Little things #29

#110 He is not a king but One man army LOL

#111 A Little More Time in the Kitchen

When I spend more time cooking and baking, with compliments from my roommate (I assume she is quite easy to please) and some others, I think my cooking ability is pretty okay.

Rather than before, I never thought I cooked well for some reasons:

1. I didn't spend much time cooking, so I wasn't confident about it.
2. I often cooked only for myself, so I didn't always put much thought or care.
3. I often tried to cook new recipes and use new ingredients, so I couldn't really have a “signature dish.”

But now, I realize that when I spend more time on something, I can see it from a new perspective. When I spent more time in the kitchen, I became more confident. My behavior and attitude in the kitchen changed too. And I find something in myself: when I cook, I am concentrated and curious. These are qualities I know I have in other parts of my life, and they work in the kitchen too. I think that is more than enough for me, above all.

My roommate often compliments my cooking, and I joke that you should “cook with love”. And it turns out that it is true - not only just a joke.

#112 A Reason to Keep Studying

I don't remember whether I have mentioned this story on this blog before, but I want to tell you about my 65-year-old labmate.

I always remember when he had just joined the lab and we had some conversations to get to know each other. He shared that his mom taught him that a man shouldn't stay at home during the daytime, so that's why he continued to study for a doctoral degree. LOL. I just found it quite interesting so I wanted to recap it.

Now, he has already got his PhD degree. Congrats to him!

Hanoi, August 09, 2026