riding the (heat)waves
Grüezi from Basel,
I’m sitting on the living room floor in my underwear, all the windows and shutters closed, writing this with an ice pack pressed to the back of my right knee, humming this song to myself while enduring the heatwave.
I only brave the outdoor inferno to top up the ice cubes in the water bowls of the three fluffy rabbits I’m currently house-sitting (they belong to my cousin). Unfortunately, the temperature has activated my yearly summer grinch mode — last seen in Tokyo, a year ago, consuming alarming amounts of cold sōmen and soba noodles.
Being in Switzerland is often emotionally intense for me (because, well, family). This time is no different — it’s the first time I’ve been here since my grandmother passed away. It’s been a big adjustment realising I will never again visit her, arrive at her house, and be received with a bottle of champagne, drunk during hours of eating and chatting about philosophy, music, and books (we were both happy, proud nerds). Through all the moving around the world in my lifetime, her home was the only geographical constant — the one place that remained the same since the day I was born.
Since she died, I’ve often been caught off guard by waves of grief and gratitude. In many ways, this feels like the beginning of a new chapter, and despite the sadness, I’m choosing to focus on the incredible fortune of having loved and been loved by her. I’m forever glad I told her how important she was to me every time I had the chance (over and over and over ♾️).
As I chain-drink cooling liquids (which I usually avoid — both my parents are acupuncturists, so I grew up believing iced drinks were a no-go — but desperate times call for desperate measures so peach iced tea it is), I thought I’d shift my attention from sweat and tears to recent glimmers of joy…
Here are some things I’ve been enjoying lately:
SERIES
When Life Gives You Tangerines
I have a very soft spot for stories that span generations because, in truth, they all do. Our stories begun waaaay before we were born. I’m fascinated by what we inherit from our ancestors, and how our lives, identities, and destinies are woven together (something I often explore in my coaching work too). I adore witnessing the connecting patterns, the similarities, and — if we’re lucky — the redemptions that unfold in families, and how dynamics evolve over time.
It’s a proper drama, so you might want to keep the tissue box close. I watched the first episode when it came out and didn’t feel particularly hooked… but then I binge-watched the entire thing in one weekend — while devouring ramyun, mandus, and kimchi, if you must know, because I’m hopelessly suggestible when it comes to Korean food.
This is your gentle reminder to call your mum, dad, and/or siblings and tell them what they mean to you. Never leave love or appreciation unspoken — say it while you can.
BOOKS
Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas
After years of not reading fantasy, I devoured the entire Throne of Glass series at the beginning of the year — although it starts a bit slow (the author began writing the story when she was 16!), I’m not sure I’ve fully recovered emotionally from the last book.
I cried, I laughed, I almost threw my kindle across the room — it made me feel all the feels.
Sometimes, being completely immersed in another world — and getting completely out of your own head — is pure medicine.
It was interesting to notice a little inner voice that mumbled something about feeling guilty for reading something that wasn’t academic or work-related, that was purely for pleasure (imagine that!) — to whom I replied: isn’t that the point? To give ourselves fully into joy, too? (besides, I firmly believe that every story has something to teach us).
So often I find, especially as women, we need to learn how to receive, embrace, and fully embody deliciousness in our lives. Let’s expand those joy upper limits and wholeheartedly enjoy things… simply because we can.
This passage lives rent-free in my mind:
Fireheart, why do you cry?
Because I am lost. And I do not know the way.
You have been very brave. You have been very brave, for so very long. But you must be brave a little while longer, my Fireheart. You must be brave a little while longer, and remember…
Her mother placed a phantom hand over Aelin’s heart.
It is the strength of this that matters. No matter where you are, no matter how far, this will lead you home.
😭😭😭
ART
After decades of having it on my bucket list, I finally made it to Art Basel and it felt like Disneyland for art addicts (moi).
If you know me, you’ll know art is one of my favourite love languages — so experiencing Art Basel in all its dazzling glory was a dream come true. From unexpected delights like British-Mexican surrealist Leonora Carrington’s mystical María Félix triptych and standing just 100 metres from RM (yes, that RM - ARMY, are you there?), to the genuine physical exhaustion of walking 20,000 steps a day for a week — it’s an experience I won’t forget.
Since childhood, art has always been a refuge for hope, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be human… a passion that continues to shape my journey, quite literally. I’m someone who will, without hesitation, walk through typhoons (hello Taiwan), take long detours involving multiple modes of transport (hello Japan), and pay for expensive taxis to the middle of nowhere (hello Jeju) — all just to visit museums. What can I say? When it comes to love, I’m all in, no regrets.
Some of the artists I adored seeing include Japanese installation artist Chiharu Shiota, a piece of Judy Chicago’s iconic Dinner Party, and Félix González-Torres’ Perfect Lovers— forever a heart-squeeze.
I cherished being among people from around the world, united in a celebration of creativity, sensitivity, and expression. In both the best and toughest of times, there’s a part of our very core that longs to create, seek understanding, crave beauty, and feel truly alive.
This experience reminded me how vital it is to show up for those things we don’t want to leave undone (big or small). After all, we only have the now.
To protect and celebrate the arts in all their forms is to safeguard our humanity. I hope you, too, honour your unique way of expressing yourself — and make an art of living your life.
Hope you spend quality time with those you love this summer (including yourself) x
in liebe,
jeanine ♡✧˚