Day 114 - Final changes, Semi Finals and night buses to Phomn Penh

Still suffering. 

Day 114 - 15th October

So an omelette started my day before I headed to the office to borrow a computer so I could adjust the indentation on my novel. Yes, Word for iPad does not have this feature unless you want to upgrade for a crazy fee. Nice one Apple and Microsoft!

Instead of spending an hour as I originally planned, I sat at a desk for six hours, undoing all the formatting the Word app chose to do for me. SIX HOURS.

The only saving grace was having a few conversations with Vith. He was asking me if my book could be as successful as Harry Potter. I tried not to laugh too much and politely explained that by 2008, JK Rowling had sold 400 million copies of books from the Harry Potter series (I had to Google this).

We then had a discussion about how I come up with my ideas which is always fun to talk about. I like Vith, he doesn't shy away from asking anything on his mind and always has a chirpy laugh when I give him obscure answers.

So feeling dehydrated, hungry and whatever other feelings you feel when you've done nothing but sat at a computer for six hours straight, I left to go back to Bou Savy and pack for Phnom Pehn. I've got my chest X-Ray for my Australian visa due and that is the closest place with a medical centre approved by the Australian immigration.

Then it was semi final time! Two giants going head to head for that prestigious first place in the final next week. Big Willy F.C in Argentina stripes v.s. Team Deejay in sky blue. Already I wanted to beat them because of the City similarity.

The rain was lashing down and water logging the pitch but we knew what we had to do. No messing around, if in doubt, kick it out and any sight on goal, shoot.

By half time we were 3-0 up. Pommers had bagged the opener with a cool side foot in the corner quickly followed by Yanni's long range drive and then Simen's delightful run across the back post flick into the roof of the net. We were in dreamland!

Straight after the break, Alex made it 4-0 before they clawed a goal back. It was nerve racking for a few minutes with some iffy tackles going in from their side and even a blatant handball that should have seen a straight red card. 

They've last me eight weeks. Farewell old boys! 7 games, 6 goals and one own goal isn't a bad return!

Pommers popped up with a second to secure a 5-1 victory and a place in next week's final. My notable contribution was my trainer sole falling off mid game from the wet. Safe to say, I was running around with a shell around my foot with no bottom. Will lent me his boots, top lad, and I continued my defensive duties at right and left back.

I didn't get the two goals I promised but I'm getting geared up for the final. My last week in Siem Reap. Hopefully I go out on a high!

I headed back to Bou Savy, grabbed my stuff and jumped on the night bus to Phnom Penh. Can honestly say I do not miss these, plus I'm not travelling with my Vietnam gang so double blow.

An Italian woman spoke with me on the transport to the main bus, telling me how much she disliked Siem Reap. She said she couldn't wait to get out of there. It takes all kinds I suppose.

I was sharing a bunk with an Eastern European girl who liked to take up the space but she was kinda cute so I let her off. When someone falls asleep on your arm, do you push their head away or just let it go. You all know what I did.

The bus bounced along in true form and in a few hours, I'd be back in Phnom Penh.

Day 109 - Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday!

This is the usual editing set up

Day 109 - 10th October

So it's Saturday. Yes, the WEEKEND!

The norm really, getting up for breakfast, no swimming though and getting ready to do the final stages of edit three of my novel. Fifty pages and that baby is finished.

I like trying to tell myself I'll only spend a few hours on it, knowing full well it will consume most of my day and once again this proved to be the case. I sat for eight hours, chopping and changing and re-reading old parts to make sure no detail was missed in the main story. 

Lunch happened somewhere in between and I did a half hour pit stop to watch the first part of Hitchcock's Psycho. I felt like Norman Bates after editing straight for four hours (no I didn't put on a wig and a dress and start slashing at people in the showers). I was thinking more about my brain reading the same paragraphs over and over and him saying, 'We all go a little mad sometimes.' Yes, Norman, I can concur.

The usual weekly Skype session with home went well, this time my adorable little niece, Emmy made an appearance and smiled a number of times at the camera (it could've been Pepper Pig on the TV behind but I'm going with me). Nanna also came down and constantly asked if I could see and hear her - bloody love her.

The noticeable absence of my second oldest brother and his wife was evident. There was no insults flying my way. But I'll catch up with them again soon.

The best part of the conversation was telling them I needed a chest X-Ray in Phomn Penh next Friday. The sense of panic rose but I quickly told them it was part of my Australian visa requirements. But it's nice to known I'm loved! (Either that or they thought they're souvenirs might not make it back - I joke of course...)

Love that chicken.

The evening saw me head out for some chicken and bok choy and then a few beers before bed.

Jay on the left.

And just before he gets away with it, my older brother, Jay celebrated his birthday today. Happy Birthday brother. Enjoy with Holz and Emmy x

Day 101 - Ready, Set, NGO! and Yoga Bear. Trust me, it's no picnic!

Love that noodle soup for brekkie.

Day 101 - 02nd October

The noodle soup for breakfast was a nice start to the day along with a little book editing.

DK was back but looked exhausted. When we were in the Tuk Tuk he was not his usual self. He was quiet and subdued.

When we arrived at Project four he went to sit down and was asleep within minutes. Poor sod. So I took all four morning sessions, which was a challenge to say the least. It's fine giving instructions but doing it in limited Khmer and trying to assist the kids was difficult. But hey, I had fun.

The kids having fun with another volunteer.

In the third session, the older kids were, well, just being kids basically. When asked to stand in line they refused. When I asked them to play a game, they wandered off. My solution - let them get on with it. And it seemed to work well. I played with the four or five kids that wanted to play and the others chased around and played volleyball. Everyone was happy.

When I returned to Bou Savy, I went for a 30 lap swim and some noodles. Charlie called to say DK had gone home sick - get well soon brother.

So in the afternoon I went to a new project, Project 5 with Srey Mom and her little girl. Man that little one is adorable.

Project 5 was a nice place, much bigger than all the others. The students were well behaved and enjoyed lessons with Srey Mom and myself. We had them running around and laughing whilst they chased each other down. Before I knew it, two hours were up!

Yeah, I can do Yoga, just about.

I had a couple of hours to do some editing before I went to the Siem Reap Hostel for a Yoga class with Globalteer's very own, Lisa. After an hour of twisting and turning, I was ready to escape, despite being taught well by my teacher! I just haven't the skill or flexibility for the Yoga game.

Afterwards, it was bucketing down and when I say bucketing, I mean literally streams flowing down the streets of Siem Reap. I went to my new spot for cheap eating and had more pancakes (seriously, I think I need to get into rehab for this), just waiting for the rain to pass.

And then I had to succumb to the inevitable. It wasn't going to stop raining and I had to purchase a 50¢ poncho. The only positive was it was in my favourite colour so I didn't mind too much looking like the ugly brother of little red riding hood cycling down the street.

Back at Bou Savy, I was nice and dry and feeling good about myself. A nice hot shower relaxed me and then I headed off to bed, ready for a day out with Mr Mut to the reservoir in the morning.

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