Very hot here for me and am trying to get used to the heat. While trying to do my main assignment I have been asked to help two new students with their English.  They basically have no English and are learning the alphabet. They are 15 year old twins from a rural province who have had about three years at school. I hope they don’t come away with an Australian accent.[...]

Arrived Bangkok last night after an interesting flight from Australia. Three aussie boys got so drunk they made the majority of the flight “hell” for a good proportion of the passengers. Very hot here trying to get used to the heat, food and smells.      [...]

Dianna Agron of hit television show GLEE visited the Somaly mam Foundation at Kampong Cham Center (also called Somaly’s House). She met the brave children and teenage residents, and also got to know the incredible women in our Voices For Change program[...]

Chicken Asian Salad Recipe Type: Main Cuisine: Australian Author: John Prep time: 15 mins Total time: 15 mins Serves: 4 Light Asian salad Ingredients 3 cups (480g) shredded cooked chicken 1 small (700g) Chinese cabbage, sliced thinly 2 green onions (green shallots), sliced thinly 100g Crunchy Combo Sprouts ½ cup firmly packed fresh coriander leaves ½ cup (75g) salted cashews 2 tablespoons toasted pepitas SOY DRESSING ¼ cup (60ml) soy sauce 1/3 cup (80ml) rice vinegar 2 tablespoons peanut oil 2 teaspoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon sesame oil Instructions SOY DRESSING: Place all ingredients in a screw-top jar; shake well. Place chicken, cabbage, onions, sprouts and coriander in a large bowl. Add Soy Dressing; toss gently to combine. Sprinkle with cashews and pepitas. Not suitable to freeze 3.1.09  [...]

Pavlovas with chocolate,mangoes and lime syrup   Recipe Type: Dessert Cuisine: American Author: Coles.com.au Generous fluffy individual pavlovas dipped in chocolate and filled with whipped cream, chopped fresh mangoes and drizzled with a fresh lime syrup. Make the pavlovas ahead of time and assemble on the day. Perfect for a summer Christmas Ingredients 6 large Free Range Egg Whites 1/4 tsp Sea Salt 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar 1 tsp Vanilla Extract 1¾ cups Caster Sugar 2 tbsp Cornflour 200 g block Dark (preferably 70% Cocoa) Cooking Chocolate, chopped 2 cups Thickened Cream 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract Lime Syrup 1/3 cup Water 1/2 cup Caster Sugar 2 tbsp Lime Zest 2 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice 4 Mangoes, peeled, pitted, cut into 1.5-cm dice Instructions Preheat oven to 135°C or 115°C fan. Line 2 large baking trays with baking paper. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat egg whites, salt, cream of tartar and vanilla on medium-high speed for about 2-3 mins, or until medium peaks form. While mixer is still running, slowly add the sugar and continue beating for about 5-7 mins, or until firm peaks form. Sift the cornflour into the meringue and beat for 30 secs. Using a large spoon, form 4 large even mounds on each baking tray. Use the back of a spoon to make an indent in the centre of each. Bake the pavlovas for about 1 hr, or until they are crisp on the outside. Turn off the oven, leave the door ajar and leave pavlovas in the oven until cold. Place chocolate in a medium bowl, then sit it over a medium saucepan of simmering water, and stir the chocolate until it melts. Gently dip the bases of the pavlovas into the warm melted chocolate, using a gentle twisting action, and place the pavlovas upside down on racks or trays. Set aside for 2 hrs, or until the chocolate has set (time will depend on the temperature of your kitchen). Do not refrigerate. Meanwhile, prepare the lime syrup. Combine the water, sugar, lime zest and juice in a small heavy-based saucepan and bring to a simmer over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for 4 mins, or until syrup is reduced by half and thickens. Cool, then cover and refrigerate until cold. Add the mangoes. In a large bowl, whip the cream and vanilla until thick. Arrange a pavlova on each of 8 plates. Spoon over a generous dollop of whipped cream. Using a slotted spoon, remove the diced mango from the syrup and spoon it over and around the pavlovas. Drizzle with syrup and serve immediately   3.1.09  [...]

Arrived at Dubai at 630 am there time and alady 32 degrees.  Was hoping for a shower in the Emirates  Club but two showers and about 400 waiting. So checked on my boxes with all the meeting papers, Still stuck in Frankfurt so all  tomorrow will be copying and making new files. Leave here at 830 am for flight to Rome[...]

Arrived at Sydney International Airport on way to  Rome. No problems and got here quite quickly,  Long flight ahead with stop over in Dubai.  The boxes couried Rome with all the papers are stuck n Frankfurt and don’t look like  getting to Rome on time. So i guess my first day will be copying papers. All the best plans.  But  it is quite natty how you can track the boxes across the world.[...]

I joined the class at the village school today run by KTC ( Knowledge Training Centre). The kids learn english and have a ball. The school day is broken into morning school and an afternoon school and the kids attend public school  in either the morning or the afternoon. The assembly before school includes some rowdy singing in Cambodian.  I did recognise She will be coming around the mountain.    [...]

We took the kids from the village on a day out for pizza and ice cream at a near by town. A kind supporter had sponsored the day. This little guy hadn’t seen ice cream like this before.[...]