Var-ee
Alias: Vary pronounced
“Var-ee” (n)English translation is large body water.
Love is indeed beautiful! Embrace love....
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Who I would like to meet.....
I am open to correspond with people from all walks of life, those who are genuinely willing to share beyond simple well wishing, but thoughts and aspirations, those I can inspire and can inspire me. Life is all about reciprocation and compromise. Anything else is unacceptable!
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shawn
wierderthanthou
angel_forever
physicalmoney
temporarily_me
Glory
Bunny
gdon
justask
SlotSix
LUV69
janeygodley
BrooklynFrank
Noel
| Your Icecream Flavor is...Neopolitan! |
 You aren't satisfied with just one flavor. They say variety is the spice of life and this shines through in your Ice cream of choice! Just don't eat all the chocolate and leave the strawberry and vanilla behind! |
| You Are Sunrise |
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My friends call me Vary. I was born in Cambodia, but lived in the US most of my life. I am the youngest of three children and the only girl. Having been reared and schooled in Texas, I will always think of Texas as my home. I come from a wonderful family with an equally strong heritage. I am a proud mother of a beautiful 16 month old baby boy, who gives meaning to the insanity that I sometimes call life.
By choice and by circumstance I have found myself back in the land of my origin, where I have chosen to raise my son. Though out of my element and far away from all I that I know, I have never felt more alive and free from the constraints of my past. Clutter and drama have a tendency to weigh you down, both of which I have no room for in my life. Simplicity sums it best! I am a simple girl with a simple outlook on life.....Live everyday as if it were to be your last! After all you only live once ... make it count!
I love who I am and owe full credit to all the wonderful people in my life. My family and friends are amongst the few things that I value the most. This island that we all call home is getting less about the individual and more about the masses. For that very reason, I believe in keeping things real.I can carry myself well in any given situation without ever compromising my morals to "fit in". I am outspoken, fiercely independent, quite opinionated, and at times extremely stubborn.Yet, I am ridiculously clumsy and even an absolute dork at times! I love to laugh and make others laugh. I can't sing worth a damn, but a little karaoke from time to time does have a therapeutic effect. I have a passion for horticulture, fishing, camping, dancing, kickboxing, music, cuisine, and traveling to out of the way destinations. I am not an adrenalin junkie, but have been known to take a few leaps of faith from time to time. I absolutely loathe being lied to. Honesty is always the best policy in my book.
Music soothes the savage beast in me! And well I love to dance and you can't possibly dance w/o music, can you? What can I say I am a child of the 80’s? I am an absolute fan of Depeche Mode, the Cure, Moby, Yaz....But I also tend to be a bit of a mood listener. After all, I believe that there is a tune out there to fit every mood knows to humankind.
Nothing better than a good movie, great company, and of course a huge bowl of warm buttery popcorn! As for listing them by name, why there’s too many...I wouldn't know where to start!!
I do indulge in a few selected shows like Alias, LOST, CSI, and of course House. I guess you could say I am a sucker for a dash of suspense and drama, a little sprinkle of satire, and tons of forensic series. Tv being as limited as it is here, I don't know what I would do w/o cable. I need my regular dose of CNN, and Discovery channel!
I recently rediscovered the joy of children's classic storybooks while reading to my son, some thing’s never change. My all time favorite book would have to be The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I think I have read it like a million times. This book is inspiring and I highly recommend reading it.
Heroes??? I suppose I could rattle off a few famous people’s names, but I won't. I would rather stick a little closer to home. (W/O sounded too corny) I have to admit that even though I haven't always been closest with mine... My mom is hands down the person I admire the most. She is a true innovator. If I can achieve half as much as she has, I would be grateful. Go Mom Go!
