Bah Humbug...
So much for the joy and good will towards men. Only one day after Christmas, I was struck smack dab in the face by racism. I was waiting for the bus on a very snowy and wet day and trying to think happy positive thoughts to keep me warm when a man walked passed me and muttered something. I wasn't quite sure of what he said, I think he said "too many chinks". My first reaction was anger, how could this small minded person say that to me but then I calmed down thought that maybe I mis-heard. My bus arrived and he got on in front of me and I tried to not think much about it. I got off at my stop and he was behind me, this time I distinctively heard racist remarks. I stopped and turned around, I was about to confront him, saying something like too many "ignorant small minded people in the world". I really wanted to tell this guy off and then I realized that a) he was bigger than me b) he had a mental illness (not just his ignorance but a clear mental issue)and c) it was very cold and wet outside and I didn't want to argue with him. I think that when I turned around he was uncertain of what I was doing. I gave him a smile and said that he could go in front of me. I was trying to be a better person. Although, I think he was ill, his remarks still stung. It brought back a flood of memories of all the racist things others have said to me throughout my lifetime. For the most part I live my life unconscious of race or of me being anything other than me until someone says something like this. I cannot believe that in this day an age someone, anyone still uses these hateful words.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sharing my work
My friend Jenn, also a classmate in the program did a ceremonial burning of her thesis after she sucessfully defended it. She had suggested that we do the same with mine. It is therapeutic and puts closure to the whole process. I thought it was a great idea considering how hard it was to finally get it ready for defense. It being Vancouver, it has been raining for the last few days and so we couldn't go to the beach and create a bonfire. We were going out for drinks to celebrate the defense and I decided that I would bring a copy of it so we could leave it on cars. I know it is littering but I needed to do something with the extra copy that I had. So at the end of the night we took my thesis and released into the world. I handed out pages of my thesis to random strangers. Many of them had been drinking so they were quite receptive to taking it. Of course, I explained to them that I had defended my Masters thesis and I was sharing it with the rest of the world. We also left it on cars. It was truly letting go of it and sharing what I had worked so hard for.
My friend Jenn, also a classmate in the program did a ceremonial burning of her thesis after she sucessfully defended it. She had suggested that we do the same with mine. It is therapeutic and puts closure to the whole process. I thought it was a great idea considering how hard it was to finally get it ready for defense. It being Vancouver, it has been raining for the last few days and so we couldn't go to the beach and create a bonfire. We were going out for drinks to celebrate the defense and I decided that I would bring a copy of it so we could leave it on cars. I know it is littering but I needed to do something with the extra copy that I had. So at the end of the night we took my thesis and released into the world. I handed out pages of my thesis to random strangers. Many of them had been drinking so they were quite receptive to taking it. Of course, I explained to them that I had defended my Masters thesis and I was sharing it with the rest of the world. We also left it on cars. It was truly letting go of it and sharing what I had worked so hard for.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Master Char
I am very very excited to announce that yesterday at exactly 4:53pm I successfully defended my Masters degree. The journey to this end point was not always easy, it was fraught with so much self doubt and stress...was it worth it in the end? I think so. Through the course of this degree, I learned a great deal about health but I more importantly I learned about my own capabilities. I am not as dumb as I think I am....I think I am actually kind of smart and certainly hard working. Okay, enough of tooting my own horn.
My defense went well. I was really nervous and at times I think my mouth had a mind of its own. I would say something but my brain did not really register what I had just said. The questions were tough and not what I was expecting. A debate about the global health and if working with refugees and immigrants in Canada constitutes doing global health, or what kind of research would I design to get more data on refugees, how do I reconcile the difference between the use of localized services and the disjoint in federal legislation.
Thank goodness for Professor Crush Pants...
Yippie!!!! Charlene M.W. Phung M.Sc.
I am very very excited to announce that yesterday at exactly 4:53pm I successfully defended my Masters degree. The journey to this end point was not always easy, it was fraught with so much self doubt and stress...was it worth it in the end? I think so. Through the course of this degree, I learned a great deal about health but I more importantly I learned about my own capabilities. I am not as dumb as I think I am....I think I am actually kind of smart and certainly hard working. Okay, enough of tooting my own horn.
My defense went well. I was really nervous and at times I think my mouth had a mind of its own. I would say something but my brain did not really register what I had just said. The questions were tough and not what I was expecting. A debate about the global health and if working with refugees and immigrants in Canada constitutes doing global health, or what kind of research would I design to get more data on refugees, how do I reconcile the difference between the use of localized services and the disjoint in federal legislation.
