Dumplings + New Stationery

“What would you do on a perfect day?”

My now-wife, then-girlfriend asked me this while we were getting to know each other in 2016. 

The question took me by surprise, but I instantly knew the answer: I’d go to Kinokuniya in downtown Seattle.

Kinokuniya is a Japanese bookstore housed in Uwajimaya, a massive Asian grocery store and food court. It’s at the heart of the international district in Seattle. And although I don’t speak a word of Japanese, I’ve always loved the quiet, welcoming atmosphere.

My favorite part of the store is the stationery section. I love to test the gorgeous pens and highlighters before selecting a new favorite, along with a new journal. 

I love walking into the Seattle drizzle and feeling the mix of excitement and nerves that comes from fresh pages to fill. It’s even better when I can stop for a couple of warm jian dui from the food court window (those are pillowy, sesame-seed-crusted balls with red bean paste inside) or snag a table at my favorite dim sum spot for a steamer full of soup dumplings. 

A blank page can be intimidating. It’s a lot less intimidating when you have a dumpling-fueled afternoon with no plans in front of you, though.

As a copywriter, I have a lot of blank pages to fill. I just can’t always wait for the perfect day to write—or eat that many dumplings. 

I want to know how to access that creative, comforting writing space every day, no matter what conditions I’m in. I don’t have the answer yet, but I’m looking for it.

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