The complete journal
99 essays about family, culture, travel, teaching, and everyday life.
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🌿 My Simple DIY Plant-Watering Method! 🪴💧 Since I was going to be away for three weeks, I needed a way to keep my plants watered while I was traveling. So, I...
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275 views140 readers
I never imagined I’d experience something like that in my lifetime. I’d only ever seen it on TV. But when it actually happened, I wasn’t really scared because everything happened so fast....
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322 views164 readers
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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260 views160 readers
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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240 views157 readers
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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286 views173 readers
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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285 views171 readers
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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238 views132 readers
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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185 views117 readers
Even now, I keep thinking about what I wrote on that test paper. Was it enough? Did I pass? Or did I fail again? I honestly don’t know. When I finished the...
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2,460 views1,000 readers
The timer started. I had exactly 20 minutes. The first section required me to read a passage aloud. After that, I had to convert hiragana into katakana and katakana into hiragana. This...
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739 views271 readers
The elderly gentleman led me to one of the small rooms in the middle. He took his seat and motioned for me to sit across from him. A glass barrier separated us....
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2,355 views1,186 readers
Today, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, was my second attempt at becoming Japanese. I was scheduled to go to the Legal Affairs Bureau in Fukuoka City at 1:00 in the afternoon. Because of...
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2,072 views972 readers
If you had a choice, where would you live? In the Philippines or in another country? Why? Some people say the Philippines is a great place to retire. It’s affordable, warm all...
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1,051 views532 readers
Mari: I should be the one to thank you because you’re the one who made me in your tummy, right? Me: (Stunned by her answer.) But you grew inside my tummy, so...
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It’s almost midnight, but I’m fully awake. With my phone in my hands tapping letters on the screen, under the blanket. I’m feeling guilty. I promised myself to not use screens before...
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2,397 views855 readers
The end of March is, in fact, one of the busiest times for moving companies, as university students relocate closer to their chosen universities or entire families move to accommodate a husband's...
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1,045 views535 readers
No one is ever ready to face the passing of a loved one, no matter how sick or old they are. It is the only truth that people keep on denying. Losing...
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1,981 views565 readers
I came to Japan in the spring of 2011 when my sister who lives in Japan invited me for a month-long spring vacation. During my stay (and even up to now) there...
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May 15, 2022. Two years, six months, three weeks, and two days, for the first time, my little one snoozed without the boobie in her mouth. She believed the story I made...
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Breastfeeding is hard in the beginning, harder in the end, and hardest when it’s over. I literally cried silent tears tonight afte my little girl, for the fifth night, slept without breastfeeding....
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"By Myself" My little one who is two years and eight months old as of writing, is always trying her skills and practicing her independence. Her favorite line to say these days...
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1,943 views858 readers
One trouble about gardening is planting without knowing the characteristics of the plant. I fell in love at first sight and bought this “beautiful” tiny plant with attractive neon green leaves a...
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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...
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I have seen a video about how honest Japanese people really are. Japan is the most honest country in the world as the video claimed. The guy in the video dropped his...
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Having my daughter is definitely the best thing that happened to me in my whole life. She is my source of happiness and inspiration since the day I conceived her, to the...
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Step 1 . Acquire Forms. I went to the receiving desk and showed my driver's license to get the Health Questionnaire and Renewal Form. Step 2 . Answer Health Questionnaire To tell...
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, tricycle, trisikad that will take you anytime, anywhere in the city, door to door if you like. Why did I need to drive in Japan In Japan , although public transportation...
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2,078 views930 readers
I didn’t know that weaning is harder than when I was starting to breastfeed. More than the physical pain I felt in my breast when I started breastfeeding, weaning is breaking my...
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looong been overdue. I am almost 9 years here in Japan already. Reading this took me to memory lane so before this "evaporates" or sleep again in the draft folder, let me...
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Tonight, as I was searching for my research paper in my hard drive, I found an untitled document with the first line saying “nine months have passed and nine months…” and when...