| Law of Karma |
In Buddhist teaching, the law of karma, says only this: for every event that occurs, there will follow another event whose existence was caused by the first, and this second event will be pleasant or unpleasant according as its cause was skillful or unskillful.' A skillful event is one that is not accompanied by craving, resistance or delusions; an unskillful event is one that is accompanied by any one of those things. (Events are not skillful in themselves, but are so called only in virtue of the mental events that occur with them.) Therefore, the law of Karma teaches that responsibility for unskillful actions is born by the person who commits them. Let's take an example of a sequence of events. An unpleasant sensation occurs. A thought arises that the source of the unpleasantness was a person. (This thought is a delusion; any decisions based upon it will therefore be unskillful.) A thought arises that some past sensations of unpleasantness issued from this same person. (This thought is a further delusion.) This is followed by a willful decision to speak words that will produce an unpleasant sensation in that which is perceived as a person. (This decision is an act of hostility. Of all the events described so far, only this is called karma.) Words are carefully chosen in the hopes that when heard they will cause pain. The words are pronounced aloud. (This is the execution of the decision to be hostile. It may also be classed as a kind of karma, although technically it is an after-karma.) There is a visual sensation of a furrowed brow and down turned mouth. The thought arises that the other person's face is frowning. The thought arises that the other person's feelings were hurt. There is a fleeting joyful feeling of success in knowing that one has scored a damaging verbal blow. Eventually (perhaps much later) there is an unpleasant sensation of regret, perhaps taking the form of a sensation of fear that the perceived enemy may retaliate, or perhaps taking the form of remorse on having acted impetuously, like an immature child, and hoping that no one will remember this childish action. (This regret or fear is the unpleasant ripening of the karma, the unskillful decision to inflict pain through words.) If there are no persons at all, then there is no self and no other. There is no distinction between pain of which there is direct sensual awareness (which is conventionally called one's own pain) and pain that is known through inference (conventionally called another person's pain). Whether pain is known directly or indirectly, there is either an urge to quell it or an urge to cultivate it. Whether joy is known directly or indirectly, there is either an urge to nourish it or to quell it. In the conventional language of speaking of events personally, the urge to quell all pain and to nourish all joy is known as being ethical or skillful or (if you like) good. The urge to nourish pain and quell joy is known as being unskillful, unethical or bad. Being fully ethical is said to be impossible for those who make a distinction between self and other and show preference for the perceived self over the perceived other, for such perceptions inhibit being fully responsive. Being fully ethical is possible only for those who realize that all persons are empty, that is, devoid of personhood... Basically karma is the law of cause and effect. The principle is similar to that expressed by the Christian verse, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." The word karma means action and it's used as short-hand for the idea that every action you take causes a reaction in the future. Positive, caring actions will bring positive results back to you, whereas negative, hurtful actions will result in your suffering. There is importance on the intent of one's actions. For example, if you accidentally step on a bug and kill it, you won't create bad karma. But if you purposefully kill it, you create bad karma. Likewise, if your actions unintentionally benefit others, you do not create good karma. Only when you mindfully do good, do you create good karma. Ultimately, each individual is responsible for his or her own actions and karma. Every action you take will have a repercussion in the future, and you have to live with the consequences of your actions. |
| Posted: 11/23/2006 11:14:24 PM |
| Sometimes you have to look beyond what you see...... |
| Posted: 8/13/2006 11:51:40 AM |
| Love me or Hate me......Part II |
to women everywhere! |
| Posted: 8/13/2006 11:44:20 AM |
| “Death by Coconut” |
| This week has flown by so quickly. I can’t hardly believe that it’s Friday already. Have you ever had a feeling deep down in your core that this very day was and could be your last? I wonder sometimes, if I had lived my life the way that I should have. Are there things that I would have done differently? Sure, tons of situations I would choice to redo. Things I shouldn’t have said, people I shouldn’t have lost touch with, wrong I wish I could make right. Why you are asking yourself would I be thinking in such a critical manner? Well, the thing is I had a weird mishap with a falling coconut this afternoon. What’s the big deal, you may be asking? If you had heard the thunderous thump that it made as it plummeted to the pavement of the walkway, you wouldn’t need to question my motives for writing this little excerpt today. Sure, my dad reminded me like always to watch out for the 2 very soaring coconut trees as I strolled pass him on one of my evening walks across the property. But, like I always so heard his voice, but didn’t heed his warnings. The air was brisk and I could smell the coming on of rain. As I walked along my merry way, I could hear the birds chirping and the sounds of the rustling branches were a bit hypnotic. Things were normal the first couple of turns around the pathway, but it was the 