Welcome friend!

What the hell is this workplace?!

2012-02-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

I do really want to shout out loud right now, and I do wish that I can change to a new workplace!!!! I am writing this post at my workplace while I am told to draw out a chart of things I have no idea of them at all, or else I am not allowed to go home. I haven't told of them, and I don't have any related files with me. How can I do it?! He is furious and wants everyone does the things he asks, but I can do nothing right now!!! What the hell is this workplace?! I don't like here since the first day I came. I don't like the managers here. I don't like the environment at all! Why did I change my job from the human world to the hell? Sometimes I do wish to go back to my previous workplace. How many times have I wanted to quit this job? How many times have I browsed the recruitement websites such as Bongthom and CamHR? It seems wonderful and appealing to outsiders for being able to work here, but in reality it is not. It has been one hour since he asked me to do the tasks, but now I am still writing this post without knowing what to do. The file is with someone else, and he doesn't pass to me. How can I complete this job?! Gosh, I really want to quit!!! Let me go home! Damn it! It's 6pm right now.....

Superstition Vs Choice of Partner

2012-01-21T08:04:00.000-08:00

What does superstition do with choices of partner? In European countries, this might not apply, but in Asian countries, particularly, in Chinese tradition, matching of couples inevitably has to deal with superstitions.

In old Chinese tradition, parents are the one who decides on whom their kid should marry with or get married to. When parents from both sides agree to each other, they will find a master to review the birthdates of the children to see if they are a good match, if they live happily ever after and prosperously, and if they will bring good luck and fortune to the whole generation. He will come up with the ideas that a RABBIT should go with a PIG and should never with a COW, and a DRAGON will bring bad luck to a DOG if they form a family. This belief is still working in modern Chinese families, locally and abroad. A book about this kind of fortune-telling is yearly published and people buy it and learn about their luck and how to keep themselves safe.

I believe that a similar superstition is also widespread in Cambodian society because people here also seek some masters for calculating and reviewing the birthdates for marriage. Some in-loved couples just have to break up unwantedly because of the words of a fortune-teller.

This practice is no good at all. I don’t believe in superstitions and any traditional belief, and I don’t want superstitions to interfere my decision of choosing a partner. It’s arguably true that I am originated from a Chinese family and my parents might somehow be affected by superstition in my choice of partner. What if I choose a Cambodian man? I guess we would have to look at both Chinese and Cambodian traditions and superstitions. That’ll be of great complexity and difficulty to find a good match. However, as long as I love someone, I don’t think I will consider about this matter.

Bad things will just come as long as we expect it to be. Why not expect good things? Think and act positively. Please do not let superstitions destine you while your own destiny should be in your own hand.

Family Day with Singapore Embassy

2012-01-16T04:42:00.000-08:00

It’s been almost two months we had prepared for the Family Day for the Embassy staff for 2012. Kimrong, Ousphea, and I were chosen to be the organizing committee for the program and were directed by Ms. Catherine. The reason for choosing us was that we are the newcomers to the Embassy in 2011 and that we might have new idea for the yearly celebrated Family Day.

We had discussed over where to go to and what to do for the Family Day. Several ideas came up such as going to Kirirom, Bokor Mountain, Kompot pepper planation, Sokha Hotel in Sihanouk Ville, or just go around Phnom Penh. Finally, Nataya Resort at Kompot was chosen.

Organising a trip is not easy. Kimrong and I were busy contacting people at various resorts, renting the bus, booking breakfast, thinking of games to play over there, buying the T-shirts and items for the goodie bags and other items. That put us into serious headache.

The Family Day was divided into two parts—first part was the Recycling and Recreating Competition and second the trip to Nataya and the team competition. Regarding to the Recycling Competition, all Embassy staff, including both HBS and LRS, were invited to take part by making something out of used items. Three rankings would be chosen for prizes. The announcement started somewhere in early December 2011 and people started thinking and making their things with their creativity. I also started to make mine. With an idea from a Korean TV show, my mother suggested that I fold paper birds and make a Cambodia map. I accepted the idea and started to produce my masterpiece. It required hard work and patience; it was finally born though. I also put my snail artwork into election. The selection day of the winner of this program was on Friday 13^th January 2012 in the Embassy. The judges were those who didn’t participate in the competition, and there were also some votes from HCC and MPA staff. The votes were not counted until Sunday when we were on the bus to Nataya.

On January 15, the day finally came. I was the first one to arrive at the Embassy. There were some problems, but we managed to solve it. We were finally on the bus, and everything was just smooth enough. I felt annoyed by the travel company which provided the bus to us because they changed too often and the driver did not know how to get to the destination! That part was bad!

On the bus, Ousphea was in charge of making the group alive by giving quizzes. Around 15 quizzes were asked and prizes were also given out. After that, the result of the Recycling Competition was announced. Within my expectation, my Cambodia map got the first prize and the snail artwork got the second prize. Ms. Janet got the third prize for her memo and photo calendar stand. I was so excited that I got two prizes, the prizes that I wished to receive. I got the cooler bag for the first prize and the badminton set for the second prize.

