It was a Sunday afternoon when we planned to go on a boat trip along Tonle Sap and Mekong River in Phnom Penh. Like what tourists normally do, we rented a boat for 2 hours. At dahil palubog na ang araw noon, we decided to bring some food in the boat. We had 2 crispy patas, 2 large fried rice from Samdoo, chicken, chips and wine. Socialite ang drama! Though we forgot a lot of things, we still managed to enjoy the trip. Besides, it's the company of the people you're with that matters.
The moment we stepped into the boat, we immediately positioned ourselves for pictures. I think we had 3 cameras that time. Smile here, posed there. In two hours, we had to almost finish everything. Fortunately, we ate 1 crispy pata, 1 chicken and the 2 fried rice. We even emptied the 2 bottles of wine.
Landing back in the riverside at around 6:30 and still full, we decided to walk going back to Maans’ car. We put our things and left overs and walked again along Sisowath to grab a drink. Trying to find the cheapest bar, we ended up at Riverhouse where they had free drinks from 7-8pm because it was their anniversary month. Whew! We got ourselves Tiger Beer and 2 winner desserts-- Apple Crumble and Crembolee...YUMMY!! The good thing about these is that, we got it for FREE!!
Imagine how our boat trip was thru http://www.flickr.com/photos/karengrace/
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Ang Nakaraan
Ito ay isang pagpapatunay kung gaano ako kabakla at ka-lurky noon--hanggang ngayon. this introduction was written in 2002....fortunately, madami ng pagbabago sa mga nakasulat sa ibaba...sa mga nakakakilala sakin, knows nyo kung alin jan!
ako po si karen grace marquez, bulakena dati at taga las pinas na ngayon. batch schema na may 11 na membersna naglipana kung saan saan. ninong ko po si jeffjorge na lost in space na rin.
virgin pa po ako kahit itanong nyo pa po kina ....moi, evan, jao, ali at sa lahat ng brods. promise.pero gusto ko rin magka-anak in the near future.housemate ko po dati sa LB si rose na kasama ko rin sawork ngayon. sa totoo lang, nagsasawa na po ako sakanya. joke.nagtatrabaho po ako sa call center sa makati ngunit balak ko ng mag-resign dahil walang lalaki dun napuwede i-jowa. joke. gusto ko pa po kasing mag-aral atfeeling ko di me talaga pang-call center ang ganda ko.wag na nating pagpilitan.
mahal na mahal ko po ang soc kaya nga po minsan ay nakakapag-absent ako sa office dahil sa gimik ng soc.okay lang! im just maximizing my sick leave! taray!
yun lang po. tenks!!!
ako po si karen grace marquez, bulakena dati at taga las pinas na ngayon. batch schema na may 11 na membersna naglipana kung saan saan. ninong ko po si jeffjorge na lost in space na rin.
virgin pa po ako kahit itanong nyo pa po kina ....moi, evan, jao, ali at sa lahat ng brods. promise.pero gusto ko rin magka-anak in the near future.housemate ko po dati sa LB si rose na kasama ko rin sawork ngayon. sa totoo lang, nagsasawa na po ako sakanya. joke.nagtatrabaho po ako sa call center sa makati ngunit balak ko ng mag-resign dahil walang lalaki dun napuwede i-jowa. joke. gusto ko pa po kasing mag-aral atfeeling ko di me talaga pang-call center ang ganda ko.wag na nating pagpilitan.
mahal na mahal ko po ang soc kaya nga po minsan ay nakakapag-absent ako sa office dahil sa gimik ng soc.okay lang! im just maximizing my sick leave! taray!
yun lang po. tenks!!!
Random Thoughts Version 2
a few learnings from the past weeks......
In Bangkok, it is good to walk when going from one place to another, but be ready to be hit by muscle pains in the legs and ankles. Also, its better to walk in rubber slippers than with a VNC gold flat sandals.
It's always good to speak up, especially when you know that people are taking advantage of you.
