Life is a series of moments

About 72 hours ago, I returned to Cambodia.  It sort of feels like I was never gone (only I am far more rested, 1kg heavier - thanks cheese- and feeling refreshed).  Just a short commercial break from the reality TV show that is my life.  These are a few throw-back photos from some of the moments during my time in the USA. 

Thank you to all the friends and family who made an effort to see me while I was in town and please don't be strangers.  Being overseas can be a bit isolating at times and your messages, emails, VISITORS, etc. mean a lot to me.  Now for a few moments from my trip!  (Let's pretend I realized I should iron my skirt, ok?)

Look at that sky!  Sporting Cambodian wedding attire at the Oregon Coast before a church talk.

With Fr. Larry at Rockaway, St. Mary by the Sea parish saying the final blessing.  This man is a true inspiration and a perfect example of what a spiritual leader should be.  The parish was so warm and welcoming.  Thanks to all of them and Eileen for making this moment possible.  Note - at the second mass, Fr. Larry asked me, on the spot, to do a final blessing in Khmer.  Thankfully, no Khmer speakers were present.

This was one of my favorite speaking engagements.  Riley's class had the most inquisitive four year olds.  Thanks to Riley's mom for the invite.  These munchkins managed to stay focused for around 45 minutes and had loads of questions.  Most importantly they wanted to know why people eat spiders because that is "gross."  We had a little side lesson on how different people eat different things.  Many people think that the food we eat is gross (ask some foreigners what they think of peanut butter).  In good news, I managed not to kidnap any of these little cuties ;)

Definitely another favorite, Alli's 2nd grade class.   You can see they were thrilled about their Cambodian Riel.  Maybe someday they will remember this moment and also choose to travel overseas, learn of new cultures and ways of life.  They even learned some Khmer and Cambodian Sign Language.  Of course, their favorite word was two.  Why?  Because in Khmer the word for two is 'pee' 

Many of you will probably not appreciate this without an explanation.  While at home, I spoke at my Grandpa's United Methodist Men's group.  As usual, while we were setting up, I snooped around at everything hanging on the walls.  While, yes, I agree, we should love each other this caught my eye because the second language, at the bottom is Khmer.  No one in the group realized their church had something displayed in Khmer.  Made my day :)

This is my biggest fan and scheduler of multiple speaking engagements.  AKA Grandpa :)

For those living in Portland, you should definitely check out Turnt Up Cup!  It is an awesome coffee cart on Alberta right across the street from the co-op.  I had something called... I think it was a Chai fog?  Basically, Chai latte.  Only better.

And, I had a Philly pretzel at Reading Terminal Market.  I was told this is a Philly thing to do.  So, when in Rome...

And, then I went to heaven.   My sister and bro-in-law heard if this place, Max Brenner, as a great place for chocolate lovers.  I resisted the urge to break open that pipe and dance in the sweet goodness.  It is probably actually a cleverly disguised sewer pipe...

They did have the best invention ever.  It is an ice cream bar that constantly has the chocolate crunchy goodness on the outside!  You just dip it into the liquid chocolate and into the toffee pieces or crunchy things.  Genius.  Pure Genius!

For those who have never been to Oregon, clearly, it is the most beautiful place ever.  Not the best picture as it was captured from a moving car as we crossed into Washington, but you get the idea.  This place was definitely hard to leave.