Celebration of passing mid twenty something

My birthday was a week ago. I went to bed hearing husband whispered "Happy Birthday, baby" and woke up hearing him whispered "Happy Birthday, baby" and then he kept annoying me by saying "Happy Birthday, baby" for a whole day before he went to work, FaceTime me at work, the moment he walked into the door back from work, while driving out for dinner, while having dinner, while coming back home, before going to bed, before he finally turned around and Zzzzz. I'm pretty sure it was closed to a hundred time.

I was surprised I didn't dream about "Happy Birthday, baby" that night.




It was snowing on that day, that my husband had to text me and FaceTime me to make sure I look out the window that he called it" White birthday."
He's annoying I know, but I love it. Haha.

Knowing how excited husband was (and I was not) about snowing on my day, I decided to dress up; grab my instant camera; go outside and took a photo.



I thought 26 is going to be a big change for me, but no, I think I've changed since I'm married to this amazing man -- my better half who each day gives me love, joy and happiness and has embraced me and let me grow into woman he can be more proud of.

... I guess? hehehe

Dear Birthday, let's be a grown-up and act like adult and this is going to last birthday post ever. Just because I think there's nothing special about birthday celebration when you're not a kid anymore. 

Let the day be the day to reflect what have you been through; all the choices you made; what change you need to make; the plans you have and what you need to do to make them happen. I wished to fast-forward my age to 26 & 30 sooner when I was 18, but I guess I'll choose to enjoy every age and stage I goes through rather than wishing I'm getting old faster. Because life does fly somehow in spaceflight speed and I miss out a lot of things and people when I was busy focus only on one thing. 

Last but not least, dear birthday, let my heart be content, be young, be humble, be eager, be courious like a child, but let my head has all the answers for all the things in the world. Let me has no fear in doing what I want to do even in the face of uncertainty; let me be confident that I can do anything I set my heart to; let me be brave enough to believe in myself; let me still love people for the way they are, let me be inspired and love. 

Come away with me

No matter how independent we both are, living as a married couple, we still love the idea of running away together. We both are just a pair of birds and I love the idea thinking us as a pair of beautiful Blue Jay.

Another place, another story.

I've been married for 55 days now. If you would ask me how I feel to be married, then I must say it is great, it is wonderful. You experience the new feeling that is unable to describe. There are things that we have to admit that it is good to have an extra hand support yours and do it together, you know, like washing dishes, cleaning up the kitchen, collecting the trashes... etc. Hehehe.

Having husband to help with little house chores after he is back from work is wonderful feeling, because I know I wouldn't find this best husband anywhere. This is one of the thing that I most appriciate. But anyway, I don't want to blah blah blah about my husband or how lucky I am here and now. Actually, there are many pictures in my camera--which my husband got me for my birthday few weeks ago, but I don't know what to post and I just have no idea what I want to talk about. In my camera, besides capturing my husband's face, my visit in D.C with my friend, and umm some testing pictures, there are only FOODS pictures that I cooked. Yes, my husband wants me to take pictures of every foods I make. But most of all, he knows I love photography and he wants me to enjoy taking photograph again.

Anyway, I'll try updating more and post what I have in my camera while working on our projects. Have I mentioned I just paint our office and family room downstair? Yes I have. I've done it by myself. Husband said I should be proud of myself, and here I am, I'm proud and pleased with what I have done. But without husband's encouragement and freedom to let me do what I want to do, I would never have done it. I'm glad I can pick up what I want to do and never had time to do it. I enjoy this simple pleasure. Now, I'm writing here as an initial step to get on with my little home projects and I'll try document it here. But right now, let's enjoy random pictures and video together!



There was a winter storm few days ago and we planned to walk down to have breakfast, but it started snowing heavily and I was freaking cold that I can't feel my hands and ears, so we just walked around the house and made this two random video clips. Bleh!

Okay, I'm too lazy to decide which photos I want to post and the computer is so slow, so later! Bye!

Goodbye, unlikely lover!

It’s been a long but good run, me and you. We have so much in common. I can't believe I would find solace in your wild, crazy embrace, even though you’re where I came from after more than two decades together.

This is a question of conquest. In any case, the reason I came out was to see the world and find myself in you and to move on so that I can find my better me. In the end, I think I at once saw more and less than I thought I would. Because of you, I have learned enough to go on with my life. Well, I know you too well and now we have a lifetime history together, you and I, a pair of unlikely lovers or unlikely mother, or whatever.

