Last Week Today: Sign Up Japan Trip '25

September 9, 2024 💡

“One often meets her destiny on the road she takes to avoid it.” - Grand Master Oogway, Kung Fu Panda

I love this quote and I think about it quite often. My friend Roshawn shared it with me a few years ago and I burst out laughing at the time because “are you seriously quoting Kung Fu Panda right now??” But upon further reflection, I’m like damn…that’s deep. I’ve tried so hard in my life to control what I want, what I think, what I do because it follows a certain “right” path or trajectory that I think I want. But sometimes when I try so hard to control my life, I end up right in front of the thing — the feeling — that I was trying to avoid in the first place. This quote gives me a bit of comfort to let life lead and to sometimes just get out of my own way.

Grand Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda, in case there was any confusion about whom I was referencing.

Welcome to my Substack where I share the best of my week. Think of this as a catch-up between friends with life hacks & advice sprinkled in. Grab your beverage of choice and let's get started ☕️

Come Travel with Jean & Me in Japan 2025!!

Jean and I are hosting a 7-day trip to Japan in 2025, we hope you’ll join us: EARLY BIRD SIGN UP HERE.

The sign up link is LIVE first for all of y’all reading this right now. Thank you for being on this journey with me for the last year: Jean and I wanted to share the travel opportunity with this very special Substack community first. On this trip, we’ll dive into new adventures, embrace the unexpected, and learn together—only this time, it’s live and in person ❤️ We hope you’ll join us.

We’ll start in Tokyo, where tradition meets the hustle and bustle of city life. With a Japanese guide on the ground, we’ll enjoy highlights like the serene Meiji Shrine and the lively streets of Harajuku and Shibuya – including some fun shopping and vintage shopping for those interested (literalllllyyyy my favorite in Japan)! But the true magic unfolds as we move to the countryside of Shizuoka, where we'll discover a different side of Japan—one that’s all about relaxation, nature, and finding out more about ourselves in a new context.

We’ll enjoy views of Mt. Fuji and even try our hand at making soba noodles. Along the way, we’ll sip tea amidst beautiful landscapes and soak in the tranquil atmosphere of the Japanese countryside. Spots are limited, so be sure to join us on this incredible adventure! We’re so excited for the trip of a lifetime together.

Can You *Really* Make New Friends as An Adult?

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the highs and lows of adult friendships – from making new besties to dealing with friendship breakups. Ever felt FOMO from childhood pals or struggled with finding your community in a new city? We got you.

My favorite part is talking about friendship breakups — why do these oftentimes hurt more than romantic breakups? We get to the bottom of this question and propose some methods of repair if you want to save a friendship. I love this episode and hope you enjoy it too!

In Case You Missed It: What I posted on IG 💅🏻

1. Ice Bath Fun in Los Angeles

2. Jean Led $100M+ Business at Snapchat

3. How We Approach Friendships

4. Is An MBA Worth It?

5. Why Jean Left Big Tech for MBA

6. What I Learned Interviewing Leaders of Billion Dollar Businesses

7. Photoshoot Time with Jean

8. What’s Inside Andreessen Horowitz?

9. When the Matcha Doesn’t Hit so I Went to Japan

10. A Very Nice Date TBH

11. My Summer Internship on a Matcha Farm

Meme Reminder

Have a great week!!

XO Cherie