JET Programme Interview Advice
January 10, 2022
Thinking about the #JETProgramme? Got an upcoming interview and want some insight into what to expect? Read on! … More JET Programme Interview Advice
Category: Japan
Love in the Time of Corona (1)
February 29, 2020
Thursday evening. I was just starting to relax at home after a full day of teaching when a message came in from a supervisor. Apparently Prime Minister Abe had made an announcement that schools should be closed. I work at a private school, which means we are technically exempt from following such an order. But … More Love in the Time of Corona (1)
5 Reason to Live in Japan
February 3, 2020
After 15 years of living in this wonderful country, I sometimes take it for granted how many advantages there are to living here. And these advantages aren’t just tied into the city of Tokyo, where I have lived since 2012, but can also be found in many of the smaller, countryside cities. For what it … More 5 Reason to Live in Japan
“Why Don’t You Wash Your Hair?”
January 30, 2020
At lunch time yesterday I went to the school cafeteria as usual. It is fairly uncommon for an elementary school here in Japan to have a cafeteria, but after so many years at this school it is our normal. The children typically go up to a counter and get their own trays and plates. Teachers … More “Why Don’t You Wash Your Hair?”
Can Politicians Change?
January 27, 2020
Let’s look back to around four years ago. I was walking my normal route to the train station. As I neared the station I saw a local politician handing out flyers. Let me stop and clear something up. Because of election laws and traditions here in Japan, of which I will not pretend to be … More Can Politicians Change?
Little Lunches
January 17, 2020
The elementary school I work at here in Tokyo has a cafeteria. That’s a bit of a rarity as many schools just have their lunches in the classroom. Sometimes I bring my own lunch and eat in the staff room, but most days I opt for the school lunch. I’m not a fan of all … More Little Lunches
The Paper Chase
January 8, 2020
I’m not sure if the following anecdote is an insight into life in Japan or not. It happened here in Japan, and it does feel like something that belongs here. But, then again, as it get older and deal with my kids I enter grounds that I have no point of reference for. Maybe the … More The Paper Chase
New Year, New Questions
January 4, 2020
Having a four-year-old is an adventure. I love it. Sure, not everyone needs or wants children. I can both understand and respect that. But I do love being a dad and both teaching and learning from my son. We just finished our New Year’s celebrations. Here in Japan, that includes a visit to a shrine … More New Year, New Questions
Another Wednesday Night in Japan
November 7, 2019
Wednesday afternoon around 5:00 I was sitting in my apartment attempting to get some writing in before needing to go pick up my children from daycare. The only problem was the noise coming from outside. What felt like every few minutes a new blast of loudspeakers playing that style of almost classical music that any … More Another Wednesday Night in Japan
Even in Japan…
June 27, 2019
I tend to avoid posting along the same themes two days in a row. And with yesterday’s piece also being a critique on modern Japan, I really did not intend to do so again today. But sometimes life has different plans and yesterday provided an incident that I need to release through the written word. … More Even in Japan…
Deadly Troubadour 