The Sreisaat Adventures in CambodiaThe Sreisaat Adventures in CambodiaThe adventures and misadventures of a thirty-something Filipina development worker in Cambodia. Articles
Photo Hunt #44: Purple Skies
2010-06-26 15:59:00 Here's my comeback entry for Photo Hunt: The purple skies of Kep, with the Bokor Mountain on the horizon. This was taken last year while I'm on holiday with my husband at, where else but our favorite Kep. I said it before, and I'll say it again: Kep, arguably has the best sunset in Cambodia. Sure, some of you heard about or experienced purple haze, or have listened to the song Purple Rain, but how many of you have ever witnessed a purple sky? Not many, and not that often, I suppose. On one August afternoon (last year), as soon as the sun started to descend on the horizon, my husband and I watched the sky as it changed colors. The sky was splashed with shades of purple, fortunately for us, it was well captured by our ever-reliable point-and-shoot digi-cam. No alterations via Photoshop or other editing programs have been done in this photo. The sunset was a perfect background for our dinner and set the tone for a wonderful, relaxing night. Beat that. ***Perhaps due to diffe... More About: Travels , Sights
Wordless Wednesday 087: Monsoon season
2010-06-23 05:07:00 Stay dry. Check out the Wordless Wednesday main site for more Wordless entries. More About: Sights , Season
A weekend in Kep Malibu
2010-06-02 10:08:00 I'm still here, folks, trying to accomplish many things despite the scorching weather.Yesterday was the hottest. According to my landlady, the temperature inside her house reached 40C; outside, higher. Can you imagine? Hothothot. Adding insult to injury is the annoying brownouts at any time of the day and night, for several days now. This morning, I made a bad decision of making a quick trip to the market for some supplies. It was around 11am, and the midday sun is hovering above my head. Even if the market is a mere less than a mile walk from the house, I took a motodup to avoid getting baked in the sun. My head felt like a radiator while I was outdoors and now I'm having a bad, bad headache. This year's summer heat is a lot different than last year's. It's the kind of heat that penetrates and stays in your body (and head) all day long that all you want to do is submerge in a swimming pool. Good idea! A pool like this one: Tempting, isn't it? This is actually in Kep Ma... More About: Travels , Sights , Weekend
Driving to Kep
2010-05-22 18:31:00 It's been nearly a week now since coming back from our weekend getaway in Kep, and you know how the feeling goes after returning from a holiday. It's always the case whenever my husband and I have taken a holiday, regardless whether it's within Cambodia or overseas - coming back and resuming "normal" activities is just the hardest thing to do. Although going to Kep was a very welcome respite from our daily grind, it was in fact, a decision made at the 11th hour. Paige, our trusty old Pajero, conked out two nights before the date we set to drive out to Kep. So dear husband was stressed out thinking that the weekend holiday would vanish into thin air. So after coming home from work Wednesday last week, he examined the leaking radiator and, after an hour or so of seeking advise he set on to fix it. On the eve of our departure, I still didn't make any hotel reservations yet thinking we might not be able to leave after all. So Rob burned the midnight oil soldering the holes of the ra... More About: Travels , Sights , Driving
Wordless Wednesday 086: Clowning around
2010-05-12 09:49:00 My entry for this week's I'm not exactly a fan of clowns, in fact they scare more than entertain me. But this didn't stop me from taking a photo of this clown who was game enough to pose for me. Taken during last month's Mith Samlanh's Fun Fair. More About: Sights , Faces
Happy Mother's Day!
