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

2. Jealousy is a waste of time.

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

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

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

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

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

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Hi...this week I am participating for the first time in the Friday Fill-ins meme. I hope new friends will join me here...


1. Oh, I can't wait until I have a baby.

2. Ice is the first thing I see when I open my refrigerator.

3. I never leave home without my bag.

4. If I were a condiment, I would be a red chilli because I am hot. *lol*

5. Queue-jumping (or people who don't fall in line) is really high up on my list of pet peeves.

6. The last thing I thought of before I went to bed was how loving God is for taking care of me and my family.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a nice dinner with my husband, tomorrow my plans include sightseeing in Phuket town and Sunday, I want to go shopping!

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I am participating again in the Friday's Feast meme after a loooong time of absence. I hope old friends will find me here, and if not, I hope new ones will come. Here goes:


Appetizer
When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?
- The last time I had my hair cut was in November last year. I promised myself I'd get it trimmed monthly, but never got to it. Now it's already July and my hair is now below my shoulder level and in dire need of a trim. Before coming to Phuket, I keep on reminding myself to have it cut but never did... I have to do it soon or else, scissors will come flying in my direction.


Soup
Name one thing you miss about being a child.
- Not having to worry about anything, carefree and innocent

Salad
Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.- Butter, hands down!! Love it dripping off on corn, hot pan de sal (Filipino bread), pancake, etc...

Main Course
If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?
- It's gotta be French!! Aside from the fact that it's very pleasing to the ears, learning the French language will also help me clinch my dream job.

Dessert
Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…
... a PDC (Participatory Development Communication) expert working in another country and a mom.

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I'm glad the sun is up today. It rained for the most part of yesterday (in Tuol Sangke where we live), so our plan to drive around was canceled, but I was also glad for the cool weather that the rains brought in.

I notice that every now and then I get headaches. Perhaps I'm watching too much TV these days (it's the Wimbledon!!)... or perhaps it's because I'm getting old and creaky? Simba ko (knock on wood). I am always comforted by my husband's words and assurances; and my nephew and nieces still make me laugh and smile. When I call home and talk to them, it makes me forget the aches.




I wish I could also have their childlike innocence.

Okay, enough of the wishful thinking... on to what's happening here - we are flying to Phuket on Saturday!! Wohoo!! Actually it is not a 100% holiday as the husband is taking a course there, but, of course, Phuket is Phuket, and we are bound to do what tourists should do when in Phuket.

By the way, I would like to say thank you to dear Zam of MakiMeji for sharing the love to me...



... and now I am passing the love on to my friends, Redlan, Serena, Lou, J-B-L-O-G-G-E-D, MamaGirl, Sam and KiwiPinay. Let's spread the luuuuv!

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

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

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

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

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

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1. How long since you have been with your dad?
- Over a month ago.

2. How many siblings share your dad?
- Four

3. Will you see your dad tomorrow?
- No, I won't... but will phone him.

4. Do you give him gifts on Father’s Day?
- Sometimes, but we showered him with kisses and hugs when we were little.

5. Have you ever had a tough time in your relationship with your father?
- Oh yes. I once declared a demented war against my father. Luckily it didn't last long.

6. What was the last thing that you did with your dad?
- My mother and I met him in a mall to have lunch together at his favorite Mang Inasal restaurant.

7. Growing up, was your dad tough on you?
- He was, for the most part, away from us. He was tough, yes, but my mother was tougher!! *lol*

8. Are you close to your father?
- You can say that, but am closer to my mother.

9. How long since you have spoke to him?
- About two-three weeks ago.

For more of Saturday 9, visit Samantha's Saturday 9 Meme.

Pang, happy father's day na lang dira a!

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Here's a fun tag from Sis Era of The Life of a Tatapilla. The rules are:

1. Add your blog/s to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs. It’s okey if you only post this questions in one blog as long as you answer them.

2. Get back to YEN and she’ll add your blogs to the master’s list here! Yup, another linking thingy but this one has 15 questions and you get to enjoy answering them too!

3. Tag as many friends online you know. But you don’t need to be tag in order to join.

QUESTIONS:
1. When you buy a greeting card, are the words or the picture more important to you?
Both the words and picture are considered.

