Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letters. Show all posts

Letter to the Editor: Approve SJR 8212 to make the Long Term Care Trust Act serve the people of Washington

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

To the Editor:

Seventy percent of adults over the age of 65 will need some level of long-term care, but ninety percent are uninsured for it. That’s why Washington state passed the landmark Long-Term Care Trust Act in crisis by creating a fund to help folks pay for assisted living or in-home care when the time comes. However, to make the Long-Term Care Trust Act serve the people of Washington, there’s one more critical step: Approve 8212 this November.

SJR 8212 will help reduce the burdensome cost of long-term care for hundreds of thousands of struggling Washington families by giving the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) more options to responsibly manage investments in the long-term care fund. The Washington State Investment Board already invests pensions for front-line workers like our teachers, police and firefighters in this manner. They also manage investments for worker’s compensation in the state.

This November, we need to give the Washington State Investment Board the tools they need responsibly invest in Washington’s future. Approving 8212 ensures that elderly Washingtonians can rely on and afford long-term services and support when they need them most. Vote ‘Approve 8212’ by November 3rd.

Roger Willsie
Seattle



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Letter to the Editor: Serious concerns about the 'enhanced shelter'

Monday, October 19, 2020

To the Editor:

Many Shoreline citizens have serious concerns about the "enhanced shelter" the City is proposing for 165th and Aurora. We have secured legal counsel, and have formally submitted a letter to the City: https://www.shorelinewa.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=49760.

The City faces two big problems in its push for this "enhanced shelter": 1) the site is in an R-48 residential zone. Current zoning allows "homeless shelters", but only in commercial zones 2) the "homeless shelters" allowed by current zoning require more stringent safety restrictions than the proposed "enhanced shelter".

To push the shelter through, the City has proposed Ordinance 906, which creates interim zoning regulations allowing "enhanced shelters" in R-48 zones. Under this zoning, eight residential sites around Shoreline could house "enhanced shelters". The regulations could be reversed after 6 months, but any shelter authorized while the regulations were in effect would be vested, and could stay forever.

One of the issues our attorneys raise in their letter is that the City's proposal would create inconsistent development regulations. It's questionable whether shelters should be allowed at all in residential zones, but if they are, the rules should be more stringent, not less stringent, than in commercial zones, and Ordinance 906 would do the opposite, even allowing sex offenders in "enhanced shelters".

For the City to do this properly, they would have to: 1) rezone the area from residential to commercial 2) change the definition of "homeless shelter" to remove some of the current safety restrictions. This would require an extensive public review process.

Instead, they are trying to slip a new, more dangerous, type of shelter, into residential areas by adopting Ordinance 906. We believe they are engaging in rule bending, should stop immediately, and follow the rules scrupulously.

Vinay Venkatesh
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: New trees do not equal mature trees

To the Editor:

New trees do not equal mature trees Recently, the City sent out a press release, stating that it was in the process of planting 62 new street trees on the east side of Shoreline. Shoreline spent $11K of its Tree Fund to plant 62 new street trees. It further states that "[t]he trees are Zelkova and Norwegian Sunset Maples, which are known for their fall colors”. According to the 2019 ROW Street Tree List, these are large and median trees, respectively, but not native to Pacific Northwest. Why isn’t the City planting native trees or evergreens? In June 2020, the City paid for and received a Climate Impacts and Resiliency Study from Cascadia Consulting Group and Herrera Environmental Consultants. The Study stated in Appendix B, Recommended Resilience Strategies, that evergreen trees would improve water quality and catchment for stormwater, as well as increase carbon sequestration. They may not be as “pretty” as Norwegian Sunset Maple, but evergreen trees certainly contribute more to a healthy environment. The Study further recommends planting “additional native tree, or native tree cultivars / hybrids to support local habitat, fauna, and flora, and increase native canopy cover.”

