BACK

Wow! It's been more than a year since my last post.

I know I am not a writer but I think I should use this blog more often or I have to totally shut it down.


I'm back. Yes. Back to blogging and back from a 3 week dream vacation. :)


I was in Paris, Milan, Venice and Rome. It was a dream a come true with 2 years of planning. I thought it wouldn't happen but thanks to my vision board, I was able to do it.

Both France and Italy were great. Whenever people ask me which one I prefer, it's a bit difficult to answer. But I know in my heart that one stood out because of the people--and that's Italy. I just find Italians more welcoming and warm for a tourist like me. Probably I'm also just lucky to have a really good friend of mine there in Milan.

Even if I prefer Italy, it doesn't mean I will not go back to Paris. I will. There's more to see and experience in France and the rest of Europe.

After that much needed 3-week break, now I'm back to the Kingdom of Wonder. Opposite to what most people expected, I was excited to go back to my 2nd home.  With friends, work, colleagues and much love awaits me here, who would say no to Phnom Penh.

THE Mistress

Yes, I've been a fan of John Lloyd and Bea. And now that they have this new movie coming out next month, I'm just in heaven. (jologs? kebs!)

I did watch their presscon online earlier and there was a good question that was raised--have you ever been a mistress--kabit? Bigla akong napaback track sa life ko....hmmm. I don't think I would want to share my man to anyone else. But if being attracted to a committed man (in a relationship/ married) , I know it's possible. But to entertain it, is another story.

The Mistress trailer is intriguing. Like their previous movies, they have memorable lines like " di dahil gusto mo, makukuha mo". This is sooo true. Not everything we want, we can get. Not everything we get are automatically good for us. Sabi nga ni Bea, life is full of choices and love is a choice.

After all the hurt, I still choose to love and hopefully be loved.

BIRTHDAYS

Mabilis lumipas ang June...and so are the birthday parties. Kahit na haggard sa pagnomo na halos every week, partying with friends is uber fun!


It was Adi's birthday last June 22. I can say this was an easy one because the birthday celebrant himself had it all planned. A weekend/slumber party/swimming escapade with all the bekkies!! But just in Phnom Penh. It wasn't a bad idea especially when most (if not all) are sooo busy with work. The party was filled with laughter and tears, especially when the most anticipated birthday video was played.

After 2 weeks, it was Franco, Beth and Don's turn. Yes, three celebrants in a week. All I can say is that was a week of gluttony!! Whether dinner or lunch, we were always full. But more than the food, it was F's idea of a Cambodian photoshoot that became the highlight of the week! Everyone's excited and very much ready for the photoshoot. Girls arrived an hour early to start the make up. Then, lo and behold, the photoshoot started.


Each got their solos then the group shots. From serious, formal shots, to the usual comedic shots like below.

After the fun photoshoot, it was time for bowling. We're divided into 3 teams but unfortunately, our team didn't win. it was okay. The fact is, we had fun! The day ended with a dinner at Tiger park.


To cap off the week, we had a sumptuous and fabulous dinner at Mikey's place. Migs, a chef friend of Don from Ilo-ilo was visiting and he gladly prepared his top dishes for us. Can't remember the names but ALL we can say is that -- ANG SARAP!!!

Next month, 2 more dear friends are celebrating. We don't know what kind of celebration it'll be but we can't wait!

coming BACK

I should have written this 6 months ago when I decided to go back to Cambodia--the Kingdom of Wonder. But I guess I was too busy settling back. 

When I moved back, people asked me the big question-- WHY? Did I make a wrong decision when I left last year? What happened? These weren't easy questions. But then again, to answer that, the only thing I had to do was look back. No one knows what I've been through. This doesn't mean that it's bad. But in life, like what people say, things happen for a reason (good or bad). And I'm thankful things happened the way they did. Moving back to Cambodia wasn't an easy decision. But I know, deep down, that it's the right thing to do. I love my family, my friends and my country. But in life, you have to know and be clear on what you want in life---what your goals are. And then you can direct your path on achieving them--no matter what.

