Finally Free! First two weeks ...

Wow, it might be a slow process with quarantine but it sure was quick when we were told we could leave.  We go the call at a little bit after 4 pm on Wednesday, August 11, we were down stair 30 mins later and ready to be picked up, our friends the Sellers came and pick us up with their car, took us to our 'home' away from home for the next 17 plus months, we unpacked (finally) and they treated us to dinner.  It was great to have a simple home cooked meal for a change. 

Our apartment is on the 7th floor, has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living room and an area where two desks and chairs used as an office.  It is simple and will take a little while for it to really feels like home.  We got our passport picture taken so that we can have our visa extended.  When we came in, we have a 3 months visa to stay in Cambodia, so we have to apply for a one year visa.  Once we get our visa back, we will be able to get our driver's license.

How do you like the way powerlines are here!
You probably paying for someone else electricity bills!

Our apartment is about 10-12 mins walk to the office.  The first day, the Sellers took us to the office where we get to meet the staffs, the Jensen, (Karen and Randall), who have been filling in for us since the last nurse and finance secretary left in June, started showing us all the things that needed to be done.  I think it was a little bit overwhelming for Ted because he learned a different system of finance during his MTC training, but here, everything is cash based and it is more labor intensive to keep the accounting straight.  We hope Ted can work on streamlining it so it will be easier for those that follow him. 

Here in Cambodia, both US dollars and Cambodian Kriels are used in business transaction, one US dollars worth 4000 to 4100 Kriels. Almost everything is paid by cash.. Business will take Kriels in any form or shape, but would only take crisp US bills.  They will refuse to take any US bills that are marked, folded with crease or just a small tears!  

Sister Jensen has been doubling as both the nurse and public affairs, adding being a secretary to the mission;  I was able to quickly relieve her as the nurse!  I felt like I am more of a PA here then a nurse; Cambodian likes meds; the most frequently asked question is “what can I take”!  I have given out pills to relieve coughs, sore throat, stomach pain, and diarrhea!  Some missionaries come in and want medication to treat their acne! One can buy Doxycycline here without a prescription and costs only $7 US for a 3 months supplies.  Anyway, there are so many meds in the medicine cupboard here that I have spend fair amount of time looking them up online, translating them into what they are in US, dosage and side effect, etc. and deciding what medication to use to treat the varies complains!  It is a crush course of pharmacology for me!  One of my goal to try to teach missionaries that their body has the ability to heal and treat most illnesses if they would drink plenty of fluid, eat right and exercise.  I hope by the end of my mission, we can do away with most of the meds, except ibuprofen, tylenol, and benadryl!

I am forever grateful for our previous mission experience;; I never thought I am great with technology but these assignments have propel me to be not afraid of it;  I have had to do a lot of searching to figure out how to log into the mission email, mission nurse Facebook and messenger!  Now I can use my own phone to communicate with missionaries in the mission, call them thru messenger if needed and the nurses phone is the one to call using local SIM cards!

In the evening, we enjoyed our walk back to the apartment, whether you are driving or walking, you don’t come to a complete stop before preceding into the road or intersection; you literally just walk or drive out and the oncoming traffic will slow down enough for you to cross the road or street safely.  It is surprising that we don't see more accidents here at all!  We did saw one accident where a car hit (bumped) a motorcycle, the car just drive on and the person just get up, right his bike and drive on!

The Sellers took us shopping in Saturday, we got food so we can start making meals! I also bought an oven - A big toaster oven like the one we have in Hong Kong;  I hesitated to get the oven but was glad that I did!  The oven in our apartment is propane gas with no temperature gauge, and took forever to heat to desire temperature!  I made cookies the very next day!

I am grateful that most missionaries can communicate in English; if not, either their companion or their district leader or zone leader could, so far, I could say good morning and count to 15 - you only need to learn 1-5, then 6 is 5+1, 7 is 5+2, until 10, then the same process: 11 is 10+1, I was able to point and tell the street vender that I want 10 eggs, 2 potatoes and 2 onions!  Everything is in kilograms here, they thought I want two kilos of potatoes and onions!!