Once Upon A TYPE…

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iViva!

Are you a foodie like me who loves to try new and affordable places? Well, I’ve got good news for you! There’s a new Tex-Mex place in town that you should try and it’s called iViva! located on Sisowath Quay, just in front of Titanic Restaurant. They serve Mexican and Khmer foods, where you can have a wide range of choices from tacos, quesadilla, burritos, to beek loklak and fish amok for the local lovers. Prices range from $1.50-$15 depending on the food you’ll order, and I’d say it’s really a good value for money.

After the boat party yesterday with my colleagues, hubby and I headed to iViva! to grab a late dinner. For only $5.50, he’s got himself a nice plate of baby back ribs with french fries, and salad.

While I ordered a plate of beef tacos, fried rice, and salad for $4.50. Yummy!

I loved my food especially the fresh tortilla shell they used for my tacos and the taste is wonderful. Every Saturday they also have a Margarita night where you can enjoy a glass of Margarita for only $1.50. Cheap!

On my point of view, Phnom Penh is becoming more and more promising. I’ve been here for almost 5 years now and I’d say that there are so many places that I haven’t tried and explored yet. Every now and then, a new business will sprout, each of them has their target market and with the growing population of  ”can affords” in the country,  eating beautifully presented foods become a part of  fashion.

So, better put this on your list and tag your friends with you. Bon apetit!

My New Love

There’s only one true love I have in my heart and of course you guys knew him already. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean I cannot have any more than one, right? There’s a saying “The more, the merrier!” And keeping that in mind makes the world go round. But before you think of any hanky panky there, let me be more specific on who is the one I’m talking about. Hmmmm how about some clues? Game?

Clue #1

One of the youngest and successful singers from UK

Clue #2

She won 6 Grammy awards in the previous 54th Grammy’s

Clue #3

Chasing Pavements and Rolling in the Deep are some of her best hits

Do you know now?

Oh well, you’re doomed if you don’t know the answers to my clues, hahaha!

It’s none other than Adele and I’m a fan of hers! Woohoo!

She’s stuck in my head and I can’t stop singing her songs, and I am loving it. Her performance in the 54th Grammy Awards was a remarkable one. It was a standing ovation from the audiences after she sang Rolling in the Deep. So glamorous!

Oh my, she’s my new love and despite her success in her career, she remains humble and sweet. You’d better read her blog to find out more about how cool she is.

Here’s a video of her singing Set Fire to the Rain live at the Royal Albert Hall. Enjoy! I love you Adele

 

 

My Funny Valentine

As years pass by, Valentine’s is getting more and more commercialized here in Phnom Penh. It may not be a holiday in the country, but I’ll say it’s more than that. It’s getting bigger and fancier! You’ll see flower vendors in almost every street corner and even the youngest students in the school goes home with a flower in tow from their classmates and friends. Lovely isn’t it?

So, how about my Valentine’s?

It’s PERFECT!

Nestle and I never had any solid plans on how we wanted our Valentine’s to be, and to be fair, he had asked me on the things I want to receive or places I want to go. At the end of the line, practicality prevailed. Valentine’s is one of the many days in the year where there are so many promotions to choose from, and when we talk about the prices, they could go sky high depending on what you prefer to do. Going back to my date, we started off surprising each other with simple tokens of love, and though it may not be that pricey like what others get, it’s always the thought that counts.

Here’s what he gave me:

Here’s what I gave him:

Dining will never be out of our list that’s why right after Nestle’s work, we headed to Shabu Shabu at City Mall and what else can you expect – it’s jampacked! We even needed to eat fast from the moment the table was ready, because the movie were going to watch will start at 8pm. So, it took us only about 40 minutes to fill up our big tummies. Such in a hurry.

This Means War with Reese Witherspoon completed our night. I love it and it’s hilarious! Were very lucky to be able to watch it ahead from others in the world, and I am telling you, it’s a MUST watch movie. A big tumbler of caramel popcorn and huge soft drinks while laughing is definitely a great way to end Valentine’s!

I had fun and I enjoyed the simple treats. This one’s down surely to my timeline

Ooops! I wanna say thank you too to all of my dear students who made effort today. I love you all!

Random Chinese Proverbs

Since I can still feel the warmth of Chinese New Year (warmth in the sense of not having many students in the class ), I thought of scribbling some Chinese proverbs would be fun after I finished my semester plans.

Using an old ang pao, I cut it into different parts where I can get the beautiful print outs and pasted them on my SCA given diary. Then, I started browsing the world wide web for some inspiring Chinese proverbs.

Sometimes in our life, we need to create something new to feel that we’re still on the right track, and when we feel lost, reading inspiring quotes can lift our spirit up. Since I am a trying hard to be as creative as I can be, here’s what I managed to do in my 20-minute break

I felt good after doing this page in my diary and it’s not a bad pastime either. I was able to inspire myself with different quotes and I did a pretty good job in keeping myself artistic in times of deadlines.

Try it for yourself, you might like it too

 

 

Cebu Pacific is Now Flying Manila-Siem Reap

Wait no more for the much long awaited flight is now on! Cebu Pacific is now flying direct from Manila-Siem Reap beginning April 2012. Travelers from Philippines will now enjoy the beauty of Angkor Wat in very affordable prices, and this means Filipinos will have the opportunity to fly nth times easier and faster anytime of the year. Woohoo!

This is absolutely exciting for us (Filipinos) who work here in Cambodia, because we now have more options to choose from whenever flying back to our homeland. My only wish is for CebPac to have a direct Manila-Phnom Penh flight for I am based here. Adding to the fact that more Filipinos are situated in Phnom Penh than Siem Reap, so let us cross our fingers for this to become a reality soon.

