Russian Dolls

Quotes from the French movie Russian Dolls:

If I think about all the girls I've known or ... just desired, they're like a bunch of Russian dolls. We spend our lives playing the game, dying to know who'll be the last. The teeny-tiny one, hidden inside all the others. You can't get to her right away. You will have to follow the progression. You have to open them, one by one, wondering, "Is she the last?"

I know you're not always perfect. I know you have tons of problems, defects, imperfections... but who doesn't? It's just that I prefer your problems. I'm in love with your imperfections. Your imperfections are just great!

Different Ground

Not long ago, I met a really intriguing and charismatic person. For some reason, we never seem to be on common ground. No matter what I did, nothing seems to work out and we often argue. It is not so much about who is right or wrong, but I believe it is more about misunderstanding and miscommunication. Yet, after all the efforts and good deeds I may have done, this person overlooks any good qualities I may have and only see the faults in me. As they say, it is not about finding a perfect person. It's seeing an imperfect person perfectly.

So my friend explains to me that we are on different grounds. This person vibrates on a different frequency than me, and that this person does not feel me, according to Buddhism. My very wise friend says that I probably vibrate on higher frequency, and that this person needs to bring him or herself up. I asked why is it that I vibrate higher? It seems that I have been to the West. According to Buddhism, there's a Western world where Amitabha Buddha resides. In the Western world, it's easier to reach enlightenment.

Of course, as my other wise friend says, I should be thankful that my heart was touched by someone so special, and be thankful as well for the opportunity and excitement of getting to know one another, regardless of the outcome.

I must admit, good reasoning and advice! Thanks guys!

Sarkozy

Two and a half years ago, my nephew and niece from Cambodia came to visit Paris. It was their first time travelling outside of Asia, and they were at awe with everything they saw. Everything was such a great experience to them. It was a once in a lifetime experience.

During their stay, I had shown them all around Paris. And before they left, I took them to an auto show. At the auto show, we ran into Nicolas Sarkozy, who was just a minister then. M. Sarkozy shaked the hands of both my nephew and niece, and is now the new president of France. Upon my last trip to Cambodia, I shaked the hands of both my nephew and niece, just in case I'd get lucky like M. Sarkozy.

Ever since my return, I finally got my guitar fixed ... 6 months later. Today, I even played the lottery in the Euro Million. Let's see if the wheel of fortune finally turns. One thing is sure, I still got 39% chance of luck for the end of year ... we'll see if the tables start to turn ... talking about a revolution.

Million Euro Solution

The colossal project for which I currently work for in Kobenhavn encompasses several platforms for which certain milestones and payments are due. The system on the platform for which my team and I are working on, is up and running well, and is considered the model for the other platforms. Yet, for some reason, the other platforms have not had their full system working properly for now two months, thus blocking any kind of payment. Numerous experts and other competent people have attempted to fix this problem. Noticed how I used the word attempted? That's because so far no one has succeeded to solve this enigmatic problem that is causing so many headaches, stress, and sleepless nights to so many managers.

Like any good superhero in the movies, I took upon myself the challenge to do the impossible and find the million euro solution. After several days of analyzing and investigating, and learning upon other people's trials and errors, my colleagues and I finally found the million euro solution to the little bug that's been bugging everyone. After having two absolutely gorgeous Danish women smile at me this week in Kobenhavn, I knew something special would happen, especially on Friday the 13th! I can tell you one thing, the blood pressure of alot people finally dropped! Yes Thomas Edison! You are absolutely right! We should never be discouraged, for every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward to finding solutions for today's and tomorrow's problems!

Chaul Chnam Thmey

Chaul Chnam Thmey, as they say in Khmer, is the Cambodian New Year from April 13th to April 15th. It represents the end of the harvesting season for the farmers, who take the time to enjoy the fruits of their labor before the start of the raining season. Happy Cambodian New Year to all! May prosperity be with you!

Silver Surfer

When I first saw the movie trailer for the sequel of the Fantastic Four, Rise of the Silver Surfer, I was at awe at the sight of seeing the Silver Surfer. The Silver Surfer has always been one of my favorite comic book characters growing up. With a simple designed armor, coated in silver and a surfing board to travel in space at the speed of light, the Silver Surfer puts the cool in the word coolness.

Unlike so many super heroes before him, the Silver Surfer's special abilities did not come at birth, nor through mutation or any accidental event. Rather, they come from a choice of responsibility and morality. In order to save his home planet Zenn La from Galactus, the devourer of planets, Norin Radd sacrificed himself for the good and the sake of the ones he cherish and love so much. By serving Galactus as a herald, Norin Radd became the Silver Surfer with cosmic powers, and prevented his planet from being destroyed.

Every once in a while, people in their lives must take responsibility and sacrifice for their love ones. It is almost a universal condition in mankind. Whether it be the parents working a dead-end job to make ends meet in order to support their children, alot of people can relate to the Silver Surfer's sacrifice and responsibilities one way or another. As best said in the Spiderman comic book, "With great power, comes great responsibilties." With his great powers, we come to see the Silver Surfer evolve with even greater responsibilties.

1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

Is this glass of water 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? In everything we may see, encounter, and experience in our everyday life, it is easy to criticize and see the negative aspects in any given situation or person. With so much negativy that we see on TV everyday, like Jack Johnson, I also ask myself "Where did all the good people go?" What distingishes many artists and good photographers around the world, is their talent for finding creativity and beauty in everything all around us, even in the simplest things in life. It is a talent that can be learned by just about any good soul on this heavenly planet. So like an artist or photographer, if people can learn to focus and find more positive issues or attributes in today's world, we'd see this glass of water as 1/2 full rather than 1/2 empty.

