Image by Coffee Bean from Pixabay Actually it is not really about cultural differences, but rather it is about small business owners, who have some difficulties navigating laws and regulations. The problem is when one opens a small business, one doesn't have a handbook of laws and regulations in hand. One only comes across laws … Continue reading Cultural Differences And Small Businesses
Category: Diary
The Labor Day Weekend
Image by Jeremy Kyejo from Pixabay The Labor Day weekend is coming up and New Jersey is having a ten day tax-free holiday for items like computers and school supplies. I have been thinking of replacing my laptop, but due to the lackluster economy and the lukewarm business, I have been postponing it indefinitely. I … Continue reading The Labor Day Weekend
Learning Something New
Image by Susanne Jutzeler, Schweiz, from Pixabay I really couldn't believe this, but I googled it and it was right before my eyes: If one wants to replace an electric water heater in New Jersey, one has to apply for a plumbing permit and an electric permit at the township. And the only reason I … Continue reading Learning Something New
Praying For Rain
Image by Gosia K. from Pixabay Finally the rain came today after more than two months of absence, after TV weathermen or weatherwomen talking, predicting, praying, and begging for some relief from the high temperature and the dry spell that have scorched all the vegetation around here. It's typical for a summer in this region … Continue reading Praying For Rain
I Think I Know But I Don’t
floating river market Image by rajukale119 from Pixabay Years ago, I was a saleswoman for company X for a short period of time. Since it is a big company in New York and the surrounding area, I don't want to name the name--I guess it will not really look good for the company. Our targets … Continue reading I Think I Know But I Don’t
I Can’t Believe I Believed It
Image by Annie Le from Pixabay My friend told me last month that a lesbian couple moved into her street close to her home. And she is a little surprised to find that they are very normal, just like everybody else. She is almost a little disappointed that they are so normal. And this reminds … Continue reading I Can’t Believe I Believed It
I Won’t Say I Told You So (Flash Fiction)
Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay Flash Fiction #131 I can't say "I told you so" because that sounds a little cruel, especially at a moment like this. However I really want to say it since I told Ro several years ago not to go for this obscure phone company. There are plenty of big … Continue reading I Won’t Say I Told You So (Flash Fiction)
Hitting A Plateau
Image by Pexels from Pixabay I feel that my writing has come to a plateau for a while. I thought more reading can lift it up from the unsatisfactory stagnation, but that has not happened yet. I always read books with a style that I want to emulate, but for some reason, my reading is … Continue reading Hitting A Plateau
Early Saturday Morning
Image by CANDICE CANDICE from Pixabay The Weather I expected the heat to go down in August, but one week into it, the high temperature shows no sign of letting up. 95F (35C) for three weeks now, which has been punctuated by only one or two days of 89F (32C). Google says the average day … Continue reading Early Saturday Morning
The Swede’s Perfect Life
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay The Swede was a star athlete in his high school's football, basketball, and baseball team. He could go on to be a member of the sports teams like Yankees or Giants in New York, but as a dutiful son he gave up his own dream to serve as an apprentice … Continue reading The Swede’s Perfect Life
Weekend Thoughts
Image by John Hain from Pixabay Today, I drove past "Wonder Seafood", one of the best Asian restaurants in town and found that the parking lot was empty. Just one or two months ago, the business was picking up, but now it seemed in steep decline again, either because Rutgers University students are gone for … Continue reading Weekend Thoughts
Can I Take The Heat?
Image by Pexels from Pixabay Remember I have been talking about a friend who refuses to listen or discuss about narcissism? Remember I said that I talked about my own narcissistic parents, and she tried to defend them as normal parental weaknesses or misunderstandings? Remember this friend? Let's just say her name is Aya--a fictitious … Continue reading Can I Take The Heat?
