Fundamentalism and Fashion? Sign Me Up
Picnic Journal Issue #3
Hello, readers and welcome back to the tiniest Picnic on the internet.
This week I did a whole lot of nothing. Out of respect for your brain, I won’t keep harping on about how hot it is in Seoul or how I never leave my house. You’re welcome.
I tried to have a very relaxed and introspective week this week. I did some journal prompts in my new diary about my career goals and expectations. I paid $20 to see a dentist here in Korea (thank you insurance and the Korean health system). I drank a lot of coffee. I did some semi-sponsored content for my blog and YouTube. I thought a lot about how to be more respectful of my time and how I can ensure I am spending my spare time on things that bring me joy.
Anyway, let’s get into the newsletter. I hope you are having a stress-free week and have big plans to do a whole lot of nothing when you can find the time to squeeze it in.
Here are three things I spent a lot of time thinking about this week:
I don’t have time to waste
This is something I am still learning, but I’m getting better at knowing that if something makes me feel crappy or stressed, I literally don’t have time for it. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t mean giving up at every difficult turn. I just have to get better at deciding how to use my time and energy. Those decisions are crucial for our sanity. Does that make sense? I don’t know, still a work in progress like most of my thoughts.
The dentist isn’t so bad
In last week’s newsletter, I wrote about how scared I was about going to the dentist. Despite not having been to the dentist in over two years, my paranoia about going to the dentist has resulted in me having great gum health and oral hygiene. My dental anxiety has paid off. No cavities for me.
Why am I so obsessed with fundamentalism?
This one is a thought in progress, but give me Amish people, give me polygamous cults, give me it all. I think what I’ve figured out is that I’m just fascinated by what leads people to cults, how authoritarian and charismatic people gain a following and how that all plays out symbiotically. Maybe it’s because I’m emphatically non-religious and have very little culture, tradition, or faith?
Weekly Doodle
Bunny Reunion on the Streets of Seoul
I did a bit of doodle digging and dug this one out of the archives for this week? I did most of my drawings in my journal so I didn’t have anything new to share. I took this photo in my neighbourhood here in Seoul. It just makes me so happy to see stores and homes decorated with plants and flowers. These pots would be stolen so quickly in Australia, so it is bittersweet whenever I think too deeply about this. Anyway, I drew some bunnies in the picture who are finally reuniting after a year of being in bunny lockdown.
What I watched this week
My Unorthodox Life (2021)
A reality show that combines my two greatest passions in life; fundamentalism and fashion? Uhmmm?? You better not be screwing with me here. This new Netflix reality show is like if Gossip Girl was written about a formerly Orthodox Haredi Jewish family running a global modeling empire. Actually, it is exactly that. The show follows the incredible and almost unbelievable life of Julia Haart who escaped the shackles of her strict religious life to start her own fashion brand. If none of that sounds intriguing to you, then you won’t love it as I did.
Kimono Mum - Summer at Home Video (2021)
This is one of the few channels I subscribe to on YouTube that makes me excited every time they upload. Moe is a mother living in Tokyo with her husband and daughter. She was formerly a Geisha and has the most beautiful collection of Kimonos. Everything she does on her channel is so simple, beautiful, and warm. Not to mention, little Sutan has the most hilarious facial expressions and it is so fun to see her being raised by her Kimono Mum. If you love Japanese culture, family content, and beautifully edited videos, check her out! I watched this video this week and it was so sweet! They ate watermelon outside and made Bingsu! In a Kimono!
This Week’s YouTube Videos
Our Korean Wedding in Yeosu | 국제커플의 여수에서은 결혼식
How to Make Korean Bibim Cold Noodles | 비빔면 만든 방법
On the Blog
How to Make Korean Bibim Cold Noodles
Hola Aloe – Korean Heat Wave Drink Idea
Bonus Medium Post:
I got an Apple Watch and I already hate myself (A Novel)
Up until a few weeks ago, I had never worried about my blood oxygen level. I didn’t even know what blood oxygen really meant. Especially as a healthy 25-year-old. Does my blood breathe? Is my oxygen bleeding? Who knows, I barely passed high school biology.
Photo by Mitchell Hollander on Unsplash
Favourite follow on IG this week:
@dearsaturdays
After watching a tour of her amazing apartment in Greenpoint, I had to follow Christine right away. I love how she just loves what she is doing, enjoys her space, and enjoys a super simple life. These are the kinds of people I want to see on my social media, not people who are faking their way to the top with highly edited photos, too many hashtags, and no real sign of a personality. I found Christine through one of my fave YouTubers kchoi! I also loved looking at her blog, she cooks amazing food.
The song I can’t stop listening to:
Remi Wolf - Liz (and all of her other songs)
I just can’t get enough of Remi. Her music videos, her album art, her style, her music. I love it all. I also love ‘Hello Hello Hello’ and ‘Photo ID’ from her 2021 album ‘We Love Dogs!’ Her music puts me in such a good mood and makes me feel like I can do literally anything I want.
Goals for This Week
I’m starting a new job this week
My goal is to get settled, learn about the ways of the company, and set myself up for the next phase in my career. A pretty simple goal. I also really need to sell our microwave, so hit me up if you’re on the hunt for a fresh new microwave. Feel free to leave your new job tips in the comments section on Substack. I hope you achieve all of the goals you set for yourself this week. And if you don’t set goals weekly, maybe you can give it a crack to see how you feel? Here’s me starting my new job:
Thank you for reading. Have a great week and don’t forget to invest in good laundry detergent.
‘Wow, she managed to write an entire newsletter without mentioning the Olympics. Oh. Shoot. Go sports!’
PS: In case you haven’t seen this or are in need of a good old cry, watch this.
Keep in Touch
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