Leaning on | Stephanie's July 2026

I can’t believe I am reflecting on July and it is now August! July was such a full or (maxx’d - I think I’m using this correctly?) days both weekdays and weekends. I feel like I experienced all seasons in just one month - let’s get into the craziness. 

— Stephanie

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Lifestyle, Lows, Lessons

This month started with a bang - where my partner took us on a much needed getaway. I’d say it was quite successful in having a balance of things we enjoy, from starting off the road trip with fantuans and molly tea, to seeing him geek out at laguna seca raceway, to a scenic trip to Point Reyes and Monterey (where we first made mems!), followed by a cozy night in and finally visiting the japanese onsen and tea house I’ve been wanting to check out. It was so unassuming but the experience very much lived up to its hype. Shoutout to my partner for doing this for us. Little did I know after this relaxing getaway for a breather, would be the calm before a very chaotic July. 

At the end of this first week of July, my partner adopted the cutest and sweetest ragdoll kitten, Miso. Honestly I am surprised at how much I’ve grown to love her, especially since I was not part of the decision making process to adopt. She’s more than just cute and pretty, her unconditional love and loyalty to us has been so heartwarming. Unfortunately after only 1.5 good healthy weeks with her, she hasn’t been feeling too well and one vet visit led to another, which led to an ongoing battle with her prolapse condition, from visiting the vet almost every day of the week the past 2 weeks, providing a strict diet and many medications, it was been stressful on all ends to say the least. For my partner, for myself seeing my partner like this so I volunteer to accompany, for the vet staff, and for our kitten who’s so young and has to go through all of this. Even as we continue to treat her ongoing battle, this experience only grew our love for her and what really struck me was seeing my partner go all out and not give up on her, especially with how expensive her vet visits are and given the fact that it wouldve been easy to give up when he barely built a relationship with Miso. All’s to say we can’t wait for Miso to get better because we love her so much already.

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July was maxed out both weekdays and weekends. I got to go to the stern grove free concerts not once but twice this month, I feel extra lucky as I heard many people did not get the lottery tix so how lucky am I to get to se THE Major Lazer. (and also Suki Waterhouse). But Major Lazer! Iykyk I’ve been a long time fan, and being able to see them in my hometown and the sickest venue was something else. I loved being able to bring my childhood friends and work friends together, and let’s just say it was the first time I saw my partner get so into an event too. Suki Waterhouse was another day and was the calm I needed at this venue after the wild littyness of Major Lazer. 

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I also got to max out my weekdays quite literally, I’d be leaving my house at 6:50am to get to my 7:30am lagree class, then head straight to the office and freshen up, take meetings and work all day from 8-5pm, and then max out my evening as well, from being able to go to a giants game followd by a heart to heart with Ashley, from catching up with Diana before her big move, and also a night at the Academy of Sciences with Sadie and Pearl. To say my week days were as full as they can be quite literally would be an understatement. As tired as I am each day lately, I am glad that I made time for everything I care about, especially when I had so many excuses not to, from my (still v busy) job, to my family’s health (more on that later). I felt so terrible about myself in June because of a month+ hiatus of workouts, meanwhile July I am very proud of myself for squeezing time in to do the work out class I enjoy, even if that means I have to go to the office ASAP to take meetings instead of heading back home. I am full because I was able to make time to see my friends, especially amongst the chaos of this month. 

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Family of course, continues to have a huge place in my heart and life, and this month exemplified it even more. From celebrating my dad’s birthday, taking him to eat his favorite foods and surprising him with a new iPhone. My dad was always the one who would take our old phone while everyone gets a new upgrade. He always puts his family first and himself second. I wanted my dad to feel spoiled for once. It touched and broke my heart that even though I went ahead and bought the iphone, by dad returned it to me and told me that he already accepted the gift in heart. The gift was the intention and actions of his daughter to buy the gift out of love. He said the material aspect of the gift, to return it for money for myself to pay my bills or to use the phone myself because I also deserve an upgrade. My dad is so selfless I tried convincing him a couple more times to keep it but could not. At the same time my phone was really dying on me like I couldnt even send texts, I was so tempted to switch but I was strict on my budget because sneak peak - Jin and I will be going on our besties trip in Sept. I am proud that after wiping out my phone and buying $3 icloud storage, I no longer need to upgrade my phone and I am using that returned iphone money to pay for my bills lol. Family means so much to me and lately the chapters have been so tough. From my dad’s health and blood pressure rising to the danger zone, to my grandma really nearing her last chapters. It has been difficult not only for my grandma, but really seeing my mom frantically trying to prolong my grandma’s life, to the point my mom neglects her own health. I truly hope with August, will be kinder to my family’s health, and that my mom and grandma’s love for each other will spare my mom’s grief.  

July was many things and each day was so maxxed out. From the love for my family and the sadness in their health, to Miso and the joy she brings but also her health issues, to my demanding job, to maxxing out days and catching up with friends, to getting back on a workout routine - while I am proud I didn’t make any excuses and made time for each pillar of life I care about, I hope I can continue to do so while also making time for myself to rest. To be frank this month has been very tough and I am constantly tired and sleepy, it feels as if I’m being pulled in all sorts of direction and never have a breather to myself, from visits to family to visits to vets and doing work at the vet, from trying to make time to workout and see friends because that’s important stuff that gets me through the tough times. I will aim to create more time and space to myself in August, and that while it sucks all of this is happening - I am still very grateful for everything I do have, truly I have so much. I hope August will be a fun and much needed relaxing month. How was your July? 

Chat soon in August,

— Stephanie