2014 Recap and 2015 New Year Resolutions

Accomplishments in 2014:

- It was the second time I have left Cambodia for overseas trip and the first time I have been to Singapore. It was amazing and wonderful.
- I have completed ACCA for Foundation Levels; exams were taken on 4th and 5th December for F8 and F9, and the results are to released in Feb 2015.
- I have earned top scorer title for one ACCA paper (F5) and will look forward to the announcement of the F8 and F9 result.
- I have visited Siem Reap for the second time which was marvelous and enriching.
- By end of the year, I have recovered a good relationship with an old bestie. I am glad that we have made it.
- In September I met a good friend who have helped, shared, and cared in such a way that I was touched. It was so nice to know him and befriend.
- In December I took up a good habit of reading self-help books due to his good recommendations.

Twist-and-Turns in 2014:

- Relationship failed. I regretted it was ended in such an unreasonable way. Anyway, it is ended, and I am committed that I will not do the same wrongs. I have learned my bads, and I hope he has learned his.
- This is the toughest year at work especially the last quarter of 2014; though I have learned to regard it as an opportunity.

Resolutions for 2015:

- I will travel to overseas at least once and locally a few times.
- I will keep exercising at gym in the evening if not every day at least 3 times a week, go swimming twice per month, and go biking once a month.
- I will continue reading good self-help books and write a review of every good book I have read every month.
- I will gather good photos of myself and good friends around me and blog them here.
- I will maintain a good spirit in my work and continue to give myself good challenges.
- (Though hard) I will try to talk to people at the gym at my workplace, to participants of parties, and to as many people as possible during networking events.
- I will earn another top scorer from either P1 and P2.
- I will maintain good friendship with my beloved buddies no matter what by not complaining but try to be more considerate.
- I will laugh more, worry less, and be easy-going.
- I will build up my self-confidence and trust with my friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

The list seems to never end. There are so many things I wish I can accomplish in the coming year. Wish Mother God bless me with luck, strength and confidence.

Happy New Year 2015 to all friends, family, readers and bloggers!
All the best!

Cheers,
Jocelyn
31.12.14 10:09 pm

Look back at 2012 and New Year Resolutions for 2013

There is one thing I have wanted to do very much on this day (31.12.2012), yet it’s coming to its end soon in another three hours. That’s the only thing I regret that I don’t and cannot do in 2012. Whether or not it’s possible to happen in the future, it’s not up to my decision alone. Truly, let’s fate and destiny decide.

Looking back at this nearly-ended year, there have been considerable changes and almost as many changes as I had in 2011. Resulted from Nov 2011, I had a very happy first quarter of 2012. It was a period of joy, sweetness and success. The second quarter was so-so; third quarter getting worse; and last quarter down in the valley and just starting to climb up again in Dec. If I draw a line graph of how much I liked about each month or how happy I was, my graph should have been like this:

I am glad that I have taken up swimming and inline skating although I am still a beginner. At least I tried sth new this year. Thanks for inspirations.

I went to Kep (Nataya Resort) in Jan; Koh Dach in Mar; Sihanouk Ville in Jul; Bokor Mountain in Aug; Buddha Center in Kandal in Sep; Prasith Mountain in Oct and again in Dec; Oudong Mountain in Dec. I have travelled much more than before, and I love those experiences so much.

I quit the job at the Embassy and now work for a private company with its headquarter based in Hong Kong. I am glad that I am here doing the things I have wished for and learning things I have never learned of. In the nearest future, I am not thinking of moving elsewhere again.

My elder brother is now in France to pursue his master degree. He left in Sep. Dad is now retired, so he is home with Mum. At least Mum still has Dad when the two sons are at overseas and the daughter rarely stays at home. I wish my Mum was easy-going and loved herself more. I wish I were better at cheering her up.

As of this term, I have totally completed seven papers of CAT assuming that I pass the one in this coming Jan’s final exam. The grades I received in 2012 were quite satisfying for FA2, MA2 and FFA except for FAB which I just took on last Saturday. It was as bad as expected.

Here comes the New Year Resolutions.

I will be committed to learn swimming better. If possible, I might do some inline skating alone without my brother.

