Simple Living

The Search for Mr. Brown Coffee Lately, I've noticed it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find Mr. Brown Coffee . In my area, I know of only two locations that still carry it. A friend mentioned a local specialty grocer that might have some in stock, so I decided to check it out. New Flavor Discovery At this new location, they offered four flavors, but instead of my favorite Cappuccino , I discovered a new option: Caramel Latte . Curious, I bought two cans of each flavor to give them a try. Disappointing Experience Unfortunately, the Caramel Latte didn’t live up to my expectations. While I appreciate trying new flavors, it seems my heart still belongs to the classic Cappuccino . Sticking to Favorites Going forward, I’ll have to stick to the known locations that still carry Mr. Brown Coffee and make sure to stock up on my favorite flavor. For now, these new offerings aren’t half bad and serve as a nice morning treat, but they just don’t compare to my beloved Cappuccino. ...

Celebrating Five Years of Blogging It’s hard to believe that I started blogging back in January 2014 —well, technically, it was November/December 2013 , but who’s counting? Now, looking back, it’s been five years since I embarked on this journey. Time flies, and it feels like just yesterday when I first hit "publish." A Shift from Social Media One of my primary goals when I began blogging was to wean myself away from social media. I’m happy to report that this effort has been successful. Blogging allows me to share whatever I want, whenever I want, without feeling the pressure or scrutiny from friends and family who might take offense to my thoughts. While I tend to write about benign, almost mundane topics, I appreciate the freedom that comes with a bit of semi-anonymity. (Of course, we’re never truly anonymous online!) Time Well Spent By freeing myself from the constant need to check social media every few minutes, I’ve likely reclaimed 2-3 hours a day —and that’s signific...

A Love for Johnnie Walker Black Label I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying many different types of whiskies throughout the years. Growing up, I leaned toward the sweeter side with bourbons, primarily Jack Daniels . Over time, I graduated to the peat smoke of a good Scotch . However, no matter my preferences at any given moment, I always find myself returning to my all-time favorite: Johnnie Walker Black Label . The Comfort of Consistency What draws me to a dram of JW Black? I can enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or even in a mixed drink, and I always find something pleasing about it. It has just enough of a taste profile to keep me intrigued. After several years of reflection, I’ve come to understand the primary reason I enjoy JW Black so much: consistency . This realization struck me when I purchased a new bottle of Macallan 12 from a reputable store, only to find it tasted utterly appalling—worse than rotgut. To date, I’ve yet to experience such a disappointment with any Johnnie Walker, re...

Progress in Data Analytics I’ve been working my way through Kimball’s 3rd Edition of Data Warehouse , and I just completed Chapter 6 . This book is undoubtedly one of the best I’ve ever read in the Data Analytics domain. A Slow Yet Rewarding Journey I started this journey back in November 2018 , and six months later, I’ve only managed to cover a portion of the book. The material is dense and packed with valuable insights, so I appreciate the time I’ve taken to digest it thoroughly. Aiming for Improvement Moving forward, I plan to improve my pace and tackle Chapter 7 on Sunday . Completing this book is a priority for me, and I recognize the need to focus on it in my life. Here’s to making steady progress and deepening my understanding of data warehousing.

The Versatility of White Sneakers White shoes are an essential item in any wardrobe, much like blue jeans or a classic black or white T-shirt. While they do require more maintenance to keep clean, their versatility makes the effort worthwhile. Building a Classic Collection Over the years, I’ve owned several pairs of white sneakers from brands like Nike, Adidas, Converse, and Reebok. However, I often only kept one pair, regardless of the color. Recently, I decided to remedy that and focus on building a basic collection of classic white sneakers. Two of the most iconic models I’ve added are: Converse All Stars Adidas Superstar These shoes come in various colorways, but investing in the classic white versions is a must before exploring other colors. Both models are widely available and often go on sale or can be found at discount retailers. Great Deals on Classics I managed to snag the Converse All Stars for about $40 and the Adidas Superstar for just $20 . Both are inexpensive options...

Welcome Back, Armani AR0585 I took the plunge and repurchased the Armani AR0585 —a model I used to own years ago and regretted selling. It served as the perfect beater watch, and I was lucky to find it again at about the same price I sold it for, but in even better condition! For $65 , this watch is an absolute steal. It’s a shame that Armani doesn’t produce watches like this anymore. Specifications Dial Size : 43mm Lug Width : 23mm Movement : Quartz (Miyota OS20) Battery : SR927W (equivalent to 395/399) Chronograph : 3 registers at 3, 6, and 9 dial positions Water Resistance : 5 ATM (50 meters) Material : Stainless steel with a deployment clasp Comparable Model : AR0527 (features a rubber strap instead of a metal bracelet) Domed vs. Flat Crystal One of the standout features of the AR0585 is its domed crystal . While this design makes it more vulnerable to chips and scratches from hard surfaces, I find that the aesthetic appeal of a domed crystal is unmatched. Visual Appeal : The curva...

Simple Pleasures: Mr. Brown Iced Coffee It's often the simple things in life that bring us the greatest joy, and for me, that includes enjoying a can of iced coffee from Mr. Brown . This Taiwanese brand has become a favorite of mine, and I can usually find these 8.12-ounce cans for about $1 at various stores around town. Flavor Variety Mr. Brown offers several flavors, but so far, my favorite has been Cappuccino . The rich, creamy taste is perfect for a quick pick-me-up! Moderation I tend to limit myself to 1 or 2 cans per week , making it a welcome treat rather than an everyday indulgence. As the hotter summer months approach, I anticipate enjoying them even more. There’s something refreshing about sipping on an iced coffee while soaking up the sunshine.

