The first thing many native English speakers learn is that the English language itself has many words derived from Latin-based and romance languages. There are six romance languages, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian. ‍ Here are 3 I find the easiest as a native English speaker: ‍ 🇷🇴 Romanian Romanian may be the best…

In a world where uncertainties abound, it’s our perception of reality that profoundly impacts our mental and emotional health. Some individuals choose to cope with life’s harsher truths by constructing protective delusions. On the other hand, realists confront these realities head-on and are often seen as the bearers of uncomfortable truths. This contrasting dynamic can…

Imagine you’re watching a carefully choreographed ballet. On one side of the stage, there’s a dancer who weaves in and out of the other performers, ensuring that every step is executed flawlessly without disrupting the flow of the performance. This dancer is parallel to a DevSecOps professional, whose role is to integrate security into the…

‍🇯🇵 My Connection to the Japanese Way of Eating My diet is heavily influenced by Asian and Japanese cuisine, and it’s been great for my food allergies. Many common Japanese cuisines are protein, vegetable, and rice-heavy, which is the exact diet my allergist suggested. Although I occasionally indulge in bread and gluten, I feel sick…

Ever noticed how the city feels hotter in the afternoon compared to the countryside? This phenomenon is tied to urban heat islands and thermal comfort. Morning HoursIn the morning, rural areas warm up faster than urban areas due to bare soil and less vegetation. This can create an “inverse urban heat island” effect from late…

As I approach my 30s, I’ve set a variety of goals for this new decade of my life. What’s interesting is that some of these goals might not be what you’d expect. One of them might even seem a bit embarrassing — I feel like I need to go back and re-learn some things.‍ I…

Attending conferences is a fantastic way to network and advance your career. However, the real challenge lies in turning those brief encounters into lasting connections. Let’s explore how to maximize your post-conference networking to build meaningful professional relationships. ‍ ✨ Before the Conference ‍Preparation is key. Research attendees, identify key contacts, and update your LinkedIn…

In the past year, I’ve endured two terrifying experiences of being stalked, threatened, and assaulted at night after religious meetings. The first incident occurred in Europe, where I was stalked and assaulted on more than one occasion. More recently in New York City, I was again stalked, threatened, and assaulted – this time by someone…

Ever felt like you’re stuck in a never-ending loop of decision-making, unable to move forward on a project? Trust me, I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit, especially when working on my own projects and products. The good news? I’m about 3x better at this now than I was 5 years ago.…

I’ve faced challenges that many might not understand or even believe. My experiences have opened my eyes to the harsh realities of being a minority, especially when it comes to personal safety and societal perceptions. Today, I want to share my story and shed light on issues that are often overlooked or misunderstood. ‍ The…

Have you ever been told that listening to an audiobook isn’t “real” reading, or that using speech-to-text technology isn’t “real” writing? This idea stems from a deeper issue of clinging to traditional norms and overlooking the diverse needs of others. In today’s rapidly evolving world, it’s crucial to challenge these outdated notions and recognize the…

Have you ever imagined the human brain as a pink, squishy organ, much like the ones depicted in cartoons and pop culture? I certainly did, and I was completely shocked when I found out that the brain isn’t actually pink. This revelation prompted me to really dig into the topic. Why do we think the…

Have you ever wondered how websites keep your passwords safe from hackers? As someone who transitioned from information technology to information security, one of the first subjects I tackled in product and application security was passwords and how to protect them. In the dev world, security is vital, and Laravel, a popular PHP framework, offers…

Hey there! 👋 Ever feel like you’re drowning in a sea of negativity on social media? Trust me, I get it. Lately, I’ve been dealing with a ton of negativity and people with some seriously challenging mindsets. But you know what? I’m determined to keep my online presence positive. And I thought, why not share…