Happy Birthday My Dearest Fr. Brother!!!

Ash Wednesday

Buhay Buhay!!!

Ang aga aga wala na agad internet connection sa office. Time check 8:36 am, ang start namin dito sa work eh 7:00 am.

Pagpasok ko sa trabaho, una sympreng gagawin i-on ang computer. Well, dahil hindi ko ini-expect ang mga pwedeng mangyari sa buong araw, kailangan ko ng ‘’divine intervention’’ so sympre kailangan tumawag muna ako kay ‘’BRO’’. Favorite kong prayer yong prayer ni St. Francis of Asisi. Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace, where there is hatred let me sow love... I think high school ako when I started to love this prayer. Napanood ko kasi yong movie about sa life ni St. Francis of Asisi at sympre na-amaze ako sa kanya.

Usually, pag upo ko sa harap ng computer open agad ng email sa Outlook, at pag wala naman email na dapat i-reply agad open ko rin muna ang Yahoo Messenger (invisible mode)., ang Friendster at Manila Bulletin. Nakaka frustrate lang kasi sa Manila Bulletin at ang bagal nila mag update ng website nila. Dati mahilig ako mag-PEX (www.pinoyechange.com) kaya lang now hindi na at busy rin sa trabaho. Pag breaktime naman sa tanghali, mas gusto ko magbaon ng tinapay kahit na sa loob lang ng factory ang canteen at dorm namin. Habang kumakain ng tinapay eh youtube mode naman. Super na appreciate ko talaga na maluwag sa office namin ang use ng internet. Ang laking tulong kaya para mabawasan ang homesick, connected ka sa mga online friends, nakaka relax, at sympre updated ka sa mga nangyayari sa mundo.

Weekend na naman pala. Well ang saya pag Sabado kasi until 4 o’clock pm lang ang work naming at usually eh schedule naming ito mag simba, kain sa labas at mag grocery. Pero parang mas gusto ko magsimba tomorrow. Para maiba iba naman ang malanghap kong hangin. Bahala na mamaya kung ano ang magiging mood ko.

Nasa Polangui ang family ko ngayon para sa Thanksgiving mass ng aking brother na ngayon ay ‘’Father’’ na. Yon nga lang ang downside pag nag work ka sa abroad may mga special occasions sa pamilya mo at hindi mo witness. Pwede naman kung sa pwede pero syempre ang mahal kaya ng plane ticket. Well, sige tyaga tyaga na lang muna. Naalala ko, kahapon nga pala nag check ako sa website ng Ayala Life. Wala pa kasi akong insurance, pero merong Philhealth kasi nga required ka pag nag register ka sa POEA. Sumakit ang ulo ko kakabasa ng mga anik anik sa Ayala Life. Nag email na lang ako para maka receive ako ng mas specific na mga details doon sa inquiry ko.

Time check 3:27 ng hapon.

Sure na ako hindi ako magsisimba today. Bukas na lang doon sa chapel sa may Japanese Bridge. Maliit lang yong chapel tapos kailangan magtanggal ka ng sapatos pag pumasok ka sa loob ng church. Ang kagandahan naman ng maliit na crowd pag nagsisimba eh mas intimate ang dating. Ang gagaling nga ng choir doon eh, mga Pinoy din. Well alam mo naman ang Pinoy, hindi papahuli sa kantahan. Antok na antok talaga ako. Ano kaya maulam mamayang gabi. May dalawang lata pa ako ng Century Tuna na pabaon sa akin ni Mama, may 10 pcs. pa akong itlog bili ko nong Sabado. Hmp, sana lang plain ang flavor ng tuna para pwede kong gawin omelet. Actually libre naman ang food dito sa company, kaya lang minsan syempre parang gusto mo tumikip ng ibang putahe. Eh hello kahit third world country ang Cambodia ang mahal kaya ng grocery dito. Kaya naman para tipid, every week, naggo-grocery ako ng 1 loaf na bread. Pwede kasi sya sa breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack at kung gusto mo eh gawin mo pang dessert. Dapat din hindi ako maubusan ng margarine at asukal, nyahahaha... Basta tyaga tyaga lang muna, mapapasaan ba at sa susunod makakakain ulit ako ng clubhouse sandwich...hehehe. O sige na at inaantok na talaga ako, mabuti na lang nakapag laba ako kagabi...

Have a nice weekend sa ating lahat!!!

Text ni Papa

I was really bored this afternoon. Many things to do at work but it seems my body doesn’t want to cooperate. Feel so sleepy and useless =)) So I just browsed by phone to check messages. I saw again this text message from my father last February 16, 2009.

