QUYNH Q&A w/@NyenyeMK

Name:  Quynh        
Date:  11/14/2011

Location: Los Angeles                 
Time: 7:39 PM


Q: Who or What inspires you? Why?



A: Freedom. People who exercise true freedom from the confines of environmental norms, those who define their own standards inspire me. It's difficult to sift through the options that are presented to us on any given day and determine what we want. I think it's even more difficult to decide that what is readily available is not the only option. It's hard to see it because we live in it. I admire those who can navigate this system and still hear their own voices.


Q: What does creativity mean to you?


A: Living your life in a way that reflects what's right for you, not living by osmosis. Exploring and finding what fuels your body and mind and pleases them.


Q: What is your favorite place in the world?



A: Haven't been everywhere, but dream of the the waters of the Maldives, the culture of the Cinque Terra, and the Oysters of the Norman Coast.


Q: What do you love most in the world?


A: Serenity.


Q: What are the causes you care about?  How do you actively support these causes with your time, money or other method/resource?

 
A: Community--built on kindness and compassion. I volunteer my time as an educational counselor and writing teacher to low income/opportunity students to help them find their voices, build confidence in their skills, and, in the process, mentor them as community members, themselves, to accept and give support. I belong to the Echo Park Time Bank and believe in its ideals to create a stronger connection through people exchanging services versus the disconnection that can come from monetary exchange.


Q: What question do you want to ask me?


A:  What inspired you to do this interview project?
NMK: I get to ask 5 questions and learn everything I want to know about a person.


Q: What question do you wish I asked you and what is your answer to it?

A: Do you like your life? It's hard, but yes.
NMK: YES!


Bio: Escaping Vietnam in turbulent times, the shaman said that my birth, a few months after the fall of Saigon, was my family's protection--like a charm. The journey to escape involved two robberies at sea and the death of two children; most of my family survived, but we were left with no possessions at our arrival to America. We've managed. I am the youngest of 13 children in a traditional family that places high values on hierarchy, I had no voice, but I've been learning and unlearning everyday of my life to build a self and voice that is my own.

SARAH MCGOWAN: Q&A w/@NyenyeMK

Name: Sarah McGowan                    
Date: 1/12/12
Location: Los Angeles                  
Time:


Q: Who or What inspires you? Why?


A: I'm inspired by the little magical moments that are hiding in plain sight all around us - whether it's a crack in the sidewalk in the perfect shape of a star or the surprised smile on the face of a stranger who I randomly wave at. It's those little pieces in time that are so fleeting, the details of the world around us that we could very well miss if we don't pay enough attention, the connections that we can make with others with just the tiniest bit of effort that really make me feel lucky to be alive.  


Q: What does creativity mean to you?


A: Creativity means letting go and tapping into the wellspring of energy that I think we all have access to if we cultivate it, give it room to grow and commit ourselves to expressing it in whatever ways that speak to us. For me, creativity is really a way of life. It informs absolutely everything I do because if I ignore it or fail to nurture it, I wind up miserable.


Q: What is your favorite place in the world?


A: Big Sur, CA


Q: What do you love most in the world?


A: My friends and family.


Q: What are the causes you care about?  How do you actively support these causes with your time, money or other method/resource?


A: Social justice. Community building. The arts. I'm the Director of Development for the Echo Park Time Bank and the California Federation of Time Banks, organizations that circumvent the mainstream economy by matching untapped resources (social capital) with unmet community needs. I sit on the board for Law Project LA, an organization that provides outreach, education and advocacy to help people navigate their job search with dignity, determination and hope after suffering a criminal conviction. For nearly a decade I worked with youth at-risk in school and juvenile justice settings, creating a national best-practice youth court program, developing social justice curriculum for high school and founding a public art program for graffiti convicted teens for the city of San Diego, CA. I helped develop The Women's International Perspective (www.thewip.net), a website that publishes news, world opinion and commentary by women from around the world. I recently finished writing a book for Teen Truth - an organization dedicated to giving youth a voice - designed to help teens, teachers and parents address bullying and school violence, communicate honestly, develop empathy and ultimately make a difference in their communities. I'm also currently the President and Creative Director of the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce where my focus is on helping local business thrive by becoming more interdependent and connected.


Q: What question do you want to ask me?


A: What was your biggest moment of 2011?

