Confessions of a Dreamer

Hi everyone,
   I guess it's been a lot more difficult to blog than expected, however it was because my life is not as interesting as it was two years ago when I was in a new city every weekend. Now my life is just full of school and work. However, it is what I'm passionate about and at the end of the day, when I'm stressed or  at the edge of burning out I remind myself that I chose this path for myself.
   In order to get myself back into a "semi" Spain state, I thought I'd start reading again just for fun... not because it was assigned for homework. I remember how I use to read all the time in the plaza, that has not happened in a long time since I've been back to the states. But as of yesterday I started reading a little before going to bed and it has been amazing. A friend of mine lent me three books, one of which is "Half the Sky". If there was ever any book to awaken my senses and reaffirm my role in this life time.. it is this.
   This books talks about the oppression that women are facing all over the world. Growing up I have always known I was female. There were things I just couldn't do, wear, say, etc.. but my brother could do as he pleased. I think a part of me has always been bitter by the fact that I was born female and had so little choice in that decision... growing up female and Asian at that... has been very trying at times. However, compared to my own personal struggles... millions of women and girls around the world are suffering fates beyond my imagination. There are girls being trafficked into sex work, not being allowed to go to school, denied medical care by their families, killed because of "honor"... the list goes on.
    Living in America or any other "modernized" country it is difficult to even understand or think about what such situations would mean. If you cannot think of how life in India or Cambodia is for a girl, think about the domestic violence and sex trafficking that is taking place in your own country. So often we take things for granted. If you're reading this.. you are very fortunate to have been provided an education. I have been very fortunate to gain so much with my education, but millions of girls and women around the world can't even read a simple message.
    I've managed to read the first three chapters of this book and it's hard to not cry.. and feel sad for the condition that our "human" society has become. However, as I've learned in the last 1.5 years here in Philadelphia, you cannot save the world all at once, it takes piece by piece... and I'm going to remind myself of this all the way to the end of this book.
    Many people know that my professional interests lie in maternal and child health. Not only because I obviously can identify with women and I love children, but I think the key to the future is maternal and hcild health. We cannot have healthy countries, people... whatever if their mother's are not healthy. Public health is not for the faint of heart and I might have come into this field a little unprepared. However, I still believe in the good of all people.. i just now know that some people need a little more convincing than others. There is always hope to change the world.. no matter how long it takes.
   So I thought i'd shared a few lines from the book that have inspired me thus far:
 - "In the 19th century, the central moral challenge was slavery. In the 20th century, it was the battle against totalitarianism....in this century the paramount moral challenge will be the struggle for gender equality around the world. "
- "People get away with enslaving village girls for the same reason that people got away with enslaving blacks two hundred years ago" the victims are perceived as discounted humans."

There were numerous other quotes that stood out, however I hope these get your minds thinking. Some people can call me a feminist if they like.. all I know that it is unethical to pretend that these things are not happening in the world. Yes, we all can't fly over and save all these women, HOWEVER, we can all learn a little bit more about the situation, raise our awareness that these things are happening. We can all apply pressure to our government to apply pressure to international governments to respect human rights laws. Whatever you do... just take a moment out of your day to think about how others are living in the next state, country, continent.

Life is too short to just think about yourself... how interesting and fun is that??? Especially when you live a life as fascinating as mine... :) . I'm sorry if this seemed a little out of character, and doesn't really talk much about what is going on in my life... but I guess this is what is going on in my life. I have really started to see where my professional goals will take me in the next few years.

I hope all those reading (the 3 of you)... are happy, healthy, and safe. As always, hope to speak/see you guys soon.

Con mucho carino,
Ngoc :)

Bogged Down by Snow

muy buenas everyone!

In case people weren't aware, it has been snowing in Philly for the last month.. it seems like this winter is meant to be a loooooooooooong and boring shower of snow. I use to love snow... because growing up in Seattle we didn't have much of it.. and everytime there was snow it was a reason to miss school. In the last three years I have been away from Seattle... it has snowed more in Seattle than ever. Since coming to Philly I have seen my fair share of snow. Last year it was amazing over 40'', but this year with a new snow storm each week... it's getting very old.
    I guess you enjoy snow less as you get older, because snow keeps you from being able to get your work done. I have tons of things going on right now with work, school and life.. and the snow just seems to put a stop to all of that. Especially when there is so much of it... It's hard to walk, everything is icy and it's so cold.
   This last snowstorm has really made me frustrated and angry with mother nature, please leave us alone.... 4 weeks of snowstorms is just too much. I wanted just one giant snow storm and that would be it... but instead we are getting tiny little ones that are overly annoying... and more snow is on the way?!?!?!?!?! Here are some pictures of the current state of Philly and the sight I'm just really tired of.

   My frustration with the weather is also seeping into my motivation to get things done. I have a midterm coming up and have yet to really study. I also have been working on a paper for the last 3 months... and just need to get it done, but I can't. I don't know where my ganas are, but they seem to be buried under the massive amounts of snow on my balcony. I hope spring comes soon... because right now I'm just working towards Spring break and hopefully figuring out my next direction in life.

   I hope all is well around the world, and we are praying for some peace in Egypt as well as other areas that are experiencing harsher realities than my depression caused by snow.

Lots of love,
  Ngoc :)

By popular demand???

Well... by request by an "anonymous" follower... I have decided to begin blogging again. It has indeed been over ONE Year since I've last blogged and my life has been busy, busy, busy. It's hard to recap what has happened in 2010, but let's just say that it was exciting, motivating, and at times exhausting. However, I'm still alive and VERY excited for what 2011 will bring for me.

I have been in Philly for over a year... and it is finally feeling like home to me. I've gotten use to going to work, going to school.... but there are moments where I miss home. However, in the time I've been here I've learned so much about myself... and what I'm capable of doing. I can't say that I've done all I have here, without help from new friends and family. When you move around so much like I have in the last few years... the friends you make become your new family. Although they can't take the place of your family at home, they fill the void when you need people around the most.

I recently, went home to Seattle to visit and it was bitter sweet because I was home, but at the same time I felt so foreign. Life for my closest friends in Seattle has been moving so fast, I can't quite fit myself back into their lives. I tried to visit the old places I spent my college years in and do the things I use to do... and I missed while I'm in Philly, but it didn't feel the same... The whole time in Seattle.. I thought about what it was like 3 years ago when Seattle was still my home... but now i don't know if I can call Seattle my home anymore. Maybe I'm a wander.. with no home... and building relationships that cannot last for too long, because I am just going to move...

But as an update about my life... to all those that care or are following... I'm finishing up my masters' this year... six more months... and I'll officially have the "MPH" behind my name. In the mean time I'm just working on finishing, and praying for a place in medical school.... My life is school and school and more school.... but hopefully I will get into med school and that will be the last schooling I ever do with my life.... (hopefully... jaja).

Life is good, I'm healthy, happy and hopeful for the future... I hope all my friends all over the world are happy and healthy as well. E-mails, letters or other messages are appreciated. Although we may not communicate as often as we should... true friendship is being able to pick up where you left off... when the chance presents itself. Lots of love!

Ngoc :)