Cheese and warmth I’m happy to be in Vietnam, and I almost don’t miss anything at all about the USA. But there are just a couple things which I miss a little bit. I miss cheese. Sometimes I feel hungry but don’t want to eat rice. I just think about biting a big piece of cheese. It’s hard to feel satisfied without it. I also miss the cold, I think. Not that I like being cold, but I remember things…
Urban environments can be loud. Living in such a loud environment is challenging for many. I’ll give you a couple tips on how to cope with urban noise. First, find quiet spaces. Even though you are in the city, you can find some places which are quiet. This may be in your home, or outside at a big park or empty cafe. Second, use headphones. Headphones give you some control over what you are listening to, even while out in…
I studied agriculture in college, but I didn’t follow a career in that field. Instead I became an itinerant teacher. But I don’t think that I wasted my degree. Even if I never grow any rice or keep any bees (which I hope I do), it would still be worth it to have studied agriculture. I’m enjoying taking photos of rice paddies, probably because I know a little about plants and soil and stuff. They say ‘the more you learn,…
Topic: change of environmentThesis: I can adjust to a new environment In the countryside in Cambodia it is a very different environment than what I am used to. On my first night I was in a bad mood because I was tired from travel and in a strange place. My second day here has been much better. Cambodia has a very hot and humid climate. At first it was hard to get used to feeling sweaty all the time. I…
You may believe that people in ancient times had a more “real” life. But whether life was more real now or in the past depends on how you look at it. In the past, people didn’t have as much access to information. Most knowledge wasn’t written down. People didn’t know as much about important things like medicine and geography. Life expectancy was shorter in the past. There was more disease and less medical knowledge. Also, people often went hungry if…
Wearing sandals indoors is a cultural practice in Vietnam. There are several reasons behind this tradition. People remove their shoes before entering a home to keep the living space clean. Wearing sandals that are only for indoor use helps to prevent dirt and other contaminants from coming in from outside. People also like sandals for their comfort and practicality. They are easy to slip on and off. They also help keep your feet cool on a hot day. These are…
The new year is here. Here are my hopes for this new year. My first hope is for personal growth and development. I would like to find a good job. I would also like to develop other skills outside of work. My second hope is for community and connection. I hope that I will find community, be able to form meaningful relationships and have a strong sense of belonging. The new year represents a new opportunity. Many people including myself…
Topic: “go with my gut”Thesis: some examples of situations where saying “go with my gut” might be appropriate. The expression “go with my gut” means to rely on your instincts or intuition when making a decision. Here are some examples of situations where saying “go with my gut” might be appropriate. In a job interview, if you have a gut feeling that the company culture doesn’t fit your values, even if it is a good job, you might decide to…
A In the Summer when the sun is high in the sky and it feels hot, I wish for the Winter. In the Winter when the sun is low in the sky and it feels cold, I wish for the Summer. I should just appreciate what I have right now. There is snow on the ground. It covers the roads and paths. But snow on the ground is a good thing. For one thing, snow is water and we need…
I. introa. how pine needles are usedI. How animals use pine needlesa. birds build nests with pine needlesII. How people use pine needlesa. bedding/mulch for gardeningIII. Conclusiona. pine needles are very useful Pine needles might seem like simple things, but they have lots of uses that help both animals and people. Animals are clever! Birds use pine needles to make cozy nests. The needles keep their eggs safe and warm until they hatch. Q. Neighbors are the people who live…