Collie's Sweet Outdoor Pick at sweetgreen + My Paired Decaf Idea

It’s Friday evening, and we’re having a healthy dinner full of veggies at a charming café in Birmingham, Michigan. I’m on a date with Collie! I've already decided on my order—sweetgreen’s Autumn Harvest Bowl, hands down.

The brown building on the left is sweetgreen. https://www.sweetgreen.com/locations/birmingham

Featured Menu: Autumn Harvest Bowl 

Close-up of sweetgreen's 2025 Autumn Harvest Bowl: roasted chicken, maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, organic shredded kale, roasted sweet potatoes, wild rice, goat cheese, roasted almond, apples, and balsamic vinaigrette.  It's more packed than I expected—such a generous portion!

My blue one is their eco-friendly still water in an aluminum can; Collie's orange Spindrift Grapefruit is bubbly seltzer with zesty grapefruit (his looks way more tempting...😅).

Customized for Meatless Friday Tradition

Following Catholic Friday no-meat practice, Collie customized his salmon bowl with two kinds of cheese, broccoli, and other veggies. 

Collie said he loves how you can customize your own unique dish just how you like.

Great that my research paid off—finding a spot Collie would love!

But I just realized I'd forgotten my own Friday abstinence and ordered the featured chicken dish...😂

Autumn Harvest Bowl & Customized Meatless Friday Bowl

eco-friendly still water & bubbly grapefruit seltzer

It turned into such a lovely Friday date because, although we first tried to grab seats inside, Collie suggested the outdoor table—what a great idea! Enjoying dinner with a Downtown Birmingham view in that comfy weather was pure bliss! 

Sweetgreen shines by offering fresh, seasonal ingredients in an easy yet delicious way. Healthy salads, bowls, and protein plates—you should try them too🎵

❤︎　❤︎　❤︎

I suggested we enjoy decaf coffee together at the Holiday Inn Express. It's in the breakfast area, but the coffee machine is available 24/7 for both regular and decaf options. When it's dark, sensors turn on the lights. Freshly brewed cup by cup and available anytime—love that convenience. Sharing these hotel perks with Collie makes me so happy.

❤︎

In the end, Collie and I never once got to share breakfast in that area. His top priority was helping his mother, who now lives alone in a wheelchair. I totally get it, but it leaves a slight tinge of sadness... Still, our brief date during his busy schedule was special. We chatted for a while, and that coffee we sipped together was delicious—just as I'd hoped he'd enjoy it when I recommended it.

◆ Quick Update ◆

To save money, I'd been skipping AC heating in favor of a mini heater. But I learned even a small one costs more after an hour or so—modern ACs in auto mode apparently use less power. Now I limit the mini heater to under an hour and run the AC heat at a low temp for a few hours a day. First time using it since moving into this apartment! The room's softly warm this winter, making my heart feel a touch richer😊

Revisiting Birmingham: Keurig Lessons & Dreamy Homes

After finishing my morning exploration at Kroger, I was relaxing in my hotel room when I heard a knock on the door.

It was one of the hotel staff members. He energetically said he’d show me how to use the Keurig.

The thing is, earlier I’d tried using the Keurig but it wouldn’t work properly, so I thought it was broken. I'd gone to the front desk with Collie, who explained the issue to the receptionist. This staff member must have been contacted by the front desk and came to help, demonstrating step-by-step while brewing me a fresh cup of coffee.

The Keurig worked perfectly, as if nothing had happened😳 Huh, that’s strange—when I tried following the instructions earlier, it wouldn’t start at all😥... Plus, he didn’t come just to check on it; from the get-go, he jumped in and said he’d teach me how to use it.

Maybe before he came, he or someone else had already checked it and found it wasn't broken, so he came back to give me a proper lesson? It worked so flawlessly—like a completely different machine—that I felt a bit embarrassed.

I thanked the lively staff member and enjoyed the coffee. It wasn't quite as tasty as the brew at the hotel's breakfast area, but being able to have coffee anytime in my room is pretty nice..😅

So, with that little coffee adventure wrapped up, I headed out for a walk. This time, I strolled along the street behind the Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Michigan.

What kinds of houses can I spot around here? Walking through Birmingham and admiring these dreamy homes is such a refreshing and delightful experience.

