Toastmaster Leadership and Communication Expo 2017

Have you ever felt inspired after attending a conference? 

Let me share with you a little bit about the today’s Toastmaster Leadership and Communication Expo (LACE) that got me inspired and kept me up all night!

What I enjoyed about LACE is that not only did it provided great speakers, but the amazing energy that I received from other participants there. Everyone I met were so positive and friendly.  I mean they are Toasties!  This means they are people from Toastmasters.  I created my own word, "Toastie" because everyone from my club is so warm and friendly.  We are as close as toasts in the oven together.  

Most people I chatted with had some kind of service that they want to offer to the world.  And as for me?  I thought it would be a great opportunity to hone my leadership and communication skills.  Little did I know, I gained much more!

My take-ways are learning about the Five Ways to Get Paid written by Christopher Duncan and the live improv show by National Comedy Theatre.  Chris provided eight ways to create your show and get paid for it! Some of these strategies include: to entertain, teach, interview, research, using social media, and also use case studies.  He explains that these strategies, and more, will provide you audience members. You need an audience to start your show.  You might be asking yourself, “Is building an audience the key to getting paid?” Chris says, “Definitely.” Now, go and create your own show!

Another workshop I enjoyed about LACE, learning the cheapest way to get your book published.  I learned that this is through an e-book! 

Additionally, a key phrase I kept hearing throughout the day is “Take Action!” For instance, I was so inspired after this talk that I upgraded my yoga business though research and marketing.  You can do the same!

I also discovered that I love live improv shows!  The National Comedy Theatre segment at the end of LACE was entertaining.  I found myself laughing my heart and eyes out! 

However, LACE had a few minor downsides.  For instance, one downside was that I was able to find two things that I was disappointed to hear about and I hope that LACE San Diego will improve on not encouraging their speakers and instructors to sell their business.  From the speakers to the instructors for the workshops, they were either selling their products or want you to sign up for their workshops.  The second downside, I would say, is LACE did not provide enough food for their participants.  I am not sure how many people did not end up getting their lunch, but I had a conversation with one of them and gave him my granola bar.  He was disappointed and hungry.  Poor guy. For the future, LACE needs to order more food than they expect so this won't happen again.  

Overall, I really enjoyed LACE and I thought they did a great job by providing a variety of leadership and communication activities.  I was so pumped that I ended up writing about it later!  I haven't written an entry for months! 

Meanwhile, here is some information for those who are interested in attending future Leadership and Communication Expos.  I hope you enjoy these pictures!

The Leader within Me

It only takes one person to make a positive impact on a child.  My seventh grade teacher saw something in me that forever changed my life.  Excited to learn English, I found myself looking up every words in the dictionary, but avoiding math.  Learning math was like forcing a child to eat their vegetables at an ice cream store.  As my eagerness to learn English grew, I came to find that math still was not my favorite subject in middle school.  I stayed after school for many hours until I learned basic Algebra.  Another challenge that I came to accept as a newly arrived refugee in America was that I now needed to fit in to the social norm.  After my first and last fight at school, my math teacher, Mrs. Kelli, encouraged me to join a student-led organization calls ASB.  I remember this experience being a punishment for me.  I had to plan dances and organize events.  As time went by, I learned to enjoy the experience.  The skills and friends I made kept me out of trouble and kept me from my personal worries.  Little bit I know, that was just the beginning of my leadership journey.  I soon found myself going from being a high school representative to representing my college’s Student Union Association and later holding leadership positions in my career.  These experiences allowed me to gain leadership skills while helping others along the way.  Time and time again, I found myself back in taking on more leadership opportunities and roles.  I am happy to have recently accepted my true calling of being a leader. 

I am imperfection…

I am imperfection...

That was how I thought of myself for many years.  I might not be perfect in English, and I’m not a model. Despite my height and English not being my native tongue, I was taught that I had to be a certain person in order to be accepted.  I found myself craving to be something that was not my true self.

For most of my life, I was taught to improve my weaknesses.  Then recently, a wise person told me to dig deep, focus on my inner self, and mediate on it.  After I took that advice, I discovered a new practice and it has informed my every thoughts and actions.  So instead of focusing on what is wrong with me and/or why I am not perfect in English or taller, I decided to explore a new way of thinking, which was to focus on my strengths. 

Soon, I realized that I could start conservations with strangers and feel connected with them.  On one occasion, I even became best friends with a complete stranger by the end of our flight.  (I wonder what this strength would be…Networking perhaps?) 

