I got the shock of my life when I found out I could not make any calls using my mobile phone. I promptly received a text message saying my prepaid card has expired and that I need to re-charge my phone credit, otherwise, my phone   will self-destruct! Just kidding about the self-destruct part! tee-hee-hee. While I still have unused phone credits amounting to a little over $5, the pre-paid card I charged it with has already expired. Gah, expiration dates are a major, major turn off!

Anyways, so I had to dress up hurriedly and went to the ground floor where there’s a phone kiosk to make a call (like this picture on the right). It’s one of those  local small business phone systems in Phnom Penh where you just tell the minder the number you want to call and voila – you start talking. Of course, you pay afterwards and the cost depends on the number of minutes of talk time. Do you have anything like this in your country? Let me know and I want to see =)

Photo credit: caitrionam via Flickr

Merry Christmas everyone.

In a few more days it will be the year 2011. Can you believe it? Another new year!

Did you all make it to the boxing day sales? I’m sure you did *lol* I heard so many gadgets were on daring discounted prices – the kind that dares you to buy them without batting an eyelash. I myself bought a Nintendo Wii as a Christmas present for myself, and my husband and I were instant gaming converts. Yes, this is the main reason why I haven’t been to the post office for my regular visits and the dearth of blog posts.

Sore muscles aside, my husband and I are enjoying the Wii games. I particularly like the tennis game (surprise, surprise) while my husband enjoys cycling and archery. Together, though, we both love the swordfight  and cycling games, including the dive off the cliff! He teases me no end about how I nearly knocked the poor samurai clean over all of the water in swordfight, tee-hee-hee.  Last night, we stopped playing at about 2am.  I can’t believe that at our age (mine and my husband’s), we found ourselves addicted to Wii games.

Well… who said Wii  was only for kids anyway?

 

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named CV Rick Blog from the blog named Ninja Writer. It’s 50 questions so we will do it in two parts. He stated that he grabbed it from Wry Catcher. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft’s thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing.

Sunday Stealing: The Ninja Meme, Part Two

26.  Whose responses to Stealing do you want to read the most?
I have three people whose Stealing replies I read.

27. What color shirt are you wearing?
Orange

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Not at all. I like cotton more.

 

29. Can you whistle?
Yes, of course.

30. Favourite colours?
Blue, purple, brown, white, black

31. Could you be a pirate?
I think so, yes! I' don’t get sea-sick at all =)

32. What songs do you sing in the shower?

The “I heart logistics” jingle by UPS. It’s so catchy.

33. Favourite girl’s name?
Megan

34. Favourite boy’s name?
Etienne

35. What’s in your pocket right now?
I have an empty pocket now.

 

36. Last thing that made you laugh?
A dog video that I saw on YouTube last night. Click here if you also want to have  a good laugh!

37. Best bed sheets as a child?
It’s a pink bed sheet with the Little Twin Stars print. It also has matching pillow cases and blanket.

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had?
My back injury – from a bad fall while I was doing my gymnastics routine.

39. Do you love where you live?
Of course, no doubt about it.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? How many HDTVs?
We have two TVs, only one working, and no HDTV.

41. Who is your loudest friend?
Mrs Bulldozer.

42. How many dogs do you have?
Just two.

43. Does anyone have a crush on you?
I don’t know… probably none at all. I’m already taken, you see *shows the ring*

44. What are the most fun things you ever did?
Sending and receiving postcards, letters, and parcels. hihihi. But the most fun I did was watching tennis games with my dear friend Ana of  My World of Postcards.

45. What are your favourite books?

Lots, including the Harry Potter series.

47.  Favourite Team?
Team Rafa, of course!

48. What songs do you want played at your funeral?
I haven’t thought about it yet.

49. What are you doing at 12AM?
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
Thank God, I’m alive!

 


1.  How’s it gonna be in 2011 for you?
 A better 2011!

 2. What is your idea of a perfect romantic evening?
Nothing fancy – take out from our favourite restaurant to be shared while watching a movie, sharing ice cream or sweets for dessert. I also like us doing things together – like baking or going on a short cycling trips in the city. Snuggling up on the couch while watching movie sounds romantic to me, too.

