October 1st, 2019 | Author: admin
October 1, 2019
HAPPY DOG GIVES COMFORT TO MIA, A CHILD IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FAMILY IN SAN FRANCISCO
Maria Kawah Leung's new book LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET: AND HOW THEY STAY STRONG IN AN UNHAPPY HOME
Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung loves MARIA KAWAH LEUNG‘s new children’s book LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET: AND HOW THEY STAY STRONG IN AN UNHAPPY HOME
Children’s book author MARIA KAWAH LEUNG shows how a girl named Mia and her loyal companion Happy Dog (he’s much much more than a stuffed animal) use their imagination to cope in an environment they have no control over – domestic violence.
Together, they learn that friends do not have to always like the same things, and, that love means protecting and comforting each other. Author’s messages save lives – “When you’re scared or sad, talk to grown-ups you trust.” and “It’s not a child’s job to make parents happy.”
May all adults be like Ms. Chavez who notices a change in her student’s behavior and takes appropriate action. Heroes come in various shapes and sizes – in this story, they are a little girl, a fuzzy toy who is a beloved friend, and a school teacher.
While the story is set in San Francisco, the theme of family violence is worldwide, one that ought to be discussed openly without stigma. Empower children, give them a chance to blossom into healthy adults. Thank you, author and artist Maria Kawah Leung and illustrators Sandra Elyse Chavez and Maren Sleire Aasgaard, for shining the spotlight on dynamic duo Mia and Happy Dog and providing helpful resources.
Cheering for Mia, Happy Dog, all children and their loyal friends and advocates!
Your BIG fan Teresa Jade LeYung
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Get your copy of the book now – only $1.99 USD – You can read LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET on your own device, on Kindle Cloud Reader (download from Amazon), or on your Kindle.
Mia's Happy Dog gets hugs from loyal fan Teresa Jade LeYung, photo by author Maria Kawah Leung
As an alumna of A Place of Her Own 2018, Teresa Jade LeYung of Love Made Of Heart says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.”
As an award-winning author, theme consultant and writing coach, Teresa empowers writers to transform their dearest dreams into reality.
Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_Paris, photo_by_Sasa_or_Nan
http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Posted in About Teresa Jade LeYung aka Teresa LeYung Ryan, Art / Craft / Teaching, Being an ESL Student / Speaker, Being an Immigrant - The Immigrant Experience, Children's Books, Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Women's Health, Writer's THEMES and Platform, writing-career coach / manuscript consultant / writing coach / editor/ book doctor / author / writer's life / publisher | 
Tags: a girl named Mia, AND HOW THEY STAY STRONG IN AN UNHAPPY HOME, appropriate action, Children's book author MARIA KAWAH LEUNG, domestic violence, Empower children, family violence is worldwide, helpful resources, Heroes, illustrators Sandra Elyse Chavez and Maren Sleire Aasgaard, in an environment they have no control over, It's not a child's job to make parents happy, LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET, loyal companion Happy Dog, loyal friends and advocates, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, San Francisco, talk to grown-ups you trust, Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung, to be discussed openly without stigma, use their imagination to cope, When you're scared or sad | 
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September 24th, 2019 | Author: admin
Author Teresa Jade LeYung’s New Monologue
“What The Man In 17-B Wanted” Part 1
When my papa was admitted to the nursing home, the folks in Social Services asked me to complete a half-inch-thick packet. A lot of it was reading material. There was this sheet of paper asking for name of mortuary.
Why? In straight language, when a resident “expires” (dies), the nursing home must remove “the remains” (the dead body) out of the facilities within four hours of death.
Since there are three residents in a room, you just can’t leave a deceased person in his bed as though he were in a private home.
I remember the night when my papa called me, to tell me that his roommate died, that he was afraid to sleep in the room and wanted me to go over there and take him to a hotel. I explained that he himself is a fall risk, I couldn’t just put him in a taxi and send him to a hotel. I suggested that he stay near the nurse’s station. Later that evening when I called his nurse, she said that he was in the hallway, fell asleep in his wheelchair. Later after his deceased roommate had been taken away, his CNA helped him back to bed.
