~:[CH14 - Day 212]:~ Eyes Wide Shut

 

~:[CH14 - Day 212]:~ Eyes Wide Shut

I slept a little better today, but still not well. I already knew fatigue would hit me hard and hit me hard it did. I went to practice in the morning, kept working on processing photos, then headed out to lunch. It was delicious. I felt good for a bit, but towards the end, my eyelids began to feel heavy. You all know how that feels, right? I knew I wouldn't make it through day's end, so I canceled my afternoon plans and took a nap. It was needed. I woke up a bit refreshed, finished up my work, and then wrapped up the day. Of course, it's always cool when you spend the day with people you enjoy being around or talking to. As I always say, I'm always blessed to have good people around me and the day including the good company and deliciousnfood felt like a dream because of it. There will be days you can't reach the finish line and have to cancel your plans, but when you put yourself around the right people, your entire day can sometimes feel like a dream. I reflected on my day appreciative of those who I've met in my life and hope that tomorrow and the days ahead can be equally incredible. May all your lives truly be filled with dreamlike moments.

~:[CH14 - Day 211]:~ Good Looking Out

 

~:[CH14 - Day 211]:~ Good Looking Out

It was a quick turnaround since I landed and my body didn't adjust. I didn't really sleep as mind was thinking of everything I needed to finish, but my body wanted to just lay there. The mind won't. I looked at the time when everything was done and at 4am, I decided to stay awake. I made it to practice, my first step. I know the athletes were sad about the bonfire, but it seems like things fell into place as I needed the day to sleep and catch up on work. I finished the main portion of my last album and I ended up getting an unscheduled nap. I wrapped up most of what I needed to, sorting the 25k files from. my phone, finishing a few posts, wrapping up a few last emails and meetings, and putting away the piles in the hallway left from the unpack. I needed the time and life gave it to me. When this happens, sometimes I wonder, is this a coincidence? Life is no coincidence, it's just someone waiting to give me what I need at the time I need it. Good looking out.

~:[CH14 - Day 210]:~ The First Step is the Hardest

~:[CH14 - Day 210]:~ The First Step is the Hardest

It's hard to get back into a routine when you already settled into another one. My once somewhat calm morning schedule ended with an attempt to wake up for practice, which failed miserably. I still had a chance to meet some of the new members as we hosted a activity week instead of a summer camp. It was nice to change things up a bit and have a group come together and enjoy some time together even if it was nearby. It was a bit awkward to adapt to the new role, but I saw the possibilities and what more I could do from a different angle. The movie itself was fun to watch and my worry about falling asleep was washed away as I was wide awake throughout the entire movie. Just like when a baby walks for the first time, the first few steps are the hardest, but once you find your rhythm and get things flowing, things will begin to feel natural again. Until that time, just do your best to stay as stable as possible in hopes that you don't stumble.

~:[CH14 - Day 209]:~ Struggling Against Time

 

~:[CH14 - Day 209]:~ Struggling Against Time

A tale of two tales as I struggled against time. I left my apartment at 3:30am and headed to Haneda, not realizing that the terminal didn't open until 5am. I should have figured since it was a domestic flight and so I waited as the clock ticked slowly by. At 5am, I checked in all my luggage and waited for my flight, slowly it ticked again. We boarded and sat on the runway for awhile before returning to the gate due to system issues, our flight would be delayed and would make my lunch meeting a tough one to get to on time. As I need to get to Osaka quickly, I needed time to now slowly down, the opposite of just hours ago. Luckily, our flight took off, yet I was late to lunch and wished that time could move slowly, but before I knew it, I headed back to the airport. I actually had time on my side as I rested in the lounge before my flight, realizing that the JPOP/KPOP group JO1 was next to me. Next thing you know, my drink was on my shirt as the machine launched it forward. It was a day of struggles and not just against time I guess.  Luckily, I had a change of clothes, as I changed and boarded my flight, landing five ours before the time I took off. The longest day began as I had to struggle to make it through 12 more hours. I made use of that time and almost had everything unpacked as I wrapped up the day only to realize I accidentally washed a souvenir, which cracked in the laundry. A summary of what the day had been. When you need more time, the clock will speed up and when you're bored or want something to come quickly, time will slow down. It's inevitable. The only thing you can do is just adapt to what life throws at you. I picked up the pieces to the dish hoping that I had everything and then wrapped up my final task before heading to bed. It was a long day where the clock was both fast and slow and filled with amazing occurrences followed with utter disasters, but that is life. Accept that life has it's struggles, but appreciate that you still have time in this life as no matter how it goes, it's the one thing you should always be grateful that you have.