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2,220 views1,267 readers
Today, Friday, December 4th, year 2020, while sitting in the reclining with baby in my arms, I figured that it’s already been 13 months and 13 days of me being a first-time...
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I am her everything. And she is my everything. I don't care if I have dishes waiting to be washed. It can wait. She comes first. I don't sleep straight because I...
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1,807 views973 readers
here ) We see different reactions and opinions from people - ordinary folks and politicians alike. Some say it's really serious and deadly. Some say its nothing but some kind of flu...
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2,088 views640 readers
Oishi (Yummy) and arigatou (thank you). When I came to visit for one month in 2011, I learned a few more words. Words that are used in everyday life: ohayou gozaimasu (good...
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2,620 views596 readers
1. Why did you come to Japan? Students are curios why a foreigner is in their country. Although some students are just influenced or just copy the question from a famous TV...
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838 views225 readers
What to give/receive In the Philippines, Valentine's is more on flowers - roses as the main star. With matching teddy bears and chocolates on the side. And love letters too. In Japan,...
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937 views423 readers
bee-ko ) is a Philippine dessert made from glutinous rice, coconut milk and sugar. We use black glutinous rice or white or mix of both. My mother usually do mix. We love...
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1,326 views510 readers
Our very first breastfeeding session 10/23/2019 7a.m, the day after delivery Below are some of my breastfeeding experiences I would like to share and only breastfeeding mothers can relate. 1. When baby...
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1,687 views652 readers
1. Japanese Sense of Nationalism First of all, I observed that Japanese people are very nationalistic. They love everything about their country and they are very proud to be Japanese. I am...
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1,683 views709 readers
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...
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1,129 views547 readers
The Big Day - a Holiday October 22, 2019, Tuesday, the day I gave birth to my precious daughter. I was 38 weeks 6 days pregnant. This day was also the Enthronement...
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Pregnancy Journey Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020 January 1, 2020 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁ Pregnancy Journey Previous storyFood Served at my Maternity Clinic Next storyMy Childbirth Story
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1,982 views862 readers
Day 1 (Tuesday, October 22,2019) Lunch - so exhausted I couldn't even eat much more take a picture. Dinner Day 2 (Wednesday, October 23,2019) Breakfast Lunch Snack time Dinner Day 3 (Thursday,...
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2,352 views666 readers
Just a few minutes later, the waiting area was filled with very pregnant women like me. The bumpers paraded and settled on the chairs. Quiet and still. This is very naturally Japanese....
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1,453 views747 readers
THE IRONY AND THE STRUGGLES Pregnancy is not as easy as it seems to be. Generally, when couples are younger (late teens and early twenties) and just want to have fun and...
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1,576 views542 readers
I am now 33 weeks and 2 days pregnant and weeks ago I could not help myself watching YouTube videos and reading articles about what to put in my hospital bag. I...
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1,585 views506 readers
I have been living in Japan for almost seven years already (I will be seven years exactly on September 24th.) With that span of time, I have invited my family to visit...
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730 views319 readers
requirements : Application from (which you can download online) Personal appearance of the applicants Passport of the applicants Reason for Extension (can be written in a separate sheet of paper) Return ticket...
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Pregnancy Journey 30 weeks 6 days August 27, 2019 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁ Pregnancy Journey Previous storyTwenty weeks Next storyTemporary Visitor Visa extension of my mother and sister in...
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2,138 views1,067 readers
DiaryPregnancy Journey Twenty weeks June 12, 2019 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁ DiaryPregnancy Journey Previous storyLook at This Public Restroom in Japan Next story30 weeks 6 days
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1,234 views551 readers
The entrance is very sophisticated in black and white theme. And even the female and male symbols are nice. I think the best part is the floor. I like the pattern of...
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833 views217 readers
ALT Life Rainy Season English Bulletin Board September 9, 2018 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁ ALT Life Previous storySchool Lunch in Japan Next storyLook at This Public Restroom in Japan
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1. Preparation time. Each classroom has ` kyushoku toban ` or lunch committee who`s assigned to prepare lunch. The first thing they do is wash their hands and wear their white apron,...
