I liked museums but I wanted to be a dancer, I wanted to go into performing arts, or be a writer.

Whether I affect one person or an entire family, or even a group of people, I feel like I have resources and education and ability and skills that some people may not be fortunate enough to acquire. But by sharing and inquiring, being a listener, and being interested in the stories of other people and their lives, I can also pull things out and say "What can I do for them? What can I share with them that may alleviate some of their suffering?"

I'm doing a collaborative project with another artist, Mary Hamill. My project is to gather the oral history of war widows, starting with the women of my village, Kop Nymit.

When I hear Khmer poets, when they recite their poems, I know what they're talking about, I get it right away.

I started to paint in the year 2000. I never thought of going to an art school, even though I loved art.

I have a great advantage: I write from the perspective of my own voice. I'm not copying anyone's voice. It's my voice. I have the advantage of being a writer of English as a second language.

It's hard to choose the right word, the right line. This Body Mystery is a small book, but it took me over ten years.