Generous or Selfish? Helpful or Self-centered?

Before any examination, I often hear of such a saying: ‘Happy cooperation’. It’s not unusual to know that students, regardless of what level they are at, are very ‘cooperative’ and ‘helpful’ in sharing answers during exams. This culture, I dare say, is prevalent among students and pupils because they have a strong belief that ‘we should help each other in difficult circumstances’ or ‘having a friend is better than having a foe’. My set of attitudes and beliefs usually drive me out of the group.

Some people may perceive me to be a miser who is too self-centered, unhelpful, and uncooperative. Since I rarely or I don’t want to discuss, share, or allow people to copy my answers during exams unless I feel forced to do so. In addition, I’m not willing to let anyone copy my homework either by hand or by copying machine. Due to this behavior, sometimes I feel a bit isolated and not very welcomed; though I don’t regret for what I’ve done so far. People who know me well will understand why I tend to retain these behaviors.

Do I really help them if I give them the answers during exams or let them just copy my homework and submit to the teacher? Will they learn something? As far as I’m concerned, this is an indirect way to push them down to the valley. There is a good piece of advice saying ‘It’s better to teach people how to hunt rather than go hunting for them. For this reason, I prefer to give them explanations and directions in solving accounting exercises because it provides dual benefits not only for them but also for me.

What do we mean by ‘generous, helpful, and cooperative’? Absolutely, they are good terms that a person wishes to be described since no one is happy when they are called a miser. But, make sure we be generous and help at the right time or else they are simply terrible vices.

How are hotel graded?

Degree of luxury is the major factor in determining the level of a hotel. Hotel is graded in various ways in different countries. It is common to hear of star-rating hotel, while there are several other ways such as letter grading from ‘A’ to ‘F’ and diamond rating. The higher the star ratings, the luxurious the hotel is.

There isn’t yet an international standard to classify hotel. Some countries have rating by a single public standard or defined by laws. Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Spain and Hungary are the examples. On the other hand, the rating is sometimes defined by the respective hotel industry association using a 5-star system as being practiced in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and UK while US employs the diamond rating in some states. Some hotels may self evaluate and give themselves the rating. Therefore, the consumers can be easily misled or confused by the rating. One should keep in mind that two hotels with the same rating do not necessarily mean they offer the same facilities.

Though five-star rating is the most commonly heard, six-star or seven-star are also in use. For British system, AA (Automobile Association) rating system is employed, while the American version is AAA. However, there are several hotels categorized as six-star, and only three hotels around the world are said to be seven-star.

The characteristics and general services provided by a star hotel (based on AA Recognition):
-One-star: small, independent-owned, with family atmosphere; services are provided by the owner or the family members informally; limited facilities; bedrooms may not equipped with a bathroom; cleanliness, maintenance, and comfort are fairly acceptable.

-Two-star: medium-sized and offer more extensive facilities; guests expect more comfortable and well-equipped accommodation compared to one-star hotel; offer wider range of straightforward services, such as food and drink.

-Three-star: having great quality and a wide range of facilities; reception and other public rooms are spacious; the hotel’s restaurant also caters for outsiders; all bedrooms will have fully en suite bath and shower rooms; provided with comfort and equipments such as a hair dryer, direct dial telephone, toiletries in bathroom; room service is also expected.

-Four-star: degree of luxury, quality furnishings, décor and equipments are expected; bedrooms are more spacious, well-designed, and luxuriously decorated; hotel staffs are enough to meet the consumers’ demands; services include porterage, 24 hour room service, laundry and dry-cleaning.

-Five-star: more spacious and luxurious than lower level of hotel, which matches the best international standard; services are formal and carefully supervised; staff is with high technical skills, knowledgeable, helpful, courteous and attentive.

The six-star hotels include: Crown Macau, St. Regis Shanghai Hotel, Gold Coast in Australia, Seoul Park Hyatt in South Korea, and so on.

And the seven-star hotels include: Town House Galleria in Milan, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, and the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

References:
-en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_(classification)
-www.onecaribbean.org/content/files/hotelcalssification(1).pdf

Self-Evaluation

‘I want to be an accountant!’ This is my typical answer when I’m asked about my intention of future career. An accountant is my dream profession since high school. However, I haven’t been really preparing myself for that.

Currently, I’m almost a fourth-year accounting student at RULE, but still I find myself an empty shell, especially when I evaluate my competence compared to the requirements of being an accountant. Various subjects related to accounting and finance have been offered but it seems as if none of them is fully studied. I’m not blaming or dare not to anyone for that because I know the fault is the combination of several factors. The most unforgiveable one is me, myself.

There are devils within me, causing me to ‘fail’ in doing things. Surely, it does not make me fail the exams, but fail to recall and apply what I’ve learnt. I’m confident enough to say that it’s very easy to pass an exam while it’s difficult to apply what I’ve learnt. Shamefully, everyone admires and compliments me that I'm a top or outstanding student, who manages to obtain A’s in almost every subject; but, who can understand what I feel?! While I get an A grade, I would ask myself what I've learnt and find that it is so little and it’s inapplicable.

I always tell myself to study, study and study and learn the underlying concepts of each chapter. I'm actually able to understand it at first, after some periods of time, however, I've unwillingly thrown it miles away. I simply study for the exam!

