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Maui, Daily life, Family | Stephanie's Sept 2026
Hi I can’t believe it is the beginning of October as I write this - we have only 2-3 months left before the year ends! September was one full of family, friends, and self-reflection. Let’s get into it — Stephanie
Lifestyle, Lows, Lessons:
Starting the month off with some big life events - from catching up with a number of different work friend groups and feeling a sense of comfort since 1) I didn’t expect everyone to get together and 2) to share the same pain/trauma lol and 3) provide support for my loss. Never thought I’d be walking through the tenderloin voluntarily, discovering a cute bar, and enjoying the best thai food together. (crab paste fried rice - did not know that was a thing and I will def be trying to recreate it at home).
Then came my grandma’s funeral, it feels like ages ago as I write this I can’t believe it’s only been a month. Funerals are often sad, but that day now reflecting - was full of love. We were lucky to have such a warm sunny day, and that so many of my grandparents friends’ children showed up. I was surprised at how many faces I did not know. It felt like one big reunion. I even ended up driving a bunch of people I met for the first time lol to the buffet afterparty - I didn’t expect so many people to stay and chat, hearing how most of them, either themselves or their parents (their late parents passed away but were friends with my grandma) -- knew my grandma for over 30+ years, dating back to their days in Vietnam. I was hearing stories from my aunts and mom about each party that showed up, and how one family were neighbors with them in Vietnam, how another family offered them shelter and water during the war when they didn’t have access to their own house, how another family escaped alongside them - it made me feel a sense of community even though I am only meeting these people for the first time. It also had me wondering how we can still build community like this with our current day circles. Funeral was a success (feels weird to say) and I must pat my back for printing out custom lunch tickets (albeit my cell phone number typo lol) as the buffet was chaotic and had 2 other large post-funeral lunch parties. I hope to one day build community as my grandparents have, and I hope my grandma knows she’s very loved even today.
Immediately the next day after the funeral, it was our annual besties trip! I got to reunite with Jin at Maui Wowie ^_^ To my surprise, Jin picked me up even all the way in Maui, surprised me with Island Vintage Coffee (tb to Oahu), and foodlands poke (I still crave this) which was the perfect start to the trip. On top of that, we both knew we wanted to get something together, but I did not expect us to get matching YSL bags. It truly felt full circle because this was the bag I wanted to get back in college. I had so much fun going in each store and trying bags together, critiquing each one lol, hot takes, and just trying a bunch of cute pieces. I don’t mind doing things alone but designer shopping has always intimidated me going alone lol I had extra fun going with Jin. We tiktok’d so many different ways to wear the new bag that now my girlmath is making me feel like the money we paid was truly a steal.
Throughout the week, due to the weather - we had to cancel a lot of things, from the luau to the road to hana tour, to my period and my limited pool time rip, to our car bumper falling off (actual rip) - but what I appreciate most during the trip was how chill Jin and I were and just enjoying the time we do have together. We pivoted the schedule a lot, many things didn’t go as planned, things got rescheduled, hot pilates class mix up turned into hot yoga, and with each pivot - we still found a way to enjoy the time we have together to just be present and enjoy each other’s company. When I think back to my favorite memories of this trip - yes luxury shopping was fun, but some of my favorite memories wasn’t a specific place but just chatting nonstop at each place we were at, hot takes before bed, watching thrillers and chilling, and enjoying the limited time we have. And that was a wrap to our Maui Wowie - until our next adventure~
This month I also got to spend time with Ashley, its been way too long since we had a happy hour hop, yap, and photobooth moment. Love that we can always pick up where we left off. I was also able to spend more time with Tammie, from taking more classes together, to waiting hours in line for the Baggu sample sale. I didn’t think I’d be waiting in lines for hours like black friday, but honestly it wasn’t so bad and I got some good deals hehe - after waiting the first 1.5 hours alone, I got to spend the remaining 2 catching up with Tammie. I also unexpectedly got to catch up with Thuan, it’s crazy how the universe brings us together - how it’s been 1.5 years since we reunited (even typing that is crazy how fast time flew) and how much change has happened. I’m happy to hear about her life updates, and how much she’s been able to experience in life after letting go.
Journaling right now has truly helped me put things into perspective, especially during the tougher weeks of this month. Career-wise it has been difficult. Trying my best to adapt to the changes in my role, the organizational changes within the company this month post-hawaii and the uncertainty of layoffs as we have new leadership, and handling interviews, applications and interviews. Continuing to balance everything, along with my emotions have been difficult. More than I hated the situation, I was hating myself - for letting myself get to this low point. I would wake up unmotivated, barely make progress, and honestly that just made me let myself down even more. The past week when I ended up running into high-profile stakeholders who I used to work with in my previous role doing strategic projects, it was bittersweet. Sweet because they recognized me and were trying to catch up with me, bitter because they brought up how they lost me to the new role, and what I’m doing now. It led to actual stomach pain lol tmi - and honestly made me also hate myself more for not being able to control my emotions that well. I guess I’m still not that mature after all and have much growing up to do!. How do parents do it - balancing all this work stress, finances, alongside the stress of raising children?
I think my stress is taking a toll on my body, and also made me more shameful with weightgain and indigestion - hence upset at letting myself get to this lol. BUT I will say regardless if the weight is here to stay -- perhaps until I am happier about my career and family situation - I am very proud of myself this month for going to classes AND eating earlier and better consistently.
I think back to this month - and amongst the lows, but also the joys that make up for the lows. From the privilege to travel and reunite with Jin in Maui - the funeral turn out and celebrating my grandmothers life, to enjoying the little weekly to daily moments. From cooking with my partner, seeing the kittens (rip misho still has a strict recovery journey) light up and snuggle with us, taking classes with Tammie and my partner finally trying hot pilates (he def got a good workout in heh), to visiting my favorite studios despite the distance, to celebrating the moon festival with my family. These impromptu moments have brought day to day joy during this time where I need it. I can go on about how upsetting it has been for my moms family and how my mom will take time to heal - but also how each week of praying and traditions has brought my moms family together, and how my mom has been visiting every tuesday (her day off) to get her mind off things, which on the positive means more bonding time for my mom and I during my tuesday WFH days - from many fruit cutting sessions, yaps in between meetings, to seeing my dad as well as he picks her up after work.
My pick of the month: Yellow Watermelon
This month I randomly picked up a yellow watermelon from Hmart since I never had it before, (and I already love red watermelon) and wow little did I know it would be my month’s obsession. After that one, my mom then bought one from a local grocery store during her tuesday visits and wow was I obsessed with the one she picked out. Then as I type this, I saw it at a market post-yoga and I bought yet another yellow watermelon LOL. I will say the one I picked out was just aight. Fruits have quite literally been bringing my mom and I together these days heh and I defo recommend yall giving yellow watermelon a try!
September was filled with memories, and with each month it looks like it’ll take time for me to get back on my footing. But with that being said - each month is still filled with the love of my family and friends. I’ll continue to take it one day at a time. I’m hopeful and thankful that there’s still so much of life I’ve yet to experience.
Chat soon in November,
— Stephanie
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