The other day, I visited Framed by Nature, an art exhibition by Nate Evans, at the Indianapolis Public Library.
先日、インディアナポリス公共図書館で開催されていた、ネイト・エヴァンスさんのアート展「Framed by Nature」を訪れました。
Nate Evans is an Indianapolis woodworker and artist who creates framed live-edge pieces from salvaged and locally sourced wood. His work focuses on grain, natural edges, voids, and the patterns shaped through time, weather, and growth.
It was so inspiring to see the beauty created by nature. I made a couple of sketches with brush pens, attempting to study the shapes and lines formed by the wood. I always see nature as the ultimate source of inspiration!
Visual artist Nisreen will present her solo exhibition Dreaming of Tomorrow, opening September 4, 2026, at the Lovell Gallery at The Arts Federation. The exhibition will run from September 4 through September 25, 2026, with an Opening Reception on September 4 at 6:00 PM. The event will take place at Lovell Gallery at The Arts Federation, 638 North St, Lafayette, IN 47901. Guests are warmly invited to attend the reception and experience Nisreen’s latest body of work.
Dreaming of Tomorrow presents a vibrant collection of paintings that explore the depth of human emotions, the profound connections between humans and animals, and the beauty of cultural intersections in everyday life. Through harmonious colours and rhythmic shapes, each piece encourages viewers to reflect on possibility, hope, and the shared human experience.
Nisreen is a visual artist known for her dreamy, semi-abstract paintings and distinctive portraits. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from Tokyo Zokei University in 2011 and later completed an undergraduate certificate in Fundamental Psychology from California Coast University in 2024. Based in Indiana since 2023, she draws inspiration from emotional depth, storytelling, and cross-cultural experiences.
In addition to her visual art practice, Nisreen is the host of the bilingual podcast Nisreen’s Art World, where she engages a global audience in conversations about art and creativity.
This exhibition offers an immersive experience that highlights both the introspective and
connective power of art, inviting visitors to envision a more empathetic future.
We experienced a small miracle the other day. Long story short, a bag we lost about a month ago found its way back to us!
It was a small sports shoulder bag that my husband had been using on dog walks for the past eight years. It was an old bag, but it held a lot of sentimental value. I felt terrible when I realised that I might have left it on an outdoor bench. I wasn't feeling well and was really out of it that day.
Apparently, a kind person found the bag and turned it in to a nearby lost-and-found. The information about our dog on the tag attached to the bag eventually led them to contact our vet. I was so grateful to everyone whose kindness helped reunite us with the bag.
The other day, I attended the reception for Lilwen Jones’ exhibition, Roots, at Art Federation. Lilwen is a talented jewellery artist and photographer.
I met her at a drawing group, and she is featured in one of the drawings I’m planning to exhibit in my own show as well!
The exhibition showcases a wide range of her work, including glass art, metalworking, photography, and more. The common theme I felt throughout this diverse collection was a love of nature and a connection to one’s authentic self, as suggested by the exhibition title, Roots.
I purchased a beautiful pair of flower earrings — I love their natural feel!
The exhibition is open until 25 June 2026 at 5:00 pm. If you’re nearby, do pop in and have a look!
I donated this piece to the 2026 Artwork for the Animals fundraiser for Humane Indiana’s PAWS Resale Plus. It’s a creative way to support the animal shelter, where local artists create custom artwork based on photos provided by donors.
I painted an adorable dog named Axel using oil pastels!
この作品を、Humane Indiana のPAWS Resale Plusによる2026年「Artwork for the Animals」チャリティー fundraiser に寄付しました。これは、寄付者から提供された写真をもとに地元アーティストたちがオリジナル作品を制作し、動物保護施設を支援するというとても画期的な取り組みです。
How are you? I recently went on a road trip with our dogs, and it was such a fun experience! Before living with them, I had no idea how much dogs could love traveling and exploring new places. I also really appreciated how helpful dog-friendly hotels can be.
