That was stupid!

I had a meeting with my colleagues and volunteers today to prepare for an outreach activity to advocate about our Khoun Community Radio for Development.

When one person was proposed to be a presenter at the event, I said “I don’t think he is a good choice. He’s boring and annoying when he talks. I don’t think villagers will understand him; he doesn’t even know or understand what he is saying…”

Everyone looked at me. No one said anything.

Then my boss asked, “How about you being a presenter?”

I said, “No! No! I can’t be. I’m not that good. I’ll just be an observer and taking photos.”

Oops!

You deserve a hug for that!

I have to admit it; I like to touch and be touched by others.

Being Lao and in Lao culture, we don't physically touch one another very much. This is especially true when we get older. We shake hands when we meet or part. We pat on somebody on the back when he or she does something good...

By touching I mean hugging, embracing, holding hands, kissing...to express affection or sympathy.

Lao (Asian) people often associate touching with sexual expression. We avoid touching each other (publicly) for fearing that we might offend the other person or be misinterpreted.

I don't know the hidden power of touching. But it feels good when I'm touched by others.

Give me a big hug.

You know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you tonight.

I'm stuck in Vientiane 'alone' and feeling so bored/miserable/pathetic/empty. I should have gone home by now. But I'm still on my annual leave.

I'm in Vientiane because my Singaporean friends and I were traveling from Xiengkhouang to Luangprabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane. They left for Singapore yesterday morning. I decided to stay back in Vientiane because I'm still on holiday. Having travelled with friends since last week and been here in Vientiane for countless times, I have lost interest in doing anything else. Not doing or lacking interest in doing 'anything' makes me feel bored/miserable/pathetic/empty. And I start to miss my friends who have just left.

And I don't feel like going back to my work.

My 2009 New Year's Resolutions- Dos and Don'ts

It's my year to shine! I'll be happier. At least, I'll try. Here are my Dos and Don'ts

Dos

1. Have my teeth whitened- I'll have to try to drink less coffee as well. Just because I can drink it for free from my office, it doesn't mean that I have to drink it.

2. Finish reading a book on er... reading techniques by May 2009.

3. Study 'After Effects' and 'Photoshops CS'.

4. Read about Australia in general and Sydney in particular.

5. Study 'Strine English' a word a day. Bloody hard, I reckon.

6. Save money for Canon Digital Ixus or Nikon CoolPix and Apple MacBook.

7. Save money for my brother's schooling.

8. Exercise more.

9. Drink more water.

10. Eat more rice.

11. Write more.

12. Visit museums.

13. Stand in the sun often.

Don'ts

1. Waste time and energy on things or people that won't change.

2. Spend too much on DVDs.

3. Drink beer or Lao wine.

4. Work on weekends.

These dos and don'ts will be revised on semiannual basis.

Reality Check

Let see what have and have not been implemented on my New Year's Resolutions list:

*Study IELTS for AusAid- I'm applying for Filmmaking course! Accomplished.

*Write a short-film script- about a Lao construction worker who falls in love with a Chinese masseuse but he can't speak a word of Chinese...Ah! Initiated but not materialized.

*Save money and visit friends in Singapore- see you all in Singapore in November! I visited friends in Singapore in April but not in November due to work commitment; an old school mate visited me in Laos in December.

*Help my sister to build her house. Almost completed. It is an on-going commitment for me.

*Write more emails to my host family and old friends- I feel so bad for not keeping in touch with them. Irregularly done. I will try to do it better.

*Consume less Pepsi, Coke, Beer Lao, Lao wine...Strictly followed but could have done better. I should have included 'less coffee' into this list.

*Exercise more- I have only one body; if I don't take care of it, no body will. And if I'm sick, I won't be able to do anything. Seldom practiced besides climbing up the mountain to inspect my radio transmitter.

*Read more books-Thai, Lao and English books- I need to keep my brain stimulated. Bought a lot of books but have not finished reading any of them besides mags.

*Keep updating my blog- I hate writing but...Irregularly done so but have been trying.

*Have my teeth whitened. Have not done but will get them whitened soon.

*Visit my family- at the end of the day, sisters and brothers are the ones who love and care for me the most. Visited them once.

*Have my hair grown- I want to feel my head full of hair again. Have been trying but still have had no luck.

*Finish my food-always think about those African kids who are starving. Have always finished my rice.

I'm 25 today!

At least I wish I were.

I just feel like writing something today.

