Caps and Head Shape

I have an issue with wearing caps. For some reason, my head shape allows me to carry off wearing sunglasses, glasses, or hats. However, when I wear caps, it just makes me look funny. I do like wearing hats, especially those that don't mess up my hairstyle. Over the past few years, I've been wearing hats now and then.

A New Find in Nagoya

During this trip to Nagoya, I happened to find a nice shop that sells a cap I really like. The strange thing is that there's actually some kind of velcro within the head itself that allows me to adjust the size to fit my head shape. I didn't need to use it, but it was nice to know that there was something like this. I like the fact that there's enough room for my hair to not be affected by the cap. This way, if I remove it indoors, it doesn't change my hairstyle.

Key Insight

I guess that's something I will be using for my trips from now on, here and there.

Nagoya, Japan Trip

I think that my Nagoya, Japan trip was a good trip. More so because I didn't have to rush all over the place and could take time to really wander around the different districts of Nagoya. It was great that I made a trip to Ise Jingu, which is actually not in Nagoya itself, but further south. Ise Jingu, being the most holy shrine in Japan, was actually an eye-opener. It was less touristy and really for those devoted Japanese who are there to make an offering.

Culinary Delights

This trip also allowed me to eat quite a lot of interesting Nagoya local food. I tried Masazaka beef as well as a local sandwich called Okura sandwich. It is a toast with margarine, whipped cream, and their local red bean, which was really nice. Another thing I remember enjoying was the steamed eel rice, which was great as well. I managed to try almost all kinds of delicacies in Nagoya. Of course, this is going to make me gain some weight, which I will have to lose when I'm back to my exercise routine.

Nagoya's Underrated Charm

All in all, I think it's nice to visit Nagoya. I always feel that Nagoya is one of those neglected cities, with Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo stealing the limelight. Because of that, it is not as popular with tourists. But the reality is that it's actually the fourth most populous city around. If you look at the history of Japan, the whole shogunate actually started off from Nagoya. It has a very rich history, especially during the warring states period in Nagoya when all the shoguns and samurais were out and about.

Exploring Sampakoi

It was just a Sunday where we decided to try somewhere new. We discovered a small Sunday street food area or market in the Sampakoi area. Concerned about congestion, I chose to take my motorcycle to get there.

The Atmosphere

The area was a bit small, but there were still people out and about. We saw both locals and tourists exploring, trying some of the local food, and hanging around. However, there wasn't enough seating, so many people had to buy food to take home or take away. There were just one or two cafes along the main road.

Overall Impression

Overall, I think it's worth a one-time visit. It's slightly small, so some might find it a bit too cozy, as you can cover it within a short period of time.

Today's thoughts started somewhere unexpected. A random online conversation with a friend, nothing more than a fleeting exchange of words and ideas, but sometimes, that's all it takes. A spark, a comment, and suddenly, the mind starts to wander.

My friend was talking about feeling drained or tired lately, something we've all felt at some point. But his weariness had a particular sting. He's been accompanying his father for chemotherapy treatments, sharing the burden with his mom. In that hospital, surrounded by old folks, he found it hard to generate energy.

I found myself nodding, understanding his words. It's good to surround oneself with likeminded people, he said. There was truth in that. We feed off each other's energies, thrive on shared passions and dreams.
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But what happens when the well runs dry? What do you do when you're the one who has to be the source of energy, the wellspring?

I thought about my friend's predicament, the difficult road he's walking. But then something else occurred to me. There's something powerful in being the giver, in being the one to emanate energy from within. It's not always about receiving, about drawing from others. Sometimes, it's about finding a higher calling, a deeper meaning.

For my friend, it could be his duty as a son, his love for his father. In these tough times, he's finding the strength to provide care, to be there. It's a noble act, an act that requires him to dig deep, to find something more within himself.
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When the energy level is low, sometimes we need to step back, take a deep breath, and ask ourselves, "Why am I doing what I am doing now?" That simple question, that moment of introspection, can reveal so much.

More often than not, we may realize that what's making us tired or what seems like a chore may not be a chore after all. In that understanding, in that clarity, we might find joy in the act. We may discover that the very thing that's wearing us down is also lifting us up because we find a greater meaning in it.

I ended the conversation with my friend with a newfound respect for his journey, for his strength. I saw him not just as someone seeking energy but as someone giving, sharing, loving.

In the end, we're all searching for meaning, for a reason to keep going. And sometimes, it's not about looking outward but inward, finding that energy source within us, tapping into something profound and beautiful.

The next time you find yourself weary, the next time the weight of life feels too heavy, pause for a moment, ask yourself why, and listen to what your heart has to say. You might be surprised at what you find. Sometimes, the answers we seek are right there, hidden in plain sight, waiting to be discovered. All we have to do is look.

I’m full on energy to start the week ahead.

I woke up at 6am on Monday. The sun was shining through the window and I felt a surge of vitality in my veins. I had a good sleep, a good dream, a good feeling. I was ready to face the day and the week ahead.

I had many ideas in my head, buzzing like bees. Ideas for work, for life, for fun. I felt passionate about what I was going to do, what I was going to create, what I was going to achieve. I had a vision, a purpose, a drive.

I looked at my to-do list and it was long. But it didn’t scare me or overwhelm me. It motivated me and challenged me. It was all self-driven, all things that I wanted to do, not things that I had to do. I was excited by it, actually. I felt like I had control over my own destiny.

I got up and got ready. I had a quick breakfast, a cup of cold chinese tea, a shower. I put on some music, some upbeat tunes that matched my mood. I checked my email, my messages, my social media. 

I felt alive and happy. I felt like nothing could stop me.

I’m full on energy to start the week ahead.

And you know what?
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It feels good.