in to our life here.The biggest thing on my mind is ass and mouth explosions. Yup. Sorry about the vulgarity, but that's what my last twenty-four hours have been like.
Saturday was a wonderful day: a picnic at Kean Svay (http://phnompenhday.blogspot.com/2013/08/kien-svay-resort-for-all.html) and dinner at the Russian Market back in Phnom Penh. I even found the best street food I've ever had at the market: a large, very thin, egg omelet with bean sprouts and lightly sauteed herbs and pork. It also came with a beautiful salad plate--herbs, flowers, lettuce--that you wrapped chunks of the omelet with and dipped in an amazing sauce. Yummy.
But then it happened: the slight rumbling of the stomach, the cramps, the explosiveness. First it was just a few times, but then the pace quickened. Then came the vomit. Lots of it. Then the chills, then the fever. By 9:00 p.m. last night, I was a hot mess. Literally.
Because we had Sila sleeping soundly in his bedroom (thank GOD he wasn't really keen to eating at the Market that night and didn't eat the salad), we had to call a doctor to come and diagnose me. Apparently, it was the food.
The dreaded event finally arrived. Anyone who has ever traveled to less-than-Western-standards countries, knows what I'm talking about: the moment when you're doubled over in bed and exploding from both ends. Yuck. I haven't felt this bad since the pasta event in Peru....or the deep sea fishing trip in Hawaii (remember that one, Kathy and Ron?).
Thankfully I am feeling a bit better and the explosions have stopped. The doctor has given me a lot of drugs (yes, Ma, I am taking antibiotics), and I am on the uphill trek.
So there you go--probably a lot more than you wanted to know about me right now, but there it is. Big hugs.
Saturday was a wonderful day: a picnic at Kean Svay (http://phnompenhday.blogspot.com/2013/08/kien-svay-resort-for-all.html) and dinner at the Russian Market back in Phnom Penh. I even found the best street food I've ever had at the market: a large, very thin, egg omelet with bean sprouts and lightly sauteed herbs and pork. It also came with a beautiful salad plate--herbs, flowers, lettuce--that you wrapped chunks of the omelet with and dipped in an amazing sauce. Yummy.
But then it happened: the slight rumbling of the stomach, the cramps, the explosiveness. First it was just a few times, but then the pace quickened. Then came the vomit. Lots of it. Then the chills, then the fever. By 9:00 p.m. last night, I was a hot mess. Literally.
Because we had Sila sleeping soundly in his bedroom (thank GOD he wasn't really keen to eating at the Market that night and didn't eat the salad), we had to call a doctor to come and diagnose me. Apparently, it was the food.
The dreaded event finally arrived. Anyone who has ever traveled to less-than-Western-standards countries, knows what I'm talking about: the moment when you're doubled over in bed and exploding from both ends. Yuck. I haven't felt this bad since the pasta event in Peru....or the deep sea fishing trip in Hawaii (remember that one, Kathy and Ron?).
Thankfully I am feeling a bit better and the explosions have stopped. The doctor has given me a lot of drugs (yes, Ma, I am taking antibiotics), and I am on the uphill trek.
So there you go--probably a lot more than you wanted to know about me right now, but there it is. Big hugs.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Do You Want to Send the Griffins Something?
I know your desire may be strong to send little trinkets, food, good beer, sheets that don't rip, fun toys, beach sand, a little Florida sunshine, pictures, memorabilia, or any other super-cool American thing, so if this applies to you, the best place to send something is the following:
Julianna and Conan Griffin
c/o Conversations with Foreigners
#247c, Street 271
Sangkat Toul Tom Poung II
Khan Chamcarmon
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Julianna and Conan Griffin
c/o Conversations with Foreigners
#247c, Street 271
Sangkat Toul Tom Poung II
Khan Chamcarmon
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Vulnerability
I know I have just written, but vulnerability has been the theme of my day, and I have an overwhelming draw to write about it.
Some of you might not know that I'm a pretty vulnerable person...but in the bad way, the way that holds me back from some experiences. I say the "bad way" because as per Brene Brown (author of Daring Greatly) she speaks about vulnerability as a good thing, as the ability to be open and receptive to experiences and to not protect yourself as a result of fear or insecurity.
Anyway, Conan leaving for a few days is always an opportunity to be vulnerable for a few days and to find comfort in it...as hard as that is. So as I sat in the apartment this morning, doing yoga, reading, emailing, and everything else I could think of to avoid having to go outside, the nervous tickle began deep in my gut. Once I left the apartment, I knew I would have to deal with all sorts of situations where I feel vulnerable. See below.