Let’s spare ourselves the melodrama, but I want to make the promises that I might be able to keep, even though we’re both too aware that there is no space in your embrace for fairy tales, and I’m too much of a cynic.

So anyway, this is me saying I’m leaving for good, for my fairy tales, for my true and lifetime lover though I know it make no difference to you. But I will miss you, you crazy country, crazy city. I can’t help it. I’m sentimental that way. Just do me one last favor and hold on to the bit of me that I’m leaving behind because I have a feeling I’ll be back to you someday. At least, you're where my heart is.

On the girlfriend I love the most!

I got it a lot from everyone and i got it a lot from her too whenever i meet her. But this time, she sent me her calendar to my whatsApp... and I'm sad. It's always sad to know that I'm going to leave the only one girlfriend I love the most and it tucks my heart more knowing how much she loves me after all these years.

Me: Hashaha sot ter Pom Pu!
She: My favorite name, mich jos? But I'm not ready to let you go. :(
Me: Not my favorite name, I tell ya! I'm not ready to leave too.
She: My new calendar always sad. :(
Me: Come on!
She: Bach come on ei tes!
Me: Smoooch! :*
She: Erk. Prir sombol nas!
Me: :P

I'm going to miss her a lot. I'm going to miss her when she like knocking my head, pulling my hairs, smacking me down, glaring at me and esp calling me "K'Pu" when she's mad!

Until I become Cinderella!

Taken by Canon Rebel XTi, overlaid by Pixlr-o-matic

To spend this rest of my life on the next chapter with someone

So fun,

So kind,

So thoughtful,

So beautiful,

So grounded,

So true,

So loving,

So amazing... etc

To someone who always knows what matter most.
To my incredible dancing partner, who my heart only beats for.

To the one who is amazingly soft, understanding, patient and strong, yet so gentle.

To the person I love so, so, so, so, so much and then more than x10000000000000000000+.

To my companion in adventures, my partner in journey, my lifetime best friend.

To my source of inspiration, my biggest support, the one who continues surprising me in every way.

To the one and only man who makes me feel so important, so precious, so capable, so confident, so beautiful and so deeply loved.
To my more, my life and my love.

To happiness.

To hope.

And yes to love.

Daddy's Little Girls!

Bee and Daddy

BEE: Daddy, Belle got my scooter!

DADDY: Let her play first honey. You're her big sister, sweetie!​ She will give you back soon.

Little BELLE: Bee, get the scooter back! Give Belle's Daddy! Daddy!!!!!

*in her fragmental speaking*

Little naughty Belle and Daddy

And I am pretty sure both of them are still on the dispute of claiming the right to get daddy their own property. Perhaps, we can call it "sisterhood."

Man! I feel like a woman!

It's been some years that I've never let go of myself and had a silly fun. It's been years for us that we  never laughed our belly off. I doubt where has our little girls in us gone. What has life done to us? Perhaps, we're all now grown-up. Perhaps, stress and strains has chained us. Perhaps we've never had times to meet often. Perhaps, perhaps. I thought I want some fun. I thought let forget about how old we are now. At least I want them to forget about life, and laugh real hard. Just for one day at least.

In the occasion of my little cousin birthday, I thought I should bring the camera (that heavy stuff!) and the notebook (he has it all!), so we can do photobooth together. Thank to my little Dino (Not human, of course!). He did us a huge favor! We went all silly and crazy in front of him and now we got all the pictures that we might don't want to show our children in the future (Heehee! or I might will). Everyone was running out of energy just because of doing insane photos, but we didn't want to stop until I had to run to restroom and threw up all the foods. How wasted! Yes! because I laughed too hard. My throat is sore and everyone said they sounds like men now. HAHA.

 Taken by DINO aka Macbook Pro.

Let's look at BEHIND THE SCENE!

No, it's BEHIND THE PHOTO-BOOTH SCENE!

Taken by Canon Rebel XTi

You may don't want to know even a CEO can be this crazy! But I fond of the idea that he doesn't like talking about politics, businesses or anything headaches. He loves having fun, talking silly over our catch up dinner! We--girls, should have done that long time ago. Now I told everyone let not talk about our stress and all the headaches all the time, instead try to have fun, treasure the precious times we barely have for each other. These day, I feel like the good old days!

P.S. Forgive me for the video quality. I compressed, so that I don't need to wait so long for uploading this 200MB plus video. 

P.S.S. Now! I feel like I want to sing this song!