3rd time around that I could hear the sounds of Toeun ,the gardener, frantically waving his arms and screaming what sounded like get out, move(of course in Cambodian). Then this ghastly feeling came over me as if something wasn’t right. I turn in the direction of this terrifying sound. I could almost feel my heart wanting to jump right out of my chest. Like missiles falling out of the sky, the coconuts came down one by one, making this unmistakably terrifying thud as they each hit the pavement. Barely missing me by what seemed like inches. Can you imagine the headline, “death by coconut”? Guess I have never actually given death much thought. Up until that point I hadn’t considered dying much less the idea of a couple of gigantic coconuts as the weapon of my demise. So, the moral to this ironically funny tale is, “Don’t walk underneath coconut trees, or if you have too walk quickly!” So, folk kiss your loved ones and remember to don’t go a day without telling how much they mean to you. Because if tomorrow never comes, it will be too late:). I am happy to report that I am alive and well………a little shaken, but none the worse for wear. World Peace, life filled with love, endless laughter, and utter joy! -Vary |
| Posted: 8/11/2006 5:32:40 AM |
| Helping the world one person at a time! |
| People always ask me, why Vary did you leave a great life back in the states and chose to raise your son in 3rd world country of all places? I sometimes struggle myself with that question. Actually, I find myself questioning my motives on a daily basis. Life here in Cambodia isn't all peaches and cream. My personality, beliefs, and even habits clash with Khmer culture on many levels. But I suppose I could have run into hurdles any where that I chose to live. I basically left all the comforts of western civilization for a life far simpler. It all made sense at the time. My parents were here and I have always wanted my son to be close to his grandparents so, the initial decision didn't take much thought. It's easy for us to get consumed in the fast paced lifestyle and forget that there are people all over the world that are going hungry. Basic things such as electricity and access to clean water are luxuries most do not have. Though sadden by the disparity that surrounds me, I find get hope in the smiling faces that greet me everyday. I have often felt helpless to effect change, but since moving back I have now dedicated my life work to invoking policy changes to help improve the lives of people in Cambodian and the whole region. I think it important not just to be empathic, but go a step further and proactive in reducing poverty and world suffering anyway that you can. Helping the world one person at a time! |
| Posted: 8/4/2006 9:06:38 PM |
| Family .......forced induction in to a members only club |
| I suppose that's the thing about family,you don't get to choose them. It's more like a forced induction in to a members only club. And guess what? Once a member you're a member for life! As hard as it may seem sometimes, you must sometimes accept the things you cannot change. We would all like to think that ideally love and support should be unconditional. But the reality is that ideals are just that...ideals, not always the norm. Nothing in life is ever completely unconditional as I have found out by past experience. We are bound by obligations,constraints, and expectations. But I believe that ultimately you are the master of your own destiny. Therefore, you sometimes have to choose your battles wisely, because some battle unfortunately can never be won especially when the opponents are not worthy. Not only can fighting destructive, but it is emotionally draining.Eventually eating away at your very being. The decision to walk away from the hatred and preserve my sanity was the best decision that one could have made! ----Vary Just a little clarification: I owe a great deal to my family for all the support and love they have given me through the years. I suppose the this blog refers to the more extended family member than anything:) Peace! |
| Posted: 8/3/2006 12:27:56 PM |
| Matchmaker,matchmaker make me a match........ |
| I had the most unique of experiences yesterday. I actually went to see a matchmaker. Yes, that's right a matchmaker. I can hardly believe I actually agreed to go, but I knew my grandmother and parents wouldnt let up about the issue so I went. Heck, why not, right? I have found that sometimes, when family is concerned, you just have to go with the flow as to avoid unnecessary friction. I am no stranger to friction when it comes to my parents. Growing up I was the defiant one challenging everything and everyone. But as I got older and I suppose wiser, I learned that you have to indulge your parents a little. So, anyway there I was all nerves, having absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into and in walks in all these people. All of a sudden I got this overwhelming feeling of uneasiness. Then, I knew that something else was happening not just a meeting with a matchmaker. Apparently, the matchmaker made me a match hahahaha! Jokes on me! As if things couldn't get worse, in walks this guy and he is noticeable younger than me. At that very moment, all I wanted to do was pinch myself as to wake myself up from this nightmare. What was a girl to do? I certainly could storm out of there. That would make my family loose face. So, I sat quietly as not to make a sound. Hoping that it would all end soon! But all the while my mind was going a million miles and hour. I couldn't believe that my parents, who once taught me to fight fiercely for my independence, would ask me now to submit. How could I marry someone I don't even know? Could I marry someone I couldn't even communicate with fluently? How could I subject my son to this uncertainty? What was I thinking? Obviously I wasn't! All I know that the ordeal finally came to an end. I do realize that I had an obligation to my parents to be open to their suggestion, but the ultimate obligation is to my son and me. All in all I would say is that was the weirdest situation I have subjected myself to, but I have come out of it with a better understanding of who I am and what I want. And I was not about to giving up my right to choose who I want to spend the rest of my life with. I am not sure what fate has in store for me, but for today I choose to take my chances on "Life's Train Ride" solo! Well , at least for now anyway. Who knows what lays ahead in the not too distant future................... |
