314 Jewelry Classes with Carol Zarate in Palo Alto
I went to Missoula, Montana for a 5-months Photography School in the summer of 2009. During that time, I went to visit a small town called Philipsburg a few times. The town looks like a movie set because the buildings are nothing like where I came from (Taiwan or San Francisco Bay Area).
2009年我去蒙大拿州上了五個月的攝影課程. 期間我去了一個小城市叫費爾斯伯格幾次, 這個小城市的市景簡直像是拍電影的場景, 好像時間停滯似的.
I didn’t know Montana has mining and the Montana sapphire comes in every color of the rainbow, yellow, pink, white, gold, green, parti-color (multi-colored) and blue in every shade!
我事先並不知道蒙大拿州有礦場, 也不知道Sapphire (中文翻藍寶石)其實不是只有藍色, 還有黃色, 粉紅色, 白色, 綠色, 金色, 綜合色.
My classmates and I went for our first gem gravel hunt – we bought a bag of Montana sapphire gravel, and the store provides all the tools. I was hooked, and it was so much fun. After the staff from the store teach us what to look for, we began a fun afternoon of a treasure hunting.
我和同學一起去掏寶石, 我們各買了一袋礦砂石, 店家提供所有需要的工具和設備, 等店員告訴我們怎麼篩選之後, 我們就開始尋寶, 超好玩的.
We found different sizes and colors of gemstones. The staff will help us to determine whether those gemstones are worth to spend extra money to get them heat treating and faceting (quality and size of the stones).
每個人都會找到大小數量不一的原石, 經由鑒定師鑑定後, 會告訴我們那幾顆是值得我們另外花錢做切割和加熱, 變成漂亮的裸石.
I selected a few largest and good enough quality gemstones to get heat treating and faceting, and planning one day I will make some jewelry pieces out of them. Now, 10 years later, I finally found a chance to do that.
我選了幾顆比較大的原石再做進一步的加工, 計劃未來有機會要用它為自己做幾件首飾. 這一等就是十年, 我終於找到一個機會了.
In January this year, I saw a flyer outside of a Peet’s coffee in Palo Alto for a Jewelry Studio offering individual classes. I was so happy. So I checked out the website – 314 Jewelry with Carol Zarate, and it still took me another 3 months before I contacted Carol and step my foot into her studio.
今年一月我在PaloAlto的一家Peet’s咖啡店外面看到一張珠寶工作室課程的傳單, 我看到的時候超開心的, 我先上網看官網, 結果還是又拖了三個月才真的和工作室主人卡羅小姐聯絡.
I finally bring myself, and my gemstones to Carol’s studio. After some discussions, I began my first class with Carol. Boy, I have so much fun. It’s very therapeutic. It help me stay focus, calm, and at the same time, I have fun. It’s the same feeling when I am doing gardening, baking, painting or photography.
我終於帶著我的藍寶石和我自己來到卡羅的工作室. 經過一番討論後, 我開始了第一堂課. 天啊, 我超開心的, 非常療癒, 就像我在弄菜園, 烘培, 畫畫, 或攝影的時候, 讓我很專心, 很平靜, 又很好玩.
The studio also displays a lot of finished pieces. 現場也有展示很多已經完成的作品.
So my first project with Carol is a Raindrop Pendant with a sapphire mounted. I used the photo above as a guide, and I choose to use copper instead of silver this time.
我的第一個作品是想做一個像照片上那樣的雨滴型墜子, 鑲嵌一個藍寶石. 照片是我的參考, 這次我選用銅片, 而不是銀片.
The first two hours of the class was just getting that thin long piece ready to shape a raindrop form – first using a piercing saw to cut a long narrow piece from a big copper piece, and then using different grade or size of file tools to smooth the piece on 4 sides (front and back plus two edges), then to form the raindrop shape.
第一堂課的二小時就純粹用在從一大塊銅板上切割一細條銅片, 然後用不同的打磨工具把那一細條銅片從粗磨到細和光滑, 然後就可以彎成雨滴狀.
. . . . I will keep updating my project progress here.
My first handmade jewelry was back in 2017 in SF. They have three projects for you to choose from – a ring, a pair of earrings, and a pendant. I made a silver ring. Since it was a one-time class (I think it was a Groupon), many steps are already been taking care of to save time.
我的第一個手工首飾是在2017年, 我去舊金山上了一堂課, 他有三件首飾讓我們選 – 戒指, 耳環, 和項鍊墜子. 我選擇銀戒子. 因為只有一堂課, 學校把很多步驟都做好了, 節省時間.
Six Senses Healing
Hello everyone,
I am announcing great news!!! I have started a healing arts services, Six Senses Healing, to sharing what I know and what I believe in, with everyone who wants to experience a holistic approach with alternative medicine.
