Life's a box of chocolates

Another year passed

2010-10-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

I haven't visited this blog more than a year and when I happened to come here I thought to leave some footprint for myself. It's 3 years and half after my return and I so love everything in Cambodia. I have time for my family, holidays and inviting them to dinners, chatting with them just for a smile and I am so satisfied with what life has been treating me so far. Alright, I do not have much to say as I do before, but I'll come here as often as I could to freewrite my blog. Till then!

Holiday in Sihanouk Ville Again

2009-07-30T06:28:00.001-07:00

It's so excited just to think of it. I love seafood, the beaches and most of all the sea. I can't get enough from the sea. I don't need to spend my holiday abroad even though I'm financially capable of doing so. All I need is lying on the bench watching the big blue sea and people walking by with their bikinis. We'll choose Sokha Beach to stay which is considered luxurious for all of all. I love the breakfast there. I can't wait. Our plan is to go there in September.

Within an inch of danger

2009-07-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

At about 8 am, my grandma came visit. She told me about my day horoscope was not favorable; the year of yours was to be careful while driving she said. I didn't believe it much, so I gave her a big grin. I drove as usual but made sure I was careful enough. At about 4 pm I went out for shopping. As I turned a corner to the right as slower as possible, a motorbike suddenly happened to turn left into my way in front of my car. It was okay if I remained my position and my speed, but I didn't. I thought I wanted to be more cautious, so I applied the brake. Normally I put my foot straight to the brake, so what I did was just to step on it. But not this time. I didn't know why my foot was direct to the accelerator. As I stepped on it, I know you can guess what happened. It was so quick. I almost hit the man and his motorbike, but I was quick and calm enough to put things under control. I cut to the right in an incredible speed that we both could avoid the incident just by inches. I saw him turn pale and so did I. I hit myself hard on my forehead. What the hell was that?? I must be more cautious; a car accident involves something horrible I don't want to imagine.

What a person he turns out to be!

2009-07-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

This little cute student of my Japanese class is calm, easy-going and well-behaved. He wears simple clothes and drives a simple SUZUKI motorbike. Who on earth would ever notice he's a son whose parents own hundred acres of rubbers, and whose uncle has thousands hectares of rubbers. My goodness! My admiration and respect to his parents.

Next move

2009-07-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

My next goal is building myself a beautiful palatial mansion.

My old karaoke songs

2009-06-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

I wrote the lyrics myself.

2009-05-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

Just like this picture taken in Sihanouk Ville where we had our short holiday before Khmer New Year.

This is the famous Yaknaloum Lake, Rattanakiri, my first time during the new year time. It is said that the water is as transparent as glass and it is exactly right. I love this lake, so full of nature. However, I suggest don't make any trip to Rattanakiri in new year time because the accommodation price is higher as twice and the whole city, the whole province, is too quiet. Kampong Cham province is much lively during new year. No place like home. :D

My new blog

2009-04-10T13:28:00.000-07:00

Having read Ian's blog and advice, I decided to write short stories again. I am trying to finish my last one. Here's the link: http://juzanotherchallenge.blogspot.com/

Black Pepper Field

2009-04-10T05:50:00.000-07:00

A week ago we went to visit black pepper field.It belongs to our cousin about 73 kilometres from Kampong Cham city. It was amazing! Pepper rows were straight, natural blue and beautiful. They take care of them pretty well. It was havest season; pepper pickers were picking the peppers for our cousin. Fantastic!

Here are pine apples planted in between the rows of the peppers.

This is rambutan tree; it was my first time to have seen it. So amazing! It's rippen by the end of April, so I'm gonna go again to have a mouthful of them. So healthy, tasty and no chemical of course!

Here are the pepper rows. My cousin is a hard working man and a best farmer I've ever known. If you want to visit his field, just contact me I can manage it for you.

What a relaxing day!

I love NATURE!

One of lifetime favorite poems

2009-03-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

When you're truly and deeply in love with someone, you might like it:

How do I love thee?
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Before and After

2009-03-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

my sister and myself

about 7 years ago

now: most people say she looks like Korean, but she's just a pure Khmer.