| Posted: 8/3/2006 12:19:36 PM |
| Thought of the day: |
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| Posted: 8/2/2006 5:39:48 AM |
| Whispers in the Wind |
~Var-ee~ |
| Posted: 8/2/2006 5:28:11 AM |
| Thought of the day: |
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| Posted: 7/30/2006 2:56:44 PM |
| A Journey to self discovery: Sydney Australia |
| What a great feeling it was to be spontaneous and a little reckless at the same time. I am usually well thought out and meticulous about what I plan to do, but I took the plunge and made the decision to check things out in the “Land Down Under”. As luck would have it my cousin was getting married and well what other sign I was going to wait for. Life is not filled with coincidences and random events. Every moment of every day is some how link directly or indirectly. I am a firm believer in fate. And destiny is something that we call cannot avoid it’s just how things play out. What we do in the “meantime” is what keeps life interesting. I have allowed fear to keep me from exploring my options and hesitated from letting people know how much they meant to me in fear of dismissal or indifference. Little did I know that I am indeed a warrior of sorts, a fearless warrior born to conquer what ever strife that life may propel at me. I pity the fool who mocks or challenges me, because I am not easily subjugated. Armed with the new found zest and drive, I embarked on a journey of self discovery in search of more fertile soil. I must have been glowing with enthusiasm because as hard as I tried to blend in, I could help but draw attention to myself. I don’t think that it helps that I wore this peculiar smirk the entire ride. I couldn’t help it. I was elated and had never felt so alive. I can only compare it to the feeling of utter joy when I first laid eyes on my Little Nate. I had the pleasure of sitting next to this charming gentleman who of course is married. Now come on, you can’t blame a girl, can you? We had a nice quaint chat and he offered to get me a map of Sydney and some coffee. Heck I had a bit of a lay over so I agreed. It was purely an innocent gesture so please, for all those with there minds in the gutter, you can stop thinking it! Well, I am not sure where the time went, what seemed like a moment was actually turning into forever as I noticed it was time for me to board my plane. I had to finally stop him in mid sentence and bid him farewell. I thanked him kindly for his gesture of good faith and hoped that our paths ran into each other again. Well, anyway, needless to say I missed my connection. Which really sucks, but the upside is I spent the morning in somewhere I was more than happy to be….Bangkok, Thailand…whoo hooo. I did some shopping, saw a movie (Pirates of the Caribbean was a good movie by the way! Love Johnny Depp….oh and Orlando Bloom is just too yummy for words!) I finally made the next available flight. I lost most of the day, but Sydney by night is a great first impression and a lasting one I think! I took far too many pictures and thought I will narrow the selection down and post them at a later date so I can share them with you guys. The wedding was extraordinarily beautiful. Wedding are celebrations of love and well who doesn’t love a wedding? It’s an excuse to get together with friends and family, there is lots of toasting, dancing, not to mention wedding cake! I had a blast seeing people I hadn’t seen in ages. I didn’t take as much pictures as I should have, but I was too busy trying to have fun to pick up the darn camera. You are just going to have to take my word for it. I thank everyone for their hospitality and graciousness in showing me around not to mention chauffeur me around too. We even found the energy despite being so exhausted to show me a little of Aussie night life. I have to admit I haven’t had so much fun in a while. I felt a little guilty though. Guilty enough to head home a ahead of time, because I missed my Nate. Sydney was beautiful and I hope to share the beauty with Nate sometimes soon. Overall, the trip to self discovery was a smashing success. I went with the intentions of exploring all my options and that I did. It also gave me the prospective that I needed to make things a bit clearer so I could make an informative decision. Life isn’t just about risks. It is about making the right choices and knowing all the possible benefits and consequences of making those choices. In retrospect I think that the idea of moving away from Cambodia was more of cowardice action on my part. Avoidance of issues and situations that uncomfortable is not an answer much less a solution. After all, I cannot run away from myself. I think deep down inside I have this innate yearning. I have tried repeatedly, but being single in Cambodia is just a little bit discouraging and kind of makes one feel a bit hopeless. Somehow, I thought that I had a better prospects of meeting someone in a less restrictive society who’s dating rules are a bit more similar to that of the one’s I am familiar with. All the above reasons are nothing more than mere selfish thoughts and not purely motivated by what they should have been which is my son. Life as