Monday, August 10, 2009

My Reflection over the Online Course

What did I find out during the cooperation project?

I think that this course is good because it gives a chance for Cambodian and German students getting to know each other more including the culture, education and the tradition and so on. However, there are some problems related to the internet speed and the different time zone that make us difficult to chat or have a meeting time on chatting. There are some misunderstandings in the assignments given that I sometimes was confused.


What did I find most interesting, strange, funny, awkward?

The thing that I like from this project is the chance that European students and Cambodia can understand each other well rather than just the book and mis written history or the wrong perception on each other. For instance, before I thought that German are so cruel because they killed many Jewish people and at the same time Cambodia has been known as a bad country which suffered from many wars. When they heard of Cambodia, foreigners have the ideas of killing, brutality, or corruption but the fact is not that we have so many things here.


What was easy, what was difficult in the communication process?

The difficult part is the internet speed and the accessing to internet. We have so slow internet even though we try to open the page but we failed so many times. The internet speed really made tired of using it. Also, we have so many other course to learn and it made us difficult to make ourselves available for the course and to the complete each given assignment. However, after we get used to the internet we try to find a better speed and we can communicate with our friends in Germany through email or forum.


What would I still like to find out from the other students?

The things that I want to know more from other students are how they use the time effectively for their study and how to do the job while learning. I also need to know more how is media situation in Germany as well as the life of journalists over there whether they are respected or giving value or not. In addition, I want to have this kind of course more and more to make a better understanding of the using internet for a study purpose.

Monday, June 8, 2009

My Favorite Media

My Favorite Media

Radio is always my favorite media since I don’t have much time to sit and read newspaper and it is not a time consuming unlike other media. Once I listen to radio, I can do other things like reading or cooking.

The first thing that I do when I get up in the morning is to tune in the radio. Since 5: 30 am, I listen to Radio Free Asia and later Voice of America (broadcasted in Khmer Language). After that it is 6: 30am, I listen to BBC news to get more international news and it also improves my listening skill. What is more, while listening to BBC I get more ideas and I know the way they report news especially the techniques that they use.

I have a good impression and imgination when I listen to radio feature report or radio dramma I can think of and imagine the pictures that the reporter is describing. Some story even draws my full attention on it and I have stop doing other stuff but focusing on the news. I can forget to read newspaper for a week but I cannot leave my radio from me even a day.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

In pagoda


Waiting to be shoot....

My family -


Victory--hahaha

My nephew


My Family




Laugh-laugh and Laugh--


My nephews

New Year - on the cliff


















Having climbing nearly 400 steps of Sontuk mountain. Everyone wanted to take a rest...


-- I feel so exhausted. Relax and take picture.... lol..
In the picture: from left my 3 year old nephew- me-my 7 year-old nephew and my brother at the back... on right hand(in black shirt) my older brother...

New Year Time



Monday, May 18, 2009

My Second story at Phnom Penh Post

Reading: A Novel Obession among Cambodian Youth

On the second floor of the International Book Centre in Phnom Penh, 21-year-old Dy Vutheara is working out which book to buy from the hundreds of Khmer-language novels on offer. While she enjoys a variety of genres from detective stories to comics, she eventually settles on a romance."Most of them are good, so I have to weigh them up and decide which one would be best," said Dy Vutheara, an environmental science student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP).Dy Vutheara has bought more than 100 novels in the last three years since her teacher suggested she read more. She is not alone. About 40 of her friends also like to read, and she says between them they keep track of newly published novels."We never miss any new releases even though we don't have much money to buy them," she said. "So we take it in turns to buy the books and read them."Kim Sophat, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture, says the growing market in Khmer novels is leading to an increase in the number of writers."A lot of young people from the provinces and from urban centres are starting to write more and more. They can now make a decent living out of it," Kim Sophat said.Steady increaseOne of the country's best-known novelists, Mao Samnang, who writes under the pen name Rabbit, has noticed that the number of books published in each print run has increased steadily over the past decade - reinforcing the notion that more people are reading. But she says print costs remain an obstacle to increasing readership. Mao Samnang earns about US$500 for each of her novels, which take one month on average to complete. She says that if readers knew how difficult it is to write a book, they would complain less about the price.Despite the relatively high cost of books, she says many fans keep up with her new works by renting them from bookstores.Keo Somaly is a bookworm who has decided to spend her two dollars of food money to buy her favourite book - Neang Macha, or Lady Fish. She says many youngsters share her taste, which helps to offset the cost."Today is my turn to buy the book, and this one costs 7,000 riels [US$1.69)," she said. "My friends and I take turns [buying books] since we don't have much money, but we love to read." Obstacles The emergence of soap operas and foreign movies has some local writers worried. But Mao Samnang says her main concern is piracy."Illegal copies can kill writers. Soon after a novel is printed, there are many photocopies available on the market," she said. "The copy is much cheaper, but it is really harmful for novelists and for the printing houses."The Culture Ministry's Kim Sophat said authors should sue those who produce illegal copies of their works. Seong Phos, a Royal University professor, agrees and says that counterfeiters should be treated as thieves under the law and should be punished - although he has never seen that happen. The future Dy Vutheara says that most themes currently explored in Khmer novels lack deep meaning. "Readers just scan the cover and the first few pages, and they can tell how the story will end," she said. Looking to the future, Mao Samnang said she wants to make some changes to her novels. She believes that with greater exposure to foreign books, and a desire to see greater liveliness and creativity in local books, young readers are ready for a new approach. "Even though we novelists can barely survive, we try to keep our literature alive and maintain the long-lasting tradition of the Khmer novel for the next generation," she said.

