Hello! Welcome to my first post of 2026. A little late to the party, but here we are. Life has been busy; honestly, I shudder to keep saying that word. I keep thinking that one day it will slow down, but the calendar invites keep coming, and I continue to accept. Because of this, I’ve had little creative energy to practice my skill as a photographer or a writer. That will change soon, for no other reason than stubbornness. After all, why wouldn’t I make time in the week for something I really enjoy? We’ll see if I can pick up the pace.

Anyway.

Eunice and I traveled to Chicago last weekend! She needed to tune up her cello, so while we were in town, we visited a few great places. The window of time was short, so we were very picky. I chose to visit Metric Coffee, a roaster that my friend has recommended for a year now. And boy, the coffee was delicious! And Eunice introduced me to Joong Boo, an asian market that held a vast array of cuisines and supplies. I was floored by the options, and we left with so many things to try!

Every road trip like this is precious. And with the limited time that we had, I am amused that my first question was, “Where’s a good cafe?” And Eunice was quick to ask, “What ingredients can’t I get back home?” Whether in the big things or the small, wonderful memories are made.