Regarding the new job, I am really committed to it. I will put all my effort in it during working hours. Since I claim that my learning style is to ask and answer questions, I will try to ask as many questions as possible to myself or my immediate supervisor. At my free time, I will read materials relating to constructions, accounting standards, taxation and any news which tell me what’s going on around here. At the same time, since the last two papers of CAT program are the hardest ones which require more reading and analysis, I will also have to spare lots of time to devote to them. It’s really hard and boring to read and read, yet it’s one of the things I really have to do in order to be that someone whom everyone will look up to. Really, it’s not so easy to reach there, but what I can do is to do it and see if I can get there. 

While spending so much time on reading for work and study, I guess I will have less time for my family again. Well, I will at least be with my Mum and Dad half-half day during holidays and weekends. Help do some household chores. Talking about this, my room is quite messy right now. :D

If you ask me where I want to go for travelling in the coming year, I will say that I want to go almost everywhere both in and outside the country. I really love travelling, either adventurous like trekking in the forest or on the mountains or luxurious like staying in boutique hotels and doing shopping overseas. At the time being, I do love travelling that does not cost much but fun, like going somewhere I can simply see the natural views of the mountains, rivers, trees, flowers, and the likes. Most importantly, I wish to find someone who appreciates the same thing and be there and always with me, physically or by soul.

I have spent one hour writing this post. Time is running down to two hours remaining. People are counting down everywhere. Every year I count down at home. Remember last year I was in front of FB and waiting for posting wishes when the clock stroke 0:00am. There is one thing more special than last year. I am counting down not only for the coming of year 2013, but I am counting down to celebrate the birthday of my dearest Mum! I gave her a surprising birthday cake after coming back from work. This is the first time I have celebrated her birthday. There will be more coming up next next year. I love to see her smile, and it is the biggest gift I received in this year end. I wish her good health, joy and happiness.

Dear readers, if you haven’t finished your last year resolutions, put them back on the list and add more. Yet, there are things that action is better than word. Do them now or you will regret next year end. Wish you all the best and happy New Year 2013.

Valentine's Day--Love quotes

You are my valentine! <3

Love is not finding someone to live with; it’s finding someone that you can’t live without.—Rafael Ortiz

To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven.—Karen Sunde

Where there is love, there is life.—Mahatma Gandhi

My heart to you is given:
Oh, do give yours to me;
We’ll lock them up together,
And throw away the key.--by Frederick Saunders

For twas not into my ear you whispered
But into my heart
Twas not my lips you kissed
But my soul.--by Judy Garland

What I need to live has been given to me by the earth.
Why I need to live has been given to me by you.--Author Unknown

The following quotes are by Jocelyn:

Don’t give me fresh flowers because they will just dry away; but please do give me fresh memories because they will stay with me forever.

Chocolate is not sweet enough without your kiss along with it.

You don’t have to show me your heart because I can just see it clearly through your eyes. It’s genuinely true!

No one has ever given me the feeling I have received from you. It's unique and irreplaceable.

Countdown Night in 2011

What does it look like in the night of countdown every year? What do people do at the riverside during that time? How does it look like when the fireworks are shot up into the sky? And how does it feel to watch it with your friends or your beloved?


I have been longing for that the moment, the moment I could hang out with either friends or go hand in hand with the loved one over the countdown night around the riverside. The year 2011 was only the start of change, so I didn’t dare to go out too late with friends so that my Mum will not be too worried about me. I did go out with them (Danith, Visal, Lak, Minea, and Ramy who came later than the others) on that day. We met up at Koh Pich at almost 5 pm. I love the time when we played the flying disc at Koh Pich although it was a bit scary. I start to love extreme games now and am not quite frightened of accidents and insecurity just because I have never encountered one, I think. Just wish God blesses me all along.

After the scary game, we walked to meet up Ramy at the park opposite of Hong Kong Center and headed to the eating corner near Ministry of Environment. We settled there and had a good time of eating and chatting until 6:30pm. We then went to the front side of Naga World to watch the concert and took some pictures.

I left there with Visal and Lak at 7:30pm, a bit earlier than I had expected. In fact, I wished to go the riverside and stayed until 8:30pm. However, I still felt very happy in that particular evening as long as I am with them.

After returning home, I had another good time with my brothers by playing ‘Monopoly Deal’ until the time to count down! I had the count down in front of facebook and heard to the sound of the firework exploding from the distance.

Next year, I will be there in the riverside to count down and see the firework with my own eyes!