Things make me happy

2009-03-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

Making money
Traveling
Spa
Reading favorite novels
Watching favorite movies
Family gatherings
Learning something new
Doing exercise
Spending holiday at the sea

What makes you happy?

A family trip

2009-03-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

We're busy, but hope to visit Koh Kong before Khmer New Year. We don't travel during the new year time because it's rather expensive and dangerous. So, we'll gonna stay at home playing cards with family gatherings watching young people playing new year games.

S-E4

2009-03-01T06:01:00.000-08:00

The representative of the flood victims declaimed in a terror voice, “We are dying and we need help. We need it fast,” to beseech the government and other organizations to rescue them from the flood land and give them safe shelters. To their consternation, there was no response from any organization and their hope was hermetic. The top government was worried and dispatched a rescue party equipped with helicopters to deliver them out to safer places. But, there was something wrong somewhere along the line because the relief budget was illegally peculated. The people, who embezzled the money from the project, must have been the most nocuous of all. Even the hidebound wife of the major wanted to help those victims, needless to say the openhanded ones. Both local and international news tautologically kept calling for the government to reconsider their implementation process, and urged for an effective action to takes the corrupt politicians and officers to court.

S-E3

2009-02-25T07:13:00.000-08:00

He grew into rancor when he knew that the gold he had bought in was all pinchbecks. That he trusted the unknown dealer, his careless myopia, was defeating him. As many days and nights quietly went by, the man looked more and more wan and sallow due to his narcolepsy. His friends asked him to have talisman made as to protect himself from all kinds of dark enemies and power. The man burnished his talisman often and that made him look like an idiot. Then again, his friends asked him to pandiculate his health first and set to refurbish the shop to look more attractive. They were kind of hopeless until one day he showed up at his shop and started expurgating all unnecessary words from his shop’s advertisement slang. However, his expurgation seemed so interminable that all the friends had a second thought. He still had fit!

Just a drive for relaxing

2009-02-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

If you've been to this place before, I'm sure you can guess it right.

Action 1: I asked him to take a photo for me and he did when my sister came interrupted in the middle of it. She sneaked from the other side of the car.

Action 2: then I asked him to do it again for me, but this time she was gutsy enough to come and stayed much closer.

Action 3: I gave up and asked her to join in. Well, everyone seemed happy now.

S-E2

2009-02-17T14:53:00.000-08:00

He was badly abused when he was in jail and as a result he was badly wounded. The doctor recommended him visit an osteopath as to be under the special treatment in order to cure his body-disoriented from inside. Every time he visited the osteopath he bemoaned like a froward animal. Daniel, who used to be an unconscionable, highhanded person and had treated other people with wanton violation, never toadied in front of nobody. Yet during his medical treatment at osteopath, he was vacuous and never happened to denigrate the osteopath like he ever did before. Many people whom had known him acclaimed for his surprised attitude.

S-E1

2009-02-06T05:45:00.000-08:00

She knows she has just spent her gargantuan treasure for a slave considered to be worthless for most high ranking peoples like her. She releases him from the prison, and gives him freedom and victuals with candor. He is a fastidious person, nevertheless, thinking himself as an unwitting chaff of her deed, which daunting him by providing him no chances to return her his best service as a sign of gratitude. She thinks different. Before completely releasing him, she called her various erstwhile professors and asks them for precious advice. Her thought was eclectic and thought the man deserves his freedom.

Belated New Year Resolutions

2009-02-05T14:07:00.000-08:00

A new personal goal for the year

Wake up at 4:30am for exercise and self-study, go to bed at 10pm
Prepare and apply for Toefl test, get the best score as much as possible
Read and learn more
Visit Sihanouk ville 2 to 3 times, one in April with the entire family line, another in the promoted season
Keep patience, keep smiling

After all, this year is to be patience, patience, patience and patience.

