Holding-hands in Phnom Penh

Hi

2009-11-03T22:27:00.002+07:00

Hello friends. My apologies for not updating this blog. I am still alive and kicking here in Phnom Penh. Although I have been working part-time these past months, the tasks assigned to me are very tedious. Please head over to my other blog - Sreisaat Adventures for more updates. I'll let this blog rest for a while, and resume posting when I have the time.

Thank you and see you in my other blog.

Sreisaat

Sunday laughs (a crosspost)

2009-07-19T16:17:00.001+07:00

Today I am breaking my self-imposed hibernation to bring you this hilarious piece I found from another blog. But first let me say that I am still very much alive and kicking in Phnom Penh. Contrary to what my friends think, I didn't fall in one of the many manholes in the city, nor was kidnapped by some wayward highway robbers while on field work. And no, I haven't abandoned this blog.

The truth is, I am currently doing two consultancy jobs at the same time. How courageous, isn't it? But hey, as long as the jobs keep me busy and moolah is coming in, I wouldn't mind the stress that goes with work. After all, I have long asked for this to keep myself from going bananas and from driving Rob further up the wall. Tee-hee-hee. The work arrangement is in my favor because I could both work at home and correspond to my bosses online, and do house-chores at the same time. I only go to the office near the Russian Market once a week, when needed. In addition, they phone me or send me text messages, much to my surprise since most Cambodians are not fond of sending text messages at all. They'd rather pick up their phones and call.

Which is so much different in the Philippines. Texting started out as a craze, especially for young people, but now, it is no longer a craze but a way of life. If you see a man or a woman, hunched in one corner, two hands gripping the cellphone and their knuckles almost white and body seemingly trembling. Well, don't fret folks... look again, because, more often than not, this person is merely writing a text message with great speed! Making a call is not a priority and ignoring someone's call is not a big deal. However, ignoring text messages is unspeakable. So you can imagine how many millions of cellphone messages are being sent by Filipinos everyday!

Just a thought... If God has a cellphone up there, have you ever wondered what kind of messages He would send us? And if you receive one of His messages, would you likely respond? How would you respond?

Anyways, while I was checking Max's blog today, I came across Tony, the funny guy behind the The Old Fart blog, who left a comment months ago. He probably thinks Max got eaten alive by ants by now because we'd never replied back. I was chuckling while I was reading his past posts, and one particular entry caught my attention because it just answered my question (see previous paragraph). Here's is one example of a message God would have sent to us had He got a cellphone up there:

1. no1 b4 me. srsly.
2. dnt wrshp idols.
3. no omg’s.
4. no wrk on sat.
5. ur m&d r cool.
6. dnt kill ppl.
7. :-X only ur m8.
8. dnt steal.
9. dnt lie.
10. dnt ogle ur bf’s m8 or ox or dnkey. myob.

M, pls rite on tabs & giv 2 ppl.

What a hoot! You should head over The Old Fart's blog for more funny takes on his daily life in the land down under.

***
Photos were also taken from Tony's blog.

Unconscious Mutterings 001

2009-05-10T11:32:00.006+07:00

I thought this is cool so I decided to join. Here's my first entry:

Again :: repetition

Shower :: rain

Flirting :: mating ritual

Moving on :: leaving

Rachel :: wife of Jacob and Benjamin and Joseph's mother

Chips :: cookies

Texting :: mobile phone

Feel better :: happy

Cashmere :: endangered animal

Sucked :: thumb

Also in Cambodia...

2009-05-04T09:58:00.002+07:00

Last week we heard of a man in Netherlands who rammed his car on a crowd of people gathered to watch the royal procession, apparently an attempt to attack the royals family members.

This morning, I read of a similar news this time involving a Phnom Penh thief and an English royal family member:

LONDON, United Kingdom—Thieves tried to rob Queen Elizabeth II's 19-year-old granddaughter, Princess Eugenie, and her friends while they were traveling in Cambodia, a British newspaper reported on Monday.

The rest of the story here:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20090504-202977/Thief-in-Cambodia-attacks-British-princess

Updates from our side of the planet...*

2009-02-13T01:16:00.002+07:00

Dear family and friends – hello!
I have gotten out of blogging recently – sorry for the "blog-blackout". As you can see I am trying to shake procrastination off of me and get back into blogging as I realized it’s already been a month since we returned from Thailand. And when I was finally out of it, that’s when the internet connection went awry due to the road works in our area.