Thank goodness for Professor Crush Pants...
Yippie!!!! Charlene M.W. Phung M.Sc.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
History Making...50 years late
Last night I could not avoid watching the results of the American election. I was sucked into all the media hype but also very disgusted wih the frivality of what was being covered. Come on...Sarah Palin's clothes, Barak Obama's barber...who cares.
Anyways, like many people out there both in America and Canada I am glad that Barak Obama won. I think that he will be progressive and make some substantial changes to American politics. However, what strikes me is that there was so much focus on him being the first black president, instead of him being an extraordinary human being capable of many things. It makes me sad that in this day and age, colour is still is a factor. We still view the world in terms groupings and not as human beings regardless of what we look like. Which leads me to say that it has taken much too long for the US to choose a President who is not a white upper class male. No matter how far we think we have come, we have so much further to go.
Last night I could not avoid watching the results of the American election. I was sucked into all the media hype but also very disgusted wih the frivality of what was being covered. Come on...Sarah Palin's clothes, Barak Obama's barber...who cares.
Anyways, like many people out there both in America and Canada I am glad that Barak Obama won. I think that he will be progressive and make some substantial changes to American politics. However, what strikes me is that there was so much focus on him being the first black president, instead of him being an extraordinary human being capable of many things. It makes me sad that in this day and age, colour is still is a factor. We still view the world in terms groupings and not as human beings regardless of what we look like. Which leads me to say that it has taken much too long for the US to choose a President who is not a white upper class male. No matter how far we think we have come, we have so much further to go.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tooting my own Horn
I don't often talk about my Masters degree in any detail. For some reason I don't talk about it as much as I want to. I generally discuss it in very broad terms or tend to gloss over the work I am doing. I think it is because I worry about boring people, inciting arguments over politics, or sounding like I am on a high horse. Secretly, I could talk about health equity and Population Health all day. Yesterday, I had my chance.
Months and months ago, I did a practicum with Vancouver Coastal Health. I created a toolkit for health care teams to use so they can learn about the social factors that affect health and what they could do to create more health equity. I thought it was a pretty important project and thus, decided to apply to do a poster presentation at the International Conference on Urban Health. For those of you who aren't familiar withe doing poster presentations, it is essentially a grown up version of show and tell except with a large poster that describes what you did. I was accepted and yesterday I was able to present my toolkit at the conference. For 2 hours, I stood by my poster and talked to other people that had the same passion for health equity I had. I was so excited to talk with like minded people and share ideas. The even better part was that everyone was really interested in the work that I did. They wanted copies of the toolkit. I even had a sign up sheet of email contacts.
For the first time in a long while I felt really good about my choice to do this Masters degree. As my blog atests to, the journey has not always been easy. I was often filled with self doubt about my own capabilities and intelligence. Academia is not always kind to your self-esteem. Yesterday was the proverbial pat on the back that I needed as I head into the final stretch of this path in my life.
I don't often talk about my Masters degree in any detail. For some reason I don't talk about it as much as I want to. I generally discuss it in very broad terms or tend to gloss over the work I am doing. I think it is because I worry about boring people, inciting arguments over politics, or sounding like I am on a high horse. Secretly, I could talk about health equity and Population Health all day. Yesterday, I had my chance.
Months and months ago, I did a practicum with Vancouver Coastal Health. I created a toolkit for health care teams to use so they can learn about the social factors that affect health and what they could do to create more health equity. I thought it was a pretty important project and thus, decided to apply to do a poster presentation at the International Conference on Urban Health. For those of you who aren't familiar withe doing poster presentations, it is essentially a grown up version of show and tell except with a large poster that describes what you did. I was accepted and yesterday I was able to present my toolkit at the conference. For 2 hours, I stood by my poster and talked to other people that had the same passion for health equity I had. I was so excited to talk with like minded people and share ideas. The even better part was that everyone was really interested in the work that I did. They wanted copies of the toolkit. I even had a sign up sheet of email contacts.
