This past spring, my maternal grandfather died at the age of 103. I thought about writing about him and his incredible life, but I have great difficulty dealing and thinking about death. Because of that, instead of writing about my thoughts on my grandfather’s death, I decided to write about my thoughts on
Tag: life
To Masaharu-kun, My Newly-Married Student-Turned-Friend: May Your Life be Full of Challenges and Opportiunities
To Masaharu-kun,
When I think of our journey together, I can't help but think of how special it is.
We started out as a teacher and a student. You'd just arrived in the U.S. with your family and needed help learning English; I myself was a
In 2022, I Realized the Importance of Always Seeking Challenges
This spring, I was promoted at work. I must confess, it took a bit longer than I expected.
No doubt my general carefree attitude contributed to the delay. For the longest time, the most I wanted to get out of my job was to work on worthy initiatives with great people. Beyond that
In 2020, There Were a Lot of Contemplations
My life motto is “Things happen, life happens,” but even I couldn’t have imagined living through a pandemic.
It’s times like these that make you contemplate life.
In 2019, I Reflected on How Anything Worth Doing Takes Time
This year, I’d like to talk a bit about shogi, the Japanese variation of chess. You may be thinking “but you do that every year,” but this year I hope to give some context to my annual report on how I continuously fail to raise my shogi skill level.
My Dream is to Become the Ben Affleck of the Matt Damon-Ben Affleck Duo (Part II of II)
It's what I call fame through association, and it's exactly what I want.
This is why I'm gregarious with every new person I meet, try to become best friends with everybody I form a bond with, and never turn down an opportunity to hang out with anyone who offers.
My Dream is to Become the Ben Affleck of the Matt Damon-Ben Affleck Duo (Part I of II)
My dream is to become the Ben Affleck of the Matt Damon-Ben Affleck duo.
In case you don't know what I'm talking about, allow me to depict the origins of their stardom, presented in a movie screenplay format:
2018 Was a Year Focused on Achieving Results
Perhaps because I spent most of 2017 thinking about time and how there is never enough of it, I dedicated 2018 to making the most of my limited time seeking to accomplish something new and concrete outside of my day job.
To Jon, My Newly-Married Friend: Thanks for the Lifelong Friendship
Jon,
When I think of lifelong friendships, I think about us.
You’re probably the oldest friend I have. You've known me since the days I barely spoke English, which is hard to believe because these days, I have trouble convincing people that I speak another language.
There's something unique about a childhood friendship. It's formed before we become identified
When I think of lifelong friendships, I think about us.
You’re probably the oldest friend I have. You've known me since the days I barely spoke English, which is hard to believe because these days, I have trouble convincing people that I speak another language.
There's something unique about a childhood friendship. It's formed before we become identified
In 2017, A Lot of Contemplation About Time
This past year, I thought about “time” quite a bit.
In June and September, two of my college roommates got married, and their wedding ceremonies became an occasion for the four roommates to get together for the first time in years. As we bantered much in the same way as we had in college, I
In June and September, two of my college roommates got married, and their wedding ceremonies became an occasion for the four roommates to get together for the first time in years. As we bantered much in the same way as we had in college, I
Joe Michael Sasanuma Obituary
Joe Michael Sasanuma, who earlier today died at the eternal age of 18, never had a moment in which he didn't enjoy life.
He lived by the words "What's the point of living if you can't feel alive?", a line fittingly taken from the James Bond movie "The World is Not Enough". Of the many things
He lived by the words "What's the point of living if you can't feel alive?", a line fittingly taken from the James Bond movie "The World is Not Enough". Of the many things
The Three Rs I Live By–Respect, Responsibility and Restraint
I try to live by the three Rs: Always be Respectful, often be Responsible and sometimes show Restraint.
The first R, the respect, comes from my belief that everyone on earth has the ability to contribute something for the betterment of society.
I suppose it's my faith in the fundamental goodness of human kind that underlies this belief, but the
The first R, the respect, comes from my belief that everyone on earth has the ability to contribute something for the betterment of society.
I suppose it's my faith in the fundamental goodness of human kind that underlies this belief, but the
This Year’s Lenten Reflection is to be More like Christ
I was deeply moved by Lenten passage. It epitomizes what I need to strive for in my journey of faith.