I also examined my habit of maintaining three different to-do-lists and my ability to remain focused by getting ‘in the zone’, especially when I am planning activities and goals for the day, week, and month in my Passion Planner, yes, that includes weekends.  (This sounds like, according to the Strengthfinder 2.0.)

Also, when there is an uncontrollable life event, like a funeral, I would maintain my composure, and be the one to take charge and plan it even though it is emotionally challenging.  (Resilience, it is!)

I  can now easily identify the strengths within me.  One might say these strengths evolve from life situations and experiences, while others believe they exist at birth, and that one was born with these talents.  

Don’t get me wrong; I’m still going to put my energy into development.  However, for years I neglected my talents.  Now, I am nurturing my strengths and talents by choosing to embrace them! I challenge you to do the same!  Afterward, I guarantee you will feel as I do:

I am enough.

Foodie; Who Me?

I always try to learn something new everyday; whether it is about myself or it is something about the world that I currently live in.  Today, I learned something new about myself.

As I overlooked the beautiful Pacific Ocean from Mexico, my mother-in-law told me that I’m a “Foodie” kind of person.  When I asked what does that word mean, she told me that she enjoys eating food and curious of their taste.  According to my mother-in-law, “Foodie” means that I am passion about food and curious of them.  Before I took it as a compliment and to make sure that it describes me towards food, I Googled it.  Google states, “a person with a particular interest in food.” Well, I guess my mother-in-law is right!  I’ll add “Foodie” on to my list of self-discovery about myself.  

I am curious about food and not only I enjoy the taste of it, I also love the smell of it.

I have to admit, most of the pictures that I took, either on trips or just for fun are food…

Acceptance of Oneself…

Once you learn to accept who you are and love the person that you are, you will no longer suffer because you won’t let other hurt you through the feeling of rejection.  Remember, you are not the victim here because you are responsible for your life through making choices (good or bad) everyday.  You accept who you are and in the end, that is all you need.  The one person that loves you and accepts you just the way that you are…

You are the only person that has the power and control of how your life looks like and turns out to be today.  So, take the time to tell yourself that you are sorry and forgive yourself for any mistakes you had in the past, and move forward.  Tell yourself to not worry about the future because it is not here yet, and there is no need to worry yourself for no reason and stress yourself out.  Of course, tell yourself to enjoy this moment because you have choices of how today would look like.  You made the choice to be on Facebook or when to wake up… Why not make the choices to help towards your future and accomplish your dreams by living in the now?

Airbnb; is the way to go, anywhere!

When I was a Peace Corps volunteer, I always enjoyed the aspect of living with a host family.  I lived with a single Costa Rican woman in a remote village.  I found my experience was very rich because everyday we would talk about the simplest things in life such as the weather, nature, people, and culture.  I wouldn't get the local experience, if I didn't live with a host family.  This was a great way to emerge into a culture.  Few years later, who knew that this concept became wide spread virus as they calls it, Airbnb! 

When my husband and I travel, we would either camp out along the coast or stay with friends and family.  We are not the hotel kind of people, not yet.  I think one, because we enjoy spending time with our friends and family when we travel, and two, we enjoy the local experience.  However, as we get older and our friends and family got bigger, we thought it would be nice to maybe give them some space when we visit… 

Although I enjoy staying at a hotel, don't get me wrong, I sometime find it a bit pricey, especially for someone that is on a budget such as myself.  As we were planning our trip to San Francisco few months ago, we noticed the prices for lodging were expensive! Meanwhile, my husband loves to research about stuff before he makes decision.  So he did some research and found Airbnb from an article! We signed up, became a member, and booked our first Airbnb trip!

I got to say, even though it was a bit pricy in San Francisco; it was a bit cheaper than any hotel in the area! We found a very cute, simple, and small room. It was interesting that someone would rent out their space to a stranger that they don't even know and/or have met! The person that we rented from gave us great instructions on how to access the key, and left us a list of places to go to eat out. Overall, it was a great experience, and we were hook since then! 

This is taken from Airbnb's Website

Recently, we used Airbnb again!  This time was in Los Angeles, CA! We stayed in Boyle Heights area to get the local experience of the city. The person we stayed with had a private room that she rents out of her house.  She was so sweet and provided us some dinner, which was BBQ and breakfast! She also gave us information regarding the neighborhood's history and culture.  Right then, I felt as though I was back in Costa Rica with my Tica’s host mother sharing her story and experience with me. 

