Finding Koji

  • Finding Koji.

    Finding Koji.

    I started this blog without a clear plan. Just a feeling — that I needed a place to slow down and put words to what’s quietly unfolding. Maybe it’s about rediscovery, or maybe it’s about noticing the small things that make a life feel whole. Either way, this is where I begin.

  • TBT: Embracing the rain: A day in Juneau.

    For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we’re heading back to September of last year, when Mike and I embarked on a seven-night Alaskan cruise.

    One of my favorite moments from the whole trip happened in Juneau — ironically, the one day the weather decided to be fully Alaskan about it: wet, cold, and gloriously moody.

    We had come prepared for exactly this, so when it arrived, it almost felt like a welcome guest. Our spirits stayed high despite the gloomy skies and steady drizzle, because we had made a deal with ourselves before we ever set foot on that ship — bad weather was going to happen, and it wasn’t going to steal our smiles.

    And it didn’t.

    Even with the chill in the air, my heart was warm and ready for whatever came next.

  • Preparing for National Novel Writing Month.

    I know that November is a long time away, but I am thinking about participating in this year’s National Novel Writing Month.

    Update: I just discovered that the organization that previously ran the program closed in 2025. But the tradition of writing a 50,000-word novel in 30 days lives on through other community-led efforts.

    Anyway, the desire is there, and I have added it to my calendar. There is no need for a formal organization to do this, so I will depend on you, my dear reader, to hold me accountable.

    Onward to November!

  • Free-writing in the morning: A simple stress relief technique.

    First thing in the morning, before things start happening, I will spend about 20 minutes free-writing in my journal to get whatever is on my mind onto paper. This really helps me clear my mind before the day starts. And I have found that this helps to reduce stress and anxiety. This is the real magic for me and why I like journaling.

  • Colophon.

    Dear reader: A colophon is a printer’s or publisher’s inscription describing a work’s origins — I’ve borrowed the term here to do the same for this blog.

    This website originally launched on November 8, 2023, and published a handful of posts that year. After a two-year hiatus, the website was revived on November 5, 2025, with a renewed focus on being a place to slow down and put words to what’s quietly unfolding in my life.

    I try to write daily (except on weekends), and everything here reflects my own thoughts and perspective. I invite you to interact with me through the comments and hope we can keep the conversation kind and constructive.

    This website is hosted on WordPress.com and uses the Twenty Twenty-Five theme.

  • Weekend smiles: Pets on the (dog’s) bed.

    And when they are not taking over my bed, they are taking over the dog’s.

    I hope this adds a smile to your day! Have a great weekend and I will see you again next week.

  • TBT: Experiencing Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! live in Hawaii.

    I enjoy watching behind-the-scenes of how things are made, especially when it’s a movie or a television show.

    And then there is the rare occasion when a show like Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! was recorded in Hawaii, so I attended on a Thursday evening last October at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

    It’s moments like this that make me wonder what my life would be like if I were in show business.

  • Effective deep breathing techniques for stress relief.

    In an effort to take better care of myself, I have started to practice deep breathing techniques that help me to reduce stress and anxiety.

    Breathe in slowly to a count of four, hold for a count of four, and then breathe out to a count of eight.

    I do this a few times every morning, and anytime I feel the stress sneaking in. And it works.

    I sleep better at night. I feel less stressed at work.

    And things that used to bother me bother me less now. Try it out. It might work for you, too.

  • 2026 Rabbit horoscope: growth and challenges ahead.

    Gung Hee Fat Choy! Kung Hei Fat Choy! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

    Earlier this year, I posted about the Year of the Horse and how this year would pan out for rabbits like me.

    For Rabbits in the fiery Year of the Horse (2026), it’s a dynamic period of growth and challenges; expect strong career prospects, potential love breakthroughs, and increased energy, but balance this with caution against impulsiveness, overspending, and health neglect, embracing change for personal development while staying grounded with patience and self-care.

    Who am I to doubt generations of wisdom?

    What will this year bring for you?

  • Made in Hawaii Festival 2026 application submitted.

    I have submitted our application for this year’s Made in Hawaii Festival, which is scheduled for August 20-23 at the Hawaii Convention Center. We plan to bring all four product lines to this year’s event: candles, melts, room and linen sprays, and reed diffusers.

    Applicants will be informed by April 15 whether we were selected for the festival this year.

  • Peaches and Einstein.

    Image of Peaches and Einstein cuddling in bed.

    Because we need another cute photo of two cats cuddling in bed.

    This is Peaches (the calico on the left) and Einstein, my two fur babies, being so well-behaved this morning.

    Have a great weekend, and I’ll catch up with you on Monday.