~:[CH14 - Day 208]:~ The Grand Finale

~:[CH14 - Day 208]:~ The Grand Finale

Somewhere in the pages of history, I met one of the most talented performers I've ever met. It's amazing to see someone with such athleticism as they leap into the air and it makes you wonder, how did they get to that level. The same goes when I come across great athletes, but with dancers, their athleticism is tied with artistry that makes it so magnificent. Of course, it was fitting the my final shoot was for Mitsumori-San as I trekked my way up to Hitashi for the performance. It was nice to relax backstage as I joined him for warmup as we chatted briefly about our journeys before he ramped up his prep and I prepared for the shoot. It's nice to shoot for talented individuals, but is even more incredible when they're incredibly kind. At the same event, I met so many kind individuals which I feel why I was able to capture so many incredible moments with such love and care. My body did begin to regret selecting a long shoot far away for my finale, but just like the end of any journey, it takes a little toughness and grit to pull through. Although my hands were cramping and my legs and shoulders a little sore, I wrapped up the shoot with a final shot of the group with bright smiles across their face. As I looked back at the photos, it will be cool to remember all the moments from this event, as I myself found myself at the grand finale. How did I get here? I guess the same question I wonder for athletes, dancers and others, we can ask anyone, what did it take for you to reach this moment, your grand finale. While the journey may have been arduous, in life, we work towards this moment where we find ourselves in the spotlight at the curtain call of whatever grand finale we've reached in our lives. Appreciate each one and give yourself credit for reaching this very beautiful moment. 

 

~:[CH14 - Day 207]:~ Beyond Imagination

 

~:[CH14 - Day 207]:~ Beyond Imagination

I woke up early in the morning to wrap up the stamp rally before my photoshoot, however, a few delays meant I couldn't finish before. I thought, maybe it wasn't meant to be, but after my shoot, I hit the last three spots, one of which was quite far away. I traded it all in and felt accomplished. It was beyond my imagination that I could finish it in just four days, but I did. Of course, that would pale in comparison to the fireworks display at the Sumida Hanabi. I always had to head home early before a lot of the festivals, so this year, I specifically stayed for this night. It seemed like it may have ended up being a waste as the large crowds didn't allow me to find somewhere to view, but I managed to make my way over to the park that was quite a walk a way, to get a beautiful skyline with the fireworks in the distance. It was beyond my imagination as it was a wonderful 90 minute show. I compiled a few of my favorite photos of the fireworks and added it to the beautiful skyline I got to see throughout the show from the park. While we all were a bit cozy as we sat together on the hillside, it was a sight that I will never forget and a great lasting memory as I prepare to leave. There are a number of memories in life that seem to stick in your mind and having a last impression with most of those things that were beyond your imagination.

~:[CH14 - Day 206]:~ Training for the Moment

 

~:[CH14 - Day 206]:~ Training for the Moment

I was exhausted by night's end. I haven't totaled up my mileage yet, but I'm sure I racked up a huge amount of kilometers as I zipped back and forth across Tokyo. When I set my mind to something, I often go to great lengths to ensure it's success and completing this map was one of them. I plotted out my paths in advance, as ai was trying to figure out if I had enough time to complete the map and claim my prize and there was a slight chance. After my friend and I finished our lunch, I trekked my way down to Yokohama, then worked my way back across to Chiba. I few hiccups left me a bit behind schedule and I wasn't brave enough to risk missing the last train and thus, I skipped one station and left it for tomorrow. Will that throw a wrench in my completion plan? Maybe, but we'll just have to wait and see. After hundreds of stairs, probably 40k steps and about eight hours in the trains, I nearly got to where I wanted to be and learned a lot about the transit system in Tokyo. While I often come here for photography, I feel like I wrapped myself in a little bubble around Shinjuku. It opened my eyes a bit to the various areas of Tokyo and help me train for what's ahead. I was sad to think that only a few more days remain, but since I'll be busy until the last moment, I guess I'll focus and keep training. 

