Silence

Khmer New Year Party at Ambassador's residence.

2007-04-15T22:43:00.000+08:00

Just knew her today.. her voice is really sweet.. she's competing for NUS singer champion.. All the best to her!
haha.. a group of secondary and JC friends design their own group t-shirt.. very united and interesting group.
New Band, Cameor, was advertising their own band. A really entertainment band.
They didn't allow me to be part of the pics..:(
Dancing time... Dance under noon sun light.. not too bad..

group pics..
didn't know when they took it.. but it's nice..
our ambassador. her speech made us felt we are at home.
NUSer and NTUer..
Disco dancing..

Final soccer match in NUS..

2007-04-15T22:13:00.000+08:00

the match was playing on the wet group after cat and dog rain..guess who is the dirtiest person?

the game was played on.. we never gave up though we were losing.. but still...
Break time.. everyone is thirsty.. thanks for cheerleader and supporters bought us food and drink.. really appreicate that..

took the pics after we washed up our dirty body...

Dinner after the match..it's always good to be around with friends, especially my table was surrounded by ladies...

Sothun, red shirt guy, sang for us.. it was his new song, "if i would die tomorrow", very nice and touching..

Chingay in Singapore

2007-03-07T00:16:00.000+08:00

A rare chance to take picture with Cambodian woman in traditional cloth. It was taken during Chingay Celebration in Singapore.
I dont' know who he is, but i guess he's very closed to her..hehe.

A nice and true smile..

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

2007-02-18T22:14:00.000+08:00

three, two, one.. happy Chinese New year.

Chinese Apsara..
he danced individually on the street. very interesting old man!

Firedwork to celeberate the coming new year!

portfolio group

2007-02-17T15:21:00.000+08:00

Taking pics after the presentation! We diversify our group with different four nationality..hehe..

Penty and Socheat birthday party

2007-02-12T20:23:00.000+08:00

Dancing competition.. not sure who was the win
Group picturs with penty, socheat and sang's host family.
Dancing competition again!
Penty and Socheat...They are not couple te..haha
Cutting bd cake.

Nihongo no kurasu no shashin

2006-11-14T23:09:00.001+08:00

Sensei to tomotachi no shashin. senshuu nihongo no kurasu de shuushin o torimashita. Nihongo wa omoshiroi desu ga, muzukashii desu. Ashita sensei ni aimasu. Nihongo de hanashitekudasai.
FAIL desu!!!:(

Learning Japanese: self-introduction

2006-10-31T18:58:00.000+08:00

Konnichiwa. Watashi wa Chhorng densu. Kabojia kara kimashita. Shingaporu kee daigaku no gakuse desu. senko wa kezai gaku desu. Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

Go for army after graduate?

2006-10-31T18:36:00.000+08:00

What shall I do after graduate? going back and join the army for 18 months before starting working? really have no clue at the moment..
well, i guess the approval of military law was totally base on International Relation Realist Perspective, which views that states must have strong military power and be prepared for unpredictable war because the international world is anarchy. It's true that state must prepare for that. However, from its starting point, would it be neccessary to require young adult from 18 to 30 to join the army?
Singapore, one of my Singaporean told me, was also controversial when the national service law (another word for military service) was approved. Unlike our new military law, Singapore NS only made it compulsory for 18 years old young adult. Above 18 years old people at that time were encourage to join the NS, but not compulsory.
18 to 30 years old, wouldn't it so many people? would our law similiar to Singapore? let's see when the law publics.

"V-Buzz" advanced Safety Helmet

2006-10-20T00:58:00.000+08:00

The safety helmet is designed by my intelligence bo'on srey Na ( sister Na) and her groupmates. Although the helmet looks like a toy to me, it is very useful and safe for motorcyclists for various reasons. She promised that she will redesign a better outlook when she is free from school. It took me a long times to ask for her permission to pose in here...hehee.

below is her description on how it works:
For Safety Part,
- The main function of this helmet is to increase the level of safety to the motocyclists,esp to sleepy riders. However beside safety we also look into the energy conversation n rider comfort to enhance the safety we equippped this helmet with 3 vibrators (placed inside the helmet),one buzzer,n nit kit.The vibrators work in such a way that once the rider bend his/her head down to certain degree(as he/she start to feel sleepy) it will vibrate.If the rider still not awake n fall asleep n bend his/her to lower lever then the buzzer will be on together with the vibrators.Once the rider is back to normal position the system will be off.However, if the rider wants to bend the head for other purpose,he/she can always switch off the system b4 bending as the switch is placed outside more than that our switch is ajustable so that different users can adjust to their own level of head bending.On the other hand, the additional nit kit is used to enhance the visiblity of the rider at nit.we have glow in the dark which will shine in the dark, the reflector which shine as it is flash by the light of other road user, emergency rear light bubls will be on in the dark n quick motion (like braking).

