Sunday, March 23, 2008
Lent 2008
This year I am celebrating Easter here in Phnom Penh. I always look forward to celebrate Easter as I believe that this is the day Jesus risen from amongst the dead to fulfill the prophecy. I was brought up to be a Catholic and lent for me has a great significance - glorifying the Passion of Christ. Ash Wednesday reminds me the reality of life from the ashes I will return to ashes. On Palm Sunday, Jesus was welcome and glorified but on week ahead he will be betrayed just like the reality of life. Maundy Thursday Jesus wash the feet of his apostles. Truly signifies Jesus giving importance on our service and love to one another. Selflessness is a virtue and pride should have no room in our lives. Holy Friday the death of our Christ. Who amongst us can give up our dreams, our lives, our fortune to save one another? Christ did it to save mankind. Black Saturday, thousand years ago, the earthly body of Christ was lying in the tomb. We are fortunate enough to know that he had risen but how about Mother Mary who in those time was still suffering and weeping the death of his beloved Son. Easter Sunday, hallelujah, hallelujah, THE CHRIST HAS RISEN. The phrophecy has been fulfilled ''...on the third day he will come again...''
Who Are You?
Well for the past few months I have been seeing this good looking guy every Saturday during a Catholic mass. Don't get me wrong but I don't date him. I just literally ''see'' him. I mean just look or stare at him. I never got a chance to talk with him. The sad part is he is always with this very beautiful lady (sigh). They look good together how I wish they are just colleagues, friends or siblings perhaps.
At first, I was attracted with his physical features, tall, dark and definitely handsome (my standard).Then, every Saturday I always see him attending the mass which makes me admire him more. God knows how much I pray for someone who is a God fearing person. It seems he is intelligent, well, that is a guess only because I don't know anything about him at all. I do not know even his name.
Yesterday, I wasn't looking for him as my attention was caught by the solemnity of the eucharistic celebration and never to forget that the kids sitting near me are playing around and I think were so awesome to look at. Then, suddenly when I look at my right I found him seating at the back and of course with the beautiful lady (sigh again).
Well, if God will permit,I might know him in the right time. Who are you? (sigh)
At first, I was attracted with his physical features, tall, dark and definitely handsome (my standard).Then, every Saturday I always see him attending the mass which makes me admire him more. God knows how much I pray for someone who is a God fearing person. It seems he is intelligent, well, that is a guess only because I don't know anything about him at all. I do not know even his name.
Yesterday, I wasn't looking for him as my attention was caught by the solemnity of the eucharistic celebration and never to forget that the kids sitting near me are playing around and I think were so awesome to look at. Then, suddenly when I look at my right I found him seating at the back and of course with the beautiful lady (sigh again).
Well, if God will permit,I might know him in the right time. Who are you? (sigh)
Friday, March 14, 2008
A Wedding in Takeo
Well here are the pictures taken during the wedding we attended last Sunday in Takeo province.
Our Group Picture Inside the Bride's House
The Elders of the Family
The Reception Area - Outside Bride's Humble Abode
The Mother and the Bride
The Groom and The Bride at The Center
Next Sunday I will be attending again another wedding in Kandal province...
Our Group Picture Inside the Bride's House
The Elders of the Family
The Reception Area - Outside Bride's Humble Abode
The Mother and the Bride
The Groom and The Bride at The Center
Next Sunday I will be attending again another wedding in Kandal province...
Monday, March 10, 2008
Takeo Trip
Yesterday was my second time to attend a wedding here in Cambodia. The exciting part, it was held out of Phnom Penh. To our comfort, the bride was generous enough to arrange a van to pick us up in our company. Together with 1 Filipino, 2 Chinese
and a number of Cambodian colleagues we left Phnom Penh at around 9:30 am.
As it was my first time to travel in Cambodia’s country side, it was such a pleasure to have this trip. We passed by so many temples,markets, schools and most of the time rice fields. I feel goose bumps everytime I realize that 33 years ago under Pol Pot regine, Exodus had happened in these roads. Fields had witnessed the terrible executions and in-humane labor practices Khmer Rouge had known. Families were separated and innocent babies were violently murdered because of very insane and malicious reasons. Cambodia’s darkest past which still haunts the present.