Chankrisna

Life is full of adversity. There will be times when we ask ourselves, why in the world is this happening to me? No other human being has it worse! What have I done to deserve this?! I'm so tired of this life. We may not know it now, but everything happens for a reason. Only in the future then, can we look back at our paths, make the connections, and understand all that has come to be.

We all make mistakes one day or another. But you know what? Experience is what people call their mistakes. The choices we make may not always turn out as hoped. Everything is a learning experience, though the lessons of life are not always easy to accept, especially those that we have no control over. All we can do is learn from our mistakes and the wrong choices made, and aspire for a better tomorrow. For the rest, enjoy and appreciate each moment in its own sweet time.

Life has its cycles, like the spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons that pass us by regularly during the course of a year. Like a tree, we must withstand the heavy rain, harsh wind, and chilling temperatures that we may encounter. Only through such adversities can a tree become stronger and survive to see the spring, and blossom to its full potential during the summer time.

Chankrisna means tree in Cambodian. Humanius est deridere vitam quam deplorare (from Seneca in Latin, it's better to laugh at life than cry over it). So courage in yourself, and keep smiling and laughing!

True Colors

Chatting around with my colleagues during a sunny spring day at work, I kid how a vacation would be welcomed at this time. Especially since I need to find my true colors. "The harsh and cold winter here has made me look pale", I say to them. My colleagues laugh at the irony of me needing a tan, and say "Hey, you're lucky cuz you're tanned all year". Well, only in Europe and America my chum friends.

In many Western countries, it is quite in vogue to be tanned. To Westerners, people who are tanned like myself represent a population from one of those exotic islands. We also represent those who seem fortunate to vacation and travel often to sunny destinations. There are numerous Westerners who spend quite a bit of their precious time attempting to look tan. Some Westerners have had great success in getting nice tans, while others, well, let's just say not everyone was created equal.

On the other hand, Asians in general, especially in Asia, prefer white people or light skinned Asians. To many Asians, being white is a sign of great beauty, high class, and elite. That's why we see so many white Asians on TV for instance. Even if a white Asian was not more handsome than a tanned person, the white Asian would nevertheless be considered more handsome. It is such a trend to be white, that in Cambodia, although this not healthy in the long run, many girls would regularly peel of their skins in an attempt to look white.

In the West, people try to look tanned, while Asians who are tanned try to look white. My friend from Senegal says it's the same thing with African girls. Hey, like Sting sings in his song "Englishman in New York", "be yourself, no matter what they (people) say." People who are truly sincere will see and accept our true colors shining through. So we shouldn't be afraid to show our true colors, like a rainbow ...

Public Opinion

Like everyone else, I have always been compared to people within my circle. Those who don't really know me, have been quick to judge me, not knowing the truth. Some of us don't go around bragging or venting of the things we do. We do the things we do to help people, not out to show off and impress everyone. Often, I usually ignore comments and opinions from such judgemental people.

Recently, whether it be stress or something else, I lost my cool and got mad. I mean, who are these people to judge us? Of course my reaction was uncalled for. People only see what we portray to them. For those of us who are discreet, people will always have a misconception about us. Sometimes I feel I have to prove to people or justify what I do due to all the misunderstandings and misconceptions. It is tiresome at times, and now it really does not matter anymore. I suppose that goes back to my post with regards to the Wickhams and Darcies of the world. We live in a superficial and materialistic world, and people will always look at the surface of a person, and not into them.

Dr. Seuss once said the following: "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." It is true that we should never be enflamed with public opinion. With what people may say, some hold water, and some don't. Only those that really know us can truly understand and be of good judgement.

Running Out of Time

Patiently sitting and waiting for my plane to Copenhagen, I set my eyes upon the static blackTV screen: Copenhagen on time. No indication of boarding, yet it is almost time to board the plane. Sitting, waiting, I hear my name being called for boarding! So I rushed to the counter in order to board the plane. Apparently, the TV screen displaying flight information was not functioning correctly. So much for high tech.

This reminds me of last year when I had returned from Cambodia via Singapore. I had to transit at Singapore, and retrieve my boarding pass for my final destination. In order to retrieve my boarding pass, I had to take a number and wait to be called. Patiently sitting and waiting for my number to be called for over 2 hours, I see on the TV screen that my flight is boarding! I was running out of time! So I rushed to the counter in front of everyone to announce that I had to get on my plane and board. Immediately, I got my boarding pass and rode a golf cart with an Indian employee from Air Singapore. The man zigzagged the golf cart like Ralph Schumacher throughout the airport for over 1 km, while honking and screaming at everybody to get out of the way! "Hello!" "People!" "Excuse me!"

When I had first arrived to Cambodia, a cousin of mine had just passed away on the very same day. For those that believe in superstition, absolutely not a good omen for the rest of my vacation. So it was only fitting that my trip would end on a stressful note as well. My last trip to Cambodia is by all means one to forget. Although difficult at times, I have learned my lessons now, and so has the Airport of Singapore. It now seems that people are given their boarding pass right away upon transit. Upon my next trip to Copenhagen, I'll be sitting right next to the boarding gate ...

Upside down

I read this article with regards to an African country called Guinea-Bissau. Talk about things being upside down and opposites with the rest of the world. In Orango Island in Guinea-Bissau, it is the woman who proposes to the man for marriage. While a man in the West would get down on his knee with a ring to propose, a woman from Orango Island would prepare a distinctive and traditional dish with fish as a way of proposing to a man. Yet lately, some of the men have followed the ways of the West. Ever since then, it seems that the divorce rate has risen quite considerably? Many of the elderly suggest that the young generation should go back to the traditional matriarchal ways where women propose to men. They argue, women make better and stable judgement when it comes to marriage. Nonesense right? Right.