Tag: lifestyle blog

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From Cookie Cravings to Homemade Treats: A Lesson in Grocery Planning

Written December 22, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

I decided to bake a batch of cookies. I usually get a box of cookies from the grocery store, which contains about 10 cookies. For some reason, I forgot to get some cookies yesterday. I was distracted with the ingredients for the dessert I wanted to make for the family Christmas party. 

My wife is not fond of forgetting to purchase anything or wasting food due to purchasing too much. So, my wife creates a grocery list for the menu for the following weeks. I am good at not getting extra items just because I saw them. I have a simple list I always want to get, nothing more.

This week was a bit unusual. I had to pick up extra items for the Christmas party, and I really should have taken a page from my wife’s book and made a proper shopping list. To make things trickier, one of the items I usually buy was relocated to a different section of the store. While searching for it, I got sidetracked and wandered past the cookie display—tempting, to say the least!

I felt a bit disappointed, but then I remembered we still had a bag of chocolate chips and some walnuts left over from other projects. That got me thinking about baking chocolate chip cookies this week. Since I already need to bake for Christmas, I’ll find a way to fit them in. It’ll just take an hour of dedicated time to whip up a batch.

I did learn something valuable, though. Whenever I need to pick up more than the usual items, I should make a shopping list. Even with just a few extra things, there’s always a chance I might forget something for one reason or another.

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Chasing the Final Kilometers: Lessons from My Year-End Running Challenge

Written December 12, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

I’ve caught up on the kilometers I needed to reach my end-of-year goal. It was intense, as I had to increase my running distance significantly to reach 1,000 km. I’ll complete my goal if I run at least 20 km over the next few weeks. I realized how much I’ve been running per week for the last couple of weeks. When I checked my log, I was running approximately 40km every week. I’ve been feeling more tired in the morning, and I can see why.

I will be running less, and I will start working on my running pace again. Since I’ve been running 40k each week over the past two weeks, dropping down to an average of 10 per week should be relatively relaxing. Hopefully, I can use that ease to refocus on speed.  

While running today, I met another Japanese person in our neighborhood, and I was excited to pass on the information I’d gleaned about him to my wife. He is walking a Siberian Husky named Yume. I also learned that he has four Shiba Inu. He was a professional soccer player but is now married to an American. I spoke to him in a few sentences in Japanese. 

I know I was reckless in changing my goal at the last minute. It was a calculated change, though. I was so damn close to reaching 1,000, and I thought there was no reason not to get that clean 3-digit running kilometer on my belt. 

It was hard regardless because I increased my running distance significantly. However, I learned something from the past few weeks: not to give in as often as I did over the year. For example, I frequently switched the 10k Saturday run to a 5k run. I’ve also skipped a few runs due to extreme weather.

We have had a few freezing days in the last few weeks, but I did not give in because I had a goal to achieve. I also learned to avoid extreme heat by running early in the morning. I modified my exercise schedule so I don’t get my legs worked up too much. So, I should be able to avoid the biggest deterrent next year and shouldn’t have to play catchup next December like I did this year.

So, overall, I did everything right.

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A First Taste of Adventure: Discovering Bubble Tea

Written 4/23/2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Today, my wife and I are set to explore a new culinary delight: bubble tea. This drink is something neither of us had sampled before, and we decided it was high time we changed that.

A few weeks back, my wife burst into my room with a question that caught me off guard: “Have you ever tried bubble tea?” When I admitted my inexperience, she excitedly proclaimed, “Brian, we have to try bubble tea—it looks so yummy!” Curiously, although she had seen bubble tea before, her sudden urge to try it puzzled me. But before I could inquire further, she explained, “Brian, I watched someone enjoying it on YouTube, and the joy on her face was infectious. I just had to find out what was making her smile like that.”

Interestingly, she hadn’t even seen a bubble tea ad. My wife usually listens to YouTube in the background rather than watching any of the channels, so for her to watch someone actively enjoying their drink was unusual.

After her revelation, she got into planning mode. Planning is crucial for her, even something as simple as trying a new drink. She dove into researching and soon came back with options for three bubble tea shops, just in case one was closed.

Next, she had to sift through her busy schedule to find the right time for our bubble tea adventure. She’s been swamped with preparing corporate taxes and budgets these days, so her free time is precious. She believes in picking the perfect moment for new experiences, especially when they can offer a respite from her work stress. Sometimes, her meticulous planning reminds me of Steris from the “Mistborn 2nd Era” series—before going digital, she used to carry her hefty planner everywhere.

Today, she declared, was the ideal day for our bubble tea expedition. The timing felt right because we planned to travel to the Keys tomorrow. I was more than happy to accompany her. When she sets her mind on something, she follows through, and I must admit, my curiosity about this drink has grown. Bubble tea may become our next favorite treat.

In our shared quest for new experiences, these little adventures not only add a dash of excitement to our lives but also bring us closer together. The anticipation is palpable as we prepare to step out and taste our first bubble tea. These moments, filled with simple joys and discoveries, enrich our days and create cherished memories. Maybe it’s the thrill of the unknown or the delight in sharing these firsts with each other, but whatever the outcome, today promises to be a delightful exploration of flavor and fun.