A consistent way to writing that combines productivity and mindfulness — I used to be a journal keeper, especially when I was much younger and had plenty of time on my hands. But as I got busy with work and started a family, I stopped writing. I kept only a notebook for work, writing my list of to-dos, notes from meetings…

Writing about my daughters’ growing up years — the mundane, ordinary, special, and joys and heartaches in between — is my gift of memory to them A few years ago, my niece, then 16, asked me to tell her stories about her childhood. She said she wished her mother had written about them when they were young so she could remember her growing up years. I thought about my two daughters, a toddler and baby, and…

A fun and interesting way to learn about art and valuation — The pandemic has made art galleries adjust to online exhibits, sales, and auctions. This shift to online has benefited new collectors and those who cannot travel to visit the gallery physically. For a starting collector such as myself, online art auctions have become an education in art appreciation and valuation…

Many things are changing, like the way we spend time with each other, but some things have not — Our family used to gather every Sunday for lunch. Afterwards, we’d go to our separate worlds, looking at our phones, the newspaper, a book, as we sat around the house. When the coronavirus struck, we stopped seeing each other as the city went into a lockdown and everyone stayed home. …

A nightly ritual becomes a way to stretch imaginations and impart lessons — Every night, we take turns telling a bedtime story: Papa, Mama, Big Sister, and Baby Sister. She’s hardly a baby now at almost four years old, but being the youngest, she will always be the baby. I didn’t use to like telling stories. Before we made it a nighttime ritual…

Thoughts on what could have been and what could be, from a short road trip — Last weekend, my husband and I drove an hour and a half away to another city. It was our first excursion and long drive since the lockdown four months ago. We ventured out to visit the city we had planned to launch a business in. …

Reflections on raising young children in an uncertain world — When I first became a mother almost seven years ago, I didn’t really ask myself what kind of mother I wanted to be. I do know that I am not the traditional type. I don’t prepare my children’s meals, I don’t fuss over them, I cannot tie their hair nicely…

Breaking down the steps involved in self-publishing so you’ll have a better idea of what the work entails. It’ll set your expectations on what to do and prepare yourself mentally for it. — So you’ve decided to self-publish. Congratulations! For sure you’ve read that it means a lot of work ahead. But what kind of work, really? Here I’ll break down the steps involved in self-publishing so you’ll have a better idea of what the work entails. …

The 1998 romantic comedy may be an unlikely source of business lessons, but watching it again in the time of competition, coronavirus, and closures offers some tips — The 1998 Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan starred “You’ve Got Mail” is more known as a romantic comedy set in the beginnings of the internet. I watched it again recently, looking for familiar and feel-good entertainment. …