I’m excited to welcome you to my first newsletter (connected to my website, not on an external platform)!
I’ve been exploring analog hobbies and got into jigsaw puzzles this summer. I especially like the Art Crystal transparent Kirby puzzles; I’m currently working on my third one! I posted pictures of the first two I completed on Instagram.
In between completing the first and second Kirby puzzles, I completed a puzzle of The Last Supper with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law in Korea this past August:
If you look really closely at the lower righthand corner, you can see that there is a piece missing. We have no idea where it is. Somewhere is a disciple’s missing foot…
This weekend I’m looking forward to going to Erica Ward’s exhibition in Kagurazaka celebrating the release of her latest art book, TUMMY, a book of reimagined watercolor illustrations of cats showing their fluffy tummies. My 15-year-old cat Yoko is one of the models featured in the book! Here is the original photo I submitted:
Upcoming Event
Workshop at the Japan Writers’ Conference: “Authentically Promoting Your Work”
This is my third time attending the Japan Writers’ Conference and my first time presenting! Attending this conference in 2022 inspired me to take my love of writing seriously and set out on a journey to get it seen and published, so it’s very meaningful to get to present there. On Sunday, November 15th at 1:50 PM at Lakeland University, I’ll be holding a workshop on how I authentically promote my work online. Participants will also have the opportunity to put their collective storytelling skills to work by crafting their own blurbs. Come check it out if you will be in the Tokyo area—admission is free! The schedule can be found here.
Works in Progress
Presence, the British haiku journal, will publish my tanka in their upcoming issue later this month.
I am working on second article for the Japan Times. This one will highlight the wonderful work MOHN at Tokyo Union Church does to help feed the homeless in the Shibuya area, as well as my experience as a volunteer with them for two years. The article is scheduled to be out in December. In the meantime, you can read the previous article I wrote about attending naginata classes in my area.