Weekend Coffee Ritual I've been savoring Cappuccinos at one of my favorite local coffee shops. Typically, I treat myself to a cup on either Saturday or Sunday , using the time to read a book or study more of the Kimball Data Warehouse material. Balancing Indulgence with Budget To manage my budget, I’m trying to limit myself to 1 or 2 cups a week , as those delightful drinks can easily run $5 each . During the week, I stick to Starbucks ground coffee at work, which costs only about 20 cents a cup . It’s a great way to balance indulgence with practicality. Weekend Enjoyment These weekend cappuccinos have become a cherished ritual, allowing me to unwind while enjoying quality coffee. Whether it's studying or simply relaxing, it's a perfect way to recharge before the week ahead.

Uniqlo Supima Cotton T-Shirt Experience I recently had a bit of an adventure with Uniqlo's Supima Cotton T-shirts . After struggling to find a Large size at my local store in the U.S., I asked a friend in Japan to pick some up for me. I was excited to order five shirts, confident that I’d finally have the perfect fit. The Disappointment However, when the shirts arrived, I was shocked to find that the Japan size Large fits more like an American size Medium . This discrepancy was frustrating, especially since I had done some research, but it turns out that vanity sizing often leads to differences in sizes between countries. After realizing that the shirts wouldn’t work for me, I gave them away to another friend. Just by luck, I decided to check my local Uniqlo store, and they had finally restocked Large sizes . I purchased five of the Supima Cotton T-shirts I originally wanted, so the experience ended on a high note. Lessons Learned This whole situation was bittersweet. While I’m ...

Review of Apple AirPods (1st Generation) The Apple AirPods have been around for several years, and I'm currently using the 1st Generation model, which I acquired about five months ago in December 2018. Overall, I've found them to be a convenient addition to my tech collection. Here’s my assessment based on five key categories: Overall Impressions The Good Battery Life : The battery life is impressive. I can get about 8 hours of listening time daily , and they last me several days without needing a recharge. Ease of Use : They sync effortlessly with my iPhone and other Apple devices, which enhances the overall user experience. Build Quality : Like most Apple products , the AirPods are well made and designed to integrate seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem. The Average Sound Quality : While the sound quality is decent for casual listening, they don't compare to wired headphones. Even the standard wired Apple Earbuds provide a better sound experience. Form Factor : The co...

Building My Fountain Pen Ink Collection I recently received a delightful gift: a 3-pack sampler of Pilot brand Iroshizuku ink . This set includes 15 mL samples of three beautiful colors: Syo-Ro Ama-Iro Fuyu-Gaki I'm thrilled to add these to my growing collection of fountain pen inks, which now includes five Iroshizuku colors : Kon-Peki and Murusaki Shikibu are already in my arsenal. First Impressions with Ama-Iro I inked one of my Pilot Metropolitan pens with Ama-Iro and was pleasantly surprised by its lighter shade of blue. Initially, it looked quite similar to Kon-Peki , but once dried, I noticed that: Ama-Iro is much lighter and fresher in appearance. In contrast, Kon-Peki starts darker but lightens up to resemble Ama-Iro after drying. Future Plans I'm looking forward to trying the other colors in the sampler. I’m also considering expanding my collection with the following 3-pack samplers: Asa-Gao, Shin-Kai, Yama-Budo Tsuki-Yo, Take-Sumi, Kon-Peki This would help me e...

Simplifying My Wardrobe with Uniqlo In my quest to simplify my wardrobe, I decided to give Uniqlo a try, despite my skepticism about the quality of fast fashion retailers. I've had mixed results with brands like Zara, H&M, and Old Navy , particularly in finding basic essentials. Here's a summary of my experience so far: T-Shirts: Impressive Quality Purchase : I bought both the Supima Cotton and Dry Packaged lines of t-shirts. Quality : I'm quite impressed with the quality, especially for the price. Size Challenge : I had some difficulty finding them in size large, as I’m in that tricky size range between medium and large. I generally opt for large, hoping it shrinks slightly for a better fit. Oxford Shirts: Satisfied Short Sleeve Oxford : I found a nice light blue oxford short sleeve shirt, which I’m very happy with. Linen Shirt : I also picked up a blue/white plaid linen shirt for just $3.90 . While I would have bought more, the other patterns didn’t suit me as we...

Outdoor Day: Walking and Coffee I had a productive day that included a 5-mile walk at a 19-minute/mile pace . Here's a breakdown of my day: Morning Routine Cappuccino at Olive & Oliver : I started with a nice cappuccino, which was quite good. It was the perfect pick-me-up before my walk. Walk Details Distance : 5 miles Pace : 19 minutes per mile Ending Location : I finished my walk at Denny's for lunch, enjoying a well-deserved meal after my exercise. Afternoon Plans I still plan on taking a hike later in the afternoon when it cools down and becomes less sunny. I’ll also continue studying Kimball Data Warehouse , making the most of my day outdoors while keeping up with my studies.

Adidas Clothing Haul I recently took advantage of a 50% off sale at my local Adidas store and picked up two items: a track jacket in red/black stripes and a navy/white stripe windbreaker . I'm quite pleased with both of them! Product Reviews Track Jacket Style : Red/black stripes Use : Great for indoor wear, but not very warm outdoors. The material tends to let the breeze through, making it less effective for cooler weather. Windbreaker Style : Navy/white stripes Use : Phenomenal! It's very lightweight, keeps me warm outdoors, and is water-resistant. This piece has quickly become a favorite for its practicality. Purchase Details Total Spent : About $45 Track Jacket : $20 Windbreaker : $25 While I would have preferred the track jacket in a classic red/white stripe and the windbreaker in royal blue, I'm still satisfied with the current choices and expect to enjoy them for many years. 2019 Clothing Goals This purchase fulfills about half of my clothing needs for 2019. I plan...