New Try: Le Diplomat Cafe, Plus a good chat with an old friend

This afternoon I tried out another new cafe shop in BKK; it is Le Diplomat Cafe located just the other corner opposite the two Brown Cafe. This is a more expensive place if compared to Costa, Brown, E&M and Nom Cafe. The taste of the iced cappuccino was not much different. Perhaps I am not a good coffee taster anyway. The environment was pleasant, and the staff are serving well. Nice try, but I still prefer Costa after all compared to all others that I have tried out so far. In the near future, I am gonna try out the rest of the coffee shop.

I went to see the International Speech Contest conducted by PUC last two weeks and met Kosal again after I decided not to continue going to Toastmaster. It has been more than one year, and we hadn't had a good talk since then, not to mention that we met. He is still very friendly as he used to be. We talked about this and that, things at work, things about past relationships and some valuable philosophies in relationship and life. The conversation went on uninterruptedly and we continued talking for more than three hours. God! It was more than 3 hours, the whole afternoon! That's quite a long talk, undoubtedly we touched each other more deeply in personal topics. So nice to have such a good friend.

Regrettably, we didn't take any photo.

Cheers,
Jocelyn
2015.03.21
09:55pm

A brief note drafted at tax dept

Here I am now in the Tax Department in Chamkarmorn. This was a day of tax declarations, a damn tiring job to do on a monthly basis. (sigh) I am thinking when I don't have to do such jobs, sitting anxiously among other people waiting for the returns to be signed and the receipts to be issued.

We have not got e-filing yet which would ease out the tension arising out of the moment waiting for it to be done and the tough communication with the tax officers.

Life of an accountant is boring and full of anxiety and worrisome. I don't know if I really like it. It is tough enough, boring enough, and stressful enough to discourage me sometimes, but I don't know what else I may like doing.

Cheers for being an accountant! My choice, my fate!

Jocelyn
2015.03.17
16:15pm

New Try - E&M Coffee

Just explored a new place for coffee in BKK last Saturday with a new friend, Ricky.

The environment was cozy and it had a quite new interior design. ^^

Cheers,

Jocelyn

2015.03.16

13:10pm at office

Bangkok and Pattaya – 5 Days 4 Nights During Chinese New Year 2015

Olala! First time in Thailand!

What’s so special this trip was that it was my first time to be in Bangkok and Pattaya, Thailand. The third foreign county I have been to. Secondly, I was there with a tour group although it was my second time I have been with a tour group. I used to go to VN by tour in 1999 when I was too small to feel the enthusiasm. There are pros and cons to be in a tour group, but I haven’t got much to complain about as I was like too thrilled as long as I can go out and travel. Thirdly, I first experienced the roller coaster, the snow board, and the sea parachute! They are amazingly cool! I can’t wait to take part in more and more thrilling activities in the future. I am brave enough to challenge myself. :D Finally, I was embraced with that feeling again, a feeling I have long lost, although it will not be realized anyway.

Cheer for more travels, more activities, more outings, more adventures.

Crazily,
Jocelyn
2015.02.20
9:57 pm

Some best photos I love most in the trip:

Lai See

A Lai See from my workplace, the third one I have ever received from the company.

By today, I have worked there for 2 years, 4 months and 12 days. Time flies....

And now sth triggers me to move on... Anyway, will wait and see.

Happy Chinese New Year 2015!

Cheers,
Jocelyn
2015.02.12
19:42pm

P.S just a note. This little tree is belonged to Mala. :D

Exam Result Day - Completion of ACCA (F - Level)

This is a day on which ACCA releases the results of Dec 2014 exam session. I have been waiting for the result which should have been delivered by email since 7am in the morning until around 2:30pm when I could finally log on to myACCA to check the result online.

Though a little later than others, my results are PASS!!! I took exam for the last two papers of e F-level (F8 and F9) and now the result is 73 and 69 respectively. I'm not really satisfied with the scores I achieved. However, since I didn't put too much effort in them last term, I didn't dare to expect too much. After all I received the lowest score I have ever had in my record (69 marks). For such a high standard setter like myself, I am kind of dissatisfied. But coming to think of it again, others have done a worse job than I did. They failed the exam. A friend told me that he needed only one more mark to pass! By then I should be happy with what I got for the effort I have put in.

Now I declare that I officially a F-graduate of the ACCA. I am undertaking P1 and P2, and I will maintain equal effort and time for the two papers, and at the same time, spend time to read other non-academic books to enhance my general knowledge and way of thoughts. 

Thanks to Dr Ghanty and Mdm Maita for their efforts in teaching me and other Cambodian young generation. I have done a good job in the last two papers.