Revisiting those moments makes them feel fresh and alive again, like I'm living a brand new story right now. That's the magic of travel blogging! My Birmingham strolling journey has that perfect "next chapter" vibe—hoping you're going to love following along!

Later, I told Collie that the Keurig coffee machine hadn't been broken after all, and we tried to go apologize to the front desk staff. But the guy who was there at the beginning had been replaced by someone else, and we never saw him again during my stay.

Maybe I'll try brewing coffee with the Keurig in the hotel room again some other day—while I still stay here. This time, on my own 😌

Join me Kroger shopping in Birmingham, MI—then what?

Hello there! :)

Welcome back to Rose’s blog, where I share glimpses of life alternating between Michigan and Tokyo. This time, it’s Michigan’s turn!

Today, I’ll take you along on a little shopping trip to Kroger in Birmingham, Michigan. 

Kroger supermarket exterior in Birmingham, Michigan

One of the joys of traveling abroad is checking out local supermarkets. Just seeing what kinds of foods they have gets me so excited and makes it such a fun experience😊♪

Wow! So many organic bananas! They're so vibrant and beautifully fresh. The price is super reasonable too.

Kroger Mini Cinnamon Rolls so cute I couldn't resist snapping a photo!

Adorable Mini Cinnamon Rolls😍 Just looking at it makes me imagine bringing them to the office and saying, "Enjoy these with your coffee break♪" But since I'm already savoring the Cinnamon Rolls at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, these little ones are just for admiring today.

Dave's organic bread looks like something I'd definitely buy regularly and use for sandwiches if I were living in America. There are so many varieties, so I'd probably try them one by one. Unlike Japanese shokupan (sliced bread), the thin slices are perfect for me as a sandwich lover.

Holiday Inn Express exterior in Birmingham, Michigan

A brilliantly sunny day—almost dazzling! Having Kroger so close to the hotel is a huge plus. It's so convenient to just pop over whenever I need something.

Kroger-brand sea salt roasted pecans are something I always crave in Michigan—they're absolutely delicious! Plus pistachios that were on sale, and these cute little water bottles for the hotel that I was just drawn to.

Holiday Inn Express Birmingham room:

Delta blue slippers perfectly matching the blue wall by happy coincidence.

Back from shopping and unwinding in my serene room. The window lets in gentle sunlight, the white bed looks super comfy, and my Delta blue slippers blend aesthetically with the room.

So, what do you think I should do this afternoon, more exploring or just chilling? Now I'm wondering... The day is still young🌷

My Favorite Way to Enjoy Hot Biscuits: Day Two Breakfast at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham

Here’s a look at my Day Two breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham, Michigan!

I grabbed a cinnamon roll, a biscuit, hash browns, a sausage patty, and omelets (one egg white veggie, one regular). A banana too! Fresh coffee is a must ❤︎ of course, and a little orange juice.

♪ A plate loaded with all my handpicked favorites ♪

Here’s the post that really focuses on the signature cinnamon roll from Day One.

→Holiday Inn Express Breakfast Day One—Plus the Sweet Story Behind the Cinnamon Rolls

Right now, let me show you my favorite way to enjoy this breakfast. I love making a little sandwich by putting the sausage patty inside the warm biscuit. The mildly sweet biscuit with a bit of syrup on top plus the savory sausage makes a sweet-and-salty combo absolutely irresistible.

I’ll keep enjoying my style of having a warm biscuit with a sausage patty inside😊

+*+*+* A little side story +*+*+*

I had three different mini chocolates from Whole Foods on the dresser, just for the cuteness, planning to enjoy them one by one… but somehow, one of them mysteriously disappeared.

The one that went missing was the blue coconut milk chocolate, which was such a letdown for me. The only small silver lining is that coconut isn’t really my favorite, but still, coming back to the room and finding it gone was a total shock😳 When I told Collie, he was surprised too and said it might be because I didn’t leave much of a tip—though of course, that still doesn’t make it okay. I even asked AI about it, and it said that small treats sometimes get eaten by the housekeeping staff, so if you don’t want them to disappear, it’s best to put them away… which honestly left me with mixed feelings😔

I once read that in a survey of Americans, about 70% said they don’t leave a pillow tip, so I figured even one dollar would be better than nothing. Still, the next day I decided to leave two dollars. Collie said I really should leave at least three dollars, or even five, but coming from Japan, where there’s no tipping culture, two dollars seemed like all I could manage.

