Today I got caught in the rain. It was a Cambodia rain.
I was on my way to the fruit truck to buy fruit for lab tomorrow. It's about 5 blocks away and just as I reached 47th street, the skies opened and tiny droplets of water soon drenched everything. But it wasn't an oppressive rain; it was a rejuvenating rain. It was a brief respite from the oppressive humidity that has recently engulfed Philly. It was a soft pattering of rain, gently watering the plants. It was a sunny rain, one of those happy rains where the sky is blue. It was an unexpected rain where people were caught off guard and running for shelter. It was a comforting rain, creating a soft melody as it fell to the earth. By the time I bought the fruit the rain had ended. Half an hour later everything was dry, as if it had never rained.
This rain was a welcomed rain. It was a rain that reminded me of lunchtime showers as I lounged in my hammock. It was a rain that reminded me of hot coffee on lazy mornings. It was a rain that reminded me of the beauty in this place, here in Philly.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
culture shock....again
Today I went to Whole Foods. It's been about 6 years since I've been in a Whole Foods, but I was looking for wheat groats for the new volunteer gig I'm doing through the Food Bank of South Jersey. After going to MANNA today, I biked up to the Whole Foods in Center City. Outside I was greeted with an array of other bikes locked up on the racks. Inside, I was greeted with mounds of fresh mangoes, bananas, pineapples and coconuts. I stood dumbfounded for at least 10 seconds before I managed to walk again. I quickly got the groats, some brown rice and cornmeal so I could leave. On the way to the checkout, I passed one aisle full of potato chips, one aisle full of bottled water and another aisle full of frozen vegan foods...such as vegan toaster pastries. Seriously?
What have we become that we accept vegan toaster pastries, individually packaged potato chips and bottled water as part a lifestyle that cares for the environment and animals? What about caring for your own body? I highly admire vegans, but toaster pastries? Vegans are suppose to eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, soymilk, nuts and seeds...not toaster pastries. By choosing to become a vegan, you are making a conscious decision to consume foods that are essential for optimal performance. And an entire aisle dedicated to bottled water? I can go to any faucet, turn on the tap and have cool, potable water in my cup. Water is so precious.
I know I'm not going to change Whole Foods. I know people will still continue to eat toaster pastries, vegan or not. I'm not going to stop globalization and the transport of tropical fruit to the American masses. My last Christmas in Cambodia I went around to every Western grocery store in search of molasses for gingerbread cookies. Last weekend I went in search of curry leaves for somlaw macheu grueng in Philadelphia. Despite what side of the globe I'm on, I still want the comfort of that far away land. I'm still part of this global economy, and I'm still part of the problem.
Let me be content.
What have we become that we accept vegan toaster pastries, individually packaged potato chips and bottled water as part a lifestyle that cares for the environment and animals? What about caring for your own body? I highly admire vegans, but toaster pastries? Vegans are suppose to eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, soymilk, nuts and seeds...not toaster pastries. By choosing to become a vegan, you are making a conscious decision to consume foods that are essential for optimal performance. And an entire aisle dedicated to bottled water? I can go to any faucet, turn on the tap and have cool, potable water in my cup. Water is so precious.
I know I'm not going to change Whole Foods. I know people will still continue to eat toaster pastries, vegan or not. I'm not going to stop globalization and the transport of tropical fruit to the American masses. My last Christmas in Cambodia I went around to every Western grocery store in search of molasses for gingerbread cookies. Last weekend I went in search of curry leaves for somlaw macheu grueng in Philadelphia. Despite what side of the globe I'm on, I still want the comfort of that far away land. I'm still part of this global economy, and I'm still part of the problem.
Let me be content.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
old friends
This past week I met Sophia, Seiha's baby, for the first time. Seiha was about 6 months pregnant when I left Cambodia; it's quite different seeing her and Pisit with a baby. However, Sophia is so cute...and I'm not even a baby person.
On Saturday Seiha wanted to get togeher with Charles and Crystal. She then invited Christa and myself along for the meal. After several emails back and forth we decided on cooking Khmer food at Charles and Crystal's house; I would buy food at the Vietnamese grocery store (it's bigger than the Khmer shop) and take it up to Red Hill. At the store Saturday morning I bought ingredients for somlaw macheu greung, eggplant for chaa troab, spei cheu (pickled mustard greens) and bitter melon seeds. I personally don't care for spei cheu and detest bitter melon, but I knew Charles would be thrilled... and he was.
However, the plans we made changed. Seiha was feeling ill so she asked us to come to her host family's house and cook there. Christa got a bit lost, but once she arrived, we packed up everything and went to the Hoover's house. Somehow I was elected head chef despite the Cambodians in the house. I started pounding the lemongrass paste for the somlaw, Pisit chopped veggies, Charles starting chopping meat, Christa and Crystal washed trakoun/played with Sophia. After a little while I started the somlaw, only to realize I forgot the tamarind paste at home in the fridge. Pisit thought to use lemon juice and, the soup turned out pretty tasty. As I was starting to fry the pork for the eggplant dish, Seiha's host family came back from a volleyball game. They were all excited to have dinner almost ready for them. Our group of 6 suddenly turned to 10; I thought for sure we wouldn't have enough food. But we stir fried the extra trakoun and prepared the spei cheu with the extra beef. For dessert we had chocolate cake with peanut butter icing for Crystal's birthday, ice cream and tapioca with strawberries. We ended up with quite a feast.
It struck a bunch of us later that night that it all worked out. I didn't plan a meal for 10, but we had plenty of food. We didn't plan to meet at the Hoover's but we did. The night felt so Cambodian in that plans were scattered and no one knew what was going on, but so very American in that we ate at a lovely table, prepared food in a spacious kitchen and weren't sweating like mad.
I'm so thankful I got to spend a wonderful weekend with fantastic friends. It was also good to remember the quite calm when everything works together.
On Saturday Seiha wanted to get togeher with Charles and Crystal. She then invited Christa and myself along for the meal. After several emails back and forth we decided on cooking Khmer food at Charles and Crystal's house; I would buy food at the Vietnamese grocery store (it's bigger than the Khmer shop) and take it up to Red Hill. At the store Saturday morning I bought ingredients for somlaw macheu greung, eggplant for chaa troab, spei cheu (pickled mustard greens) and bitter melon seeds. I personally don't care for spei cheu and detest bitter melon, but I knew Charles would be thrilled... and he was.
