I’ve found, after living here, that it is the little things in life that make it fabulous. In case you are curious about how little the things are that bring happiness to my life, here is a list of a few…
Freshly washed sheets paired with freshly washed pajamas
A new podcast on my computer
A hug from my yiey (grandma)
Showers, especially hot ones
A smile from the girl at my most frequented restaurant
The smell of jasmine near my window
Group get-togethers with homemade Western food and lots of entertaining conversation
A question from a student in any language
Velveeta Shells and Cheese
Anything that comes from an oven
Finding email in my inbox after I’ve been away from internet for awhile
Ice
Anything that allows me to scrub the grime off of myself
When my yiey says, “Yiey Sralang Jchaio,” or “Grandma loves Granddaughter”
The smell of Protex Propolis Honey scented soap
Pulling my mosquito net down before I sleep
Learning Aussie and British slang
Dancing with the oldest man in my village
Things from the bakery in Sway
A surprise phone call from friends or from abroad
Spicy Thai chili pepper sauce
Brown sugar and the oatmeal that I put it in
Full seasons of TV shows for less than $5
My Ipod
Hearing the word “
Exercise
Photographs
Surprising people with my Khmer after I’ve heard them talking about me
Staring back at anyone who is staring at me and watching them get uncomfortable (I practice this in moderation)
Things that bring the opposite of joy to my life
Not that I focus on the negative, but I’ve got to be honest… Some things here bother me almost all the time. And people should know.
Any combination of staring, old dirty men, military clothing, and conversation about the ‘barang’
The above thing in a place that I consistently frequent
Wedding/Funeral/Festival music blaring across the village at 5:00 in the morning
Drunken men with no filter trying to hit on the white gal
Roosters, and the fact that my house has a ton of them
My co-teacher slacking off, as he does more frequently all the time
1 comment:
Things that bring joy to my life - hearing you say any of the following: mate, peckish, breaky, footy and thisarvo (must be said as one word).
Anne
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