From Expectation to Hope: A Parenting Perspective

When I was pregnant with our first child, a wise man gave me some unexpected advice: “Don’t have any expectations for your child.” At the time, I was baffled. What? Of course I have expectations! I expected my kids to get an education, become independent, think for themselves, and create a life that’s better thanContinueContinue reading “From Expectation to Hope: A Parenting Perspective”

Health, Wealth and Life Optimization

[Written by Claude] When we translate human lifespan into weeks, the math becomes startlingly clear: a 100-year life equals just 5,200 weeks. More sobering still is the reality that of those weeks, perhaps only 1,000 remain for me where I still have the vitality and health needed for more ambitious experiences. This finite arithmetic forcesContinueContinue reading “Health, Wealth and Life Optimization”

Paths Taken and Untaken: Living Fully in the Life We Choose

“What might have been and what has beenPoint to one end, which is always present.Footfalls echo in the memoryDown the passage which we did not takeTowards the door we never opened” – Burnt Norton [Written by ChatGPT] Life is a series of choices, each one shaping the path we walk and the person we become.ContinueContinue reading “Paths Taken and Untaken: Living Fully in the Life We Choose”

The Subtle Power of the Dao: Source of All and Harmonizer of Extremes

Verse 4 by Lao Zi: 道冲而用之或不盈。渊兮似万物之宗。挫其锐,解其纷,和其光,同其尘。湛兮似或存。吾不知谁之子,象帝之先。 “The Dao is like an empty vessel;Though used, it is never filled.Profound, it seems to be the source of all things. It blunts sharpness,Unties knots,Softens its brightness,And mingles with the dust. Deep and clear, it seems to exist eternally.I do not know whose child it is,It appears to precedeContinueContinue reading “The Subtle Power of the Dao: Source of All and Harmonizer of Extremes”

Book Club: A Remarkably Unexpected Read

I started and finished reading An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green over the past couple of days. Honestly, if ChatGPT hadn’t recommended it as similar to Upgrade by Blake Crouch, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up—let alone finished it. The main protagonist is a 23-year-old idealist who might have resonated with my 15-year-oldContinueContinue reading “Book Club: A Remarkably Unexpected Read”

The Journey of Sauce: A Universal Flavor Across Cultures and Languages

One happy day, I was enjoying my parents’ incredible homemade noodles—a dish so flavorful it never fails to brighten my mood. In Chinese, we call it 臊子面 (Sào Zi Miàn), a hearty noodle dish topped with a savory blend of minced meat, and other ingredients such as potatoes and carrots, as the sauce. As IContinueContinue reading “The Journey of Sauce: A Universal Flavor Across Cultures and Languages”

Dancing with Winter’s Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of a Snowflake

This morning, my heart brimmed with peace and serenity as I watched delicate snowflakes drift gently to the ground against a frozen, tranquil backdrop. I reflected on the wonder of each snowflake’s unique formation, the miracle of life itself, and the beauty of every imperfect yet extraordinary member of humanity. May we all find peaceContinueContinue reading “Dancing with Winter’s Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of a Snowflake”

Harmony in Motion: How Pianists Master Multitasking

[Written by ChatGPT] Taking on the challenge of learning piano in your 40s can feel like standing at the base of a mountain, staring up at its daunting heights. While the idea of playing beautiful melodies might be a long-held dream, the reality of starting later in life comes with its unique hurdles. Unlike children,ContinueContinue reading “Harmony in Motion: How Pianists Master Multitasking”

From Icarus to Upgrade: Are We Flying Too Close to the Sun?

[Written by ChatGPT] In Greek mythology, there is no more fitting a cautionary tale than the story of Icarus. Gifted with waxen wings by his father Daedalus, Icarus soars high and unbound—until, spurred by overconfidence or simple awe, he flies too close to the sun. Its heat softens the wax, and the wings fail, sendingContinueContinue reading “From Icarus to Upgrade: Are We Flying Too Close to the Sun?”

From AI Winter to AI Spring: Embracing a New Era of Innovation

[Image credit. Written by ChatGPT] For decades, the field of artificial intelligence has experienced its fair share of ups and downs. The term “AI winter” aptly describes periods when enthusiasm and investment in AI research waned, often due to unmet expectations and limited technological advancements. During these times, progress stalled, funding dried up, and theContinueContinue reading “From AI Winter to AI Spring: Embracing a New Era of Innovation”