Did you know? ~

I’m a singer-songwriter with a strong passion for creating songs and singing sea shanties at the top of my lungs when no one else is listening.

I was born in Bangkok, Thailand in 1989 during the time my Burmese parents were fleeing the military dictatorship in neighboring Myanmar (formerly Burma). Shortly after my birth, my mother, father and I immigrated to the U.S.A., settling in Seattle, Washington. For me, the rainy gray city of Seattle is the place I lovingly call home.

Throughout my school years I studied music and played the clarinet. Needing to claim a voice of my own I started playing the guitar when I was fourteen. I wrote my first real song (Linger) around the time I was fifteen, after my first real heartbreak.

By the time I was sixteen I had compiled a sizable collection of original songs and felt the desire to share them. I started attending some of the local open-mics. These experiences proved to be very positive and I became determined to keep going. Shortly after turning seventeen I booked and performed my first solo show and have not slowed down. During this time I have released two EPs and am currently working towards recording my first full-length CD.

~ Poetry the Precursor ~

Did you know the precursor to my songwriting was poetry? As a fifth grader I frequently entered Starbucks poetry slams for youths and unknowingly introduced myself to the timeless coffeehouse scene & crowd early on.

The poems I wrote usually centered around my childhood dreams of becoming an actor, lawyer or marine biologist. Never did I expect to become a singer-songwriter.

The contrasting subjects of my poetry included light hearted tales of meeting Tigger (Winnie The Pooh character) in my everyday life. Other times I used poetry to unknowingly express the weight of living in a poverty stricken, lower class neighborhood, full of bullies that targeted me physically more so than mentally.

When I started middle school I kept writing my poetry. In seventh grade my school held a poetry contest. I entered and won first prize, receiving a book of Robert Frost poems for my efforts.

As a High School student I kept the book on my night stand. I thought of it as wordy retreat away from my turbulent family life.

Today the book and all of my youth poetry resides in my old room in the house where I spent a few of my teen years. The poetry I write today is expressed through somber yet uplifting vocal melodies accompanied by my guitar.

Below is my favorite poem in the world. Since discovering this poem I have adopted it’s meaning as the guide to navigating my life in a world so full of options. And yes, for me it has made all the difference, *smile*.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Beyond the music ~

My birthday is August 28th, 1989. I’m a Virgo, though I feel more like a Leo. I’m five feet tall, proud of every inch (I don't have a choice) and weigh ninety-six pounds.

My favorite vegetables are the zucchini squash and potato. My favorite desserts are orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream cups eaten with tiny wooden spoons, apple pie and strawberries with whip cream.

When I feel the need to treat myself, friends and/or family to a nice evening I prefer putting time and effort into preparing a home cooked meal over booking a table at a nice restaurant. I head over to my local butcher, pick up some fantastic steaks and fresh produce. This way I know the service and food will both be excellent.

I enjoy attempting arts and crafts projects that are too difficult to learn and too time consuming to keep up with. Once I purchased an “easy as 1-2-3” supposedly fail proof learn to knit kit at my local Walmart. After several failed attempts the knit kit sits idle in my plastic arts and crafts bin. The many yarn-balls I purchased were awarded to my cats.

In my spare time I enjoy reading historical romance novels (in front of a cozy fire if possible) or even reading about science, nature and technology. I also love hitting the snooze button on my alarm on Sundays. I wish I could live as long as Ming, the 405 year old ocean quahog clam dredged up off the coast of Iceland.

My favorite animal is the cat and my favorite mythical creatures are the dragon and the unicorn.

On non-specific Fridays when I'm not performing live, one of my favorite places to hang out is at The Mocha Moo in Lakewood, Washington. The Mocha Moo always has a great non-clique crowd, wonderful performers, tasty coffee and delicious sandwiches.

When it comes time to unwind, my favorite method is to place myself on my comfy sofa at home, watching old western movies on AMC while wolfing down Punjabi Indian Snack Mix and other interesting/unique ethnic snack foods that would send most be people running in the opposite direction.

Thanks for reading ~