Thanks to Facebook and Hi5, I have received several well-wishing messages from friends some websites. Thanks to Jeremy and his friends for dinner in Vientiane; that was awesome. I do not usually celebrate my birthday. But it is always nice when someone remembers it and wishes me 'Happy Birthday'. It's very sweet and thoughtful of them.

I really appreciate it a lot.

Thanks!

Money! Money! Money!

I’m not very proud to admit this.

Last month, my older brother called and asked me if I could send him some money because he wanted to buy a motorbike, a second-hand one, as he’s been cycling his whole life to work and to somewhere else besides to work. I promised him I would give him some money when I received my next pay cheque. So I did yesterday. He then called me today to inform me that he might be using money for something else; he has been promoted after more than 10 years of working in the army, and he had already treated lots of people. So he needed the money to pay his debt. I angrily scolded him. He said he was very sorry.

Now I’m sorry.

Why did I have to scold him? Why did I not congratulate him on his promotion, instead? Is it because of the money? Is it because I felt he was lying to me? I’m not sure.

Every time my friends back home ring, I always assume that they only have one agenda, that is asking me for help, financially. So do my siblings. I become paranoid (if that’s the right word) and cold.

Now I understand why the well-to-do people often look down on other people.

But I’m not even remotely there yet. I still don’t have my own shelter called home. I still ride a bicycle to work. I still have to borrow money from my colleague at the end of the month from time to time…How come I have already exhibited THAT attitude?

It’s the thought that counts. Right!

My boss is leaving us. As he has been a great boss, my colleagues and I want to give him something. Yeah, something. A present.

Here comes a problem; we can’t quite decide what kind of a present we should give him. We want something that is unique, locally made, not too expensive, useable, meaningful… to truly represent our gratitude to him. A Lao cotton shirt? (But we bought one for his last birthday; we have not seen him wearing it). A local painting? (But he’s leaving Laos; it’s too bulky to carry home). A wooden elephant? (The same as a painting). A post card with our signatures? The list goes on.

It’s hard, isn’t it, to choose the right present for other people?

Is it better to just buy something, anything, and give to a person? Or is it better not to buy anything at all because you can’t think of a suitable present/gift for the person? For the latter, you don’t tell the person that you can’t think of anything to give her or him. For the former, if the other person happens to like the present/gift, you are safe. If not, he or she would think you are cheapskate/thoughtless…OR should you just ask the person what he or she wants? But then again, you want to them to be surprised. People like surprises, don’t they?

That is why I sometimes ‘hint’ other people what I want for my birthday present so they won’t have a hard time to figure out what they should get me (although I seldom get a birthday present back in Laos, just in case anyone happens to care.)

Oh yeah, this is my wishing list for this year’s birthday:

1. Canon Digital Camera, 6 megapixel (at least);
2. MacBook Air;
3. Sony DSR-PD150 DVCAM

From UN-DP to UN-SW

I've been working for UNDP-supported project (UNDP stands for United Nations Development Programme) for more than 2 years now, since 14 July 2006, to be exact.

How did I get here?

Upon my graduation from the School of Community and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in 2005, I was offered the job as a video editor at a local production house. I was happy there, nice bosses (I had two bosses) and colleagues. But working as an editor, I was struggling to do my job; I was not well equipped with this skill when I was in school. My "specialization" was "Electronic Broadcast Media." Although my bosses were very understanding and even planning to send me to attend a special course to learn more skills in editing, I felt it was time I took sometime off to really learn and master my skills. I had to go to school somewhere. I could not fund myself if I were to study at an art school in Singapore or anywhere else. The only way I could think of at the time was to try to apply for a scholarship. It was next to impossible to get the scholarship from Singapore, not to mention from overseas if I were to apply there; it was extremely competitive. So I decided to return home, Laos. My strategic plan at that time was I would work in Laos for a couple of years, then I would start to apply for the scholarships (in Laos, to be eligible for the scholarship, you have to have been residing in Laos for at least 2 years prior to your application). So I came home and got a job as a translator/radio coach working for a pilot project called Khoun Radio Support Project to establish the first community radio in Laos.

I will be leaving for UNSW (the University of New South Wales) in June 2009 to undertake a master's degree (Master of Digital Media).

How did I get here?

I was among 900-plus hopefuls apply for Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) and sat for the screening test (IQ and English). After the screening test, only 100 or so applicants passed for the first interview. Then, 93 candidates were selected to sit for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) together with previous year candidates (who have been offered the scholarships but still need to obtain required band scores of the IELTS). I was one of hundred people sitting for this exam. The IELTS includes Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Most of master's degree courses require the scores of IELTS 6.5. I got 7.0. That was enough for me to apply for a university placement in Australia. I applied for Master of Digital Media as my first choice at the UNSW's College of Fine Arts and have been accepted by the College.