1. Speaking to young men (in clear English, with a sprinkling of Khmer) on motor bikes to secure transportation to my destination.
2. Getting on motor bikes with young men (the complete OPPOSITE of what a female traveler should do most everywhere else in the world).
3. Having faith that all Khmer people are good people and will not crash into me on the bike, especially since traffic rules don't really exist. Quick fact: 8 people a day die in motor bike accidents in Phnom Penh.
4. Arriving at my destination--that is, if my driver knows where he is going, and I don't have to help him out--and then fighting off hoards of more tuk-tuk and moto drivers who want to take me some place new even though I just arrived.
5. Putting trust in humankind (really in mankind) that I will not be raped since I just saw a statistic today that says 1 in 5 Cambodian men from ages 18-59 have admitted to rape in their lives. Gulp.
Okay, so I'm sure this post might be freaking some people out, but it shouldn't. What I meant to achieve is more of a confirmation for myself that I am okay. It is okay to be vulnerable and put myself out there for other people to experience (in a responsible manner). Because when I get home after days like this, I feel as if I have achieved something. I was vulnerable, and it was okay. No one laughed at me--okay, probably a few people did; I didn't die, and I am okay.
That said, I will leave you with the images below. To me, they capture how I feel when I am vulnerable but overcome. Maybe you can relate?
Some of you might not know that I'm a pretty vulnerable person...but in the bad way, the way that holds me back from some experiences. I say the "bad way" because as per Brene Brown (author of Daring Greatly) she speaks about vulnerability as a good thing, as the ability to be open and receptive to experiences and to not protect yourself as a result of fear or insecurity.
Anyway, Conan leaving for a few days is always an opportunity to be vulnerable for a few days and to find comfort in it...as hard as that is. So as I sat in the apartment this morning, doing yoga, reading, emailing, and everything else I could think of to avoid having to go outside, the nervous tickle began deep in my gut. Once I left the apartment, I knew I would have to deal with all sorts of situations where I feel vulnerable. See below.
1. Speaking to young men (in clear English, with a sprinkling of Khmer) on motor bikes to secure transportation to my destination.
2. Getting on motor bikes with young men (the complete OPPOSITE of what a female traveler should do most everywhere else in the world).
3. Having faith that all Khmer people are good people and will not crash into me on the bike, especially since traffic rules don't really exist. Quick fact: 8 people a day die in motor bike accidents in Phnom Penh.
4. Arriving at my destination--that is, if my driver knows where he is going, and I don't have to help him out--and then fighting off hoards of more tuk-tuk and moto drivers who want to take me some place new even though I just arrived.
5. Putting trust in humankind (really in mankind) that I will not be raped since I just saw a statistic today that says 1 in 5 Cambodian men from ages 18-59 have admitted to rape in their lives. Gulp.
Okay, so I'm sure this post might be freaking some people out, but it shouldn't. What I meant to achieve is more of a confirmation for myself that I am okay. It is okay to be vulnerable and put myself out there for other people to experience (in a responsible manner). Because when I get home after days like this, I feel as if I have achieved something. I was vulnerable, and it was okay. No one laughed at me--okay, probably a few people did; I didn't die, and I am okay.
That said, I will leave you with the images below. To me, they capture how I feel when I am vulnerable but overcome. Maybe you can relate?
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Some Fun Pictures
Traffic in Phnom Penh:
(okay, this is cheating a bit: it was a protest, not necessarily traffic)
They eat all the loveliness off feet...........
Face Painting Fun:
Misc. Phnom Penh:
Fish:
Face Painting Fun:
Western Mentality
It's been awhile since I've written; I know. Orientation for our NGO has begun, and it's been a pretty full schedule. Currently, Conan is off visiting the rural office/location of Conversations with Foreigners (CWF)--the Cambodian Rural Development Team (CRDT). I decided to stay in Phnom Penh to avoid taking Sila out of school (again), but the reward is that I have four full days to myself!
I've named my post "Western Mentality" because this has been on my mind recently. Actually, more of what has been on my mind could be coined "White Man's Burden." I didn't name my post this for multiple reasons: 1) it sounds so privileged; 2) it doesn't capture the purpose of this post, which is to highlight how awkward it can sometimes feel to be so lucky in life.