However, the plans we made changed. Seiha was feeling ill so she asked us to come to her host family's house and cook there. Christa got a bit lost, but once she arrived, we packed up everything and went to the Hoover's house. Somehow I was elected head chef despite the Cambodians in the house. I started pounding the lemongrass paste for the somlaw, Pisit chopped veggies, Charles starting chopping meat, Christa and Crystal washed trakoun/played with Sophia. After a little while I started the somlaw, only to realize I forgot the tamarind paste at home in the fridge. Pisit thought to use lemon juice and, the soup turned out pretty tasty. As I was starting to fry the pork for the eggplant dish, Seiha's host family came back from a volleyball game. They were all excited to have dinner almost ready for them. Our group of 6 suddenly turned to 10; I thought for sure we wouldn't have enough food. But we stir fried the extra trakoun and prepared the spei cheu with the extra beef. For dessert we had chocolate cake with peanut butter icing for Crystal's birthday, ice cream and tapioca with strawberries. We ended up with quite a feast.
It struck a bunch of us later that night that it all worked out. I didn't plan a meal for 10, but we had plenty of food. We didn't plan to meet at the Hoover's but we did. The night felt so Cambodian in that plans were scattered and no one knew what was going on, but so very American in that we ate at a lovely table, prepared food in a spacious kitchen and weren't sweating like mad.
I'm so thankful I got to spend a wonderful weekend with fantastic friends. It was also good to remember the quite calm when everything works together.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Easter
Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed.
Easter marks the end of lent and with it, the end of my $3 a day food budget. I learned several things over the past forty some days: I identified with the feelings of an empty stomach, I dreadfully missed patronizing the farmer's market, and eating on $3 a day is practically impossible unless you know how to cook and you actually cook.
I grew up in a rural town attending a low income/poorly educated church. My family always had more than enough food to eat and my mom would often share our surplus with older people in the congregation, especially Peggy. Peggy loved fresh foods, but couldn't afford to purchase them on her SS check, so my mom would always call her when we had extra lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers or other bounty from the garden. One time, I remember Peggy had asked my mom to bring her some red beet tops from my grandpa's garden because she loved them cooked. My grandpa was basically appalled that someone would want the greens he typically discarded. Sometimes as a kid or teenager, I would get annoyed when people would pile up their plates during snack times after church functions. I could never understand why they would bring a 99 cent bag of chips and then eat all the food others brought; it didn't seem fair to me. The second weekend of lent, I went to a rook tournament and took carrot sticks as my snack contribution. However, I ate a hefty plate of snacks, that others brought, that evening. I was somewhat embarrassed for taking so much...but I was hungry. Is food a right?
West Philadelphia has a great farmer's market in Clark Park every Saturday morning. However, I couldn't really afford to buy anything there on my budget. I did splurge twice and bought a baguette and a bunch of kale, but other than that I stuck with produce seconds from the cheap grocery store nearby. I also learned I couldn't go to the grocery store daily, so I went once a week and would spend no more than $21 weekly.
It's extremely hard to eat out on $3 a day...or $21 a week as I ended up doing. One weekend I went to the Damascus Road training and went out for dinner with some of the other participants. I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu and still spent $6. I also found I couldn't buy anything in an airport when I traveled to Canada two weeks ago. I had planned ahead and had granola bars and raisins along so I didn't starve. It was also rather difficult to remain in my budget when I was at my parents' house. My mom offered just about everything I ate...which she said wasn't mooching, but I I didn't really follow the guidelines as strictly as I should have.
On the flip side, it's fairly easy to eat on $3 a day if you cook your own meals. Beans are fairly cheap to make into vegetarian chili or lentil tacos. Yogurt is cheap if you buy a half gallon of milk and make your own. Likewise, dry oatmeal in bulk is cheaper than packaged cereal, and frozen vegetables can be bought on sale. A bag of whole wheat flour lasts a while and needs only a bit of yeast, salt and honey to be made into bread. However, all of this requires time and skill...basically you have to cook. I found this rather easy, but apparently I'm an exception.
Two weeks ago I attended a thesis presentation on acculturation effects on the diets of Vietnamese Americans in Philadelphia. Both the older generation, born in Vietnam, and the younger generation, born in America, were surveyed and there was a significant difference between the diets of the two groups. Those born in Vietnam had a higher BMI and consumed more sweets, ice cream and packaged foods than those born in the US. After the presentation, several of my professors (as this was presented in the Nutrition dept) were talking about the fact that those born in the US had a higher consumption of 'broken rice'. This is important because 'broken rice' is served mainly in restaurants here, meaning the younger generation eats out more. Everyone in the room agreed that the younger generation, mainly those in their 20s, eat out more and prepare less and less food for themselves; these people are busy, don't know how to cook or don't want to be bothered to make food for one person. I was shocked...I cook food for myself, and I don't mean grilled cheese sandwiches every day. I mean real food...like soaking dry beans for soup, cooking rice to go with a pumpkin stir fry, or making yeast bread without a machine. What has happened to us that we have lost this art?
My church's lenten theme this year was 'holding on and letting go'. I've struggled, and probably will continue to struggle, with what I'm to hold on to in regards to the life I had in Cambodia and what to let go of. As I follow God, he's changed me...and I don't fit so nicely in the places I used to...and this pains me as relationships I held dear aren't as strong as they once were. As my devotional reading on March 25 said, "commitment to follow God's path can change everything about our lives, our relationships, even our politics." I often found myself questioning what happens after this change has occurred, after we become someone that is more like God and less like the person people know. This morning, Pastor Lorie message was quite fitting; living in Easter means you carry the pain, suffering and loss of Good Friday with you into the hope and redeeming love of Easter morning. These two things aren't separate events; by experiencing despair and complete brokenness, the radiant joy of resurrection can break through in abundant life.
He is risen indeed.
Easter marks the end of lent and with it, the end of my $3 a day food budget. I learned several things over the past forty some days: I identified with the feelings of an empty stomach, I dreadfully missed patronizing the farmer's market, and eating on $3 a day is practically impossible unless you know how to cook and you actually cook.
I grew up in a rural town attending a low income/poorly educated church. My family always had more than enough food to eat and my mom would often share our surplus with older people in the congregation, especially Peggy. Peggy loved fresh foods, but couldn't afford to purchase them on her SS check, so my mom would always call her when we had extra lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers or other bounty from the garden. One time, I remember Peggy had asked my mom to bring her some red beet tops from my grandpa's garden because she loved them cooked. My grandpa was basically appalled that someone would want the greens he typically discarded. Sometimes as a kid or teenager, I would get annoyed when people would pile up their plates during snack times after church functions. I could never understand why they would bring a 99 cent bag of chips and then eat all the food others brought; it didn't seem fair to me. The second weekend of lent, I went to a rook tournament and took carrot sticks as my snack contribution. However, I ate a hefty plate of snacks, that others brought, that evening. I was somewhat embarrassed for taking so much...but I was hungry. Is food a right?
