34th SSEAYP & IYDEX Applications Open!!!

Ship For Southeast Asia Youth Program 2007

• Closing Date: June 28, 2007
• Examination Date: July 8, 2007

International Youth Development Exchange Program 2007

• Closing Date: June 7, 2007
• Shortlist Date: June 12, 2007

Application forms for both programs can be obtained from the Youth Department at #152, Norodom Boulevard, S/K Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh.

For further information about SSEAYP, visit http://sicambodia.org.

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Get Yourself Ready!
The Journey of A Lifetime
for Cambodian Youth Is Back!

Watch this clip and decide for yourself why SSEAYP is special!

Related Posts:

• The Living SSEAYP 2002 Memories
• Happy 4th SSEAYP Anniversary

The Donut King: Super Hilarious

ซื้อกุหลาบให้ตัวเอง ទិញកុលាបឲ្យខ្លួនឯង

ហេតុអីបានជាកម្លោះមួយក្រុមនេះ ត្រូវកម្សត់យ៉ាងនេះ? ត្រូវទិញកុលាបឲ្យខ្លួនឯងនាថ្ងៃ Valentine’s… គិតទៅ វាមិនខុសពីខ្ញុំប៉ុន្មានដែរទេ!!! ជីវិតអើយ ជីវិត! កម្សត់ឡើងស្រក់ទឹកមាត់!!!

ច្រៀងដោយ៖ Dr. Oak, Calorie Blah Blah,  Pitt, Nick and Dos

A Touching Reunion After 8 Long Years

VIA EMAIL FROM PIN @ E-VISA: I have traveled to Cambodia on two previous occasions. I went to Cambodia 8 years ago and fell in love with the country. Outside the temple of Angkor Thom was a little girl selling flutes. I took a photo of her and bought a flute.

When I came home, I looked at this photo for 5 years – always wondering why I did not help her more!

Well, a year ago – I went back to Cambodia with my daughter and 6 of her friends from school. I managed to have someone find the little girl. It was amazing to find her – it took us nearly a whole day!

And so we took the photo of her holding her old photo! It was wonderful – and this time we did take care of her and her family.

Klaus Moeller’s Feedback on e-Visa

I have traveled to Cambodia on two previous occasions and was excited to try out your new e-Visa service. I am absolutely amazed (pleasantly!) as how easy to use this service is. It took me all but 10 minutes, reduced costs by eliminating FedEx charges and I had my visa ready to print the next morning!

I travel frequently all over the world and not only is Cambodia all the way up as one of the greatest travel destinations – but it has the absolutely best and easiest Visa service of any country! Congratulations and many thanks.

Klaus Moeller, Germany, 21 May 2007 

Top 10 Khmer Foods I Miss!!!

After almost a year out of Cambodia, I’ve come to realize how badly I’ve been missing Cambodian food and my mom’s cooking. Believe it or not, there are just so much that I am craving, and I would do anythin’ to get them RIGHT NOW! I imagine I would eat like crazy when I’m home this summer. So there you go!!! Here is a list of the top 10 foods I want.To all my buddies out there, mind you have them ready for me please! I know how much you guys care for me and I am more than sure you will! Lol.

How about those of you who are overseas as I am? What would your list be?

1. Baby Duck Eggs (ពងទាកូន)

Miss Universe 2007: An Asian Year

A 20-year-old dancer from Japan, who wants to someday open an international dance school, was crowned Monday night as Miss Universe 2007.

Riyo Mori nervously grabbed the hands of first runner-up, Natalia Guimaraes of Brazil, just before the winner was announced. She was trembling in awe as the diamond-and pearl-studded crown was placed on her head. Miss USA Rachel Smith, whose chances may have been dimmed when she slipped and fell to the floor during the evening gown competition, was the contest’s fourth runner-up. Also finishing in the top five were second runner-up Ly Jonaitis of Venezuela and third runner-up Honey Lee of Korea.

The winner travels the world for a year on behalf of charities and pageant sponsors. Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza of Puerto Rico crowned her successor at the end of the two-hour telecast with the headpiece valued at $250,000.

Surprisingly enough, grabbing other top awards were also Asian beauties. Miss Philippines Anna Theresa Licaro seized the Miss Photogenic title, whereas the Miss Congeniality Award went to Miss China Ningning Zhang.

Truly, this is an Asian year.

Miss Philippines and Miss China

Source: AFP

Just Seen: Pirates of the Caribbean 3 – At World’s End

Boston College Commencement 2007

People buying flowers for the 2007 graduates

Extra shuttles were added to carry guests to the Commencement venue.

The overall atmosphere at the Alumni Stadium, where the 2007 Boston College Commencement took place.

