Star's Back

Starbucks has closed a couple stores lately in Kichijoji, reducing its operation in the district to 5 or so now.

But, a brand-new store with 3 floors (very rare in Japan) is opening on Wed, April 28! Given it's the 1st day of the Golden Week, the store will be crowded for sure. Perhaps for the Week. So not sure when my very first visit to the shop is gonna be.

Kanye Best

Ever since the release of "the College Dropout", his first solo album, in 2004, Kanye West has been one of my most favorite artists. So far he has released four solo albums and produced (or was just featured in) other artists' songs.

It's very hard to select, but here're my favorite 10 songs of Kanye:

Bittersweet Poetry (Kanye West feat. John Mayer)
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly (Consequence feat. Kanye West)
Knowck You Down (Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo)
If I Ain't Got You - Kanye West Remix- (Alicia Keys)
Touch the Sky (Kanye West feat. Lupe Fiasco)
Make Her Say (Kid Cudi feat. Kanye West & Common)
Good Life (Kanye West feat. T-Pain)
Southside (Common feat. Kanye West)
Gone (Kanye West feat. Consequence & Cam'Ron)
More (Rhymefest feat. Kanye West)

逆境ナイン

逆境ナインというマンガがある。あり得ないような逆境の数々が、これでもかと押し寄せても、燃えてガンバる、熱過ぎる野球漫画だった。

***

明後日から春学期が始まる。

働きながら大学院に通おうと思い立ったったのが一年前。当時と比較すると、状況が随分変わった。

一年前は転職して間もなく、担当案件も少なかった。
そして、大学院の合格発表と同じ時期に妻の妊娠が分かった。
学校のない2、3月はゆっくりしようと思っていたら、仕事が忙しくなり、残業の毎日。幸い出産には立ち会えたものの、退院後も残業が続いた。

数日前に、会社の同僚と飲んだ時に言われた。「一年前はもっと仕事が欲しい」と言っていたと（苦笑）。
出産もここ数年望んでいたことで、妊娠が分かった時は心底嬉しかった（涙）。

そう、担当業務の多さも、育児も、学校も、全て自分が望んだこと。
タイミングは別として（笑）。

逆境とまでは言えない。

***

ここ数日、いろんな人と会った。
今も応援してくれる、昔の同僚。
グチを聞いてくれる、今の同僚。
同じように仕事をしながら勉強も頑張っている学友。
いつも心配してくれる兄弟、家族。
そして、しばらく会えていないけど、励まし合える友人。

逆境ナインより強力な、たくさんの人たちから、支えられているんだなと感じる。

秋学期の結果には満足していない。
忙しいと言っている暇は、ない。

スタバカ日誌～the more the merrier～

A couple days ago I took a day-off and headed to Azabu-juban. It was my 2nd time to the district this week as well as 1st time to the Starbucks store in years. I enjoyed breakfast there. With 3 floors, many comfortable couches and diverse customers from around the world, this Starbucks is one of the best in Tokyo.

Later the day I stopped by a Starbucks in Kichijoji for getting "One More Coffee". As seeing my receipt, a lady at the cashier noticed I was at Azabu's earlier. She told me she was working there before. The lady also told me that the new Starbucks store in Kichijoji (i.e. one at Nakamichi dori) is opening sometime before the Golden Week. Mid-April maybe? The new store will have 3 floors just like Azabu-juban's.

Thanks to Starbucks' One More Coffee campaign, I got not only a discount for my second cup of coffee but also all the stories. Priceless!

PS. Before opening its 7th store in Kichijoji, Starbukcs shut down one at the Kichijoji station. Wonder whether it's merely temprary or permanent. Cross ur fingers for the former! For now Kichijoji has 5 Starbucks stores.