Back to this sheet of paper … If this document isn’t filled out, then, at time of death, the dead body would be transported to the mortuary that the nursing home has a contract with. If that mortuary is not the one that the deceased or the deceased’s representative wanted, then, the representative would have to pay the “transfer” cost (moving dead body from first mortuary to second mortuary) in addition to the transport cost (the original ride from nursing home to the first mortuary).
The dollar amount of the transportation cost would come close to about 50 taxi rides to go half-way across town in San Francisco; double that if a “transfer” fee is incurred.
Every three or four months, the kindhearted staff would remind me about “that” sheet of paper.
Truthfully, I would like to know what my father wants. Does he want to be cremated or buried? I can’t ask him. The look on his face – when I dare to utter any word related to the subject of death – says: “Aah, daughter, so, that is why you are leaving me here.”
Most days, I say to myself: He’s so afraid of dying, he’ll be around another 15 years. I’ll probably die before he does.
[ Separate matter – regarding “Arbitration Agreement” Thanks to two friends and the honesty of a staff member at the nursing home who spoke frankly…”If you don’t want to sign this…just write ‘decline to sign’ and date it.” http://www.canhr.org/arbitration/index.html California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) says: “Don’t sign Arbitration Agreements in nursing homes and residential care facilities” ]
Sincerely,
Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_Paris_photo_by_Sasa_or_Nan
Teresa Jade LeYung
an alumna of A Place of Her Own 2018
Teresa Jade LeYung of Love Made Of Heart says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.”
As an award-winning author, theme consultant and writing coach, Teresa empowers writers to transform their dearest dreams into reality.
http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Posted in About Teresa Jade LeYung aka Teresa LeYung Ryan, Being an ESL Student / Speaker, Being an Immigrant - The Immigrant Experience, Mental Health, Parkinson's Disease & My Chinese Father, Writer's THEMES and Platform, writing-career coach / manuscript consultant / writing coach / editor/ book doctor / author / writer's life / publisher |
Tags: Author Teresa Jade LeYung, award-winning author, He's so afraid of dying, his roommate died, Love Made of Heart, Monologue, mortuary, nursing home, Teresa Jade LeYung empowers writers, the nursing home must remove "the remains" (the dead body), Theme Consultant, What The Man In 17-B Wanted, when a resident "expires" (dies), writing coach |
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August 24th, 2019 | Author: admin
“Hungry Ghosts” Exhibit August 10, 2019 – September 15, 2019
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art “Marin MOCA”
“Hungry Ghosts: the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience”
Art Talk: Saturday, August 24, 2019 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Artist Talk and Q & A with the artists who will share their personal journeys and art process.
500 Palm Drive, Novato, California 94949 415 506 0137
Museum Hours:
Wednesday – Friday 11am to 4pm
Saturday – Sunday 11am to 5pm
“Experiment D15” by artist Irene Wibawa
The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art presents “Hungry Ghosts,” an exhibit that explores the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience. Produced and curated by “A Place Of Her Own” Founder Cynthia Tom and Assistant Curator Maggie Yee, the show includes mixed media works by 14 women artists who examine their ancestral family patterns and stories through their artwork.
Ms. Tom explains: “PLACE is an organization with a powerful mission to support and promote the heartfelt aspirations of vibrant women. In order to change, thrive and lead, women must first acknowledge their significance in the world. Out of radical self-care comes a growing sense of power and clarity of one’s priorities. To have a place of one’s own is to proclaim that each and every woman matters.” MarinMOCA invites the public to engage with the powerful narrative and artwork in “Hungry Ghosts”
Participating Artists: Angela Bau, Frances Cachapero, Grace Hwang Lynch, Irene Wibawa, Julie Anderson, Lisa Rodondi, Manon Bogerd Wada, Natalie Sacramento, Paz Zamora, Reiko Fujii, Cynthia Tom, Maggie Yee, Sue Tom, Tomo Hirai.
