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!