Shoreline’s new street tree planting and replacement program cannot be considered a solution for removing existing mature trees in Shoreline. It is important to protect all of our tall trees as well as plant new trees. To summarize, I recommend everyone read a recent online article entitled “US cities are losing 36 million trees a year. Here's why it matters and how you can stop it.” https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/20/health/iyw-cities-losing-36-million-trees-how-to-help-trnd/index.html

Susanne Tsoming
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: Acknowledge and support the Duwamish Tribe

Friday, October 16, 2020

To the Editor:

There are so many opportunities to participate these days. I invite members of our Shoreline / Lake Forest Park Community to join in on this one.

Just recently, our family heard of “Real Rent Duwamish, https://www.duwamishtribe.org/donate This is an opportunity to acknowledge and support the Duwamish Tribe.

You may have heard these words, at meetings, in church, or at other community events “I would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.” These are the words that are being spoken to raise awareness and to honor the Point Elliot Treaty of 1855, which has yet to be acknowledged, from my understanding, by our Federal Government, or us.

This is an opportunity for us to make amends for our history both past and present.

We can do this by: making a monthly or annual contribution, by stating the above words at community meetings and events, by reaching out to our city councils and requesting that these words, “I would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe” are said at every city council and department meeting, and have our city’s budget include a contribution to “Real Rent Duwamish” as our whole city’s way of acknowledging and honoring our privilege to live, play, work, and build community here.

Thank you for all that you are doing to make our world beautiful. I wish you all wellness and safety.

Meghan Peterka
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: Andrea Robertson for Superior Court judge

Sunday, October 11, 2020

To the Editor:

In this election, King County citizens will be voting for King County Superior Court judges. Judicial elections are difficult for most voters who do not have direct involvement with the courts. Most highly qualified judicial candidates are not career politicians. Andrea Robertson is not a politician; she is an experienced trial attorney who has earned the respect of her attorney colleagues and judges alike.

Trial court experience is fundamental to earning the job of a Superior Court judge. Judges preside over legal proceedings that significantly impact the community, public safety, and individuals’ lives. Andrea’s over 22 years of experience include protecting the constitutional rights of thousands of ordinary people. Andrea has fought for high standards in the courtroom, including the use of reliable forensic science. She has given her time to enhance the legal community as a presenter at legal seminars. Andrea has helped develop our future lawyers through her instruction in trial advocacy at the UW School of Law. She has long been an asset to our legal community.

Five independent local bar associations have given her the highest rating of “Exceptionally Well Qualified.” Hundreds of trial lawyers from every area of law have endorsed her because they know who she is and know the importance of experience and qualification for the job of a judge. Over 75 current and former judges, those who truly know the job, support Andrea.

King County voters can entrust Andrea Robertson with our community’s most important legal matters. She will elevate our local judiciary and advance the administration of justice in our county.

Liza Burke, King county trial attorney since 1994
Seattle



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Letter to the Editor: Our children need high-quality sex education - Vote to Approve R - 90

Thursday, October 8, 2020

To the Editor:

Referendum 90 will be on the November ballot to Approve or Reject ESSB 5395 (Comprehensive Sexual Health Education), passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor in March 2020. 

The League of Women Voters of WA recommends a vote to Approve ESSB 5395.

The bill ensures that all students statewide receive age-appropriate information that is medically and scientifically accurate, and parents have the right to opt their student out of the class. 

ESSB 5395 states that K-3 instruction must be in social-emotional learning. This could include stranger danger, good touch/bad touch, and using your words instead of your hands.

No child should be left in the dark without the tools and information they need to be safe and healthy. Comprehensive sexual health education is effective at driving down rates of sexual abuse, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections in young people. Making sure every student across our state has access to high quality sexual health education is an equity issue.

Too many of our students don't receive high-quality, accurate sex education, putting them at risk. Let's stand together and vote to Approve R-90 this election for all our students.

Kate Lunceford, President,
League of Women Voters of Snohomish County



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Letter to the Editor: Axon is not just a “public safety technology company”

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

To the Editor:

In Tuesday’s Shoreline Area News it was reported that the Lake Forest Park Police will use Body-Worn Cameras. (“Lake Forest Park Police to use Body-Worn Camera”). It is noted that the cameras were purchased from Axon, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based public safety technology company.