‘’...Good to hear that. You’re old enough to decide. But as your father I can’t help not to worry. Ikaw na ang bahala dyan makisama ng husto sa mga kasamahan mo dyan. They are your temporary family...’’

Yes, you read it right, he is a sweet person. So many people see him nothing but a drunkard. But if you will just talk to him he is a very intelligent and caring person. When my first time to leave and work abroad my mother was the one who checked if all things I need are complete and my father was the one who stack
my things inside the luggage bag. They are the best!!!

My Perception

I never thought it would occur to me.
Letting you go would also set me free.

Trap in this state called confusion.
Animosity deepens my indecision.

Bitter words can cut a heart.
Once spitted out cannot just retract.

Forgiveness is a gift from above.
An act made stronger by love.

Sweet soul radiates with innocence.
Smile can inspire me to live my dreams.

Life can never be perfect.
We were born with our own defects.

Spread love with your neighbor.
Let God be glorified and adored.

2009 Valentine's Day in Phnom Penh

This year is my second year to celebrate Valentine’s Day here in Phnom Penh. I never thought the importance of this event in Cambodian culture until this year. Last year, I was so frustrated to learn that the production people do not want to extend overtime because it was Valentine’s Day. It was so embarrassing to remember that last year I was even questioning if they indeed know the real purpose of the celebration.





Last Saturday, work hour was only until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, on my face I realized and learnt how Valentine’s Day is such a big deal in Cambodia. Most of the roads I passed through you can see vendors selling roses, stuff toys and balloons in sidewalks sprouted like I had never seen in Phnom Penh. There was heavy traffic along major thoroughfares. It was also beautiful scenery to see young people in their motorbikes while holding roses and stuff toys.



I was embarrassed to myself and had to admit that last year I was wrong and stupid to perceive that they don’t know the meaning of Valentine’s Day. I think here in Cambodian they celebrate Valentine’s Day with a bang...

25 things you probably know or don’t know about me...

1) My real name is Marianne Shery I. Saminal
2) Hope to treat my parents for a world cruise.
3) Dream to travel the world with my two brothers.
4) My all time favorite celebrity is Alvin Patrimonio
5) I don’t eat atis, durian, dragon fruit and rambutan.
6) Until now I mess up using chopsticks.
7) I finished reading Purpose Driven Life for 4 years not 40 days.
8) If time machines exist–I would love to see the Beatles in the late 50’s.
9) I wish to travel the whole Southeast Asia and HK before I reach 33.
10) I cannot hold ice candy with my bare hands.
11) Nobody dance with me on my first JS Prom.
12) The movie A Walk to Remember can still make me cry.
13) I cannot play any musical instrument.
14) 10 years ago I listen to Linkin Park to sleep.
15) I can go to concerts alone.
16) I was a fan of F4 – saw two of them in person Ken and Vaness.
17) I enjoyed my college days than my high school days.
18) Got very frustrated when I failed volleyball tryout in high school.
19) I thumb suck.
20) Hope to save money for braces & laser treatment for my teeth.
21) I got 2 warts in my neck.
22) My model people – Mother Theresa and Job.
23) Vietnam is the first country I ever traveled for work.
24) I had never been to Manila Zoo.
25) I love my job. I love being a Garment Merchandiser.

Laos and Thailand Perhaps?

Laos and Thailand are neighboring countries of Cambodia. For months now, I have been dreaming to travel in Laos and Thailand. The valleys of Laos fascinate me a lot and the temples of Thailand struck me as always.

I have been working in Cambodia for one and a half year now and it is really embarrassing to admit that I had never been to Angkor Wat.

As Cambodia will be celebrating the Khmer New Year on April, if God will permit, I would love to travel by bus in Siem Reap and see Angkor Wat, go to Bangkok and see the Grand Palace and of course take photos on Laos natural wonders.

I have one and a half month left to prepare. I will try to make a list of things I need to be sure I am ready for the trip.

1) North Face backpack - :p bought one today :D
2) Digicam - need to stick on my loaf bread and margarine to save LOL.
3) Black Slippers for comfortable walking.
4) Bus Ticket - last time it was $16 from Phnom Penh to Bangkok.
5) Money - I travel not for shopping but better to be ready.
6) Lonely planet travel guides and maps.
7) My own itinerary as I won't have money to splurge in tour packages.

Whew! God please please please...let me do this...

Fr. Christian Vincent I. Saminal, O.S.J.

The most important event in the life of my family. The priestly ordination of my brother, Father Christian Vincent I. Saminal, O.S.J. on February 02, 2009 in Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills.