Mozzeenet

Looking back on the last entry - I must report on the Excel workshops.

I have been happy with the way they’ve gone. I’ve done 3 of the 4 now.

There was a bit too much content, particularly for the first 2 so we didn’t get through all the exercises but they are in the manuals so they will be able to do them back in their office.

I was pleased that the staff seemed to grasp the concepts well and were able to work through the exercises without too much trouble.

Today the air-conditioner in our office packed it in so were sweltering. Three electricians came in the afternoon and ripped the thing out of the wall to take back to their office to repair. We had a fan but it was still pretty hot.

On the weekend, Sonia and I made it down to Sihanoukville finally. We have been wanting to get there for ages. It is a beach area south-west from PP.

It was really relaxing - I so enjoyed just doing nothing. We stayed in these wooden bungalows, basic but comfortable, overlooking the sea with a little balcony, mosquito net and that’s about it. There was a small resident frog in the bathroom who we got to know.

It rained most of the weekend but that forced us to stay put.

We did get a swim in on Saturday afternoon, very relaxing. The water is warm.

We caught the bus on Friday afternoon from Central Market, fairly comfortable. It takes about 4 hours so we arrived at about 5pm.

I had read about the moto drivers in Sihanoukville and they lived up to their reputation. They suggest exorbitant prices for the short ride from the bus station down to the beach area.

We finally agreed on a price and headed off. Just round the corner, my moto driver stops and says he has to get gasoline. Sonia had gone ahead with her moto.

He told me to get off and disappeared. I was getting suspicious, having heard about all the scams in PP. I felt very vulnerable standing by the side of the road so I started walking.

After a while, I called Sonia and told her what had happened. The moto driver had not turned up. Another moto pulled up so I decided to take it.

I wasn’t really surprised when the other moto turned up as we were nearing the beach behind us. I was a bit scared though because I didn’t know where we were and we were heading down a dirt track.

I was wondering if they were partners in crime.

Anyway it all ended OK. They did take me to the right place. I was a little unsettled by the experience and was glad that I didn’t have to catch many motos the rest of the weekend.

For dinner on Saturday, we had seafood on the beach at one of the little sea-side restaurants with tables and umbrellas. I had shrimps and Sonia had squid. Very nice.

There were many sellers on the beach - I bought a hair clip and a bracelet as well as 2 packets of chips - the first two items promptly broke within 24 hours and the chips were not the best - strange flavours and not exactly fresh. Oh well, perhaps it helped someone have something to eat for the day.

Back to PP on Sunday afternoon, feeling very refreshed for the new week ahead.

Tooly survived without us - the family downstairs fed her.

Ruth e xx
Miss Phnomer in Cambodia

Middle of the week - hump day (Wednesday).

First Excel workshop happening tomorrow. Everything prepared. It’s hard to gauge if it’s at the right level. If it’s too complex, I’ll cut some of it out and then modify it for the other 3 workshops.

Not having had a lot of Excel experience, I have learnt a lot in writing the course which is a bonus. I now know how to add formulas and a few other tricks. Very useful. The same goes for PowerPoint.

There have been a few unexpected and expected events this week among our friends. It was a tough week for Ana as her grandmother passed away. She decided to go back for the funeral so left on Sunday morning with mixed feelings.

We went out on Saturday night before she left. It was a patchy night - one of those when you go from place to place but can’t seem to settle in. Had a good pizza at FCC for dinner and went home in the early hours.

I didn’t envy Ana the next day, travelling from Phnom Penh to Bangkok then Sydney and Casino, bit of an epic journey after getting little sleep.

The “expected” event was Mark’s departure today to Vietnam. He has been having difficulties with his work most of the time he has been here, no support and poor treatment on top of a extremely challending role looking after 200 street kids in a transitional centre is not a fun situation.

He talked to our in-country managers and his host organisation and told them he would go to Vietnam for a week. If they can’t come up with some satisfactory resolutions in the week, he will not come back.

We’ll miss him if he doesn’t. It’s a shame it had to come to this point before anything could be done.

We went out for a farewell drink with him on Monday night to a bar overlooking the river.

Sunday night was another corn-eating night, it’s a great way to learn some more of the language.

Speaking of language, we have stopped our current lessons as we feel that we have got the most out of them as we can now. They have focussed on the Khmer alphabet and the sounds which has been very helpful but from here, we think it is better to concentrate on increasing our vocab and conversation skills.

I am going to inquire at a language school in the next street. I’d like to do a lesson once a week to keep progressing. I think I would enjoy some formal training.

Went to yoga on Monday morning and walking this morning. Impressed with myself. It’s all thanks to Sonia though - she is a bundle of energy, very proactive.

The cat has a nasty chunk out of her back - we think from one of the feral, stray cats around. I was very sad when I saw it because it’s a huge, open wound, felt so sorry for her. She’s so small. I hope it heals quickly. We’ll hear this high-pitched yowling, run out and have to rescue her from these monster felines.

Ruth e xx
Miss Phnomer in Cambodia

Week over again - good and bad, can it just slow down a bit, please!

The week went fast. Busy preparing the next lot of workshops and eagerly awaiting news about Mum.

I have just read an email from Dad saying she has stabilised and is now starting the recovery process from the operation. She had very high blood pressure after the operation which was not a good thing but it has gone down now, thankfully.

Had a good night last night with a couple of friends over and clever Sonia made delicious pancakes with a variety of toppings - mushroom and cream cheese, lemon and sugar, honey and jam. Yum - they were very enjoyable.

Today, I met up with 2 colleagues from Butterworths who have been here for a week, Libby and Emma Y for those who know. It was great to see them nad hear how they have been enjoying it here. Emma is a seasoned Phnom Penh visitor, being friends with the AusAid representative here, who I have met because I am here on an AusAid program.

We had lunch at a cafe which was nice. They gave me some good tips on jewellery makers at the Russian market.

Going for dinner soon with Sonia and Ana at the corner restaurant, Bokor. Weekend not too busy but a few things planned.

Ruth e xx
Miss Phnomer in Cambodia