Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Jackie Chan in Phnom Penh Again!

‘You know? Jackie Chan is coming on November 10th! And there will be a concert!’ ‘Are you kidding me? I’m sure to be there to see him!’ This conversation was in two weeks ago when we were first informed of Jackie Chan’s visit. Everyone in UC was very exciting and looking forward to the great event, and you could hear students asking whether they were going, how they managed their time so as to go to the concert, about the avenue and time the concert was going to be held, and so on.

The concert was organized in the studio of SEATV—Southeast Asia Television, a new TV channel run by HE Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and sponsored by Dr. Haru Hisa Handa. It was a concert focused on ‘Culture of Peace’. It was started from 4 to 6pm.

UC students were given tickets for the concert. Unfortunately, not all the students got it, for the seats are limited. Luckily, I got one in time before it was out of stock. I was very excited because it’s the first time I’ve been to a concert and especially I’d see Jackie Chan in person which is the biggest purpose of going there.

At around 3 pm, Nareth and I arrived there and found out that the security was extremely strict—we had our motors checked; bags kept; no camera allowed; body searched; and so on. We personally felt a bit unhappy about these requirements. We believed that we’d get a good seat since we arrived one hour before time, but we were still directed to an almost-the-last row of seats. There were many empty seats at the other side; however, they were not for students. It was really annoying that finally those students who were coming later than us were allowed to sit at the better seats than ours! It’s the second thing that I didn’t like about it because we could hardly see the performances.

Jackie Chan arrived at the studio at 5:30. Some of the audiences (mostly UC students), including us, were arranged to welcome him at the doorway of the TV station. After his car got into the station, there was a small turmoil since people who were outside of the station and didn’t have a ticket forced into the building and the security were not able to hold them back. So at last, there were some outsiders successfully sneaked into the studio.

The performance was great in terms of light, music, and performers. We had Preab Sovat, Him Sivorn, Meng KeoPecheta, and other popular Khmer singers. Jackie Chan offered three songs in sequence. The songs were 国家, 明明白白我的心, and WE ARE THE WORLD. Even though we didn’t have a clear view from the back seats, we were still very enjoying.

Jackie Chan also went to UC for a lecture on the same topic— ‘Culture of Peace’ yesterday afternoon (November 11). Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to participate in it. My friend told me that it was quite impressive, and I really want to know how impressive it was! What a pity!

Although he has been in Cambodia for three times including this visit, he, in Cambodian people’s heart, is quite welcome and loved because of his marvelous acting talents in Hollywood films and humanity activities.

This is the last performance when Jackie and all Cambodian singers are on the stage singing the song 'We are the World' althogether. It's not very clear due to distance and phone limitation.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Let's Say it Altogether!


May it be a sweetest time in your life and this sweetness sustaining all thru your life!

Happy Birthday to You!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Tom’s Husband, a short summary

This is a short story that is recently studied....

‘Tom’s Husband’, written by Sarah Orne Jewett in 1884, is a short story of a couple, Tom and Mary, who make changes to the marital roles supposed by the society.

Tom and Mary both come from a business family whose fathers managed manufacturing factory. Tom has got a stepmother and a sister, Alice. He is not interested and has no talent in business; instead, he is good at managing the house which he spends most of his time doing before his marriage with Mary. Adversely, Mary is inborn with business talent. Before getting married, she was ‘always her father’s right-hand man’, meaning she was a good assistant of her father’s business. Doing business is her favorite and is what she can only do. Household chores are difficult stuff for her. However, they cannot do what they like after their marriage since the society demands that man earn money to support the family and woman do housekeeping. Both of them feel really uncomfortable with the new order of things.

Since his father’s death, Tom has stopped running the factory due to his inability and illness and has been thinking of selling it if a reasonable price is offered. One night, a mail from his sister in Japan arrived, suggesting restarting the mill so that she can get more money to support her husband. This is also agreed by his stepmother who and he are the executors of his father’s will. However, Tom feels pessimistic and discouraged. After long negotiation, Mary proposed to run the mill and is finally allowed even though Tom feels that people might laugh at them since the role is reversed.

Mary seeks help from experienced people such as Jack Towne and some old clerks who used to work for Tom’s father. At first, people do laugh at her; however, they soon have to respect her talent and success because she can learn things very fast and manage to earn some profit just at the end of the second year. Meanwhile, Tom also enjoys his quiet life at home and does his favorite things.

In the early days of her business life, Mary consulted important business matters with Tom who was also trying to show interest in business which he actually didn’t. Gradually, they seem to spend less time together than before because Mary is busy with her business rather than staying around with him. He started to hate doing housework and finally asked Mary to leave the mill for a while and have a six-month trip to Europe with him. Mary agreed understandably.

