Relatively new runner seeking female running buddy for motivation and company.
Have run a half marathon in the last year but am currently struggling to do 5kms due to recent illness.
Applicants must have ridiculous sense of humour and not mind the occassional chat (except while racing). Future running goals and GPS functionality a plus.
Previous running buddy refusing to relocate to Phnom Penh. (What's with that?!!)
Positional available from January 2011.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
What a missionary should be?
Whatever you do, don't look at me!
For starters, I am a terrible entertainer (missionaries are meant to be masters of hospitality, right?). I'm not much of a cook and my house is generally a mess. Our dishes are mismatched and our chairs creak and groan (I'm not keen to update when it is all just put back into storage). Besides, the kids are noisy and it just plain stresses me out. And that's in Australia.
But, we gladly put such excuses aside for one type of people - those interested in missions. We bring out a simple (ie fail-proof) Sunday lunch of fresh salad sandwiches and listen to their journey of faith so far.
Our most recent visitors were a newly married couple with great questions. But it was getting tough to talk over the kids who were bored in the newly tidied house. As my frustration grew, I suddenly thought to ask the kids if they'd like to answer some questions. They were keen to talk about Cambodia - for them, it is home and they are keen to get back there. With their seemingly boundless energy focused on communicating, I slipped away to chop the salad which I had not prepared in advance.
After it all, there was one question that remained with me. "What is your greatest challenge as a missionary?" The answer was immediate and clear. "Not meeting my own expectations of what a missionary should be." As a mother of young children, I feel like such a pretend missionary living out a life that can be easily transported to another context without my main role or even my key relationships changing at all! It is tempting to look at the work and lives of others and wish I could be as "good" as them.
Yet, a missionary "should" be someone who is (by grace) faithful to whatever God has called them to. Not distracted by the need or by the works of others but commited to the call and the One who calls. Then, there will be no mismatch of expections and enterprise.
Mothers take note!
For starters, I am a terrible entertainer (missionaries are meant to be masters of hospitality, right?). I'm not much of a cook and my house is generally a mess. Our dishes are mismatched and our chairs creak and groan (I'm not keen to update when it is all just put back into storage). Besides, the kids are noisy and it just plain stresses me out. And that's in Australia.
But, we gladly put such excuses aside for one type of people - those interested in missions. We bring out a simple (ie fail-proof) Sunday lunch of fresh salad sandwiches and listen to their journey of faith so far.
Our most recent visitors were a newly married couple with great questions. But it was getting tough to talk over the kids who were bored in the newly tidied house. As my frustration grew, I suddenly thought to ask the kids if they'd like to answer some questions. They were keen to talk about Cambodia - for them, it is home and they are keen to get back there. With their seemingly boundless energy focused on communicating, I slipped away to chop the salad which I had not prepared in advance.
After it all, there was one question that remained with me. "What is your greatest challenge as a missionary?" The answer was immediate and clear. "Not meeting my own expectations of what a missionary should be." As a mother of young children, I feel like such a pretend missionary living out a life that can be easily transported to another context without my main role or even my key relationships changing at all! It is tempting to look at the work and lives of others and wish I could be as "good" as them.
Yet, a missionary "should" be someone who is (by grace) faithful to whatever God has called them to. Not distracted by the need or by the works of others but commited to the call and the One who calls. Then, there will be no mismatch of expections and enterprise.
Mothers take note!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Returning soon...
All's been quiet on the blog-front... not sure if anyone still checks or whether you've given up. I almost have.
It seems the blog is just a part of the Cambodian me.
It's not that I don't have things to write about here in Australia. There's been a bunch of firsts - my first half-marathon, my first trip to Finland (the family homeland), my first Sri Lankan Dahl - all notable events.
But there are some things that more naturally fit with my life there in Cambodia. Blogging is one.
Prayer is another.