NMK: Dancing to "Thriller" on a Traffic Island with my fellow Echo Park Time Bankers!

Q: What question do you wish I asked you and what is your answer to it?

A: What's the one piece of advice you would give to others to make the world a better place?

SM: Give of yourself. The world needs you.
NMK: Be yourself.


Bio:

Sarah McGowan is is a writer, editor and photographer and the principal/owner of Mac+Cob Business Therapy, a boutique creative services company that specializes in turn-around, strategic planning, branding and communications. She is also a passionate community builder who is especially interested in the intersection of for-profit, non-profit and community, believing that by creating new models for partnership, community development needs can be fulfilled while stimulating local economy and supporting sustainable growth. She is the Director of Development for both the Echo Park Time Bank and the California Federation of Time Banks, the President and Creative Director of the Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce and is on the Board of Directors for Law Project LA.

Kristin Ebbert: Q & A w/ @NyenyeMK

Name:    Kris Ebbert

Date:
      12/13/11
Location:     Silver Lake, LA, CA
Time:       3:35pm

Q: Who or What inspires you? Why?



A:  Massive outdoor landscapes. They make me feel small and insignificant in a good way. The only time I can really breathe? Outside.

Q: What does creativity mean to you?


A:  Not being afraid. Making mistakes until you express your unique vision. The greatest thing about the internet is having wise quotes by brilliant people flying around. "We work in the dark—we do what we can—we give what we have." ~Henry James

Q:  What is your favorite place in the world?



A:  Family cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin. Cuba: as culturally far away from Wisco that you can get.

Q: What do you love most in the world?


A:  Dancing. Preferably with little kids. The sound of a piano. Reading next to someone I love. Really, the simplest things make me happy.

Q: What are the causes you care about?  How do you actively support these causes with your time, money or other method/resource?


A:  Dogs: Adopting. Environment: Treading lightly. Friends' causes: Volunteering. Live music: Attending. Acupuncture & alternative medicine: Practicing.

Q:  What question do you want to ask me?


A: I love the Proust Questionnaire, so... What's your favorite occupation?

NMK: Aerobics Instructor


Q: What question do you wish I asked you and what is your answer to it?

A: What's your personal motto? "Show up, listen, learn, be helpful."
NMK: I really like me.

Bio:

One-third each Midwesterner, Angeleno, and Brooklynite. Dog owner. Daughter, sister, auntie, girlfriend, loyal person. Silver Lake resident. Acupuncturist. Berkeley-edumicated with a low-brow sense of humor. Pisces. Swimmer. Optimist.

THE ALEPH - COELHO

I read Paulo Coelho, because he stares at wonder at his own life. He turns every day stories from his journey into a thousand lifetimes. I look at the page in wonderment of what is coming next like a conversation I never want to end. I read the words and feel the feelings. I touch upon all of the lives I have kissed and I wonder Can you hear me now?


Nyenye MK

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

"I have defined Love as the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one's own and another's spiritual growth"


-M. Scott Peck

GOODBYE FACEBOOK, A FORM LETTER

Dear ______,


It is with regret we have to inform you that your friend_____ has decided to leave Facebook.  In deciding to leave Facebook _____ has decided to develop relationships offline with real people like yourself in real time.  To that end ______ will be calling you in a few days to talk on the phone.  If ______ doesn't have your number and your phone number is unlisted please call _____ at this number 111-555-3436 directly.  _____ is having a landline installed on Monday so please call after Tuesday.  Alternately you can send letters to _____ at PO Box xyz Smalltown Real People, USA xxxxx


Sincerely,

The Facebook Farewell Team

****Please do not reply to this email.  This is a send only email address****

CIRCLE OF TRUST

Early last week I decided I would start writing about This American Life.  I used to write a weekly commentary back in the day and thought it was always a great part of my week why not continue to share my thoughts on it!

Well I listened to the episode Nobody's Family is Going To Change and it reminded me of all of the secrets that families keep.  Recently I have created a circle of trust with a group of friends so that we have a forum for honesty in our lives.  After I listened to the episode I thought about all the secrets that my family has kept and will continue to keep.  I then called one family member to find an other ones phone number.  I was immediately told to keep a secret.  Jeez I thought is this really happening?  I will keep the secret from these pages to respect privacy etc etc, but guess what I have a circle of trust...I can unburden my heart to whether or not my familia ever changes:)


I provide for you below the podcast...

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