Readers may not be aware that Axon is not just a “public safety technology company”. You might recognize their previous name: Taser.

I am not opposed to the use of body cameras (in fact I support them), nor am I necessarily against the use of Tasers, but I think citizens need to understand that Axon is more than just a supplier of cameras: they are a weapons manufacturer. Mostly non-fatal, but weapons nonetheless. Calling them a “public safety technology company” is a classic example of 1984’s “doublespeak.” 

Ken Berkun
Lake Forest Park

PS Some of Axon’s body camera technology was acquired by the purchase of Seattle-based ViewVu, which is now a branch office of Axon.




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Letter to the Editor: We can do more to save our significant trees

Thursday, October 1, 2020

100 year old madrone was cut down
for development
Photo by Frank Kleyn


To the Editor:

During September this magnificent native Pacific Madrone, near Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, was brought down. This tree was a home for birds and a friend to Shoreline citizens who enjoyed its beauty. This 100 year old tree was at least 36” DBH which is a significant tree.

Save Shoreline Trees is about saving our significant trees and we believe we can do better. Much better. Replacing trees is good, however stop and consider these questions. With each tall evergreen and native tree that comes down in Shoreline, what happens to the wildlife who called it home? 

What happens to the migrating birds that count on that tree to be there when they need to stop and rest? What happens to the shade these trees provide to our homes, the calming influence on our streets and the noise abatement from our growing city’s population? What happens to the fish and the Orcas in Puget Sound when the tall trees aren’t filtering the watersheds?

One 12” Douglas Fir reduces carbon by 4# a year. One 30” Douglas Fir reduces carbon by 580# a year. A car produces 11,000# of carbon a year. From a health vantage, reducing our tall trees and increasing our population will increase unhealthy air and reduce our quality of life. The new trees will take decades to be this effective. In contrast, an existing mature tree continues to increase their growth with age.

We scan our horizon and see plenty of trees, so why worry? Except when our existing tall trees are gone they are gone forever and the new trees coming up will not replace them.

Please visit our website, www.saveshorelinetrees.com to learn more about our efforts to save our trees.

Melody Fosmore
Chair, Save Shoreline Trees
A Washington State Non-Profit Corporation



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Letter to the Editor: Does Lake City Partners have any experience with "Low barrier" shelters?

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

To the Editor:

I am writing about your article in the Shoreline news today on “Lake City Partners ending homelessness”. Lake City Partners has been named as the lead agency to manage the proposed 60 bed homeless shelter in the former nursing home at 163rd and Aurora. Are you aware that they have not provide the residents of Shoreline with any information on them having any experience operating a LOW BARRIER Facility

The residents of Shoreline in the Highland Terrace and Richmond Highlands neighborhood has provided the Shoreline City Council with a Petition opposing this facility with over 1100 signatures.

Larry Pfeil
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: "Low barrier" shelter is dangerous for the neighborhood

To the Editor:

Your two September 20th articles about the proposed North King County Enhanced Shelter failed to mention a very important piece of information about the shelter. The terms of the grant that would fund the shelter require that it be "low barrier". "Low barrier" means that there would be no sobriety requirement and no background checks. So the shelter would be required to accept pedophiles, violent criminals, and active users of illegal drugs. This would be dangerous for the neighborhood, particularly for the children at the daycare center that is right next door to the proposed shelter site.

Over 1100 citizens have signed an on-line petition (http://chng.it/FSmJ8T2VZ5) opposing this low barrier shelter. I know of no one who opposes using this site for a homeless shelter. What we do oppose are rules that would prevent the shelter from excluding residents who would endanger the community.

Maggie Willson
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: 104 Trees to be cut down for WSDOT frontage project Permit 19-2371

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Trees on Dayton by WSDOT project. Photo by Jamie Holter



To the Editor:

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) recently hosted a meeting for Save Shoreline Trees. While we appreciated this opportunity to hear directly from WSDOT and City representatives, we cannot condone the fact that 104 trees including several Landmark trees are going to be cut down as part of the frontage renovation on Dayton Ave N, N 155th and N 160th. WSDOT provided information that so many trees "were saved," but do not be misled, trees have not been "saved".