I was experiencing anxiety, panic attack, and depression for a few years, before and after my divorce. Life feel like an emotional rollercoaster, and I feel lost and trapped in this chaotic, out of control ride.
To deal with the difficult time, I had try everything I could – seeing a Psychiatrist (try different type of antidepressant medicine that has different side effects such as 25 lb weight gain in one year or emotional numbness or suicidal thoughts), a counselor for three years, an acupuncturist, a chiropractor, a homeopathist, two hypnotherapists, a personal trainer, and a energy healer.
On top of that, I begin to study Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Qigong, Vibrational Sound Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Emotional Freedom Technique, Aromatherapy, and other modalities.
It is the idea that those who seek to help others are doing so because they are, in turn, helping themselves. The harmony is created when you get connected with the “Inner Self”. You let the wings of freedom to guide your life. Rumi says “The wounds are the places where light enters.” Healers have a desire to help others because of a difficult past, enormous pain and loss, and their work serving others ultimately heals themselves.
From learning and practicing these modalities showed me a self-discovery and self-realization path, which leads to how to live authentically according to one’s essence and purpose. Our wounds teach us life lessons. They create ways for us to connect, teach and touch other’s hearts with great Attunement, Empathy, and Sympathy. I want to provide a safe place for others who are seeking help by empowering them to heal themselves.
Besides all the helps I got from the health professionals, the biggest help I got are from friends dear to me. Their understanding and support and accompany are the reasons that help me through the hard time and for me to get back on my feet. Without their love and caring, I won’t be alive today. I am grateful for everyone who has helped me along the way. In return, I would like to help others who are going through a hard time in life whether you are going through divorce or depression, I want you to know, you are not alone. There is nothing to feel the shame of. You have to seek outside help. And I am happy to share my own experiences with you, offer you support, and help you with ways I know.
親愛的讀者,
我想要告訴你們一個好消息!! 我開始提供療癒服務 – 六感療癒, 將我所學, 所知, 所相信的, 來和想體驗一個考量整體的非主流醫學.
我自己在離婚前後幾年, 經歷過焦慮, 恐慌, 憂鬱症, 那個情緒就像坐雲霄飛車一般, 我感到迷惘和被困住在這個無法控制的情況.
為了尋求康復, 我求助過精神科醫生 (吃過不同的抗憂鬱症藥, 經歷過不同的副作用), 看了三年的諮商師, 也看了中醫師, 整骨師, 自然療法師, 催眠師, 健身教練和能量師.
除此之外, 我還開始學習昆達里尼瑜珈, 打坐, 氣功, 震動聲音療法, 催眠, EFT情緒釋放技巧, 芳療和其他方式.
那些希望藉由幫助別人的人, 他們會選擇這樣做, 是因為他們相信最終會反過來幫到自己。 當你與“內心自我”聯繫時，就會產生和諧。 你讓自由的翅膀引導你的生活。 魯米說：“傷口就是光進入的地方。”治療師因為自己過去的傷痛和損失, 希望能夠透過幫助他人，反過來他們也從中得到療癒。
從學習和實踐這些方式, 提供我一條自我發現和自我實現的道路，引領著如何根據一個人的本質和目的過著真實的生活。 我們的傷口教會我們人生課程。 他們為我們創造了一種方式，通過極大的協調，同理心和同情來聯繫，教導和觸動他人的心靈。 我想為那些尋求幫助的人提供一個安全的地方，讓他們能夠自我治癒。
除了我從專業醫療人士那裡獲得的所有幫助外，我得到的最大幫助是來自親朋好友。 他們的理解，支持和陪伴是幫助我渡過難關並讓我重新站起來的原因。 沒有他們的愛和關懷，我不會活到今天。 我很感激所有幫助過我的人。 作為回報，我想幫助那些正在經歷痛苦的人，無論你是在經歷離婚還是憂鬱症，我想讓你知道，你並不孤單。 不需要感到丟臉。 你必須尋求外界的幫助。 我很樂意與你分享我自己的經驗，為你提供支持，並以我所知的方式幫助你。
Six Senses Healing – Hypnotherapy, Sound Healing, Qigong
10 Holistic Approaches to Parkinson’s Disease
For people with Parkinson’s disease, treatment typically involves the use of medications that help minimize movement problems and control symptoms. A disorder of the central nervous system, Parkinson’s disease also can be better managed with the help of certain lifestyle changes. Since many medications used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease can cause severe side effects, patients often seek alternative treatment options.
The use of alternative medicine in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease has yet to be extensively researched. However, a small number of studies suggest that the following natural approaches may be of some benefit to Parkinson’s patients.
1. Watch and Read
- Watch a documentary called “HEAL”.