Now don't get me wrong, I have been doing my fair share of shopping locally, eating locally, and living locally. But the pull of my very privileged (meaning I have never really faced racial discrimination, poverty, or lack of civil rights) life has also tempted me to visit the local grocery market, have a drink at the roof-top bar, and get my feet nibbled on by fish, all while watching a huge percentage of the population struggle on less than $500 a month ($500 is supposed to be a GOOD salary). I feel the weight.
I hope this isn't coming off as "poor me: I'm feeling guilty because I can enjoy the finer things in life, and it weighs on me to see others not able to do so." This isn't what it means. More so, I mean for it to be a moment of gratitude, appreciation, and love for all that I do have.
Another sobering moment was visiting the Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21), which is the Cambodian Genocide Museum. It was shocking and sobering to visit, and realizing that this massacre took place a little less than 35 years ago was saddening. As I walked through room after room, my one overwhelming thought was the following: "I hope more than anything that these people had a moment of joy here; I hope they left this world with a bit of the stuff that really matters." I don't know if this is incredibly superficial and insensitive to think, but it was what I was thinking.
Whew. So here it is. I'll leave with a few pictures of S-21and follow up with another post of more fun images. So if you're reading this, and you're a Westerner (which you probably are because I can't imagine why else you would be following my blog!), love your life. Love your freedoms. Love your people.
I've named my post "Western Mentality" because this has been on my mind recently. Actually, more of what has been on my mind could be coined "White Man's Burden." I didn't name my post this for multiple reasons: 1) it sounds so privileged; 2) it doesn't capture the purpose of this post, which is to highlight how awkward it can sometimes feel to be so lucky in life.
Now don't get me wrong, I have been doing my fair share of shopping locally, eating locally, and living locally. But the pull of my very privileged (meaning I have never really faced racial discrimination, poverty, or lack of civil rights) life has also tempted me to visit the local grocery market, have a drink at the roof-top bar, and get my feet nibbled on by fish, all while watching a huge percentage of the population struggle on less than $500 a month ($500 is supposed to be a GOOD salary). I feel the weight.
I hope this isn't coming off as "poor me: I'm feeling guilty because I can enjoy the finer things in life, and it weighs on me to see others not able to do so." This isn't what it means. More so, I mean for it to be a moment of gratitude, appreciation, and love for all that I do have.
Another sobering moment was visiting the Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21), which is the Cambodian Genocide Museum. It was shocking and sobering to visit, and realizing that this massacre took place a little less than 35 years ago was saddening. As I walked through room after room, my one overwhelming thought was the following: "I hope more than anything that these people had a moment of joy here; I hope they left this world with a bit of the stuff that really matters." I don't know if this is incredibly superficial and insensitive to think, but it was what I was thinking.
Whew. So here it is. I'll leave with a few pictures of S-21and follow up with another post of more fun images. So if you're reading this, and you're a Westerner (which you probably are because I can't imagine why else you would be following my blog!), love your life. Love your freedoms. Love your people.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Do You Want to Come to Cambodia?
Two weeks today we have been gone, and it's beginning to feel a bit more like home. As you can see from the picture, Sila has found his groove, kneeling on the tuk-tuk and rocking some shades. Unfortunately, all of us have suffered from some head colds the last few days, but I suppose this, too, makes all of this more real.
I would like to say that we've been doing some epic stuff the last few days, but honestly, we haven't. We've spent quite a bit of time moving into our new apartment and feeling our way around town. Here are some pictures of our new spot:
We did visit the zoo, which felt more like we were inside of the zoo with the animals, and the establishment had chain-link fences for what reason....? Who knows. Check out some pictures and notice how we are inside with the animals. Monkeys outside their cage + us inside the exhibit = a freaky experience.
Our time here in Phnom Penh will range from three to six months. The former is a definite; the latter is if we really enjoy our NGO and life here. So if you've ever dreamed about visiting SE Asia (or anywhere for that matter), come on out. Seriously. Do it now. You would have your own room and personal tour guides of Cambodia, which, by the way, is the most friendly and welcoming country. We would LOVE to see you, so buy your ticket and come on out!
Of course, once we move on, you're welcome to come to wherever we are then, too. It's always better to do it now, though.
I'll leave you with a few more random pictures. The low platforms and hammocks is a lunch spot we visited after the zoo. The rest are self explanatory...except, I suppose, Conan wearing a mask: it's a necessity on long tuk-tuk rides due to dust, smoke, exhaust, etc. Fun stuff and an epic picture to boot. Hugs to all.
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