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A brief look back at what I got up to and who I met during my first month of getting settled in Phnom Penh…
A Quick Catch-Up…
I left the US in December 2010. I spent around 2 months traveling in Vietnam, Laos, and parts of Cambodia.
Pagoda in Vientiane, Laos
February was my first full month of sticking around in Phnom Penh this year.
Here’s the highlight-reel of what happened in February 2011:
Moved in. I moved into an apartment on riverside. In fantastic company rooming with Allie Hoffman.
Got settled. Got furniture. Got a local PO Box. Got a yearlong business visa.
Learned to count in Khmer, the Cambodian language.
Attended TEDxPhnomPenh. You can watch the rest of the talks here.
Joined HackerspacePP, a recently opened co-working office in Phnom Penh.
Met Khmer Young Entrepreneurs…looking forward to their KhmerTalks in late May. (Also a good motivator for me to hurry up with my language-learning.)
Visited PushPull with Leigh Morlock and met the PushPull staff out at the weaving center in Takeo province.
Discovered a business incubator in-the-making here in Phnom Penh.
Caught up on mobile tech innovation, learning about InSTEDD, Wing mobile banking, and Vocal Press.
Spent time in Siem Reap with Daniela Papi and the ever-enthusiastic PEPY team.
Let go of a great opportunity back in the States. Relying on the ‘one door closes, one door opens’ principle.
Tried outsourcing a project online via eLance.com… that’s where I got this site header designed, like it?
Posted a blog post, my first in over a year.
Started reading E-Myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World Class Company
Discovered FlipCam problems because mine is not compatible with my Netbook. Wah waaa. Sorry, there won’t be any new photos or videos until I can get a hold of another laptop.
Got sick. Had to debug the system to rid myself of a suspected intestinal parasite.
Got better. Phew.
Lost my nerve. Several times. Wanted to quit and move to Bali.
Invited my nerve to come back. And it did. Phew.
Went to a Cambodian play performed in Khmer and I barely understood 3 words. Glass-half-full is that I understood 3 words.
Went to Nerd Night in Phnom Penh.
Attended 1961‘s art opening, a renovated villa in Siem Reap that has had different artists design and decorate each guestroom.
Saw a concert at Angkor Wat. 13 year old soprano Bosba Pahn was remarkable, especially with Bayon Temple lit up in the dark as the backdrop.
Paid outrageous ATM fees. Logged in to my mint.com account and was horrified to realize I paid $40 in fees this month alone! Wishing I had addressed this sooner and looking into other local and international banking options. Been hearing that CharlesSchwab is a good no-ATM-fees international option.
Spent my nest egg. Funds are starting to get low…only a few grand is left of my original 10k nest egg that I used to move to Cambodia. Right now I have many projects in the works, but zero that pay me an income.
So, guess what my focus is for next month…paying the bills.
Goals for March 2011:
1. Take action on one business idea – identify an immediate income opportunity that moves me closer to my big goals (…not away from). Doesn’t have to be best idea on the block or THE idea. The aim is to find clarity (not perfection) and start executing a small plan that will let me pay next month’s rent AND continue working on my ‘zero-income-yet‘ passion projects.
[This goal comes with a strong self-reminder: Remember to reach out and ask for help if I need it. Say yes when help is offered. Accept support graciously.]
2. Learn Khmer – Get myself a tutor, and sign up for language class at RUPP (Royal University of Phnom Penh).
3. Take excellent care of my health – Prevent stomach bugs, drink much water (hot season is about to arrive), drop in at NataRaj Yoga, and get out of the city for a long relaxing weekend in Kampot/Kep.
Photo credit (below): amazing photography by Jacqueline Kronk.
Solitude-Kampot Cambodia
Here’s to new month.