~:[CH14 - Day 205]:~ To Kashiwa & Beyond

 

~:[CH14 - Day 205]:~ To Kashiwa & Beyond

Kashiwa Station is not a place that most would think of as a spot that you have to go visit. I've been there a few times on this trip. With my morning meeting in Shinjuku, I had to trek over to Kashiwa for the evening. After mailing out a package and running a few errands as I slowly prepared for departure, I decided to complete the stamp rally on my way. The reality is, I'm not going to finish stage 3, still yet, I challenged myself to stop at as many stations as possible. I thought it would be easy when I first saw this map, but didn't realize the labor it would take to complete it all, especially in the limited time I had here. My friend said that this event lined up with the summer break for many, so it made it a bit easier for them to complete the tasks. There are various reasons why life brings you to a certain place. You may not realize why and even if you think it may not quite be worth the trek, there's nothing wrong with making the effort to get there and possible discover something you never realized. I was exhausted by day's end and to make matters, my train was delayed and so I ran closer to the last train than I wanted to. Still yet, I jumped off the train at another stop to grab another stamp, wondering what I would discover this time around. Maybe nothing, but you never know, there might just be something there. The only way to find out is to make the trek like I did to Kashiwa and beyond.

~:[CH14 - Day 204]:~ The Route to Nowhere

~:[CH14 - Day 204]:~ The Route to Nowhere

Sometimes we feel like we're going nowhere. Whether fast or slow, we can feel sluggish or that we're missing everying as life zooms by. We don't always have to have direction. Sometimes it's nice to wing it. The past few days, I've been zooming around Tokyo for a Pokemon stamp rally where you have to try to visit 36 stations in Tokyo. It's brutal. Of course, I had an idea of where I would end up, but I plotted the path as I went. Have a plan, but don't be afraid that at times you are directionless. The route to nowhere may lead you to discoveries you may never have found otherwise or allow you to cross paths with people you never would had met. As while at some point you'll need to put in a destination, don't be afraid of the directionless path and the road that seems to be leading to nowhere, as that adventure is all apart of life itself. Where am I headed tomorrow, who knows, but we'll late fate play it's hand in helping me find direction.

 

~:[CH14 - Day 203]:~ What's Hot

 

~:[CH14 - Day 203]:~ What's Hot

When working in photography, you have to follow the trends or realize them through the requests and work that you do. While I haven't taken the dive into the world of cosplay with only a few shoots here and there, more often, I have been getting requests for cosplay shoots, which is fun, but a challenge to keep up with the trends. With KPOP Demon Hunters being a hot topic for now, it was fun to do a shoot soon after it topped the charts. I can't always keep up with the trends, but it's always good to keep an open mind and never stop learning to stay ahead of the curve. While we can definitely enjoy our style and what once was, I think it's always good for our growth to adapt and change when we can find things that can improve ourselves. Open your mind and you might begin to discover more about yourself no matter how many years you have under your belt. I ended the evening with my first (Twitter) Space podcast interview, something different, but something I hope can help me improve myself.

~:[CH14 - Day 202]:~ Drop Everything

 

~:[CH14 - Day 202]:~ Drop Everything

I was supposed to go out today, but I dropped everything and just laid in bed recovering from a busy weekend. I had a lot of editing to do, so I turned my attention to that instead and had a lazy day indoor day where I avoided the heat. It was good that I did as it took most of the day to finish up the editing and posts along with the videos from the day before. It's funny how quickly work piles up when we are busy, but why not give ourselves a chance to catch up. We don't always have to fill our schedules, as it's okay to drop everything once in awhile to do things we have been meaning to get to. I found a photos I snapped on the rain in Osaka and was able to do a few edits to it before wrapping up my Osaka Expo album and by day's end, I felt happy knowing that while there was something else I could have done, I did something that would make me content even if others would not think of it as a day well spent. Don't think about others when planning what's best for you, as while you want to be considerate, you also need to take care of yourself first, which sometimes means dropping everything.

~:[CH14 - Day 201]:~ A Celebration & Farewells

 

~:[CH14 - Day 201]:~ A Celebration & Farewells

It was a joyous celebration as Asobi System celebrated their 18th anniversary at AsobiExpo. It was cool to see such a variety of artists perform and capture some of the special moments for these artists. It was truly a celebration as fans gathered from all around. I could feel the fatigue in my body after an early morning shoot and everything from the day before, but I powered through and enjoyed all the great moments. I was sad to see a close to this wonderful weekend, but luckily I ended up with one last celebration as I ate with a group of people I've grown close to over the past few years. It was a nice way to relax before we parted ways, but the reality of life began to settle in as everyone began to say their goodbyes. Whenever you have a joyous celebration, it's great to see everyone after awhile, however, at the end of the night, you forget that you have to say goodbye as you part for however long it will be until the next reunion. While I often linger on the sadness when I have to part with those who I enjoy being with, I'll be content knowing that I had the opportunity to celebrate alongside them. Let's celebrate the chance we had and hope for a quick reunion with those who we truly hold dear.