challenging as it is and as hopeless as it may seem sometimes is what makes us stronger and better prepared for what lies ahead. My parents are have been my life line and continue to support me even though I know I have not been everything that they had hoped I would be. My life choices have brought them a bit of disappointment though this is something they have never said, but I can see it in their eye. Or maybe it’s something that I cannot come to forgive myself for. Though we have our differences, I know in my heart that my parents have a wealth experience and love to share with my son. I love my parent’s and I know that they cherish their grandson. I would be going against all that I valued by removing the one element that I most believe in. I have always wanted a close relationship for my son with this grandparents and that is something that is hard to do when we are in a different country. I cannot abandon the lifestyle that I have grown so accustom to, to embrace a lifestyle that I chose to walk away from by leaving the US. Money and conveniences cannot fill the void in my heart. I hope in time something else will! |
| Posted: 7/27/2006 9:15:15 PM |
| Thought of the day: |
"I give not in anticipation of receiving, but with the pure purpose of sharing a gift of beauty with the world" ---Var-ee  (0) Comments |
| Posted: 7/27/2006 6:22:23 AM |
| The skeletons in my closet..... |
| The skeletons in my closet that once haunted me haunt me no more. I made a choice not too long ago to set myself free from all things and people that had held me back not just physically, but emotionally. Unlike physical scars, emotional scars have a nasty habit of lingering long after the physical scars have faded. But just like a snake sheds its skin, I have learned to let go of the hate and the painful words. I need not name names or feel the need to place blame. I forgave those who have trespassed again me and robbed me of what I valued the most, my dignity, my pride, my self-worth. Closure has empowered me to move on. Time has allowed me to heal. Distance has given me the opportunity to rebuild. Love has enabled me to grow and become a better person. Now I say without a doubt, good-bye to the empty shell of a person I used to be and hello to the person I was always knew I was destined to be. Those who cannot inspire me, but instead choose to relish in the mere joys of stifling the very life out of me…. are no longer welcome. And for those who choose to place judgments upon me without ever earnestly attempting to know me, shame on you! Remember that if you find yourself lost and cannot find your way, just keep walking straight pass where the sun meets the horizon and that’s where you will find destiny waiting. The rest is up to you……. |
| Posted: 7/24/2006 2:24:49 AM |
| The strangest things...... |
| The strangest things keep happening. Sometimes my life seems more like a scene from one of those never ending soap opera’s. Maybe I am being overly dramatic maybe I am not, but regardless I find the whole thing quite frustrating.This lasted installment in the string of bazaar events is a dozy. The relations between Nate father and I have been severely strained ever since I decided to move back to Cambodia. The long periods of silence on his part certainly didn’t help the situation any. I recently receive a call from him. Now, he is pleading his case for us to return back to the US. I am not comfortable with his request and a weary of his motives. He has been everything, but consistent and dependable. All the reasons that he has given me for Nate and I to return have been selfish. A little part of me is still bitter and betrayed. No words or apologizes can make up for his absence and abandonment during my pregnancy, but both are things that I and I alone have to come to terms with. I feel that if he is honest about his desire to be a part of his son’s life he needs to make an effort to make it happen. I don’t think it is unreasonable for me to request that he make the effort to come see his son here, but only if he is serious about being a part of his life. I have gone to great length to keep Nate’s life constant and well balanced and will continue to do so! I am more determined than ever to leap forward and make a progressive move to help secure the best for Nate and I. I think that exploring all my options and keeping my sight on the future is the best way to go. I will not allow fear to conquer me and keep me from being the person I was meant to be. The opportunity came knocking and I am going to give it a shot. I have to head to Sydney anyway for my cousin's wedding so what other sign do I need? Like someone wise once told me, "Life is nothing without risks!" |
| Posted: 7/20/2006 3:29:22 AM |
| Just a little update....... |
| Nate, my little man is decided that he likes sleeping in my bed better than sleeping in his. A matter a fact, if you ask him where his bed is he will without hesitation point and tell you…the big bed! He has been speaking in little toddler sentences as of late. It’s quite exciting to see him being able to express himself verbally. It’s amazing how fast he has grown in the past couple of months physically and intellectually. I can imagine that he will be quite the charmer even more so as he gets older. One look into those beautiful sugar brown eyes, keeps me smiling! No matter how uncertain life may seem sometimes, I know I did good! Well, another beautiful Monday! It started off a little on the wet side, but what is one to expect it’s the middle of the monsoon season, right! I love rain anyways…keeps everything green and you got to love the way the air smells just after the rain. I am kooky that way, I guess. I have this thing for the smell of apple pie right out of the oven and ummm the fresh cut grass too! Anyhooo, enough of that! Once again, I find myself twiddling my thumbs this