My lifetime favorite president

2009-02-03T06:27:00.000-08:00

Bill Clinton appeared to my knowledge in my high school time. I happened to like him a lot and even had his picture, I found in old English magazine, on my favorite book's cover. I wished I could meet him one day. When I heard that he was in Siem Reap, Cambodia, doing his campaign in reducing AIDS victims, I wished I were there only to shake his hand and get his autography. Now I'm reading his book, "My Life", getting to know more about his childhood, his thinkings, his politics, his work and his elections. No matter how people talk about his scandals, I still like him the most. Abe and Clinton are still my favorite.

My very first book

2009-02-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

The book is originally written by Miyazawa Kenji, one of the best representing Japanese authors. I had worked more than one month in order to finish the translation and the publishing. It can be found in libraries in Phnom Penh. It's not outstanding but I take it as a string that leads me to a career of literature.

The story about a boy who lost himself in a demension he had never known, yet he enjoyed the journey to the world which life after death might lead us to Holy God.

Thank God for giving me the chance.

It's full moon

2008-12-13T06:42:00.001-08:00

Yesterday it was full moon. The night was so bright and the sky was full of beautiful glowing stars. It's the moon that I miss; once I was there lying down on floor at the balcony watching the moon and the uncountable stars. Once it was full moon and we woke up at three to see the most beautiful star glow in the utmost sky. How can it be put into words? It can't be seen in the other country once I lived. It's still here where I was born and grew up.

Volunteer Spirit

2008-08-05T01:41:00.000-07:00

A large number of elementary schools in Cambodia is built by foreigns' donation. After the construction, a brand-new school is standing in the school ground handsomely; however, some organizations or sponsors only donate the budget for school building unlike a small number of organizations or sponsors who are willing to help and look after their donations even afterward. The latter ones always make time and money to continue to visit the archievements they have built. Usually they donate in other forms as well such as scholarships for poor children and encouragement monthly fee for teachers who serve additional courses upon the purpose of the donators. Most school teachers and principals are very cooperative at first, but, after a long term help, they start to have different ideas. They always ask and take, and forget how to thank and give. They often complain about trivial matters and always ask for more. They never try to consider the donators' feelings.

.........to be continue..........

Harsh&anxiety

2008-08-03T01:33:00.000-07:00

Do you like your private life? I definitely do if you ask me. I am very fond of my own space and time. I value every time, place and the person I want to spend with. Being busy with both work and students almost 24/7, I do love my private holiday whenever it comes to the chance. Last time, it was general election for Cambodia, so we had a three day holiday inclusive of Sat, Sun and Monday. I was so excited after having working hard through all the last few months without real holiday. I did not plan to do much, just spending time with my beloved family relaxably without taking any other matters into consideration. I will be glad to please anyone if I choose to spend my time with them, but when it comes to this matter and even by force by someone else, then I will be very disappointed and ruin the pleasure and relaxation for the whole holiday. Thus, for the last holiday, I desperately wanted it for my own family until I was asked to take someone to stay with me during the holiday. I just couldn't take it. I am down to earth and I say what I feel. I said I was sorry because I thought it would be tiresome for her to stay with us during the next holiday. Let me explain why. First, I might oversleep until lunch, and then I might just want to eat anthing 'coz I wouldn't care what I wanted to eat and so forth. And for another reason was it was not a must that she must stay with us. Her family including the girl had come over for a few nights already, so why should she come again only after a few days later? I know the person asked me for the favor must have been very disappointed with me and my answer. I was so sorry, but I didn't have another choice.

The One

2008-07-30T02:24:00.000-07:00

To find mister or miss right is arduous like finding the right way to paradise after death. Spouse relationship can't be establish unless there is a strong committment between the two parties. And when once the relationship is legally and officially bonded, you just have to walk through it with your life. When you find someone is good enough for you, you might consider that the person is your mister or miss right and you start to take action with that person. You might want to date them before getting married to get to know more about that person, and then you start to understand that he/she is the one. You decide to go on and finially you two get married to start your own family. Suddenly you realize that the person you are married to is strongly connected to their family. If the family has no personel issues, that is your luck, but if the family is full of problems and issues to deal with, then you will become the most abysmal person in world you're in. What to deal with such problems that happen repeatedly. From a point of view, when it involves with your private life and you have to go with it, then you just have to live with it until the day your partner decide to give in or until the day you die. Which one is more important to you? The family you were born to? Or, the family you establish with your both hands?