Man! I feel like a woman!

Let's go girls! Come on.

I'm going out tonight, I'm feelin' alright

Gonna let it all hang out

Wanna make some noise, really raise my voice

Yeah, I wanna scream and shout

No inhibitions, make no conditions

Get a little outta line

I ain't gonna act politically correct

I only wanna have a good time

The best thing about being a woman

Is the prerogative to have a little fun

Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy, forget I'm a lady!

Men's shirts, short skirts

Oh, oh, oh, really go wild, yeah, doin' it in style

Oh, oh, oh, get in the action, feel the attraction

Color my hair, do what I dare

Oh, oh, oh, I wanna be free, yeah, to feel the way I feel

Man! I feel like a woman!

~Shania Twain

On foods & Companion

Taken at Seven Bright/Lucky Bright--a nice place to have breakfast and lunch.

Taken at Secret Recipe -- a new opened place in town. Not bad.

Taken at Magnolia -- my favorite place to have favorite dishes.

 Taken at Yakiniki Shiki Garden--Oh-so favorite place to have Japanese foods. If you love to have a yummier bbq, I'd recommend to go for Korean Food at Le Seoul. It's pricy, but it's worth every penny.

Taken at Asian Buffet Bar. I heart my breakfast there.  

Taken at Noodle Bar. Laksa is yum, esp the tofu.

Beside Yi Sang, DM Dim Sum is a place that serves a fine homemade dim sum with reasonable price.

My favorite places to have a nice cocktail are: A Pros Pub (I love being there on Fri-Sat-Sun. The singer sings beautifully) and Le Moon. In Kampot, there a very nice place too like Natural Bungalow. In Kep, needless to say, Tgnai Bang Chhat.

After all, I think the foods would taste more great when we have it with a wonderful companion.

So in my situation, if I am to rate, i'd give them 5 flowers and a bug. Heehee 

So yummy yummy, I've got love in my tummy!

I miss us.

I miss all the craziness and silliness we shared.
I miss all the times we had just to talk, laugh, play, sing the songs and all that jazz.



It seems like yesterday.

The excitement of learning separates youth from old age. As long as you're learning you're not old.

Khmer New Year is around the corner and I feel normal. I don’t have that jump-up-and-down moments I used to have anymore. Today students start saying goodbye to their school for their short vacation of 15 days! Today people start dancing and playing Khmer Traditional games in their communities. Today some companies start throwing Khmer New Year party for their employees. Today some people would start planning their trip and some would get ready to go to their homelands. And today, I start thinking about my plan for my family too.

As a little child back then, Khmer New Year is a big celebration for me. Excitement is shooting off in all directions. If I were young again, today I might say good bye to my chums, hoping to meet again when the vacation is over so that we could brag about how our new year was. If I were young again, today, mum would buy me new sets of clothes and shoes and I could have a lot of cookies and candies to eat. If I were young again, on 1st day of New Year, I would become a rich kid by getting A LOT of MONEY from my folks!!!! Hehehe this is the best part of all. If I were young again, on 2nd day of New Year, we all would gather at grandma house and I would get more money and my cousins and I would play Kla-Klok game. If I were young again, on the 3rd day of New Year, my family and I would go on a trip somewhere and our best favorite place is beach. If I were young again, New Year celebration would last until the day we go back to school, back to cool again.

Thing has been different when you’re not young anymore. As an elder daughter, Khmer New Year becomes a big celebration for my family instead. And there are only happiness lies in when seeing my family have their great time. Like any previous years, I’m setting my limited budget for my family. Here is the little thing I normally do: Buying new set of clothes for mum and grandma; preparing some money to give to my brothers and cousins and spending for family trip.

Like any other people, I love my responsibility in my family. I’m grateful that I’m able to share their responsibilities. I want to give them everything. I want to provide them all the things I think they need and want without them asking. I only want the best for them. I wish I could tell them how much they mean to me.

Anyway, I think my English and writing is losing now.

24 It is not just number!

And I like the number.

I think the older we get, the wiser we become. We grow more tolerant, more good-humoured, more easily able to handle our own problems and to give good advice to others. Well, that's the theory. In practice? It is not so simple. Open-mindedness is probably more a quality of youth than of age. It is not experience that makes us wise, it is a 'willingness to learn'. That is something we can have - or fail to have - at any point in our life.

I wonder what it takes to look at yourself, really look and be okay with what you see.
I suppose, Happy Birthday to me.