~:[CH14 - Day 200]:~ Community

~:[CH14 - Day 200]:~ Community 

After a quick shoot, it was a day where I could enjoy the day itself. I got to soak in the performance of AG and meet up with the community of fans from around the world. While compiling media over time, I've met so many people from around the world who are fans and this whole process has truly been a blessing. The 10th anniversary event was amazing and I truly enjoyed the different experience as it was my first time being there for an event in Japan for AG. At dinner was when it was most evident of the worldwide feel as the group was composed of people from America, Europe, and Asia including other areas in Japan. We took a photo at the end and just looking at the composition of the group, it truly was mind-blowing. Some things can bring people together like no other and music is definitely one that can do so. As I walked around with one of the most well-known fans of AG, it was cool to see where everyone was from who came up asking for photos. I was exhausted by night's end as I jumped on the last train and barely made it back home, but the anxiety of "will I make it?" was well worth the experience I and today with a group of people who brought me in and made me feel like part of this community. 

 

~:[CH14 - Day 199]:~ Beauty in the Air

~:[CH14 - Day 199]:~ Beauty in the Air

I headed out to meet a friend out in Kamakura where I also went to capture some photos. Today, I avoided the crowds and went to the beach area instead. While there were still people, it wasn't the masses like at the temples and shrines. It was nice to walk around despite the hot weather as I enjoyed the beauty in the air. After a few other things, I roamed the streets of Shinjuku and enjoyed the musicians as they did their thing. I love discovering what's out there on the music scene as some artists start out like this and event move to their own shows and possibly a bigger stage. The sound of music filled the air in a day filled with so much beauty for all the senses. Life has so much beauty to offer, we just need to go out and search for it. Don't give up and keep your search on for the beauty in the air that awaits you.

~:[CH14 - Day 198]:~ The Work That Remains

 

~:[CH14 - Day 198]:~ The Work That Remains

The performance was last night, but the work remained today. I had a lot of editing between two shoots, which left me a big exhausted. Both were not easy environments and involved a bulk of shots, thus the work that remained was immense. Behind the scenes, most don't see the work that remains, but it often involves the most important parts. After events, the clean up is a huge responsibility, while after meetings, maintaining connections is key. Even with friends and family, after a get together, even something as simply reaching out is important. For all of us, the work that remains can be quite tedious, but it's always important for us to wrap it up before pivoting to what is next. I wrapped up some of my work, the headed out to say hello to a friend before a meeting up north. I didn't realize how far the meeting was and almost missed the train back as I didn't realize how much time had past. Even getting home is something that needs to be taken care of. I sent my thank you messages out and reached out to everyone before calling it a night, but still yet, even when wrapping up all this work, tomorrow, I'll refocus and get the work done that needs to be completed. Let's tie up those lose ends!

~:[CH14 - Day 197]:~ Every Little Detail

 
~:[CH14 - Day 197]:~ Every Little Detail

How detailed should we be in our preparation in what we do? In working with this ballet dancer, I've learned how they focus on the minute details to make sure that their performances flows well, even if that change isn't evident to the naked eye. In just a few weeks, they will perform, however, still, they're hammering out every little detail. It takes time, it takes focus, and it takes understanding your craft. If we focus on these types of details, sometimes we will run out of time, but if we leave enough time to prepare, maybe we can focus on all these little details and make things work out. It's not always something we have time for, but when we do, let's aim to perfect out craft by aiming to adjust even the smallest things so we can flow through life. I'm excited to see the final production just before I head back home and I think it will be a good lesson for me to take back, make sure I focus on all the smaller things that will make the bigger picture come together a little easier. 

~:[CH14 - Day 196]:~ An Oasis?

 

~:[CH14 - Day 196]:~ An Oasis?

