Journey of the mind

I visited Singapore once and truly enjoyed my time there. Everything was beautiful, modern, and convenient. But emotionally,  it wasn't the kind of place that made me  “ Wow, this is my favorite place in the world ”. Every place I've been to has given me something meaningful to reflect on, but I still haven't found one that stirs a deep emotional response. Maybe I haven't experienced enough yet to come to a conclusion and I just want to save that conclusion for when I've had more experiences in the future. Or maybe it's just part of my personality --- not being easily overwhelmed by strong feelings. Among the countries I've lived in and visited, Korea holds the most vivid memories for me, because I spent my younger years there studying and living. Other places were just short trips. From the first step on the airplane, I was surprised by the flight attendants on Singapore Airlines. Their uniforms were unique and unfamiliar to me, and many seemed to have Indi...

As you might notice, the headline of this blog is "IT WILL MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENE." That's right. After gaining more life experience and finding clearer answers to questions I once held (as shared in the post Every questions will find its answer ), I now feel ready to push myself toward the next and perhaps the biggest transformation. My 20s have been a phase of exploration, change, and internal transformation. I pushed myself to chase the things I always dreamed of, to reach places I had never been. As I look toward my 30s, I believe they will make all the difference, perhaps a time when I become the strongest version of myself (as I wrote in  A Letter to my strongest version ), a version that begins to transform not just within, but  more likely  lead to tangible, outward results. Here are a few guiding keys I carry with me: Stay focused. Act.  Give my best to what truly inspires and interests me. Be clear and vocal with myself.  Focus on my own clarity and se...

Somewhere deep within Time flies. Your memories fade, like passing days, like silent months. They no longer linger, but rest somewhere deep within. I once thought I’d never reach this peace, never find stillness after you. But here I am breathing softer, moving forward with life. This is the last message I write for you. I now hold space for something greater, the love, the truth, the depth, the lasting, you chose not to be. I may still mention you when I speak with him not to hold on, but to share a part of me. And he will smile, gently, knowing I’ve lived, and I’ve let go. Hanoi, June 22, 2025

I heard you are with her. I heard you are with her. Is she everything you were searching for? The parts I lacked? Perhaps I'm curious about her. But truly, All I want to know Is simply Her. You look happy. While I stand here, small, Watching how quickly you let go of us . I wonder, Was it ever real? Were your promises truth Or just a well-wrapped lie. You came. You left. Like a leaf blown by time. Leaving only memories  And lasting thoughts I never asked for. You once lived in my dreams, Bright and whole. But this is where the dream ends. It hurts. But still, Thank you For the time. I wish you peace. And perhaps, We were never meant to be. Not even From the beginning. Hanoi, June 22, 2025

Unfinished memories The sun begins the day, It shines but feels far away. The air is calm, the sky is wide, But something stirs, unsettled inside. I walk the path we used to know, where memories softly grow. Do I still cross your mind, Even if just for a little while? You chose to walk away, But I still feel you every day. I don't forget the way we cared, All the moments we shared. We once exchanged our every thought, Chatted everything without a second thought. We updated each other, day by day, We missed our voice, our smile, our way. Surrounding you felt like surrounding me, A quiet kind of intimacy. Now I must let it drift away, As if we never met that day.  Unfinished memories remain, Lingering like a gentle pain. Time moves on, and so must I, But part of me still asks why. Why did you draw so near, so fast, Only to become part of the past? Hanoi, June 22, 2025

I don't wanna talk I don’t wanna talk About all the things you left behind About you, About us, About our problems in between. You chose to walk away Without a word. So I chose to find closure In silence. I played by the rules. I don’t fix What I didn’t break. Perhaps It's destiny That leads us now. Hanoi, June 22, 2025

The Winner Takes It All Song by ABBA Lyrics Search Results Main results I don't wanna talk About things we've gone through Though it's hurting me Now it's history I've played all my cards And that's what you've done too Nothing more to say No more ace to play The winner takes it all The loser's standing small Beside the victory That's her destiny I was in your arms Thinking I belonged there I figured it made sense Building me a fence Building me a home Thinking I'd be strong there But I was a fool Playing by the rules The gods may throw a dice Their minds as cold as ice And someone way down here Loses someone dear The winner takes it all (takes it all) The loser has to fall (has to fall) It's simple and it's plain (it's so plain) Why should I complain? (Why complain?) But tell me, does she kiss Like I used to kiss you? Does it feel the same When she calls your name? Somewhere deep inside You must know I miss you But what can I say? Ru...