West Philadelphia has a great farmer's market in Clark Park every Saturday morning. However, I couldn't really afford to buy anything there on my budget. I did splurge twice and bought a baguette and a bunch of kale, but other than that I stuck with produce seconds from the cheap grocery store nearby. I also learned I couldn't go to the grocery store daily, so I went once a week and would spend no more than $21 weekly.
It's extremely hard to eat out on $3 a day...or $21 a week as I ended up doing. One weekend I went to the Damascus Road training and went out for dinner with some of the other participants. I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu and still spent $6. I also found I couldn't buy anything in an airport when I traveled to Canada two weeks ago. I had planned ahead and had granola bars and raisins along so I didn't starve. It was also rather difficult to remain in my budget when I was at my parents' house. My mom offered just about everything I ate...which she said wasn't mooching, but I I didn't really follow the guidelines as strictly as I should have.
On the flip side, it's fairly easy to eat on $3 a day if you cook your own meals. Beans are fairly cheap to make into vegetarian chili or lentil tacos. Yogurt is cheap if you buy a half gallon of milk and make your own. Likewise, dry oatmeal in bulk is cheaper than packaged cereal, and frozen vegetables can be bought on sale. A bag of whole wheat flour lasts a while and needs only a bit of yeast, salt and honey to be made into bread. However, all of this requires time and skill...basically you have to cook. I found this rather easy, but apparently I'm an exception.
Two weeks ago I attended a thesis presentation on acculturation effects on the diets of Vietnamese Americans in Philadelphia. Both the older generation, born in Vietnam, and the younger generation, born in America, were surveyed and there was a significant difference between the diets of the two groups. Those born in Vietnam had a higher BMI and consumed more sweets, ice cream and packaged foods than those born in the US. After the presentation, several of my professors (as this was presented in the Nutrition dept) were talking about the fact that those born in the US had a higher consumption of 'broken rice'. This is important because 'broken rice' is served mainly in restaurants here, meaning the younger generation eats out more. Everyone in the room agreed that the younger generation, mainly those in their 20s, eat out more and prepare less and less food for themselves; these people are busy, don't know how to cook or don't want to be bothered to make food for one person. I was shocked...I cook food for myself, and I don't mean grilled cheese sandwiches every day. I mean real food...like soaking dry beans for soup, cooking rice to go with a pumpkin stir fry, or making yeast bread without a machine. What has happened to us that we have lost this art?
My church's lenten theme this year was 'holding on and letting go'. I've struggled, and probably will continue to struggle, with what I'm to hold on to in regards to the life I had in Cambodia and what to let go of. As I follow God, he's changed me...and I don't fit so nicely in the places I used to...and this pains me as relationships I held dear aren't as strong as they once were. As my devotional reading on March 25 said, "commitment to follow God's path can change everything about our lives, our relationships, even our politics." I often found myself questioning what happens after this change has occurred, after we become someone that is more like God and less like the person people know. This morning, Pastor Lorie message was quite fitting; living in Easter means you carry the pain, suffering and loss of Good Friday with you into the hope and redeeming love of Easter morning. These two things aren't separate events; by experiencing despair and complete brokenness, the radiant joy of resurrection can break through in abundant life.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
$3 a day
Yesterday was Fasnacht Day. I have many fond memories of coming home from school to donuts coming out of the fryer from when I was growing up. I didn’t have time to make donuts this year since I was busy studying for a test.
Today marks the beginning of Lent. Last year I ate one meal a day of plain rice to try to identify with Cambodians around me who had little other food available to them. This year I will be spending $3 a day for food during Lent. As an MCCer, my food budget was $3 a day; in Prey Veng $3 bought lots and lots of vegetables. I love vegetables so I was quite happy. However, in America vegetables are expensive, and since it’s the middle of winter, there’s not an abundance of fresh food. Lately I’ve been noticing what people eat…and it’s not real food. It’s fake packages of crap, but this is what is affordable for low income families. So, for Lent I will be living off $3 a day to try to identify with a part of my society and to learn first-hand how to eat on a very limited budget. MCC has a flat allowance of $3 a day for food no matter which country you are a service worker in; I often wondered if this was possible to do in the States without being a farmer.
Here’s the guidelines I set up for myself.
- $3 a day ($21 a week) for all food and beverages eaten at home and out
- Any food that is in my cupboard at the house is fair game (I haven’t gone grocery shopping in the past 2 weeks so it’s starting to get bare. Also, the small stash of home canned food from my grandparents’ garden is fair game)
- I will continue to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
- I cannot go dumpster diving or mooch food off others
- I must purchase my food within the Philadelphia City limits (no running off to the country to buy cheap eggs)
- I must maintain my current weight
So here’s to the next 40 days of eating well in Philadelphia on $3 a day!
Today marks the beginning of Lent. Last year I ate one meal a day of plain rice to try to identify with Cambodians around me who had little other food available to them. This year I will be spending $3 a day for food during Lent. As an MCCer, my food budget was $3 a day; in Prey Veng $3 bought lots and lots of vegetables. I love vegetables so I was quite happy. However, in America vegetables are expensive, and since it’s the middle of winter, there’s not an abundance of fresh food. Lately I’ve been noticing what people eat…and it’s not real food. It’s fake packages of crap, but this is what is affordable for low income families. So, for Lent I will be living off $3 a day to try to identify with a part of my society and to learn first-hand how to eat on a very limited budget. MCC has a flat allowance of $3 a day for food no matter which country you are a service worker in; I often wondered if this was possible to do in the States without being a farmer.
Here’s the guidelines I set up for myself.
- $3 a day ($21 a week) for all food and beverages eaten at home and out
- Any food that is in my cupboard at the house is fair game (I haven’t gone grocery shopping in the past 2 weeks so it’s starting to get bare. Also, the small stash of home canned food from my grandparents’ garden is fair game)
- I will continue to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
- I cannot go dumpster diving or mooch food off others
- I must purchase my food within the Philadelphia City limits (no running off to the country to buy cheap eggs)
- I must maintain my current weight
So here’s to the next 40 days of eating well in Philadelphia on $3 a day!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
snow day
Drexel closed today due to "severe winter conditions." As I look out my window and see white flakes continuing to fall, I belive they made the right decision. My other two classes this week were cancelled as well so I have the whole week off. This morning, after pancakes and black raspberry topping with the housemates, I've had some time to catch up on some 'online reading' for lack of a better phrase. It also helps that our internet was fixed yesterday! Here's several I found interesting or caused me to laugh...
young adults and church
an ode to valentine's day
cholera in pv
the onion
And since a snowy day required something yummy simmering, this soup is pretty tasty. I added pasta instead of barley.
