A few weeks ago my husband and I signed up as volunteers for a local Japanese Cemetery Cleanup Day (Organized by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California), so last Saturday we headed out to Colma (south of San Francisco on the peninsula) for a half day of work and connection.

This weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Itsukushima Maru, a Japan Coast Guard ship visiting San Francisco, where I met some inspiring young cadets who live and study aboard for four years.

I love giving back, so we’ve signed up as volunteers for a local Japanese Cemetery Cleanup Day (Organized by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California).