Personal Review in Year 2011

02 January 2012

What happened to me throughout 2011? There have been many changes, both expectedly and unexpectedly, pleasant and unpleasant.

At the beginning of the year, I was in my final term at UC and was preparing for the exit exams. I took it in February and finally graduated from the uni. First degree is completed after all! How life will be after that? However, there wasn’t a very big change yet since I still had to complete another degree at RULE and would have it done in August. After finishing the degree at UC, it was about the time to find an institution for internship so as to write the graduation report for the accounting degree at RULE. Nareth and I paired up and searched here and there for internship at the end of February until the beginning of March. It was more difficult than we had expected. Finally, from a friend’s help, we finally managed to find one—Sathapana Limited at Chamkarmon Branch (the Headquarter). The internship started in April 1-29. It was a great opportunity for me to intern there because I could learn about how a microfinance operates.

Before going to Sathapana, I already started working at HRINC (Cambodia) Co., Ltd since March 14. Thanks to Pisey for introducing me to Bunly, the recruitment coordinator at HRINC. It was my first fulltime job ever although I used to work as a part-time English teacher at Hello American. I worked fulltime at HRINC until the beginning of April when I interned at SPN in the morning and worked at HRINC in the afternoon. I was glad that I could feel two different environments at the same time. I am also thankful to HRINC that allowed me to work in this way. I learned many things at HRINC related to business matters. I love working there because of its good physical environment and good people. However, I was there for only six months.

After I graduated from RULE in August, I quitted the job at HRINC and moved to the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Phnom Penh to work as a finance officer. In the transitional period between leaving HRINC and going to the Embassy, I was very down and was fearing if I would regret for my decision. On the one hand, I do regret for leaving HRINC because I like everything there although there might be some flaws I don’t like about it. On the other hand, I also wish to work in the Embassy for many people look up to it. However, this reason will not sufficient for making me stay there for the whole of my career life.

Aside from my study and career life, I have got many first-times regarding to travelling, hanging out, and other things. Although it was not my first time to go travelling with friends in 2011, I went to provinces four times this year—Sihanouk Ville 2 times, Koh Kong 1 time, and Kompot 1 time. I could for the first time travel overnight with friends; I could for the first time walk with friends until 9pm on the street; I could for the first time chat with friends at the balcony until 11pm; I could for the first time bike to places I’ve never expected I would go to; I could for the first time hang out with friends until 9pm; I returned home at the latest 9:40pm from school; I dared to say I wish to say and dare to act what my heart tells me to; I love 2011 because I have answered to my heart for what I have doubted.

I am so thankful to all people supporting me, teaching me, and accompanying me throughout 2011. It is the year of revolutions. I have changed a lot from:

- A timid to a straightforward

- A student to an employee

- A know-nothing of business to a know-sth (but not yet a professional)

- A stay-at-home to a dare-to-travel

Of course, there are many other changes that I may not include in here.

Countdown at December 31, 2011 was not what I wish for. I wish for a more wonderful, unforgettable one at the end of 2012. I also wish for continual advancement and sweetness in 2012. Changes are important to me, and I swear I will not stay at the same point throughout and at the end of year.

Duan Wu Jie 2010

This year Duan Wu Jie (端午节) or Dragon Boat Racing Festival was held on 15^th of June. Around that day, I have watched a piece of news in a Taiwanese channel inquiring several youngsters in high school about the history of having this festival. None of them could answer correctly. When I was a student in Chinese primary school, we had learned about the history and the reason on why we ate rice dumplings (粽子) and had boat racing. And now it still remains in my memory. However, these days the real meaning of this festival has gradually been forgotten. Despite of this, in this post I’m not planning to write about the history of this festival again since I already wrote about it last year. You can search ‘My Duan Wu Jie’ for the information.

In fact rice dumplings or Zong Zi can take many shapes and have different tastes based on the custom of place and people who make it. In Cambodia, rice dumplings are more on the Khmer traditional style. As I’ve observed, it’s quite simple as to have only sticky rice, green bean paste and a long piece of fatty pork. We can also find a common rice dumpling, called ‘Num Chang’ which is as simple as sticky rice wrapped with bamboo leaves. People would buy this kind of rice dumpling for the festival. For my family, the way of making the rice dumpling is passed on from generation to generation. My grandmother was very good at making kinds of Chinese snacks and this rice dumpling is the only one that my mother could learn from her. However, the taste and the way she makes it are not exactly the same as my grandmother did since it has always been modified and improved based on the taste bud of family members. She has been making it several years and makes it at least once a year. However, I have never learned from her.