2. What’s your favorite kind of cake?
Anything with chocolate, and without nuts.

3. Do you ever make gifts for people, if so what, or do you buy them?
Yes, I make gifts for people very dear to me.

4. What’s your favorite holiday?
When R and my holidays coincide, so we could do things together.

5. Are you going on holiday this year? If so, where?
R's school break, and we're planning to go to Phuket!! *fingers crossed*

6. What was the best party you've ever been to?
Hmmmm... I think our own wedding party where only the two of us were present! *lol* Story on this soon, promise.

7. If you are married, describe your wedding. If not, what would your ideal wedding be like?
Ours was like a speeding bullet, no fuss, no nothing - we didn't know the ceremony's over until the presiding commune chief told us so (it was done in Khmer!!)

8. What’s the most romantic thing that’s ever happened to you?
Getting proposed to :)

9. What’s your favorite girl’s name?
No favorites at all, although I like Sinead Malaya

10. What’s your favorite boy’s name?
Same as #9.

11. Which celebrity would you like a dream date with?
I'll name three, if you don't mind: Grant Hill, of the CSI NY fame; James Blake, American tennis player; and Cillian Murphy, Irish actor.

12. Which female celebrity do you find beautiful?
- Halle Berry

13. Which male celebrity do you think is attractive?
- see number 11.

14. What is your best character trait?
I'm not sure - will ask husband :)

15. What is your worst habit?
Cracking fingers, and a host of others

I'm tagging JBLOGGED, MamaGirl, Zam, and Redlan. Have fun!

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Ta Prohm Temple
Siem Reap, Cambodia

My first visit to Angkor Wat was unforgettable. It was when going to the great land of Angkor Wat, and walking the same path as the ancient Khmers who lived thousands of years ago; seeing the crumbling ruins, some still hidden in the midst of the jungle - unleashed the Indiana Jones in me.

Above is a photo of me at Ta Prohm temple. It is an eerie sight - rubble all over the place with overgrown trees and tangles of tree roots that seem to grab at unsuspecting tourists (see pic) and give it an almost supernatural feel. I got so carried away most of the time, hopping from one pile of rubble to another, that I forgot I was with someone (my husband), and that I was just one of those millions of excited, camera-toting tourists who visit Siem Reap every year.

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Photo borrowed from my other blog.

This is my favorite childhood treat, ampao, or rice crispies, in the Philippines. When I was a kid in the province, we seldom eat chocolates (they are expensive). Chocolates and other candies were a rare treat, and we usually had them only on Christmas, birthdays and other special occassions. Rice crispies, however,were our everyday treat. They are sweet and crunchy, sometimes sprinkled with peanuts and most of all, very affordable. It is rectangular in shape and because it is quite thick, one has to open its mouth wider than usual to have a bite of it.

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This is how the people of Thailand say "welcome". And like our very own mabuhay, it also connotes a host of other meanings mostly for wishing people well.

So by now you have an idea that I am in Bangkok for some business matters. I'll be in PP soon. To those who come and visit this blog from time to time, please excuse me for not being able to post or visit your blogs regularly. I have so many things on my mind and a lot more to do that blogging has to take a backseat for now. But I do promise to resume blogging when I have completed my tasks.

See you soon and kap kuhn kah (thank you):)

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Hello everybody!

Thanks for dropping by even if I have no updates.
I slipped out of Cambodia and in to the Philippines quietly. I am here for matters concerning my health. I do not wish to divulge details about it as I do not want to dampen everyone's mood but let me just say that after some tests, there is no immediate cause for concern, thank God.

From my end, I am enjoying my time here at home in Roxas City, eating home-cooked meals that I sorely missed. A close friend based in Norway commented on my non-existent gimik schedule as biglang natahimik, as opposed to my being a curacha when I was in Phnom Penh where I was almost always out of town doing something in the community.

I must admit though that after a couple of days here in Roxas, I kind of miss Cambodia already. I miss my husband (he still has work - school holiday is two months away), and thanks to modern technology, we exchanged sms and talk through YM almost every night. I still have to stay for more tests but for now, I'll just sit back, relax and enjoy the vacation while it lasts. I am spending time with my parents (who are looking older everytime I come home) and my siblings and their brood - a nephew and nieces - who (except for my nephew) I haven't seen since they were born.