Rethinking Of An Old Story
Image by dmytro_R from Pixabay This was long time ago when I was in college and I lived in a house for international students. She was my housemate and she told me this story. By the way, she's from an European country, but it really doesn't matter where she's from. The story can happen anywhere … Continue reading Rethinking Of An Old Story
The Secret Of Vegan Stir Fry
Image by kakuko from Pixabay Here are some of the common misunderstandings of stir fry dishes: Stir fry is always oily. This is not true. You can add as little oil as possible. It doesn't have to be oily. Although vegetables love oil and absorb oil, we can cook very tasty vegetable dishes without adding … Continue reading The Secret Of Vegan Stir Fry
Future Is A Tool
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay I talked with my friend L today. We unleashed our complaints about inflation and the hot weather etc. for an hour. Then the conversation inevitably veered towards family issues. "You know my mother-in-law had said that she would raise our kid for us. Seriously. Raise our kid for us. … Continue reading Future Is A Tool
Is It Over Or Not?
Image by icsilviu from Pixabay Is the Pandemic Over? I wonder if the pandemic is over. Most people don't wear masks anymore around here. I am one of the few people who still wear it as much as we can, just to be on the cautious side. But I guess the effect is rather negligible. … Continue reading Is It Over Or Not?
Wonderful Fathers
Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay I was trying to post this one when it was Father's day, but for some reason I couldn't get to it. My scheduling ability is almost non-existent. The only thing I am capable of is to run around like a chicken with its head cut off, which means to … Continue reading Wonderful Fathers
Weekend Weather
Image by ThePixelman from Pixabay A Weekend Of Good Weather This weekend, the weather is so cool--70F (21 degree Celsius) for both Saturday and Sunday. During the night, the temperatures dips to 50F (10 degree Celsius). And I had to take the blanket or quilt out since it was quite chilly during the night. The … Continue reading Weekend Weather
Weekend Thoughts
The Grocery Store I went to the Asian grocery store today. I didn't go last weekend and today I had to go. And guess what, the price has gone up again. Just when I thought the price could not possibly be higher--who would buy it if it's higher--it became higher and it was sold out. … Continue reading Weekend Thoughts
Things To Write About
Image by annmariephotography from Pixabay I have no idea what to write about tonight. So I think I will make a list of the things that I can write, you know, kind of like a brainstorm process. The Cat Fight The first thing comes into my mind was an incident happened many years ago between … Continue reading Things To Write About
A Story And An Analysis
Image by Ghinzo from Pixabay Let's just say her name is M. She told me a story, a true story, in which her mother's behavior really puzzled her. She was a teenager at the time, going on a vacation with her parents. Due to the holiday bookings or other inexplicable reasons, her parents ended up … Continue reading A Story And An Analysis
Friendly Observation
Image by djedj from Pixabay I have been watching YouTube videos about narcissists and their damaging effects on people related to them. Somehow I started to feel like an amateur psychologist. So I talked with my friends L who's a very good kind of woman and have a lot of common sense. After listening to … Continue reading Friendly Observation
A Friend Like That
I have a friend who's forever in crisis. He can hardly let a week go by without getting himself in a little bit of drama. Let's talk about his driving skills first. He is a very careful driver, and I don't understand how he could get himself into so many accidents. Whenever I ask him, … Continue reading A Friend Like That
On My Way
Image by 二 盧 from Pixabay On My Way To Be A Vegan Just as I thought I am almost a vegan, I realized that I am still using packaged chicken stocks since vegetable stocks don't have the same kind of taste. Also I still can't resist Campbell's chicken noodle soup, to which I've been … Continue reading On My Way
Saturday’s Conversations
A Friend's Wife I shouldn't have said a friend's wife. I should have said a couple since I know both the husband and the wife. The wife got a job for a year in Chicago for obvious reasons--their marriage is in a bit of trouble. He didn't mind too much but she wanted a change. … Continue reading Saturday’s Conversations
Super Easy: Tofu And “Just Egg”
This is the best vegan dish I've ever cooked so far and the taste is so good that it rivals those meat dishes. It is extremely simple and there are only three ingredients: Just Egg--I used six table spoon of this plant based egg, which is equivalent to two medium sized real egg. tofu -- … Continue reading Super Easy: Tofu And “Just Egg”
The Vegan Eggs
I was thinking of getting the vegan option "Just Egg" from the Target store for months since it has had very good reviews online. However, Target is located in the Menlo Park section of the Edison Township, near those many acres of land Thomas Edison bought and established his lab more than 150 years ago. … Continue reading The Vegan Eggs
Taking Photos