2010-05-08 16:03:00 I just want to greet everyone a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Photo Source I wish my husband had said these words today, but alas, he is English and they celebrate it on the fourth Sunday of the Lent... which means, it already passed. Seriously now... I want to paraphrase the words of my friend regarding the act of mothering in the current context. Mothering is not exclusive to mothers anymore in today's context. These days it extends broadly to women and men, gays and lesbians, who have taken on the challenge of rearing children in whatever circumstances. It is no easy feat mothering children so today is their day on the pedestal, but everyday their contribution to nurturing human life will always be in our hearts. Happy Mother's Day to my Mama and Papa. I salute you both for sharing this role all through these years, down to your grandchildren. Thank you for being our giving tree and I pray that the Lord up there that He will not take away His eyes off the two of you. I... More About: Family , Milestones
Litratong Pinoy #39: Ginanchillong Bulaklak
2010-05-06 09:13:00 Ako'y muling nagbabalik dito sa Litratong Pinoy . Nawala na naman ako ng matagal pero sa aking pagbabalik, kasama ko ang pagnanais na sana ay tuloy-tuloy na itong pagsali ko tuwing Linggo. Harinawa. Heto naman ang aking entry: ginanchillong bulaklak, o crocheted flowers. Pustahan tayo, ang lahok ko ang tanging bulaklak na nakabuka na kaagad. Di kasi totoong bulaklak, di katulad ng karamihan sa lahok ngayong linggo. Bakit kamo ako nagga-ganchillo? Dahil ako'y huminto na sa pagta-trabaho, marami na akong oras para sa sarili ko. Isa sa mga naisipan kong pampalipas oras ay ang pagga-ganchillo. Matagal na akong natutong mag-ganchillo kaya lang ay itinigil ko na ito mula nang nag-kolehiyo na ako hanggang sa nagkatrabaho. Mabuti na lang at marunong pa rin akong gumawa ng mga stitches hanggang ngayon kaya't di ako nahirapan. Unang-unang ginawa ko ay ang mga bulaklak na nakikita niyo at sa iba't-ibang kulay tulad ng dilaw at baby pink. Gumawa na rin ako ng dahon at ikin...
Wordless Wednesday 085: Cyclo express
2010-04-27 11:28:00 Cyclo is a three-wheeled mode of transpo in most Indo-china countries. Do not underestimate the size of this cyclo. Not only can it carry a number of passengers, it could hold more than you could imagine! Here's another one up-close. It obviously takes a lot of endurance, stamina, and muscle-power, especially on legs, to push this three-wheeled vehicle and navigate around the crazy Phnom Penh traffic. More About: Sights , Transportation
Fun, fun, fun at Mith Samlanh's Fun Fair!
2010-04-26 17:02:00 Last Saturday was a blast! My friends and I, we jokingly refer to ourselves as members of the PELUKA Sisterhood (you know who you are :D ); well, it's an inside joke! Fueled by our sense of boredom and desire to do something productive, we joined Mith Samlanh's Fun Fair for the first time, not as visitors but as sellers. We sold hand-made crafts made by us from beaded jewelries to crochet doilies and coasters. Although we did not do well sales-wise, we were able to observe the "trends" in fairs such as this one. We mentally noted what's hot and what's not so that the next time we join a fair, we would hit right the consumers' needs. In case you haven't heard, the Fun Fair is a regular event organised/hosted by the Mith Samlanh a non-government organisation working to support Phnom Penh's streetchildren through several education and skills training programs. Last Saturday's fair was intended for the whole family, expats and locals alike, including the families of the st... More About: Friends , Cambodia , What
Photo Hunt #43: Addiction
2010-04-24 15:21:00 Friends, I have a confession to make. I am addicted to crocheting, therefore, I am a hook-er. Red flower doily Assorted stuffs: scarf (upper left), and scrunchies in different colors. Don't you just love these crocheted delights? Photo s above were some of the items I recently finished just in time for today's NGO Fun Fair. I recently picked up crocheting again but crocheting is something that I had learned to do a long, long time ago (you may want to read this for details). As I no longer work and ( if I do snag a job, I only accept short-term consultancy jobs) crocheting keeps me from moping, getting bored (and turn attention to poor husband and drive him up the wall!) on slow days or when I am in-between jobs. This kind of addiction I consider as low-maintenance (and something that my husband approves of, except when I spend way too much time on it). The yarn is cheap and is available, but in limited variety, in the markets here. Crochet hooks as well, but my... More About: Addiction
Photo Hunt #42: Covered
2010-04-17 06:50:00 My silly-tame dog Joe. He gets camera shy whenever he sees me toting a camera. Yes, I think he thinks he is invisible (Joe the Invisible Doggie)... only when no one is looking! More About: Photo , Pets
Wordless Wednesday 084: Siesta!
2010-04-13 18:03:00 Seen in broad daylight at the junction of Street 63 (Trasak Pa-em) and Sihanouk Boulevard in Phnom Penh : More Wordless entries here. More About: Transportation
Photo Hunt #41: Vertical Airport
2010-04-10 07:59:00 It's been a long while since I posted my last Photo Hunt entry. I allowed myself to be carried away by procrastination and sheer laziness so I distanced away from blogging for some time. Now that I have finally gotten the blogging groove back, I'm slowly creeping into the blogosphere and starting to get active again in the photo-memes that I've joined before. So this week, I'm coming back to Photo Hunt. I hope old friends find me here again, if not, hopefully new ones will come. The theme for this week is vertical, and having taken very little pictures the past few months, I decided to hunt from my old photos (taken on my first (2003) and second (2009) trips to Laos. Not so old, mind you... here it is: This picture shows the Patuxai Monument in Vientiane, Laos (also known as the Gate of Triumph or Victory Gate), arguably the most photographed landmark in the city. The monument was built in honor of those who died fighting in the war against the French. Patuxai is said to... More About: Travels , Airport
Wordless Wednesday 083: Seven Up!