Misunderstanding&Bad instruction

2008-07-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

So, I've sent my bank card to a good friend of mine in Yokohama, hoping that she would check the balance for me. She was busy helping her parents travel around Nagoya, and, after when she came back from Nagoya, she got to check the bank for me, but unfortunately she did not recognize which bank my card belonged to. The card was written with Fuji Bank, but she could not see any Fuji Bank eventhough she tried so hard to find one. When she was in Nagoya, she could not find one also and that made her think that the bank was only located in Tokyo. I was wondering about that when I was so told; however, I remained silent to wait and see. And even after she came back, yet she had the same answer, I started to wonder. She said maybe there was no Fuji Bank any longer, then I'd realized she didn't know that Fuji Bank has now become Mizuho. I busted into laughing restlessly. lolz. It was too funy for me 'coz I thought she knew it had changed long time ago. She herself dumped her head also. How ignorant! Anyway, that was the first mistake. The second one happened when I prolonged my instruction about what to do with my card and the money. She sent it back with her father. Ah...I wanted her to keep it there so when the money was transmitted she could confirm it for me. Anyways, when I told her about it, she blamed on me a lot. She said I was careless, and should have told her before that. I said I thought by telling her nothing what to do with the card, she would ignore it and leave it there. Anyways, I accepted it and promised not to do the same mistakes. Instruction should be more prompt and accurate.

Thai troops invade Cambodia

2008-07-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

So, the greedy Thai won't give up their ambition in stealing Preah Vihear even if the temple is regconized by world.

Independent.co.uk

Thai troops accused of entering Cambodia in dispute over temple
By Andrew Buncombe, Asia Correspondent
Wednesday, 16 July 2008

"The controversy surrounding an 11th-century temple on the Cambodian border with Thailand has taken a new twist after the authorities in Phnom Penh alleged that up to 170 armed troops and civilians from Thailand had illegally entered its territory.

Cambodia's Information Minister, Khieu Kanharith, made the allegation yesterday, a week after the country celebrated the temple's designation by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. He said the troops and civilians had crossed the border close to the Preah Vihear temple and refused to pull back. The Thai authorities denied they had crossed into Cambodian territory and claimed that troops had gathered close to the border simply to protect the nation's "sovereign territory". They said at least one soldier was injured after accidentally triggering one of the landmines that litter the border between the two countries.

The incident is the latest flash-point in a long-running controversy between the two countries over the Hindu temple, which was built by the Khmer empire. As far back as 1962, an international court ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia but the two countries havequarrelled over the land surrounding the temple.

In 2001 Cambodia began seeking special status for the temple in the hope that such a designation would boost the number of tourists visiting the site. Thailand had long opposed the designation because it feared the ruling would also say that thedisputed territory along the border belonged to Cambodia.

But in May, Thailand's Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, announced that he was supporting the Cambodian application. His decision – taken without parliamentary approval – was seized on by his political opponents who have sought to drum up a nationalist outcry over his decision. Last month, Mr Samak survived a confidence vote brought by his opponents, who have accused him of acting as a proxy for the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Yesterday, Major-General Kanok Netakawesana, a Thai army field commander in the region, told reporters that his troops were on Thai soil close to the disputed area but they had not crossed into Cambodia. "We are not violating the territory of Cambodia," he told the Associated Press. "We have every right to deploy troops here to protect our sovereignty."

The deployment of the Thai troops followed the arrest by Cambodia of three Thai citizens for allegedly crossing the border earlier in the day. A Cambodian government official said all three were later released.

