Small achievements, great joy

I'd like to proudly share a small achievement that brings me great joy: I've finally managed to deliver checkmate in a few games while playing chess with some members of the club, ahihi.

After making a resolution to only play online chess once I had properly studied opening theory, I still haven't reopened Chess.com to grind for Elo points. Instead, I've been watching strong players climb Elo on YouTube and following commentary from chess masters, which has helped me improve quite a lot.

P.S. The image is for illustration purposes only. The friend in the picture played three games with me and I lost all three in a row.


Today is so emotional.

It is also brought a small achievement that brings me great joy. I achieved a good shift in my research work with the help of a talented member in our project and it boosted my confidence a lot. I believe my efforts are moving in the right direction.


PS. Quick results reported to the Professor

I also met a freshman student at the university where I work. He is determinated, hardworking, focused, and smart, and we seemed to connect quite naturally. He studied until late and only left the lab together with the last person because he didn't have a key to the room. His attitude was really impressed me. He didn't refused any kind of “odd job” and was even willing to ask for more things to do and learn. Interestingly, he also can bake cakes and he walks to school everyday!

One more funny thing: I told him that he looks a lot like my younger brother, and he actually agreed, LOL. They are both tall and thin, so maybe that's why the feeling was so familiar from the beginning.

Another memorable moment today was reconnecting with a travel buddy I met in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, two years ago. I contacted her again because I'm planning to visit Chiang Mai, where she is currently living. Actually, we had planned to meet again in Hanoi last year, but her plans changed and we couldn't make it happen. This year, I'm going to visit Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand, and I would really love to see her again. Somehow, receiving her text today made me emotional.



Everything made my day from the coffee I made for myself in the morning to the afternoon tea I had with the smart guy. On a sunny, hot day in Hanoi, along with future travel plans with my younger sister, I felt so emotional the whole day.

Small Moments, Great Emotions!! 

I want to remind myself how happy I was yesterday.
Hanoi, May 21, 2026

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