The city is so quiet when it snows...it's like it transforms into a different world, almost like an urban Narnia. It's breathtaking...
young adults and church
an ode to valentine's day
cholera in pv
the onion
And since a snowy day required something yummy simmering, this soup is pretty tasty. I added pasta instead of barley.
The city is so quiet when it snows...it's like it transforms into a different world, almost like an urban Narnia. It's breathtaking...
Friday, February 05, 2010
best class ever!
I'm currently taking World Nutrition, and I've decided it's the best class ever. During the week we watch online presentations about different regions of the world then have discussions via blackboard. Every Thursday evening when the class meets, we cook food from the corresponding countries. What could be better than learning about new cultures, cooking food from them and getting graduate credit for it? Each student is assigned a country and leads class once during the term. I got Cambodia :) Trish got Vietnam and the Phillipines so we worked together.
This week has been crazy. I had a macronutrients midterm Tuesday, a huge stats project due Wednesday (TA labs went late) and Southeast Asia was the topic for world nutrition Thursday. The midterm was rough, the assignment tedious, but WN went so smoothly. Many of my classmates asked good questions, and I was thankful for a space to talk about Cambodia with them.
We started the class with a brief introduction about dress (I wore my ao-dai and Trish wore a sombot), meal etiquette (spitting out bones), common foods (prahok anyone?) and nutritional counseling for a diabetic patient (less rice and added sugars).
We were required to make 6 dishes: fresh spring rolls with dipping sauce, Vietnamese sour soup, stir fried pumpkin and chicken, stir fried vegetables with tofu, jasmine rice and iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. We bought fresh fruit for dessert: mangoes, guava, pineapple and durian. Yes, we paid $9 for a durian at an amazing Vietnamese grocery store in south Philly. Trish was fascinated by the spiky fruit and we had money in our budget for it. Best of all, my classmates tried it and some even said it wasn't that bad. It was a pretty good durian too; I was concerned because Charles always said durians in the States were bad. Apparently we got a good one. Aside from the durian, all of the food was highly complemented. The iced coffee and pumpkin were definite favorites.
It has been a crazy week, but last night was worth it.
This week has been crazy. I had a macronutrients midterm Tuesday, a huge stats project due Wednesday (TA labs went late) and Southeast Asia was the topic for world nutrition Thursday. The midterm was rough, the assignment tedious, but WN went so smoothly. Many of my classmates asked good questions, and I was thankful for a space to talk about Cambodia with them.
We started the class with a brief introduction about dress (I wore my ao-dai and Trish wore a sombot), meal etiquette (spitting out bones), common foods (prahok anyone?) and nutritional counseling for a diabetic patient (less rice and added sugars).
We were required to make 6 dishes: fresh spring rolls with dipping sauce, Vietnamese sour soup, stir fried pumpkin and chicken, stir fried vegetables with tofu, jasmine rice and iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. We bought fresh fruit for dessert: mangoes, guava, pineapple and durian. Yes, we paid $9 for a durian at an amazing Vietnamese grocery store in south Philly. Trish was fascinated by the spiky fruit and we had money in our budget for it. Best of all, my classmates tried it and some even said it wasn't that bad. It was a pretty good durian too; I was concerned because Charles always said durians in the States were bad. Apparently we got a good one. Aside from the durian, all of the food was highly complemented. The iced coffee and pumpkin were definite favorites.
It has been a crazy week, but last night was worth it.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
community
In November my housemate/landlady got engaged; her wedding is planned for May at which time her husband will move in and I will move out. She said I could stay, but after living in Cambodia I believe newlyweds need time to themselves without other random people in the house. So, with the start of the new year I wanted to explore living options and take my time to find a place, a very different approach than I took last summer.
Last week I met Fred Kauffman, a former MCC Cambodia CR. Sunday we went to the Cambodian Mennonite Church in South Philly. It was a wonderful experience to sing songs in Khmer again, meet other Cambodians and explore the Cambodian community here in the city. Fred and I met a bit early for breakfast; however, the resturant he knew of wasn't open yet so we stopped by a corner store. After chatting with Dara for a while about his family and how often he returns to Cambodia, Dara showed us a noodle shop. The kwietauv was pretty good and the coffee even better. When we went to pay, the waitress told us Dara had already paid for the meal.
Fred and I had an enriching conversation...mainly about reverse culture shock, community, compliancy, and life after MCC. He encouraged me to look into the Damascus Road trainings offered through MCC US. He also encouraged me to look into Shalom House, an intentional community started by Circle of Hope in Philadelphia. Last night I ate dinner with Shalom House to explore options. Now I don't know what to do.
Shalom House was created as a way for Circle of Hope to live as peacemakers in Philadelphia. Each participant lives in the communal house, works a part time job and other time is used to explore how to be a peacemaker in this context. This can be anything to leading discussions, field trips, attending seminars or simply being as in the case of Heeding God's Call . I so desire being an active part of a community where I can invest in worthwhile causes. I desire to be part of a support network of those who have international experience. I desire to root myself in this city. But, what about my education? I came to Philly for grad school, though it hasn't been the fulfilling experience I thought it would be. Shalom House requires a 2 year commitment; I agree 2 years is acceptable since lasting change takes time. But what if I don't get an internship in Philly? What about the internships I've been looking at that have an international/minority focus? I can't enter into a commitment knowing I might not be able to fulfill it. Will I be able to stay on top of my schoolwork if I am also trying to be active in Shalom House? And do I want to switch churches just as I am forming relationships with WPMF? How can I tie nutrition into living as a peacemaker? Do I have enough faith to trust God in this?
Last week I met Fred Kauffman, a former MCC Cambodia CR. Sunday we went to the Cambodian Mennonite Church in South Philly. It was a wonderful experience to sing songs in Khmer again, meet other Cambodians and explore the Cambodian community here in the city. Fred and I met a bit early for breakfast; however, the resturant he knew of wasn't open yet so we stopped by a corner store. After chatting with Dara for a while about his family and how often he returns to Cambodia, Dara showed us a noodle shop. The kwietauv was pretty good and the coffee even better. When we went to pay, the waitress told us Dara had already paid for the meal.
