Xieng Mieng: A Sticky Mess

I'm happy to be one of the backers for Nor Sanavongsay's first children's book Xieng Mieng, and so happy to receive my autographed copy shortly after Christmas. A drawing of some of the backers, Lee couldn't stop laughing when she saw a drawing of me. The story of Xieng Mieng is dear to my heart,…

Rules-Cynthia Lord Book Signing

Lee went to Cynthia Lord's book signing at Lenoir Rhyne University for the Little Reader program on April 13, 2013. She was so excited to finally meet the author, and this is the second book signing that she has gone to at LR. A stage play of Rules by LR student. The little readers on…

Kickstarter: Lao Children’s Book: Xieng Mieng Adventures

This is an update on the project, if you have not made a pledge you still have time, February 28, 2013 will be the last day.  Most people think of a pledge as giving or donating monies, but in this case you are preordering the book through Amazon.com.  Once you make a pledge, choose your…

Saturday Random Photos

I went back to the doctor yesterday and was a bit disappointed that things didn't go as well as I had hoped, which means that I have to have more test run on Monday.  I still have a drainage tube on me, I'm beginning to feel like it's a part of me now.  I came…

War Remains by Jeffrey Miller

One of my goals is to read more this year, whether it be a professional publication, photography book or book for enjoyment which most of us don't have much time these days. My first book this year is War Remains by Jeffrey Miller.  I ordered the book for myself as a Christmas gift back in…

The Five dysfunctions of a Team

Have you ever been in a place or situation that it’s so tense and the air is so thick that you could cut it with a knife? I’ve been there and living it.  I think many people don’t think before they speak, or maybe we just don’t see it coming, but as for me, I…

Gilbert and Anne, from Anne of Green Gables‏

My youngest sister and I are a big fan of Anne of Green Gables, and she emailed me these pictures, and said, "Just in case if you're wondering what they look like. I don't think anyone else would know who I'm talking about." But I bet that there are many out there that are also…

Lao Folktales: Phi Kongkoi, the Ghost Named Kongkoi

I’ve been searching for Lao folktales, and was told by a friend about SEAsite Laos website that have a good collection of Lao folktales.  Then I found a book called Lao Folktales by Wajuppa Tossa with Kongdeuane Nettavong, edited by Margaret Read MacDonald.  It’s in hardcover and has some of the great stories that my…

My Visit to the Library

I didn’t forget to translate the ghost story that I’ve mentioned earlier, but I misplaced that magazine and couldn’t find it at the moment.  I’ve too many Thai magazines and need to organize it a bit better. I finally have my wooden picket fence up, and I’ve always dreamed of a white picket fence for…

Tai Far See Kram (Underneath The Blue Sky)

This is an interesting Thai book about a Hmong man sharing his life with a Thai woman, Tai Far See Kram (Underneath The Blue Sky), summary posted here. Wherever you are, when you look up, you see the same sky. The same everywhere, the soft blue hue with white fluffy clouds floating up above us.

A Valentine Fantasy

When I was little, one of my favorite books to read was A Valentine Fantasy. It is a story about how Valentine’s Day came about. I believed that every day is a special day, but most lovers around the world choose to celebrate this day, February 14th…Happy Valentine’s Day to all. A Valentine Fantasy, By…

Siamese Temple Painting called The Temiya Jataka from Wat Yai Intharam

After my oldest sister found out that I want to write about Buddhism, she gave me a book called Ten Lives of The Buddha, Siamese Temple Paintings and Jataka Tales by Elizabeth Wray, Clare Rosenfield, and Dorothy Bailey, with photographs by Joe D. Wray. The photos are beautiful and below is called The Temiya Jataka…