So what’s new, you might ask…
Nothing much for me. Let me rephrase that – nothing much that I am unhappy about. After returning from Thailand, we’re pretty much back to normal. Fresh from the Thailand course, Rob is back in the swing of things at the international school where he’s now handling the primary school English. With new teachers in the primary department’s roster, he hopes to implement the new plan for the English curriculum this year. Some teachers were not too welcoming about the changes that he is introducing, and surprisingly the ones clamoring are the Filipino teachers. They think my husband has no qualifications to be even teaching and so they are, sort of, waging a silent war against him. One particular teacher went to great lengths of spreading nasty things about him. Ano naman kaya ang mapapala niya? Teacher pa naman siya, and teachers are supposed to be paragons of virtues for students to emulate. I know who they are and my take is this – manigas na lang sila! My husband doesn’t talk much but he’s a silent worker. Unknown to them, he’s taken teaching courses long ago which made him qualified to teach. That’s all I can say.

Now let’s go to me.
Initially, I thought that my adventures as Sreisaat ended after I’d quit my job, but, I was proven wrong. My life now as a stay-at-home wife is quite an eye-opener, and, if I may add, I find myself in hilarious predicaments from time to time. I wish I had made a list and blog about these experiences but these are moments that I’d rather keep untold until the time comes that I am not too embarrassed to write about it.

Being a full-time housewife now, my concerns have changed. Instead of community work and dealing with research methodologies and project management, nowadays, I get busy with household management and all. Gone are the days of identifying research communication needs in the pilot communities, nowadays I identify our weekly needs at home – groceries, utilities to be paid and many others. Instead of balancing the project’s monthly budgets, I do our household’s monthly budget. One time I was in the supermarket, fumbling at my grocery list. I stood in the middle of the supermarket, frowning over my own notes when a familiar voice called my name. My former colleague was there, too, and I smiled at her. I was really pleased to see her. We talked for a while about her ongoing management difficulties in the projects she’s handling, and me, with my ups and downs on being a domestic diva. While she was talking, I couldn’t help but think about how the things she’s telling me sounded so familiar and yet now seemed so distant from me. Like they were from another time.

Anyways.
Despite the household work, I still find myself idle most of the times. That’s when I go out and see friends, do lunch, have coffee or go on market-tours *lol*. If not, I just stay at home with Max. She’s our pet dog and I’d like to think she makes attempts to talk to me by grunting, sneezing, winking, or tapping my knees. It amuses me so much that I sometimes find myself talking to her. *lol*. Ngek, nasisiraan na yata ako ng bait. Am I losing my sanity? Hope not. She’s just over two years old and so full of life. She takes her morning and evening walks regularly with Rob and I taking turns to walk her. She rarely goes out of the house to play with other dogs so she’s a bit unsettled whenever there are other dogs around. That’s one reason Rob picks her up and carries her around. She loves being picked up, mind you, and with her nose up in the air, she acts as if she’s the queen.

So we are all fine here.
I sometimes think about how unproductive I am but I am actually enjoying the bliss of idleness.

So you know, we are still here...

2009-01-16T11:50:00.003+07:00

Happy new year everyone! We are attempting to go back in the swing of things but every time we do so, there's always something that's stopping either of us. But anyways, we shall keep on trying.

Here is a re-post of what I've written in my other blog just so you know what happened in between. Please bear with us.

***

I know have been re-miss with my blogging duties these days, it’s because I feel I have nothing much to blog about. I recently resigned from work – yeah, that is news worthy of a blog post - but I am not in the mood to write about it (the reason for quitting I’d rather not mention here). Okay, I changed my mind. I will blog about it when the right mood sets in. Sige, kapag may pumilit talaga sa akin ay sasabihin ko rin. Come to think of it, I feel sad about quitting because my position is vital and the timing (of the resignation) is problematic, but then, I do not want to be party to something that is against the very principles that I believed in. Oh well.