Hands down, Airbnb has been treating us well and we have been very fortunate to gain rich experiences with the places we stayed and the people we have met along the way. It is true Airbnb motto said, "Be anywhere and welcoming people into your home."  We are excited and look forward to traveling via Airbnb again.  

Turn Off the T.V. and Put on Your Shoes!

It is easy to take your shoes off, change your clothes to pajamas, and turn on the T.V., especially after a 9-hour workday! Once you sit on your couch with some snacks, you are done for the evening! There goes the idea of going for a nice evening walk or jog.  

I find it challenging to start a new routine, especially the kind that requires effort.  I realized, as I get older, I find myself welcoming laziness in my life.  I find myself enjoying a nice evening movie or catching up with my favorite shows.  Next thing I know, it is 10:00pm and I’m heading to bed.  Then, the next day it starts all over again.

I had set a goal to start jogging again.  Although I have not been successful at sticking with my goal, I need to be patient with myself. So far, I have been jogging once a week for three weeks.  This is a great start, especially I went from not jogging at all for the last six months!  

Today, instead of going straight to my comfortable couch and watching my favorite show, I put on my shoes and walked out of the door.  The entire time, my thoughts were debating against each other.  My chatterbox of excuses such as "OMG! My belly is jumping up and down! How embarrassing. I should go back home."  Then, there was the motivation side of me telling, "Imagine how you would feel like after you have a nice jog…  You'll be proud of yourself. Don't forget to tell yourself that you're awesome when you are finish!"  This constant debate chattered in my mind as I jogged passed the sidewalks, stoplights, shopping centers, cars, and people.  Then, 30 minutes later, I made it back home and I told myself, "I am awesome!" 

Today was a good day.  I just told myself to get my shoes and go for a jog.  I tried this yesterday, and I ended up watching a romantic comedy movie instead.  So the lesson here is that, you lose some and you win some.  Most importantly is that our mind is very strong.  If we challenge ourselves and allow ourselves to make mistakes and accept that is going to take few tries, we will be more acceptable to putting effort into things that are good for our body and mind.

Women's World Cup 2015: USA Champions!!!

Wow! Congrats to the U.S. Women's Soccer Team for their win today! I am so proud of them for playing beautifully together and great team effort! They took the final against Japan (5-2 goals).  You go girls! USA! USA! USA!

Celebrating America: the Land of Freedom...

When I was a little girl growing up in a refugee camp, I had a conversation with my father about America...

Dad said, "I am very happy. We are going to America!"

I asked with curiosity, "What is America?" 

Dad responded with a huge smile as he pointed to the stars,"America is the land of freedom and we are leaving tomorrow..."

Few months ago, my father took the hardest exam of his life. He passed the U.S. citizen test. Now, he is a proud American too! 

At eight years old, I heard about America. When I landed in this country, I felt in love with it! This is the country I choose to call home and I am very proud to have served our country. Gosh, I love this country. 

Happy birthday America! May you all have an amazing celebration and be safe! Cheers!

Love Wins! Marriage Equality for Everyone!

Yesterday I woke up and found out that the Supreme Court ruled on a 5-to-4 vote that the Constitution guarantees the right to same-sex marriage.  Yesterday marked a historical moment in America! There were rainbow flags on Facebook, the Whitehouse, and Google; just to name a few! I feel so fortunate to experience a moment where marriage between two beautiful souls is no longer based on gender.  

June is the month to celebrate LGBT community across the country.   I have been listening to speakers and stories, and watching videos on the milestone that the LGBT community has overcome.  Yesterday, Friday, June 26, 2015 was the biggest accomplishment for the LGBT community and friends; not only legally practice their marriage rights, but also experience the joy of being married. 


Congrats to the LGTB community and America!! 

Articles to read relating to the historical moment!

Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide

The six openly gay U.S. ambassadors were together in one room

In Search of Self-Confidence

How to get your self-confidence back? 

There are times in life where we experience a lack of confidence in oneself.  Then again, there are times where we experience self-love and have confidence.  It really depends on what is going on in one's life.

In the last few years, I had nominated myself for promotion opportunities and tried out for  yoga instructor auditions and U.S. Diplomat interviews.  However, I found myself walking away empty-handed.  Every time, I kept applying and trying out for these opportunities, I lost self-esteem.  I was at a point where I let these external factors impact my self-confidence.  Then I realized that these experiences are not a failure.  Something needed to change.  I decided to take positive action in my life and began looking at other options...

