NYC after Sandy

Being a New Yorker for more than 5 years, I am familiar with snow storms. However, I found myself being a total stranger to hurricanes. Although there were announcements for the coming Sandy all over the news, I did not know how to prepare for it.

What should I pack? Should I buy foods? If there is no electricity, the refrigerator wouldn't work and what's the point of buying foods? If flood coming into the building, where should I run? ..I was so overwhelmed and nervous. 
The wheezing sound of Sandy put me to sleepless night. I saw some photos of homeless who couldn't reach shelters before the hurricane. I couldn't imagine how they went through Sandy. Sandy has left New York city with historical damages.


My thoughts and prayers go to those who lost their homes, properties and loved ones during hurricane Sandy.

Long Island City (1 day after Sandy hit NYC )

Sandy puts I-495 highway to sleep

Queens, NYC

Long Island City, NYC

Wood heaven Blvd, NYC

Demonstrations over electricity shortages in Burma

I have grown up in a small village of Burma where there was no electricity or internet connection. So, when i first visited New York's Times Square where the night is as bright as day light, i was so amazed by the colorful electricity. I wanted to showed it to all my friends from the village who have never been living with 24 hrs of electricity (or) some have never had electricity in their lives. At the same time, I sadly realized that my country has left behind in all aspects; education, health care, human rights and living standards etc.


At this time, demonstrations over electricity shortages began in the 2nd largest city of Burma,Mandarlay, on May 20 and quickly spread to several towns and cities. Kyaw Thu, the winner for Burmese Citizenship Award for his social services to the poor, held a small peaceful demonstration in New York City to support the Burma's candle campaign. Kyaw Thu is a famous actor, film director, an artist and the founder of the Free Funeral Service Society that provides free funeral services and health care to the poor. On his short trip to the USA, Kyaw Thu has met with Burmese communities from different cities.


Please support Burma/ Myanmar to transform into a democratic country by spreading the news about the country. 

Kyaw Thu participated in peaceful Candle campaign at Project Reach, New York City  (photo: littlevoicefromburma)

Burmeses living in NYC also particiapted in the Candle campaign (photo: littlevoicefromburma)

Citizens marching inside Burma in a Candle Campaign  (photo: The Myanmar Times )

 

Citizens marching inside Burma in a Candle Campaign (photo: The Myanmar Times)

Protesting for the next generations to get 24 hrs electricity supply in Burma (photo: facebook)

The desire to get 24 hrs electricity is burning inside and he could not even feel the burnt on his hand. (Photo: Myo Min Oo )

Photo: The Myanmar Times

Burma's Steel Lady meets with her supporters during her election campaigns

Burmese's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is currently visiting the second largest city of Burma (Mandalay) and meeting with her supporters. More than 100,000 supporters including monks,nuns and people of different ages showed up to support her. 


According to my friend who accompanies Suu Kyi to all her trips: from humid regions to cold regions, the 66-year-old Nobel Peace Prize Laureate appeared tired especially when she is alone. "It is not easy to travel to different places and meeting with thousands and thousands of supporters. Every day, she is dealing with people from different background. She seems tired when she is alone but as soon as she meets her supporters, she becomes so fresh with a bright smile on her face and she is ready to deliver her speech," my friend said.  Suu Kyi has been campaigning around the country for months, in an attempt to win some seats in special election coming in April 2012. Majority of seats in Burma's parliament have been taken by government back-up party and only 48 seats are available at this time. 


Suu Kyi strongly believes that working in the Parliament is an important step for her to initiate Burma's reform.


"Our future road will be really tough and difficult. Democracy is not easy to get and also not easy to strengthen straight away,'' Suu Kyi says.

Aung San Suu Kyi meeting with her supporters in Mandalay, Burma