It’s a hell of an Independence Day! Jun-ha loved the fireworks, and I love that he’ll always have them on his birthday if we’re in the USA. I can’t believe how fast his first year has gone. Of course he picked the gold coin and the pill case during his doljabi. Don was thrilled. I wanted him to pick the thread. What good is wealth without a long, healthy life to enjoy it?

Ah, well, I refuse to talk about depressing shit today! Everyone at the party had a great time. The big news won them over, even though we aren’t moving back for another six months. I’m going to miss Singapore. But working to influence the new regulatory laws in the USA feels too much like a promotion to say no, especially now that they’re serious about it.

JOURNAL ENTRY: JOSEPHINE LEE, JULY 7, 2076

I’m pregnant again! I hope it’s a girl this time. I love Jun to pieces, but it would be nice to have one of each. These past few months have been hard. I didn’t think moving back would be such a shock, but we’ve been gone a long time. When I see what’s happened to the suburbs, the living conditions… well, all the more reason my work is important, right?

Guess who got back in touch two weeks after my return? Yeah, the Underground didn’t waste any time. Now they’re after AI makers more than pill funders. They think the AIs (and bots) are driving people to use pills, so neutralizing the former will stop the latter. I call bullshit. Drugs, mechs, and these new pills (the ones with micro and nanomachines) are the proverbial genie in the bottle: you aren’t getting it back in once you let it out.

I’m glad in a way that the protest scene has changed. Makes it easier to keep my distance from them. I want to help, but I’m a mother now. My agitator days are over.

JOURNAL ENTRY: JOSEPHINE LEE, SEPTEMBER 20, 2077

Who would’ve thought that my crowning achievement would come five months postpartum! We did it! We got NorthAm and the EU to agree to most of the regulations we wanted. No more untested pill designs on the market. Final approval for anything that affects gene expression has to go through a Biogenetics Administration body. Mech operators will have a maximum ten-hour workday, with guaranteed suit breaks every two hours and overtime pay after six hours! I fought hard for that one, may Uncle Phil rest in peace.

While I’m journaling, I should note that Soo-ha is such an easy baby! What a contrast to Jun. She’s a champion sleeper. I have so much more energy this time.

I’m glad my babies won’t have to grow up in the world we did. They’ll be protected from exploitation.

JOURNAL ENTRY: JOSEPHINE LEE, OCTOBER 7, 2079