Introduction When people ask me what experience changed my life the most, I always go back to the same memory: the day I boarded a plane at 17 years old and flew across the world from Vietnam to Canada. I was heading to Pearson College UWC, one of the schools in the United World Colleges […]
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I still remember the first time I created a vision board. It was during my secondary school years, in my hometown in Vietnam. I had a big dream—to study abroad. That dream felt far away, but something in me believed it could be possible. So I gathered old magazines, cut out inspiring words and images […]
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The Power of Pen and Paper I love writing. In an age of constant noise, swiping, and scrolling, journaling has become my way of pausing—of listening inwards instead of outwards. It’s a practice of returning to myself. Over the years, I’ve experimented with many types of journal prompts. Some were simple reflection questions, others were […]
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It’s always peaceful about waking up early on a Saturday morning, especially when you know most of the world is still under the covers. That quiet moment before the city stirs feels like a small victory, like you’ve overcome the temptation to snooze and gifted yourself the day before it even begins. I cherish Saturdays […]
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When I look back on the journey that brought me from a small town in Vietnam to studying and living in different countries, I can trace much of it back to a simple but powerful tool: a vision board. It may sound like magic, but it isn’t. A vision board is a mirror of your […]
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Tonight, I wrapped up my second training session of the day—swimming practice with Coach Khoa at 8 PM. As I walked home and sat down to unwind, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. It’s hard to describe the calm that follows a tough but fulfilling workout. Today’s session was full of leg drills and […]
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Happy Monday! My heart is still glowing from the incredible conversation I had yesterday with Nguyen Hoang Minh Hieu, our very first guest on the Sunny Valley Podcast. His story is nothing short of extraordinary, and I’m honored to share it with you. Hieu and I are both alumni of UWC Pearson College. Although we […]
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As I sit down to write, a soft warmth fills my chest. It’s the kind of warmth that comes from slowing down, checking in with yourself, and knowing that you are right where you need to be. This week has been busy—end-of-quarter wrap-ups, brainstorming sessions, volunteer work—but today, I gave myself permission to be fully […]
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Happy Tuesday! Today marks the beginning of a new training week, and as I sit by the window with a cup of warm green tea, watching the rain gently kiss the river outside, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of calm and gratitude. Tuesday is always special to me—it follows my Monday rest […]
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Last night’s swim session was one of those moments when everything aligned. I had finished work at 5 p.m., had an early dinner—something I’ve learned the hard way not to skip—and headed to the pool with energy to spare. For a long time, I used to train after work on an empty stomach, simply pushing […]