Funded in Part by: California Arts Council, Do A Little Foundation and individual donors.
https://www.marinmoca.org/exhibitions/
https://www.aplaceofherown.org/events
I CHEER FOR THESE AWESOME ARTISTS WHO HELP HEAL OUR PLANET WITH THEIR WORKS OF BEAUTY.
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
an alumna of A Place of Her Own 2018
Teresa Jade LeYung of Love Made Of Heart says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.”
Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_Paris_photo_by_Sasa_or_Nan
As an award-winning author, theme consultant and writing coach, Teresa empowers writers to transform their dearest dreams into reality.
http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Posted in About Teresa Jade LeYung aka Teresa LeYung Ryan, Art / Craft / Teaching, Being an ESL Student / Speaker, Being an Immigrant - The Immigrant Experience, Mental Health, writing-career coach / manuscript consultant / writing coach / editor/ book doctor / author / writer's life / publisher |
Tags: 2019, A PLACE OF HER OWN, Angela Bau, art talk, artist talk, August 24, award-winning author, CYNTHIA TOM, Frances Cachapero, Grace Hwang Lynch, Hungry Ghosts: the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience, Irene Wibawa, Julie Anderson, Lisa Rodondi, Love Made of Heart, Maggie Yee, Manon Bogerd Wada, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art "Marin MOCA", Natalie Sacramento, Novato CA, Paris, Paz Zamora, Reiko Fujii, Sue Tom, Teresa Jade LeYung, Theme Consultant, Tomo Hirai, transform dearest dreams into reality, writing coach |
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July 30th, 2019 | Author: admin
WHAT:
Hungry Ghosts: Exploring the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience
Curated by Cynthia Tom and Maggie Yee for A PLACE OF HER OWN (™)
WHO:
Angela Bau, Frances Cachapero, Irene Wibawa, Julie Anderson, Lisa Rodondi, Manon Bogerd Wada, Avotcja, Natalie Sacramento, Paz Zamora, Reiko Fujii, Cynthia Tom, Maggie Yee, Sue Tom, Tomo Hirai.
WHERE:
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MMOCA), 500 Palm Dr, Novato, CA 94949
DATES:
Saturday August 10, 2019 - exhibition opening reception - meet the artists 2:00-7:00pm; Cynthia Tom – Curator’s Talk: 3:30-4:00pm; MMOCA Reception 5-7 pm; gallery opens 11am – 7pm
August 24, 2019, 1:00-4:00pm Artists’ Talk (artists onsite 11:00am – 5:00pm)
September 15, 2019, 12:00-5:00pm Last day to meet the artists
Hungry Ghosts:
Exploring the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience
Exhibit Dates: August 10 – September 15, 2019
Location: Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, 500 Palm Dr, Novato, CA 94949
Hours: Wednesday – Friday 11:00am to 4:00pm; Saturday – Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm
July 30, 2019 California USA
Dear Writers and Readers,
If we are able to read and write and not be persecuted for doing so, we have the responsibility to speak our truths, as well as the truths of those who cannot speak for themselves.
I was lucky to be invited as an exhibitor at the 2019 “Hungry Ghosts: Exploring the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience” show, curated by Cynthia Tom and Maggie Yee for A PLACE OF HER OWN (™). Due to illness, I was unable to work on my piece, therefore, I will not be an exhibitor this time. I shall be there as a fan of all the artists, supporters and advocates.
Theme Consultant and Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung Supports Artists Who Face Hungry Ghosts
If curators Cynthia Tom and Maggie Yee invite me again, I shall exhibit:
Teresa Jade LeYung says:
“Hungry ghosts eat, I spit nails.
Let Self speak, I prevail.”
Special thanks to Coach MaryT for word-magic!
Teresa_Jade_LeYung_in_Paris_photo_by_Sasa_or_Nan
Teresa Jade LeYung of Love Made Of Heart says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.”
As theme consultant and writing coach, Teresa empowers writers to transform their dearest dreams into reality.