I have been enjoying my holiday and soon it will be over, but let me just show you where I've been spending most of my time:

In one of our family outings, we went to this not so known beach resort in Barangay Basio, in Ivisan town, about 36kms away from the capital city of Roxas. It was such a surprise to see white sand and clear waters comparable to Boracay without going out of Capiz at all! I was even more surprised that only a handful of visitors go there... mabuti nga iyon, we had the beach all to ourselves lang.

Let the pictures speak for itself:







Beautiful, isn't it?
It is still pristine, untouched by the claws of commercialism. I would definitely come back to Basiao with my husband next time.

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1. Have you ever had a summer romance? Care to share?
- No.

2. Do you believe in love at first sight?
- Not really, maybe attraction.

3. ‘You don’t marry someone you can live with, you marry the person who you cannot live without.’ What do you think of this quote?
- It was made by my dog.

4. Where does true beauty lie? On the inside or on the outside?
- Define true beauty.

5. Did you ever had a crush on a classmate or teacher? Who was it?
- Neither, but I had a huge crush on one of my housemates - Teban Espina *blush*

6. Summer wear….shorts or capris?
- Shorts, of course!

7. Would you ride a roller coaster or sky dive?
- Sky dive.

8. Last stupid thing you have done?
- Pick a fight with my husband.

9. Any summer plans? Trips, vacations and etc. Where?
- Celebrate Khmer New Year in Kep (in one week’s time), sat in a hammock with an ice-cold beer, waiting for the shrimp to jump out of the Gulf of Thailand and land on our plates.

10. In one word, define yourself!
- Okay, I find this a bit difficult so I asked my husband to reply to this particular question. This is what he has to say:

- This is Mr Z.
One word... hmmm
Difficult... not quite right
Stubborn... still not right
Obstinate... getting closer
I know :D... Zarah.

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I say... and you think...

1. Money :: necessity


2. Unhappy :: lonely


3. Joking :: in jest


4. Chipmunk :: cute squirrel


5. Date :: red-letter day


6. Slideshow :: powerpoint


7. Chicago :: windy city


8. Lifetime :: adventures


9. Skid row :: rockers


10. Edward :: king

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My entry for this week is -- drum rolls please -- our wedding rings! My husband and I decided to have our wedding rings handmade to our own choice of design, and both were made by the same person. Our rings were made of silver and gold - crafted by a local jeweler here in Cambodia. We chose gold and silver because we thought it is a significant symbol being in a mixed race marriage. Each one coming from a different worlds and cultures, each one bringing a new and different dimension to each other. It's like the ring - two different metals molded into one.

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Okay, so here's another first, Friday's Feast!


Appetizer
Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?

I'd love to live in the countryside. I think when I retire, I would like to buy a piece of land somewhere and live simply.


Soup
Who is the cutest kid you know?

My nephew and nieces, of course!! And they say funny things you won't expect from them at their age!! I think kids who say the darndest things are the cutest kids of all!!


Salad
Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard ___________.

I couldn't believe it when I heard that I am pregnant!!!!
Charing! I am only kidding :)



Main Course
If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?

Not for a particular product but rather a campaign to promote ICT4Dev (Information and communications technology for development).


Dessert
What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?

I don't take any. I used to take Vitamin C but I always get drowsy so I stopped.

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Yey, another new stuff that I joined this week. Every week Yen at Yenny Girl posts 10 questions every week for participants to answer just for fun. Everyone is welcome to join and grab this tag.



So here goes mine:

1. What was the last movie you bought/rented?
- Sweeney Todd. I am a huge Johnny Depp fan!

2. Have you ever gone too far on a dare?
- What, like skinny-dipping? Yup, did that in Bogo, Cebu :)

3. Can you sing the alphabet backwards?
- Hmmm, no. But can you sing the Khmer alphabet? *kidding*

4. Are you allergic to anything? What?
- I'm allergic to people who think they are God's gift to mankind.

5. Do you cry at weddings?
- No.

6. Name one person you want to hug right now. Why?
- Apart from my husband, I think I want to hug my friend, Celya. She's due to deliver her baby anytime soon!

7. Hair….natural or colored?
- Natural, but I am considering having my hair done as I can see grey hairs sprouting already.

8. Do you like camping?
- Absolutely!!

9. Most annoying TV commercial?
- Hmmm... can I say local ads?

10. Favorite place to shop?
-No preference. But I love to go to markets whether here or abroad just so I can soak in the local culture!

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My very first entry!

