Author: foza

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HW10 Summary

Time Log Teams

  • Date: March 10, 2026 From: 4:30pm To: 4:50pm
  • Date: March 11, 2026 From: 7:50pm To: 8:20pm
  • Date: March 14, 2026 From: 6:30pm To: 7:10pm 

Time Log Students

  • Date: March 10, 2026 From: 5:30pm To: 5:50pm
  • Date: March 11, 2026 From: 8:50pm To: 9:20pm
  • Date: March 12, 2026 From: 2:20pm To: 2:40pm
  • Date: March 14, 2026 From: 5:30pm To: 6:10pm

Essay I.

Summary of your activities in your contents including new contents created (one paragraph). Provide all the hyperlinks (clickable) of new contents you have created this week.

This week I expanded the content on my personal website by publishing two new reflective blog posts that explore themes of personal growth and life transitions. The first post, “Starting Over in Your Late Thirties,” discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with redefining your path later in life and emphasizes the clarity and intentionality that can come with starting over. The second post, “When You Thought You Found Your Purpose,” reflects on how our sense of purpose can evolve over time and how letting go of one path can lead to discovering a new one. These posts contribute to the blog by adding more personal storytelling and reflective content that connects life experiences with broader themes of identity, growth, and change.

New content created this week:

Essay II.

Summary of your KPI Table (add screenshots or table) (one paragraph).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were identified to evaluate the performance of the website. The first goal focuses on increasing engagement with blog posts and photography content, measured through metrics such as page views, scroll activity, and user engagement. The second goal evaluates how effectively the website encourages visitors to explore multiple pages by tracking engagement rate and average engagement time. A third goal monitors visitor interest in learning more about me by analyzing page views for key pages such as the About and Blog sections. These KPIs were visualized in the Looker Studio dashboard using charts and tables to provide a clear overview of website performance and user behavior.

GoalKPIsMetrics (Charts in Looker Studio)
Goal 1: Increase engagement with blog postsNumber of visitors interacting with site content.Page Views, User Engagement, Scroll Events
Goal 2: Encourage visitors to explore multiple pages on the website.Average session engagement and number of pages visited.Engagement Rate, Average Engagement Time, Views per User
Goal 3: Track visitor interest in learning more about me.Number of visits to key pages such as About, Blog, or Thank You pages.Page Path Views, Sessions

Essay III.

Summary of your Looker Studio Report with your KPI identified (add screenshots) (one paragraph).

The Google Looker Studio report was created to visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) for my website using Google Analytics 4 data. The dashboard includes charts that monitor important website performance metrics such as views, total users, and sessions over time. One KPI focuses on overall website traffic and engagement, measured through metrics such as page views, sessions, and total users, which are visualized in a time-series chart to show trends in visitor activity. Another KPI tracks visitor interaction with specific pages on the website, which is displayed in a table showing page paths, views, new users, and active users. These visualizations help identify which content attracts the most visitors and how users interact with the site. By organizing the data into charts and tables, the Looker Studio report provides a clear overview of website performance and helps evaluate how effectively the site engages visitors.

Figure 1. Time-series chart showing website traffic including views, users, and sessions.

Figure 2. Table displaying page-level performance metrics including views and active users.

Figure 3. Session trend chart showing changes in visitor engagement over time.

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When You Thought You Found Your Purpose

There’s a strange kind of grief that comes when you realize the purpose you once believed in so deeply may no longer be yours.

At one point, it likely felt clear. You poured your time, energy, and heart into it. You shaped parts of your life around it. Maybe it was a career, a passion, or a dream that once gave your days direction and meaning. And for a while, it fit. It felt like the answer.

But life has a way of changing us.

Figure 1. Greater Good Science Center. (n.d.). Seven ways to find your purpose in life [Photograph]. University of California, Berkeley. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven_ways_to_find_your_purpose_in_life

Sometimes the things that once felt like purpose were actually stepping stones. Important, meaningful chapters that helped us grow into who we are today. Letting go of that version of purpose can feel disorienting, almost like losing a part of your identity.

Yet purpose isn’t always something we find once and hold forever. It evolves with us.