Posted in About Teresa Jade LeYung aka Teresa LeYung Ryan, Art / Craft / Teaching, Being an Immigrant - The Immigrant Experience, Mental Health, Women's Health, Writer's THEMES and Platform, writing-career coach / manuscript consultant / writing coach / editor/ book doctor / author / writer's life / publisher |
Tags: 2019, A PLACE OF HER OWN, Angela Bau, artists, Avotcja, CA, CYNTHIA TOM, empowers writers to transform their dearest dreams into reality, exhibitors, Exploring the intersection between chronic heartache and prescriptions for resilience, Frances Cachapero, Hungry Ghosts, Hungry ghosts eat, I spit nails, Irene Wibawa, Julie Anderson, Let Self speak I prevail, Lisa Rodondi, Love Made of Heart, Maggie Yee, Manon Bogerd Wada, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Natalie Sacramento, not be persecuted for doing so, Novato, Paz Zamora, read and write, Reiko Fujii, responsibility to speak our truths, Sue Tom, Teresa Jade LeYung, Theme Consultant, those who cannot speak for themselves, Tomo Hirai, When I’m in Paris I know I have come home, word-magic, writing coach |
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February 6th, 2019 | Author: admin
Blog Post 3 of 3 “Papa Makes Decision While In Nursing Home Again” by Teresa Jade LeYung
photo by Elley Chu
As writing coach and theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung, I ask my clients: “What does your main character want?”
Sometimes, the client’s response is: “I’m not sure.” Other times, the reply is: “Nothing.”
If the protagonist in a story wants nothing, then, what is the story?
There is always something! Could it be that your Hero cannot accept what is happening to her/him? Does he/she want life the way it was, not the way it is?
That is my father’s dilemma. He has lost control over his day-to-day activities. Ever since the hospitalization for Aspiration Pneumonia and urinary tract infection in July 2018. Ever since he could no longer live by himself.
No more going to the hallway or balcony with his walker to exercise or taking the elevator to go to the mailroom whenever he wants to. No more watching his Cantonese television programs with his girlfriend who lives in the building. No more telling his caregiver to stop by the grocery store and bring him a particular fruit or a Chinese pastry he is craving. No more quarterly appointments with his UCSF neurologist or UCSF hi-tech physical therapy for movement-disorder. What irony – the appointments he had labeled “unnecessary” and “there’s nothing wrong with me” are now out of reach and “Why can’t I go?”
When nursing home staff members ask him “Do you want anything? Do you need anything?” he raises his left hand to gesture “No” and smiles.
When I am with him, occasionally he will tell me in Cantonese: “I don’t want to stay here.” (I think to myself Oh, Papa, of course. You were independent, in spite of Parkinson’s Disease, in your studio apartment. Aspiration Pneumonia and urinary tract infection created your decline and now you are in a nursing home, in a room with 2 other residents, no furniture of your own. I am sad for you. But, I know that you are safe and well cared for by dedicated staff. You are a lucky guy.)
I do not lie to him. I say: “This is your home now. Nurses and CNAs take excellent care of you. You are safe here. You have friends here. If you exercise and get strong to the point that you can live on your own again, then, I will help you find another one.” I reinforce my words by taking out a green exercise band from the top drawer of the nightstand.
I had bought the green band when I was getting physical therapy for my plantar fasciitis. Last month, I found the band, and used a thick permanent marker to write my father’s name on it. [ If you don't put your name, room and bed number on an item, that item is likely to disappear. Even if everything were labeled, staff and residents would still experience "missing items."]
Papa is in good hands with the nursing home staff. And, since November, he’s been receiving visits from a nurse, a chaplain and a social worker from Hospice By The Bay. Also, he gets visits from former caregivers (with help from my sister, I can afford to pay them to visit), his daughter-in-law, his grandson, his girlfriend, a few other people, and me (his representative and advocate).
Who else feels loss of control? Me. When I see Papa not practicing safe eating behavior.
What is safe?
- Papa sits upright and is fully awake (should not be putting food or drink into his mouth if he is slouching or sleepy).