fine afternoon waiting on others to do their jobs so I can start mine. I suppose I could find something to preoccupy my time. I really hate being ideal. Okay, I don’t really hate it that much...haha! As luck would have it, looks like my much anticipated trip home will have to be postponed indefinitely. I suppose it is a sign from the great beyond that it wasn’t time. Or I wasn’t meant to return, not yet anyway. I am sorry to all those I have disappointed. I will do my best to make it back before next summer. Anyways, it seems that the annual family vacation is planned for December and everyone is flying in from all over and as my grandmother put it, I am obligated to go. I haven’t seen most of my mom’s family for ages and it will be good to catch up with my cousins and a chance for Nate to meet his extended family. We are not sure where we will be headed, but I know that it’s somewhere in this region. Maybe Koh Samui, Thailand or Dalat, Vietnam…..hmmm the serene beaches of a tropical island or a hilltop resort town? |
| Posted: 7/18/2006 4:12:50 AM |
| These Secrets I Must Keep |
| --Var-ee |
| Posted: 7/18/2006 4:11:42 AM |
| Sunday evening meal fit for a king!!! |
| Nothing better than a Sunday evening meal fit for a king and great family and friends to share it with. Here are the choices that I have chosen for today's menu, an assortment of a few of my favorite dishes. Enjoy! The following recipes serve 4 persons Iced Lemon Grass Tea 8 stalks fresh lemon grass 1 quart water 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, or to taste Rinse lemon grass stalks; slice into thirds. Crush stalks with side of cleaver or mallet; place in saucepan with the water. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. Add sugar, stirring to dissolve. Cool, strain and serve over ice. Nuea Satay (Satay Beef) Marinade: 1/3 cup (3 fl oz/90 ml) coconut milk 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro/coriander leaves (bai pak chee) 3 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon yellow curry powder 1/3 cup (3 fl oz/90 ml) fish sauce (nam pla) 1 tablespoon oil 8 oz (250 g) sirloin or flank steak, cut in long narrow strips 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and 3 in (7.5 cm) long How to cook: 1. In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients for the marinade. Dip each piece of meat in the sauce and set aside. Cover and leave in refrigerator for 15 minutes. 2. Weave each strip of meat onto an 8-in (20-cm) skewer lengthwise. 3. Broil/grill for 5 minutes o each side or pan-fry. To pan-fry, brush a large non-stick pan with coconut milk or leftover marinade and pan-fry meat for 2-3 minutes on each side. Brush the meat with the sauce as it is turned. 4. Serve with peanut sauce (nam jim satay). Nam Jim Satay Peanut Sauce This richly flavored sauce is usually served with satays. 1 3/4 cups (14 fl oz/440 ml) coconut milk 2 tablespoons red curry paste 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) fish sauce (nam pla) 3 tablespoons sugar 1 cup (8 oz/250 g) ground roasted peanuts Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring constantly. MAKE 2 1/2 CUPS Pad Thai Stir-Fried Thai Noodles Ingredients: 8 oz (250 g) rice noodles (sen lek) 3 tablespoons oil 3 garlic cloves (kratiem), minced 1/4 cup dried shrimp/prawns 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) fish sauce (nam pla) 1/4 cup (2 oz/60 g) sugar 2 tablespoons tamarind juice (ma-kaam piag) 1 tablespoon paprika 1/2 cup fried tofu 2 tablespoons dried unsalted turnip, cut into small pieces 1 egg, beaten 1/4 cup 1-in (2.5-cm) lengths chopped chives 1/4 cup (2 oz/60 g) ground roasted peanuts 1 cup bean sprouts Garnish: 1/2 cup bean sprouts 1/2 cup chopped chives 1/4 small banana blossom, cut into strips 1/2 lime, cut into wedges How to cook: 1. Soak the rice noodles in cold water for 30 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and set aside. 2. Heat a large skillet until hot, then add the oil. Add the garlic and dried shrimp, and stir-fry. Add the noodles and stir-fry until translucent. It may be necessary to reduce the heat if the mixture is cooking too quickly and the noodles stick. 3. Add the fish sauce, sugar tamarind juice and paprika. Stir-fry the mixture until thoroughly combined. Stir in the tofu, turnip and egg. 4. Turn the heat to high and cook until the egg sets, stirring gently. Thoroughly combine the mixture, and continue cooking over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes until most of the liquid is reduced. 5. Mix in the chives, peanuts and bean sprouts. Place on a serving dish, arrange the bean sprouts, chives, banana blossom and lime attractively and serve. Gaeng Keow Wan Gai (Green Curry with Chicken and Thai Eggplant) This curry is always hot, the heat being determined by the amount of green chilies that are used. To make the dish more flavorful, 1/2 cup of fresh green peppercorns can also be added to the curry mixture. Green Curry Paste: 2 stalks lemon grass/citronella (ta-krai), cut into 1/2-in (1-cm) pieces 1 tablespoon sliced galangal (kha) 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro/coriander root (raak pak chee) 8 garlic cloves (kratiem) 10 green Thai chili peppers (prik khee noo) 10 green jalapeno peppers (prik chee fa) 1 teaspoon shrimp paste (gapi) 1 tablespoon chopped shallot 1/4 teaspoon minced kaffir lime skin (piew ma-grood) 2 cups (16 fl oz/500 ml) coconut milk 1 lb (500 g) boned chicken breast, sliced in 1/2-in X 2-in (1-cm X 2.5-cm) pieces 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) fish sauce (nam pla) 3 tablespoons sugar 1 cup Thai eggplant (ma-khue puang) or 1 cup canned bamboo shoots 1/2 cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) coconut cream 6 fresh kaffir lime leaves (bai ma-grood) 1/4 cup sweet basil leaves (bai horapa) red jalapeno pepper (prik chee fa daeng), for garnish How to cook: 1. Place all the green curry paste ingredients in an electric blender and process until the mixture is smooth, or pound in a pestle and mortar. 