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In Cambodia life, Expat Life, Sreisaatv2

Murphy’s Law stole my Saturday morning

Author sreisaatPosted on 2 Comments

You’d think that after years of living abroad, I’d mastered the art of staying calm when life throws curveballs. Nope. Some days, you just wake up and the universe decides to mess with your morning like it’s a sport.

Take this Saturday, for example. I was supposed to float into the weekend. Slow coffee, maybe a playlist while the washing machine is on, and then gracefully getting ready for my colleague/friend’s wedding. But instead, Murphy’s Law showed up on my doorsteps.

First, my eyeglasses. After a long day at work on Friday (we had visitors from abroad), I was so tired I fell asleep with them still on my face. Big mistake. By morning, one arm had snapped clean off. Not bent. Not wobbly. Broken. GONE. And while eyeglasses are not exactly the kind of accessory you dream of flaunting at a wedding, they are the kind of accessory you can’t live without. Without them, I’m basically one blurry step away from mistaking the groom for the caterer. You get the picture, lol.

I accidentally used my eyeglasses as pillows.
The rubber thingy is gone!
A huge shout out to Be Eco Cambodia for the quick shoe repair!

Then came the shoes. My “special occasion” heels, untouched since… well, let’s just say since pre-pandemic days. I slipped them on to check the fit, and… oh, snap! The little rubber thingy on the heel fell off. You know, the tiny thing that prevents you from sounding like a tap dancer? Gone. It’s the clattering, tap-tap sound effect that no guest wants to bring to a wedding announcing their arrival.

So there I was, broken eyeglasses, broken shoes, broken morning. Instead of sipping coffee, I was sprinting around town trying to duct-tape my life back together before the big event.

But here’s the kicker. I arrived at the church, and guess what? Everyone – and I mean EVERYONE – was barefoot. Pastors, entourage, local guests, foreign guests, all of us leaving our shoes neatly outside the hall. My first Cambodian Christian wedding, and much like the Buddhist wats and Catholic Churches here, the tradition to go barefoot into the sacred space was beautiful. And honestly? It was respectful. Humbling. Reverent. A reminder that presence matters more than fancy (foot)wear.

Meanwhile, I’d spent the whole morning panicking about shoes. Shoes! The one thing I didn’t even end up needing. If that isn’t Murphy’s law with a sense of humor, I don’t know what is. So yes, I survived. My eyeglasses is back in one piece, courtesy of a repair shop, and my bare feet joined the others on the cool church floor.

Expat-life lesson, don’t sweat the small stuff. Because, odds are, you’ll end up barefoot anyway. Comedy gold.

In Cambodia life, Expat Life, Sreisaatv2

Sneeze attack

Author sreisaatPosted on Leave a comment

I have a story to tell, a true story that happened to me a week ago today and I’m still laughing about it.

My day started like any Monday in the city: a chaotic tuktuk ride, traffic jams, and the usual morning madness. Tuktuks, motorbikes, cars, and buses were all packed to the brim and the Steung Meanchey flyover area was a nightmare. While stuck in traffic, I was mentally mapping out my day when I felt a familiar tickle of a sneeze began to creep up on my nose. I knew right away a sneeze was coming, but I wasn’t prepared for the force with which it would hit.

Sure enough, when the traffic came to a halt at the next red light, I let out a sneeze. A sneeze that could have rivaled a lion’s roar. It rattled the tuk-tuk I was on, and I’m sure the girl on the motorbike next to me thought I had a bomb on my nose. That, or I was possessed. To make matters worse, I felt a sudden snap around my waistline. The clasp on my skit had undone! I was panicking and quietly crying inside, my mind racing with the horrifying image of my skirt falling down to my ankles, in public, when I got off the tuktuk. Memories of the last time I’d experience a wardrobe malfunction flooded back with the associated PTSD. So, never again!

I spent the rest of the ride, fidgeting with my skirt, trying to discreetly fix it, but it was difficult with one hand clutching my backpack (which, by the way, is never let go of in Phnom Penh). Anyways, I was relieved when I finally managed to clasp it back together as I was nearing my office. I’m so good with my hands, eh?

Disaster averted. Lesson learned? Maybe invest in better quality skirt. Or avoid sneezing in public altogether. Or, as my mother would often say, just stop sneezing dramatically, like a dragon, in public. LOL. Or maybe I should just embrace the chaos and embarrassment, and laugh it off. Well, in the end, I did just that. After all, these are just the kind of [mis]adventures any girl goes through. Imagine if I could translate all these embarrassments into a comedy routine, or a hilarious artwork, I’d have a book by now! As the saying goes (in the Visayan language), “Unsaon na lang jud kaming mga, ahem, unsay Ininggles sa danghag... clumsy? Danghag noon, danghag pa rin ngayon.” Translation: Clumsy then, clumsy now. I guess some things (about me) never change. I’m not sure if it’s a genetic trait or just a bad habit. Either way, I’m still laughing about this whole ordeal.

In Blogging and the Web, Cambodia life, Expat Life, Geek Talk, hobby, Sreisaatv2

From Taiwan to Tunisia: Bowls and Tunics

Author sreisaatPosted on 8 Comments

This week’s theme over Thursday Postcard Hunt is “crafts, fabric art, and textiles”, and I have two to share this week that I hope align with the theme.

My first postcard takes us to the vibrant island of Taiwan, where indigenous artisans craft stunning porcelain rice and noodle bowls. These handmade pieces, adorned with intricate designs, are not only functional but also beautiful works of art.

The designs on these bowls often reflect the cultural heritage of different Taiwanese indigenous groups. Each stroke of paint tells a story, showcasing the unique artistry and traditions of these communities.

Our second postcard transports us to the North African country of Tunisia, where traditional women’s clothing is a display of the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

This traditional attire is worn by women in Ksouf Essen City, located in the Sahel region, as well as in the cities of Mahdia, Monastir, Sousse, and Sfax. Each region has its own unique style, though they all share similarities. This postcard features the black version, but there’s also a more luxurious and beautiful red-purple variant.

Tunisian women’s attire is known for its vibrant colors, intricate embroidery, and distinctive styles. Common garments include the farmla (waistcoat), jebba and kadrûn (dress), takrita (scarf), quofiya (cap), kmâm (“handles”), and qmajja (tunic). A key feature of Tunisian traditional clothing is the bent cut tunic, which has an asymmetrical hemline that creates a visually striking silhouette. The garments are often adorned with intricate embroidery, particularly on the neckline, cuffs, and hem.

The fabrics used for Tunisian traditional clothing vary depending on the occasion and region. Wool, cotton, and silk are common choices. These garments are often accessorized with ornate jewelry, including money wires and other decorative elements.

Once all these garments are put together it creates a lovely and very colourful costume! Wedding attire in Tunisia is even more elaborate, featuring even more intricate embroidery and luxurious fabrics. While these stunning ensembles are undoubtedly beautiful, one can’t help but wonder about their weight!