Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I know, I know, long time no blog! It is hard to describe how crazy and fast paced things have been for me here. Sounds inconguous for a place like Cambodia, but that's life here for me. The generator and UPS system works great! Since installed, we haven't had near as many outages for some reason, but it makes it possible to concentrate on teaching classes, which is what it's there for.

My friend Korn came for a 3-day visit and that was a pleasant break, even though I still had a couple of meetings I had to go the first day he was here. We had lots of good Thai food at restaurants here in Phnom Penh. The last day we worked on his 2nd visa application.

My knee has been bothering me a lot. I've had problems with it before, but this is the worst I can remember. I may have to have it checked out in Thailand.

I'm trying to get used to the craziness in traffic I encounter while riding the motorbike I've been renting since July 9th, but it's still a challenge. Cars and motorbike drive in every direction imaginable and some that aren't. I'm trying to think like a Cambodian and not worry too much, but accidents happen all the time. Rotaries are a nightmare. Motorcycles are the pickup trucks of Cambodia and people carry everything on them; Steel pipe, queen size mattresses, lumber, large propane tanks strapped down with strips of worn out bicycle inner tube, up to six people, rattan furniture and anything else you can or cannot imagine. The loads on the motorbikes are major hazards in themselves. The good thing about the motorbike is the fillup charge is only $2 (it only takes about 2-liters of gas!)

The kids are great! I had worked with them to get 5-computers running for the computer lab, but yesterday they figured out how to get 2 more computers working that I given up on. They're learning to install operating systems, applications and helping me teach the class. One of my assistants, Somoun, handles switching to the generator when the power goes out and knows more about it now than I do.

There have been a lot of serious issues surrounding funding and control of the orphanage. I am hoping they all work out, but things are quite tense in these areas right now. The director and staff are great, it's when you get beyond them where the issues develop. Please keep me in your prayers during this time.

I'm still very glad to be here. Life is rich and real. People are human here. Very few lawyers...

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I have rented an apartment for $150/month which includes A/C, Hot water, satellite TV, bed, computer desk and they do laundry for about $0.50 for two pounds! It's in the city, but the view out my very large front windows is of palm trees in the yard of the house across the street. I am very happy with it.

I also rented a motorbike for $60/month. It will save on transportation costs and give me a lot more mobility and hopefully safety. You never know what the driver will be like when you hire a motorcycle taxi (motortaxi).

Bangkok, Thailand

I'm in Bangkok to visit a Thai friend of mine, Korn, to relax and contact friends in the USA using voice the Internet and to renew my visa.

My first month in Cambodia has been both wonderful and very challenging. With the help of several of the children, I've been able to get the computer lab in place and with their help have taught the first computer skills lesson to 50 of the kids. This is in spite of 4-power outages, flooding of the lab and having to round up kids for each class since no one really knew their schedules and conflicts.