AUGUST 1st I AM: Years ago, I used to start every academic year by asking the new international students to write 20 statements (10 nouns and 10 adjectives) that began with “I am” as a way of introducing themselves and do it as an example on the board myself. It must be things you cannot see. I haven’t done it in years so here we go..
I am a … traveller, swimmer, photographer, cyclist, vegetarian, writer, cook, teacher, an optimist and an idealist. (Bonus points for changing articles LOL)
I am …. generous, kind, flexible, compassionate, responsible, mindful, organised, committed, sensitive and passionate
AUGUST 2nd I LOVE THIS COLOUR: and this pendant, so much so that when the original was broken in my luggage, I immediately not only bought a new one but also adapted the old one
AUGUST 3rd I WALKED HERE: in the early morning, in the near deserted zone immediately in front of the Royal Palace. Our timing was perfect as the only other people we saw were hordes of monks and young novices. I’m assuming classes at the nearby Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University had just finished. I never tire of those orange robes, shy smiles and coy “hello”s
AUGUST 4th I LIKE TO: visit the local markets early in the morning, support the local traders and buy local as much a possible while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere
AUGUST 5th I LOVE THIS TIME OF DAY: The late afternoon when the black clouds roll in and the skies open up in deafening monsoon rain, accompanied by ear bursting thunder and brilliant streaks of lightning. I really do love it; just more when I’m home on the terrace than when I’m trying to take a stroll along Sisowath Quay riverside
AUGUST 6th I LOVE: the way our new living space is taking shape and feeling so much more like home now. I am especially attached to this breakfast bar zone with the new bamboo bar stools we bought yesterday
AUGUST 7th I MADE THIS: double baked cheesecake with mango and passionfruit puree for our dessert tonight. Of course, after not making it for a decade and always strictly following the recipe, I had to attempt a few variations on the original and am now intrigued about whether it will really be better. I replaced the sour cream layer with yoghurt to make it more Greek style and used limes not lemons as well as reducing the sugar by half. Middle East feast with a twist tonight for dinner with our special guest
AUGUST 8th I WORK HERE: Given that I’m officially and totally retired, the only real work I do is in the apartment cleaning, washing and by far the most pleasurable of all cooking. Therefore, I present my new work station
AUGUST 9th I HELD THIS: beautiful book I was gifted on Sunday. Every day since, I have picked it up, read sections of the text and flipped through the fabulous photos reminiscing about our Bhutan adventures and inspiring plans for the next trip. Thank you Dorji
AUGUST 10th I WROTE THIS: list of new characters for the chapter I was studying in this textbook at the time. Nowadays I use an online app but I do love to write Chinese characters and I did have a go today for this prompt
AUGUST 11th I SAW: this amazing and beautifully restored and renovated building yesterday afternoon when we were returning home. It’s a creative, shared, Khmer work space used by various artists and creators. Inside, over four levels are a plant shop, a local clothing and homewares outlet with quirky printed designs, a digital art and media space, a coffee shop and café and possibly more. I have to say I found the building more interesting than the products and certainly had stair envy but will definitely return soon for a coffee and a second look
AUGUST 12th I LIKE TO DRINK: Black coffee, no sugar and at home is preferable to a coffee shop, so this is me in my element late this afternoon
AUGUST 14th I DO THIS ON SUNDAYS: Given that we have no real routine at all, the only thing we consistently do on Sundays is wander about our neighbourhood exploring. Today’s wandering included a market, a café, an art exhibition and several new back alleys, laneways and streets. Everyday life in the capital is still an adventure
AUGUST 15th I ONCE: mistakenly believed it was possible to predict the monsoon downpours from the blackened state of the sky. However today we both got drenched in the torrential rain walking home from the dentist surgery. This month’s selfie as a drowned rat - at least it’s not cold and it’s only water
AUGUST 16 I NEVER: tire of discovering interesting street art
AUGUST 17 I WENT TO: the train station before 6:30am this morning and we are now heading to Kep to see our friends and of course the little monks
AUGUST 18th I READ THIS: as we cycled past yesterday and then stopped and re-read it today feeling very much welcomed. We have met old friends, and been recognised and greeted by locals all over town in the last 24 hours. Tomorrow is the much looked forward to reunion
AUGUST 19th I DID THIS GOOD THING: Today we went back to Wat Phnom Poon to visit the little monks and distribute hygiene products to the class. Role plays with toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and nailbrushes to select the colours they wanted were the order of the day
AUGUST 20th I LOVE THIS VIEW: Last night’s spectacular sunset over the water from the top floor of our dear friend’s house in Kep. Such a beautiful farewell gift from nature as we head back to the capital today after our quick trip back to our first hometown in Cambodia
AUGUST 21 I DON’T LIKE TO: take plastic bags in the markets here due to the garbage issues. This is today’s market haul with one plastic bag we recycled and one only new one. The lotus leaf has a bunch of spinach wrapped in it as even the vendors know we don’t want plastic!