At 11am, we finally arrived at Nataya Resort. We were welcomed by Naro, the beverage manager of the resort who gave us welcome drinks. We then started the sand carving competition. B. Yuthnea had prepared in advance the ears, tail, eyes, and whiskers of a rabbit. In three, we had carved a shape of a rabbit in a garden. That’s cool! Our other group members also made marvelous images. Ms. Catherine and B. Chanthy carved a gecko, and again we carved a gold fish. The Blue team had a castle, a turtle, and a crocodile. Naro, the manager, was the judge for the most outstanding one. The rabbit was chosen for the first prize! Cheers to the Green team! My team won for the first game. Next, we played the game—picking the peanuts. The Blue team won it. After these two games, we had lunch at 12:30pm. The buffet cost $20 per person and half price for children between 5 and 12 years old. Cost at Nataya covered a substantial part of the budget. After lunch, we continued our games such as blowing the ping pong ball, picking the rice, and don’t blow the king away. Between that, Kimrong and I went to the Nataya bridge and took pictures. The final result of the team competitions were finally announced, and the winner was the Green team (My team!). Prizes were then distributed. All in all, I received four prizes—two from Recycling competition, one from team competition, and the other one from lucky dip.

We kicked off at 3:30pm and arrived at the Embassy at 7:30pm, two hours later than what we had planned. It was the first time I could go back home with my own motorbike after getting off the bus instead of calling someone to pick me up. I arrived home at 7:40pm.

This trip is the first trip I have been in 2012. The special thing in this trip was that I was one of the organisers and that I experienced the stress in dealing with the budget and the actual expenditures. It was part of my job and I learned things from it. Although I could not free myself during the trip, I did enjoy much and was excited when I could receive so many good prizes. Also, thanks to B. Phalla who gave me a ticket to Phnom Penh Sport Club. I would have a good time there again with Kimrong.

It is a good start for the year! I will go to other provinces for the remaining 11 months. Hopefully, I will be able to go to Siem Reap, Mondulkiri, or Ratanakiri. Cheers!

More pictures are here:

What if I had lots of money?

2012-01-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

When I studied the Second Conditional Clause at English schools, I would be asked how I would spend the money if I had plenty of it. My answer varied from time to time due to age and environment. My answers used to be that I would buy many things I had wished for; that I would save in banks; that I would give to my parents and friends; and that I would travel around the world.

What is my answer now? After going cycling in and around Phnom Penh these days, I found that I haven’t yet thoroughly known Phnom Penh City and not to mention the whole Cambodia. I wish to travel to every corner of the City and the Country. Buses are means to travel to long distance; bikes are means to go around the downtown and suburb; boats for going to islands; or just simply go hiking on mountains. Life would be so enjoying and relaxing. There would be no pressure of work and free from worry of no money to spend.

How big is Cambodia? It’s small geographically, but it’s big if you want to travel to every corner of it. How much money will we have to spend to achieve this purpose? Both money and time are crucial factors that do not allow me to achieve this dream. Hopefully, I could have some spare money and go to at least one province yearly.

What about biking around the Angkor City?
What about lying on the bench at the beach on Koh Sangsa with your loved one?
What about going trekking on Bakheng Mountain?
What about biking up to the Bokor Mountain?
What about sleeping in a tent on the beach at Sihanouk Ville (Orcheuteal, Sokha, Ream, Victory…)?
What about strolling with bare foots on the beach on islands?
What about exploring a mountain to find a waterfall?
What about sitting on top of a mountain to look at the sunset and sunrise?

There are still many places I wish to go to. Around the world? No, I prefer to explore Cambodia first! My dear friends, I need your accompany and support to achieve it. :)

Countdown Night in 2011

2012-01-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

What does it look like in the night of countdown every year? What do people do at the riverside during that time? How does it look like when the fireworks are shot up into the sky? And how does it feel to watch it with your friends or your beloved?

I have been longing for that the moment, the moment I could hang out with either friends or go hand in hand with the loved one over the countdown night around the riverside. The year 2011 was only the start of change, so I didn’t dare to go out too late with friends so that my Mum will not be too worried about me. I did go out with them (Danith, Visal, Lak, Minea, and Ramy who came later than the others) on that day. We met up at Koh Pich at almost 5 pm. I love the time when we played the flying disc at Koh Pich although it was a bit scary. I start to love extreme games now and am not quite frightened of accidents and insecurity just because I have never encountered one, I think. Just wish God blesses me all along.

After the scary game, we walked to meet up Ramy at the park opposite of Hong Kong Center and headed to the eating corner near Ministry of Environment. We settled there and had a good time of eating and chatting until 6:30pm. We then went to the front side of Naga World to watch the concert and took some pictures.

I left there with Visal and Lak at 7:30pm, a bit earlier than I had expected. In fact, I wished to go the riverside and stayed until 8:30pm. However, I still felt very happy in that particular evening as long as I am with them.

After returning home, I had another good time with my brothers by playing ‘Monopoly Deal’ until the time to count down! I had the count down in front of facebook and heard to the sound of the firework exploding from the distance.

Next year, I will be there in the riverside to count down and see the firework with my own eyes!

Personal Review in Year 2011

2012-01-01T22:20:00.000-08:00

02 January 2012

What happened to me throughout 2011? There have been many changes, both expectedly and unexpectedly, pleasant and unpleasant.

