estimated reading time: 3-4 minutes

I had to take a short break from writing since I was in LA visiting my sister for her graduation ceremony. Hard to believe my younger sibling is done with college forever but it happened! After that trip however, I’ve been struggling with life in general, and getting a grip on my reality. It’s one of those periods where I spend a lot of time in my head, and it’s not very fun (more on that in a future think piece, perhaps). But I find myself delighting in small, mundane things that make me appreciate what I have, even when it’s hard to do so. I’m living in my fourth city now, and I’ve moved in and out of housing my entire adult life. I’m not joking, since 2016, I have not stayed in one place for more than 9 months out of the year. This year will probably mark the first time where I actually renewed my lease in Eugene, because my apartment is nice enough that I want to keep living in it. I have minor complaints about the place, but for what it is, it’s certainly an improvement over where I’ve lived in the past.

The list below is just a short list of objects and memories that I have from living in every city I’ve inhabited so far. A lot of it repeats and overlaps, but with the life I’ve lived, it’s important to have little anchors that keep me tied down and wanting to continue living in the world even when I feel like escaping sometimes.

Small joys in Eugene, OR: waking up to birdsong. Not being annoyed when the sunlight hits my window, and allowing myself to be woken up by the sun and not an alarm. The ducks and occasional stork that swim around in the creek right across my apartment. The crows that peck around for food early in the morning when I walk to campus. The occasional cat sighting in the neighborhood (there’s a few apartments on the way up to campus that have cats that people watch. It’s cute). Having rare free time to clean and cook in my apartment. Living alone - it’s both joy and a curse (mostly joy though). The conversations with my piano studio-mates post class when it’s lunchtime but we still have one more class to go. And the mostly temperate weather.

Small joys in New York, NY: going to K-town on the weekends. Getting Hi-Chew Premium, not regular Hi-Chew at H-Mart. Random snack hauls from the bodega. Being inside the NY Public Library. Walking by iconic sights just on daily commutes. Realizing at least once a week “Holy shit, I’m living in NYC. I did that. I actually did that.” The treat of going to Absolute Bagels or Bo’s Bagels. Harmless office gossip. Being able to go anywhere for the cost of an MTA ticket. The spring blossoms in Sakura Park, next to MSM. The instrument gallery in the Met Museum, where they have 1 of 3 original Cristofori pianos.

Small joys in Cleveland, OH: learning how to play DnD for the first time. Late night ice cream runs at Mitchell’s Ice Cream, since it was one of the few spots near campus open late. Witnessing crazy good talent onstage for free. Doing homework while recording student recitals. Figuring out how to do makeup. Complaining in the car with friends. Hearing stupid music drama and feeling free and unbothered by it all.

Small joys in Austin, TX: breakfast tacos. Road trip bathroom breaks at Buc-ee’s. Having unfettered access to a piano at home. The book and media libraries at my parent’s house. Home cooked meals. Sharing said homemade food with long-time friends. Going to the Crescent on North Lamar, with all the Asian shops and eateries. Clear traffic. Driving past my old public schools without feeling regret or cringe. Sibling and family time.

me as a Stardew Valley Character! Make your own here: https://jazzybee.itch.io/sdvcharactercreator

what i’m watching: Blade Runner 2049

what i’m playing: Stardew Valley Expanded + 1.6 Update