For now, let’s grab this chance and book in advance. Fly now and visit us in Cambodia!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

How time flies so fast is just one of life’s wonders and once again another year had passed beautifully. There may be some glitches along the way, yet we’re still here making the most of what we can do to make L-I-F-E full of joy and love.

Looking back, I’d say I had a beautiful and peaceful 2011. My children are doing fine in their studies and I have a very good relationship with my husband, family, and colleagues. These things above money and others are more important to me than anything else in the world. As long as we have food on the table, clothes to wear, good health – we’re already contented. Extra stuff may come as a reward.

I am also thankful to all the opportunities that were given to me. Surely they have made me stronger, wiser, and more focused either in my career as a teacher or as a doting mother and wife. So, for this coming 2012, I am looking forward to somehow maintain or be a lot better than I used to this 2011. It only means there will be no more lazy days for me and I’ll keep my promise to lose weight, for I cannot take it anymore when everyone I see comments on how much fat I have put on. I am not really mad, but it makes me feel somewhat conscious of how I look, so to end it, I’d better be serious on my diet and exercise plan. Yeah, I think I really need it. Or maybe I should stop cooking! Nah, it’s impossible for me to quit cooking or else I will die, die, die, die! It’s my stress reliever and my only hobby aside from eating, hahaha!

Kidding aside, I really love 2011 despite of some sad moments that happened. I am positive that 2012 will be brighter for all of us. Keep the spirit guys and let us spread the love. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Philippine-Cambodia Direct Flight to Open Soon

The good news just keeps on getting better and better, and just before the year end, a proper press release has been published regarding new direct flights between Philippines and Cambodia. In simple words, we don’t need to travel via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Ho Chi Minh City anymore just to fly to Philippines, hooray!

At long last, the rumors are finally getting real since we’ve been hearing this said flights for the past two years. OFWs like us have nothing to do but wait till the agreement between Philippines and Cambodia has been finalized. So now that it’s just a flight away, we’re all excited and getting ready to book our first direct flight going home.

Cebu Pacific will have five flights for the Manila-Cambodia route, while ZestAir got two frequencies.

Airphil Express, the budget carrier of Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia Philippines Inc. each received seven frequencies for the Clark-Cambodia route. One frequency is equivalent to a once-a-week flight.

Ang sarap umuwi lagi kahit maiksi lang ang bakasyon kapag natuloy na ang direct flight. Kaya  ngayon pa lang mag ipon na at mag ayos ng schedule para makabili ng advance tickets para mas mura.

For the official press release, click here.

 

 

Christmas 2011

This year marks my 7th Christmas away from home. Although I’m kinda used to it already, still it won’t be the same if you’re not with your family and friends in the Philippines. Iba pa din ang celebration ng Pasko sa Pinas! The only good thing that I hold on to in celebrating away from home is my children and husband whose with me through thick and thin. As long as we’re together, Christmas will always be special no matter what.

So, enough of being emo and let’s look on the brighter side. This year marks Christmas extra special too, because we’re graced by my cousin Taj’s presence She is one of the most exciting people I’ve ever met and it make “us” (the whole family)  get to know her more since she’ll be here till New Year. Adding the fact that the kids supah dupah love her. Iba talaga ang karisma mo Taj!

Furthermore, it’s Pasko ng mga Superstar Season 3 this year and as the tradition goes, girls were in red while boys wear green. Hosted by the Dionco’s, we had a blast in their villa. Galante si Santa ngayong Pasko kaya ang mga tao madaming natanggap na regalo, apir!

Also, Christmas will never be the same anymore as my Lola Ichie passed away last 17th of December. This may be our saddest Christmas to celebrate without her, but deep in our hearts we know that she’s already happy in heaven. There will be no more sufferings and pain, because He will comfort my Lola at times. We will surely miss you. Till we meet again, Nanay.

To all our family and friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Let us hope that 2012 will bring prosperity and good tidings to each and everyone of us.

One Day

With all the things happening around us these days, this song/video is very timely.

It’s nearly Christmas and typhoon Sendong have devastated many towns and families in south of the Philippines, especially Iligan and CDO area. The catastrophe left many families homeless and the number of casualties is continually rising, nearly 700 at toll. What a sad feeling to see the aftermath of the storm, and yet there is nothing we can do to stop Mother Nature’s cruelty. However, we can still do something to help our kababayans through giving donation, be it big or small.

Below are the organizations and numbers you can contact in the Philippines. Remember, a small act of kindness can create a chain of love. Be strong Philippines!

SMS
Text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

G-Cash
Text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

or go to: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate
for more info and options

For overseas Filipinos, you can donate thru the Philippine National Red Cross’ website: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate

You Gave Me A Fright

It’s been a while since I have watched something scary in the cinema and tonight’s exceptional. Colin Farrell’s Fright Night literally gave me a fright, and I honestly thought of going out the movie house in the middle of the story, but hey I survived! I hated him so much in the movie were he portrayed an evil vampire, killing and sucking everyone’s blood to be alive. He’s so much different from his movie Alexander in 2004, which I really like most.

Anyway, prior to watching it actually just before entering the hall I’ve asked my husband what kind of movie we’re about to watch, I was too busy these past days that I wasn’t able to do a little research about it and so I expected my smart ass Nestle to give me a brilliant answer. And as expected, I was fooled by him when he replied that it’s a funny movie. How could it be funny, when I felt like I’m going to have a heart attack while watching it! Or maybe it’s just me? Maybe I was too blown by the scenes, putting myself in the shoes of the vampire’s victims – a reason why I am damn affected so much!

Summing up my night, I enjoyed the movie and I’ll recommend it to all my friends, students, and relatives who love suspense and thriller, not for the faint hearted though. So for those of you who wants to experience the thrill, book your tickets now at Legend Cinema - City Mall and be prepared to be frightened.

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