At the beginning of the year, I was in my final term at UC and was preparing for the exit exams. I took it in February and finally graduated from the uni. First degree is completed after all! How life will be after that? However, there wasn’t a very big change yet since I still had to complete another degree at RULE and would have it done in August. After finishing the degree at UC, it was about the time to find an institution for internship so as to write the graduation report for the accounting degree at RULE. Nareth and I paired up and searched here and there for internship at the end of February until the beginning of March. It was more difficult than we had expected. Finally, from a friend’s help, we finally managed to find one—Sathapana Limited at Chamkarmon Branch (the Headquarter). The internship started in April 1-29. It was a great opportunity for me to intern there because I could learn about how a microfinance operates.

Before going to Sathapana, I already started working at HRINC (Cambodia) Co., Ltd since March 14. Thanks to Pisey for introducing me to Bunly, the recruitment coordinator at HRINC. It was my first fulltime job ever although I used to work as a part-time English teacher at Hello American. I worked fulltime at HRINC until the beginning of April when I interned at SPN in the morning and worked at HRINC in the afternoon. I was glad that I could feel two different environments at the same time. I am also thankful to HRINC that allowed me to work in this way. I learned many things at HRINC related to business matters. I love working there because of its good physical environment and good people. However, I was there for only six months.

After I graduated from RULE in August, I quitted the job at HRINC and moved to the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Phnom Penh to work as a finance officer. In the transitional period between leaving HRINC and going to the Embassy, I was very down and was fearing if I would regret for my decision. On the one hand, I do regret for leaving HRINC because I like everything there although there might be some flaws I don’t like about it. On the other hand, I also wish to work in the Embassy for many people look up to it. However, this reason will not sufficient for making me stay there for the whole of my career life.

Aside from my study and career life, I have got many first-times regarding to travelling, hanging out, and other things. Although it was not my first time to go travelling with friends in 2011, I went to provinces four times this year—Sihanouk Ville 2 times, Koh Kong 1 time, and Kompot 1 time. I could for the first time travel overnight with friends; I could for the first time walk with friends until 9pm on the street; I could for the first time chat with friends at the balcony until 11pm; I could for the first time bike to places I’ve never expected I would go to; I could for the first time hang out with friends until 9pm; I returned home at the latest 9:40pm from school; I dared to say I wish to say and dare to act what my heart tells me to; I love 2011 because I have answered to my heart for what I have doubted.

I am so thankful to all people supporting me, teaching me, and accompanying me throughout 2011. It is the year of revolutions. I have changed a lot from:

- A timid to a straightforward

- A student to an employee

- A know-nothing of business to a know-sth (but not yet a professional)

- A stay-at-home to a dare-to-travel

Of course, there are many other changes that I may not include in here.

Countdown at December 31, 2011 was not what I wish for. I wish for a more wonderful, unforgettable one at the end of 2012. I also wish for continual advancement and sweetness in 2012. Changes are important to me, and I swear I will not stay at the same point throughout and at the end of year.

UC Graduation Ceremony at NIE

2011-12-19T20:21:00.000-08:00

Let’s exclaim—I have completed a bachelor degree!

Leng's receiving the crendential from Samdech.

I finished the exit exams at UC in February with a normal feeling as if I had finished an ordinary mid-term or final exam, but nine months later, I find myself on the stage receiving the credential from Samdech Hun Sen, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, at NIE. It was amazing! What a wonderful feeling pouring to me when I was told by Bong Ratana, the UC admin staff, that I would be one of those who would receive the credential directly from Samdech!

I got the graduation gown on Dec 4 at UC new campus. It was my first time to step in that new building. It is a big building, and of course more spacious than the old one. There were still not many facilities to make it a fully-equipped standard university campus yet. However, I love to see how it has been developed. I got the gown at the Registrar Room from Bong Phea. Deposit of $30 was for the gown and the hat.

On Dec 13 morning from 8:30 to 11:00 UC held a rehearsal at NIE for the ceremony on the following day. Surprisingly, I was told to be the first one going onto the stage! I felt extremely delighted but at the same time I also started to feel a bit worried too because thousands pairs of eyes would target on the first receiver on Dec 14. The rehearsal was going well, and I had learned to correctly and politely receive the credential from Samdech Hun Sen.

Samdech Hun Sen's giving speech in the event.

On Dec 14, the day finally came. I arrived at NIE at exactly 6:30am with my elder brother. Several students had already arrived too, however, many still hadn’t presented yet. I put on my gown and sat at the seat directed by the admin staff. My brother was seated at the area for accompanying parents and friends. By that time, I just realized that I would be the second one to receive the credential. A student of Master Degree would be the first one to receive it. I felt relieved after that.

Leng's on the stage.

After listening to Samdech’s meaningful speech, the time finally arrived. The twenty representational students—ten graduates and ten scholars who won the new 100 Vision Scholarship—came up to the stage to receive the credentials and certificates consecutively. After sending off Samdech, the conferring ceremony still continued for the remaining graduates and scholars. What a long, boring morning when we had to wait for all students until all of them received their certificate. Totally, 214 students graduated in Year 2010-2011, and 100 students received the scholarship.

Time for picture taking finally came at 11:00am!

I’m glad to see old faces from UC. I really wished to capture all of their faces in my camera, but I only got some. After taking pics in NIE, we also went to the park of Independent Monument. The views were great and meaningful.

Leng's at Independent Monument. Become indepent!

I am not going to forget that moment.

A Crazy Draft of Love

2011-12-18T20:13:00.000-08:00

I don’t really want to write about love, but the devil in my heart has pushed to me to write about it.

