JUNE 1st A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Having kept a gratitude diary; writing down three things I’m grateful for every day for over seven years, I’m going to start small here. I’m grateful for leftovers for lunch and having learned to cook something from every culture I have lived in over the years. This week we saw fresh bamboo shoots for sale in the market for the first time and I immediately thought of this Japanese style salad with a miso and citrus dressing. Yep I had to buy them and make it and just seconds ago I ate the leftovers for lunch thinking that it was a pity that I didn’t see more in the market this morning - Takanoko Gari (bamboo shoot hunting) now required
JUNE 2nd A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: I’m more than grateful for this pool and my swimming for sanity routine that has not only kept me relatively fit and sane but also assisted me to almost completely recover from my shattered kneecap eighteen month ago. Monthly selfie also done!!
JUNE 3rd A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Having watched the posts about the escalating prices of fresh produce all over the world in recent times, I have to say I am incredibly grateful for the availability of fresh, cheap, seasonal, locally grown produce in Kep. This morning’s market run included two watermelons, a couple of handfuls of bean sprouts, ten tomatoes, eight mangosteens, ten eggs (with local chicken feather I now note!), one bamboo shoot, fifteen limes, two tiny cauliflowers, two carrots, one zucchini, a bunch of bok choy, ten small potatoes and a handful of lime leaves and chilies both of which were tossed into the mix free by one of the vendors!! All that for the princely sum of US $12.50!! That is truly a blessing and the makings of several eat a rainbow meals
JUNE 4th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Today I’m grateful for the garden we have nurtured here and especially the flowers and plants we can strike and propagate so that a little of Kep comes with us when we leave
JUNE 5th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Great start to the day delivering cold watermelons out the monks of Wat Phnom Poon in Kep. We were glad to see the skin infections are almost healed now too and delighted to receive the Abbot’s blessing and red thread blessing bands. Our ongoing connection to this pagoda and the little monks is certainly something to be grateful for
JUNE 6th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: We arrived in Cambodia on this day five years ago and this is an archive shot from the lobby of the hotel, in which we first stayed. I often think how grateful I am to live where I do and today more than ever I give thanks
JUNE 7th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Whilst I am not a Buddhist myself I do find the philosophy very appealing and find the precepts a perfect guide for living a meaningful and mindful life. I also love living in a Buddhist culture and participating in the festivals, rites and rituals, so I’m grateful for the generosity, acceptance, guidance and compassion of my community
JUNE 8th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: I’m grateful for connectivity and electronics which provide us with the opportunity to interact with the little monks. Today we visited the class again and showed them photos of our journey of learning together over the last four and a half years
JUNE 9th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Right now, I’m grateful for henna. I have used it for about a decade and applied it this morning. I adore the brilliant shade of orange that it creates while actually conditioning your hair unlike chemical dyes. I’m calling this a monthly selfie and a bit of “ranga” love
JUNE 10th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Exactly three months from the signing of the contract all the paperwork has been duly processed and we are officially residents of Phnom Penh!!! I am so grateful that the waiting is over and the apartment is ours!
JUNE 10th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: My friend Yary is someone I’m incredibly grateful to have in my life. Today amid her very busy schedule she found time to meet with us before her imminent departure for Europe. This is a favourite photo of her taken a couple of months ago. Bon voyage my dear friend I will miss you
JUNE 12th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: I’m always grateful for flowers, most especially those with a spectacular scent like these Tuberoses and Oriental Lilies, which I treated myself to not half an hour ago. When I haven’t had the opportunity to have flowers in my home for so long I simply could not resist the abundance of flower stalls not 200 metres from our new place. It’s love, laughter, food, friends, books and flowers that turn a house, or in our case an apartment, into a home in my opinion and we will have availed of the complete set when our first visitors arrive in about an hour
JUNE 13th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: I’m grateful that this company is both protecting Cambodian forests and providing affordable safe drinking water for urban and rural Cambodians. We bought a water filter system from this fantastic social enterprise today and I took the photo in their retail outlet. No more carrying the 20-litre refillable bottles for us
JUNE 14th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Today we took our first stroll to the local markets - yes there are two within three blocks. We were drawn to those things we usually never see and the vendor tore a lotus leaf in half and wrapped our spring onions, oak leaf lettuce and parsley in that, even before we could say no plastic please as we always do. An organic eco-friendly traditional vegetable wrapping is something to be very grateful for and we will definitely be back at his stall regularly to support him