What once felt like the right path may have simply prepared you for the next one. The skills you developed, the experiences you gathered, and the lessons you learned don’t disappear just because your direction changes. They come with you.

Finding purpose again after believing you had already found it requires a different kind of openness. It asks you to listen closely to what now feels meaningful. It asks you to trust that growth sometimes means outgrowing the dreams you once held tightly.

And perhaps the most comforting realization is this: purpose isn’t a single destination. It’s something we continue discovering as we change, learn, and move forward.

Sometimes losing one sense of purpose is simply the beginning of finding another.

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Starting Over in Your Late Thirties

There’s a quiet kind of courage that comes with starting over in your late thirties. It’s different from the fearless leaps we take in our twenties, when the world feels wide open and time seems endless. By this stage of life, starting over often means letting go of things you once believed would define you: careers, identities, plans you built carefully over the years. And that can feel terrifying.

Figure 1. Sheevo. (2023, December 11). Starting over in your 30s with courage and confidence [Photograph]. https://sheevo.com/starting-over-in-your-30s-with-courage-and-confidence/

But starting over at this age also comes with something powerful: clarity. You’ve lived enough life to understand what truly matters and what doesn’t. You’ve experienced success and disappointment, learned what drains your energy and what gives it back. The decisions you make now are rarely impulsive. They’re thoughtful, intentional, and often rooted in a deeper understanding of yourself.

There’s also a quiet strength in realizing that life doesn’t have to follow a linear timeline. Society often suggests that by your late thirties, you should have things “figured out.” But the truth is that life unfolds in chapters, and sometimes the most meaningful chapters come after unexpected turns.

Starting over doesn’t mean failure. Sometimes it means growth. Sometimes it means choosing alignment over comfort. And sometimes it simply means having the courage to admit that the person you were ten years ago is not the person you are today.

If anything, starting over later in life reminds us that it’s never too late to rewrite our story. It just means the story we’re writing now comes with more wisdom, more intention, and a deeper understanding of who we’re becoming.

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The Joy of Collecting Blind Boxes

Some collections begin with intention. Others begin with curiosity.

Blind boxes fall into the second category.

If you’ve never encountered one before, a blind box is exactly what it sounds like: a small sealed box containing a mystery figure. You know the possible characters you could receive, but you never know exactly which one is inside until you open it.

That small moment of surprise is part of the magic.

Brands like Popmart, Miniso, and Smiski have turned blind box collecting into a playful experience that feels a little like opening tiny pieces of art.

During my visit to Japan, I noticed these blind boxes everywhere. Gachapon was abundant and added to the joy. Entire stores were filled with colorful displays of characters waiting to be discovered. Walking through the aisles felt like stepping into a world where curiosity was encouraged and surprises were part of the fun.

Smiski Museum Series
Pop Mart blind boxes
Blind Box Products Display at MINISO store

Popmart figures often feel like miniature sculptures, each with carefully designed details and expressive personalities. Smiskis, with their soft glowing green bodies and slightly mysterious poses, have a charm that’s both quirky and oddly calming.

Miniso also carries a variety of small collectibles that make it easy to start a collection without planning to.

What makes blind boxes so enjoyable is the sense of anticipation. You study the characters on the packaging, wondering which one might appear. When you finally open the box, there’s a small moment of excitement as you discover who you got.

Sometimes you receive your favorite character right away.

Other times, the surprise becomes part of the story.

Collecting blind boxes reminds me that not everything needs to be predictable. There’s joy in the unknown, even in small moments like opening a tiny box.

And occasionally, those little surprises end up sitting on a desk or shelf, quietly reminding you of the fun that curiosity can bring.

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The Quiet Joy of Bullet Journaling

There is something deeply grounding about sitting down with a blank page and a pen. In a world that moves quickly and constantly pulls our attention in different directions, journaling has become one of the few spaces where I can slow down and simply think.

Bullet Planner Ideas. (n.d.). Bullet journal supplies [Image]. https://bulletplannerideas.com/bullet-journal-supplies/

For me, bullet journaling isn’t just about productivity or planning. It’s about creating a small moment of intention in the day. A place to capture ideas, reflect on experiences, and sometimes just doodle when my mind needs a pause.