I have watched many love films and dramas. In them, love is so sweet at the beginning when both parts miss each other crazily and feel helpless when the other is not around. They want to see each other, talk to each other, or at least text to each other every day; losing sign of one part makes the other feel uneasy throughout the day. S/He may just truly smile from the heart although s/he is riding along the road or sitting alone when s/he thinks of the sweet moments they were together. They could even imagine the sweet moments that they may share in the future. How lovely the world is!

How long can this feeling last? How well can they maintain the relationship so that they are not sick of each other after they have spent times together?

When they have come together, they will not want to see their partner being close to any opposite sex. Jealousy is an enemy to any love relationship. No matter how much they have been in love, no matter how much they trust each other, the relationship can be broken once this evil comes in. Therefore, when you are in a relationship with someone, make sure that you are not too close to an opposite sex and that you are not trying to maintain two affectionate relationships simultaneously. If you break this rule, you will just end up with triangular hurt.

I have no idea how love feeling will continue as time passes by due to limited experience. One thing I’m certain about myself is that my feeling can be easily affected by a slight change of situation and environment, and I find hard to control myself. This is one of my weaknesses which I don’t think I should write here. However, I just want to let you know that when you are easily affected, make sure you don’t stay close to any opposite sex when your partner is not around because your heart and mind will alter. This is what I keep telling myself.

Just end here. Thanks to readers if there are someone who are actually following my updates.

First Time in Life

2011-12-12T07:24:00.000-08:00

People value their first-time most for whatever it is—first time they learn to walk, first school, first job, first love, first kiss, first marriage, and any other first tries. It seems the most memorable although it may not be the best of all if they have the second and third time.

What makes a first-time so valuable?

Without previous experience, you are so eager to get one. You may dream day and night of getting it. When it does come, you feel that your dream has come true. What is special in a first-time is that it will build a foundation for you to compare with the next chance if you will have it again. People like to compare things and people. They want to know if they have a better experience or a worse one, and they also wish to know if they have made the right decision from one experience to the next one.

A first-time can end with either happiness and satisfaction or sadness and hopelessness. On one hand, once a first-time ends with good outcome, a second try will normally be wished for which however may depend. On the other hand, most people abandon their try and give themselves away after a certain failure, small or big.

There are many first-times for me in this year of 2011 which is the turning point of my life. Most of them are pleasant, and I wish I will always have pleasant first-times that end with happiness and satisfaction throughout my life.

“Regret”—Summary and Opinions

2011-12-09T01:35:00.001-08:00

It might be too late to know something, and you will blame yourself for not having sought for the answer in the first place. It should not have resulted with the sadness you are enduring but simply because you were not brave enough or too dumb to comprehend something that was already so obvious.

“Regret”, a piece written by Guy de Maupassant, tells stories of an old man, Monsieur Saval, who was still a bachelor at the age of sixty-two.

The story starts with descriptions of Monsieur Saval’s life which has been so sad and empty. The author drew out his life as meaningless and colourless; he didn’t have great pleasure, success, and satisfaction of life. Perhaps he should have had a better life if he had grabbed good opportunities. He didn’t know that opportunities had already knocked on his door, but he unknowingly let it go. He used to fall in love with a married woman, the wife of his old friend, at first sight, but he dared not go beyond the friend relationship but keep it with him until this age.

The author creates an opportunity for Saval to learn about Madame Sandres’ feeling toward him. Monsieur and Madame Sandres and Saval together in three went for a picnic at the riverbank, and when M. Sandres fell into asleep after lunch, Madame Sandres and Saval took Saval’s arm and walked along the riverbank. She leaned gently on his shoulder and she asked him if she were as pretty as the wreath of flowers. However, M. Saval could not comprehend her actions, and he ended it without allowing a start.

Now, at this age of sixty-two, in this morning, he started recalling his past. Never before had he recalled and understood what had happened at the riverbank on that day. He could not help leaving this world without clarifying his doubt why she had acted like that. He rushed to her house to obtain an answer to his heart.

Madam Sandres was already fifty eight years old and she was still that pleasant and welcomed Saval as her friend. Saval took out his courage and asked her what if he had asked her for her hand, what would she have said? Madame Sandres’ answer would have been ‘I agree’. She had understood how he felt for her since the first time they had met, and she had given opportunity to him, yet he didn’t realize. Now that he had known the truth—the fact that he had let go of opportunity that would have changed his life.

The theme of this story is to tell us to beware of opportunities which might just knock on your door. Be smart and notice how others feel toward you. Be bold to say what you feel toward someone because s/he may feel the same way. You may torture your heart for years, and you will leave youself without anything else besides regrets once you know that you shouldn’t have had to be so. However, it’s not advisable to have an affair with someone who is married, and I don’t know why the author organised the protagonists in this way. All in all, we ought to fight for our love. To love secretly is useless because s/he will never realize it until it’s too late. Say it out and give her/him choices so that regrets will never exist.

Make It More Worth-While

2011-12-07T18:02:00.001-08:00

To have emotions is natural for human beings, but to be too emotional would be disadvantageous. I admit that I am easily affected by feelings, either good or bad; sometimes I feel dominated. This weakness lets feelings distract me and make my time less worth-while.

Sometimes, I just sit down and listen to the music, and my brain is scanning for the good or bad feelings I have recently encountered. From what I am scanning, I know that I am waiting for something and looking forward to something. It makes me smile and even laugh, but it may make me down in some ways. I am not sure if it’s a good or bad feeling, but I am sure I am wasting my time for doing it.