My prayer life has been slack but I didn't realise how different it was until an odd experience last month. I'd been providing the voiceover for a short play which involved reading a bible story in Khmer (and quite a bit of practice). Afterwards, I was compelled to pray - just the way I'd pray in Cambodia - walking and praying with urgency into the night. Something about the Khmer language stirred my soul in ways it hasn't stirred here in Australia.
Three months out from returning to Cambodia, the blogger in me begins to stir.
It seems the blog is just a part of the Cambodian me.
It's not that I don't have things to write about here in Australia. There's been a bunch of firsts - my first half-marathon, my first trip to Finland (the family homeland), my first Sri Lankan Dahl - all notable events.
But there are some things that more naturally fit with my life there in Cambodia. Blogging is one.
Prayer is another.
My prayer life has been slack but I didn't realise how different it was until an odd experience last month. I'd been providing the voiceover for a short play which involved reading a bible story in Khmer (and quite a bit of practice). Afterwards, I was compelled to pray - just the way I'd pray in Cambodia - walking and praying with urgency into the night. Something about the Khmer language stirred my soul in ways it hasn't stirred here in Australia.
Three months out from returning to Cambodia, the blogger in me begins to stir.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A rain-soaked morning...
The husband is at Uni. The two older kids at school. The youngest is being baby-sat by Grandma so I can do some work.
As I sit down to the computer, I am astounded again by the beauty of this rain-soaked morning. The bush turkeys from the park across the road were also enjoying it. I couldn’t resist taking a photo to post.
Enough procrastinating… back to work.
+++
I wrote that post in the first week of March. Today is the first morning since then that I have had a chance to actually sit at the computer to get some work done (and it is curiously another of those rare rain-soaked days).
I opened my computer to discover the emails are collecting together and organising a revolt (they have already managed to stop my ability to reply to anyone). A number of work deadlines expired silently due to neglect.
It seems that I am not so good at this work / family balance. One happens while the other is neglected. Obviously the last 6 weeks have been family time.
Now, while I write, my three year old is discovering the many uses of freshly cooked playdough. I expect to be discovering patches of red throughout the house for months to come... all for a good cause, I guess.
(hmm, it is very silent out there... maybe I need to check on the playful Mr Happy first).
Friday, February 26, 2010
Green and keen!
In my latest efforts to be “green-er”, I have been re-using plastic bags. Washing, rinsing and hanging in the sun to disinfect means that they are as good as new (with the occasional hole). These bags I take with me on every shopping trip – bread bags for fruit and grocery bags for, well, groceries.
My odd ways have caused a few eye-rolls and head shakes from people at the checkout impatient to get home and consume their potato chips (I would be if I was buying them too). However, on Monday one lady at the butcher even dared to giggle. I realised that it was ironic to be re-using plastic bags while purchasing one of the biggest environmental killers, beef, but justified to myself that at least we are eating it only once a week.
However, my indignation soon turned to horror when I realised the reason for her smirk. I had given the mildly-handsome young butcher a plastic bag from the school tuckshop which had my name and phone number written on the outside. It had held the book order I had recently collected and was now being filled with 500g of premium mince.
I am desperately hoping that he and his colleagues hadn’t noticed or at least realise it was an innocent mistake. Otherwise, I’m not sure I can show my red-face there again.
Fortunately, I haven’t had a phone call from him yet...
My odd ways have caused a few eye-rolls and head shakes from people at the checkout impatient to get home and consume their potato chips (I would be if I was buying them too). However, on Monday one lady at the butcher even dared to giggle. I realised that it was ironic to be re-using plastic bags while purchasing one of the biggest environmental killers, beef, but justified to myself that at least we are eating it only once a week.
However, my indignation soon turned to horror when I realised the reason for her smirk. I had given the mildly-handsome young butcher a plastic bag from the school tuckshop which had my name and phone number written on the outside. It had held the book order I had recently collected and was now being filled with 500g of premium mince.