I was trying to take a photo of a flowering tree, which I think is called pink flowering magnolia, the most popular kind of flower tree in New Jersey. Then it suddenly struck me that probably I was infringing on the privacy of this neighbor. I could of course shoot the picture from a deliberate … Continue reading Taking Photos
Slow To Take A Hint
I was trying to add a little shimmer to the above photo, which I took with my phone of the book I was reading, but somehow managed to make the picture look sick with a ghostly glow. Don't you think so? I mean the glow is so unnatural that it almost feels like a Halloween … Continue reading Slow To Take A Hint
Things To Change
I'm thinking of making some changes to my post after seeing beautiful presentation of doodles, shining pink colors, and otherworldly fonts from people I follow. I have absolutely zero art skills. Whether it is photography, drawing, colors, shapes or layout, I have no idea how to make things pretty or why one is prettier than … Continue reading Things To Change
Cultural Differences And Appeal Letters
I think cultural differences become a big mess of entanglement in appeal letters. Time and time again, I've encountered this problem of trying to help somebody with his or her appeal letter, only to find myself unsatisfied during the process. For one thing, the content of an appeal letter is inevitably self contradictory, to certain … Continue reading Cultural Differences And Appeal Letters
The Alternative Life
"It often makes me think about the alternative." My friend E says. She is a very nice, cute girl full of common sense. By the say, she is also a nurse living in Queens borough of New York City. Once she told me that many of her colleagues complain that they have to try very … Continue reading The Alternative Life
More Thursday’s Thoughts
Remember the shortest route math problem from high school? I haven't thought about this concept for a very long time until now. It seems that every day the price is going up. Today, the gas is $4.35, up 40 cents from just two days ago when I filled my tank at $3.95. Now do we … Continue reading More Thursday’s Thoughts
Friday’s Feeling
I just feel that I've been busy all day today, but achieve very little. My mind and my time are all occupied by trivial, repetitive, and predictable things. And when I finally sit down to write something, I feel that I have nothing to write about. I could write the second part of the flash … Continue reading Friday’s Feeling
Poem: Long Time No See
Image by Hans Toom from Pixabay Poem Of The Day #50 Birds start chirping early in the morning. Long time no see-- two or three months no hear of thee. Last week's rain, ice, windy chill, and the weekend's snow squall become a distant memory. Now we cheer spring in February -- 60 Fahrenheit, in … Continue reading Poem: Long Time No See
Tuesday’s Thoughts 2/22/22
Image by ElinaElena from Pixabay It's said that today is a special day, being Tuesday 2/22/22, which is noted as 22/2/22 in most parts of the world. Whatever the notation is, it is a day created for pair, duo, duet, duplex, twin, double, couple. How many English words are there to describe two? I don't … Continue reading Tuesday’s Thoughts 2/22/22
Romantic Stories (Flash Fiction #105)
Image by stokpic from Pixabay "That's like fifteen years ago when I just started a new job. And I was newly engaged and was thinking of getting married in two or three months. One day I was taking my night shift. He suddenly appeared, seemingly a little out of breath and out of spirit. I … Continue reading Romantic Stories (Flash Fiction #105)
A Local Restaurant
Image by Shutterbug75 from Pixabay Several years ago, a local Asian restaurant waiter told us when we were having lunch there that Valentine's day doesn't generate good business in his restaurant. The best day of business is the Mother's day weekend, Christmas week being the second, and around Thanksgiving being the third, followed by Lunar … Continue reading A Local Restaurant
Poem Of The Day #48
Here -- known this done that; there -- still a question mark; where -- an everlasting quest. Somewhere is an idle wish; anywhere is a wild guess; nowhere is a dreaded consequence. Then -- an unreliable memory; now -- a perpetual dissatisfaction; next -- an illusion and a conjecture. The quietness only reminds me of … Continue reading Poem Of The Day #48
A Surprising Piece Of News
Image by Автошкола ТЕХНИКА from Pixabay It's a beautiful day today. When I was taking a break and driving past Mahul Auto, I thought I just drop by to get my windshield wiper replaced. Last weekend, in the misty rain, I realized that my wipers were not working--the wiper blades almost fell off. How did … Continue reading A Surprising Piece Of News
Poem Of The Day #47
Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay I helped a stranger to translate in an Asian grocery store-- the difference between packages of rice. What's the stories behind her made-up face? Her accent, a hint of a far away hometown; her winter coat, plain and practical, no frills; her bored husband, tagging along. Were they sweethearts … Continue reading Poem Of The Day #47
New Word #97: Moon
Image by Cdd20 from Pixabay When I was writing something, I couldn't figure out which to use, moon, the moon, the Moon, or Moon. I've googled several times before, but to no avail. Some say it depends on context, some say nobody cares, some say they are all correct. So the moon is very much … Continue reading New Word #97: Moon
Has She Changed?
