There is a young man who just finished a 16-hour-long stressful day at work. He arrives home ragged and sluggish just like overcooked spaghetti. The following morning, at 5 AM, his alarm clock goes off. beeeeep! beeeeep! beeeeep! He reaches his hand for the clock as if an octopus stretches…

Barista (me): Good afternoon, what would you like to have today? Customer (who wants just a cup of coffee): Coffee please. Barista: What kind of coffee would you like? Customer: Uh, just coffee, black. Barista: Okay. What size would you like? We have a tall size which is technically small…

This post is a modified version of a Korean op-ed that I wrote for Joongang Ilbo, the leading daily in Korea. Wearing a green apron with my name on it, I stand in front of the espresso machine, pulling shots of coffee and steaming milk. I call out the names…

Based on my first-hand cat-sitting experience Meow~ Meow~ Meow~ Woof! Woof! Woof! Which sound makes you smile? In other words, are you a dog person or a cat person? As long as I can remember, I have always been a dog person. I adore dogs, regardless of their breed or…

Are you a coffee person? What is your favorite coffee drink? I have always been quite easy to please when it comes to coffee. For a long time, my daily coffee had been an instant coffee mix. This packet contains coffee granules, powdered cream, and sugar in the so-called golden…

Note: This essay is an adaptation of the script from the speech I delivered at a Toastmasters Club. It comprises three interconnected parts, with each part capable of being read as a standalone story. (Story 1, Story 2 and Story 3) Story 3. “It ain’t over, until it’s over” Three things I have learned throughout my recent challenging…

Note: This essay is an adaptation of the script from the speech I delivered at a Toastmasters Club. It comprises three interconnected parts, with each part capable of being read as a standalone story. (Story 1, Story 2 and Story 3) Story 2. My Personal Projects Now, I have a question for you. How many…

Note: This essay is an adaptation of the script from the speech I delivered at a Toastmasters Club. It comprises three interconnected parts, with each part capable of being read as a standalone story. (Story 1, Story 2 and Story 3) Story 1: If You Cannot Change the Situation, Change Yourself. “Jimmy, go, go, go, faster, faster! Focus, Focus! Yes…

— Human Connection and Empathy That Cannot Be Replaced by AI One place I found particularly unique while living in the United States was Trader Joe’s supermarket, often called “TJ”. Starting with its first store in California, Trader Joe’s now has over 500 stores across the United States. Despite being…