For Energy Part:
- We use the windcharger as the power supply to our helmet.This windcharger is used to convert the mechanical energy to electricity.It is used similar concept to wind turbine though to certain wind speed the fan attaching to the motor will spin.As the fan spin the motor will produce the electricity, we connect the other side of motor to charging circuit, which function as the charging controler. The output of this circuit is connected to the rechargable batterOnce the voltage of the batter drop below the preset value (set by engineers), then this circuit will let the power flow from the motor to the batter. But, if the voltage of the batter is reach beyonce the preset value, the circuit will disconnect the motor n the batter n the charging is stop.This is to prevent the overcharging.

For Comforty Part:
- We have replace the padding of the helmet by a better material, which can absorb more sweat andn can be easily taken out for washing purpose.In addition to that we also add the activated carbon which is good at absorbing odor. This will help the rider to get rid of odor problem.

Last match for SMU StreetSoccer, we are the Champion

2006-10-20T00:24:00.000+08:00

This year is our last chance in joining SMU StreetSoccer tournament. We, except Professors, will graduate next semester.

Last year, we joined the tournament too, unforturnately we ended up in 2nd runners. However, With determination, inspiration and luck, WE ARE THE CHAMPOIN for this year! IT is our first and Last Champoin in SMU StreetSoccer...

The team is international team, 7 members with 6 nationalities.

Will it be Real Estate Bubble in Cambodia soon?

2006-10-12T09:26:00.000+08:00

There are many construction coming up in Cambodia. I guess the growth rate of the contruction is more than the growth rate of GDP. Base on that, Would it be any bubble in housing real estate in the future?
The country is a potential fast growing country. at the moment, there is only one direction of Real estate price, "UP". But, by invest only on real estate investment, as many Phnom Penh residents do, would be an risky investment decision. i do feel that the housing growth rate is too fast that it needs to slow down in accordance to the economics growth.

Traveling around Cambodia

2006-08-20T10:58:00.000+08:00

It was taken along the way from Siem Rean to Preah Vihear. We took two days to reach Preah Vihear. It was raining, and the taxis stucked once along the way.

We intended to arrive in Preah Vihear temple by night. Unfortunately, the rain was pouring down all the time, which slowed down our journey. We arrived in one of the province, 20km away from preah vihear at 7pm. The driver reccomended us to stay there, and he even looked for guest house for us. There wasn't any electricity light along the road, and most of the houses didn't have one. The guesthouse we stayed has electricity, but it cutted off after nine pm. After 9pm the whole village has no electricity. For city boys and girls, it's difficult to stay overnight without electricity. Electricity, for this current world, is very important factor to boost economics growth. The Electricity around that is taken from Thailand, i guess.
Here is the guesthouse we stayed. Actually, the guest is owned by a government offier, who working for Ministry of Economy and Finance. It's not really a guesthouse.

That's the market activity in the morning. Something interesting about this pictures. Most market participation are female. Well, it could be one of Cambodia tradition that woman is born to be housewife, so she needs to go to market early morning to buy food; while husband needs to work on the farm or in other kind of occupation. I don't think there are many foreigners come to this village as it is a remote area. Pontentially, and optimistically, it could grow to be one the modern city.

The banner is on Preah Vihear mountain. Thailand is at the other side of the mountain. so i guess the banner would act as an counter-insult to Thai, whose habit likes to look down on its neigboring countries.

Community work in Battambong

2006-08-18T07:05:00.000+08:00

We attended the graduation ceremony the next day we arrived in Battambong. I helped the organization designed the stage.hehe.

The three dancers. They were a bit shy when i took the photo.

The coordinator and her band. she is the secretary of the organization youth department.

The singer, " Yesterday you stayed with me". It's a nice song. I feel the singer is too young to sing such a miserable song.

Traditional Dancing
Group picture

Learning dancing during lunch break..hehe.. the kids are watching with smile
Lunch break. We borrowed the stuffs' motorbike to cycle around the city during lunch break. here is Mr. Sar Kheng's garden.
waiting for lunch box.
Does she like a teacher? Sokly was reading students' name.

Waiting to go home....

2006-07-01T09:51:00.000+08:00

Time has been flying to fast. I finished my internship yesterday, and now what i'm thinking is what to do at home. There are many things i can do if i want to, and there are nothing else i could if i want to as well. i dont' know what exactly i am going to do at home.
First, i hope i could meet the girl i really miss. i have no idea whether she is still interested in me. Hopefully, we could be best friend at least. Other than that, I'll see how my life is going, and will do accordingly to it.
It is always good to be at home!

Her message, may i know who you are?

2006-06-28T22:54:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, i sent an sms to her to wish her all the best for her debate on saturday. She replied, " thanks a lot! May i know who u a?" does she really know me? has she ever missed me? i doubt that. When i sms to her, like last times, i didn't expect she reply back. This time she did, and she replied very well, just one question is enough to break my heart. I can't believe she would answer that. well, maybe i am just her friend, a forgetable friend, or a friend who she never considered as a friend.
Loving a person far away from is hard business, now i understand that..