During the trip, we were amazed by mangoes sold in the market and along the road. But our Cambodian colleagues advised us that it would be cheaper to buy along the road. We were delighted when our driver finally stopped in one vendor selling mangoes in-front of their house. I also take to opportunity to take a photo of their humble home.
We passed by so many rice fields but it was not so much an eye catcher, mostly are just dry land. With these dry lands it’s no wonder the cows we saw are so thin. I found that Japanese government had been spending a lot of money in helping Cambodia to improve their irrigation system. Bridges are also being constructed with Japanese aid.
Finally, it was a relief to reach Takeo province. Not just because of a better natural views but finally we are near to our destination.
Takeo, (in my own opinion) has better road and cleaner surrounding compared to those we passed by. Finally I saw lots of water and greener rice fields. Believe me, I love those Palm tree's surrounded by water and green rice fields.
The province also got grand landmarks which I think tourists and locals will appreciate. They showed the grand past of Angkorian era.
I did enjoy this Takeo trip. If Im not yet tired, I will also post a blog regarding the wedding we attended which is the main reason why we are here :)
and a number of Cambodian colleagues we left Phnom Penh at around 9:30 am.
As it was my first time to travel in Cambodia’s country side, it was such a pleasure to have this trip. We passed by so many temples,markets, schools and most of the time rice fields. I feel goose bumps everytime I realize that 33 years ago under Pol Pot regine, Exodus had happened in these roads. Fields had witnessed the terrible executions and in-humane labor practices Khmer Rouge had known. Families were separated and innocent babies were violently murdered because of very insane and malicious reasons. Cambodia’s darkest past which still haunts the present.
During the trip, we were amazed by mangoes sold in the market and along the road. But our Cambodian colleagues advised us that it would be cheaper to buy along the road. We were delighted when our driver finally stopped in one vendor selling mangoes in-front of their house. I also take to opportunity to take a photo of their humble home.
We passed by so many rice fields but it was not so much an eye catcher, mostly are just dry land. With these dry lands it’s no wonder the cows we saw are so thin. I found that Japanese government had been spending a lot of money in helping Cambodia to improve their irrigation system. Bridges are also being constructed with Japanese aid.
Finally, it was a relief to reach Takeo province. Not just because of a better natural views but finally we are near to our destination.
Takeo, (in my own opinion) has better road and cleaner surrounding compared to those we passed by. Finally I saw lots of water and greener rice fields. Believe me, I love those Palm tree's surrounded by water and green rice fields.
The province also got grand landmarks which I think tourists and locals will appreciate. They showed the grand past of Angkorian era.
I did enjoy this Takeo trip. If Im not yet tired, I will also post a blog regarding the wedding we attended which is the main reason why we are here :)
Monday, March 3, 2008
Mama
Dear Mama,
When I was younger, I was wondering who is my best friend. I have a lot of friends but I don’t know who is my best friend. Best friend is suppose to be the one who understands me the most. At my age (I’m turning 29), this question suddenly pops up again in my head. I realized I’m such a fool looking around for a best friend as I already got you Mama. I made my friends way back in elementary, high school and college days. I gained more friends when I already started working. I’m also lucky to have my brothers as my friends. But it was so stupid of me not to realize that my best friend is just around. I had my ups and downs and you are always there for me. I have tons of failures but you still loved me unconditionally. You rejoice even in little achievement I got. With all the love and protection you gave me, I reciprocated it with rebellion. Instead of thanking you for it, I feel suffocated and want to get out from your scrutiny. Why I only realized now that what you are doing is because you want the best for me. I feel so guilty to remember the days when I answered you back. I feel so bad to recall how many times I made you cry. You are the only one who knows me completely. Maybe not knowing me 100% but you know me more than anyone else in this world. You have seen the worst of me. You feel proud when I’m at my best. I thank you and papa for letting me to know God. I thank you for bringing us up to be a good catholic. I may not be a perfect catholic but I’m doing my best to be good.
I hope God will give us more time to spend together. I hope God will give me an opportunity to let me show how much I love my family. My family is my inspiration to strive harder and dream. I want you to be proud of me. I want you to realize that you are really the best mother in the whole world. I’m such a lucky person to have you and papa as my parents. Thank you for all the hard work you and papa had to endure just for us to finish our studies. Thank you so much Mama. I love you so much Papa and Mama.
Che-Che
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