ChubbyPanda Reads and Writes

It was a typical midweek afternoon at Joann Fabrics & Crafts—not too busy, not too slow—just enough to keep my coworkers and me occupied until the evening rush ended. I had just grabbed the last bolt of fabric from the overstock for a customer when I noticed him walking through the shabby front doors that barely locked. He was dressed neatly in a blue button-up shirt and black slacks, carrying…

Dear Friend, As you live and grow through each day, you’ll begin to realize a lot of things—things you probably never noticed or questioned before. And when those realizations come, you may start to question yourself. Why am I here? Why don’t they like me? When will my life get better? How can I get rid of my debts faster? Why is my life so hard? When those thoughts come, remember—there will…

Daily writing promptIs there an age or year of your life you would re-live?View all responses Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of manga and watching anime, and I can’t help but notice how popular the isekai or reincarnation genre has become. The idea of getting a second chance—to be reborn into another world or to turn back time—feels comforting in a way. Sometimes, I catch myself wondering what…

Daily writing promptYou have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?View all responses Oh Great Genie, please listen to this poor and faithful soul’s three wishes. For I am not a greedy person—never have been and never wished to be. However, due to unforeseen circumstances and situations, day by day and as each night passes, I can’t help but long for more. As many nights drift by, if…

Daily writing promptWhat is your favorite hobby or pastime?View all responses I have many hobbies, but crochet is one of them. Today, I’ll share my journey about how I got into crocheting. I first started crocheting when I went to college because one of my friends always carried her crochet projects with her. We often spent our afternoons in my dorm after classes—she’d be working on her latest…

Daily writing promptWhat’s your favorite time of day?View all responses As the sun gets ready to go to sleep, it begins to search for one of its favorite blankets—woven with pastels of yellow, orange, pink, and purple, with cotton candy clouds and the shadows of trees and birds drifting across the sky. When the sun drifts past the moon, greeting it with a gentle smile, it looks down on its…

Not every masterpiece is meant to be rewatched. Grave of the Fireflies isn’t just a movie—it’s an experience, one that forces us to confront the fragility of life and the bonds that hold us together, even in the darkest times. Grave of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli, is a hauntingly beautiful animated film that lingers long after the credits roll. Set in…

When I was younger, I wanted to grow up faster. I wanted no one telling me what I could and could not do. I wanted to travel or go on a road trip without any adult supervision. Like a bird soaring in the sky, I wanted to do the same. So, I couldn’t wait to turn older year after year. At first, it was fun. The entire planet felt like a small pearl in my palm. I felt powerful and unafraid of…

Daily writing promptWhat brings you peace?View all responses It’s oddly funny how today’s prompt immediately reminded me of Kung Fu Panda. In the second installment of the series, Master Oogway describes inner peace as the ability to “harness the flow of the universe.” Once an individual achieves inner peace, he says, they can accomplish almost anything—even the impossible. Fourteen years ago,…

I remember one day, I was sitting in my dorm with my roommate and some friends. They were talking about boys, and yes of course one of them have to said to me, “You know what Mai, you never talk about boy.” I laughed and answer, “Yeah I know, and FYI I’m not a lesbian and I’m 100% sure about that.” Of course I didn’t tell them so much about why I don’t talk a lot about boys beside that they can…

Daily writing promptList 30 things that make you happy.View all responses Some years ago, during trip to Barnes and Nobles, I came across a book titled Hector and the Search for Happiness. I was immediately drawn to its colorful cover and the title itself. Naturally, I bought the book–and read it in one sitting. In Hector’s journey, he made a list of what causes people to be happy or unhappy…

Daily writing promptWhat traditions have you not kept that your parents had?View all responses Imagine telling your coworkers that you’ve never once celebrated Christmas in your entire life. Their faces freeze in shock, and the room falls silent. You quickly continue talking, hoping to avoid telling the same story again. It should be common sense that not all families share the same…

This past weekend during my trip to Raleigh, I had the opportunity to try the Dubai Pistachio chocolate bar. We decided to hit the mall because I wanted to stop by Miniso after Animazement and also to get lunch. My two sisters happened to see a vendor selling chocolate and spied the Dubai pistachio bar as we walked past it. The chocolate bar cost $20, and it was a huge bar—at least 4 inches by 9…

While some people count down the days until summer, I find myself eagerly awaiting the return of falling temperatures, gray skies, bundling up in sweaters, and cuddling with my favorite stuffed animal (yes you read that right, I’m in my early thirties and still have a favorite stuffed animal) under the blanket for a few more minutes. I love the feeling of cold weather-it’s a little seasonal magic…

Daily writing promptWhat’s a job you would like to do for just one day?View all responses Right now, I’m having some serious deja vu moments because I’m almost certain that I’ve answered this question before–probably somewhere along the lines of “I’d love to be an academic advisor for a day.” Fast forward to now, and while I’m not technically an academic advisor, my role at the community college…

The Unspoken Shift Imagine sitting at a table with ten people, sharing your ideas. One person is clearly bothered by something you said—but they stay silent. The energy shifts, tension creeps in, and the once lively atmosphere turns heavy. Or maybe you witness two people talking past each other, not really listening, until things become awkward. These moments may seem small, but they reveal a…