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.