2. Pour the coconut milk and the green curry paste into a large saucepan. Heat to boiling and add the chicken, fish sauce and sugar. Cook for 5 minutes at a slow boil. Add the eggplant and reheat to boiling, simmering for 2 minutes. Add the coconut cream and stir to combine. Add the kaffir lime leaves and basil leaves. Remove the contents to a serving bowl, garnish with the red pepper and serve. Pad Puk Ruam Mit (Vegetarian Delight) Ingredients: 2 tablespoons oil 2 garlic cloves (kratiem), minced 1/4 cup sliced onion 1/2 cup sliced carrots 1 cup sliced cabbage 1 cup broccoli flowerets 1/2 cup cauliflower flowerets 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper/capsicum 1/4 sugar peas/snow peas 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms 1/4 cup bean sprouts 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon sugar How to cook: 1. Heat a large skillet and add the oil and garlic. 2. Add all the other ingredients. Stir-fry for 4 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp tender. 3. Serve with steamed jasmine rice (khao suay). Khao Neow Ma-Muang (Sweet Rice with Mango) Recipe: 2 cups (1 lb/500 g) sticky rice, soaked overnight in water to cover 2 mangoes Sauce 1: 1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) coconut cream 1/2 cup (4 oz/125 g) sugar pinch of salt Sauce 2: 1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) coconut cream 1/2 cup (4 oz/125 g) sugar 1 12-in (30-cm) section of banana leaf 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds How to cook: 1. Drain the rice and place in an even layer in a steamer lined with cheesecloth so the rice does not fall through the holes. Steam the rice on full steam or high heat for 15 minutes. 2. While the rice is cooking combine the ingredients for Sauce 1. Remove the rice to a bowl and mix with Sauce 1 while the rice is still hot. Set aside. 3. Peel the mangoes carefully so as not to bruise the fruit. Slice in half as close to the seed as possible, then slice each half into 1/2-in (1-cm) slices. 4. Cut the banana leaf attractively and lay it on a serving plate. Arrange the sticky rice and mango slices on top of the leaf. 5. Combine the ingredients for Sauce 2 and either serve it separately or pour over the sticky rice. Garnish with a sprinkling of sesame seeds and perhaps an orchid or other flower on the side. |
| Posted: 7/17/2006 8:06:59 PM |
| Watch out!!!! |
| Yaheeee!!!! Whats all the excitement about you maybe thinking to yourself? I have one word for yeah and that word is kickboxing. It feels great to be able to start up again! I recently found an outlet here in Cambodia for me to do something for myself again. Its easy to loose site of certain passions you once enjoyed, but just didnt have time for. When the opportunity reared its ugly head and I took it! I have to admit though. I am enjoying the chance to get back in the shape that I was in before I had Nate. I am not normally an adrenalin junky and dont usually get a trill out of getting my ass kicked by others, but wowzaaaaa!!! The rush was quite indescribable and I cant remember the last time I had so much fun! I think I though that it is better to be on the giving end than receivingYeah okay I admit itI am a closet control freak in denial though (if that is even possible), but just on certain things. On the flipside its also great to be able to let it all go. You know, just deciding not to be the one to decide. I have learned through lifes numerous lessons that once cannot be in control of every aspect of your life and its okay to be out of control from time to time. Anyhooo, back to the topic at hand, I did eventually get my second wind and watch out folks Im back and ready to kick some proverbial ass!!! |
| Posted: 7/17/2006 8:05:22 PM |
| Look who is coming to dinner! |
| This weekend began just like many other weekends did. Actually prefer quiet weekends for the most part. But no sooner did that thought enter my mind,I realized that this was to be no ordinary weekend. What changed? Well, surprised dinner guests is what changed it all. I usually love surprises most of the time, but not this time. I really hate being out of the loop. It seems like I was the only one that was caught off guard. You are probably wondering why I am overreacting. Let me explain for those who may not be familiar with the recent events in my life. I had a misfortune of being ambushed during what I thought was an innocent visit by a matchmaker. I seriously thought that I got my delicate position on the subject across to all parties involved. I was totally wrong apparently. Yes, thats right they were back, but now bearing gifts. And his whole family showed up this time. Maybe there was a lapse in the communication, but something is definitely wrong with this situation. I know what youre thinking and yes I was a picture of complete composer throughout the whole affair. Even though I was screaming inside at the top of my lungs, I didn't loose my temper. I understand that everyone seems to want to force feed me their own perceptions of what I need in my life. Or maybe they think I am incapable of finding someone on my own. Either way, I am not budging. I realize that my past relationships havent all been ideal, and I have made my fair share of mistakesbut those are my decisions to make and live with. I am comfortable with who I am and my happiness is not dependant on whether I am married or not. I don't obsess about my marital status as much as others would like me to. By Cambodian standards I am beyond an old maid, but I dont confine myself to anyones standards, if they don't like it tough cookies. |
| Posted: 7/17/2006 7:59:00 PM |
Shout Outs
Hulda
1/2/2008 4:07:14 PM
Happy Birthday!
