Woke up to beautiful red wood trees!

Woke up to beautiful red wood trees! But had the worst Thai food ever in Crescent City! The road trip continues up North!

My husband and I stopped in Crescent City area to camp. The camp site was amazingly beautiful! We were surrounded by rivers and red wood trees! The ranger kept the bathrooms nice and clean! I had a nice warm shower last night but a cold one this morning because the heater is broken! They are fixing it at this moment...

We took a detour to Smith river with nice trail to hike. It was so refreshing with clean air! We stopped in Crescent City for lunch. I was surprised with so many Thai restaurants to choose from! Unfortunately, we ended up eating at the worst Thai food that I ever had! Their peanut sauce was full of salt! The BBQ chicken was not even BBQ! It was not cook but taste like microwave heated chicken! I learned my lesson!

We are continuing up North along the 101 highway....Stay tune!

Russian River; The Northern California Getaways!

My cell phone has no service, on most mornings it is overcast, and there is no Internet service. Besides the downside of a rural remote small town atmosphere, there are a lot to do at the Russian River! I have been staying at the Russian River since Monday. So far, I learned to river kayaking by myself, practiced yoga in an outdoor surrounding nature and took a lovely beach hike to visit the seals! I did all of these activities with just less than two days!

Since the place I am staying is not too far from the ocean but it is on the river, sometimes the fog hides the beauty of the area. However, once the fog slowly disappears, I enjoy looking at the cows across the river and appreciate the beautiful green trees and colorful flowers that this place has to offer! There are not too many options when its come to places to eat. I had clam chowder bowl at a small cafe along the ocean with an amazing view! The chowder was a bit watery but it was good! On a side note, I miss sf's chowder because it was thick and delicious!

So far, what I like about this place is that I can kayak on a calm water and peaceful environment! Once in awhile I get to see birds, seals and cows! Yesterday there was a friendly seal that was following us. It would pop up on the river surface every now and then. It would look at you in the eyes and then go back under the water! It was so cute. I felt we had our own entertainment on outdoor water! Other than that, I almost fell in the river while getting out of the kayak after parking it! I found out that I love river kayaking because it works my stomach and arms! I also love the Russian River so far!


P.S. I am off to Bodega Bay to have some delicious seafood for lunch! :)

Giant "Pho Bowl" in San Francisco!

When I am on an adventure and travel to a new place, I enjoy trying out new things. I guess you can say I'm still curious about life! Today, I tried the "Pho Challenge" in SF and the soup bowl was the size of me! :) I could of have taken a quick dip in it! Instead, I share it with three other wonderful Khmer friends. Is like sex & city except pho-licious and good Khmer girls companies! Yummy and fun time in the big city!

Today highlight: I am bless with great friends; no matter where I am & there I am...:) Their kindness, generosity & hospitality are beyond words can describe...

West Coast Road Trip Summer 2011

As I am done packing (camping items, food, clothes & books on cd) in my compact car, I am looking forward to my first West Coast Road Trip! I will be starting in San Diego and hope to end up in Portland. Planning to take the 101 freeways and the 1 highway along the California coast...From the big city to small town stops, I'm ready to camp out and stay on friends' couches. Let the adventure begin! Hello road trip!

Edens Edge -Taste of Arkansas’s Country in Sunny San Diego, CA

What is a better way to spend your lunch than with three lovely young talented Arkansas native country band singers? The KSON 97.3 radio station sometimes introduces new singers/bands to the city of San Diego. This past Thursday, they had the great honor of meeting and introducing Edens Edge to their listeners. Through their kindheartedness, the band performed live at the House of Blues (HOB) in downtown San Diego, CA for listeners and fans from all ages.


Edens Edge came a long way from small town Arkansas to perform in San Diego, one of the world's paradises. The American country band is composed of Hannah Blaylock (lead vocals), Cherrill Green (harmony vocals, mandolin, banjo, and guitar) and Dean Berner (harmony vocals, guitar, and dobro). Through their personal gift, they create a unique sound as well as their compelling vocal blend. People in the audience fell in love with their charms, lovely southern style, and beautiful voices! They also recruited new fans that didn't like country music before until they saw them perform live at the HOB!

Their first single, "Amen," was released in April. The song is catchy, cute, and profound especially with Hannah's clear strong voice! Hannah co-wrote the song from her small town experience and said, "We all grew up in small towns and in Arkansas there is a church on every corner. Amen is a fresh depiction of a small town love story." They sure did show a thing or two to the city fans about love and small towns in their songs. Edens Edge signed a record with the Big Machine last year. This summer and fall they are on the road with some of America's greatest country singers and bands including, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, and The Band Perry! Check out Edens Edge band website to see if they are going to hit your town or city this summer/fall!

Read More....

Interview with the Director and Co-founder of Self-Advocacy for Growth and Empowerment (S.A.G.E): From a Passionate Idea to a Successful Business

“My mission is to empower individuals regardless of their disabilities, race, gender, religion, etc. to strive for a better quality of life. Everyone deserves a chance at greatness. Given my family’s history and the adversities that we had overcome, I was able to accomplish many feats. Without assistance from others and having positive role models and amazing mentors, I would not be where I am today.”