Part of me wants to go home right away. I could really use a rest, a break from my stressful work. If you were following the few accounts of my work here, you would know that I had been traveling to and fro, to the pilot areas. And if I wasn’t on the road, I was forever chained to my work desk, writing reports and doing stuffs. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed my work and believed in it, but all these accompanied with lots and lots of unnecessary pressure as well as frustration/disappointment from a not-to-be-named source drove me up against a wall. I had to quit, or else, I will just be another angry person in the world. Now that is not healthy. Baka mabaog ako sa sobrang galit. Huwag naman po sana, gusto ko pang magka-lahi. *lol*

But, hey, how could I forget - I have a husband to think of. I cannot just pack up and leave, not like in the old days when I was still single. So with my husband working here, I remain here, taking on the role of a housewife, albeit reluctantly (reluctant is too strong I think). Imagine, me. A housewife? *lol* Even my mother is raising her eyebrow in disbelief. But there’s no harm in trying, is there? Even if, most times, I feel like I haven’t achieved anything and I am itching to go back to work, being at home is also a blessing in disguise. I can keep track of everything – bills, food, appointments, etc. Perhaps, now that I am at home with less stress, I will be able to conceive! *lol*

Maybe in the coming days, I’ll change my banner. I think I ought to replace the blog title, The Sreisaat Adventures in Cambodia (sreisaat=pretty woman), to The Adventures of Prohpohn Sreisaat in Cambodia (prohpohn=housewife). It looks/sounds a bit redundant, but you all know what I mean, right? So, what do you think?

***
Housewife cartoon from www.mocoloco.com.

Friday Fill-ins #008

2008-10-31T11:37:00.003+07:00

Okay, after months of neglecting this blog, I am returning and I return with the Friday Fill-ins. I promise, dear friends, I pick myself up from where I've left off and fill this blog with posts again.

So here goes my Friday Fill-ins:

1. My favorite food seasoning is salt and pepper.

2. Ipod is music to my ears.

3. Lucky is better than good.

4. A promise to my family is something I take very seriously.

5. Many people have stories to tell, only that no one wants to listen to them.

6. An optical mouse was the last thing I bought at the store.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a cozy dinner with my husband, tomorrow my plans include shopping with him (DVDs mostly) and Sunday, I want to pick the first movie we'll be watching for our Sunday DVD marathon!

Friday Fill-ins #007

2008-08-29T14:32:00.000+07:00

1. When I'm sick I'm always telling myself that think that I am not sick.

2. When I take a walk, I think about happy thoughts.

3. Money can't buy happiness but it can make your life comfortable.

4. Cotton makes me wish to be a little girl again and leather makes me go ooh-lala!

5. The strangest person/character I've had lewd thoughts about was Sirius Black.

6. My favorite color these days is green because after a quick scan of our bedroom, I noticed a trend - there's green bedsheets, pillow cases, blankets, drapes, etc.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to dinner and movies with my husband, tomorrow till Sunday my plans include driving to Kep with my husband for our first (wedding) anniversary celebration!

Friday Fill-ins #005

2008-08-08T10:35:00.001+07:00

1. You know you're old when you answer every question with "because I said so!"

2. My heart is divided between working and staying at home. (Is the solution to work at home?)

3. Cable tv connection is what I need RIGHT NOW! (Of all days, the cable company decided to do maintenance work today - Olympics opening! Arrggh!)

4. I have felt the impacts of gas prices, I have known the depths of my empty pockets.

5. Gah, won't these people shut up?!?

6. Send support as soon as you can!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to wine, cheese and movie night with dear husband, tomorrow my plans include doing the laundry and grocery shopping and Sunday, I want to drive out of town for a day-trip with dear husband and Max!

Friday Fill-ins #004

2008-08-01T14:34:00.000+07:00

1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go back to maybe about 30minutes to an hour so I could warn myself of what's going to happen next.

2. Give me love or give me freedom.

3. I am listening to the playful taunts of the guardian angel on my right and the guardian devil on my left.

4. Somewhere, someone is thinking are we there yet?

5. I'll always be in love with you-know-who (husband, of course!).

6. My idea of a good time includes dining out or even with only a bottle of wine for no reason, and a long walk or a long drive with my husband, and lots of laughter with family or friends..

