March Highlights
Piano Cover Song #10: "Yesterday" by The Beatles
Where Pianos Roam is my bi-weekly, hand-rolled, algorithm-free journal about my creative life as a musician and the longings in my Asian heart.
Please pass this issue forward if you have a friend who might enjoy what I make:
In this Issue:
Changes to WPR
Piano Cover Song #10: “Yesterday” by The Beatles
March Highlights
Project Updates
Changes to WPR
For the first time in a long while, I decided not to release an issue of WPR last Friday. That day arrived at the end of the most insanely hectic week I have had so far this year, and I made the conscious decision to slow down and rest, rather than my usual routine of getting this newsletter together. This pause was good for me and gave me time to think about how I need to proceed with the rest of this year.
For the foreseeable future, I will be releasing this email newsletter every two weeks. This will give me much-needed breathing room to prioritize self-care, meet my personal commitments, and take on the big creative projects coming together this year.
As I mentioned in the last issue, I just recorded music with my band, and I am dedicating a big chunk of time this spring to mixing and mastering these songs.
In the latter half of 2026, I have a handful of film projects that I will finally sink my teeth into (including the sequel to my short film YUP). I have other plans that I have not yet announced, but soon enough, you will see the rabbit holes I am jumping into headfirst.
I will document as much as I can here in this newsletter and at the WPR blog.
Of course, I will feature more essays and continue with my cover songs until I have 50 of them completed (probably well into next year at this rate).
I hope you enjoy the journey.
Piano Cover Song #10: “Yesterday” by The Beatles
Three years ago, I sang the song “Yesterday” a cappella at a show. I loved my vocal arrangement so much that I made a mental note to sing it with piano accompaniment someday. That day has arrived in this week’s cover song submission. Of course, I do not stray far from the original melody at all because it is damn near perfect as it is, but I do add some little variations here and there that I really like.
In my life, I always hold space for the genuine sorrow I feel. It is cathartic and healing to do so. Amid the joys and fun that I experience, I am at my most human when I feel sad and mournful. This song holds these kinds of spaces with gentleness and longing, and I love singing it.
I invite you to sink into this week’s cover song like you would into a warm blanket.
Feel all the feels.
March Highlights
This past month has flown by. Here’s what I have been up to.
A Day at the Nashville Capitol
Along with my partner and a couple of friends from my neighborhood, we paid a visit to our state senator Shane Reeves. We had a 20-minute meeting to discuss how upcoming bills involving trans rights and immigration enforcement would affect people within his constituency. In no uncertain terms, we asked him to vote against bills that aim to harm vulnerable trans and immigrant populations.
While he was conversational and seemed receptive to our concerns, I cannot say if we were truly effective in getting through to him. Nonetheless, we provided personal stories and perspectives to counter the harmful and disingenuous information he may be receiving from other sources. We plan to continue our dialogue with him moving forward.Small Jigsaw Puzzles
I have never mentioned here on WPR that I enjoy working on jigsaw puzzles, but I actually do. There is nothing like the satisfaction of fitting a piece into its rightful place and hearing that little “click” sound when it snaps right in. My only problem with it (and the reason why I do not work on them more often) is that they take forever to finish. If you could not tell already, I have a lot going on.
I recently came across a small 240-piece puzzle (see below) at a retail store and decided to try it out. It only took me a couple of hours to finish, and it was a relaxing evening well spent! Afterward, I decided to go down an internet rabbit hole to find more small jigsaw puzzles, and boy have I been missing out! I have since bought two 99-piece puzzles and a 140-piece one, and I am on the hunt for more. They are very well designed and satisfying to finish.
A Hike Through Savage Gulf
Savage Gulf State Park is a place I have visited regularly these past few years. They have lots of hiking trails and scenic overlooks to enjoy. A couple of weeks ago, MaxZine and I hiked through part of the gulf to join an outdoor birthday celebration with friends. I had never hiked through the particularly steep terrain we walked through this time, and it was exhausting. Nonetheless, the pleasant company of friends and the gorgeous vistas we took in at the end made it all worth it.
March is always a time to transition into the warm weather seasons of the year, and it has been lovely overall. In April, I will be outdoors a whole lot more in my garden and taking long walks.
I hope your days are filled with tiny little joys and adventures that make you smile and feel the fullness of life.
See you again in a couple of weeks!
Project Updates
New Music:
Start first round of mixing the new recordings
Begin drafting artwork
New YUP Sequel Film Project:
Work on the script and dialogue
Address costuming