The eldest of six children, Kwin Khieng was the first person in her family to attend and graduate from college. She studied at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and majored in Biology. Growing up as a Khmer American in a small town (Lake Elsinore) was confusing for Kwin. “Our parents barely spoke of the past and/or our country’s history, so relating to peers or other Khmer Americans was somewhat difficult. If my mom ever spoke about Cambodia, she only told stories of being in the refugee camp and how we fled to America. But she barely told us why and what exactly happened.”


In high school, like most Cambodian child refugees growing up in America, Kwin was in search of her identity and craved to belong to the dominant American culture. She shares, “I wanted so badly to be accepted by my American counterparts that I did not care to speak of my Khmer culture or where I came from.” She felt isolated and alone because it was rare to find Khmer friends that cared about schoolwork and had the desire to make a difference in the community. Kwin stayed focused on her academic studies and was involved in other extra-curricular activities such as Associate Student Body and Advance Placement classes. Due to her interests and passions, she found herself surrounded by non-Asian Americans.

Like most college students, Kwin discovered herself and her true calling when she was enrolled in college. She realized that she was not alone in her plight. She made friends with other Cambodian students who not only excelled in academia but also had a vast knowledge of her country’s history and culture. She shares, “During my freshman year of college, I met up with other Khmer students who had the same passion that I did. It was enlightening and refreshing to meet these smart and passionate Khmer students. Immediately, they took me under their wings and guided me throughout college. They were my friends away from home.”

Due to her personal experiences and a sense of belonging, Kwin got involved with the Khmer student organization called United Khmer Student (UKS) at UCLA. Through the UKS, she participated in a Khmer Culture Show, mentored Khmer students from a nearby high school, and helped to create a sense of Khmer community on campus. These activities made such a huge impact on her that she wanted to make a difference as part of her life’s work. Kwin continues to be involved in the UCLA community as an alumnus.

Today, Kwin runs and operates a behavioral management program in the Anaheim area, which assists adults with developmental disabilities. The program offers education including self-help skills and vocational skills. This program not only helps adults with disabilities, but it also provides job and internship opportunities for Khmer students who are interested in becoming behavioral psychologists or pursuing other majors related to the field. Kwin has come a long way to be where she is today, operating her own business. Her involvement at UCLA in the Khmer club and other community service organizations has greatly influenced her to give back to others.


Note: Part II of the in-person interview is in the video editing process. Check back soon!


Where were you born? Where are you based?
Kwin: Like many of my Cambodian peers, I was born in a refugee camp bordering Thailand and Cambodia called Kao-I-Dang. I am currently residing in Anaheim, California.

What is the name of your organization? What does it stand for?
Kwin: S.A.G.E. that stands for Self-Advocacy for Growth and Empowerment. It is a community-based management program.

What is your mission and purpose for S.A.G.E?
Kwin: My mission is to empower individuals regardless of their disabilities, race, gender, religion, etc. to strive for a better quality of life. Everyone deserves a chance at greatness. Given my family’s history and the adversities that we had overcome, I was able to accomplish many feats. Without assistance from others and having positive role models and amazing mentors, I would not be where I am today.

Who benefits from your organization?
Kwin: Our organization currently provides services for adults with developmental disabilities. Those services range from job development/ placement, art therapy, music therapy, basic daily living skills, mobility training, community services, etc.

What makes it different from other organizations that already exist with a similar purpose?
Kwin: Our program uniquely customized a plan to fit the individual. Whatever their goals in life may be, we will find the resources to aid that individual in accomplishing their dreams and aspirations.

Do you have a board?
Kwin: Yes, our board currently consists of the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

During the process to start your organization, how much time did it take before it started functioning/running?
Kwin: Two years. Initially, we were not able to secure any business loans from the banks due to the fact that the new business/program was a start-up. Most banks were not approving FBA loans for new businesses. My partner and I scraped and saved just enough to cover the first month of expenses (rent, payroll, utilities, etc.). We did not have an office for the first three months. Since S.A.G.E. is a community-based program, we utilized the city’s resources as much as possible such as community centers, libraries, etc.

What are some of the steps you took to start your organization?
Kwin: We had to write and submit a (20 pg) proposal to the Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC), a non-profit agency that provides reimbursement for the services we give to our clients. A panel of individuals from the RCOC would read the proposals and select the best program design and send a letter to the prospectors to come in for an interview. Once the live interview is conducted, the RCOC makes their final decision and sends you a letter of acceptance. Before submitting the proposal, you have to provide proof to the RCOC that you have a business and have enough funding to sustain the program. Initially, we had a partner who had a business for over 20 years and could provide the financial backing if needed. Eventually, our partner left and we had to start everything from scratch. But out of 10 different organizations that submitted a proposal to start a program, we were one of the lucky three selected to open a program.