It was hot. From the early morning, I was wondering if I was going to faint sometime during the day. I prepared. I had an umbrella, I drank water, and still yet, I was suffering. Doing a shoot in this weather was tough, but we got a few shots early on and that was that. Of course, most of the time, we got to enjoy the beauty of the Expo. Despite the challenges of reservations and the like, the exchange to experiences all this beautiful architecture and all these amazing things made it worth it. One after another, I saw beautiful structure after beautiful structure and there were some cool exhibits. If you like Louis Vuitton, there were sections in the French pavilion that were incredible. It was hands down, the best one. One after another, I was please just to look at the buildings and after eight hours, I only got to see about 1/3. It felt like an oasis after walking through this heatwave, but at day's end, I had no doubt that it was worth braving the heat to experience it all. It's a place that has something for everyone, the only thing that could make it better would be the weather, but there isn't much we can do about that, now can we?

~:[CH14 - Day 195]:~ Lucky 13

 
~:[CH14 - Day 195]:~ Lucky 13

Through my many travels, almost everytime I've been in a hotel large enough, it skips the 13th floor. I vaguely remember this happening at this hotel before as this topic rings a bell. Regardless, no matter what we think of superstitious things, often, our response to them will help determine the outcome. Often, a negative mindset may bring a greater likelihood of a negative outcome. Today was anything but negative as I reconnect with a friend and we grabbed a bite to eat. The rain that had been pouring down stopped most of the time that we were out and we ended up finding a great restaurant to eat out after wandering through the crowds of Osaka. As while often times 13th is associated with something negative, it's only a belief, so let's do our best to keep a positive mindset nd bringer luck to ourselves even when we land on the 13.

~:[CH14 - Day 194]:~ On Air

 

~:[CH14 - Day 194]:~ On Air

I originally was suppose to go to Hiroshima today, but a schedule change had me staying in Fukuoka another day to catch the radio broadcast at FM Fukuoka. It was cool to sit in and watch an artist complete a full broadcast live right in front of you. It was fun to hear the back and forth with the virtual interviewer and although I could barely hear him, his energy was evident. I was amazed at how the whole process went seamless even though it seemed as if they were getting a layer prep. We had a quick chat after before saying our goodbyes. While I am sad I missed Hiroshima again, I was glad to have this experience in a live studio in Japan. When I got back, I opened my windows once more as I checked out the trains moving below me. I loved this hotel despite how loud the trains were as while many would prefer peace and quiet, I loved this view from high above. It was fun Fukuoka. With a bowl of ramen, I bid farewell to a place I will return to eventually. 

~:[CH14 - Day 193]:~ The Opposite

 

~:[CH14 - Day 193]:~ The Opposite 

Have you ever had a day that is the exact opposite of the one you had before? There was a lot that was different. The weather in Sendai was cool enough that a sweater was comfortable, but when I arrived in Fukuoka it was hot and humid. The two artists  I was covering were actually quite different in terms of their style. With an earlier start, I went straight from the airport to my hotel, grabbed some lunch, then headed to the venue. Luckily, everything is pretty condensed in the city, although it was a bit crowded. I saw some familiar faces during the show, which was interesting as I did a previous event in Japan, while yesterday, I knew nobody aside from the artists. No matter if you're used to a certain routine or a certain way feels right, life is volatile and constantly changes. There is no one way where you'll find success, happiness, or joy. Even if it went well one time, it may change the next. If it look or feels different, it doesn't mean it can't invoke the same feelings. Keep your mind open to what the road ahead gives you as sometimes the best opportunities are not as clear as they my be scene, even being the opposite of what you're looking for. Sometimes when the directions in life say to turn left, take a chance and make a right to see what's out there on the opposite.

~:[CH14 - Day 192]:~ Reunited in a Distant Place

 

~:[CH14 - Day 192]:~ Reunited in a Distant Place

I've never been to Sendai, but I found myself heading on the shinkansen in that direction. It was cool to catch up with Kaoru Miyazaki after two years. Since the timing hasn't quite worked out, we've never been in the same spot at the same time. With her birthday premiere, I decided to make my way up north to catch it. She has one of the most powerful voices I've heard and I only wish I could hear her in a concert hall, as I always miss the timing for her main events. Regardless, it was nice to be among a small group enjoying the beautiful music that seemed to just run through my veins from the beautiful sounds of the guitar to her powerful voice. As we chatted, we realized this is the first performance I've been at in Japan, as the only other time was a shoot, but as I left, we promised that it wouldn't be the last. It's always strange that often times I will not see someone locally and reunite with them in a distance place, while in the case of many of the artists I take photographs of, it's often the opposite case. Regardless, for both at least one of us, we're meeting in a distant place.  Regardless of where we meet, however, I am just glad that we can make the connection and create a feeling that leaves us longing to connect again in the future. I look forward to where I will see you all next.

