The pencil

In Korea, when you make it to your first birthday, it used to be a BIG deal b/c infant mortality was high. So that meant, naturally, a huge party. Enough food to outweigh the baby by a lot. One of the most anticipated parts of that party is where a bunch of objects are placed in front of the baby, like a spool of thread, writing implements, a book, cash, food, etc. to help discern its future. Then everyone waits to see what baby grabs first. Apparently, I took a pencil, which means I'd be studious / smart. My sister took the thread, which means she'll have a long life. Food means you'll never go hungry, money that you'll be rich, and so on. I pulled out old photos because I was thinking about that ceremony while struggling with a grant app; I like my shoes the best.

Also, last week I got and read Aracelis Girmay's Kingdom Animalia. What a lovely book, all around--the cover art, book design, and poetry itself.