So, I’m off to Kroger now.  Stay tuned for my little exploration report next time!

Come to the Table: PIME Missionary Fr. Piero Masolo's 'From Heart to Heart' Story

Before I left Japan for Michigan, Collie came up with the idea that I might like to go to a fundraising dinner. When I told him I’d love to, he bought two tickets in advance and made a reservation for us. I had never been to a fundraiser in the U.S. before, so I wondered what it would be like.

I’d be talking with the other guests at the table, I realized. I should be ready to respond naturally in English. I’d like to leave a good impression as a Japanese person, if I can. Would they welcome me warmly, I wonder?

The dinner was scheduled for my second day in Michigan! As evening approached, Collie came to pick me up by car at the back entrance of the hotel. We hadn’t coordinated what to wear, so I just went with the outfit I had planned myself.

He complimented my outfit—phew😌. And I finally had a chance to wear my very first pair of about 3-inch heels, which had been sitting in my closet, waiting for a special occasion like this with him.

The PIME fundraising dinner on October 2, 2025, was held at the San Marino Club in Troy, Michigan. We arrived early and helped ourselves to a little bit from the appetizer corner before taking our seats.

The tables were round with assigned seating like this. I was nervous, but Kathy from the ITALIAN TRIBUNE, sitting to my right, was such a lively woman and spoke to me very friendly. The two men sitting across from me also welcomed me warmly. I introduced myself, saying I had just arrived in Michigan from Tokyo yesterday when I shook their hands, and surprised them.

And to my left was the reassuring presence of Collie. I couldn't quite keep up with the local topics between the locals...💦, but there I was, feeling relieved.

One of those cheerful men across from me was Fr. Piero Masolo, a PIME missionary. He even came over to me to talk and scrolled through his phone to show me photos of his friend—a Japanese woman living in Japan. He also showed me pictures of the girls he cares for so dearly. I was truly moved to see this priest enthusiastically searching through his photos just to share them with me.

The meal was served family-style, with large platters brought out one by one for each of us to share.

After returning to Japan, I read an article written by Fr. Piero Masolo in the PIME quarterly magazine MISSION WORLD (September/October 2025 issue) I had received that evening.

It was about his experience at 17 in Bogliasco (a beautiful village near Genoa, Italy). There was a woman named Maria Teresa, a friend of his relatives. She was kind, but there was something else, something special about her. Even though they were meeting for the first time, he felt like she already knew him. What she said applied perfectly to him, even though it wasn't directed at him specifically. This is weird! Maria Teresa was about to leave that place soon. He offered to accompany her to her car in the street—because he wanted to figure out why she seemed to know him so well. When he asked, she just smiled and handed him a book she had written.

He was curious and puzzled, so that same night he started reading it. It was entitled "From Heart to Heart." And that book brought him to tears—he sat there reading and crying. For the first time in his life, he felt Jesus' presence. His Heart was finally talking to his heart through Maria Teresa's words, and his heart started burning. Meeting Maria Teresa changed his life.

Fr. Piero Masolo likens his experience to the two disciples devastated by Jesus's death. They didn't realize the traveler walking and talking with them was Jesus himself. However, when the three sat down at the table together and the traveler took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, those two recognized him. This became proof of the Lord's resurrection. The first effects were their burning hearts. For Fr. Piero Masolo, the theological journey of those two disciples in the Gospel of Luke was embodied in his encounter with Maria Teresa.

Sad that my first-time event 3-inch heels are missing from the shot!😅

Back in Japan, I took another look at the PIME quarterly magazine and became curious about "From Heart to Heart" written by Maria Teresa, so I searched for it—but I couldn't find the book anywhere.

One of the cheerful men sitting next to Fr. Piero Masolo came over to me as the dinner ended and we left the table. He complimented me, told me to enjoy my time in Michigan, and shook my hand.

I'm so grateful to Collie for giving me this wonderful experience. If I ever have the chance to meet Fr. Piero Masolo again, I'd love to talk with him about "From (Jesus') Heart to (your) Heart."