For about AUD $23 today we got:
2 mangoes, 6 passionfruit,1 pineapple, 2 eggplants, a bunch of Japanese spinach, 10 eggs, a block of tofu,11 tomatoes, I radish, 3 sweet potatoes, I red capsicum, 2 tiny cauliflowers, 3 tiny cucumbers, a handful of snow peas, a handful of bean sprouts, a bunch of coriander, 3 bulbs of lotus root and the chillies and spring onions were free from stall holders for buying so much. What’s not to love about Cambodia?
*This shot was selected for the Fab Four on Facebook
AUGUST 22nd ON MONDAYS I: like to prepare dishes that will compliment meals throughout the coming week. I’m the lazy cook - make as much in bulk as possible in one hit and lessen the load for the days to come
AUGUST 23rd I SAT HERE: in the tuk tuk returning home with plants and a planter from a newly discovered district. I must confess Ian took this shot but not long after he also took a bad tumble down the stairs and now the only priority is looking after him. Not the shot I planned for today but also not likely to get much of a smile out of me now
AUGUST 24th I LIKE TO EAT: this! On Saturday we went to lunch at a beautifully restored Art Deco hotel in Kampot. We ordered the veggie platter and it was more than enough for two served with bread. We absolutely loved it and will definitely go back and order the same as soon as we are in that neck of the woods again
AUGUST 25th I HAVE TO: do everything around the house for the next six weeks or more, with my wonderful partner now unable to weight bear with a fractured hip. However, I think that the main priority is delicious and nutritious meals and lots of TLC. This morning’s breakfast was Pa Jun, not that any Korean would probably recognise it and it wouldn’t win any plating awards either but since I’m neither a chef nor Korean, I’m declaring it a success. That smile is all the payment I need. I know I have accomplished my task
AUGUST 26th I WORE THIS: to school in Bhutan almost every day for five years. I also dressed him almost every morning as it is much harder to put on a Gho than a Kira. It’s obviously an archive shot too as we are house bound for a while at the moment
AUGUST 27th ON WEEKENDS I: have allowed myself an hour or two of social, outdoor timeout from chief cook, bottle washer and nurse duties for my own wellbeing. Slipped out this morning and met briefly with some friends who are relocating. This gorgeous courtyard space is being traded for stunning river views and a terrace. Can’t wait to see it. Ah life beyond the confines of the Aerie
AUGUST 28th I WATCHED THIS…..: Prayer flags fluttering in the evening breeze on the terrace last night. I always feel a sense of calm when I notice the prayer flags and I even managed to capture the movement with my phone camera for the first time ever. I took a moment to stand still and be mindful about the good things that had happened during the day to remind myself that there are always positives
AUGUST 29th I CAN: make high calcium, high protein, fibre rich meals which are vegetarian and comply with our eat a rainbow policy to ensure Ian heals and recovers as soon as possible and I enjoy doing it. This is a sample of our meals in the last six days
AUGUST 30th I CAN’T: believe that it has taken me this long to start making my own natural cleaning products. After years of reducing, recycling, reusing, repurposing and refusing, I finally did it today. Now I need to research if I can add lemongrass oil to the mix so the scent is my all-time favourite two fresheners: lime and lemongrass. Amazing what a little enforced home time can inspire
31st I BELIEVE: we should buy local, refuse plastic, support local artists, and entrepreneurs and appreciate culture and as expats it is even more essential. This morning’s purchases demonstrate my commitment to that belief
THE PROMPTS
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