Fred and I had an enriching conversation...mainly about reverse culture shock, community, compliancy, and life after MCC. He encouraged me to look into the Damascus Road trainings offered through MCC US. He also encouraged me to look into Shalom House, an intentional community started by Circle of Hope in Philadelphia. Last night I ate dinner with Shalom House to explore options. Now I don't know what to do.
Shalom House was created as a way for Circle of Hope to live as peacemakers in Philadelphia. Each participant lives in the communal house, works a part time job and other time is used to explore how to be a peacemaker in this context. This can be anything to leading discussions, field trips, attending seminars or simply being as in the case of Heeding God's Call . I so desire being an active part of a community where I can invest in worthwhile causes. I desire to be part of a support network of those who have international experience. I desire to root myself in this city. But, what about my education? I came to Philly for grad school, though it hasn't been the fulfilling experience I thought it would be. Shalom House requires a 2 year commitment; I agree 2 years is acceptable since lasting change takes time. But what if I don't get an internship in Philly? What about the internships I've been looking at that have an international/minority focus? I can't enter into a commitment knowing I might not be able to fulfill it. Will I be able to stay on top of my schoolwork if I am also trying to be active in Shalom House? And do I want to switch churches just as I am forming relationships with WPMF? How can I tie nutrition into living as a peacemaker? Do I have enough faith to trust God in this?
Sunday, January 03, 2010
be good to yourself
Through several conversations I've had lately I've come to realize I need to be good to myself. I've been back in the States for about 5 months now. I'm slowly beginning to grasp changes that occurred with my family and friends and how I fit into that. I'm rediscovering myself and finding this adjustment difficult.
Through these same conversations with others who have traveled and lived in a context outside mainstream America, I've found a common theme: these experiences place us slightly outside 'normal.' While the definition of normal can be debated for hours, I know I'm slightly outside the general consensus. Charles, Scott and I used to joke you couldn't live in Prey Veng without being eccentric to a degree. Perhaps. Or living in Prey Veng made us eccentric.
I don't think I realized how hard this year would be; so many formative decisions were made - leaving Prey Veng, moving to Philadelphia, going to Drexel, grounding myself in yet another context. And yet I still feel deeply connected to Cambodia. Over Christmas my brother and I were discussing the idea of home. He said home is a metaphor for the place where the people whom you love are. My sarcastic response was great, I have four homes. Unfortunately they are in opposite parts of the world. And, as I travel between these homes, I realize I can never be whole again. Each time I leave a bit behind.
My life seems to be a disjointed mess of seemingly unrelated bits. I have found quilting to be a healing process of being good to myself in this transition. Tiny squares, rectangles and triangles are bound together with thread to create a work of beauty. I'm working on a sampler; each of the 20 squares are a different pattern. A few of the blocks I haven't liked; I don't see how the tiny parts will work together as a whole, yet upon completing the square, the fabric sings. As I piece together a square, I find myself communing with God to find some semblence in the ragged parts of my life. Looking at the blocks together, I find the sarong fabric truly makes the quilt sing. Perhaps, as the sarong unites my quilt, Cambodia makes my heart sing.
Monday, December 21, 2009
the end of an era
Saturday morning I woke up to a white blanket of cold fluffiness. It didn't come as a surprise as snowflakes began to fall Friday evening. However, 2 feet of snow was a shock; the last time we had a blizzard was in 1996. Yes, this counts as a 'blizzard' in Virginia. We had 2 weeks off school; I remember it well. Since it's been three years since I've experienced snow, my brother had big plans of burying me in it. While he didn't succeed, he did get a couple shots of me digging out the driveway and of my car decorated as a snowman.
However, as I thawed out and tried to download the pictures to my computer, my camera card broke. Three years and my 1 GB XD card dies. I can't complain; my camera and its accompanying card traveled many, many miles over numerous different types of terrain in its lifetime. It recorded thousands of pictures of Cambodia, people and cats. It lasted through my MCC term and that was my original plan for it. But it would have been nice for it to last for the snow and the holidays. It's the end of an era, and I'm going through camera withdrawl.
However, as I thawed out and tried to download the pictures to my computer, my camera card broke. Three years and my 1 GB XD card dies. I can't complain; my camera and its accompanying card traveled many, many miles over numerous different types of terrain in its lifetime. It recorded thousands of pictures of Cambodia, people and cats. It lasted through my MCC term and that was my original plan for it. But it would have been nice for it to last for the snow and the holidays. It's the end of an era, and I'm going through camera withdrawl.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Family
I love my family and both sides of it-Myers and Buhrman. Growing up, my brother and I were the only grandkids far away (far away being 3 hours by car). My parents grew up about 30 minutes away from each other, just across the Mason-Dixon Line and their siblings stayed close by. When I was three my dad was transferred with his job to Virginia and here we remain; Virginia has always been my home.
Christmas is my favorite holiday. The Christmas story is one of my favorite passages in the Bible and I love the Christmas season – carols, candlelight services, giving gifts, the joy and anticipation of Christmas day. It also didn’t hurt that I would normally have 3 Christmases- my nuclear family, Myers grandparents and Buhrman grandparents. Four years ago when I was contemplating what would come after college, I figured I wouldn’t be around for Christmas for awhile. It turned out that I wasn’t around for the past three Christmases. It was the first time someone from my family wasn’t there. However, that first Christmas Eve watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Thailand in Kep, I had the blessing of my family to be serving God in Cambodia. They were at peace with me being gone.
This Christmas I will be home. For the first time in 4 years, my family will be together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I can’t express the joy that bubbles forth when I think about this. The thing I missed most about Christmas when I was in Cambodia was listening to Grandpa Myers read the Christmas story from Luke. My brother even recorded it for me in 2007 and mailed the CD to me. It was the best present ever. I’ve been so blessed that my grandparents are still alive; there were points over the past three years I had my doubts. This Christmas I’m so looking forward to listening to my grandpa read the Christmas story as we all gather around. All I want this year is for my family to be together and listen to my grandpa read the Christmas story.
However, my family, like most families, doesn’t always get along. I’ve always thought that even though we have our differences we still work them out enough to enjoy laughing, eating and talking together. But something has changed since I’ve been gone, and it’s not just marriages or babies or moving. It’s something bigger; differences are becoming irreconcilable. Mutual understanding is gone and grudges have taken the place of tolerance.
