Today, I received one of the most pleasant unexpected e-mails in my life.  I had received a review from an anonymous reader on one of the stories that I had published over the net 8 years ago.  This sort of gesture usually leaves me feeling happy and motivated to try and write fiction again even if I don't remember the original plot that I had in ( Read more... )

I used to always say that I would rather receive a box of chocolates over a bouquet of flowers.  I had always felt that freshly cut flowers were a waste.  I often rationalized that I'd rather see them firmly planted on the ground growing towards the sun's direction.  It was my belief that flowers had no place being taken away from their natural ( Read more... )

My aunt and cousins will be touring the New England states next month.  I haven't been able to join them in their international tours because of a complicated legal dispute that had occurred when I was a child, but recently, my family had managed to settle all disputes with help from a lot of people.  Now, I finally have the opportunity to go ( Read more... )

User-friendly was originally a term used to describe how computers were easy to use.  "Friendly" was probably an adjective added to make using the computer feel like it was something that can be related to--that it wasn't all too alien and different.  When the term is used in another context, it can be loosely defined as "a person who uses others ( Read more... )

My struggles with my thesis reminds me so much of this biblical story; the one with Jacob (was it Jacob?) wrestling an angel for something.  I don't quite remember why they had a wrestling match, but I know that it was a significant event ( Read more... )

After reading several sets of journal articles on possible forms of stat analysis, I find that I am back at square one.  The process of fleshing out my thesis has been iterative; that is, I find myself saying that "aha! I have set of constructs worthy of testing using method X" only to find myself reading through the mountain of literature ( Read more... )

There are days when I just don't like looking at myself in the mirror, and there are days when I'm amazed at what I find staring back at me.  Today is one of those days in which I just can't stand looking at myself.  As I type this entry on my dresser table, I find myself looking up every now and then to catch my reflection.  I don't like what I ( Read more... )

A friend of mine posted a status update on Facebook that really got me thinking about myself: "Temper gets you into trouble.  Pride keeps you there." - John Ruskin ( Read more... )

In the interviews that I have analyzed (so far, it's only been two out of thirteen), the very meat of their experiences of dealing with a culture different from theirs have given rise to feelings of frustration and stubbornness over who should compromise in the relationship.  Both ends expect the other to adjust to the other's expectations.  It's ( Read more... )

A feature on the "Seven Deadly SIns: Envy" helped organize my thoughts and feelings on envy and justice.  I've always found myself wondering what made the two so different, and why every time I heard my religion teachers talk about "social justice" and all that stuff about "helping-the-poor-because-it-is-not-fair-that-they-are-poor" spiel made me ( Read more... )