Image by Martin dalsgaard from Pixabay Do you think people around you change? Or probably they haven't really changed, but it is you who discovers something new about them that you haven't discovered before. I have had this friend for years, but only recently I start to feel that she becomes less cooped up and … Continue reading Has She Changed?
New Word #96: Lunar New Year
Image by Tú Nguyễn from Pixabay I was trying to go to HMart, the Korean grocery store, to get some photos with Lunar New Year display, but last weekend's snow storm made it impossible. So far I haven't been able to go. Then I searched online, but none of the photos really expresses the overwhelming … Continue reading New Word #96: Lunar New Year
The Winter Storm
A winter is measured by snow storms. A good winter usually has three or four small snow storms with less than six inches (about 15 centimeters) of accumulation, an above 40F (about 5 degree Celsius) weather right afterwards to melt the snow completely. Most importantly, no snowfall during major holidays like Christmas, Lunar New Year, … Continue reading The Winter Storm
The Insomnia
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay I can't believe I'm having insomnia again. I should take melatonin. It says 10mg maximum strength--is it too strong? It is said it's a hormone. Taking hormone is damaging to one's body, probably. I should read online reviews about it and know all the side effects. … Continue reading The Insomnia
February Festivities
Image by Lubov Lisitsa from Pixabay February is the month with the most festivities because it has four holidays. This happens almost every year, except when the Lunar New Year falls in January. For 2022, Feb 1st is the Lunar New Year; Feb 13th, The Super Bowl; Feb 14th Valentine's day; Feb 21st, President's Day. … Continue reading February Festivities
Poem Of The Day #46
Image by Melk Hagelslag from Pixabay This is not working, and that requires a repeating. Is the effort futile? Is the work worthwhile? Monday's questions increase the frustration. As if it's not enough-- learn about Omicron cases again two colleagues of hers, and one client of his. All day long, bad tidings keep coming-- but … Continue reading Poem Of The Day #46
Accidental Discovery
Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay A Sweater Discovered a long-sleeve fluffy top from Uniqlo in my closet, still with the store tag on. No idea when I bought it and why I bought it. I just thought to myself, "Why did I buy this and why did I spend money on my looks? … Continue reading Accidental Discovery
Cultural Differences (Continued)
Incense Drying in Vietnam–Image by Xuan Duong from Pixabay I wrote about this yesterday in here, and today I feel that I have more to say on this topic. I said in the previous post that one can feel very strongly the first time one encounters the cultural difference, but that strong feeling can't be … Continue reading Cultural Differences (Continued)
Poem Of The Day #45
Image by Marna Buys from Pixabay A gallon of gas rises to three fifty, A bag of rice costs more than twenty. Can you believe that Asian store I went? They were changing their price tag swiftly right in front me without feeling guilty. Don't worry--I try to comfort her. You don't drive as much … Continue reading Poem Of The Day #45
Cultural Differences
Incense Drying in Vietnam--Image by Xuan Duong from Pixabay I've always trying to write real stories, but plagued with the fact that real stories tend to be too mundane to sustain people's interest. I still don't know how to manipulate the language to make a mundane story more fun to read. So it has been … Continue reading Cultural Differences
Poem Of The Day #43
Image by Couleur from Pixabay Let's have a dumpling party, that's tasty and hearty, with meat and veggie, to help her get over him. Who knows where he's now, could be anywhere in the Pacific rim. Let's make dumplings from scratch-- knead the dough, chop the spice. All the mixing and stirring and wrapping-- to … Continue reading Poem Of The Day #43
Spoken Or Unspoken
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay When I was driving past Walmart in Piscataway yesterday, I thought to myself, "why don't I go in to ask them when I will be eligible for the booster shot? Probably in a month?" So I went in and asked one of the pharmacists. She immediately said, "yes." I told … Continue reading Spoken Or Unspoken