"Were not our hearts burning while he spoke to us

on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Luke 24:32

The PIME U.S. Mission Center    www.PIMEusa.org 

27405 West 10 Mile Rd Farmington Hills, MI 48332

A sweet little lunch, sweet mistakes, and a warm cup of coffee ☕️

A small, happy moment at Holiday Inn Express, Birmingham, Michigan

After my morning exploring downtown, I headed back to the hotel.

Unfortunately, the storage space and shelves were dusty, so I had to wipe off the dust myself before I could put my things away and arrange them on the shelves. Since I’m staying here for six days, I want to arrange my everyday items in a comfortable, convenient way.

Another small letdown was that a certain part of the wallpaper was wrinkled and quite loose (I cropped that part out of the photo). It wouldn’t be an expensive repair, and once fixed, I think future guests could enjoy a much more pleasant and comfortable stay.

Still, I was really happy with the interior of my Holiday Inn Express guest room. Sitting at the desk facing the wall, with sunlight streaming in from the side, felt so open and peaceful. Staying in the hotel room itself also turned into a lovely, refreshing change from my everyday routine.

Like this, I set up my laptop from Japan and studied here too — did lots of searching as well.  

One of the best things about traveling is that just being somewhere different makes everything feel fresh and fun.

Then I came back to the room with fresh coffee from the breakfast area — there’s a coffee machine that’s available 24/7. I pulled out the mixed berries and Greek yogurt from Whole Foods, plus the Danish and muffin I grabbed to go from breakfast (sorry, I just wanted to enjoy it here just once!).

Turns out, the Danish and muffin were super sweet — way too sweet, couldn’t finish them…😅

Lesson learned: from now on, at the breakfast area, I’ll just stick to the freshly made warm items😊

So… at this hotel, I’ll skip the super-sweet stuff and just go for the warm, fresh biscuits and cinnamon rolls "at" the breakfast area😄

Michigan’s First Starbucks Reserve Bar in Birmingham’s Ford Building

This Starbucks is on the same street as sweetgreen and PARIS BAGUETTE. I recently learned that this impressive, historic-looking building is the Ford Building, constructed in 1896 by a local businessman named Frank Ford. The first tenant here was Levinson’s, the first department store in Birmingham, Michigan. Founded by Jewish immigrants Morris and Gitel Levinson, Levinson’s occupied the prominent corner space of the Ford Building as its main tenant.

101 N. Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009, U.S.A.

Today, that very corner is home to Starbucks, which opened there in 2017 as the first Starbucks Reserve Bar in Michigan. 

Starbucks Reserve Bar in Birmingham is an upscale version of Starbucks that focuses on high‑quality, small‑lot coffees and handcrafted drinks. Compared with a regular Starbucks, it offers exclusive Reserve beans, special brewing methods like pour‑over and nitro cold brew, and a more premium, lounge‑like atmosphere.

Historic plaque describing the history of the Ford Building

Although I didn’t get a chance to stop in this time, wandering around Birmingham led me to discover a piece of history I’d never noticed before, and now downtown Birmingham feels just a little more familiar and personal to me🌷

Scouting sweetgreen & PARIS BAGUETTE: Healthy Bites and Elegant Treats in Birmingham

After enjoying a morning stroll along Poppleton Street, it’s time to explore downtown Birmingham. Since I’ll be staying at a hotel here for several days, I want to get a good sense of the area on my own.

I wanted to get a clear picture of where sweetgreen and PARIS BAGUETTE are because they were the first places that caught my interest during my initial research. 

Let’s start by taking a closer look at PARIS BAGUETTE😀

PARIS BAGUETTE is a global bakery chain originating from Korea. Indeed, the Strawberry Soft Cream Cake especially seems to cater to Japanese tastes, with its fluffy sponge base and generous fresh cream. Every cake here has an elegant quality to it.

I’d love to try the EGG Salad Sandwich, and the packaging’s message, "Freshly made to make your day," is really heartwarming.

Their products are also appealing because they use fresh ingredients and keep additives to a minimum.

Cozy yet chic seating area inside PARIS BAGUETTE, downtown Birmingham, Michigan☕✨

Could it be that this bakery’s philosophy to French-style methods and natural flavors is also reflected in a twist on these American-style cookies?