Do you need a license or certificate to be qualified as an organization?
Kwin: Yes, we are license through the city of Orange since our office is located there. Our program is under a corporation, which is also licensed through the state of California.

Where do you receive your funding?

Kwin: We receive reimbursement from the department of developmental services (the state). Regional Center is the non-profit agency that sends us referrals of different clients.

Do you accept donations or services for your organization? If so, what do you accept and not accept?
Kwin: We accept donations of in the form of currency, time, ideas, and job for our clients.

If I want to donate to your organization, what do I need to do to make this happen?
Kwin: Call or email us at 714.931.9242 or legalipp@gmail.com.

Is your organization a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3)? What does this mean for your organization?
Kwin: Our organization is not a 501 (c ) (3) nonprofit. However, the agency that refers clients to us is a 501 (c ) (3). This means that we cannot give tax exemptions if somebody donates money. However, we will be exploring our own tax exemption later this year so we can expand our services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

As a corporation, are there certain standards you need to follow?
Kwin: The standards that we need to follow consist of keeping meticulous records of all our financial affairs, maintain a high level of professionalism, and convey this professionalism to our clients and employees. We also need to maintain strong relationships with everyone in the industry so we can all help each other increase the quality of programming in this field.

What advice would you give to aspiring people who want to start their own non-profit or corporation?
Kwin: I would have to say that if what you are conceiving will make you happy and you are not risk averse, then do it. However, remember that you need a business plan and a backup plan, otherwise you may see yourself sidetracking instead of staying the course.

What are your goals and hopes for your organization for the next five years?
Kwin: Over the next five years, we hope to be Los Angeles County, Riverside, and Ventura. The expectation is that our program will eventually expand to a level where we will be able to serve children and then help reform the school system with regard to their special education programs. We also want to lead the pack in researching positive outcomes with technology and individuals that have disabilities.

Where can I find more information about your organization?
Kwin: You can find more info on the website, which is currently under construction.

Thailand Elects First Female Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra

Thailand elected its first female prime minister today, Yingluck Shinawatra, as the ruling Pheu Thai Party claimed a historic victory. This is a significant moment in Thailand's history, to have a woman prime minister. It is a new chapter for Thailand.

Is Yingluck Shinawatra ready to be Thailand's first female prime minister? Unlike her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister in exile overseas, the 44-year-old former beauty queen and businesswoman has no political experience. Many Thai voters are very proud and are in love with Ms. Yingluck's charm and beauty. Meanwhile, others are questioning her ability to lead the country, especially considering the controversial legacy of her brother, Mr. Thaksin.

Mr. Thaksin is in exile overseas due to allegations of corruption. Some media reports also allege that innocent people were killed under his rule. While he was in office, there were allegations that his government committed human rights violations against its own people. Despite these allegations, Mr. Thaksin still runs a multimillion dollar phone company in Thailand. His youngest sister, Ms. Yingluck, was a businesswoman in his telecommunications empire. There is also a belief by some that Ms. Yingluck is as a puppet taking orders from her brother and allowing him to call the shots from overseas.

Despite her brother's history, she is her own woman. Thai residents are making history in their country and the rest of the world. This election creates hope for positive change and women's rights. This is a huge step for Thailand and all Southeast Asian countries. This history marks a new beginning for women and girl empowerment in Thailand. It is interesting that more and more developing countries, such as Costa Rica, have female presidents (Laura Chinchilla), yet the U.S. has never elected a women for president. Should the U.S. elect a woman president for the 2012 election?

READ MORE...

Cervical Cancer Is the 2nd Leading Cause of Death Among Women

Imagine your daughter, sister, or close friend has recently been diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 19. She just graduated from high school with so much hope and so many dreams to accomplish. However, now that she discovered the heartbreaking news that she is dying from cancer, those dreams become dim and fade away, as she now has to contemplate how many more years she will live. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death among women globally.

According to Medicine.Net, cervical cancer is a result of "human papillomavirus (HPV) infections (due to) having many sexual partners, smoking, taking birth control pills and engaging in early sexual contact." In other words, habits that many women believe are good life choices, such as taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy, may be a problem for them. This type of cancer is usually common among women between the ages of 35 to 55 years old. However, most recently, it has been more frequently diagnosed in women under the age of 20. It has even been detected in girls, as young as 11 years old.

Many women cannot feel the symptoms during the early stages of the cancer. In the article, "Top 10 Facts about Cervical Cancer," the author pointed out that women should be on the lookout for bleeding between regular menstrual periods or after sexual intercourse. For many women, once they discover they have cervical cancer, it is too late.

This is an urgent matter for women in regards to health internationally. Doctors are recommending women make appointments for regular pap tests and take two vaccine shots to prevent cervical cancer. However, the shot works best if taken before women become sexually active. The shot is not 100 percent guaranteed to prevent cervical cancer, but it is a strong deterrent.

At the moment, there are only three treatments for women who are already diagnosed. They have the option to have surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Meanwhile, girls and women from all ages are highly recommended to carefully watch their daily habits and take good care of their health. Women need to start caring for their body, mind, and health.