Sao Lao

As a kid in Laos, wearing Lao traditional skirts or sinh was a second nature to me. I went to school in white blouse and blue sinh, just like any other girls. Things changed when we came to the US. While we didn’t have a dress code at school, I didn’t quite feel comfortable wearing skirts or dresses until my junior year of college. However, whenever I put on my Lao skirt for a social event, I feel like that little graceful girl in Laos. I also get smiles and comments from older Laotians. They make such a big deal out of seeing my youngest sister and I wearing sinh, as if they don’t expect such an attire from the young and modern Lao women.

While visiting home over the summer I asked a relative to make four Lao skirts for me, two in modern style and two in traditional cut. At first I only wanted one made into a western style skirt, using a sinh sent to me by my deceased grandmother ten years ago.

But after going through my mother’s closet I found three more patterns that are simple and yet elegant. I decided to turn one into a western style skirt and the other two a traditional Lao style skirt. My two cousins (recently from Laos) told me I should have cut them shorter and that I am way behind when it comes to sinh style in Laos. They said the trend today is to wear them like a mini skirt, way above the knees. My cousins told me how all their friends are wearing short sinh and if I go to Laos wearing my sinh, I will not be in style!

Another Lao skirt in western style, at ankle lenght.

A blue Lao traditional skirt.

Lao traditional skirt with matching pha bieng (shoulder sash).

I told my cousins that I am too old to be wearing mini sinh and was not much of a mini skirt kind of person to begin with as a teenager. We all had a good laugh when they said that I am old fashion, something they didn’t expect since I have been living in the west for quite some time.

It was two years and one month ago that Laomusic.Nu was launched as an extension of Laoplanet.net. Its slogan speaks for itself: Laomusic.nu - Nucleus of Lao Music. From day one I wanted a site to promote Lao music and Lao musicians from all over the world.

We currently have 46 artists in our Artist Directory, 274 Lao Music Video, and not to mention 344 Asian Music Video. We also have a growing list of music pods: Hip Hop and RnB, Morlam and Lookthung, Pop and Rock, and Golden Oldies.

Many thanks to all our supporters out there, especially the Lao musicians who are making waves for Lao Music. We are proud of you.

The second day of Yong’s visit we went to China Town for lunch after doing some shopping at Magna Plaza Shopping Center. We spent the afternoon at the Museum District. The last evening was spent the Dam Square area. It is a pity that Yong and her family was able to stay here only for two nights. It would take an entire week just to cover Amsterdam city.

Christmas Tree at the Magna Plaza Center

Buddhist Fo Guang Shan “He Hwa” Temple.

Our lunch. Various soups.

Bami Tripe and other parts that I don’t know.

Bami Duck Soup with some other parts.

My bowl of Meat Balls soup.

Please visit Lao Planet’s Gallery for more photos.

Last Thursday and Friday a member of Laoplanet.net and friend Yong came to Amsterdam with her family. I was the unofficial tour guide. On the first day we went to the Dam Square, Bijenkorf Mall, China Town, and the outside skirt of Red Light District (we walked briskly by). Our first meal together was interesting to say the least. I was introduced to duck’s feet and beef tripe as part of Dim Sum menu.

I was waiting for Yong’s train (Thalys) from Paris to arrived.

The Dam Square with the National Monument and De Bijenkorf Shopping Center.

Beef Tripe Dim Sum

Duck’s Feet Dim Sum

The first street or the last street of the Red Light District.

Please visit Laoplanet’s Gallery for more pictures of Yong in Amsterdam.

A couple of weeks ago I bought myself a new scale. I wanted one that will tell me my body fat percentage and all other health indicators. This way I can keep checking on my progress of losing a few pounds. This particular scale doesn’t tell the water percentage like the one we have back home but it will do for now.

Luckily I lost 2 kg when I was in Spain in August. Then after a month and a half in the US, I lost another 3 kg. However, after being back in the Netherlands I put back one kilo. The good news is that a couple of days ago, that one kilo is gone.

I want to lose another kilo before the end of the year but December is not a good month to lose weight, more like a month to gain a few pounds with birthday parties and Christmas parties I will be attending.

The battle goes on.

The first time I saw an Eco Toilet was in the summer of 2003, in Amsterdam of all places. There were a few of these stand-alone toilets for men at de Waag (located on the edge of Amsterdam’s main red light area). I didn’t know what they were so I took a pic. Well one person was using it, lol. Good thing I was far away from him. My question is why can’t people go inside to use the toilet there? The answer could be then they have to pay 30 to 50 euro cents fee.

Eco Toilet

It’s not like you have to try hard to not notice an Eco Toilet standing in the open area. Normally you will run into these portable toilets for light use (relief) during the summer, when there are a great deal of people outside. I have been looking for one of these during the winter months so I can take a picture, just to prove to my friends that they do exist.

Well, I found one last weekend, where else but outside of Sub Way place in Rotterdam. So there I was eating my lunch and tried to not look through the clear glass window to avoid seeing a man or a group of men using this fast and go service. What I find disturbing is the fact there is nothing you can use to clean your hand(s) afterward. Eww…gross…

I thought about getting a pet so I can have a cute little friend but changed my mind. I used to babysit a cat while the owners are on vacation. Her name is Mickey and was given to this couple by a friend that moved to another country and couldn’t take the cat with her. I always wanted to have a dog in the US but my parents wouldn’t let me. They said it was too much troubles. They said dog training is not easy and it costs too much money to feed one.

In Laos, I’ve had so many pets, including geese because they make good watch dogs. All my dogs were good and never went inside the house, except for one little bad boy.

When I have a family I will get a pet, either a dog or a cat. Having a cat is lot less work. But having a dog is good in a way that it will keep me fit with having to walk him/her everyday.