Bird Thongchai and Sek Loso

When I was a teenager, I would stay up late watching Thai soap operas. My mother would always go rent Thai, Indian, and Chinese movies. Out of all my siblings I was the only one who really got into foreign films as a teenager. The Thai and Chinese movies were long because they were series or soap operas. While other teen girls were out partying, I was at home watching foreign films. I was like an addict! I couldn’t get enough of it. This love of foreign films would extend to music as well which still dominates my life today. Of course the movies were dubbed in Thai so I was able to understand it.

One of the first soap opera I saw starred Bird Thongchai in it. I don’t remember the plot of the soap, but I remember he sang this song, Sukiyaki in it. I totally fell in love with his voice! He has a very romantic and soothing voice. I never get tired of listening to him. The song “Naan Tow Rai Gaw Raw” is one of my favorite love song. The sad violin at the beginning reminds me for some odd reason of a Chinese song. To my understanding, he starts off by asking when is she going to return to him or when is he going to see/meet her again, he is waiting for her to come see him one more time. He says how she should know he loves her. He thinks someone has made her change her heart, made her weak. He says before she left she told him to wait for her and he is still waiting. Pretty much he is still in love with her and is keeping his promise to her that he would wait for her. I think male or female can relate to this song or sing it. This message of lost love is universal. This idea of waiting for someone we love is something we can all relate to… the idea of having our heart broken is definitely something all of us can identify with. I love music for that very reason… it’s power to break down all barriers.

His collaboration with Sek is one of his best because their voices complements each other. I love the majority of their collaboration.

Amazing feat of engineering

One of my interest lies in stories of the weird,  mystifying and the unknown.  A couple of years ago when I first taught World History, ancient Egypt was one of my favorite unit.  I would spend at least two weeks on just the building of the pyramids.  I would tell my students about the “curses of the pyramids”, the pharoahs, the thousands of slaves used to build these great ancient monoliths.  I would show tons of visual that had them ohhhhing and ahhhhing.  They would in turn try to convince me about how aliens help build the pyramids. Some of my students had me almost convinced that some little green men from outer space came down and give this knowledge to the Egyptians.  Of course, I would pretend that I believe this theory just to make them be able to say to me,” I knew it!” The pharaohs had thousands of slaves and years to build the pyramids.  However, Ed Leedskalnin, did not have any help in building the Stone Corral Castle in Florida.  Engineers, scientist and the common public are still asking this question: How could this 98 pound man build this monolith without cranes and lifts?  Did Ed discover the Egyptian secret of building the pyramids? Ed’s castle is truly amazing and shows what one individual can create by himself. I admire his creativity and intellect.  Does anybody have any idea how he could have built this castle by himself?  Do you think the little green men helped him? Thoughts, comments, Reflections

Mental Illness in Southeast Asian Communities

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*** My little sister, Khonsavanh works in the mental health industry.  I asked her to write this article to increase awareness about this issue that may be overlooked by Laotians and everybody in general. If you think you have a mental disorder, do not be afraid to seek help with a professional health care provider. In case some of you are not quite sure what exactly mental illness or disorder means, here’s a good definition/example from answer.com:”Serious mental illness or disorder impairing a person’s capacity to function normally and safely: brainsickness, craziness, dementia, derangement, disturbance, insaneness, insanity, lunacy, madness, psychopathy, unbalance. Psychiatry mania. Psychology aberration, alienation.”

I have worked in the behavioral health field since 1994-both with children, teenagers, and adults. I have worked in Kansas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Washington state inpatient and outpatient. In these 14 years I have only had 3 Asians on my caseload and these were within the last two years-at my previous job here in Phoenix as a Clinical Liaison for adults who were court ordered for treatment. I saw one Vietnamese man in Kansas who was involved in the mental health system but he was not my consumer (client). He was with another agency in another city and we had gone to a picnic in which that agency had invited us. I only saw him for a few hours but I can say that I am not sure that he was mentally ill or if he was placed with them because he did not speak English. Even though my grandfather is  Vietnamese I never learned to speak the language so I was unable to communicate with him.

There are a great deal of diagnoses that could qualify someone to have a serious mental illness (SMI) but the major ones are Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Major Depression. Bipolar disorder is basically severe mood swings; Schizophrenia usually means the person hears voices, and Major Depression basically means you are so depressed you cannot function normally for 2-4 weeks. A person usually has to take medications to help relieve them of their symptoms. This is just a brief explanation-please read more about these diagnoses if you want to know more about them.

