A few thoughts...

I’m writing because I feel like I’m supposed to. And, I don’t feel bad about it. This morning I read an article about consistency, and how sometimes the best way to be consistent is to identify your minimums and maximums. Today, I said the minimum was writing something that would take less than 5-7 minutes to read, not be overly produced while still being honest. The maximum would be a well-thought out and outlined, piece that would require revisions and at least a few drafts. Today, what I have is energy for a 5-7 minute read that reminds you that I’m alive. So enjoy! Thank you for reading. :)

It feels like this week has been at least nine days already. (That’s not a complaint). At the start of the week, I was anxiously running around trying to find the last pieces of gifts, finish up with work assignments before the break, and counting down the time before I could turn off my 7 o’clock wake up alarm. Today marks day 4 of being in my brand new robe all day long. (I’m not ashamed). Something about this year just felt so different. Quiet in the ways needed and wanted, full in the ways I could handle. It was good to me.

We’ve been taking it slow and binging C-dramas and K-dramas (Chinese and Korean dramas) left and right. If you’re in the market for some good TV, check this out (don’t worry these are spoiler-free recs):

1. Had I Not Seen the Sun (Netflix, Taiwanese Drama/Romance)

   

   It’s a dark romance about a guy who goes on a killing spree, killing his former classmates and ending with his own daddy. Nobody knows why though, until a documentarian crew decide to use him as a subject for their newest doc. Chile, when I say confusion is a requirement of this one. Talk about can’t catch a break… the main character(s) are living their worst days again and again and again. There’s a part somewhere halfway through where you will ask yourself, wait a minute — “is that ________, and are they ______” and yes. yes it absolutely is. This one is all about identity for the characters, and as a watcher you are absolutely immersed in the trauma responses that happen in a person as they become broken. All the way to the end, you almost can’t help but ask how far would you go to protect the ones you love. If you love a good story building moment, this one has that. After a handful of episodes, I could clearly see the justification in the actions. (He’s still wrong for what he did to them people, but still…man) I’d give this one a 8/10.

2. The Price of Confession (Netflix, Korean Drama)

   

   Now this one is femme forward which is always a plus in my book. Our main character is accused of killing her husband. She denies having any involvement in the crime, but while in prison runs into someone who is willing to confess to the crime and free her… but not without getting something in return. Okay, now summary aside. My thoughts on this one…. when I tell you I had no idea it was going to take the kind of turn it did. I mean no idea. From the very beginning the viewers are spoon-fed a motive that’s almost too easy to not grab onto, but sit with it long enough and you’ll see the entire story begin to unravel from so many ends. I appreciated the way that each character is given just enough breathing room that allows you to begin to make your own assumptions about their individual motives — a wife scorned? A jealous mistress? A murderer mistreated? A powerful attorney with a record and reputation at stake? A nobody with a good heart? A famous attorney with a wife interested in just doing what’s right? A grief-stricken grandfather? When everyone does their best to protect their own best interests, it’s hard to know who to believe. Right? This one was definitely a 9/10 for me.

3. Queen Mantis (Netflix, Korean Mystery/Thriller)

   

   So Queen Mantis is its own messy web of lies and turning a blind eye. To me, it feels like a mix of Dexter and Black Widow energy. (Some could also say it feels like Korean Criminal Minds with the team dynamic). In this show, there’s a copycat killer on the loose, replicating the murders of the infamous, Queen Mantis killer, a woman who killed 5 (ish) men 20-something years ago. The Mantis, targeted men who were abusive to their spouses and/or children, and in Dexter fashion, would incorporate their style of abuse into her kill. Fast forward to the present, the squad tasked with tracking down the copycat killer, unbeknownst to them, is headed by the Queen Mantis’ estranged son, Detective Soo-Yeol as well as, enlisting the Queen herself to help crack this one. If you’re anything like me, and you love a good crime to solve, this one will definitely keep you guessing all the way to the end. Each time you think you’ve figured out who it is, or why any of this ever happened, be ready for a plot twist. Also because of the roles assigned to women, I can’t help but give this one bonus points. To the very end, my proverbial wig was sliding out of shock. Refer back to Viola above. I would give this one a 7.5/10.

I’ve also been thinking a lot about what projects I’d like to focus on for 2026. I’m on the bandwagon of course for more physical media — so I’m looking forward to sending lots of snail mail. I’ve been thinking a lot about relationships — platonic and familial specifically, and how I can show up in them or reconnect to them. So, I’ve been thinking about how much it has always meant to me to get handwritten notes, letters, and physical gifts. So I’ll absolutely be upping my stationery game. Stay tuned to a mailbox near you.

Lastly, I’ve really enjoyed seeing people’s in and out lists for 2026, and want to join in. For those unfamiliar, ins are things we are keeping in the new year, and outs are things that we are leaving in 2025.

So here is my 2026 In and Out list: