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10 Differences Between Elementary Schools in Japan and the Philippines
1. Teachers in Japan do not have a permanent school assignment. They change schools. They can only teach in one school for three to four years the longest. They have to move to another school within the city or the neighboring cities. New teachers change from one to three years and veteran teachers who are…
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Renewing My Driver’s ’ License in Japan
Almost six years ago, I got my first ever driver’s license here in Japan. I didn’t drive in my home country because it was more convenient to use the public transportation and the fact that my workplace is just a walking distance from my house, I found no need for me to drive. Fast forward…
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Coronavirus Effects in our Society
Covid-19 has been flooding the news headlines everyday. We see the number of cases and death tolls go up. As of this writing, there are already about 114,000 cases around the world with about 4,000 deaths. (More detailed information here ) We see different reactions and opinions from people – ordinary folks and politicians alike.…
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New Year’s Celebration in Japan and the Philippines
As a Filipina living in Japan for many years now, I can compare how New Year’s Day is celebrated in both countries. There are few similarities and many differences between Philippines and Japan celebrating New Year’s Day that I would like to share according to my observation and experience. Decorations and Preparations In the Philippines,…
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Look at This Public Restroom in Japan
One of the many things I love about Japan is their toilets. You will be amazed at how sophisticated the technology is in this part of the planet. With all the buttons there are to press, you will be lost if you can’t read Japanese. And it is not just about the toilet bowl. It…
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English Bulletin Board for March
Long overdue. I know. It`s July now and this article is about March Bulletin Board. This was my last BB in my previous school. I changed school since April, a new contract. I will tell you more about that in another article. As you can see, spring is the theme for my March BB.…
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How to distinguish Japanese from Korean and Chinese
Can you tell if a person comes from a specific country? Before coming to Japan, I had no idea how to distinguish Japanese, Korean and Chinese from one another. I had quite a few experience (when I was in the university as an international student) of trying to speak Japanese to a fellow student who I thought is Japanese, but after all, turned out…
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All of us are a Memory
Death is the only thing we know that is going to happen for sure, but still surprises us every time it comes. And it’s never a pleasant surprise. It’s devastating. Heart-breaking. The unacceptable truth that no matter what we do, no matter who we are, each one of us will end up as a memory.…
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Whale for School Lunch and Other Stories of Food Culture Shock
Whale Yes. I had whale for school lunch! It was a shock for me. I heard the teachers say ‘kyou wa kujira da ne’ (today is whale) during lunch preparation. I help in setting up lunch for non-adviser teachers. And that day, I was the one serving the main dish, which was, yeah, you guessed…