Over time, I’ve discovered that the tools I use make the experience even more enjoyable.

One of the most important pieces is the journal itself. I prefer dotted notebooks with heavier weight paper so that pen inks don’t bleed through to the next page. The dots provide just enough structure to keep layouts organized while still giving the freedom to design pages however I want.

Bullet Planner Ideas. (n.d.). Bullet journal supplies [Image]. https://bulletplannerideas.com/bullet-journal-supplies/

Pens are another small but important detail. I tend to gravitate toward smooth flowing pens that glide easily across the page. There’s something satisfying about writing with a pen that doesn’t require effort, where the ink just moves naturally with each thought.

Then come the fun extras.

Washi tape has become one of my favorite ways to add personality to pages. Sometimes it frames a quote or marks the beginning of a new month. Other times it simply adds color to an otherwise simple spread.

Planning stickers and highlighters are also small joys in the process. They help visually organize ideas, tasks, and reflections. A simple highlight or sticker can turn a basic page into something that feels more creative and alive.

And then there are stamps. Stamps add a playful element to journaling that reminds me not to take the process too seriously. Sometimes they create tiny icons for headers, and other times they simply decorate the page.

What I love most about bullet journaling is that there are no rules. Some days the pages are structured and organized. Other days they are messy and filled with thoughts that needed somewhere to land.

Either way, the page is always there, ready to hold whatever the day brings.

And that simple ritual of pen meeting paper continues to be one of my favorite quiet moments.

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HW9 Summary

Time Log Teams

  • Date: March 4, 2026 From: 4:30pm To: 4:50pm
  • Date: March 4, 2026 From: 4:50pm To: 5:20pm
  • Date: March 5, 2026 From: 9:30pm To: 10:10pm
  • Date: March 8, 2026 From: 6:00pm To: 6:30pm 

Time Log Students

  • Date: March 2, 2026 From: 6:30pm To: 6:50pm
  • Date: March 6, 2026 From: 4:50pm To: 5:20pm
  • Date: March 6, 2026 From: 5:20pm To: 5:40pm
  • Date: March 7, 2026 From: 7:30pm To: 8:10pm

Essay I.

Summary of your activities in your contents including new contents created (one paragraph). Provide all the hyperlinks (clickable) of new contents you have created this week.

This week, I expanded the content on my personal website by creating two new blog posts that reflect my creative interests and personal experiences. I decided to do something different and created two lifestyle-focused posts that explore hobbies I enjoy outside of photography, including bullet journaling and collecting blind boxes. These posts help broaden the tone of the site by blending personal storytelling with reflections on creativity, travel, and everyday inspiration. Together, these additions continue to develop my website as a space that documents both my artistic work and the experiences that shape it.

New content created this week:

Essay II.

Summary/analysis of your “automated insights” (add screenshots) (one paragraph).

Automated Insights in Google Analytics 4 use machine learning to automatically detect patterns, trends, and anomalies in website data. These insights help analysts quickly understand changes in user behavior without manually analyzing reports. In my GA4 dashboard, automated insights can be accessed through the Reports Snapshot and the Insights panel located on the right side of the interface. The Insights panel allows users to ask questions using Analytics Intelligence or select suggested questions that generate quick data summaries. For example, I was able to view insights related to active users, traffic trends, and returning visitors directly through the system. These automated insights provide a quick overview of site performance and help identify potential patterns in user activity on my website.

Figure 1. GA4 Reports Snapshot showing the Automated Insights section.

Figure 2. Analytics Intelligence panel used to ask questions about site data.

Essay III.

Summary/analysis of your “custom insights” (add screenshots) (one paragraph).

Custom Insights in Google Analytics 4 allow analysts to monitor specific metrics and automatically receive alerts when unusual changes occur in website performance. In this exercise, I created several custom insights to track important activity on my website. One example monitors user engagement and triggers an alert when engagement increases by more than 10 percent compared to the previous day. The insight evaluates data daily and can send email notifications when the condition is met. By defining custom rules such as changes in engagement, event counts, or traffic spikes, GA4 allows analysts to proactively monitor key performance indicators. Custom insights help site owners quickly identify significant trends or changes in user behavior without constantly reviewing reports manually.