Save Shoreline Trees wants the larger Shoreline community and friends of trees to know this will be a travesty when these 104 trees are cut down as part of the WSDOT frontage renovation triggered by city code. The meeting with WSDOT was too short and we were not able to ask all of our questions. We were not able to ask about the confusion of who "owns" what trees.

Now, apparently, all of the trees along N 160th and N 155th are owned by WSDOT, a remarkable confusion in information provided by the City and WSDOT to the community in December 2019.

In the "Table of Trees" attached to WSDOT's revised arborist report dated 7/7/20, it identifies each tree and reads "remove", "remove", "remove" which means "cut down" "cut down" "cut down" next to 104 trees. Also, an additional 40 trees will be impacted, meaning these trees might suffer consequences from construction or from nearby trees being cut down.

We are losing our mature tree canopy and will continue to do so. Many improvement projects are scheduled, not only WSDOT, but also on N 175th St corridor, N 148th St Bridge, and numerous construction sites for developments of townhomes and apartments. The tall conifer trees in Shoreline are being cut down, project by project.

So when you see tree service trucks and chippers along Dayton Ave N, along N 160th, along N 155th, hear the whirring pitch of chainsaws, you will know that trees are falling. We will continue to hear these sights and sounds in Shoreline until the residents of Shoreline say to the City of Shoreline, enough is enough. 

These trees are part of the urban tree canopy of Shoreline. These trees are city assets that serve and belong to Shoreline residents. We are saying to all who will listen, these 104 tall trees around WSDOT, each one, is important.

Melody Fosmore, Chair
Kathleen Russell, Communications
Save Shoreline Trees




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Letter to the Editor: Should we reopen our schools next month?

Sunday, August 23, 2020

To the Editor:

Should we reopen our schools next month?

Although I no longer have a school age child, I’ve been following this debate. I understand why parents want schools to reopen: they don’t want their kids to fall behind in learning. That is a real concern. What I find interesting is what is not being discussed: why do kids want to go back to school?

Kids want to go back to school to see their friends. End of story. If you don’t believe it, tell your child that their school is considering changing how it re-opens, and you just learned that they will not be going to school on the same day as their friends.

When they see their friends, how do kids interact? By being in close proximity to one another. Whether it’s sports, on a playground, or sharing gossip and jokes, kids like to be close to each other. They hug and poke and bump and punch. They share books and show each other pictures or texts on their phones. But mostly they share space.

It’s what they do. It’s what we do. It's who we are.

Pam Cross
Shoreline




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Letter to the Editor: Dancing with Death

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

To the Editor:

Unfortunately, too many folks in Shoreline are going out and about, and into stores without wearing a mask. This puts others at risk.

Even if a person is asymptomatic, they can transmit this virus, and most people do not know if they are asymptomatically ill with COVID.

This is a deadly virus, much more serious than the 1918-19 Spanish flu, transmitted very easily to other people, with viral droplets lasting three hours minimally in indoor spaces, and permeating the air even outside. It is expensive to treat, with no guarantee that an individual will survive.

It is likely to last a long time, perhaps until next summer.

People who do not acknowledge the lethality of this pandemic are dancing with Death, who is wearing a corona. Please practice protective strategies for yourself and others.

Gini Paulsen
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: Shirley Sutton; regressive taxes

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

To the Editor:

Shirley Sutton, running for 32nd district state representative, has called for reforming Washington’s regressive tax structure. She and all Democrats need to go much further than vague declarations and develop a comprehensive tax reform package, and then campaign on it for as long as it takes to pass it.

Such a package should include reductions in sales tax and an exemption for part of assessed property taxes to reduce taxes for lower-income people. The revenue should be made up by a progressive income tax, including a capital gains tax. That would require amending the state constitution by popular vote, which would be difficult and might take several election cycles.