And I quote from a friend, in a Celia Rodriguez delivery --" di naman magiging loyal satin ang company kahit na may loyal tayo sa kanila. we need to protect ourselves"
Sometimes, you need to follow your instincts.
Less expectations means less worries.
It's nice to have friends who can laugh and cry with you. But most importantly, he/she sits beside you without saying a word and then look at each other and smile
Filipinas love chilled Red Wine
Girls will always be girls and boys will always be boys
Shopping is indeed a woman's best therapy
It's scary to care for someone, when you don't even know how he/she feels about you. That uncertainty limits what one has/ want to do
It feels better to make a person laugh at you unintentionally--you create a mark in their life
In a relationship (whatever that is), cultural differences really matter.
What completes my day is GOOD food, GOOD laugh and conversation with GOOD friends.
Missing someone/something can be taken in 2 ways--positively or negatively
Always bring a dictionary when you're in a foreign country
Make people happy and you'll soon find your happiness
Planning is a must--but don't expect everything to happen as planned
In Bangkok, it is good to walk when going from one place to another, but be ready to be hit by muscle pains in the legs and ankles. Also, its better to walk in rubber slippers than with a VNC gold flat sandals.
It's always good to speak up, especially when you know that people are taking advantage of you.
And I quote from a friend, in a Celia Rodriguez delivery --" di naman magiging loyal satin ang company kahit na may loyal tayo sa kanila. we need to protect ourselves"
Sometimes, you need to follow your instincts.
Less expectations means less worries.
It's nice to have friends who can laugh and cry with you. But most importantly, he/she sits beside you without saying a word and then look at each other and smile
Filipinas love chilled Red Wine
Girls will always be girls and boys will always be boys
Shopping is indeed a woman's best therapy
It's scary to care for someone, when you don't even know how he/she feels about you. That uncertainty limits what one has/ want to do
It feels better to make a person laugh at you unintentionally--you create a mark in their life
In a relationship (whatever that is), cultural differences really matter.
What completes my day is GOOD food, GOOD laugh and conversation with GOOD friends.
Missing someone/something can be taken in 2 ways--positively or negatively
Always bring a dictionary when you're in a foreign country
Make people happy and you'll soon find your happiness
Planning is a must--but don't expect everything to happen as planned
JOLOGS Moment Again
I am a TV addict and a certified Kapamilya. Good thing they have TFC here at PP, or else I would die of boredom chvanes eklavu. Whenever I get home or got nothing to do and nowhere to go (kasi purita na ang beauty ko), I just lie on my bed and watch TV.
Two Saturdays ago, I wasn’t able to watch PDA since I was in a Jackson mood that time. So I decided to wake up early and watch it the day after. Though I know that Kristoff was expelled, I still want to see it for myself. So around 11am, while cooking rice and adobo, I turned on the TV to the highest level. Para marinig ko hanggang kusina. At yun na nga, the moment of truth came. When the headmaster announced Kristoff’s grade for that night that would put him under probation for the 5th time, everyone just started crying (especially the Global girls). Oh shucks! The next thing I knew, tears were already flowing on my face. Good thing I was alone at the house that time. I cried. YES. Is it embarrassing? Yes it is. Why am I so affected?
First, Kristoff has a close resemblance with Mark Anthony Fernandez (which was my crush during his Gwapings days). Yeah I know you may say YUCK Karen! Eh bakit ba!? Then, even though Kristoff was I think the youngest in the group, throughout his stay in the academy, he showed humility and a positive attitude. After all that he’s been through, which I think eh sobrang nakakadown talga lalo na’t wala ang family nya. Nakakaawa di ba. Hehehe!
That night, they showed their send off party for Kristoff. The best part was when Kristoff’s sister arrived with gifts to everyone. It was very heartwarming and just shows what kind of a family Kristoff has. And that also explains why everyone loves him so much. More so, he was commended by his headmaster because of his attitude that na talaga naming kahanga-hanga.
Ngayong tapos na ang laban ni Kristoff, many people still believe that he would go a long way. And I believe so too. So watch out na lang ako. And maybe another Jologs moment will happen again.