Shot of the Week: Lovely Boston in Winter

Taken from the Mass. Ave Bridge above the Charles River

Cheating Across Culture

Is cheating a personal or cultural habit? Let’s hear what the Inside Higher Ed has to say.

When Duke University found 34 first-year business school students guilty of collaborating on a take-home test late last month, officials announced a variety of penalties: Pending appeals, nine of the Fuqua School of Business M.B.A. students would be expelled, 15 would receive a one-year suspension and a failing grade in the required course, nine would simply fail the class and one would fail the assignment alone.

Not surprisingly, some of the students are contesting their sentences. This week, a Durham lawyer who’s filed appeals on behalf of 16 of the students cried foul to the Associated Press, arguing that all nine of the expelled students were from Asian countries, and that the students in question failed to fully understand the honor code and the judicial proceedings.

Excuses, excuses? Maybe; maybe not. Regardless, the complaints serve to spotlight some of the particular challenges inherent in addressing issues of academic integrity involving international students, many of whom come to American colleges with different conceptions of cheating. As the number of international students has increased in recent years — and the number of academic misconduct incidents involving international students has risen accordingly — educators have increasingly embraced the need to address academic integrity concerns proactively, recognizing in their actions the various cultural influences that can help cause one to cheat.

A Weekend of Parties

The past weekend was real fantastic. I spent both Saturday and Sunday joining cookouts at friends’ houses.

SATURDAY GET-TOGETHER

I spent my whole Satuday at Bong Sam and Bong Audria’s place in Revere. Like always, it was so fun and there were tons of food. We spent the whole day BBQing, eating, chatting, singing karaoke and playing poker.

Our yummy grill! Kudos to Bong Sam and Bong Bou for the great marination.

Our gold-medal chefs – Bong Sam (lef) and Bong Bou (right)

It’s been six months since we last gathered, so that Saturaday was exactly the right moment we catch up with one another. Joining me there were Sophorn, Bong Bou, Poo Masorn, Bong Tooch, Bong Seiha and Ming Sinan. So much had happened, and it was so great to hear how everyone had been doing.

‘Cos I Am A Girl

I thought you guys might find this love saga interesting. So touching yet a bit idealistic. I wonder if I would do the same thing. It’s really hard to say, for love can make one so blind.

Would you do the same thing?

70,000 Clicks

Asia Europe Youth Dialogue “We Are One”

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS

Asia Europe Youth Dialogue “We Are One” is organized by World Youth Foundation (“NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations”) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, the State Government of Melaka, and various other agencies. The Dialogue also has the support of the Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) and is tentatively scheduled to be held on 30th June to 4th July 2007, Melaka, Malaysia.

This Dialogue will contribute to the forthcoming ASEM Meeting of Ministers on Cultures to be held in 16th – 17th July 2007 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is the host of this important event and supporting this Dialogue seems an important step in cooperating cultural understanding among youth in the ASEM region.

The ASEM Youth Dialogues have been conceived to provide an opportunity for youth in Asia and Europe to exchange perspectives on themes identified as priorities by the Asia-Europe Meeting during the biennial ASEM Summits. They create and foster human networks among young people by encouraging a common vision. This Dialogue also increases initiatives in the field of Asia-Europe youth co-operation through the development of action-oriented youth initiatives as concrete and substantial contributions by youth to the ASEM process over the medium to long term.

This Dialogue will contribute to forge partnership between Asia and Europe that is based in equal partnership, mutual respect and mutual understanding – all part of the ASEM process. It will provide Malaysia and Malaysian’s to showcase and promote its success story in maintaining racial harmony.

“We are One” will also provide a unique opportunity for young people from Asia and Europe to discuss and understand the different cultural and social priorities and beliefs in their regions thus cultivating a culture of peace and dialogue. The objectives of this Dialogue are:

• To create awareness of cultural differences at local, national and international level, as well as to identify existing common ground.
• To increase inter-cultural dialogue and build bridges between those of different faith and ethnicity especially between young people of Asia and Europe.
• To encourage initiatives aimed at promoting understanding of the diverse cultures of countries in Asia and Europe particularly among the younger generation.

Proposed Outcome

• To recognize “Outstanding Cultural Youth Ambassadors” as a programme organized under the banner of UNESCO
• To develop local and national projects with the view of foster partnerships with youth organizations and international agencies.
• A cultural co-existance declaration by participants on how to promote cultural diversity among young people of Asia and Europe

Dialogue Venue

The venue of the Dialogue will be The Legacy Hotel, 146, Jalan Hang Tuah, 75300 Melaka, Malaysia (Tel : +606-2816868 / www.thelegacy.com.my)

-MORE-

Shot of the Week: Lord of the Rings

Upon seeing this photo, you must be wondering “who the hell this is” to wear this many rings!!!!

