Arts, Featured

‘Les Miserables’ Lessons of Generosity and Compassion 200 Years Later

Les Miserables is a timeless masterpiece by Victor Hugo. Its memorable characters, powerful storytelling, and relatable exploration of the human condition have captivated audiences for generations.  Many themes form the core of the Les Miserables novel, musicals, and several stage and movie adaptations. But none is more resonant than the theme of human dignity and ...

Nathan Machoka

Jean Valjean.

Deadly TikTok Challenges for Teens That Parents Should Know About

TikTok is not inherently dangerous. But like many social media platforms, it gives people, especially teens, an audience anytime, anywhere, and with anyone. It also offers young people constant emotional feedback and validation through short videos and instant gratification through clicks. The prevalence of challenges on TikTok, especially during and after COVID-19, has raised concerns ...

Nathan Machoka

TikTok on a smartphone.

Respecting Your Elders: Lessons From Korea

Respect for your elders is deeply ingrained in Korean culture. This respect is based on Confucian philosophy and is essential to Korean values and norms. From a young age, children are taught to respect their elders. So even when making important life decisions, the opinion of your grandparents and parents counts. Why is it important ...

Nathan Machoka

An elderly Korean couple.

8 Tips for a Nighttime Skincare Routine

Why is a nighttime skincare routine important? When you go to sleep, various organs, including the skin (the largest organ), go into repair mode. During the day, your skin produces sweat and sebum to keep supple and protect you from harsh environmental conditions, such as heat, UV, dust, and germs. Being the body’s outermost layer, ...

Nathan Machoka

Beautiful, healthy skin.

Sip, Savor, and Soothe Your Soul: London’s Top 5 Tea Spots

London is a city full of history and tradition, and what better way to experience its charm than by indulging in the ultimate British pastime — afternoon tea? But not just any tea, but the most exquisite teapots and quaintest teahouses in the heart of London.  Suppose you are looking for a cozy spot to ...

Haidene Go

High tea.

Anna May Wong: A Pioneering Hollywood Star of Asian Descent

On October 24, 2022, the U.S. Mint released a 25-cent coin with President Washington on the front and an Asian-faced Hollywood star on the back. This star is none other than Anna May Wong, known in Chinese as Wong Liu Tsong (黃柳霜). Born on January 3, 1905, Anna May Wong holds the distinction of being ...

Mikel Davis

Publicity photo of American actress Anna May Wong likely commissioned to promote the movie 'Daughter of Shanghai.'

Nature’s Warning Signs: Bizarre Happenings Before the Tangshan Earthquake

On July 28, 1976, at 3:42 a.m. Beijing time, an earthquake 16 kilometers below the ground occurred. It had a force equivalent to 400 times that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. In mere moments, Tangshan, a city of a million residents, was flattened. It seemed like an unforeseen and unstoppable catastrophe, yet nature ...

Mikel Davis

Destroyed buildings and rubble from an earthquake.

Embracing Imperfection: The Art of Kintsugi

In Japanese culture, there is a unique tradition of not concealing the flaws of broken ceramics. Instead, the pieces are adorned with lacquer and gold powder, emphasizing the imperfections. This tradition has been practiced for over 500 years and teaches us patience and the beauty of human frailty. In a world where youth, perfection, and ...

Haidene Go

An example of kintsugi.