Sabaydii SatJaDham,
	Euay Toon, I finally got a chance to read you Life Resolution
posting.  I downloaded it and got myself into all kind of stuff.  It's
very inspirational piece.
	For those who couldn't read it, here it is attached below..

Hak hpaang,
	Alisak
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

Life Resolution
By Toon Souksada Phapphayboun


Incubating about what to pen down and share with the group, I traveled
back in time to the moment that I heard of the name "SatJaDham: A Lao
Literary Project" from my cousin Sonny Nyouvanisvong, to whom I
questioned and doubted, for at that time, I had decided that trying to
improve our Lao community was a futile effort, a wasteful time.  At that
time, my attitudes were justiable because I tried several trials and
errors, but nothing fruitful ever came out, except disappointment,
heartaches, and frustration.  But now, as I sit here thinking back of my
involvement since SJD first conference in Fresno in 1996, the biggest and
proudest smile crosses my face.  I know some of you might think it's
probably a physiological facial twitch, but let me share with you why I
am so proud of what we, as a group, have accomplished so far.

First, it's the knowledge.  I have learned so much from being part of
this community.  Both my languages, English and Lao, have enhanced.  I am
able to share my knowledge about Chao Anou with my peers, I am able to
see how Lao poetry is composed, and I am able to improve my own writing
by reading others'.  As far as a second, third, or fourth language goes,
some of us here even managed to practice our Spanish, French, or whatever
else we happened to pick up along our way.  I am at awe every time I
think about he language part of our group, especially with the latest one
called, "Englao", which remains to be seen of what development will take
place.  My gut feeling here is that Englao might play quite a role at our
fourth annual conference in Washington, DC this coming June.  So, if you
know it, practice it and if you don't, it's time to "voa" Englao. 
Needless to say, SJD is definitely a multilingual group.

Languages aside, a fantastic feeling arrives in my heart when I think of
our community as a whole.  We all know that our progress has been slow;
however, proudly, we know that it's this very progress that keeps the
little pilot burning in our heart, that little flame never fails to
enflame our soul and zap our promises into commitments when it comes to
our common cause and shared vision.  How else can we explain the planting
of the "banana seeds"?  None of us knows what the future holds, but on
that same token, we know it's a promising future that each ounce of our
effort from everyone of us will ensure that the future of our community
will indeed be bright and exciting--our effort will nourish the "banana
seeds", which will become fruitful trees.  Particularly for SatJaDham, we
have been most fruitful, for we exceptionally boast more than ninety
members, published two annual publications, and held three stellar
conferences across the nation.  Currently, our almost four-year project
is on its way to becoming a group with its recently elected core leaders.
 Now, that's progress at its best.  With all that we have accomplished as
a family, I feel most honorably privileged to be a part of this historic
journey.

Deleting the aforementioned, I am still in cloud nine when I think of our
SJD family.  No, I am not under any influence nor am I high on any
substance abuse, but I am hooked on one of the most important aspects of
life as we journey toward the unknown, and that is friendship that has
flowered and will continue to do so each and everyday of our lives. 
Before SJD, I did, of course, have friends, but there was always
something missing, you know, that special yet inexplicable feeling that
touches your heart when you hang with people that you do not need to go
into geographical explanations of where your homeland is and people that
will not get offended when you say, "Hpuck maak huong".  Since 1996, I
have become part of an extended family with supportive, compassionate,
and loving members.  While for some people, this kind of friendship comes
maybe once in a lifetime and requires years of flowering, our friendship
is the most unique; the click, the instant sincerity was there when we
met face-to-face for the first time.  This phenomenon can only be
explained by the most important thing we all have in common.  This word
needs no explanation, no elaboration, no translation; this word is our
common tie, and that is our devotion, our passion, and our love for
"padaek", especially when it's used in our signature entree "taam maak
huong".  So to all the aow's, nar's, ai's, eauy's, and nong's, I
compassionately look forward to our future bonding, for this kind of
friendship chases away those gloomy, discouraging moments in life.  This
Buddha-send companionship reassures us that we will not be lonely, even
if we are alone during the storms in our lives.

Looking in the mirror, I feel completely whole to be part of the most
awesome community of my Lao siblinghood.  I know that our sharing of
knowledge, community, and friendship will be our legacy long after we
part this earth.  We have truly made our marks on this mother earth.  For
that and so much more, I am most grateful for all I have given and for
all I have received.  Looking in the mirror, I am proudest because I see
many familiar faces of those whom I've come to love compassionately and
perpetually.  And most important of all, looking in the mirror, I know
that these are the people, who if stripped socially, educationally, and
professionally, shall still be some of the most outstanding people in my
life because of what's inside their pure hearts.  These are the
individuals whom I would not have met if I weren't part of our SatJaDham
family.  

___________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html
or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]