I wish I could have controlled myself better, and I hope I am able to control it now. Life is so short, and I am still at less than the half way to the end of the road. I shouldn’t waste too much time on one thing and make every minute worth-while to me.

Cross my heart and swear it again--I should be self-centered now.

The Nature of Human Beings

2011-11-28T19:19:00.001-08:00

I wonder why human beings cannot live in peace with others and make the world a pleasant place to live. Why are we shadowed by anger, jealousy, and revenge? Looking at both local and international daily news, we can find articles about murders, rapes, injuries due to revenge, and the likes. What has this world become? Why has human's nature changed from being gentle and kind to as brutal as beasts?

A husband beats his wife to death because she came home late at night; a son kills his mother because she is too strict on him; a father puts his son in the washing machine; a boyfriend murders his girlfriend because she wants to break up with him; a teacher tortures her pupils for no reason; a student is bullied because he/she is not a part of the group at schools. These are examples of brutality. Humans can do such cruel things on those who are living closely with them every day.

I wish for a world of peace--a world where people can live happily together. In old times, we have rarely heard of such kind of cruelty. Why can't we live in brotherhood? Nature of human being has already integrated with that of beasts simply because of uncontrollable anger and jealousy. Is this nature curable? I don't want to hear those bad news anymore.

Let's say no to violence!

It's True!

2011-11-28T18:53:00.001-08:00

Mark this date down: November 27, 2010.

I felt so excited that what I have been guessing comes out as reality. :)

Self Evaluation

2011-11-24T16:39:00.000-08:00

Evaluating what I have done recently:

It seems that I have spent too much time on having funs with friends, in person and thru fb. I feel that I haven't developed at all or am even on the process of going backward. Books are left behind these days although exams are coming in early Dec. My dear self, what have you been doing?!

I love this period--the period after I have completed my thesis until now--because I have laid down the academic loads. So far, I have freed myself and have had so much rejoice with friends every weekend although I am still having classes at CamEd. Now the exams are coming, and when I open the accounting practice books, I could not work out all the exercises with ease. I also do some of them wrongly. I believe that is the result of leaving the books in the corner and indulgence myself with too much fun.

This post is not to blame anyone but myself. Addiction to fb and anticipation to have fun with friends have made me going downward. For the good sake of my future and upgrade, I will limit myself with the time spent on fb and set myself a schedule to read books and do exercises every day. Hope I can do it and restore with updates to my previous self.

What a confusing feeling...

2011-11-21T03:55:00.000-08:00

In fact it's hard to identify which feeling is right and which is wrong. You might be able to tell people around you who you like. However, reality may not be so. Perhaps you don't want to reveal all of your inner feelings due to shyness and shame or perhaps you yourself don't know exactly who you really love and are happy to be with at all times.

You may keep telling yourself that he is the one you love and try to follow his every step for whatever he does, whatever he says, wherever he goes, etc. Once you are rejected, you feel lost and shameful because you are not the one he chooses. You may feel down in the dump closing yourself away from everyone even from thoses who really care for you. I love an idea from a friend, 'You should not give 100% of your love to him/her because you will simply lose yourself when s/he leaves you. Love him/her 80% and love yourself the remaining.'

Love is not everything--once you lose one, you can find a new one, but make sure you are not a two-timer. I hate this bullshit people!

To love is to have the loved one happy but not to try to own him/her. It's easy to say so, but I hope I can do it. However, once I do it, I doubt if I have loved him.

Who is your Mr. RIGHT?
He is not the one who matches your materialistic requirements;
He is not the one who has good looking appearance;
He is not the one who knows how to use sweet words;
He is not the one who can do everything;
He is not the one who cares for you most;
He is not the one who loves you;

But....

He must be someone who has mutual feeling with you. Without saying a word, he knows what you feels and can make you happy most of the times when you are with him and vice versa. Remember, MUTUAL FEELINGS matter most!

Uncontrollable Anticipation

2011-11-15T06:08:00.000-08:00

I'm addicted! I can't wait for the day to come. There is always an activity I have been doing with Nith on every Saturday or Sunday, that is, we go cycling. I go cycling almost every morning during weekdays, however, I have rarely go farther than the Wat Phnom, Psar Doeum Ko, or Chak Angre Leu. I have noticed that I really like cycling now, esp with Nith to distant places where I myself alone cannot explore or dare not to explore.

Every week I wish Nith is free enough to accompany and take me to places I have never been too. It is such a good adventure which I long for once a week. I know that this activity may not last forever because Nith will be occupied and I may be as well. However, I wish to enjoy it now until that day comes.

Sporting and adventuring have become my favorites! Thanks to Nith for making them become so.

My Diary_Koh Kong Trip

2011-11-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

UNBELIEVEABLE! Totally unbelievable! I’ve been out of town for four times this year, and especially within a period of four months plus a few days. Therefore, in average, I went to provinces almost once a month from July to November! Also what a coincidence! All the trips are two-day-one-night! ;)

+ July 02-03: Trip to Kep, Kep Cave, and Rabbit Island (UC group)

+ Aug 01-02: Trip to Kompong Som and Kbal Chhay (NOKIA group)

+ Oct 31-Nov 01: Trip to Kompong Som (UNFPA group)

+ Nov 09-10: Trip to Koh Kong (Mixed group)

Rabbit Island

Kompong Som with NOKIA

Kompong Som with UNFPA

Koh Kong Trip

However, this post should be exclusive for Koh Kong trip. This trip is in some way special of all because I was also one of the organisers; Vutha was the initiator, and Chetra and I were the co-organisers contributing a bit on budgeting for the trip. I didn’t actively participate in organizing it though, and I was glad that I didn’t have to keep the money.