For the first time in a long while I felt really good about my choice to do this Masters degree. As my blog atests to, the journey has not always been easy. I was often filled with self doubt about my own capabilities and intelligence. Academia is not always kind to your self-esteem. Yesterday was the proverbial pat on the back that I needed as I head into the final stretch of this path in my life.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Transit Trivia
I am a regular user of public transit in Vancouver and generally it is a solemn experience with grumpy almost stoic Vancouverites sacrificing for the environment to take public transit. This morning it was an entirely different ride to do.wntown. I got a packed bus and thought that it would be another morning of being crammed like sardines next to some corporate suit checking his blackberry. As I boarded the bus I noticed chocolate bars hanging near the driver. I thought that this was weird, was he selling them? Giving them away to passengers that smiled at him? I was curious about these chocolately treats. About 15 minutes into the ride, the driver came over the loudspeaker and anounced that we would be playing transit trivia for a chocolate bar and winners were decided by applause. For the first time in many many rides downtown the transit ride had some excitement, people were smiling and laughing. People were chatting with each other and applauding. As many people got off the bus at their stops, they were smiling. This silly little game for an insignificant prize made so many people smile. It definitely made me smile for the rest of the day whenever I thought about "John" our bus driver and his trivia game.
I am a regular user of public transit in Vancouver and generally it is a solemn experience with grumpy almost stoic Vancouverites sacrificing for the environment to take public transit. This morning it was an entirely different ride to do.wntown. I got a packed bus and thought that it would be another morning of being crammed like sardines next to some corporate suit checking his blackberry. As I boarded the bus I noticed chocolate bars hanging near the driver. I thought that this was weird, was he selling them? Giving them away to passengers that smiled at him? I was curious about these chocolately treats. About 15 minutes into the ride, the driver came over the loudspeaker and anounced that we would be playing transit trivia for a chocolate bar and winners were decided by applause. For the first time in many many rides downtown the transit ride had some excitement, people were smiling and laughing. People were chatting with each other and applauding. As many people got off the bus at their stops, they were smiling. This silly little game for an insignificant prize made so many people smile. It definitely made me smile for the rest of the day whenever I thought about "John" our bus driver and his trivia game.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Alternative Lifestyle
Every two years we do a family vacation together. This is an opportunity for almost all of the family to spend an extended period of time together. Our original family of 6 has grown into a two mini-van trip family, with 5 kids under the age of 5 in tow. This year we went to Portland and rented a lovely house in the Irvington Historic District. This was a nice opportunity to catch up with my family and spend some time with my nieces and nephew. I have missed large family sit down dinners and the chaos that goes with it.
This family trip made me realize just how much time has gone by. I remember when we were little my parents packing us up into a minivan and taking us to Disneyland. Now it is my sisters packing their kids and us into the minivan for a family trip. My parents are getting older and it is weird to see how the dynamics have shifted and who has become the parents now.
It was nice to spend time with my family but I am also very appreciative of my space and freedom. I adore the little ones but I am definitely content to be fun Aunty Char, then give them back at the end of the day.
Every two years we do a family vacation together. This is an opportunity for almost all of the family to spend an extended period of time together. Our original family of 6 has grown into a two mini-van trip family, with 5 kids under the age of 5 in tow. This year we went to Portland and rented a lovely house in the Irvington Historic District. This was a nice opportunity to catch up with my family and spend some time with my nieces and nephew. I have missed large family sit down dinners and the chaos that goes with it.
This family trip made me realize just how much time has gone by. I remember when we were little my parents packing us up into a minivan and taking us to Disneyland. Now it is my sisters packing their kids and us into the minivan for a family trip. My parents are getting older and it is weird to see how the dynamics have shifted and who has become the parents now.
It was nice to spend time with my family but I am also very appreciative of my space and freedom. I adore the little ones but I am definitely content to be fun Aunty Char, then give them back at the end of the day.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Feeling small
I was so enthusiastic 2 years ago, I felt that the world was completely open to me and the sky was the limit. Now I feel that the sky is falling and the world is not as big as I thought it was. Reality is closing in on me.
Finances and trying to find a job coupled with finishing my final project is causing a few sleepless nights. However, I will survive and it will all work out in the end.
I was so enthusiastic 2 years ago, I felt that the world was completely open to me and the sky was the limit. Now I feel that the sky is falling and the world is not as big as I thought it was. Reality is closing in on me.
Finances and trying to find a job coupled with finishing my final project is causing a few sleepless nights. However, I will survive and it will all work out in the end.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Jude
Almost 2 years ago, I was on my way to New York to visit my friend Marie. On the flight from Washington D.C. to Albany I took out "A Race Against Time" by Stephen Lewis. For those of you not familiar with it, it is based on the Massey Lecture presented by the former special envoy to Africa on HIV/AIDS. It is a compelling book urging the world to rethink HIV/AIDS. The person seated next to me noticed the title of the book and started to ask me about it. An hour later, we had exchanged life stories and aspirations for the future. She was extremely well grounded and emotionally aware. I ended up sharing my email address with her and attending a lecture she was organizing while I was in New York. Since then, she has developed into a motivational speaker and has occasionally sent me emails with thoughts and inspirations. I just received an email from her and it is has inspired me to be more introspective about some of the experiences in my life. I hope to share them with you in this blog.
