Wilder Ranch State Beach.  Summer is when both working and stay-at-home parents look for ways to keep their kids occupied, entertained, safe and healthy with camps and activities. But let's reframe summers as the time when parents allow their kids to explore nature and the natural resources around them, to create art and entertainment for themselves, lessening their screen time or overscheduled agenda. Although this alternative may require more of the parent's involvement and guidance at times, it's a wholesome and worthwhile option, giving them the gift of time to explore nature and opp ..read more

It’s not for everyone. I get it. Why spend your hard-earned dollars traipsing along the lush trails and exploring the unmarked exits that begged your curiosity, what’s there behind the Jacaranda and palm trees crowded road on a holiday destination? Some of us would rather spend it on material possessions for their preferred enjoyment like a handbag, shoes, or jewelry. I’m here to say; I get you, and I can appreciate your choice…but I’m choosing the traipsing option for myself and my family. Stay tuned.   I had a conversation yesterday with someone about vacations and why it sometimes made ..read more

We don't usually think about our finite time on earth. We believe we have plenty of this precious commodity, but as Jack Kornfield, Buddha's Little Instruction Book succinctly put it, “The trouble is, you think you have time.” What would you like to do differently with this reminder? You could start with focusing on your practice of Minimalism for a mindful, intentional and meaningful lifestyle to achieve inner peace and balance as a starter.  I celebrated my thirty-fourth wedding anniversary and the first for the memoir TigerFish, and I had to trailblaze for both as I was the first ..read more

Valentine's Day brings up many emotions for me, most of which is not pleasant. Let me explain. This social construct of a holiday reminds me of the high school popularity contest but on steroids. I first learned about this Hallmark-Godiva-Florists Holiday when I was a mere teenager in the mid 70's. It was my first year in the U.S. When my most of my classmates seemed to have boxes of candies, large or small and red heart filled cards. I was the new awkward, ‘fresh off the boat’ kid on campus, at a Junior High School, and felt out of place and rejected. Fast forward, as an adult, I almost ..read more

Guest Interview With Tiny Yellow Bungalow It is my honor to introduce Jessie Stokes of the Tiny Yellow Bungalow, who I've had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with in 2016, when I started to practice and blog about Minimalism. Not only she is a sustainable lifestyle practitioner who inspires and encourages her readers with tips and information on their Eco and Zero-Waste journey, she's also a lovely person, and a soon-to-be momma, sharing her thoughts on how she's planning to continue practicing an eco-friendly lifestyle with a newborn. Congratulations Jessie! Happy Reading! Hoa ..read more

MINIMALIST GUEST BLOG Hello Friends! It's an exciting new year with many hopeful beginnings for our Minimalist Journey. I'm honored to have Cat from The Do Something Project on my blog as a special guest to share her Minimalist and Eco-friendly Journey with us. She will also leave us with some meaningful and helpful tips plus encouragements on practicing Minimalism. Cat is a talented professional whose blogs are well researched and written. She's personable, relatable and her approach to Minimalism is a pleasure to follow along and become a part of her community. Chi Meet Cat from The Do Somet ..read more

There is no BAD TIME to start MINIMALISM! I know Minimalism is an overused word so let's just think of this practice as having Life's Essential Only so we can focus on what counts in our lives like having more free time, more money, no waste, and better relationships with ourselves and others. I can thank Minimalism for reaching my goal of publishing my memoir TigerFish successfully and live my dream lifestyle of an author. What is your dream lifestyle or your life's goals? Do you want to make a change in your lifestyle? Here's a place to start:   Let's think of the 5 Basic B's for ..read more

UPDATE: If you have been reading my blogs, you know that I'm an author of TigerFish, a memoir, and I also work diligently at minimizing single-use items, plastic or otherwise, and opt for eco-friendly products whenever possible while practicing minimalism. Imagine my joy and pride when our daughter planned and carried out her wedding in an almost eco-friendly and minimalist wedding without my input! Aerial View of the American Wedding Ceremony Post Vietnamese Wedding Ceremony Party Here's a beautiful video of her wedding, directed and produced by the groom's uncle Doug Keeve at  http ..read more

Congratulations Grads & Happy Father's Day to Dads! June is the month when we pull out all the stops to congratulate the Grads and celebrate the Dads in our lives. No expense is too great, and we buy bouquets of helium and mylar balloons because they are festive, colorful and fun. Some come in shapes of champagne and beer bottles with “Happy Father’s Day” emblazoned across them floating mightily in the air-conditioned grocery stores and floral shops. Whoa whoa whoa. Just hold on for a second here! I don’t want to be a party pooper, but allow me to disclose something about balloons that yo ..read more

In 1975, my family came to America as refugees from Vietnam, wide-eyed, bedazzled of gleaming, well-packaged consumer goods on the grocery store shelves and malls displays.  We assumed that if they were good enough for the citizens of the most powerful nation in the world, then surely they were good enough for us. We didn’t question their integrity, sources, and impact these items have on our bodies or the environment. Then I learned differently. In 1979, I took a cluster course of 17 units called Man and the Environment, which included Ecology, Biology, Anthropology, Geology, and Natura ..read more