The right before the trip was relaxing and worry-free; I went to bed at 10pm as usual after facebooking.

There were 29 participants—17 females and 12 males. What was special in this trip was that there were 5 or more distinct groups who gathered at invitation of the trip.

+ Group I: Tharat’s group (8 people)

+ Group II: Bong Rithy’s group (10 people)

+ Group III: UC group (4 people)

+ Group IV: Tuol Tom Poung Group (3 people)

+ Group V: Num group (3 people)

And Wuisiong, my Singaporean colleague from the Embassy.

Schedule for the 2-day-1-night trip had been changed from a 3-day-2-night trip due to time and finance factors. However, personally, I prefer the original plan.

Being woken up by the phone alarm, I got up at 4:45am and got myself prepared well before time to set off. Minea arrived at my house and we went to UC together; I was with my dad’s motorbike and he was with my bro’s after finding no motortaxi.

Unluckily, the plan to meet up in front of UC was cancelled because the roads were blocked due to the National Day. Plan was changed to meet up on the west side of the Langka Pagoda.

The bus arrived at around 7am. We picked up other participants who had to get on the bus on our way to Koh Kong. They included Tola, Tharat’s sis, Vutha, and B. Bunna.

The following is my first day activities:

- Home --> UC --> Sre Ombil Bridge for lunch (9:30am)

- Ta Tai Waterfall --> Koh Kong Town (2pm) --> 2000 Beach (3pm)

- Mangrove Forest (4pm) --> Guesthouse (6:30pm)

- Koh Kong Bridge for dinner (7:30pm) --> Night walk (8:45pm) --> Guesthouse (9:30pm)

- Chitchat (10:10pm) --> Bed (11:30pm)

After the whole night of toss and turn, I finally managed to wait until the 2^nd morning to say hi. I got up at 4:50am and washed my face and got dressed up because I had a morning plan with Nith, Minea, and Vutha for a healthy early exploration of Koh Kong Town. Chetra also joined us. We set off from the guesthouse at 5:45am because Nith was busy looking for his watch which he had stupidly misplaced (Shuu..take this chance to mock him lol…). Time was tough; however, we did have a great morning walk.

Clever enough, we went to have breakfast before others after paying the food expenses to B. Dara who prepared all food for us at Koh Kong during our stay. That was also the time that I noticed that my old disease was about to come back. My small intestine started hurting me, and till now I haven’t fully recovered. The hurt distracted me all day and made me unable to feel full-heartedly happy for the remaining journey.

Let’s see the following activities in my second day there:

- Leave from guesthouse to walk around (5:45am) -->; B. Dara’s house for breakfast (6:30am)

- Back to guesthouse to have shower and get prepared (7:05am) --> B. Dara’s house to get breakfast for participants (7:15am)

- Khmer-Thai border --> Thai Market (9am) --> Casino Beach (10am)

- Khun Chhang Khun Phen Tomb (11am)--> Dorning Tung Market --> B. Dara’s house to get lunch

- Ta Porn Waterfall (12:30pm)--> Phnom Penh (8:30pm)--> Home with Minea (9pm)

Product from Thai Market

After the trip to Kompong Som with NOKIA group, I have broken my ‘rule’; I have been more active on the bus than before, and I’m glad that I could do so. At the same time, I wish I could do better in any trip I will join in the future. Although the journey seems rushing, I feel excited to have travelled in this way because I could go to and know different places in such a short time. Especially, I had a wonderful time with the ones I wish to travel with and with those I have never know. Nothing would make me more excited than my wish coming true.

Koh Kong is another record in my travel history, and I wish to go to Siam Reap, Rattanakiri, and Mondulkiri next next times. Of course, I sincerely thank Vutha for creating this event, Chetra for co-organising, Nith, Minea, and Visal for participating and accompanying, and others for participating.

Love u, Koh Kong!

Dear friends, more pics can be found on facebook. Thanks for reading. ;)

My change

2011-11-11T02:41:00.000-08:00

People always change from time to time. I notice that I have also changed alot recently. I don't know if, in people's eyes, they are good or bad changes, but I like what I have changed to.

I'm not as reserved as before because I feel so lonely when I keep myself away from people around. I have tried to be more active and talk to everyone around me.

I'm not shy as before because I feel that I will lose opportunities due to this personality. I will ask for what I want and tell people how I feel.

I'm confident now although I'm not perfect because no one is perfect.

New habit to be adopted

2011-10-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

Instead of trying to go back to those pleasant dreams or instead of tossing and turning on the bed waiting for breakfast time, I have found and started to adapt myself with a new, exciting, productive, and healthy early morning activity—cycling. It’s better than continuing those unrealistic dreams because my dream now actually comes true. It’s what I have been longing for since the first year at uni, but I could not achieve it because of laziness and weak commitment. No time may be another excuse for not undertaking this exercise. I’m so glad that my bike has now been fixed and I can ride to wherever I wish to.

I love the feeling of cycling in the early morning as the roads aren’t crowded and have no horning. What I can feel is the fresh air which I miss inhaling every day in the air-con room; what I see are people walking, jogging, biking, and dancing with the lively music.

