What Doesn't Kill you Makes you Stronger

Being that this is my first post, I guess some sort of introduction is required. i will be using this blog for a variety of purposes; both as a personal memory tool, and as a communicative medium for friends and family.

Overall, life in Phnom Penh has been treating me well: I'm enjoying my job, I've made good friends, my romance-quota is satisfied, and I've even taken a couple of short trips outside of the city (Siem Reap, Kampot-Kep- Rabbit island).

I recently had an unfortunate accident, which has slightly tarnished my otherwise enjoyable experience; A splash of cold reality-water to pull me out of my easy-living dream. I recently had an accident on my moto (read scooter, not motorcycle). I was driving down Sisowath Quay, One of the Penh's larger avenues which follows the Tonlesap River's curvature, when a police officer cut over from the opposite lane and slammed into me! He obviously was not looking where he was driving. I turned left very sharply in an attempt to avoid him, and he smashed into the right side of my bike. My old JIu-Jitsu skills came in handy when i was propelled off my bike, I absorbed most of the impact of my fall by rolling on my arm. I stood up immediately (because i was afraid of being pancaked by oncoming traffic), looking at my arms and only seeing moderate cuts, i felt lucky to still be in one piece. I picked up my moto and walked it over to the side of the road. Thats when I looked down at my right foot and realized i had a massive cut between my 'pinky'and 'ring' toe, to the point where my pinky was dangling off to the side.

At this point, I was in a state of shock, I couldn't even feel my injuries. I sat down on the side of the road, and had a couple moments of panic: who should I call? Where was the safe hospital? The crowds of locals circling around, speaking to me in Khmer (which i barely understand), were somewhat overwhelming. I cleared my head by taking a couple of deep breaths, and called my trusty coworker Ramady. I then gave a local lady some money to go get me gauze and some sort of colorful cleaning solution (this transaction took place via the medium of highly animated gestures). She returned within minutes, I cleaned and wrapped up my wounds, pulling my toe back towards my foot in hopes of remaining decaphalangeous (Jesse's New Word English dictionary + 1). At this point, I started to calm down from the shock and everything started to hurt. Soon enough my friends arrived, I hobbled into their car, bowing graciously to the crowd of supportive onlookers, muttering a "awh Ghun" (thank you in Khmer) to the best of my ability.

From there i was brought to Naga Clinic, a small but clean clinic with an emergency room, french and khmer doctors... Prognosis: 1 fractured Pinky toe and one big cut on my foot. I received six stitches on that foot.

The hardest part of the whole experience was having to stay home for a week. My apartment is small, hot and dirty. usually this is fine (as i spend little time there) but I was forced to stay indoors for a week. Because I was in bed sweating all day, I developed minor heat rash all over my body (leading to lots of itchiness). Although I was not bothered too much by foot pain, I was a little anxious over the possibility of an infection (very common in dirty, hot, humid Cambodia). I was put on a number of anti biotics. Another problem is my energy level, I don't like to be still. All day I wanted to move and jump around, but felt that was not the wisest path...

Good News! i have now returned to work! the doctors are no longer concerned over infection, they are just helping my foot to heal. Once my stitches are removed, they will begin focusing on repairing my broken toe. People around the office seem to be quite amused by my high speed hopping/skipping.

Socrates once said: "The unexamined life is not worth living". Because these crappy experiences are a part of life, I feel motivated to ponder them and possibly learn something.

One thing I certainly learned about myself is that I value my sense of agency above my need for heatlh. When I sat at home for a week, I wasn't so much bothered by the foot pain as the boredom. I felt an intense longing to leave the apartment, enjoy some sunlight and chat with friends. When I imagine future possible injuries, I'm more worried about lost time than lost toes.

Furthermore, I was once again reminded of how unappreciative I am (we all are). During my daily life, I sometimes worry about petty little problems. Even though I often think about how lucky I am, Its still easy to forget all the things which I take for granted. All it takes is one little accident serves to remind me to appreciate the little things, walking, running, sunlight, being able to go to work. During my busy day I am rarely thoughtful enough to be thankful for these things. Lesson learned (hopefully).

Also, I learned riding a moto in flip-flops is a bad idea...