Rediscovering the Neighborhood
A few days have passed since I returned to my family home. I decided to take a stroll and really look at my hometown for the first time in about six months. It was fascinating to see how things had changed while I was away. I stumbled upon a clinic with the highly unique name "Human Repair Shop"
and noticed quite a few new Thai food restaurants popping up around town. It's funny how a town quietly evolves behind your back.
The Comfort of Yakisoba
After my walk, I dug into a plate of yakisoba. It was absolutely delicious—a simple, everyday meal that was near impossible to find while I was living abroad.
Eating this kind of comfort food right here in my childhood home brings me a profound sense of peace and relaxation.
Under Construction
While I was eating, the construction crew arrived. My family had told me before I flew back that the house was undergoing exterior renovations, and they are currently right in the middle of it. Maintaining a property is no easy feat; it takes a lot of effort and costs a lot of money.
However, it’s genuinely rewarding to watch the house slowly transform and edge closer to completion, even if the work isn't done yet.
Since I'm rarely around to witness this kind of thing, I made sure to snap some photos to capture the moment and keep the memory alive.
A Sweet Wave of Nostalgia
Once things settled down, I treated myself to a traditional Japanese sweet (wagashi) filled with mochi and red bean paste (anko).
Unlike Western pastries, it had a dense, moist, and intensely sweet profile. It’s another distinctly Japanese flavor that you simply can't replicate overseas. Tasting it sparked a deep wave of nostalgia, making me feel truly glad to be home.