While the Khmer empire constructed many temple complexes – the most famous being that located at Angkor Wat – the buildings at Preah Vihear are said to enjoy perhaps the most stunning location, high on a cliff top. The temple has long been favoured as a defensive outpost; in 1975 government troops based there held off Khmer Rouge fighters for more than a month after the rest of the country fell. In 1998, when the last sizeable group of Khmer Rouge fighters agreed to surrender to the Cambodian government, Preah Vihear was the location of negotiations."

Experience KFC in PP

2008-07-15T02:22:00.000-07:00

I rarely used KFC in the past because I didn't like its salty taste and it was more expensive than Mcdonald's. Today we had a chance to eat out at KFC with my sister since she's loving their fried chickens, so we went. The chickens was so so, but I think the price was a little higher than that of BBWorld and Lucky Burgur. Well, for me once is more than enough. I won't have it for a long time until there is a temptation against my will again. For other thing I don't like about KFC in PP is its small parking lot. Monivong bld is even more stuck because of KFC's customers' cars parking on the side of the road.
BTW, because lots of fastfood such as KFC, BBWorld and so forth are spreading all over Phnom Penh, kids and teens these days tend to be overweight. I've seen many fat kids in my neighborhood. Fat kids here, I mean they are very fat just like those in the US. They become big and round which were hardly seen in the past. Thus people including myself must be more cautious to these problems which can easily happen to my own family and people.

Concert July 14th

2008-07-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

Now without doubt we all know that Preah Vihear is registered as world heritage and is now known to the world that it belongs to Cambodia. The world congratulates Cambodia while Cambodia people themselves are celebrating a concert with firework opening for the happiest moment. It's been 50 years since Cambodia began to ask for justice from UN for our territory and heritage from Thailand till the day it is recognized by the world, the entire world. The firework was even greater than the last water festival's was. And the Olympic Stadium was full of people to come and celebrate the historically auspicious event. The concert presented famous singers such as Preap Sovath, Meng Keopichenda, etc.

Less Words

2008-07-14T01:18:00.000-07:00

It's hard to attempt to do things you are not into it. It's like I have a purpose to continue my blog but don't have much to say with it. I don't know what to write more. Is it because life is not more interested as before? No. It's not true. Life is enjoyable and everything seems okay at the moment. Family is financially stable. However, I regconize my interests have changed a lot for the last recent years. I am not quite interested in politics any longer; Cambodia is on general election, yet I hardly notice any thing special. I don't know since when I have become so ignorant like this. I worry my view can't be wider or broader since I am not reading either papers or books no more. After all these years, I seem to have become so exhausted and just want to stay at home as a simple housewife the status I myself hardly accomplish.

Anger softened

2008-07-12T17:11:00.001-07:00

So after sleeping over the matter for a night with a smile, I could actually smile. Naturally. I feel good to win myself and others this way with a very comfortable feeling. Anger can hardly harm me no more. No wrinkles on my forhead to be stained.Lolz. Smiling can actually help to cut down those unhappy wrinkles and put some more charm on your face. I'm kind of like it.

Who wins at last?

2008-07-11T04:52:00.000-07:00

Stay as who you are
Keep smiling to your enemy
Win your anger
Benifit it

American Idol Season 7

2008-05-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

I am wondering if anyone would ever believe this, that I saw David Cook in my dream that he was gonna win the season since he was in the top 12. We all know that the other David is gifted and very noble, but it was not his real big time for now. When I was watching the final result, I had no doubt that David Cook would be nominated. David is such an original singer, and I love him since he sang the song Billy Jean of Michael Jackson. So professional and creative. But, I feel a little sorry for David Ac?? who had not been given any time for his last remark. David is so young, cute and noble. He's gonna be big, too. After all, my both favorite candidates won! No complaint.

Here's a piece of his work at the contest:

New Favorite Rhyme

2008-05-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

"Apologize" by Tambaland
I truly love its rhyme with the violin performance. It's so classic.

Old posts

2008-04-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

I've just got back from reading my old blogs and found something interesting in there. Eventhough it was a hard time, it seemed I had good time in writing those posts. So, I decided to resume my habits, reading and writing. Reading does bring more excitment.