Happy New Year.....again!

YES....I did say Happy New Year!!

Here in Cambodia we celebrate the new year, three times!  

There is International New Year.  People celebrate...kind-of, but honestly it just doesn't seem to be that big of a deal.

Then comes Chinese New Year (or the Lunar New Year).  This is the one we are celebrating right now!  There are quite of few Chinese Khmer here so you actually notice more of the festivities for this one.  Many people purchase kumquat trees or other small trees for their homes and I think traditionally you are supposed to hand out little red envelopes with money in them...though I don't really understand this part! ;o)  The malls are decorated with traditional chinese lanterns, posters and many of the shops are giving out chinese candies.  If you are of Chinese decent you should return home to your family for the festivities, which I think are technically supposed to last for 15 days.

Finally, in April will come Khmer New Year.  This is the biggest one of all.  Shops will close down and Phnom Penh and other cities will be emptied as everyone travels back to their family's provincial home.  People like to throw water on one another and here in Phnom Penh  if you are in the "right" place a the right time you face will be smeared with powder.  It gets a little messy!!

So...that is what's going on here....

and again I say 

May you be happy and blessed in the NEW YEAR!

CHILLIN' in Cambodia

So, I really can't believe I'm getting ready to type this....but today it was actually a tidbit cold here in Phnom Penh.  

Ok, well, cold might be an extreme word to use, but the past few nights have gotten fairly chilly (Chris has actually put a blanket on at night the last two nights!!!)  It was something like 68 degrees here in Phnom Penh late this morning and we were told that in Battambang it got down to 55 overnight!!  

I know this sounds like nothing for all of you back there in the states who are buried in snow....but for us here...that's gettin' downright chilly! ;o)  And for sure for the Khmer it is COLD!! 

When we got to church this morning (in our pants and short sleeved shirts, mind you) all of our friends were bundled up in multiple layers of clothes, some with coats on and they were all muttering about how terribly cold it was.  And for sure for people who have always lived in a country that rarely sees the temperature drop in the mid-50's and mid-60's it IS, indeed, cold!

As for us...we're gonna enjoy it as long as it lasts.  And I'm personally hoping it lasts a few more WEEKS!  

I haven't given up yet....

and I hope you haven't either!!!  

     I think every time I write on this blog I tell myself that I will make it a weekly habit...and it just never seems to happen!

     We have been busy, yes, but what's been keeping me away from blogging mostly has been this pregnancy.  Sitting in front of the computer for long bits of time is not something I enjoy doing while pregnant.  It tends to give me terribly unlovely headaches, and lately I can't seem to conjure up the ability to focus long enough to write an understandable blog.

     BUT...I am getting better and hopefully I will follow through and start blogging on a more regular basis.  So don't give up on me yet!

    OH...and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  I'm a bit late on saying that to you all....but truly here in Cambodia, International New Year isn't that big of a deal.  At the end of this month will be Chinese New Year, which will be more noticeably celebrated, and then the truly BIG event will come in April, with Khmer New Year.  Khmer New Year is probably the biggest, most celebrated holiday in this country.  SO, when that comes around we'll wish you Happy New Year once again!

     As for updates....

     As for what's going on at the Thai/Cambodia border... there hasn't been much in the news lately and though things seem relatively quiet, though still tense we just got word from a neighbor (who is a reporter for a local TV station) that Thailand is beefing up their military presence in Preah Vihear (the disputed area)!  We had heard rumors that the new Prime Minister of Thailand was getting alot of pressure to do something to win the dispute over the disputed land...so we'll see what's to come!

      I think that's about it....until next time