Photo: Lychee in my summer memories

Lychee, summer sweetness in Vietnam. Photo: Silvia Nguyen.

I'm very pleased with how this photo turned out. So clean and minimal. It also has a visual rhythm.

I felt the need to shoot some photos of lychee this summer, because next summer and some years later I may not be here to enjoy the sweet scent and taste of lychee anymore...

How to Build Your Own Survival Finnish Phrasebook with Google Sheets

If you couldn’t find a phrase list that fits your needs, make one!

Yes, you can. 

With the help of Google Sheets and its GOOGLETRANSLATE formula.

I Found The Best Finnish Dictionary. It Feeds You Comprehensible Input.

Let me introduce you to the paras dictionary for Finnish learners!

Suomen kielen sanakirja muuttajille (2010) by Anne Saarikalle and Johanna Vilkuna is the BEST because it applies the innovative method of feeding learners comprehensible input. All the words are explained in plain Finnish. It enables learners with a some basic vocabulary to GUESS, which makes learning so much fun. Learning new words turns into a puzzle game, which can be enjoyed either alone or with some study buddies. The fun not only motivates learners to learn regularly but more importantly helps new information stick better as well.

Anger, Bitterness, and Liberation

Anger flooded my chest. Frustration blurred my eyes. They sting.

But I just felt them without saying or doing anything. Tears were rising. My respiratory organs struggled to pump air. No words were coming.

Then I left the scene. Leaving is always the best first-aid for emotional injuries.

Then I breathed. Angry thoughts were still screaming. But just after about 10 minutes, they died out. The dark clouds have flown away, leaving behind a calm sad sky.

You Are Already What You Want To Become

 "You are already what you want to become."
- Thich Nhat Hanh

These days, I've been reading only Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. It's so packed with insights that I feel like I don't need to read any other book.

It Doesn't Matter What Job You Do

What job should I take?? must be the most recurring question in my early adulthood.

Until I reached a line in chapter What Should I Do with My Life? in The Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh:

"Anything is good. It depends on how you do it, not what you do."

People don't need to see the beautiful scene you saw

The sky this afternoon in Hanoi was oddly light blue. 

The brightness and temperature were perfect. 

I was in love with that sky. 

But I didn't take any photos. 

Am I lazy? 

No. I'm learning to live to the fullest in every moment as before digital age. 

There was no need to show others something beautiful you had seen. 

You had to learn to describe it with words. 

I'd prefer that.