Ugh, homesick alert! Missing you tons, Mama, and craving all the good stuff back in Capiz! This Capizeña needs to visit the homeland soon!
Today was a rollercoaster! Ugh, not again! The day kicked off with more drama, this time courtesy of the same person who always seems to be in the middle of it. Tsk, never learns a lesson, it seems. But hey, as they say, sometimes you lose some to win some.
The win today? An incredible lunch invitation to a home-cooked Khmer lunch! It wasn’t just any meal – it was a feast of homemade Khmer dishes, all prepared with such love and care. I felt so honoured to be included in their family, and in their community. អរគុណមិត្តសម្លាញ់! Thank you, dear friends!
The food was amazing! My colleague and her army of young assistants cooked for me one of my favourites – prahok khtis dong, a rich and flavourful dish with minced pork and prahok (preserved fish), slow-cooked in fragrant kreung (aromatic paste – lemongrass, galangal, ginger, etc.) and coconut milk, and a side of fresh vegetables to eat them with.
There were also meatballs in a clear broth with Napa cabbage (great palate cleanser), and a stir-fried pickled cabbage with pork (well-balanced savoury and sour flavors). It was hearty, homey, and the delicious meal felt almost like an embrace for an expat who’s missing the comforts of home. Like a big, warm hug, on a day that could have been a total washout.
Here in Cambodia where hardship is a familiar face, it’s the everyday acts of kindness that shine the brightest. Despite facing challenges, the Cambodian people continue to amaze me with their generosity and resilience. They truly embody the spirit “those who have less are often the most giving. ”
P.S.1. As I shuffled back to the office, Tita Shawie is bleating inside my head, on repeat: ‘balutin mo ako sa hiwaga ng iyong pagmamahaaaaaaaal…’ (wrap me up in the magic of your looooove) A cheeky grin spread across my face as I clutched the unexpected takeaway container a little too tightly (I didn’t ask for one!). Dinner sorted! Maybe I’m turning into a bit of a…Sharonian*, haha.
“*Sharon” is Filipino slang referring to the act of taking leftovers from a Filipino party. It’s derived from the song “Bituing Walang Ningning” by Sharon Cuneta, which contains the lyric, “Balutin mo ako” (“wrap me up”). Those who do “Sharon” are also referred to as “Sharonians.”
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P.S.2. Just finished dinner. Belly full, heart happy! Thank you, universe, for reminding me that even on challenging days, there’s always something to be grateful for, especially the kindness of strangers (or in this case, friends!)