Happy Saturday! Welcome to another edition of #weekendcoffeeshare, hosted by the lovely Natalie of Natalie the Explorer. Let’s grab a drink and have a chat!

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I surpassed the 500th day mark in DuoLingo this week, meaning I’ve spent over 500 days learning Japanese on DuoLingo. Yes, I’m still learning Japanese and though I can now form simple sentences and can understand some of the things being said in Japanese television programs when spoken very slowly, I feel I still have a long way to go. I, however, am proud that I stuck around for this long.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you after holding out for as long as I can, I reluctantly gave in this week. I guess I’m no good when it comes to standing firm. My mom has booked a trip for two to Taipei, Taiwan in March 2025. As much as I hate traveling by plane, I’m going on that trip. Beside Taipei, we are also island-hopping to Kyushu, Japan, to hopefully see the famous Sakura bloom.

I guess I’ll also put my Japanese to the test on this trip as well. I wonder if I need to refresh my Mandarin as well since I’m going to Taipei since I haven’t spoken Mandarin since my previous job at the hay factory in 2017.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you I’m looking forward to next week. Not because of Thanksgiving but because of the 2-day work week. Let’s face it, there’s no Thanksgiving or any kind of holidays in this house. I don’t see the point and probably neither does my mom. It’s best not to jinx or wish for happiness since happiness is this emotion that can be turned into bitterness by any one word uttered from my mom’s mouth. So best not to disturb the temporary tranquility.

I’m looking forward to the 5-day weekend, where I’ll complete the second jigsaw puzzle that’s stumped me for nearly 30 years. When I was around 6 years old, my mom bought 2 jigsaw puzzles. I was very good at jigsaw puzzle and can finish an 1000-piece puzzle in a day, except these 2 puzzles.

Last year, I spent the Thanksgiving holiday completing the first puzzle. That puzzle is now framed and hanging in my living room. I plan to tackle the second puzzle, which I feel like it’s easier than the first but I guess we’ll see.

Well, that’s all I’m going to say, thank you for dropping by and I’ll be back next week.