Cheers,

Jocelyn

2015.02.08

10:14pm

Afternoon Conversation

In a group of three friends, one boy and two girls, they were talking the love story of the boy. You know what? The boy and one of the girls used to be in relationship but broken up and back to being friends. The girl was still in love with the boy although she has tried another two relationships since then. All failed. She is now single, and is now listening the story how her ex is chasing another girl. Literally they are now just friend, but emotionally she is still having a feeling connected to him.

When the boy was describing the story, he only looked at the other girl without maintaining any eye contact with his ex. She though has been keeping an eye on him at all times while he was speaking and started to feel ignored and taken for granted. It seemed that she was not there or she was an extra existence.

For around more than half an hour, she could not bear with it and poured out what she was not contented. They did notice that she was sad and saw the tear behind her eyeballs.

Nothing she said abt it and allowed them to go on. She was not good at communicating negative feelings. Then at the end of the day she found herself so depressed after meeting the two friends.

Things are going on in her mind. Why does she still have such a feeling for this boy as they have broken up for almost three years? She feels that she is an unpleasant person to be with. She feels failure. She feels down and depressed...

What should she do now?

Jocelyn
2015.02.03
20:45pm

The Conditions of Being Generous

Generosity has conditions and timing. We cannot be very generous at all times and assist anyone asking help from us or give out money to people without knowing where the money goes and how it is spent.

Someone criticized me when I post a comment on fb saying 'I normally don't give out money to beggars on the street.' He said that I should have a good heart and give out money to those beggars who cannot self sustain. I suddenly felt blamed. I was blamed that I didn't have a heart good enough to care for others. Perhaps I used to be so that embedded this thinking in him. Undoubtedly he thinks so as he has never seen me handing even a hundred riels to a beggar I suppose.

It's true that normally I don't give money to beggars on the streets as I don't wanna support them in this way. What if they simple feel motivated to just continue to beg for living? What if there is someone manipulates them to beg money and benefits the villains behind the scene? I really don't like helping in this way. First I don't know if I am really helping them. Second I don't feel I have actually helped them from their current situation. I have seen the same girl begging of the street every morning at a traffic light. I don't think I will help her out by just giving money to her every day. That's actually destroying her. And that's what I meant of not giving money to the beggars on the streets.

Generosity is conditioned. It is conditioned to the kind of people who we should help and at the time when we should help. I regret that I have not helped many people until now. I will when I can from this second onward if it is apparently for good cause.

Reflection on myself

I have found myself worried more than ever in these few months. I have been thinking too much of what would happen in the future involving my job responsibilities. That drains my energy. I have also complained too much about this and that and seen unfairness at my workplace. This drains my motivation. I don't look good in people and always complain how unhelpful and unsupportive people are. This faults my relationship. Although I have read several self-help books recently, I still find myself helpless and not improving in terms of personal development. This needs to be changed. I must change!

I need to feel motivated, contented, positive and energetic. I should not be drained by the surrounding adversity and negativity. Stop worrying, Jocelyn, and start living positively and having fun.

Smile,

Jocelyn 

2015.01.31

4:26pm

Books I Read in Jan 2015

I just finished another books by Robin Sharma a while ago. This is the third book of his that I have grabbed and read and digested. Well, not much from it I have taken anyway, but it has somehow significantly changed my way of living.

From the first book 'Who will cry when you die?' to the second book 'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari', I have applied the concept of 30-day challenge into my daily rituals. I have been inspired to keep journalizing my daily lives in my blog; I have looked at myself and carried out some reflection to right any of my wrong; I have disciplined myself to workout in mornings and evenings although I have skipped one or two days a week; I have tried to be positive during adversity which I think it is a very big challenge for me to set this mode in me. These rituals will be going on and on.

Now in this third book 'The Greatness Guide' which also about how to live a better, more rewarding life, Robin focuses more on businesspeople and professionals. This book is also very cool and very worth reading. 'You can't be great at work until you feel great.'

Now I decide to choose a different author, Dale Carnegie, and see lives from his perspective through 'How to stop worrying and start living'. 

Cheers,

Jocelyn 

2015.01.31

9:30am

10 Floors' Walk

I went to a tax workshop this morning at the National School of Taxation. I was late due to the traffic congestion and the fact that I lost my way to the place. By the time I arrived at the building, I was already 15 mins late, and I found myself waiting for the lifts among some twenty people who were also the participants of the workshop.

Perhaps I felt too bad that I was late or perhaps I was not patient enough to wait for the lift, something urged me to go for the staircase. 'Hey, but the workshop hall is at the 10th floor! Are you serious?!' I was asking myself. 'Well, it is not a big deal. I am strong enough to climb 10 floors with my heels!' Then I went for the challenge.

'Cool.' I made my way to the 10th floor. It exhausted me somehow, but it was really not a big deal, not a big physical challenge, I can say. With ease.