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to thebarbecue party, tomorrow my plans include waking up early for our morning flight back to Phnom Penh and maybe shopping at the airport duty free shops and Sunday, I want to just stay in bed the whole day!

Yen's QoTW

2008-07-30T16:12:00.004+07:00

Every week, Yen posts 10 random questions about anything under the sun. All you have to do is answer the questions and:

+ try to leave some love to the others! Specially to the one up above you :)
+ A link back to this post or to this blog would be appreciated. So that others would know and join!
+ If you have sets of questions that you like to ask, email it to me. And we will post it next week!

So here goes mine:

1. Your true happiness?
- Being given the freedom of choice.

2. Which is more embarrassing to you? Walking with toilet paper on your shoe or with your pants unzipped?
- Walking around with my pants unzipped! Imagine the humiliation I'd get if I'd forgotten to wear undies??

3. Would you rather be gossiped about or never talked about at all?
- I try to shy away from the limelight, but sometimes it's better to be talked about.

4. Would you rather find one million dollars or find true love?
- I would like to find my one true love with a million dollars!

5. Which is worse? Foot odor or armpit odor?
- I don't know about you but to me they're in the same level!I would choose neither.

6. Who would you want to meet? Snoopy, Mickey Mouse, Garfield, or Bugs Bunny? Why?
- Garfield; we think alike. *lol*

7. Would you rather have wheels or wings?
- Now that the price of gasoline is sky-high, I can only wish I have wings so I can just flap them and fly away I go to anywhere I like.

8. How do you feel about haunted houses? Would you visit one?
- I think haunted houses are intriguing and exciting. I had been to one haunted house before when we were doing a Halloween TV special, but, unfortunately, nothing worthy of a TV spot happened.

9. Which would be worse? Bleeding to death or starving to death?
- They're both horrible ways to die.

10. Which is worse? Stepping in a dog poo or sitting in gum?
- Stepping on a dog poo! Nothing infuriates me more than irresponsible dog owners walking their dogs and leaving the poop behind. The pets can't clean after them, that's why they're pets!

Phuket photos, you say?

2008-07-28T18:51:00.001+07:00

Here...

... feel free to dig through this lot!

Or better yet, go to my Flickr page where you can have a better view.

Have fun!

Still in Phuket

2008-07-27T16:37:00.001+07:00

So yeah, we're already in our third (on to the fourth) week here in Phuket and the procrastination still hangs on. I've been out to the beaches and malls several times while R is in school attending classes, but, other than that, I am enjoying the bliss of idleness.

This post has sat in my drafts folder for the past weeks and even now I am still trying to concentrate on writing - which is so difficult given that the temptation to just vegetate in front of the TV or under the sun with a book in hand and the sound of the waves and the wind on the background is too irresistible. Anyhow, the proverbial push came from dear step-sister B from down-under whom I was engaged in a YM chat - she reprimanded me for not seeing any Phuket photos, and so, she promptly asked for evidences to prove my whereabouts, that I am really gallivanting in Phuket. No, we're not really stepsisters; B is actually my best pal Viking M's younger sister. Down-under B likes to call me her step-sister, having lived with them for several years, and we have developed a strong sisterhood bond. Although she's a nurse, I feel like she would very well be a CSI agent as she has a keen eye for evidences.

Look, I'm going nowhere again *lol*

The day we arrived in Phuket proved to be a long day for my husband and I. During the one hour flight to Bangkok and another hour flight to Phuket, and the 5-hour transit, we were both clueless as it was the first time we've been on a budget flight. As there were no seat numbers, we had to kick and fight and bite to go in front of the queue in order to get good seats. No, not really, but as soon as boarding is announced, there was a mad dash to the line, and all proper queuing etiquette was forgotten. Imagine grungy backpackers, amorous businessmen and pretty women clad in dainty clothes and killer heels pushing against each other in the line? Apart from this riot, our flights were okay. We managed to have a shut-eye even for a few minutes because the previous night was spent packing and unpacking (and packing again) our luggages.