As it was presented to me by the vendor
JUNE 15th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Right now, I’m grateful for our new terrace and opportunities to entertain and eat alfresco. As we are in transition between the new and old residences and glamping here in Phnom Penh at the moment. Breakfast on the terrace and endless cyclic discussions of what needs to be done and in what order are just about the only routine we have
JUNE 16th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Today we hung these prayer flags bought and blessed in a Lhakhang in Bhutan on our terrace. I am feeling very grateful for our long-term connection to the kingdom and the wonderful friend who carried them back and gifted them to us today
JUNE 17th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: This afternoon we took a break from our obsession with our new home and visited an art exhibition by Din Teang Borin, known locally a Dinart. It features his signature ethereal images of Apsara dances in abstract modern style. I’m very grateful to now live in the capital and be able to avail of a wider range of cultural experiences
JUNE 18th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: I’m grateful for the restored colonial architecture which enables Phnom Penh to retain some of its historical context and old-world charm
JUNE 19th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: After spending ten days in Phnom Penh walking and taking tuk tuks, I’m very grateful for my bicycle now that we are back in Kep! A quick spin to the market this morning and we have vegetables and baguettes to last for the next few days at least
JUNE 20th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: When it’s actually monsoon season, sunny days like today are a bonus blessing. We are cleaning and drying furniture to donate to friends today too so I’m very grateful for the sunshine as we stage our relocation
JUNE 21st A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: I’m always grateful for tuk tuks and tuk tuk drivers, especially this traditional chariot style. We made a delivery of furniture this morning enroute to Kampot on a shopping expedition and our driver happily tied this load on and waited for us at each stop on the way there and back
JUNE 22nd A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: This afternoon we accompanied the little monks of Kep and their new teacher to the beach. I’m grateful to still be connected to these boys and to be able participate in excursions and see them have a more fun filled childhood
*This shot was the month’s only selection for the Fab grid
I included a few more shots of our afternoon in this post as it was such a lovely afternoon for them and us
JUNE 23rd A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: We were at the beach before the vendors this morning and I love the serenity and calming effect of the ocean. Weekends are frantic with domestic and international tourists again so I’m grateful for quiet beach scenes and ocean views. Taking every available opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of Kep now
JUNE 24th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Today we left Kep early with a fully loaded car to take a second load into the apartment. I’m grateful we changed our plans about leaving in the afternoon as we have now carried several loads up the four flights of stairs and unpacked everything. At our original departure time the monsoon rain started up and we were sitting comfortably on the terrace with coffee and homemade muesli cookies admiring our new view. Good timing
JUNE 25th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: As we slowly explore our new neighbourhood, I’m grateful to be able to see a new perspective of this amazing city. This little troupe of munchkins shout hello at the mere sight of us and yet for their ages they are incredibly independent, resilient and enterprising individuals. Duan Penh has a lot to offer when you open your eyes
JUNE 26th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: There have been some trying times in the acquisition of this apartment but now we are focused again on the joyous, surprising and unique in our current situation. I am very grateful my “joie de vie” is returning and I’m once again observant, curious and challenged. Cheers or as they say here “Chol Moi”
JUNE 27th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: On Saturday we met and discussed with the builder/ demolition expert and by this morning work had begun and our new open plan kitchen-living room is already taking shape. I’m so grateful for the expertise and efficiency of the local team
JUNE 28th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: I’m always and forever grateful for coffee. Today after a late afternoon stroll along the riverside we popped into our favourite café in Phnom Penh with a good friend from Kep, so I’m also grateful for spontaneous decisions to meet up and an abundance of local cafés to choose from
JUNE 29th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: I intended to write this post tomorrow in the tradition of saving the best til last but today is Ian’s birthday. I will always be incredibly grateful to have shared most of the best and some of the worst experiences of my life with this incredible man: my soul mate, fellow adventurer, inspiration and motivation. Thank you for everything
JUNE 30th A MONTH OF GRATITUDE: Yesterday we decided to remove the dated and malfunctioning track lighting in the kitchen and install something new but simple in design with replaceable globes in the kitchen. Today in less than 2 hours of searching and after visiting about 8 lighting shops I found exactly what I had in mind. I’m grateful for the range of choices available locally and being decisive. “Let there be light”
NO PROMPS AS THIS IS THE MONTH OF GRATITUDE FOR 2022
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