A new year has begun! A new semester is beginning, and summer is now a little closer to us. Well, unless you’re in Australia/The Upside-Down, then winter is coming. Say hi to Barb for us! Poor Barb. With a new start here, you may be pondering a big change: a semester or summer studying abroad … Read more
When I taught English abroad in the inaka (countryside) of Japan, I lived in a very small, very old mountain village. From afar, it was beautiful. Rice fields surrounded the mountain, lush greenery was everywhere, and in the summer, tall cumulus clouds floated slowly across the sky. It was like a scene straight out of … Read more
“I don’t know, I just wanna’ get healthy, you know? I wanna’ take…better care of myself. I would like to start eating healthier…I don’t want all that pasta! (sigh) I would like to start eating, like, Japanese food.” So sayeth Bob, or, the actor Bill Murray, in the 2003 film Lost in Translation, as he … Read more
When I was younger, I learned two things from my mother: one, to never apologize for bursts of ugly-sobbing when the world was crashing down on you and your only comfort was a wine cooler (it was the 90’s), and two, to never ever go to sleep with your makeup still on. Fifteen or so … Read more
In the past few years, a movement has quietly begun to take shape in Japan. A subtle but undeniable growth of the fitness-focused lifestyle has bloomed, planted in a country some might deem barren of fitness education. Images of muscular, tanned Japanese men posing at bodybuilding events are plastered on social media, a stark contrast … Read more
3!..2!…1! Happy Pretend-the-world-isn’t-burning-down-around-us-Day! Happy New Year! Midnight strikes! Cue the kiss, or awkward “Do we hug, or high five? Or…” with your buddies that you may not be on intimate terms with. Go in for that hug! Be bold! It’s a new you, baby. And whether you’re breaking out of your shell over the New … Read more
Although less than 1% of the Japanese population is Christian, Christmas is celebrated with as much enthusiasm there as it is in nearly any other country where the holiday is recognized. Then again, many people in the West celebrate it as more of a cultural tradition than a religious one themselves, so really, who’s to … Read more
So, you’ve been living in Japan, or you’ve made the journey there for a visit, and it’s time to leave. All good things must come to an end, as they say. As you look down from your overpriced window seat on the airplane, you hear a voice. “You’ll be back,” the coastline whispers as it … Read more
Japan has long been a place idolized by outsiders, and rightly so. It’s the country where trains run on time to the minute (take note, Western cities- yes, you, New York City), where vending machines can conveniently be found in the middle of rice fields (this is true), and where a wealth of fascinating history … Read more
Let’s face it – if you’re new to Japan, you’re probably gonna make a few cultural mistakes. And you wouldn’t be alone. Deeply rooted in tradition and religion, Japan has a rich and complex culture, with what seems like a million unwritten rules. That’s pretty tough to navigate, even for Japanese people. Just like with … Read more
I have tried many weird and crazy foods in Japan. Some of them were absolutely delicious, while others made me want to gag. By far the worst thing I ever ate is something called “pidan” or “pitan.” If you don’t know what this is, consider yourself lucky. They are Chinese preserved eggs that you … Read more
I love Japanese onsen. Soaking in a hot, natural bath takes away all of my stress and fills me with peace and relaxation. However, I have also had some traumatizing experiences. Here is one of them. Welcome to… My Japanese Onsen Experience…or should I say Nightmare? Run away while you still can. I remember it … Read more
Here’s another adventure from Japan. Grab some popcorn, a cold one, and let’s start reminiscing about my times in Japan.. If you read the title of today’s blog, then you obviously know what it’s going to be about…yep….food. Now I consider myself pretty adventurous, especially when it comes to food. I am willing to try … Read more