We landed in Phuket around 4pm without any hitches and didn't have any trouble getting a taxi to Nai Harn where MrandMrsB's house is located. The drivers spoke better English than the ones in Bangkok, much to my surprise, but they are all the same when it comes to driving, fast and furious (mga kaskasero din!). Once the diminutive driver was behind the wheels, he transformed into a pedal-pushing mad man! Ninerbyos ako, so to calm myself, I shifted my focus duon sa dinadaanan namin. From the taxi window, I could see the massive development projects one after another along the way. Mountains are cleared, carved and subdivided to make way for exclusive subdivisions, a hotel or resort... whatever, and everywhere I look it's what I see. Phuket is the largest island province in Thailand and is one of the, if not the top, best destinations in the country. True, it's an island, but everything seems to be found here - huge supermarkets and malls, first class hospitals, and not to mention the exclusive hotels and villas, resorts, spas, golf courses, bars, restaurants. And the construction seems to be not going to end soon. God knows how many more establishments are going to be erected in the future. Truly, Phuket is the playground for the rich and wealthy. I feel so small in this sea of ostentatious display of wealth and grandeur. So that was my introduction to Phuket.

When we arrived at MrandMrsB's house, R was pretty much exhausted and went for a quick nap while I managed to help MrsB prepare dinner. The dinner was quiet, except for some whining from MrandMrsB's four-year old son known as the little rascal. MrB is nice, but a man of few words and so we didn't have much to talk about. Perhaps because when we arrived he was gardening so he was tired, and so were we, so the conversation wasn't engaging.

It was the first time that I had been to MrandMrsB's house in Phuket after several invitations offered to me. Typical Thai-style house, a blend of cement and hardwood, it has three bedrooms, two toilet and bath, storeroom, kitchen, a cozy living room and a nice swimming pool! But the night was memorable to me because it's the second time R and I have traveled abroad together after a long time. We fell asleep wondering what the one-month course would be like.

Saturday 9 #005: We Travel Well

2008-07-26T14:36:00.000+07:00

1. What part of the world and country do you live in?
- Currently I am based in Southeast Asia, particularly in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I am originally from Roxas City, Capiz, which is in the Philippines' Western Visayas Island.

2. What is the furthest from home that you have been, and where is it?
- The farthest I've been is Japan.

3. What travel destination have you enjoyed the most?
- I enjoyed all!

4. What travel destination have you enjoyed the least?
- I can't say because there's something new and different in each country I've visited. The only thing I don't like about traveling is when airlines mess up and you end up stranded in an airport without your baggage.

5. Is there somewhere you’d like to visit but have not, and where is it?
- Yes, a lot of places actually - Bhutan, Tibet, Mongolia... I'd also love to go to France and the Czech republic, and also to Maldives where a good friend works.

6. Do you prefer traveling to see historic places or to hit the beach and relax?
- Depends on where you are. I also make sure that I make a trip to the market and I am not referring to the malls. To me, if one wants to discover more insights to the culture and way of life of the country you are visiting, one needs to go and explore the markets. You won't get disappointed at all.

7. What popular vacation destination have you never considered because you think you’d not like it?
- No destination in particular, but we want to avoid the tourist-crowd as much as possible.

8. Where do you travel to most recently?
- Asia. I am currently here in Phuket, Thailand. Back in December I was in Malaysia and Nepal.

9. Do you like day trip “mini-vacations”?
- Very much. My husband and I do that - just pack a bag and dog stuffs, toss them in our trusty, old Pajero and we're on the road.

Friday Fill-ins #003

2008-07-25T11:19:00.001+07:00

1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you makes you live longer? *lol*

2. If you're good at something, don't do it for free.

3. Why so serious?

4. Something is out there, it's the new RV!

5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled My Life is a Sitcom.

6. Sitting on my back porch [if you don't have one, use your imagination] I see the bright stars over the clear sky and the sea dotted with flickering and bobbing lights from the fishermen's boats.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to pizza and movie night, tomorrow my plans include doing the laundry and Sunday, I want to watch the Dark Knight at the Central Festival Mall cinema with my husband!

Friday Fill-ins #002

2008-07-18T11:35:00.000+07:00

1. If I could be a fly on the wall I would chitchat with the other flies on the wall. *lol*

2. Jealousy is a waste of time.

3. When I see a shooting star my wish would be that I see more of them.

4. I'd rather be listening to the voices in my head than (instead of) politicians any day!

5. Certain songs when I hear them make me wanna scratch my head.

6. If time were in a bottle I would save every day.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a good movie, tomorrow my plans include going out with friends to see Phuket town and Sunday, I want to spend a quiet time with my husband!