~:[CH14 - Day 191]:~ The Angry Skies Overhead

~:[CH14 - Day 191]:~ The Angry Skies Overhead

Whenever a lightning storm lights up the sky, I can't help but look at it. There's something so fascinating about nature and the roars and flashes of light coming from the sky. My imagination always run wild as I imagine the Greek gods battling overhead or a huge battle of troops lined up overhead, having a supreme war. Often times, the storm comes and goes, but tonight it lingered overhead and I captured this moment in a video. It was amazing to see. Life comes with it's great moments, but also those where we face struggles. The struggles of moving through this storm were realm. However, something within this struggle is quite beautiful. Whether a lesson learned, some growth or something your figured out along the way, within those angry skies lies something beautiful. It's not always easy to see right away, however, when you scroll back through your memory, you may find that single frame that leaves you in awe amongst the many frames that left you cold, wet and struggling. Trust yourself and know you can face the storm, but even when you struggle, look for that single frame that lies within the chaos.

~:[CH14 - Day 190]:~ By Chance

~:[CH14 - Day 190]:~ By Chance

The day was quite a challenge as my last meal in Thailand made the day difficult, but I didn't let that stop me. My flight landed and hour late and so I quickly headed over to my place, showered and then went to my meeting for a future shoot. I then headed to a pop up before I headed to Kinshicho. We went to Starbucks and I sat down and I mentioned how the person next to us looked like my cousin. They ended up leaving soon thereafter, but I found out it was my cousin. What are the chances? Same place, same time, and not that close to where we are both located. I was a bit sad as I didn't say hello, but was still in awe of the chances. I ended up eating dinner near Ikebukuro with an alumni. While my stomach wasn't having it, I powered through and made it to day's end exhausted. The timing of the day worked out perfectly as by chance, everyone's available aligned to my schedule. It often times doesn't work out this nicely as we have to pick and choose what to do on a given day as I had to do multiple times during this trip, however, life sometimes plays into our favor and treats us kindly. As I gear up for the busiest stretch of the trip, I wonder how the rest of it will play out. Will everything conflict or by chance, will all the pieces of the puzzle come together. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

~:[CH14 - Day 189]:~ Rain Delay

~:[CH14 - Day 189]:~ Rain Delay

I always dislike rescheduling. My schedule is often so packed, there's no room to budget, thus, when something changes, it throws a wrench in my plans. Luckily, the shoot in Hokkaido never came to fruition and thus, I didn't have to rush after my flight was delayed and hour. My entire day was summarized by the weather as I decided to stay in after being exhausted from the day before. I worked on a reel and by the time I finished, it was a little too late to head out, so I stayed in and listened to the thunder rumble a few times outside. Of course, because of this, I made the amateur mistake of eating Thai food before my flight. Thai food is fine, but I ate spicy Thai food, which left my stomach in an interesting spot. I hope the flight goes well despite it, but I hope my mistake doesn't lead to other issues. Sometimes delays in life knock us off course. When we face a detour, be sure to have a plan, stay focused, or look for other possibilities that exists as there probably are many. As I sadly wrapped up my time in Bangkok, I sent a few messages to my friends and headed off. It will probably be. yesr before I see them aagain, but even if we face. delay in our reunion, I'll be sure we free remain connected, as somethings are worth the extra effort. 

~:[CH14 - Day 188]:~ Year After Year

 

~:[CH14 - Day 188]:~ Year After Year

Everything didn't quite work out as planned. with everyone something came up and our plans were up in the air. It ended up that I was able to meet Ami in the morning. We grabbed a bite to eat and I took her bowling for the first time. She was actually great and scored a 78. She had somewhere to go, so we sadly parted and I headed to the Sixth to visit my friends' cafe. We have made it a annual event where I visit them and then we go out afterward. With a few curveball, weeks thought things might have tp be rescheduled, but things ended up working out. We grabbed a nice dinner, chatted more over dessert and headed off our separate ways as well. I was a little sad that things happened so quickly, however, I was happy that I got the chance to see them again. For my beautiful friends at the Sixth, I got to meet their children for the first time as we discovered it had been ten years since I first walked through the doors of their shop. It's amazing how much time passes, yet also how much things stay the same. I hope that my friendship with them continues for years despite the distance between us. Life always has a strange way of bringing people together. Often times it's temporary as people slowly drift apart, however, other time, you establish something that becomes apart of you. These three and incredible people and are a maintain in my life and have truly become something I look forward to, Year after year. 