If someone will ask me again the same question, I will just smile and say"I'm happy where I am now".

SINGKO

Arrived last March 2006, not knowing what really lies ahead but just the feeling of excitement of a new adventure. So true, and thank God, Cambodia was really an adventure that I won’t forget and will never stop blabbing about. So here are 5 key things worth sharing about the Kingdom of Wonder.

UNO

Since I arrived, a lot of things have changed in this country. From being a simple city to a chic- modern urban dwelling. Before, my Friday nights would mean after dinner drinks at Riverhouse then Pontoon and the usual last stop is at Heart of Darkness. 5 years after, a good night starts with an après-work drinks at Metro to dinner to Fly to Pontoon then to Heart. But even if Heart and Pontoon is still part of my weekend agenda, there’s still a change. Heart now has 2 floors—which gives customers more space for breathing. Pontoon has moved to a safer place from the riverside to almost near Heart. That then makes bar hopping easier (no need for a tuktuk ride). Now I think these would explain my drinking habit.

DOS

I know people think that I just party here in Phnom Penh. That I am paid to do that! (I WISH!!). But that’s not what Phnom Penh offered to me. It’s actually eating. Good food isn’t that hard to find especially with new places just springing out of nowhere. Whether Vietnamese (Magnolia or Ngon), Italian (Pop or La Volpaia), Japanese (Mr. Sushi or Yumi), American (Freebird or Score), French (Comme’ La Maison) , Spanish (Pacharan), Lebanese (Le Cedre), Russian (Irina) or even Khmer dishes at Khmer Surin, I think everything is here in Cambodia. So these places explain why ALL people who comes to Cambodia gains a bit of weight.

TRES

With the absence of really big malls in the city, a shopaholic may think she’ll die here. But no! Hello to Russian Market—the sauna/shopping haven for everyone. From souvenirs, to furniture and to cheap clothes from Zara, Gap or Abercrombie, everything you will find there. Looks like half of my closet came from there. But this doesn’t mean that there’s only one place to shop. We also have Psar Thmey, which have just been recently renovated. These two are actually considered tourist destinations.

QUATRO

Holidays!! Who doesn’t like holidays? Here in Cambodia, (and I’m sure everyone will agree) we have the most number of holidays. To be strict about the numbers, we have about 21-25 days. That’s almost a month, which gives us 11 months to actually work. But then, each company will give you your annual leaves, right? It’ll range from15-18. Then add the weekends. You do the math! So taking advantage of these long holidays, visiting neighboring countries becomes easy. Got to see Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos and Singapore.

SINGKO

I think I wouldn’t be able to survive and enjoy my 5 years without the people I met along the way. Some may have left but there’s still more that are here. From colleagues, friends, housemates and even boyfriends. The good thing is these people come from different parts of the world! To be honest, I would have a really long list if I will write their names here and I might forget some (which isn’t nice, right?) But all I know is that each of them made an impact in my life.

Who would have thought that I would last for 5 years when I only wanted to TRY a different life outside the Philippines? Who would have thought that this country would teach me so many things, which I may not have learned if I’m in Manila? Who would have thought that Cambodia literally brought me life?

Leaving Cambodia is a mixed of emotions. It’s hard to leave the great life it gave me and the people I learned to love. But at the same time, it’s exciting to look forward to another adventure. Where? I even don’t know.

Okurn Chran!

Christmas 2010 Part 3

The 98s....my family for over 10 years now...ang mga baklang kasama ko through thick and thin..who understands my kagagahan (most of the time)

Every year, we always take time to see and catch up with each other. After our Stilts trip, we decided to have a post Christmas dinner in Makati. Jao picked the place in Ayala Triangle called Wee Nam Kee. Apparently, this is a famous dine in place so the assembly time is set at 6pm. Unfortunately, we had to line up for reservations. And while waiting for our number to be called (and others as well), me and Rosie headed to Pho 24 for some appetizers.