For more http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2009051825901/Life-Style/Reading-a-novel-obsession-among-Cambodian-youth.html

"My whole Sunday shooping with Amazing experience"

This Sunday I have spent my whole day out side home since 6 in the morning till 5 in the evening. My aunt and brother were very surprise that on this Sunday.
I woke up so early. I went to do exercise with the volunteer groups from OYG (www.oygcambodia.org). Around 30 people, those people did not only do the exercise but clean the river front, mainly in front of the Royal Palace. It has been the third time for them to clean and wake up in the very early morning. I do appreciate their effort and energy. They are paid nothing but they are delighted to help clean our city. However, most people living there are not so welcome with these group actions and they even mock at them.

A boy living there shouted:
“Hey, those cleaners come again! it is their Sunday again! ”
Another began:
“Why these cleaners are so young and beautiful like this?”

I am not happy at all when hearing such words. To me, cleaning or doing from your own willingness and effort mean more than any thing to me. And I value to those who are valuable. Despite of the fact that some people living there did not really welcome our action,; hence, there are runners, exercise doers who keep smiling when seeing such young and enthusiastic young people like us caring our environment and Cambodian reputation. Without any hesitation, our cleaning continued until 9. After saying goodbye to those volunteers, I did spend my Sunday happily with my friends, of course girl friends at DMC. It is said that girls like shopping” and for sure we went shopping all morning.

First we went to Russian market (Toul Tumpong). Lyda is one of the stylists among my classmates but it is not strange since we have known her for nearly three years already. Lyda is content with many new designs of clothes displaying in the market. She has bought jeans, T-shirts, and pants which cost her nearly $40. Not all, Kim Oan my little and cute friend also buy some T-shirt. Oan said that she did not know why she love shopping even the time that she is broke she just want to see the new clothes (window shopping) that’s it and she is satisfied. I’m lucky but today it is not my day. I could not find the real stuff that I like. But I just hope to find the “Necklaces” for Davy Chou filming. We have tried to find many necklace but we were not sure if that is the one that he needs so the best idea is to take the picture of each necklace that we thought are suitable for the film and then let him make his own decision.
It is another time to say goodbye for our shopping then we went to Lucky Burger to eat something. We were so joyful with the chatting not the chickens and cokes over there. Spending time with friends, talking what on our mind and relaxing in the air-con room are the things that I miss so much in the last few months since we were dead and bloody busy with school assignments and homework.

I was convinced by Lyda that the shoes at VNC are good, modern and durable. (Lyda is usig peer influenced strategy, one of the effective strategies to attract the users). After the hearing this from my friend again and again I start to have a feeling of buying shoes at that shop. I and Lyda went to VNC(it is pronounced V and C ) shoes shop. The shoes over here are so modern and durable, restated Lyda. First I did not believe her but my mind change dramatically when there were many customers: young, old, adult, housewives and even celebrities had joined. Those shoes are from Malaysia and it honestly so expensive to me and Lyda and I can say that we could not afford if it did not have sale discount from 20%-50% -70%... VNC is located near Mobitel main office and what surprised me the most is another shop in front of VNC is the “New Collection Shop”. NCS is peaceful and quiet. I can see from the mirror that there was no one there in the evening of 4-5 which is quite different from VNC. The customers keep coming even though it was raining like cat and dog out side. They have tried any pair of shoes freely and happily since the room equipped with air-con, fans and music. Within the romantic and relax music the customers enjoyed buying and trying shoes. Having this good strategy, VNC has a great sale because once customer come here they never go back without any shoes, but they left with a pair, two pair, three pair and many more of shoes. It would be better if NCS consider changing their market strategy. Discount is a good means since this time of economic down turn.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Interview with Film Director

Ms. Poan Phoung Bopha produced and directed the film “Who am I?,” a tragedy that illustrates a love affair between two lesbians. The film drew a lot of attention, reaching an audience of around 4,000 and both national and international media. Poan Phoung Bopha was born in November 1955. In 1972, at age 17, she became a novelist and worked as reporter for Pro Chea Chun (people newspaper) for three years. From 1993 to 1998, she worked for Rakmey Kampuchea Daily newspaper. From 1997 to 2003, she was a co-director of the Women’s Media Center, responsible for media campaigns. She has been producing films for Rock Production of CTN since 2004.

