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The 13th Storytelling Contest

The 13th National Storytelling Contest was organized by Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) with financial support from JICA and cooperation with Ministry of Education Youth and Sport from 13-15 February 2008 at Phnom Penh Teacher Training Center. 66 Teachers and librarians were selected from 11 provinces and cities. The first prize went to an enchanted teacher from Banteay Meanchey Province. She creatively used her original handmade materials to read the Very Hungry Caterpillar, written by American author Eric Carle, instead of using the real picture book. Her facial expression and good tune of voice, I think, were also the points made her the best contestant for this year.


The 13th Storytelling Contestants


The Gigantic Turnip with children showing the importance of unity　


Re-demonstration of the Very Hungry Caterpillar


The Enchanted First-Prize Winner

A Rose for Your Vanlentine?

Valentine Day has gained popularity among Cambodian youth these recent years. Rather than offering valentine cards, chocolates or any confectionary, buying roses for their lovers is much more common and popular for Cambodian teens. Today there are flower stands dotted every corner nearby high schools, along main streets, river fronts and other popular hangouts. Though apparently flower stands are no less than previous years, surprisingly I saw less people holding roses along the streets this evening. Yet, there are teens everywhere with their new bikes. Here are some photos I took while I strolled to and from Royal Palace this evening.


Along Sihanouk Boulevard


Along Sihanouk Boulevard


In front of Express Fresh Flower Shop


Near New Collection Store


Near Independent Monument


This kinda store just disappears itself hours later.


In front of Slek Chac Restaurant, owned by Pop Singer Preab Sovath

Entering 2008

How does 2008 differ from 2007, I dun no. What I know now is that I have already got 6 wedding invitations for the first half of the first month. Some other buddies and even my confidant have already got their special dates fixed in this year. Apparently 2008 is the year that I gotta hang out alone or no-more-late-hang-out year heuy mel tov. Hope it will be the beginning of their happy lives.

My Debut at 2P3H

I learned about the existence of the 2P3H, Phnom Penh Hash House Harriers a few years ago, but today is my first time to join this weekly running and walking club. Anyone who wants to join, just come to rendezvous in front Phnom Penh railway station before 2.45. There were more than 30 hashers, mostly are westerners, joined the #827 run on this Sunday. This week, we were loaded onto a big truck and headed for Phnom Prosith, where our run started, about 30 km away (the course is changed every week).

There are running course and walking course. I chose the running course though I know it would be pretty tough for not-a-sporty guy like me. Yeah, I still feel the pain in my legs rite now. But it was pretty interesting and it is good for me who do need some exercises. At the half-way break, I switched to the walking group, since I dun think i can make the remain half with the running group. heheeh.... I were back home at about 8.00 PM. It was a tired Sunday.

Photos of Children from Rural Primary School

A girl with her sister on her back


Don get me wrong. I am not the one who drank that Angkor


Reading Picture Book for Grandma.

Are You a Cat Fancier or Bird Lover?

GALVESTON, Tex., Nov. 13 — Jurors heard opening arguments on Tuesday in the trial of a bird-watching enthusiast who fatally shot a cat that he said was stalking endangered shorebirds.

The defendant, James M. Stevenson, is the founder of the Galveston Ornithological Society and leads bird-watching tours on this Gulf Coast island 60 miles southeast of Houston. If convicted on animal cruelty charges in the shooting last November, he faces up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Mr. Stevenson, 54, does not deny using a .22-caliber rifle fitted with a scope to kill the cat, which lived under the San Luis Pass toll bridge, linking Galveston to the mainland. He also admits killing many other cats on his own property, where he operates a bed and breakfast for some of the estimated 500,000 birders who come to the island every year.

In her opening statement, Paige L. Santell, a Galveston County assistant district attorney, told the jury of eight women and four men that Mr. Stevenson “shot that animal in cold blood” and that the cat died a slow and painful death “gurgling on its own blood.”

She said that the cat had a name, Mama Cat, and that though the cat lived under a toll bridge, she was fed and cared for by a toll collector, John Newland. He is expected to testify.

Whether the cat was feral is the crucial point in this case. Mr. Stevenson was indicted under a state law that prohibited killing a cat “belonging to another.” Prompted by this case, the law was changed on Sept. 1 to include all cats, regardless of ownership.

Ms. Santell argued that because Mr. Newland had named, fed and given the cat bedding and toys, the cat belonged to him and was not feral.

Mr. Stevenson’s lawyer, Tad Nelson, admitted in his opening statement that his client went to the San Luis Pass toll bridge with “an intent to kill.” but that he had planned to kill a wild animal that was preying on endangered piping plovers. “This man has dedicated his whole life to birds,” Mr. Nelson said, pointing at Mr. Stevenson.

The case has prompted emotional commentary on the Internet. Cat enthusiast blogs have called Mr. Stevenson a “murderous fascist” and a “diabolical monster.” Birding blogs have defended his right to dispense with a “terrible menace” and have set up funds to help pay for his defense.

In an interview in a courthouse elevator during a break in the trial, Mr. Stevenson said heatedly that cat fanciers who have condemned him and sent him hateful correspondence “think birds are nothing but sticks.” “This is about wild species disappearing from your planet,” he said, adding, “I did what I had to do.”

Testimony followed from police officers and the veterinarian who performed the autopsy on Mama Cat, a white and gray tabby mix. The jurors were shown several photographs of the bloodied cat, reminiscent of an episode of “CSI: Miami.”

Pictures of the crime scene showed trays of cat food, blankets and cat toys hanging from strings under the bridge. The .22-caliber rifle Mr. Stevenson used to kill the cat along with his magazine full of Remington hollow-point bullets were also on display.

The prosecution and defense wrangled repeatedly about whether witnesses could accurately assess the cat’s state of mind.

“He’s not qualified to know what the cat was feeling,” said Mr. Nelson, when a police officer, John P. Bertolino Sr., testified that the cat was in terrible pain when he arrived at the crime scene. The cat died en route to a Humane Society facility.

The trial, which is expected to take a week, had few spectators save a handful of bird lovers and cat lovers who sat on opposite sides of the courtroom. One side nodded emphatically at Ms. Santell’s arguments, and the other nodded whenever Mr. Nelson objected.

“How people feel about the trial depends on who you talk to,” said Victor Lang, a local historian, adding that bird-watchers and cat fanciers obviously had the strongest views.

Though others may argue passionately about whether Mr. Stevenson should be punished, Mr. Lang said he did not have strong feelings about the case.

“But you see, I’m a dog person,” he said. “If he had shot a dog, then I’d be more upset.”

The New York Times