Not me, of course. I’d admit that I was also stunned the first time I saw it, but this very hand belongs to my classmate Alex. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Alex is a ring fanatic. He is just so crazy about rings and collecting them. Though not all five at a time, still he will wear at least three wherever he goes. Classes, gym, work, conferences, parties, etc. Just name it. By simply looking at the hands and fingers, everybody at LSOE knows that’s Alex.

According to Alex, each ring represents all the schools and colleges he went to. Basically two were from his high school, whereas the other three were from his undergraduate and graduate colleges. Isn’t that amazing? When asked if he would get more rings when he goes to a new school, Alex proudly said, “YES.”

Ooooooh, what a commitment! I really can’t wait till he fills all his ten fingers. It’s gonna be very interesting.

Would you guys fancy doing the same then? Lols.

End-Of-Semester Dinner

Last Sunday was almost like a party day for me. Right after the baseball game, I headed for another round of get-together with my school buddies at a Thai restaurant in Broookline. We had worked so hard over the Spring semester. This obviously should be the right time we reward ourselves with some nice chat and food.

Our sweet and agressive couple: Isabella and Farooq

Happy Red Sox Sunday!

Yay! In the end, everything was over and I am so, so free! You guys must still remember how upset I was about having to take exams on my birthday. But like my friends said, c’est la vie! Wanting it or not, you gotta learn to live with it.

Last Thursday, however, I got a call from my good friend Dickon. He asked if I was free on Sunday. He got two tickets to a Red Sox game that Sunday and wondered if I was interested. Most important, he also wished to take me out for a birthday lunch. Why not? What a brilliant idea! Without much hesitation, I accepted his invitation with both hands.

Sunday arrived, and we met up at Sonsie, which is a pretty posh restaurant on Newbury St. in Boston. Since it was Mother’s Day, the place was packed. When we got in, we thought there would be no more tables left. Fortunately there was one. How lucky!

Besides the lunch treat, Dickon also got me some birthday presents – an iPod shuffle and two books, of which he thought would be a useful company for my UK trip this summer. Seriously you shouldn’t have done that, Dickon. Thanks a zillion for everything!

Lunch was over, and it was time for the baseball game. Playing against the Red Sox that day was the Baltimore Orioles. Having known how Americans love this sport, I wasn’t surprised at all to see a constant flood of people trying to enter Fenway Stadium. Since it was my first time at a baseball game, the whole atmosphere looked so surreal and exciting.

Come enjoy it with us!

I’m Done!

នៅទីបំផុត ខ្ញុំរួចកម្មពៀរហើយ!!!​

A Perfect Date With បារាំងអាចម៍កុក

ZEROES

If you love the currently talk-of-the-town TV series HEROES, check these out!!!!

Way to go!!!

Ronan Keating in Cambodia

Irish pop singer Ronan Keating greeted during a news conference yesterday afternoon in Phnom Penh.

 Keating shook hands with a Cambodian land mine victim during the launch of Cambodia Wheelchair Racing CNVLD-ANZ Royal wheelies Grand Prix 2007.

Keating shared his thoughts and impression of Cambodia and his Cambodia tour.

Time to rock!!! According to my cousin KT, who attended Keating’s concert, over 3,000 fans swamped Olympic Stadium last night, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pop sensation. 

Keating’s Cambodian fans queueing for Keating’s autograph. Well done!

Pictures courtesy of Reuteur and KT

Birthday Blast With Roomies

After all things are getting a lot better today. Besides nailing down another paper, I also got to have a small birthday dinner with my roomies. We went to a Thai restaurant in Brookline and had a big blast.

Hooray! The academic hell is almost over! Really can’t wait till this weekend. Got lots of programs to catch up.

More later, guys..

Happy Birthday to Me!

The most boring and stressful birthday I’ve had.. I just couldn’t believe I had to endure with the crappy finals on this very day! What a life!

Anyhow,  I’d love to send a big thank to all of those who have been sending me love and wishes throughout the day. I’ll treasure that always.

Talk to you guys more soon. I only have two more exams to go.

Fight, fight, fight! ស៊ូ! ស៊ូ! ស៊ូ!

Me on ASPE Health Benefit Guide Cover

I found out today that my picture was featured on the cover of the new ASPE Health Benefit Guide. For your information, this is a health insurance handbook for exchange students coming to the United States and Americans going abroad under the State Department’s sponsorship.

Really have no idea on how they got that picture and how long it has been on, but that’s really cool! At least they picked a really good one…

Big thanks to Clare for the tip-off.