But unless Democrats are prepared to take on real tax reform like this as a long-term campaign, we will never be able to solve all the so-called crises that have become normalities in recent years—homelessness, inadequate mental health care, deteriorating infrastructure, and more.

Chris Nielsen
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: Shorewood High School landscaping

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Photo by Craig Schoch
To the Editor:

In 2013 Shorewood High School was a brand-new facility with beautiful landscaping. The tax payer funded school included a new irrigation system, manicured bushes, plants and lawns. The maintenance of the grounds has declined since the school opened.

Over the years I have seen the landscaping become overgrown with weeds, plants die due to inactivated irrigation systems, and bushes removed. On June 13th I observed that the landscaping on the south end of the campus was completely overgrown. The grass has recently been mowed with all the long clippings left behind. No trimming was done around the trees, fencing, or poles. On June 22nd no further progress had been made.

Shorewood High School and the grounds should be a shining example of our community and instead they are an embarrassment. I do not understand why the grounds have never been maintained properly.

Covid 19 paused the maintenance for a short time but the deterioration that has been progressing for years is just more noticeable due to the recent situation.

Parkwood Elementary, Kellogg Middle, and Einstein Middle schools are currently under construction. Those properties will have irrigation systems and new landscaping. Why should we continue to pay for new landscaping that will not be maintained?

Craig Schoch
Shoreline



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Letter to the Editor: A wonderful example of community policing

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

To the Editor:

I feel so fortunate to have lived in LFP for 45 years. No place is perfect, but I want to comment on our LFP police department, who demonstrate a wonderful example of community policing.  In addition to their other duties, they are present in a friendly capacity donating blood, serving salmon lunches at the farmer’s market, joining community groups (Chief Harden is a valued member of our LFP Rotary Club), and just plain showing up as community members themselves.

Please, when you exercise your right to protest against injustice and support Black Lives Matter, just remember that not all communities are the same. I hope you’ll remember to thank our police for the great job they do for us.

Allison Reagan
Lake Forest Park



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Letter to the Editor: Thank you dear Lake Forest Park officials!!

Saturday, June 6, 2020

To the Editor:

Thank you dear Lake Forest Park officials!! (see City of Lake Forest Park: A renewed call for compassion)

LFP was the 11th City in the United States to become a Compassionate City.

As our leaders have pointed out in their statement renewing the Call for Compassion, “We have work to do,”  and this commitment provides a principled foundation for practical action on racism, policing, inclusion, civil discourse and the other elements of our history and current life that need to change.

I’m happy and grateful to be accountable for this community commitment and the effort it takes!

Anne Stadler
Lake Forest Park



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Letter to the Editor: Be part of the solution

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

To the Editor:

I’m writing to invite my fellow white citizens to show up, and take responsibility for freeing ourselves and our whole community from the shackles of history, guilt, and inertia. I’m asking us each to make a daily commitment of non-violent action, in order to be part of the solution to the intractable problems so evident to us right now.

I call myself to account for that every morning, and try to live it daily in my personal practice, in the actions that I take whether it is writing a letter like this or it is deciding where I give or spend money, or participate in civic action. I’m doing that so I can fully exercise my responsibilities as a person who has responsibilities as part of a democratic society. For me, governance starts with self-discipline, expressed in care for the well being of myself and the whole.

AND I join hearts and hands with my allies of color as you do what you need to do. For I believe we cannot change our country without belonging to the whole sorry mess. I believe we need to link hearts and hands to create a world that actually works for all- Us humans-and all the beings we live with on this beautiful planet.

I’m 89 years old. I’ve spent much of my life working for justice, against racism, and all the other isms that separate and divide us. I’ve worked to build Dr. Martin Luther King’s beloved community in many places, for many years. I try to be accountable for my life and actions. I am very fortunate that my dear family is multicultural with a variety of beautiful skin colors.

I am unutterably sad that we are in this horrible place where so many of us wake up to the devastation of our families, dreams, homes. And I also say to myself, you are here now because what you are and what you do matters.

