Is it really necessary to be present? This is a question I battle often. I love to be forward-thinking, changing the status quo, moving around (quite literally), and pushing the boundaries of what I can do. I cannot sit still. Hobbies? Too many. Skills? I am very average at everything. Friends? Do acquaintances count? I have too many or at least I would likely call someone a “friend” before they would call me one.

There is nothing greater than doing something beyond your own perceived capabilities and limitations. In my view, defending justice and the goodwill of people through (hopefully) ethically and morally correct laws is a powerful pathway to pursue.

I wanted to serve in the military at some point in my youth but withheld my ambitions because of my chronic childhood asthma and the uncertainty surrounding how that would impact my performance. So, I did other things; I lived abroad, studied a foreign language, studied programming, moved through different career opportunities, and more importantly, began a family. The itch, however, has not gone away.

The sky is a perfect dome today without a cloud in sight. The only markings are planes carving trails to their destinations. The center of the sky at the peak is a pillowy blue that fades to a white near the horizon. It is a quintessential spring day.

I am grateful for what we have but I miss Japan. Is there shame in wanting to go back already?

Life is interesting. We moved from a relatively stable, safe, and productive country back to my home country for a job. The job itself is fantastic and we are very grateful for all the opportunities I have been given in life and the benefits we receive as a result. Unfortunately, life isn’t as siloed as we would like.

Politics do a lot more damage to individuals than we admit.

I was out of country for roughly 10 years with the last 6 to 7 as a consecutive ex-pat. Having recently returned, I look at my fellow countrymen and see a major lack of resolve. I am on a quest for a bit of optimism. The only sense of reprieve I have is that we could leave if need be. I only follow the unfolding events to figure out if it is our time to go.