 3. What strategy would you implement to deal with drug abuse in today’s world?
Tough job, but I think young people who are into drugs have so much time and energy but nothing to turn on their time and energies to. I think, if opportunities or worthwhile activities, such as skills training or sports programs, be conducted in every village or town will give young people things to do and will make them turn their backs from drugs.

4. What thing about your family are you least proud of?
I’m proud of my family no matter what!

5. What part of the holidays are you really looking forward to?
To just relax with my husband and enjoy the holidays without so much stress.

6. Who is the last person you high-fived? Why?
My dog Joe – it’s one trick my husband taught Joe. I like doing the high-five with Joe because he has this peculiar way of doing it =)


7. Have you ever made out at a drive-in?
No, not at all.

 8. If you had only enough energy left in you for one last smile, who would you give it to?
The person with me.

 9. Tell us about that time when you were the “life of the party”.
I’m not really a party-person. I seldom go to parties, and if and when I go to a party, I don’t mingle as much so I don’t think I’m the life of the party-kind of person. hahaha. Boring.

Today we ripped this meme off a  blogger named CV Rick blog named Ninja Writer. It’s 50 questions and we will do it in two parts.  He stated that he grabbed in from Wry Catcher. But, it was probably stolen from there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. To trace back our theft’s thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

1. What do you add to your coffee?
Milk and sugar

 2. What are you reading now? I've stopped after I was done re-reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

 3. Do you own a gun?
Yes, I have a plastic water pistol I use during the Khmer New Year.

 4. Are you registered to vote?
Yes.

 5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
All the time!

6. What do you think of hotdogs?
My favourite!

7. Favourite Christmas Song?
None in particular, really.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Tea with milk.

9. Can you do push ups?
Yes, but not a lot.

10. What was the name of your first boyfriend/girlfriend?
Errrrrmmmm...

11. What's your favourite piece of jewelry?
Earrings

12. Favourite hobby?
Postcards and stamps collection, crafting

13. Do you work with people who idolize you?
I wish! hahaha.

14. Do you have ADD?
Yeah, I sometimes think I do!

15. What's one trait that you hate about yourself?
Second-guessing myself.

16. What's your middle name?
Jane

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
My back is killing me. I'm hungry. The dog needs to be walked.

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
Dog treats. My favourite dried salami and Tolouse sausages. Toiletries

19. Name 3 beverages you regularly drink.
Water. Tea. Soda.

20. Current worry right now?
My back pain!

21. What side do you dress to?
I don't understand :(

22. Favourite place to be?
Post Office!

23. How did you bring in the New Year?
Partying.

24. Where would you like to go?
Home.

25. Name three people who will see today.
My landlord. Vegetable seller. Parking attendant.

… err, maybe “body” is the appropriate word.

I was speechless and stupefied when I read the news. The 2010 French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open champion and world number one will model for Giorgio Armani’s men’s underwear. Now that is another way of “looking” at tennis! Tee-hee-hee.

Michaela, this is indeed a nice addition to my collection. It will have a special place in my album.

 


1.  Has anyone asked you to believe in something that called for a huge leap of faith on your part?
Yes, of course, getting married is a huge leap of faith! 

2. When is the last time you moved? Why did you move?
Three years ago – to be near my workplace. I just can’t stand having to wake  up very early in the morning and endure a horrendous traffic. 

3.  Malls…? or one Internet? Are you doing more online shopping this year? The poll say we are, but I’m curious about what the real people are doing.
I’d say malls. If I were in your country, I’d be one of those early birds queuing for Cyber Monday adventure! However, I did make a few online purchases. I would have done more but I’m afraid the taxes are killing me, and not to mention the unreliable postal service here :(  

4. Do you remember the first meme you participated in and if so, what was it?
Wordless Wednesday – just photos and occasional texts.

5. If you could invent something,  what would it be? 
A mute button – right now there’s a wedding ceremony going on in my neighbourhood and the sound gets too annoying. 

6. Are you finished with your shopping? Do you still a few things to go? What? Not even a game plan?… or is there just one person you’re having trouble finding for?
I’m done shopping for the kids back home and I still have a few things to look for.