I am desperately hoping that he and his colleagues hadn’t noticed or at least realise it was an innocent mistake. Otherwise, I’m not sure I can show my red-face there again.
Fortunately, I haven’t had a phone call from him yet...
Monday, February 15, 2010
The BIG Question
“Lisa, as well as looking after your family and all the effort that is in a developing country, you have also been able to assist various projects benefitting poor communities. What are some of the challenges the poor in Cambodia face and how can we help?”
This was the question asked by Ashley Withers, our missions pastor, at the morning and evening services at Gateway Baptist Church this Sunday. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest questions facing our generation. And with hundreds of people sitting there, waiting for what I would say, I was nervous. This is what I tried to say...
“Great question, Ashley. I think the biggest challenges that the poor face are the impossible choices they have to make. Recent research by the United Nations shows that the average Cambodian does not have enough income to cover life’s basics of food, clothing, shelter, education and health care.
One family we know were forced to choose between keeping their farm or selling it in the hope it would be enough to gain life-saving treatment in Thailand for their 21 year old daughter. (She died).
One man with severe back pain was unable to work and so took out a loan charging interest at 10 per cent per annum just to feed his family.
While these are extreme examples, there are also the everyday kind where a mother I know was unable to afford to use an electric fan throughout the night for years despite the pleas of her young daughter… they simply could not afford it.
So what can we do? A lot. You’d be surprised how much our lives impact the poor.
Gateway is a great giving church and I would encourage you to excel in this. But if we are serious about the poor, it has to go a lot further. We will need to make some tough choices of our own.
Firstly, choose to read with Bible with the understanding that we ARE the rich and take seriously the admonitions of God to care for the poor and not to oppress them.
Choose to live simply. If everyone in the world lived like the average Australian we would need seven worlds to support us. We are taking more than our fair share at the expense of others. (My heros in this are the generation of elderly people who grew up during the Depression and still now continue to live simply and give generously.)
If buying new, choose to buy fair trade where workers receive a wage they can live on. Our demand for cheap imports has serious consequences for the workers producing those items.
Choose to speak out for the poor. They have no voice and we can use ours to make a huge difference. Join the church Catalyst group and find out how. It is an election year here in Australia and everyone wants your vote.
And as we continue to take responsibility for our choices, it will change our prayers. We will pray more earnestly for the physical and spiritual poverty faced by millions.
Our lives and choices have a huge impact on the impossible choices of the poor. Choose well.”
It was longer than the allocated 2½ minutes (I had to pause a number of times to gather my nerves). Ashley was able to say it much more succinctly.. “Basically, it’s to love mercy, act justly and walk humbly with our God”. Exactly.
This was the question asked by Ashley Withers, our missions pastor, at the morning and evening services at Gateway Baptist Church this Sunday. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest questions facing our generation. And with hundreds of people sitting there, waiting for what I would say, I was nervous. This is what I tried to say...
“Great question, Ashley. I think the biggest challenges that the poor face are the impossible choices they have to make. Recent research by the United Nations shows that the average Cambodian does not have enough income to cover life’s basics of food, clothing, shelter, education and health care.
One family we know were forced to choose between keeping their farm or selling it in the hope it would be enough to gain life-saving treatment in Thailand for their 21 year old daughter. (She died).
One man with severe back pain was unable to work and so took out a loan charging interest at 10 per cent per annum just to feed his family.
While these are extreme examples, there are also the everyday kind where a mother I know was unable to afford to use an electric fan throughout the night for years despite the pleas of her young daughter… they simply could not afford it.
So what can we do? A lot. You’d be surprised how much our lives impact the poor.
Gateway is a great giving church and I would encourage you to excel in this. But if we are serious about the poor, it has to go a lot further. We will need to make some tough choices of our own.
Firstly, choose to read with Bible with the understanding that we ARE the rich and take seriously the admonitions of God to care for the poor and not to oppress them.
