Author Archives: maijdinh

Sunday lessons on self worth, privilege and honesty

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Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union on Oprah’s Next Chapter

I spent my Sunday night watching Oprah’s Next Chapter with Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad, Alfre Woodard and Gabrielle Union and the documentary Dark Girls on OWN. Both programs explored the experience of being an outsider whether it was as a black actress in Hollywood or a “dark girl” dealing with skin-tone based prejudice from her own community. In both scenarios, I realized minority women were pitted against each other to fight for scraps of watered-down white privilege. Continue reading →
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Mister Rogers remixed ‘Sing Together’ lyrics offer gentle wisdom

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One of Mister Rogers’ nuggets of wisdom went viral after the Boston Marathon bombings, and since then I’ve noticed a resurgence of his work. I grew up on PBS programming and joke that Sesame Street taught me English since Vietnamese was my first language. I watched Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood when there wasn’t anything else on TV, but now as an adult I can fully appreciate the soft-spoken man’s gentle wisdom. Continue reading →

Subject line: Goodbye PEOPLE! YOLO (my parting words)

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After nearly seven years at PEOPLE digital, I am saying goodbye for sunny Singapore! That’s right. I’m not just leaving PEOPLE, I’m leaving the Western hemisphere. I’ll be writing about my adventures at withlovemai.com so please read along and keep in touch. I’ve had a remarkable run. Thank you. Continue reading →

My daily stand-up for ‘Project Mai’

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It’s my final days at PEOPLE and I have a handful of daily stand-up meetings left. For 15 minutes, the digital team reviews the daily tasks that were completed yesterday and what has to be completed today in order to build and maintain PEOPLE’s portfolio of products. As a recent meeting came to a close, the project manager asked, “Does everyone know what they are doing? Any one need help? Have blockers?” Upon hearing these questions, it dawned on me that our dev process applies to more than digital products. Continue reading →

How I met My Social Canvas founder Lisa Mayer

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My Social Canvas tote bag inspired by Whole Planet Foundation

I’m wearing a winning My Social Canvas design inspired by Whole Planet Foundation.

Over the weekend, I took a detour with my husband Eric to The Hideaway, a neighborhood bar that I’ve walked past many times but haven’t tried. I peered through the windows and the charming handwritten menu on the chalkboard wall literally said “Welcome!” so I stepped inside. Continue reading →

‘Clouds’ singer Zach Sobiech leaves beautiful legacy

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zach-sobiech

I first read about Zach Sobiech and his family while at work. I watched SoulPancake creator Rainn Wilson, Jason Mraz, Rachel Bilson, Sara Bareilles, Anna Farris and more celebrities sing-along to his song “Clouds.” I cried at my desk listening to the lyrics, which are a beautiful goodbye to his loved ones. Continue reading →

@Oprah Re-tweeted Me During #Lifeclass with @DrPhil

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withlovemai is on Twitter! Follow me @withlovemai

Follow me at @withlovemai on Twitter

I am an avid Oprah Winfrey fan and support the OWN Network since it launched. I respect her mission to help people live their best lives, and I’ve taken her advice to heart on many occasions. One of my favorite programs is LifeClass and Dr. Phil returned to encourage viewers to “Be the Star of their Own Life.”
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A friend’s encouragement about moving to Singapore

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Mai and Judy

Mai and Judy

I am telling friends and family about our decision to move from NYC to Singapore and reactions have been a mixture of ‘happy for us’ but ‘sad for them.’ I don’t think it’s fully sunk in that Singapore is a 20-hour flight from NYC or that I’ll be 13 hours ahead from my family in Illinois. I don’t want to get scared about the move so I’m not dwelling on the physical distance. Continue reading →

We are moving to Singapore!

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Now Is the Time

"LOVE" on South Street Seaport historical print
My husband Eric and I are moving from New York City to Singapore! We accepted a transfer through his company and will be moving in the next three to four months. Neither of us have been to Singapore but we’re committed to living there for at least a year and half. I submitted my three-week notice as product director of PEOPLE.com this Friday, May 10, 2013 and will be recording this adventure – our very own Oprah’s Next Chapter – for us, me, our families and friends and you too.

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