‘…I know you got it, clap your hands on the floor
And keep on rockin', rock it up on the floor
If you're a criminal, kill it on the floor
Steal it quick on the floor, on the floor

Don't stop keep it moving, put your drinks up
It's getting ill, it's getting sick on the floor
We never quit, we never rest on the floor
If I ain't wrong we'll probably die on the floor…’

Wow, I suddenly felt energized with this ‘on the floor’ when I arrived at the riverside after a long ride from my house. I feel like being one of them. :D I stopped a while and enjoyed cool wind from the high level river feeling my face directly and watched the dog chasing the peaceful pigeons in front of the Royal Palace…that moment brought peace to my mind and heart after the pressure I got from workplace.

I will try a different place each day and get to know every boulevard and path. I love this feeling and I will make cycling my habit every morning. Thanks to my friends, Danith and Vin, who have brought up this great idea of exercising. I believe it’s good for health, physically and psychologically.

Alone or in group will not be a problem as long as you like it from inside. Try it if you are not rushing to work or study at 7:00am!

Rabbit Island, a memorable trip!

2011-08-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

Memories from one month ago are still amazingly fresh when I look at the sky and still see the same arrangement and combination of stars that can also be found high above the Rabbit Island. It was an exclusive trip with friends, and I found it the most memorable one of all.

The trip was planned months ahead by Theary, a UC student from weekend class. It was finally scheduled on 2nd and 3rd of July, 2011 for a totally two-day-one night trip to Kep and Rabbit Island. We gathered in front of UC at around 6 a.m. and kicked off at 7a.m. Only one bus was hired and 45 participants were included. The number of boys and that of girls were moderately equal. Breakfast was served on the bus, and on the way, there were not many activities but mostly focused on Karaoke. Despite this, the atmosphere was still great.

At around 11:30 a.m. the bus arrived at Kep Cave, where was our first destination. Kep Cave is actually a cave where we had to go through a dark cave to see a great view at the other side of the world. There were little guides who are the young local boys and girls and who were trying to explain to us about the resemblance of rocks to some significant things. Of course, it needs imagination to visualize the said images. Unfortunately, I’m not that imaginative and creative person. After the visit at Kep Cave, we continued our journey to the next destination—Kep Beach.

After going through the dark cave.

Group picture at Kep Cave (after the visit)

Surprisingly, I was not informed that Theary’s house is just directly opposite to the pavilions where visitors relax and have their lunch. It would be very convenient if I had a house in this location. We went to Theary’s house for around 10 minutes and then prepared to have lunch at the pavilions opposite the road. The pavilions are only around 100 meters from the beach. Notably, the food was tasty; now I miss it.

Some food for lunch; not all are included here though.

It was around 2 p.m. when we hit the road toward the fantastic island that was highly recommended by some participants who used to be there.

The boat we took to go to the island.

To go to the island, boat is the only transportation means. Each boat is allowed to be seated with only 10 people. It is said that it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the island from the Kep Beach, but I didn’t feel that long. During the boat trip, one of the magnificent views was a moderate-sized fish jumped across the sea and splashed the water around it. From one minute to another, we could see the island bigger and bigger, clearer and clearer… The outstanding coconut trees on the island were swaying resembling to people who were waving their hands to welcome our arrival. When reaching the shore, the seawater was crystal-like clean and sparkling which allowed me to see through the water under which schools of small fish were swimming but were frightened and scattered when the boat approached them.

Going near the island!

We got off the boat and for the first time I stepped on an island! The first thing we did was to head to our rooms where we had to stay over the night. They were not actually rooms but small separate houses which were designed for couples because only a double-sized bed is offered and a bathroom is equipped. The houses were built of wood and coconut leaves—a traditional but natural shelter for visitors who wish for an experience of countryside life. Different from others’, my house was bigger and with two beds, so six people were arranged to stay in it; three people were arranged to stay in each house for other participants.

Houses where we stayed over the night on the island.

The beach is much more beautiful than that in Kep Beach. Sea waves were not very big so that it was quite safe to play around in the water. No matter how many times will I go to sea, I still can’t learn to swim successfully. Do wish to be able to swim some day! In the late evening, Visal, Lak, Virak, Vy, Sandap, Sreyvoat, others, and I played some games in the water which was one of the wonderful times during the trip. After that we had dinner together and enjoyed the dancing time. I was not there for long but lied on the chair and looked at the clear sky with dozens of stars scattering around. That’s romantic and relaxing!

Dinner on the island.

The night in the small house was a bit long since the bed was too small for 3 people. It was difficult to move around and to stretch. However, I still managed to sleep at least 5 hours, I think.

In the morning of the second day, I got up at 5:30 a.m., a bit earlier than the time I usually get up at home. Without changing the pajamas, I headed to the beach to see the morning view of the island. The sun hadn’t got up yet, and the sea water had receded from the shore which made the sea farther to be reached. These two people, Sophorn and Pisey, were picking up some seashells. I found some as well as I joined the activity for a few minutes.

The sun is rising in the morning of the 2nd day.

Phorn and Pisey are picking up shells.

The island has a source of drinking water from the mountain far behind the beach. Vutha and I went to search for it, but we dare not to go farther as it’s dangerous to travel up to the mountain without a guide. Other groups had found it, I think, as I found a picture of Virak nearby a pond of water. In the following picture is another part of the island where seaweeds are planted. The sand there was whiter and finer. I do wish to know how they are planted.

a small path toward the other side of the island.