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1,394 views447 readers
My apartment was like this in the outside
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1,993 views800 readers
In the Philippines Elementary School Recognition in the Philippines is always treated like a festival, a big event for honor students and a busy day (and days prior to it) for teachers....
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1,921 views482 readers
At the end part of March, I took away the flowers and changed it with congratulations message for the graduates. The picture in the middle with the word March shows how we...
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2,572 views967 readers
And came February 1st, the first day of the month, when I usually update the EB (English Board), I still couldn`t picture in mind what the final outcome would be. What I...
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751 views301 readers
A. Writing The way to write kanji is based on strokes - number of strokes, stroke pattern. For example, the kanji for number one 一 read as ichi consist of only one...
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24,640 views9,497 readers
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...
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Anything Under the SunDiaryHeart Talk All of us are a Memory February 15, 2018 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁ Anything Under the SunDiaryHeart Talk Previous storyMy Childhood Memories in Mati...
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1,185 views650 readers
BANANAS, BANANAS I remember how my siblings and I played outside of our backyard pinching and poking holes on the banana trunks with sticks and watching the sap flow out from it...
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2,510 views692 readers
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...
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2,448 views1,187 readers
As you can see, it's Helloween, I mean, Halloween theme. I just put a little twist to the word to make it more catchy. I made three big jack-o-lanterns and aligned it...
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Anything Under the SunDiaryHeart TalkPhilippines When its Christmas and it’s not so merry December 24, 2017 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁ Anything Under the SunDiaryHeart TalkPhilippines Previous storyWhy is summer...
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1,553 views836 readers
kakigori or shave ice, most kids, elementary and junior high school somewhat hate summer. Why? For one reason. Homework. And it's not just a piece of paper with few mathematical problems to...
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1,621 views749 readers
The Long Awaited Day The 21st of July. We, the sleepyheads, specially my dear husband, miraculously woke up before our alarm. Our long awaited summer vacation will start today. We'll be flying...
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1. Posting selfies (in towel) after taking a bath/shower saying "feeling fresh" with cleavage as the focal point. 2 . Burping in your status to show you are (damn) full. 3 ....
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1,903 views651 readers
Anything Under the SunGalleryThe Poet in Me Sometimes, we get too busy pursuing our dreams that we forget to live in reality February 4, 2017 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁...
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1,987 views597 readers
What is Setsubun? Setsubun (節分) means seasonal divison. The kanji 節 means ‘season’ and the kanji 分means ‘part’. Setsubun’s original meaning is the last day of any season. Spring Setsubun, usually February...
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2,535 views984 readers
Malingaw ko magscan sa akong timeline kay makita nko kalahian sa Pinoy ug Hapon when it comes to beauty pageants. Trending kaayo sa Fb sa Pinoy ang Miss Universe (Ms. U). Halos...
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836 views354 readers
The place was filled with people. You can feel the festive mood. One of the giant lanterns that lit up the city. Another giant lantern. This year's animal. People climbing up the...
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Anything Under the SunDiaryHeart Talk What do you do when you can’t sleep at night? January 15, 2017 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁ Anything Under the SunDiaryHeart Talk Previous storyJapanese...
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1,819 views732 readers
Gymnasium city.tomisato.lg.jp Here is the gymnasium. The gymnasium is one of the most important and most memorable places in school because this is where the school ceremonies are held. Opening ceremony, entrance...
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2,181 views578 readers
Japan is a highly educated country. It's government invest a great amount of its resources on the education sector which is evident on the school resources and facilities. Educational institutions all over...
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733 views246 readers
Fried pig's ears. Pig's feet adobo. Pork kilawin. Crispy pig's ears.
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1,755 views690 readers
The Restaurant The restaurant's name is 古々地庵 read as Kokojian. It specializes on Indian curry. The restaurant building is actually an old Japanese house. Below are pictures from outside the building. Inside...
