Perspective

Okay, so I have to admit something. . . . I'm bored of my routine here. I know that I'm in a foreign country, having new experiences, building new relationships, eating new foods. . . but oh man, its amazing how the shiny newness can wear off of life here. Its not that I'm unhappy or want to come home, in fact I know I'm not ready to come home yet and I want these 5 more months I have left here. Its more that boredom leads to homesickness which leads to frustrations over little inconveniences, which puts me in a bad mood on a Monday morning. So, taking some advice I got from another SALTer a few months ago, for you readers and for me, I'm going to make a list of all the things I will miss about life here- to remind me of what I love here and to attempt to counteract the strange mood I'm in today:

I will miss. . .

1) Travel by motorbike. Although I decided not to drive out of a quite natural fear of dying bleeding on a road somewhere. (ie scary traffic), I love riding on the back of someone's moto. Wind in your hair, plenty to see, time to think. Its great. (And yes, I suppose I am not too much safer as a passenger, but at least I don't have to think about the crazy lack of traffic rules!)

2) My host sisters. Wow, did I get blessed with an amazing host family! All 3 of my sisters are beautiful, fun, smart, funny, and always watching out for me. I had this secret fear they would get sick of me, but that totally hasn't happened. I love coming home and chatting with them all evening. I love listening to their conversations in Khmer and catching only about 30 or 40%, but still somehow being included and feeling comfortable. I love laughing about boys, watching Korean pop music videos, comparing cultures, and eating sour mangos with chili salt.

3) Speaking of mangos, I will miss the fruit. I mean, wow. Fruits we have at home like watermelon, oranges, and japanese pears- but available year round and way more delicious. Plus fruits I've never seen before like dragonfruit, rambutin, mien. . . the list goes on. Every Monday morning, I stop at the market on the way to work and buy fruit for a week of breakfasts. Its always ripe and always delicious. And mango season is coming soon!

4) Being put in charge of a big project at work like I'm someone with years of experience and skill and not a recent college grad. I like the challenge and it feels great to be trusted so much. I don't think research is my calling, but its good to have this chance to test my skills

5) Beautiful sunsets. Seriously, every night. Its amazing.

6) Being able to go away for a weekend- bus and hotel and food- for 30 bucks. That is THE BEST. In a few weeks we have the MCC retreat to Siem Riep (my 4th trip there, but it still will be fun) plus I'm looking into scheduling a long weekend in Bangkok in the near future. Hopefully that will work out.

7) Along those same lines, everything being cheap. My 70 bucks a month of play money can go a long way here. 10 dollar massages. 2 dollar T shirts. 35 cents cups of coffee. 1 dollar slices of cake. Its an easy life in that sense.

8) My MCC family. All of the expats and Khmer people here are super wonderful. There's a strong sense of community. I have people I can laugh with and people I feel safe to cry with. Its amazing that there are so many of us and we all genuinely get along.

That's all I have for this list for now. And that's nothing to turn your nose up at. Sorry if its repetitive from other blog posts. Here's a prayer for contentment and joy in the simple things of life. And a prayer for all of you at home- every season of life can be an adventure, it just depends on your perspective. I'm trying to regain mine. : )