writing
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Pandan in Autumn: a short story
Jenny sets out for the perfect fall picnic—wicker basket, apple butter sandwiches, autumn leaves. Instead, she finds a gray park, cold bread, and chaos. On her way to visit her grandmother, she realizes real comfort isn’t in picture-perfect seasons, but in croquettes, pandan cake, and family warmth. Continue reading
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We Were Bold, We Were Six
At school we played boldly, unaware how soon innocence would splinter beneath heavier cracks. Continue reading
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After the Glitter: a short story
Vanessa Phan once ruled the quad in Guess jeans and glitter. Now she works at a dollar store in dusty California, haunted by old scars, lost love, and faded nights. Between cigarettes, daycare pickups, and a CNA brochure, she wonders: is reinvention still possible after peaking too soon? Continue reading
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Cool Asian Americans: on double eyelids, belonging, and learning not to measure worth by beauty
While my body fights off this uncomfortable cold, I will share a little something with you that I scribbled down recently after reviewing Kaila Yu’s memoir, Fetishized. This is a vulnerable reflection about my own personal relationship with feeling beautiful as an Asian American. *** Cool Asian Americans. Import cars, pinup models, house parties, clubbing, Continue reading
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Nicole Kidwoman and Her Dream Son: a short story
While eating a $1.50 hot dog, Mary reflects on her life, marked by the pandemic and her daughter’s transition to Angelo. Once disapproving, she struggles with her feelings about changing family dynamics and societal norms. Her longing for connection with Angelo intensifies, leading to a poignant dream of reconciliation as she confronts her past regrets. Continue reading
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Unable to Create…When I’m Happy?
I have a hard time relating to my older writing now that my mindset has changed. Continue reading
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Goodbye to Gareth: a short story about a man and his orange cat (part one)
He was content with his quiet life and his cat. Until one day, his cat died… Continue reading
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Gas Station Coke: Damian’s Dilemma (a fictional vignette)
Under the flickering light of a gas station bathroom, Damian stares at himself in the mirror and grapples with a dilemma: Is he about to betray or save his friends? Continue reading
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Finite in the Desert: a vignette about stargazing in isolation
Stranded in the desert on a fine night, a man escaping grief looks up at the stars and feels ever-small and ever-finite. Continue reading
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No Watch, No Phone, No Goddamn Map: an urban vignette
A homeless guy living downtown near Broadway yells at people and eats a sandwich. Continue reading
Eden Onpeng 