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My Personal Favorites

Fall, My Favorite Japanese Season

November 17, 2011
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Fall, My Favorite Japanese Season

When people consider moving to Japan, they are often curious about what the weather is like just how extreme Japan’s seasons can get. In most parts of Japan, you can experience all four seasons. I know here in Tsukuba, we definitely have a distinct four. I would say it can get pretty cold here in the winter time, with the occasional snowy day. I’ve never been a huge winter fan, because winter is the time for colds, for runny noses, the flu, and all kinds of other bacterial and viral goodies that come with a cold-battered immune system. I wouldn’t say that winter in my neck of Japan is bitter cold, but it does...

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My AEON Japanese Farewell Speech, Tsukuba, Japan 2011

February 26, 2011
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My AEON Japanese Farewell Speech, Tsukuba, Japan 2011

Saturday February 26th, 2011 Portofino Italian Restaurant So today, it finally became real to me, in front of about 80 adult students who showed up to Marisa Sensei’s and my farewell party…I’m really leaving. We had a nice dinner at the Portofino Italian restaurant and I had a chance to walk around to each and every table to say hello to all the people who came. I made sure to shake hands with every student in the room. I really wanted them to know just how much I appreciated them coming tonight, and how much I enjoyed having them as students. Students who’ve been there for a while, students I have only taught a...

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The Square Enix Showcase: Shinjuku Japan

February 8, 2011
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The Square Enix Showcase: Shinjuku Japan

Per my friend, Karl’s, recommendation, I thought I’d take a little trip to Shinjuku and visit the Square Enix store. Since I had to pick up my HIV test results at the Minami Shinjuku Building (don’t worry, it was negative), and it just so happened that the Square Enix Showcase was about a 10-15 minute walk from Shinjuku station’s south exit…I figured “Why not?.” It would be a good way to see something more light-hearted after visiting the testing center. (Please see the official Square Enix Showcase map below.) After a nice, brisk walk I arrived at the Square Enix Showcase and Character Goods Shop. I was kind of expecting a bigger sign, but...

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Natto Revisited

October 27, 2010
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Natto Revisited

I wrote an article about natto late last month, because I feel that natto is a big enough part of the culture here in Ibaraki, to warrant some attention. Mito, the capital of Ibaraki is actually famous for this stuff. There some pretty interesting natto concotions as well: natto senbei (rice crackers), natto curry, and yes…even natto ice cream (makes me cringe just thinking about it…BLECK!!). Natto is a breakfast food, a snack…a way of life (okay maybe that’s pushing it a bit). Anyway, the other day, after eating my morning natto, I decided to create a video to give you a better idea of what natto really is. Let’s tell it like it...

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Tsukuba University’s Fall Festival 2010

October 12, 2010
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Tsukuba University’s Fall Festival 2010

Over the weekend I made a visit to Tsukuba University in Ibaraki, Japan. I attended the 2010 Fall Festival. It was truly a lot fun. There were so many wonderful things to see and do. It was just good, clean fun (yes, even with the death metal, rock music). As I walked towards the student center and art building I could hear the sounds of guitars tuning, drums beating, and the clamor of people talking and laughing. The weather was perfect, a little bit warmer than it’s been for the past few days, but relatively comfortable. I stopped to watch one of the student rock bands, and they were really good. I loved hearing...

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TSUKUBA SUMMER FESTIVAL 2010-Matsuri Tsukuba

August 30, 2010
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TSUKUBA SUMMER FESTIVAL 2010-Matsuri Tsukuba

TSUKUBA SUMMER FESTIVAL 2010-まつりつくば Last weekend I had the chance to check out Matsuri Tsukuba.  First off, what does Mastsuri (まつり) mean, anyway?  Although I’m still learning as I go, Matsuri is the Japanese word for festival.  Every year, in late August, Tsukuba holds it’s Summer Festival.  From what I understand, most of the Japanese festivals are tied to changes in seasons (as farming is deeply rooted Japanese culture).  In nearly every area in Japan, there is a major festival that happens during the summer, and no two places will celebrate the same way or at the same time: ————————————————————————————————————— It’s about 6:45pm, August 29th, 2010…Sunday night.  There is a gentle breeze teasing to...

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