Saturday, January 16, 2010

...BAYTA-AN...

Few Words: the word "bayta" as a noun, is taken from the Tausug dialect which means narration or story telling. The adding of a suffix "an" now forming a verb, conveys another message then- to speak or to tell. This section in particular is where I speak my mind, and tells what's inside my heart as I mingle with different scenario and people of many cultures. Bright and colorful pictures will help explain words I cannot express. This is now officially my day-to-day- journal.


Never was there a Christmas like this in Saigon
January 17, 2010
2:02 pm, Cambodia

A decade ago, there were no sparkling lights like these. It was all silent night (except for families who have been traditionally celebrating Christmas at home). Even at the beginning of the 2oth century, a highly sophisticated and modern generation as it is known, this didn't make any impact as to decking the malls or the streets. The busy streets were seemingly sleeping, and there was no ambiance of the season to feel around, not even a hint of Christmas. It was always the same ordinary night. There was no decoration to see even for the sake of commercialism.

But few years later, changes has started to occur. Slowly, the people in Saigon are becoming accustomed with seeing decors in the streets. Year after year, elegant scenery after elegant scenery have been displayed to bring amusement and joy to the million of people all over the city, and even to foreigners visiting and also living there.

Who would have thought that Christmas in Saigon will turn out like this? It's awesome! Amidst the crowd, I really took time enjoying the scenery, and took amazing pictures, of course to also bring colors to my blog spot.

And who would have thought I would be standing here, spending my Christmas down the busy road? As I said, never was there a Christmas like this in Saigon before, but not now.

Here are few pictures to share. Enjoy!


Photobucket
...one of the shopping centers in the city...

Photobucket
....one of the busy streets along Dong Khoi...

Photobucket
...near the opera house...

Photobucket
...sidewalk, near Sheraton hotel...

Photobucket
...the sparkling street in Dong Khoi...

Photobucket
...roundabout at the narrow street of Nguyen Hue...

Photobucket
...the Xatax center where i always went shopping and buy groceries...

Photobucket
...at Saigon tower...

Photobucket
...look how they decorate their mall now...

Photobucket
...at Saigon tower shopping center...

Photobucket
...this is the busy street of Le Loi, but sparkled with xmas lights all over...

Photobucket
...see. these are like thousands of people roaming around the city just to see elegant decors. cool...



Family Talks

January 17, 2010
2:04pm, Cambodia


"Go to the world and multiply."

Unknowingly, my siblings have been obedient to this mandate. Time will come, I could no longer count with my two hands the members of my family. Soon, it will become a huge clan, as numerous as those stars in the sky.

They are not the children of my own, they are nephews and neices, now, too many to remember. Some of them I haven't even met yet, and some of them I just met few months ago. If i am not mistaken, there are at least 50 of them or even more. Who knows? You would be surprised soon as I'd show all of them. I am not done uploading yet. And these buddies are some of the many members of the clan I took picture with. My children are not counted yet (for I dont have one). Having them for a while is enough, for now I think. I still wanna see my perfect resemblance one day, however it may looks.


Photobucket
...Bem and Dodong Joey...

Photobucket
...my dodong joey and I...

Photobucket
...bembem and shara joy...

Photobucket
...my first cousin's son-Jordan...

Photobucket
...the nur-s, Don whom my brother fathered...

Photobucket
...Dodong Daryl, the policeman...

Photobucket
...Dodong Jan-jan and joey...

Photobucket
...Dodong Ezer...

Photobucket
...the makulits...

Photobucket
...another inquisitive little girl...

Photobucket
...our joy2, trying to smile...

Sunday, January 3, 2010

GREETINGS and THANKS

Photobucket

A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Dear friends,

Although i had a silent countdown welcoming another year, and i was stuck in my own porch along the noisy street of Mao Tse Tung in a seemingly laid back city of Phnom Penh, still i am grateful for the many things i considered beutiful and blessing. The celebration was so hush alone in my apartment, but i tried not to count it as isolation. Was i happy? Not at all! Yet, my heart was full of joy still amidst this situation. I had many things i counted eternal joy than having those material things temporarily. One more item to thank for, before the year ended, i was able to write another short story for children which i will post soon next week.

It's late though, but let me greet you a HOPEFUL NEW YEAR TO ALL.

GBU!

From my heart,

al