October 2026
On a whim, I began journaling in cursive after seeing a slew of beautiful, elegant handwriting on r/Journaling. Having not written in cursive for about fifteen years, this was a pretty rough transition.
The payoff has been worth it as I'm so pleased with how much I've improved in three weeks! Though I continue to be perplexed by uppercase Qs and Gs, I'm excited to be gradually developing my own cursive handwriting. Now, the goal is to make it actually legible and consistent...
Jubilee Marketplace
The pinnacle of value and quality. Nothing beats $4 sushi samplers and $2.90 sliders! I've never seen such incredible fatty tuna marbling on supermarket sushi before.
Tomás Sullivent
My first pair of barefoot shoes! I've been prioritizing foot health over style for years so I'm glad to find a cute pair that doesn't crush my toes. I love clopping around like a horse.
Duo Cafe
Visited a tea house that serves amazing basque cheesecakes. I enjoyed their milk oolong tea so much I literally trekked across the city to buy tea leaves from my favorite tea shop.
I currently love Dressmaker, my new B6 journal, reciting Shakespeare, my husband's basque cheesecake, Alvin Zhou Films, fountain pens, my suede jacket, The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, and All American - Isabel Dumaa.
Wishing you a fun new challenge,
Ivy
September 2026
I'm trying to be more carefree and honest when interacting with others, especially people I'm not familiar with. It actually feels very refreshing to admit I don't know something, share cringey anecdotes, compliment or commiserate with a stranger, and laugh off embarrassing moments.
Two years ago, I attended a friend's wedding and I was so strung up that I found it hard to answer a question like "What have you been up to?" This time around, I feel much more relaxed and like myself. I think that's worth celebrating.
Margerie Glacier
One of the undisputed highlights during an Alaska cruise with my in-laws, especially since it was completely clear and sunny. I now have a much better sense of what philosophers and artists meant by the sublime.
Harry & David pears
I'm not a fan of pears, but this box has raised their esteem. These are the best pears I've ever had in my life—they're incredibly juicy and creamy and I'm so grateful to my friend for gifting me a box.
The Lost Boys
My friend pitched this as a musical about a vampire rock band and I was immediately on board. The set changes were so impressive that they literally left me speechless! Shoutout to the Sax Guy for being so... shiny.
I currently love Alaskan salmon, Kings Corner, chia seed pudding, tiramisu, Love Letter, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, chocolate-covered strawberries, Widow's Bay, and rediscovering Answer - ATEEZ.
Wishing you awe-inspiring sights,
Ivy
August 2026
I reconnected with a few classmates from high school and one didn't know who I was until I reintroduced myself. It feels strange, and perhaps a little validating, that I'm unrecognizable from the person I was more than a decade ago.
Sometimes, I wonder how my teenage self might perceive me and I like to imagine that she'd be ecstatic with where we've ended up. I wish I could send her a message from the future that things do in fact get better. Wondrously so.
Sekai Omakase
Went to omakase with my husband and a friend while she was in town. I especially liked the chutoro, barracuda, salmon roe, anago, and buckwheat pudding.
Lil Frankie's
Caught up with a grad school friend over copious amounts of lemon spaghetti, foccacia, a breakfast set, and tiramisu. A perfect Sunday brunch.
The Morgan
Attended a tarot exhibit and was particularly drawn to The Other Clock by Remedios Varo. The Visconti–Sforza Tarot cards were also remarkably intricate and stunning.
I currently love Road to Empress, my husband's pickled cabbage, Fields of Mistria and this museum tracker, honey lattes, sweatpants that look like jeans, this pilates workout from Move with Nicole, Grand Hotel (2011), and word search puzzles.
Wishing you good food and even better company,
Ivy
July 2026
In a stroke of serendipity I first listened to Tidal by Fiona Apple on July 23rd, the day of its thirtieth anniversary. I then remembered a few other coincidences, like how I walked past John Turturro before Game 4 of the NBA finals last month. My husband and I also stumbled upon the shimaenaga coin purse we wanted—but was sold out online—in a popup at a random Ginza mall.
Coincidences are so charming to me. The universe aligns on something small and inconsequential that becomes an amusing memory. How special!
Brooklyn Museum
Attended the Iris van Herpen exhibit and was completely blown away. It's extraordrinary that exoskeletons, aquatic life, optical illusions, and more inspired van Herpen to create such exquisite dresses.
Heirloom tomatoes
Returned to the farmers market for some heirloom tomatoes! These tasted divine when paired with a toasted sourdough loaf with cheese and topped with a little salt and pepper.
Chelsea Piers
Spotted three ducks after coming out of a public skating session. Based on my field guide and my extremely limited bird-watching experience, I believe these are American black ducks.
I currently love Kairosoft games, my Porcelain writing project, LDShadowLady's Empires SMP, using Git, oshiruko with shiratama dango, Kowloon Generic Romance, Ted Lasso, and Ted's biscuits.
Wishing you welcome surprises,
Ivy
June 2026
Shortly after I moved into my apartment last year, an old brick building nearby was taken down. I imagined that a new skyscraper would soon spring up and block the magnificent cityscape outside my window.
The lot has remained empty since winter, and in the last week of June I spotted magenta and violet wildflowers sprouting amongst the weeds. Even if for a moment, my view became even lovelier than I ever imagined.
Miffy mug
Purchased a new cup to accompany my tea-drinking. Though it's smaller than expected, it holds the perfect amount of tea for me and I've used it almost every day.