Figure 3. Custom Insights dashboard displaying configured monitoring rules.

Figure 4. Example of a Custom Insight configuration monitoring user engagement changes.

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HW8 Summary

HW8 Summary

Time Log Teams

  • Date: March 1, 2026 From: 7:30pm To: 6:50pm
  • Date: March 1, 2026 From: 6:50pm To: 7:20pm
  • Date: March 1, 2026 From: 7:30pm To: 8:10pm

 

Time Log Students

  • Date: February 27, 2026 From: 6:30pm To: 6:50pm
  • Date: February 27, 2026 From: 6:50pm To: 7:20pm
  • Date: February 28, 2026 From: 3:20pm To: 3:40pm
  • Date: March 1, 2026 From: 7:30pm To: 8:10pm

Essay I.

Summary of your activities in your contents including new contents created (one paragraph). Provide all the hyperlinks (clickable) of new contents you have created this week.

This week, I added two new blog posts to my personal website that feature a recent wedding day and an open house event at Chateau Lill in Woodinville, Washington. The posts highlight both the atmosphere of the venue and the quiet, meaningful moments that unfold throughout a wedding day and a visit on the grounds. Drawing from my experience as a wedding photographer, I focused on storytelling through images and reflections that capture the light, emotion, and natural beauty of the setting. The first post introduces Chateau Lill as a wedding venue and reflects on the feeling of celebration and stillness that the location offers. The second post focuses more closely on the smaller moments throughout the day, including preparation, portraits, and the peaceful environment surrounding the estate. Together, these posts help document the day visually while also sharing my perspective as a photographer observing the details and presence that make each wedding unique.

New content created this week:

Essay II.

Summary of your “Thank you” event conversion (add screenshots) (one paragraph)

After creating the custom event in Google Tag Manager and marking it as a key event in GA4, an Exploration report was created to analyze the thank-you conversion event. The exploration filtered for the event “thank_you_page_view,” allowed me to observe event counts and user interactions associated with successful form submissions. This report helps demonstrate how GA4 can be used not only to track conversions but also to analyze user behavior and engagement related to those events.

Essay III.

Summary of your “menu click” event conversion (add screenshots) (one paragraph)

A custom event named “menu_click” was created in Google Tag Manager to track interactions with the website’s navigation menu. A click trigger was configured using the condition “Click Text” contains [menu item name], allowing the event to fire when users click a specific menu link. The event sends parameters such as the click text and click URL to GA4, enabling analysis of which navigation elements users interact with most frequently. The event was tested in GTM Preview mode and verified in the GA4 Realtime report.

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A Day at Chateau Lill | Quiet Moments, Golden Light, and the Beauty of Presence

Some wedding days feel loud with excitement. Others feel soft, unfolding gently, moment by moment, like a story you’re meant to experience slowly.

This day at Chateau Lill felt like the latter.

From the beginning, there was a quiet intimacy woven into every part of the day. Inside the bridal suite, sunlight poured through the windows while the bride stood still, surrounded by the people who love her most. Hands carefully buttoned lace, adjusted delicate details, and moved with the kind of tenderness that doesn’t need words. It was one of those moments that reminds me why I love photographing the getting-ready hours. Not because of the dress itself, but because of what it represents: support, anticipation, and the quiet calm before everything begins.

As the day moved outside, the energy shifted into something more romantic and cinematic. The gardens and natural textures of Chateau Lill created the perfect backdrop. Soft greens, filtered light, and a sense of stillness that allowed the couple to simply be together. Watching them embrace felt effortless, like they had forgotten the camera entirely. Those are always my favorite moments. When love feels less like a pose and more like a conversation happening quietly between two people.

One of the most unforgettable moments came just before the evening settled in. Guests moved around them in a blur of motion while the couple stood completely grounded in the center of it all. Still, connected, and fully present. Time seemed to slow down. The world kept moving, but for a brief moment, it felt like only the two of them existed.

That’s what I’ll remember most about this day at Chateau Lill: the contrast between movement and stillness. The laughter and celebration surrounding moments of deep calm. The way light softened everything, turning ordinary seconds into something timeless.