2010-04-06 15:45:00 This is my entry for the Tuesday-Wednesday edition of Wordless Wednesday. In your estimate, how many people are on this motorcycle? Click the photograph for a bigger view. More About: Sights , Transportation , Cambodia , What
The Mystery of a Lost Valentine's Card
2010-03-25 02:56:00 Hey guys, have you heard the story circulating in the Internet today about a Valentine card from Salem, VA postmarked February 14, 1934 that was found at the postal services department at the Duke University in the USA? If we are to believe it entirely, it is an interesting story with a sad ending. I kind of wished that the lady to whom the Valentine's card was supposed to be sent, had a chance to see it before she died. So where was the card hiding all along? How could it be overlooked by post office workers all these years? I can't believe nobody ever saw the envelope! I know why snail mail is called a snail mail... but hey, 76 years to deliver a letter? Oh noes. Does this somehow reflect how unreliable the US postal system is just like anywhere here in... ermmmm, Asia? I hope cases like this don't happen more often because I definitely don't like it happening to me. I'm a HUGE fan of snail mails and I love receiving mails, postcards, greeting cards, etc. the old-fas... More About: Lost , Card , Mystery
Exclusive weekends with R
2010-03-23 06:03:00 This is what I tell my friends whenever they'd ask me out on weekends. You see, my husband works from Monday to Thursday and, as an unspoken rule, the three-day weekend is spent entirely with each other. After a while, I kind of like, and have gotten used to, this kind of set up already. So what do we usually do, you ask. Well, touring markets is one so we have trips to them regularly. Again last weekend, we made a trip to the Russian Market. Armed with a bottle each of water, we braved the noon-time sun and went through the maze-like alleys of the market. Also known as Psah Tuol Tum Pong, the Russian Market is R's personal favorite. It's where anything and everything is for sale in tightly-packed maze of narrow alleys, like a real Aladdin's cave. Clothes manufactured here in Cambodian factories are sold here at a fraction of their Western prices. DVDs, CDs and computer softwares are all pirated and sold openly without getting apparent attention from a... More About: Exclusive
Wordless Wednesday 082: Sidewalk vendor
2010-03-17 08:14:00 Here's my entry for today's edition of Wordless Wednesday: Visit other Wordless Wednesday entries here. More About: Sights , Faces
And the beautiful blogger award goes to...
2010-03-14 15:02:00 Moi?Yes, me =) It's my first award in 2010, and gee, how great it feels. Despite my on again-off again presence in the blogosphere, there are people out there who thinks of me and my blog. What could be more pleasing than creeping back into the blogging groove and discovering myself a recipient of a blog award? Many, many thanks to Amina, my new-found blogger friend, a Filipina residing in Pakistan. Her blog takes you by the hand to Pakistan, a country often misunderstood by outsiders, bringing to the outside world the beauty of this country and its people. I have friends from there and, based on their stories and pictures, I have come to realize that the Pakistanis are just like anybody else, gentle and longing to finally have peace in their troubled land. If you like to know how is life in Pakistan, I suggest you go visit her blog. Her posts are often accompanied with great pictures of everyday life in Pakistan. Also, with the award, the recipient is asked to reveal seven things... More About: Meme , Blogger , Beautiful , Award
Litratong Pinoy #38: Kalikasan (nature)