First, Last, and Now

2008-07-16T14:19:00.003+07:00

Grabbed from Yen's blog.

First

* First name: Zarah
* First screen name: Sreisaat
* First funeral: More than 20 years ago when my Uncle died.
* First piercing: Ears
* First kiss: The husband
* First love: The husband

Last

* Last beverage drank: Water
* Last food consumed: Lunch. Steamed veggies, fried potatoes, steamed salmon, Thai chicken-egg soup, watermelon and banana.
* Last phone call: From my friend Fe who's also here in Phuket.
* Last time showered: Before I had lunch today
* Last CD played: The Queen, before we left for Phuket
* Last website visited: Yen's :)

Now

* Single or taken: Taken
* Gender: Female
* Birthday: March 31
* Sign: Aries
* Shoe size: 6 - I have tiny feet *lol*
* Thinking about: Weekend getaway with the husband

Participants:

1.) Me and Mine
2.) Creative in Me
3.) Little Peanut
4.) For the LOVE of Food
5.) Pea in a Pod
6.) SugarMagnolias
7.) HHiPP

A dinner remembered

2008-07-13T10:23:00.000+07:00

I am not really a party-person and more often that not I turn down most party/dinner invitations even from fellow ex-pats and local colleagues because I simply cannot stand certain types of people I am certain I would meet and socialize with at a party.

Last year, my husband and I had dinner with one of our project advisors, Irish Spring and his wife. Irish Spring comes to PP periodically for project meetings and for the first time, Mrs Irish Spring joined him for a trip to Angkor Wat. It was because of this that Mr Irish Spring suggested for us to meet socially with our respective partners.

It looked like the non-party-goer (me) was being pushed a little out of my comfort zone. I conjured images of an awkward, self-conscious, boring dinner. Nothing personal, perhaps it's just me.

I made an exception with this one.
Before leaving, I warned myself (and R) to be out on our best-est behaviour
So off we went - R and I arrived at Khmer Surin restaurant earlier than them. Personally, I would not choose Khmer Surin due to a previous bad encounter there. Food is great there, no question about it, but you will need all the patience of a pilgrim as service is painfully slow. Anyways, I digress.

Surprisingly, R and I survived and I realized we actually had a good time. Somehow, the awkwardness slowly vanished and the conversation flowed. The conversation was casual and anything and everything went. Over wine and beer and sumptuous Khmer-Thai food, we mostly talked about ex-pat life here in Cambodia and even had small gossips over common friends. Mr and Mrs Irish Spring had a lot to say and R and I shared as well. It was rare for me to be talking a lot since I am not usually talkative with people: 1) who I don’t usually socialise with, and 2) who I have met for the first time. Anyways, we all lost track of time and soon it was already past 11pm, way beyond Khmer Surin’s closing time.

I remembered my American colleague A telling me years ago that I should be more outgoing after I had turned down her invitation for after-dinner drinks in a bar. Maybe she's right. Maybe I can be outgoing and extrovert if I want to.

Have you ever experienced reluctantly going out to a party and ended up having a great time?

Goodbye 2007... Hello, Hello... 2008!! (Part 2)

2007-12-31T17:11:00.000+07:00

Goodbye 2007... Hello, Hello, 2008!

2007-12-31T16:19:00.000+07:00

With Christmas gone, new year’s just around the corner.
Actually, today is the 31st of December, and the new year is knocking on our doors again. It is hard to believe that this year is nearly done, and how time has flown! Here in Cambodia, New Year’s eve is just a regular day. We, except for the UN offices I think, are actually at work today *sigh*

Awhile ago I was trying to concentrate on reading an email from one of our advisors regarding a diverse ICT applications that could be developed in our two pilot communities. However, my body refuses to cooperate and it is telling me that it is on holiday mode leaving me with an unfinished reading. Yeah, yeah, so what if my flesh is weak? So I stared at the contents of the email, but for some reason, the longer I stared at the words, the Bs, the Ps and the Os started looking voluptuous! OMG, I admit, I had a glass of wine last night, but with the words transforming before me... it might just be an optical illusion?!? Hah!