So to ALL my allies of all skin colors and cultures, I offer my gifts and love to BE part of the solutions. And I join with and encourage others like me to step up everyday in our daily lives.

Love and optimal health to you and your loved ones!

Anne Stadler
Lake Forest Park



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Letter to the Editor: Explore Shoreline's impressive art collection

Saturday, April 25, 2020

To the Editor:

I appreciated the April 24 commentary, “Sunshine is a good reason to check out Shoreline’s public art” which I assume was submitted by our city’s dynamic Public Art Coordinator, David Francis. [Ed. Correst!]

He noted that today, April 25, is International Sculpture Day, when organizations and artists herald the history and importance of sculpture as an art form.

Outdoor art provides the unique opportunity to marry engaging art with nature, and the best installations are in sites where the natural setting enhances the sculptures. Many of Shoreline’s public art pieces are so situated.

Our northwest landscape in the spring is exuberant, awash in lushness, beauty and life. It is arguably the best time to experience pieces of public art. If there is anything that is fortunate about this plague that we are immersed in, it is that it has descended on us in the spring, when all around us life and color are ballooning. The earth is again exhibiting it’s relentless power to regenerate life, even as disease and death surround us.

We need art in this emergency. We especially need art in the outdoors, when we can experience the combined healing and hopefulness from both art and nature. Art reminds us that we are capable of creating great beauty, of experiencing resilience even at times of great hardship. And the hopefulness of spring, every spring, is a powerful reminder that life will prevail, and artists will certainly create powerful art in response to this pandemic.

So - take to the outdoors and use David’s interactive map to walk, bike and explore Shoreline’s impressive public art collection. Bring your kids. Many are along trails and in parks, still open to all of us. Safe distancing is easy to achieve. Get an art infusion. It just might be your most lasting legacy from this historic calamity.

Bruce Amundson, Member
Shoreline Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Board



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Letter to ADK: We don't know when the storm will pass but at least we nurture our sun inside

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Trang Huang is an International Teaching Education student from Vietnam for Alpha Delta Kappa fraternal teachers’ organization. 

Diane Thompson and Rhetta Fisk, both former teachers in the Shoreline School District, are her sponsors, with help from Alpha Delta Chapter in Shoreline and the Northwest Region of ADK.  

Trang holds a degree in International Economics and is now studying equalizing educational opportunities in underrepresented communities at the UW. 

This was her letter to Alpha Delta members at the beginning of Spring, reprinted with permission from Trang.

Trang Huang

Hi ADK family,

I hope you are doing well lately. I just submitted my very final paper for Winter Quarter last Wednesday and now in spring break.

This past month has been a whirlwind of changes, uncertainties, anxiety to me as schools were moved online, conference and events got cancelled, plans changed. 

I was left not knowing when it will end. 

In these times, lovely notes from ADK really help cheer me up and give me more motivation to move forward. Thank you for all the positivity and support.

Many of my friends studying in the US, Korea and Europe were and are in the rush to fly back to Vietnam. I decided to stay as I think social distancing and less travel will help alleviate the situation and it will get better (yes!). 

There are no cases confirmed in my little town in Vietnam yet but I am asking my parents to stay at home. Being away from them made me feel powerless as there is less I can do besides video calls and asking them to take good care of themselves. I wish things will get back to normal soon (please!). 

I was torn between each time reading the newspapers/ watching about the updates and not accessing any media to avoid negative emotions. My heart sinks when the curve kept going upwards but I found hope in each and every little story about how people are supporting one another in this  tough time.

I have so much gratitude for what I am having and thinking about how I can pay it forward to more people who need it. 

I knew an old humorous lady who is living in my building and has become her feet going out and getting some grocery every 7-8 days. My mom though being worried but also told me to not forget to look out for each other and help those who might need it most.

We don't know when the storm will pass but at least we nurture our sun inside. There is fear but there does not have to be hate. There is uncertainty but there does not have to be madness. In this turbulent time, calmness, love and kindness is what we might need the most :) You all inspired me to keep learning this lesson.

Till the time we meet. And Hello Spring!

Take good care,
Trang




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