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).

An interview with the media in Lao PDR

During my attendance to a Conference organised by the Lao Front for National Construction in mid 2011, I gave an interview to the media that I was pleased the Lao Government has open up for the ideas put forward by Lao people living overseas.  It is a good sign!

Welcoming speech to Mrs Pany Ya Thor Tou

This is my speech to welcome Mrs Pany Ya Thor Tou, the President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR during her official visit to Australia from 13/6/2012 to 17/8/2012.  Lao PDR is one of very few countries whose President of the National Assembly is female, especially Asian countries.  I hope to see more Lao women doing top job in the near future.

Beautiful South

 Here I was, enjoying the breath taking beauty of Pha Suam Water Fall

 The Pha Suam Water Fall, in the South of Laos

 Sunset in Savannakhet

 The Sun has eventually gone - but has promised to come back ...

 

No one can understand the feeling of loneliness - until you are left by yourself one day with no-one else but yourself ...

Meeting with Lao overseas in Sydney

During her official visit to Australia, Mrs Pany Ya Thor Tou, President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR paid a special to Lao overseas living in Sydney.  Phayvanh gave a speech at the welcoming function while Mrs Pany took note of important issues.

 Lao Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, thanking the Delegates and the Guests before closing the meeting.

Mrs Pany with her Delegates from the National Assembly and Lao Overseas in Sydney

 Mrs Pany with Lao-Oz Foundation L to R: Pauline Phoumindr (Executive Advisor), Vicky Rattanavong (President), Aaron Luang-Amart (Public Officer, Aust), Parry Sanixay (Vice President) and Andrew Ditthavong (Public Officer, international).

Mrs Pany with our family.  R to L:  Ambassador Phomma (husband of our cousin Mme Khanxay Pholsena), Sister Fongchanh Phoumindr, Sis-in-law Chansiri Phoumindr, Brother Soukanh Phoumindr, Bro-in-law Phounsavath Phengkhamkip and Phayvanh Phoumindr.

Meeting the President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR

 Pauline with Her Excellency, Mrs Pany Ya Thor Tou, President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR during her official visit to Australia in August 2012.

Top:  at Circular Quay and Bottom:  in a Sydney Western suburb

Pauline with Mrs Pany Ya Thor Tou, President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR, and Mr Ja Ge Yang (Member of Lao Front for National Construction in USA).  Photo taken at the IX Conference of LFNC in Vientiane in 2011.

Welcoming Ambassador Phomma Khammanichanh

 Madame Khanxay Pholsena (left) and the dancers who performed on the welcoming dinner. 

The family came from Sydney to attend the welcoming dinner in Canberra.  His Excellency Phomma Khammanichanh (Second from right) and Madame Khanxay (wearing gold).

A family reunion

A family reunion - everybody was there (almost).  Front Row, R to L: His Excellency Mr Phomma Khammanichanh, newly appointed Lao Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Madame Khanxay Pholsena, Tina Phoumindr, Phayvanh Phoumindr, Auntie Phoukham Pholsena, Fongchanh Phoumindr.  Back Row, L to R:   Khamsene Sychampanakhone, Phounsavath Phengkhamkip, Tara Phounsavanh, Tammy Phounsavanh, Phonephanh Phoumindr, Dennis Phounsavanh and Uncle Reungsak Pholsena.  Photo taken in Sydney July 2012.

Phayvanh Phoumindr (Australia) met with the President of Lao PDR, Mr Choummaly Sayasone, in Vientiane, 2011. Also in the photo, from L to R: General Somphone Keomixay, Mr Tong Yer Thor, Mr Pao Vang from France, Mr Ja Ge Yang from USA.

60th Anniversary LFNC

Km 6 conference hall - Phayvanh (3rd from L) @ the 60th Anniversary of the Lao Front National for Construction in Vientiane 2010, with Madame Bouavone Onechanhom (wearing black) and colleagues from France and Australia.

National Assembly of Lao PDR - Phayvanh (2nd from L) with colleagues from Australia (Mrs Vansy Prakoonheang (1st left) and Mrs Ly Pao (2nd from R;) as well as Mrs Phetchanpheng (1st from R) and Mrs Soutmanivong (3rd from L) from France; and Ms Kesone (wearing beige) our host from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR.

New Year @ Lao Embassy 2010

Pauline Phayvanh Phoumindr (wearing yellow - 5th from L) with His Excellency Mr Rangsy Kongsaysy, Lao Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand (wearing black) and Lao students who received AUSAid scholarships and other colleagues @ the Lao Embassy in Canberra during the New Year celebration.