So now I am sitting here in front of the computer, letting my mind flow. For a moment, I had been reflecting on all the wonderful things I did, fantastic places I'd been, and unforgettable people that I have met, in person or online (blog friends), over the past year. 2007 has been wonderful, and I am grateful to the places, things and people I have encountered for making it a truly great year!

Ok, senti moment had passed, I should go back to work now :)

Oh, and in case I won't be able to post again today, I say... I wish you all a Blessed and Happy New Year! Let us all dream... Let us all hope... Let us all work... for a better and peaceful 2008!

Belated Holiday Greetings!

2007-12-28T15:20:00.000+07:00

I know we have been quiet again.
Life is getting hectic nowadays, with our busy work schedules plus two dogs to care for. However, I am not complaining. I am enjoying every bit of my married life, despite the usual spats and tampuhans.

We may not have any Christmas celebrations here in Cambodia, but R and I try to keep the Christmas spirit alive... So to all our friends out there...

I hope we'll all receive more blessings in 2008.

Multimedia Monk

2007-11-08T17:01:00.000+07:00

This was also posted at Sreisaat. More of my photos here.

I got tagged: What's in Your Bag?

2007-11-06T12:04:00.001+07:00

My apologies to Era of Permanence in Change.
I got hold of her tag two Wednesdays ago, just as I was preparing to leave town again for another fieldwork. I promised her I would do it but I was delinquent on this one because of the many other things - all screaming at me to be completed at the same time.

Anyways, dear Era... here it is... huli man daw at magaling... huli pa rin! Ngyahahahaha.

There were loads of stuffs in my bag, especially that I was leaving town at the time I was asked to reveal what's in it:

1. Backpack for the laptop (and everything else!)
2. Camera and camera bag
3. Eyeglass case
4. Organizer
5. Wallet
6. Mobile phone
7. Laptop (partly covered)
8. USB Flashdisk
9. Laptop charger
10. Mouse
11. Batteries
12. Battery-operated (mini) fan
13. Flashlight
14. Revlon Just-Bitten lip color
15. Pens
16. DVDs
17. House-keys
18. Virgin Mary of the Lourdes, a present that R brought from Lourdes, France while he was on a cycling trip of Europe
19. Cross prayer, from my mother

Other miscellaneous items, like toiletries, clothes and other stuffs were in my other bag. I know, friends and colleagues kid me about this habit of mine, carrying my whole house in my bag. But I do get bored or I don't fall asleep easily when I am away from home (especially on the first nights) so I bring with me DVDs to lull me to sleep. I used to bring hankies, too, but stopped doing so because I lose them all the time. Natak-an na ko sige bakal bag-o. I got too frustrated buying new hankies to replace the lost ones, only to lose them again. Anyways, on ordinary workdays, I just bring with me items #2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 15, 17; items 18 & 19 are permanently lodged in my bag.

Thanks, Era, for asking me to be a part of this fun tag!
I have always been curious to know what people carry in their bags... so now I am forwarding this to the following ladies:

* Ate Vicki
* Garf
* Lucille

and to anyone who'd like to grab and do this fun tag, please do so!!

An Open Invitation

2007-11-06T09:26:00.000+07:00

Friday the 23rd and Saturday the 24th of November 2007.

The annual Full-Moon / Rice Harvest festival (Om Bok) at Wat Kampong Tralach is held at the same time as the Water Festival in Phnom Penh. Several thousand local people descend on the wat for 2 nights of partying and music, ceremonies and games. At the stroke of midnight on the first night, everything stops and prayers are offered for the next rice harvest.

If you have seen the Water Festival and would like to see something a little different, their doors are open to all. Together with a table-full of seafood and a chillout in Kep, this makes for a good long weekend away from a busy PP.

(This is not a Thai beach bum backpacker's full moon party).

The location.

Photos from last year.

For more information, please visit the Cambodia Maps blog.

***
P.S. We were there last year and oh, what fun we had!

This Blog is Ours

2007-11-06T09:05:00.000+07:00

Today, we, R and Z, lay claim to HHiPP as our blog. Everything we express here are based on our own thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Everyone is welcome to read and leave comments. You may not agree with us, but please be respectful and responsible when doing so. We love to hear from you.

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