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October 11, 2009
Don't Call it a Comeback
Friends and Enemies, I'm sure you have been eagerly awaiting the revival of my periodic adventures through the indo-chine. Well, I have reasons but no excuses for my absence. It is difficult to keep up a steady stream of witty bon-mots and socio-cultural observations without encouragement. In fact, it was only after periods of prolonged inactivity that people mentioned how much they missed reading my stuff. So I shamelessly implore you, dear readers: if you want Mr. Flynn to keep writing, let him know when you like something!
In any case, the times find me well. I am once again in Phnom Penh, the pearl of the orient, trying to teach my students the difference between the -ed and -ing forms of participial adjectives. (example: "Teacher, I am boring with this book.") But in addition, I have taken on a new and somewhat quixotic adventure: Teaching American History.
While interpreting the mighty forces that made America the way it is can be difficult even in the home country, it's triply so when your students a) do not live with the liberties that've been a part of anglo-american political culture for 700 years, b) have very little background information on world history before 1914, and c) speak, read, and write english with at best intermediate ability. The History department is not one of the leading lights of RUPP, but there's potential. There will be a lot more updates on this in the future.
So, dear friends, grimace not on my absence, but simply smile at my return. I have much to say.
Posted by flynn at October 11, 2009 4:44 PM
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Comments
Huzzah! Hip, hip, hoorah! Virtual 21-gun salute!
Does that indicate sufficient enthusiasm?
Posted by: Ann (a.k.a. Mr. Flynn's esteemed mother) at October 12, 2009 12:22 PM
LOVED your entry!! Welcome back, and please write more because I am interesting in your observations!
Posted by: Cindy at October 13, 2009 6:54 AM
indeed! welcome back! and write more so we won't be boring with your blog : )
Posted by: helen at October 21, 2009 4:05 PM
Hey, this is great news!
Posted by: John at October 29, 2009 10:58 PM