Bday party!

Such a wonderful time to chat and eat.  Listened to a couple's business plan to open a restaurant/café.  Also, it was helpful and inspiring to listen to a business owner/freelanceer with overseas clients.  It was a good reminder that I need to have a business mindset.

It's such a hassle to obtain a visa to stay in Japan for many types of workers, except for researchers..  Japan's immigration system hugely favors researchers or high earners. Who would come? That's another question, but anyway, my friends are trying hard and trying every possible routes to make their lives easier away from their home country, hitting a language barrier, yet never gives up, and take whatever next steps that can be taken.  It's impressive and admirable.  I should take a leaf from their book, their determination and perseverance.  I hope every activity they plan to do will go well, and they will have a better and peaceful life in Japan..  I should improve with a business owner's mindset.  At least I don't have to worry about a visa to stay in Japan.

Another thing to note is to be humble. It's easy to think like "Japan is popular, so many foreigners want to live here."  But it's not necessarily true.  Only a fraction of people is coming to Japan, and a fraction of them are willing to try to stay.  They are not the whole population of foreigners living outside Japan.  Some do not even know about Japan very much, and most of them have never even consider visiting, let alone staying.  This reality should always be in my mind, otherwise I'll end up being an annoying patriot in my little own world. That's not cool.

Anyway all the foods were delicious!  Another one brought a French cake "Far Breton", which is a cake that is similar to pudding, and it was delicious!  He's got an oven, so he can bake now!  Another one brought a takoyaki machine, a "must have" for a Kansai person, of course. We made takoyaki with beef, too. It was good.  And chicken satay that the Thai couple made. They made chrysanthemum and pandan tea, too.  They were all delicious.  The couple really seem to like cooking, and they do it really well. I wish them the very best!