The story implies that women can also do what men can and even better. Also, a person’ talent should not be blocked by society’s restriction, stereotype, or preconception. We can never know whether we are able to do it or not if we don’t have a try. What is more, we should do what we think is right and is good for us but not we are supposed to do, and we should not be afraid of how people will look at us because they will soon realize that we have been doing the right thing.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

UC Scholarship


This is the third year that UC(University of Cambodia) has offered full scholarship for a bachelor degree to fresh grade 12 graduates. UC is granted funds by a Japanese, Mr. Haru Hisa Handa. The exam covers general knowledge in Khmer and English test. Interested applicants have to buy a form and apply it before 13th of September, and the exams will be held on the 16th. I am also one of the scholars in the first-year exam. I have again volunteered to be a proctor in this exam. I think I will have a good time with all my friends in helping the university, and I am also very happy that I can help ensure the transparency and justic in this scholarship; at the same time, I gain some experiences in managing the exam. I was a proctor last time, and this time I am 'promoted' to be a building controller. There are more responsibilities and it requires more commitments. I believe I can do it well.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Long Absence

It's been a long time that I haven't updated my blog since there aren't any things really special and important to jot down. I have been on a vacation from RULE after the second-year final exams. After that tough moments when I had to bury my head in the books, I still stick to UC's assignment and preparation for the upcoming exam in one week. Recently, I have been very lazy. Except for reviewing the lessons in UC, I should have time to prepare for the courses in my third academic year at RULE. However, I've read nothing. This is the thing I feel much unforgivable to myself. There will be many things to do in the upcoming academic year as I have heard from my senior. How should I prepare myself well for it when I always procastinate in doing things like this? I always have a plan but then just put it away after some time. The plans seem to be difficult to be implemented! I hope I could be more active and work harder.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Driving License

Having heard that those drivers who don’t have driving license will be seriously punished, we have finally decided to take the driving test to obtain the license. Of late, I’ve just learnt the driving lesson at N.C.X. as mentioned in a previous post. We’d been looking for the place where the test is held. From several people we’d asked. Finally, the day before yesterday (2009/08/11), we had found it and had successfully passed the test the next day, waiting for the license in two weeks.

The process of the test was tiring. There were so many candidates, approximately 150, making the whole building really stuffy. We started theory test at 2:00 and finished at 2:30. There was a very heavy rain, but everything still went on.

Here are some photos on the day:








Sunday, August 9, 2009

隐形的翅膀, the Hidden Wings

‘The Hidden Wing’, sung by 张韶涵 , has been released since 2006, but I’ve never noticed it until lately. I’ve watched two episodes in CCTV1, describing two different girls who have a very strong state of mind in overcoming their life obstacle. That obstacle is their disease. One can never grow up because of a tumor in her brain, and the other lost her left leg because of cancer. The both have encountered very sad experience due to their disease. However, they turn out to be very strong and optimistic even they are struggling with pain and difficulty. Coincidentally, at the end of each episode, both of them sing the song ‘The Hidden Wing’ which they feel that it can bring them hope, strength, and comfort.

I’ve never felt that the song is so meaningful that it can give those struggling people with great mental comfort and support. It is just a very simple song with simple lyrics, though its meaning is unbelievably wonderful and touching. The song is composed with very mild music which is indeed good for mentality. One can learn to sing it easily due to its simple lyrics and music.

It’s a song with several symbols. The most significant one is the ‘Hidden Wings’. Personally, I think the Hidden Wings may symbolize one’s courage which gives him/her hope and support. When one doesn’t have courage, even a slight problem can easily and completely defeat him/her. Whereas the sun that people have may refer to all good things or moments that people experience. Although it might seem everything is coming to an end (sunset), there might be a change if we still strive for it. Another symbol is the windmill appearing at the end of the song. It might refer to people who will give us more support if we learn to stand up by ourselves.



Here is the lyrics:




每一次都在徘徊孤单中坚强
Every time, I always learn to be strong when I’m lonely,


每一次就算很受伤也不闪泪光
Every time, even when I’m very hurt, I don’t drop a tear,


我知道我一直有双隐形的翅膀 带我飞飞过绝望
I know I always have a pair of hidden wings which fly me up and away from hopelessness.



不去想他们拥有美丽的太阳
I will not care how beautiful the sun people have,


我看见每天的夕阳也会有变化
I can see that everyday sunset will bring me a change,


我知道我一直有双隐形的翅膀 带我飞给我希望
I know I always have a pair of hidden wings, fly me up and bring me hope.



我终於看到所有梦想都开花
I finally see that all my dreams are realized,


追逐的年轻歌声多嘹亮
The youngsters are chasing and singing with a loud and clear voice.


我终於翱翔用心凝望不害怕
I finally fly up high and attentively look down without fear,


哪里会有风就飞多远吧Wherever there is wind, I will fly even farther away.

隐形的翅膀让梦恒久比天长 留一个愿望让自己想像
The hidden wings allow my dream to last longer than one day, granting me a wish for further imagination.