My Biography

"Angkor Wat's (អង្គរវត្ត) mightiness and magnificence bespeak a pomp and a 
luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than 
that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal." Obviously, it was not successfully built just overnight.

My simple philosophy is that struggling life is positively lived.

"Tough time never lasts, but tough people do" - Robert Schuller
 

Mr. Lak Chansok is a research fellow at Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP) and a lecturer at Department of International Studies of Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). Since late 2012, he has taught five subjects such as International Relations (I & II / IS203 & IS207); Comparative Politics (IS307); Governments and Politics in Southeast Asia (IS204); Power, Actors and Order in International Relations (IS405); and World History and Civilizations (EWH102).

Mr. Lak worked as a junior consultant for Korea Global Development Consulting Center (KGDC) in 2013 and has been selected to participate in many national and international workshops, conferences, trainings and study group meetings. He has currently been a member of Pacific Forum CSIS Young Leader Program and his recent work with CSCAP is on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in Asia Pacific.

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

Abraham Lincoln

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more 

important than any other." - Abraham Lincoln

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln had two business ventures fail, lost 8 different elections and had a complete nervous breakdown before becoming president in 1816? His story is a great inspirational confidence story in that he shows how if you just keep moving towards your dream, you will eventually make it.

Abraham Lincoln overcame great setbacks and obstacles on his journey. Take a look at the synopsis of his life and see whether you would have had the courage to continue on. 

1809 Born February 12

1816 Abraham Lincoln's family was forced out of their home and he needed to work to support his family.

1818 His mother passed away

1828 His sister dies 

1831 A business venture failed

1832 He ran for the State Legislature. He lost.

1832 In the same year, he also lost his job. He decided he wanted to go to law school but couldn't get in.

1833 He borrowed money from a friend to start a business. By the end of the year, he was bankrupt.

1834 He ran for the State Legislature again. This time he won.

1835 The year was looking better as he was engaged to be married. Unfortunately, his fiancee died and he was grief stricken.

1836 This was the year he had a total nervous breakdown and for 6 months was bedridden.

1836 He sought to become Speaker of the State Legislature. He was defeated.

1840 He sought to become Elector. He was defeated.

1842 Marries Mary Todd. They have 4 boys but only one would live to maturity.

1843 He ran for Congress. He lost.

1846 He ran for Congress again. He won and moved to Washington.

1848 He ran for re-election to Congress. He lost.

1849 He sought the job of Land Officer in his home state. He didn't get the job.

1850 His son, Edward, dies.

1854 He ran for the Senate of the United states. He lost.

1856 He sought the Vice Presidential nomination at a national convention. He got less than 100 votes.

1858 He ran for the Senate again. He lost again.

1860 Abraham Lincoln is elected President of the United States

1862 His son, Willie, dies at age 12.

1865 On April 14, Abraham Lincoln is assassinated.