In one sense I have come pretty far in that journey, for I no longer find the having of faith to be that difficult. To be sure, faith has never come easy and it probably never will, but
In one sense I have come pretty far in that journey, for I no longer find the having of faith to be that difficult. To be sure, faith has never come easy and it probably never will, but
To James, My Newly-Married Friend: Don’t Change
Dear James,
As I attended your wedding celebration last week, so many thoughts came rushing through my head.
I thought about our friendship and how it is a reminder that friendships take many forms. You and I attended high school together, yet it was our geographic proximity during graduate school and the discovery then that we
As I attended your wedding celebration last week, so many thoughts came rushing through my head.
I thought about our friendship and how it is a reminder that friendships take many forms. You and I attended high school together, yet it was our geographic proximity during graduate school and the discovery then that we
2016 Was the Year of Changes
If I were to pick one phrase to describe the past year, it would be “The Year of Changes.”
On the professional front, I left Shearman & Sterling in May after seven and a half years at the firm in order to join Amazon in Japan. The jump from being an experienced lawyer at a
On the professional front, I left Shearman & Sterling in May after seven and a half years at the firm in order to join Amazon in Japan. The jump from being an experienced lawyer at a
A New Beginning
This Friday will be my last day at Shearman & Sterling. After seven and a half years, the time is right for me to move on.
When I reflect on my time at Shearman & Sterling, I realize how tremendously fortunate I have been.
I once heard that the average length of a career at a major
When I reflect on my time at Shearman & Sterling, I realize how tremendously fortunate I have been.
I once heard that the average length of a career at a major
To Entitled Eagles: You’re Not Special
Dear Entitled Eagles,
Despite attending a prestigious university called Boston College, there are certain things that you are not entitled to.
First, you’re not entitled to any particular grade. Certainly not an A or a B, or even a C+.
Grades measure your knowledge and abilities, however imperfectly. If you exhibit superior capabilities, you get high marks. If you exhibit deficiencies,
Despite attending a prestigious university called Boston College, there are certain things that you are not entitled to.
First, you’re not entitled to any particular grade. Certainly not an A or a B, or even a C+.
Grades measure your knowledge and abilities, however imperfectly. If you exhibit superior capabilities, you get high marks. If you exhibit deficiencies,
A Modest Suggestion for the Politically Inclined
I have a suggestion for those who are politically interested: surround yourself with people who are disagreeable. Surround yourself with a lot of them.
That means that if you’re in college, odds are you should be seeking people who go to meetings of College Republicans (yes, those people exist, in surprisingly large number). If you’re a working
That means that if you’re in college, odds are you should be seeking people who go to meetings of College Republicans (yes, those people exist, in surprisingly large number). If you’re a working
2014 Was An Uneventfully Fulfilling Year
It is hard to believe, but this past September marked three years since I transferred to Tokyo. I am entering my seventh year with my current employer, meaning that I have now worked in the Tokyo office longer than I did in New York.
How time flies.
Life is interesting in that you remember important milestones in your
How time flies.
Life is interesting in that you remember important milestones in your
Things I Discovered by Googling My Name
Have you ever Googled yourself?
I have, but that probably doesn’t come as a surprise to many of you who know how much of a narcissistic egomaniac I am.
Even if it’s in your nature to be more humble and reserved than I, I still recommend that you occasionally run a search of yourself at www.google.com, if only
I have, but that probably doesn’t come as a surprise to many of you who know how much of a narcissistic egomaniac I am.
Even if it’s in your nature to be more humble and reserved than I, I still recommend that you occasionally run a search of yourself at www.google.com, if only
We All Owe LeBron James an Apology
I may have been wrong about LeBron James for the past four years. In fact, I'm pretty certain that most of us owe him an apology.
As I read his reasons on why he is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers as told to Sports Illustrated, the word "redemption" came to mind. By returning to Cleveland, I thought he's redeeming
As I read his reasons on why he is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers as told to Sports Illustrated, the word "redemption" came to mind. By returning to Cleveland, I thought he's redeeming
My Admiration for Dreamers
I have great admiration for those who chase dreams because they exhibit the best of what it means to have a human experience. I admire them because they live their life to the fullest. Being a dreamer is a prerequisite for greatness.
