Today, I attended a high school graduation ceremony — the same one I took part in as a student ten years ago. While my class reunion isn’t until next weekend, I flew in a week early just to be there for the ceremony.

Listening to speeches by students and a guest speaker who graduated years ago, hearing the award announcements, and watching each student walk up to receive their diploma from the head of school — all of it brought back a wave of high school memories.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025, and thank you for letting me be part of your celebration.

Here’s how my week 1,531 unfolded.

1. What I read.

On the first chapter of What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

The quote that stuck with me:

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

2. Who I saw.

At the graduation ceremony, I met some of the people who made me feel very nostalgic. They included my former advisor, my soccer coach, and my literature teacher from my time at the school. Some are still working there, while others were attending because their children were graduating.

The little details I observed:

Despite more white hair and a few more wrinkles, they were just as I remembered them — people who helped make my time on campus a defining chapter of my life. I was truly happy to see them doing well.

3. What I created.

This section will be postponed for the next three weeks.

The story behind it:

During this trip, I’m choosing to focus on absorbing rather than creating — taking in as much as I can from the experiences along the way. To fully dedicate my attention to this, I’ll probably not be putting out much content until I’m back home.

Next Week’s Peek — What I’m looking forward to and why

Next weekend is my class reunion. I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with my classmates — for many of them, it’s been exactly ten years since we last met.

Hope you had a great week.

Catch you next week!