How I met my new BFF in BTB

What kind of paranormal chu-chu is this?

Please note, I do get spooked easily. This morning, as I stepped out of the shower, I was greeted by the sight of one of the lamps in my hotel room swinging mysteriously! (I’m in Battambang, by the way.) Now, here’s the intriguing part: I don’t use a fan in the room, and the air conditioning was set to a comfortable 26°C (yes, i lowered the temp because, well, gors na).

My mind is racing with thoughts—Cambodian ghost stories, those tales of old guesthouses and hotels where inexplicable things happen. But wait, this place I’m in now is relatively new-ish, perhaps less than 5 years old. Could it be that I have a new friendly spectral BFF in BTB who enjoys swinging lamps? 🤔And there it goes, still swaying gently. Maybe it’s time for a friendly chat with my unseen BFF! 👻🤣

P.S. I sped up the video clip 2x.
P.S.2. BongsreiLui suggested I ask my new BFF for lucky lotto numbers while I’m at it.
P.S.3. My local colleagues suggested I light incense sticks and offer food and/or beer.
I’m definitely going to get drinks tonight and get wasted with my new BFF! LOL.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

In the original Superman movie from 1978 (with Christopher Reeve), there’s a scene where Superman’s enemies – General Zod, Ursa, and Non— are locked up in the Phantom Zone that captivated me. This otherworldly prison is depicted as a plane of glass or mirror that glides through space. Imagine shards of glass suspended in the cosmic void, holding powerful enemies who crave escape. Their release becomes a key moment when Superman steps in to save Earth from a nuclear danger. This iconic scene sets the stage for the epic battle that unfolds in Superman II, where these baddies are accidentally let loose and pose a formidable challenge to our hero. (So, next time you encounter a mirror, remember: even reflections can harbor secrets! )

Me vs Me. OOTD for today’s cleaning chores.

Ever since I watched Superman, I’ve become convinced that my reflection is plotting something. I rarely take a selfie (or a mirror selfie for that matter). But every rare mirror selfie, to me, becomes a standoff: me vs. the mysterious doppelgänger trapped in a parallel universe of glass and silver staring back at me. Am I just being quirky – okay, weird 🙄 – or is my super-heroine (or super-villain) origin story unfolding? Or, maybe I’m just looking for a new challenge or adventure, just like the epic battle that ensues. Or maybe mirror selfies make me look good, with a bit of luck and good lighting, of course. 🤭

So here I am, while the rest of the world is celebrating Chinese new year, phone in hand, staring into a parallel universe where every reflection is a silent standoff between me and my glass-trapped twin. Is this the beginning of an epic year of the Dragon for me, or a proof that binge-watching superhero movies might be getting to my head? Stay tuned for future posts. The (Mirror) Selfie might strike back!

Happy new everything!

What a year it has been! I look back at 2023 and I’m amazed by how much I’ve achieved in my own little way.

Happy new year to me! 🎉
Photo by Lui.

My work is my passion and I’m happy to see the positive difference I’ve contributed to my organisation and our program (and Cambodia!). But I also crave some new experiences and challenges. I’ve been in Cambodia for a while now – and I mean quite a while now – and I feel the urge to see other parts of the world. I have Luang Prabang in Laos in my mind as my next home base, or maybe somewhere else. I’m not sure yet, but I’m ready to embrace new opportunities.

As I welcome 2024, I’m filled with enthusiasm and optimism. I have no regrets or worries. I have no plans or expectations. I just want to continue pursuing what I love and what I’m curious about. I want to continue learning and growing. I want to continue travelling and discovering. I want to continue giving and receiving. I want to continue loving and being loved.

I’m so thankful for everything that 2023 has brought me, both professionally and personally, and I’m eager to see what 2024 has in store for me. I’m ready for a new year, a new decade, and a new chapter of my life.