This has been a strange week.

To start, it was decided that Umi.Rage, the original artist for My Super Fiancé, will be unable to continue with the project after receiving an incredible opportunity in the world of animation. While I’m saddened to see him step away, I’ll always be grateful for everything he contributed to the world of Prism City.

Thankfully, I’ve managed to find another artist: the same one who created the original character designs. There may be a brief adjustment period as his work is woven together with the unreleased artwork Umi completed for the remaining volumes, then, he’ll be carrying the series forward from here.

Back home, the week brought more sobering news. I learned that several of my high school classmates have lost their parents. Some were people I knew well, others less so, but my heart is with every one of them. I also discovered that another classmate—someone who was always incredibly kind to me and, in many ways, very protective of me— also passed away. 

It’s strange how life works. In the span of a few days, you can find yourself mourning people, celebrating opportunities, and trying to make sense of how quickly everything changes.

Maybe that’s why I found myself so drawn to familiar comforts this week.

Netflix’s new adaptation of Little House on the Prairie debuted, and I ended up binging the entire series in a single sitting. I found it charming. It’s noticeably more dramatic than the original—closer in tone to Anne with an E—but thoughtfully done nonetheless. There was something especially delightful about seeing Alison Angrim and Megan Follows, the definitive Anne Shirley for so many of us, in the same series. All that was missing was Melissa Gilbert – hopefully next season.

Meanwhile, I’m still listening to the Jem and the Holograms: Music Is Magic EP and hoping that even more outrageous music is on the horizon.

Whenever life becomes complicated, music has always been my escape. There’s something comforting about hearing beloved songs from my childhood given new life—especially when they’re still performed by the original vocalist. Nostalgia may not solve anything, but it does remind us who we are and where we came from.

I’m still figuring out life here. It’s summer now. It’s hot, it’s humid, and… the cockroaches fly here… Some days feel exciting; others feel uncertain. But through all of it, I’m grateful that I get to wake up each morning and pursue my dreams.

There will be more to come so… 

Stay Tuned!