Saturday, June 14, 2008

Who me? SIngle?......No?

Two random conversations I've had this month. Enjoy!
The first was in Khmi with a man I've never met. It went like this.
Moto driver: You speak Khmi a lot. And you're pretty.
Me: Thanks.
Driver: Are you married yet?
Me: No, not yet.
Driver: Do you have a boyfriend?
Me: No.
Driver: Do you want a Cambodian husband?
Me: awkward laughter
(we had reached my house at this point and I got off the moto)
Driver: Can I have your phone number?
Me: No.

The second was in English with an African guy I met in the elevator whilst riding down after church with my two little sisters.
Dude: Are these your babies?
Me: No, they're my sisters.
Dude: are you single?
Me: Yeah.
Dude: Are you living in Cambodia?
Me: Um, only for a few more weeks.
Dude: Where are you from?
Me: America, where are you from?
Dude: Africa
At this point we get off the elevator. I thought I'd escaped. Silly me.
Dude: I want to know you well.
Me: awkward laughter
Dude: I want to know you well
Me: Noni, what's wrong? (hopeless attempt to ignore the guy)
Dude: I like you, you're nice.
Me: (under breath) That's great. (thinking) Really? I was kind of hoping I had been rude... (out loud) Well I have to take the kids home and get them some lunch it was nice to meet you bye! Come on kids!

There are very few occasions where I'm grateful for American guy's lack of...forwardness. These are two of those occasions.

My mom's comment: If anyone asks you if you're single in the first 5 seconds of meeting you, LIE!!!
Good advice mom.

Love and peace or else!
C.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Who told the ocean "You can only come this far"?

Ooh! pick me! I know!
This weekend I got a chance to go to the beach with a couple of Aussies and a puppy named Anzac. It was absolutely wonderful.
We stayed in a bunglao on top of a mountain with woods all around looking out over the ocean. There was no air conditioner, or hot shower, or mosquito net, but the breeze from the ocean and the view made it all worth it. We trekked around the beaches and found the most secluded spots to swim. It was great just to get away from prying eyes and swim without shorts over my swimsuit! Plus, the water was more clear and beautiful. He found a place called Hawwaii beach where the water was like crystal and you could see straight through to the bottom. It was beautiful, unspoiled nature. And it was lovely.
Of course, we did the non-hippie girly things too. Like going to dinner on the beachand checking out cute boys. But mostly we just relaxed. It's amazing how you sometimes don't realize how much you needed to get away until you do it.
And then you come back...
Things have been tumultous during the past 24 hours...
My mom went to Bangkok with 2 of the kids leaving 3 for me. Normally this would not be a problem, but the mentally handicapped one is having trouble sleeping which means my developmentally-stuck-in-the-terrible-twos ten-year-old little sister was not really in good form today. Tonight, I gave her a shot of medicine and she's sleeping like a log. : D
The 9 year old brother also decided to display his not-so-handsome side today. Altho we've got him sorted out at the moment I keep being afraid he's gonna loose it again when I have to enforce his punishment (which, by the way, is being grounded from tv and game boy for quite a while).
I was reminded last night ofhow desperate Satan is. When all other attempts fail he hits below the belt. On the one hand it's tragic. On the other hand, it's actually kind of funny, because you realize how desperate he must be to pull a stunt like this. And though it may not always seem like it, I'll take a line from Lucy and say "Aslan must know what He's doing."
I'll leave you with this:

We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the rain.... Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall; But God's always ready, to answer your call....
He knows every heartache, sees every tear, a word from His lips, can calm every fear...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish, with dawn's early light... The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, to give you His grace, and send you His love...

Everlasting Love,
Redeemed