The Meanest Tip Ever

I had one of those days yesterday...tripped on the stairs, lost stuff and couldn't remember some simple words in Khmer. Then I had a run-in with the ticket collector as I was leaving the moto parking area at the market.

The parking fee was 300 riel. I give him a 500 riel note and waited for the change. (I should explain... 100 riel = 2.5 cents US. So after handing over my 12.5 cent note I was waiting for the 5 cents back.) The ticket guy wasn't forthcoming so I asked for my change. He said he wouldn't give it. I said the price was 300 riel. He said it was more expensive in the evening. I checked my watch. At 4pm? Yes- at 4pm in the evening, came the reply. I asked why the ticket had 300 riel printed on it? After another pause, he looked away, casually opened the draw and handed me two 100 riel notes. I made eye contact, tried to smile and said thank you. Then I added- and here's 100 riel for you. Not because I cared about the grubby notes. Not because I was being generous. Only because I hated being seen as the clueless foreigner. Consequently, the ticket guy got a serving of my stingiest tip ever!

After the hype

QUESTION: What do the following countries have in common: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Greece, Honduras, Philippines, Singapore, Uruguay and Venezuela?
ANSWER: Compulsory voting.

Voting has been compulsory in Australia since 1924. It was initiated when only 59% of eligible voters turned out for the 1922 elections. (Which was, incidentally, the exact same percentage of those who voted in the 2004 US elections, where voting is optional.) In last Saturday’s Australian federal elections there were 13.6 million enrolled to vote. Based on previous years, some 95% of those would have made it to a polling booth. I went to the embassy in Phnom Penh and this was the first time I have voted from overseas. The process was clear, the lines weren’t long and I agreed with a stranger I overheard talking to her friend on the way out when she exclaimed, “I love voting!”

There’s something cool about that hit of empowerment that comes with checking the box and numbering the preferences. Hopefully it helps us to realise that we have a voice in the ongoing political process. Advocacy can continue after the hype of the election is over. Being involved doesn’t have to be a once-every-four-years event.

When I read that Bronwyn Bishop was re-elected as my local member for Mackellar, I did some research and read her first speech to parliament in 1987. She opened with a statement that being elected to parliament was “the fulfillment of a schoolgirl aspiration”. Bishop continued by speaking of why she chose politics:

History showed me that the world had two groups of people: firstly it had those who were part of the decision-making process and actually had some say in the direction of the nation in which they lived took. The second group of people were those who had decisions made for them. I determined that I wished to be a part of the decision-making process.

On one level, I congratulate the Hon Bronwyn Bishop for fulfilling her personal ambitions and for remaining the member for Mackellar for over a decade. However, I think that if this statement still sums up her view of politics then it is essentially wrong. The point of a liberal democratic system of government is that we all make decisions. Our political process is grounded in the belief that individuals are rational beings, capable of choice. A liberal democracy views society as being able to work in an orderly and co-operative manner (rather than barely functioning in a state of disorder and conflict). It is suspicious of concentrated forms of power. It recognises that politics is the art of compromise. Politics is about power. However, it should be about legitimate, shared power within a framework of justice and freedom. Respectfully, Bronwyn Bishop, you’re not the only local who is part of the decision-making process. I love voting and I love making my voice heard between elections too.

Church

GOING TO CHURCH

I remember a time when I loved going to church. I’d be there every week- even if it meant running in late because I had come straight from the beach- salty hair, damp boardies, sand stuck to my feet. I loved the holy moments of prayer and communion. The sermons were like the very words of God to me. I’d go every Sunday and often during the week too. I remember before I was old enough to drive, I would ride my bike for an hour on winter nights to get to the 8pm prayer meetings. We’d kneel on the worn carpet of the Sunday School room and cry out to God with the full array of shouts, tears, clenched fists, whispers and laughter as we pleaded for justice, mercy and divine empowerment in the midst of our struggles.