~:[CH14 - Day 187]:~ The Interconnected World

 

~:[CH14 - Day 187]:~ The Interconnected World

I landed in Bangkok after a few days in Indonesia covering Prambanan Jazz Festival. Upon landing, I went to grab some snacks and picked up a few bags of Lays which were branded with BT21 characters. I met with a fried who just flew in from Dubai and we ate Korean food. When you travel around the world, access to other cultures is everywhere. From food to music and everything in between, we live in a world that is Interconnected. The past few days, I experienced a large group of Indonesians celebrating with Jae, as they appreciate his music halfway around the world. Similarly, this is the case with many things around thr wotld. Diversity is what keeps thing progressing as we learn and grow from each other. There are definitely places where hatred and animosity exist, even in my own front yard, but I am often encouraged as I travel, as the world finds ways to connect. I hope we can allow ourselves to accept other's differences to allow for us to connect even further. Just because someone is different than us, doesn't make them distant. We can learn from them and appreciate what they can teach us and expose us to. I was sad to say goodbye to Indonesia, but I look forward to another few beautiful days with my friends in Bangkok so I can continue to learn and grow, adding to this Interconnected world.

~:[CH14 - Day 186]:~ Castle in the Sky

~:[CH14 - Day 186]:~ Castle in the Sky

What is your dream? Where will you free a sense of happiness that will go unmatched? For me, while I may not have th exact answer to this, capturing moments through photo and video has always been one way I've found joy; capturing those moments you never want to forget or even something that seems so basic, but will be valued at some point in your life, such as a photo with a loved one. While Jae's song itself isn't about this, when I hear those words, this is what I imagine. A Jar handed me a lightstick and said, "this is for you." Another said, we'll use this during Castle in the Sky. I didn't capture this moment, but still have it recorded in my mind alongside many other interactions I had this weekend. As I think back, one of the things that makes me the happiest is seeing other going the extra mile to help out others, showing humanity and giving respect, and ultimately just being  genuinely sincere. I witnessed so much of that this weekend from the simplest of greetings, to the unwavering support, and even all the thank yous Jae said to the crowd, showing his genuine appreciation of their support, not just for his performance, but supporting him in all that he does. We all need that support in our lives, but it only happens when we are all willing to lend each other a helping hand in allowing us to reach that castle in the sky we aim to reach. We all have a dream and strive for that happiness and it's together that we get there. This weekend, the Jars continued to remind me about that and for that I am forever grateful. Terima Kasih. 

~:[CH14 - Day 185]:~ Something Beyond Joy

 

~:[CH14 - Day 185]:~ Something Beyond Joy

You know those moments in life that leave you speechless. The moments that bring you so much joy and even a tear to your eye, but joy cannot accurately describe it, because it's ao much more. That's how tonight felt. It was something beyond joy. As Jae stepped on stage, you could feel the anticipation from the Jars and the others in attendance. Then he let it go. His voice echoed through the area as the beautiful temple of Prambanan was lit up in the background. The weather was cool and crisp and the energy was high. It was a bit of a challenge before I arrived as the traffic was difficult and I had to navigate to the right place, but once a fan of eaJ introduced herself, everything felt a little easier and I relaxed, enjoying their energy. It was great to see their love and devotion to Jae and I know he felt it as well as he kept showing his appreciation towards them. His performance felt like a dream at points as I soaked in the feeling as I stood a bit further back from the stage with the Jars who were dancing around. The feeling of freedom made me smile and made every sacrifice and challenge during this journey worth it. Life doesn't always treat us well, but it's moments like these that show you the reason to keep pushing forward and never giving up. I know Jae felt how incredible moments this was and I know that it wouldn't haven't been possible without the constant support of these incredible Indonesian Jars who have given so much to support Jae. I was lucky to have been among them as they reminded me about how much sincerity and devotion can mean to someone especially when they're facing challenging times. Let's be those people who uplift others so we can all experience a moment like this, something beyond joy.