Someone used to ask me how to concentrate while reading. I would say that neither do I know the method. The willingness to read a book just comes unknowingly. You cannot force it! When it does come, I can read books from the morning till night; when it comes, I can do accounting exercise the whole day allowing no entrance of disturbances. But it doesn’t come very often. There is another devil would appear and prevent it from occurring unless there is a motivation. Most of the time I tell myself that I should not put too much pressure on myself; I should watch TV, play PC games, or simply go to my dreamland to gather energy. Very often, this becomes an excuse which I use to avoid reading books. Adversely, doing those sorts of things even makes me more tired.

The two devils—forgetful and lazy, perhaps there are more, make me a loser in studying even though I appear to be the best in people’s idea. People who know me may not believe what I write here; they would think that I'm just too modest or I have too low opinion of myself. But I know myself.

Change is very necessary or else I'll be continually a loser. But there are so many question marks floating in my mind. How to do that? How can I develop an interest in reading by myself instead of waiting for its presence? How can I always remember what I've learnt? How can I answer every questions raised by the teachers? How can I fully understand what I've learnt?...

You have the answers?

IYF 1st Volunteer Workshop

For three days that I've participated in the volunteer workshop of IYF (International Youth Fellowship) in NIE. The workshop is conducted by IYF, cooperated with MoEYS, to teach Cambodian students to understand themselves better and to select some participants from this workshop so that they are prepared to be volunteer for the upcoming World Camp, which is to be held in Cambodia from April 26-May 01, 2o10.

There were more than 500 participants in this workshop. We were offered some snacks—a bottle of water and a bread, and we were also given a piece of paper in which there were two or three questions related to the workshop that we had to answer at the end of each workshop. Our answers will be used to evaluate our appropriateness to be a volunteer in this World Camp, since not all participants will be chosen.

Personally, I like the performance of the group of dancers whose dancing is based on different cultures—Japan, South Africa, and Korea. Every performance had its uniqueness. Besides, we were also introduced to two Korean volunteers through a form of play based on a true-to-life personal experience. Both of them had a problem within their family which made them lose hope in life and was defeated by obstacles, but finally they realized the truth meaning of living after joining IYF. I’m not sure how many percent of the story is true, but it does teach us a lesson like what we learn from a literature work. Before coming to the end of each workshop, the Chairman of IYF in Cambodia would have a long talk about the world of human mind. The talk would seem boring if one doesn’t pay attention and develop a deeper thought while he was listening. The Chairman told us several stories along with some analysis related to human thinking. Through the interpretation of his talk (he is a Korean), I fully understand about myself that there are several unwanted aspects within me which deter me from being successful in completing an intended goal. The workshop helps me build up my confidence and strengthen my determination. It suggests me to get rid of laziness and be brave to face up with challenge and make changes.

It’s a good opportunity to learn about yourself as you participate in the workshop of IYF. There are another two workshops which will be held before the World Camp starts on April 26. Therefore, interested students should participate if convenient.

A Gathering at Ms. Manashi's House

On February 19, we had a good time together at Ms. Manashi's house where we had, for the first time, experienced the taste of Indian food.

All classmates from Asian American class, except for three, shared some money to buy souvenirs for our teacher, Ms. Manashi, with whom we've been studying for two courses. At first, we had planned to have a trip around Phnom Penh; however, we finally changed to have a small party at her house—main purpose is to try Indian food. On that day, we spent so much time buying the souvenirs and fruit for the visit that we arrived at her house at almost five. When we arrived there, everything was almost prepared; therefore, we didn't really help her make it or observe how it was made. Ecstatically, it was time for tasting!

We were in a beautiful room, eating delicious Indian food which gave us a brandnew experience and distinctive memory. My first impression toward the food was that it tends to be salty, hot and spicy. I think Indian people like potatoes much since among the dishes we had, there were three dishes that were made of potatoes. However, Ms. Manashi tried to adjust the taste so that it matched our taste bud. For example, she didn't put chillies in the chicken curry (but it was a bit hot due to the spices) because she knows we can't stand food that is too hot. We had dessert, made of milk, rice and dried grapes. Its taste matches my appetite. Finally, we were offered the traditional Indian tea. Surprisingly, it seems like milk, but mixed with some ginger. The color just looks like what we call 'Red tea milk'.

The three-hour gathering seemed to be very short when we were having a good time. It was the second time which I've participated in a party with UC classmates and teachers. I was very enjoying and relaxing although I am still in the week of exams at another university.

An interview, the meaning of blogging

Recently I was invited for an interview on the topic of ‘Cambodian Female Blogger’, which is a research done by a senior undergraduate from Department of Media and Communication, RUPP.

Last month I received a comment from Ms Lyda, the undergraduate, who requested for my participation in this research which I found interesting. We finally met on 15th of February. The interview took about an hour when I was asked several questions related to the creation of my blog.
Here are some questions I was asked.

‘When did I create this blog?’
‘What are the purposes of creating it?’
‘What are the benefits that I expect to obtain from this blog?’
‘Are there any constraints from my family or the society that deter me from blogging?’
……

Some bloggers have some special and unique intention for the creation of their blog. In fact, I have never had such an intention in creating this blog or noticed or expected any significant benefits I have been receiving or will receive from it. My basic intention was to share my experiences, knowledge, and impressions about something to interested people, or sometimes it’s just a means of relieving my feelings of stress and discontents. However, after being asked, I find that the most significant benefits I have been getting from blogging are the improvement of my writing ability and the development of my thinking and analyzing skill. I also develop a writing habit about any special events that worth sharing with my readers. It’s what I feel thankful for!

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.