Monday, September 24, 2012

A journey of my life ...

During the early years in Australia.  I started my first job with Immigration Department as a Bilingual Information Officer at Westbridge Migrant Hostel.  I was also studying at University of Western Sydney for my first degree in Social Science.  Later on I moved on to do a Master in Applied Linguistics at Macquarie University.
At the age of 16.  Little had I known that I would be leaving Laos and settling in another country that I had hardly heard of. I intended to go to France because that was the country I knew best and I had also learned French at school.  I am glad I ended up in Australia because there has not been any moment that I regret coming here.  Ever since, I have called "Australia" home.  But Laos is still in my heart and I can say without hesitation that "I am proud to be Lao".
At 15, my life was pure and free of trouble.  In those years, there was no drugs nor cyber bullies.  But I always had inspiration of changing the world.  Being brought up in war torn country like Laos, I always thought that there must be something I could do to stop the war.  Now, I know the world is far more complicated than I thought as a young girl.  But I still maintain - there must be something WE ALL CAN DO TO STOP THE WAR!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Time to reflex

Lovely orchids - blooming every spring for us to enjoy

Snowpeas in a hanging pot - bearing both flowers and peas

Stairs to our backyard

Cosy veranda and peaceful backyard garden

My favourite corner - under the morning sun, readiang and sipping coffee

A home made cuppucino

Time to enjoy coffee - all phones off so I won't be disturbed.  But feel free to leave a message.

Simple things in life can generate peace.

Beautiful cloud - as soft and white as cotton wool

Oh! Something is happening up in the sky


Suddenly the sun shines and the sky lits up!

I can't believe my eyes ... my name is up there.  Mum and Dad are trying to send a message to me.

A long chair at my favourite corner under the early morning sun

Peace, tranquility and reflex ...

A journey of my life ... still long way to go and full of challenges.  I know I can do it because I have a lot of loved ones

Corriander in a glass ... from my backyard

Khamsene is enjoying breakfast (and corriander?)

Crispy bread and fresh corriander from my backyard - a healthy breakfast

No, this is not Japan.  It's still the backyard of my little prairie house.  At night, the lamp lits up romantically.

My busy bee life

In less than two weeks, I have engaged myself in so many activities.  Now I know why I am exhausted.  For example - in a meeting with Lao Oz Foundation.    L to R: Viradeth (Bill) Chitdamrong, Vonevaly (Von) Vongthevanh, Viphavady (Vicky) Rattanavong, Thevarack (Andrew) Ditthavong and Parinya (Parry) Sanixay and myself.
 A visit by Solicitor Sengdeuane Do to our SWR FM99.9 on a Sunday afternoon where I broadcast and produce news in Lao language.
 Co-teach a Sunday Lao class for adults with Bill Chitdamrong.  L to R: Students Gavin, Luke, myself, Bill, Marnie and Manoly.  Very serious students - they all now are on top of all consonants and vowels and manage to read and write simple sentences.  Good on you!
 Attend a festival organised by a Muslim community after the Ramadan (one of month of fasting during the day until sunset) is over at Fairfield showground.
Driving a coach, seriously!  
 Taking the Lao voice over group to Fox Studio to record for different scenes for the new movie "The Rocket" or "ບັ້ງ​ໄຟ"​.  L to R: Pauline, Khamsene, Bounhom, Bounlay, Vicky, Cassandra, Phonlavouth and Somphanh.
The ladies during a recording session.  From L to R:  Cassandra, Bounhom, Pauline, Bounlay and Vicky.
 Listening to a presentation in Lao language by student Gavin.  Well done Gavin!
 Looking after Khamsene who was sick due to Sydney flu.  Everybody got it, so did he.  Poor thing!
 With sister Fongchanh on the day she was handed the key to her new house in Middleton Grange.  A lovely 3 bedroom house in a quiet surrounding, green environment and very friendly neighbours.
 In front of the new house.  A pity they are not going to move in because they already got a house in Bonnyrigg.
Cooking for newphews and nieces.  All the kids can eat spicy paw paw salad now (ຕຳ​ໝາກ​ຮຸ່ງ).  They can also eat khao niou (ເຂົ້າ​ໜຽວ) using their hands.