Since I plan to have something sweet in my hotel room for lunch today, I'm just browsing here. I’ll definitely come back again because it’s such a lovely café!　Next up is...

.. sweetgreen, right next to PARIS BAGUETTE. I thought it would be a great choice to get plenty of vegetables and enjoy healthy meals during my stay in Birmingham, so I added it to my list of places to visit. This store seems to have locations all across the United States.

Customizing everything still feels a bit overwhelming for me, so yeah, this is it! When I come for a meal, I’ll just try the Autumn Harvest Bowl😙♪

I learned a wonderful story. At that time, campus cafeterias’ fast food was convenient but not healthy, while healthy food took time and was expensive. Graduates who believed in the power of real food redefined fast food for a new era: fast, convenient, delicious, and healthy. They also made it affordable. The first store was opened by these three university students in Washington DC. Their vision is now being realized nationwide in the U.S.

I’ve checked out two great spots, sweetgreen and PARIS BAGUETTE, and I memorized the route from my hotel. I’ll be sharing posts soon about my visits to each of these places. So please come back and visit my blog again♡　

Homes, Greenery, and Quiet Wonder — A Morning around Poppleton Street, Birmingham

After enjoying my first breakfast at the Holiday Inn, I stepped out for a morning stroll along Poppleton Street. It’s the kind of walk that feels like a tiny adventure — simple, quiet, yet full of small discoveries.

I wanted to walk along Poppleton Street again, to relive the memories it holds in the stillness of the morning. It was a stroll that began around nine thirty that morning.

Birmingham is said to be one of the most desirable places to live in Michigan. I used to walk around here often, admiring the many charming houses along the streets. The sense of peace and the harmony between the greenery and the homes are what make it even more beautiful.

Oh, I remember this house! It really feels as if I’ve slipped back in time. Even while I was far away in Japan, the world of Birmingham has stayed just as lovely as I remember.

This is the house Collie pointed out last evening when we were walking together, saying, “Look, a pink house over there.”  I had planned to come back on my own the next morning to take some photos of it at a slower pace.  

I find myself wondering what stories might be unfolding inside — it really sparks my imagination.

Just off Poppleton Street, I came across another beautiful scene like this. An elegant house, adorned with delicate flowers, stood gracefully behind the veil of rich greenery — such a charming sight.

In this way, the quiet residential streets of Birmingham always bring me a sense of peace and quiet wonder. For me, it’s not the well-known tourist spots that refresh my spirit, but these serene neighborhoods — where nature and everyday life blend together, and where I can see so many beautiful homes unlike any in Japan.

Holiday Inn Express Breakfast Day One—Plus the Sweet Story Behind the Cinnamon Rolls

Discover the Iconic Cinnamon Roll That’s Delighting Guests Nationwide 

Hello!＾＾ Continuing my Michigan travel diary.

Today, it's the scene of my first breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express Birmingham where I'm staying.

The Holiday Inn Express offers a free hot breakfast, and among the items, the warm and fresh cinnamon rolls are especially distinctive. Honestly, I was looking forward to the cinnamon rolls ever since I researched the hotel beforehand.

☆Complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar at Holiday Inn Express, Birmingham, MI☆

The coffee machine brews each cup fresh on the spot, so it's just right to bring additional food while the coffee is being made. There was yogurt available too, so I didn't have to buy it at Whole Foods💦  

I might secretly take the packaged Danish pastry to my room (because I might get too full from the other foods...)

♡Holiday Inn Express's signature hot & fresh Cinnabon Sweet Roll♡

The cinnamon roll I'd been longing for was absolutely delicious! Savoring delicious cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee makes for such a delightful experience in the morning away from my usual spot.

Here is a wonderful insight you might find surprising:

Holiday Inn Express serves Cinnabon Sweet Rolls as a signature part of their complimentary Express Start Breakfast Bar. These rolls are made with Cinnabon's famous Makara cinnamon, brown sugar, cinnamon schmear, and topped with the brand's iconic cream cheese frosting. However, the version served at Holiday Inn Express is slightly adapted for the hotel setting: the rolls are smaller in size and have a milder sweetness compared to the original Cinnabon rolls sold in stores. This makes them a perfect breakfast item, offering the signature taste with a lighter touch suited for morning dining. This partnership allows guests to enjoy the beloved Cinnabon experience conveniently during their stay.