2010-03-04 05:32:00 Gusto ko lang ibahagi sa inyo itong mga titik ng isang awiting pinamagatang Awit ni Inang Kalikasan (Mother Nature 's Song). Ang awiting ito - na sinulat, nilapatan ng tono at binigyang buhay ni Talulot - ay nanalo ng ikatlong pwesto sa PENRO Environment al Songwriting Contest na ginanap noong taong 2005. awit ni inang kalikasanmatagal na akongnaghihintay sa'yoilang taon, ilang sigloang hinahanap ko para lang mapansinang aking damdaminkailan ka ba, kailan ka ba magigising?ilang bagyo, baha't unosbago ka kikilosilang dusa't sakuna bago mo itatamanawasak na, nasira na ang tanging buhay kongunit parang ika'y walang kibokailan maririnig ang aking daingluha'y dulot nang yong pagkasakimkailan mo diringgin ang aking hiling?nais kong makita pa ng bagong henerasyonibigin mo ibigin mo ako ngayonyaman ko'y para sa iyong bukaskalinga mo ay aking lakaskaya naman tugunin ang aking hilingibigin mo ibigin mobaka ako ay mawala Hahayaan ba nating ang lahat ng ito ay mawala? ... More About: Sights , Pinoy
Just another unimaginative update
2010-03-01 17:02:00 It's been weeks after welcoming the Chinese New Year of the Tiger and the Valentine's Day and I'm glad everything is back to usual. No more annoying late night neighborhood parties with blaring songs potent enough to shatter one's eardrums and ruin a night's beauty sleep, gone are schmaltzy Valentine songs and media advertisements shoving to our faces ridiculously-priced dinner and what-have-yous for couples, what a relief! We are now in March, the last month of the first quarter of the year ,and I'm trying to creep back into blogging again. I have not been entirely away from the blogosphere as I have posted a few times and left comments at my friends' blogs when I couldn't resist the urge. It is nice to see there's a bit of commenting going on here as well, so, thank you. So where have I been or what have I been up to all the while? * Short-term work - coordinating an international conferenceOkay, this happened back in November, but I tell you, I ... More About: Friends , Update
Litratong Pinoy #37: maHUSAY
2010-02-25 04:09:00 Kumusta, mga ka-berks sa Litratong Pinoy ? Opo, nandito pa ako sa Phnom Penh. Nanahimik lang ako ng matagal at pansamantalang nagpahinga sa pagba-blog. Ang totoo niyan e inatake ako ng matinding katamaran. Nung naisipan ko namang bumalik ulit e nagkataon namang nawindang ang template codes ko dahil sa mga pagbabago sa Gugel Sayts. Heniweys, pagkatapos ng ilang araw na pangungulit sa designer ng template, naayos na rin at here na me again (baduy!), nagbabalik sa lingguhang kodakang Pinoy. Mukhang mangangamatis yata ako sa mga weekly challenges natin a. Ang hirap hanapan ng mga litratong tumpak sa tema. Tulad ngayong Huwebes, husay ang ating tema. Napa-esep-esep tuloy ako - sino o ano kaya ang entry ko? Naalala ko, may bago kaming kasambahay. Makulit, sobra. Hindi man siya kasing-talino ni Max, ay sobrang husay nito sa maraming bagay. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Joe... Mahusay itong mag-tago. Lalo na pag bath time o may nagawa itong kasalanan. Odi kaya'y pag na... More About: Pets
Wordless Wednesday 081: Over-protection
2010-02-10 05:44:00 Coming back for Wordless Wednesday again, below is my entry. Something is wrong in the picture but I can't quite point it out. Hmmmm.... *lol* You can find more Wordless entries here. More About: Transportation , Phnom Penh
Hello 2010!
2010-02-05 12:02:00 We are now on the second month of the new year and the procrastination still hovers over me. In a few more days, we will welcome the Chinese New Year of The Tiger and here I am still slacking off and my blog is still as outdated as the *insert a government agency website here*. It's not like nothing's happening in Phnom Penh, or that I've reached a standstill in my life. In fact, it's quite the contrary to what I'd feared would happen when, one by one, my friends for nearly 10 years started leaving Phnom Penh, either to go back to their countries or go to another country of assignments. The latter part of 2009 was, to me, a great year with my new found friends. We met almost every week for coffee and chitchats, but you didn't see me blogging about them as I allowed myself to be tossed and turned by the tides of procrastination and sheer laziness. This year, I will make it up to you, guys, update more regularly and resume my Postcards Crossing duties. Okay, on to another ...
Viva, Pacquiao!