Choose to live simply. If everyone in the world lived like the average Australian we would need seven worlds to support us. We are taking more than our fair share at the expense of others. (My heros in this are the generation of elderly people who grew up during the Depression and still now continue to live simply and give generously.)
If buying new, choose to buy fair trade where workers receive a wage they can live on. Our demand for cheap imports has serious consequences for the workers producing those items.
Choose to speak out for the poor. They have no voice and we can use ours to make a huge difference. Join the church Catalyst group and find out how. It is an election year here in Australia and everyone wants your vote.
And as we continue to take responsibility for our choices, it will change our prayers. We will pray more earnestly for the physical and spiritual poverty faced by millions.
Our lives and choices have a huge impact on the impossible choices of the poor. Choose well.”
It was longer than the allocated 2½ minutes (I had to pause a number of times to gather my nerves). Ashley was able to say it much more succinctly.. “Basically, it’s to love mercy, act justly and walk humbly with our God”. Exactly.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
To be numbered amongst the numbered...
I’ve always wanted to do a triathlon – to wear a race number and counted amongst the “fit”. However, being a TERRIBLE swimmer (completing 50 meters free-style without lapsing into side-stroke was a huge achievement), I never thought it possible.
This weekend, I did it.
It wasn’t quite a full triathlon, but an “enticer” designed to encourage wider participation by the general population. 200 meter swim. 5km bike ride. 2km run. But still, I did it.
A good friend had invited (or was it “conned”) me to try it and since arriving back in Australia we have been meeting twice a week at the local public pool for training, plus a weekly run together. Steve was impressed. He says that me swimming is like a vegetarian eating a steak.
So on that rainy Sunday morning in Caloundra, I thought my expectations weren’t so high. For the swim, I only wanted to “not get rescued and not come last”. So I was stoked when I beat 18 others out of the water.
But I didn’t realise that I had one other expectation ... that I would complete it without having to stop and walk. But having pushed too hard on the bike leg, riding my husband’s over-sized hybrid, I was exhausted by the run. I had to stop and walk three times over the 2kms. I still placed in the top half of the group but I was so disappointed that I stopped and walked.
It gives me something to aim for next time, right? I’m just trying to decide if there will be a next time because I discovered this weekend that, while I love training, I hate racing.
Still, it might be worth it just to pose in a race number again. :)
This weekend, I did it.
It wasn’t quite a full triathlon, but an “enticer” designed to encourage wider participation by the general population. 200 meter swim. 5km bike ride. 2km run. But still, I did it.
A good friend had invited (or was it “conned”) me to try it and since arriving back in Australia we have been meeting twice a week at the local public pool for training, plus a weekly run together. Steve was impressed. He says that me swimming is like a vegetarian eating a steak.
So on that rainy Sunday morning in Caloundra, I thought my expectations weren’t so high. For the swim, I only wanted to “not get rescued and not come last”. So I was stoked when I beat 18 others out of the water.
But I didn’t realise that I had one other expectation ... that I would complete it without having to stop and walk. But having pushed too hard on the bike leg, riding my husband’s over-sized hybrid, I was exhausted by the run. I had to stop and walk three times over the 2kms. I still placed in the top half of the group but I was so disappointed that I stopped and walked.
It gives me something to aim for next time, right? I’m just trying to decide if there will be a next time because I discovered this weekend that, while I love training, I hate racing.
Still, it might be worth it just to pose in a race number again. :)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Starting at a new school
This week my two eldest children, Velociraptor and Princess, started school with thousands of others around Queensland. Velociraptor was particularly keen to get into it – for him the extended holidays were like standing for hours at the starting blocks, waiting for the race to begin.
But now the big day had arrived, I was getting nervous for him. It’s not easy starting a new school, particularly in Grade 4 where everyone else already has a history and friendships.
So, I wrote a small note to accompany their water bottles, fruit and oat-bread sandwiches, reminding them that I loved them and I was praying for them. Before slipping the notes into their lunch boxes, I hesitated momentarily – what if this good-intentioned act of love was social suicide for a Grade 4 boy?
