In for 2026: rootedness, running & reflection

We ended 2025 with crab roe noodles and red bean tofu pudding. No midnight count down, but it was a moment to pause and take stock of the past year. 2025 was filled with unexpected blessings, twists and turns.

SC and I were discussing his in's & out's for 2026. Today, I decided reflection on a regular cadence is in. The other elements I'm still figuring out.

When people asked about my new year's resolutions, two things came to mind: to read more and write more

Reading

I decided I would read the entire Bible this year. As of this writing, I've finished the 50 chapters of Genesis, up to Psalm 23, the 28 chapters of Matthew, and Mark 1. The reading plan at the back of my Bible has been my guide.

Book-wise, I picked up Martyr! on January 24th at IL's recommendation and finished it the following day. Ravenous? Avoidant? A mixture of feelings propelled me to devour Kaveh Akbar's prose. Third culture children, pangs of obligation and abandonment of duty. A plot-twist I did not foresee.

I started reading Siddartha (Hermann Hesse) and New Seeds of Contemplation (Thomas Merton), and purchased a copy of Articulating Design Decisions (Tom Greever). And! Book club starting February 1st. I'm excited. Kafka on the Shore.

Writing

LF and I recently discussed writing in public. She asked about my process. I replied that I haven't written something polished in some time. In writing, at least for the site you're currently on, I much prefer done over perfect. Make it real, then make it good. To be fair, the Notes section of my website is meant to collect half-formed thoughts, whole musings, and little quips. Get in the reps, and your voice will reveal itself. The path appears as you walk. Action begets information, which affords feedback and adjustment.

Running

I started running with LF a couple of weeks ago. We started with 5km, then a bit further the week after. So far: comfortable, conversational pace.

Food for thought

Growing awareness of imposter syndrome. A muted sense of self, shrinking, inferiority, fear, anxiety: these all go hand-in-hand. "We see the world not as it is, but as we are." The world can be a very beautiful place, when we decide to make it so.

Core memories

1) Bullet train. 3) Disneyland Shanghai. 4) Haidilao with Mom, Dad, Andy. 15) Potto post-Soulcycle. 16) Dalida brunch. Tea with LF and BC. 17) Iris day! Trader Joe's, pizza-making competitions, and hair clippers. 18) Embarcadero with GT, CC, AL. 20) Presenting Anna with a sword. 22) Mission Rock. 23) GGP run. 24) Haight-Ashbury thrifting. Queue for Q, new books, cleaning ears. 25) Foy's onigiri & matcha cafe. Legless table conversations next to IL, ID, and M. 27) Founding designers at Tusco Cafe. 29) Run + Mixt + cowork. 30) Sausolito & ThaiTanic. Blueberry cheesecake crepes. Confiding anxieties over chrysanthemum tea, sweetened with honey and cooled with ice. 31) Run to Golden Gate Bridge. Turns out I'm not great at navigating. Crickety knee, inklings of swelling. Sonder. Designers in the park. Tahini brownie, Painted Ladies.