January of 2015 hasn't quite been the new year start I was looking for, but perhaps the resulting time for introspection and reflection is exactly what I need to start afresh and put life into perspective for the future to come. 

New Year's Day:  To start off the year on New Year's Day, two best friends from middle school and I started our first annual New Year party tradition. It was awesome and homey, feeling just like the nostalgic Friday game nights we used to have with Mario Party 2, pizza, and talks of the old middle school days.

Making it even more special, we Skyped in the final member of our group from Korea to the party. We reminisced about the many tales of our past together --finding and sharing old pictures, gifts, and letters we had sent over the years to remember how much we've been through over our 10+ year friendship. 

I often take them for granted, but I love these friends dearly. I can't say where the future will take us, but I look forward to many, many more years with these awesome people  =]

Being sick:  Being sick so many times in a row was frustrating and  b  o   r    i     n      g, but it taught me that I can't rush into everything at the expense of health and the body. When I initially got sick, I tried to push through the headaches and congestion, focusing on the work that needed to be done and the emails needed to be sent, but I wasn't getting better and began to feel worse each day. So I took a break. The game designing and blogging and emails could wait.

I focused on nutrition. I focused on exercise. I focused on the body. Health was first priority.

Then I slowly got better. Nutrition was healthier, exercise was more routine, and overall I felt more relaxed. Even though I dislike getting sick, there's always a reason why I do, and I'm glad it led me to a more healthy lifestyle~

Starting The Daily Otoshi:  I originally intended to start a game design blog this year to detail perspectives on design and the game industry, but I found myself starting this one instead. I really don't know how it happened, but I'm grateful to have a new public space to share and I'm thankful to know that people near and far are reading. 

Thank you!

Global Game Jam: I almost didn't participate in GGJ 2015 this year, but I think being sick actually gave me more of an excuse to go for it. Knowing I would be home and in bed anyways helped me feel like the commitment of having to finish wasn't necessary and that the goal was just to make something small and for fun.

I feel I managed both a small scope and an engaging development process this year. I didn't finish the project yet, but I did discover new interactivity that sparked an idea for a future project ( which maybe is the goal of a game jam anyways ). In general, I've made so much progress since Global Game Jam 2014 and participating this year helped boost confidence in design and programming, which makes me excited for what i'm capable as the year continues.

Game Project Progress:  Speaking of progress and capabilities for game projects, I have three games underway this year -- Domino Fighters, Raindrop Hop!, and Music Box. 

All are moving along slowly and picking up momentum, which is exciting! I have a feeling this will be the year that a lot is going to fall into place, so as I learned above -- take it slow, continue to believe in myself, and keep on growing toward the future I want to live. 

Salma's Passing:  It's been a few days since Salma passed away and each day I am reminded that I should get going on my ideal future because life is short and unpredictable. 

She and I weren't especially close, but she was someone I always rooted for because of her genuine positivity and happiness for life. When friends and family members described her as an angel, I can see how that was an accurate descriptor of her spirit and personality. If I were to pass on to the next step and was greeted by Salma, I'd feel at peace. That is the gift she carried in her nature -- an inner calmness and happiness that made every moment feel safe and pleasant.  

In many ways Salma helped me wake up and realize that it's time to go and get things done now while I'm still here and healthy, and I am grateful for that.  

Thank you for waking me up Salma and I hope you are in a better place~

Korematsu Day:  I am so thankful I attended the Korematsu day memorial this year and the experience was invaluable in reconnecting me to my Japanese-American roots. I've always been thankful of my Japanese background, but I sometimes forget about the struggles and past events that had to happen for me to be here today.

Hearing stories about the civil rights activist Fred Korematsu in his battle against the injustice of Executive Order 9066 ( Japanese internment ), was inspiring and legendary, and gave me a newfound lens to view the internment period through. In many ways, it was the first time I had been exposed to the truth of what it was like to be in the internment camps, especially with the guest appearance by George Takei, who detailed his recollections of the events from his childhood. 

The event made me think back to the play I wrote in college ( A Bomb in Nations of Japan ), about the civilian and military perspectives of the Pacific War between Japan and America, and the development of atomic bomb. I had forgotten about the ability and power to be expressive in the history of Japanese ancestry, but thankfully found new motivation to continue writing and represent the struggles of those before. 

Looking forward to Korematsu Day 2016!

Overall:  A lot of unexpected events happened this month, but overall I'd say I'm on track for the goals of the year to come. Looking forward to what February yields, see you next month!