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Things I want to do in July 2025

Dare to promise myself basically means half the battle is won. So here I am, jotting these notes down for the record.

  1. Start the day with Duolingo, not end the day with it.
    Reason(s): Some people keep telling me that I could never learn a language using Duolingo. Fuck off. I’ll prove them wrong (haha, but mostly, it is because I don’t have either the time or money to invest in a proper French class).
    Pro(s): Increase my controlled practice time.
    Con(s): Avoid forgetting to tune in unintentionally.
  2. Complete the IDP Teacher Training course.
    Reason(s): I want to aim higher in Writing & Speaking when I retake the IELTS exam at the end of this year. It would be fun to work it out myself! I have faith in my learning ability.
    Pro(s): Skills upgrading <3
    Con(s): Less time to laze around (which is, in a sense, another pro!)
  3. Systematize my language knowledge.
    Reason(s): Since I’ve developed some academic and pedagogical skills to some extent, naturally, my next goal is to improve the efficiency of my work in this field. I need a repeatable and automated system that still allows for some personalization, yet is time-saving when I need to prepare materials for teaching.
    Pro(s): Invest time now, save it later!
    Con(s): Building a system won’t take just time but lots of research as well! I can already foresee the headaches!😅
  4. Try something new every week.
    Reason(s): I don’t want time to pass by in a blur. Novelty is a great way to give my brain a healthy dose of dopamine. So, let’s do something fun and new every week, no matter how big or small it is.
    Pro(s): I guess I’ll have more stories to entertain my friends~
    Con(s): I’ll really have to step out of my comfort zone to come up with new ideas… something exciting but still enjoyable… Hmm, what can I do this weekend? 🤔

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Things I want to know about someone before the first date.

This is not a dating “formula” per se, but I believe that writing it down will help me reflect and make informed choices in dating with greater clarity and efficiency. I’m tired of juggling small talk back and forth for days just to get some basic information down here and there. To put it more simply, a slow drip of chatting might kill my interests even when I’m not intending to. I know it takes time to learn about someone, but there have to be things to consider so that the first and second dates are just to see if there is chemistry when we meet in person.

Key aspectsWhat I’m curious about
Emotional availability– Are they looking for something serious? (the most important question fr)
– Are they ready for a relationship?
– Can they invest time and effort into dating and, later on, building a relationship?
– Their energy vibe?
– How do they deal with conflicts and stress?
Life values & aspirations– What do they prioritize now in life?
– Friend circles
– What would life look like when they are in an ideal relationship?
Career choice– Where did they go to school?
– What do they do now?
– What aspect(s) of the job do they enjoy?
– Career direction for the near future?
Financial mindset– Are they financially stable and ready to build a home?
– What do they think about the financial contribution as a couple? (*maybe, this is for later)
Lifestyle & health– Do they live alone or with parents/housemates?
– Hobbies and interests outside of work?
– Their fitness level (current – goals)?
– Any lifestyle incompatibilities (smoking, drinking frequently)
Family background– Parents & siblings?
– Hometown? Where have they visited?
– The dynamics of their family relationship?

Wow, maybe I should really treat this as a work project. My operational mass planning ass is coming back!

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My tufting experience in Hanoi

Is it worth it?

Short answer: Yes, I had a blast discovering a crafty side of me! However, the workshop can be physically demanding, so starting with a small canvas is advisable to avoid sore hands and arms the next day.

Longer answer: Where/When/What/How?

  • Location: 「Rug Talk Vietnam」– 10 Trương Hán Siêu, Quận Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
    The studio is located on the 2nd floor of the building. Grab/Taxi is the most convenient to get there. If you ride a motorbike, you’ll have to find a parking place. Motorbike riders may park at a nearby cafe named ORO at 17 Truong Han Sieu, but I’m not sure if it’s safe because no security guy is watching over the vehicles.
    >>> Here’s their IG for direct chat: rugtalk.vietnam
  • Opening time: Each workshop lasts 3 hours. There are several time slots but limited space, so do chat with them to book in advance to secure a slot:
    >>> Mon to Thu: 9am-12pm & 2pm-5pm
    >>> Fri to Sun: 9am-12pm & 2pm-5pm & 6pm-9pm
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How could I read the content of error pages online?

Have you ever been in a situation where you click on a page among your Google search results but can’t read the content? It clearly shows the content related to your keywords, but the browser said, “Can’t reach this page.” Frustrated, isn’t it? Haha, I’ve just discovered this trick!

Short answer: Try adding “cache:” in front of the web URL, then click enter.

The before and after would be something like this:

Longer answer: It seems like everything that appears on a search engine will have its “cached version”, so you can still access its content by reading the archived version saved by the search engine you’re using. For this reason, be careful about what you decide to share online ;)

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A temporary hack to fix my indecision

It’s already 11:00 pm, yet I can’t help but force myself to jot down these thoughts before they slip away. Today is my first day of freedom, meaning I have all the time for myself to do whatever I like. No more being pushed around or getting swept away by “work.” No more lame excuses like “Oh, I’m too busy for that” (≧∇≦). And as I was sorting out my December plans, it hit me – I was indecisive AGAIN! I didn’t know when I should book my flight back to Hanoi. My former boss is cool enough to sponsor my trip one last time, but now it’s decision time, and it better be one that works in my favor. Why is it so tricky every time I have to choose? What if I pick a date that’s too early? What if it’s too late? Oh noooooooo – there I was, dwelling on a bottomless pit of thoughts and procrastinating, AGAIN.

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