To Underclassmen Eagles: Make Not Just Friends, But Friends Who Are Different
Dear Underclassman Eagles,
After you graduate from Boston College, you'll realize that your years at Chestnut Hill shaped many aspects of your life. The liberal arts education that instilled a sense of public service is one. The life-long friendships that you formed is another.
As an underclassman, you're likely still building your circle of friends, and to those who
After you graduate from Boston College, you'll realize that your years at Chestnut Hill shaped many aspects of your life. The liberal arts education that instilled a sense of public service is one. The life-long friendships that you formed is another.
As an underclassman, you're likely still building your circle of friends, and to those who
I Hate Indecent People
There is one category of people that I cannot stand, and those are people who are indecent human beings.
I’ve had the misfortune of getting to know far too many more of these people than I care to recall.
I once participated in a group lunch at a restaurant in which our server, a young kid who
I’ve had the misfortune of getting to know far too many more of these people than I care to recall.
I once participated in a group lunch at a restaurant in which our server, a young kid who
Living Life Without Regrets
I don't have a lot of regrets in my life. If forced to name them, I have a list of three to choose from, but people laughed at me the one time I talked about how I forever regret choosing to study for my constitutional law exam instead of attending my very first Brad Paisley concert,
To Eagles Preparing for Senior Year: Commit to Writing a Senior Thesis
Dear Eagles Preparing for Senior Year,
After three years of hard work, I know it's tempting to look at your final year in college as the last hurrah before you have to face the realities of the real world. Workdays, bills and taxes await you after graduation, and I don't blame you for wanting to make
After three years of hard work, I know it's tempting to look at your final year in college as the last hurrah before you have to face the realities of the real world. Workdays, bills and taxes await you after graduation, and I don't blame you for wanting to make
Two Life Lessons From Failure of Johannes Kepler
I had one of the most deeply reflective moments about life in college in, of all places, math class, from a professor who shared a story about a failure of Johannes Kepler before he discovered that the planets orbit the sun in an elliptical curve.
Back in Kepler's days, scientists were aware of only six planets. Kepler
Back in Kepler's days, scientists were aware of only six planets. Kepler
In Memory of John Ezzard (1984-2012)
John was a couple years behind me at Boston College. I don't exactly recall how we initially met, but we quickly became close friends because I was Japanese and he was interested in Japan.
John had a great laugh. He and I come from a different political mold, he of the moderate left and I of
John had a great laugh. He and I come from a different political mold, he of the moderate left and I of
Music Tied to My Life Moments
My life consists of obsessions and it's no different with music. When I buy new music, I listen to it over and over (and over and over) again until it is playing in my head and driving me insane. I then find the next music to obsess about. Because of this, many of the songs
10 Lesson I Never Learned (And Why I’m No Jeremy Lin)
There's Linsanity sweeping across Limerica. Even Forbes magazine has gotten into the Linsanity by posting 10 lessons we can all learn from Jeremy's Linspiration. I read the list and realized why, although also tall and Asia, I'm no Jeremy Lin:
1. Believe in yourself when no one else does.
Because words like "vanity" and "narcissism" have been used
1. Believe in yourself when no one else does.
Because words like "vanity" and "narcissism" have been used
Why I Admire Josh Hamilton Despite (Because of) His Latest Relapse
When I heard that Texas Rangers' outfielder Josh Hamilton relapsed with alcohol again, I felt an indescribable mix of awe, sadness, courage, inspiration and strength. Hamilton epitomizes the best and worst of human beings, the amazing things we are capable of but also the depths to which we can sink. When I look at Hamilton,
Doing Right
This may come as a surprise to some people, but I don't like confrontation. Sure, I love a good argument, but I like arguing about the irrelevant stuff like politics and sports. So long as I'm neither a politician nor a general manager, such debates have zero impact in my life or the world. In
Shoot for the Stars To Hit the Stars
One of my first job interviews in high school was also one of the most memorable. For some reason, I was being interviewed by three people who looked like they were all in college. One guy in particular looked like a punk and he acted like it during the interview.