I started learning how to regain back my self-confidence.  I started watching some of TedTalks on confidence and self-love to motivate me.  Here is a favorite...

Amy Cuddy TedTalks: WOW! This woman is amazing! I feel that I can relate to her experiences and negative self-talk.  If she can do it...then, I'm going to try some these Power Poses! :)


"Fake it 'til you become it"

Japan won the Women World Cup 2011!

Yesterday was a very specially day for Japan. Now there is hope for the country, especially the women soccer team took home the championship goal!

I secretly, was cheering for Japan team because of what their country have been through lately with earthquake. This marked a history for Asia ,especially women! Go Japan!

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/sports/Japan-Wins-Womens-World-Cup--125719818.html

Soccer Changed my Life! World Cup 2014!

I remember like it was yesterday…

One of my friends’ dad asked if I wanted to play soccer. With limited English, I said, “Yes, no money.”
He said, “How about if I give you shin guards, cleats and a soccer ball. Would you play then?”
With excitement I said, “Yes!” Thank you, Joe!

I was 11 years old when I fell in love with soccer! It was my way of coping with life and way of life. I became really good at soccer. I made the travel team and played in college. Soccer taught me teamwork, self-esteem, discipline and many more life skills. I love it so much that I decided to share with the world and give back.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I started the first girls and boys soccer team in my host village with a focus on girls’ rights. Our first game brought the community together. Little I known, years later it became a soccer league in the area!

I am grateful for all of the coaches that made an impacted in my life and the soccer moms who had made it possible where I could be a part of the team despite the fact that I didn’t have money. Soccer changed my world. Life is beautiful. Pass it on…

Remembering the Refugee Officer; World Refugee Day

Before my 8th birthday, I had lived in more than 8 refugee camps…

I remember like it was yesterday. I was playing with rocks as if they were Barbie. A Refugee Officer was interviewing my parents. Few months later, we received the amazing new that the officer had granted us an opportunity to start our new lives in America! I was 8 years old when we arrived in the U.S. I didn’t know how to read or write. My life had changed.

“Refugees survive terrible ordeals: torture, upheaval, perilous journeys, and the loss of everything and everyone they knew. They flee violent conflict. They are persecuted because of their race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, social group or political beliefs.”

Today is World Refugee Day; the world honors the courage and resilience of refugees as well as the dedication and generosity of those who help them. Happy#WorldRefugeeDay.

I am blessed to have lived and experienced through my 20s!

I am blessed to have lived and experienced through my 20s! If I die tomorrow, I can say, “The decade was amazing!” I lived it to the fullest! I cried often. I laughed so much. I loved it like there was no tomorrow! I experienced pain and sorrow. I fell in love in various forms, ways and people. I found love: my soulmate and bestfriend! I experienced the joy and self love from giving back not only in the local communities but also globally. I ate delicious food from various countries and I got sick too! Hahah! I walked on land that most people have not been to. I learned to swim in many different oceans, seas, lakes and rivers! I accomplished many goals that I told myself to do back in my freshmen year. I fell down hard couples of times, yet I got back up again. I saw the world from 3 different angles. I found peace in yoga. I met incredible people who inspired me and are still in my life.  They taught me what I supposed to learn at that moment and believed in me. I challenged myself, explored and discovered my identity and roots! Basically, I have grown so much these years; mentally, emotionally and spiritually! Cheers to the 30s! Hugs in love and Namaste to everyone on earth! :)

First Yoga Audition, First Rejection... But NOT the Last!

Yesterday morning, I found out that I didn’t get the internship I auditioned for yoga two weeks ago at the CorePower Yoga studios. It hurts because no one likes to be rejected or turned down, especially if you worked so hard towards it. Over a year ago, I didn’t get what appeared then to be my dream job and that one I worked my whole Master’s degree towards, actually my whole life! I was shocked, depressed for few weeks and my confident was nowhere to be found and low self-esteem was my best friend! I felt my world was turned upside down! From that experience, I learned that it was not a failure or that I was not good enough. I found out that something else was a better fit for me at that moment. I was meant to do something else.

