HAPPY NEW YEAR

"May 2025 bring you continued success and happiness",

"May the coming year bring you boundless opportunities, growth, and memorable moments".

2025 for myself will be the year that I tackle the “Language Barrier”.

Look, learning a new language—especially Japanese—isn’t easy. It’s a grind. It’s like trying to read a book with a blindfold on. But here’s the thing: it’s necessary. When you’re living in a place like Japan, learning the language isn’t just about ordering food or asking for directions. It’s about connecting—with your family, your friends, the people around you. You want to be part of their world, not just some guy who shows up with a smile and a thumbs-up.

Being able to speak the language opens doors. It lets you have real conversations, make deeper connections, and really navigate life here. Without it, you’re kind of just floating through, looking like an outsider. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to feel like I’m in the room but not really in the room.

So yeah, it’s frustrating as hell. Some days I feel like I’m back in kindergarten, trying to figure out what the hell I just said. But if you want to live fully in a new country, if you want to build relationships that go beyond just waving and smiling—learning the language? That’s the key. It’s a challenge, but it’s also a bridge to something way more meaningful.