I thought my family was going to be together this year; I would get my wish. But no, it can’t be. We’ve become narcissistic, stubborn, judgmental and hurt. We refuse to travel 2-3 hours in a car. Seriously is that it? 2-3 hours? I know I’m the one that left; I’m the reason we haven’t had Christmas all together for so long. But, maybe, could we just have this one last Christmas together? Could we enjoy each other while we still can, before we’re gathered for a funeral? Can we avoid the ‘should haves’ and just do it now? It’s only sitting in a car. It’ll be over in a few hours. 3 hours is a trip from PV to PP. It’s not that far. It’s not a 2 day plane ride. We’re so close…can’t we just be together?
Christmas is my favorite holiday. The Christmas story is one of my favorite passages in the Bible and I love the Christmas season – carols, candlelight services, giving gifts, the joy and anticipation of Christmas day. It also didn’t hurt that I would normally have 3 Christmases- my nuclear family, Myers grandparents and Buhrman grandparents. Four years ago when I was contemplating what would come after college, I figured I wouldn’t be around for Christmas for awhile. It turned out that I wasn’t around for the past three Christmases. It was the first time someone from my family wasn’t there. However, that first Christmas Eve watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Thailand in Kep, I had the blessing of my family to be serving God in Cambodia. They were at peace with me being gone.
This Christmas I will be home. For the first time in 4 years, my family will be together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I can’t express the joy that bubbles forth when I think about this. The thing I missed most about Christmas when I was in Cambodia was listening to Grandpa Myers read the Christmas story from Luke. My brother even recorded it for me in 2007 and mailed the CD to me. It was the best present ever. I’ve been so blessed that my grandparents are still alive; there were points over the past three years I had my doubts. This Christmas I’m so looking forward to listening to my grandpa read the Christmas story as we all gather around. All I want this year is for my family to be together and listen to my grandpa read the Christmas story.
However, my family, like most families, doesn’t always get along. I’ve always thought that even though we have our differences we still work them out enough to enjoy laughing, eating and talking together. But something has changed since I’ve been gone, and it’s not just marriages or babies or moving. It’s something bigger; differences are becoming irreconcilable. Mutual understanding is gone and grudges have taken the place of tolerance.
I thought my family was going to be together this year; I would get my wish. But no, it can’t be. We’ve become narcissistic, stubborn, judgmental and hurt. We refuse to travel 2-3 hours in a car. Seriously is that it? 2-3 hours? I know I’m the one that left; I’m the reason we haven’t had Christmas all together for so long. But, maybe, could we just have this one last Christmas together? Could we enjoy each other while we still can, before we’re gathered for a funeral? Can we avoid the ‘should haves’ and just do it now? It’s only sitting in a car. It’ll be over in a few hours. 3 hours is a trip from PV to PP. It’s not that far. It’s not a 2 day plane ride. We’re so close…can’t we just be together?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Cultural Paradox
Happy Thanksgiving!
As I've spent the morning enjoying a tasty breakfast of waffles, sausage and Khmer coffee with my family I'm thankful for spending the day with loved ones. As my mom, grandma and I make pie (cherry, pumpkin and citrus meringue)I'm thankful for foods that not only nourish my stomach but my soul as well.
But not everyone has enough food, even in America. Last week I was listening to an intriguing broadcast on NPR (http://www.whyy.org/cgi-bin/newwebRTlookup.cgi). In the city I now live, 15% of people are food insecure. Food security encompasses more than just food; it involves transportation, seasonal availablity, cost, income, housing, bills, family structure and nutritional value.
On this day of planned gluttony, what happens to those who will go hungry tomorrow because of the excess of today? What happens to me if I just ignore it? The hunger doesn't go away. What happens in February when food pantries aren't on the top of the list for 'giving back'? What happens when the symptoms of a broken system are addressed but not the disease?
As I've spent the morning enjoying a tasty breakfast of waffles, sausage and Khmer coffee with my family I'm thankful for spending the day with loved ones. As my mom, grandma and I make pie (cherry, pumpkin and citrus meringue)I'm thankful for foods that not only nourish my stomach but my soul as well.
But not everyone has enough food, even in America. Last week I was listening to an intriguing broadcast on NPR (http://www.whyy.org/cgi-bin/newwebRTlookup.cgi). In the city I now live, 15% of people are food insecure. Food security encompasses more than just food; it involves transportation, seasonal availablity, cost, income, housing, bills, family structure and nutritional value.
On this day of planned gluttony, what happens to those who will go hungry tomorrow because of the excess of today? What happens to me if I just ignore it? The hunger doesn't go away. What happens in February when food pantries aren't on the top of the list for 'giving back'? What happens when the symptoms of a broken system are addressed but not the disease?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
laughter
I decided to walk to campus today. Along the way I saw a sign. It said "Republicans wear tighty whities."
I laughed.
It made me think...I really enjoy laughing. And smiling.
There are no awkward laughs or smiles here...just cold stares.
I miss the Asian smile.
I laughed.
It made me think...I really enjoy laughing. And smiling.
There are no awkward laughs or smiles here...just cold stares.
I miss the Asian smile.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Fall
Today was a marvelous day...Charles returned from Cambodia on Wednesday and rode the train into the city to visit.(Unfortunately, Crystal was ill and stayed home.) We met the new couple that will be moving to Prey Veng and working with one of my old partners, NILH. They are a young, enthusiastic couple who are looking forward the the adventure of working in international development in rural Cambodia; I think they will do well.
After the meeting, Charles and I went to the Reading Terminal Market for lunch, bought honey and apple cider for my roommate and headed to Chinatown for bubble tea. It was refreshing feeling like I was back in Asia...ancestor shrines and all. It was also good to see another friend with whom I have many shared experiences.
Earlier this week one of my classmates said I always seem calm and have a peaceful presence. I was a little surprised because I often don't feel like I emit peace...more like a frantic bewilderment. But I noticed today that I don't stress about little things, or big things for that matter, so much anymore. Somehow in the greater scheme of things it doesn't seem necessary; everything will work out. And compared to life in Cambodia, life is relatively tame here....but it's still an adventure. I love exploring the city...this place surprises me when I least expect it. I found a building with Khmer writing on it in my neighborhood, between 46th and 47th. Fall has come to the city as the my tree lined street bursts with oranges, golds and reds. Biking invigorates my body as well as my appreciation for old houses, flowers and dodging cars. Farmer's markets are full of apples, pumpkins and spinach. The diversity of peoples, cultures and languages is comforting. This city has a rhythm of its own...mindful awareness simply allows me to join in the melody.