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Anything Under the SunDiaryHeart TalkPhilippines Fathers’ Day June 18, 2016 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁ Anything Under the SunDiaryHeart TalkPhilippines Previous storyWedding Cultures in Japan and the Philippines Next storyPork...
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1,464 views705 readers
tickera.com In this article, we will talk about the wedding cultures in Japan and the Philippines. Being a Filipina living in Japan for few years now, I am confident to say that...
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2,565 views879 readers
downloads.ws You are coming to Japan. Or maybe you are already here. Not as a temporary visitor but for a short-term stay. Maybe you are a student or a contract worker. You...
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2,089 views801 readers
my university 5. Economic Advantage tokyoezine.com Japan is one of the top economic powers in the world. What I (financially) earn here (with lesser effort and work) is almost four times as...
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1,088 views460 readers
Many of us don’t like rainy days. It's dark. It's wet. It's gloomy. I really don't like going outside when it rains. It's a nice time to just sit and relax, read...
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Anything Under the SunGalleryThe Poet in Me ‘Food for thought’ of the day May 27, 2016 · By aryanil A story worth remembering⌁ Anything Under the SunGalleryThe Poet in Me Previous storyHow...
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2,446 views1,140 readers
worldknowing.com 1. Overrated etsy.com Suicide happens everywhere. A sad fact that some people on their individual struggles on this lovely earth choose to not continue fighting and make a permanent rest. “Jisatsu”...
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1,739 views508 readers
What is love? iloverelationships.com “Love is a many splendored thing” as the popular old song goes. There are so many definitions of love. I bet you know more than three. I consider...
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2,148 views537 readers
happystorm.x.fc2.com Many schools are having their annual Sports Festival or what they call “undokai” (運動会). The entire school and the community, especially the teacher-advisers and students are pushing themselves very hard to...
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1,081 views497 readers
I was a little bit disappointed because I was expecting to have the kind of Halo halo that I know. Instead, what I got is the one below. There are four choices...
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1,219 views400 readers
A new journey is set to start on May 9 in a community located down southeast. People will choose who will drive the jeepney. To be the driver is the most coveted...
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1,995 views1,112 readers
Whether you want to maximize your travel experience or you just want to stock some knowledge in the pocket of your head, it is good to know the annual events of a...
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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...
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1,268 views726 readers
You heard about Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima for sure, but what about Fukuoka? Where is it located in Japan? Is it as nice as the other big cities I mentioned? Fukuoka...
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1,361 views492 readers
Why? Why so soon? Why is life so unfair? But, in life, not all questions are answered. There's nothing we can do but gather the pieces of our broken selves and continue...
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1,145 views668 readers
Photo unavailable in the source archive. Rose and festival – two completely different words but are both related to love, happiness and celebration. Just imagine these two words being used together. It...
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2,571 views708 readers
Sakura Sakura is undebatably the most famous seasonal flower in Japan. It is the symbol of spring. People from all over Japan look forward to this season, when they can roll open...
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1,959 views951 readers
When I first came to Japan as a visiting relative, I was surprised to see a lot of people wearing masks. "What's going on? Is there an epidemic?", I curiously asked my...
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1,846 views630 readers
(a snapshot from our TV) April 14, 2016, Thursday evening, I was on our living room sitting on the floor playing with my laptop on the low center table. I was all...
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1,771 views409 readers
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you will never know what you’ll get”. “Love comes from the most unexpected places.” These two sayings remind me of the love story of my...
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1,017 views425 readers
DSC_0043 Japan is such a wonderful country. Most of whom I know, Japanese and foreigners alike express their fondness of the many aspects of the country: its people, food, celebration and culture...
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1,560 views903 readers
It’s already September. The cold autumn breeze starts to kiss our sun-drenched skin in the long hot summer months. What a relief! Goodbye scorchingsummer! Hello delicate autumn! Just by looking around makes...
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874 views291 readers
(Photo from en.wikipedia.org) Celebrating birthdays, I bet, is universal. Whatever race we are, wherever we are born, it is a fact that a birth of a person calls for celebration. It is...
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