1. Paranormal :: ghosts


2. Alarm :: warning


3. Operative :: modus operandi


4. Changing :: life


5. Framed :: picture


6. Beer :: happy-hour


7. Referral :: network


8. Unmasked :: true identity


9. Movie star :: popular


10. Handbook :: manual

To join, simply click the Unconscious Mutterings logo above.

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This is supposed to be for Tuesday but since I am going away again for another work-related trip outside Phnom Penh, I am posting this today. Thanks to Serena at ChatNChill for this meme. So, here goes:

The Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

With the kind of work I have, there is very little time for me to spend reading. At the end of the day, I do not have enough strength anymore (read: I am lazy) to read serious fiction and non-fiction books. I can only read very light reading materials and it's to make me fall asleep. Right now, I am currently enjoying a very funny and clever children's book by none other than the master storyteller of children's stories - Roald Dahl. The book is very easy to read (with only 208 pages) and is called The BFG. I so love the way he cleverly twists the words into something fascinatingly funny, even to an adult like me. And most of all, I got it for only $3.50 *wink*

With that note, here's the answer to the meme:

"...But you could simply walk over that."

"How is you knowing all this about the Queen's Palace?" the BFG asked.

"Last year I was in a different orphanage," Sophie said.



And I am tagging Zuper Zam, MamaGirl, Roselle, Ms. Ghee, and Pepe.

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Here's one from dear friend Zam. Of course, if it comes from my friends, I'll make time for it. Pa-snack, bi *kidding*

Here goes:

4 Jobs I Have Had:
TV News and Feature Producer
Assistant to the Director for Documentation
Radio and Funding Advisor
Research Manager


4 Movies Watched Over and Over:
Shrek
Harry Potter
The Mummy
Matrix

4 Places I have Lived:
Phnom Penh, Cambodia (8 years soon and still counting)
Bikol region (Naga and Legazpi cities)
Cebu City
Quezon City and Angono, Rizal when I was growing up

4 Shows I Watch:
CSI
Amazing Race and Amazing Race Asia
House
Mythbusters

4 Places I Have Been (not too long ago):
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Tokyo and Kiyosato, Japan
- HK and Shenzhen, China


4 People Who E-mail Me:
My bank for the monthly bank statements :D
Former professors
Project Advisors (outside Cambodia)
Friends and family (including in-laws :D)


4 Favorite Things To Eat:
Pizza
Seafood
Ice cream
Atbp. (and many others)

4 Places I Would Rather Be Living:
- I can live anywhere as long as I have work to do and I'm with my husband


4 Things I Look Forward To This Year:
Vacation with R
Outcomes of our research project
A new job offer (or an extension of my work contract)
Having a baby

4 People To Tag:
Redlan
MamaGirl
Princess of CJ
J-B-L-O-G-G-E-D!

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Hi everyone. I know I was quiet these past few days. I am in Sihanoukville, 4hours away from the capital of Phnom Penh. Sihanoukville is Cambodia's beach town. Today is the last day of our project meeting and tomorrow we all go back to the city.

The past two days were productive. Most of all, after reviewing examples of ICT applications relevant to our pilots, we were able to finalize examples that can be illustrated and easily explained to the local management committees.

The hotel where we are staying is Malaysian-owned. The rooms are okay, but if given a choice, I would not stay here... There are better hotels in Sihanoukville in the same price range. There was no water on the second day and most of us didn't get a shower. Choices for breakfast are limited. The hotel sits on top of Victory Hill and is far from everything - much to the disappointment of the locals. They were hoping to be able to go to the beach after our sessions but couldn't because of the distance. The only thing I like about here is the free internet.

It's already late in the evening, S the Finance Officer is already sleeping soundly on the other bed; I am still up. So please forgive me if I am blabbering here. The title has no romantic connotations at all - I just thought it would make a nice title. I simply could not sleep here so I am whiling away the time.

Anyways, the night before I left, I was telling R about an interview I saw on an Aussie tv channel a week ago about a couple who was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. One of the things that stuck to my mind was about being together all the time. The beaming wife told the reporter that in the 50years of their being together, they have never spent a single night away from each other. And I told myself, this is a great achievement. Sadly, R and I can never be like them. My work requires me to be out of town, even out of the country, for stretches of days so we can never lay claim to an achievement like that. Oh well.

Yun lang po. That's all. Bow.

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