For a long time – maybe two years already, maybe even longer – I’ve had some sinus issues; congestion, nasal drip, occasional sore threat. It got better, then worse, then better. I thought it might be related to the root canal I had, worried I had allergies, watched the air pollution levels, and fretted that maybe I had some kind of low key variant of ‘long’ COVID.

It turns out it was the fungal infection in my ear. My sinus issues have cleared up completely.

And, suddenly, my Khmer language pronunciation has worsened dramatically. When I went to Kratie last week, the partner staff and community members asked me about it. “You spoke Khmer so well in November, what happened?”

My theory is that my Khmer pronunciation adjusted to my chronic sinus issues and congestion on my left side. Then my sinuses suddenly cleared thanks to the wonders of antifungal medication; resulting in my current predicament. I don’t think it will be a long term problem – my pronunciation is already starting to improve – but I find it interesting how we can adapt to negative conditions and then be caught a little off guard when they suddenly improve.