Wordless Wednesday: Help for Marion

This is Marion Sid Hendryx Undag. He is a 2-month old baby boy who has been diagnosed with esophageal artresia.

Marion is the son of my good friend, Abba, and we would like to knock on your kind hearts to help Marion in any way that you can.

Marion had an operation last June 4, 2012; however, the the said operation was not successful and the doctors are looking into another operation that would save this baby's life. Unfortunately, the hospital and doctors' bills are far too much, and the second operation will not take place until my friend has paid at least 75% of the current hospital bills. For more information, please visit the website below:

http://www.gofundme.com/Help-for-Marion

Please help Marion in any way that you can. Prayers and even the smallest amount that you can share are greatly appreciated.

Food Trip Friday: OM NOM NO...

Confession: I am not THAT adventurous when it comes to food. Call me 'BORDERLINE PICKY.'

It's like I've never outgrown the phase where I would pout and say, "NO." when my mom feeds me things that do not really appeal to me.

You could say that when I was younger, I think there were some instances where my mom would threaten to shove food down my throat, or worse, perhaps tell me horror stories of going blind if I did not eat yellow vegetables. I think that was partially true though - I do sport eyeglasses.

However, over the past few years, I have attempted to become more adventurous with food. I have tried eating more dishes that I would normally ignore. In short, I am growing up... well, maybe not THAT much. Still, progress IS progress.

I already gave myself a good pat for being a good girl and trying out new things, until my newfound Khmer friends introduced me to this delectable dish (photo taken by my cousin).

Yes, folks, those are grilled centipedes. Hmmm...

I don't know about others, but whenever I see a centipede, I imagine the words "WARNING!" flashing near it... if I am close to it, that is. I always thought that these lil critters were deadly, lethal even, but apparently there are some that are lethal, but not all.

I learned that in Cambodia, there are a number of insects that they consider as food. Oh, sure, I've seen crickets being eaten as well. But as semi-adventurous as I am, I draw the line at insects. It's just that insects and I have a hate-hate relationship, and I am squeamish.

My husband thinks that the cure for my 'bug squeamishness' is for me to actually taste bugs... *gulp* No thank you.

For the curious ones, here is a nice link that will show you how to cook certain types of insects. Some of these include tarantulas, scorpions, locusts, crickets, and the like.

As for me and my stomach, we believe that 'Insects are soon-to-be friends, not food.'

Thank you!

Tempest in Coffee Cup

The weather is fine in Phnom Penh these days, and more often than not, I find myself pining for a cup of coffee or a soothing bowl of soup. Mmmm..

The rainy season has indeed begun, and while I could sit here and talk about the weather and how lightning in Cambodia terrifies the heck out of me, let us leave that for another day and lets talk about something I know nothing about.. Coffee.

I LOVE COFFEE.

Do you love coffee? I love coffee. I crave coffee, I have headaches when I am out of caffeine for a month or so. Yes, I am not that addicted to coffee though, which is good news.

I recently learned that there are a gazillion types of coffee in the world. I used to be more of a 3-in-1 (instant coffee) gal before my new work place spoiled my taste buds and now for some reason packet coffee just doesn't taste the same anymore. Oh woe is me.

But can I tell you a secret? I don't know what I am drinking.

If somebody asks me, I'd say 1/4 coffee + milk + a bit of sugar... LOL but what does it all mean?

I think I'm drinking caffe latte. But I am not sure.. I wish it was cappuccino, but I am pretty sure I'm not drinking cappuccino. So maybe its a variant of caffe latte or maybe cafe au lait, cafe con leche, koffie verkeerd, kawa biala, and blah blah blah.

Either way, it is coffee - some form of it. With an equal amount of milk because without it, I get migraines. Also, it must have a bit of sugar - because I am sweet. LOL

To be perfectly honest, I am not some kind of coffee connoisseur. I am but plebeian with acquired tastes.

So this is coffee for me.

Someday, I wish to be come more acquainted with tea and perhaps cross the line from caffeine-veined to tea-veined. 

So, can you tell me more about coffee in your world? Is it good? 

P.S., I would really like to try Kopi Luwak. Blame it on the Bucket List movie. LOL

Hair cutting adventures in Phnom Penh

I don't know about you, but boy do blow dryers make me sleepy. It could be the warm air, the sound, or the warm air, but I swear, every time blow dryers are trained on me, I get so sleepy I fear I'd sleep in a snap.

But enough about that. How was your weekend? Mine was so-so, save for the hair cutting adventure I had last Saturday.

Well, it was the first time I had my hair cut in Phnom Penh, and I was quite apprehensive because sometimes these communication barriers do prove to be a challenge, especially when it comes to hair. I wouldn't want to go out of the salon sporting a Mohawk, would I? Then again, a Mohawk sounds cool, too.

Anyway, I decided to brave the big unknown, close my eyes and take my pick among the many salons in the city. I chose one that was a regular place for my brother to have his haircut which was located at Parkway Square.