Initially, I was told I would be leaving in early January 2009 together with several successful candidates. However, my course of study would only commence in July 2009. I could reject the offer and try somewhere else; this did not guaranty that my application for another place would be successful, though. I did not want to take a risk; besides, I really liked the course offered by the UNSW, I decided to accept the offer.

Am I regret it now? Nah, not at all. I still believe I have made a right decision. By staying another 5-6 months in Laos means I still can work and save some money for myself and my family. Good things come to those who wait. Right?

Waddayarekon?

PC4D!

My photo appears in WiA's (Women in Action) publication called 'People's Communications for Development'.

Its website: http://www.isiswomen.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=382&Itemid=206

Introducing my new photo blog

It's called Happy Lao Kids:
Click Here

Look! I'm famous!

Two of my photos were recently used for the article written for IRIN Asia. Check out my photos and read the article on Khoun Community Radio.

Click the link here

He ain't heavy; he's my brother

This is Hut, my youngest brother. He left Laos for USA in 1997. He was about 6 then. I had not seen him for 11 years. When I first saw his photo (today), I could not even recognize him.

I still remember when he was about to board a plane, he was crying so hard. So did my sister and me. Now he can't speak Lao. I asked him over the phone one time whether he wanted to return to Laos, he said "Not really. I have already forgotten everything there. I have no friends in Laos..."

He has never visited Laos since he left.

But I want to be a nice guy.

I hate receiving phone calls and messages in early mornings and at late nights, especially if those are from my friend's ex-girlfriends.

Back in 2005, I was in Singapore sharing a house with a friend who had a girlfriend. When the couple broke up and my friend refused to reconcile the relationship and to receive phone calls or messages from his ex, his ex kept bombarding me with non-stop phone calls and messages, all asking for a chance to talk to my friend. So what could I do then? I ignored all those phone calls and never replied to the messages.

I became a bad guy.

Back in Laos. Just a week ago, my Singaporean friend made friend with a local girl and for some reasons(mis)led her to believe that he liked her. They both exchanged addresses and phone numbers. He promised to her that he would come back to visit her again in August. However, since he left Laos, she has not been able to contact him. She called, sent messages or even attempted to write an email to him. He has not responded to her. So now she has turned to me. Nah! not for comfort or sex, of course. She calls me everyday, early mornings, late nights and sometime in between, all asking me to pass her I-miss-you-so-much-and-please-answer-my-phone message to my friend. As much as I like to help and pity her, I sometimes get annoyed by her and my friend (for misleading her and not being honest with her; if he doesn't like her as a lover, then he should just say so and not let her daydream on being a Singaporean man's wife...).

I hate friend's ex-girlfriends.

'Against The Tide' is now online! Please watch and vote.

It's not you, it's just me.

When entering Singapore on 17th April 2008, I was investigated by two Singaporean policemen. And when leaving the airport in Bangkok on 19th April 2008, I was stopped by Thai authorities.

"Please follow me," ordered by a Thai man accompanied by two Thai women at the airport.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Not much," he smiled, "What are inside the boxes you're carrying?"

"Hmm...MP3 recorders I've bought from Singapore," I replied shakily.

"We're afraid you have to open the boxes for us to see," he commanded.

I dutifully followed his order. After examination what were inside the boxes and asking several questions about my identity, he said, "I'm afraid you may have to pay taxes for those items you've bought."

"But I have already paid tax in Singapore and I've bought these items for my community radio; I'm not making money from these," I explained to him, trying to sound and look innocent as possible (you know how good I am at faking or manipulating it). " Please! I really do this for my community and I don't have much money left to go home," I begged him for 'sympathy' and 'mercy'.

"Ok, you know what? This time I will let you go. But next time, if I see you again with the bought items, you have to pay taxes, " he said, " You know why I'm letting you go this time?"

I didn't offer the answer to his question but chose to smile at him instead. Then he answered his own question:

"First, you don't know about it (that when you buy goods, you have to pay tax!); second, you do this (purchasing of equipment) for your community, and; third, because I am kind, " he concluded.

I said 'thanks' to him few times and promised to him that this would not happen again in the future. He said 'welcome' and walked away.

Please come again!