~:[CH14 - Day 184]:~ Figuring It Out

 

~:[CH14 - Day 184]:~ Figuring It Out

I was as lost as ever trying to figure out how to get around in a place that was unfamiliar. I filled out the health form and custom forms as I walked to the gate, I walked into the wrong room when exiting as it looked like I would get questioned, and then I ended up doing a lap around the airport avoiding everyone asking if I needed a taxi before arriving to the airport train. A little anxiety is one of the most valuable things as you're forced to figure things out, create a plan, while also thinking of an alternative in case it doesn't work out. Sure, it was uncomfortable, but it also helped me learn, grow, observe, and most importantly, problem solve.solved. As a teacher, I always get, what is the correct answer. In life, often, there are no correct answers. It will leave you on your toes not knowing if you made the right decision until it's too late and that's perfectly fine. Grow from your mistakes, learn from your decision, and every once in awhile, get lost in life. With the help of many of the Indonesian Jars, I actually made it to Yogyakarta, then successfully survived the rush to the commuter train, crossed the impossible street as I experienced real life Frogger, before finding the comforts of my hotel. I ended up resting for the night as the flight was quite brutal, but I enjoyed my first ever meal in Indonesia and am glad that I took the more challenging route, as I faced the anxiety the life throws at you sometimes and it forced me to figure it out. While having the right answer is comforting, let's approach life sometimes knowing that our answer may not be correct one, but might just be the right one under the circumstances.

~:[CH14 - Day 183]:~ A Wanderer

~:[CH14 - Day 183]:~ A Wanderer

As I wander from place to place, I like to observe. I observe as I walk, I constantly think, and my thoughts all lead to this blog. While only one of those ideas eventually make it here, a million thoughts run through my mind in a course of a day. The past few days, I thought about the point that is always made about Japanese people and how respectful and proper they are. However, the one thing you have to realize that it's something ingrained into society. Stand on the left and let others pass on the right for instance is a common thing in Tokyo, however, when efficiency clashes with those standards, in Japan, efficiency wins. In a lot of cases, people will still follow the arrows, but because warned that during rush hour, things change as that half up and half down becomes the majority of whatever benefits that moment. It also helped me realize that a lot of this is to help with efficiency. Still yet, as many who work hard and follow the rules here, there still are those who will break the norm especially when you go to places like Shinjuku at night and yes, those who leave trash behind are not always foreigners. When you truly watch people though, you have to wonder what are one of those many millions of thoughts running through their heads? Is it about work, family, life, or simply something random? For a tourist, do they consciously think about those whose lives they impact when they visit or do they see that spot as their new playground? Do people think about following the standards since they are there or is it in fear of being scorned by others? So many random thoughts jumbled in my mind as I wondered. I am not one to ask questions, as I just assumed and create a story in my own mind as I wander from place to place. Who knows the true story aside from that person will never be known, but what is known is that each person I see as I wander has their own story, their own message, and their own reasons. It's easy for someone to judge and to assume, but the reality is, we don't know the whole story or full context. Let's do our best to understand each other, work with each other, and most of all, truly respect each other. When we do, we can create a world that simply works. 

~:[CH14 - Day 182]:~ Echoing Through The Halls

 
~:[CH14 - Day 182]:~ Echoing Through The Halls

I hung out with a friend before I ended up venturing around Shibuya. I wanted to check out the Tower Records as there is always something going on. I was about to head home with the rain looming overhead, but I made my way out towards the Shiodome to get a shot of Yuto's advertisement. It ends up that it's a fairly packed area as it was tough to get a shot. As I waited, I was able to capture the performance of CapChuuul. The sounds of the performance echoed through the hall as the masses of people moved through the station. It caught some people's ear while others just passed on my. In life, we walked through a similar hallway, trying to reach our destination. When we raise our voice, people will hear, but will they stop to hear what we have to say? As the passerbyers, are we listening to the message? The question is, do we care enough when someone is giving it their all trying to capture your attention. Let's listen and let's also not be afraid to let our voices to echo in the halls of life as at some point, people will begin to listen when you care about your message. Patience, perseverance, and determination will be keys, but if you keep allowing your voice to echo, it will eventually reach the ears of those who have been waiting to hear it. I listened to the rain before it cleared and walked around looking at the Tokyo Tower illuminated in the night's sky wondering who is out there listening.