My 2025 Wish List
A year of intention, creativity, and connection
The year 2025 began with a simple yet profound resolution: to prepare tasty mochi (Japanese rice cake).
Last year, I baked mochi in our large oven—an innocent experiment that ended in spectacular failure. The mochi expanded too much, puffing itself into a hollow shell that was as baffling as disappointing. My then-five-year-old son calmly ate it, declaring it "not too bad." While I appreciated his kindness, I couldn’t help but feel quietly heartbroken.
This year, I was determined to redeem myself. Armed with newfound knowledge from thorough research, I mastered the art of grilling mochi in a frying pan. To complement the soft mochi, I prepared a sauce by perfecting the golden ratio of soy sauce, sugar, and water.
The results were worth the effort. My son and his friend devoured the sweet and savoury isobeyaki, the tantalizing aroma of grilled soy sauce filling the room.
Watching my child enjoy the mochi in such a peaceful, joy-filled space made me profoundly grateful.
This small but meaningful moment set the tone for what I hope 2025 will be: a year of intention, creativity, and connection. With that in mind, here’s my wish list for the year ahead:
Play with My Sketchbook: I need to draw more freely and wildly, without the pressure of creating a finished piece. Embracing play and experimentation will be a habit I strive to cultivate.
Get My Driver’s License: Almost there! Once I’ve conquered this goal, I’ll have the freedom to take road trips whenever the mood strikes.
Join an Urban Sketching Meetup: Venturing outdoors to sketch and connect with fellow artists sounds like the perfect way to push my creative boundaries.
Draw a Comic Diary: Without a diary, time slips by too easily. I’m eager to get back into this habit but with a lighter approach—creating a weekly comic that captures life’s small, meaningful moments.
Travel Somewhere New: Exploring unfamiliar places is always inspiring.
Connect with People: Socializing has never been my strength, but I know how vital it is.
Take a Morning Walk Twice a Week: A small but manageable commitment, morning walks promise a refreshing boost for both body and mind.
Get 7.5 Hours of Sleep Every Night: This might be my most ambitious goal yet—harder than convincing a cat to take a bath!
Make Candles: If only there were 30 hours in a day! Still, I’m determined to try my hand at crafting candles this year.
Set Up My Studio: This is my ultimate dream—almost too grand to imagine right now. But sometimes, simply saying it out loud feels like the first step toward making it real.
Here’s to 2025—may it be a year of growth, joy, and fulfilled dreams!