I’m 24 turning 25. I’m better than I was 23.
And I'm willing to learn more and open myself to be more mature and wiser.

Each year, I'm growing more and more grateful to all my people, who always make me feel so loved and precious and regardless of age -- young.

Years grow, people comes and goes. "You're the same today as you'll be in five years, except for the people you meet and the books you read." So goes the old saying. And I noticed my life changed in every stage of 5 years. Each year, I tend to look back and missed my all people who came in my life, but then went far away, who made me feel special the same way. But let me tell you something. Memories remain.

And my life is about to change again, except this time someone will be by my side forever.
I'm so looking forward to celebrate my very first day together with my wonderful man.

Check here for pictures.

Happy Birthday, Love!

Draw me the warm sunlight; sketch me the chilly breeze and paint my world in shade of fall.

I won't deny that I wish to have an autumn views here in Cambodia.

Khaer KADEK Tleark Kjol (Autumn Season) has rolled around for few days already, but I don't feel a slight chill of the breeze. I guess we can't feel it this early but in a week or so. Do you think autumn is a great excuse to get warm and cozy and especially being lazy in this miserable chill? I pretty much do. But usually I don't find myself being lazy during this season thought, but more productive. I think during autumn here, people are being more active than ever. It's a marriage season after all. So Ah hah, you see my point. They gotta run around checking those things off their to-do-list.

We can't expect much from autumn here though, except wedding invitations. Lolz. And I got 3 already. You can't see those beautiful views in hazel nuts or earth muddy or vibrant or warm beige or neutral color here, but there are times I saw some falling leaves on the ground and they took my breathe away.

So ladies – Yeay Yeay circle, I expect another Saturday cozy catch up in the yard of coffee shop, when we feel the chill touch us. What do you think? And this time I promise to bring my knitting stuffs along. Haha.

You painted me a perfect day.

A perfect mug of delicious drink.

A great lines from a book you can't quite put down.

A sunset that completely and extremely take your breath away.

A moon and a hundred stars in the sky that you can't get enough of gazing at.

A field of grass that you die to lie down and just lie down.

A song from long ago that carries the memory of good times.

An email from a beloved asking, "Hello, how are you and how was your day?"

A sweet, sweet, sweet notes and surprises that pretty much makes you go head over heals in love with.

A man who loves you, who's really pretty amazing and whom you love and adore with all your heart.

All the awesome reasons why it's good to be alive, to be loved and to love.

Dreary October

I was anxious not to get things go, but then I tried to do.

I was anxious to be understood but I tried hard not to resent those who don't.

I was anxious for things to go my way when I wanted them to, but I took a breath and a big step back and tried to seek patience instead.

I was anxious to be loved unconditionally but I tried not to let that stop me from loving others and hard.

I was/am anxious to be happy with who I am, right here, right now, but I tried/try to give myself a break and just be happy.

That's what I've been trying. hard.



Now I'm aiming to set my eyes on my going-to-be everyday in the near future on taking in the moments and then letting them go; on forming few attachments, except to the ones who rock my world; on being thankful at the end of each day that I'd make it through and have enough leftover to live.

This October is going to be the most depressive and dreary month that I'm going to remember. Because I can't keep promise to myself to this post anymore.

Let's end it all here. October.
Say hello to my new chapter in the fresh November, which I wonder what it's going to have in store, especially without a single plan and goal at all.

I'm feeling it.

your month

Your birthday was a week ago. But I didn't have a chance to turn on laptop and post what I want to blog about. Pretty much there are many things I want to tell you, just like our old days, we fought by day and made up by night and swapped about this and that until we fell asleep and hug each other tight.

I wish you were here with us. But we can't be here together in this world as much as I want to, but I think when I feel a need, I can close my eyes and turn inwards and let the memories of our childhood take over.

P.S. I love how mum wrote about us at the back of our photos.

We always miss you.

a beautiful quote for today...

"Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life."

— Bob Marley

when i become a mommy....

When I become a mommy to a little girl, I’ll tied her hair up with a crochet flower hairpin, dress her in a short flower swirly skirt with a white cotton spaghetti strap blouse and a pair of ballerina shoes, then we’ll go on road trip to find out why birds live in trees, butterflies can fly and what makes blue skies blue.

And when I become a mommy to a little boy, I'll dress him in a knee-length khaki jean with a white T-shirts, a pair of sneakers and a cap, then we'll go on adventure to find out why the mountains are high, the lakes are wide and what makes blue oceans blue.