The following pictures demonstrate the main components of our rice dumpling. Perhaps you can try to make it by yourself.

Suon Soben Chamkapring (Pring Field Dream Park)

A group of five, including Chetra, Nareth, Nith, Lak and me, went to the park on the third day of this Khmer New Year (April 15, 2010) for sightseeing and taking pictures.

Initiated by Chetra who used to go there in Chinese New Year with her family, the plan was set just at the night before the day. Feeling too excited and obsessed with the images of what we would see and what we would do, I could hardly fall asleep. I also woke up early the next morning.

We gathered at 9:00 in front of RUPP and started our journey. We spend around half an hour to reach the destination.

For foreigner’s understanding, I would like to define the name of the park. ‘suon soben’ means ‘dream park’; ‘chamka’ is translated ‘field’; ‘pring’ is a kind of tropical fruit in purple color; there are many this kind of trees in the park. That’s why it is called so. There are also many mango trees planted.

Pring Field Dream Park is a place for public recreation where we can find facilities in amusement park (though they’re rather outdated), place for concert, good picnic site, and views of nature and manmade structures.

Today’s weather was not as hot as previous days when I could concentrate on nothing but playing games in front of the electronic fan. This morning the sun was shining but now and then it was blocked by some clouds with light, cool wind. The environment was fresh and pleasant.

Perhaps it was too early or it is too newly established, there were not many visitors until it was 11:00 am when people came from visiting Samrongandeth pagoda and prepared their lunch in the park, as we supposed.

What I was frustrated at was the behavior of the gang of young residents who gathered on every exit of the roads and tried to stop passengers and asked money from us. If we refuse to give them, they will spread the powder on our face. To avoid the powder, Lak gave them 500 riels. It was not a great amount of money, but this behavior is intolerable and unacceptable. It seems as if they want ßßto have fun with us in the new year occasion, but in fact they just use it as an excuse to get money. This makes passengers feel fearful of!

It was a tired trip since we had been walking, laughing, chatting, and riding motorbike totally for four hours. Despite of this, we had a special, leisured time together.

These are some of the views in the park.

Pictures taken with Nith, Nareth, Lak, and Chetra.

After having toured the whole park, we walked to Samrongandeth pagoda to see what was happening there. It may seem ridiculous to tell people that I’ve never been to a pagoda in Khmer New Year or other Khmer tradition occasions. Each family has their own culture, and my family has never had this culture of going to pagoda.

Another Time of Reunion

Similar to the previous time, the reunion party was celebrated at Kea’s house. The only difference is the absence of Kea who is now in New Zealand. This time we had Kor Lang Phnom which I’ve never tasted before. We prepared everything by ourselves, so we’re satisfied of what we made. It’s always our pleasure to chat about this and that, eat something and take photos together.

However happy the moment is, it does have an end. I may not be good at expressing my feeling verbally, especially orally, but what I felt inside my heart of this event is warmth and happiness.

April 12, 2010

New Year Party at UC

What should I say about this party?

The arrangement of the party by the UCSS was quite acceptable; however, I more enjoy meeting and chatting with my friends who I invited to join this party.

All of a sudden, Theavin came to my house right before I was about to go to UC, so I invited her and we went there together. We arrived at 2:30. The concert was not begun until 3. Nareth and Nith were late.

Playing physically is always my weakness, especially Khmer traditional games which I’ve rarely participated. With Nareth’s encouragement, I played the game ‘Seizing the tree branch’ this afternoon. Embarrassedly, I fell and hurt myself on my left palm when I was trying to avoid being touched by the opponent. It bled and now it is still hurting me. To my surprise, Nareth also fell and hurt herself a little bit shortly after my incidence. We were the most unlucky pair, I may say. Nith and Theavin also participate in one competition—eating bananas. They failed to finish the bananas before other competitors and finally lost the game. We were real losers today.

Whatever happened, I’m very delighted to have such a gathering once in a while when we can enjoy ourselves and inform one another about our recent happenings after all.

April 10, 2010, 10:30pm

Students prepred to play the game--Chaol Chhung (throwing the towel)

There weren't lots of people who came to see the performance compared to last year's party.

Participants prepared to play the game--eating bananas. Look! Nith and Theavin are there!