L to R:  Tina Phoumindr (her Dad Soukanh), Tammy and Dennis Phounsavanh.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

With all my love to Mum and Dad

On one afternoon recently, I went to visit an elder at the Lao Elderly's village at Hasluck Road, Bonnyrigg.  As soon as I parked my car, my eyes were drawn to House No 1 where Mum and Dad used to live for a number of years before they moved to live in my house in Green Valley.  Suddenly, the old memory struck me, there ... they used to wait for the children and grand children to come and visit them and we have never failed doing that.  Every single day, one or more of our siblings would come and bring their small children to visit their grand parents.

Our sister Phonephanh Phoumindr-Phounsavanh, our fifth sibling was the one who fulfilled this task better than anybody else.  She was there nearly everyday for them - she would drive Mum to do shopping and Dad to Doctors' appointments.  At three o'clock, she would pick up her own children and the nephews and nieces from school and brought them to Grandparents' house.  The kids would gather there, run around, have a happiest time among themselves and have yummy snacks that Grandma made for them.  Later, on their parents will come and pick them up. 

I was very busy with work and study so I usually dropped in to see them very late at night after my classes at Uni but Mum and Dad were always up, waiting for me and asked me to have dinner.

I wish ... I simply wish that they were right inside that house so all I had to do was to walk in, knock that very door and say things like "Dad, how did you go with your computer?  Did you manage to use the Lao font I installed for you last week?" or "Mum, where did Tic take you to do shopping what did you buy today?".

I know we all had a very happy and meaningful life being born as their children and we all had a precious time with them while they were here with us.  But ... being greedy just like all other human beings, we never have enough, we still want more of them ... love, care, commitment, passion, knowledge, morals, challenges, share of opinions, fun and the list goes on.  We enjoyed all that from our parents.

The hot tears filled my eyes ... it was in fact a mixed feeling ... sadness because I missed them so much but also happiness because I know they have always been there for us, for me especially.  Suddenly, I felt that they were there ... somewhere nearby ... I could feel their presence, their love, their kindness.  Something prompted me to look up the sky ... the tears dropped down my two cheeks but at the same time a happiest smile painted my face ... there up in the sky I could see my name "Pauline" clearly, which is made off the nicest, softest, and whitest clouds.  Thank you Mum, thank you Dad!  Thank you very much indeed!  I can't appreciate more being born your daughter.

I would like to express my most sincere thanks to uncle Sychanh Chitdamrong who was there for me when I was in one of the most difficult times of my life recently.  I remember he told me:  "Your parents are up therefor you, they are watching you, they are concerned about you and they love you very much".  Thank you ao Sychanh!

I also would like to say "thank you" to Papa Sisamouth and Maman Louise in Montpellier, France who represent the figures of my parents and who are always there ... physically when I visited them in France last year and through Facebook when I am far from them.  Merci Papa et Maman!

Pauline

10/9/12

Recent activities

Top to Bottom:  Pauline (L), ai Boungninh, Ambassador Rangsy Kongsaysy, the singers from Laos and Vicky Rattanavong during the 10th anniversary of Radio Champa in 2011.

Pauline (2nd from L) with the Management Committee of Southern Lao Friendship Society during the Lao New Year celebration at Wat Phra Yortkeo in April 2012.

Pauline (2nd from R) with the Lao Teachers Society during the funeral of our beloved colleague - Ajarn Oudone Souvannarath, in August 2012.

Phoumindr family

The Phoumindr family with Mrs Pany Ya Thor Tou during her official visit to Autralia in August 2012.  L to R:  Phayvanh Phoumindr, Phounsavath Phengkhamkip (brother-in-law), Soukanh Phoumindr, Chansiri Phoumindr (sister-in-law), Fongchanh Phoumindr and Ambassador Phomma Khammanichanh (Ambassador Phomma is the husband of our cousin Madame Khanxay Pholsena).