The Zama Waffle Tee references my first trip to Japan, a work trip that became my first experience traveling abroad completely on my own. What began as a destination tied to work became something much more formative.

Being alone in a country I had never experienced before gave me a new sense of independence. I had to navigate unfamiliar places, communicate across differences, make decisions for myself, and become comfortable moving through the unknown without relying on what was familiar.

That experience changed the way I approached the rest of my life. It taught me that independence isn't about having everything figured out. It's about trusting yourself enough to go somewhere unfamiliar and discover what you're capable of once you get there. That same mentality would eventually shape the way I approach my work, creativity, and the opportunities I choose to pursue.

The graphic references Army lodging at Camp Zama in Kanagawa, turning a temporary place from that first journey into a permanent reminder of where a new sense of independence began.

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