Another weekend

Its a rainy Saturday in the Penh. Its beautiful, inconvenient but, beautiful. This whole city rocks tin roofs, and when the rain is soft like this you hear such a pretty sound,  its soft over the old school Khmer music in Friend Cafe. The rain here usually isn't this light or nostalgic, the hard rain on these roofs can drown out your surround sound system.  I hardly believe I'm ready for rainy season, I can't wait for it to cool down the city, but I'm afraid of the inevitable flooding. I do love that the rain slows the world down, you must know the feeling.

Yesterday was the king's birthday, so I have a 5 day weekend. Since I have so much free time I should be able to get so much more done than I am. Its frustrating actually. There is something about a school environment, as a student, or as a teacher, that whenever I get done for the day I just want nothing to do with it until I have to go back. English isn't a subject I'm so stoked to be teaching. Its value to these students is unquestionable, if they can learn it, the Internet and thus a whole world of information becomes available. I  feel great when I can see that a student really gets something they didn't know before, there's a lot about the job that's rewarding. Still, there are other things I'd feel much more passionate about teaching.

I know you probably won't believe it but, I joined a gym. Its sweet, it has a steam room and sauna, ping pong tables, free WiFi, a coffee shop, showers, nice modern exercise equipment and personal trainers there to help you. I almost go just for the luxury feeling of the place. It cost less than a 24 hour fitness membership does in California and its way nicer. There is no way I could afford this gym in the USA. I still don't go as much as I should, but when I see the slightest results it motivates me a lot.

My social life is starting to feel a bit more normal, I have been trying real hard to get outside my comfort zone and to go meet new people. There was this evening boat cruise I took on the Tonlé Sap river, it had good dance music and lively conversation, so I made a few friends. Its been difficult, but I did find a Backpacker bar where its been really easy to talk to people and a surprising amount of expats my age hang out there. The hard thing for me to find in this city is people my age who don't have some major character flaw. That said, the few friends  I have found, have some of the more interesting personalities I have come across.

More later, Photos soon.