I used to hate fall, its arrival announcing the return of cold weather, gray skies and numb appendages. But autumn is breathtaking. My perspective is different; change is eminent and oh, so beautiful.
After the meeting, Charles and I went to the Reading Terminal Market for lunch, bought honey and apple cider for my roommate and headed to Chinatown for bubble tea. It was refreshing feeling like I was back in Asia...ancestor shrines and all. It was also good to see another friend with whom I have many shared experiences.
Earlier this week one of my classmates said I always seem calm and have a peaceful presence. I was a little surprised because I often don't feel like I emit peace...more like a frantic bewilderment. But I noticed today that I don't stress about little things, or big things for that matter, so much anymore. Somehow in the greater scheme of things it doesn't seem necessary; everything will work out. And compared to life in Cambodia, life is relatively tame here....but it's still an adventure. I love exploring the city...this place surprises me when I least expect it. I found a building with Khmer writing on it in my neighborhood, between 46th and 47th. Fall has come to the city as the my tree lined street bursts with oranges, golds and reds. Biking invigorates my body as well as my appreciation for old houses, flowers and dodging cars. Farmer's markets are full of apples, pumpkins and spinach. The diversity of peoples, cultures and languages is comforting. This city has a rhythm of its own...mindful awareness simply allows me to join in the melody.
I used to hate fall, its arrival announcing the return of cold weather, gray skies and numb appendages. But autumn is breathtaking. My perspective is different; change is eminent and oh, so beautiful.
Monday, October 12, 2009
church
I don’t know where I belong anymore. Let me explain.
I'm afraid Christianity in America has lost its passion. It’s become mainstream, selfish, narcissistic, bland, couch-potato, feel good fluff. Core values include promoting creationism, pro-life, heterosexuality and “saving souls.” These are good things to promote and I respect those who strongly believe in them…but I’m don’t fit in there. I don’t see these as pressing issues in my faith. I need a gut-retching, enduring, bold challenge to seek justice, love, peace, understanding, and tolerance. I need a community where I can be held accountable, not only for my daily actions and prayer life, but for the greater ills of society. The pain and hurts I’ve caused by compliance, compliance with a world that is inherently broken with systemic injustice. I need something real and tangible. I’ve just spent three years of my life in a corrupt country with few resources to bring about lasting healing; I need to know it wasn’t in vain. I need to know there’s still a community willing to take me in and care for me as I rediscover this strange reality of America.
I don’t know when I became a liberal...if that's what you want to call it. I guess I never realized that justice, nutritious food, a safe place to sleep and health care were all part of the liberal agenda. Why is America so polarized in politics? I’ve never been much for politics…it just seems like a bunch of people arguing and no one ever budging on their stance. Throughout history when a new sect of Christianity emerged, those who followed were labeled as radicals. They were bold, passionate, crazy, and liberal. Yet in the Bible Belt today, being a liberal is bad. Heaven forbid we think of the poor, malnourished or lame when policies are made. Has Christianity become so individualized that we talk to God, but not each other? God empowers individuals en masse to generate lasting change; it’s essential we work together…and yes, that requires talking to each other. Listening. Praying. Weeping. Celebrating. Greeting. Caring.
I never felt like I fit in well in established, mainstream Christianity before I lived abroad. Now I certainly don’t fit.
I'm afraid Christianity in America has lost its passion. It’s become mainstream, selfish, narcissistic, bland, couch-potato, feel good fluff. Core values include promoting creationism, pro-life, heterosexuality and “saving souls.” These are good things to promote and I respect those who strongly believe in them…but I’m don’t fit in there. I don’t see these as pressing issues in my faith. I need a gut-retching, enduring, bold challenge to seek justice, love, peace, understanding, and tolerance. I need a community where I can be held accountable, not only for my daily actions and prayer life, but for the greater ills of society. The pain and hurts I’ve caused by compliance, compliance with a world that is inherently broken with systemic injustice. I need something real and tangible. I’ve just spent three years of my life in a corrupt country with few resources to bring about lasting healing; I need to know it wasn’t in vain. I need to know there’s still a community willing to take me in and care for me as I rediscover this strange reality of America.
I don’t know when I became a liberal...if that's what you want to call it. I guess I never realized that justice, nutritious food, a safe place to sleep and health care were all part of the liberal agenda. Why is America so polarized in politics? I’ve never been much for politics…it just seems like a bunch of people arguing and no one ever budging on their stance. Throughout history when a new sect of Christianity emerged, those who followed were labeled as radicals. They were bold, passionate, crazy, and liberal. Yet in the Bible Belt today, being a liberal is bad. Heaven forbid we think of the poor, malnourished or lame when policies are made. Has Christianity become so individualized that we talk to God, but not each other? God empowers individuals en masse to generate lasting change; it’s essential we work together…and yes, that requires talking to each other. Listening. Praying. Weeping. Celebrating. Greeting. Caring.
I never felt like I fit in well in established, mainstream Christianity before I lived abroad. Now I certainly don’t fit.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
What now?
Classes started Monday. I enjoy them immensely, except for some minor confusion about my one class. It's a 500 level graduate class that is combined with a 300 level undergraduate class and my lab section meets before lecture. It's a bit confusing, but I think it will all work out.
I'm in Philly doing what I had wanted and planned on for so long...going to graduate school and working towards becoming a registered dietitian. But something is wrong. I don't seem to know who I am anymore. From a logical point of view, I understand the whole re-entry culture shock thing. I know my identity has comepletely changed with returning to America. I know I'm going through culture shock by moving to a city when I have lived my entire life in the country. I know I moved to a place where I didn't know anyone (I'm meeting new people every day).
Yet, there's still this innate fear that unsettles my soul, a fear that I'm no longer serving God. God took me to Cambodia and I had an amazing adventure serving Him. But I'm no longer doing that, so how do I continue to know I'm serving Him? Is grad school just a selfish desire that is distracting me from further bettering the world? There was no dramatic calling to study, just a path that was created for me.
When Jesus called his disciples he asked them to abandon everything - their families, jobs, reputations, social status, everything - to follow him. What have I abandoned? Hardly everything. Yes, in Cambodia I gave up some things, but I was able to return to a very similar life that I had led before. And now I seem to be baffled as to how to continue to serve God. And once more, I have this fear God will abandon me because I am no longer in Cambodia and am off pursing selfish desires. But that is totally ridiculous since He has said He'll never leave me.