I hate washing cloths. I hate wiping the floor. I hate cleaning the toilet. I hate folding my cloths. I hate keeping my bed...In short, I hate doing my chores. I once told my friend about this. He suggested, "that's why you need to find a girlfriend and get married so she can clean the house, cook for you and wash your cloths, etc."
"Well," I replied, "if I need someone to clean the house and cook for me, I might as well get a maid- it's cheaper that way and I don't have to be stuck in bed with her for the rest of my life if she has bad breath..."

So when do I clean my house and tuck in my unwashed socks under my bed? Well, when I have a visitor or two coming to my house. Why? Because I don't want them to see/think that I'm such a pig (single, lonely, sad, lazy, pathetic...if that makes any sense) and that I'm still 'reading' FHM mag (a legacy from Singapore). After all, I'm a Singapore-educated person and working for UN! (I like the sound of the words 'Singapore' and 'UN').

When my former housemate told me that his friends would be coming for his wedding this week and asked me if I could let them sleep in my house for a couple of days, I knew what I had to do. Yeah! Cleaning the house! I hate it but this is one of rare occasions that force me to clean my house.

So if you are planning to visit me, do inform me in advance.

"Odd Couples"

Few "Odd Couples" have been identified for my documentary. Yeah! They are a government officer and a sex worker, a Vietnamese man and an English woman, a couple with disabilities, an old widower and a young girl, a Lao man and Hmong girl, a very young teenager couple...




What types of people do you consider 'odd'?

Tuesday Production House

Setting up a production house, anyone?

Sony DSR-PD150= US$3000
15" MacBook Pro= US$2000 (?)
LaCie 120 GB External Hard Drive= US$150 (?)
Final Cut Pro 4= US$1000 (?)
DVD Recorder= US$180 (?)
VCD Recorder= US$120 (?)
CD Cover Printer= US$200 (?)
Nikon CoolPix= US$280
Total= 6930

What else are needed for starting up?

My new refuge!

(View from the rooftop of my new rented house).

Movies I wanna watch.

Good movies are the ones that you like watching.

1. Atonement
2. There will be blood
3. Sweeney Todd
4. The diving bell & the butterfly
5. Cloverfied
6. Alvin and the chipmunks
7. Breath (by Kim Ki Duk)
8. The assassination of Jesse James...
9. My Blueberry Night (by Wong Kar Wai)
10. Ratatouille
11. Elizaberth: the golden age
12. Bangkok Time (Thai movie)
13. Sabaidee Luangprabang (Lao movie)
14. The Simpsons Movie
15. Bridge to Terabithia
16. Shortbus
17. The kite runner
18. I'm not there
19. Le Labyrinthe Depan (???)
20. Rain dogs
21. A scanner darkly
22. Mystic River

Play that song again, Sam

Listening to 'Bubbly' by Colbie Caillat and it reminds me of Hanoi. We (me, Yas, LY and June) were in a hotel room watching MTV with this song being shown, the night before I left Hanoi for Bangkok. The following day while sitting inside a cab heading to Hanoi Airport, this song was playing again. And for the first time, I started to miss those left behind in the hotel. This song will forever remind me of Hanoi and the time spent traveling with friends there.

I'm sure you have songs that remind you or bring back memories of things, places, emotions or people you have come into contact with or experienced in your life.

Here are mine:

- 'Music' (Madonna), 'I Wanna Be with You' (Mandy Moore), 'Only Love' (Trademark) and 'Come on Over (Christina Aguilera) remind me of the time I had in King Edward VII Hall, NUS, Singapore. These songs were popular then. I would always hear these songs on my radio set. I didn't have a computer; the only source of entertainment and information when I was in my room was from a radio.
- 'Around the World' by Aqua reminds me of NUS and its Central Library. I remember the first time I stepped out of a shuttle bus and walked into the vicinity of Central Library, there was some event happening below the library (I can't remember what it was called. It was the event to mark the opening of a new academic year where students brought stuff and food to sell and put up some performances), this song was playing so loudly there. After that encounter, this song stuck in my head and it grew on me.

- 'All I Ask of You' (The Phantom of the Opera) and 'Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin' (The Moon represents my heart) remind me of the singing class I took as an elective subject in my 3rd year in NTU. These were two songs that we had to practice singing. I performed one of these songs in front of my classmates. I was shaking and very nervous at that time. I never manage to finish the song.

- 'Electric Storm' (U2) and 'Game of Love' (Santana Ft. Michelle Branch). When I was staying at Hall 2, Jeremy and Daryl were my neighbors. Jeremy liked to introduce new hit songs to people he knew. These two songs were introduced by him. I liked Michelle Branch. And soon these two songs became regular in my WMP's playing list.

