All About FoodNovember 7, 2026
Feeling Nostalgic: A Walk Down Memory Lane ❤️
During those quiet early morning moments, just after waking up but before getting out of bed, Mari and I were having a little conversation. “Mama, you didn’t have ice cream when you were little, right? You only had...
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The Stark Contrast Between Japan and the USA
Having lived in Japan for more than a decade and being married to an American citizen, I have had the opportunity to experience and observe the stark contrast in language, expression, individuality,...
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Proud Bisdak (Bisayang Dako)
Sa una kay maulaw ko mag bisaya inig naay mga kaila nga Tagalog or mudayo sa dili Bisaya nga lugar kay di ba sa ato sa Pinas murag naay discrimination nga pag...
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My Journey from Language Insecurity to Language Pride
When I was younger, I used to feel embarrassed speaking Bisaya whenever there were Tagalog speakers around or whenever I traveled to places where people didn’t speak Bisaya. Back home in the...
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How Garbage Is Collected in the USA 🇺🇸 Compared to Japan 🇯🇵
In the USA, most homes have large trash bins that people roll out to the curb on collection day. The garbage truck uses a mechanical arm to grab the bin, lift it,...
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Sometimes, Children Give Us the Answers We’ve Been Searching For
Sometimes, children unexpectedly give us the answers to the questions we’ve been asking ourselves as adults. My six-year-old daughter has done that for me—not just once, but many times. As I was...
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Becoming Japanese Part 5: After the Test Support and a Small Celebration
After I handed the lady the copies she asked me to make that very day, I couldn’t help but think that I could have simply done them later and submitted them during...
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Two homes. One unfolding story.
Stories to Tell is a personal journal about life, love, family, culture, and the everyday discoveries that connect the Philippines and Japan.