Rosie at Pho 24

By 7pm, when everyone arrived and we were called in. Yey! It's about time :)

Steamed Chicken

Cereal crumb prawn

Beef with broccoli

Fried Noodles with seafood

Roasted Chicken

Us enjoying the lighted park :)

Christmas 2010 Part 2

One of the main reasons I went home for Christmas is to attend my cousin's wedding. It's also like a reunion for the Marquez clan. Exciting? Definitely! At the same time, I'm going to see Alex, one of my nephews as well.

Dec 20 is the day. Me, mom and ate woke up early to go to Alabang for a make up appointment at Jessi Mendez salon. Surprisingly, we finished early just in time for my brother to pick us up. Afraid of the traffic, we left the house at 2pm (which gives us 2 hours) before the wedding.

The long wait is over. The wedding was almost perfect. Forget all the stress, it was indeed a wonderful event-- a great reunion.

cousins, uncle, brothers, nephews and a niece

and the ladies are all dolled-up

Dave with Uncle Ding and Auntie Lydia

with cuz Queenie

with family of course

with cousins (and we're missing more)


more cousins

look at them..the next generation of Marquez clan

Christmas 2010 Part 1

And my much awaited holiday of 2010 is over. Whew! That was fast!! Can't believe I've done so many things for that 2 weeks away from the office. Can't believe I'm back here in Cambodia and nursing myself with colds and fever. Can't believe I'm writing this first blog entry of 2011 :)

Now, what really happened in that past 2 weeks? What Karen??? People, especially my mom, said that I pushed myself too much. But I would just defend myself by saying "I'm on vacation here and what should I do??" Honestly, I have to keep myself busy even if that means just walking, window shopping, cleaning the house or just simply going up and down the stairs :) But seriously, what really happened?

Arrived Dec 17, 4am at Terminal 2. Together with other OFWs from different countries, I was ecstatic to be home. Not only to spend Christmas in Manila, but to spend it with family, and I meant my whole family. While waiting on my luggage, lo and behold, Mr. Piolo Pascual suddenly came out from the men's restroom! Am I just dreaming?? This early?? NO!! It was really him!! Someone even shouted at him saying " Hi Piolo!" and he just gave a sweet smile. That's it!! He really is the ultimate leading man of any woman (if I may say). I really thank the Lord for that flight. It was indeed a good sign that I will have a great vacation.

Got my luggage and saw my brother, sister and mom waiting at the arrival area!! YEY!! Just in time as we left the airport, we headed to a church (Our Lady of Airways, i think--) for the 2nd night of Simbang Gabi. Too bad, there's no puto bumbong or bibingka after the mass. So , we ended up buying breakfast at Jollibee!! WooohoO!!

After a happy breakfast, I have to start packing for my "beachy" trip with the 98s!! Around past 7, I left the house to meet Iggy, Ola and Rosie at McDonald's in Alabang Town Center. Took the bus and in 20 mins, I am with my girlfriends!! We waited for our driver, Evan who came from Cavite. After which, we went to Paseo Sta Rosa to meet Karl and Jao.

Here we are at Starbucks--my first decent coffee of the day

Ola, me, Karl, Jao and Evan

Iggy, Karl, Ola, Rosie, Evan, Jao and me in Tagaytay where we had lunch


and after 2 hours, hello Stilts!!


early dinner with Tonet and Frank who just arrived

and what better way to end the day but with a "bukanegan"

That same night, got a text from my mom if I can leave early for the dress fitting for my cousin's wedding. Apparently, I don't have a choice and good thing, my dear friend Evan is leaving at 4am for a friend's wedding. So we both sneaked out of the place at exactly 4am and I arrived home at 6:30. Slept for 3 more hours and woke up just in time for lunch, same time when my nephew and brother arrived.