As expected, the first day wasn’t easy, especially for Velociraptor. Apparently the work was too easy and the teacher joked around too much. But we soon discovered the real reason – some boys had refused to let him join their game of soccer over the lunch break. Ouch. We were relieved that Princess seemed ok with her Grade 2 class… until she saw some photos of Cambodia and crumbled into tears.
I must confess that it’s times like these that I complain to God that this journey is just too much for my kids. It’s not fair that they must keep crossing cultures and continents, saying hellos and goodbyes, trying hard to fit into a place from where they will be uprooted sometime in the future.
Yet, God is good. He gently reminds me that He is worthy and He is near. Anything that occurs on this journey is for our good and His glory for only through struggles will we grow. Even the heartache for my children leads me to pray and be more intentional as a Mum.
I quietly asked Velociraptor if he got my note in the lunchbox. His frown turned to a grateful smile. “Yes Mum. I really needed it”.
I prayed even more earnestly that night for my kids, determined to trust Jesus and release them to His care. The next day, as we raced out the door, Velociraptor asked for the note again, anticipating the need for comfort on another difficult day. I was glad to be able to pat the lunch box and say “I’ve already written another one.” (When Grandma heard about the notes, she wrote one for the next day as well!).
When he arrived home that afternoon, I got the thumbs up. Some kids had let him join in on their game of soccer. “The note was still nice, but I didn’t need it so much today”.
Thank you Jesus. You are near.. and you are worthy.
But now the big day had arrived, I was getting nervous for him. It’s not easy starting a new school, particularly in Grade 4 where everyone else already has a history and friendships.
So, I wrote a small note to accompany their water bottles, fruit and oat-bread sandwiches, reminding them that I loved them and I was praying for them. Before slipping the notes into their lunch boxes, I hesitated momentarily – what if this good-intentioned act of love was social suicide for a Grade 4 boy?
As expected, the first day wasn’t easy, especially for Velociraptor. Apparently the work was too easy and the teacher joked around too much. But we soon discovered the real reason – some boys had refused to let him join their game of soccer over the lunch break. Ouch. We were relieved that Princess seemed ok with her Grade 2 class… until she saw some photos of Cambodia and crumbled into tears.
I must confess that it’s times like these that I complain to God that this journey is just too much for my kids. It’s not fair that they must keep crossing cultures and continents, saying hellos and goodbyes, trying hard to fit into a place from where they will be uprooted sometime in the future.
Yet, God is good. He gently reminds me that He is worthy and He is near. Anything that occurs on this journey is for our good and His glory for only through struggles will we grow. Even the heartache for my children leads me to pray and be more intentional as a Mum.
I quietly asked Velociraptor if he got my note in the lunchbox. His frown turned to a grateful smile. “Yes Mum. I really needed it”.
I prayed even more earnestly that night for my kids, determined to trust Jesus and release them to His care. The next day, as we raced out the door, Velociraptor asked for the note again, anticipating the need for comfort on another difficult day. I was glad to be able to pat the lunch box and say “I’ve already written another one.” (When Grandma heard about the notes, she wrote one for the next day as well!).
When he arrived home that afternoon, I got the thumbs up. Some kids had let him join in on their game of soccer. “The note was still nice, but I didn’t need it so much today”.
Thank you Jesus. You are near.. and you are worthy.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Tips for a successful re-entry
I’m no master at re-entry and this time I was far too preoccupied to read any books on it. So there have been a few shocks to the system… and I thought I should share from my experiences hoping someone might learn from them (even if I don’t!).
1. Leave well.
In 2007 when we last left Cambodia for home assignment, Steve worked until the day before we left and I was 7 months pregnant. Talk about stress!! This time, Steve had a couple of weeks off before we left and was a huge help in getting odd jobs done. Because of it, I was able to say goodbyes properly and leave with a sense that most things are in order (it didn’t stop me from forgetting my camera battery recharger though!).