Years later, going to church was part of my job description. Twice on Sundays and several times during the week I’d be there for all kinds of meetings associated with the somewhat vague set of duties that came with being a youth pastor. Going to church on Sunday night alone took around 3-4 hours. I’d be there from set up to lock up and everything in between. It was long but it was good. In leading others I grew too....and maybe I saw in those teenagers and young adults something of what others saw in me when I was a kid arriving at church straight from the beach?

In early 2005 I started going to church in Khmer. At first I had no idea. I stood when others stood, I clapped my hands when they sang, closed my eyes when I guessed they were praying and tried really hard not to fall asleep in the sermon. It took about 12-18 months for me to feel like a full participant in the service. Now when I go to church in Cambodia it is usually in Khmer. I don’t go every single week but I go. Why? Because as weird as some Christians are... I am one of them.

BEING CHURCH

Going to church can be inspiring. It can also be boring, frustrating, disappointing and even painful. At times I have opted out. Sometimes this helps me to focus more on being church. By this I mean centering again on living out the values that Jesus taught and embodied rather than talking about how many people came to the latest church event or who is on the cleaning roster next week. I realize I can’t “be the church” on my own but I do need to evaluate whether my life measures up to my confessions. Being church involves living authentically and creatively in the midst of the ordinary.

DOING CHURCH

At certain periods in my life I’ve met with small bands of holy sinners to do church. I don’t remember exactly how it started, but a few years ago I was doing church with some friends in Sydney. We’d start at about 7am with a surf. Afterwards we would drive to my place for lattes, bagels with cream cheese and fresh fruit, followed by singing, praying, reading the Scriptures and talking about personal and world events. It was deliberately not too planned. It was shared- everyone who was there was involved in “doing church” that day. It was fun- especially when the surf was decent!

Last Saturday I did church again. Two of us did church sitting on a mat on the floor with candles, flowers, communion, readings, blessings, one guitar, two songs and seven chords. It was incredibly simple but God’s presence was with us and it was the best drug ever!!

Going to church, being church and doing church all have a place in my life. Different seasons but unique challenges and opportunities so that “church” looks and feels different now to when I was 16. However, I still think I do better when I stay connected somewhat to going to, being and doing church.

16 months and then...

Sixteen months is my record for not having a crash and falling off my motorscooter. I broke it yesterday when I got squeezed between a car pulling out on my right and a Tuk-Tuk driver coming up on my left who collected me as he continued on his predetermined course. Today I'm back to Day 1. Counting again but no worries. No serious damage to the bike or to me. Just a couple of grazes... and a new target of being accident free for more than 16 months!

Thanksgiving Week

This Thursday people from the USA who are living in the States and in other far-flung corners for the globe will stop to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. I wouldn't mind being a citizen for a day if it meant I could feast on turkey, cranberry sauce, veggies, cornbread and pumpkin pie. (Any invites?!)

One of my friends has her own Thanksgiving tradition. She writes a list of things that she is thankful for. It isn't a top 10. It isn't a couple of points jotted down on a scrap of paper. It is a long list of everything she can think of that causes her to be grateful.

This year I'm joining in the tradition. I started my list yesterday and will add to it as we head towards Thursday. I'm learning already that giving thanks is a very powerful tool! Choosing to be thankful-

• opens the gate to a thousand positive memories
• allows me to be content in the present
• fuels joy and happiness
• gives strength, hope and courage for the future.

Here's a sample from my list so far... I am THANKFUL for: Cultures. Languages. Khmer. Bollywood. Music. Singing along in the car. New guitar strings. Taste buds. Chilli. Chocolate. Coopers and Corona. Random sounds. Footsteps on a gravel driveway. Rain on the roof. Colour. In people's eyes. In a cut dragonfruit. The right to vote. Freedom to travel. Moto. Air tickets. Running as the sun is coming up. Midday naps. Sleepovers. Family. Ways to communicate. Things that can be shared. A Twix bar. A taxi fare with a stranger. A blanket. Grace. Forgiveness. Finding money I forgot about in my jeans pocket. Benches in public parks. Covered walkways on a rainy day. Protection. The smell of vanilla. Hand massages. Air conditioning at the gym. Laughter. Things that turn out better than I expected. Good news from a medical test. A delicious meal made from leftovers. Fireworks. Fairy lights. Dreams. Faith. Stories.

