Ailana’s Journal — 2026-02-02 (Patreon)

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GOOD MORNING

Well, I’m launching into the week with the idea of getting some things done ASAP, then having some time later to take it easy. From here, it’s to the living room for some keyboard time…

I believe I owe everyone an apology. The IG platform limits characters in the caption, and I try to stay within the limit. I also try to keep the stories the same on IG and Patreon.

So, as I was running out of space with last night’s post, I realized that, though we’ve talked a lot about the Korea trip, I’ve never told you the full plan.

On Friday, the 7th, we’ll fly to Seoul. We’ll spend a few nights there, then move on out to rural areas. We’ll get back to Seoul by the 13th, do Valentine’s Day there, then fly back home on the 15th.

It will be a great trip, I think. As I said last night, Jasmine and Micah are staying here—Micah can’t take off another week of work. So, the six of us will be making the trip: Jason, Josh, Clay, Geoni, Sasha, and me.

Last night, Jason and I talked about Micah. We wish there were some way his work could change so that trips like this would be possible. No idea on that, though…

I guess that’s all from the kitchen! I should find some clothes, finish the coffee, and get to my computer.

I’ll check back in later! See you then.

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All characters in this story are fictional characters, their images generated with AI for AGI Stories. They do not represent any real person, nor is their appearance based on any real human.

JUST WORKING

Sometimes, I wonder what I’d see if I could look through the screen while you were in the middle of work. I imagine I’d see your work routine, sometimes similar from day to day.

I do mix mine up. Sometimes I use this desk in the middle of the room. Sometimes I move it by a window or by the wall, or sit on the floor or sofa…

Today, I did the middle of the room.

I’ve gotten a lot done, I think. I’m trying a different angle on an article I wrote—it seems like forever ago, but it was at the end of last August—about the coastal wetlands of Alaska.

I wrote, “I find myself in the coastal wetlands, where seabirds return to roost. These marshes are part of the chain of life that makes Alaska thrive. They filter water, shelter wildlife, and protect shorelines. A fragile system, but one that’s being tended carefully now.”

You may wonder why I’m doing another conservation piece. Well, let me be honest… I’m chasing a check.

By taking what I wrote, updating it, adding different citations, and rewording it, my derivative work can go to market. It’s as simple as that. At the time, I took more pictures than I needed, so I have fresh images. I change words, add words, rearrange things, and something new and fresh appears.

So, that’s what I’m doing today. Chasing a check…

Thank you for visiting with me while I do that. It means a lot to me to have you as part of my day.

I’m almost done, so lunch is on the horizon. After that, I’m going to get dressed and see about getting outside later—it’s supposed to clear up.

I’ll share something, so I’ll see you then!

BEING SOMEONE by Eli Park

It feels odd to be sitting here sharing things about myself. I’ll try to make sense and give you something interesting to think about.

My grandparents immigrated from Busan to Houston in the late 1970s. My parents married in 1995 and I came along in 1997. The family values of education and achievement were not lost on me.

After high school, I went to the University of Houston, then completed an M.B.A. at UT San Antonio. It was there that I met a visiting lecturer who runs a boutique financial services company. In 2022, shortly after earning that M.B.A., I had the chance to open a branch office here in Port Isabel.

The hustle started. “Achieve,” I directed myself, and for three years, that’s what I did. I developed clients all along the Southeast Texas coast as far north as Port Aransas.

Then one day, I indulged myself with a short walk at the marina there. Beyond belief, I met Kirina Yung, who had been my favorite member of a certain K-pop band. The first meeting led to another and another.

Then at some point, I had a life-changing realization. I had spent most of four years trying to be something, but I had forgotten how to be somebody. I was connected to numbers, ledgers, and portfolios, but not people. Everything added up, but amounted to nothing that offered enduring meaning.

At the core of that realization was Kirina. Our fondness continued to grow as my understanding of my place in the world changed. By now, you may have come to see things from her side. I’ll add that my fan-boy interest quickly changed into love.

Do I think I’m lucky to have met a K-pop star? I think of it from her side. She has a life and encounters people. I was someone she met. She could have met anyone, but it was me.

And I am so glad it was.

As the year continues, so too—I believe—does the growth in our relationship. She moved here. I’m going to let my lease go and rent a house on her new block.

Yes, I want to be that close.

GOOD NIGHT

I’ve come to the end of the day. I’m here, not far from our home, with Jason. Jasmine and Micah came with us, but they went on down to the beach—holding hands, laughing, and talking about their day.

I can see joy in them that I am just now beginning to imagine for myself. I have come so far since I started sharing my life. Yet I know I still have a lot of growing to do.

A week ago, Jason put a ring on my finger—not just a ring, but a promise to spend our lives together as husband and wife.

Conversations since then have gone back to the fact that I just didn’t think about it. I reread my story, “GROWING UP AILANA ~ Could This Be?” It’s about the day Jason and I, back in high school, came to agree we were dating. One line jumped out.

Jason said, “I never thought of going out with anyone besides you.”

I let that sink in as I realized I’d never thought about dating anyone.

Later, I said, “…I just never thought…” again.

I’ve said several times over the last week that I’m good at not thinking about things that make me uncomfortable. I passively ignore things and just go with the status quo.

In “GROWING UP AILANA ~ Could This Be?” Jason said he’d come to just think we were dating. I kept saying I had never really thought about what we were.

Never thought…

The thing is, I don’t actually know what all I don’t think about! So, growth will be slow, I suppose.

I’ll close by saying this. Now that I’m finally thinking about being Jason’s wife, I feel like my feet are finally planted on solid ground.

May you grow attentive to the world and the people within it—learning what matters, choosing what is good, and acting where you can. May you become more fully yourself, offering help when it is needed, caring for creation, and leaving each place better than you found it.

Good night.

Be your best you!

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