Doing Things Badly

Growing up I remember hearing the phrase, "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well." I'm sure this has a place but I am also learning to do things badly. One of my language learning books assures me that "the only normal way to begin speaking in a new language is to begin speaking badly!!!"

I would love to speak in full sentences with correct grammar and perfect pronunciation. But I'd rather speak a little bit and speak badly rather than being too scared to say anything at all. (Besides- how often do I speak full sentences in English with perfect grammar and pronuncation?) My friend Steve taught a Khmer friend of his a phrase to use when someone is being too tentative. I think this is very useful for me to remember at this stage of learning to speak Khmer - "ave a go ya mug!"

Intro to MOJs

Last year I worked part-time in a retirement village in Sydney. In December all employees received an updated job description. This job description was a little different to others that I've seen. The aim was to focus not just on the duties required by staff but why our jobs exist.

The very first sentence under the outcomes column states that an effective employee:

"contribes to the emotional well being of the residents by 'tuning in' to their state of mind and helping them to find 'moments of joy' in their day."

At times I was a challenge to 'tune in' to the state of mind of residents with dementia. Sometimes they were confused, upset or angry without any clear reason. When 'being reasonable' failed I found that 'being caring' and often 'being a complete nutcase' with the residents worked. (The great thing was that I didn't have to try too hard to act like a loony!) Out of these encounters we would regularly see that residents found moments of joy (MOJs) in their day.

When I read my new job description last year I realised that I was already helping the residents to find MOJs. The next step was to help others to see them and celebrate them.

I want to keep celebrating MOJs however and wherever the come about. These things are often small but I figure it doesn't take much to make someone's day...(aww! cheesy but true!) Stayed tuned for some of my upcoming MOJs as they happen : )

Something I said I'd never do...

Trying to settle into life in Cambodia means many new experiences. For example, this morning I navigated the streets of Phnom Penh on a borrowed bike, trying to stay alert but not alarmed.

Today I also did something I said I'd never do- I went swimming in my underwear in broad daylight. Before you turn off your computer and swear never to read my blog again, please give me a chance to defend myself.

First up you need to know that Cambodia is hot- and things are just going to get hotter over the next couple of months. Since I arrived on Monday night I've been hoping to find a swimming pool that is not too expensive & not too crowded. I'd heard that there was a hotel nearby...( I asked some friends but they weren't sure if it was it being rennovated? Was it open?) I decided it was worth a try.

I rode around the general area, consulted my map and found the hotel. I walked in the foyer and was greeted with a smile and the magical words, "swimming pool?" You betcha baby! I gladly handed over the US$1 entry fee and made for the change rooms.

It was at this point that I realised my dilema. I had my swimming cap, goggles, swimming top but no bottoms. I toyed with the idea of riding back home and then begging the smiling lady at reception to let me in again. I decided on the easier option. I tried the navy swim top with the black Bonds hipsters. It almost matched. With just one other person doing leisurly laps and a handful of people lounging around the poolside, I made my dash. Despite saying I'd NEVER swim in my undies....I think (hope!) I got away with it.

Quote of the day...

I couldn't let this one go... I saw a T-shirt today worn by a boy (about 10 years old). It read, "Being Quietly Sexy". Nice one!

A stranger's request

I was walking down the street yesterday (literally on the street since there aren't too many footpaths in Cambodia) when a lady riding a bicycle stopped me. She asked if I speak Khmai. I said no. Speaking in broken English, the middle-aged lady offered me a ride on the back of her bike. I tried to explain that I didn't have far to go and that I was happy to walk.

The stranger then asked, "Can you help me?" I waited for the request, "Will you pray to God for me?" I said, "Yes" (wondering which God she hoped I would pray to but figuring that this probably wasn't the time for a theological discussion...). She asked me to pray for a 6 year old child who was sick. I tried to clarify if she was speaking about her child or someone else's but I don't think she understood my question.

Her request came again, "Will you pray to God for me?" OK. How do I do this? Should I kneel down on the road and pray on the spot? Should I go home and pray a silent prayer in a private moment? I tried to ask if the child was nearby and if she wanted me to go with her to see the child. Once again, I don't think she understood. I could only say again, "Yes. I will pray to God for you."

Walking home, I thought about the central place of healing in the ministry of Jesus and his apostles. When Jesus sent out the twelve he "gave them power and authority to cast out demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick." (Luke 9:1-2). I recalled the simple faith of men and women who were healed by Jesus (generally without lengthy theological discussions about which God was doing the healing before the event....). And yes, I did pray to God for the stranger on the bicycle and the healing of a six year old.

Chinese New Year Gluttons

Yesterday the South China Morning Post reported that over 600 children visited doctors in Tianjin Children's Hospital during the past week for "illnesses related to Lunar New Year festivities". Their dire illness? These kids ate too many snacks and suffered from indigestion!

Having just left Hong Kong I can relate to their struggles. Over the past week I've eaten Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese and Western style food. Yesterday morning I feasted on French cheeses, toast, jam and coffee for breakfast before moving on to pancakes (with more coffee) for brunch.

The past week has been a great time to relax and eat too much with friends in HK. Fortunately my case of gluttony hasn't required hospitlisation.... if my time in HK had been two weeks instead of one, however, I might just be another sad statistic.

Stories of life, hope, faith & struggle....

My friend Joe has been blogging for a while from Hong Kong. I've been spying on his blog from time to time as well as keeping up with some other favourites.... but now it feels like the right time to start my own.

It is cool to be writing my first entry from HK but I'm only here a few more days before heading off to Cambodia. (Woo hoo!) With this new move there are sure to be many stories of life, faith, hope and struggle... I want to be able to share these with the world!

Why "somesaypip"? I guess because I'm known by different people by a few different names. Pip is probably the most common. So some friends who will be reading this (though not all) say Pip.