The morning was quite fast to go by. We waited for our boats at 11 a.m. to take us back to Kep Beach and to have lunch there before we set off our return journey to Phnom Penh. We had lunch at a different location which is hundreds of meters away from the previous one. The food was as tasty as the one we had the day before. After lunch, Visal, Vutha, Lak, Virak, Ratha, a few others, and me went around and took several pictures nearby the big rock crab which is a symbol of Kep City.

while waiting for the boat to take us back to Kep.

At the Rock Crab after lunch.

Certainly, it didn’t end in this point of time. Before going back to Phnom Penh, we headed to the Kep Market to buy some souvenirs, food in particular. Crabs were the priority. I bought some crabs and had it cooked before taking it home. Because of the drop-by, we had to set off from Kep at 4 p.m., which was later than planned.

My crabs are in it!

On the bus, people were less active as normally they were exhausted after the active one day and one night. In contrast, Visal and I seemed to converse much compared to the going-trip. Some of us got off on the way, while many got off at the Caltex station of former Bokor Cinema. Lak, Visal, and I also got off there.

I guess this post has been the longest one I have ever written in my blog. There may be too much description and make the readers feel dull. If so, please accept my apology here. I wish to describe every activity in details so that I could come back to it which is the happiest time I have ever had with friends. However, the description here is not really enough to show my in-depth feelings as many things are still left unmentioned.

All in all, I love nature. The Rabbit Island will be my starting point to further travels. I wish to go around Cambodia before I set off to overseas trip, and I hope that it will become true. To take this opportunity, I do feel thankful to Theary and her plan coordinators (Sandap and Sophorn) who had worked hard to organize this memorable trip for all of us. Although she is not majoring in Tourism and she is not experienced in trip organizing, she did a great job in this trip, and everyone did enjoy much and wishes for another visit to either the same place or another resort.

Group picture on the Rabbit Island!

Hurray, trip to Rabbit Island. Farewell!

Emotions

2011-07-12T20:02:00.000-07:00

People’s emotions are changing according to situations, and it demands ability to control them. While some people pour out their emotions at all times, others are very good at controlling them. This ability makes people around them difficult to read their mind. Still, I do believe that within their mind, they are down and helpless. Is it good to try keeping our emotions within ourselves?

Keeping emotions is not a good solution, I believe. We will be stressed out; some even go crazy because they cannot find a way to let them out. Emotion is a creepy thing we must know how to control it. Once we are a bit down, we should find something pleasant to replace it so that we are not overwhelmed with depression. Therefore, from my view, we’d better find someone to confide in, scribble in our diary, or any other ways that help us reduce stress and stabilize our emotions. Sometimes, finding things to do to make us busy is also a very good solution.

It’s impossible to delete any emotions we don’t want; it’ll continue staying with us from time to time once we are trying to make it perish. Let it flow on your writings and conversations with your confidant, and then it will go by.

Here is all about me. I’m not sure if people can read me. I have experienced moments of complex feelings, and I am not really clear what I need. These feelings actually occasionally make me down and will only disappear when I am engaged in busy times. Sometimes I even wish to lose part of my memories so that those unpleasant and complicated emotions can be supposed to never have happened. Since this is a public note, I may not let all my emotions out here.

Thanks for reading!

Complicated feelings

2011-07-10T03:51:00.000-07:00

Something I dare not to think,
Something I dare not to say,
But that something is always in my mind,
that something that I wish to say.

Something I think it may not be true,
Something that makes me blue,
I wish to pour it out
to someone who is in my mind.

Two things at the same time

2011-04-05T04:20:00.001-07:00

Internship at Sathapana has started on 1st of April, and today is the third day. What should I say about the internship as well as the simultaneous work from HR Inc? Everything is quite new for me, and I may not be easily able to adapt myself to these changes. Sathapana's environment is quite healthy, but it's not quite comfortable for internee, i may say. The supervisors are not very supportive for us either. The employees are busy most of the time, so we don't have time to question and get information. Despite this, we have worked hard to get as much information as possible for our report.

I have a small responsibility of contacting office moving companies to get quotations for HR Inc's office removal. I haven't done much in this job. I did contact several companies, but I have no idea which equipment will be moved when the agent asked me about it. However, many people are there to support me. Although I'm not happy about my performance, I feel better when I tell myself that at least I have learnt to contact them on first hand.

Tomorrow will be better!

First Month Payroll Paid

2011-03-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

I started my job at HR Inc on 14th of March, and today I got paid for the first month! It's the second time I have received payment from my work. The first payment was from Hello American where I worked as an part-time English teacher for only one month, and here is the second time I got paid. I felt so happy that I have a real job now unlike the part-time teaching job which was not my interest. Although I have been facing with much more difficulty with this new job due to its complication, I do like this job much more than teaching which is not my skill nor my interest. Thanks to my friends who introduced me to the recruiter of HR Inc and thanks to HR Inc that accepted me!

We have TWO Choices

2011-03-28T05:15:00.000-07:00

What shall we do when we are facing with difficulty? Happily or hopelessly deal with it? It's our choice to be optimistic or pessimistic.

I like this powerpoint show. Wish u all like it too! :D

Download from this link:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/5re1em