New Training Method

I tried a new training method this morning. It is the "running away from home" technique. It's simple and fun. Here's how to do it:

1. Choose a location and/ or time to run towards. (E.g. home to the Independence Monument via the riverfront in 45 minutes...)
2. Lock the front door and leave at a culturally appropriate hour (in my case 5:15am).
3. Run. Keep running.
4. Arrive at the indi monument, warm down for a couple of minutes and hail a moto driver to get a ride home (arrival time 6:15am).

Total cost: less than one dollar.
... there are some great things about living in Phnom Penh = )

New Purchase

I think I've mentioned before that I'm training for a 10km run (December 2). The preparation is good for me. It gives me the motivation to eat better. I've given up alcohol temporarily. I spend a stupid amount of money on monthly gym fees at a place that is air-conditioned and close to home. Running has also changed my shopping habits.

A couple of weeks ago I bought my first ever sweatband. I love it! The girls at the gym commented on my "new style" and I've discovered it really is much more comfortable to run with a headband than without. I had an interesting conversation with one of the sales staff when I bought it too:

Me: Does this come in different sizes?
Staff: No. Only one size.
Me: But how do I know if it will fit my head?
Staff: It is stretchy.
Me: Oh. I wonder- have you ever tried one on?
Staff: No. But I have seen another customer try one.
Me: And would you say they had about the same sized head as me?
Staff: Yes! The same! Exactly the same!
Me: Thanks, I'll take it.

Sunday Highlight

Last Sunday I visited another Cambodian church. Most of it was standard stuff. We sang, prayed & listened to a 40 minute sermon. But there was one part of the service that was different.

About half way through, the Pastor stood up to ask if there were people there who were in financial need. He said, "I'm not talking about those who earn a salary but would love a pay rise. I'm not asking whether you could use some money to buy a new set of clothes. I'm talking to people who are in danger of not having enough to live on today or in the next few days... unless something happens. People who have some kind of financial problem now that you cannot solve on your own." He talked for a few minutes and asked those who were in need to put up their hand. About a dozen people responded. He reminded them that God knows their needs, hears their cries and loves them.

Next, the Pastor said to the congregation, "In the next song, you have the opportunity to give. Look for someone near you who has their hands raised. You don't have to give and you don't have to give a lot. 10 cents...25 cents is OK... But if you want to share what God has given you, then do so." The music started up again and people started moving. Of course, I was happy to be in on it too. People went up to friends and strangers with their arms up and pressed folded notes into their hands. Some gave silently, others whispered a few words of prayer or blessing. Some gave a hug or a gentle pat on the arm. In these small acts, God came.

Sometimes spirituality isn't so complicated. For those in need: ask. For those who have: share. Those who give today might need to receive tomorrow but that is alright because God loves to love the poor through people who love God.

Feeling Healthy

My flatmate is away so now I have nobody to cook for. I went into hunter-gatherer mode for the first couple of days, subsisting on foraged peanut butter sandwiches. Today I was determined to do better. I had a shocker at the gym this morning and even a double shot iced coffee didn’t make me feel much better. So finally I invaded the ‘secret vegetable draw’, cut open a tube of tofu and made soup. It was good. Feeling healthy already.

After lunch a couple of students popped around to see if the resident doc was teaching anatomy today. Not for the next six weeks or so, sorry. I improvised. Step one: put on the kettle and make coffee. Step two: think back to the great medical knowledge I have retained from studying nursing for half a semester in 1996. (OK- that would be nothing at all.) Step three: forget it. Play. Feeling emotionally healthy already.