Leonardo (His smile puts a smile on my face.) I feel compelled to share this message of hope with you. It was written and posted on 31 December 2020 by my friend, Huong, and her husband, Enrico, who live in Singapore. For them, last year was the pinnacle of happiness and the dark depths of … Continue reading “Things we are grateful for in 2020”
Commentary
Wishing Everyone a Happy, Healthy, & Peaceful Solar New Year!
As I stated in my holiday message to friends and colleagues, 2020 was certainly a year to remember and, in many respects, one to forget. While there have been some professional silver linings to COVID-19, innovations that we will continue in the post-COVID-19 era, it has been a year of pain and loss for so … Continue reading Wishing Everyone a Happy, Healthy, & Peaceful Solar New Year!
Christmas in Viet Nam
St. Joseph's Cathedral, Hanoi. Photo by MAA Having lived in Viet Nam for over 15 years, I can say with absolute certainty that I enjoy Christmas here more than in the US. Even though most Vietnamese are not Christian, it is still a special and even magical time. You see children (and adults!) posing for photos … Continue reading Christmas in Viet Nam
“Vietnamese collectivism during challenging time inspires foreigner”
Photo courtesy of Hanoi Times Follow this link to read some reflections about COVID-19 in an essay I wrote last July at the request of Hanoi Times. Here are two excerpts to whet your appetite for more - or not. One of the traits of the Vietnamese people that inspires me is their optimism during … Continue reading “Vietnamese collectivism during challenging time inspires foreigner”
FUV Views
Click on the above image to see why three "people at Fulbright University Vietnam" may have paid my LinkedIn account a visit. Hint: It may have something to do with this 9.12.20 post entitled Fulbright University Vietnam Professor Gets the Ax, not to mention other posts and articles about FUV, all of which are listed … Continue reading FUV Views
“A Thief in the Night, But Not Too Smart”
Courtesy of Mango Press Bill Hayton aka "Virgin White," a one-time BBC journalist who was essentially kicked out of Viet Nam in March 2007, strikes again, this time with a book about China entitled The Invention of China. I stumbled upon this article because of one word, dubious, linked to one of my blog posts, … Continue reading “A Thief in the Night, But Not Too Smart”
“Qualities incomprehensible to the ‘think tank’ specialists”
Below is an excerpt from Ho Chi Minh - An Appreciation by Wilfred Burchett. It was published in 1972 but its relevance in 2020 is obvious. It would be interesting to have a discussion, especially with young Vietnamese, about their interpretation of Burchett's wartime reflections. Thanks to his son, George, for the heads-up. If it … Continue reading “Qualities incomprehensible to the ‘think tank’ specialists”
Social Solidarity During a Global Pandemic
Dear Fellow US Americans, Here's an excerpt from a 9-20 article I wrote entitled Balancing Solidarity & Individualism in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: a View from Vietnam: In contrast, the US, led by an incompetent, cruel, and narcissistic leader who politicized a public health issue and essentially did nothing, hoping and saying repeatedly that COVID-19 would … Continue reading Social Solidarity During a Global Pandemic
The Trumpy Mindset: A COVID-19-Related Example
I recently noticed this exchange on Facebook about the above graphic. (Yes, it's old news. JPMorgan expects US GDP to slow to 2.8% in the fourth quarter and then shrink by 1% during the first three months of 2021.) Comment: The country that started the pandemic has the least effect on GDP. Mmmmh… Response: Sad … Continue reading The Trumpy Mindset: A COVID-19-Related Example
Fulbright University Vietnam Professor Gets the Ax
This post definitely falls into the intrigue category. Buckle your seat belt, dear reader. It's one hell of a story. Christopher Balding (CB), a one-time Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) professor recently went down in professional flames because of a red line he chose to cross for 15 minutes of infamy while indulging his hatred of … Continue reading Fulbright University Vietnam Professor Gets the Ax
An International Educator in Vietnam 
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