Last week I joined an online seminar by GLOBIS University - Graduate School of Management on Compassion-driven Leadership. It was a powerful reminder of what is really important in life. When I studied at GLOBIS 10 years ago I had Tad Wakasugi (the main speaker in the seminar) as a teacher, and I vaguely remember some of what he taught back then but when he mentioned Ina Foods and the 100-year calendar I felt like I was suddenly back in the classroom as this is one of the cases we studied!

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 does mean that we regularly drive out 40 minutes or more for Japanese shopping, as many of the ingredients he uses (and craves) are not available closer to home.

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).

Last Friday, I found myself in a situation that many outdoor enthusiasts can relate to: the dreaded decision to cancel a camping trip due to a rain forecast. This would have been our first camping trip of the season, at a spot we've visited at least once a month from April to October over the past few years.

Spring is the time for my husband's family to repair shoji screens, and I wanted to share how I find mindfulness and playfulness in this everyday task.