Here are some essentials (and a few nice-to-haves) that I found useful when traveling with your furry family. I didn’t mention harnesses, collars, and leashes because they’re obvious—but of course, they’re essential too!:
Plastic bags – Great for collecting rubbish. Hotel room bins are often too small, so these really come in handy.
Blanket – Keeps your dog comfortable, and familiar smells can help calm them in a new environment.
Slippers – You don’t want to step on water drips—or worse, their bones! Hotel floors aren’t always as clean as they look, and bathroom tiles can be cold. Slippers keep your feet warm, clean, and protected.
Pet wipes – Especially essential for breeds like pugs. Daily cleaning (wrinkles, paws, etc.) becomes even more important when traveling.
Portable pet bowls – Convenient for both food and water, especially during rest stops on long drives.
Ties – Because our babies should always be fashionable.
Treats & dog food – A must. I recommend avoiding unfamiliar or wet food, as it can upset their stomachs.
Pee pads – Go for big, thick ones—just in case.
Disinfectant spray – Always be prepared for little mishaps, no matter how well-behaved your pups are.
Grooming supplies – Keep them clean, brushed, and comfortable throughout the trip.
Needless to say, don’t forget any necessary medications, medical equipment, or jackets for colder weather.
I wonder if I’m the only one who finds the simple hair ties available at CVS or supermarkets ridiculously flimsy. The same goes for their bobby pins — they can’t hold anything, especially those silicone hair ties. The level of fragility is an insult to my hair.
Even the ones from a pound shop in Japan are better quality.
I finally found some bearable hair ties at a supermarket the other day, but they were labelled “Extra strong! For thick hair.”
Sir. Be serious. You’re not “extra strong” — you’re just doing your job.
A wonderful artist—and the facilitator of the live drawing group and museum shop manager at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette—LaDonna Vohar painted this beautiful artwork inspired by one of my wedding photographs by Liberte Me Studio in Nakano, Tokyo. Her delicate depiction of this happy moment in life and her observant eye for detail are exquisite.
Her exhibition, “LaDonna’s Mélange,” is open until May 10, 2026, at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. She shows a great range as an artist, from poignant portraits to dynamic murals and playful furniture pieces. If you are nearby, I highly recommend visiting the exhibition!
素晴らしいアーティストであり、Art Museum of Greater Lafayetteで人物スケッチのグループの進行とお店のマネージャーも務めているLaDonna Voharさんが、東京中野にあるLiberte Me Studioによる私の結婚写真の一枚から着想を得て、この美しい作品を描いてくださいました。人生の幸せな瞬間を繊細に描き出す表現と、細部まで行き届いた観察力は本当に見事です。
彼女の展覧会「LaDonna’s Mélange」は、Art Museum of Greater Lafayetteにて2026年5月10日まで開催されています。心に響くポートレートから躍動感あふれる壁画、そして遊び心のある家具作品まで、アーティストとしての幅広い表現をご覧いただけます。お近くにお越しの際は、ぜひこの展覧会を訪れてみてください。
The Japanese Veggies I Miss and My Favourite Veggies in the US
恋しい日本の野菜と好きなアメリカの野菜
The Japanese Veggies I Miss
恋しい日本の野菜
Daikon – It’s a mild-flavoured winter radish. It can be found in Asian/Japanese markets, but it isn’t very common in supermarkets in my town. In winter, I start missing simmered daikon; it’s juicy, warm, and has a natural sweetness – the perfect winter food!
Edamame – These are young, immature soybeans harvested while still green and tender in their pods. There is edamame in my town too, but it’s hard to find good edamame. Good edamame have to be fresh and plump, and should pop energetically out of the pods. Soggy edamame is not nice!
Satsuma-imo / Sweet potatoes – There are delicious sweet potatoes here too. However, they are often orange or maroon and very soft. Japanese sweet potatoes are distinctive for their starchy texture and intense sweetness, typically yellow on the inside and maroon on the outside. I miss the nasal singing voice from baked sweet potato trucks or stalls in winter – yes, there are sweet potato stalls in Japan, very much like ice-cream or taco trucks! They are much rarer now, though.