Invite to Forum Party July 2012

You are cordially invited to join the ForLao Party organised by the Forum Lao Australian Organisations in NSW. Pls contact Mr Toulanh Chounlamountry (Fundraising Committee Coordinator) on 0451 657 027, Khamsene Sychampanakhone (Fundraising Committee Member) on 0403 008 456, Ms Vongchanh Chanthavong (President of Lao Aust Service Group Assoc Inc) or the Presidents of all Lao Community Organisations who are the Members of the Forum of Lao Australian Organisations in NSW. Looking forward to seeing you all there. Together we can progress and succeed!

Thank you

I have been busy up-grading and up-dating the websites for other people, so busy I haven't had time to up-date my own.  Will post more photos very soon ... promise!

Hi all

Welcome to my website. Will post new photos soon. Stay tuned.

Butterfly Fish

Tagaytay, Manila

Pauline (Phayvanh) at a resort in Tagaytay (Manila), while being posted to the Philippines as Second Secretary (Senior Migration Officer) at the Australian Embassy in Manila.

Sydney Airport

R-L: Dad, brother Soukanh, Pauline (holding Tina, Soukanh's daughter), Mum, Auntie Phoukham and sister-in-law Chansiri. Photo taken before Pauline's departure to the Philippines for an overseas post at Manila Australian Embassy. One of the last photos taken with my parents.

Grand daugthers

The grand daughters (R-L) Samantha Phoumindr, Evelyn Phengkhamkip, Tara Phounsavanh, Austina Phoumindr and Tammy Phounsavanh, remembering their beloved grandparents on the Commemoration Day. All grandchildren were very close to their grandparents since their birth until Grandpa and Grandma passed away 3 years ago. Photo by Tong 11/10/09

Commemoration Day (Kong Attha) for our parents at Wat Phrayortkeo Dhammayanaram, Sydney, Australia

The Phoumindr family (R-L) Fongchanh, Phayvanh, Ananh, Phonephanh & Soukanh (missing from photo - Dr Niranh who lives in Laos) on the Commemoration Day 11/10/2009 for our late parents, Mr Khamkhong & Mrs Malay Phoumindr. Photo by Khamronh Chaophrasy.

A frangipanni at Wat Phu Champassak - Photo taken by Pauline 2009

On a breezy day at Wat Phu Champassak, I walked along the amazing path leading to the ancient Wat which has been standing tall for thousands of years. I was born in Pakse. My mother was born in Champassak and my father was born in Vientiane, although he told us his ancestors came from the North and he called himself "Lao Puan". My background makes me rich, not in terms of money, but in terms of mind openness and flexibility.
I enjoy just about everything surrounding me, at Wat Phu. Unarguably, Wat Phu is stunning. It is a place of tourism for visitors but for the locals, Wat Phu is their heart and a place of worship.
I have visited Wat Phu many times and have written about it before. But everytime I visited Wat Phu, I was still excited as if it was my first time. One very strange thing I must admit, is that when I walked around Wat Phu, I felt like I walked around my own home. I had a feeling that I knew every room and every space of the grand hall, the small rooms and the huge territory which undoubtedly would have been used for a lot of activities - sports, festivals, religious and important events.
My grandmother and mother used to tell me stories about Wat Phu that were associated with their childhood, their life and their up-bringing in Champassak. This time, none of them was there to tell me any story anymore. Grandma has gone long time ago and Mum has just recently gone to Heaven to be with Dad who went not long before her.
I miss them ... very much! I never thought one day they would be gone! Whenever I think of them, I know that they are there always ... in my heart. Only now that I realise that people don't die ... they are just no longer there physically. But they are real and well alive in your mind and your heart.
Mum, Dad I love you. I know that I am so lucky to be born as your daughter. You have taught me to be RICH ... so rich in imagination, creativity, passion and generosity towards people who are not as lucky as I am. You taught me to give and to share and not to expect anything back but my own inner happiness and self-satisfaction. You also taught me that sharing knowledge is the best of all!
Grandma, you taught me to be a "little bookworm" since I was a little girl, despite the fact that you were totally illiterate. You asked me to read "Vannakhady" books to you because you could not read them yourself - Xiengmieng, Nang Tantai, Sangsinxay etc. You asked me to read the Prayers from Dhamma books for you and you amazingly remembered everything and that made you proud when you said the Prayers at the temple.
My tears have never been dried inside me but I know that they were tears of appreciation and thoughtfulness and not ... unhappiness! Whenever I feel desperate, my parents and my grandma are there to support me. Whenever I am successful, I can feel their pride and I can even visualise their warm smiles.
Thank you with all my heart for your precious advice which has embedded in my mind. I promise you I will never give up ... I will do things I strongly believe in, I will fight against injustice, I will encourage the weaks and I will help the needy. Grandma, I will follow the inspiring footsteps of Buddha as you have always reminded me when you were alive. And most importantly, I will look after myself and will never lose sight.
With all my love to my parents and Grandma.
PP
Sydney, Australia