Back in the saddle— of this obnoxiously yellow exercise bike. I’m pedaling off all the beers and ramen from Fukuoka while still retaining the joy of having consumed them.

Today was one of those days that underlined the beauty of paying attention to this new world around me. In the midst of listening to a teacher rant at students for not doing their homework, I realized I was understanding a complete lecture in Japanese. Small win during an awkward situation.

Small wins are the name of the game. A remembered name. A pleasant interaction. The surprise lunch that’s delicious beyond expectations. It’s all good.

***

Now I’m sitting on the stool in my kitchen after buying tickets to Tokyo and cleaning my witches cauldron of a sink. I’m thinking I should delete photos in my phone of a fading love. But the lack of permanence gives me pause. As a younger man it was easy to wipe the phone and pretend the emotions would follow suit.

But half a world away— I can tell you that that hasn’t been the case. It’s not that I return to the photos I’m hoping of rewriting the past. Rather, they mark the turning point where I fully gripped the reins of my own life.

I had thought I’d be married by now. I had even bought an engagement ring. Instead, I’ll be in the largest city in the world next weekend. Surrounded by millions of people and romping through the city with my oldest childhood friend.

My pervading though is that I should buy some fairy lights for this apartment. It has that harsh fluorescent light that reminds you of bleach and leftover Dominoes pizza.

Maybe they’ll smooth out the electric yellow of the exercise bike— making it less of a bachelor pad and more of an aspiring Pinterester.