Two Saturdays ago, I wasn’t able to watch PDA since I was in a Jackson mood that time. So I decided to wake up early and watch it the day after. Though I know that Kristoff was expelled, I still want to see it for myself. So around 11am, while cooking rice and adobo, I turned on the TV to the highest level. Para marinig ko hanggang kusina. At yun na nga, the moment of truth came. When the headmaster announced Kristoff’s grade for that night that would put him under probation for the 5th time, everyone just started crying (especially the Global girls). Oh shucks! The next thing I knew, tears were already flowing on my face. Good thing I was alone at the house that time. I cried. YES. Is it embarrassing? Yes it is. Why am I so affected?
First, Kristoff has a close resemblance with Mark Anthony Fernandez (which was my crush during his Gwapings days). Yeah I know you may say YUCK Karen! Eh bakit ba!? Then, even though Kristoff was I think the youngest in the group, throughout his stay in the academy, he showed humility and a positive attitude. After all that he’s been through, which I think eh sobrang nakakadown talga lalo na’t wala ang family nya. Nakakaawa di ba. Hehehe!
That night, they showed their send off party for Kristoff. The best part was when Kristoff’s sister arrived with gifts to everyone. It was very heartwarming and just shows what kind of a family Kristoff has. And that also explains why everyone loves him so much. More so, he was commended by his headmaster because of his attitude that na talaga naming kahanga-hanga.
Ngayong tapos na ang laban ni Kristoff, many people still believe that he would go a long way. And I believe so too. So watch out na lang ako. And maybe another Jologs moment will happen again.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Random Thoughts version 1
“Kilig”---- My current or recent feeling---An electrifying feeling towards a person akin to a chemical reaction that explodes the moment a fanciful appreciation happens
Why do I need to do things that would make me happy, and at the same time, make me sad? Why the need to show a person you care when you don’t even know if they felt the same way. But still, you want to do it again and again. Until you step back, look at the whole picture and realize that at the end of it all, you may never win and you don’t lose either.
Things may not be the way you wanted it to be but as what a friend recently told me, you don’t have to have the things you like to enjoy them. Hay. That was a simple knock in the head for me. It is true. Why bother to have something you really can’t have? But sometimes, when you seemed close or getting close to the things you like, you tend to be attached to it. No matter how you deny it, how hard you try to discount the truth or the feelings, the more you are pulled toward it. And it would take a lot of effort and energy to really help you detached from it. But why detached? Why not just continue and take things the way they were and how it should be? Again it’s hard. Feelings would eventually crash as we try to hold back and at the same time be cool about it.
Life is short, like what most people say. Better enjoy the present than regret what you could have done. Even though it hurts, at least you tried. Sometimes or most of the time, pain is part of the whole experience. You can’t escape from it. It’s there. It’s how you would react towards it that would make one a better person with a solid character and spirit. Life has taught us a lot of things that none of the books can give. Our existence gives us the lessons we need to equip ourselves with.
Thanks to the people, the experiences (bad or good) and the pain and happiness that have crossed my path.
Why do I need to do things that would make me happy, and at the same time, make me sad? Why the need to show a person you care when you don’t even know if they felt the same way. But still, you want to do it again and again. Until you step back, look at the whole picture and realize that at the end of it all, you may never win and you don’t lose either.
Things may not be the way you wanted it to be but as what a friend recently told me, you don’t have to have the things you like to enjoy them. Hay. That was a simple knock in the head for me. It is true. Why bother to have something you really can’t have? But sometimes, when you seemed close or getting close to the things you like, you tend to be attached to it. No matter how you deny it, how hard you try to discount the truth or the feelings, the more you are pulled toward it. And it would take a lot of effort and energy to really help you detached from it. But why detached? Why not just continue and take things the way they were and how it should be? Again it’s hard. Feelings would eventually crash as we try to hold back and at the same time be cool about it.