One more week, then it's time to go home..

2006-06-27T10:18:00.000+08:00

I have one more week staying in Singapore before leaving for my home, Phnom Penh. Remember, three years ago, the first time i came to singapore, a friend, from south-africa (he insists that he is south-african although he was born in india), told me that i was very homesick. I don't understand the word "homesick". At that time, i felt nothing more than to live, study, and play in singapore, i didn't really miss anyone at home. Maybe, my look told him that i'm homesick. Sometimes, i do really miss the feeling, the joy, the people, and the friends at home. But, what can i do beside missing? after all, i didn't get anything else, but sad, and imaginative feeling. The self-recognized south-african friend is two years younger than me. He has been travelling almost half of the world, which is very great and it is also what people dream.
Phnom Penh, my hometown, is a city of the histirical strong & imfluential empire of Cambodia. Phnom Penh couldn't be compared to any other city because it has its uniqueness. My town has been through many incredible or unbelievable events. First, it was just a town, then, it became the place where the kings stayed, then it was a town again when the kings moved to stay in other place, after many of fighting the king moved back to stayed in Phnom Penh. Untill, Phnom Penh provided shelter for the French, who controlled the country 90 years without loss much. After the French went home, the town sudently became the so-called "Second Paris" or the "Peace Island". Unluckily, the war burned its beautiful name, and changed it to "Ghost City", what a horrible name. But, the name revealed the true of it. Ghost City was really a Ghost City, no people living, had corpse, and like hell people died everyday. Then, after the revolution, it changed its name again to Empty City. Everything was empty, no school, no clean water, no electricity, and no nothing. At the moment, its image has been improved both good and bad. The thing to celebrate is the person in charge of it won the prize of the best city, what a good things to breath. I dont' know what name will Phnom Penh be changed again. Would it good or bad is just a matter of tossing a coin. I miss home!

wondering....

2006-06-23T09:49:00.000+08:00

I am a wondering person. There are many things i dont' understand, or if i do, i'm wondering how it works. Let's look into the demostration case in Cambodia.
How come Cambodian people like the idea to strike in order to deliver their messenge? i'm wondering why. If the garmen workers are not happy with the owners, they definately going on strike. If the teachers are not happy with the gov't, strike would be a usual solution. If people are not happy with the official, strike! If a party doesnt like the way gov't do, they strike to voice out.
I'm wondering whether those people know the pros or cons of demonstration. And, i'm wondering is strike the only way to solve problems? Strike, as far as i know, is a threat. It is used to threat the other party to accept the terms and conditions they have set. But, strike doesn't work for most of the time. In contrast, it creates negative or disadvantage to the strikers. what ppl gain from strike? a waste of time, energy, and risk their life for unimportant issues, let alone the public stability.
Well, the reason that ppl going on strike is because they couldn't negotiate to get what they want. I'm wondering why don't ppl take the times and energy to discuss and improve their negotiation skill instead of strike. why not try to get ppl into the talk, discuss and debate. After all, we are a demoncracy country. Demoncracy means talking, discussing, debating and re-talking, re-discussing, re-debating before going on physical strike. On part of that, negotiation skill is the way to get things done, not strike. what garmen factory workers gain if they get the owners accept what they ask by striking? would the owners happy and want to work with them? would the owners consider the other option of shifting their work to a safer place with no strike at all? i think so.

Unemployment in Cambodia

2006-06-21T16:17:00.000+08:00

A current released data published in local newspaper showed that in one year 8,000 graduated students in cambodia are unemployed. If that is the case, i might be one of those unemployed student when i graduate next year. it sounds like so scary, and if i couldn't find a work, my four years in University would be a waste. doesnt' it mean i would be better off if I chose not to study in university and worked immediately after graduate from high school.

If i am one of that 8,000 unemployed student, what would i do? I want to be a good citizen, yet could i if my stomach is empty? So, who will help me not to fall into unemployment trap? the gov't or myself? It is so obviouse that i couldnt live on my parents' pocket. Somewhere, in the future, people would live depend on my pockets. That's the future. What's about now? how can i jump off the trap? If i want to depend on myself, how could i do it? by learning new skills, but for what? creating a my own business, where is the start-up capital and how to see over the cloudy future? The last choice for the graduated student is to be a farmer. Farmer?? sound so funny? why the hell i'm going to be a farmer if i know nothing much about it? for the case of countryside students they feel more unhappy since they had made a decision not to be a farmer when they came to study in university. The worse case is where to farm. Where are the land gone? why couldn't I, as a person, own a free land? And, how come the land now become precious stone? what shall i do?
Like most people, Sam, one of my friends told me that he doesn't want to be the person in the picture nor receive any support from anyone. He wants to live on his feet, but he needs external help for he is living in a community. So, the community must know how to live on it feet first before he, a little boy coming to the real world, can survive, learn, and grow.

My only hope now is to pray that the next unemployment statistics would look better. Hopefully, all graduated students would be employed when it release.