A journey in ink

Every life is a story written in indelible ink

Category: The Question

  • Nostalgia

    What makes me feel nostalgic is the smell of freshly baked bread, a quiet signal that a new day has begun.

    Over the past few months, I have developed a fondness for bread to the point that it has become a regular substitute for my usual breakfast. Each time I have it, I am reminded of my travels in Europe, where mornings often began simply, with bread and jam.

    It does not have to be an artisans loaf or a carefully crafted pastry. Any bread that is freshly baked and still warm is enough to evoke that sense of comfort.

    Having carried this memory to the moment, I now experience a subtle, almost foreign nostalgia whenever I have bread as my breakfast.

  • Judgement

    Daily writing prompt
    Are you a good judge of character?
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    Since a very young age, I have been keenly attentive to reading people.

    Maybe due to personal character and cultural background. I learned to read between the lines and catch nuances even before I spoke my mother tongue fluently.

    This has been both a blessing and a curse, as one might imagine.

    Yet it is one thing to understand a person’s character, and another to judge their behavior, for the latter is an apparent sin.

    Romans 2:1

    You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

    And it is often a sin with which I still struggle, as though I had any right to do so.

    No one does.

    No one is superior to another, for we are all fall short.

    Only through the mercy of Jesus Christ can we overcome such sin and be free from condemnation.

    However, it is certainly beneficial to understand people better, especially during the Christmas season, as it allows me to prepare more personalized gifts for my family and friends.

    Merry Christmas, everyone!

  • Is my life today what I pictured a year ago

    Daily writing prompt
    Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?
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    Yes. Today is the life I envisioned a year ago.

    I did not plan every detail, how could I? Yet I knew I was moving toward my dream, and I am doing so now.

    I see light, and I choose to follow it. I am learning discernment, with the hope that, in time, I will be able to distinguish the sun from the fire.

  • Alternative job

    Had I not pursued my current career, I would have chosen to become an architect. I have always loved admiring magnificent historical structures such as the Sagrada Família in Spain and the Louvre in Paris. I find the exterior of the Louvre even more captivating than the art within its walls.

    To me, architecture represents the perfect blend of creativity and purpose. It would be an incredible honor to create something that serves and inspires people for centuries. If I were fortunate, I might even design a landmark that becomes part of a city’s identity, leaving behind a legacy that endures for generations.

    In short, it would not only be personally fulfilling but also a meaningful way to preserve and enrich my community.

  • Travel to the moon

    Travel to the moon

    I would pay about the same as the current highest airplane ticket to go to the moon.
    Landing my foot on the moon would surely be a once-in-a-lifetime memory, but I can create equally if not more meaningful memories anywhere on Earth with the right person. So the joy that time on the moon could bring would not exceed the happiness I can find here on Earth.
    Therefore, in terms of worth, defined as the amount I’m willing to spend, I would pay roughly the same as a round-trip flight from Asia to Europe or America.

  • Highest goal in life

    Highest goal in life

    Dream high or go home – I always thought that having the highest goal I could achieve should be a professional one, something that could be evaluated by social and financial values.

    But as I grew older – although it may be a little hasty to judge the meaning of life at this age – I’ve realized that it’s the ordinary things that are actually hard to achieve.

    For me, finding the right person to build a family with seems like the most unattainable goal, especially in this digital era where everything is so easily replaced.

    On top of that, living an “average” life is not so average anymore, especially when the idea of “average happiness” is so exaggerated nowadays.

    It is only through faith- holding on to the belief that a promise is coming, though I don’t know when or how – that I keep myself alive.

  • Computer is my life

    Daily writing prompt
    Your life without a computer: what does it look like?
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    I can’t imagine life without a computer. I even carry my laptop on vacations, like I’m doing right now.

    I need to write my thoughts to organize them properly and to see more clearly where I’m heading.

    P.S. October in Vietnam is humid and rainy, but still amazing for walking.

  • Digital detox, but through digital

    Daily writing prompt
    Which topics would you like to be more informed about?
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    I’m especially interested in digital mental health, particularly how digital technologies affect our well-being. Many people today feel stressed from the digital world yet find healing in the real world; through food, nature, and simple human experiences.

    It would be wonderful if our phones and laptops weren’t only stress inducers but also tools for healing. Blogging is a good example of this possibility. Instead of passively consuming endless content, we become active participants and creators. We own our space, shape our thoughts, and in the process, activate new “thinking muscles.” This active engagement doesn’t just use energy, it creates it.

  • Endless search

    This Sunday evening, I find myself once again in a cafe, chasing after my dreams. I spent the day writing essays and reflecting on the past five years of my life.

    A friend once asked me how I manage to live without a single day entirely to myself. At times, it does feel as though even twenty four hours are not enough to pursue everything I aspire to accomplish. Yet anyone who has lived through such a season of relentless focus might understand. There is a certain rhythm to being immersed in meaningful work.

    In college, I was surrounded by peers who shared that same rhythm, and being fully engaged required no explanation. After graduation, however, I often met people from different paths who questioned the pace of my life. At times, I caught myself justifying my dedication, though I know there is no need to feel guilty for giving my best.

    Perhaps this post reads like a vent, but in truth, it is not written to build walls. This space has always been about connection. Maybe what I am really seeking is to reconnect with those who understand this pursuit, the people who know what it means to pour themselves wholly into a dream.

    Recently, I was able to reconnect with a long lost college friend who is also chasing a similar path. I was so grateful to find someone in the same boat. We instantly understood each other without needing many words, and we were both willing to help and encourage one another. Isn’t it interesting how finding kindred spirits can make life feel so much lighter, even in the most daunting seasons?

  • Suburban life

    My ideal house would look something like this. I have always fancied American suburban life, and these images come closest to what I imagine.

    It does not need to be massive or filled with luxuries like a pool or a big beautiful garden. What matters most is being part of a community where our kids can grow up surrounded by friends, building childhood memories that last a lifetime.

    I would also appreciate having a nice park nearby, since I love jogging and dream of having pets one day. The house itself would be simple yet alive, with plants filling the interior and bringing warmth into our everyday life.