It’s on Netflix if you or your friends have Netflix. Or you can rent or buy via an online platform such as iTune, Amazon, etc.
- Read (or Audiobook) “Love yourself like your life depends on it“ by Kamal Ravikant
- Read “Fighting Parkinson’s . . .and Winning” by Howard Shifke
- Read “10 Breakthrough Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease” by Michael S. Okun, M.D.
2. Eat healthy food.
Raw fruits and vegetables, High fiber foods, Healthy fats, Cold-pressed oils, Omega-3 foods, Green tea, lots of water, Protein at dinner only.
AVOID too much protein, processed foods, artificial sweeteners & added sugar, alcohol, any potential food allergens (gluten, dairy, shellfish, peanuts.)
3. Add supplements.
Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin C, D, E, Omega-3 fish oil, Green vegetable powder supplement that includes Spirulina, chlorella or wheatgrass.
4. Choose the right exercises.
Staying active can help you sleep, strengthen your muscles and joints, reduce stress and depression, and improve posture, balance, and gait. The types of exercise you choose will depend, to some degree, on the severity of your Parkinson’s disease and your overall health.
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Clinic and Research Center at the University of California, the exercises should be varied and incorporate changing directions through unplanned movement, cardiovascular exercise, balance, strength training and rhythmical exercises.
Walking, Dancing, Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, Meditation, Swimming, Water Aerobics,
- American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Information & Referral Center at Stanford – Fall Prevention Programs, PD Exercise Classes, Local Support Groups,
5. Acupuncture.
According to the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group at King’s College in London, recent research has shown acupuncture can relieve Parkinson’s symptoms by generating a neural response in areas of the brain that are particularly affected by inflammation, such as the putamen and the thalamus.
Acupuncture has been used for centuries to help reduce pain, anxiety, insomnia, and stiffness. Now it’s suggested that it can even help slow cell death and attenuate oxidative stress that causes damage to dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
6. Hypnotherapy and Sound Therapy.
Hypnotherapy is like a guided meditation with an intention that works on your subconscious by telling your subconscious what we want the body to do (relax your body and mind, sleep better, improve the symptoms, etc.)
Sound Therapy uses the water in your body vibrated with the Singing Bowls that is placed on your body plus the sound you hear, together they can work wonders to unblock the tension you have in your organs or cells, brain stimulation can dramatically improve the symptoms, and the transmission of dopamine and serotonin. Sound Therapy helps with motivation, coordination, energy, vocal tone and modulation, mood and positivity.
7. MRI-Focused Ultrasound Undergoing Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Parkinson’s Treatment
With the new technology, clinicians direct ultrasound waves to a brain structure called the globus pallidus, which helps regulate voluntary movement, to destroy damaged tissue, decreasing the uncontrolled movements that characterize Parkinson’s disease.
Doctors use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create a temperature map of the brain, giving them a real-time picture of the region they want to hit with the sound waves. They then raise the energy, directly targeting that area of the brain to destroy the tissue.
8. Aromatherapy.
Essential oils are believed to have beneficial effects on the mind, body, and spirit. Many essential oils are used to treat specific ailments or complaints. Like herbs and minerals, the FDA does not regulate essential oils. Most medical doctors don’t consider them a valid treatment for what ails you, but those who use them are believers. But check with your doctor first. If you have allergies or anaphylaxis, you’ll probably want to avoid most essential oils. By and large, though, they’re worth a try.
9. Massage Therapy
According to a 2002 study conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, along with staff from the university’s neurology department and Duke University’s pharmacology department, Parkinson’s disease symptoms are reduced by massage therapy. In this study, the group of adults with Parkinson’s disease who received two massages a week for five weeks experienced improved daily functioning, increased quality of sleep and decreased stress-hormone levels. The study’s authors reported, “These findings suggest that massage therapy enhances functioning in progressive or degenerative central nervous system disorders or conditions.”
While several different massage modalities have been quantifiably researched in the context of Parkinson’s, including Trager, Alexander Technique and Swedish massage, all modalities report improvement in function, from the reduction of rigidity and improvement of sleep, to the reduction of tremor and increase of daily activity stamina.
https://www.massagetoday.com/articles/14399/How-to-Help-People-With-Parkinsons
10. Medical Marijuana (CBD)
The two primary chemicals that are isolated from the cannabis plant are Delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). THC exerts the mind-altering effects that recreational marijuana is known for, whereas CBD does not. For the most part, medical marijuana consists of purified combinations of these two chemicals in varying ratios. The combination can be dispensed as a liquid, pill or nasal spray. Both THC and CBD interact with the ECS.
https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/medical-marijuana-and-parkinsons-disease/
You can volunteering for Trial with The Michael J. Fox Foundation.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research into therapies for Parkinson’s disease, supports research to identify new targets for therapies as well as improving current therapies.