Wedding days pass quickly, but photographs allow us to return to the feeling. The quiet breaths, the gentle touches, the moments that might otherwise slip away. And this day was full of them.

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Chateau Lill | Where Light, Celebration, and Stillness Meet

There are some places that feel less like a venue and more like a pause – a breath between moments. Chateau Lill has always felt that way to me.

Nestled quietly among the vines, the day unfolded slowly, the way meaningful days often do. The air carried that soft stillness that only vineyards seem to hold, where time feels unhurried and conversations linger a little longer. The kind of place where light doesn’t just exist, it wraps around everything gently.

From the moment I arrived, there was a quiet energy in the space. Not rushed. Not loud. Just present. Guests moved between laughter and conversation while the landscape held everything together. Rows of vines stretching toward the horizon, soft textures, and warm tones that seemed to glow as the day progressed.

As a photographer, I find myself constantly observing the in-between moments. The way someone reaches for another’s hand without thinking. The soft smiles exchanged when no one else is looking. The quiet anticipation that exists before the bigger moments unfold. Chateau Lill has a way of making those moments feel even more visible.

The light shifted beautifully throughout the day. Early afternoon felt bright and airy, while evening settled into a golden calm that wrapped the entire property in warmth. It reminded me why I love photographing here. The environment doesn’t compete with the story; it enhances it.

What stood out most, though, was the feeling. A sense of ease. A reminder that celebrations don’t always need to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes the most powerful moments happen in the quieter spaces. Shared glances, deep breaths, and the simple joy of being together.

As the day came to a close, I found myself lingering for a moment longer, watching the light fade over the vines. Days like this always leave me grateful, not just for the beauty of the place, but for the chance to witness stories unfolding in real time.

Chateau Lill isn’t just a location. It’s a feeling. And every time I leave, I carry a little bit of that calm with me.

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Osaka Nights: Neon Lights, Nintendo Dreams, and the Energy of Dotonbori

Osaka felt like stepping into a living, breathing movie. It was loud, colorful, fast-moving, and completely alive. Most of our time was spent in Dotonbori, and honestly, it was the perfect place to experience the city’s personality all at once. Everywhere you look there are glowing signs, giant moving billboards, crowds flowing through the streets, and the constant hum of excitement that makes you want to keep walking just to see what’s around the next corner.

The lights reflecting off the canal at night felt almost unreal. One moment we were stopping to watch street performers, the next we were laughing our way through narrow side streets filled with food stalls and restaurants calling out to hungry travelers. Osaka has this playful energy. It doesn’t feel rushed, but it never slows down either. Every few steps felt like a new memory waiting to happen.

Pokémon, Nintendo, and a Little Bit of Childhood Joy

One of the highlights for me was visiting the Pokémon Center and the Nintendo store. Walking in felt like reconnecting with a piece of childhood. There were colorful displays, familiar characters everywhere, and people of all ages equally excited to be there. It wasn’t just shopping; it felt like stepping into a shared nostalgia that everyone around us understood without needing words.

There’s something special about experiencing places like this while traveling. You realize how global these stories are…how they connect people across languages and backgrounds. It made the whole trip feel playful and light, like Osaka was inviting us to lean into curiosity and fun.

Exploring Grand Front Osaka

We also spent time at Grand Front Osaka, which felt like a completely different side of the city. Modern, sleek, and full of energy. This was a contrast to the neon chaos of Dotonbori. It was the perfect place to slow down for a bit, browse, eat, and just observe everyday life moving around us.

I loved that balance: one moment surrounded by futuristic city architecture, the next back in Dotonbori under flashing signs and endless food options.

The Heart of It All: Dotonbori

If I had to describe Dotonbori in one word, it would be sensory. The smell of food drifting through the streets. The sounds of laughter and conversation. The giant signs competing for attention overhead. The constant feeling that something exciting is happening just nearby.

There were so many places to eat, so many lights and sights to take in, and honestly, no real pressure to have a plan. Osaka felt best when we just wandered and let the city lead us.

And maybe that’s what I’ll remember most: not a single moment, but the feeling of being fully present in a place that never stops glowing.