The coffee was served in a generous size, but I had another cup to enjoy with the lovely cinnamon roll. The breakfast at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham was very satisfying.

＋　＋　＋

Before heading out of my hotel room, I left a pillow tip for the housekeeper. I thought 1 dollar might be a little too small with prices going up, but since I am Japanese and not used to tipping culture, even 1 dollar felt like a tip to me.

To be continued...

Perfect Soy Milk Find: First Day Shopping at Whole Foods Birmingham, MI

After having dinner at Birmingham Sushi Cafe, Collie suggested we stop by Whole Foods Market to pick up anything I might need.  

2100 E Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI 48009, United States

Since I’ll be staying for six days at the Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham — Collie kindly booked the hotel I picked — he wanted to make sure I’d have something I like from Whole Foods Market.

As the hotel includes breakfast, I thought I wouldn't need much during my stay, but the first thing that came to mind was soy milk.

That said, just wandering around Whole Foods to see what products they have is fun in itself and feels like sightseeing♪♪♪

We browsed around, and here's what Collie bought for me😊: a fresh pack of berries, some organic chocolate I wanted to taste-test, low-sugar yogurt, and soy milk that's perfect for my taste!

The 1 QT (946 ml) size soy milk is just right for my six-day hotel stay. It’s organic and has no sugar added, exactly what I was looking for. I learned that the "365 WHOLE FOODS MARKET" label is Whole Foods Market's private brand, offering high-quality products at more affordable prices. That’s wonderful♡

After he walked me to my hotel room, Collie headed to his mother's house, where he's currently helping care for her. It felt a bit lonely watching him leave after spending the whole day together. Since he booked it for two people, I wondered if he'd join me sometimes? With that hopeful thought, I ended the first night of my stay.

*To be continued...*

Birmingham Sushi Caffe Experience & Reflecting on Missed Moments at Sushi Japan

After our walk in Birmingham, we decided to go for dinner at Sushi Japan. It was one of the places I had looked up back in Japan and really wanted to visit in Birmingham. Since I’m not very familiar with the area, Collie quickly checked the map on his phone and led us there. It was actually his first time too, but I really appreciated how proactively he took the lead in finding the place.

Google Maps showed it should be open, however, there was a notice saying it was closed today due to an urgent matter or something like that. Inside, there was a man who looked Japanese working alone. Collie asked me, “How about you talk to him?” but I held back.

The back entrance of Birmingham Sushi Cafe

377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, MI 48009

Plans changed abruptly! We came to another sushi restaurant, Birmingham Sushi Cafe. Once again, Collie checked the location on his phone for us. 

This was a casual sushi restaurant where Asian staff who were not Japanese worked. Collie and I each ordered two types of sushi rolls. About six sliced pieces of each kind—four rolls in total—were served together on one plate. It was more filling than we expected!

Sitting by the window, we enjoyed sushi with a view of Downtown Birmingham in the evening. Between the walk on Poppleton Street and my choice of sushi restaurants, my plans in Birmingham are being put into action quickly on my first day in Michigan, thanks to Collie.

I think what I ordered was the Spicy Salmon Roll. The orange sauce poured over it is the spicy sauce. The other one was the Spicy California Roll, which contains crab salad and avocado inside. In the back, you can see the sushi roll Collie ordered, which has shrimp tempura inside.

And this is Collie's "Philadelphia." It’s a roll made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber. Since Collie couldn’t finish his portion, I managed to eat the rest! =3

Birmingham Sushi Cafe is a laid-back sushi restaurant that hits the spot when you want to enjoy some sushi without any fuss.

On the other hand, it was disappointing that Sushi Japan was unexpectedly closed today. As a Japanese person, I want to experience sushi run by Japanese owners.

Afterwards, when I was exploring Birmingham alone, I visited Sushi Japan, but it was closed and there was no one there. Now, writing this blog after returning from Michigan, I looked it up and found that it is listed as "permanently closed".

I wish I had mustered the courage to speak to the Japanese man inside when I first visited with Collie. At that time, I thought it would be fine to talk when I visited again while it was open. 

I might have been able to say something to support the Japanese person working hard in Michigan—that thought crosses my mind now.