Life is short, like what most people say. Better enjoy the present than regret what you could have done. Even though it hurts, at least you tried. Sometimes or most of the time, pain is part of the whole experience. You can’t escape from it. It’s there. It’s how you would react towards it that would make one a better person with a solid character and spirit. Life has taught us a lot of things that none of the books can give. Our existence gives us the lessons we need to equip ourselves with.
Thanks to the people, the experiences (bad or good) and the pain and happiness that have crossed my path.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Sunday TV programs
Last Sunday, we had a Filipino lunch at a friend's house. Sunday here in Cambodia is like a Family day. After mabusog sa kakalafang, we watched TFC! what else! We have to be updated on what's happening back home.
12 noon-- ASAP
We saw our ever so cuteness na mga fafa! ahem..ahem... i know that we have to wake up from this surreal world and start living in reality. YES we are living in a real world. But who couldn't resist the charms of John Lloyd and Piolo. Hahaha! Pathetic. To justify, they are a few of the people that we miss. Only when I left the country that I understood the OFW's clamor for these kind of shows.
2pm-- CSI
Since we are not teeny boppers anymore, we decided not to watch Your Song and Love Spell. Gone are the days that I fought with my dad just to see Patrick G on TV (Tabing Ilog days).
We caught up CSI Miami. The episode showed the suspect leading a seminar for guys to build up their confidence in picking up girls. WHATDA!? Is this for real? Whatever, I just wanna know how they solved the crime.
3pm-- Your Song
Since we don't want to miss the start of the buzz and we got nothing to watch, we opted to change the channel back to TFC. It was YOUR SONG starring Vhong and Toni. Keber na sa set up, we just want to laugh that afternoon. In the end, it was worth watching because of a few lines that Toni said. " Life is short. Gusto ko siya and I will go for it." aaaaaaawwww!! Sign ba ito? So after that episode, whatever we do, we always end it with the line"Life is short"
4pm-- The Buzz
Soooooooooooo excited about Boy Abunda's fashion statement for the week, we all gathered in front of the TV. Aside from that, gigil na kami sa latest chizms sa Pinas, which confirms na tsismosa tayo o kami. hehehe. Anyway, the show's main subject is SUKDULAN. After learning that, we were glued on TV and eager to know what were the extreme showbiz chikas. PERO!! PERO!! anong sukdulan sa pag-aaway ng 2 teen stars over a guy? sa pagsusugal daw ulit ni Jay M? sa pagkatulak kay KL sa glass cabinet which led him to the hospital to get stitches on his 2 hands (outpatient effect)? sa napapabalitang pagkabuntis daw ni Paw Diaz? sa paghihirap daw ni Snooky? ANUBEH! Sukdulan ba yun?
6pm
We headed home disappointed.
Good thing we got left overs to sustain us till the rest of the month.
12 noon-- ASAP
We saw our ever so cuteness na mga fafa! ahem..ahem... i know that we have to wake up from this surreal world and start living in reality. YES we are living in a real world. But who couldn't resist the charms of John Lloyd and Piolo. Hahaha! Pathetic. To justify, they are a few of the people that we miss. Only when I left the country that I understood the OFW's clamor for these kind of shows.
2pm-- CSI
Since we are not teeny boppers anymore, we decided not to watch Your Song and Love Spell. Gone are the days that I fought with my dad just to see Patrick G on TV (Tabing Ilog days).
We caught up CSI Miami. The episode showed the suspect leading a seminar for guys to build up their confidence in picking up girls. WHATDA!? Is this for real? Whatever, I just wanna know how they solved the crime.