A person has to take medications for these diagnoses. The 3 Asians that I had personally worked with were Cambodian, Vietnamese/Caucasian, and Vietnamese. They were all men and their ages ranged from early to late 20’s to early 40’s. They were all court ordered to receive treatment because their behaviors were deemed a danger to themselves and others. Being court ordered meant that they had to see the psychiatrist monthly if they took medications and/or see their case manager monthly who would monitor their progress. The court order would last a year but if the person exhibits a need for a longer period of time-the psychiatrist can extend it. The Cambodian man was also developmentally delayed (low IQ) and was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. What made him interesting was that he could not speak English-but he had a Cambodian interpreter. The half Vietnamese half Caucasian man was diagnosed as having Bipolar-he stayed up for days on end, acting erratic, and had been off his medications. He spoke perfect English. The Vietnamese man had made some statements to his wife and others around him that he wanted to kill himself and others. He spoke limited English. I mention how well they speak English because it does matter in regards to how easy or difficult it is for them to get services and/or how they follow the court order. I found out that at times it does not take a lot to be court ordered and at times it takes a lot more than what someone says they overheard or saw.

I saw these 3 men at the beginning because I had to complete the assessment and their treatment plan. Then the case managers that I supervised took over the actual home visits and follow up. I also did some of these when the case managers could not. It still amazes me that there are not a lot more Asians-especially SE Asians receiving services. I am sure we all know some of the reasons such as: we do not ask for help, the community or family takes care of us or we don’t recognize it as a problem. etc.

In Washington state-there was actually an agency called the Asian Counseling agency. However,I did not work for them. In fact, I did not know they even existed until I was moving. I thought this was great. Los Angeles also has a couple of agencies that cater to Asians with mental illness and New York City has a few too. One of my goals is to work in an agency that specifically works with Asians but there are none here in Phoenix. Just like with anything else. There are pros and cons in me working with just the Asian population.

Mental illness is still something that people hide-especially the Asian community. On the one hand they might like it that they see someone who looks like them but on the other hand they might feel ashamed or apprehensive about working with someone who looks like them. I have a double edged sword to deal with because there are even less SE Asians seeking mental health services. As some of you are aware :the biggest Asian population are Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino. There are even more Cambodians than Laotian or Thai people who seek out these services. Even in the agencies in Los Angeles, Seattle, Tacoma, New York-that target Asians-it is rare that they mean Lao and Thai people. In order for me to get hired in these agencies-there has to be a lot more Lao and Thai consumers than there are now. This is the reason why I work in agencies that work with the mainstream population. So when I do see an Asian consumer (client) both of us look at each other in surprise but it also gives me hope that in the future more of us will not be afraid or ashamed to seek help. I also see a little relief at times that they see someone who looks like them and can understand their culture. I am sure everyone knows that Asian (all kinds) have the same problems as Caucasians, African Americans, and Hispanic population. If any of you see a loved one or someone in your Asian community who needs services-please help them get these service. For further info, go to http://www.nami.org/Hometemplate.cfm or go to http://www.mhasp.org/coping/quiz.html to take a quiz on this issue.

Why are Laotians afraid to get help for mental illness?  Is it shame? Fear?Distrust? Lack of information or education? </blockquote

Happy President’s Day!

