Yesterday evening I read that I'd live a lot longer if I didn't use an alarm clock; the reason being that abrupt sounds can give us a heart attack in old age. Seeing as I didn't have a deadline on Sunday I decided to switch mine off.
It was still a bit dark when a loud noise came from my phone. I first of all thought I'd not switched the alarm off properly but then I realised it was my phone ringing. It was Vuth, inviting me to spend the day with him and the family in Takeo Province. I didn't fully understand what it involved but it was something to do with a religious ceremony and then a time of eating and drinking. I felt badly saying I preferred to stay home. "But you'll be alone," he said. I didn't tell him that I'd been 'alone' most of my life.
I enjoyed the day. I did lots of little things. I made space in drawers and cupboards for the students who arrive in May. I took a photograph of my electricity meter so that Thornin can pay my monthly bill. I repaired the long sleeved shirt I always wear when I travel; most of my shirts are short sleeved and I often find airports a bit on the nippy side. I made a bean salad which I hope will last me for the three days I'm in Cambodia. I didn't do my morning walking because Vuth's call was at 6am and I staggered back to bed and stayed there a bit too long - until 8am. I can't face exercising at that time as it means having breakfast around 10am. I did wash my floor though.
It was the day for the power to be on for the morning. I therefore prepared my lunch for 11.30am so I could cook something. The power didn't go off; it was a mini miracle as it stayed on all day. I kept doing things, just in case the power went off, but I needn't have bothered.
At 4pm I decided it was time to go outside to do a bit of shopping and to get my walking exercise. I enjoyed walking along the riverside but I was a bit disappointed with the flags that fly along the promenade. Normally, they are flags of many nations but this time the city have changed them to just the Cambodian flag, the Buddhist one and another one I can't figure out. The sky was quite dark and then the wind got up. It really upset the pigeons and tens of thousands of them flew up into the air. I felt sorry for the poor folk who were trying to sell corn seeds for people to feed them. All these pigeons worry me as I often wonder if it's possible for them to carry Bird Flu; if they can, then it would be disastrous here as there are so many people, especially children, playing amongst them. Pigeons always look the same to me so I often wonder how the males pick out the females. The wind was terrible and I thought it would start to rain and so I headed back home. Once I left the riverside, and entered the built up streets, the wind died down and it was as if I was in another world.
I came home and decided I should cook the various things I've got stored in the deep freeze - a bag of what are described as Bratwurst sausages which really look more like fat weiners. I've also got some chicken wings and legs. I made a marinade of fish sauce, garlic and soya sauce and marinaded them for a few hours and then cooked them; I also dealt with the sausage. Now I can simply cook vegetables and warm up the meat and I have a prepared meal.
I got cracking with my emails and I now owe absolutely no one a reply. There'll be more tomorrow but for tonight I can sleep knowing that everyone single person has had a reply from me. Yofrina, from Indonesia, sent an email with a short report of a school visit. I couldn't be bothered getting off the sofa, where I was lounging, so I one finger plonked and checked her report. I've never done that before; it's good to know it's possible. I thought I'd done everything but then I realised I hadn't done my blog, so here it is and goodnight.