7.  What’s left to do at your place (or where you are going)? Is the tree up?… or maybe you’re just happy you found the Christmas tree mug and are calling that good?
Our tree is up for about 2 weeks already, and so far, apart from shopping for and wrapping presents, we’re pretty much done. 

8. Is your life turning out the way you thought it would be when you were a kid? If not, is it better or worse? To tell you honestly, my life is very different from what I had imagined it to be when I was little.  It's different but of course better than I had envisioned it to be.

9. Tell us about something you’ll miss about 2010.
Not much really. I will miss the USA donuts in Phnom Penh – apparently they’ve closed their shop but several clones came out but they’re not as good.

It’s almost the end of the year now  and although I am dreading this time of the year, I am already thinking about stuffs that need to be done as soon as the holiday hullaballoo ends, probably early next year. The visas have been taken care of (note to self: pick up passport on Wednesday), next in the list is insurance.  Now this is a tricky one because I am no longer working and my insurance coverage from previous employment had already expired.  One colleague of mine suggested me to go here for the best term life insurance website online. I am amazed at how much information we can glean off the Internet and how the information is helping us make informed choices. Insurances are good, practical and gives us a sense of security so I am looking for one that fits for married couples. After the insurance has been arranged and ticked off the list, the next item for discussion is our travel calendar =) 

1. The latest book that made you cry?
Oh several but since you asked for the latest, I'd say it's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. My heart got broken when one of my favourite characters died.

 2. The fictional character most like you?
Ginny Weasley - because she kicks ass and not afraid to stand up for something she believes in. She is also a tough girl having grown up with six brothers.

 3. The greatest album, ever? 
My postcards and stamps album. *lol*

 4. Star Trek or Star Wars. Why?
Star Wars! I love Han Solo ^-^

5. Your ideal brain food?
Peanuts and more peanuts.

6. Everyone is proud of certain accomplishment, which one for you?
My postcards and stamps albums.

7. You want to be remembered for…?
Hmmmm... just to be remembered is good enough.

8. Let’s talk about recording artists. Who do you find most inspirational? 
I'm not really into music, sorry.

9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?
Poems of Pablo Neruda.

10. Your hidden talents…?
Singing. Due to security threats, mostly to me, I'd rather refrain than risk imminent household attack from upset pets and irate neighbours.

11. The best piece of advise you actually followed?
Don't  be afraid to have lunch (or dinner) by yourself.

12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed? 
My gadgets!

13. What is the most comfortable clothes that you wear?
I'm a casual dresser so I'm always in my shorts and tank tops.

14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?
Just me and my husband.

15. Time travel: where, when and why?
I'd like to go back to something like The CoalHouse. It's a BBC Wales production featuring three modern-day families who exchanged their comfortable lives for a basic lifestyle in the 1920s Wales. Very interesting for me.

16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
Hit man, and then take Prozac.

17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolates, or… ?
Mails, postcards, stamps, etc.

18. Environment of choice: city or country, and where on the map?
France.

19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?
Please stop discussing your love life (or the lack of it) to the media. It's just - aaaccckk!

20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on now?
Preparing a batch of  letters, postcards, etc. promised to friends before the end of the year.

1. Do you have any habit or rituals at this time of the year?
No, not really.

2. Polar bears seem to do well in snow… how about you? Is snow just another thing you deal with when it shows up, or is it shutdown time?… and if you’re posting from a non-snowy locale, do you make trips to actually see snow?  It’s okay to admit it…
I didn't actually make plans to go but I was invited at a conference and it so happened it was at the onset of winter in Nepal. The weather is really cold but there was no snow yet while I was there. I only managed to see the snow-capped Himalayan range from the plane, and then the Pokkara mountains upon arrival at the airport.

3.  Tell about a toy you remember from your childhood.

I can relieve my childhood again by playing Octopus.

Does anyone remember the Nintendo Game and Watch in the 80s? It's a hand-held electronic game and very much the in-thing back then. The Nintendo games during that time were very simple, black and white (and sometimes red) games with simple graphics, and just two main buttons, left and right, for the game. I remembered wailing a banshee in front of my parents because they didn't want to buy me one. After a few sessions of sulking and crying, they relented =)

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