Commentary

Words To Live & Die By: The Prologue to Bertrand Russell’s Autobiography

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

Worth reposting here and reflecting on - again and again. What have you lived for? The key question to keep asking is, 'Are you spending your time on the right things?' Because time is all you have. (Randy Pausch, 1960-2008) Shalom (שלום), MAA What I Have Lived For Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed … Continue reading Words To Live & Die By: The Prologue to Bertrand Russell’s Autobiography

Got the COVID Blues (Lord, Have Mercy on Me)

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

The fourth wave of COVID-19 in Viet Nam "inspired" me to write the lyrics for a song called...wait for it!... Got the COVID Blues. Think uptempo, piano, saxophone and/or electric guitar, bass, and piano. Can you feel the beat? I'm workin' from home in my gilded cageDreamin' of travel in the post-COVID ageCoronavirus on the … Continue reading Got the COVID Blues (Lord, Have Mercy on Me)

Constructive Criticism Rooted in Respect: A View from Vietnam

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , ,

Here's my latest essay for CounterPunch. If you like this excerpt, follow this link to read the article in its entirety! I recently penned an essay about the scourge of environmental pollution in Viet Nam that was published by a major media outlet. Shortly after posting the article on LinkedIn, Mr. Pierre, a Frenchman living in Viet … Continue reading Constructive Criticism Rooted in Respect: A View from Vietnam

Parental Love Also Means Freedom From…

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

Caution! As seen in Hanoi traffic recently. A negative role model, i.e., what NOT to allow your children to do. Here are two possible consequences of this boy's "fun": 1) Inhaling polluted air, including carbon monoxide; and 2) Risk of injury or death in the event of a sudden stop or collision. Memo to Mommy … Continue reading Parental Love Also Means Freedom From…

Hà Nội in the Fourth Wave: A Heartfelt Wish & a Hopeful Prediction

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , ,

Hoàn Kiếm Lake in the heart of Hà Nội during the lockdown. My hopeful prediction came true! Earlier this week, the lockdown ended, barricades were removed, and people were out and about. Like flipping a switch, Hanoi was back in business! We've returned to the crazy traffic that is the old normal. This capital city … Continue reading Hà Nội in the Fourth Wave: A Heartfelt Wish & a Hopeful Prediction

The Lasting Legacy of Good Teachers

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , ,

John Glenn says his dad's favorite president to work with was John F. Kennedy. Here, Edmund Glenn (left) and President Kennedy share a laugh. Photo courtesy of John Glenn The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery. -Mark Van Doren I thought I would take this opportunity to launch a series of posts … Continue reading The Lasting Legacy of Good Teachers

Of Things That Go Bump in the Night & High-Priced Real Estate in Hanoi

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

Note the mango tree to the right. Photos by MAA Once upon a time, there was an ugly old building in a prime location that had been left unoccupied for as long as anyone could remember. It’s a property that I’ve driven and walked by countless times. The architecture, heavy on concrete and light on … Continue reading Of Things That Go Bump in the Night & High-Priced Real Estate in Hanoi

Vinhomes Ocean Park (Re)Visited

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , ,

A glance through the VinUniversity main gate. (All photos by MAA.) This is the second in a trilogy of posts about various Vingroup projects. This one is a more detailed look at VinUniversity and the Vinhomes community in which it is embedded. (Here's a related post from 17.8.20.) Before the fourth wave of COVID-19 reared … Continue reading Vinhomes Ocean Park (Re)Visited