Guess what? After the workshop I decided not to choose the lift to go down. Again, I climbed down the stair! What I can say was 'Wow'. I loved the feeling of climbing stairs! If only I was wearing sneakers! Heels are not good to climb stair anyway.

It is the first time I have been climbing stairs to 10th floor. I think this is the highest floor I have ever climbed. If possible, I will climb higher and higher next time. Just hope that I will not look silly or stupid anyhow by the bystanders. lolzzz..

Cheers,
Jocelyn
2015.01.30
9:58pm

High school certificate and some self reflection

My colleague informed me this afternoon that the original high school certificate is now available to be withdrawn fom the Ministry. With this info, I headed to the Department of Education which has already been relocated from the city center to the sub-urban area at the other part of the river. I had such a great expectation visualizing that I would finally have this original certificate after 8 years (even though I don't need it)! 

When I got to the Department, they were having a meeting, so I decided to wait until the meeting ended. It took me a little more than an hour to finally see the officer. With disappointment I was told that the certificate was not yet ready. 'It is not yet out. Wait another two years!' Given my patience, I thanked the officer and left the place. 

I still don't understand why they need to spend ten years just on printing out high school certificates?! This sounds ridiculous. 

Nonetheless I didn't feel too much upset or disappointed. I treated my journey there as a chance to travel to that area where I have never been too. It was a nice experience to see a new place especially the new building of the Department. I was even contented when I could spend my late afternoon at Costa Coffee at BKK today. Like Visal mentioned on a fb comment, the place was cozy. Yes, it is a good word to describe the place. I think I start to love staying there especially alone to read a book, to listen to music, and to think to reflect on myself. I had spent my evening time so fully today.

I have got a good quote from The Greatness Guide this evening, 'I cursed the fact that I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.' 'It's human nature not to appreciate all we have until it's lost. Fight the urge,'

Definitely true! We have been too focused on seeking for other contentment and been too easy to neglect what we have already owned in hand. We tend to leave our loved ones behind and pursue our self-defined happiness which we believe that it is directly linked to and impacted the amount of money we can earn. Some are even seeking for power for fulfillment. Until the day they achieve this so-called fulfillment goal, they will realize that they have got no one to cherish with and are too late to regret.

In any case, I will not let this happen on me. I will value what I have now by loving my parents more, doing great things for friends, helping out my colleagues as a team, doing my part best for the company I am working for, giving a hand to those who are in need of me...

I will leave every day as the last day of my life. Life is too short to feel sad; it is long enough for us to live and love.

Cheers,

Jocelyn

2015.01.26

10:27pm

Old House

I have locked up the door to my old house for quite a long time. One day I wanted to go back to see the house again, but unfortunately, I don't know when it was, the key to the door was lost. I could not go into the house. I could not crash the door. Someone also had the key to door, but I am afraid that that person has also lost it or might have buried it somewhere.

I have moved for twice since then. After all, I dare to say that I still remember my old house. I still like my old house. However I have locked it up by myself, and I didn't care about keeping the key nicely. At one time, I thought I might have chance to go back. But now, I think it will be forever locked up and it won't be opened ever again.

My bads,

Jocelyn

2015.01.24

19:43pm

Half Way Through My Third 30-day Challenge

I have been on my third 30-day Challenge since somewhere at the beginning of Jan 2015, and the challenge is to rise with the sun and bike every morning for an hour. I have done it for two weeks by now. So far, I have actually risen with the sun but I have not seen a complete sunrise at the riverside because by the time I arrive there, the sun is already up from the horizon.

The sun this morning by the time I got to the riverside was like a beautiful red yolk hanging just at the lower part of the sky; slowly it shined brighter and brighter and had its mild ray radiated on the river. That was a magnificent view! I love to stand there inhaling the fresh air, stretching, observing the boats on the river, and feeding the pigeons. These are so nice, and I don’t think many of my friends have ever done so. I have found the merit of being alone and enjoying the nature and at the same time reflecting on myself.

To upgrade my challenge, once in a month, I will get up earlier and bike to a place where I enjoy the first sunray of the day.

Cheers,

Jocelyn

2015.01.17

10:03am

New Environment At Work from Jan 8, 2015

Until today the two new managers in my department have joined for one week and two days. There are goods and bads, but I still don’t feel any relieved with the pressure of my workload. It seems that the workload on me has been heavier since they came. I don’t feel much physically unaccustomed, but I feel spiritually overwhelmed. 

It turns out that the new AM is not as helpful as my AM; perhaps it was just the first week that she has not got used to the new workplace or it is the way she works. I doubt it, but my first impression toward her in this first week was not satisfactory, and I think my impression is going to be quite right. Anyway, I will see until the end of the month.