I took Yoga Teacher Training 9 months ago and through that process, I slowly gain back my confident, self respect and self love! Beyond my imagination, I learned that I enjoy and love teaching yoga a lot! In other words, I didn’t lose anything from this experience; if anything, I gain new knowledge, and perspective in life, friendships, growth, and most importantly the love and respect for myself! Thank you to all of my yogis’ colleagues, teachers, coaches and managers at the CorePower Yoga for being a part of my yoga’s journey and growth thus far. I am grateful for your feedbacks, advices and honesty. Best of luck to all of my yogis friends in all that you do. Much love and hugs! Namaste! :)

I am not supposed to be here…

I am not supposed to be here…

Since the day I was born in the middle of the jungle in between conflict war zone, I was told that I am not supposed to be here. Statistic has proven that if you were in the foster youth system and depended on the welfare program, growing up, that you are not supposed to be here. You are not even supposed to graduate from high school!

The day I came to America, I was already behind. At 8 years old, I didn’t know a word of English nor my parents. I had never experience any kind of formal education system. I learned the first system in America, which was “sink or swim.”

I was told in high school that I shouldn’t go to college, especially a UC system because of my limited in English. Instead, I took that full-ride to UC Santa Cruz and graduated with honor! That person might have been right, but taken three extra English classes and worked two jobs my freshmen year in college, allowed me to catch up with my fellow colleagues and was able to treat myself to Thai food once in awhile. In other words, don’t let anyone tell you that you are not worth it or that you can’t do something that you set your heart towards. Always know that anything is possible. It just matters of time, luck, and the right people who believe in you and will help you through your journey to get there.

The day of my graduation was the first time my parents had step foot on a college campus and visited me! I remembered mom and dad were so proud! It was like their dreams had come true too! Their eldest daughter graduated from college! Mom never had education and dad didn’t even finish high school because of the Vietnam War. I would say it was one of the biggest proud moments in my 20s!

I am Beautiful!

This morning for the very first time, I looked in the mirror and told myself that I am beautiful!

Mom said,” My daughter, I am sorry that I wasn’t there for you when you had your chickenpox. I was giving birth to your brother. You kept itching your face. There was no one there to stop you. Now, you have scars from it. You are dark like me. In my culture, this is considered ugly. You have the dark skin and scars on your face. Oh my poor daughter. That is ok my daughter. Sometimes, beautiful people have such ugly soul and personality. You have a beautiful soul…your dad and I don’t have much to give to you and your younger siblings. But we have a lot of love for you kids. Now that we are in America, I need you to not forget what we have taught you about ours values, cultures, traditions, and ours morals and don’t forget where you came from…  I need you to respect the elder, to have compassion for the poor, the disable, women and children and even the rich people too. I need you to give back when is possible, I need you to be strong for our family because after your father and I, you are next in line to take care the family. Your father and I don’t speak English. I need you to be the brave one to help us with our new lives here. Your father and I got us here. It is up to you kids. Always appreciate anything that is given to you and anyone in your life. Most importantly, I want you to value education. I never had the opportunity to go to school. I don’t even know how to help you with this. I know you will find a way to do so. You are in America now. Where the opportunity for education is for everyone! So take advantage of that, ok?

When you are kind to people, they will remember you. When you are generous, they will remember you. When you think of other, they will remember you.

Beautiful soul, beautiful mind, and beautiful heart that who you are; people will remember you. Ugly in the inside, people don’t want to be around you. They might be at first but in the end, you will be alone. If you do these things that I have taught you and will continue to guide you, you will continue to have a beautiful soul, mind and heart.

I get it now mom. Thank you!

A Celebration of Chanthan Life...

“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” Buddha

Our beloved mother passed away last Saturday morning…

We hope you could join us this Saturday to remember our caring and loving mother, a wife & a friend:

A Celebration of Chanthan Life

Saturday, April 13, 2013

10:00AM: Buddhist Monks Service

12:30 PM: Parade Around the Lake

1:30PM: Buddhist Chatting/Blessing
601 Crane Street, Suite D, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

With Love and Gratitude

Aftermath of Death: The Day Of...Comes Grief.

Dear mom, I miss you already. Even though I am sad, I know you are at PEACE and in a better place now. No more suffering and/or pain. I know you believe in reincarnation. In your new life, may your spirit be rebirth with excellent health, long life, joy, love, happiness, and no suffering. You will always be missed and loved. I know your spirit will always be with us. Matter of fact, I did yoga outside this morning, and I felt your presence there with me…I love you, mom. Your eldest daughter Rest In Peace Mom.