Hi Reader,
Last month, I went to Japan with my mom and sister. Our goal was to connect with our relatives and better understand the Japanese side of our story.
You see, my mom is the epitome of a Peruvian woman, but she bears her parents’ Japanese last name, Sakata. People often ask why that is.
It’s a tale of immigration, perseverance, and dedication to family.
Long story short, my great-grandfather immigrated from Japan to Peru after a tsunami devastated his city and his business. He married, built a new life, and sent money back to his family in Japan.
Two generations later, my mom was born. When she was grown, she eventually came to the States.
And here I am today, married and raising 4th generation Japanese/Peruvian/Americans.
I’m keen on teaching my kids about our heritage because the more I get to know the Japanese side of our family, the more I learn about personal values that run deep.
For instance:
In a way, learning more about my literal DNA feels like establishing a brand DNA. But that’s a topic for another time.
For now, I’m relishing in memories of walking Wakayama’s calm, red maple-lined streets with my loved ones.
Those memories serve as a waypoint for what matters most, even when times get busy and that end-of-year bustle kicks in.
We all want to know what makes us us. Whether it’s connecting with your heritage or simply reflecting on your personal values, I hope you find some space to do so as 2023 winds down.
Talk soon,
Hazel
The Right Brain
PS: Speaking of values, guess what! Drio’s applications for Women's Business Enterprise National Council and Women-Owned Small Business certifications have been approved! This means we’ll be able to connect with and support even more women-owned businesses that share our values. 🥳
Nichols Contracting |
The Collective |
Hi Reader, April has been a month filled with exciting developments and projects here at Drio. We’re thrilled to share some highlights with you. We're going to Wordcamp Italy! We’re over the moon to announce that we’ll be attending WordCamp in Italy! It’s a fantastic opportunity for us, and we can’t wait to immerse ourselves in the vibrant WordPress community. If you’ll be there too, let’s connect and make the most of this experience together! Introducing Drio’s Website Refresh Package Is...
Hi Reader, I cleaned out my pantry for the first time in 14 years. (Pause for applause.) 👏 Maybe the chirping birds and sprouting buds put me in spring-cleaning mode. But I just hit a wall and couldn’t deal with the lack of organization any longer. Years of old cans and bags of snacks had piled up, and it was practically impossible to tell what was on each shelf. That meant we often restocked food items that were already in the pantry—which is the worst. So I decided it was high time for a...
Hi Reader, Everyone bought a ticket that was supposed to include a meal. It was prime dinner time. Stomachs were starting to rumble. And then… we found out that the food wasn’t coming. 🤦♀️ That’s what happened just before our International Women’s Day Soirée started. In the eleventh hour, we discovered there was a date mix-up with catering. Our own stomachs dropped—and then we kicked into high gear. Rachel and I scrambled to assemble refreshments. With some help from our board members, we...