5/24/2026 Journal

5/24/2026

The First Page of My Story 

Buddha’s Birthday and Family Traditions

Today marks the beginning of my very first journal entry on this site. While it is going to serve as a personal diary, a part of me also started this in the hope that someone out there might read it and take a little interest in my life.

In Korea, today is Buddha’s Birthday, a national holiday rooted in Buddhism. Since my uncle is a Buddhist monk, we went to visit a temple. Personally, I don't really practice Buddhism or any other religion. While faith can be a great source of strength for some, to me, it has always felt a bit like a mere escape from life's realities, which is why I prefer not to follow one. Even so, I don't look at holidays like this negatively. Life is tough, and days like today offer a much-needed break. Waking up at 9:00 AM, having a leisurely breakfast, heading to the temple with my family, and eating bibimbap together—every single one of those moments will eventually become a cherished memory.

A Visit to the Farm and a Dog with Many Names

After the temple, we stopped by my dad's farm in the countryside. There’s a dog there that I usually call either "Mong-i" or "Mung-mung-i." To be honest, I don't even know its actual name because my mom and dad call it different things, so I just call it whatever comes to mind. I don't think a name really matters anyway; what truly counts is the love and affection you give to a pet.

Mong-i seems deeply attached to my dad. I don't visit very often, but because I drop by occasionally, the dog has recently let its guard down around me. I’ve always wanted to raise a dog, but the reality is that it's difficult to do so given the typical apartment environment in Korea. In that regard, the freedom of the farm is a huge advantage. Since my dad couldn't go today due to personal reasons, my mom, my older brother, and I—the three of us—headed out to the farm to feed the dog and relax.

Cut Short by an Unexpected Headache

While I was at the farm, I developed a severe headache, though I'm not entirely sure why. The throbbing actually started while I was listening to the Buddhist chants back at the temple, and it only seemed to get worse as time went on. After making sure Mong-i was fed, we left and stopped by a Starbucks near our house. By that point, my headache had become incredibly intense. I rarely experience headaches this severe when I'm out, so it was quite baffling. I had planned to stick around and relax at Starbucks for a long while, but my condition forced me to head straight home instead.

Vivid Dreams, Travel Plans, and a 13-Year Wish

Once I got home, I took some headache medication and immediately fell asleep. I woke up with a vividly clear memory of my dream: I was in a convenience store in Japan, buying a charger. It felt like someone was there with me, but I can't recall who it was. Exactly one month from today, on June 24, I am leaving for the United States, so I wondered if this dream was some sort of premonition about traveling abroad.

While looking things up today, I discovered that one of my favorite bands, The Cab, is performing in New York on June 28. I have loved The Cab for 13 years now, but I have never seen them perform live. An opportunity like this felt like something that would never happen again. Without hesitation, I booked a standing ticket for about $40. I'm not entirely sure if I'll actually be able to make it to the show, but if time allows, I am absolutely going.

11:45 PM: Writing for Myself

Looking back, I feel like I've had a remarkably meaningful day today. Or perhaps it only feels that way because I'm putting it into words like this? Either way, it makes me think I should write more frequently—not for the sake of showing off to others, but entirely for myself.

It is currently 11:45 PM as I write this. Since I already slept earlier after taking my medicine, I doubt I'll be able to fall asleep early tonight, but this is how I wrap up my day. I'll be back again tomorrow.