- Eat slowly. He uses a teaspoon to put food or thickened liquid into mouth. Chew. Swallow. Swallow again. Say “AAH” twice. If you don’t hear a clear AAH, that means food/drink has not cleared past the throat.
- Do NOT tilt head backward when swallowing (head-tilting increases risk of choking and aspiration)
Oh, how I get exasperated when I find out that someone gave him food that hasn’t been pureed by dietician or liquid that hasn’t been properly thickened by his nurse. Last month, two other residents gave him something to chew (Chinese chew); the nurses explained to the two nice people that my father cannot just chew, that he has a swallowing problem, that he could accidentally swallow the food. The residents don’t understand that another episode of aspiration-pneumonia could be fatal. They can’t empathize.
That’s another question I ask my writing-clients – “Which characters are sympathized and which ones are empathized by your narrator?
I am indeed grateful that my father likes the staff at the nursing home, and the meals served to him, and that he gets to walk with his walker about 5 times a week with the CNAs who are especially trained. I am indeed grateful to everyone in his life and mine.
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR 2019!
I wish everyone safety, abundant joy, and excellent health.
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
Teresa Jade LeYung – founder of Love Made of Heart (aka Teresa LeYung-Ryan) says: “When I’m in Paris, I know I have come home.” Teresa speaks openly through her writing and advocacy, her immigrant experience, and her knowing beauty. As author, publisher, theme consultant, and a found-object artist, she empowers women to transform dreams into lifestyle. http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Posted in About Teresa Jade LeYung aka Teresa LeYung Ryan, Art / Craft / Teaching, Being an Immigrant - The Immigrant Experience, Mental Health, Parkinson's Disease & My Chinese Father, Women's Health, Writer's THEMES and Platform, writing-career coach / manuscript consultant / writing coach / editor/ book doctor / author / writer's life / publisher |
Tags: Aspiration pneumonia, by Teresa Jade LeYung, caregivers, CNAs, Hero cannot accept what is happening to her/him, In Nursing Home Again, living independent, Love Made of Heart, nurses, nursing home, Papa Makes Decision, Papa Makes Decision While In Nursing Home, Parkinson's Disease, urinary tract infection, What does your main character want?, writing coach and theme consultant Teresa Jade LeYung |
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January 17th, 2019 | Author: admin
**
Saturday, February 16, 2019, 11AM – 3PM
at Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco, CA
Stepping Into Your Story: Artmaking to Access Your Identity
Workshop with visual artist / curator/ teacher Cynthia Tom
Go to https://chsa.org/event/stepping-into-your-story-workshop-with-cynthia-tom/ and click on [ BUY TICKETS ]
Cynthia Tom, visual artist / curator/ teacher / founder of A PLACE OF HER OWN
Location
Chinese Historical Society of America
965 Clay St., San Francisco, California 94108
Seating is limited – admission to Cynthia Tom’s workshop on February 16, 2019 includes entry to CHSA galleries & exhibits.
$15; $10 for Seniors over 62 and students with ID
Dress to be a little messy, collage workshop and lecture.
Go to https://chsa.org/event/stepping-into-your-story-workshop-with-cynthia-tom/ and click on [ BUY TICKETS ]
“Stepping Into Your Story: Artmaking to Access Your Identity”
Workshop
with visual artist Cynthia Tom
Who are you? Why are you here and what for?
We provide an experiential workshop using intuitive artmaking techniques to access your inner stories in order to begin or continue your journey. In this workshop, using hands-on artmaking we begin to Explore, through discussion we learn how to Identify, and see how others Claim and use art to Proclaim their identity for healing and social change in the community. Our identity is forged by many seen and unseen forces. Take the time to discover, define and direct who you are with love and intention. While we can’t write your story in four hours, we can provide you with experiential and creative tools and next steps in defining and owning the power of You.
For Cynthia Tom’s website: https://cynthiatom.com
For Cynthia Tom’s A PLACE OF HER OWN: https://www.aplaceofherown.org
**