2008-12-07 14:12:00 Filipino boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao sent Mexican Oscar de la Hoya to retirement after a one-sided match at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden. Pacman's latest feat ultimately establishes him as the world's finest fighter. Kevin Lole of Yahoo Sports wrote:De La Hoya, who was taken to a local hospital for a precautionary examination, never in his illustrious career had absorbed such a beating. Pacquiao?s hands were far too quick and, despite the fact that he was moving up from lightweight, his punches were much too hard for the Golden Boy to handle.It was clear by the third round that De La Hoya was going to need a miracle to reverse the pummeling he was taking.Pacquiao displayed every punch in the arsenal, raking the Golden Boy with straight lefts that nearly closed De La Hoya?s left eye and stunning him with hooks, jabs and uppercuts.Congratulations, Manny! Photo from Yahoo Sports. Read the full story here. More About: Viva
Photo Hunt #35: Breakfast
2008-12-05 11:09:00 My husband and I love to spend weekends in Kep. And while there, we stay at our friend's newly opened guesthouse. Called the Kep Lodge, it offers six charming bungalows with a great view of the Gulf of Thailand and Bokhor mountain. We stay longer especially when it's holidays, waking up late, having breakfast at the restaurant and enjoying the view. Breakfast is served free at the restaurant. Although the choices are very limited for the free breakfast, however, the restaurant offers a variety of international menu for lunch and dinner. The bar might be small but you would be amazed at how many drinks they can mix for you! But I digress now.Rob and I loved this simple pork noodle soup, kiwtiew mi, prepared by the local staff for breakfast. A local breakfast fare, kiwtiew mi is served steaming hot; it's so tasty, with generous amount of pork (or chicken, or beef) and vegetables sprinkled with freshly ground Kampot pepper. A bowl of this is surely a great way to start our day.Pho... More About: Photo , Food , Travels , Hunt
Look who's arrived in Phnom Penh!?!
2008-12-05 10:41:00 I am very happy that after more than three weeks, several thousands of miles across the Pacific, and surviving 8-days of stand-off at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Miss Igorota, fondly nicknamed Ms. Iggy , has finally landed in the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia. Thanks, Fortuitous Faery, for entrusting to me Ms. Iggy. For now, my Max might be a little jealous of having a new member at home, rest assured they'll be BFF - best friends forever - in no time. Thanks for the greeting card, too. You are right, it's the first one I've/we've received so far :)Am so looking forward to many travels with Ms. Iggy! More About: Travels , Phnom Penh
Litratong Pinoy #19: Eksayted (Excited)
2008-12-04 04:44:00 Akshuli, excited na excited sila dahil nakikita nila ang mga sarili nila sa webcam :)Sila ang mga mag-aaral ng Angkaol Primary School sa Angkaol Commune, Krong Kep, Cambodia. Isa sa mga mapalad na napiling gawing village hub ang paaralang ito. Kinuha ko ito noong September 2007 sa pagbubukas ng limang village hubs sa Kep. Sa wakas, naikabit din ang broadband satellite internet - at full media - sa paaralang ito. Kitang-kita sa kanilang mga mukha ang eksaytment at kasiyahan sa mga bagay na bago sa kanila, na sa mga susunod na panahon ay matututunan nilang gamitin. Sa maniwala kayo o hindi, ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na maka-kita, maka-hawak at maka-gamit ng kompyuter. Di rin naitago ng Buddhist monk na ito ang kanyang kasabikan sa pakikipag-usap sa pamamagitan ng local video network sa isa pang monk sa kabilang baryo (na isa ring village hub).Layunin ng aming proyekto ang magtatag ng e-communities sa bansa, at gamitin ang mga makabagong teknolohiya ng ICT upang mapaunlad ang ... More About: Work , Pinoy
Tactical Pants
2008-12-02 19:29:00 Did you take CAT way back in high school? If so, what was your rank?The very mention of CAT, or the Citizen?s Army Training, brought back a lot of memories. Every high school graduate in the Philippines had gone through this rigorous preparatory army training as CAT is included in the high school curriculum. My parents, during their time, also had gone through this course decades ago when it was still known as the Preparatory Military Training, or PMT. The name may have changed over the years but it still has the same principles, same drills. The idea is to instill discipline on the young people, to train them to become good citizens with training in military discipline. CAT is compulsory but those who have physical disabilities or those who have been recommended by doctors as unfit for training (due to health reasons) are exempted from the training, but not the course. The exempted are assigned tasks that do not require physical exertion, such as checking attendance, cleaning, etc.... More About: Pants
Wordless Wednesday #62: Dead tree?
More articles from this author:2008-12-02 03:42:00 Taken in Kep, on our way to Vanna's GuesthouseI was walking one fine summer afternoon with my husband when I caught a glimpse of this dead tree, devoid of leaves, and its branches jutting out to the sky. The sun was still minutes away from setting and the light seemed to give it a strange glow. While the other trees that surround it were leafy and green, this one stubbornly stood out and I said to myself - what a lonely tree. More Wordless entries here. More About: Sights , Dead , Tree , Wednesday 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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