I entered the world of romance quite late. I am not sure if that's good or bad, but for me, it feels right. It was my choice, and I'm happy with it. At this point in my life, I've worked on myself enough to understand what kind of love I'm capable of giving and I won't settle for anything less than. I knew I wasn't truly open and ready to find love or to be loved by someone until I was clear about what I was looking for and felt able to offer the best kind of love I could give  where both of us could grow and flourish. I also respect myself enough to let go of relationships that don't align with my values. Maybe it hurts sometimes, but as someone who's driven by long-term results, I remind myself it's for the sake of my future. That hurt doesn't destroy me. It strengthens me, sharpens my determination, and opens the door to something greater. Coming into romance later gave me the space to grow, reflect, and free myself from the kinds of attachmen...

These summer days in Hanoi are lovely. The weather is gentle, not too hot. Somehow, I feel a quiet flutter inside me. Maybe it's because I'm about to change to a new job. It stirs up old memories and reminds me that summer has always been a season of change for me. Since childhood, summer has marked transitions. It always began with the final lessons of the school year and the excitement of an approaching vacation. I still remember the small farewell parties we held to say goodbye to our teachers and classmates. Summer meant leaving one grade behind and stepping into the next. My first jobs after graduating from university also began after long summer days spent searching and adjusting. Summer, for me, has always been a time full of uncertainty and new beginnings. Even recently, summer continues to push me toward change. When I was in Korea, I transferred universities from Incheon to Seoul during the summer --- a big shift in my academic journey. And now, once again, I'm pr...

I randomly scrolled to this song, and it made me want to write something For choosing you I didn't choose you because I was lonely. I've learned to keep myself company. I've been a friend to my own soul And I would've waited longer If it meant finding you. I didn't choose you in a rush. I've walked my path with patience, Chasing quiet visions, Growing into the woman I fought to be. I chose you because I'm ready. Because when I look ahead, I see you there. In the life I long to build, In the days I want to live. You are everything my heart has ever wanted. Not to fill a void But to share the fullness we've become. My handwriting: Hanoi, June 16, 2025

I really like his eyes. They looks so cool.  I really want to get better at charcoal. It's true that there's a wide gap between imagination and reality. Turning a vision into something real takes effort, patience, and practice.  It's not just true in art, but in life too. Time to practice!! P.S. I've created a brand new label for my blog:  "Lines and Smiles."  This will be the home for all my drawings --- a space where each line carries a story, and every piece hopes to bring a little smile.  This post marks the very first step in that journey. Hanoi, June 15, 2025

Titanic has always been an inspiration for me. This weekend, I made a quick  charcoal  sketch based on a scene from the film. It's a rough drawing done with a charcoal bar, but I think using pencil would help bring out more detail. I'll do that next. I also drew a portrait today. This is the first step: building the structure. Let’s see how it turns out!! Aside from drawing, I played some online chess. I've been feeling determined to achieve higher scores and stay consistent.  Right now, my rating is still quite low. I wonder: when will I be able to reach a score like a chess grandmaster? LOL. Hanoi, June 14, 2025

I once said in a post ( Beyond goals and achievements: The true missing piece ) that I forgot to cherish my life beyond academic achievements. It's true but I also believe it's understandable. Academic success has always been my biggest goal.  At the time, I saw it as the challenge I had to face right in front of me a nd undeniably, I was deeply focused on it.  Pursuing higher education is incredibly challenging. It's not just about gaining knowledge. It includes so many other things, especially when you're living abroad. It's not uncommon to see others facing the same struggles. Uncertainty, disappointment, exhaustion… I think everyone who walks this path experiences those moments in their own way. But looking back, I'm grateful I built a strong foundation during those years. As someone once said: “When you're in a dark place, you might think you've been buried but actually, you've been planted.”  Or simply: “When you're in the darkest place,...

I've gained the basic skills to draw a portrait.  I'm so excited.  I can't wait to capture the essence of a face --- its  uniqueness and  emotion through art. I really enjoy drawing mouths.  They may seem simple, but they express so much. I'm about to start some mini projects I'm really excited about!  Maybe I'll try drawing the scenes from  Titanic  again.  It's going to be hard, but it is OK. I'm ready to push myself and have fun with it. Below are my sketches:  the eyes, nose, and mouth !!! PS.  The first time I'm using the date as a title. It is today's diary, lol.   Hanoi, June 11, 2025