Poem Of The Day #42
Image by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay At Paris Baguette, the Edison bakery, three women meet for tea, cake, and story. "The weather is cold and dreary. Arjay will be gone for a while-- what am I going to do with my hair?" He just can't catch a break, can he? He's such a good hairdresser … Continue reading Poem Of The Day #42
Poem Of The Day #41
Image by Jörg Vieli from Pixabay First snow of the year, hardly an inch on the ground. But the wind is howling, the air is chill, reminding me of another winter long ago. The southern edge of Mongolian steppe, wind-swept, dust swirled, potato frozen like stone. Gusts bit your nose, blue your lips, redden your … Continue reading Poem Of The Day #41
Poem Of The Day #39
mage by Public Co from Pixabay She dines and she whines, but that's just the prelude-- what she really wants is to connect. They know and they care, but only with partial knowledge. Kindness in heart, scolding in manner. He says, echoing opinions of others "how come they spend so much money on their girl? … Continue reading Poem Of The Day #39
Poem Of The Day #38
2021 is a mess, 2022 still a dream. Flower about to bloom, but nothing rhyme with amaryllis, nothing I know. The New Year is looming, but all scattered, not cleaned up, from a week ago. Headache, claiming long friend of mine, refuses to go away. I sigh, "new year, new beginning, and old headache."
Happy New Year 2022
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay I don't have a new year resolution since I know that I will never be able to keep it. Weather it's an exercise routine, a diet regime, a time management plan, or an avowed improvement on my imperfect manner, I will abandon it within a week and go back … Continue reading Happy New Year 2022
No Exception?
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay I just learned today that a hairdresser--he is really good with Asian hairstyle--in Edison, New Jersey just got notice that one of his clients was diagnosed with Omicron yesterday. So today the whole hair salon is shut down. All the clients in the past week were contacted, all the … Continue reading No Exception?
Poem Of The Day #36
Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay Talks continue until voices grow hoarse and weary; questions keep coming, people hesitating, zoom call extending. By force or by choice, through practice or theory? Decisions made and unmade. Polite listening and pretending. Temper comes from too much caring-- just let it go. We can't stop the ceaseless … Continue reading Poem Of The Day #36
Unlearned In 2021
Image by Pexels from Pixabay Discount I couldn't resist a discount. It didn't matter what it was, books, clothes, phone, furniture, or even food. Whenever I heard of the word "sale", I just have to buy it. And in 2021, I finally did try very hard to get rid of this habit. So far, it's … Continue reading Unlearned In 2021
New Word #87: Sweet & Bitter
Image by Pexels from Pixabay Sweet Words chocoholic: (informal) a person who is addicted to or excessively fond of chocolate. saccharophobia: Fear of. sugar, and sugary foods and drinks. sweetie, sweetheart, honey: (informal) used as a term of endearment (especially as a form of address). saccharine: excessively sweet or sentimental. dulce: a sweet food or … Continue reading New Word #87: Sweet & Bitter
Pre-Christmas Adventure
Image by Gerhard G. from Pixabay At The Grocery Store One just knows the economy is no good when one sees a beautiful blondie stepping out of a BMW and entering a grocery store like Aldi, which is a haven of discount food. I've been frequenting this store for years and have never seen anything … Continue reading Pre-Christmas Adventure
A Poem Video
I came across Terveen's poem video and felt so inspired. The next thing I knew I spent a day trying to make a poem video myself, but only with limited progress. This is her post here. I guess we don't need to click on a reblogging button anymore--just copy and paste the URL and it … Continue reading A Poem Video
New Word #86: Christmas
