21 observations why you should go to Kyoto
Connecting with people, insight observations, just an opinion and ob..., Looking around, Memories captured, observing people, Postcard commentary, travel, wanderlust Sylvia Jimenez Connecting with people, insight observations, just an opinion and ob..., Looking around, Memories captured, observing people, Postcard commentary, travel, wanderlust Sylvia Jimenez

21 observations why you should go to Kyoto

In the spirit of Japan’s famously meticulous order, I figured the best way to share my Kyoto observations (the ones you won’t find in a tourist guide) is through a list. Here are the top 21 observations and recommendations.

Published: Sylvia Jimenez

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Unexpected Joys: Human Connection in Japan
Connecting with people, insight observations, just an opinion and ob..., Memories captured, observing people, open letter, Opinion, Personal Story, positive, Postcard commentary, psychology of people w..., Reflections, travel, wanderlust, writing community Sylvia Jimenez Connecting with people, insight observations, just an opinion and ob..., Memories captured, observing people, open letter, Opinion, Personal Story, positive, Postcard commentary, psychology of people w..., Reflections, travel, wanderlust, writing community Sylvia Jimenez

Unexpected Joys: Human Connection in Japan

The trip to Japan was memorable not for its famous sights but for the warmth of human connections. A simple interaction with a kind store assistant named Koji highlighted the profound nature of kindness in daily life. Small gestures, like his assistance with laundry supplies, left a lasting impression, showcasing Japan's culture of respect.

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Friends come and go and come and go
Connecting with people, insight observations, Looking around, looking forward, Memories captured, observing people, open letter, Opinion, Personal Story, positive, Reflections, Taking time out, The Beach, writing community Sylvia Jimenez Connecting with people, insight observations, Looking around, looking forward, Memories captured, observing people, open letter, Opinion, Personal Story, positive, Reflections, Taking time out, The Beach, writing community Sylvia Jimenez

Friends come and go and come and go

I hear the ping of the messages’ arrival on my phone. It’s 5:45 am, fifteen minutes before my set alarm, but I already know who the message’s sender is. Madam Z is an insomniac and most days is found watching the sunrise at the nearby beach amongst the hard-core joggers and dog walkers. She listened intently the day I revealed my love of the ocean because ever since then, she has sent me a beach photo (almost daily) that lights up my bleary eyes even on the coldest winter days.

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A is for Attitude that governs (my) 2024.
Connecting with people, humour, insight observations, looking forward, observing people, Personal Story, positive mindset, Reflections, Taking time out Sylvia Jimenez Connecting with people, humour, insight observations, looking forward, observing people, Personal Story, positive mindset, Reflections, Taking time out Sylvia Jimenez

A is for Attitude that governs (my) 2024.

As you are aware by now, it’s about observations for yours truly. Keeping my eyes open, eavesdropping and generally trying to look inconspicuous as I stare is what I can say hand-on-heart motivates me to understand the world. 2024 started with a nice glass of bubbly amongst a lovely group of friends as we watched the fireworks on the telly. Thanking my lucky stars I made it through what I considered 2023 to be an ‘annus horribilis’ year (although there were some great moments, like meeting new people and being able to realign and reverse priorities) generally speaking, wars, inflation, high-interest rates, bullying, not enough time to read and weather patterns resembling Armageddon meant that 2024 couldn’t come soon enough. January first welcomed an attitudinal change. While I don’t have a crystal ball to predict any future, there have been some (funny) observations of late that I believe will perhaps influence some key elements that I’ll interpret as a benchmark moving forward.

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2023 rules according to me
#keepinghealthy, communications, Connecting with people, insight observations, just an opinion and ob..., looking forward, open letter, Opinion, Personal Story, positive, Reflections, Uncategorized, writing community Sylvia Jimenez #keepinghealthy, communications, Connecting with people, insight observations, just an opinion and ob..., looking forward, open letter, Opinion, Personal Story, positive, Reflections, Uncategorized, writing community Sylvia Jimenez

2023 rules according to me

The ball dropped, the gong went off, the clock struck midnight. 2023 was born under a sky of crackers, hugs, kisses, smooches and well-wishers (those who were awake at least) who welcomed the new year with (I hope) the anticipation of better things to come. My very own FB post read a summerised version of the below.

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Niceness is (thankfully) still alive
Connecting with people, insight observations, Looking around, Memories captured, observing people, open letter, Personal Story, psychology of people w..., Reflections, writing community Sylvia Jimenez Connecting with people, insight observations, Looking around, Memories captured, observing people, open letter, Personal Story, psychology of people w..., Reflections, writing community Sylvia Jimenez

Niceness is (thankfully) still alive

This post is more of a happy affirmation rather than an observation, but if taken in the context of human behaviour, then I’m pleased to say that people are still inherently nice. My youngest, Master V, is employed as a Trolley boy at a local garden nursery. It is his first officially paid casual job means he is privy to the perfect balance of fresh air, movement and a clientele of grey nomads with a common interest of the gardening kind. And for me, it’s a great source of character observations for my upcoming stories, but that is for another time.

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Where have all the love songs gone?
80s flashback, a lighter look, Connecting with people, insight observations, just an opinion and ob..., Memories captured, Personal Story, Reflections Sylvia Jimenez 80s flashback, a lighter look, Connecting with people, insight observations, just an opinion and ob..., Memories captured, Personal Story, Reflections Sylvia Jimenez

Where have all the love songs gone?

I wouldn’t say I’m stuck in a time warp, but my teenage years in the 80s have had a profound psychological impact on my memory. The other day, the clever little elves at Spotify suggested a ‘recommended playlist.’ It was titled ’80 Love Songs,’ which I found confusing as I had not listened to anything remotely close (to pick up on the algorithm), but it got me thinking, ‘Where have all the love songs gone?’

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The scene on the grass
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The scene on the grass

In a small corner of the world, at approximately 12:46 pm on a sunny Monday, our extended family was captured in a holiday scene reminiscent of a 90s Benetton billboard. I can still smell the fresh air. I can hear the swans lapping in the lake behind me. I remember the blog post that caught my attention on my feed and what conversation was being had. The boys headed balls while the girls deliberated whether a swim was a better option. It was hot; clothes were left in the rooms, and lunch was arriving soon.

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Mentors – make the connection.
Authors work, communications, Connecting with people, Introduction, looking forward, On Writing, open letter, Opinion, Personal Story, positive, positive mindset, Reflections, writing community Sylvia Jimenez Authors work, communications, Connecting with people, Introduction, looking forward, On Writing, open letter, Opinion, Personal Story, positive, positive mindset, Reflections, writing community Sylvia Jimenez

Mentors – make the connection.

This blog post isn’t about the importance of acquiring a mentor; there are several excellent articles written about the importance of a good mentor; I am concentrating on my experience and connection with two people who have and still mentor me to this day.

Published: Sylvia Jimenez

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