Author: Emily Nguyen Le
In the gleaming halls of St. Joseph’s Medical Center, where polished floors reflected the importance of every step, a woman in plain blue scrubs pushed her mop cart past the double doors of the cardiology wing. Her name tag simply read “Maria.” To most, she was invisible — just the janitor. For illustrative purposes only. No one knew that the woman scrubbing the floors with meticulous care had once stood in an entirely different uniform — a white coat, clipboard in hand, stethoscope draped around her neck. But that was a lifetime ago. It was a Monday morning like any other.…
Drinking plenty of water is widely recommended for maintaining good health, with many aiming for 2–3 liters per day. However, if you’re consistently drinking 3 liters of water daily yet still feel fatigued, hydration might not be the issue. In fact, excessive water intake without balance can sometimes do more harm than good. So why do you still feel tired despite drinking lots of water? Let’s explore the most common reasons: 1. Electrolyte Imbalance from Overhydration For illustration purposes only. While water is essential, your body also needs electrolytes — such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium — to maintain nerve function, muscle control, and energy levels.…
After a life-changing accident, I woke up with no memory and a stranger by my side, claiming to be my fiancé. I couldn’t remember him, but I trusted him, until my dog’s strange behavior made me question everything. Was this man really who he said he was, or someone else entirely? You never think something terrible will happen to you. It was just an ordinary evening. I was driving home after hanging out with a friend, listening to music, singing along, feeling happy. But in just one moment, everything changed. A car came speeding around a corner and crashed into…
If anyone had told Alexander Harrington that a boy with a torn shirt and a plastic stethoscope would upend his world, he would’ve scoffed—probably with a cutting remark thrown in for good measure. Yet, that’s exactly how it began. Alexander hated parks, especially on Sundays. He loathed this one in particular—the noise, the sugary smell of popcorn, the chaotic bursts of children darting far too close to his wheelchair. Their joy, energy, and freedom grated on him. He sat alone beneath the wide branches of a sycamore tree, wrapped in a silence that came not from peace—but from power. His…
A six-year-old boy showed up on my doorstep, claiming I was his dad. I laughed—until he pulled out a letter from his mother. My name. My address. My past crashed into my present. And I had no idea what to do next. Mornings were predictable. Quiet. Peaceful. Just the way I liked them. I didn’t need an alarm. No boss, no office, no reason to rush anywhere. My work was remote, and I kept my world as small as possible. No forced social interactions, no unnecessary chit-chat. Just me, my laptop, and my coffee. Black, no sugar, no milk. For…
I never thought a split-second decision at the grocery store checkout would end my job… or begin something so much bigger. My name is Maya Turner, and until a few weeks ago, I worked as a cashier at Dawson’s Market—a small neighborhood grocery store in a quiet corner of Ohio. I wasn’t making much, just enough to pay the rent on my studio apartment and help my younger sister with her community college tuition. I was 23, working hard, staying under the radar. Then came that Wednesday. v It was around 6:30 PM—just after the dinner rush. I’d been on my feet for…
The champagne flute slipped from my hand, crashing to the marble floor, its shards reflecting the truth I’d unknowingly lived with for three years. I stood frozen in the doorway, watching my husband of seven years kneel beside my best friend’s crying toddler. The child’s next words would unravel everything I believed about my marriage, my life, and the people I trusted most. “Daddy, can we go home now?” little Amanda whispered, wrapping her tiny arms around my husband’s neck with the familiarity of a thousand bedtime stories I’d never witnessed. The room fell silent. Twenty guests turned to stare.…
A few months before our wedding, Dylan showed me a viral video of a groom dropping his bride into a swimming pool during their photoshoot. He laughed hysterically. “Can you imagine doing that at our wedding?” he said, wiping tears from his eyes. I didn’t laugh. For illustrative purposes only. I looked him in the eye and said, “If you ever do that to me, I’ll walk. I mean it.” He chuckled, wrapped an arm around me, and kissed my forehead. “I’d never. Don’t worry, Claire.” I believed him. Our wedding day was everything I had dreamed of—warm, elegant, and…
One rainy November night in Madrid, the El Palacio Real restaurant was filled with warm lights and elite conversation. At one of the most elegant tables, Carmen Vega, the iconic Spanish fashion designer, was savoring her favorite Iberian ham, staring blankly at her phone screen. She was a 32-year-old woman, owner of a haute couture empire and possessor of everything money could buy, except one thing: inner peace. Image for illustrative purposes only Outside, in the drizzle and cold, a 10-year-old girl in dirty, torn clothes stared at the restaurant with blue eyes clouded with hunger. Her name was Lucía,…
In many Western countries, breakfast is often associated with cereal, toast, or eggs. But across Asia and other parts of the world, rice is a staple morning meal. So, what happens to your body when you eat rice for breakfast? Is it healthy—or should you stick to oatmeal and smoothies? Let’s explore what science says about this traditional practice and whether it can be a good addition to your morning routine. Image for illustrative purposes only 1. Rice Provides Quick Energy to Start Your Day Rice is a carbohydrate-rich food, which makes it an excellent energy source. After a night of…