March is International Women’s Month, and I thought that to celebrate I’ll write about this topic. Why do so many of us still feel the need to say “sorry” for things that don’t even require an apology? How often have you started a sentence with, “Sorry, but I just wanted to say…”? Or apologized for asking a simple question at work? Maybe you’ve even said “sorry” when someone else bumped … Continue reading Things Women Should Stop Apologizing For
Working from home is not always sunshine and stress-free mornings. If anything, working remotely can feel like you’re living at the office, where the lines between work and personal life get blurry fast. I’ve been doing this for over three years now, and I know how easy it is to push through exhaustion without realizing you’re running on empty. One moment, you’re knocking out deadlines … Continue reading WFH Burnout; Signs and Prevention Strategies
II’ll admit it—I can be very envious of people. Just scrolling through social media is enough to make my head spin and my heart ache with desire. But I know myself well enough to understand that dwelling in those spaces won’t do me any good. So, what did I do? I cut back on my time on those platforms and instead started listening to As … Continue reading How Comparison Steals Joy (And How to Break Free)
“Why do I still need to learn English when I have Google Translate?” I hear this question a lot as an ESL tutor, especially from younger students who think technology can do all the heavy lifting. Some adults, on the other hand, feel too old to learn and believe they can get by without it. But here’s the thing—whether you’re a student, a working professional, … Continue reading The Global Demand for English: Why It’s Still a Must-Learn Language
Yesterday was Zaki’s JS prom. We brought him and his partner Bella to school, and since we also had to fetch him afterwards at 11pm, we decided to kill time at the mall. We chose to have dinner at Pho Hoa /My Thai, thus the Phoa-nomenal title. Lol. It worked, right? Our family not only loves Mexican food but is also passionate about Vietnamese and … Continue reading A Phoa-nomenal Evening
I’m excited to share that I’m adding a brand new category to my blog—Essays! This will be a space where I can share my thoughts and spill out the emotions and ideas swirling around in my head. Expect short, personal essays that capture the little moments, reflections, and insights that make up everyday life. This new outlet is all about honesty and expression, offering a … Continue reading Want To Hear My Thoughts?
People imagine writers working from a cozy café, sipping overpriced lattes while effortlessly churning out words—and getting paid well for it. Sounds like a dream, right? If only it were that simple. The reality? Freelance writing is about pitching, negotiating, meeting deadlines, handling revisions, and constantly learning. It’s figuring out why a client suddenly ghosted you after three rounds of edits. It’s those days when … Continue reading 6 Freelance Writing Myths: What People Get Wrong About the Job
If you’re looking for a freelance writer who can craft engaging, well-researched, and high-quality content, you’re in the right place! Writing has been my full-time job for years, and I’ve helped businesses and blogs connect with their audience through words that inform, inspire, and convert. What I Offer I specialize in:✔ Blog posts and articles (SEO-friendly and reader-focused)✔ Content for niche websites✔ Other custom writing … Continue reading Need a Freelance Writer? Here’s How I Can Help
A good laptop can make all the difference when working from home. Whether you’re juggling multiple tabs, hopping on video calls, or trying to meet deadlines without technical hiccups, having a reliable device keeps everything running smoothly. As a full-time content writer and a part-time ESL tutor for Japanese students, I depend on my laptop daily. From writing blog posts to teaching English, I need … Continue reading 5 Reasons Why an Efficient Laptop Is a Must for Remote Work
As ESL tutors, we’ve all had students who pause mid-sentence, scrambling to translate words in their heads before speaking. It’s a habit that feels natural to them—after all, their first language is their comfort zone. But relying too much on translation slows down progress, making English feel like a constant puzzle instead of a tool for communication. Our job isn’t just to teach vocabulary and … Continue reading Helping ESL Students Think in English Instead of Translating
From My Corner of the Couch 