Who has heard of Fukuoka? I know at least I sure hadn’t before coming to Japan. Japan is made up of many islands, but the main three islands are Hokkaido (where Sapporo is) in the …
Spring 2018
Whale Sharks, Purikura and Okinomiyaki
Embracing being the classic Osaka tourist, I headed out to explore Osaka’s Aquarium: Kaiyukan. The aquarium borders the ocean and a shopping mall. Kaiyukan is famous for its whale sharks, and so there are countless …
Reflections
My experience abroad has officially come to an end and I’m back home in the US. It’s crazy to think back to four months ago when I was just getting ready to leave. The nerves …
Letting Go
For those of you that know me, one of the first descriptors that may come to mind for me is A-type personality. I love, and often need, every aspect of my life to be as …
Hello Kitty Restaurant
Japanese pop culture has many unusual quirks such as J-Pop (Japanese pop music), slapstick game shows and anime cosplay. But one facet of Japanese pop culture I was not expecting is this real, and some …
Another Long Overdue Post!
It has, once again, been far too long since I’ve last written, but I’m back! Safe to say that the semester is well underway at this point, and that I’ve finally found a somewhat normal …
My Japanese Oke (fish bucket) List
For February 8, 2018, United States time zone February 8, 2018, Japanese time zone I think I’ve adapted to the 15 hour time difference. This said, I’m a hard core night owl so maybe my …
First Reactions to Japan…and Chinese? Living
For February 7, 2018, United States time zone February 8, 2018, Japanese time zone The four-hour ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) seems like the best time to write today. I was too exhausted last …
It’s the Final Countdown!
I couldn’t help but hum these tunes as I sat outside of the Education Center looking down at my table consumed with notes and papers as I prep for my last final of the semester! …
An American in Hiroshima
For February 7, 2018, United States time zone February 8, 2018, Japanese time zone At the memorial of the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima I wish I had been a fly on the wall. I realized …