1. Why did you have the idea of creating this film? Who was your target audience?

The idea had been in my mind since 2004, when I first worked for the Cambodian Television Network, CTN. I recognized that most people in the cosmetics business are gays or lesbians, although they didn’t of course tell me straight away that they were. I was working with these people every day, and they told me every single point of their stories. It was a new topic to raise in Cambodia, which has never been produced before, especially related to this small group of people. Things were not always easy. I had to do a lot of research on whether my audience would watch this film or not. I had to observe a lot of events happening in the star life. After that, it was quite lucky enough to find a love affair between two women (Ms. Chea Ratha and Ms. In Sok Lyda). Many people wanted to know more how lesbians live and love each other, especially in sexual matters. There I go, my film will be applauded.

2. Have you ever thought of getting reaction from the audience?

I have heard some criticism from wives of high-ranking officials since the beginning of the film, that this film will provoke emotions among those lesbians and please the group only. I just want them to go and watch my film first before they judge. I don’t mean to provoke, but no matter if a person is a lesbian or a gay, they are born with it. And it is not because they watch my film for two hours, so they want to change their personalities or sexual orientations. But it is what nature has done to them. However, the audiences who have already watched my film have not shown any negative feedback to me.

3. Did you make your film to please yourself or the audience?

My objective is to help reduce social discrimination against lesbians or gays and give better education to these people, since it is so hard for them to live in society. At workplaces, these people are not given fair opportunities; they are looked down on by people who do not take the chance to know them. My audience would understand and cut down prejudice toward this group.

4. Where do you get the fund from? How much does it cost?

I spent my own money, around US$ 20,000, making this film. I spent 6 months writing scripts, plus 3 months filming. The movie was filmed in some tourist sites in Cambodia, which I think was useful for foreigners who would like to visit this country. (The film will be available in an English subtitle from 21 April.)

5. If compared to the previous film you made, is this your most outstanding, or did it consume a lot of time? Any difficulties?

This is a new topic that has never happened in Cambodian film history. I have seen local and foreign media become interested about my film, so I would say that this film raises me higher in popularity among the 19 films that I have produced.

Anyway, I was at first concerned about the license from the Ministry of Fine Arts. I waited restlessly just to get approval of my film, as I was afraid they would think this film is against Cambodian culture. What is more difficult than that is I will have to get plenty of feedback from society. For each sequence, it is really hard for the actresses to act like real lovers. And it was my big responsibility to produce a film exactly like what's written in the script.

6. Do you think Cambodian families, especially parents, will change their way of thinking after watching your film?

I don’t think they will change their perception and let their daughter or son love and marry a same-sex person. And, I won’t think it will happen now since Cambodian people think same-sex love is very immoral and a discredit to the family's reputation. Even though my film does not cover everything about same-sex love, it at least can show a small part of truth that the love story of lesbians and gays exists.

7. Up to now, how many people have watched? And will you screen on TV?

Approximately 500-1000 tickets are sold out per day for both two theaters (Siam Reap and Phnom Penh). I am not yet sure if it will be screened on TV but if it does, maybe in 2010.

8. What will your future films be?

For the time being I am just producing films for Rock Production, which are to be screened on CTN right now. And I have not thought of making a new one yet. Film production costs a fortune and like a short blaze if producers run out of ideas to produce the most catchy ones. In Cambodia, nowadays the film industry is becoming less powerful, as there is not enough market for it. Besides, Cambodian filmmakers' strong competitors are television, which purchase cheap foreign films, and piracy film businesses.

This film could be my last film, as I am getting older now. It’s impossible to produce films if you don’t have money. I may start my first career again as a novelist after ending the film because I am not going to spend a lot on it.

My first story for Phnom Penh Post

Hi everyone ! this is my first article written for Phnom Penh Post. It is the interview between me and a female film director.

please the link below: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2009042725508/Life-Style/Who-Am-I-brings-same-sex-issues-out-into-the-open.html

My first impression on E-learning

Hello world, My name is Seang Heng(you can call me lucky). I have accessed to E-learning two week already but I don't have much time update my profile as the internet here is damn slow. And
I don't think it is a disaster over there.

I feel so surprise when you all did the brainstorming about Cambodia, my country. It seems to me that you all did a good job meaning that you know most of Cambodia and our people.:D

E-learning is fast and comfortable only when you have a fast speed of internet and it makes you feel so content. There are things that we can learn from here, especially the forum allowed we all share and get more ideas.