- 'One Last Cry' (Brian McKnight). I sometimes get emotional when I hear this song. Camile Velasco performed this song on American Idol. And I have been in love with her ever since. I will get married anytime soon if I find someone like her.

-Besides 'Bubbly', 'Clumsy' (Fergie) reminds me of Hanoi too.

How about yours?

I don't want to sleep alone

A girl and a man are on the phone talking to each other. After the very long conversation, this is how it ends:

A man: I hate to sleep alone again tonight.

A girl: If you don't want to sleep alone, come and pick me up.

A man (paused with a shock): Hmmm...Serious? Hey, my phone is running out of money. Bye!

Phew!

My friends have been claimed!

This is going to be a busy and joyous year for some of my friends. Why? Because they are getting married!

Next week, Nong will be the first person among us (Singapore-educated people) to get married. Her wedding is my very first friend's wedding I will have attended. And guess what, I am her cameraman for the day. Of all people in the world, she has chosen me to take video and photo of her wedding. I am very honored indeed. (Please don't say 'that because I don't charge for the service, that's why she has chosen me'. I am good. Ok?)

Next, my former secondary school classmate, one of my closest friends, is getting married in my hometown, Seno, this March. He would kill me if I didn't go. Wow! I am important and special. :)

Next in the line it will be my house mate. At the moment, he still can't quite decide whom he should marry. Damn good-looking people. They can choose. Whoever he chooses to marry, I am invited to his wedding.

And before year end, two of my dear friends in Singapore are tying the knot. And of course I am going to be there.

Who's next? Need a cameraman, anyone?

Learning to love yourself?

Is that easy? Then teach me how.

I know it ain't healthy. But lately, I didn't like myself very much. It is scary. There are so many 'should have' popping up in my head. I should have achieved this. I should have done that. I should have had those. I should have been treated better by others...These things keep me awake at night. And I can't concentrate at work.

I hope this is not a mid-life crisis.

I need to go walking.

Lao Movie Update

"Sabaidee Luangprabang", the first feature film in Laos after few decades of Lao-made movies being absent from the country. Damn it! I was hoping that I would be the first Lao movie director making and selling a feature film overseas. But wait, this movie is being directed by a Thai director! Technically, it is not entirely and purely a Lao movie. Thus, I still could be the first Lao movie director who makes and sells a feature film overseas, including Hollywood. Don't mind me; I just like to entertain myself with this thought.

Anyway, 'Sabaidee Luangprabang' is co-produced by Lao Art Media and Thai companies, including Ananda EVERINGHAM after the companies not being able to afford to pay him to star in the movie.

The leading man and lady are Ananda Everingham, Lao-Australian actor, and Khamly Philavong, a resident of Xiengkhouang province, respectively. That's right, she lives in Xiengkhouang. And she is my driver's cousin. You see, if you are famous, everyone wants to be associated with you. I always tell other people when they ask about the movie, "You know, the actress is my driver's cousin and she lives right here in Xiengkhouang!?”

The initial plot: "The plot centres on a man of Lao and Australian parentage who visits his father’s former home town of Luang Prabang, where he is struck by the beautiful nature, culture and traditions.

During his travels, the young man meets and falls in love with a beautiful girl, who seems to him to embody the character and spirit representative of Lao women, which is different from those of the where country he grew up..."

Later the plot was changed to something like "....a man from Thailand is looking for his Thai girlfriend who is running away from him to Luangprabang. While he is in search of his girl, he falls in love with a Lao tour guide and her country, i.e Laos..." Ah! Very nice!

Read more about the movie here.

It's just another day in Xiengkhouang

Cold, cold, cold...

It's almost 9 am, but the whole town is still shrouded in mist. People driving or riding on the road have to keep their vehicle's lights on.

Odd Couples

See if it will work for a documentary.

What is considered 'odd' or ' normal'?

Is love not enough?

Isn't love supposed to be wonderful thing?

Is it wrong if I'm a man to love another man?

Is it wrong if I'm a prostitute to love someone and to be loved?

Is it wrong if I'm an old lady to love a young boy?

Is it strange/odd if I'm physically disabled to love someone and to be loved?

Is it strange/odd if I'm Chinese to love a Malay girl?

Is it wrong/strange/odd.....?


On the way home one day, I saw one of my acquaintance, working at the department where my project is situated, speaking to a girl. I asked my driver (not exactly my driver; he's a project driver but he picks me up in the morning and transports me home after work. Yeah, well, I like to call him my driver): "Is that girl his girlfriend".

