The "Simple Stories in English: Who Am I?" series includes 4 parts with a natural learning path:
- Part 1: Repetition of basic vocabulary and structures https://vulehuan.com/en/blog/2025/11/simple-stories-in-english-who-am-i-nxkZIDChFop
- Part 2: Practice answering simple questions https://vulehuan.com/en/blog/2025/11/simple-stories-in-english-who-am-i-part-2-multi-speaker-qJ0MWK85SuJ
- Part 3: Enhanced word usage and sentence structures https://vulehuan.com/en/blog/2025/11/simple-stories-in-english-who-am-i-part-3-dJ67EYKRJOl
- Part 4: Real-life conversation between Mary and Taylor
Part 4 is more challenging but helps you apply knowledge to real situations. Key to success: you don't need to understand every word - just grasp the main ideas and speak confidently. Keep going - you'll make amazing progress!
Mary: Hey Taylor! It's so good to finally catch up properly. I heard through the grapevine that you moved away from Ho Chi Minh City? I have to say, you're looking really relaxed.
Taylor: Thanks, Mary! Yeah, I did. I made the move to Gia Nghia back in April.
Mary: Gia Nghia? I'm not sure I know it. What's the draw? I feel like everyone is usually trying to get into the big city, not out of it.
Taylor: (Chuckles) I know, right? I'm definitely over the big city life. Gia Nghia is a small town, now part of Lam Dong province. And that's exactly why I love it. It's so quiet and peaceful here, the vibe is just great. The weather is cool all year, the air is clean... and a huge bonus is we don't get many big storms or floods. I'm a total convert.
Mary: That sounds like a dream. And you can just... work from there? What are you doing these days? Still buried in code?
Taylor: Pretty much! I'm still a Tech Lead, but now I work fully remote for a foreign company that doesn't have an office here. And honestly, I love it. On the side, I also do some consulting, advising startups on their tech strategy. I really enjoy that—helping them out and sharing what I've learned.
Mary: I can totally see you doing that. You've always had that teacher vibe when you talk about tech. It's a passion for you, isn't it? I remember you always lit up when solving a tricky problem.
Taylor: You noticed! Yeah, I'm a huge tech enthusiast. Coding lets me create new things and solve complex problems. There's a real joy in it. And you're right, helping others with their code is incredibly satisfying for me.
Mary: It's amazing how much you can do remotely now. It reminds me, didn't you get your Master's online a while back?
Taylor: I did! From Liverpool John Moores University in England. I did the whole thing from here in Vietnam and I'm really proud of that. I'm a big believer in online education—it lets you learn from anywhere, at your own pace. I'm still constantly learning, reading books, taking courses... it's a cornerstone of my life.
Mary: That's so inspiring. It sounds like you've built a really balanced life there. So, besides work and studying, what's life like in Gia Nghia? What do you do to unwind?
Taylor: Well, I live with my mom and my younger brother, so a lot of my happiness comes from them. We're a close family—eating together, talking, just spending time. I also love being close to nature. There are mountains and forests nearby, and I go for walks to just think and relax. It's good for the soul.
Mary: That sounds wonderful. And it's nice that your family is with you. Do you have a good community there?
Taylor: The people here are incredibly friendly, I really appreciate it. And my church is super close, just a five-minute drive next to a beautiful lake. I go every Sunday. My faith is very important to me; it gives me a lot of peace.
Mary: I love that for you. It sounds like you've really found a place that fits all parts of your life. So, with all this... and forgive me if this is too personal... does this new chapter include a special someone? Or are you just enjoying the peace and quiet?
Taylor: (Laughs) No, it's a fair question! I'm currently not married and no kids. People ask sometimes, and I just tell them I'm waiting for the right time. I'm genuinely happy with where I am right now—my work, my family, my friends. I have friends all over, and I value those relationships a lot.
Mary: That's the most important thing, right? Being happy and present. It really sounds like you've thought a lot about what matters to you.
Taylor: I have. I think a lot about the future. I want to keep growing, be a better son and brother—my mom is getting older, and I want to take care of her like she did for me. I believe in hard work, but also in kindness. At the end of the day, I just want to keep learning, help others, make my family proud, and be a good person.
Mary: Taylor, that's... genuinely lovely. I'm so happy for you. It sounds like you're not just living, you're thriving.
Taylor: Thanks, Mary. That means a lot. I love my life and who I am. I'm not perfect, but every day is a fresh start, you know? I'm just grateful for all of it.