The new FM is quite ok. He is friendly and nice to the team. He smiles all the time though he is under pressure from management and is very approachable for everyone. I believe that I will be able to get on well with him.

All in short, I don’t expect much from the changes of the management team. When I see the obvious bias the top management has on each department and sense the pressure imposed on the finance team, I loathe my workplace and simply want to quit. However, I have told myself that all workplaces are similar and try to bear with it until one point in time when all my beloved team members leave and nothing more can be improved, I’ll do too.

Cheers,

Jocelyn

2015.01.17

9:48am

Work Challenge

I thank myself for having thrived through the challenge at work for this two months and one week. This marks a turning point from being in my comfort zone as an assistant accountant to assuming higher responsibility while my supervisor and manager are not around. The situation ends today with the year-end closing of 2014, and it will be changed to an unknown from tomorrow when the new FM and AM join.

No matter the situation will be, I will embrace changes and welcome challenges. After every drop of tear, I will be back on my feet and smile and appreciate every lesson I will learn from every given opportunity. Thanks to my mentor today who has always by my side although she is on maternity leave. Thanks for my accounting team members who have contributed their good parts in the year-end closing. Thanks to my FM who has given me the opportunity to be independent. Thanks for my colleagues who have given me so many harsh challenges.

Finally I must appreciate myself again for being strong and maintaining a happy mood through the process. Life will be dull without tears and challenges.

A better tomorrow is on its way.

Cheers,
Jocelyn
2015.01.07
9:25 pm

First 30-Day Challenge Now Due - Writing articles for my blog

I started to be committed in writing articles for my blog on Dec 07 last year, on the day I was so obsessed with TED Talk and spent the whole day at home and Cafe to just listen to the talk shows.

Twas inspired to go back to my writing preference and so I undertook the first 30-day challenge as advised by the speaker. To summarize, since then I have written and posted 17 articles including this one. Not so good, but not too bad. I will continue writing articles for my blog as mirror for self-reflection, as a diary to record fun and happy moments, as a forum to share great ideas from the books I have been reading which is my second 30-day challenge.

I will see how many articles I will have been written by end of December 2015. Given the time constraint after starting the new term, I will learn to manage my time for this first challenge (writing blogs), second challenge (reading good books), third challenge (morning biking and evening gym), the challenge of the P levels of ACCA and the challenge at work. Most importantly, I will make time for my family and dear friends.

It is not ended here. I will be thriving and build this great habit for the rest of my life.

Cheers,
Jocelyn
2015.01.06
10:31 pm

Little green - One month's old

One month ago (07 Dec 2014)

Now (06 Jan 2015)

Obviously, it has been growing nice and healthy. Soaked in water three times since then. :D

Cheers,

Jocelyn

2015.01.15

10:19 pm

The Third 30 Day's Challenge - Morning Biking

This is the first day I started my third 30 Day's Challenge. I set my alarm clock at 5:45am and got up right away when it rang, no snooze. After simple wash-up, I grabbed my little Zen full with classical music ranging from the masterpieces of Beethoven to Mozart and kicked off with my Bikey out of the quiet morning neighborhood.

It was not too dark. The people in the small canteen near my house was already preparing the food for their customers who would be arriving and having breakfast before getting off to work and school. Some were driving on the road rushing to deliver vegetable and foodstuff to the retailers at the local traditional market. The waiters and waitresses at the cafe and restaurant were preparing to welcome their first customer of the day.

I was riding my Bikey inhaling the freshest air of the day. It was so refreshing and I felt energized  and romantic with the soft, relieving music from my earphones. I arrived at the riverside in front of the Royal Palace at 6:30am, stopped and did some stretchings. It was so relaxing to embrace the wind from the river and to appreciate the sunray hidden behind the cloud far at the horizon of the other side of the river. With regret, I was not there until the sun bathed on me due to time constraint.

It took me 25 minutes to bike from my house to the riverside. I plan to spend one hour every morning to bike to the riverside to inhale the fresh air of the day.

This marks a successful first day trying. I appreciate myself that I give myself one hour to spare with this life-improving activity; I appreciate my mum for cooking me breakfast every morning and encourage me to do more workout especially to let me out alone in such an early morning; I appreciate the fresh air given by the trees along the road which have already been fewer and fewer; I appreciate my Bikey that has taken me to places though it is old; I appreciate the people who sweep and pick up junks and plastics at the riverside and the park and condemn those who throw them away without conscience and love of the environment; I appreciate the sun that is still shining as it always is. 

Cheers,
Jocelyn
2015.01.05
9:54pm

 

Back to my little zen

Loaded with classical music which is one of the changes I am going to install in my life, my little MP3 player is back and will be with me wherever I go.