Almost 2 years ago, I was on my way to New York to visit my friend Marie. On the flight from Washington D.C. to Albany I took out "A Race Against Time" by Stephen Lewis. For those of you not familiar with it, it is based on the Massey Lecture presented by the former special envoy to Africa on HIV/AIDS. It is a compelling book urging the world to rethink HIV/AIDS. The person seated next to me noticed the title of the book and started to ask me about it. An hour later, we had exchanged life stories and aspirations for the future. She was extremely well grounded and emotionally aware. I ended up sharing my email address with her and attending a lecture she was organizing while I was in New York. Since then, she has developed into a motivational speaker and has occasionally sent me emails with thoughts and inspirations. I just received an email from her and it is has inspired me to be more introspective about some of the experiences in my life. I hope to share them with you in this blog.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The End is Near
Tonight I had what I hope to be my last class ever at SFU. I say hope because I am pretty certain my affiliation with SFU will end at the end of this degree but I do have intentions of going back to school again but hopefully not at SFU. I took a course for interest and learning and it turned out to be less than stellar. At least it is done and I have finished my last sitting in a classroom course. Just have to finish my directed readings and my final project. Yippie...I am getting one step closer to becoming "Master char".
Tonight I had what I hope to be my last class ever at SFU. I say hope because I am pretty certain my affiliation with SFU will end at the end of this degree but I do have intentions of going back to school again but hopefully not at SFU. I took a course for interest and learning and it turned out to be less than stellar. At least it is done and I have finished my last sitting in a classroom course. Just have to finish my directed readings and my final project. Yippie...I am getting one step closer to becoming "Master char".
Thursday, July 17, 2008
This is the first blog in more than a year. I had decided to stop blogging because it seemed that my life didn't warrant writing about (Most of my blogs were only centered around life of a grad student) but, after some consideration, and some cajoling by my sisters, who are avid bloggers, I decided to resurrect the wacky world of char. Hopefully, there are some readers still left out there.
I am still living the life of a grad student but the end is in sight and I am happy to report that I am nearing the end of my degree. I am not going to say how close I am to the end cause I still have a piece of major work to do, but close enough that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
In the year that I have stopped writing, nothing too exciting has happened in my life, ie. no major changes, however, I don't have any complaints either. This was not always my mind set though, I had some months there where I was feeling quite unsure and lost again. I felt really lonely and insecure. I am not sure what has changed but it is nice to be back on a positive note. I am really enjoying where I am at in my life and I am excited about the future. I am completely open to where life will take me next. We will see what transpires after I finish.
Last weekend I went up to Williams Lake for a friend's wedding and I had a wonderful time. It was really nice to be carefree and relaxed. I must admit I did some silly things and was dressed as a fairy but it was fun. I always thought that I was a city girl but after spending a weekend there, memories of my childhood in the wack and spending time on a farm came back and I started asking myself if I could live in a small city again. Not sure what the answer is but it is not so definitively "no" anymore. Who knows where I will be.
Perhaps the influences of the wack have not all disappeared.
I hope that the faithful readers of the wacky world of char will come back and that I can continue to share the bits and pieces of my life with you. I promise that the blogs will be more than just school.
I am still living the life of a grad student but the end is in sight and I am happy to report that I am nearing the end of my degree. I am not going to say how close I am to the end cause I still have a piece of major work to do, but close enough that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
In the year that I have stopped writing, nothing too exciting has happened in my life, ie. no major changes, however, I don't have any complaints either. This was not always my mind set though, I had some months there where I was feeling quite unsure and lost again. I felt really lonely and insecure. I am not sure what has changed but it is nice to be back on a positive note. I am really enjoying where I am at in my life and I am excited about the future. I am completely open to where life will take me next. We will see what transpires after I finish.
Last weekend I went up to Williams Lake for a friend's wedding and I had a wonderful time. It was really nice to be carefree and relaxed. I must admit I did some silly things and was dressed as a fairy but it was fun. I always thought that I was a city girl but after spending a weekend there, memories of my childhood in the wack and spending time on a farm came back and I started asking myself if I could live in a small city again. Not sure what the answer is but it is not so definitively "no" anymore. Who knows where I will be.
Perhaps the influences of the wack have not all disappeared.
I hope that the faithful readers of the wacky world of char will come back and that I can continue to share the bits and pieces of my life with you. I promise that the blogs will be more than just school.
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