I'm in Philly doing what I had wanted and planned on for so long...going to graduate school and working towards becoming a registered dietitian. But something is wrong. I don't seem to know who I am anymore. From a logical point of view, I understand the whole re-entry culture shock thing. I know my identity has comepletely changed with returning to America. I know I'm going through culture shock by moving to a city when I have lived my entire life in the country. I know I moved to a place where I didn't know anyone (I'm meeting new people every day).
Yet, there's still this innate fear that unsettles my soul, a fear that I'm no longer serving God. God took me to Cambodia and I had an amazing adventure serving Him. But I'm no longer doing that, so how do I continue to know I'm serving Him? Is grad school just a selfish desire that is distracting me from further bettering the world? There was no dramatic calling to study, just a path that was created for me.
When Jesus called his disciples he asked them to abandon everything - their families, jobs, reputations, social status, everything - to follow him. What have I abandoned? Hardly everything. Yes, in Cambodia I gave up some things, but I was able to return to a very similar life that I had led before. And now I seem to be baffled as to how to continue to serve God. And once more, I have this fear God will abandon me because I am no longer in Cambodia and am off pursing selfish desires. But that is totally ridiculous since He has said He'll never leave me.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
"sounds like you're a Buhrman"
or so my brother replied when I told him today that I don't like moving. And how can that be since I love traveling and experiencing new things...yet tend to utterly dread the process of transitioning from one place to another. Perhaps I'm just more of a country girl than I realized and I really am afraid of the big city.
Perhaps...
Or maybe I'm still trying to catch up on all of the things that have happened over the past three years...and things that haven't changed.
Like how bumpy my parents' backyard is. It's not flat! There's slight hills and little grooves even thought it looks flat.
Like how all of my Buhrman cousins are either married, engaged or soon to be. When did we grow up?
And, seriously, when did we grow up? When did I get into this much debt? How has my brother managed to save more money than I'm in debt for?
How do people my age own houses?
When did people become discontent with their lives and start to complain about everything. What happened to the joy?
How did I accumulate so much stuff? And it's not even valuable or useful stuff but yet it fills up a whole storage shed.
When did I become unable to transform my anxiety into words so that the only way they could escape was through tears?
I always thought the hardest thing I do was to leave and go live overseas. I now believe returning is where the true difficulty begins.
Perhaps...
Or maybe I'm still trying to catch up on all of the things that have happened over the past three years...and things that haven't changed.
Like how bumpy my parents' backyard is. It's not flat! There's slight hills and little grooves even thought it looks flat.
Like how all of my Buhrman cousins are either married, engaged or soon to be. When did we grow up?
And, seriously, when did we grow up? When did I get into this much debt? How has my brother managed to save more money than I'm in debt for?
How do people my age own houses?
When did people become discontent with their lives and start to complain about everything. What happened to the joy?
How did I accumulate so much stuff? And it's not even valuable or useful stuff but yet it fills up a whole storage shed.
When did I become unable to transform my anxiety into words so that the only way they could escape was through tears?
I always thought the hardest thing I do was to leave and go live overseas. I now believe returning is where the true difficulty begins.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
a new adventure
I have decided to keep this blog and continue to post what life is like transitioning back to America and my new adventure as a graduate student at Drexel in Philadelphia.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Food Security in America?
For my one class, I read "Garden-Based Nutrition Education Affects Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Sixth Grade Adolescents" from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. This study confirms that nutrition education along with gardening is more effective in increasing fruit and vegetable intake than just a nutrition class or no intervention. Although fruit and vegetable intake doubled, averaging 4.5 servings, this is still below the recommended 5 servings a day.
In the four days I've been home, I've noticed America is rather fat. One in three persons in the US is overweight or obese, using BMI. Food is everywhere; it's advertised, sold, and produced...everywhere.
In Cambodia, food was a life or death commodity. Overconsumption of calories is still rare in the provinces. Rice production is dependent of rainfall and flooding and if it's a bad year, there's no food. Food security is a huge issue and the one organization I worked with was working to meet this need. Integrated farming systems, including home vegetable gardens, rice production, and fish ponds were encouraged as a way to sustainably produce food for a poor family. The health of the family likewise increased by the consumption of nutrient dense food.
In America, food is also a life or death commodity. However, it's overconsumption that can kill. And yet, fruits and vegetables are not eaten in adequate amounts. For some places, fruits and vegetables are not available due to seasons, cost or dislike. But isn't this a food security issue? Shouldn't there be enough nutritious food available for everyone...whether coming from a rich country or a poor country?
Is there a correlation or am I just trying to see something that isn't there? Is this my way of grasping at something I can understand? I don't understand my home country anymore. Maybe I never really understood it but just assimilated because that was the easier path. The simpler path. The expected path.
Why do we travel? We do we move? Isn't it just easier to stay put? It is. But it's so bland, so dull. Challenges and opportunities for personal growth don't arise when we remain in one place.
I'm challenged by the stark contrast I see between overweight Americans and underweight Cambodians. I admit it's part of a greater personal struggle to try to tie this two worlds together and possibly understand each a bit better.
In the four days I've been home, I've noticed America is rather fat. One in three persons in the US is overweight or obese, using BMI. Food is everywhere; it's advertised, sold, and produced...everywhere.
In Cambodia, food was a life or death commodity. Overconsumption of calories is still rare in the provinces. Rice production is dependent of rainfall and flooding and if it's a bad year, there's no food. Food security is a huge issue and the one organization I worked with was working to meet this need. Integrated farming systems, including home vegetable gardens, rice production, and fish ponds were encouraged as a way to sustainably produce food for a poor family. The health of the family likewise increased by the consumption of nutrient dense food.
In America, food is also a life or death commodity. However, it's overconsumption that can kill. And yet, fruits and vegetables are not eaten in adequate amounts. For some places, fruits and vegetables are not available due to seasons, cost or dislike. But isn't this a food security issue? Shouldn't there be enough nutritious food available for everyone...whether coming from a rich country or a poor country?
Is there a correlation or am I just trying to see something that isn't there? Is this my way of grasping at something I can understand? I don't understand my home country anymore. Maybe I never really understood it but just assimilated because that was the easier path. The simpler path. The expected path.
Why do we travel? We do we move? Isn't it just easier to stay put? It is. But it's so bland, so dull. Challenges and opportunities for personal growth don't arise when we remain in one place.
I'm challenged by the stark contrast I see between overweight Americans and underweight Cambodians. I admit it's part of a greater personal struggle to try to tie this two worlds together and possibly understand each a bit better.
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