Sweet peppers – I am mesmerised by how sweet and fresh they can be! I love roasting them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. A friend of mine once shared her garden-grown sweet peppers – they were delicious! There are sweet peppers in Japan too, but there are fewer varieties. The pointy shape I portrayed in the drawing had long been associated with spicy ones in my mind.
Brussels sprouts – My absolute favourite vegetable. My go-to meal is roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar and honey, a flavour combination my husband recommended. The slightly burnt bits are irresistible! They can be found in Japan too, but they are less common. I don’t think I ever had them when I was a child.
Parsnips – This is the only vegetable I had literally never tried until I moved here. I thought they were carrots at first, then realised they were sweeter and juicier. Roasted parsnips are now one of my favourite winter meals.
I am grateful for vegetables wherever they are – they give us nutrition and energy, and more than anything, they are associated with happy memories around a table with our loved ones.
No spoilers for the final episode./最終回のネタバレは避けています。
I finished watching the final episode of Stranger Things on new year's eve.
My favourite points throughout all the seasons:
Character development – especially Steve’s.
The earnest portrayal of a mother who fights for her
son even when no one believes her.
Anti–alpha male energy.
The depiction of gay struggles and how shame can
alienate someone from their friends.
Some actors’ impeccable performances, especially
Henry(Jamie Campbell Bower) and Hopper (David Harbour).
Eleven and Mike’s innocent romance.
References to 80s classics such as E.T.
and Back to the Future.
My least favourite point:
Too long.
I feel the ending would have been ten times more moving if it had ended with
season two, or maybe three. Especially in the last season, it felt as though
the writing was struggling – the dialogue no longer sounded natural. The story
was all over the place instead of sticking to the main storyline, which was
more confusing than effective. I often see the same issue in many popular
American TV shows and superhero films: they go on for too long!
Don’t get me wrong – I was entertained throughout all the seasons. I love
all the characters, and there were so many great qualities in the show. I just
wish it had ended at the right time. Overall, though, it was such an
entertaining drama!
On 6 December 2025, I had the privilege of being invited to the Raqs Party in Bloomington, organised by Donna Carlton. The hafla/show has been held every year since 2005. It was heart-warming to be part of such a beloved event alongside the wonderful local dancers for the second time. The host dancers, All About Bellydancers, always welcome us with warm hospitality.
私は先日、2025年12月6日にブルーミントンにて、Donna Carltonさん主催のRaqs Partyというイベントにパフォーマーとしてお招きいただきました！このダンスイベントはなんと、過去20年間毎年開催されているそうで、私は2度目の参加です。とても暖かいイベントで、地元ダンサーの皆さんとご一緒できて嬉しかったです。ホストのAll About Bellydancersの皆さんはいつも優しくゲストを迎えてくださいます。
I performed a solo piece to the live music “Zeina”, played by Indy Raqs. My goal was to bring the elegance of Samia Gamal — known for performing this classic song with her distinct coquettish style — into my own dance style. It was also lovely to dance to the beautiful oud improvisation by Andy Smith.
I also had the chance to perform a group piece, “Move Your Belly”, as part of Troupe Oasis — I love the dramatic song and the choreography by Dahlena. It was a joyful experience to dance with such lovely dance mates. The drawing below is my attempt to capture the harmony we felt while performing together.
I will also share the performance videos once I have access to them!
また、Troupe Oasisの一員として、“Move Your Belly”という曲で踊りました。情熱的で私のお気に入りの曲です。振付もDahlenaさん作のとても華やかな振付で、素敵なダンス仲間の皆さんと一緒に踊るのは幸せな時間でした。
下の画像は、みんなで一緒に音楽に身を任せて踊る調和の感覚を捉えようと描いたものです。
ダンス映像をいただけましたらまたシェアいたします！
P.S- I added uploaded the video on my YouTube channel!