"Not his girlfriend; she's his wife," he replied.

"His wife!?" I asked with a surprise. "Since when have they been married?"

"Hmmm..." he hesitated. "They are not married; they just live together. You know, a girl is a prostitute."

"Are you serious?" I asked with more surprises.

"Yup. Everyone in the department knows about it but has been told to keep the mouth shut," he continued. "And he has been kicked out of the department's house because of this. He's been ordered not to bring a girl anywhere near the office or he will be sacked."

"How could that happen, I mean, how did they get together?" I asked innocently.

"Well, he was first her regular client. I guess, he was impressed with her service and got hooked...But she has given up her 'career' since they have been together," he chuckled.

The following day I came to the office and asked his co-workers about this 'odd' affair. Apparently, they have been making fun of him and his wife. He doesn't seem to care very much. This guy is ready to give up everything just to be with this girl whom 'the right mind' person would think twice to be associated with. He knows he would not be given any promotion for his job. He knows his friends will pester him non-stop. He knows his family will shun him. He knows society will not accept this. Yet he chooses to follow his heart or for whatever reason. I, for one, respect him for that.

Isn't love not enough? Who should/should not have a right or be entitled/worth to love or to be loved?

I have two friends who are 'disabled' just got married last year. Their first child was just born last month.

If I make a documentary about 'odd couples' as mentioned above (man-man, an old woman-a young boy, a government officer-a prostitute...), you think it will be interesting?

I will make one anyway- when I have equipment and 'subjects', of course.

Laos is Indochina's next hot spot!

The 53 places to go in 2008. Laos is the top on the list. How cool!

The New York Times has named Laos as number one destination to visit in 2008.

Links

Come quick before this place is over-crowded by farangs!

Sex, Beer Lao, and Lottery

Socializing or mangling with acquaintances these days has been awkward and sometimes a pain in the neck. I call them 'acquaintances' because I will never feel connected to them as 'friends'. Every time I try to have conversation with them, it always goes like this:

Person A: You have to check out that whore (prostitute, sex worker, bitch or whatever you address them) at so and so. She is new here and hot. I can bring you there tonight or now (while we are having lunch).

Person B: Have you tried (f***ed) that girl? She has big tits. I've already slept with her few times. And every time, I did more than one. You should try.

Person C: Xai, you should not torture yourself, just go and make some donation (sperm and money) to those girls.

Person D: Xai, you don't dare to sleep with a prostitute, do you? Are you gay?

Person E: Blah blah blah...sex...blah blah blah...prostitute...

And what do they do when they gather, drinking Beer Lao. Apparently, not being able to drink is socially unacceptable. If you can't drink, your colleagues or so-called friends are not likely to invite you to join them. And sometimes they will think you are not man enough for not drinking beer. "Pepsi is so for a girl,'' they would say. I'm sick of trying to explain to them how badly my liver has been damaged by this alcohol and that I can't drink it. It rarely works. Can we have fun and good conversation without influence of alcohol? I'm sure we can.

The other thing that always occupies the conversation they have is lottery. Anything under the sun and in their dreams can be translated into numbers. I don't know how they do it.

My New Year's resolutions and plans for 2008

I can't remember what the old ones were. Anyway, as always, I like to make New Year's resolutions and plans. The following are my new 'New Year's Resolutions':

*Study IELTS for AusAid- I'm applying for Filmmaking course!

*Write a short-film script- about a Lao construction worker who falls in love with a Chinese masseuse but he can't speak a word of Chinese...Ah!

*Save money and visit friends in Singapore- see you all in Singapore in November!

*Help my sister to build her house

*Write more emails to my host family and old friends- I feel so bad for not keeping in touch with them.

*Consume less Pepsi, Coke, Beer Lao, Lao whisky...

*Exercise more- I have only one body; if I don't take care of it, no body will. And if I'm sick, I won't be able to do anything.

*Read more books-Thai, Lao and English books- I need to keep my brain stimulated.

*Keep updating my blog- I hate writing but I want to be good at it.

*Have my teeth whitened

*Go for injection- my liver needs to be well taken care of.

*Visit my family- at the end of the day, sisters and brothers are the ones who love and care for me the most.

*Make new friends-when you are old, it's hard to meet new friends-they are already paired up.

*Have my hair grown- I want to feel my head full of hair again.

*Finish my food-always think about those African kids who are starving.

*Learn to make my own t-shirt.

What are yours?

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