2. Book in holidays and guard them jealously.
We should have learnt this last time, but again we have not had a break, hitting the ground running. While Steve has been attacking the house fix-it jobs, I have been out every day visiting my wonderful family and friends, dragging along the kids to visit people who are virtual strangers to them like “Mummo’s sister’s daughter … and her children” or “the lady who gave us the beautiful clothes” (she’s also one of Mummy’s cousins). While I have loved it, this week I hit the wall. There is still so much to do in setting up house, school is just around the corner and deputation looms ahead next month. There are so many more people I want to connect with, yet I need a break – a chance to just “be”. NOW!
3. Come as a learner.
Towards the end of last year, I was getting weary of being a learner within the Khmer culture (surely I should “get it” by the end of five and a half years!!), but I am discovering that I must also re-learn how to operate here in Australia. We all have our moments when we are stumped and need to ask for help. For me, it was the extreme range of milk of the supermarket. I got on the phone and was told to “just get the cheapest”. It got me through and hopefully one day I’ll work out a better decision making strategy.
4. Expect to haemorrhage money.
I was told this before heading back to Australia and it has reduced the shock considerably. I have even been pleasantly surprised when a swim at the local pool was only a third of the exorbitant entry fee I had been expecting. Besides, the income is so much greater than we have previously received while in Cambodia that it almost feels like we are swimming in money. Almost.
5. Enjoy.
There are so many aspects of life here to enjoy that don’t cost a lot of money – playing in grassy back-yards, running on the bike tracks along the creek, catching clean and reliable public transport, experiencing art galleries and museums, listening to the quietness of night. Soak it in… because the locals don’t seem to notice it.
6. Remember that not everyone may be enjoying it.
Yes. Our kids are missing Cambodia despite our seemingly idyllic existence. They are missing friends, foods and their beds… home. I think I need to give them more space to talk about it and grieve, rather than rushing them off to the next event.
7. Guard your heart.
Amongst the joys and wonders of being here, it is easy to get sucked into the consumer culture. My weakness is real estate and I have forbidden myself to read the local newspapers because of it. Nevertheless, this week I found myself reviewing the real estate section of the local rag and dreaming of purchasing an investment home where the rental income would go to missions (after I had magically paid it off, of course). The pull was strong, setting off warning bells within me. I need to tread carefully and guard my heart, committing my way to Jesus… not the way that seems good to me. Contentment is more precious than gold and needs to be guarded fiercely.
8. Love first.
My last tip comes from the cruel teacher of experience. Being loving is more important than being right. Don’t open your big mouth and discuss politics, impending environmental disaster or economics without an understanding of your “audience”. I blabbed on my way home from the airport and hurt someone I love most. I wish I’d humbly stepped down off my hobby horse and asked her more questions first. But it is a lesson I will carry throughout the year and hopefully be a far more effective advocate of the poor than I might otherwise have been.
Any list of tips this long should make it to 10. Anyone have any suggestions from their experience???
1. Leave well.
In 2007 when we last left Cambodia for home assignment, Steve worked until the day before we left and I was 7 months pregnant. Talk about stress!! This time, Steve had a couple of weeks off before we left and was a huge help in getting odd jobs done. Because of it, I was able to say goodbyes properly and leave with a sense that most things are in order (it didn’t stop me from forgetting my camera battery recharger though!).
2. Book in holidays and guard them jealously.
We should have learnt this last time, but again we have not had a break, hitting the ground running. While Steve has been attacking the house fix-it jobs, I have been out every day visiting my wonderful family and friends, dragging along the kids to visit people who are virtual strangers to them like “Mummo’s sister’s daughter … and her children” or “the lady who gave us the beautiful clothes” (she’s also one of Mummy’s cousins). While I have loved it, this week I hit the wall. There is still so much to do in setting up house, school is just around the corner and deputation looms ahead next month. There are so many more people I want to connect with, yet I need a break – a chance to just “be”. NOW!
