Two quotes for the moment.

The first from Picasso:

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist after growing up."

The second, from physicist Paul Dirac:
"In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it's the exact opposite."

Recognized by the State Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans

I've just been informed I will receive an award for leadership from the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans. Yay! From the official press release:

The Annual Dinner to commemorate May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month will be held on Friday, May 15, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Hmong American Center, home of the non-profit organization, Hmong American Partnership. It is located at 1075 Arcade Street in St. Paul.

The cost of the dinner is $25.00 per person and sponsorships of the dinner is welcomed and still available. The dinner is a unique, special event which brings many differing ethnic groups and organizations together in celebration.

The dinner program will consist of a keynote address by Jon Campbell, Wells Fargo Bank’s Head of Social Responsibilities Group; the presentation of the annual Asian Pacific Leadership Awards; and a cultural performance by Julie Troung of the Chinese American Association of Minnesota’s Dance Theater.

The Council is pleased to announce this year’s slate of awardees for the “Asian Pacific Leadership Awards”: 

Mr. Tanweer A. Janjua for outstanding contribution and demonstrating vision and leadership in civil engagement through his educational efforts and outreach to get out and increase the Asian American and Pacific Islander vote; 

Mr. K. Dennis Kim, Ph.D., P.E. of EVS, Inc. for outstanding contribution to his field and showing leadership and vision in the business sector; and 

Mr. Bryan Douglas Thao Worra, National Endowment of the Arts Literature Fellow, poet and activist for outstanding contribution to the Asian Pacific Islander arts and literature movement in Minnesota. 

Additionally, the Board has chosen to recognize Mr. Vy V. Pham with the “Distinguished Service” Award for his many years of commitment to and efforts on behalf of the community and public service.

This year’s theme will be “Across the Waves: In Pursuit of a Good Life.”

Congratulations to the other recipients of Asian Pacific Leadership Awards as well!

Photostudy: Lao Cooking

Here is a photostudy of Lao food in California. As you can see, there is an extraordinary amount of diversity and flavors to be found within Lao cooking. Enjoy!

In the textbooks!

Two of my poems, "Burning Eden One Branch At A Time" and "A Crime In Xieng Khouang," were featured in Arne Kislenko's new introductory college textbook, Culture and Customs of Laos (Greenwood Press, 2009, pp. 79-81). The entire book is a great overview of the community and culture, and I look forward to reading the rest of it. 

This sells for about $49 to $70, as most college textbooks do and is about 220 pages.