He, of twenty-odd years old, gave
He, of twenty-odd years old, gave
The Legacy of Steve Jobs
Apple today announced that its founder and Chairman, Steven P. Jobs, has passed away. The world has lost one of a kind.
No description really suits Jobs. He was not just a manager, an inventor, an engineer, an artist, a control freak, a salesman or an inspirational speaker, yet he was in part all of those.
No description really suits Jobs. He was not just a manager, an inventor, an engineer, an artist, a control freak, a salesman or an inspirational speaker, yet he was in part all of those.
Growing Up White And Dealing With an Identity Crises*
I grew up in a quintessential, middle class New Jersey suburb. My parents, who went to college in America, were not typical Japanese expatriates. They cared little for socializing with Japanese people or Japanese pop culture and thus, I grew up with very little Japanese around me. Except for insisting that I attend Japanese school
Nice Guys Finish First
A friend of mine works at a small satellite office of a major law firm. He had only been there a couple months but had been been miserable because one of the partners was an intolerable ass.
Recently, his work life suddenly improved even though his hours got dramatically worse: the partner in question left the
Recently, his work life suddenly improved even though his hours got dramatically worse: the partner in question left the
The Entitlement Generation Needs a Reality Check
I've been hearing the phrase "The Entitlement Generation" a lot lately. It's a phrase I first heard from a boss when I started working and I'm starting to understand what he meant.
I don't know what's causing the sense of entitlement among far too many in the society. The boss thought it was because our generation grew up
I don't know what's causing the sense of entitlement among far too many in the society. The boss thought it was because our generation grew up
Friends Come in Many Forms and Are Meaningful in Different Ways
All friends are different.
Some friends you grew up with. These friends know the you before you matured, became educated and got a job. They are the people you may not become friends with if you met them now because you have grown to have different interests and walk in different circles, but the childhood innocence
Some friends you grew up with. These friends know the you before you matured, became educated and got a job. They are the people you may not become friends with if you met them now because you have grown to have different interests and walk in different circles, but the childhood innocence
What the Earthquake Tells Me About Life
The pictures and videos are all you need to understand that Japan has a long and painful road ahead even before the recovery can begin. But for now, I am thankful that family, friends, and everyone I know in Japan are safe.
When something like this happens to a place and people you know very well,
When something like this happens to a place and people you know very well,
To Tokyo, for New Challenges
At the end of August, I will be transferring to my firm's Tokyo office.
The change is dramatic and spontaneous.
I'm really psyched.
The change is dramatic and spontaneous.
I'm really psyched.
I Have Faith, But It Doesn’t Come Easy
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." --John 20:29
The story of the doubting Thomas is my favorite passage from the bible. It was a favorite passage when I lacked faith because I was a Thomas who needed to see
The story of the doubting Thomas is my favorite passage from the bible. It was a favorite passage when I lacked faith because I was a Thomas who needed to see
To Current Eagles: Seek a Liberal Arts Education, Not a Job Training
Dear Current Eagles,
It may come as a shock to you (and your parents who are footing the enormous tuition), but the purpose of your Boston College education is not to ensure that you have a job after you graduate.
It may come as a shock to you (and your parents who are footing the enormous tuition), but the purpose of your Boston College education is not to ensure that you have a job after you graduate.
Me and Sports: Forgettable but Not Forgotten Past
Me and sports, we have a mutual understanding. Our relationship is fine so long as I don't cross a certain line. That not-so-thin line between observing and playing.
I'd like to whack the person who came up with the saying "practice makes perfect"--and slap anyone who continues to use it. Practice ain't no good when you've
I'd like to whack the person who came up with the saying "practice makes perfect"--and slap anyone who continues to use it. Practice ain't no good when you've
On Being 18 – Again and Forever
I was called "Sir" again.
I ordered a sandwich at the firm's cafeteria and the guy gave me my order by saying, "Here you go, Sir." It was deja vu. Three years ago, when I was in law school, I ordered a sub at the dining hall on main campus (where undergrads eat) and I was
I ordered a sandwich at the firm's cafeteria and the guy gave me my order by saying, "Here you go, Sir." It was deja vu. Three years ago, when I was in law school, I ordered a sub at the dining hall on main campus (where undergrads eat) and I was