Image by Uschi Leonhartsberger-Schrott from Pixabay Christmas is a great occasion to learn new words. I know a lady who really wanted her kid to learn better English. She actually decorated her place and put labels on each item with English words on it. What a sweet mother she is. Holiday Decoration poinsettia: a small … Continue reading New Word #86: Christmas
Christmas Story Options
Image by pasja1000 from Pixabay Last year, I wrote two Christmas stories here and here, which were my first two attempts at the topic. Now reading them again, I feel that I tried too hard last year to make it cheerful and fun. I'm thinking that probably I need to find a way to conceal … Continue reading Christmas Story Options
Healthy Food For Christmas
Image by Couleur from Pixabay Christmas is a time to try new food. Stores display new items on their shelves while people don't care much when they go beyond their budget at this time of the year. One of the reasons that I'm always seeking new food is because I want to eat healthily. And … Continue reading Healthy Food For Christmas
The December Festivities
Image by svetlanabar from Pixabay I am going to write about the December festivities in the Asian immigrant community here in the areas surrounding New York City. There's definitely a feeling of cultural fusion here concerning the customs, the food, the activities, and the way people interact with each other. Christmas Gift Exchange It seems … Continue reading The December Festivities
Easy Tofu Dishes
Image by hanul choi from Pixabay Since I started a healthy diet regime about ten years ago, I've always been on the look out for new recipes. One of my friends told me that healthy and tasty can not be used to describe the same food. I don't agree with this, but I have to … Continue reading Easy Tofu Dishes
November Unfinished
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Unfinished Story I can't come up with an ending for the "The King And The Thief" post of yesterday. And right now I don't know what to do. I know my own weakness--the stage fright. I can come up with reasonably good ideas when not under stress. However when … Continue reading November Unfinished
Thanksgiving Family Stories
Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay There are several Thanksgiving stories I can write. I haven't formed them in completion yet, but the contents are already there, except an interesting ending. Often there are so much time spent on ending while other parts of a story are not getting enough attention. A Thanksgiving Wedding Chef … Continue reading Thanksgiving Family Stories
The Alternative Life
Image by John Hain from Pixabay I read a post about two days ago concerning the alternative life. If we had made different choices in those crucial moments of our life, what would have become of us and what kind of better outcome can we expect? Actually I should link back to that post here, … Continue reading The Alternative Life
Many Indecisions
Image by LoggaWiggler from Pixabay I have no idea what I want to write for today even if I have a big list of vague ideas, and an assortment of short story books from Parker, Munro, Carver, Waugh, Hemingway. In addition I have a pile of bad drafts that are too embarrassing to be shown … Continue reading Many Indecisions
Thanksgiving Options
Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay I've never attempted to roast a turkey. And there are several reasons for that. Reason number one: The oven has always been an extra storage space for pots and pans for me. No other functionalities. So my skill in managing the process of roasting or baking is non-existent. Reason … Continue reading Thanksgiving Options
My First Reblogging
This is my first time reblogging and I don't know how the format will turn out. I tried it once a couple of days ago, but couldn't decide what to add to the post. So I reversed it to a draft. Now I am doing it again. This is a reblog about the Astroworld Festival … Continue reading My First Reblogging
What’s New
Image by Michael Gaida from Pixabay 97 Year Old Mayor It is said the township of Tinton Falls of New Jersey elected its mayor, Vito Perrilo, who's 97 years old. It's a town about half an hour drive from Edison. I wonder if he can get on Guinness World Records for being the oldest mayor … Continue reading What’s New
Haoyan Do 