Sometimes I fantasize about learning to write in Khmer. Because if I could write in Khmer, my perspective would be very different, because I'm both an outsider and insider and I see the writing in a different way. My description would be different from, say, a local 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?"

This is my first collaboration [with Mary Hamill] so I'm going to learn how it's going to work.

It's really hard when you read literature in a language that's not your own. There are all these cultural references you have to be born into that particular language to get.

A lot of my work is process-oriented. I delve into my work and sit alone in silence and work with the material and process it, like talking to yourself.

I am a community social psychologist and a lot of my work deals with social work and helping people overcoming addiction and trauma.

I think there are things I can't write in English that I wish I could write in Khmer.