shawn
9/4/2007 11:43:49 PM
long time no see,how are you,my friend?
shawn
12/24/2006 12:07:07 AM
have a wondeful day and merry christmas my friend
shawn
12/21/2006 10:48:17 PM
how are you?my friend.
shawn
11/17/2006 10:35:00 PM
have a very wonderful weekend. though you have not been here form a long time
Noel
11/12/2006 7:45:34 AM
hello .. im noel from the philippines.. can i invite you to my NB frnd .. thanks GOD BLESS
shawn
10/26/2006 2:45:08 AM
stopped to say hi,hope you have a good day
shawn
10/17/2006 6:55:12 PM
hi,morning.hope you have a nice day
Bunny
10/13/2006 10:05:14 AM
Hi come join our chat room, click on the button in my bio.
shawn
10/10/2006 5:32:38 AM
Just stopped to say hello:)
BrooklynFrank
10/8/2006 5:41:02 PM
hello and whatnot.
shawn
10/5/2006 7:47:39 PM
hi,morning.how are you today?
shawn
9/29/2006 6:53:40 PM
hi,morning.i am glad to know you come back.
shawn
9/9/2006 2:04:51 AM
hi,for a long time i have not seen you !how are you ?
Glory
8/30/2006 8:00:42 AM
Hey girl. What's up? I miss seeing you here. Hope all is well with you.
shawn
8/28/2006 12:48:33 AM
hi,how are you .we have not seen you for several days
Glory
8/26/2006 9:46:24 AM
How's it going? I haven't seen you around lately. Hope all is ok with you.
shawn
8/25/2006 12:25:21 AM
hi,how are you?
wierderthanthou
8/21/2006 8:29:17 AM
ya been awfulo quiet there lil one....ya got a cold or somethin?????LOL
Glory
8/18/2006 7:56:18 AM
Good morning! Hope your day is filled with sunshine and peace.
1/2/2008 4:07:14 PM
Happy Birthday!
shawn
9/4/2007 11:43:49 PM
long time no see,how are you,my friend?
shawn
12/24/2006 12:07:07 AM
have a wondeful day and merry christmas my friend
shawn
12/21/2006 10:48:17 PM
how are you?my friend.
shawn
11/17/2006 10:35:00 PM
have a very wonderful weekend. though you have not been here form a long time
Noel
11/12/2006 7:45:34 AM
hello .. im noel from the philippines.. can i invite you to my NB frnd .. thanks GOD BLESS
shawn
10/26/2006 2:45:08 AM
stopped to say hi,hope you have a good day
shawn
10/17/2006 6:55:12 PM
hi,morning.hope you have a nice day
Bunny
10/13/2006 10:05:14 AM
Hi come join our chat room, click on the button in my bio.
shawn
10/10/2006 5:32:38 AM
Just stopped to say hello:)
BrooklynFrank
10/8/2006 5:41:02 PM
hello and whatnot.
shawn
10/5/2006 7:47:39 PM
hi,morning.how are you today?
shawn
9/29/2006 6:53:40 PM
hi,morning.i am glad to know you come back.
shawn
9/9/2006 2:04:51 AM
hi,for a long time i have not seen you !how are you ?
Glory
8/30/2006 8:00:42 AM
Hey girl. What's up? I miss seeing you here. Hope all is well with you.
shawn
8/28/2006 12:48:33 AM
hi,how are you .we have not seen you for several days
Glory
8/26/2006 9:46:24 AM
How's it going? I haven't seen you around lately. Hope all is ok with you.
shawn
8/25/2006 12:25:21 AM
hi,how are you?
wierderthanthou
8/21/2006 8:29:17 AM
ya been awfulo quiet there lil one....ya got a cold or somethin?????LOL
Glory
8/18/2006 7:56:18 AM
Good morning! Hope your day is filled with sunshine and peace.
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