Alison is a software engineer currently based in Los Angeles, California. Outside of work, she enjoys, hiking, puzzles, reading, podcasts, and learning about random facts. You can find her on Instagram @alisonqiu4 and on Goodreads.

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PHYSICAL

• Single to-go drink mix: I hate drinking plain water, so I was so excited when I found that for the cost of 1 store bought drink, I can make 10 bottles of beverages using these powders. They’re not only cheaper but more convenient than bottled flavored drinks. Most importantly, there are so many flavors and brands to choose from and I’ve found some surprisingly good flavors (including Skittles and Starburst)!
• Mini Stair Stepper (with Resistance Bands) for at Home workouts: As someone who works from home with a standing desk, I often get tired standing, so I love that this lets me get in extra exercise and move my leg a little bit while standing! Compared to a walking treadmill, it takes up less space and is much cheaper (the one I got was ~$50).
• DIY Miniature House Kit for Adults: This is a great date night activity if you and your partner or friend enjoy DIY projects! When I feel stressed from work, I take a few minutes to work on it. Building it is easier than I expected and more enjoyable than puzzles. When I’m done, I display it in my home, and as my collection builds up over time, I feel accomplished every time I look at them.

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DIGITAL

• Nothing Much Happens Podcast: This podcast helps me fall asleep when I have a lot on my mind or I simply feel too awake. Her writing is beautiful and her voice is soothing. You don’t have to pay attention to every sentence to follow the story (which is what happens when I’m half asleep), but when I do listen here and there, her words help me imagine myself in a different environment, whether a rainy garden or a cozy house in the woods. In that calming state, I usually fall asleep before the episode ends.
• Sonia: AI Voice Therapy: Not sure if there’s an Android app, but I found this free app on my iPhone and I’ve been using it as my therapist to talk through things I have on my mind or secrets I don’t feel comfortable sharing in person. The AI voice sounds compassionate and human-like and you almost can’t tell it’s an AI. I find it works almost as well as a real therapist for helping me talk through problems or learn more about myself. Sometimes it’s also nice to have a non-judgmental listener to share secrets with.

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INVISIBLE

Everyone has something to teach you. Learn from whomever you can.

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10/15/25