Crossing my fingers, I went in, and said 'hair cut?' And the ladies said, 'yes.' And off we went to a good start. I made sure I used hand gestures to indicate up to where the hair should be cut and styled, and said 'Cut here. Okay?' indicating my shoulders. Then added 'my face fat, make hair cut nice on my face please?' I really had no idea what I was trying to say, but I said it anyway... I just did not want to come out looking as round as a basketball. To which the nice lady said 'Yes.'

So the hairdresser snipped, cut, snipped, and cut again until my long gorgeous locks were dismembered and around a good 5-6 inches fell gracefully to the ground.

She then asked me, 'shampoo okay?'

I said, 'nahh, is okay.'

She replied, 'shampoo, cut, blow dry is $7.'

And I shook my head saying once more 'nahhh, is okay.'

When they took the robe thingie off of me, I thought the cut was done, but then one of the assistants called me and led me to the back where they shampoo people. Hmmm.. I realize now that I should have said, 'no, thank you.' But c'est la vie!

So the assistant shampooed my hair - twice! - and turned the massage feature of their shampoo bed-thingamajig. Unfortunately, it was not as comfortable and relaxing as I had hoped as the assistant just had to use her nails whilst massaging my sensitive scalp. You could say that I tried a couple of times to sit up, or move her hand away from my head, but to no avail. All I could do was grit my teeth and prayed to God that my hair would not fall off from the harassment it was getting. I would not be so surprised if it bled, too!

But surprise, surprise! I survived!

They then led me back to my chair where the assistant and the hairdresser took one side each of my hair and blow dried it from here to kingdom come! They also sprayed some fancy shmancy stuff on it that I do not recognize and used some serum.

Then for the big reveal... voila! I looked... normal. Hahaha PRAISE THE LORD!

Though my scalp was still slightly tingling, my hair did not fall off. I am aware that massaging one's scalp is good, but good Lord that was more than a 'massage'! Still, I lived.

While I am not so sure if I will be going back there for my next hair cut, I think things could have gone better if I managed to communicate my feelings well. But it is not so bad. People are saying I look nice. So.. yay! :D

Also, most importantly, the husband loves it. Weeee... cheers to the fr****n weekend! :) Drink to that! Hahaha

Have a fantastic week everyone!

DOLPHY: King of Comedy (dies at 83)

Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr. aka DOLPHY

July 25, 1928 - July 10, 2012

Rest in peace, idol!

Cambodia faces problem with lethal disease

Photo taken from Raw Story

A few days ago, the world was rocked with news about a lethal disease that has broken out in Cambodia. This came just a few days after somebody informed my family about this occurrence as well.

We've been shocked by these news especially since we are living in the said country, and we do fear for our own safety and welfare.

It was a good thing, though, that the World Health Organization (WHO) was able to narrow down the suspected cause of the virus that has been killing off young children as a virulent strain of the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Still, since there is no vaccine or cure for this disease, what we can really do is just fend it off.

I cannot say that I'm too comfortable with it because paranoia strikes every now and then. Especially since I do have dreams of going home, and what's worse is that people in my office are coughing their brains out, and they don't even know how to cover their mouths as they do so.

Can you blame me if I start spraying alcohol around the place? I kid. I kid. LOL but one can never be too sure especially regarding this sickness. 

I guess the only thing I can do now is to make sure I drink my vitamins, eat healthy food. Probably start an exercise regimen so as to maintain a healthy body. And drink drink drink water.

Do you have any other tips on how to deal with this? I'd appreciate it.

On the other hand, locals seem to think this disease is nothing. According to a friend, "it just happen[s] to babies." Is it? I could be overreacting, but I think it is a big deal.

I hope there will be no more deaths babies or adults, and I do pray that there will be some kind of miracle or solution to Cambodia's problems.

And now I go to spray more alcohol. Call me OCD or call me OCD. I am just trying to be safe.

Rainy days and Mondays... and Sundays

It's a very lovely Sunday night in Phnom Penh. The rain is falling and the wind is blowing quite nicely, and all I really want to do is snuggle under the covers and watch a heartwarming movie or two.

When rain pours, sometimes my loneliness echoes in the silence despite the pitter patter of raindrops on the nearby tin roof. Still, one must not wallow in misery and depression if one wishes to remain sane.

On most nights like these, I turn on my laptop and play tunes. Most of the songs I tend to radiate toward include the following songs / artists:

• "Runaway" - The Corrs
• "Still" - Hillsong
• Songs by Frank Sinatra
• Classic Jazz
• "Trouble Sleeping" - Corinne Bailey Rae
• Songs by Acoustic Alchemy
• "Someone to Fall Back On" - Aly Michalka (I Can't Go On, I Will Go On)
• "Some Nights" - Fun.
• "Carry On" - Fun.
• "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" - either Creedence Clearwater Revival or Casey Abrams' version
• ... and more (I got too lazy to list everything)

If tunes don't work, I turn to movies such as You've Got Mail, Serendipity, Sweet Home Alabama, Practical Magic, and then some.

Tomorrow is Monday... duh. I don't really feel like going anywhere whenever melancholy creeps up, but I guess I have to. I keep telling myself that the main reason I am here is that I have a family to feed, and that gets me through the distance. Hehe FOCUS!