3pm-- Your Song
Since we don't want to miss the start of the buzz and we got nothing to watch, we opted to change the channel back to TFC. It was YOUR SONG starring Vhong and Toni. Keber na sa set up, we just want to laugh that afternoon. In the end, it was worth watching because of a few lines that Toni said. " Life is short. Gusto ko siya and I will go for it." aaaaaaawwww!! Sign ba ito? So after that episode, whatever we do, we always end it with the line"Life is short"
4pm-- The Buzz
Soooooooooooo excited about Boy Abunda's fashion statement for the week, we all gathered in front of the TV. Aside from that, gigil na kami sa latest chizms sa Pinas, which confirms na tsismosa tayo o kami. hehehe. Anyway, the show's main subject is SUKDULAN. After learning that, we were glued on TV and eager to know what were the extreme showbiz chikas. PERO!! PERO!! anong sukdulan sa pag-aaway ng 2 teen stars over a guy? sa pagsusugal daw ulit ni Jay M? sa pagkatulak kay KL sa glass cabinet which led him to the hospital to get stitches on his 2 hands (outpatient effect)? sa napapabalitang pagkabuntis daw ni Paw Diaz? sa paghihirap daw ni Snooky? ANUBEH! Sukdulan ba yun?
6pm
We headed home disappointed.
Good thing we got left overs to sustain us till the rest of the month.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
VIETNAM TRIP
after 5 months of waiting, I had my first out of Cambodia trip. Hehehe!I was really excited to go to Vietnam and eat at Jollibee and KFC! Yes! OA na ito pero I really miss Jollibee's chicken joy and gravy! waaaaaaaahhh! and KFC's spicy chicken and gravy. Oh well, mejo dissapointing ang gravy nila. Totally different sa Manila especialyl that its not unlimited. GRRRR!!! THeir coleslaw was also bland. Though they have big servings, eh kung walang lasa, useless.
Our trip started on a Wednesday. We travelled by bus at approximately 7 hrs (including immigration checking) from Cambodia to Vietnam. With a cheap fare of $13 inclduing immigration taxes, water and cold towel, carry na!
We stayed at Cris' apartment. She's a Filipina wo's working as a Director at SGV Vietnam. Her new place is so cool and cheap. She got 3 big rooms, nice kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Winner ang balay! After arriving, we got our plans ironed out. Rest on our first night, Ho CHi Minh Tour and KFC visit on our 2nd day, travel to Dalat (Baguio effect) on our 2nd night, Dalat day tour- 3rd day, go back to Ho Chi Minh 3rd night, last day shopping, tour at Ho Chi Minh and dinner at Jollibee on our 4th day. Whew! It looks tiring but at the same time, exciting. And I'm proud to say that we have succeeded in our itineraries. hehehe!
Just a proof, click the link to view my photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/karengrace/
Our trip started on a Wednesday. We travelled by bus at approximately 7 hrs (including immigration checking) from Cambodia to Vietnam. With a cheap fare of $13 inclduing immigration taxes, water and cold towel, carry na!
We stayed at Cris' apartment. She's a Filipina wo's working as a Director at SGV Vietnam. Her new place is so cool and cheap. She got 3 big rooms, nice kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Winner ang balay! After arriving, we got our plans ironed out. Rest on our first night, Ho CHi Minh Tour and KFC visit on our 2nd day, travel to Dalat (Baguio effect) on our 2nd night, Dalat day tour- 3rd day, go back to Ho Chi Minh 3rd night, last day shopping, tour at Ho Chi Minh and dinner at Jollibee on our 4th day. Whew! It looks tiring but at the same time, exciting. And I'm proud to say that we have succeeded in our itineraries. hehehe!
Just a proof, click the link to view my photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/karengrace/
Thursday, October 05, 2006
while signing up for this blog, i was actually thinking if i have things to write about. I was not really a writer not even a writing major but i love to share stories. But after last night, it was clear to me why I created this blog.
Maan and I went home before 7pm. Unforunately, her car had it's usual sickness of getting an overheat. Luckily we were home when it happened. We opened the hood and put pails of water to the reserve plastic tank. Smoke was everywhere. After a few minutes of cooling down, we went up to eat dinner.
I was not really feeling well that time and decided not to eat. But when I saw the Doritos, hmmmm...it was a different story. Hehehe. So we both sat down and started devouring the chips. Our small dining area is just across our veranda, which is always open so we could get enough dose of fresh air. While we were chatting, we heard someone shouting " CHAIO! CHAIO!" Not really sure of the spelling of the word but that's how he we heard it. We got up and went out in our veranda to see what was happening. From there we saw the man shouting and running. A few people we're also running behind him. From the look of it, someone was chasing a robber.