Elina, an exchange student from Finland, is my classmate from OB class.

Students from each college are selling some snack and accesories to visitors.
Particularly, these are students from the College of Arts and Humanities.

The parking lot is used for the performance, so visitors' vehicles are put outsides.

This is Nith, Thida, Nareth, and me. (From the left)

This is Nith, Theavin, Chetra, and Nareth. (From the left)

Happy Khmer New Year

Good luck, Good health, and Good cheer throughout year 2010!

My Chinese New Year

To me, this holiday for New Year was full of anxiety and discomfort, for I’ll have to face with another week of final exams at my university. Having to focus on the lessons to be reviewed for the exams was difficult when everybody was enjoying the festival. You might not be able to understand my feeling if you were not in the same circumstance.

Chinese New Year is supposed to be the time for enjoyment and worry free. However, the exams have been haunting me for the whole week. It would surprise you if I say that I even feel guilty while watching those interesting entertainment shows for New Year on television since I have a feeling that I’m not yet ready for the exams. I only wish that all exams had been done before the holiday.

However, on the first day of the New Year (14th February), my family went for sightseeing around Phnom Penh and finally we arrived at Koh Pich (Diamond Island) without plan. Having heard of the development of this island for a period of time, I also want to see how it looks.

Located on the south-eastern part of Phnom Penh on the Tonle Bassac River, Koh Pich is a small island of 68 hectares in size on which several projects are being carried out. Some parts of it are open to public now. Notably, the Koh Pich Center is one of the most popular avenues for newly-wed couples to have their wedding party celebrated. The park on the left hand side of the building is being built and decorated in European style. In distance, we can see buildings are being constructed.

I believe that in a few years this island will be one of the most important centers in Phnom Penh and modernizes the whole city.

The followings are some pictures I took on the island.

The first day of 2010

I could not remember what I did on January 1st last year, but this year it was quite special and memorable that my friends (Nareth, Nith and Thida) and I went to City Mall, a newly established shopping center in 2009.

It was a real window shopping because we didn’t spend even a cent on the goods being sold in the market except for taking photos by the photo machine which, surprisingly, we spent more than an hour on posing and adjusting the photos. Whereupon, we went to Olympic Stadium to have a view of the sunset and of the people who were doing evening exercise. Perhaps it’s the first time I’ve ever seen the sunset in a wide place, I felt that the view was quite impressive and beautiful. We returned home after eating something there.

This is a delayed Christmas gift for me made by Nith, a student of architecture. Can you see what it is? It's a rabbit shape garden with a tree and table and chairs for relaxing. To see more models of houses, go to http://yeehaha.blogspot.com/2009/12/modelling-houses-and-happy-new-year.html

Happy New Year 2010!

Forget the unhappy past moments,

Enjoy the present time,

and Prepare for a marvellous future.

Happy New Year 2010!

Comment from Bookworm (T.L.)

My Christmas Day

These are the cards that I made on my own for my close friends, Jinna, Nareth, and Nith. As I have written in my last post, making sth by yourself for your friends are the most meaningful thing you can do in this Christmas occasion since it's a time for promoting the spirit of sharing and for giving love, warmth, and hope to your beloved family members, friends, and lover.

This Christmas is full of joy and happiness. This morning the mid-exam result of my accounting course was released and I got perfect grade. I was glad that I get what I had expected, and it’s the start of a merry Christmas day. There was a small gathering at RULE’s English library for the celebration of Christmas in the afternoon. We got to know some Christian culture which was quite interesting from a foreign teacher. We would have seen a Christmas movie if we hadn’t had a class at 2:30pm. After school, it was time for gift exchanging between me and Nareth.
Thanks to Nareth for her lovely, wonderful card which she made it by herself. I can feel how much time and effort she had spent in making that special card for me.

This is Nareth’s masterpiece!

On December 26, there was a gathering for Christmas celebration at UC. It is the third Christmas party UC has ever held. What impressed me the most were the performances of UC students who acted in a very incredible professional way. One of the performances was in a form of Cambodian’s traditional drama. I was thinking that it would be boring when announced the start of the show. But it turned out to be unexpectedly inviting. What was interesting and funny is that the actors spoke in English! Can you imagine how weird it is? This weird performance surely brought lots of laughter to the audience. It was a creative performance, indeed!

Gift from Jinna on the 26th December!