Anyway, in honor of tonight's lovely rainy evening, this is "One for My Baby..." by Frank Sinatra. There are a number of renditions of this song which was first performed by Fred Astaire. However, Frank Sinatra's version is the best for me. It feels like it digs deep in my heart and properly gets my mood across. Hehe enjoy.

Food Trip Friday: Lunch at Khmer Surin

A few days ago, my family decided to dine out just for a change of scenery.

My mom brought us to Khmer Surin, a restaurant she pointed out a couple of times as we passed by but did not really hold my interest. But since she wanted to go there, the whole gang went with the idea.

I was really pleasantly surprised when I found out that the inside of Khmer Surin was more of a paradise than a mediocre restaurant I had pegged it to be. Suffice it the saying, 'Don't judge a book by its cover'. I swear the whole place took my breath away as I quickly whipped out my camera just to 'document' the experience.

As I stepped into the restaurant, I felt the comfortable vibe that it was going for. There were several native decors, a small bridge nearby, and several gorgeous dining areas. Though I really, really, really, really wanted to eat at the area where you could sit cross-legged on the ground, my mom felt it would be better if we went to the top-most area as the tables and chairs were more suitable for our group. Perhaps next time we will get a chance to sit at the area I wanted.

Below are some pictures during my experience. Sad to say, my photography prowess does not do Khmer Surin justice. Still, I hope you enjoy it.

Khmer Surin (Delicious Khmer and Thai cuisine): Traditional Cambodian setting and relaxing surroundings.

Dining areas. (Clockwise from top left) Dining area at the top; outdoors dining area in the first floor; indoor dining area at the first floor; indoor dining area at the second floor (this is where I wanted to dine at!!)

Food trip!!!


Top row

• Crispy rice - much like Cebu's ampao but lacks the sweetness 
• Salad
• Fried chicken - I swear, this is the BEST chicken I have tasted in Cambodia so far.

Middle row

• Crab soup
• Sauce with peanuts, meat, and then some - you put it on top of the crispy rice
• More seafood

Last row

• Strawberry smoothie with mango and orange
• Spring rolls
• Raspberry smoothie

OM NOM NOM!!

I honestly hope to go back soon.

Service was okay, by the way. Although I've heard that service may lag every now and then, what we did was make our orders ahead of time so that by the time we reached Khmer Surin, we pretty much just dived in and filled our bellies.

In case you are in Phnom Penh and you have not tried dining at Khmer Surin, this is the location:  

Am I not pretty enough?

No?

Okay.

LoL

After spending the night bawling my eyes out, I thought I'd try to look pretty today, although that obviously failed, too. But for some reason, I don't care of the rest of the world does not think I am pretty enough. My husband sure feels that I am the most beautiful girl in the world. And that is enough for me.

One of the things that I've noticed since transferring to Phnom Penh is that the ladies here are a bit particular when it comes to beauty. I doubt, though, that they are vain. But they are quite ~*particular*~.

Take Ms A for example. Ms A is in her early twenties. She is relatively on the thin side so much so that when she sits next to me, I'm like the balloon and she's the stick. For realz. But this may be because I am on the LARGE bordering on EXTRA Large size, and she is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Still, Ms A feels that she is fat. I told her she's not. I hope she believed me.

Now, Ms A spends money getting her hair dyed every few months, and has hair cuts every few months. That is not vanity per se, as I believe its just good grooming habits. Ms A also wants to be whiter. She is whiter than me, but she wants to be more white, because locals believe white skin = gorgeous.

Ms B, on the other hand, is like Ms A in a number of ways. However, her favorite past time is spending hours on Facebook just looking for creams that would increase her chest endowments, make her nips and lips pink, etc. No matter how many times you stress the fact that they are beautiful in their own right, they will never listen to you. I swear - I tried.

Oh don't start the 'you don't know how it feels' mantra. I know exactly how they feel... except... well, a miracle happened when I transferred to Phnom Penh. You know what? People here keep telling me I'm 'thom thom' (Khmer for 'big big' aka 'fat') day in and day out. What can you expect? Next to Ms A and Ms B, I'm like a frickin dinosaur. ROFLMAO. Incidentally, this pushed me to accept myself... dinosaur size and whatever my face looks like. But I still feel a wee bit sad about my physical predicament every now and then. What can I do? Move forward... that's what. Also, just loving myself makes it a little bit better.

The Khmer ladies are quite pretty, let me tell you. They do know how to present themselves - albeit a little bit dated, but they still rock. I can honestly say that although I may not be pretty enough, I have learned much from my new friends  especially when it comes to being comfortable in my own skin and finding ways to best 'present' myself.

There's this song called 'Not Pretty Enough' by Kasey Chambers which used to be my Theme Song. I listened to it today, and although I still feel the emotions in the song, you could say that it just makes me want to reach out to those who don't feel pretty enough.

Hmm.. I betcha you didn't read this far. ROFLMAO. I know, I know. ... TL;DR. I hope you enjoy the song though! :)

Ciao.

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Pills

"I don't drown my sorrows; I suffocate them with chocolate." 

~Author Unknown

(These delicious 'Happy Pills' were donated by a colleague as it was his birthday last Sunday.)