Across our apartment was a house who has a bigger veranda than ours. At the time of the incident, a man in his 40s went out in his veranda holding something on his hand. I can also hear a woman's voice talking to the man. Since I can't understand what was really happening, I just observed. I was looking at the man and then I saw it--he was holding a gun and suddenly he released a warning shot in the air. Maan and I hurriedly closed the veranda door and ran to her room but since we felt that it's still not safe (imagining that a bullet can still pass through the windows), we hid in her bathroom. She was shaking and I was shocked. "First time ko makakita ng ganun. Normally sa news ko lang nakikita. San ka pa, dito pa sa Cambo ko naranasan ito. Afraid!!"We stayed in the bathroom for 10 minutes until we realized that it was quiet again. We bravely opened our door, checked the veranda and we saw kids on the street again. Now I know it's okay.
After the incident, we learned that our neighbor is a policeman. But the thing is, I don't know If I would be grateful for that. Having a policeman as a neighbor can be scary sometimes. Maybe because after what I saw. It was like anytime he can just shot anyone, anywhere, anytime.
They say these things are actually normal here. It can literally happen anywhere and anytime. Since we are foreigners of this country, we are defenseless. There's nothing we can do but to try to move away from incidents like this, back out on a fight, be silent and maybe the worst of all, give in.
Maan and I went home before 7pm. Unforunately, her car had it's usual sickness of getting an overheat. Luckily we were home when it happened. We opened the hood and put pails of water to the reserve plastic tank. Smoke was everywhere. After a few minutes of cooling down, we went up to eat dinner.
I was not really feeling well that time and decided not to eat. But when I saw the Doritos, hmmmm...it was a different story. Hehehe. So we both sat down and started devouring the chips. Our small dining area is just across our veranda, which is always open so we could get enough dose of fresh air. While we were chatting, we heard someone shouting " CHAIO! CHAIO!" Not really sure of the spelling of the word but that's how he we heard it. We got up and went out in our veranda to see what was happening. From there we saw the man shouting and running. A few people we're also running behind him. From the look of it, someone was chasing a robber.
Across our apartment was a house who has a bigger veranda than ours. At the time of the incident, a man in his 40s went out in his veranda holding something on his hand. I can also hear a woman's voice talking to the man. Since I can't understand what was really happening, I just observed. I was looking at the man and then I saw it--he was holding a gun and suddenly he released a warning shot in the air. Maan and I hurriedly closed the veranda door and ran to her room but since we felt that it's still not safe (imagining that a bullet can still pass through the windows), we hid in her bathroom. She was shaking and I was shocked. "First time ko makakita ng ganun. Normally sa news ko lang nakikita. San ka pa, dito pa sa Cambo ko naranasan ito. Afraid!!"We stayed in the bathroom for 10 minutes until we realized that it was quiet again. We bravely opened our door, checked the veranda and we saw kids on the street again. Now I know it's okay.
After the incident, we learned that our neighbor is a policeman. But the thing is, I don't know If I would be grateful for that. Having a policeman as a neighbor can be scary sometimes. Maybe because after what I saw. It was like anytime he can just shot anyone, anywhere, anytime.
They say these things are actually normal here. It can literally happen anywhere and anytime. Since we are foreigners of this country, we are defenseless. There's nothing we can do but to try to move away from incidents like this, back out on a fight, be silent and maybe the worst of all, give in.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
FIRST BLOG
today is the birth of this blog.
it took me sometime to decide on coming up with my own, though i've been using my friendster account to write whatever. but due to some chenelyn boredom eklavu in my life, i thought it would be better to have a separate blog. at least, this one is more accessible to my friends. just one click and they'll be able to read updates about me.
it took me sometime to decide on coming up with my own, though i've been using my friendster account to write whatever. but due to some chenelyn boredom eklavu in my life, i thought it would be better to have a separate blog. at least, this one is more accessible to my friends. just one click and they'll be able to read updates about me.
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