3. Come as a learner.
Towards the end of last year, I was getting weary of being a learner within the Khmer culture (surely I should “get it” by the end of five and a half years!!), but I am discovering that I must also re-learn how to operate here in Australia. We all have our moments when we are stumped and need to ask for help. For me, it was the extreme range of milk of the supermarket. I got on the phone and was told to “just get the cheapest”. It got me through and hopefully one day I’ll work out a better decision making strategy.
4. Expect to haemorrhage money.
I was told this before heading back to Australia and it has reduced the shock considerably. I have even been pleasantly surprised when a swim at the local pool was only a third of the exorbitant entry fee I had been expecting. Besides, the income is so much greater than we have previously received while in Cambodia that it almost feels like we are swimming in money. Almost.
5. Enjoy.
There are so many aspects of life here to enjoy that don’t cost a lot of money – playing in grassy back-yards, running on the bike tracks along the creek, catching clean and reliable public transport, experiencing art galleries and museums, listening to the quietness of night. Soak it in… because the locals don’t seem to notice it.
6. Remember that not everyone may be enjoying it.
Yes. Our kids are missing Cambodia despite our seemingly idyllic existence. They are missing friends, foods and their beds… home. I think I need to give them more space to talk about it and grieve, rather than rushing them off to the next event.
7. Guard your heart.
Amongst the joys and wonders of being here, it is easy to get sucked into the consumer culture. My weakness is real estate and I have forbidden myself to read the local newspapers because of it. Nevertheless, this week I found myself reviewing the real estate section of the local rag and dreaming of purchasing an investment home where the rental income would go to missions (after I had magically paid it off, of course). The pull was strong, setting off warning bells within me. I need to tread carefully and guard my heart, committing my way to Jesus… not the way that seems good to me. Contentment is more precious than gold and needs to be guarded fiercely.
8. Love first.
My last tip comes from the cruel teacher of experience. Being loving is more important than being right. Don’t open your big mouth and discuss politics, impending environmental disaster or economics without an understanding of your “audience”. I blabbed on my way home from the airport and hurt someone I love most. I wish I’d humbly stepped down off my hobby horse and asked her more questions first. But it is a lesson I will carry throughout the year and hopefully be a far more effective advocate of the poor than I might otherwise have been.
Any list of tips this long should make it to 10. Anyone have any suggestions from their experience???
Surviving a double life.
Living in Cambodia and Australia, I have two lives. As I leave a country, I seem to pack away that life amongst the books and paints and toys we hope to return to one day. Not only that, I leave behind my friends and their lives and love. I am terrible at communicating across the countries despite the ease of email and skype. It’s like my head and heart is too full with life around me that I just can’t make the jump to really connect.
But then returning to our house in Australia means that I need to rummage through the stuff for my former life here and when found, dust it off and try it on for size (hoping desperately that it still fits with a couple of alterations). I am fortunate to have friends and family that are happy to pick up where we left off. Perhaps they too have trouble connecting across the sea.
To date, one of my main forms of connecting with friends in Australia has been my blog. Now, I am here again, I think a fundamental shift is needed. I will now also be writing to my friends in Cambodia who will be undoubtedly neglected while I am away. They’ve been warned, but I’m not sure if they believe it.
My motto? One life at a time..
But then returning to our house in Australia means that I need to rummage through the stuff for my former life here and when found, dust it off and try it on for size (hoping desperately that it still fits with a couple of alterations). I am fortunate to have friends and family that are happy to pick up where we left off. Perhaps they too have trouble connecting across the sea.
To date, one of my main forms of connecting with friends in Australia has been my blog. Now, I am here again, I think a fundamental shift is needed. I will now also be writing to my friends in Cambodia who will be undoubtedly neglected while I am away. They’ve been warned, but I’m not sure if they believe it.
My motto? One life at a time..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
