v—As I write this, goosebumps have covered my forearms and the kettle has had its fair share of the noises downstairs. Winter is here. 

 

Lots of things tend to part in winter: geese flying south, the fish who firm in water, the disappearing leaves… but there are beautiful things among those absences: air that crystallizes each breath, the stillness of earth beneath the blanket of snow, the scarce branches of trees in a silhouette…  

 

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After hours of reading, emailing, and editing, v’s second issue is born to capture all these sentiments. I hope the pieces in this issue feel as meaningful for you as they do for me. 

 

However, such depth of meaning is not created in solitude, and I would like to extend my gratitude to my co-Editor-in-Chief, Morouje, whose dedication has been the cornerstone of our journal. I am also grateful for every member of the v team—Jade, Sara, Eartha, Esmé, Valerie, Owen, Muhammed, Anna, and Debmalya—whose tireless efforts have laid the groundwork for our publication. And to our readers, whose support and engagement breathe life into our pages, I extend my thanks. 

 

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It seems like last week when Morouje and I had first started v, yet here we are, ushering in the release of our second issue. Here's to many more pages filled with stories, insights, and reflections that inspire and enrich our lives.

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—Grace Qiu

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