The Frick Collection
I've seen The Frick described as a "jewel box" and I think that's a very fitting description. This is my second time visting and it remains my favorite museum in the city.
Farmers market
Bought a baguette, Haitian honey, soft-ripened cheese, and peanut satay sauce from my local farmers market. Everything (and everyone!) was delightful and I can't wait to go back.
I currently love iced chrysanthemum tea, the Knicks, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love - Olivia Rodrigo, the Hermits play Meccha Chameleon, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, Somerset Stories by Mimi Matthews, and Town to City.
Wishing you a new source of beauty,
Ivy
May 2026
Something I'd struggled with for a while is cleaning my apartment consistently; I typically cleaned sporadically, usually when I felt stressed and needed a sense of control or as a way to "earn" the ability to relax by finishing all my chores.
This month, I'm really proud that I've dusted and tidied my apartment every weekend. I'm glad that I didn't do this this in order to vent my frustrations or punish myself, but solely to take care of my home.
High Line
Caught the walking bug after returning to New York and came across this cute piece of graffiti on the High Line.
Salmon Noodle 3.0
This was one of our top meals in Kyoto so my husband and I went to the SoHo location. It's not the same, but the salmon broth is still delicious.
Uji matcha
Finished the last of my beloved senju tin from Matsusaka Suishodo. I thought about rationing it, but decided to just drink as much as I wanted and savor it while it's still fresh.
I currently love Wind Breaker, my new 200mL water bottle, drop dead - Olivia Rodrigo, To Love Somebody - Holly Humberstone, my local frozen yogurt spot, listening to full albums, watching movies, and white peony tea.
Wishing you comfort in your surroundings,
Ivy
April 2026
I got married and went on a honeymoon to Japan! My husband and I had the time of our lives in Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone, and Tokyo. This was my first international trip in over a decade and I'm ecstatic that I got to explore a new country with someone I love.
Traveling is a wonderful reminder for me to live in the present. I feel like I have so much more time now that I'm back after this whirlwind adventure, and I'm learning that not everything has to be finished as quickly as possible. There is a certain magic in slowing down and devoting my attention to the task at hand, even if I'm just folding my laundry or reading an article.
Manhattan City Hall
Truly a perfect, magical day. I wouldn't change a single thing about my elopement! I'll always remember how seven people kindly congratulated us while we took photos in Chinatown and SoHo.
Madoka no Mori
I experienced unmatched serenity in this hot spring. I might have actually relaxed for the first time in my life.
Ginza Steak
Had my husband's birthday dinner here and it was incredible. I don't think I've ever eaten steak so tenderful and flavorful and in such massive quantities before.
I currently love Cremia soft serve, tabi Mary Janes, Kyoto, Tully's spaghetti, Pokka Sapporo Hokkaido Corn Tea, collecting stamps, tin boxes, my new haircare products, and the matching shrine amulets I got with my husband.
Wishing you safe and blissful travels,
Ivy
March 2026
Toward the end of this month I pulled the Four of Swords during a tarot reading, which resonated a lot with me. I've slowed down after the hustle and bustle of February, and am finding time to rest and intentionally enjoy myself, even at lunches and dinners with my coworkers.
In other news, I've been experimenting with how to care for my hair after washing it. I learned that blow-drying can be less damaging than air-drying when done right and am following this blowout tutorial to style my new haircut.
Rose Reading Room
I read, journaled, and worked on my website here and it was absolutely sublime. This has to be my favorite room in the entire city and best of all, it's completely free!
Kitten yoga
Played around with five adorable kittens at a yoga class. I felt a bit bad for them as they were quite overstimulated by the sixteen women fawning over how cute they are.
Akino
My partner and I finished a staggering 100+ pieces of all-you-can-eat sushi. I love their salmon sashimi, eel nigiri, blissful roll, seaweed salad, and sweet potato tempura.
I currently love chocotorta, writing a Kuroo Tetsurou/OC fic, this pilates workout from Move with Nicole, Ludwig and Michael Reeves' Tip To Tip Japan series, the sequel to my favorite Levi/Reader fic ever, and You and I Are Polar Opposites.
Wishing you restfulness,
Ivy
February 2026
I tend to get quite introspective on my birthday and this year, a bit of melancholy crept in. I've always thought of myself as an introverted homebody but that label suddenly felt stifling. I decided to pick up aerial yoga again and took myself on solo dates to museums, coffee shops, and bakeries every weekend after.
Life gets brighter when I do things I'm afraid of, even if I have to drag myself out the door kicking and screaming. Despite my discomfort, I feel so much more alive now.
Antidote
My birthday meal at my favorite Sichuan restaurant. Highlights were the tea smoked duck fried rice, bean curd in chili oil, and slice fish in chili oil.
Homemade pizza
This is the second year in a row where my partner and I baked a pizza in the shape of a rat for Valentine's Day. His name is Big Jesse and he was delicious.
Happy Medium
Went to a 9am watercolor painting class. I made plenty of mistakes, but had fun doing it. Happy Medium's tagline, be brave enough to be terrible, definitely inspired me.
I currently love Sam Bentley's Good News, LPS Emily, learning ASL fingerspelling from Bill Vicars, Taylor Swift's Opalite music video, trying new Bonne Maman jams, Trader Joe's tropical smoothie mix, and starting this personal website.
Wishing you the courage to try something new,
Ivy