One of our most beloved President is George Washington who was born on February 22, 1732. He is known as, “Father of our Country”. According to Christie Matte form About.Com, “ U.S. Presidents Day, officially known as Washington’s Birthday, is a federal holiday in the United States and is celebrated on the third Monday of February. In 2008, Presidents Day falls on February 18.”  This holiday is to honor our first president who became role models for many U.S. presidents who came into power after him.  To show respect for this well loved president federal buildings, banks, and schools are closed.  For some people they do not know why or even care about the man behind the holiday.  For those of you who are interested, here is a repost from the National Archive.com.By George, IT IS Washington’s Birthday! By C. L. Arbelbide The Original “American Idol” Painting by Gilbert Stuart Historic dates, like stepping stones, create a footpath through our heritage. Experienced by one generation and recalled by those to come, it is through these annual recollections that our heritage is honored. In 1879 the Forty-fifth Congress deemed George Washington’s birth date, February 22, a historic date worthy of holiday recognition. Washington was a man of his time: a farmer, a soldier, and an owner of slaves. Named commander-in-chief of the American Continental army, he led the colonies to victory over England, securing independence for an infant nation. His political leadership led to his election as president of the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Once the states ratified the Constitution, he was elected the first President of the United States, completing two terms. Everything about George Washington was entwined with the evolution of a young nation. His name was associated with virtue, honesty, strength, courage, and patriarchal leadership. Schools, bridges, towns, the national capital, and even a state were named in his honor. His likeness graced currency, stamps, sculptures, and paintings. Manufacturers deemed his image as public property. Historian William Ayres has stated that Washington must “surely hold the record for the number of times the image of a historical figure appeared on goods made for the American home.” At six-feet, two and a half inches tall, Washington’s presence enhanced his political stature. Succeeding generations found significant ways to periodically resurrect his memory, including the centennial birthday celebration of 1832 and the laying of the Washington Monument’s cornerstone sixteen years later (1848). Close on the heels of the national centennial celebration of 1876, a patriotic colonial revival followed and, before the end of the century, a centennial observance of his death in 1899. With the 1930s carving of his likeness in stone on Mount Rushmore and the posthumous promotion to the rank of six-star General of the Armies in 1976, the numerous tributes continued to reaffirm George Washington’s place as the original “American Idol.”

A good case for homeschooling

My principal forwarded this video to us.  It is amazing how dedicated some kids are to getting an education.  I posted this video on my student website so that they can see how other kids who are less fortunate than they are value education.  I don’t think my students will be able to argue that they have it hard in our educational system.  These kids in the video are truly inspiring.

In celebration of love

I have to admit a deep dark secret (no I’m not a man:)! I am obsessed with  the Medieval time!  Something about that time period calls to me.  Maybe in another life time I was a princess living in those beautiful castle waiting for her Knight in shining armor to come galloping through the gate, galantly jumping off the horse coming to rest on bended knee…. professing his undying love and devotion…Okay, I’m being dramatic and delusional! Men are not THAT chivalrous or romantic anymore!  At least not like in this movie Tristan and Isolde.  I guess I am a glutton for punishment because even though I knew how the movie was going to end, I still watched it! If you haven’t seen this movie then it is worth your time.

On a serious note, I really do love the Medieval time because of the knights, the code of chivalry and adventure.  Even though I am not a violent person, I love the stories of courageous knights fighting in tournaments and battles to protect their lords or kings.  If I could go back in time I would pick this time period, but of course I would have to take some meds with me like aspirin, flu medicine, antiobiotics and pain killers just in case I get unlucky and get sick.

Happy Valentines Day!

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday’s Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with a passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, — I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! — and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. SONNET 116 Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O no! it is an ever-fixed mark That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken. Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle’s compass come: Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved. To celebrate Valentines day I thought I would post two poems by two of my favorite poet: Elizabeth Browning and William Shakespeare.  Both poems are well known and loved.  Even though I love both poems, I must admit Shakespeare’s sonnet is deeper which is surprising because it is from a viewpoint of a man. Maybe Shakespeare was a woman since he is so sensitive, descriptive, and emotional when it comes to describing love!:)

Changing the world by shifting your paradigm

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More people need to be actively involve in changing our world politically, socially, and environmentally.  As we began 2008 we all should focus on improving it in a positive way instead of fixating on what is wrong with it.  The biggest problem is… we concentrate entirely too much on the obstacles instead of working together to overcome what appears to be insurmountable. We can all change the world by shifting our paradigm. The way we see the world can influence us to either make a radical change or be content with the way it is. The bottom line is we are in it together.  If we want change then we have to be willing to give up our time to bring about this metamorphosis.  Our ideas, thoughts and actions  can be the catalyst needed to motivate each other to make that remarkable improvement in our community, country and world. The most important word to remember is activism! Become involve or part of this necessary movement for change .  Do your part by sharing your ideas and then roll up your sleeves to bring those ideas to life.In late January, leaders from all over the world will meet in Davos, Switzerland to discuss events, ideas, and problems affecting our world. Contribute to this international discussion and conference by sharing your revolutionary ideas for improving the world by uploading your videos of how we all could change the world. You never know, you could be the one who has the key to solving political unrest, environmental concerns, and social degradation.How can we make a better place in which to live? What will your contribution be?