Why I blog

I started blogging in Sept 2006, as a way to record my life in Cambodia. I was not very diligent, writing only 20 entries in 2006. I got worse in 2007, writing a grand total of 26 posts. I am lazy, and would rather read a book than write.

Then sometime this year (was it in July?), I installed sitemeter and found people were actually reading the blog. I had actually been of two minds about blogging--part of me believes that a diary should be private. But another part of me saw the potential of the blog as a way to spread awareness about Bloom and why I believe in workers' rights. I also blog about touristy stuff about Cambodia because I myself have benefited whenever I do online research before travelling, so it is only right I share such information. As I've said before , the best thing about the Internet is that it exists as a platform from which we can all share information and work together on common causes.

Then one day I logged on to the blog and saw that someone had said they follow the blog. Andrew and Amanda in Europe was the first follower of Cambodia Calling. It was amazing to me, that people were actually interested in what I was doing in Cambodia and my thoughts about this country. An incredible 14 people now are followers of Cambodia Calling. I say incredible because Cambodia is a small country on the world stage and Bloom even smaller. It just goes to show this world is so large, there will always be people who share your interests.

I was happy to read in Scientific American a while back that blogging is actually a good for health: "Besides serving as a stress-coping mechanism, expressive writing produces many physiological benefits. Research shows that it improves memory and sleep, boosts immune cell activity and reduces viral load in AIDS patients, and even speeds healing after surgery. A study in the February issue of the Oncologist reports that cancer patients who engaged in expressive writing just before treatment felt markedly better, mentally and physically, as compared with patients who did not."

And few days ago I received this email, which, together with everything else I have mentioned, has inspired me to keep blogging:

Hi Diana!

My name is Monica and I live in Sweden. I came across your blog while searching for information about Cambodia. because me myself is going to Cambodia in January for an exchange programme I'm taking part in about hiv/aids. I found your writings, thoughts and opinions very interesting and helpful to get an idea about the society and people in Cambodia. Especially the entrances about NGO:s were very thoughtful, since I'm studying human rights and wants to work with right work and development in the future. I just wanted to say that I like your blog.

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely
Monica