February Roundup

Hey, blog. It’s me. Yes, me. I’m just here to say that I’m alive and I’ve actually done something productive for the month. It’s tax season, and I’ve managed to finish both my Japanese and US taxes, hallelujah! Or, I’ve filed them electronically. I’m just waiting for confirmation that I did everything right. As usual, it was a struggle navigating through the Japanese one because … Continue reading February Roundup

Chilled

Today is the middle of the work week. My husband and I just had a leisurely breakfast and spent an hour talking about random stuff. It started out with my husband talking about work and what his co-workers were doing today. For some reason, we moved on to discussing the differences between American homes and Japanese houses. How my parents and my sister both own … Continue reading Chilled

Bonus

Yes, you read that right. My husband handed me a small slip of paper the other day and said he was getting a bonus. Oh, right. It’s December. Some workers in Japan, if you’re lucky enough to be working for an organization that does it, get a summer and winter bonus. Hubby is one of those lucky people. I am not. Sigh. So I look … Continue reading Bonus

National Labor Thanksgiving Day

Today is November 23, 2020. In Japan it is Kinrō Kansha no Hi or 勤労感謝の日 in Japanese. It’s meant to be a day to celebrate labor, the productivity of Japanese people. Appropriately, it’s a National Holiday and lots of people have a day off from work. Except for me, of course. But I don’t resent it. I find it extremely fitting that I would be … Continue reading National Labor Thanksgiving Day

Shuukatsu: End of Life Activities

I went a funeral this weekend. My husband’s 86-year-old uncle passed away. We heard the news on Sunday and spent the weekend with family. While the funeral itself was somber, it wasn’t as tearful as I’d expected. Pretty much everyone knew he’d been at the hospital being treated for cancer. Everyone was emotionally prepared for his death, had made their peace with him before he … Continue reading Shuukatsu: End of Life Activities

Agency

What do you do when everything is uncertain and your life is in limbo? So many unknowns in this world… Or maybe I am just making this all more difficult than I need to? I need to get down to the basics and keep working on what I have to do. The Game Plan still hasn’t changed: the goal is still financial independence(FI) and establishing … Continue reading Agency

Affirmations

I am becoming financially independent. I am creating multiple streams of income that will be sustainable and that will generate at least $10,000 a month. I am taking the steps that will lead me to this goal. I live a life of purpose, humility, gratitude, and kindness. Every morning, before I start my day, I say these words out loud to put myself in a … Continue reading Affirmations

Hobbies

What are you guys’ hobbies? Are they expensive? Do they take up a lot of time? Why did you guys decide to pick it up? For the past two months, while I was busy working for my school and just being a wife, I fell into a hobby I never thought I would get into: writing fiction. And I’ve published my stories anonymously and gotten … Continue reading Hobbies

Pinching Pennies

I am at the grocery store, waiting for the clerk at the register to ring up all my food. He scans two heads of broccoli. The price of one was at ¥211. Wait a minute, I think to myself. Those are supposed to be ¥198 each! I frown, but I hold my silence. I have my pride. I’m not going to argue with him over … Continue reading Pinching Pennies