SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Saturday, June 19, 2004
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It has been a long time...
Oo nga naman. It has been a long time, thanks to AnP and Jo, probably the only two persons who have been visiting this blog *laughs* whatever.
I will be conducting the first of the five training programs on gender budgeting for ministries' staffs and NGOs. Preparing the draft modules and meeting with the stakeholders are and will be keeping me busy (still!) for the next few weeks. I feel good too that the budget for my project seems to be moving now (although is in a very slow pace), which means that we will be able to purchase some equipments for the office. I never like bringing my laptop at the office. I ride 'motodup' everyday especially when I have to go to the office (I can work at home, and I do that sometimes). People here warn me to be careful as some holduppers sometimes stop motodups and take the passengers' belongings. Worse, sometimes, they snatch whatever they can grab - and that causes injuries to passengers.
Ok, AnP, you got my attention. I'm interested to purchase that book (Culture Matters: How Values Shape Human Progress) but I could not find it in bookstores here. I may have to ask a favor from a friend just to get a copy shipped to my place hehehehhe. Hey, it's cheaper than going to Bangkok (nearest) or Manila for a weekend getaway, errr... I mean to get a copy ;-)
I have not been keeping abreast of what's going on in Phnom Penh (I'm soooo bad), and even in Manila. I get the juicy details from my contacts here. My optimism with respect to the formation of the new government in Cambodia has been dampened a little bit. My source expressed disappointment (I haven't verified this yet) because it may take a longer time than we expect. Apparently, all three parties are now in disagreement on how to do the power sharing among them. Minorities (Funsinpec and Sam Rainsey Party) want 50-50 - a compromise which the majority party (Cambodian People's Party) may not be too happy with. Whatever the outcome, it is my personal wish that a new government be formed soon. My goodness, it has been almost a year since the last election.
I'm doing good, lost some weight (that's good), have totally adapted to Khmer food, but not to the level of corruption here. I get sense that what they have here is worse than what we have in Manila. We asked one of our counterparts to go the bank to make a transaction for the project. When he came back, we were informed that the bank personnel said that if we want a faster service, we should give him/her a small amount for coffee or snack. OMG! Talk about being blunt! Other than that, well, I really like it here. And *that* is the understatement of the year.
SOUNDING BOARD
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
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Busy... really busy
Things are picking up quite fast. I may need to have longer bonding sessions with my pc. Anyway, I am starting to upload some pictures and I'll post new ones from time to time. Go check out this link: Phnom Penh. Hmmm... for those who are curious what motodups are I've got one pic that shows motodup drivers in front of my place. And because Phnom Penh's roads are populated by motorcycles, you'll also see a lot of mobile petrol stations... yup, and this is how one looks like. Nothing but a drum, hose and that little thing that looks like a pitcher in between. And yes, they have trash on the streets, so akala nyo tayo lang pwede magkalat? Hmmm, yung bedsheet na pula at bulaklakin, don't ever think I bought that. The owner of the place bought it for me, nagmagandang loob. My goodness, sana hindi na lang :) joke lang. 'Di ko tuloy mapalitan kagad kasi sa sister nya ako nagpapalinis ng place ko twice a week. The rest of the pictures are here: http://photos.yahoo.com/whistle8912.
Hah! Another power failure in Phnom Penh (right now). Perfect timing. I wish I know how to type properly without having to look at the keypad from time to time. Argh.
There are some exciting stuffs around here like World Bank being investigated by US on alleged corruption in demobilization and forestry projects. I'll probably spare a short space on that soon.
As I have intentionally detached myself from the ballot counting issues at home, and I have been feeling under the weather lately, I didn't realize that things have gone crazier back home. But between that and some freaking insects crawling on my screen as I type, I'd rather stop here for now.
posted by Allan at 7:55 PM (GMT+8)
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