Preface
How is everyone doing?
Due to a busy schedule with both private and work matters, I haven’t been able to update the blog for about a year and a half. However, I would like to put in the effort to revive it starting from this month.
News
The Online Passport Application Procedure Has Begun in Japan
It’s a bit old news, but starting from March 27, 2023, you can now apply for a Japanese passport online.
The online application includes four options: 1) Renewing a passport, 2) Applying for a new passport, 3) Making changes such as name or domicile, and 4) Reporting loss or theft and applying for a new passport.
Whether you are in the country or abroad, you can now easily apply for a passport compared to before.
Release of a Pigeon Accused of Being a Chinese Spy
It seems that a pigeon, which was captured on suspicion of being a Chinese spy by Indian authorities, has been released after eight months, thanks to the intervention of the animal welfare organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
The pigeon was captured near Mumbai’s port in May 2023, with special rings attached to its leg. One of these rings reportedly contained a microchip. Additionally, a message in what appeared to be Chinese was engraved on the pigeon’s leg, and it was confiscated by the police.
Upon analyzing the microchip, it was revealed that the pigeon was a racing pigeon from Taiwan. PETA collaborated with the authorities, obtained formal permission, and announced the release of the pigeon from confinement in a hospital.
This incident follows a previous occurrence in India in 2016 when a pigeon, believed to be carrying a threatening letter to Prime Minister Modi, was captured. The recent pigeon was also subject to strict measures by the authorities.
Pick-up
This month’s pick up will be suspended.
Gadget/Lifehacks
Preply & Duolingo
This time, I would like to introduce two services that allow affordable language learning: “Preply” and “Duolingo.”
“Preply” offers the opportunity to have 50-minute conversations with tutors in the language you want to learn, such as English or Spanish. The prices vary depending on the tutor, and you can choose a tutor that suits your budget, making it a strong point of the service.
“Duolingo” is a self-learning service that covers vocabulary, grammar, and listening exercises in the language you want to learn, such as English or Spanish. While there is a paid version, the basic features are free, allowing you to study at your own pace in a gamified environment.
I have started learning Spanish using both services this month, and I am very satisfied with each of them. With “Preply,” I’ve chosen a highly rated tutor for $5 per lesson and aim to have conversations twice a week. By the end of the year, I hope to reach a level where I can communicate reasonably well.
Personal Finance
While my blog has been on hiatus, I’ve made several trades. Finally, with the overall market showing an upward trend, I plan to fully commit to trading.
However, due to my employment at an accounting firm, there are restrictions on the stocks I can invest in. I need to be cautious about whether certain stocks are within the scope of my permissible investments.
Here is a list of the stocks I currently hold:
The above-mentioned holdings are maintained in a regular brokerage account with Charles Schwab. Typically, I aim to hold the same stocks in both the Vanguard IRA account and the Charles Schwab account. However, due to fund transfers and other factors, the portfolios currently differ.
For reference, in the Vanguard IRA account, I hold not only the stocks mentioned earlier but also NSSC and SMCI.
Shop/Restaurant
Tsushima
This month, I’d like to introduce Tsushima.
Located in Midtown East, I’ve become a frequent visitor to this establishment, especially after my tennis sessions.
The menu is exceptionally diverse, and with the inclusion of off-menu items, it might be considered the top izakaya in Manhattan.
The staff is incredibly friendly and enjoyable, contributing to my consistent satisfaction with the dining experience.
While the conventional table dining is excellent, they also have rooms with a Japanese bar counter style, providing a doubly enjoyable experience!
Tsushima 210 E 44th St, New York, NY 10017 Mon-Fri 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM Sat 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM Sun Closed
Postscript
Once again, it’s been a while since my last post. How have you been?
Recently, it’s finally started to get a bit warmer, and I’m looking forward to outdoor activities that were limited during the winter!
This month, I’ve started going to the gym, began learning Spanish, and picked up practicing the guitar. I’m actively engaged in various activities, and I hope to continue enjoying them without falling into the three-day cycle and staying consistent.
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