"Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are.  When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." ~ Lao Tzu

There is comfort in the routine, the dependable, the familiar.  That is what is beginning to happen here. It's been about 2 1/2 weeks since I arrived and yesterday I started noticing how much easier things are becoming.  It was the first day I didn't set off in the tuk tuk and think about putting on my seatbelt.  It was the first day I walked through my "neighborhood" and really noticed some charm beneath the dinginess.  People wave and smile.  They are entertained and helpful when I attempt to try out my Khmer.  Granted, I stretched my comfort zone to walk about a mile for dinner last night and felt EXACTLY like a human Frogger game.  And in case you don't remember Frogger:

This was me trying to cross these crazy streets.  To get about a mile from point A to B took me two miles.  But I made it!

Today was different.  Totally "routine".  Started out at my coffee shop for brunch.  Mac and I worked out my teaching plans for the week and then hopped a moto (moped taxi) to the supermarket.  I got some school supplies at the crazy market and headed home.

I did some laundry (hand washing is also becoming routine) and as I was hanging it out to dry I stood and took in the atmosphere. I'm finding beauty in things that only two weeks ago appeared to be just squalor.   Standing there on my "terrace" overlooking the view and listening to this sounds in my "hood" was blissful.  (You might need to turn up the volume to hear the music playing in the background.)

There truly is beauty in simplicity.  Lest you think I've totally lost it...I did meet up with some people from work for Happy Hour, so that could have something to do with my mood.  But look what I get to see again tomorrow!

Life is so good!